Aug 1, 2005

Imagine the warm afternoon sun setting early in Niles Canyon and riding the rails while sipping a glass of wine. Niles Canyon Railway is offering a wine tasting special during the month of August. Offered every Saturday afternoon you can enjoy tasting wine from a different local winery each week such as Westover Winery, Wente Vineyards, Fenestra Vineyards and Choiunard Vineyards.

For only $25.00 per person, passengers will enjoy an introduction to the different wines by sommelier Sean Anderson. You will also receive a commemorative wine glass and buffet tray to take home. All trains will board at 4:00 p.m. and will depart at 4:30 p.m. at the Sunol Depot

As I've mentioned many times here in this column, Sunol is all about fundraising and I've just been alerted to two very big events coming in October. The first takes place on October 1 and it's the Sunol Country Festival. Donations for the live and silent auction items are still needed. Please contact Nancy Davis at 925-862-0809 if you have anything you wish to donate.

Last years event was such a success that the organizers are inviting anyone interested in having a craft booth to sign up now. Nancy tells me that you don't have to live in Sunol to have a booth, all are welcome. The forms to register your booth can be found online at www.sunol.net. Pet Parade

Then exactly one week later on October 8, Sunol Glen School is holding their annual walkathon but there's a new twist. The theme this year is Sunol Glen School Leaping Leprechauns and yes instead of completing laps the students get to complete leaps.

It is with deep regret that I announce the passing of Dolores "Dee" Caldeira. Dee passed away in her Modesto home on July 17. She is survived by husband Arnold, children Judy Sexton of Modesto, Terry Craig of Linden, Tim Heck of Modesto and Diane Caldeira of Visalia; eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

A former Sunolian, Dee and husband Arnold were heavily involved in 4-H while they lived here. Their children attended Sunol Glen School and Dee was active in the Community Club as well. Dee and Arnold were very well respected and active in the local ranching community and her bright smile will surely be missed.

Living in such a rural area, every summer we hold our breaths and hope that we don't hear the frightening word, "fire". But unfortunately there were two fires in Sunol last week that caused some concern.

The first, along Sunol Blvd., there was an unfortunate truck accident in which there was a fatality. That fire caused a small grass fire besides the freeway 680 but the second fire was much larger, scorching some 400 plus acres of very dry grass that also started besides the freeway 680.

The second fire was more frightening because it took off in the direction of a few homes in the vicinity of Highway 84 near Little Valley Road. Thankfully the firefighters gained control on the fire within a few hours and protected the homes from any damage.