President Bush landed at the Angwin airport last Friday, giving Angwin a place in the history books. He was whisked down to the Napa Valley for a night at the posh Meadowood Resort. The motorcade took him down the old Howell Mountain Road, to avoid about 1000 protesters lined up along the Silverado Trail.

What makes the President's visit memorable is that he got to see some of the beautiful setting for our village. On Saturday morning, he stopped off at Las Posadas State Forest for some mountain biking. He followed the woodland trail we love, and hopefully received a little recreation from there as we do.

A number of Angwinites saw the motorcade when it went through town. Reports are that it numbered about 15 vehicles. For several days prior to the visit, big helicopters flew in and out of the Angwin airport, to check out the hazards. Other security measures included sharpshooters around the airport and heavy guarding of the route by the California Highway Patrotsl. Angwin's Main Street, Howell Mountain Road, was closed before the motorcade was due to arrive and resident motorists were detoured around.

Angwinites were very much involved in the security effort. Angwin Fire Chief Avery Browne, a CHP officer, and Debbie served breakfast to about 30 of his fellow officers on Saturday morning. The entire Angwin Volunteer Fire Department was on duty during the President's trip through town, and so was a crew from the Angwin Ambulance Company. Reports are that the Secret Service even checked out the St. Helena Hospital in advance, to be sure they could provide care for the Presidential party should that become necessary.

A number of Angwinites were in the long line of people along the Silverado Trail, some protesting and some supporting the President.

Thanx to Debbie Browne for all the following photos.

See also:

Bush Hits the Trail in Angwin in the Napa Register.

President Keeps Low Profile in The Press Democrat.

Pacific Union College administrators have been hinting to the community for several years of their desire to unload their local businesses. For decades, the College followed the philosophy of other Seventh-day Adventist colleges and academies that students should work some with their hands as well as their minds. They started a market, a farm, a chicken ranch, a press, a bindery, a laundry, an auto shop and other businesses, to provide employment. Almost all have been shut down.

In recent years, the financial administration have decided to sell its remaining enterprises, and devote the yield to academic education.

For more than a year now, the College has been courting proposals for lease of the College Market. Reports are that the best so far has come from Sunshine Market in St. Helena. Herb Ford, former president of the Angwin Community Council, allowed last week that negotiations are well along and that a proposal could be brought to the PUC Board of Directors for its review as early as May 23. Conjecture is that a turn-over could take place as early as June 1.

Nothing is final at this point, however, Ford emphasized.

Speculation is rife over what changes would be made under Sunshine management. John Collins, PUC's financial vice president believes that the restrictions on the College Market, restricted by the Seventh-day Adventist philosophy, do not serve the entire Angwin community today. Non-Adventist community members, now probably 40% of the population, should have the right to find beer and cigarettes in the local market.

Adventists still represent 60% of the population. The more conservative are aghast at that prospect. "What kind of message does that send to our children, and to the hundreds of College students?", they say.

Neither the College Board nor the PUC church leadership have disclosed their positions on the question to the Angwin community. In fact, no one on the College administration has appeared at the Angwin Community Council to discuss their plans.

It is predictable that the students will voice widely differing opinions in their student newspaper, if agreement becomes imminent. Some come from liberal Adventist homes; some from conservative Adventist cultures, including those from other countries. The paper already carries an advertisement for the current movies in St. Helena, with reviews. So this is probably not going to be a barn-burner.

The Sunshine Market is a family enterprise, started by Dale and Lillian Smith, and now in the hands of their sons, Mike, Jan, and Jay. And two of Jay's sons, Matt and Mark, work hands-on in the St. Helena store. Dale Smith began the market out of his experience with a degree in marketing followed by 22 years with Ralph's supermarkets. He and his sons are sharp and successful marketing guys, and will undoubtedly make the College Market work.

But at this point, according to Ford, nothing is final, so speculation is the order of the day.

Angwin got 10.7 inches of rain during the month of March. That's twice the normal amount for March, but not a record. The record was in 1995, when we got nearly 17 inches.

At the end of last month, we had nearly 52 inches for this rainy season.. That compares with a 50-year average of 37.8 through March. And we are already past our seasonal average of 42 inches.

This information thanx to Professor Bill Mundy, Angwin's weatherman.