idlewood 3…

‘Tis the season
Jack Frost must love us; he’s been a regular visitor to our little town. Brrr. If you have wintery news items, please send them to “IDlewood 3…” – your “who, what, where” column, at id*******@hb*****.com. “Hedda Healdsburg” wants to know all!
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Have you heard that Whitney Hopkins is returning to the Healdsburg Museum? Yes, it is true. Curator Holly Hoods confirms that Whitney is coming back at the end of January.  She will take over the assistant curator position vacated by Meredith Dreisback.  
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While you are shopping local for gifts, remember to stop by Healdsburg Center for the Arts on Plaza Street for their “Art for the Holidays” annual gift gallery, now through Dec. 31. A variety of items are available including ceramics, glass, jewelry, paintings and more.
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It’s been cold enough, so just “Let it Snow” – at least at the City’s Parks and Rec “Snow-Day” event, Dec. 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Healdsburg Community Center. Kids will enjoy a fun-filled day, explore a variety of “snow” materials, make beautiful snowflakes and snowmen crafts, then warm up with stories and hot cocoa. Fee is $25; go to healdsburgparksandrec.org to register.
For the parents, Parks and Rec is offering a Holiday Drop ‘N’ Shop, on Saturday, Dec. 21. The recreation staff members are providing a full day of fun and affordable childcare, giving parents some much needed time for holiday tasks. Check out healdsburgparksandrec.org for more details.
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Are you dreaming of a new office or guesthouse as a Christmas gift? Well, Healdsburg High School’s CASA program still has that fabulous and compact tiny house for sale. At 89-square-feet, this tiny house may not fit in a stocking, though. It was built by HHS students and is for sale at the bargain price of $29,000 or best offer. It has high-end finishes and appliances. Selling it will allow students to fund the high school construction program for another year, which will include building another tiny house. Similar homes sell for around $45,000. Call 206-1867 or real estate broker Mike Downes at 331-8822.
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“Christmas on the Ranch” has arrived at the Healdsburg Museum. Inspired by the current “Farm to Table” exhibit, this year’s displays feature agricultural toys of the 1900s-1970s. Visitors will find an outdoor snow scene complete with a paper maché snowman, a 1950s ranch house living room all decorated for Christmas, as well as loads of authentic antique mini-pedal tractors, wagons and steam shovels. Another highlight is Nydia Goode’s extraordinary Victorian dollhouse, decorated for Christmas. The exhibit also features some new, special “hands-on” toys and activities that young visitors can play with. Stop by Wednesday through Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is always free.  
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Gents of Healdsburg – attention. Carol Noack, in charge of the Mr. Healdsburg Pageant, is looking for a few good men – like you. The show date is Feb. 22. Carol says, “Contestants must be 21 or older, and talent is not necessary…and often not even much help!” The annual show is wildly fun and a fundraiser for the Raven. All interested parties should email ca*********@ra**********.org.
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If sitting by a fireplace in a local winery tasting room sounds cozy right about now, then do mark your calendar for the Wine Road’s 22nd annual Winter Wineland, on Jan. 18 and 19, 2014, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. This is a great opportunity to meet winemakers, taste limited production wines, new releases or library wines. All wineries will have something on sale that weekend! See more at www.wineroad.com.
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After 11 years, Relish Culinary Center’s Kid’s Holiday Treats Workshop is still going strong. On Dec. 23, 1 – 3 p.m., kids ages 8-12 will create a variety of seasonal goodies from scratch, plus decorate a take-home goodie box. See www.relishculinary.com for more delicious details.
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Santa has been everywhere in town: the downtown Holiday Party, St. John’s, Costeaux … and now YOU can play Santa. There are many worthy organizations here collecting food, toys, warm coats and supplies for those in need. The Food Pantry is accepting donations and many local churches have Giving Trees for gift items or baskets in which to deposit food. The list goes on. We think we even spotted all-around-good-sport and volunteer Jodie Wilson ringing a Salvation Army bell outside of Safeway. There are lots of opportunities and venues to contribute locally. ’Tis the season.
Marie Butler is a freelance writer and a full-time Healdsburg resident for over 25 years. Growing up, she spent delightful summers at her family’s Del Rio Woods home and had an Idlewood number. She is the author of the children’s book: “Herbie – A Toy’s Adventures in Healdsburg” and other stories and articles.