Alexander Valley School with hold it’s 58th Annual Spaghetti Dinner and Auction on Saturday, March 1, at 5 p.m. The event will be held in the Alexander Valley Hall, 5512 Hwy. 128, Geyserville. The theme is “Around the World with AVS.”

The event is dedicated to the Wetzel family. They have been “the school’s philanthropic neighbor for over 50 years.”

The homemade spaghetti dinner and desserts will be prepared by Alexander Valley School parents and local wines will be poured. Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for children ages 5 – 12, and children four and under are free. Wine samples can be had through the purchase of a custom “go-vino” glass.

Live and silent auctions include merchandise provided by local businesses and wineries, as well as the students’ handmade projects. Other prizes include private, catered winery dinners, a one-week Alaskan adventure and more.  The live auction begins at 7 p.m., with 4th District Supervisor Mike McGuire acting as auctioneer. A raffle will also be held in conjunction with the event. The prize is an iPad mini.

Children’s’ activities will be held in an outdoor tent, supervised by adults.

Last year the event raised $50,000 for the school.

For more information, call Annie Holden at 217-1795, or the school at 433-1375.

Painting by Dee Andrini. (Photo provided)

Jan Thomas of Upstairs Art Gallery has announced the gallery will feature Dee Andrini’s paintings in March, with the artist’s reception to be held on Saturday, March 8, from 1 – 4 p.m.

Andrini’s work, “inspired by the freedom of nature, the movement and flow of a waterfall, or the spirit of the redwoods,” is collected nationally. Her work has been shown in galleries throughout the West.

Upstairs Art Gallery is located at 306 Center St. The gallery is open daily from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

For more information, visit upstairsartgallerysite.com, or call 431-4214.

Healdsburg artist Carol Vena-Mondt who helped create the new community supported art (CSA) at Studio428, will show her work at Studio Blomster, from March 7 – 30.

The artist’s reception will be held on Friday, March 7 from 5 – 8 p.m.

Studio Blomster is located at 14045-D Armstrong Woods Rd. in Guerneville. Studio hours are from 1 – 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, or by appointment. To make an appointment, email db@studioblomster.com

Toddler art class. (Photo: Healdsburg Center for the Arts)

The Healdsburg Center for the Arts is offering an array of art classes for children in partnership with the Healdsburg Parks and Recreation Department.

Drawing for Kids, Ages 6 – 10

Mondays 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Instructor: Gabby Gamboa

Monthly sessions starting in March.

$100/month.

Drawing for Kids, Ages 6 – 10

Tuesdays 3:30 – 5 p.m.

Instructor: Carrie Shere

Session 1: March + April 1 (No class March 18)

Session 2: April (4 classes)

Session 3: May (4 classes)

$100 each session.

Art for Preschoolers, Ages 3 ½ – 5

Wednesdays 9 – 10:15 a.m.

Instructor: Carrie Shere

Session 1: March (No class March 19)

Session 2: April

Session 3: May

$80 each session.

Printmaking: 5 ways in 5 days, Ages 7 – 10

Thursdays 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Instructor: C. K. Itamura

5 Classes: March 6, 13, 27, and April 3 & 10.

$125 plus $25 materials fee.

Origami Gone Wild, Ages 9 – 12

Wednesdays 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Instructor: C. K. Itamura

Session 1: March 5, 12, 26 and April 2, 9

Session 2: April 16, 23, 30 and May 7, 21

$125 plus $25 materials fee.

Let’s Make a Book! Ages 9 – 12

Thursdays 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.

April 17, 24, and May 1, 8, 22

Instructor: C. K. Itamura

$125 plus $25 materials fee

Everlasting Sand Castles for all ages/for families

Saturday, April 12, 1 – 4 p.m.

Instructor: Lynn Roth

All the above classes meet at the Healdsburg Community Center, 1557 Healdsburg Ave.

Story in a Scroll, Ages 9 and over

Saturday, May 10, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Instructor Michael Hofman

$85

This class will be held at the Healdsburg Senior Center, 133 Matheson St.

For more information, visit healdsburgcenterforthearts.com/classes/childrens-classes, or call 431-3301.

