THE SERENAN
Sponsored By Pueblo Serena Homeowners Alliance
Editor/Admin: Lin Marie deVincent lmdevincent@comcast.net
Calendar/Birthdays: Cynthia Boyer – byerbird@sonic.net
PUEBLO SERENA HOA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AUGUST 2025
Board Chair : Anamaria Erickson. .................................415-988-5882
Treasurer: John Kyle......................................................................................................415-341-2463
Secretary: Robert Bruce ………………………………………………………………650-678-4122
Director-at-Large: Bert McCarthy ……………………………………………………707-933-6461
Designated Tenant Representative (DTR): John Kyle 415-341-2463
GSMOL Super Chapter President: Ann Colichidas 415-902-7690
GSMOL V.P. Membership: Carol Werner .. 707-935-1235
PS & HOA Email Communications: Hugh McBride 707-934-0860
Social Activities Coordinator: Linda Bruce .. 650-678-4121
Emergency Response Coordinator: Mike Colhouer 707-227-0848 Sandi Bird
Homeowners’ Phone List: 415-450-1755
Cul-de-Sac Coordinator: Linda Bruce #112 Merida 650-678-4121
CHICO
HACIENDA
ACAPULCO
MAZATLAN
CUERNAVACA
GUADALAJARA
GUADALAJARA
MAYAN
MAYAN
GUAYMAS
LA PAZ
HERMOSILLO
MERIDA
PEPITO
CUL-de-SAC CAPTAINS
Ramsey Sullivan #6
Ted Sexauer #12
Cynthia Boyer #28
Monica Wohlferd #35
707-732-0624
707-337-4518
707-495-6639
707-939-3683
Cathy Flight #43 415-531-5489
Terry Swartt #59
707-225-6864
Keval Nguyen #58 415-203-3323
Kathy Jewell #126 707-225-4804
Barbara Rose #123 707-231-8061
Sandy Colhouer #75 707-318-3480
Carol Stienke #89
Carmen Naimish #99
Diane Lumiere #113
Donna Tranchina #117
707-292-3107
805-745-1520
916-761-3234
707-938-7674
Bocce is now every weekday 10-12!
Pancakes+ 9:30am
Bocce 10-12
10-12
ChantContemplateChat 12-1pm Library Bocce 10-12 Bocce 10-12 Bocce 10-12 Bridge 1-4pm Library Bocce 10-12
10-12
ChantContemplateChat 12- 1pm Library
9:30am Bocce 10-12
ChantContemplateChat 12- 1pm Library
31 Pancakes 9:30am Bocce 10-12
ChantContemplateChat 12- 1pm Library
Recycleing on W McArthur
Bocce 10-12
Qigong 9:30-10:30
Bocce 10-12
Creativity 204 10:45-12:15 Luci Ungar
Bocce 10-12 Bridge 1-4pm Library Bocce 10-12
10-12
10-12
10-12 GSMOL Zoom Meeting 11 to 1pm & LIVE In Petaluma
Recycling on W McArthur Bocce 10-12 SWAP MEET SET UP 9am START 10am take down 3:30
Qigong 9:30-10-30
Bocce 10-12
Creativity 204 10:45-12:15 Luci Ungar Bocce 10-12 Bridge 1-4pm Library Bocce 10-12 TGIF 6pm BYOB
CALLING ALL GROUCHES!
Specifically, I would suggest that the effective organization is garrulous, clumsy, superstitious, hypocritical, monstrous, octopoid, wandering, and grouchy. - Karl Weick
When I was a kid, I used to think a lot of old people were grouchy. Now that I’m old, I understand why. Some part of me is always hurting; I can’t remember simple things; and I can’t do the things I used to love to do I have to admit my impatience and grouchiness are particularly exacerbated by long tedious meetings.
I understand that democracy can be messy, but between my hearing loss and the butt-numbing folding chairs, my patience for group decision-making gets shorter with age, especially when the group starts to feel like an octopus desperately thrashing its tentacles about as it attempts to gather viewpoints and arrive at a consensus.
