Rio Nido Magic by Elena Chronis - February 2019

Winter Madness:

Gosh time is just flying by like a 747! Spring is right around the corner just ready to grace us with warmer weather and colorful blossoming flowers… This last storm we had in Rio Nido was a scary one.

The lights went out and everything went completely black. It’s a good thing I was prepared as were many others in Rio Nido. The wind swept around the neighborhood like a hurricane.

That’s what scares me. It really wreaks havoc in a big way. I was having dinner with a neighbor under candlelight and it was nice. While having dinner we heard lots of crackling sounds and loud bangs which lead me to believe that quite a number of redwood branches had fallen. At least the power was only out for two hours. It’s amazing how much we count on PG&E. It was reported that PG&E had an equipment failure that caused the outage. The next morning, I awoke to complete mayhem in my yard. Downed branches everywhere and large branches took out a portion of my fence. The branches were huge and very, very heavy. Debris from the redwoods was all over the place. My husband maintains our yard and was at work. Thankfully my wonderful neighbors Leann Roxx and James contacted me, came out and removed some large, heavy branches that mangled my fence. My husband spent all of Sunday cleaning and tidying up our yard. It’s a lot of work living under the redwoods I kid you not.

Pride in our Neighborhoods:

I’d like to make a comment on how some neighbors take pride in their properties. Rio Nido does not have street cleaning. When I moved here ten years ago, I actually saw a street cleaning truck going up Canyon 6 cleaning the street. Quite honestly, I thought I was hallucinating. Well, that was the first and last time I saw that apparition! Don’t get me started. It doesn’t take a lot to sweep leaves or use a leaf blower to clean up the front of our homes and streets, especially after a huge storm. Since the County does not participate, it’s nice to see a few neighbors cleaning up the street in front of their homes and sweeping up the debris, placing the debris in large garbage bags and throwing the debris away instead of just leaving it on the street to blow all around or blowing the debris in front of someone else’s house which by the way I witnessed the other day. (I won’t point fingers, as you know who you are!)

It doesn’t take a whole lot of effort but makes a VERY big difference. I want to thank the neighbors who care and are involved. For those of you that don’t help out, perhaps you should in this new year.

Our drainage and culverts get backed up and it becomes a problem. We have some strong able bodied men in the neighborhood, so come on and get off the couch and participate.

If you have teenagers, get them in on the action. After all team work makes the dream work.

Valentine’s Day Origin:

Valentine’s Day (or Saint Valentine’s Day) is observed on February 14th each year. Today Valentine’s Day is celebrated in many countries around the world, mostly in the West, although it remains a working day in all of them.

The original “St. Valentine’s Day” was just a liturgical celebration of an early Christian Saint named Valentinus. All the modern romantic connotations were added several centuries later by poets. The day first became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. By the 15th Century it had evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionary and sending greeting cards known as Valentine’s. Today it is celebrated by flowers particularly red roses, cards and candies and of course a romantic dinner.

Rio Nido Roadhouse:

For those of you who like to dine out, check out the Rio Nido Roadhouse for Valentine’s dinner. They always decorate and make it a memorable experience with a special prix fix menu and entertainment.

Roadhouse Calendar of Musical Entertainment: 2/09: Misner & Smith, 2/14: Valentine’s dinner with Music, 2/16: D’Giin, 2/21: The Thugs, 2/23: Petty Rocks, 2/24: Oscars Party

The Rio Nido Lodge:

Please inquire about our romantic Valentine’s Day special at 707 604-7641 .

Korbel Bubbly:

If you love champagne, stop by Korbel and pick up a bottle of their pink champagne. Its tasty and a pretty blush color just in time for Valentine’s Day!

Housekeeper Extraordinaire:

I’ve been getting so many requests for Housekeepers lately. The Rio Nido Lodge has the most efficient housekeeper. This gal can clean 10 rooms and a one bedroom cottage in one day. She cleans like no one’s business.

If you are looking for someone that can make your life easier, take on a project you have been procrastinating on or just remove the burden of housekeeping, give Jody Mitchell a call.

Reasonable rates, you won’t be disappointed. She is local and can be reached at 575-425-9971

Rio Nido Pet of the Month:

Throw your paws up in the air for February’s Pet of the Month, Chai! Chai is a white Siberian Husky with two beautiful eyes. He moved to Rio Nido 5 years ago from Sebastopol to his forever home with his two Husky roommates in Rio Nido.

Chai loves to swim in the Russian River, go on epic dog walks in the Canyons and play with all his dog friends in the dog park. Chai really loves other dogs as well as people, so when you are out and about, or in the dog park, be prepared for a “Happy Howl”. He loves to talk and mingle. More importantly, he just wants you to know how happy he is to meet you.