Village Chat for June 1, 2010

The view from our office today can be described in one word – dreary. Here it is late May and the weather is rainy and cool; today’s high is 59º. At least the forecast is for better weather soon, so I hope that by the time you read this it will be sunny and warm. It is, of course, the season of graduations, and congratulations are due to Max Kruzic, who graduates from UC Santa Cruz with a B.S. in Earth and Planetary Science on June 12. Max’ parents, Linda and Paul, and brother Joel will be really proud that day, and having known Max since he was about six years old, I will be too! The same is true of Mike Atkin who will graduate from UCLA on June 11 with a B.A in Economics and a double minor in French and Environmental Systems and Society. His parents, Eva and Jack, and his brother Matt (also a UCLA alum) will be there for the big event. Congratulations, Mike!

Al Gilmour is another recipient of a degree from an institution of higher learning. On May 15, Olivet College in Michigan bestowed upon Al the Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa. Al was the college’s Dean of Students starting in 1958, and later became Director of Admissions as well. In 1963 the president of the college appointed Al as his administrative assistant and in that capacity he initiated a major fundraising campaign, which led to the construction of the Lester K. Kirk Center, Shipherd Hall, and the Mott Academic Center on that beautiful campus. Anyone who knows Al knows of his legendary fundraising prowess. He is still tirelessly at it, helping many local institutions, including the Oakmont Kiwanis Club and the Kenwood Education Foundation. Being given an honorary doctorate is a wonderful recognition of a lifetime of achievement in one’s field. Congratulations, Al!



Al Gilmour


We went to see The Smothers Brothers at the Wells Fargo Center on May 14, with a large contingent of Kenwoodians. The place was packed. It was the only time I’ve ever seen the Smothers Brothers perform live, and it will most likely stay that way, as Tommy and Dick have announced their retirement. The show that night was the last one in Sonoma County, and what a great way for Tommy to go out, in front of a full house of adoring fans. And with good reason – The Smothers Brothers act is unique. Their timing is perfect, they are hilarious, their humor is clean (which means they don’t go for the cheap laughs), every once in a while they throw in a political zinger, and they are really great singers. Afterwards I couldn’t remember what specifically was so funny. They just riff on something and go from one thing to the next and back again until you are completely confused and completely entertained. So, Tommy and Dick, thanks for a great show and congratulations on a great career. You guys deserve an honorary doctorate, honoris hilarious.

Pat Ferrera would like to wish Happy Birthday to her former Kenwood neighbor, Roberta Wiswell, who turns 102 on June 9. Wow! Roberta now lives in Cameron Park outside Sacramento.

Laura Rogers is the very deserving recipient of the Donna Wilson Award, given at Kenwood School each year to the school’s volunteer extraordinaire. Laura received the award at the Volunteer Appreciation Tea on May 14. School Librarian Katy Biller reports, “Laura is involved in the Kenwood School Association, Kenwood Education Foundation, a classroom volunteer in her children’s classrooms, owner of Sylvan Learning Center with husband Jim, and mother to two outstanding children, Austin and Bennett. Laura is always first to be helpful in any challenge that comes her way and has definitely made a difference at Kenwood Elementary School.” Congratulations, Laura!



Laura Rogers ans Bob Bales


May 24 was a big day for Kenwood School 2nd grader Agustin Reiter, as he served as the school’s “Secretary for the Day.” Equipped with his own business card, Agustin aided real-life school district Secretary Suzanne Ciernick in answering the phones, picking up and sorting the mail, and making the morning announcements over the P.A. system. He even got to have lunch with two classmates in the office of Principal/Superintendent Bob Bales. Word has it that the office ran so well that Agustin is eying Mr. Bales’ corner office. Don’t worry, Bob, there are plenty of pencils to sharpen here at the Kenwood Press!



Secretary for the Day Augustin Reiter manned the phones at Kenwood School last week.


And I have one more Kenwood School event to tell you about – The Quedding. This is the annual marriage ceremony between the letter Q and the letter U. All the kindergarteners participate in this very important ritual, presided over by their teacher Mrs. S (Karla Schloemp). This year’s Q was the radiant Anna Kopes-Kerr, and her U was Lunden Vaile, taking his duties appropriately seriously. Congratulations, Q and U. May you have a long and happy life together (with a few foreign-word exceptions!)



Photo by Katie Perkins

Q (Anna Kopes-Kerr) was joined with U (Lunden Vaile) by Kindergarten teacher Karla Schloemp at the “Quedding” on May 21 at Kenwood School.


The Valley of the Moon Natural History Association (VMNHA) received a big grant a while ago, thanks to volunteer Jud Goodrich. The grant comes from Chevron Corporation’s “Grants for Good” program, for employees and retirees. Chevron will donate $500 for 20 hours of volunteer service, and $1,000 for 40 hours. Jud submitted a request for a grant for 40 hours for 2009 (he actually provided 75 hours of service in 2009), and VMNHA received $1,000! Jud was a chemist for Chevron, researching burner fuels, lubricating greases, polymers and asphalt. He retired from Chevron in 1985 after 34 years, as a Senior Research Associate. Jud is a California State Park Volunteer, playing Charmian London’s Steinway piano at Jack London State Park since 1988. He is the mentor and scheduler for the Piano Volunteers. For more information on VMNHA, call 938-5216, or go to www.jacklondonpark.com.

Sophomore Davis Watkins’ school, Rancho Bodega School, is having a Spring Benefit Concert on Sunday, June 6, from 4-8 p.m. at Friar Tuck’s Pub in Cotati, and Davis will be on stage for the first time, playing the drums. He has been learning to play drums with the encouragement of John Halderman, teacher and director of Rancho Bodega School. Davis will be joined onstage for a few songs by his step-father Tony Collins on trombone (he’s actually a professional musician), and his mom Randy Sue Collins on harmonica – also Randy Sue’s first time onstage! Tickets are $10 and you can get them from Randy Sue, 833-5232, or randysueart@comcast.net, from the school, or at the door. This is an all-ages-welcome event and there will be food available for purchase.

The Oakmont Kiwanis Club is holding its annual Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, June 12, 8 a.m. to noon at Oakmont Gardens. This is one of the club’s biggest fundraisers of the year. Tickets are $7, $4 for kids 12 and under, and can be purchased from any club member, including the above-mentioned Al Gilmour. See you there!

That’s all for now. In the next issue of Village Chat we will have high school graduation news, so if you haven’t yet sent in your information, make sure you do it by June 9 or earlier. Also, of course, feel free to send in any other news and photos you may have. You can email ann@kenwoodpress.com, or call 833-5155 and chat me up! – A.Q.