Guerneville Glitter by Sister Scarlet - November 2017
Sister Scarlet of the Russian River Sisters here standing in as guest columnist for groovy Beth Rudometkin. While I was expecting to devote this introductory paragraph to the beauty of Sonoma County, the loveliness of our fall colors and the excitement of harvest time, instead I feel compelled to say that I feel lucky to have a home, fortunate that my family is safe and my neighborhood is still intact. Fortunate in that I can get up and go to work and that my workplace still stands. Thousands of first responders came to battle our fires and have the fires nearly contained at this writing, and the ominous sound of texts coming in from Nixle have all but ended. Opportunities for volunteerism abound as we think about all we have to be grateful for and those who need our help.
The river opened shelters, housed and fed evacuees and firefighters, and has already hosted benefits to help those who were directly impacted by the fires. Dozens of funds have been started for relief effort including North Coast Opportunities (ncoinc.org/2017-fires/), Redwood Credit Union, and Community Foundation of Sonoma’s Resilience Fund to name a few. Our local Safeway is hosting an in-store fundraiser to help people and communities affected by the California Wildfires. Customers can make donations at check-stands and the Safeway Foundation will match customer donations up to $500,000 with the funds going to the Red Cross.
OutWatch Film Festival is working on a Fire Relief benefit at the Rio Theater on Friday November 3rd. After costs are covered, all profits will be donated to LGBTQ Fire Relief, through the LGBTQ Giving Circle (Community Foundation of Sonoma County.) More details will be available on the Outwatch website: outwatchfilmfest.org.
The Guerneville Cares group is also working on Four Day Fire Relief Fundraiser, a series of fundraisers starting with a Thursday Give-Back at the Rainbow Cattle Company onNovember 9th, And Karaoke Friday the 10th at the R3 Hotel, Timberline is producing aFire Aid Festival with music, comedy and drag on Saturday the 11th, and I just learned Trio is hosting an event onSunday the 12th. All proceeds will be turned over to the Lazy Bear Fund, their 501 c3 sponsor. Visitwww.guernevillecares.org if you would like more info about the events, or to donate or volunteer. Guerneville Cares!
Big Bottom Market has started a “Pennies from Heaven” campaign to raise funds for fire victims and will be donating the proceeds to Redwood Credit Union. Big Bottom is also hosting a fabulous dinner to raise money for Guerneville School enrichment programs onNovember 2nd! You will have the amazing opportunity to eat the famous Big Bottom Biscuits and delicious vegetable stew! There will be a buffet “Stew Bar” to select toppings for your stew and yummy ice cream donated by Flavors Unlimited! Tickets & info: friendsofges.org.
The First Friday Artwalk celebrates local art, music, food & wine on the first Friday each month with artist receptions at studios & galleries throughout town. You can like their page on Facebook and follow to keep informed of specific receptions and showings.
The Russian River Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are hosting Random Acts of Kindness Bingo for Bob Burke’s Kids onNovember 12th at the Vet’s Hall. a year-round fun activities program for children with cancer and other serious illnesses. Activities include summer barbecues each Wednesday evening along the beautiful Russian River in Forestville, California...
The November schedule for Give-Back Tuesday at theRainbow Cattle Company includes the Mama’s Family Toy Drive onNovember 7; the Clean River Alliance on the14th, the RRSPI Grants Fund on the 21st and our local radio station, KGGV onNov. 28th. Give-Back Tuesday will celebrate its 12th Anniversary at the Toy Drive benefit – rough numbers suggest more than a half million dollars have been raised since the potluck was founded in 2005!
The Chamber of Commerce membership held elections in October and elected the following individuals to 3-year terms: Jennifer Neeley of West County Health Centers; Crista Luedtke of boon eat + drink and boon spa + resort; Debra Johnson of Berkshire Hathaway; Mark Belhumeur of Autocamp. Elected to a two-year term are Barbara Gustafson of Paul Mathew winery; Dan Poirier ofJohnson’s Beach; Jeff Bridges of the R3 Hotel; Bob Pullum of the Guerneville Bank Club; Lynette McLean of the Highlands Resort. Current board members with one-year term remaining: Wendy Bignall; Leslie Jo Booker Crane; Sarah Deering; Andrea Kent. Welcome new board members!
The Chamber is hosting the annual Merchant Holiday Open House onNovember 30th from 4pm to 7pm, the Prince & Princess Dinner at Trio from 6pm to 9pm onDecember 1st, and the Holiday Parade of Lights with the Friends of Stumptown onDecember 2nd from 7pm to 9pm. The theme this year is a“Storybook Holiday” and parade applications can be found on the Chamber website: russianriver.com