As tempting as it is, however, to avoid meetings, they are an ideal time to honor our grouchiness and even use it to our advantage. Angeles Arrien, the late cultural anthropologist, referred to those of us who have achieved some wisdom with age as “gatekeepers.” We live in a fast-paced world where decisions are often impulsive and short-sighted. It has traditionally been the role of the elders to be critical thinkers and put the brakes on until the long-range consequences of proposed changes have been thoroughly thought out.
Beware, however, that our current culture doesn’t like troublemakers. There is power and profit to be had if we old folks would be content to just sit on the sidelines and take our overpriced drugs (strangely reminiscent of the "Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out" philosophy of the disillusioned 60’s counterculture!).
What I am trying to say is age is not an excuse for us to indulge in cynicism and play victims by isolating and mumbling to ourselves about how things are going to hell in a handbasket. This is the time to put our grouchiness into service. In times past, that’s what “elders” were expected to do in their tribes and villages and, even without the hard folding chairs I am sure it was just as frustrating a process with lots of shouting and compromising, but in the long run everyone benefited.
So, bring a cushion to the next meeting where decisions will be made that will affect you and those you care about and give voice to your fears and concerns along with your ideas for solutions and be patient with the random thrashing of the octopus for there is power in collective action when all voices are heard.
Gary Hermes is a 86-year old resident of Sonoma Oaks This is one of a series of his “thoughts” on the challenges and opportunities of aging as he shares his journey into elderhood.
Mazatlan Cul de Sac Happy Hour!
June 24th 2025
“Mazatlanders” meeting neighbors, exchanging stories and getting to know each other. Amazingly everyone brought food and wine to share. We had plenty! Everyone contributed to making this a big success.
Future gatherings to come!
We decided more get-togethers were in order, at least during this wonderful summer weather. Such a nice way to get to know each other!
Submitted by: Monica Wohlferd Cul-de-Sac Captain
by: Paul & Carol Kozal
Pictures
* Service and Love by Stephen Colbert *
Stephen Colbert once said: "In my experience, you will truly serve only what you love because service is love made visible. If you love your friends you will serve your friends. If you love community you will serve your community. If you love money you will serve your money. And if you love only yourself you will serve only yourself and you will have only yourself. So, no winning, instead try to love others and serve others, and hopefully find those who will love and serve you in return."
Daisies by Mary Oliver
It is possible, I suppose that sometime we will learn everything there is to learn: what the world is, for example, and what it means. I think this as I am crossing from one field to another, in summer, and the mockingbird is mocking me, as one who either knows enough already or knows enough to be perfectly content not knowing. Song being born of quest he knows this: he must turn silent were he suddenly assaulted with answers. Instead oh hear his wild, caustic, tender warbling ceaselessly unanswered. At my feet the white-petalled daisies display the small suns of their center piece, their - if you don't mind my saying so - their hearts. Of course I could be wrong, perhaps their hearts are pale and narrow and hidden in the roots. What do I know?
But this: it is heaven itself to take what is given, to see what is plain; what the sun lights up willingly; for example - I think this as I reach down, not to pick but merely to touchthe suitability of the field for the daisies, and the daisies for the field.
in Lin Marie’s garden
To paraphrase one of my favorite authors, Wally Lamb –these things I know are true.
It is true that I love fireworks, however this is the first time in many years that I've stayed up late enough to see them. It was worth the wait. My sister and her husband treated us to a concert at the Hollywood Bowl and they had a spectacular display. The last time I enjoyed fireworks this much was at Epcot center in Disney World in 1993. I told you it had been awhile. It is also true that I did not enjoy the fact that July 5th is one of the smoggiest days of the year, in LA, in part because of the displays that make so many of us happy. Color me conflicted.
It is true that one of my favorite things to do is to shop for quality drape and upholstery fabric at a bargain price. Yep, my sister also took us to the fabric center in downtown LA and I found some fabulous fabric for some new drapes in my living room. The last time I had that much fun at a fabric store was in Marietta Georgia, 2013. On the flip side, it made me a little ill to see the blocks and blocks of overflowing onto the sidewalks, stores, of not quality fabric. I felt the same way when I went to the Mall of America in 1992. Even though I lived in Minneapolis I rarely shopped there. Too much evidence of gross consumerism. Color me a bit disgusted.
