Healdsburg, CA

Healdsburg jeweler returns missing brooch

lcastrone — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:35:37 +0000

After Dominica Catelli’s heirloom jewelry was mistakenly sold at a garage sale last month, her husband Michael has been trying to recover the pieces.

First off Michael put an ad in the same place he put the garage sale ad asking for people to return the family heirlooms.

Phyllis and Judy from Cloverdale called Michael with Nonnie’s ring. Hugs and tears were exchanged and Catelli felt grateful to have the ring back.

Weeks went by before a Healdsburg resident, who preferred to remain nameless, got in touch and returned a few more pieces, but still not recovered was the cherished brooch.

By this time Catelli had all but given up any hopes of ever seeing the brooch again.

Press Democrat writer Chris Smith told her story in last Sunday’s column.

Greg Meier, owner of Jeweler’s Studio, 412 Healdsburg Avenue #B 431-8756, noticed the brooch as soon as a local brought it in to sell.

Meier immediately got in contact with Catelli.

Dominica was reunited with her pin at Jewelers Studio yesterday.

Many costume jewelry pieces were sold mistakenly as well. If you think you may have bought one of Dominica’s treasures, stop into Catelli’s Restaurant, 21047 Geyserville Avenue.

Sonoma County Fairs offers chance to earn free tickets

acarranza — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:00:24 +0000

Sonoma County Fair offers ‘Home Spun Fun’ in July and August. (Photo: Sonoma County Fair.)

Entering a pre-fair contest may be your ticket into the upcoming Sonoma County Fair. The 2013 theme is Home Spun Fun. The annual event takes place at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds from July 25 – August 11, and will be closed on Mondays.

Pre-fair contests are open to all-ages with select contests reserved for children in grades K-6^th. Check the contest entry form for details. All entries will be displayed at the Fair. Only one pass per person will be issued.

Contests for All Ages

Create a “Home Spun Fun” Sampler: Use crayons, colored pencils or felt pens to color your own version of this year’s Fair logo.

Coloring Contest: Get out your felt pens or crayons and color this year’s Fair poster! This contest is for adults and kids. You can win tickets and t-shirts.

A Letter from Hogwarts: Attention Harry Potter fans! Pretend that you are a student at Hogwarts and write a letter to send home. Create your entry on a computer or write it out by hand – just make sure the judges can read it!

Contests Just for Kids

Fair Fun on a Budget: Figure out the best way to spend $25 at the Fair and you could win the cash and free Fair tickets.

Reading and Riding: Helm & Sons Amusements (the people who bring the carnival to the Fair) is offering a special reward to Sonoma County kids who read extra books between March 21 and June 21.

Design a Sticker: Design a sticker with the Fair theme and win $100! The winning stickers will be printed by Santa Rosa Label Co.

Entries must be postmarked or hand delivered to the fairgrounds, 1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa, by June 21.

Download entry forms at Sonomacountyfair.com or call 545-4200 ext 202 for more information.

What’s In Store: ret.ro.fit HOME joins Healdsburg Bath and Body

acarranza — Wed, 22 May 2013 05:48:41 +0000

Michelle Schultz (l) of ret.ro.fit HOME and Yen Chesley of Healdsburg Bath & Body share a laugh.

When Healdsburg Bath & Body owner, Yen Chesley, found out that there was going to yet another change to her storefront business, she knew she had to do something to find a new partner to share tenancy.

As all savvy young entrepreneurs do, she turned to social media to get the word out. From the Healdsburg Bath & Body Facebook page, she posted on her timeline that she was looking for someone to share the store.

Enter Michelle Schultz, owner of ret.ro.fit HOME. The two women met at Geyserville Vintage when both vendors spent some time in the collective, and they were Facebook friends. Schultz recently decided she wanted to make more retail contact, so four days later, she answered Chesley’s call.

Healdsburg Bath & Body has been in business since 2010. Chesley’s line of products include Shea butter creams and olive oil lotions, as well as scented candles and soaps. While she originally sold primarily through house parties and local events, she also picked up a few wholesale clients, including Medlock Ames and the Camellia Inn.

Chesley took part in a “pop-up store” during the holiday season that year, then returned to the Healdsburg Farmers’ Market in the spring of 2011, with her local, handcrafted toiletries. Still wanting a retail presence, Healdsburg Bath & Body was first located inside Indulgence, then shared space with the Om Zone at 336 Center St.

