From the Fort Bragg Advoate-News and Mendocino Beacon:
About 300 people came out on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday [December 9, 10, 11, 2009] to tour participating inns during the Mendocino Coast as part of the 21st Annual Mendocino Coast Inn Tour. Youth artists and musicians, and their families from the Mendocino and Fort Bragg school districts, brought holiday cheer as they traveled from inn to inn throughout the event.
“The 21st Annual Mendocino Coast Candlelight Inn Tour was a hit,” said VISTA volunteer Emily Husson. Husson traveled across country in September to become a full-time volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mendocino County through the federal AmeriCorps program. She worked with Jez Anderson, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters, Pamela Graham, Board Member of MUSE, and Elaine Wing Hillesland, representing the innkeepers to coordinate a makeover of this benefit three night inn tour which has a holiday favorite since the late 1980s.
The City of Fort Bragg Promotion Committee provided a $900 grant for promotions. The two local nonprofit beneficiaries of the event—Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mendocino County and Mendocino Unified School Enrichment—each committed part of the proceeds to revamp the event, which had seen declining crowds over recent years. Organizers approached locals known for their talent with design and promotions; these generous individuals offered reduced rates for this benefit, making it possible for the creation of a new logo designed by local artist James Sibbett, a new website designed by Liz Petersen of Mendocino Graphics, marketing by Bruce Lewis of Lewis & Summers PR, and banners, lawn signs, and a sign on the Fort Bragg Welcome Sign on Route 1 created by Alan Peterson of Braggadoon Signs & Graphics. Organizers were pleased that the event garnered publicity in the Bay Area and Sacramento, as well as being included in a press release by the California Travel & Tourism Commission (CTTC).
The theme of the event was Keeping the Light On for Our Youth. Organizers chose this theme to emphasize how BBBS and MUSE programs are “keeping the lights on and the doors open” at much needed school and community enrichment programs for our youth, such as music, creative arts, field trips, mentoring, and character development programs.
Thank you to our local youth musicians who entertained guests with holiday melodies: Patrick Latorre and Max, Corwin Zekley, Fiona Scott, Chloe Grinberg, Marianna Cooper, Lynn Kiesewetter and students, and Mindy Rosenfeld and students.
Thanks also to the student artists of the Mendocino K-8 School, their inspiring teacher, Mark Oatney and the Fort Bragg Que Onda/What’s Up After School Program who displayed their artwork for guests to enjoy. They all did a beautiful job.
With friendly chatter all around, we enjoyed tasty homemade treats and elegant holiday trimmings each evening. Thanks to all the innkeepers that opened their beautifully decorated inns for touring and provided all the delectable food and drink. They generously contribute all revenue to MUSE and Big Brothers Big Sisters. For a list of the participating inns, please go to www.mendocinoinntour.com.
A highlight of the event was Wednesday night at the Little River Inn. In addition to beautiful lodging rooms, the inn opened up the lovely Abalone Hall, Horsefeather’s Collectibles, and Third Court Salon & Day Spa, and provided a full buffet of food and refreshments. They welcomed youth musicians who performed throughout the night in front of a crackling fireplace. In addition to the youth art provided by MUSE, inn owner Susan McKinney, created a show of local handmade arts and crafts and donated all proceeds from the sales—$450—to MUSE and BBBS.
Thank you to all who participated to make this special event enjoyable for locals and visitors alike!