It is true that I love a good road trip and feel that I have lived long enough and worked hard enough to treat myself to nice accommodations while traveling. Which is what we did, on the way to LA. The hotel in Pismo Beach was right on the ocean, great views and a short walk to an excellent "happy hour" meal with a margarita. Not so much on our return trip. We stayed at what they tell me is a famous place, famous for its Beef. I'll not mention names, but suffice it to say it reminded me a lot of "Cracker Barrel" rest stops in the south, but with a "ranch" decor. Gotta say, the steak was not all that good either. Color me determined, as in determined to do my research before I leave home.
It is true that one of my favorite things is to have time to sit and visit with those I love. We had lots of time for that during our visit to LA. My sister and brother inlaw are enjoying being near their daughter and her family, however I believe they miss their lovely home and quieter lives in Glen Ellen. I miss having my sister near but am happy she is near her daughter. In a panic I texted my daughter and said, "never ever move to LA." I'm not sure I could follow. Oh who do I think I'm kidding, we all know that wherever those three little girls go, Granny will follow. AnnaLaura assured me they have no intention of moving any time soon. It is also true that it is difficult to witness my brother-in-law who was once so lively and vibrant, succumb to ailments and limitations that are a part of aging. Color me sad and perhaps a bit leery of what might lie ahead for Bill and me. The good news is, I'm a bit like Scarlett, in that I'm not a worrier, I face life one day at a time as it comes at me.
This I know is true - I love my life. I love Sonoma, I love my job, I love my family, I love Bill. These days, I find it more important to focus on the positive, and deal with the negative as best I can.
Be kind, to yourself and others, when possible.
Robin McCormick & Bill Nichols, Resident Managers, Pueblo Serena Estates
Artwork by Mary Englebreit
“Looking deeply into your tea, you see that you are drinking fragrant plants that are the gift of Mother Earth. You see the labor of the tea pickers; you see the luscious tea fields and plantations in Sri Lanka, China, and Vietnam. You know that you are drinking a cloud; you are drinking the rain. The tea contains the whole universe.” - Thich Nhat Hanh
Tea Time Magazine Poetry, Tea and Me
When Solving Problems,
Think About What You Could Do, Not What You Should Do
From the Harvard Business Review by Francesca Gino, 2018
On a Saturday night in Modena, a picturesque city in one of the most well-known culinary regions of Italy, a couple and their two young sons dined at the threeMichelin star restaurant Osteria Francescana. The father ordered for the family “Tradition in Evolution,” a tasting menu with 10 of the restaurant’s most popular dishes. One of them, “snails under the earth,” is served as a soup. Snails are covered by an “earth” of coffee, nuts, and black truffle, and “hidden” under a cream made with raw potato and a garlic foam. As maître d’ Giuseppe Palmieri took the order, he noticed a slightly desperate look on the boys’ faces. Palmieri turned to the younger boy and asked, “What would you like to have?” He answered: “Pizza!”
Osteria Francescana is not the kind of place that offers pizza. Yet, without hesitation, Palmieri excused himself and called the city’s best pizzeria. A taxi showed up not long after with the pizza, and Palmieri delivered it to the table. At many fancy restaurants, this would have been unthinkable. But the two children and their parents will likely never forget Palmieri’s act of kindness. And, as Palmieri told me, “It simply took a change of course, and one pizza.”
Nobody likes a troublemaker at work. We’ve all had colleagues who annoy us or deviate from the script with no heads-up, causing conflict or wasting time: jerks and show-offs who seem to be difficult for no good reason and people who break rules just for the sake of it and make others worse off in the process. But there are also people who know how to turn rule breaking into a contribution. Rebels like Palmieri deserve our respect and our attention, because they have a lot to teach us. (If you are curious to know which type of rebel you are, you can find out by taking this free assessment).
