june 5 Through
june 19
Volume 3 • Issue 13
Free publication
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pg 14 • gratis About the community...For the community
Field of Dreams for Special-Needs Kids By Elizabeth Kalfsbeek Colusa native Tom Dermody established “Field of Dreams” as a way to provide an outlet for children with special needs and their families to enjoy a “day off” in the country. Now in its 10th year, the organization recently hosted 14 families and visiting celebrities at the event for a day at Stonyford Ranch to fish in the farmstead’s three spring-fed reservoirs, ride horses, observe roaming cattle, feast on a barbecue, go on a farm tour and other outdoor pursuits. “It’s nice to have an opportunity for our whole family to do something together, because we have limited opportunities for all four of us, especially in the outdoors,” said Lori Rodrigues of Colusa. “It’s especially nice to be doing something with people in a similar situation. We don’t feel so different. And it’s nice to have the focus on Rodney for a change.” Lori and her husband
(Staff Photo) Former 49’ers player George Visger poses with Rodney Rodrigues who is wearing his Super Bowl ring
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An Evening with Mark Twain Scholars Recognized First Virginia Read event a success
The 3+ Club program was established by Colusa County Superintendent of Schools Kay Spurgeon after hearing about a similar program in another county. (Courtesy Photo)
Pictured with "Mark Twain" are a group of Third Graders from Williams Elementary School. As an enrichment activity to compliment their Pioneer Unit, students participated in the Virgina Yerxa Comminity Read featuring "Huckleberry Finn". To conclude the project, students attended"An Evening with Mark Twain" at the Colusa Community Theater.
Friends of the Library Annual Wine Tasting
May 1 was a perfect spring day for the sixth annual Friends of the Library wine tasting event held outside the Senior Center. Catherine’s Kitchen provided wonderful sour dough baguette for dipping into eight different olive oils provided by Mary Beth Massa. Rumiano Cheese in Willows once again tempted taste buds with a wonderful selection of cheeses and delectable desserts provided by the Friends. To keep the senses keen the Colusa County Arts Council had a juried art show by area artists inside the center and the Garden Club of Colusa County offered hundreds of plants for sale to replace those lost during the winter.
everything from an antique library card catalog to a zinfandel blindtasting hors d’oeuvres party for eight. It all added up to a very successful day for supporting the county libraries.
A special wine-opener door prize was won by Elizabeth Yerxa, and Wendy Penrose-Burke won the grand prize of the chocolatecovered wine bottle and glasses from Capay Valley Vineyards. Several silent auction items offered
Once again the businesses and professional members of the community stepped forward to guarantee the success of the event. Gold Medal sponsors were Community Foundation. continued page 3
June 5
Colusa County Fair June 10-13
Capay Valley Vineyards, present for the sixth year, had a new offering of their sparkling viognier to tickle palates. Michael David Vineyards from Lodi, Holly’s Hill Vineyards from Fairplay, Bogel Winery from Clarksburg, and this year’s new addition Shannon Ridge rounded out the commercial offerings. Local vintner Steve Dennis showed what can be done on a small scale.
Weather
Coming Events Williams Pioneer Day
Once again Colusa County’s top academic scholars will be recognized at 3+ Club Day at the Colusa County Fair. All sixththrough twelfth-grade students in Colusa County are eligible for the 3+ Club. A student must have earned at least a 3.0 grade point average with no D or F grades for the 2009-2010 school year. This year 776 students, 200 more than last year, qualified for the 3+ Club.
Colusa Farmer’s Market Mondays through Sept.
Arbuckle Farmer’s Market Wednesdays through Aug.
Technology Fair @ Colusa Library
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SATURDAY
SUNDAY
76° Partly Cloudy
81° Partly Sunny
89° Mostly Sunny
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
86° Partly Sunny
91° Partly Sunny
96° Sunny/Hot
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
96° Sunny/Hot
96° Partly Sunny
93° Mostly Sunny
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10
June 11
Friends of the Williams Pioneer Review
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11
This year’s 3+ Club members will be granted free admission to the Colusa County Fair on Thursday, June 10th. They will be greeted by the County Superintendent Kay Spurgeon and will be given a small gift in recognition of their achievements. There will be drawings for special donated prizes, including bicycles, a 19” flat- screen TV, an I-Pod, digital cameras, a tent and sleeping bag, a DVD player, trips to points of interest in San Francisco and more. The grand prize will be for a laptop computer. All 3+ Club members attending the fair will have a chance at this prize, but must be present to claim the prize. Through the generous donations of local businesses, organizations and corporate entities, the students can be recognized for their academic success and be encouraged to continue to strive for academic excellence. www.williamspioneerreview.com
Features
FRIDAY
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Once some changes were made to adapt the program to our county’s needs, the 3+ Club for Academic Achievement was formed. To date more than 6,800 students have been recognized for their academic accomplishments.
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Opinion & Letters
4
The News Back Then
5
Heart of the Home
7
Gardening
8
Community Briefs
11
Classifieds
11
Español
14