December 22, 2003

And they say that nothing ever happens in Sunol. There were more holiday celebrations this past weekend as Save Our Sunol members and friends gathered at the Kilkare Woods Clubhouse on Dec. 20. Catered by Kelly Sandlin, there were approximately 60 people in attendance, including honored guests, Alameda County Supervisor Gail Steele, author, Gray Brechin and firemen from our local Department of Forestry. SOS president, Pat Stillman said a committee which included Cindy and Bob Frillman, Nancy Davis, Bonnie Feltrop, Stephan Doyle and Irvin Tiessen did a wonderful job decorating. Departing Sunol resident and former "Around Sunol" columnist, Bree James was presented a good bye gift of champagne and a beautiful wall hanging of peace doves.

As a three year old, Sunol Glen School student, Mackenzie Keck was "always busy, always moving" so it was her mom, Jane Stevens idea to enroll her in a dance class "to do something with all her energy". And so began this 6th graders passionate interest in dancing. Mackenzie first took lessons in tap, ballet and tumbling for a few of her young years through the Hayward Area Recreation Department, then into a private dance studio in Castro Valley for about 4 more years and more recently hip hop dance training. It was at her current jazz/tap dance lessons at Dance Co. in Hayward that she first heard of the Golden State Warriors Jr. Jam Squad auditions. Made up of 19 boys and girls between the ages of 7 and 13 yrs., this hip hop dance group performs at select Warriors basketball home games. To prepare for this audition, Mackenzie attended "Jr. Jam Squad Work Out Week" summer camp in August. And of course this talented young girl aced the day long audition and signed her first professional dance contract with the Golden State Warriors on October 6 to become a member of the Jr. Jam Squad. Mackenzie keeps busy every week by training with the Warriors dance choreographer twice a week and then has private lessons in ballet and jazz/tap also twice a week. And what does she want to be when she grows up...a choreographer.

Looking for an old-fashioned Victorian church? The Little Brown Church of Sunol welcomes all to their beautiful Christmas Eve candlelight service on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.