July 2026 In this edition: ********************* New Board Members and President(s) Blue-green Algae?! 4th of July Recap & Appreciation VGFD History Redwood Radio Project Upcoming Events |
|
|
|
|
New Co-Presidents of Friends of Villa Grande Board |
|
|
Hi Everyone, Rich Holmer and Kyla Brooke are your new co-presidents and we invite members to contact us with any questions or concerns about Friends of Villa Grande. Email us at friends@villagrande.org or directly, Kyla at housematters@kbrooke.biz, and Rich at richandwanda@sbcglobal.net.
There are many opportunities to participate in Friends of Villa Grande, including stewardship activities at Patterson Point Preserve in September. The FoVG Board is addressing issues at Firehouse Plaza Park and are in the infancy of emergency response systems in Villa Grande. If any of these interest you, contact us!
Friends of Villa Grande is a community based organization. We try to stay responsive to community needs but also limit activities to our adopted goals. We often get requests to work on things that are outside of our purpose. Our primary reason for existence is restoration and maintenance of PPP but we have taken on other limited activities. We are not a homeowners association and we do not attempt to exert control over our community. As a community based organization, we need your participation and support to continue to be effective. All are welcome to participate! Thanks to our wonderful community, we remain a strong organization. Learn more about us and the rest of the FoVG Board on our website. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Blue-green Algae??
A member of our community had a dog become ill with symptoms similar to toxins from blue-green algae (also known as cyanobacteria). The actual cause of the illness was not verified. The State HAB (hazardous algae bloom) website operated by the State Water Resources Control Board was notified and it has been posted as a possible canine illness. The State toxicologist contacted our local resident and obtained more detailed information.
Our local Health Department was also contacted. They came out immediately to Patterson Point and observed possible blue-green algae. Samples were taken but it was determined that it was not blue-green algae that they observed. The Health Department maintains a blue-green algae toxin testing device at Monte Rio beach which is representative of 10 miles of the river. This has also come back as non-detect for toxins. Sonoma Water also does weekly bacteriological testing at Patterson Point. If they observe potential blue-green algae when they are obtaining samples, they will take a sample of the algae back to their lab for examination.
In summary, there have not been toxins detected in the water so far (they were detected last year). There is still a potential for exposure to toxins, however, from contact with algae mats. Blue-green algae is difficult to identify and can co-exist with the typical green algae clumps. Exposure to blue-green algae is a particular hazard to dogs because if they lick their fur, the cell walls of the algae can break and release toxins.
The large warning sign on Third Street has detailed instructions on how to mitigate potential hazard from blue-green algae. Everyone should read this and follow the guidance in order to protect their children and dogs. Learn more about HABs, reporting, and current levels at the Sonoma County Department of Environmental Health. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
4th of July Recap:
A Spectacular 250th Celebration
This year’s 4th of July festivities brought our community together in true Villa Grande style, blending decades of tradition with vibrant small-town energy.
The day kicked off in the Town Square where neighbors gathered in their best red, white, and blue. Rich Holmer delivered his always-entertaining reading of the Declaration of Independence, followed by a resounding performance from Kyla Brooke and the Kids’ Kazoo Khorus. Accompanied by the energetic rhythms of the Hubbub Club Band, the community parade wound its way through town, culminating in a lively after-party at the Villa Grande Firehouse Plaza, The Fargo Brothers played, and got the crowd moving on the dance floor! A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Volunteers!
An event of this scale simply doesn't happen without a village. We extend our deepest appreciation and gratitude to the volunteers who stepped up to make this day possible: - Fundraising: Harriet Postuma, Jessica Mihaly, Stan Healey
- Membership & Bar Ticket sales: Patty Thayer & Roberto Esteves
- Songbooks & Kazoos: Leah Roderman, Jeffrey Huff, Max Detlefsen, and Susan Corley
- Sound equipment & setup: Ruben Garcia
- Bar Hosts: Chris Resler & Tom Cocuzzi
- Lemonade Stand: Adaline Foucre
- Event pageantry, permits (& general volunteer wrangling): Kyla Brooke & Roberto Esteves
See the day in full color on our website - if you have photos to add, please email friends@villagrande.org. Thanks to everyone who makes the 4th of July a safe, fun, and memorable celebration for all of Villa Grande! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Villa Grande Fire Department (VGFD) shed and adjacent plaza VGFD History
Did you know that the Villa Grande Fire Department (VGFD) building was built around 1915 with redwood lumber from the nearby Sam Duncan’s Saw Mill? Henry Gorter, a retired machinist and captain in the San Francisco Fire Department, retired to Villa Grande in 1910. To increase fire safety for Villa Grande, he constructed the Villa Grande Fire Department (VGFD) building.
When Friends of Villa Grande purchased Patterson Point Preserve in 2009 and began its restoration, the need for storage of tools, signage, and supplies became evident. The VGFD shed & property was listed as County land, and FoVG approached the County to secure a lease to the shed and the adjacent land. In exchange FoVG committed to restore the VGFD building and to maintain the Plaza and the adjacent swale. In May, 2014, the county awarded FoVG a license for the use of the building and land. Learn more about the history of VGFD and the restoration and maintenance work by FoVG in this article by Roberto Esteves, Russian River Historical Society Archivist! |
|
|
|
|
Prepping for EZ PZ Talent Show |
|
|
|
Creating a solid Foundation |
|
|
|
|
Redwood Radio ProjectOur power goes out often. Our community is at high risk for flood, fire and earthquakes. Redwood Radio Project will aid in getting information to our community when we need it most. Redwood Radio Project is a Monte Rio-based effort to build an ad-free, low power, public safety-focused local radio station before a Feb. 6, 2027, FCC deadline.
Their mission as stated is: "To support our neighbors and visitors before, during, and after disasters by providing accurate, highly local, specific, data-driven information to help make decisions that save lives and property — especially when the power’s out, you’ve lost cell service, or your cell phone’s dead." Learn more about the project and how you can help through their website. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
CONTRIBUTE TO OUR NEWSLETTER!Do you have local news to share with other FoVG members? Are you interested in writing a brief article about history, nature, or current events? The FOVG Newsletter is emailed on the 3rd Friday of the month during the busy months of April – October. Upcoming deadlines for submissions are on Mondays prior to the newsletter going out: 8/17, 9/14, and 10/12. Please email your article draft to Bonnie Peterson at bonnie@mba-medical.com. |
|
|
|
|
|
