Goodbye from Café Lucia
EDITOR: All good things come to an end.
When we opened Café Lucia in 2012, we were thrilled by how well we were received in Healdsburg. Portuguese cuisine and wines were gaining traction, and Manuel’s flagship LaSalette Restaurant was securely in its 14th year of business in Sonoma Valley.
But in 2016, everything changed for Café Lucia, seemingly overnight. The one-two punch of ongoing work on a traffic roundabout a half-block from our restaurant, and construction of a hotel and underground parking lot next door to us, limited diners’ access to and awareness of Café Lucia.
We will never understand why the city of Healdsburg approved these projects for the same time period (as well as other construction work on the 200 block of Healdsburg Avenue), yet we pressed on despite major delays on the roundabout and hotel.
Our frequent guests encouraged us along the way and we were hopeful. But like many businesses in Sonoma County, we also lost business in the aftermath of the fall 2017 wildfires. We pushed through another winter, despite the increasingly difficult economic climate statewide, including increased minimum wages and taxes, and lack of affordable housing for staff at our small, family-owned business. As we face a third season operating in a construction zone, we find ourselves without the financial or emotional reserves to continue.
We are honored to have had the opportunity to celebrate our family’s culture and heritage in this special place, something we had hoped to do for years to come. We will always be proud of the work we did at Café Lucia, and the wonderful memories we have and lifelong friendships we made through the restaurant. We are especially saddened to say goodbye to the awesome Café Lucia team, some of whose members have been with us since the early days.
We are extremely grateful to the Deas family for believing in our concept and being our biggest supporters. We couldn’t have asked for a better landlord partner. We are also appreciate our banking partner, Summit State Bank. Lastly, we couldn’t have made it this far had it not been for our dining guests, especially our regulars. It was our honor and pleasure to serve you.
Manuel will continue nourishing guests with delicious Portuguese cuisine at LaSalette Restaurant in Sonoma. Please visit soon, you might see some familiar Café Lucia faces there.
Thank you to all who supported us in our Café Lucia journey. It was a ride. Onward and upward.
Lucia Azevedo Fincher and Manuel Azevedo
Healdsburg
Ag boosters need support
EDITOR: The Healdsburg FFA Ag Boosters will be hosting a summer Shrimp Boil and Bluegrass event to support the FFA members of Healdsburg. On behalf of the FFA Ag Boosters, we would appreciate your support by joining us or donating to the silent and live auctions. The evening is scheduled for Saturday, June 30, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Richard’s Grove at Saralee’s Vineyard in Windsor. We are proud to be honoring Rich Thomas for his years of hard work and commitment to the ag community.
The proceeds from this auction will enable the FFA Ag Boosters to support the Healdsburg High School Agriculture Department and FFA chapter. The proceeds directly impact the program and its students so they may develop their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success.
Money raised in previous years has allowed the Ag Boosters to award scholarships to FFA members, sponsor awards and support personal development programs such as leadership retreats, skill development and leadership conferences, as well as the National FFA Convention held in Indianapolis Indiana.
We would greatly appreciate any contribution. Specifically, we would welcome donations of gift certificates or auction items. The Healdsburg FFA Ag Boosters is a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization. In addition to your donation, we would like to promote your business at our auction and welcome any promotional items to be placed on the banquet and item display tables.
Thank you for your consideration of our request. Your contribution would be of great service to our organization and a benefit to students enrolled in the agriculture program at Healdsburg High School. If you would like to discuss more opportunities for donations, please do not hesitate to contact Shelley Anderson at 707-481-3934 or sa*******@hu**.com.
Chase Conley
Healdsburg
Supports baseball, not beer
EDITOR: The letter of May 17 in support of the Prune Packers speaks to the value that the Packers bring to us each summer; until the last part, making it appear that if you do not support the request for the sale of beer at the games, you are not a supporter.
We are and have been a host family for the ballplayers for the past four years. We do not support the sale of beer.
This is an old issue settled several years ago in a denial for the request. From the letter of the 17th, it appears that some members of the community are trying for a resurrection. Let me add some history: the request several years ago was denied by the Parks and Recreation Commission. The request was then brought before the city council. It too was defeated.
The city does permit a one-time event where alcohol is served, but the city requires steep fees for such events. The authors of the May 17 letter are requesting a waiver of the requirement for all 33 home games. That is a lot of games with a lot of beer and for something “to go wrong.” More importantly, once the waiver is granted the door opens for similar requests.
The family atmosphere with underage players and spectator children will change once alcohol is introduced. If granted, I suspect we will see increased security guards, package checks at the gate, and I wonder what will be the reaction of out of town fans of the opposing team? DUI checks as fans leave?
The hope that “something will not go wrong” is misplaced optimism in light of the number of games where beer is sold. Why take the risk in light of the value of staying with the prohibition?
In short, this is a residential neighborhood with a mix of schools and a Boys & Girls Club. It is a place where constant alcohol sales do not fit. Full disclosure, we bought our house on Piper knowing there was a ballpark across the street, not a bar.
Ted Crowell and Andrea Michelsen
Healdsburg
Help HHS grads
EDITOR: Dear fellow Healdsburgers: The Healdsburg High School Graduation Celebration Committee needs our help. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the event, it is a 26-year tradition that allows all HHS graduates to participate in a safe and sober celebration.
As parents of two previous HHS graduates as well as volunteers for the event, we can say that it is inclusive, safe and fun for all. This year, the graduates are invited to go on the Commodore Cruise out of Alameda on graduation night.
Funding has dwindled, and help is needed. We are so proud to be part of the generous Healdsburg community, and wanted to put the word out so that those that can support with a donation, know how to do so. 100 percent of the donations go directly to the event.
If you can help, please send your donations via the website at: https://www.youcaring.com/graduationcelebrationinc-1126023 or mail a check payable to Healdsburg Graduation Celebration, at PO Box 2137, Healdsburg, CA 95448.
Kathi and Rick Safford
Healdsburg
