Pride of the nation

The annual Veterans Day parade marched through the streets of downtown Crescent City Saturday. Pictured top: Abigail Kendrick rides with her mother Sarah in a fire truck waving at parade-goers; right, a veteran salutes; bottom, left to right, Frank McNamara, Bob Cochran and Chris Thorpe. 

In conjunction with Santa’s Workshop, local volunteer firefighters have ignited a program this year to make sure more kids in need get gifts.

“Firefighters’ Spark of Love: Fill a Fire Truck” toy drive will kick-off tomorrow at Walmart Super Center’s grand opening, with fire department volunteers dressed up like elves handing out flyers with information on the program. [Dana will call me tomorrow with the time]

Huge effort under way for children in need

Paper cut-out mittens inscribed with a child’s name, age and gift wish are making their way into the hearts of those who want to help make a child’s Christmas brighter. 

The annual Rural Human Services Santa’s Workshop is under way, and trees have been popping up in local businesses around town, their branches laden with the green and red tags of hope of children up to 14 from needy families.

Ron Phillips, director of Rural Human Services, has overseen the Santa’s Workshop project for the past six years. “People like to refer to me as Santa,” he said. “That’s too big of a job for me; I prefer ‘Head Elf.’”

This button from the November 15, 1969, “end the war” march in San Francisco is among the souvenirs in my college scrapbook.

Richard calls me a female Forrest Gump because I always manage to pull out an interesting story from my past. I admit I’ve lived in interesting places during particularly interesting times.

 Violinist Ann Fontanella performs at the Crescent Elk Auditorium on Thursday, Nov. 15, at 7:30 p.m. as the second offering in the Del Norte-Curry Concert Association’s 2012-13 season.

Virtuoso performer Fontanella has been noted for her performances from a very young age. Fontanella began studying violin at age 6, and at age 10 she debuted with the Philadelphia Orchestra. At 14, Fontanella was the youngest artist accepted into the Master’s of Music/Certificate program at Yale University.

Sutter Coast Hospital chef Justin Hall’s vegetarian taquito entree won a People’s Choice award. Del Norte Triplicate / Rick Postal

 During six days of events, community celebrates how it eats 

I’ve known it and preached for a long time: Food brings people together. I would much rather talk business over lunch or sit down to dinner to discuss important matters than sit around a conference table or a cocktail table, for that matter.

It is, I guess, my preference to lean on food to break the ice, set the stage or jump-start a relationship that prompted me to raise my hand at a Community Food Council meeting a couple of months ago when the request for volunteers was made. Sure, I would be on the committee to create a celebration of food right here in Crescent City in conjunction with the second annual national Food Day.

Enthusiasm propelled Food Day, which is officially Oct. 24, into Wild Rivers Food Days 2012 — six days of events that began Saturday, Oct. 20. From the moment organizing began, the Food Days idea became a rolling stone rumbling through the streets of Del Norte (and Humboldt and Curry counties), gathering more momentum every day.

Soroptimists International of Crescent City is currently accepting applications for three awards for local women and girls.

The first award is the $300 Ruby Award. This honors women who use their personal or professional influence to improve the lives of other women.

Eligibility for the Ruby Award includes women who have supported non-profit organizations or have been involved in making a difference in the lives of women and/or children.