Village Chat for May 1, 2020

Ann Q. Peters

You probably noticed that we did not publish a print edition of the April 15 Kenwood Press. We did post stories and columns online, so some of you may have seen parts of this already if you went to our website, kenwoodpress.com. It was too much for many long-time advertisers to run their ads twice a month when their doors are closed, and ad revenue is what pays the bills around here, especially printing and postage. So please thank all the advertisers in this issue, and be sure to patronize them now if possible, and definitely in the future.

And now, back to our regularly scheduled program…

Dana and Brian Friedfel welcomed baby Carter David Friedfel on March 24 at 2:33 p.m.

He was born on March 24 at 2:33 p.m. He weighed in at 8 pounds, 9 ounces, 21 inches long, and he is adorable.

Oh baby! Dana and Brian Friedfel welcomed baby Carter David Friedfel on March 24 at 2:33 p.m. He weighed in at 8 pounds, 9 ounces and was 21 inches long, and he is adorable. Dana (Chappell) grew up in Kenwood and her parents are Kathy and Dave Chappell. If you've been associated with Kenwood School now or in the past you probably know “Mrs. Chappell.” Congratulations to the whole extended family!

As Angela Nardo-Morgan says, “Guardian Angels do exist!” She's referring to Margie and Ritch Foster who have been busy making hundreds of masks for Glen Ellenites.

Ritch Foster hard at work sewing masks for anyone and everyone.

Their timing could not be better, as we are all now supposed to wear masks whenever we're out in public. Might as well make a fashion statement while you're at it! Both Margie and Ritch have been busily stitching away ever since they came home from a vacation in south Florida that was cut short by the COVID-19 crisis. They've been giving the masks to health care workers, people serving the community including at the Glen Ellen Village Market, the Post Office, local restaurants, and also to their neighbors. For the whole story, go to www.kenwoodpress.com/pub/col/village_chat.html. Look for the April 15 column.

Easter came and went without our traditional Easter Egg Hunts, but the local fire departments who put on the annual events are all about keeping us safe, obviously. Nevertheless, that did not stop the Easter Bunny from riding around Kenwood Village on a fire truck, to the delight of many.

The Easter Bunny rode through Kenwood, keeping at least 6 feet away and wearing a mask, but bringing smiles to the whole neighborhood. Photo by Courtney Lindberg.

Photographer Courtney Lindberg was one of them, writing, “We had the absolute pleasure of seeing the Easter Bunny rolling through Kenwood yesterday. It was such a joyous experience in this wild time and to see all the neighbors come to the ends of their driveways to wave made me cry! Big thanks to the fire department for making this Easter so very special.”

Turning to the art world, you may be familiar with Kenwood artist Fred Parker. If you've ever thought about owning one of his original paintings, or a giclée, now is a good opportunity, as he has been cataloging and putting everything up for sale. Fred writes, “Just two months ago, things were going well. I had just finalized the Art Encounters schedule for the students at Kenwood Elementary School and had planned a third grade field trip to my studio in May. I also had begun planning my July backyard dinner party fundraiser for that school program, and had booked the Alley Gallery in Sonoma for another one-man show in September.

Fred Parker giclée of Kenwood Marsh.

“Now, all those plans are cancelled and I need to create a new agenda for the remainder of 2020 while concentrating on sales so I can survive.”

Fred is hoping there are people out there still willing and able to buy art. He explains, “There will be heavy discounts and time payment plans with each transaction adjusted to fit your needs. My goal is to find homes for all the art I have available. I will be 82 in June and it is obvious I need to clean up my act while I have the energy and time. The pandemic didn't create this situation. I had planned to start downsizing my business over the next year or two anyway. The pandemic has only moved up the schedule.” If you're interested in seeing Fred's catalog, email him at fred@parkerfineart.com, or call 833-2602 and leave a message.

Deric Torres, Kenwood resident and partner with Clars Auction Gallery in Oakland, let us know that there will be an online-only auction of art and memorabilia from the late comedian Robin Williams on May 17.

“Shirley’s Friend Waited for Shirley but She Never Came” by Donald Roller Wilson. From the Robin Williams collection.

Deric says there are some really wonderful and eclectic items available. Check it out at www.clars.com.

And Gretchen Covington of Bennett Valley and Glenna Yee of Oakmont are pleased to have their artwork showcased online for a biennium at the Delta Kappa Gamma Arts and Humanities Gallery.

“A Lakeside Walk” by Gretchen Covington

“Do Not Duplicate” by Glenna Yee

Delta Kappa Gamma is an international society for key women educators who promote professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. Gretchen and Glenna are members of the Eta Upsilon Chapter. The online exhibit is being built right now, and should be ready for viewing in early May at gallery.dkg.org.

Liam Duryea is a theatre student at UCLA, and he is looking for anyone and everyone to interview about the 2017 NorCal fires in the hope of creating a documentary theatre piece from the transcribed interviews. Liam grew up in Kenwood, and he explains, “Each story is unique and needs to be told. What better way than in an intimate medium such as theatre? Our shared human experience is important. If you and/or anyone you know may be interested in being interviewed please feel free to email me at SonomaFireStory@gmail.com.”

And now for a moment of levity - Catherine Jefferson has been shopping online at Costco, and when the product you want isn't available they give you the next best thing. She says, “I now have two cases of jumbo TP… like the rolls they use at the airport! I guess if we run out of the other stuff we'll be happy to have this!” Her husband
What toilet paper shortage?
Dave wanted to return it, but she told him, “In times like these, you just have to roll with it!”

Rich and Jennifer Stark celebrated their 25th anniversary in Italy last September. Seen here in Positano.

Seems like a long, long time ago in a country far, far away, people used to go on vacations and send us “Pictures with the Press.” Rich and Jennifer Stark reminded me of this last week when they sent in a picture from their trip to Italy back in September of 2019. They were celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary - belated congratulations, Rich and Jenny! Rich wrote, “We traveled from Bologna, Tuscany area, Rome, Sorrento, and this picture was taken on our way to Positano on the Amalfi Coast. Wonderful trip! Your announcement yesterday reminded us we needed to send this in.”

He's referring, of course, to the fact that Alec and I are retiring at the end of 2020. We wrote about it in the April 1st Publisher’s Corner. We're going to keep reminding you of that so 1) you can get used to the idea; and 2) in case anyone out there is interested in taking over this media empire. If you are, let us know!

And let us know how you're weathering the storm. What are you learning or discovering about yourself, your home, your back yard, your town, these days?

Believe it or not, we are approaching graduation season, whatever that looks like these days. If you are a high school or college graduate, please let us know what your plans are - a gap year, JC or university, graduate school, work? Inquiring minds want to know!

That's all for now. Stay healthy and safe. And if you have anything for Village Chat, please send it to ann@kenwoodpress.com, or call 833-5155 and chat me up! - AQP