November 24, 2003

As I sit here at my kitchen table early this cool, crisp autumn morning I ponder, what should I put in my first column? When interviewing for this wonderful position I was told that being the small size of Sunol that there would not be a lot of newsworthly information passed along for me to write about, I was pretty much going to be on my own when it came to content. Well, this columnist thinks that there will be a wealth of information to share. I have lived in town long enough to understand the meaning of "Only in Sunol". The sometimes quirky yet quaint feeling you can only achieve in a town this small. And it's amazing really the impact Sunol has on neighboring communities. Growing up here in Sunol was considered an honor when I attended Foothill High School, all my Pleasanton classmates wished they could be a Sunolians too. Still, if you mention to anyone whether it be your co-workers, dry cleaner or tax preparer that you live in Sunol and you can easily be in a 45-minute conversation. This Sunolian is proud to be a part of this community and it will be a great honor to represent this very special town.

The Grandmothers Club was busy last weekend preparing the town for the holidays. Most of the whimsical wooden decorations you see around town are the work of the late, Beverly Zimmerman who was also one of the original members of the Grandmothers of the Most Beautiful Babies Club. Beverly's group also started the town's annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony which takes place this year on November 29 at 5:00 p.m. in the Community Park. The Grandmas are furnishing coffee and hot chocolate and are asking everyone who attends to bring goodies to share. And of course Santa will be on hand to greet the little ones.

Sunol Glen Schools eighth grade class will be raffling off a beautifully decorated Christmas tree at the Tree Lighting ceremony to earn support for their annual trip to Washington DC Raffle tickets can be purchased in advance from any eight-grade student or at the park on the evening of the event.

This holiday season also brings back the 11th annual Train of Lights, formerly known as the Polar Express. The Niles Canyon Railway is proud to present its popular train rides through Niles Canyon, weekends beginning November 30th. Tickets are quickly selling out so please visit their website at www.ncry.org for information on this brisk evening train ride.

In recognition for "exemplary dedication and performance of the responsibilities of County Planning Commissioner", Ario Ysit was named "2003 Commissioner of the Year" by the California County Planning Commissioners Association at their annual conference in Napa on November 8. This well deserved award is an accumulation of 11 years of service as a Commissioner. Ario was appointed to the position by the late, former Alameda County Supervisor, Ed Campbell in 1992 and was appointed to a second term by Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty in 1998. Ario currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Alameda County Planning Commissioners and his term will end in late 2004.

Happy Thanksgiving!