Page 42 - Sonoma County Gazette Oct. 2019

October comes slowly for us on the coast and most
of Sonoma Mendocino counties. Many other areas of the United States are already experiencing full blown color on the trees, rain and/or snow, fires to warm the house, bonfires outside, spiced drinks, possible freeze warnings and are starting to huddle inside with a book. But we, on the coast, are waiting! Waiting for the rain so we can breathe a sigh of relief, and waiting for many rains storms before we have a bonfire with friends with some sort of spiced drink, we are waiting for the mornings to heat the house with the wood stove, we often think about a jacket and maybe put one on for a few hours in the morning or evening, we wait for the trees to have the color we all love, and we know we are safe from frost for now. For us October brings amazing sunsets, often calm oceans (look for the inverted horizon), and a last chance at the dip in the creek. October gives us time. Until finally our wood piles are stocked and ready, our gardens are mulched, pumpkin muffins are at hand, and the teakettle is a welcomed drink to warm our souls.
Fort Ross has that special touch of a real down home Harvest Festival. Russian folk songs shared in the historic orchard by Kedry, harvesting apples and pears from the old historic orchard, pumpkin carving, and interpretive walks in the fort compound, beautiful views and more. Please visit Fort Ross Harvest Festival page here to learn more about this fun event for the whole family. fortross.org/2019-harvest.htm “She had only to stand in the orchard, to put her hand on a little crab tree and look up at the apples, to make you feel the goodness of planting and tending and harvesting at last.”—Willa Cather
Gualala Art Center is jammed pack with events as usual. Quilt shows,
4th Annual Cajun Zydeco Fest on October 4th, several art openings, music performances by the Manhattan Piano Trio, and Jazz is scheduled too. Please visit them at gualalaarts.org/category/events/
At the Point Arena Theater which is one of the best hometown theaters ever they play first run movies as well as must see films from around the world. October 31st they are hosting a dance party that sounds like a good time for all. Visit them here for more information arenatheater.org/home/ calendar/
Bodega Bay has been showing off this past month with beautiful weather, whales frolicking and a bounty from our ocean of ling cod, albacore and salmon.
We said goodbye & thank you to our resident Deputy Jerry Turney and hello to our new one, Jason Pasero, both heroes who have kept us safe. Residents and visitors took to the beaches to say “we love you” and cleaned up trash on Coastal Clean-up Day. Oh, and Bodega Bay’s Daughter, Alicia, got married! Mommy Pride! We sure are blessed here.
A SWING AND A HOLE IN ONE – The Bodega Bay Harbour Men’s
Golf Club Windward Golf Tournament offered to raise money for Waves of Compassion Foundation, Bodega Bay’s non-profit that provides the local food bank, pre-k scholarships and helps those in need. And boy did they! They let WOCF put up a table to collect donations. A HUGE thank you! Thank you also to WAVERS Suzanne Martin, Angela Aloise, Kelly Adams, Carolyn Connors & Lira Filippini for all your hard work collecting the donations. Special thanks to the Men’s Golf Club and Bob Haire for making this happen. We are blessed to have your support.
The Point Arena Lighthouse continues its great lecture series. Saturday, October 19, 4 p.m. Judy Bryan Mello will speak about “Those Horses in Striped Pajamas. Meet the Zebra at B Bryan Preserve”. Also they host full moon tours on October 13th and 14th. Please visit their web at pointarenalighthouse.com/visit/calendar-2/
THE BIG ONE IS COMING – Well that is what the scientists say! The famous line “Are you Prepared?” is simple. Do you know what to do if
an earthquake or other disasters happen? If not, join us for Bodega Bay’s Disaster Drill on October 4th at 3:30 pm all around Bodega Bay. Watch or participate in the drill! Learn about Bodega Bay CERT! Email us at info@ bodegabaycert.org Then be sure to stay for the Bodega Bay Fire District’s Open House to kick off Fire Safety Week at the fire station. Learn more at https://www.bodegabaycert.org/post/participate-in-the-cert-emergency-drill
THE CULVERT OF ALL CULVERTS – Caltrans has been working night and day for months trying to replace a culvert that should have been fixed several years ago. Disruption to businesses and residents has been enormous and costly. Some businesses have lost over 60% of their revenue since the project began. A major thank you to Bodega Bay Area Chamber President, Amanda Bryant, for her tireless efforts to support the local businesses impacted by this unfortunate project.
Here are a few dates to keep in mind for National observances. Surprise a friend or coworker with some homemade cookies for National Homemade Cookie Day on October 1, or go and visit our local sheriff and enjoy a cup of coffee for National Coffee with a Cop Day on the October 2, make an Apple Betty (so easy) is October 5th, honor the Native Americans on October 14th, and enjoy a piece of Pumpkin Cheesecake Day on October 21. For all the National Observances visit them here: nationaldaycalendar.com/october/
So the custom of Halloween was brought to America in the 1840’s by Irish immigrants fleeing their country’s potato famine. At that time, the favorite pranks in New England included tipping over outhouses and unhinging fence gates. The custom of trick-or-treating is thought to have originated not with the Irish Celts, but with a ninth-century European custom called souling.
TLC FOR BODEGA BAY – A recent visitor to Bodega Bay commented that our coastal village needed major TLC. She shared how this was her first and last visit. Why? She was expecting coastal beauty but all she saw was blight. (She may have missed the gorgeous ocean & stunning beaches though..)
On November 2, All Souls Day, early Christians would walk from village to village begging for “soul cakes,” made out of square pieces of bread with currants. The more soul cakes the beggars would receive, the more prayers they would promise to say on behalf of the dead relatives of the donors. Costumes were worn to ward off evil spirits. For more history on Halloween please check out this website: history.com/topics/halloween/history-of- halloween#section_3
Recently myself and Ed Cohen spoke at the Board of Supervisor’s meeting about the ruins of Meredith Pier and all the other historical, neglected and dangerous buildings & piers in our beloved village. My suggestion to the county was to use the money they collect from the 70+ homes currently under construction in Bodega Bay to make necessary improvements.
Enjoy the autumn with a walk on the beach, sitting under a tree eating an apple or any of your harvest joys, rainbows with a quick rain shower, stunning sunsets, and enjoy the last of our flowers.
A BIT OF VITAMIN SEA IS ALL YOU NEED – October is the perfect month to visit Bodega Bay. The ocean sparkles, the days are warmer, the skies are bright blue and the evening stars twinkle brightly. Mother Nature calms down a bit readying herself for winter. The restaurants and local businesses appreciate your patronage as the quieter season approaches. Shorter lines, less traffic and stunning vistas await.
There is nothing more beautiful than an October sunset. Come see!
Many blessings to you this autumn.
42 - www.sonomacountygazette.com -10/19
Be sure to join Waves of Compassion on October 13th
for the raffle drawing to further support those in need. https:// wavesofcompassionfoundation.org/donate/
A TIME FOR BELLY LAUGHS – Join Vicki Barbolak & Friends, Comedy for a Cause featuring Betsy Salkind, actress, comedian, writer and former drummer for the PhenoBarbiDolls, comedian Phil Griffiths and Lou Brockman on the Piano on Saturday, December 14th at the Bodega Bay Yacht Club
for a night of laughter in Bodega Bay. Vicki is a top 10 finalist on America’s Got Talent®, and has come together to raise highly needed funds for the Bodega Bay Fire Protection District. To buy tickets and learn more: https:// vickibarbolak2019.bpt.me/
Thoughts? Email me! We can do this together!