Squirrels are chattering, acorns are rattling off roofs. It’s autumn. Send your autumnal news to IDlewood 3…” at [email protected]. “Hedda Healdsburg” wants to know all.
The chamber’s annual Business Showcase & Community Resource Fair in the Plaza gave residents a chance to see what new (and older) businesses had to offer. Interspersed among the realtors, banks and politicians (it is an election year), were local nonprofits: Alliance Medical Center, Farm to Pantry, AAUW, Healdsburg Jazz Festival, Sunrise Rotary and other worthy organizations.
Attendees could get a glass of wine or beer and munch on tidbits such as eggrolls from 8 Dragons, Costeaux brownies, brie and crostini from the Big John’s booth, The Wurst sausages and other treats. City services encompassed one aisle and had fire helmets and giveaways for kids. The Dragonfly Floral booth had a stunning arrangement of dahlias and persimmons, a sure sign that fall is here. Live music was provided by Speed of Sound; the young performers were miniature but the music was mighty.
The annual Art Trails offered supporters a chance to visit local artists in their studios, be that a turn-of-the-century house, or industrial space. There were 145 artists participating throughout the county, and almost a dozen here in our area.
Willow LaLand-Yeilding opened her home to exhibit large oil and acrylic wine country landscapes and miniature etchings. “Sonoma County is very supportive of the arts and artists,” she said. Her talented young children also displayed delightful clay work.
Nancy Morgan’s ceramics had a whimsical twist, with hedgehog topped honey jars and fish fin vases. Her glazed and unglazed pieces are in rich turquoises and blues, pale greens and earthy rust tones. Dogs are an element that pop up, too.
Jenny-Lynn Hall’s massive mixed media plaster works and tiles are impressive. One table was made of a slice of redwood tree, while another held the bark under a glass surface. So much to see. Art Trails also runs this weekend, Oct. 20–21.
And farewell to Art After Dark. Part of Plaza Street was closed off for this event, the last of the season. As expected, all types of art and artists were represented: silk screening, jewelry, photography, painting, music and poetry. One of the highlights was the presentation of Mexican regional outfits; the clothing was stunning and varied in design and colors. Under the lights strung across the streets, children drew vivid chalk art paintings. See you next year, we hope.
The Healdsburg Fire Department hosted an open house the first Saturday in October. At the main bay doors, the flag was snapping in the wind, high atop a truck’s ladder. This was a family event, with kids excitedly trying on the (enormous) gear and helmets, and collecting stickers, books and learning about safety, too.
Eighteen-month old Reef and Callie Hallgrimson were there with mom Emily. The children are fourth generation Healdsburgers, Emily advised. “My grandfather was a firefighter, so this is a special day,” she added. Children received passports to take to various spots for stamping: Bell’s Ambulance, the Police Department, Sparky the fire dog, and more.
Speaking of dogs, Angelise Alexander, the Humane Society of Sonoma County’s Healdsburg Shelter Manager, was there with Indigo, a Schnauzer-terrier mixed with who-knows-what. The charming Indigo was attending as part of a new program between the firefighters and the shelter, called “A-Triple-F” for “Adopt a Furry Face Friend.” Each week, the shelter will bring an adoptable pet to the Fire Department for a photo op with the crew. Look for posts on social media.
Grandma’s Pumpkin Patch on the north end of Healdsburg Avenue is open. Also, as of this writing, the Community Church on University Street was planning a pumpkin patch through Halloween; all proceeds there to go to charity.
Not a Halloween spooky story. The weighty sculpture “Hammer” is still missing from its spot in front of the Healdsburg Community Center. A $1,000 reward has been offered for its retrieval. All puns aside … where is it?
The holiday calendar is already on the chamber website. Check it twice, so you don’t miss any of the open houses, trick or treating, the Dine Around or Santa. Go to https://www.healdsburg.com for details.
See you at the Pumpkin Festival and Howl-o-ween parade.
Marie Butler is a freelance writer and a full-time Healdsburg resident for over 30 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.
