Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve

Family Day in the Park takes on a greater meaning when it’s held among the timeless majesty and placid forests of Armstrong   Woods Natural Reserve.

As of Wednesday, Family Day volunteers are still needed and those interested should  contact Melanie at the Stewards office at 869-9177 x3# or go to stewards@mcn.org.

The Stewards’ online auction which includes lots of family-oriented items plus wine, artwork, photography, trips, jewelry,

get-a-ways and more ends on Saturday, June 22, the same day as Family Day, and it will the last day people may bid.

The event will take place from Noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 22 and there’s an abundance of activities which may be enjoyed for free. There will be, in the park’s picnic area, storytelling, nature-oriented art projects, plaster casting of animal tracks, face painting, musical entertainment and more.

For a fee, families can enjoy horse and carriage rides and the Waldissima Youth Circus in the historic forest theater. Show times for the circus are 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Pre-sale tickets online are $12 for adults (16 and older), kids are $5 (ages 3 to 15) and those under 3 are free.

www.stewardsofthecoastandredwoods.org 

At the gate tickets are $2 more for adults.

There will also be food and beverages for sale and a wonderful silent auction. Signage and some bilingual docents will be available to make this event friendly for Spanish-speaking park visitors as well.

Free offsite parking is offered close to the park with free shuttle service for those in need. Day-use fees for parking inside the park close to activities is $8 per car.

Hikers gathering around “Colonel Armstrong”

This event supports Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods (Stewards) and their efforts to keep your parks accessible. Stewards is keeping Austin Creek State

Recreation Area open with an operating agreement with State Parks, including all camping facilities.

Keeping the Visitor Center and restrooms open in Jenner is also funded by Stewards. Groups that want to participate with Stewards in an education or

stewardship program can camp at Pomo Canyon Campground on Willow Creek Road, which is otherwise

closed.

At their Tuesday meeting, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors vehemently opposed a State Parks plan to install Iron Maiden automated fee collectors at several coastal beaches and Stewards is working on plans to provide free access to other closed day-use areas on Sonoma Coast in 2014.

Family Day in the Park takes on a greater meaning when it’s held among the timeless majesty and placid forests of Armstrong   Woods Natural Reserve.

As of Wednesday, Family Say volunteers are still needed and those interested should  contact Melanie at the Stewards office at 869-9177 x3# or go to stewards@mcn.org.

The Stewards’ online auction which includes lots of family-oriented items plus wine, artwork, photography, trips, jewelry,

get-a-ways and more ends on Saturday, June 22, the same day as Family Day, and it will the last day people may bid.

Marty Roberts and Senator Noreen Evans at a fundraiser in Armstrong Woods

The event will take place from Noon to 5 p.m. and there’s an abundance of activities which may be enjoyed for free. There will be, in the park’s picnic area, storytelling, nature

art projects, plaster casting of animal tracks, face painting, musical entertainment and more.

For a fee, families can enjoy horse and carriage rides and the Waldissima Youth Circus in the historic forest theater. Show times for the circus are 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Pre-sale tickets online are $12 for adults (16 and older), kids are $5 (ages 3 to 15) and those under 3 are free.

www.stewardsofthecoastandredwoods.org

At the gate tickets are $2 more for adults.

There will also be food and beverages for sale and a wonderful silent auction. Signage and some bilingual docents will be available to make this event friendly for Spanish-speaking park visitors as well.

Free offsite parking is offered close to the park with free shuttle service for those in need. Day-use fees for parking inside the park close to activities is $8 per car.

This event supports Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods (Stewards) and their efforts to keep your parks accessible. Stewards is keeping Austin Creek State

Recreation Area open with an operating agreement with State Parks, including all camping facilities.

Keeping the Visitor Center and restrooms open in Jenner is also funded by Stewards. Groups that want to participate with Stewards in an education or

stewardship program can camp at Pomo Canyon Campground on Willow Creek Road, which is otherwise

closed.

At their Tuesday meeting, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors vehemently opposed a State Parks plan to install Iron Maiden automated fee collectors at several coastal beaches and Stewards is working on plans to provide free access to other closed day-use areas on Sonoma Coast in 2014.