Recent rain makes life even sweeter in Healdsburg. Get out and have some fun at these events.

The 36^th Annual Barrel Tasting continues on Sunday, March 2 and Friday – Sunday, March 7 – 9.  11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at participating wineries. For more information, visit wineroad.com.

On Sunday, March 2, from 2 – 4 p.m., the Healdsburg Senior Writing Project will read for the public at the Healdsburg Senior Center, 133 Matheson St. Three of the local writers, Pat Bean, Marge Barnard and Monika Moseley, will read from their soon-to-be published books. Fourteen writers will read memoir of “old-time” Healdsburg, Estonia and more. Free and open to the public. Seating is limited. For more information, call 431-3324.

Also at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 2, the Raven Philharmonia presents “Music for Lovers, Romance for Sax,” at the Raven Performing Arts Theater, 115 North St. Tickets $25. Pre-show at 1:15, Director Les Pfutzenreuter will lead an “informative and entertaining discussion of the musical selections.” For more information, visit raventheater.org.

On Tuesday, March 4, at 3:30 p.m. the Healdsburg Regional Library holds a “Tie Dye T-Shirt Bag” workshop with Siobhan Loughney in their “Tweens Create” program. Transform old t-shirts into bags by “cutting, constructing and tie-dying.”  Materials and snacks provided for grades 4 – 6 (ages 9-12). Free. 139 Piper St. For more information, call 433-3772.

On Wednesday, March 5, AARP Tax Help continues at the Healdsburg Regional Library, 139 Piper St. First come, first serve. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Seniors are the target clients but all are welcome. Continues on Wednesdays through the month. For more information, call 433-3772.

On Friday, March 7, from 11 a.m. – 12 noon, visit Amista Vineyard, 3320 Dry Creek Rd. and learn “The Art of ‘Sparkling’ Dosage with winemaker Ashley Herzberg, in a hands-on, guided tasting experience. For more information, visit amistavineyards.com.

At 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 8, the Lego Club meets in the children’s room at the Healdsburg Regional Library. Ages 6 – 12. Free. 139 Piper St. Build unique creations around a different theme each month. For more information, call 433-3772.

On Saturday, March 8, at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, March 9 at 2 p.m., the Raven Performing Arts Theater presents the “Raven Dance Spectacular.” They are “bringing together all styles of dance from every corner of the dance community.”   Tickets $20. 115 North St. For more information, visit raventheater.org.

Also on Saturday, March 8, from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., the Sonoma County Master Gardeners present “Transforming your lawn,” at the Healdsburg Regional Library, 139 Piper St. Master Gardener Sue Lovelace will demonstrate a step-by-step process of turning a lawn into a perennial drought-tolerant garden. For more information, call 565-2608.

Barrel thief. (Photo: Shonnie Brown)

Two young people, wearing masks and dressed in black, tiptoed into the Healdsburg Senior Writing Project’s reading on Sunday. When asked whether they were around for barrel tasting weekend, the young woman replied, “Noooo, I’m here for my grandma!”

Former librarian and Healdsburg icon, Francesca Trouette, was surprised by the unplanned visit from her granddaughter and friend. The two dub themselves as “The Barrel Thieves. The Super Heroes of Wine.”

Healdsburg District Hospital CEO Nancy Schmid. (Courtesy photo)

 The Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce will host Nancy Schmid, Healdsburg District Hospital’s CEO on Thursday, March 13.

Schmid will talk about the current state of the Northern Sonoma County Healthcare District in light of changes in the field, including recent layoffs.

The lunch event will be held at the Krug Event Center, 198 Dry Creek Rd., from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.   

Tickets are $40 per person.

Advance registration required.

For more information, email info@healdsburg.com, or call 433-6935.

David J Winter plays the bagpipes as he leads the 7am St. Patrick’s Day Parade around the Healdsburg Plaza at on Sunday, March, 17, 2013. The parade, a long time tradition in Healdsburg, started and finished at the B & B Lounge.
(Scott Manchester/The Press Democrat)

The “parade must go on” according to locals. Healdsburg resident and writer, Ray Holley, says the “organic march of happy souls” will happen this year, however unofficially.

