Great Blue Heron's Wild Lunch

Many thanks to our Bodega Bay neighbors Andi and Don Stewart for these photos. Caution, they're not for the squeamish!

The Stewarts said this Great Blue Heron, who they dubbed "Piggy," comes to visit everyday and they recently watched him eat three gophers in a row. They snapped these pictures while he was dining in their side yard.




Don later said maybe a better name would be "The Gophernator"!

Sometimes it's uncomfortable to watch nature take its course like this but as my daughter likes to remind me, it's the circle of life!

Bodega Harbour House Destroyed by Fire

Click to enlarge the photos

A house on Condor Court in the Bodega Harbour subdivision of Bodega Bay was destroyed by fire this morning, and at least one more was seriously damaged. We saw the big clouds of brown and white smoke billowing up at around 8:30 a.m. By the time I arrived, there were about ten fire trucks and dozens of firefighters on the scene.

It was gut-wrenching to see the charred remains of the home, still on fire, belching smoke and flames. But at the same time I was so incredibly grateful to see the huge response from our firefighting community. There were trucks from Bodega Bay Fire Department, Bodega Volunteer Fire Department, Bloomfield Fire Department, Valley Ford Fire Department, Occidental, Sebastopol, and Nor Cal.

At the time of this writing, there are still lots of unanswered questions. I asked around to see if anyone was hurt. Some people said no, others said they didn't know yet. One of the firefighters told me they don't know the cause of the fire yet. Lots of neighbors were standing around watching but nobody seemed to know who the homeowners were.










As you can see from the photos below, the house next door caught on fire too. While I was there, I saw a team of firefighters approaching the house with axes, as though preparing to break in. At the last second, our security guard (in the white shirt) yelled to them and it sounded like he said they were able to determine the house was unoccupied, so they didn't have to break in after all.





It appeared they were able to save the house on the other side, but I couldn't tell for sure.


This is a perfect time to encourage everyone to show their support for the Bodega Bay Firefighters’ Association by attending their annual pancake breakfast at the Bodega Bay Grange from 7:30 am - 11 am this Saturday, July 3rd!

Below is a photo they sent me over the weekend to help promote their fundraiser. Little did anyone know we'd soon have much more compelling images to illustrate the dangerous, heroic work our firefighters perform in the line of duty. Let's give thanks and show our support by attending their pancake breakfast next weekend!



Bodgea Bay Firefighter Association's Annual Pancake Breakfast
Saturday, July 3, 7:30-11:00 a.m.
The Grange Hall
1370 Bodega Avenue, on the corner of Highway 1
Bodega Bay, CA
Adults $7.00
Child $5.00
Under 3 yrs Free
For additional information call the Bodega Bay Firefighters at 875-3001.

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Hot Time in Bodega Bay this Saturday Night!

I'm really looking forward to this Saturday night! We're going to our first-ever chili cook-off and country western dance here in Bodega Bay, doesn't that sound like fun? It's a community fundraiser at the Bodega Bay Grange and open to everyone, locals and visitors alike.

The Firehouse Chili Cook-Off will feature mouthwatering recipes from firefighters in Bodega Bay, Bodega, Wilmar, and possibly Tomales. The public gets to taste and vote, and there will be prizes for the winning teams. I hear Bodega has several really good cooks and might bring two or three different chilis. They even had their own chili cook-off to see which one to enter, but then decided they would bring them all!

I dropped by the Bodega Bay Fire Department to see how they're coming along with their preparations for Saturday night's competition and was greeted warmly by the crew.

Bodega Bay Firefighters L to R: Justin Fox (Firefighter), Jason Downing (Fire Captain), Brian Means (Firefighter), and Sean Grinnell (Fire Chief).

Their head cook Justin Fox is still fine-tuning his winning recipe and wouldn't share any of his secrets. Bean or no beans? Hot and spicy, or mellow? I can't wait to find out!

Bodega Bay Firefighter and Head Chili Chef Justin Fox.

There's also a Country Western Dance featuring live music by The Lonestar Retrobates. Don't know how to country dance? They're offering lessons at 6:30 for the entire family! Come with your dancing shoes on, there's no excuse to be a wallflower. I can't wait!

The Lonestar Retrobates.

Tickets are $8 at the door, $2 for kids 12 and under. Proceeds benefit the Bodega Bay Elementary School, Bodega Bay Firefighters Association, Bodega Bay Grange, and Bodega Volunteer Fire Department.

This event is the latest in a series of fundraisers organized by coastal community volunteers including Bob Miller, owner of Bodega Bay Surf Shack and Bodega Bay Kayak, and Abby Myers Killey, owner of Organic Cotton Fabric Shop in the nearby town of Bodega.