One of the biggest lessons is given a challenging situation — kids who want pizza — we all tend to default to what we should do instead of asking what we could do. My colleagues and I did an experiment in which I gave participants difficult ethical challenges where there seemed to be no good choice. I then asked participants either “What should you do?” or “What could you do?” We found that the “could” group were able to generate more creative solutions. Approaching problems with a “should” mindset gets us stuck on the tradeoff the choice entails and narrows our thinking on one answer, the one that seems most obvious. But when we think in terms of “could,” we stay open-minded and the trade-offs involved inspire us to come up with creative solutions.
At work, of course, the “what could we do” person is also the one who is seen as slowing things down. “What if…?” and “How about…?” are questions that keep adding options to the discussion. But rebels understand that it’s always worth resisting time pressure to give yourself a moment to reflect.
Consider an extreme example: Captain Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger is the pilot of a USAirways jetliner that, shortly after taking off from New York’s La Guardia Airport in January 2009, hit a flock of birds and lost both its engines. Sully had 155 people on board and very little time to find a place to land in a city of tall buildings. Most captains would have taken the most obvious course and tried to land at the nearest
airport likely with catastrophic results. Sully worked through the standard emergency procedures (what he should do), but also allowed himself to think about what he could do. He decided to put the plane down on the Hudson River, and everyone was saved.
Another problem people have with rebels at work is the conflict that sometimes results. Rebels are prone to disagreement. But some tension is a positive thing, because it can help get people to move past should to could. When we experience conflict, research finds, we generate more original solutions than when we are in a more cooperative mood. When there is tension, we also tend to scrutinize options and deeply explore alternatives, which leads to novel insights. Understanding this, Ariel Investments, a money-management firm headquartered in Chicago, appoints a devil’s advocate during meetings who is charged with poking holes, and this served the firm well during the 2008 financial crisis. The approach helped them be thoughtful about the stocks they followed: One person who followed a particular stock would make a recommendation on buying or selling it; another would argue the opposite.
I have found in my own research when people are asked to meet two goals that appear to be at odds, their ideas are more innovative. For example, my colleagues and I invited participants in one experiment to use limited supplies to build prototypes of different products in the laboratory. We told some of them to build novel products. We told others to build cheap products. And we told a third group to build a novel product but keep costs low. We then asked another group of people to evaluate all the products the three groups created on their originality. The products that received the highest scores were those created by people who had what appeared to be conflicting goals at the outset. Of course, conflict and disagreements can be taken too far. But making things harder can yield better results.
Osteria Francescana is a place where rule breaking is encouraged, right from the top. The chef and restaurant’s owner Massimo Bottura does not fit the usual leader’s mold: He is in the trenches, cleaning the street out of the restaurant first thing in the morning, helping with the prep of the staff meal, playing soccer with the staff between services, and unloading delivery trucks. He delights in challenging the conventions of Italian cooking. A century ago, boiling meats for the Italian dish Bollito misto (“Boiled mixed meats”) was a practical choice, given limited cooking methods. Cooking the meat sous vide, as Bottura did, transformed the dish which he calls Bollito non bollito (“Boiled meats, not boiled”) into one that’s more flavorful and pleasing to the eye.
When other members of the staff see their leader do the unexpected, they embrace it as well. They know that they work in the kind of place where ordering a pizza for two desperate kids will not be looked down on. We can all learn from Palmieri. But we can also learn from the kind of place where he works where rebels are made to feel at home.
https://getpocket.com/explore/item/when-solving-problems-think-about-what-you-could-do-not-what-youshould-do
A great time was had by all at the Summer Ice Cream Social and Welcome to New Neighbors!
A Beautiful Day ~
~ about 40 neighbors at our Clubhouse for ice cream bowls or Sundaes or good ole Root beer floats! + Plus +
DELICIOUS cookies from Robin! TY!
AND with the use of the bottoms of ice cream freezers we were able to keep the ice cream frozen …YAY! ! (well mostly)
Stay tuned for the next event and join in community fun times.
THANK YOU to all who helped with work, donations, time, participation and bringing your joy and fun to our community events.
