Let us ring in the new year with goodwill. Thank you to all in the ‘Burg who step up quietly to aid their fellow citizens (and animals) in our community. Please keep sending info to IDlewood 3…” at id*******@hb*****.com. “Hedda Healdsburg” wants to know all. See you in 2019.
There is a consort of Nutcrackers at Costeaux. This display is the largest north of San Francisco, so we hear. Wander in before Christmas, take in the multitude and guess the number seen to win a prize.
While there, ooh and ahh at all of the downtown sights. Businesses have bedecked their windows with holiday cheer. Which one is your favorite? There is a contest now through Dec. 24. Just go to the Chamber of Commerce website (or check out their Facebook page) and vote for your fave holiday-inspired window.
Congrats to the Healdsburg Kiwanis on their 95th anniversary, celebrated on Nov. 27 at the Villa Annex. Member Terry Kemp said, “It was well attended. Dick Bugarske posted old Kiwanis articles on the walls. It was fun!” She advised that there are about 65 members now, ranging in age from their 20s to 90s. New this next year, there will be four presidents, in rotation. “It’s a way to share the load,” Kemp added.
It’s finished! An evening ribbon-cutting was held recently for our completed roundabout project. The celebration was held in the new mini-park (complete with benches and strung with lights) alongside the west edge of the roundabout, near Parish Café. City officials and council members past and present were in attendance, along with a sizable group of citizens braving the winter chill. City Manager David Mickaelian thanked everyone who worked on it, the public for their patience, and nearby merchants. Our Literary Laureate Russ Messing recited his poem for the occasion. At the moment the red ribbon was cut, the music played forth: “Get Around,” by the Beach Boys. A more formal celebration will be in the spring.
The Humane Society of Sonoma County Healdsburg is hosting a giftwrapping “Wrap for Paws” at 106B Matheson Street through Dec. 23. Bring your presents and volunteers will wrap and bow them. Shelter volunteer Colleen Walsh helped to organize the event. “We used to do this at the Dog House,” she said. “Since that shop closed, Dustin Valette, who owns this space, lets us use it for free.” Donations accepted.
The Sonoma County Chabad Jewish Center held a Chanukah celebration on Dec. 3, the second day of the festival, at Oakville Grocery. A five-piece band played and a crowd gathered by an oversized blow-up dreidel. Rabbi Wolvovsky quizzed the children on the miracle of the oil. Candles were shared and flickered in the winter night. The rabbi said a prayer about increasing the warmth and light and practicing kindness and gratitude. The evening concluded with latkes, refreshments and music.
The annual holiday boutique at Healdsburg Senior Living was well attended, in spite of the rain. About 60 vendors lined the hallways and Santa and an accompanying elf brought cheer. A 13-piece ukulele group provided rousing and jingly songs. Brunch and a delicious luncheon were served to those seeking sustenance from shopping. Folks could purchase ornaments, olive oil, jams, unicorn hairclips, succulents in tea cups, felted doggies — and even adopt real doggies. The event was a benefit for Green Dog Rescue, and volunteers carried and walked the six dogs up for adoption that day; at least two dogs found homes. Green Dog Director, Colleen Combs, advised that one of the pretty pups, Gigi, was rescued from the Camp Fire.
More about Green Dog: the staff has been invited to Japan in January and Bulgaria in April to share their successful non-kennel shelter model.
Six lovely inns opened their wreathed doors to the public for the Historic Inns Tour. Cookies, live music and twinkling lights greeted guests at the elegant Queen Anne, Italianate and Victorian inns. Participating were: River Belle Inn, Haydon Street Inn, Camellia Inn, Grape Leaf Inn, Calderwood Inn and Bella Luna Inn. Donations of canned goods were accepted for the Food Pantry.
Marie Butler is a freelance writer and a full-time Healdsburg resident for over 31 years. Growing up, she spent delightful summers at her family’s Del Rio Woods home and had an Idlewood phone number. She is the author of “Herbie – A Toy’s Adventures in Healdsburg,” and various articles about our area.
