Rio Vista Newspaper December 21, 2011

Weekly Direct Mailer Paper

riovistabeacon.com

925.550.7811

Issue 51

Volume 14

Twas the Night Before Christmas to Shop Rio Vista ‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through Rio Vista Not a creature was stirring, not even a Bass The wreathes were hung on the businesses doors with care, In hopes that customers soon would be there; The shop owners were nestled all snug in their shops, While visions of buying local danced at their doorstops; And one shop keeper in her ‘kerchief, and another in their cap, Had just settled down for a long night ahead with a nap When out on the streets there arose such a clatter, They sprang from their shops to see whats the matter.

Away to the windows they flew like a flash, Tore open the doors and waited for the dash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen rain Gave the luster of dusk of objects to claim, When, what to their wondering eyes should appear, But a city of customers, shopping local this year, With some drivers, so lively and quick, They had come shopping for their last minute picks More rapid than eagles these shoppers came, And they whistled, and shouted, and called the businesses by name; “Let’s shop at Pets 4 All, Donnelly’s, and Robin’s Nest they are chic Eat at Lucy’s or Foster’s its unique Keep shopping at Books of Rio, and Radio Shack Eat at Pizza Factory, The Point or Tortilla Flats, Don’t forget Lira’s Supermarket They help you shop on a budget.

Remember to shop for yourself this year, Like at Awender’s, Tradin Post, give them a cheer You get the idea, get out there and shop local Support all businesses in Rio Vista it’s very thoughtful We heard everyone exclaim, as they went home for the night We will continue to support our city in 2012 and everything will be alright “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good-night.”

riovistabeacon@gmail.com

December 21st, 2011

Students of the Month are Thankful for Assistance and Support

Demonstrating the spirit of Thanksgiving and Christmas, Soroptimist’s Students of Achievement for November-December both thanked their families for assistance and support in their reports to the club. Mayra Román and Jack Cronin were chosen for the honor By the RVHS Mathematics department.

Mayra is the daughter of Julia and Leo Román and has three sisters, Ana, Veronica and Daniela. She was born in Lodi and has lived in Rio Vista for three years. She is an honor roll student and a member of the National Honor Society.

She is also a member of Interact and secretary of the Culture Club, and plays soccer and volleyball.

Mayra’s favorite subjects are mathematics and art, and she hopes to attend the College of Saint Mary in Omaha, Nebraska, to major in mathematics and become a high school math teacher.

Jack Cronin says he has lived in Rio Vista “nearly my whole life.” His parents are John and Jane Cronin, and his siblings Blake and Hannah. Like Mayra, Jack is a member of the National Honor Society and Interact. He also belongs to AFS, and JSA. An avid sportsman, he competes in Football, basketball, golf and high school rodeo. He is active in 4-H and as a volunteer for Solano County Ag Day. Jack’s favorite subjects are Math and Economics. He hopes to attend UC Davis or Cal Poly SLO. Soroptimists of Rio Vista thank these two young people for their contributions to the community, and for their reporting on high school activities and events.

A Few New California Laws 2012 Employment Credit Check Law Employers can no longer request credit reports for Californians unless they are working or seeking work in a financial institution, law enforcement or the state Justice Department.

The law also exempts anyone who (1) has access to people’s bank or credit card account information, SSN number and date of birth, (2) has access to an employer’s proprietary information or trade secrets, (3) signs a check, creadit card, financial contract, or transfers money for an employer,

Question on the Street

What is your favorite Christmas Movie? (asked after the Christmas Parade)

Continued on Page 2

Home for the Elderly John C Chevy Chase Christmas Vacation

Roxanne Paton Christmas Story

Kathy and Caylee Borges Miracle on 34th Street

Owen Derury Polar Express

Happy Holiday’s from the Beacon Golden Star Home Merry Christmas order your Holiday Rib Eye Roast &Seafood We have Chicken and Pork Tamales for the Holidays

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Page 2

Letters to the Editor Dear Editor: Now that the schools are getting out for Christmas Vacation/Winter Break, our children will be around holiday dinners and parties where there will be alcohol served. Most teens who drink, get their alcohol from “social” sources – parents of other teens, older siblings and other relatives and friends. We Don’t Serve Teens, a national campaign to reduce underage drinking, is focusing on the social sources that may provide teens with the access to alcohol. The campaign’s centerpiece is www.DontServeTeens.gov, a website sponsored by a coalition of public and private sector organizations, including the Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency. The message to neighbors, relatives, and friends is “Don’t serve alcohol to teens. It’s unsafe. It’s illegal. It’s irresponsible.”