Vintage Rodeo Queens

Kicking off the long weekend celebration on Thursday, June 20 will be the 2013 Rodeo Queen and Sweetheart dinner at the Cazadero Fire House with an opportunity to meet this year’s Sweetheart and the Queen contestants at a 5:30 p.m. reception.

The 6:30 p.m. dinner will feature pork tenderloin, applesauce. salad. beans and rolls ($10 for adults, $5 for a kid’s plate), no host beverages and raffle prizes.

Samantha Siedentopf

There are but two contestants pursuing the throne this year, and they are:

Samantha Siedentopf 18 yrs old and a  Student at Santa Rosa Junior College where she is pursuing a career in Dental Hygiene.

Sponsored by Scenic Stables she’s been riding horses since she was six years old. and competing since she was seven.

Ms.  Siedentopf  has shown her horses in a variety of disciplines including  halter, Western pleasure and gymkhana. A long-time  competitor at the Russian River Rodeo, she’s decided her her favorite rodeo events are barrel racing, pole bending and stakes.

Siedentopf considers the Russian River Rodeo grounds one of best arenas. Sh says it offers  excellent footing and always has a friendly crowd.

Seidentopf  started her high school girls rugby club and initiated the first ever J.C. women’s Rugby Club in America.

She also helps coaach cheerleaders at her old H.S.

Samantha is the daughter of Kirk and Denise Siedentopf  whom she considers instrumental in helping her be what she is today.

and

Cecelia Gene Curlee, who  was born i8 years ago in Santa Rosa, California and raised alongside her younger sister Lauren  in Annapolis by her mother Jami and father Todd Curlee. She is an honor roll student at Point Arena High School where she is a senior.

In her sophomore year she leaped into cheerleading and she’s been a High School Rodeo Member for the past four years.

Her plans are to further her education through the Santa Rosa Junior College, where she has already been taking psychology classes throughout high school.

Cecelia Curlee

Her interests include, performing in plays via PAHS Drama, dancing, drawing, driving, going to the beach with her Blue Heeler Dewey, and spending time with her close friends.

She would like to send a special thanks out to her sponsors Jami Curlee, her grandpa Gene, Lauren Curlee, David Lawson, her grandma Peggy,  her many supportive family members and  her friends.

This year’s queen will be awarded a beautiful belt buckle and crown and she will represent the Russian River rodeo at other rodeos as well as have the opportunity to

2013 Queen Belt Buckle

run for the California Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association Queen title.

Both Samantha and Cecilia sends a warm welcome out to all the fans of the Russian River Rodeo and hope you enjoy the Home Grown rodeo  we’re mounting here in Duncans Mills this weekend.

“Monsters” about to invade invade Monte Rio

Monsters coming to Monte Rio? Seriously, they really are – and they’ll be arriving on Friday evening, June 21. But not to worry because they’re people friendly and likely will not be able to see you. The Little Theater that Could, Monte Rio’s iconic Rio, , managed to climb the mountain and reach the summit, and there, beckoning on the horizon, was the digital equipment  needed to keep the theater open and continue to chug merrily along. The Kickstarter campaign accrued just enough money (after KS took its cut) to manage a NEC 1200 digital projector.

It’s installed, those who will operate it have received the necessary training and the Rio will reopen on Friday, June 21. Says, Suzi Schaffert, who with husband Don owns the Rio, “We’re looking forward to welcoming you back and can’t wait for you to see the difference in image and sound quality.” The Rio will be open seven days a week and on Friday June 21 and Saturday, June 22 will debut with “Monster University.” It’s a Disney/Pxar release, rated “G” and the running time is 103

First Day of School

minutes.

There will be two showings on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and at 9:15 p.m. and on Sunday there will be one showing at 7 p.m. Ticket prices are $8 for general admission and $6 for seniors, 55 years and older, and for youngsters, age 12 and under. “Monster U.” will run for two weeks after which the Monsters will be scared off on July 5 by “The Lone Ranger.” Suzi and Don suggest you  “arrive early enough to get through the concession stand and find a good seat.” “Monsters University” is the prequel to the 2001 release. “Monsters, Inc.”

Says Entertainment News, “Pixar, too, knows something about expectations. Thanks to the gentle poetry of “Up,” the cosmic romance of “WALL-E” and the unlikely artist portrait of “Ratatouille” (not to mention others), the mantle is high for Pixar, a paragon of pop culture. Pixar, too, knows something about expectations.