While the B & B lounge cancelled the St. Patrick’s Day Parade that began at the B & B Lounge, then-located at 420 Healdsburg Ave. and continuing around the plaza, was cancelled for this year by the B & B itself, due to a move to the north end of town, it has become a favorite event by attendees.

John & Zeke’s, which normally opens at 10 a.m., will open at 6 a.m. to accommodate any out-of-towners who many not have gotten word about the parade’s postponement, said Mike Carver one of the new owners of John & Zeke’s. They made this move because of a request by Bill Coleman, owner of the B & B.

John & Zeke’s will offer coffee in the parking lot at 6 a.m., as well as the traditional corned beef meal, inside the bar, around 3 or 4 p.m.

They have no “official” standing with the parade and are careful to note that the event “belongs” to the B & B.

The B & B Lounge will continue with the “official parade” in 2015.

When the bar moved in April 2013 to 20 Dry Creek Road, some parade aficionados were dismayed by the thought of losing the annual fun event that began in the wee hours of the morning each year. The gathering began around 6 a.m. and the parade started at 7.

Coleman also thought the parade might end. However, the anticipated opening in his new location, currently under construction further north on Healdsburg Avenue, has brought the question back to the forefront.

While the March 2015 is too far away for plans to be cemented, the bar anticipates that the event will continue.

An estimated 800 fans marched in the parade last year sporting green garb, Irish revelry and community spirit. The event had grown larger each year.

“It was magical to get up in the dark and come downtown,” Nola Colbert told The Press Democrat last year.

Hundreds of costumed and green-clad people, as well as dogs crowded inside and outside the bar awaiting the start of the parade.  

“It doesn’t matter if you’re Irish or not,” said Gisela Babb of Healdsburg. “I love it.”

After the event some people stayed at the bar, while others visited nearby restaurants for breakfast, and still others went home to bed.

The 2013 parade queen, Kendall Peterson, said she was honored to be chosen queen. “It was so much fun,” she said, a little tearful at the upcoming changes. “I’ve never had this much fun.”

John & Zeke’s Bar now occupies the space at 420 Healdsburg Ave.

Evelyn Mitchell, Kiska Icard and Natalee Tappin pose with Zinny at Tappin’s business the Healdsburg Dog House.

Animal services are coming back to Healdsburg. A cooperative agreement among organizations will bring a Healdsburg campus of the Sonoma Humane Society to 555 Westside Road on April 1. Sonoma Humane will bring a trailer to house a day-use facility to handle licensing, return of strays to their owners, as well as adoptions.

Evelyn Mitchell is a Healdsburg resident and the president of the board of directors of Sonoma Humane.

“We’re bringing in a revolutionary model of two nonprofits combining to do what a municipality once did,” Mitchell said.

“We help animals by helping people,” she continued. “We do our best to keep animals out of the shelter. We’d love to put ourselves out of business.” To that end, they never release an animal that hasn’t been neutered. They also try to find ways of keeping animals in their homes.

“This has been an evolution for us,” said Kiska Icard, executive director of the Sonoma Humane Society.  “We’ve worked with the Healdsburg Animal Shelter in the past. When the shelter started to close, we offered to help. We began to take in animals after the board transitions that took place in the year before they actually closed.

“We came from a position of ‘how can we help,’” Icard continued. “While communication stopped for a time, it reopened later. The final day, we took the remaining animals.”

 “We learned early that animal welfare people are different from everyone else. They are passionate about animals and very vocal,” Mitchell said. “When we got the call that HAS was closing, we knew we needed to help.”

The City of Healdsburg issued an RFP (request for proposal) leading to a teamwork approach between Sonoma Humane and Petaluma Animal Services to fill the gap left when the Healdsburg Animal Shelter closed. Interim animal control services have been managed by Sonoma County Animal Care and Control.

“What we do, we do well,” said Icard. “And what Petaluma Animal Services do, they do well. We’re excited with their competence and efficiency and we’re happy to partner with them.” She also said they have partnerships with many rescue organizations.

