Smith: On Dec. 7, an honor for the son of Sebastopol who died at Pearl Harbor

At Analy High School there’s a plaque that pays tribute to Randolph Franklin Theiller, Class of 1939.

Apart from that small memorial, there’s little else to remind us that athletic, enterprising Rudy Theiller perished aboard the ravaged battleship USS Arizona, for the past 76 years a tomb resting on the floor of Pearl Harbor.

We’re all invited to Sebastopol’s Ragle Ranch Park at noon Dec. 7 for the dedication of the park’s sports fields in Theiller’s name. The ceremony will also salute the late sailor’s brother, Bob Theiller, who, as a long-ago county supervisor, had a hand in the acquisition of Ragle Park.

At 9:30 a.m. that same day, an observance at the Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building will recall the attack of ?Dec. 7, 1941, that drew the U.S. into World War II.

The centerpiece of the gathering will be the sounding of a ship’s bell for all the Pearl Harbor survivors who settled in this area and lived out their lives here.

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A SKATING PARTY for families that lost homes and/or jobs to the fires?

The inspired idea sprang from Nancy Rosenblum, a Santa Rosa native who runs a manufacturing and retail business in Sebastopol and, as with many of us, aches for all the relatives, friends and associates who struggle in the wake of our historic disaster.

So! Rosenblum and some helpers are inviting victims of the fires to come to Cal Skate in Rohnert Park at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 15. Kids and adults will skate for free and enjoy being entertained and showered with toys and gift cards.

Rosenblum, whose Pisces Productions makes massage and spa tables, welcomes donations of toys and of $25 Target, Safeway and VISA gift cards. They can be dropped off at ?380 Morris Street, Suite A.

Also to raise money for people recovering from fire, Rosenblum is selling red glass ornaments bearing an image of California and “10/8/17?#SANTAROSASTRONG.”

To RSVP for the skate party or to ask about making a donation or buying an ornament, email Rosenblum at nancyros@me.com.

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INCENDIARY AD: The slogan that appears on the posters for Orangetheory Fitness of Santa Rosa that have popped up at SMART stations and elsewhere was written, no doubt, long ago at corporate headquarters far away.

The phrase is catchy and it’s fine, but just now, in Sonoma County, it has some passersby wincing.

The ad for the workout program urges, “Keep Burning.”

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DINING OUT FOR LIFE day sneaked up on me this year. You, too?

It’s today! And it’s an especially good day for having a meal out in Sonoma County.

More than 60 restaurants will donate a portion of each of today’s tabs to Food for Thought, the ambitious food bank that provides healthy nutrition to local people who deal with HIV and other serious illnesses.

There’s a list of participating restaurants at fftfoodbank.org.

At most of the eateries there will be a Food for Thought ambassador to greet patrons, introduce Dining Out for Life and invite personal, but optional, donations to the cause.

Once again, I’ll be at downtown Santa Rosa’s landmark Mac’s Deli & Café from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Love to see you.

You can reach Chris Smith at 707-521-5211 and chris.smith@pressdemocrat.com.