The legal drinking age in the United States is 21. Drinking can cause serious health and safety consequences – as well as legal consequences for the person providing the alcohol. Studies show that adults strongly support this law – a recent national survey showed that most parents said the drinking age should remain 21 or be raised. But parents need help to make sure their teens don’t have access to alcohol.

For more information on stopping teens’ easy access to alcohol, practical tips on talking to kids about alcohol and alcohol advertising, and what to say to friends and neighbors about serving alcohol to teens, visit www,DontServeTeens.gov.

Sincerely, Beth Roberts ATOD Coordinator City of Rio Vista

Dear Editor, This past Saturday’s first annual “Very Delta Christmas Party” for local children was an overwhelming success! This is the Discover the Delta’s first event organized and run by our new Junior Auxiliary. Over 150 children from around the Delta came by to play games, make crafts, enjoy our jumpy house, take a trip on our hay ride and of course ..... To see Santa!! A special thanks to our Junior Auxiliary made up of over 20 High school students and headed by: Kathleen Benjamin, Shay Cecchini, Kristianna Lea, and Jacob McGlue. Also, a heartfelt thanks to Captain Ken Jenkins and the crew from The River Delta Fire District.

We look forward to many more community building projects throughout the year.

Thanks for sharing our information with your readers, and as always please feel free to call with any questions.

My best, Laura Gregory Lea Executive Director Discover the Delta Foundation

Rio Vista City Council Special Meeting CANCELLATION NOTICE Wednesday, December 28, 2011 Rio Vista 94571 5:30 pm.

City Council Chambers–– One Main Street Notice is hereby given the Special Meeting of the Rio Vista City Council normally held on the fourth Wednesday of each month Is to be cancelled in December (for Wednesday, December 28, 2011, at 5:30 p.m.) due to holiday schedules.

California Laws Continued from Page 1

(4) has access to more than $10,000 cash, or (5) is a manager in ‘certain industries’.

Law effective January 1, 2012.

California Handgun Open Carry Law Open-carry citizen handgun ban. Supported by cops who cannot tell whether openly carried weapons are loaded or not. Violators pay $1,000 plus 6 months in jail (misdemeanor). Gun rights advocates vow to carry rifles and shotguns instead. Californians can still get permits for concealed weapons. Law effective January 1, 2012.

California Human Trafficking Law Enforces mandatory disclosure of efforts that companies take to eradicate slavery and human trafficking from their entire supply chains. Being watched as a prototype of future legislation in other states and nations. Law effective January 1, 2012.

Internet Sales Tax Governor Brown signed into law that out-of-state Internet retailers must collect California sales tax on transactions if the retailer has a presence in the state.

Law effective Summer 2012.

California Renters Right to Recycling Law Apartment building landlords will have to start providing recycling services for 7 million California tenants. Law effective 2012. Read “California Renters Recycling Law”.

ATTENTION

The Planning Commission was established to fulfill a variety of Planning and Zoning issues. The Commission’s responsibility is to make decisions regarding development regulations including zoning issues. The Commission consists of seven members appointed for four year staggered terms and meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. There are three vacancies to fill with the terms expiring January 2016. Applications are being accepted until December 28, 2011. Applications are available on our website at www.riovistacity.com under Government/Commissions & Committees or at City Hall, One Main Street.

Have a Safe and Happy Holiday Season!

Please Don’t Drink and Drive!

Manage Your Money Carefully This Holiday Season As you know, the holiday season can be joyous, hectic, celebratory — and expensive.

And while you certainly enjoy hosting family gatherings and giving presents to your loved ones, you’ll find these things even more pleasurable if they don’t add a lot more weight to your debt load. And that’s why you’ll want to follow some smart money-management techniques over the next few weeks.

To begin with, try to establish realistic budgets for both your entertaining and your gift giving. When you host family and friends, don’t go overboard on your expenditures. Your guests will still appreciate your efforts, which, with a little creativity, can create a welcoming and fun experience for everyone. As a guiding principal, keep in mind these words attributed to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the famous German poet and philosopher: “What you can do without, do without.” Set a budget and stick to it.

