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!

West County Design Near Bodega Bay

I had the best time exploring West County Design in Valley Ford, just 10 minutes west of Bodega Bay on Hwy. 1. I met gallery manager and co-owner Sharon Eager, and just loved her. She’s warm, inviting and authentic.

West County Design is housed in a converted historic barn with a weathered wood exterior and beautiful old paned windows. The gallery showcases local artisans and quality furnishings, and serves as a showroom for Bohemian Stoneworks and Craig Collins Furniture.





From their website: “West County Design provides an unexpected center of artistic sophistication in the charming town of Valley Ford in West Sonoma County. Offering nature’s beauty, transformed, fine wood tables, polished concrete vanities counter tops and furniture
glass, ceramic, wood, metal, custom and limited edition art and furniture for home & office.” They're celebrating their four-year anniversary on the Fourth of July.









The place was bustling with shoppers while I was there, including several tourists from out of state. Sharon said many of her customers are also regulars who stop by on the way to vacation homes along the coast from Bodega Bay up to Sea Ranch and Gualala.



I had recently seen Craig Collins Furniture and West County Design featured on KPIX-TV’s Eye on the Bay. Craig is Sharon’s husband and co-owner of the gallery. She took me back for a quick peek into his enormous workshop where he builds custom furniture in the rear of the building.



From their website: “Craig Collins Furniture has specialized in designing and building custom furniture for clients in San Francisco, Marin and Sonoma counties for over 18 years. Craig Collins’ award-winning designs are characterized by clean lines, beautiful woods and, above all, attention to detail.”





The third partner in West County Design is Patrick Miller, owner of Bohemian Stoneworks. This concrete counter and sink is one example of his work. From their website: “Bohemian Stoneworks produces cast concrete of exceptional beauty for applications such as kitchen counters and sinks, fireplace surrounds and furniture. Founder Patrick Miller creates sensuous, warm, unique pieces that delight and surprise those who think of concrete as only industrial."


Jann Heumann operates Ivy’s Soft Goods in a separate room right off the showroom. Ivy is the four-legged beauty on the floor. You can reach Jann at 707-876-1999.


Outside, you find The Bird House company, featuring locally made birdhouses, from 100% recycled materials, and all the birdhouses are only twenty bucks! Have you shopped for birdhouses lately? I have and this is a steal. You can reach them at 707-536-3009


Whether you live here at the coast or are coming out for a visit, consider stopping by this beautiful gallery, and say hello to Sharon!

West County Design
14390 Highway One
Valley Ford, CA 94972

phone: 707.876.1963

email: info[at]westcountydesign.com

showroom hours: Thursday – Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and by appointment

Contest: What's Your Favorite Bodega Bay Restaurant?

Image from Terrapin Creek Cafe website.

What's your favorite restaurant in Bodega Bay, CA? Let me know and you might win a $50.00 gift certificate to your chosen eatery!

We have a wide variety of dining options here on the coast, from the informal Dog House, Boat House and Spud Point Crab Company, to our award-winning fine dining establishments like Terrapin Creek Cafe, Bluewater Bistro, Bay View and the Duck Club. I've listed them all below, along with links wherever possible. I've written about many of these before, you can type the restaurant name in the Search Box to read the posts.

Image from the Bay View Restaurant website.

To enter the contest, please do the following:

• Click the "Like" button in the BodegaBayLife.com Facebook Fan box in the right column on the blog page.
• Sign up to receive BodegaBayLife.com, if you're not already a subscriber. It's free!
• Leave a comment below voting for your favorite Bodega Bay restaurant, and tell us why.

Citrus and Goat Cheese Salad from Bluewater Bistro

You may enter in the comments section once per day. Each time you vote, it will count toward your favorite restaurant and your name will be put into the proverbial hat. Feel free to leave comments on the Facebook fan page as well, but only votes in the comments section on this site will be counted.

Image from the Sandpiper website.

On Wednesday, June 9, we'll announce the winning restaurant, and draw a voter's name to win the $50.00 gift certificate! I'll announce the winning voter's name here, and if you choose not to leave contact info on the blog, I'll ask you to email me to work out the details.

BODEGA BAY RESTAURANTS:
Bay View Restaurant
Bluewater Bistro
Brisas Del Mar
The Boat House
The Dog House
The Duck Club
The Inn at the Tides
Island Style Deli
Lucas Wharf Restaurant & Bar
The Sandpiper
Spud Point Crab Company
Terrapin Creek Cafe

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Fundraising for Bodega Bay Fireworks Show

Tammi Salas is leading the Bodega Bay fireworks fundraising efforts for the fifth year in a row! This spectacular show is free for the public and paid for entirely by donations.

Each year Tammi is assisted by Marty Ruddell who handles the permits with the County. "We're a good team," she says. "I'm the head firecracker and she's my lead sparkler!" Tammi works tirelessly for our community here on the coast. She's Chairman of the Bodega Bay Fireworks committee, she volunteers each year for the Fisherman's Festival and other local events, is married to Bodega Bay realtor and blogger Steve Hecht, serves as PTA President of Tomales Elementary School, and she's a very cool mom! "I do it all for my little guy and last year he told me it was the best day of his life EVER when the fireworks started shooting in the sky."



If you've never seen the fireworks displays over Bodega Harbor, you're in for a treat. They fire them off from Westside Park, behind Doran Beach and the U.S. Coastguard station, and can be viewed from anywhere around the harbor as well as from many of the vacation homes, hotels, and restaurants in town. This year's festivities will be held Saturday, July 3, 2010 at 9:30 pm.

Bodega Bay is the last Northern California coastal town allowed to have legal fireworks over the Bay. Here's Tammi's 2010 fundraising flyer, click to enlarge.



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