Rohnert Park Ravings by Don Gibble — April 2020

Yes, WOW! That's the best word I can think of for what we are dealing with in our everyday lives. I want to introduce you to two amazing people this month. First is former mayor of Rohnert Park,

Now let's meet the daughter of a good friend of mine. Her name is Katya Redko and she is a twin. Her mom is Kristine Redko who is a member of the other Rohnert Park rotary, rotary club of Rancho Cotati. Katya is definitely following her mom's footsteps in her love of musical theater and movies. Katya is in Lake Tahoe as I write this column and when she gets back home, she wants to go to the park with her friends and go to movies at the Reading movie theater when it reopens. Films she would see again on DVD are “Finding Dory”, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” and one of my favorites “Peter Pan”.

In the beginning of March, at the Spreckels Performing Arts Center in Rohnert Park, the Miss Sonoma County crowned Sunny Muscatell as this year's recipient. My cousin Herman Hernandez Jr. and Kym McNicholas were the emcees for the event. Kym currently hosts stationKDOW's “New Focus on Innovation” radio show. Herman currently serves as the Area 5 Trustee for the Sonoma County Office of Education School Board. Eight candidates participated this year. The following night Spreckels celebrated their thirty years bringing musicals to Rohnert Park. Artistic director Sheri Lee Miller was the host and she did an amazing job. The performances showcased ten accomplished singers accompanied on the piano by Lucas Sherman, the center's music director. Some of my favorite performers include Ariana LaMark who sang a song from “A Little Night Music”. It was called “The Miller's Son”. Another amazing performer was Madison Griego who sang “Younger Than Springtime” from “South Pacific”. One of the most talented performers in Sonoma County is Daniela Innocenti Beem who sang “I Don't Know How to Love Him” from “Jesus Christ Superstar”. For those of you who were lucky to catch her in “Sweeney Todd” I congratulate you. She was phenomenal!

One of my favorite events in Rohnert Park recently was

During this crazy time the Animal Shelter is closed to the public. Residents can make appointments for adoptions, reclaiming lost pets and bringing in found strays. The Rohnert Park Senior Center and Community Center are closed until further notice. Remember to donate blood and help the elderly go shopping in your neighborhood. Make a friend in this crazy time. Email me with any suggestions. Dongibblecast@hotmail.com and check Netflix for new movies and series.