Furthermore, by sticking to a budget, you won’t be tempted to dip into your long-term investments to pay for fabulous parties or mountains of gifts. It’s never a good idea to tap long-term investments for short-term needs, but can be especially bad when your investment prices are down, as they may well be this year.

So, if you want to stick to a budget but you don’t want to raid your investments, how can you pay for your holiday season expenses? If you can spread out your purchases, you may be able to pay for them from your normal cash flow. But if And the same rule that’s not possible, you applies to your gifting. might want to consider You don’t need to find the “plastic” — your credit most expensive presents, card. Using your credit or overwhelm recipients card does not, by itself, with the sheer volume of need to amount to a your gifts. This is espefinancial setback, especially true if you, like so cially if you’ve chosen a many people, have been card that offers favorable affected by the tough terms and you’ve already economy. Everyone you shown the discipline not know will understand that to over-use that card. gifts don’t have to be lav- Just try to minimize your ish to be meaningful. credit card usage over the holidays and pay off

your card as soon as you can.

Of course, you can make your holiday season much easier, financially speaking, if you’ve set up a holiday fund to cover your various expenses. While it’s too late to set up such a fund this year, why not get an early start on the 2012 holiday season? All you need to do is put away some money each month into an easily accessible account, separate from your everyday accounts.

You don’t have to put in a great deal, but you do need to be consistent, which is why you may want to have the money moved automatically, once a month, from your checking or savings account to your holiday fund. When next year’s holiday season rolls around, you might be pleasantly surprised by how much you’ve accumulated.

But for now, following some common-sense money management practices can help you get through the holiday season in financial shape — and that type of result can get your new year off to a positive start.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

Member, SIPC John Stoflet Financial Advisor 700 Main St, Ste 103 Suisun City, CA 94585 (707) 426-9410

Treasure’s Corner

Page 3

DONNELLY For All Your

Holiday Floral Needs

Selecting the Next City Manager [Part Two] In the prior Treasurer’s Corner, I mentioned two options for filling the City Manager’s chair: engaging temporarily someone from within City Hall or making a run for the roses (the long-term City Manager) right now.

Neither option seems very feasible. Now we’ll look at a third option… and discuss a possible selection process.

number of them.

are people who have experience in hiring In looking for a City Manager) and the long-term City of people with high Manager, the selection level experience in process should involve management, whether a professional search private or public sector, firm specializing in that committee would public administrators gain the confidence (which would not be of the public and necessary in the search could make very wise for an interim City choices.

Manager, above). In the Big Search, the firm The City Council’s can be used to handle job then would be to the entire process, review the outcome from advertising the of the search firm and opening to vetting the the citizens committee The advantages of final candidates, to any and, if the Council hiring an interim City portion of the process were happy with their Manager from outside in between. I’m not recommendations, include s/he could have sure we have anyone make the final choice, much more experience on board who is skilled extend an offer, and than a bright-eyed in this job, so we would begin negotiations. up-and-coming CM… probably want to look We are at a critical and perhaps even at a soup-to-nuts hinge-point in our experience with a assignment… which similarly distressed will be expensive. But City’s life. What we city. S/he could hit the then we all understand do now is going to ground running. And how expensive it would mean the difference between our continuing we have a lot of ground be to bring the wrong on our present path to make up. person on board. versus our growing our S/he probably It’s been suggested city’s health, welfare, wouldn’t have an that a citizens reputation, and pride. agenda, other committee be formed.

If you have thoughts on than wanting to be Depending on who the above, or any other successful in turning are chosen to be aspect of the quest for around the good ship its members, the new Leadership, let Rio Vista. Sadly, one committee could our Council members has to break some be very effective know, by writing to eggs to make an in their interviews them, speaking out at omelet; and s/he might and selections… or public forum, writing have to take some not. Depending on Letters to the Editor… giant steps to correct who are chosen, its or button-holing them things. Some of these recommendations on the street. This is might be brutal; but in could win the trust your town.