Adoption services will prioritize Healdsburg animals and the office will operate six days a week from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Animals will be available on site during the day and return to Santa Rosa in the evening.

Icard noted that their broad base of community support did not differentiate between “Healdsburg animals” and those in the general population and she hopes that generosity will continue.

“All the animals benefit from donations, not just those from one locality,” she said. However, she also noted they are willing to accept designated donations and will honor the designations.

Both agencies participate in the “no-kill equation,” an important deciding factor, according to Mayor Jim Wood.

“The good news from my perspective it that it is clear these are critical services for our community,” Wood said. “We wanted to ensure they were available to the people who live here. The no-kill stance was an important component for us.

“The City of Healdsburg’s main involvement is with the animal control contract,” continued Wood. “It’s been done with a lot of care and thought and it was a positive process.

“Unfortunately the new building remains in litigation,” said Wood. “Until it’s resolved the property can’t be rehabilitated. We have no idea how long it will take.”

He did say that some contractors offered a positive outlook on remedies to the construction challenges that remain. Noted deficiencies include cracking cement and a too-shallow cement slab among others.

“We’ve had our challenges as an organization in the past,” Mitchell admitted of Sonoma Humane. “But we’ve wiped the slate clean and we now ask in every situation ‘is it right for the animals?’ That always brings us back to our mission.

“The Healdsburg Animal Shelter board deserves a lot of credit,” she said. “They are constantly thinking of the animals, the community and helping to make this work.”  

While the HAS board is still actively pursuing the lawsuit against the contractor over the empty facility, they remain on the periphery of the current agreement.

 “We’ve been no kill since 2009 and have a 97% live-release record,” she continued. “I keep a no-kill checklist on my desk and refer to it regularly.”

Sonoma Humane had 600 volunteers last year, which enables them to do more work. Their foster program took in 500 kittens last year and they are active in “fospice” (foster-hospice for terminally ill animals).

“We only euthanize when an animal is suffering or there is a public safety concern,” she said. “We leave no stone unturned to rehabilitate an animal.”

“We push the envelope,” said Mitchell. “No longer are FIV+ cats on the euthanasia list. We don’t euthanize the old and the ugly.

“When you decide ‘no one wants that animal,’ you are limiting your community’s compassion,” she ended. “We want to be a no-kill county,” said Mitchell.

In order to accommodate the additional space more animals will need, they have ended their boarding-for-fee service, though they continue to offer emergency boarding in special circumstances.

Natalee Tappin, owner of the Healdsburg Dog House, already has a working relationship with Sonoma Humane. Adoptable cats are at the store site at 212 Healdsburg Ave. Zinny, a 15-pound, neutered male cat currently resides at the store. He is up for adoption now.

Healdsburg District Hospital CEO Nancy Schmid. (Courtesy photo)

The Healdsburg Museum continues with “Sonoma County and the Civil War,” its latest exhibit, featuring authentic Civil War weapons, uniforms, accoutrements, photographs and letters at  221 Matheson St. Free and open to the public. Wednesday – Sunday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.  For more information, call 431-3325.

Upstairs Art Gallery features painter Dee Andrini’s work during the month of March. 306 Center St. Open daily 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.  For more information, For more information, visit upstairsartgallerysite.com, or call 431-4214.

On Sunday, March 9, from 5 – 7 p.m., Upside Dance Company holds an open rehearsal. Want to know what really happens before the curtain goes up? Healdsburg SHED, 25 North St.  Donations welcome.

Also on Sunday, March 9, the Raven Performing Arts Theater presents the Raven Dance Spectacular at 2 p.m., 115 North St. Tickets $20. For more information, visit raventheater.org.

 Joe Mesics Literary Canon is on Wednesday, March 12, at 7 p.m. in the forum room at the Healdsburg Regional Library. The book under discussion is “The Golden Notebook“ by Doris Lessing (it is helpful to have read the book for the discussion). Free. 139 Piper St. For more information, call 433-3772.

