Page 41 - Sonoma County Gazette April 2018

Well folks, in the last few hours I have seen hail, bright sunshine
and pouring rain. Welcome to another wacky west county Spring neighbors. By the time you are reading this the vernal equinox will have already passed. Days and nights are nearly even, though the day is making a steady push forward this time of year, adding a few minutes
to its side as every trip round the sun transpires. As the pace of the plants and sunlight quickens so does that of the humans it seems. In other words there is a lot going on in these parts and I best get to it quick.
Fools Rush In April 7 - On Saturday April 7th is the annually eclectic Fools Parade through Occidental, an absolute hoot for all who attend. The gathering begins at Noon and parading starts around 1pm from the Occidental Center for the Arts in Harmony Village on the North end of town. The great throng of foolishness will saunter up to town and back to the OCA. There will be music and milling about all throughout the afternoon around town. The only requirement to attend is a sense of foolishness, though costumes are strongly encouraged. Please carpool. While you are in town stop in a business you never have, or an old fave. Grab a beverage or a bite to eat from one of our great establishments. Spread the love and foolish vibes.
Easter 2018: For the very rst time since 1956, Easter Sunday falls on April 1st or April Fool’s Day. Since 1900, Easter has fallen on April Fool’s Day only four times – 1923, 1934, 1945 and 1956. It won’t happen again until 2029. Easter generally falls between March 22nd and April 25th each year. Don’t forget to decorate your home and color those eggs.....such a fun tradition.
Occidental Center for the Arts cover ALL the Arts!
Change is Inevitable: Since I have moved to Rio Nido I am completely thrilled with all the positive and wonderful changes this little hamlet has undergone. When I rst moved here it was “Cowboys and Indians” in my eyes. RN is undergoing a total and complete renaissance to say the very, very least. Homes are a hot commodity around here. They are being gutted, remodeled, staged and are hitting the market like gangbusters and selling like hotcakes.
Also on Saturday 4/7 at 8 in the evening the OCA will host a concert event featuring a duo of Celtic Harpists and multi-instrumentalists Lisa Lynne & Aryeh Frankfurter. $19adv / $24dr
Saturday the 14th from 10-12 there will be an event at Salmon Creek School: Living With Fire in Sonoma County. Caerleon Sa ord from Fire Safe Sonoma will be on hand to talk about things you can do to protect your home and landscape. $10adults / $5 kids. At the beautiful orange building on campus. This event is co-sponsored by the Bodega Land Trust and Salmon Creek Watershed Council.
Young families with babies and small children have descended and it’s wonderful. This darling little slice of heaven has been discovered. Many new homeowners are moving here full time, there are some gorgeous vacation rentals and many of the past Landlords have decided to sell and let the new generation of homeowners enjoy all that this area has to o er. Prices are all over the board when it comes to homes in RN. A three bedroom home recently sold for $790,000.00 a few months ago and there were 15 overbids on a home going for $499,000.00 and it ended up selling for $650,000.00. Now that’s change and progress for this little Village. Rio Nido is the place to be.
On the evening of the 14th at 8pm the OCA will have Blues/Rock/Soul Music: Sarah Baker with Nina Gerber & Mona Gnader. $22adv / $26dr
Friday April 27th brings us the annual Harmony Ark Foundation
fund-raising gala. This years event will be held at the Union Hotel from 5:30 – 9:30pm. This is an adults only night of fun—raising money to support many important programs at the school. I attended the event a couple years ago for the rst time and it was a lot of fun. Here’s some highlights: really awesome locally home-brewed beer, cool people to mingle with, great silent auction to leisurely peruse, tasty food to nosh, a rousing live auction that always includes some pretty phenomenal kid created art, and more.
So a heads up to the community, even if you don’t have kids in
school or any other direct connection you should seriously consider attending this event just for the fun of it. If you end up bringing home some awesome schwag you can also rest easy knowing the money went to a good cause. Go
to harmonyark.org to buy tickets to the event, ra e tickets and bid on several online auction items.
That brings me to speaking of school and one avenue of many where the Harmony Ark’s funds are put to use. In the local theatre review department,
I want to say a rousing congratulations to all involved in putting on the production of The Hobbit at Salmon Creek School—it was fantastic! A fun set design, quality acting and excellent baked goods at intermission—I can’t wait for their next production.
Friends of Rio Nido Meeting: A FRN Meeting was held on Sunday, March 18th.....Agenda items will be noted in next month’s column.
Local Couple makes good: Rio Nido locals Thomas Ti er and his wife Sasha live in Rio Nido and own Monte Rio Taxi. When they aren’t busy serving the Community Thomas and Sasha love to spend quality time in the great outdoors with their two beautiful boys. The Company which was originally established in 2007 was taken over by the Ti er family in 2017 which operates all over Sonoma County and beyond. They take appointments, deliver restaurant food, small orders from the grocery store, accommodate airport fares and do wine tours, etc.
Have a Happy Easter everyone! And Happy April Fool’s Day!
Rio Nido Lodge: Many changes and improvements since July 2017. As the saying goes: It takes a Village. And, this Village is being resurrected. When I say it’s under “New Management” I’m not just blowing hot air.
The new Innkeepers – Elena Chronis, Martine Eva and Jenn Beasley have brought new life to this old, historic jewel. The rooms are lovingly maintained and restored. There are so many improvements, well...I’ll end up taking up this entire column mentioning them. Stop by and check it out for yourselves. Its cheerful, colorful and whimsical inside.
Our pop-up women’s clothing store event LuLaRoe was a wild success and the clothes were beautiful in sizes XXS-3XL+. If you weren’t able to make it, we’ll be hosting another pop-up this summer with Julie and Josh. Go to: www. ShopwithJulieandJosh.com to see all the wonderful styles they o er. Stayed tuned for our Co ee Shop soft opening this Summer.
Local Theater LIVE at Salmon Creek School
RN Pet of the Month: This is Bella. She is ve years old. She has many nicknames including: Bella Vino, Boo Bear, Boo Kitty, Boo, Boobie, Bebe Kitty and Angel Face. Bella was adopted by her human as a
Sunday the 29th has another concert coming to the OCA. At 4pm the T Sisters group will be performing folk and americana music. I haven’t yet seen them live but have been hearing good things for a couple of years so I’m hoping to be able to make it. Tickets are $19adv / $24dr.
tiny kitten when she fell asleep inside her human’s sweatshirt pocket. Her hobbies include sleeping, eating, sleeping, looking adorable, sleeping and of course, posing for the camera. Her favorite toys are a stu ed animal ducky and catnip stu ed carrot.
Please go to occidentalcenterforthearts.org for more info on ticketing and to see the full calendar of events. When looking at the busy calendar for the Arts Center It’s great to think back of all the years and countless peoples e orts to bring the idea of an Arts Center in Occidental to life. Through many twists and turns it happened, and boy look at it go!
She is quite regal for a kitty and has the personality of a princess. She never forgets to wake her human mommy every morning when its time for her breakfast. Let’s give Bella the Princess a warm RN welcome!
Great job art supporting people—past, present and into the future.
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The nicest young and professional local family you can meet. www.monterio-taxi. com. 707-849-6802.