More changes were in store for Healdsburg Bath & Body. Through the early days, partner Lisa Phipps was the soapmaker, while Chesney did most of the marketing. However, Phipps accepted a job at Fitch Mountain School in September, leaving the business.

The decision by the owner of the Om Zone to close her portion of the shop, led to Chesley’s Facebook plea.

“Sharing works for both of us because we have young children,” said Chesley. Both women have four-and-a-half-year old children. Chesley a daughter, Savannah, and Schultz a son, Logan.

Chesley’s focus for her bath products is on the local supply chain. She uses Benzinger and other small producer olive oils. She donates plants to West Side and Geyserville Elementary schools and they harvest botanicals and roses for her products. Locally grown lemon balm, lavender, roses, rosemary and mint are included in her product line.

“I make sure I get any palm oil I use from sustainably farmed palms,” Chesley said.

Chesley has two older children, Martin, 19, who is in the Air Force and Angelica, 18, who currently works at the Wurst but plans on joining the Air Force when she graduates from high school. Family is important to both women.

“We share the space in order to have time for our families,” reiterates Schultz.

For her part of the business, ret.ro.fit HOME is about “retrofitting” furniture that has a story to be reused. “It’s about repurposing,” said Schultz. “The pieces speak to me as I work.

“I look for furniture that has a certain style or lines I like,” Schultz explained. “I find pieces with a story that have life in them.”

She has both collectibles and furniture, and she says that every piece in the store has a story.

A soft-spoken Virginian originally, she moved to Healdsburg in 1998 to do an internship at the Veterans’ Home in Yountville. She had friends in Healdsburg, which made it a natural choice for her home.

“I realized, after my internship, that I didn’t earn enough to live here,” she said. So she went to work at Quivira as their hospitality manager. While she worked there, she hired her future husband to work there.

Now, both women and their two young children are all friends.

“Logan and Savannah will go to KinderPrep [a two-year Kindergarten program] in the fall,” said Schultz.

“I stayed at home with my son,” she continued, “but I wanted to do what I loved. I have a small studio at home.”

“She has one of everything at home,” interjected Chesley. The woman laughed.

“Michelle doesn’t put a price tag on something she doesn’t want to sell,” she outs her friend and business partner.

On top of their blended businesses, Chesley and Schultz host local artists in the store, including soap dishes, terrariums and other art work.

“We both have the philosophy to support members of the community,” said Chesley, as Schultz nodded. “We want people to come, stay and look.”

“I try to curate the merchandise, to show how it might work in your home,” Schultz stated. “These are hand-selected pieces. I like to know the pieces are going to good homes – that’s how heirlooms come to be.

“Men often stand outside, but we want them to know we have stuff for them, too,” she continued. She gestured at a 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass chrome bumper.

Echoing Chesley’s earlier eco-creds, Schultz said she sands the furniture rather than using any kind of volatile strippers that may harm the environment.

“The business is doing well,” said Chesley. “We’re getting a lot of local support. We have a community referral board, too. Locals can leave business cards at the store.

Chesley ships her bath products all over the United States. ret.ro.fit HOME and Healdsburg Bath & Body are located at 336 Center St.

For more information call 696-0328 or on facebook.com/HealdsburgBathandBody or facebook.com/ret.ro.fitHOME

MacMurray mementos on display at Healdsburg museum

acarranza — Tue, 21 May 2013 07:11:52 +0000

Kate MacMurray’s favorite memento of her parents-their engagement photograph.

Kate MacMurray’s ready laugh echoed off the museum’s walls as she told tales of her parents’ lives. Her illustrious progenitors, actors June Haver and Fred MacMurray, also operated Twin Valley Ranch, an award-winning black Angus cattle ranch, for 55 years.

On Wednesday, May 15, the Healdsburg Museum launched its newest exhibit, “The Movie Stars Next Door: Fred MacMurray, June Haver, and the MacMurray Ranch.” Museum curator Holly Hoods, joined by Kate MacMurray, introduced attendees to the exhibit, and spoke of the history behind the artifacts.

“My parents never memorialized themselves, but after Mother passed away,” said Kate MacMurray, “[we realized] they’d kept everything.”

While Haver gave up her acting career to raise their adopted twin daughters, Fred MacMurray belonged to the moviegoers and TV-watchers of the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. To Kate, though, they were Mother and Daddy.

