May 2009 Archives

Before Bud Metzger began volunteering with the Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging, he managed bank trust departments.

That's where he became aware of the common challenges elders often face. "I saw that no matter what money they had, they shared common issues," said Metzger, 70. "You had to consider health issues, mobility, sight, driving, elder abuse or even self-abuse, such as alcoholism."

When Metzger retired, his concerns stayed with him. "It always stuck in my head that I could help seniors," Metzger said.

Twelve years ago, Metzger was appointed to the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council by Supervisor Tim Smith and has served continuously with the agency since then.

Three abandoned and abused greyhound dogs from Guam have arrived in Sonoma County and not a moment too soon for lovers of the speedy breed.

Wine County Greyhound Adoption, a nonprofit agency that helps find homes for retired track dogs and other greyhounds, leapt at the chance to help.

Working with teams of rescuers that traveled to the U.S. island territory to round up dogs set loose after closure of a dog racetrack, it has found permanent homes for two greyhounds, Houdini and Jet-Li.

"I have to credit the Greyhound Protection League. They took this whole thing on," said Heather Castro, president of Wine Country Greyhound Adoption.

When the Guam track closed in November, more than 300 greyhounds were given away, let loose or sold as guard dogs. There were a few cases of greyhounds used as bait dogs to train fighting dogs, she said.

Glen Weaver of Petaluma wants to give books to children and senior citizens in Sonoma County. He vows to do so by his birthday, June 21.

All he needs to make his vision a reality is to find, build or receive as a donation a trailer he can hitch to his car.

The father of two works at the Committee on the Shelterless as director of the shelter and housing programs. "When I'm not worrying about people having shelter and food, I think about giving books away," Weaver said.

Two years ago Food for Thought, the AIDS/HIV food bank in Forestville, received an unusual gift from Randall Thompson, a volunteer and donor of long standing.

In 2004 Thompson had been honored by Food for Thought as Volunteer of the Year, recognizing his spirit of selfless giving. In 2007, he was diagnosed with cancer and died within three months.

In his will, Thompson left his well-established antiques business to Food for Thought.

"That Randall was generous was no surprise," said Ron Karp, executive director of Food for Thought. "That he left us his business was a surprise."

Without the group of parents who form the Analy Band Wagon, there'd be no music program at Sebastopol's Analy High School.

No awards like those harvested by the band and orchestra last month during a statewide competition in Southern California, an effort that required transporting 157 students.

Even Vance Regan, the school's band and orchestra director, said he wouldn't be teaching at Analy if not for the non-profit group of parent volunteers who do everything except teach the students how to play their instruments.