Page 44 - Sonoma County Gazette January 2017

At last the commercial crab season is open. It was never comprehensible to me that if the crab were not healthy for commercial fishermen,how was it that amateurs could go out and bring in crab to eat? Any way, everybody can go now, from Point Reyes to Salt Point. By the time this is published there may be no restrictions. It sure is nice to see the fishermen back at work. Bodega Bay depends on them.
Please – oh please – bring on the New Year. I am so ready for 2017 and so over 2016. Are you? Change, change, and more change for many of us including yours truly. Stay tuned.
We had a little drama at sea when the boat, the Verna A11 went aground. The pilot said he fell asleep. Imagine his surprise to be awakened by law enforcement officials who enforced the arrest warrant on him. Apparently he had been in previous trouble by helping himself to other people’s money and it took grounding his boat to catch him.
Start the year o with a nice drive along the coast. Even if you live here take a relaxing drive and make the stops you always wish you had time for. Stroll, slip, and glide into the New Year.
The boats we watch come in all sizes and shapes. The crab boats normally emit no significant smoke but as I write this I am watching a boat going out with smoke rolling out his smokestack. Apparently there have been several cases of deferred maintenance because of the economic situation the fishermen have experienced. With all the funds available for emergencies I should think some enterprising fisherman could get at least a line of credit with which to repair the damage caused by the crisis in the crab-vending market. Apparently Congressmen like these kinds of issues. Shall we start a “crab-crisis loan” ?
This month I want to highlight the Timber Cove Resort which has been going through a seven month full remodel and update of every little square inch with everything gutted but the frame and rock walls. I had the pleasure
of viewing the lodge with Brooks Landers, the events specialist for Timber Cove. She reminds us that not only weddings, but also business and family meetings, corporate gatherings, and social a airs including birthdays and anniversaries can be located here. Brooks stated, “the owners/partners with Wave Construction and Ironstate Development did an amazing job preserving the original rustic but elegant vision that Richard Clemons, the original owner/ builder in 1963 had so long ago”. She is right. I was pleasantly surprised.
Local law enforcement had a very successful open house December 8. The very small Sonoma Coast Resident parking was full and the community had a very pleasant chance to meet/greet the local deputies. The community was well represented, especially the ham radio operators and many CERT members. The Grange and the Chamber of Commerce were represented and locals got to see the Red Cross trailer and the Fire Station, in addition to the Law Enforcement (sheriffs, coast guard, CHP) and to ask questions (like how many yards must a hunter stay away from residences) and why isn’t there more parking at the entrance to the new walkway or why don’t we have a pedestrian walkway across from the Grange Hall (the answers are 150 yards for the duck- hunting question, and opposition from Cal Trans the last answer. )
Where’s our Tree? We sure miss our little Christmas Tree. For the last several years there has been a little tree shining at the end of the breakwater at Spud Point. Initially it was put together by the Coast Guard Auxiliary, but I can find no answers this year. Anybody find out who to call, I’m in. Epiphany is usually when we take our tree down; maybe this year we can celebrate the Three Kings, like they do in Ethiopia and have a crab celebration parade. Crab IS king around here. I LOVE a parade. Any takers?
Exceptional: If you haven’t seen the wonderful Sonoma Coast pictures posted at the Grange, better hurry. They are selling fast. John Hershey has done his usual great job. These make excellent presents, if you take my suggestion and celebrate Epiphany. And Crab Cioppino is coming up; the Firefighters’ pancake breakfast is coming up; the Christmas carol celebration was great; Next year I will be sure to make the Santa Rosa Garden Club annual sale. Have to keep those gophers fed!
