After a soaking, blustery February, March trundled in like mild lamb. Does that mean it will roar out like a lion? Umbrellas or parasols in our future? Email your budding news items to IDlewood 3…” at id*******@hb*****.com. Idlewood was the original telephone exchange for Healdsburg. Now, “Hedda Healdsburg” wants to know all!
Transitions: our farmers’ market will have a new manager this year. Stop by and say hello to Janet Ciel when the market opens on Saturday, May 6 in the West Plaza; don’t miss the new starting time of 8:30 a.m. Janet created the Bodega Seafood, Art & Wine Festival, and has been involved with many other local events including the Wednesday night market in Santa Rosa. She said, “This is a dream job for me. I’m a huge farmers’ market fan and have gone to ones all over the world.” The Wednesday evening market will start June 7 and run from 4 to 7 p.m. this season. Janet is an enthusiastic supporter and has exciting plans for both markets, to be announced soon.
Leaving us is Lea Black, Senior Center Recreation Supervisor. Lea will be at the center until the end of April; then she is planning on taking time to focus more on her family. “I’ve made great friends here,” she said. “It’s been my pleasure to serve the community.” And, it’s been our pleasure to know Lea for the 20 years she has brightened the lives of many Healdsburgers.
A ceremony of gratitude was held recently at the Taste of Tea on North Street. Shinto priest, Rev. Koichi Barrish, conducted the traditional ceremony. He traveled from the Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America in Granite Falls, Washington to bless the shop on its two year anniversary in town. Cofounder and head chef Nez Tokugawa and his family sat in a front row; the restaurant was full and attendees also stood outside in the spring sunshine. The ceremony was conducted in Japanese, and the ancient words and prayers drifted out the stores’ open windows and door against the backdrop of 21st century commerce and traffic. When it concluded, the staff distributed delightful cream puffs to the guests. As another treat, on display in the back room was the Tokugawa family’s personal collection of “hina” dolls for Girls’ Day Festival. The festival, dating back to the eighth century, honors girls by praying for their health and happiness and by displaying dolls which represent the Imperial Court. The elaborate display is “about 90-years-old,” per Donna Tokugawa, and was seven tiers high. The dolls had all the miniature accoutrements that Imperial courtiers would need: music, wardrobes, ox carts, urns, arrows, an orange tree and more. It was exhibited through March 5 and then packed away for another year.
It’s “All in the Family,” at the current art show at the senior center. Adorning the walls in the dining area are watercolor works by the late Ronald E. Bean and his children Ron Bean and Suzanne Bean. Pastoral scenes, grazing sheep, China Camp, seascapes and rolling hills make up some of the themes. Suzanne’s sunflowers are a vibrant burst of orange and yellow. You will recognize Ron’s Plaza scene, with the tree towering over a familiar bench. Ronald’s Monterey harbor is a colorful sight. Additional paintings will be on display for the reception, to be held on March 24, from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
A new Mr. Healdsburg was anointed at the annual eponymous pageant and fundraiser held at the Raven Theater. The fun, raucous evening featured seven brave gents who competed in talent, beachwear and formalwear categories. The event theme was “Just a Bunch of Clowns,” and décor was circus meets polka-dots. Samantha Vega was the emcee and “ringmistress” for the evening event and she sported the appropriate jacket with silver fringe epaulets. Judges making the difficult decision and evaluating the talent were Ronnie Devitt, Katie Ambrosi, Valerie Cronin, Judy Everett and … moi. After much hubbub and cheering and huzzahs from the audience, a winner was chosen. Bravo to Mr. Bamboozeled, Aaron Hitt.
Congratulations to Rich Thomas, aka “Dr. Vine,” who received the Sonoma County Winegrowers 2017 Nick Frey Community Contribution Award. He was lauded as a “Revolutionary Sonoma County Viticulture Educator and Expert.”
Celebrity Sightings: rumor has it that singer and performer Britney Spears was spotted around and about during the recent Barrel Tasting weekend. We draw visitors from around the world — Denmark’s Minister of Commerce was also in the area recently, winetasting and bicycling.
Marie Butler is a freelance writer and a full-time Healdsburg resident for over 29 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 the children’s book “Herbie – A Toy’s Adventures in Healdsburg,” recent articles in Sonoma Discoveries magazine and other stories.