Nancy Schmid, Healdsburg District Hospital’s new-ish CEO will be hosted at a Chamber of Commerce lunch event on Thursday, March 13. She will talk about the current state of the healthcare district in light of changes in the field. 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.  Krug Event Center, 198 Dry Creek Rd. Advance registration required. Tickets $40. For more information, email info@healdsburg.com, or call 433-6935.

On Monday, March 10, at 7 p.m., Upside Dance Company is offering a “Gypsy Feast” benefit dinner. Four course dinner provided by chefs Kolin Vazzoler of Simi Winery and Jake Martin of Charcuterie. Tickets $50. Reservations required. 1685 Magnolia Dr. For online tickets, visit brownpapertickets.com.

The Healdsburg Literary Guild features C.D. Payne at the Third Sunday Salon.  Payne writes “absurdist fiction,” and his book “Youth in Revolt” was made into a movie. 1:30 – 3:30 p.m., Sunday, March 16, at Bean Affair, 1270 Healdsburg Ave. Open mic sign-ups begin at 1 p.m. For more information, visit hbglitguild.org.

Alliance Dental Clinic broke ground on a pediatric addition to the clinic on Monday, March 10. (L-r): Dental Director Dr. Elvira Fiorentino, Alliance Medical Center Board Chair Sandy Beddow, First 5 Sonoma County Alfredo Perez, Chair of the Healthcare Foundation Linda Bertauche and Executive Director of the Healthcare Foundation Pat Callahan.

Healdsburg Alliance Dental Clinic broke ground on an addition to their facility that will add three pediatric dental chairs and increase the number of patient visits by 3600 per year. The transformation is taking place within the existing facility, by reconfiguring an employee break room and closet space to add the three-seat operatory, augmenting the six chairs currently in use.

Congressman Huffman’s representative Kelly Meeker was on hand at the groundbreaking ceremony to award certificates to dental director Dr. Elvira Fiorentino, as well as to the Alliance Medical Center.

First 5 Sonoma County, funded under Proposition 10 in 1998, awarded the clinic nearly $500 thousand dollars for the addition. The project was deemed necessary due to a shortage of dentists accepting MediCal patients. Low reimbursement rates and administrative costs are blamed for their unwillingness to enroll with the program.

Congressman Jared Huffman’s representative Kelly Meeker presents certificates to Dental Director Dr. Elvira Fiorentino and to Alliance Medical Center CEO Beatrice Bostick.

According to Alliance Medical Center’s development director, Tresa Thomas Massiongale, the grant from First 5 Sonoma County, gave them the boost to start the project.  Since the first grant from First Five, additional grants have been secured from the federal government through the Health Resources and Services Administration, from the Healthcare Foundation of Northern Sonoma County, the County of Sonoma and Sonoma Wine Country Weekend.

“Our mission is to offer the best possible care in the most comprehensive and affordable way,” said Massiongale, noting that in addition to the dental clinic, Alliance Medical Center offers healthcare, mental health facilities, chronic disease care and chiropractic.

The pediatric chairs will offer the clinic a chance to treat the children apart from the regular patients, alleviating some of the stress resulting from dental care phobias. In addition, according to Dr. Fiorentino, they are able to work more effectively with parents to lessen the need for anesthesia during treatment.  

“We want to increase dental access for everyone and we do offer a full scope of dental care, from child to senior,” said Massiongale. “In addition, we offer a sliding scale and payment plans for seniors.

“But, we’ll still need more funds,” she continued. “Every dollar is welcome.”

Dr. Fiorentino said they are all excited about the new addition to the facility. “The space will able us to better meet the needs of the patients. We’ll be able to partner with pregnant women is insure better oral health outcomes for both mother and child.”

The clinic serves 30-40 percent of the 95448 zip code and they believe the number could be much higher.

Moody Construction is working nights and weekends to insure the project is done with the least amount of interference with the clinic. The clinic expects to open the new area in May.

“Musicians Favorites” will be the theme of the Healdsburg Community Band Pops Concert when it holds its performance at 7 p.m.  Saturday, March 15.

Band members chose the music that includes the ones they most enjoy playing. Songs will include “Bugler’s Holiday,” selections from “Les Miserables” and “West Side Story,” as well as those by Paul Simon and George Gershwin.

