Introduction
CCG Mission Statement: Teaching, Sharing, Promoting the Art of Woodcarving
Carving groups and carving classes are held at the Pleasanton Senior Center, 5353 Sunol Blvd., Pleasanton, CA 94566. Every Tuesday and Thursday, 9AM till 4PM drop-in. Arrive when you can and leave when you want too.
2026 Officers. Click to see the list.
PRESIDENT: Bob Kehl
VICE PRESIDENT: Ken Morgan
RECORDING SECRETARY: Don Bott
CORSP. SECRETARY: Paul Fackler
TREASURER: Claudia Fernandes
EDITOR: Mike Pocha, Dave Boles
CCG ADVISOR: Dave Boles
CCG REGIONAL DIRECTOR: Dave Boles
SHOW CHAIRPERSON: Kurt Alfred
WEB MASTER: Carol Salinger
Next Meeting – Feb. 14 – 9:00 am – 12:00 noon @ Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1020 Mocho Street, Livermore.
From The Pres By Bob Kehl
Happy New Year!!!!! Here we are again, starting another new year of carving for
The Tri Valley Carvers. Before going into all the fun things for 2026, I first want to talk about ending 2025 this last December with our annual Christmas luncheon. We had great fellowship, food, fun, and a wonderful auction. Twenty-five members of our carving family attended, and our fun auction was a fun event. What a wonderful event to end another great year for TVC! A merry Christmas was wished to all who participated. Many thanks to Ken for managing the challenging bidding, Jeanne Morgan for keeping track of the highly active bidding and collections.
We will have our first business meeting in the new year in February at the fellowship hall at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church at 1020 Mocho Street in Livermore. I have asked for the second Saturday of February, but will have to wait for approval. The meeting date should be OK, so plan on it. We have several new members to meet and get acquainted with, so make sure you attend. Again, the meeting time is 9 -12am on Saturday February 14th.
Election of officers:
Every two years we have an election of officers. This is a formality of our bylaws. The officers are President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and Advisor. If you are interested in any of these positions, please present your nominations at the February 14th meeting or to the present officers prior to the meeting. We need to make sure nominees are willing to run for the office to which they are nominated. We will finalize the nominations and hold elections at the February 14th meeting.
Annual dues:
The annual dues for 2026 are due again in January. The $20 dues for the club are used to keep our activities going, including a basswood assortment available in the shop and our annual show in September. This year, after the delinquent notice, (see below), we will be updating the club active roster. The club Bylaws require:
1. Dues will be payable to the Treasurer in January of each year.
2. Dues will be considered delinquent by the last day of February.
3. If there is no response by the end of February a ‘delinquent/drop’ notice, giving a 30-day grace period, will be sent by the Treasurer.
We have a lot to look forward to in the next year, and I hope it will be even more exciting than this year. I wish all of you and your family a happy and healthy new year.
TVC Winter Holiday Party, 2025
We gathered at a local church in December 2025 for a festive Winter Holiday Party. 25 members and guests shared stories and laughter over handmade reindeer carved by Bob Kehl on every table. A Christmas tree, potluck desserts, and our holiday auction (funding new tools) created warm cheer. Group photos captured the community spirit.
Please read the full article about the party on our website. Click the photos to enlarge them. Please leave comments if you liked the article: https://tri-valleycarvers.com/winter-holiday-party-2025/
ZOOM MEETING
Joanne Carroll showing an ornament she’d just finished.
Attendees were asked to share a carving they’d done in the past, which they really liked. A Hill Billy caricature by Gary Eaves – 1st caricature, 1st painted carving, 1st attempt to carve buttons, clothing patches, wrinkles, and some motion (the tucked in hands and elbows).
Left – a stylized cat from Pinterest and shown by Joanne Carroll. We couldn’t decide if it was hand-done or received a little power help. But, it demonstrates how to suggest motion, and emotion, in a wood carving.
The Santa to the left was a rough out for a pre-covid Oakhurst Rendezvous that was cancelled. It was shown by Gary Eaves to meet a challenge from Joanne, that we pick up a UFO that’s been sitting around and finish it. Still working on it.
SENIOR CENTER CHRISTMAS STROLL
On December 11th TVC members displayed and sold their work at the Sr. Center. Below, Carol Salinger watches over both hers and Gary Eaves works. Sales were good. Right, Carol Salinger, Ken Morgan and Ngam Worley at Ken’s table. Dave & Gerry Jensen and Richard Riley were also there but can’t find the pictures I took.
RAVENSWOOD HISTORICAL SITE – Dec. 14
Ngam Worley (below) showing, selling and wood burning at Ravenswood. Many people stopped to watch her work and asked her many questions. At below left, Ngam had traced a pattern onto a board, maybe (?) 10 x 12, and 2 hours later she was done. No wonder people stopped to watch.
Gary Eaves, Bob Kehl, and Ken Morgan were also there, but again, can’t find the pictures I took. Sales were good for everyone. And there was good public attendance, as usual with this event, which lead to many conversations.