Hale Conklin so doing s/he would and support of the create a city that would public… or not. If the be more appealing committee members (and less risky) to a are simply “political prospective long-term appointees”, they might City Manager. not have experience in management-level And these people recruitment. But if the are comparatively citizens committee easy to find. In fact, were made up of one several citizens have or two former mayors already looked around (No matter what you at who is available, and may think of their there appears to be a past choices, these

Public Service Announcement Leaves

Due to staffing shortages, the city is no longer able to provide services to pick up tree leaves in front of each residence. Homeowners will need to dispose of leaves in such a way as to keep gutters and streets in front of their residence clear in order to maintain clear passage for rain water to flow to the storm drains. For your convenience, the city has provided bins in which leaves and other green waste can be dropped off at the city Corp yard, located at 789 St. Francis Way, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday each week.

Christmas Trees

The City of Rio Vista is happy to provide residents with two drop off points for Christmas trees. There will be bins placed at de Flores Park and in the lot behind city hall for Christmas tree disposal only. Trees can be dropped off in these bins between December 26th and January 8th. Please do not put anything other than Christmas trees in these bins.

For your convenience, the city has provided bins in which other green waste can be dropped off at the city Corp yard, located at 789 St. Francis Way, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday each week.

Rio Vista Little League Try Outs Wednesday, January 4th Pizza Factory 5:30PM – 7:30PM Wednesday, January 25th Pizza Factory 5:30PM – 7:30PM Saturday, February 4th Egbert Field 9AM – 1PM Sign-ups are also available on the website. Try-Outs will be Saturday, February 4th Egbert Field 9AM – 1PM – more details on division times at a later date Please check the website for the most up-to-date information. http://www.eteamz.com/riovistalittleleague/

Happy Holiday’s from the Beacon

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Page 4

Happy Holidays!

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New Year’s Eve Celebration

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Happy Holiday’s from the Beacon Rio Vista Beacon

Page 5

Bridge over Troubled Water

By Pastor Ella Ray Toscano This is the time of the year when many invitations come in the mail or by phone. I guess they come by email or Facebook but those I ignore.

I have not moved into the social networking protocol. I still believe an invitation is something special and personal and it requires a response.

There are Invitations to events that celebrate milestones. No matter the reason, it is not advisable to decline an invitation to something that occurs only once. No matter how busy we are we should always make room for special times because they do not happen again. I remember missing an 80th. birthday party because I had the wrong date and I had misplaced the invitation.

This was a very special person and it was a once in a lifetime event and I missed it!

There are many Christmas parties and special events that have led up to this weekend. Some have had more than their share of invitations and some have had very few.

The one invitation that remains constant is the invitation offered by the churches. All churches have special events this weekend some more than others. Our Congregational Church on Sacramento Street invites all to a Christmas Eve Communion and Candlelight service at six. We also are inviting Christians to share Christmas morn-

ing in a worship of Carols and scripture at eleven A.M. Christians invite others to share Jesus.

This is what we do at 230 Sacramento Street. This is what other churches in our town do. We invite all to worship.. Accepting an invitation to worship Jesus is one of the best gifts you can give yourself this weekend. Jesus is inviting us to come and see. Scripture tells us that many are invited but few will come.

This weekend we celebrate the greatest invitation given. God has come to earth and all are invited to celebrate a birthday unlike all others. He has come and he has invited us to come and worship Him but once again many are invited but few there be that will come. There are those who are destroying his invitation and burying it under unbelief.

Nativity scenes in public places have become the target of unbelievers. There will always be those who have refused the invitation from God. However those who have shown disrespect to the invitation from God need not discourage those who have heard the invitation and have responded saying…”I will worship the newborn King.” Following Jesus keeps our eyes on things that bring us love. Following means moving in God’s direction.

Followers can pass by in prayer for those who have refused the invitation …and they keep

moving on.

God loves us so much that that he has shown up in person. He has come down to show us how to love. He tells us that we are to focus on who he is and not those who wish to occupy his space. No one can occupy the place of God without loving Him. The love that jesus came to show us is available all the time if we accept the invitation by the Holy Spirit to go and see this Christ Child whom we celebrate this weekend in a day called Christmas.

When one says, “Yes,” to the invitation to worship Jesus Christ and be a follower the Star of Bethlehem is real. I like to think that star is the Holy Spirit, the presence of the living Christ guiding us.

This weekend is Christmas 2011. It is the time to celebrate our gift that arrived from heaven ,,,God came in the form that he created because his created beings needed to be saved from their sins. Nothing could fix his people so he had to come down here himself.

He loved us enough to send the very best....

