Flood: “It’s what we do!”

To extraordinary people, extraordinary deeds seem ordinary. “It’s what we do,” said Nora Flood, Director of the Sonoma Charter School, who was among the honorees at Three House MultiMedia’s “Sunnys” Community Awards Celebration at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn, on Friday.
Three House President Stephanie Dunn welcomed the crowd and spoke of the influence of strong women evident throughout government and business, leading to her organization’s recognition of three “2007 Individuals of the Year”: Kathy Witkowicki, Executive Director of the Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance/Stand By Me; Cynthia Scarborough, Executive Director of Vintage House; and Lia Transue, Executive Director of the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art.
The Sun’s publisher Bill Hammett introduced Mel Switzer and Sean Cutting from Sonoma Valley Bank, honored by Three House as the “2007 Business of the Year.” The presentation included one the bank’s sponsorship videos from the live television coverage of Sonoma Valley High School Dragons’ varsity baseball on SVTV27, as example, said Hammett, of the bank’s continuing commitment to Sonoma Valley: “its youth, its businesses, and its future.”
A rousing musical slide show of Sonoma Valley’s award winners in the Sun’s reader poll for “Best of 2007” ranged from “Best Place to View Art” (Sonoma Valley Museum of Art) to “Best Ice Cream” (Baskin Robbins). Brought to the stage to receive their awards were Kathleen Hill, voted “Best Radio Host,” David Irvine on behalf of the St. Andrew Presbyterian Church choir, voted “Best Church Choir,” Luis Hernandez, host of La Corneta and Mañanas en Espanol, voted “Best Radio Program,” and the Whiskey Thieves, voted “Best Local Entertainers.”
The evening was one of superlatives. The graceful setting, the amiable weather, the guests attired in colorful elegance, with men mostly in dark suits (many with yellow ties) and women in a range of imaginative costumes from op art jackets to lavender and lace. The meal, by Executive Chef Bruno Tison, perfectly accompanied the program that, guided by Master of Ceremonies Daedalus Howell, recognized, honored, and praised the community’s best with humor and grace.
KSVY 91.3 radio host J.M. Berry conducted a high point of the evening, auctioning off a two-hour lunch with “The Board,” 11 high-powered minds from business and government assembled by Dunn. After some energetic escalation, Dale Downing of Sonoma Market trumped the rest with a $10,000 bid. Sonoma Market was voted the “2007 Best” in three categories: Best Customer Service, Best Grocery Store, and Best Selection of Wine to Buy. Downing said he was bidding for an anonymous party, who plans to have the board meet with Sonoma Valley High School students in the Leadership Program at the school. The live auction proceeds will go to Vintage House, the Sonoma Museum of Art, and the Mentoring Alliance.
By dessert–an awesome pineapple something–there was one more high point to go and that brought the crowd to its feet. Nora Flood, Director of the Sonoma Charter School, who is leaving Sonoma at the end of the school year, was honored by the CommonBond Foundation. Hammett, president of CommonBond, gave the presentation with his wife, Sara, whom he thanked as his partner in the enterprise and in his life. He also thanked Anna Pier, who as the Foundation’s Director of Educational Programs has worked hard to bridge the education gap in Sonoma Valley, and then he introduced Nora Flood.
“I’m the youngest of 9 kids,” said Flood. “My dad had the only gas station in town. He accepted chickens as payment, cows, all kinds of trade. We learned that as part of a community, we all had to chip in. So that’s what we do. We all do that,” she said, looking to everyone in the room. “It’s what we do. As part of the community, and we’re all in it together. I encourage you to give back. It’s what we do!” The cheers and standing ovation seemed to indicate that, yes, it is indeed what Sonoma does.