Page 34 - Sonoma County Gazette April 2018

I am told spring is here in Geyserville now—but that must just be
a rumor. When I looked up to the mountain a little while before sunset a few days ago, I was stunned by the sight of a huge white object in the sky. Gleaming in the sun was the normally-brown Geyser Peak, covered with a fresh layer
of snow that lasted well into the next day. At 3,458 feet, snow on Geyser Peak
is an unusual sight. But earlier in the afternoon I had noticed the mountain completely obscured by a very dark cloud. When that cloud lifted, the gleaming white peak appeared. The irony was that it was de nitely springtime sunshine making the snow glow so brightly against the sky.
“. . . nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”
On a recent rainy day, 50 people (mostly seniors, Carol and Reece among them) wait patiently in Kleiser Park across from Cloverdale High School for
10 am to arrive. A single small sign is visible. One side reads: “Community Together”. The other a rms the people’s purpose in being there: “In Solidarity with Our Students.”
As you may have guessed, we’re all waiting for the local teenagers who are joining over a million other students across our nation in walking-out of class for 17 minutes to honor those killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
Anne Frank
At the appointed time, the students begin to appear across the road, gaining in mass to around 150. No phones. No talking amongst themselves. Digni ed. Sincere. Respectful. Quietly coming together to take their stand in the rain.
The snow in the sky was not the only unusual phenomenon I saw this month. The rainy days have produced many rainbows. For the Geyserville Chamber of Commerce St. Patrick’s Day themed dinner, a beautiful rainbow appeared to end right at the Oriental Hall (aka Grange Hall) where the dinner was held. It was an accurate harbinger—the corned beef and cabbage dinner was delicious, and the auction of green pistachio cakes after the dinner was erce. The next Chamber of Commerce dinner will be held April 10th.
A couple of days later, after another rainstorm, I saw a second rainbow which also seemed to end at the same spot. Here’s hoping that bodes well for Geyserville! We really may be the (s)pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
Foodie Moment of the Month
This one is easy but very unexpected—the African-spiced pork ribs with quinoa at Catelli’s. This dish was on the specials menu and I was lucky enough to get the last plate available. I don’t know if that made it a much bigger portion than might be usual, but the plate was massive—and delicious. I’m not used
to nding African avors in downtown Geyserville but this blew me away. In my once-native San Diego I used to enjoy eating at the many local Ethiopian restaurants, especially at the Mujata Bistro on Park Boulevard, but Catelli’s version stood up well to anything I had down there. It went perfectly with a glass of Pedroncelli’s Zinfandel Mother Clone.
A hush settles over the intergenerational crowd as CHS senior Sami Santana climbs onto a wooden bench and welcomes everyone, bringing to mind the somber events that have us all gathered under the dripping redwoods.
Coming Up in Geyserville: I’ll be touching on this next month too, but it’s always a good idea to prepare in advance for something this good! Mark on your calendars Sunday, May 6th, 2018. It’s the family-friendly, local- focused May Day Celebration. This cherished tradition includes the Kiwanis barbecued rib competition usually pitting several local rehouses against each other, Geyserville Elementary’s 3rd-graders tangling together in the Maypole Dance around a classic Geyserville May Pole dating back to 1925, folkloric dancing from Ballet de Folklorico, Geyserville History Display, and listening to the upbeat music of local pastor Hillary Marckx.
Some of the students may be thinking of others killed in the previous
mass shootings. What were they like? Were they like me? Some are probably wondering about the guns and lack of laws, enabling the shooters. More seriously, they are wondering if they are safe. Could this happen to us? What can I do about it all?
Like all of Geyserville’s hometown celebrations, it’s a heartwarming event. Admission is free. There will be wine and beer booths and food booths as well. The event runs from 12pm - 4pm and once again it is held at the Hoffman Grove Picnic Grounds at 21900 Geyserville Avenue. More information is available through the Geyserville Chamber of Commerce at 707 857-1728.
We community members had gathered to support these students. We had made a pact amongst ourselves to remain quiet, making no comments. Many of us were remembering what it was like 50 and 60 years ago when we were in the students’ position as we stood up for the end of the Vietnam War, Civil Rights, and Women’s Equality. In returning to our past, we became more acutely aware of the inner strength needed to take a stand and with this our admiration of the students grew. We found ourselves taking a step from the past into the future with them.
For wine a cionados—we do have some in this county - April 28-29th o ers the nearby Passport to Dry Creek Valley. Pedroncelli’s will be participating along with over forty other wineries. And here is a secret tip—there is the “Prelude to Passport to Dry Creek Valley” on the 27th, an extra taste of the event on that Friday. For tickets and more information, go to event website at drycreekvalley.org/events/passport-dry-creek-valley/. For the Friday, April 27th prelude, check its special web page at drycreekvalley.org/events/prelude- passport/.
Last, but certainly not least, congratulations to former Assistant City Manager David Kelley who, as our press release rightly points out, “has demonstrated that he has the skills, background, quali cations and desire to perform the duties” and who (as of March 31st) assumed his new appointment as Cloverdale’s City Manager.
What am I missing? Your Geyserville event? Let me know at tregula@msn.com.
Kelly is an example of e ective succession planning by hiring a person with the future in mind. Preparing that person to move forward with training and full knowledge of an organization create a smooth transition as the changes occur.
34 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 4/18
Our best wishes to you, David!
Another senior, Everett Conway, follows Sami onto the bench and reads the names of those killed in Parkland, recognizing what their deaths represent to us. Finally, Eden Winniford climbs up, reminding us once again of the gravity of what keeps happening so frequently across our nation.
And, we walked away feeling reassured by, hopeful about, and grateful to the next generation—Cloverdale High School students.
New City Manager