April 5, 2004

As I've mentioned in several past columns, this small town is occupied by an amazing number of volunteers, unsung heroes if you will, people coming together with diverse opinions and traditions to support all the things that make this town special. They are everywhere, at every school function and fundraising event. They are your neighbors and your friends. There is one group in town that has received very little recognition. Although small in numbers, Sunol is represented well within their organization and that is The Native Sons of the Golden West. Founded on July 11, 1875, this fraternal organization was formed for "the mutual benefit, mental improvement and social intercourse of it's members; to perpetuate in the minds of all native Californians memories of one of the most wonderful epochs in the world's history - the days of '49; to unite them in one harmonious body, throughout the state by ties of friendship, mutually beneficial to all", as stated on their website. Besides their annual social functions and activities, this group of volunteers contributes to many charities in the tri-valley area such as Livermore's Jr. Rodeo and Shepherds Gate. Locally in Sunol, the group has dedicated monuments to the Sunol Train Station and to the Sunol Post Office's Postmasters. The most notable charitable contribution by the Native Sons of the Golden West is to the University of California, San Francisco Hospital's Center for Craniofacial Anomalies Clinic. Sunol's Native Son's of the Golden West are: Bud Hall, Lorry Gronley, Brad Gronley, Sam McCracken, Bill Foley, Mike McClelland, Bob Chisholm, Dan Willams, Ario Ysit, Mike Cerny, Clayton Koopman and Wayne Zimmerman, who also happens to be the President of the local Livermore Parlor they belong to.

Another wonderful season of Sunol Repertory Theater has ended and we can all hardly wait until it returns again next year. Director Stephan Doyle says, "I would like to give special thanks to everyone who came out to support another successful year and what really rounded off the cast and made everything complete was the return of the olios." Terrific job Stephan, see you next year.

It seems Sandi Bohner, owner of Little Valley Vineyards has taken on a new venture. Coaxed by friend Dale Dubowy, Sandi has agreed to be a local coordinator for Cultural Care Au Pair Company. In business for 15 years, Cultural Care Au Pair provides intercultural childcare by men and women from 33 countries. All au pair candidates are state certified and receive intensive training. Sandi's job as coordinator is to match the au pair with host American families. She reviews applications received from their website, interviews host families and finds the best match. There are approximately 350 Cultural Care coordinators across the country. Sandi says, "it's flexible and affordable childcare". Many families request an au pair from a specific country and some are interested in providing their children with an intercultural experience.

For those of you wanting to hear good news from Little Valley Vineyards, Sandi says they are looking at a new site on Tesla Road in Livermore possibly to open in May. And there will definitely be more information to come soon.

The Little Brown Church continues Holy Week, with services on Thursday night at 7:00 p.m., Good Friday services at 7:00 p.m. and Easter Sunday services at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday school and childcare is provided at the 10:30 a.m. service. An Easter egg hunt will follow the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service at the church.