Happy Monsters

Called “a charming, colorful coming-of-age tale”, the flick stars the voice of Billy Crystal as Wazowski, who Entertainment News calls  “one of the best toon-voice actor combinations in animation.” Other star voices employed are those of John Goodman (Sully), and Hellen Mirren, who plays Dean Hardscrabble ,  “a kind of winged centipede. The film is preceded by a short called “The Blue Umbrella.” This will be the first time ever that The Rio will showcase a major film on the first day of its release, and Suzi and Don would like to “thank you for all your help in this endeavor. We couldn’t have done it without you!”

Midnight Sun Massive

The Plaza began Rockin on the River on June 13 and it was a glorious success.

The weather was perfect, the turnout was excellent (although it didn’t seem so early on) the adjacent Farmers Market was bountiful, fresh, organic and local.

Andorno’s was busy sharing its crop of fresh home grown pizzas and Shakedown Street, a relic from the 60s,  was discovered by many people, some of whom had to be shoehorned through the door. Visiting Shakedown Street, where the living meet the (Grateful) Dead is infused with the scent of incense, exotic garments from faraway places, accesories, Hulu Hoops, a competent  seamstress or two, and a Henna Artist who is leaving her mark on the hands and feet of Guerneville.

Andre Midnight sun

The Chamber of Commerce was open long enough to answer most peoples’ questions and the Weinstein Memorial Comfort Station was  a happy sight and seemed a welcome edition to a town that has almost everything.

Margaret Kennett (no stranger to addressing crowds) of the R.R. Chamber had warm and grateful things to say to all those who made this big-league series of music possible.

Mover and shaker and a Guerneville inspiration, Herman Henandez was glowing with satisfaction at seeing it all come together, and near the end of the day Jim Ocean was ecstatic at the team of whomever pitched in, pulling it all off smoothly and to everyones satisfaction.

John ‘Milo’ Chapman, realtor, DJ, humanitarian and the ‘face’ of Midnight Sun, and Damien Olson (DJ and sound guy supreme) handled the sound system and everyone agreed it sounded terrific.

Mountaindawg kicked off the evening robustly and with great enthusiasm and after a brief lull Midnight Sun Massive consumed the stage with their energy, talent and contagious passion.

Tie Dye Boy works it to the music

They opened with an extended fusion Reggae rap intoned by Ben Floto whose Nordic countenance and ‘Do’ stood in stark blonde contrast to the Black faces and dreads surrounding him, but blended perfectly with them in spirit and music like tropical fruit in a German blender.

Andorno’s sent people out among the crowd who disbursed slices of free, hot pizza, which is a good way to make friends during an outdoor concert.

A husky child in a colorful outfit maneuvered a Hulu Hoop (lent by Shakedown Street) establishing his own territory amidst the dancers and a woman in short skirt and cowboy boots demonstrated her own hoop expertise.

Sister Scarlet intermingled with the kinetic crowd carrying a contribution bucket and chihuahuas watched from a carriage waiting for the conjuntos and Mariachi music.

Everyone reveled in the elevated energy and good will of a community bonding en

Hulu Girl takes a peek

masse and many stayed to bask in the nurturing sun as it dipped behind Larks Mercantile, murmuring about how they can hardly wait for the next concert on June 27 showcasing the bluegrass expertise of High Country after a set by Jeremiah O’Neill and  Patrick Hardman (who is currently host of KGGV 95.1 FM’s Community Express).

Rodeo Queens contest

5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, June 20

Kicking off the long Rodeo weekend celebration on Friday, will be the 2012 Rodeo Queen and Sweetheart dinner at the Cazadero Fire House with an opportunity to meet this year’s Sweetheart and the Queen contestants at a 5:30 p.m. reception.

The 6:30 p.m. dinner will feature pork tenderloin, applesauce. salad. beans and rolls ($10 for adults, $5 for a kid’s plate), no host beverages and raffle prizes.

