June 2026 In this edition: ********************* 4th of July Russian River Recreation Information FoVG Annual Meeting Election of FoVG Board Members Terrace Trails Progressive Party
Emergency Preparedness
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Join Us for the 250th Anniversary Celebration of our Country July 4th, 2026 |
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This year the 250th anniversary of the 4th of July celebration will be bigger than ever! Flaunt your red, white and blue outfit, or dress as a revolutionary, and join the festivities!
4:00pm Gather in the Town Square (outside the old General Store). Grab a kazoo for the kids
4:30pm Cheer on our independence from England in 1776, and our ongoing independence from Monte Rio ;-).
Rich Holmer will read portions of the Declaration of Independence (with his always entertaining commentary).
Bring the kids and kazoos to the steps of the old VG Hotel and sing or hum patriotic songs led by Kyla and the Kids' Kazoo Khorus, accompanied by the HubBub Club Band.
Follow the HubBub Band parade around town, ending at the VG Firehouse Plaza (21905 Willow Way)
5:30pm Villa Grande Firehouse Fundraising Fair: Join or renew your FoVG membership Buy some FoVG merchandise Red, White and Brew for sale (21 and over) Taco Truck (pending official name) food available for purchase Kids Kookie Bar
6:00pm Concert and dancing to the Fargo Brothers
Let's make it one to remember! |
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Russian River Recreation 101 |
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Learn more about the regional park, river access points along the Russian River, and important safety tips in this Sonoma County Regional Parks video, created in collaboration with NorCal Public Media. Find out more about why the river’s ecological health matters to our communities, wildlife and the future of this special place. The video features Lynda Hopkins, Sonoma County Supervisor; Bert Whitaker, Sonoma County Parks Director; and Greg Desmond, Aquatics & Recreation Supervisor.
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The Friends of Villa Grande will hold its Annual Meeting of members on July 5, 2026, at the firehouse plaza. We will provide refreshments (coffee, tea, donuts and bagels, plus a surprise) starting at 10 a.m. The meeting will start promptly at 10:30 and the agenda will include: welcome (Patty Thayer), presentation of annual financial results (Tim Cahn), report on activities at the Patterson Point Preserve (Kaya Halpern), update on County initiatives impacting septic systems (Rich Holmer, Kyla Brooke), update on activities related to the EIFD (Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District)(Patty Thayer), and a conversation about recent issues impacting the plaza, including parking and dumping.
At the conclusion of the meeting, FoVG members will elect new and renewing Board members. (Note: All are welcome to listen to the presentations, but only FoVG members may vote on the Board candidates.) This year, current members Patty Thayer, Andrew Farley and Kelsey Sheofsky are up for reelection. We also have two people seeking election: Shelley Russell and Leah Roderman. A brief description of the new candidates follows:
Shelley Russell has been a member of the Villa Grande community and an active volunteer with Friends of Villa Grande since 2018. She served as a previous FoVG Board member from 2021-2023. Shelley practiced law for 15 years before turning to a second career in education, teaching for 20 years. Her husband, Lance, serves on the FoVG restoration committee of Patterson Point Preserve. They have two adult children, a daughter who resides in New York and a son in Washington state. Shelley feels extraordinarily blessed to have landed in such a welcoming and closeknit community and appreciates the beauty of Patterson Point Preserve by foot and by kayak. She values ethical and responsible stewardship so that Patterson Point Preserve may continue to support native plant and animal species as well as provide education & enjoyment for future generations.
Leah Roderman began volunteering with FoVG in late 2022, bringing her expertise as a website developer and digital communications strategist. She has supported the organization in its transition to Wild Apricot, improving membership management, email communications, and website content. This has deepened her appreciation for FoVG’s work to restore and steward Patterson Point and to strengthen connections within the community. Leah lives in Petaluma and has a strong connection to the Russian River area thanks to friends and family around Guerneville and Monte Rio. She has 16 years of experience as Communications Director at ChangeLab Solutions, a nonprofit based in Oakland that provides law and policy services to communities that are improving health and economic opportunity. She also has served as a founding board director for two Bay Area nonprofits, Oaklandish and Ohana Paddle Club. Leah's favorite day on the river includes wearing goggles underwater, the better to see everything else swimming around. |
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Come wander the Terrace Trails... |
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Friends of Villa Grande invites you to join us for our Members’ Progressive Party
Saturday, July 25th 3:00-6:00 p.m. Eat, Drink & Be Merry with fellow Friends as we are welcomed into two special homes on Monte Vista Terrace.
Tickets are $25 and will be available for purchase on our website to members in good standing starting July 5th.
*Each membership may purchase up to two tickets. Due to limited space we are not able to include additional guests this year. We appreciate your understanding.
Qs: shelleyrussell@sbcglobal.net |
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Question: Did you receive the Red Flag warning last week that was triggered by hot weather and high winds? Did you know about the Ross wildfire on Friday west of Cazadero?
Not to be alarmist, but this summer promises to be a hot one, and now is a good time to review your preparation for wildfire emergencies. You can find a fairly complete grab-and-go bag list here, tinyurl.com/VGgrabgo and there’s an audiocast with additional details at tinyurl.com/grab-go-podcast.
Our website has lots of useful links, just click on “Our Community” at villagrande.org and you’ll see the Emergency Information page. The Emergency Preparedness link there takes you to more information.
If you would like to help with emergency preparedness in Villa Grande, please drop an email to friends@villagrande.org and be safe out there! |
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