HIMSELF! Accept the invitation to follow Jesus this Christmas. When he says, “Come,” rise up and follow! Don’t miss the main event of this weekend. Christmas 2011 will never come again. Merry Christmas

New Store Opens in Oakley, Wants to Serve Delta Residents

Xccessories 4 Everyone is a new store that has just opened a few weeks ago in Oakley. Located at 1625 Main Street, just right over the Antioch Bridge, Xccessories 4 Everyone, certainly does live up to it name. Mike Matas is the owner and decided to open his store in Oakley due to the fact that he likes that East County residents shop the smaller retailers. Also wanting to pull business from Rio Vista Mike Matas and the Delta. Matas is not new to this type of busiOwner of Xccessories ness, he owned stores in Louisiana and sold them a few years ago and moved back to California. This past year his wife passed and that is when Matas decided to open up another store so that he and his two teens Melissa and Antonio would have jobs. Xccessories 4 Everyone, has just about everything that you would need for your cell phone, iPads, and laptops. For example; chargers, cases, skins, data cables, USB LCD protectors, hard cases, silicone bluetooth, headsets, hands free, charm speakers, memory cards,screen repairs, car mounts, 3-D covers. For; AT&T, Verizon, Metro PCS, T-Mobile, Sprint, Boost, Nextel and more These products are high end fashion accessories, with three different price ranges for the everyone’s affordability. All of the products will come with a one year warranty, and if Mike doesn’t already have it on the wall, he will special order it for you at no extra charge. What sets them apart from the rest, the best quality, right price and best service. Xccessories 4 Everyone is open M-F 10-6, Sat 10-5 closed Sunday and they can be reached at 925-435-6565. Stop by and happy shopping.

Now Open in Oakley Xccessories 4 Everyone Finally a Place to find Everything you Need for What you Have You Made your Choice Now Feed it Chargers, Cases, Skins, Data Cables, USB LCD Protectors, Hard Cases, Silicone Bluetooth, Headsets, Hands Free, Charm Speakers, Memory Cards, Screen Repairs, Car Mounts, 3-D Covers, Water Proof AT&T – Verizon – Metro PCS – T-Mobile – Sprint – Boost – Nextel

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WE ARE OPEN NEW YEARS DAY 9:00 AM Steak & Eggs $5.45

Delta Tea Party Patriots Next Meeting

Page 6

The Delta Tea Party Patriots will meet on Tuesday, January 17 6:30 Pm at the Veteran’s Memorial Hall, 610 St. Francis Way, Rio Vista. Guest speaker will be Assemblyman Tim Donnelly of the 59th District. For more information: http://deltatpp.org or dtppatriots@gmail.com.

Thank You Rio Vista For Our 1st Year!

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy and Safe New Year Low Cost Vaccination Clinic Coming January 21st (More Info to Follow)

New Winter Hours Mon– Sat 10-5

Solano County Democratic Women in Action

Saturday, January 14, 2012 at noonFuso’s, 535 Main Street, VacavillePark in the Downtown Library/Senior Center lot, and enter through the rear door.

Cost: $20 Meet local Democrats in politics Learn about local Democratic activities & local, state & national election issues Speakers: Hilary Crosby, California Democratic Party Controller Natalie Woodard, Democratic Activist Organized by Women of the Northern Solano Democratic Club (NSDC) Tickets: Planning this event is easier if we know you’re coming, so please use the NSDC website: http://northernsolanodems.org & click on the join/donate tab for Pay Pal & select DWiA, or send your check to NSDC, PO Box 192, Fairfield CA 94533 by 1/11/12Tickets will also be sold at the door. Please consider a donation for those who need help buying tickets.

Voted # 1 Holiday Dessert for 2011

Red Velvet Cheesecake Ingredients

1st Tuesday at 7:00 pm

10:00 am

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1 pound milk chocolate, chopped 1/2 cup butter 1 9 ounce package chocolate wafer cookies (40 to 45 cookies) 1 cup semisweet chocolate pieces 1 cup slivered almonds 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup butter, melted 4 8 ounce packages cream cheese, softened 1 8 ounce carton dairy sour cream 1/3 cup granulated sugar 1/3 cup buttermilk 1 1 ounce bottle red food coloring (2 Tbsp.)

