idlewood 3…

Marie Butler
Our town celebrated the Fourth of July in 1909 with pyrotechnics
and pot-lucks. Some things never change. Send news of 2009
activities to “Idlewood 3…,” your “who, what, where” column.
Idlewood 3 was the old Healdsburg telephone exchange and Hedda
Healdsburg wants to know all.
The drive-in experience. The Healdsburger Drive-In on Healdsburg
Ave. near Memorial Bridge has some summer fun going on. “Bike Nite”
(think Harleys) is on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each
month; “Classic Car Nite” is on the third Wednesday. It’s from 4 to
8 p.m., with most of the action starting around 5 to 6 p.m. There
are door prizes, a raffle, fun…oh, and huge burgers. Check it out
or call 473-9604 for details.
Flapjacks and more. The Boy Scout’s 4th of July breakfast in the
Villa Annex was cozy, but still a success. Eli Rinn was manning the
1950s era pancake griddle, on loan from the Santa Rosa Kiwanis. His
younger brother, Michael, was busy serving inside. Mom Dolly Oberti
Rinn advised, “Troop 21 is going strong! There are five patrols
now.” Brian Curtis said they planned to serve about 700-800
pancakes. Regarding this year’s change of venue to the Villa Annex,
Brian said, “The flow is a little different and maybe a little
crowded, but people get to know each other this way. Everyone is in
a good mood. It’s great to see the community come together.”
Congrats to the American Legion for another stunning fireworks
display. The grand finale just keeps getting more…grand!
Safety First. Chris Johnson, Reserve EMT and Firefighter,
reports on important classes here in town. The HRFA routinely
conducts CPR classes each month on the second Saturday from 9 a.m.
to noon. “They are Red Cross compliant and conducted by our Reserve
staff,” advised Chris. Cost is $30 per person. They are also
offering a new “Basic First Aid Class” on July 25 from 8 a.m. to
noon, at the Fire Station; cost is $40 per person. The class size
is limited, so sign up early. Call 431-3360 to reserve a spot.
Blog along with us. There’s a new blog about Healdsburg history.
Begun by Shonnie Brown (The Trib’s “Neighbors” columnist), it’s all
about personal Healdsburg stories and reminiscences. “It’s for
everyone in the community who wants to author or follow,” says
Shonnie. Current “authors” include Shonnie, Barbara Tuscany, Mary
Kelley, Al Loebel and moi. Recent posts include tales about the old
Aven and Plaza theaters, playing on the River and Farmers’ Market.
Read, write or both; the “blog” process is easy and Shonnie is
happy to assist you. Link through http://healdsburghistory.blogspot.com.
The Museum’s new Executive Director, Sue Ross, was officially
welcomed to town at a recent Members’ Reception. Hosted by the
Museum’s Board of Directors and the Historical Society, it was also
a chance to view the “Color, Craft and Comfort” quilt exhibit, on
display through August 19. Sue announced that the Museum is getting
ready to embark on an endowment campaign, an “essential step for
sustainability.” Funds would also enable the Museum to bring in new
technology. There’s an interactive kiosk now, and she hopes to
redesign the Museum web site so visitors can see and hear a virtual
tour. Also, Sue would like to build an on-line research library.
More prosaically, there is a need for additional storage space. Sue
and her fiancé, Dr. Charles Elias, live in Marin County now but
plan to head north toward the ’Burg.
Co-op event. Wine Librarian Bo Simons spoke at the Museum
reception about a joint Museum/Wine Library event at Cellar No. 8,
Asti Winery (the former Italian Swiss Colony) on July 18, from 4 to
8 p.m. Author Vivienne Sosnowski will be there speaking and
autographing copies of her book, “When the Rivers Ran Red,” about
local winegrowers during Prohibition. Vivienne is a former editor
of the S.F. Examiner and Bo advised that the book has received
great press and is “number seven on the Chronicle’s best-seller
list.” There will be a tour of the winery, wine tasting and hors
d’oeuvres by Costeaux. Call 431-7663 for ticket info.
If you attend a Summer Rep Theater (SRT) performance in Santa
Rosa this season, flip to the back of the program and look under
“Orchestra.” Local Scott Decker (son of Mark and Peggy Decker)
plays the guitar for performances of “The Wedding Singer.” Scott is
a music major at Sonoma State.
To celebrate the dog days of summer…go to the Mutt Lynch Winery
Open House at 602 Limerick Lane, August 8th and 9th from 11 a.m. to
5 p.m. They’ll be celebrating “all things dog.” Humans and dogs are
both welcome. There will be wine tasting, dog art by local artists,
Polaroid dog portraits and a BBQ lunch that will please humans and
canines. All admission receipts and 10 percent of proceeds will be
donated to the Healdsburg Animal Shelter. $10 admission; dogs
welcome for free. Visit www.muttlynchwinery.com or
call 942-8167.
Congratulations and “happy retirement” to Anita Thrall. Anita
was the friendly and competent front-desk person at Healdsburg
District Hospital for…42 1/2 years! (No, this is NOT a typo!) “I
almost made it to 43 years,” laughed Anita. We wish her all the
best…and good luck in her card games!
If Tuesday evening concerts alone don’t satiate your musical
palate, wander downtown to the Jazz on the Patio series at
Murphy-Goode, 20 Matheson Street. Sip “goode” wine while listening
to “goode” jazz every Friday from 5 to 7:30 p.m. through August
14th.
Another taste of summer can be found at Farmers’ Market. Perch
on a bench and take in the sights, sounds and smells of the
Saturday Farmers’ Market. That sweet-earthy farm perfume permeates
the stalls. On a recent Saturday, a bluegrass band, The
Moonshiners, played “In the sweet by and by…” as folks strolled
along (their “fiddler” also performs with the S.R. Symphony). For
sale were cherries, apricots and Dry Creek peaches. Lavender wafted
down the aisles, capturing visitors and drawing them up past posies
of every hue. Boysenberries and eggs were friendly booth neighbors.
There were tidy patty pan squash…or “grow-your-own” plants. The
Master Gardeners there can give you an assist.
Is it hammock season yet? Send summer news to

id*******@hg*****.com











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Marie Butler is a freelance writer and a full-time Healdsburg
resident for over 21 years. Growing up, she spent summers at her
family’s Del Rio Woods home and had an Idlewood number.