PS: The Social Committee If you're interested in joining our group please contact Linda Bruce 650-678-4121.
~ Submitted by Carol Stienke
Feathered Neighbors
BoulevardCaféandGrill 1096PetalumaBlvd Petaluma,CA94952
Boulevardcafepetaluma.com
Every 4th Friday: Jan-Oct
11:00amLunch&Networking
11:45amMeetingStart/Zoom
12:00amSpeaker
A lively regional meeting where mobilehome owners from Sonoma, Marin, Napa and beyond gather in a private dining room for no-host lunch*, networking, fellowship and education. Includes interactive Zoom!
Recent speakers have included:
Anne Anderson, GSMOL President
Bonnie Petty, Sonoma Chair, California Alliance/Retired Americans
Legal Aid/Sonoma County Housing & Policy Attorneys
Nikola Frye, Rebuilding Together
Jason Pietsch, Rodent Specialist from Sonoma/Marin Vector Control
JoAnne Ventri, GSMOL Legislative Chair
Christine Chappell, Mobilehome Park Emergency Preparedness
John Kyle, President, Sonoma County Mobilehome Owners Association
Evan Livingstone, Attorney at Law
And many more!
July: Battalion Chief, Kevin Weaver on 2025 Sonoma Fire Season
August: Jamie Escoubas, President/CEO Council on Aging
Free GSMOL memberships for first time members are available Courtesy of Barber Insurance
Free SCMOA memberships (Sonoma County MH Owners Association)
Toreceiveourmonthlyprogramannouncementwithzoomlink writetosonomavalleygsmol@gmail.com
* No purchase necessary
From Time and Date/Astronomy
In 2025, the Perseids will peak on the night between Aug 12–13
August Meteor Shower
The Perseids are one of the brighter meteor showers of the year. They occur every year between July 17 and August 24 and tend to peak around August 9-13.
Comet Swift-Tuttle
Made of tiny space debris from the comet Swift-Tuttle, the Perseids are named after the constellation Perseus. This is because the direction, or radiant, from which the shower seems to come in the sky lies in the same direction as Perseus. The Perseids are widely sought after by astronomers and stargazers because most years at its peak, one can see 60 to 100 meteors in an hour from a dark place.
What Time Does the Meteor Shower Peak?
The table is updated daily and shows the position of the Perseids radiant in the sky for the upcoming night. Use the date drop down above the Interactive Meteor Shower Sky Map to change dates.
Perseids meteor shower for Sonoma (Night between August 12 and August 13)
Tue 8:00 pm
9:00 pm
Tue 10:00 pm
Tue 11:00 pm
12:00 midnight
1:00 am
Perseids meteor shower for Sonoma (Night between August 12 and August 13)
3:00 am
4:00 am
5:00 am
6:00 am
Direction to see the Perseids in the sky:
Azimuth is the direction, based on true north; a compass might show a slightly different value.
Altitude is height in degrees over horizon.
How to See the Perseids
You don't need any special equipment or a lot of skills to view a meteor shower. Even though all you really need is a clear sky, lots of patience, and our handy Interactive Meteor Shower Sky Map with a visibility conditions meter to see a meteor shower, the following tips can help maximize your shooting star viewing experience.
Find a secluded viewing spot, away from the city lights. Once at the venue, your eyes may take 15 to 20 minutes to get used to the dark.
Dress for the weather, and make sure you are comfortable, especially if you plan to stay out long. Bring a blanket or a comfortable chair with you meteor watching can be a waiting game.
Once you have found your viewing spot, lie down on the ground and look at the sky. You can use our Interactive Meteor Shower Sky Map or the table above to find the direction of the radiant; the higher the radiant is above the horizon, the more meteors you are likely to see.
Meteor showers appear to originate from the radiant, but meteors can appear in any part of the sky.
https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/meteor-shower/perseid.html?os=__&ref=app
Meditation Mom
By Keval Nguyen
The VAHospital in Las Vegas offered “Special Staff Day” where all staff members could take time during work hours to sample and experience various holistic healing programs offered to the patients. HU healing sessions were one of them. The following was shared by the facilitator of these sessions.
