Aunt Helena
Election Day is nigh, Dear Readers. Regardless of the outcome locally and nationally, I take comfort that you shall remain my beloved and trusted friends and neighbors. May time and compassionate effort heal our divisions.
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Let's start by rallying around a pair of horses in need. Sunrise Horse Rescue needs your immediate help to cover the cost of specialized treatment for and her daughter , two mares who recently developed genetic eye conditions. Willow was diagnosed with glaucoma and chronic equine recurrent uveitis, also known as moon blindness. Rosemary has a more severe case of uveitis that left her with no vision in her right eye, but her left eye is responding well to treatment. The cost of Rosemary and Willow's treatments at UC Davis is estimated at $7,000, and every dollar helps. Donate at sunrisehorserescue.org .
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St. Helena Striders invite you (and your friends and family) on their next walk on the new Napa Valley Vine Trail north of town. The group departs from Pratt/Main at 9 a.m. (there's plenty of parking on Pratt and Park). The route is out-and-back, so choose whatever distance suits you. All ages are welcome, as are leashed dogs. Details at sthelenastriders.org .
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Pam SmithersSusan Davis and their merry band of gleaners would be happy to relieve you of any surplus fruit weighing down your tree, lest it go to waste. 'Tis the season for apples, pears and persimmons, with pomegranates and citrus right around the corner. The volunteer gleaners will pick your fruit and deliver it to the food pantry, UpValley Family Centers, St. Helena High School culinary program, or elsewhere in the community. Call 707-696-0530 to set up an appointment or learn more.
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Kudos to filmmaker Terence Ford for selecting "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" to screen on Election Day as part of the St. Helena Public Library's film class series at the Cameo Cinema. Starting at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5, the film kicks off a monthlong Frank Capra retrospective also featuring "Arsenic and Old Lace" (Nov. 12), "Pocketful of Miracles" (Nov. 19), "A Hole in the Head" (Dec. 3) and of course "It's a Wonderful Life" (Dec. 10). And could we indeed hope for a special screening of "Blade Runner" with unique insights from Terence, who worked on the infamously trouble-plagued film and whose brother Harrison starred in it? Time will tell ...
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Speaking of the Cameo, the upcoming schedule neatly traces the progression from the tension of election season ("The Apprentice" Nov. 5-7, "Conclave" Nov. 8-17) to the lightness of the holiday season ("Saturday Night" Nov. 19-21, "Wicked" Nov. 22-Dec. 5). I was recently introduced to the Gen Z term "vibe check," and although I still haven't grasped the nuances of the concept, I'm fairly certain it applies here — somehow.
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One last Cameo note: John Roesch's discussion of Foley art sounds to me like the highlight of this weekend's "Nightmare on Main Street" series. Roesch's presentation at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, explores an aspect of film that has always fascinated me: how incidental sound effects such rustling clothes, slamming doors and squeaky chairs enhance the movie-watching experience. It's an especially crucial component of horror movies — what's a haunted house without creaky floors? Get your tickets at cameocinema.com .
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I'm intrigued by "Alchemy — Oil & Ink," an upcoming exhibit at Erin Martin (1350 Main St.) featuring art by Karin Onsager and narrative by Bryan W. Birch. The promotional teaser defies paraphrase, so I'll quote it directly: "Oil and water don't mix. But oil and ink — ooh la la. In alchemical relationships the whole is greater than the sum of their parts, the contributions of each are more potent when combined. Bryan puts narrative in, Karin draws it out. Bryan's narrative about climate change and its effect on nature, Karin's about nature and spirits and their effect on us." The show opens with a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, and runs through Nov. 29.
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The St. Helena Public Library's Halloween Fun House continues through Halloween in the children's room. Bring the kids for some spooky fun.
