North Coast Winds by Robin Joy Wellman - May 2018

Are you enjoying our spring? Don’t you love the surprise weather we have each day; maybe rain and the next day sun, a day of warmth taking off the jacket, putting the jacket on, bringing the umbrella out, putting it away, building a fire, or closing the wood room down. Spring! A gentle reminder to us all to appreciate the last of this wacky weather as we will soon wish once again for the cleansing downpours and the big storms! Enjoy each day, enjoy the moment it brings.

Speaking of time… I often remind us all to slow down. It’s a big question in our lives isn’t it? Should one plan out their day and build in personal alone time and a nap? Or do you lose the calendar and pretend that your day is booked when an event comes across your desk and gracefully bow out? How about losing the phone for an afternoon? Or do you take one day at a time and do exactly as you please?

I do know it’s true when they say you will be busier than heck when you retire. Visiting with friends, family, a big trip here, a small one there! It’s true, oh so true. My favorite is my walk each day. I encourage you to take a walk in some of the many trails in our many parks or stroll on one of our lovely beaches. Or pretend the house work is all done and the garden chores too –then grab a book and lounge around in your favorite nature spot. If you want to fill up that calendar there is plenty to do.

Lots going on out there for everyone. At the Gualala Art Center are three opening receptions to attend early May; from oil on canvas, to water color on paper, photography, and wood sculpture. Strolling in the art gallery alone or with a friend fills is good for the soul. Meeting the artists is a good way to meet the community you live in.

On May 5th at 1:00 take a garden tour with Sus, executive director of the art center. The Brubeck Soul Brothers are on the same day at 7:00 PM. These guys are great and have been performing, playing, and sharing stories on our coast for many years. “Spring into Summer—A Taoist Perspective” (this is what I was saying earlier) is May 6 at 10:00 AM.

And there is more: acting classes, thought-provoking lectures, a quilt workshop, another wonderful concert and art fair. Please visit the Gualala Art Center website for all the details on these events at gualalaarts.org. At the Point Arena theater the Stompy Jones Rhythm and Blues show is Saturday May 12 at 7:00. Perfect music for some good swing dancing. And of course, they have the best movies in town. Check them out at arenatheater.org/.

The one event I want to highlight this month is the Alaskan Native Day at Fort Ross State Historic Park on May 19th from 10:00 to This is the Fifth Annual Alaska Native Day to celebrate the Alaska Native history at Fort Ross/Metini and to build community among the Alaska Native people. Kayak race, crafts, dance performance, storytelling, and games. Come learn about the Alaska Native community at Fort Ross. The Alaskan Native story at Colony Ross is a piece of our coastal history that is important. Lauren Peters created this event to tell the story of these often forgotten people who lived and worked here, intermarried with local tribal people, and were some of the more diverse communities to live here during this changing time. Here is there Facebook feed for more info: facebook.com/events.

I wish you all a wonderful spring. If you have events or stories, or people you want to highlight please contact me. Many blessings to you all.