Bodega photographer makes cover of magazine

BODEGA: Photographer makes cover

Jim Nevill, a Bodega-based travel and fine art photographer, made the cover of Shutterbug Magazine’s May Travel Photography Issue, but this time he’s in the photo rather than behind the lens.

The shot of Nevill photographing in Yosemite National Park was taken by his friend Josh Miller while on a wilderness trip in Yosemite National Park in spring 2014.

The pair met in 2004 while working as wilderness guides and reconnect a few times a year to backpack into remote locations to photograph and share their love of the backcountry. The focus of this trip was to explore the lesser seen regions of Yosemite National Park’s high country.

In the cover shot, Jim is seen standing on a rock outcropping at Waterwheel Falls, deep in the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne.

Nevill also is executive director of Go Adventure, a Bay Area nonprofit that leads teens on international wilderness trips. See more photos from his Yosemite trip at JimNevill.com.

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WINDSOR: Parade showcases hometown spirit

There were plenty of cars, trucks, motorcycles and fire and emergency vehicles in the recent Windsor Days Parade, but the 30-year-old model of the famous Wiseman/Peter airplane built by the Petaluma Area Pilots Association looked like an award winner.

The Windsor Historical Society and Museum entered the float in the May 9 parade with a model of the original plane that was built in Windsor and flew for the first time 105 years ago in a field at the area that is now the Shiloh Road intersection with the railroad tracks.

“The model has a 16-foot wingspan and a length of 15 feet and is quite accurate,” said Steve Lehmann, president of the Historical Society and Museum. The Petaluma Area Pilots Association built the plane for the 75th anniversary of the world’s first air mail delivery in February 1911.

The float was perfectly in keeping with this year’s parade theme, “Heritage Days.”

There were 63 entries in the hourlong parade between Windsor High School and McClelland Avenue on the Town Green.

This year’s Duke and Duchess were David and Sherri Kahn, active members of the Windsor High School Boosters Club for 14 years.

“There were a lot of bands and more kids and schools in the parade this year,” Sherri Kahn said. She keeps busy volunteering for the Windsor Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center.

Both Kahns operate four snack bars at school sporting events, and both said they loved the parade’s community spirit.

“I’m a parade fanatic,” said David Kahn, a Vietnam War veteran who also has carried the Olympic Torch.

The annual parade is organized by the Windsor Kiwanis Club. Judges Paul Kelley, Windsor Kiwanis Club president, the Kahns, Patti Foster, a member of the Shiloh Cemetery’s Board of Trustees, and Mayor Bruce Okrepkie will soon announce the winners of the Kiwanis Club President’s Choice and Windsor Mayor’s awards.

Dick and Bea Root of Santa Rosa were at the parade for at least the third time.

The Roots are originally from upstate New York but moved to California 28 years ago.

“Our kids moved to California and took our grandchildren,” Bea Root joked.

Memorable floats included the Windsor Children’s Community Choir’s “High Hopes,” Windsor Performing Arts Academy’s “Snow Queen,” Windsor Christian Academy’s “Grand Ole Flag,” Windsor Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Center’s “50th Anniversary,” The Boys and Girls Club of Central Sonoma County’s “Bee Strong,” Pacific Coast Air Museum’s “Snoopy” flying his red dog house and the Sonoma County Shrine Arabian Band.

There also were music and dance performances by Windsor schools’ marching bands, Windsor Bloco, Ballet Folklorico Sarita, Windsor Dance Academy’s “Let it Go,” a fencing demonstration by En Garde Fencing and Taekwondo by the Hauth family.

Lola, Emma, Levi and Jake White of Windsor liked the Boys and Girls Club float. Their mom Gina liked Windsor Bloco for its energy and drumming performance.

“This parade is a big deal. We canceled things to come here,” “Grammy” White said.

Dave Lewis, an Air Force veteran and Gina’s dad liked the community and hometown spirit evident in the annual parade.

“Anyone who wants to can be in the parade,” he said.

– James Lanaras

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GEYSERVILLE: Film society seeks students

The Alexander Valley Film Society has launched a new high school internship program in collaboration with local filmmakers Leslie and James Simmons of Simz Productions/Shoot Blue Productions.

The Simmons are set to shoot their first full-length feature this summer on location in Geyserville, filming alternate weeks for 10 weeks. The film society is working with Cloverdale, Geyserville and Healdsburg schools to select up to 10 students to work as paid interns on the set.

If interested contact Joe Dobbins at Cloverdale High, Rick Klug at Geyserville High and John Chevalier at Healdsburg High, or Leslie Simmons at 385-9406 or leslie@shootblueproductions.com.

– Deborah Rust