Both grew up in the Midwest, made Hollywood their working base, “but Healdsburg was their home,” said Kate.

Kate MacMurray remembers her famous parents, June Haver and Fred MacMurray.

Her favorite artifact in the show is a photo, encased in a heart-shaped silver frame, of her parents’ engagement, where Fred MacMurray holds June Haver’s hand, showing off her engagement ring. Behind and above that photo, is their wedding picture.

“Wayne [actor John Wayne] sent that telegram,” said Kate MacMurray, gesturing to the framed Western Union document. “A separate one to each of my parents, with the intent to get them together.” The ploy obviously worked.

While the family donated most of the film memorabilia to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, they still had 48 boxes of photos and other artifacts that now belong to the Fred and June MacMurray Foundation.

The exhibit includes “Angie,” a full-sized black Angus replica, enlarged and reproduced black and white photos, Fred MacMurray’s fishing equipment and more.

Fred MacMurray passed away in 1991 and June Haver in 2005. The family sold the Twin Valley Ranch to Gallo in 1996, with the stipulation the land be kept in agriculture. Kate MacMurray is spokeswoman for MacMurray Ranch Wines, one of Gallo’s brands.

In addition to sharing the pieces with the Healdsburg Museum for the exhibit, the Foundation contributed funds to update the museum showcases with Plexiglas protectors, allowing visitors to intimately view the displays, while protecting the valuable belongings from damage.

The Healdsburg Museum, 221 Matheson St. is open Wednesday – Sunday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. For more information call 431-3325 or on the web at healdsburgmuseum.org/

Healdsburg merchants brace for downtown street, sidewalk project

lcastrone — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:56:51 +0000

Artist’s rendering of planned streetscape improvements in downtown Healdsburg.

By CLARK MASON / The Press Democrat

Merchants along a couple-block stretch in downtown Healdsburg are bracing for a street and sidewalk improvement project starting next month and its impact on business.

The work along Center Street and North streets just up from the Healdsburg Plaza is expected to take four months and create a number of enhancements: slightly wider sidewalks in places, benches, landscaping and new street paving.

Merchants look forward to the end result, but not the disruption.

Some got a preview of the negative effect last year when the city did the first phase of work installing new storm drains and water and sewer lines.

“Last year it was brutal during lunch hours,” said Jeff Mall, chef-owner of Zin Restaurant.

He said business was down 60 percent because of construction outside his place on Center Street. But he also knows there will be an upside.

“It’s a double-edged sword. We really are excited about it. When it get’s done we will get a pocket park, new sidewalks and streets, and parking will be changed,” he said.

Jason Soderquist, owner of Plaza Paint and Supply, dreads what tearing up the sidewalk will do to his Center Street store.

“It’s going to disrupt business tremendously,” he said. “I understand the project is important to everyone and needs to happen. I’m not thrilled with how it was represented to us and how it was pushed forward.”

Healdsburg Senior Civil Engineer Mario Landeros said the city held a series of meetings with business owners an an attempt to accommodate their concerns.

For example the work will occur only Monday through Thursday to lessen the impact on tourists who arrive early for the weekend.

And to be more effective on days when construction occurs, he said the start time will be a little earlier than usual, beginning at 6:30 a.m. and going until 5:30 p.m.

Landeros said the contractor will be limited to taking out sidewalks “only to the amount they can replace the following day.”

Despite attempts to minimize impacts, he acknowledged “it will still be noisy. We can’t deny that. It will still be a construction site.”

The City Council this month approved the expenditure of $1.7 million from remaining redevelopment bond proceeds for the cost of the “streetscape” improvements.

The work will take place on Center Street, between Plaza to North streets, and on North Street between Center and Healdsburg Avenue.

The money was derived from bonds issued prior to the state’s dissolution of redevelopment agencies.

The City Council resolution covers a $1.3 million contract with Ghilotti Construction Co. of Santa Rosa, along with additional contingency fees, plan specifications and preparations, city staff time and installation of electrical services.

Landeros said the city hopes to start construction the first or second week of June. “I’d like to see the entire project completed by the end of October,” he said.

Despite the city’s attempts to keep the work minimally invasive, Mall of Zin Restaurant said it can’t help but be a customer deterrent.