Cazadero Firehouse 5985 Cazadero Highway, Cazadero  632-5390

6:30 p.m. Pee-Wees, 7 p.m.. Jr., Sr., and Open classes, Friday, June 21  

Four D Barrel Racing which combines the horse’s athletic ability and the horsemanship skills of a rider in order to safely and successfully maneuver a horse through a clover leaf pattern around three barrels in the fastest time. The  categories include Peewee (starting at 6:30 p.m.), Junior, Senior and Open, which is scheduled for 7 p.m. Admission to the Barrel racing is free and a snack bar will be open.

Rodeo Barrel Racing

Parmeter Rodeo Grounds,  Duncans Mills

10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, June 22

In preparation for all those rainy days of summer (or not!), the Guerneville Regional Library is having a book sale and bake sale  featuring only Children and Teen Books. The library is at 14107 Armstrong Woods Rd, Guerneville

 Noon to 5 p.m. on  Saturday, June 22

The Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods is hosting Family Day at Armstrong Redwoods SRN. Fun Activities for the entire family, Free Admission, (parking fees apply), free shuttle service, a variety of food and beverages available, live music, and an auction.

1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.Waldissima Youth Circus: presale Admission: $12 (16 yrs and older) $3 (3-15yrs) Free for those under 3.   Horse and Carriage Rides also available.

www.stewardsofthecoastandredwoods.org stewards@mcn.org or  869-9177

Where: 17020 Armstrong Woods Road,  Guerneville.

From 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, June 22

Guerneville’s own KGGV 95.1 fm and the Guerneville Community Church will be holding their annual Strawberry Festival.  Activities and diversions include Arts &

Strawberry Dessert contest

Crafts, Poetry Reading, Raffle, Strawberry Dessert Contest, Tap Dancers, Henna Tattoos Face Painting and  Games for Kids. Entertainment  will be provided by Sistars of Jazz, Pocket Canyon Ramblers, Koobifora, Harlem Shake, The Spyralites, Shambahala Gypsies and The Thugz. The annual Strawberry Crown will also be presented.

Guerneville Community Chruch 14520 Armstrong Woods Rd. Guerneville  869-2514

7:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m., Sat, June 22,

Wendy DeWitt, may be Queen of the Boogie Woogie but she’s so much more. Panache, style, self-confidence, talent are what make people who have seen her come back for more From Hank Ballard and the Midnighters to the Boston Symphony she has kept people satisfied and she probably has something in her Bag for you. FREE, children-fruiendly, full bar, diverse menu, Main Street Station, 16280 Main Stret,

Wendy Dewitt knows what fun is

Guerneville,  has something for everyone too.

More info:  869-0501

Rodeo thrills in Duncans Mills

Rodeo set to kick up its heels (and hooves)

After several years at Birkhoffer Field in Guerneville as well as Korbel property and Jay’s Amusements, the Russian River Rodeo Association has found a permanent home at Bill Parmeter Field in Duncans Mills where it will celebrate its 47th year and attendance is expected to be close to a thousand people.

Kicking off the long weekend celebration on Thursday, June 20 will be the 2013 Rodeo Queen and Sweetheart dinner at the Cazadero Fire House with an opportunity to meet this year’s Sweetheart and the Queen contestants at a 5:30 p.m. reception.

The 6:30 p.m. dinner will feature pork tenderloin, applesauce. salad. beans and rolls ($10 for adults, $5 for a kid’s plate), no host beverages and raffle prizes.

On Friday, June 21  there will be 4D Barrel Racing which combines the horse’s athletic ability and the horsemanship skills of a rider in order to safely and

New breed of ‘horse’ confuses cattle

successfully maneuver a horse through a clover leaf pattern around three barrels in the fastest time. The  categories include Peewee (starting at 6:30 p.m.), Junior, Senior and Open, which is scheduled for 7 p.m. Admission to the Barrel racing is free and a snack bar will be open.

On Saturday June 22 and Sunday, June 23 a Cowboy Breakfast will be available at the rodeo grounds, thanks to the Russian River Rotary Club,  from 7 a.m. until noon featuring strawberry pancakes, fresh scrambled eggs, and sausage links, along with either choice of freshly brewed coffee, or fresh orange juice.

Also on Saturday, after the rodeo there will be Jackpot Team Roping. Two draw pots. Signup at 4 p.m., roping at 5 p.m.

