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History, art and the news of GE

Jim Shere sends good news: this Saturday, April 30, at 2 p.m. the Glen Ellen Historical Society holds its quarterly meeting, open to all interested folks. They encourage local folks to share their stories of old time Glen Ellen and to bring along photos. The latter will be scanned and digitized so that all members of the Historical Society can share them. The meeting will be held at the Mayflower Hall of the Glen Ellen Community Church, 5311 O'Donnell Lane, in our town. See you there.

Meanwhile, check out the snazzy website that Jim has created for the GE Historical Society on Facebook. Be sure to "like" it while you're there.

While all meeting of the GEHS are free and even include refreshments, all local folks are encouraged to become members. Dues are reasonable at $25 a year for individuals; students and seniors pay only $15 a year. A lifetime membership is $250, while businesses can become supporting members for $100 a year.

In addition to Jim Shere, the board includes Anne Teller, Marge Everidge, Dorothy Johnson, Angela Nardo-Morgan, Archie Horton, Steven Lee and Arthur Dawson. Won't you join, too?

More good news for those who like their veggies tempered with a little eye candy. That's artwork, of course.

Beginning May 1, Oak Hill Farm's featured artist of the month is one of our favorites, Archie Horton. Archie's charming portraits of our town feature many old-time scenes and even some recent scenes that reflect an old-fashioned feeling. His pictures of a slow, sleepy Glen Ellen with summer streams and glowing trees beg for a simple story to accompany them. Look for Archie's artwork above and around your salad makings up at the farm.

The secret society of Glen Ellen yarn bombers has hit the big time. Their graffiti art has been noticed in downtown Sonoma even being honored with a newsworthy photograph. But what we wonder: Why not in their hometown of Glen Ellen? We await their contributions to Glen Ellen beautification. Eagerly, in fact. I've promised knitter A. W. to not reveal the groups' names, but I'll only keep quiet if they promise to produce a little action here in Glen Ellen. How's that for a gentle bribe?

A sad and fond farewell to Danny Garcia, one of the sweet and smiling "Glen Ellen regulars." Danny died last week on April 17, 2011. I often saw Danny hanging out at the newsstands near the post office with his other Glen Ellen buddies. Always greeting me with a smile and a kind word, Danny was much loved by all. He will be missed. Dying far too young at only 37, Danny was also known as "Oaktown," and professed his love of the Raiders' ball team. As far as we know, Danny did no one any harm and lived life just the way he wanted to, not always easily, not always comfortably. But we know he truly appreciated the well wishes of the folks in his town, especially his twice-weekly warm meals delivered by the folks from St. Leo's Church. Our blessings to Danny for safe passage to heaven and condolences to his mother and family in Oakland.

Next week I'll have that promised news on Bradley Dreyer's benefit, scheduled for May 7, 5 to 10 p.m. at the Sonoma Valley Veterans Memorial Building on First Street West, along with a timely follow-up from Captain Flapjack, aka Rusty Sims. Waiting to hear from you Rusty with all that good news. Please call me.

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Share your good news with friends and neighbors in Glen Ellen. Call or write me at the numbers up there by my smile. Or email me at creekbottom@earthlink.net. Glen Ellen chatter rarely requires timeliness; however, if your news does, please be sure to contact me at least two weeks before the run date.