4 eggs 2 egg yolks Chocolate leaves (optional) Powdered sugar (optional) Unsweetened cocoa powder (optional) Fresh raspberries and/or small whole strawberries (optional)

Directions 1. In a medium saucepan, melt chocolate and 1/2 cup butter over low heat; transfer to a bowl and cool completely.

2. Place wafer cookies, chocolate pieces, almonds and brown sugar in a large food processor. Cover and process until finely ground.

Add the 1/2 cup melted butter; cover and process until well combined. Transfer crumbs to a 10x3-inch springform pan with a removable bottom. Press crumbs onto bottom and up the sides of the pan, leaving a 1/2-inch space at the top of the pan. Set aside.

For filling: 3. In a very large mixing bowl, beat the cooled chocolate mixture, cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, buttermilk and red food coloring with an electric mixer on medium to high speed until combined. Add 4 eggs and 2 egg yolks all at once. Beat on low speed just until combined.

4. Pour filling into crumb-

crust lined springform pan. Place springform pan in a shallow baking pan on the oven rack.

Bake in a 350 degree F oven about 1 hour, or until 2 inches of outside edge appear set when shaken gently.

5. Remove springform pan from baking pan.

Cool cheesecake in pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Use a small metal spatula to loosen cheesecake from sides of pan.

Cool 30 minutes more.

Remove sides of pan.

Cool for 1 hour; cover and chill at least 4 hours.

6. To serve, use a paper doily to decoratively sift powdered sugar and cocoa powder on the top, if you like. Garnish the center with chocolate leaves and fresh raspberries, if you like. Clean knife between each cut.

Makes 20 servings.

Bake and chill up to 24 hours. Garnish just before serving.

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Real Estate Q & A

Page 7

FAITH IN CHANGE

Q. I want to either either rent out or sell my home, I haven’t decided. In any case, I presume I should wait for spring as this seems a bad time with Holidays upon us. Do you find winter a bad time for selling? J.T. Rio Vista A. We sell and rent homes every month of the year, with clients observing different personal criteria that motivates them toward change. For instance, families with kids in school may elect to wait until May or June, where a job transfer or retirement may bring you in any month. An investor shops prices and returns, not time of year, and the holidays can make you desirous of more Sam Richards: Richards Reality room to accommodate loved ones is a grander fashion.

At my house, Thanksgiving means having dysfunctional grandkids over to break your decorator items and drop food in the floor, and these kids are teenagers. Our daughter just sits there and smiles and says “oh well”, meaning she’ll do nothing about it, while her husband is digging in the liquor cabinet for yet another drink of my best scotch. When he has several drinks, he can’t stop talking so dinner is monopolized by his droning on of his droll experiences and misconceptions of reality. During this time he not only doesn’t observe that the food needs to be passed around the table, the food he takes he doesn’t eat, he’s too busy with talking. Our daughter stares at her plate and eats; the kids ignore their father and are rowdy and hyper with spilling and dropping on the floor. It’s like having dinner with a herd of feral cats. Maybe next year they can walk on the table and claw the furniture.

While all of this is being observed, our son has been drinking with his Sister’s husband and they decide that cranking up some music and having an “air guitar” competition would be appropriate. My wife tries to maintain decorum and asks if anyone cares for dessert, and I’m looking at the group and deciding when they were small that perhaps I should have maintained “the beatings shall continue until morale improves” mentality in raising them. I pass on desert and retire to at 230 Sacramento Street my recliner to watch some football and wait for these people to eventually find maturity when I realize that a drink has been spilled on my expensive leather chair, and now I get to deal with that.

I can elect to have faith in the future that perhaps Christmas will be better, or I could elect to move and suggest that we spend the holidays at their house since my new house might be too small, and they won’t have the address.

So you see, there are lots of reasons to move around the holidays.

Q. I was looking at the rentals in your front window, and saw boats advertised. Are you a boat dealer? P.Y. Rio Vista A. No, I’m a yacht dealer. Here’s the story; I’ve had my boat for sale without much luck, so I listed it with a yacht dealer, a “mom and pop” operation in Alameda.

During the listing, we chatted a lot and he encouraged my wife and I to get a sales license and work part time Pastor Ella Ray Toscano with him. The wife and I studied and took the state exam, and passed first try. That was in August, and Church Phone 707- 374- 2033 since then the Broker I’m supposed to be working for Member of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches NACCC ran out of money and had to abandon his office and email congregational@frontiernet.net advertising. So, he suggested we partner up; he has Congregrational Preschool Mon- Thurs. listings and I have the office, so now I’m a partner.