At the end of one of the HU sessions, tears were rolling down on one woman’s face as she sobbed uncontrollably. When she finally composed herself and was able to talk, she uttered: “These are actually tears of joy!” She eagerly started to talk about her mom who passed away over a year ago. Her mom practiced meditation every day, being a firm believer that it brought goodness into one's life. Her mom encouraged her to embrace daily meditation to no avail. Meditation was not her cup of tea. She was heartbroken after her mom passed and missed her very much. She needed healing and wished she could have some contact with her mom. That's why she took a big chance and decided to try the HU healing session.
During the HU chanting, her mom appeared to her and excitingly said: “So you finally listen to me. I am so happy to see that you're meditating!” They had a wonderful conversation on the inner. Her mom told her not to worry as she's doing fine on the other side.
The woman felt elated from her experience. She said she no longer felt devastated as the big hole in her heart was filled up with love and joy after her meeting with her mom. She was delighted to find out that HU meditation is so easy to practice.
You are invited to CCC sessions (Chanting-Contemplating-Chatting) Every Monday from 1 PM to 2 PM at the P.S. Clubhouse
Keval Nguyen (415) 203-3323 kevalnguyen@yahoo.com
Enjoy a Celestial Summer * the Editors LMdV & CB
Thank you to our Serenan delivery guys, Jim & Kent. We appreciate you!
Art by George Shipperley
French Sites
BASTILLE CATACOMBS
CHAMBORD
CASTLE
DDAY BEACHES
EIFFEL TOWER
LASCAUX CAVES
LES INVALIDS
LOUVRE
NIMES ARENA
NOTRE DAME
OMAHA BEACH
PONT DU GARD
SACRE COEUR
SAINT MALO
SAINTE CHAPELLE
VERSAILLES
Across
1.“What ___ is new?”
5.Any doctrine
Expecting an answer
8. Greek earth goddess: Var.
9.On the ocean
10.Jobs
11.Responded in court
12.Con man
14.Souvenir
20.Wise one
21.Eagle’s nest
23.Early video game
24.Flower holder
25.“A Chorus Line” number
26.Greek god of love
Down
1.Breakfast fare
2.Secular
3.Sound of relief
4.Facilitate
5.Part of an archipelago
6.Soothsayer
7.“Spy vs. Spy” magazine
9.Likely
13.“___ we there yet?”
14.Atomic particle
15.Sea eagle
16.Coffee holder
17.Church section
18.Eye drop
19.About
20. U.S. document publisher
22.“I agree”
The headline is a clue to the answer in the diagonal.
August Sudoku
How to solve sudoku puzzles
No math is required to solve a sudoku. You only need logic and patience.
Simply make sure that each 3x3 square region has only one instance of the numbers 1-9. Similarly, each number can only
appear once in a column or row in the larger grid. The difficulty on this puzzle is easy.
info@mobilehomeboard.com www.mobilehomeparkmagazines.com 1240-C Mtn. View/Alviso Rd. • Sunnyvale, CA 94089 (408) 744-1011 or (800) 828-8242
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Serving Sonoma County since 2001
Specializing in
Manufactured/Mobile Homes in 55+ and Family Parks
Thinking About Selling…Call Today!
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707-321- 9021
BaxterHarrisRE @gmail.com
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BaxterHarrisRE@gmail.com
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Reader Response
From time to time we like to reach out to readers to gather feedback. This time we are looking to learn more about what advertisers or services you would like to see in your magazine.
You could let us know any of the following: A specific business (we would need their name and contact info), a type of business that you would like or a company you have used.
We do all of this to make sure we are providing you with access to companies that can help you in any number of ways. This is critical to the success of the magazine for both readers and advertisers. That is the partnership that has worked for over 40 years and still works today.
We would like to offer an incentive to any new advertiser you help us to get to advertise. For any new advertiser who wants to come on board we can offer a 10% discount on all 6 and 12 month ad contracts. The only condition is that they have never advertised before. We want new companies who can learn the benefits of advertising in your magazines.
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