“When people are down on the Square or want to come to your business and they see giant munching machines, jackhammers and earth-movers, it says ‘that’s not safe, let’s go elsewhere,’” he said.

Paint store owner Soderquist said he would have preferred to see the work done faster with longer hours of construction and more days of the week. But he has loyal customers and hopes to lessen the hit to his business by delivering paint to them.

He said the construction comes at a bad time, as he is emerging from recession and as things pick up for the summer. But if merchants can make it through, he said it will be worth it.

“When it’s all said and done, it will be beautified and made nicer. It will be great,” Soderquist said.

(You can reach Staff Writer Clark Mason at 521-5214 or clark.mason@pressdemocrat.com.)

The ‘Summer of Rock’ (camp)

acarranza — Sun, 19 May 2013 19:00:17 +0000

Ron Charlesworth at Speed of Sound Music in Healdsburg.

For budding musicians there’s an exciting new camp opportunity in the heart of Healdsburg—the Summer of Rock Camp. Students will learn the components of playing in a band—rock, pop and/or folk—from backstage through center stage.

The camps, which are structured by age, will be given by Speed of Sound Music owner, Ron Charlesworth, in his Healdsburg Avenue music store and production studio.

“Students will study musicianship, songwriting, promoting their talent while working as a group,” said Charlesworth. “They will have a rockin’ summer to remember.” Students will participate in a grand finale of a performance.

Class size is limited to ensure the quality of instruction.

Ages 6 – 9: June 11 – 21 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Ages 10 – 13: June 11 – 21 1:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Instruction, snacks, a tee shirt and a recording of the performance are included in the $250 tuition for the above two classes. Classes run Tuesday through Friday each week for two consecutive weeks.

Teens (14 and over): June 24 – 28, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Instruction, meals, tee shirt and a recording of the performance is included in the $265 tuition.

Charlesworth suggests early sign-ups due to the limited slots. Speed of Sound Music is located at 452B Healdsburg Ave. For more information, call 433-6843 or info@speedofsoundmusic.net or Speedofsoundmusic.net

The Week in Healdsburg: May 19 to 26

acarranza — Sun, 19 May 2013 13:00:27 +0000

Armando Montenegro (front) and brother Elias Montenegro ride in the 2012 Healdsburg Future Farmers Twilight Parade. (Photo: Ann Carranza.)

The biggie this week is the 64^th Annual Healdsburg Future Farmers Country Fair and Twilight Parade. The parade begins at 6 p.m., Thursday, May 23, at East and Matheson, turns north on Center to Piper, then to Fitch Street and back to Matheson and ends at University. The Country Fair runs after the parade Thursday evening, through Saturday, May 25. FFA and 4-H projects, livestock and more. More information: healdsburgfair.org/

Backyard chickens workshop at Preston Vineyards at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, May 19, 9282 W. Dry Creek Rd.. Sonoma poultry expert Nick Rupiper will share seven years’ chicken-raising experience. Topics include selecting breeds, egg laying, hatching and raising baby chicks, shelter, health and nutrition. Chickens in residence for hands-on experience. Tickets $20 and include a free wine tasting. Proceeds to support local youth programs. More information: 433-3372 prestonvineyards.com/

Healdsburg High School Class of 2013 Baccalaureate Service. Healdsburg Shared Ministries hosts the annual Baccalaureate service for the graduating seniors of local high schools, 7 p.m., Sunday, May 19 at the Healdsburg Community Church, 1100 University Street.

Grand Corsa Booster Club offers a wine country ride and gourmet lunch. Event begins at 8 a.m., Monday, May 20, from Arnot-Roberts, 33 Healdsburg Ave. Non-members $120. The event will support youth cycling. More information: nationalmtb.org/about-2/programs/grancorsa/ Tickets: grancorsa.eventbrite.com/#

Sonoma County Library’s “Digital Petting Zoo.” Learn how to check out free e-books on iPad, Nook, Kindle, smartphone, and other e-readers. Bring your own or learn on the library’s. 7 – 8 p.m., Wednesday, May 22, at the Healdsburg Regional Library, 139 Piper St. More information: 433-3772

Relish Culinary Center presents a “Spanish tapas party,” from 6 – 9 p.m., Friday, May 24. Chef Ciara Meaney. “Tapas are shared ‘small plates’ of flavorful hot and cold dishes.” $92. Relish Culinary Adventures, 14 Matheson St. More information: 431-9999. On the web: relishculinary.com/