Funding a Scholarship: We are a community that values education. One of our best supporters just died. Joan Scoggins was always the first to volunteer for the raffle for scholarships (she created it). the first to work in the cioppino feed and assure more proceeds for scholarships. It is only proper for the Bodega Bay Grange777 to create a Joan Scoggins Scholarship. Next year this will be awarded along with our usual ones . If you wish to contribute, send your check to Bodega Bay Grange 777,PO Box 152, and specify it is for the Joan Scoggins’ Scholarship Fund. We will also donate part of the tip money at the Cioppino Feed to the Scholarship Fund. You can designate the Joan Scoggins Scholarship Fund, if you like. We will surely miss her and her energy on behalf of our students.
The skies have been gorgeous. The sunrise the other morning was more beautiful than even the Northern Lights. The whole sky was bright red, with flashes of orange and pink. Even our little moon has been trying to conquer the evening clouds. We could still use more rain, but the skies are beautiful .
And say a special Prayer for Peace for 2017. As the song goes: “All we are saying, is – Give Peace a Chance.”
44 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 1/17
Starting outdoors with two living areas are the paci c view living area with
a replace where you can roast marshmallows and create your own s’more but in a super comfortable setting and take in the ocean view. If you don’t want
to sit you can enjoy the 2 miles of trails for guests. The great Bufano statue ‘the Peace Totem’ also called ‘the Hand’ by locals is here at the paci c patio. This statue is actually the second smallest State Park in the 278 state park system. Isn’t that cool! In the outdoor area that faces the forest and cove is a pool table and ping pong table ready anytime to be enjoyed in the ‘Outdoor Living Room’ along with an outdoor seating area and one of a kind replace. The outdoor living room has heat lamps so you are always cozy. There are trails leading from here with a walk to the Serge poles placed by the Shakh people of Yakutia. These friends are a part of the old Russian American Company history that surrounds Fort Ross.
With colors like these, who needs a White Christmas? Enjoy.
Locals Night (Monte Rio to Gualala) is every Wednesday. A 20% o all lounge menu and drinks and 20% o all rooms so you can make it a fun night and not worry about driving home. New Year’s Eve they have a special DJ coming in with many opportunities for fun times with dinner, dancing, and party favors. And for those looking forward to Valentines, check the website for Valentine Specials and all o ers. If you are a local and have only passed by now is the time to make a stop for breakfast, lunch, or dinner on your way to or from town. Or just stop in and tour the grounds – have a glass of wine or cup of tea. Truly wonderful and impressive. timbercoveresort.com/
Enjoy all the activities on our magical coast. Visit these
websites for all events and programs: Gualala Arts Center: gualalaarts.org/ category/events/ or Point Arena Lighthouse: pointarenalighthouse.com/ visit/calendar-2/; Action Network: actionnetwork.info/; Four Eyed Frog: foureyedfrog.com/; Jenner Community Center: jennercommunitycenter.org/
Inside the main hall, the ‘Great Room’ with the old massive stone replace with all its charm and character of a true lodge is the perfect place to relax. Lounge dining as well as the full service bar with the nest wine selection is here. Downstairs near the dining area is a newly remodeled wine tasting room that seats many people for private tastings by appointment which can also become a beautiful meeting room. All 46 rooms, including 8 suites are fully remodeled with most of the rooms being an ocean view with all new ooring, bedding, beds, and well everything! The bathrooms are all updated, all new, and super clean with black slate, soaking tubs in suites.
I met the General Manager Reto Torriani who is well known as a GM in many outstanding locations. Reto stated ‘After almost a year of multi-million dollar renovation Timber Cove is back on line in it1s whole splendor. The rebuilt rooms and public spaces now have a quirky retro look. Rooms and Suites feature record players, pour-over Hario co ee system with Bouno kettles, old style refrigerators, and Nest replaces. Besides its stunning views and cool designs, service and excellent food is a must in this property and our new
Coast Kitchen with Chef Phillip Kaufman on the helm fresh with Coastal Wine Country cuisine is served with a stunning wine list to accompany the palate. Knowing our guests and be ‘hands on’ at all times, is the secret for excellent service. I love working here, and we will strive to make this beautiful resort to be known around the Globe and become THE destination on the Coast”.
Please bring in the New. Blessings to you all!