idlewood 3…

March came in like a soggy lamb. Will the end of the month be
lion-ish? Wind, rain, fog, sun…we have it all (and sometimes in the
same day). Send your spring news to “IDlewood 3…” – your who, what,
where column. Hedda Healdsburg wants to know what’s blooming.
The Chamber’s annual Trade Show at the Villa was a big hit and
the usual “see and be seen” event. The booths were colorful and
upbeat, going along with the show’s green and gold theme of
prosperity: “The Economy’s on the mend, Lead the trend.” Attendees
were greeted by cheerful Chamber volunteers and received a “green”
tote bag from Big John’s and a travel mug from Costeaux when they
entered. There was an assortment of silent auction treasures in the
lobby. Besides the wine tours, dinners, and luscious-laden gift
baskets, a 1960s-style “Deep Purple” poster from Bob Johnson Art
Gallery and a Japanese maple tree from Healdsburg Nursery created a
buzz. All in all, it was a mellow but happy crowd. A Chamber alum
group chatted near the main entrance while Rotarian movers and
shakers visited in the East Wing. Soroptimists and Kiwanis also
made a showing. There was a long line at Big John’s food booth,
winding past the Frank Howard Allen and the Museum displays. Big
John’s showcased their catering menu and had abundant samples of
lamb and roasted veggie meatballs, cheeses, charcuterie meats and
more. Bear Republic brought a hot artichoke and spinach dip (and
beer, naturally). DL Catering served crostini with blue-cheese
mousse and dried apricots. “DL” (Dan Lucia) is the son of Chamber
Treasurer Cindi Brown of North Coast Bank. Affronti featured
crostini with a white bean topping and had info on musical and art
events at the restaurant (they took over the old Palette Art Cafe
spot on Healdsburg Avenue). Mike Matson of Vintage Valley Catering
previewed pork belly with peach compote hors d’oeuvres that he
planned to serve at Charlie Palmer’s “Pigs and Pinot” event.
Congratulations are in order to Mike and his wife, Melissa; they’re
expecting a baby boy in June. Locals Mary and Harry Jackson summed
up the night’s event. Said Mary, “We’ve been coming for five or six
years in a row and it’s always fun. We were just at Big John’s
booth; you don’t need dinner!” She claimed, “It’s a chance to visit
and see people. And, with the shuttle, you don’t even have to
drive.”
Congratulations, too, to Kent Mitchell and family. Identical
twin girls were born to his son and daughter-in-law, Jonah and Beth
Mitchell. Proud grandpa Kent relates, “Valentina and Natalia join
their older sister, Francesca.” He looks forward to his babysitting
assignments and spending time with the “girls.” It is reported that
he is brushing up on his diaper-changing skills!
Easter Bunny time. The Annual Rotary Easter Egg Hunt takes place
on Saturday, April 3, 9 a.m. at Fitch Mtn. School. Hundreds of dyed
eggs, Easter eggs, candy from Powell’s Sweet Shoppe and gift
certificates from McDonald’s will be given away. Three bicycles,
courtesy of Spoke Folk Cyclery, will also be raffled. Parents —
bring your cameras. The Easter Bunny will be there for photo ops
and to give away goodies. Don’t miss it!
Michel-Schlumberger Wine Estates presents an exhibit of
paintings by local artist Jerry Anderson, now through April 14th. A
reception will be on March 21, from 1-4 p.m. at the winery, 4155
Wine Creek Road. Jerry’s largely abstract art is influenced by his
study and practice of various religions, philosophy, and
psychology, as well as architecture, dance and music. Joyce Powers,
another local artist and a docent at Plaza Arts Center, adds, “And,
Jerry is a great guy and a supporter of just about everything in
town!” Call 433-7427 or see Jerry’s website at www.geraldandersonart.com.
Speaking of art, Plaza Arts Center is changing its name on April
1 to Healdsburg Center for the Arts, to better reflect its role as
Healdsburg’s non-profit community art center. Look for their new
logo.
Your new Mr. Healdsburg. Congratulations to Mr. Healdsburg 2010,
Michael Bairdsmith. Mike was recently crowned the winner at the
Raven’s annual pageant spoof. He and his wife, Erin (a local dental
hygienist), and their baby son, Liam, live here in town. Mike had
attended the event with Erin two years ago and was impressed by it.
When this year’s competition came around, he decided to enter. Or
rather, “my wife made me do it,” he laughed. “She’s been very
supportive,” he added. For the talent portion of the competition,
Mike performed a juggling act. “I was a very bored kid, so I taught
myself to juggle. I thought it would be neat,” he advised. The
first order of business in his new role will be to lead the St.
Patrick’s Day Parade on March 17 from the B&B Lounge to the
Plaza. “I’ll be there.” Mike said. Noting the early hour of the
parade, he added, “I’ll have a warm cape to wear!” He heads right
to work afterward, to Geyser Peak Winery. Introduce yourself to him
at the parade; Mike will be the guy in the crown and non-green,
warm cape.
Meanwhile, Xerxes Whitney, the outgoing (literally and
figuratively) Mr. Healdsburg 2009, presented his “Top Ten List” of
why it was great to be Mr. Healdsburg. Some of the reasons he cited
were: “lots of attention from the ladies; could wear the crown
whenever I wanted; and did I mention all the attention from the
ladies?” There were a few down sides, evidently, too. Xerxes also
had a list of reasons why it wasn’t good to be the title-holder.
Included there were: “I never got my parking spot; it was hard work
fending off all those women; and, people thinking I was the
Imperial Margarine Spokesman (worse yet, thought I worked at Burger
King).” Thanks, Xerxes, for a great reign!
Browsing for books? Then, hit the Friends of the Healdsburg
Library Book Sale on March 18th and 19th. Besides a wide array of
books, there will be DVDs, CDs, books on tape and more. Don’t miss
the $5 “bag sale” on Saturday, from 2-4 p.m. Teachers can receive
one bag of books free, from 3-4 p.m. Call 433-3772 for more
info.
More good buys. It’s time for the Downtown Business District’s
springtime Sidewalk Sales, March 19 through 21. Wander, browse,
shop. Call 433-6935 for details.
Planning (and planting) ahead…the Healdsburg Garden Club’s Plant
Sale and Luncheon will be held on May 2 at the Villa. Club members
have been hard at work cultivating hundreds of plants in support of
this fund-raising event. A fabulous homemade lunch will be also
available for purchase. Proceeds benefit a scholarship fund for
future horticulturists.
Young Sophia Barwick, age seven, was a recent “Pick of the Week”
artist in the Press Democrat. Her lovely drawing was entitled
“Egg-stravagant” and featured two top-drawer, well-dressed eggs,
with a blue poodle. Sophia is a second-grader at Alexander Valley
School and does have a dog, but not a blue one. “We have a black
lab, named Ruby,” she said. While she doesn’t know if she’ll be
entering other contests, Sophia said that she does enjoy drawing.
“I like to draw people and animals,” she advised. When asked if her
classmates had seen her winning drawing, Sophia replied “yes.” “My
brother’s kindergarten teacher brought it to school, so my class
and teacher got to see it.” Egg-cellent!
St. John’s Italian Catholic Federation Branch #52 is celebrating
its 75th Anniversary with a dinner-dance on April 24 at the St.
John’s Activity Center. A special, invited guest will be Lou
Foppiano, the only remaining charter member of the organization.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children. For information,
call 577-7966 or 523-2579.
Is your club or organization celebrating a milestone? Hooray! Do
send details to [email protected].
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.