January 29, 2007

Congratulations to long time Sunolians (and my parents) Ario and Joyce Ysit on their 50th wedding anniversary. The couple was married at the Little Brown Church of Sunol on January 19, 1957, which was also Joyce’s 19th birthday. Ario happens to be only one day older, his birthday is January 18. The big celebration actually took place on January 20 when they were joined by approximately 175 family and friends at the Palm Pavilion at the Alameda County Fairgrounds. Best Man, Clyde Berry traveled the farthest, all the way from Wilmington, North Carolina.

Elliston Vineyards & Little Valley Vineyards 2nd annual Chocolate and Wine Tasting Experience will be held February 10 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at their stately stone mansion on Kilkare Road.

Yum! I actually took part in a chocolate and red wine paring last year and it was fabulous. The evening includes chocolate, of course, tasting five red wines, hors d’ oeuvres and dessert all served in their historic mansion. The cost is $75.00 per couple or $40.00 per person. Reservations are required so please call 925-862-2377 for more information.

It’s that time of year again. Tickets for Sunol Repertory Theatre’s 26th production, “Taming the Wild, Wild West in a Dress or Let’s Give the Villain the Slip” will go on sale February 10 at Elliston Vineyards. Directed by Klay Kunkel, the performances are every Friday and Saturday night beginning on March 10 through March 31st. The cost is $12.50 per person.

The Sunol Business Guild will be holding their 1st annual Crab Feed at the Sunol Event Center on Sunday, February 25 from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The cost is $35.00 and reservations are required due to limited seating. For more information please call Ario Ysit at 925-862-2251.

The Niles Canyon Railway proudly presents its Triple Tank Steam Fest on March 17 and March 18. This memorable event is being advertised as an “all steam weekend” and the 20th anniversary of the Niles Canyon Railway. For the first time ever, three tank engines called the Robert Dollar No. 3, the Quincy No. 2 and the Granite Rock No. 10 will be transporting passengers all day from the Niles station. Departure times and cost will vary for this special train run so please call 925-862-9063.

The much anticipated printing and distribution of our very own Sunol Community Phone Book is right around the corner. Although the October deadline came and went, committee members have been hard at work putting in last minute touches and I’ve heard the book looks fantastic. Those who submitted their names and phone numbers will be contacted within the next month.

Thank you to all those readers who provided me with interesting emails regarding my request for information on a particular picture of the Niles Canyon Ghost, which apparently appeared in a local newspaper back in the 60’s. Nobody actually knew of the picture but the additional information I received was fascinating. I plan on sharing my stories of the Niles Canyon Ghost on the anniversary of the rumored sighting, which is February 26.