I haven’t sold a boat yet. You call that “big hat, no cattle”.

We are selling real estate, let us sell yours. 707-3746491 or visit: www.richards-realestate.com

Invites all to Christmas Eve Candle Light Service at 6:P.M. and Christmas Day 11.A.M Share the Gift of Jesus

Christmas Services in Rio Vista

Here is a list of some of the local Churches Christmas Service times

Windborn Church

300 Main St Christmas Schedule Our Christmas Eve candle-light service Will be on Saturday, December 24th at 5:00 p.m.!

On Sunday December 25th, Christmas morning, We will have ONE simple worship service at 10:30 a.m., There will be NO Sunday School.

St. Brigid’s Episcopal Church

Call for Christmas Schedule At 218 California Street

707-374-2667

Rio Vista Church of Christ

Phone: 707-374-6741 Address: 57 North 3rd. St. Call for Christmas Schedule

Union Baptist Church of Rio Vista Worship Service & Sunday school In the Sanctuary Sunday, Dec 25, 10:30 AM

Calvary Chapel Rio Vista

(707) 374-5203 610 Saint Francis Way, Rio Vista, CA Call for Christmas Schedule

First Congregational Church

230 Sacramento Street Invites all to Christmas Eve Candle Light Service at 6:P.M Christmas Day 11.A.M. Share the Gift of Jesus

Rio Vista Sanitation Service

Ask the Recycling Guy! What do I do with my Holiday tree?

RECYCLE IT FOR FREE! There are two easy ways to recycle your Holiday tree.

1. Place take your tree to the Rio Vista Corp Yard, located at 789 St. Francis Way. Please cut your tree in half if they are over 5 feet & please no tinsel or �locking. *Please note that the Corp Yard is open Monday-Friday 8 am to 4 pm.

2. Take your tree to the Recycling Center & Transfer Station at 1300 Loveridge Road in Pittsburg. Limit 1 tree per vehicle.

*Holiday trees must be free of lights, ornaments, tinsel and �locking.

Flocked Trees are not recyclable.

If you have any questions, please contact Rio Vista Sanitation Service at 707.374.5644 or visit us at www.RioVistaDisposal.com

Is wrapping paper & ribbon recyclable?

MOST wrapping paper is NOT recyclable. It often is dyed and laminated.

Wrapping paper can also contain non-paper addictives. In addition, ribbon is NOT recyclable and can damage the recycling machine if put in your blue recycling toter. Unfortunately, please throw your wrapping paper away but save & REUSE your ribbon.

PLEASE BE GREEN & KEEP YOUR RECYCLABLES CLEAN! For information on what is recyclable, please go to www.riovistadisposal.com

12 Tips to Save Energy and Money Homes can consume a large amount of energy. Here are 12 ways you can lower your energy bill, lower cost and help the environment in the process: 1. Lights out: Turning lights off when not in a room means using less energy. The power plant will produce less power and emit less pollution.

2. Turn off water: Take a second to turn the handle to off while doing dishes or brushing teeth to save on water use.

3. Upgrade Insulation: Insulation helps keep warmed or cooled air inside the home. Check the attics and walls.

4. Check for cracks: Check windows and doors for air leaks and take action to block air loss.

5. Change light bulbs to CFLs: These funny looking new bulbs cost a bit more, last longer and save money in the long run.

6. Instant water heater: These compact units heat water only on demand. You will only heat water when you need it.

7. Zero-Voc paints: Paint can be toxic. Traditional paints emit fumes for years. Zero-voc paints, however, are safe at less cost.

8. Unplug appliances: Even if an appliance isn’t in use, it is still using a small amount of power. Unplug appliances when they’re not in use.

9. Non toxic laundry detergent: Every year gallons of toxic chemicals make their way down our drains and into our water supply. Free and clear detergent will help our rivers, lakes and oceans.

10. Energy efficient appliances: Energy Star appliances meet a strict standard of energy usage. Switching to an energy efficient washer or dryer can save you money and energy.

11. Wash in cold water: Once you have those Energy Star appliances, wash in cold water when you can and use less energy.

12. Recycle: Keep bins in the garage for glass, paper, cardboard, plastic. Take a few minutes to sort trash and save the environment.