Welcome new North Coast Winds columnist Liz!
Thank You Robin for thinking of me as you pass your ‘North Coast Winds’ baton forward while you move on to other creative endeavors both near and far. I’m sure we will be hearing from you again and again in the months to come. We all wish you the very best and thank you for all you have contributed to the Gazette.
North Coast Winds [and winds!] all up and down this beautiful and amazing Sonoma and Mendocino North Coast. From Jenner at the mouth of the Russian River, winding along Jenner Grade where I took this photo back when the cows used to graze this area…imagine walking those steep hills!, to…..
Fort Ross, Stewart’s Point, Sea Ranch, Gualala, Anchor Bay, Point Arena, Rollerville, and on to Manchester, Elk, and beyond.
This is where I have called ‘Home Sweet Home this past 25 years. I transplanted here with Jeff Hillier and our 6 month son, Jasper, from downtown Chicago with all the busyness, creativity [and asphalt] a big city had to offer to the supreme quietness of the little town of Manchester into a one room cabin on Brush Creek at the site of the old Creamery property where we traded for rent, turned part of the Creamery building into our Art Gallery space, built a darkroom and basically jumped into life on the coast. Just like the twists and turns of Highway 1 which connects so much of California, my life has also twisted and turned over the years. Jeff and I went our separate ways [even though we share the same property!], we are [mostly] through raising Jasper, and now we have the pleasure of watching his life blossom, thrive and change.
Jeff runs the Think Visual Art Gallery in Point Arena and I show my work there from time to time. I do landscaping in the area and really enjoy this type of work, even though it can be very challenging at times. [think north coast winds!] Working with plants and soil, rocks and flagstone…the birds, bees, butterflies…and worms! Ahhhh…such a life! I also do delivery for the Gazette, stopping 42 times from Jenner to Manchester, stocking the shelves and boxes along the way. Let me know if you know of a business or area that would like to offer the Gazette. When I tell my older sister, Susannah that I’ve driven down to the Santa Rosa area to pick up papers, she loves to hear me say out loud I am doing this because I have a PAPER ROUTE! Ahhhh, the simple pleasures.
Did I say I am one of 11 siblings? Bobby susannahtommymarymarkpeterwilliamelizabethjohnnydannyandkathleen but, that’s another story!
Since this is my introduction piece, I will offer you up a few gems for now and get into some more detailed happenings in the months to come.
First of all….how about that RAIN!!! I was so happy to feel everything get drenched, including myself. I worked outside the entire day and I must have changed clothes 3 times. Let’s all hope for lots more where that came from.
Fort Ross Historic Park is a must see on your travels up [and down] the coast. The park is fully open and adhering to all the guidelines for COVID-19 safety. The park is located 12 miles north of Jenner. There is a website you can check out what is there and catch up on some fascinating history of our area.
Gualala Arts Center is offering ‘River Wild’, an exhibition from the Pointless Sisters Art Quilt Group of Sonoma County from Saturday, Oct. 2 to Nov. 7.
Check out their sculpture in the gardens as well as other exhibits throughout the center. .
Point Arena
Arena Theater is open! Lovingly restored to its present state in 1997 by community volunteers, Arena Theater is a 1928 vaudevillian film and live entertainment venue. Although live entertainment is on hold presently, the theater is now showing movies on the big screen 4 days a week. On Oct. 9 there will be a telecasting of 10 Live at the Met productions. Masks and social distancing are required. Visit their website for current films and more information.. They are located at 214 Main St.
Think Visual Gallery currently is showing works by local artist, Dustin Smith. It is a fabulous show depicting life at the Arena Cove…out of this world! You can catch the tail end of this show until Oct. 11. Think Visual is located at 240 Main St 882-4042.
Mark your calendar: Artist’s reception Friday Oct.15th 3-7 p.m. ‘A Sound Imagination’: The mixed media artistry of Harrison Goldberg and Paula J. Haymond.
An exhibition showcasing a collection of small abstract works on paper by Harrison Goldberg paired with six saxophones, formerly in poor and unplayable condition, that multimedia artist, Paula Haymond, has magically and uniquely transformed after acid washing, engraving and fancifully painting.
