How long has it been since you opened an envelope addressed to you and found not only a full-page, handwritten letter but an original color drawing?
The illustrated letter before me was composed by Megan Davies.
"I am 11 years old, in 6th grade, and I go to Windsor Middle School," she wrote in perhaps the nicest penciled printing I've seen. "I am writing you this letter to tell you a funny story that happened on January 25, 2011 in my math class, before a test."
Megan shared that before teacher Bob Shebest began the test he opened the classroom door to give the students a little fresh air.
"The next thing we know, a medium sized hawk swoops into our room! Everyone is in shock and covers their head, while the bird squawks in fear and flies in circles."
What a scene. A hawk, nicely drawn by Megan, invades the classroom on test day, like the answer to a prayer.
The teacher ordered everybody out of the room. The kids clustered just outside the door and watched as the hawk screeched and darted about and Mr. Shebest endeavored to capture it - on his cell phone's video function.
Math class was never more exciting. At last the teacher opened a window and removed the screen. The hawk flew out, then up and away.
"Since the bird took up most of the period," Megan finished, "we didn't take the test that day.
"Unfortunately, we took it two days later."
A CROOK'S NEW CHARGE: That was a terrifying scene the other day near Calistoga, where three women housesitting a rural home walked in on a burglar.
You may recall reading that the intruder threatened the ladies and held them against their will before he took off in a neighbor's pickup. Napa County deputies eager to get him behind bars caught a few breaks that led them quickly to Windsor/
Santa Rosa drifter Martin Cuenca.
One thing that helped was that Cuenca apparently thought after breaking in that he'd have the place to himself for a while. When the housesitters arrived and caused him to run off, he left behind, plugged into an electrical outlet, a cell phone stuffed with helpful details about him.
JUST YOU & EFREN & THEM: Efren Carrillo and five other dashing bachelors will be auctioned off at a benefit Valentine's bash at the Hyatt Vineyard Creek Hotel on Feb. 10.
The high bidder will have an evening out with the Sonoma County supervisor - and 16 companions.
Cupid's helpers in the American Heart Association and Northern California Medical Associates think it would be most fun for the six auctioned bachelors, the six winning bidders and three other lucky couples to all go out together. This way, there's almost no likelihood of awkward moments of silence.
The Heart Association's Leah Grahek (leah.grahek@heart.org) knows all there is to know about the Feb. 10 "Affair of the Heart" and she loves to talk about it.
THE LIBRARY WILL SMELL awfully good Sunday afternoon, about the time most people are gearing up for the Super Bowl.
Renowned chef and author Martin Yan will be cooking in the Forum Room just inside the front doors to downtown Santa Rosa's central branch. The creator of TV's "Yan Can Cook" will host two cooking demonstrations, at 1 p.m. and 3:30.
He's doing it because he'd rather cook than watch the Super Bowl and he's a big supporter of libraries and literacy. His public demos Sunday will boost the Sonoma County Public Library Foundation (scplf.org).
"From what I've heard," said the foundation's Jennifer Adams, "he's quite an entertainer."
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