Locals collaborate on new edition of winery directory
Local editor and publisher Tom Silberkleit along with local author Marty Olmstead have released the fourth and newest edition of “The California Directory of Fine Wineries.” The beautifully illustrated travel guide is penned by Olmstead and profiles 69 destination wineries throughout Napa, Sonoma, and Mendocino counties. The book also features over 200 color images by renowned photographer Robert Holmes and is available for the holiday season.
“The California Directory of Fine Wineries” is available locally at Readers’ Books and the Sonoma Cheese Factory. There will be a book signing on Saturday, Dec. 19 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Whole Foods market in Napa, 3682 Bel Aire Plaza, 707.224.6300.
New board leadership for Boys & Girls Clubs
Larry Krieger, who recently began his two-year term as Executive Board President of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley, announced Joe Capriola as a new member of the board.
Capriola and his wife Renee have lived in Sonoma since 1993. They are raising three daughters, who attend Prestwood Elementary, Adele Harrison and Sonoma Valley High School. Capriola has been involved with the Oakland Boys & Girls Clubs for the past three years, and began serving on the Boys & Girls Clubs Sonoma Valley Programs committee this spring. He said he enjoys helping the Boys & Girls Clubs provide excellent programs and opportunities to the youth of the community.
Capriola is president of Silverado Contractors, Inc. an Oakland-based demolition and excavation contractor which performs large-scale complex projects throughout Northern California.
Krieger told The Sun, “Being president of the Boys & Girls Club is not only an honor, but a wonderful opportunity to play a small part in helping our kids on their way to happy and productive futures”
Krieger has lived in Sonoma since 2000, and has served on the Boys & Girls Clubs’ Board since 2005 as vice president of strategic planning and governance. A lifelong tennis player, Krieger is the general manager of the San Francisco Tennis Club, a former board president of International Health and Racquet Sports Association, and a member of the advisory board of The Tennis Hall Of Fame. His wife, Virginia Krieger, works for the Sonoma Valley International Film Festival.
Under the board’s leadership, and Executive Director Dave Pier, the Boys & Girls Clubs’ goals include growing comprehensive teen services, including a college-bound program with four high school participants this year, and growing each year to help more Sonoma teens achieve their goals of attending college.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley is a private, nonprofit organization providing over 2000 Sonoma Valley kids aged 6-18 years with educational, recreational, and leadership programs. With the mission of providing positive opportunities for youth to learn and succeed, the club serves approximately 40 percent of the total youth population in Sonoma, ages 6-18.
Parents give input on new high school principal
Around 35 parents met on Monday night at the high school to give their input on what they’d like to see in a new principal. Current high school principal Micaela Philpot will retire at the end of this school year. Parent Jenny Witous said that while she appreciates the process, she feels that is inherently flawed as the new principal can’t be all things to all people. “Some parents want someone really strict, others wants someone who will go out into the community and sell the virtues of our high school. All the input was good but those will be some pretty big shoes to fill,” said Witous. One thing on which many parents present agreed– that the new principal come from outside the district. “It would be great to have someone new and fresh with ideas that we haven’t heard before,” said Witous.
Boosters co-president Wendy Swanson agreed with Witous and also noted that many parents wanted a principal with vision. “Many of the parents in attendance were critical of the current administration and are looking for a leader that will improve the high school’s image in the community and create a ‘can-do’ culture on campus,” said Swanson, who noted that community members and one school board member were also in attendance Monday night. “I think the number one thing parents want is to see the bar raised – a standard of excellence set by the school rather than allowing students to just get by.”
The search is being conducted by an outside firm, hired by the district for $10,000, more than half of which has already been donated by a private party. Parents interested in giving their input can visit the district web site at www.svusdca.org and fill out a Leadership Profile Assessment form.