At 1 p.m. The Grand Entry and opening ceremonies (held both days) begin followed

Trick Rider

by a full two days of events including Bronc Riding, Bull Riding, Team Roping, and Breakaway Roping,  a variation of calf roping where a calf is roped, but not thrown and tied. and which is primarily a women’s event.There’s also a Horseshoe Tournament  scheduled after Saturday’s rodeo events which requires a $10 entry fee.

Where: Bill Parmeter Field, Moscow Road and Highway 116

Phone: 865-9854

Price are: Adult-$12, Senior (60 and over)-$7, Kids (12 and under)-$5

Bear photographed by Kimberley Clark at 9 a.m. June 13 in Pocket Canyon.

Updated June 17 to report new sightings.

Two more black bears were seen and videoed Thursday morning by a woman living on the north side of Highway 116, about a quarter mile east of the Green Valley Road turnoff.

Several bears have been sighted in the West County over the last few weeks, including one suspected of killing two goats on Monte Rio’s Bohemian Terrace June 4.

Additional bears have been spotted in Sebastopol, Camp Meeker and Occidental, but today’s sighting was the first to occur near Guerneville in many years.

At 9 a.m., Kimberley Clark (aka Hayet Amatullah) was in front of her Pocket Canyon house making a phone call when she looked toward the forested area on her left and saw a bear about to cross a small wooden bridge that crosses a seasonal creek.

She dropped her phone in surprise and ran around the house to get her camera, entering through the back door. Her 5-year-old son Aiden was asleep in his bedroom so she also made sure the front door was shut.

The bear was headed toward the trash containers on her deck and was disturbed by  the electronic noise Clark’s cell phone was making. Instead he/she headed backed toward the creek and crossed into the wooded area.

After reviewing the video she had taken, Clark saw a second bear sitting and grooming himself a few yards farther back into the woods. When she went back outside, the bears were gone.

Clark guesses the first bear was a juvenile, and said the one sitting among the trees was somewhat larger.

Concerned for the bears safety, she was reluctant to report the incident. On the other hand, she says, a child care home is nearby, and she would feel horrible if anyone got injured.

Several people reported seeing a bear June 14-15 in the vicinity of Mays Canyon Road, with one person stating, “It was on my neighbor’s porch.”

We’ll have updates when there is more to be reported.

See photos of another bear sighting in  Sonoma County here.

Submit your own bear photos to info@pressdemocrat.com.

At the Plaza “Pas ces gars jouer un conjunto?”

Stumptown Daze Parade

The Stumptown Daze parade, a Guerneville/Russian River tradition for 67 years, will be celebrated this year on Saturday, June 15. But there’s apparently been a significant change this year. 

In recent years the theme always emphasized, the Frontier, pioneers, and a Western theme.Some people are asking, “ Where are the cowboys and frontier marshals and are we having a shoot out in Main street this year with bandits and rangers?”

cowboys lookin’ fer trouble

The parade will begin at 11 a.m. and will start at the western end of Main Street and head east. Additionally The Chamber recommends bringing a comfortable seat, a sun hat and staying hydrated. FREE.
Main Street, Guerneville.

Following the parade, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., on Saturday, June 15 the Chamber presents its second annual June Tunes at the family-friendly, roomy and breezy Rio Nido Roadhouse where Billy Mac and the Fog will be playing 40′s tunes and dance

Keeping Stumptown safe

music geared to help you lose calories you may acquire at the accompanying Pasta Feed. Tickets $15 in advance, $20 at the door or $40 for a family ticket. A Perception Kayak will be raffled off and tickets are $1 each or six for $5. You need not be present to win.

The Roadhouse is at 14540 Canyon Two Road, Rio Nido. Phone: 869-0821

Additionally, there will be a Town part following the Parade . See below for details.

5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, June 15
After the parade the Chamber presents its second annual June Tunes at the family-friendly, roomy and breezy Rio Nido Roadhouse where Billy Mac and the Fog will be playing 40′s tunes and dance music geared to help you lose calories you may acquire at the accompanying Pasta Feed. Tickets $15 in advance, $20 at the door or $40 for a family ticket. A Perception Kayak will be raffled off and tickets are $1 each or six for $5. You need not be present to win.
The Roadhouse is at 14540 Canyon Two Road, Rio Nido. Phone: 869-0821