Idlewood 3…

Marie Butler
Brrr. It’s been so cold, the hummingbird feeders are filled with
slushies! Well, let it snow. Send news and winter tidbits to
“IDlewood 3…”, your “who, what, where” column. “Idlewood 3…” was
the original Healdsburg phone exchange and “Hedda Healdsburg” wants
to know all!
Even Santa will feel a pang of nostalgia when he visits this
year’s “Magical Toyland” at the Healdsburg Museum. From the pedal
cars to the original Barbie dolls, children, parents, grandparents
and those who just love to play will be captivated by a hundred
years of toys from the 1860s to the 1960s. The centerpiece of this
year’s exhibit is George Goobanov’s entire toy town complete with a
metal skyscraper, Sears store, gas station, fire station and
hospital. Come enjoy the Grandparents’ Reception, on December 19, 1
to 3 p.m. There will be “hands on” activities with some very
special toys, a puppet show, storytelling, carolers and scrumptious
homemade treats. Bring your grandchildren to see the holiday
exhibition (non-grandparents welcome too, of course). The toy
exhibit runs through February. For more information, call
431-3325.
Toy drive. And, new toys are needed for local kids. Drop off
new, unwrapped toys at the Fire Department through December 20.
“We’re collecting toys for infants up to 18 years old,” advised
Deborah Nelson, Administrative Assistant at the Fire Department.
“We have a desperate need for infant and teen toys.” Deborah added
that all the toys will go to Shared Ministries to be distributed to
local families. “If businesses have collections of toys, they can
call us and we’ll pick them up,” Deborah said.
Talented local artists. You meet the best people in the “funny
pages.” Two recent Sunday Comics editions of the Press Democrat
featured local kids as “artists of Egg-streme Merit”: Paige Suttie,
8-years-old for “Lad-egg-y Bug” and Chase DeWitte, age 13, for an
“Under Cover Egg-straterrestrial.” Chase is a student at Healdsburg
Junior High and is interested in guitar, piano and art. “I usually
draw one to three hours a week,” he said, adding, “I always liked
art.” He currently takes art classes at the Junior High. Chase’s
winning drawing featured an egg in a business suit, with antennas
and alien eyes. His mom, Christine, tells us that last year Chase
also sold a piece for $60 at a local art show. “It was a Halloween
bowl sculpture,” said Chase.
Attention Americana music lovers: Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks
roll into town to the Raven on Friday, December 18th with his
popular “Holiday in Hicksville” show, which incorporates his unique
twist on traditional and not-so-traditional carols. The show is at
8 p.m. Call for details, at 433-6335.
Good things come in small packages. Just ask Mike Welty and his
wife, Chris. Their son, Matt, and daughter-in-law, Evan, had twin
boys on December 9. “Matt says they’re absolutely identical,” Mike
announced, adding proudly, “Two years ago our daughter, Gina, had
fraternal twins, a boy and a girl, and twins don’t even run in the
family!” Mike is looking ahead to when this generation of Weltys
join the family law practice.
Shop local…at the Senior Center. Think of the Center’s Boutique
for your holiday gift giving needs. Lea Black, the Center’s
Recreation Director, said, “We currently have beautiful handmade
scarves, purses and jewelry as well as many baby items such as
crocheted blankets, booties, bibs and rattles. There’s unique cork
art that’s sure to start many conversations. We also have
hand-painted folk art pieces and poetry books and hand-made cards;
a little something for everyone!” The Boutique is open Monday
through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Field trip. The Center is also sponsoring a bus trip to Bodega
Bay on January 28. Participants will enjoy a lovely lunch at the
Blue Water Bistro. Entertainment will be provided by William
Florian, formerly of the New Christy Minstrels. He’ll perform many
favorite folk songs, the music of Peter Paul and Mary, John Denver,
Pete Seeger and The Mamas & The Papas as well as uplifting
originals. Reserve your spot by December 30th. They’ve also put
together a trip to see “Wicked” at the Orpheum Theater on February
17th. It’s a matinee performance with excellent, center orchestra
seats. Reservations are required by December 28th. Call 431-3324
for more information on these trips.
From hot dogs to vintage lovelies. Connie Newton, former owner
of Code 7 Mealtime, a local hot dog eatery, has relocated her
interests to Geyserville. She and her husband, Doug, have opened
Geyserville Vintage Gift Collective at 21310 Geyserville Avenue.
“We have room for 12-14 vendors in there,” said Connie. “The
purpose is to provide a comfortable shopping experience, complete
with good energy.” They are offering gifts, kitchen and household
items, jewelry, clothing, home décor, shabby chic items, farm
relics, seasonal decorations, and works by local artists. “We carry
new and ‘gently loved’ things,” added Connie. They are open daily,
from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You’re invited to their Open House on
Friday, December 18, from 4 to 8 p.m. to see the new shop and all
the goodies.
The weather outside might have been frightful, but Santa must
embrace the Post Office’s motto. Neither pouring rain nor a wild
wind kept him away from town last Saturday. And, he was everywhere;
in the Plaza for the kids and at the Dog House for the pups. While
some supplicants asked for bicycles, others hoped for chewy
toys!
Auld Lang Syne. Wheee; ring in 2010 at Barndiva’s New Year’s
celebration, December 31. The restaurant is open noon to 7 p.m.;
the party is from 8:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Reservations are mandatory!
Call 431-0100.
January 16-17 is the Russian River Wine Road’s annual Winter
Wineland. Escape from those winter blues. Over 100 wineries will be
open to treat visitors to library wines, vertical tastings, food
pairings, educational tours and much more from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Call 433-4335 for tickets or more information.
Marie Butler is a freelance writer and a full-time Healdsburg
resident for over 22 years. Growing up, she spent summers at her
family’s Del Rio Woods home and had an Idlewood number.