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.

Kayaks, Sea Lions, and Seals, Oh My!

One of the first things we wanted to do as a family was learn how to kayak. We found Bodega Bay Kayak provided everything needed for beginners: kayak rentals, lifejackets and a hysterically entertaining onshore clinic by owner/comedian Bob Miller. Bob is a seasoned pro and his humor helps ease the fears of anyone who might feel a little apprehensive. We went out in Bodega Harbor which, compared to the Bay, has calm waters, isn’t as cold, and is quite shallow in some areas depending on the tide.

My husband and Daughter #2 are very sporty so we knew it would be a piece of cake for them. Daughter #1 and I are definitely not athletic so I wasn’t sure how we’d do. But guess what, kayaking is awesome! You simply glide effortlessly across the smooth water and you feel weightless. It can be silent, still and serene, or you can row like crazy for a major cardio-workout. We loved it all, we were hooked!


Last summer we had a wonderful multi-generational family reunion out here and we all went kayaking in the harbor together. We saw tons of gorgeous shore birds, pelicans, cormorants, seagulls, coots, ducks, and some others I couldn’t identify.


We also saw up to half a dozen harbor seals. They were all around and often swam up close to our kayaks. Legally I think we’re supposed to keep 50 yards away from marine mammals, but nobody told THEM that. They were gentle and friendly, and would swim quietly along looking at us for a while, then pop back under the water only to reappear someplace else a few moments later. They had smooth, sleek coats of gray or brown with dark spots.

There are also some big sea lions that hang out by the piers along The Tides Restaurant and Lucas Wharf. You can tell seals and sea lions apart because seals have little slits for ears and sea lions have ears that stick out. From what we’ve seen, the sea lions are also about twice the size of seals. And sea lions bark but seals don’t.

On one kayak outing, we saw some commercial fishermen throwing batches of leftover fish parts into the water near a group of sea lions. You would not believe the feeding frenzy that ensued right before our eyes. The sea lions were leaping out of the water grabbing for the meat in mid-air, thrashing, crashing into each other, and splashing all over the place. Seagulls appeared out of nowhere, swooping down to catch little pieces that were flying out of the sea lions’ mouths, while still maintaining a safe distance from the gnashing teeth. At the end of this spectacle, one fisherman leaned way out over the water to hold out a big slab of fish and a sea lion jumped clear up out of the water to grab it, just like at Marine World or something. I tell ya, you never know what you’re going to encounter on a kayaking adventure in Bodega Harbor.