Bob Miller and son.

"Surfer Bob" is quite an entertainer in his own right, as anyone who has ever taken his Kayak Clinic will tell you. He's a riot as well as an all-around good guy. His popular Surf Shack is located in the Pelican Plaza Shopping Center on Hwy. 1, across the road from the Grange.

Abby Myers Killey

Abby's lovely Organic Cotton Fabric Shop sells organic cotton linens, local wool, and Peruvian textiles, as well as yarn, roving, batting and felted toys. Her shop is located in downtown Bodega, on Bodega Highway, behind the dress shop.



Other local volunteers include Shona Weir, owner of Bodega Bay's Business Services Unlimited (and very nice lady), and artist Janet Moore. Janet designed the bright red flyers for this event and Shona provided the printing. Shona's shop is next door to the Surf Shack in Pelican Plaza and provides much appreciated services for our business community.

Come join the fun on Saturday night, it should be a blast! Oh I should mention, if the chili samples aren't enough for you, or you're not a chili fan, there will be additional food and drinks for sale.

LATE BREAKING UPDATE FROM ABBY:

Beer and wine will be sold for $3.00 a glass..Desserts for $1 furnished by the Sea Gals (Bodega Harbour)...We will be selling Chili dogs, Chili burgers and chili nachos for $3, $4, $3 respectively...Lemonade for $1.

We are getting room donations for the band and dance instructor from Bodega Bay Lodge and Spa and Bodega Coast Inn...And Joan Price, Sonoma County's most famous line dance instructor will be teaching line dancing from 6:30 to 7:15.

ALSO...Yodelers will get in free (they must sign up and yodel on stage for at least 30 seconds) and will be competing for the Golden Uvula Award at 9:15. Chili winners will be announced at 9:00. It is rumored (actually true) that a real cowgirl and horse will be there - for photos and fun!!!

Saturday, June 19, 2010, 6-11 p.m.
Bodega Bay Grange Hall
Hwy. 1 & Bodega Avenue
Bodega Bay, CA
Tickets $8, and $2 for kids 12 & under

Questions? Call Bob at (707) 875-3944, or Abby at (707) 876-3093.

And the Winners Are...

Photo of Bluewater Bistro.

We have a winner! Many thanks to everyone who voted in our "Favorite Bodega Bay Restaurant" contest. It was fun to read about your favorites and why you loved them so. We were surprised by how much we learned from your experiences and look forward to revisiting each of our outstanding eateries again. Here are the results:

First Place: Bluewater Bistro
Second Place: Lucas Wharf
Tied for Third:Terrapin Creek Café and The Inn at the Tides

All of these restaurants are special in their own way and I encourage you to check them out for yourself. I've included links so you can read menus in advance.

Lucas Wharf doesn't have a menu on their site, but I photographed it for a previous post and you can view it by clicking here. This place is very popular, has great food and views (Jaya loves their Bloody Marys!), and is right on the water. You can usually spot a sea lion or two while enjoying your meal.

The Bluewater Bistro is currently undergoing a remodel but is still open for business during construction. In fact, they're featuring a few construction themed drink specials, a SCREWDRIVER, BLUEPRINT Martini or a JIGSAW! Each will only be $5 and will start this weekend. This a real happening place, especially on Thursday and Friday nights when they have live music.

And of course, we have a winner in our drawing as well. Congratulations to "Andrew," who wins a $50 gift certificate to the Bodega Bay restaurant of his choice! Andrew, please send your contact information to me via email so we can work out the details.

Bon Appetit!

Still Time to Vote for Your Favorite Restaurant!

Image from Bluewater Bistro
There's still time to vote for your favorite Bodega Bay restaurant and enter to win a $50 gift certificate. So far Lucas Wharf is in the lead, following closely by Bluewater Bistro. Hurry, our contest ends this Wednesday, June 9! Vote by clicking HERE.

Bodega Bay Shines in Videos

Click link in text below.

Have you seen the videos on our visitor's center website? BodegaBay.com has two you can view by clicking here.

These impressive, professionally produced mini-travelogues feature people, places, and businesses that make our community so special here on the Sonoma coast.

I heartily agree with their opening description, "The northern California coast has long been a place of beauty and inspiration to vacationers and many consider Bodega Bay to be the crown jewel of this magnificent region." YEAH!

The other day I was talking to Bob Miller, owner of Bodega Bay Surf Shack and Bodega Bay Kayak, about the videos and we joked that they made us both think "Wow, I want to go there!" And Bob's featured in one of them, lol!