“The Movie Stars Next Door: Fred MacMurray, June Haver and the MacMurray Ranch” is thenewest exhibit at the Healdsburg Museum and Historical Society, 221 Matheson St. The exhibition runs through July 21. Free. More information: 431-3325 On the web: healdsburgmuseum.org/

The 14^th annual Healdsburg Literary Guild’s Graveside Reading of “reverent and irreverent poetry and prose,” at the tipsy fountain at Oak Mound Cemetery, 2 – 4 p.m., 601 Piper St. Free. All open mic event, sign-ups start at 1:30 p.m. More information: hbglitguild.org/

The 21^st annual Healdsburg Antiques Fair is Sunday, May 26, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., in the parking lot behind Bear Republic (enter from North Street). More than 60 booths of “antiques, collectibles and treasures.” Admission free. More information: Bill Weinstein 579-7772

‘Tea and Memories in the Rose Garden.” A day of remembrance in the rose garden. Place a personal message on the ‘Memorial Wishing Tree,’ or stroll through the gardens. Garden and nursery open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., May 25 – 27. 1685 Magnolia Dr. More information: 433-7455 russian-river-rose.com/

‘Art for Paws’ art show will be held in the Healdsburg Plaza 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. on May 25. Artists will donate a portion of their proceeds to the Healdsburg Animal Shelter. For more information redumbrellas.com.

Chamber announces ‘Women and Wealth’ seminar

acarranza — Sun, 19 May 2013 05:34:16 +0000

The Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce has announced “Women and Wealth: Creating a Strategy that Works for You,” a free seminar.

Ben Steward of Merrill Lynch will share “thoughts and ideas on money, investing, risk and how they relate” to women’s lives and their financial security. He will cover a variety of topics including investing, philanthropy, retirement, caregiving and estate planning during a continental breakfast.

The seminar will start at 8:30 a.m., May 23, in the Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce conference room, 217 Healdsburg Ave. Please RSVP to 433-6935

‘Vamos a Nadar’ celebrates 10 years of swimming safety

acarranza — Sat, 18 May 2013 22:50:53 +0000

Vamos a Nadar (Let’s Go Swimming) returns for its tenth year with a goal of offering water safety classes to 300 Hispanic children and their parents. The program began in 2004, in response to a number of drownings in the Spanish-speaking community.

During the past nine years, Vamos a Nadar has reached more than 2000 children and their parents, helping to keep the Spanish-speaking community safer around rivers, lakes and pools.

In Healdsburg, Vamos a Nadar will take place on Saturday, June 8 from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the Healdsburg Swim Center, 360 Monte Vista Ave.

From the Sonoma County Red Cross:

The free bilingual program includes swim classes in the pool for children, water safety lectures for parents, and demonstration of lifesaving techniques. Upon completion of the class, children will receive coupons for a two-week course of swim lessons. Each family pays $15 per student for those classes, rather than $40 to $55, which is the price at pools throughout the county. With support from St. Joseph Health System, Red Cross makes up the difference in cost, to ensure that more students are able to afford these swimming classes that save lives. The coupons are accepted at several locations throughout the counties.

Vamos a Nadar, by bringing together water safety professionals, plus members of the Hispanic community, aims to counteract the causes of such tragedies:

The cost of pools compared to free lakes and rivers

Shortage of bilingual lifeguards

More Hispanic residents who live closer to water but haven’t learned water safety

Prevalence of English-only warning and safety signs at rivers and lakes

Swimming is not generally a recreational priority for this community, so few qualify to train as lifeguards.

For more information or to register contact the American Red Cross, Sonoma, Mendocino & Lake Counties 577-7624 or redcross.org/sonomacounty.

Online auction open for bids

acarranza — Sat, 18 May 2013 04:43:49 +0000

An online auction runs in conjunction with “Opera in the Garden.”

The Healdsburg Center for the Arts has announced an upcoming fundraising event “Opera in the Garden.” In conjunction with the event, HCA is holding an online auction that started on May 10 and will run through June 19. Small paintings and sculptures by well-known local artists are ready for auction. Please visit healdsburgcenterforthearts.com to place a bid. All proceeds benefit the Healdsburg Center for the Arts.

For more information: info@healdsburgcenterforthearts.com or 707-431-1970