Page 39 - Sonoma County Gazette 12-2019

We were very fortunate here in extreme western Sonoma county during the recent ‘blackout’. Due to the diligence of our myriad first responders, my cozy cyber-hut once again has working electronics! As thankfully the Kincade Fire did not spread to our area, our local firefighters were able to concentrate on impacted areas such as Geyserville, Healdsburg, and Windsor. The mutual aid once again in action during the times of emergency made the entire group stronger. I send them all a super Happy Thanksgiving wish!!
Farewell 2019: With the flood of the Century and the Kinkaid Fire, all
of us River folks have been put through enough. The flood destroyed many local businesses and homes. But through it, all this close-knit community came together to help one another. We are grateful that the Rio Nido Roadhouse has been restored and is back to business as usual. A big thank you to Proprietors Brad and Raena Metzger for their dedication to this little enclave.
Kinkaid Fire and Power Outages: as if we haven’t endured so much PG&E decides to shut off our power due to gusty winds. PG&E has three strikes against them. Strike One: The San Bruno explosion that they tried to coverup and lied about, Strike Two: the fires of 2017-2018 and Strike Three: the Kinkaid Fire and the Power shutoffs due to their outdated and faulty equipment causing many to lose jobs and businesses to lose revenue. These power shutoffs are ridiculous and should not be the new normal for the next ten years for PG&E to get their act together and upgrade all their old equipment. PG&E is self-serving and doesn’t realize the economic impact they are causing to citizens and businesses. OK, rant over!
Russian River Advisory Council: Rio Nido is finally getting noticed! Hooray! Rio Nido is being represented in many district meetings. We are finally getting attention from the County. Please attend the next FRN meeting on January 19th - location TBD. I will update you in the January column.
Guerneville Christmas Holiday Parade: Last year the Rio Nido Float won an award. Hsve fun at this year’s parade. We have a good group of Rio Nidans volunteering their precious time. Thank you to all involved.
The Year 2020: WOW! Exciting that we are entering the year 2020! What are your hopes and dreams for the coming year? I pray for rain this year and hope that we can continue to be a prospering community working together to make our lives simpler while taking care not to forget the less fortunate and bestow some goodness where it is needed.
Happy Holidays to all and see you in the New Year!
Pet of the Month: Once an orphan in a golden retriever rescue where his parents Steve and Patty adopted him, Kipu has lived a full, wonderful and adventurous life. He has also become quite the traveler having crossed the country with his parents in the family RV visiting friends and family across the country visiting 26 states but always loves coming back home to Rio Nido. Kipu was the very first RN Pet of the Month in 2011 and present day.
Back again after the debut issue of the Rio Nido Pet of the Month is Kipu Bailey. He and his Parents, Steven and Patty have had a very busy eight years since his first appearance in this slot of Rio Nido Magic. After traveling to and from Rio Nido every weekend for eight years they decided to sell the house in Hayward and move here full time in 2017. Always happy and ready to meet anyone, Kipu now enjoys his daily walks over and around the RN Roadhouse where he stops at the front door and calls his friend Kate out to say hello and to all his friends there and back.
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The recent Cazadero Holiday Craft Fair went well. with a steady stream of enthusiastic shoppers. Many visited with friends and neighbors
and enjoyed a tasty snack at the pleasant Cafe’. My hearty thanks to all who volunteered, including Nancy Caplan and Sheila Juilly in the Cafe’, Kathy Merrill(set-up), Gregorio Pehrson (set-up and take-down, signage, etc.). Special thanks to those who donated goodies. Firefighter Britt was also a big help.
Next up to help you with holiday and personal shopping is the Monte Rio Holiday Wonderland Crafts fair, to be held this year for 3 big days! Beginning on Friday, November 29th-from 10-5 p.m. the fair will feature a delightful
mix of hand-crafted items and delicious homemade food and tempting baked goods. Hours on Saturday, the 30th of November are also 10-5 p.m. and on Sunday, December the 1st, fair goes from 10-4. There will be luscious hand- made preserves and sauces, wine-bottle lights, adorable sock-monkeys, jewelry, handwoven items, wonderful decorative napkins, photography, glassware items, sensuous soaps and body-care products, good-looking shirts and more from
the Monte Rio Firefighters! On Saturday and Sunday, December 7th and 8th come to the Annual Occidental Holiday Crafts Fair at the YMCA/Community Center on Bohemian Hwy. Featuring many locally made items and some exotic imports too! Tasty food, baked goods by Salmon Creek School students and their wonderful ‘bucket’ raffle with fabulous prizes donated by vendors and many local businesses. Sponsored by the Occidental Community Council, which does many things to help the community. Free admission, with hours from 10-5 on Saturday and 10-4 on Sunday.
Caz Club member Kathie Merrill created a ‘pop-up’ dessert
appreciation visit to the firefighters on a training night and it was very enjoyable. I heard that her green-tomato cakes were delectable too!
Although the meetings of the Cazadero Community Club are on hiatus until March, the very active group continues to make a positive presence in our town. Many thanks to President Maureen Berry, V.P. Marissa Martinez, Secretary Daina DeBeaune and just retired terrific Treasurer Patti Godwin.
After another attempt to save it at the Cazadero Community Services District meeting, the Sky Garden does have to move! Cathy Schezer thanks all who signed petitions and donated to help with the ‘uprooting’. Please check their website at: skygarden.com
The annual Montgomery Elementary School Winter Show
created by the students, teachers, and volunteers will be held on Thursday, December 19th at 7 p.m. at the Firehall. A very festive event for the season. On Friday, December 20th, Mr. Music will visit the school to share holiday music in his special style.
Wishing a speedy recovery to super-volunteer Susan Moll.
Happy Birthday to MES 8th-grader Erica Tourady on November 11th. Correction to December 1st birthday of Late great Cazadero poet and former poet laureate of Sonoma County Mike Tuggle. Happy December birthdays
also on the 1st to Justin Bardsley, Ken Parmeter on the 3rd along with great community volunteer Mike Nicholls, Kristie Sheets celebrates on the 10th, Daniel Kane on the 25th, Katy King on the 27th, my dear friend from Monte Rio the ageless Angie Orr and Peter Perlman will have his day on January 1st!!
For information on the Russian River Jewish Community’s annual Chanukah celebration, which will be held be at the Guerneville Senior Center on Friday, December 27th, please call me at 632 5545.
I thank our wonderful Editor/Publisher Vesta for the opportunity to write this column for you and I thank you for reading it!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, festive Chanukah (begins December 22nd), a very Merry Christmas and insightful Kwanza.