The band will play at the Raven Performing Arts Theater, 115 North St. Admission $10. For more information, call 836-1475.

The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, Healdsburg holds its first informational meeting at 6 p.m., Thursday, March 13, at the Healdsburg Fire Department, 601 Healdsburg Ave.

Anyone interested in becoming a team captain is urged to attend the event.

The main Relay for Life Healdsburg event is scheduled for Saturday, June 7, at Healdsburg High School.

For more information, call Kelly Cast 671-5918, or email tsac16@gmail.com

The latest venture of the Raven Players, the Raven Theater Windsor, is slated to open with a performance of “Nunsense,” set in an “entertaining religious setting.” The play is particularly fitting, as the Raven’s Windsor home used to be a church.

The musical comedy showcases “tap-dancing nuns” and a “habit-forming ballet,” as well as an audience quiz.

Some of the Little Sisters of Hoboken discover the cook accidentally poisoned the residents of the convent. How the sisters raise the funds to bury the last four deceased sisters creates the antics.

Suitable for ages 12 and over.

Joe Gellura directs.

Opening night, Friday, April 4, 8 p.m. 195 Windsor River Rd. Tickets $35. Advance tickets available at Copperfield’s Bookstore, 104 Matheson St. and at Pages Books on the Green, 920 McClelland Dr., Windsor.

The play dates, April 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18 and 19. Matinees begin at 2 p.m.

David J Winter plays the bagpipes as he leads the 7am St. Patrick’s Day Parade around the Healdsburg Plaza at on Sunday, March, 17, 2013. The parade, a long time tradition in Healdsburg, started and finished at the B & B Lounge.
(Scott Manchester/The Press Democrat)

Costeaux French Bakery owner Will Seppi has announced his St. Patrick’s Day contributions to the fun and fundraising in Healdsburg on Monday, March 17.

Costeaux will open at 7 a.m. with green eggs and ham, corned beef hash, as well as green bread and soda bread on the menu. Seppi will contribute $2 of each green egg entree to Rotary International’s Polio Plus program.

Healdsburg Rotary has supported the fundraising event for a number of years by getting sponsors and dying their hair green.

“Our version of the Polio Plus event is to participate in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, then have a breakfast of green eggs and ham at Costeaux,” said longtime Rotarian Kent Mitchell. “The Healdsburg Club has been particularly successful in raising funds to end polio. It’s a big deal for us and we raise about $15,000 a year.”

Polio Plus is Rotary International’s signature fundraising campaign in support of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, which aims to end the disease by 2018. They donated $36 million dollars to the cause in February.

Bike’s Peak overlooks Fox Pond in the Healdsburg Ridge Open Space preserve. (John Burgess / Press Democrat)

By ANN CARRANZA / Healdsburg Correspondent

Lisa McKibbin was out for a bit of nature and a dog walk recently when she happened upon a surprise on Healdsburg Ridge above Fox Pond. It was a bike cemetery embellished with brightly colored prayer flags.

“I was totally moved by them,” she said. “It was so beautiful and so cool to see this art, prayers for peace, love, respect of nature and, of course, our very much-needed rain.”

Alexander Valley School students remove invasive fennel on Healdsburg Ridge. (Photo: Nicteha Peline)

McKibbin had stumbled across Bike’s Peak, an informal monument that dates back to the wildfire that swept through the area in 1988, destroying Tim and Candace Fox’s home as well as a rental home inhabited by Paul Draper, a carpenter, handyman and bicycle mechanic.

Draper received a shipment of broken bikes, which he stored on the property and used for spare parts in his bicycle repair business. The fire, which started along the roadside at 16977 Healdsburg Ave., quickly spread, destroying the two homes and rendering the bikes useless.

No one knows just how the bikes became sculpture, but Healdsburg Realtor Eric Drew, who has worked with these properties since the 1970s, takes credit for the name.

Part of the original parcel was sold to the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District and is now used by the nonprofit LandPaths organization.

Third-grade students participating with LandPaths visit the property four times a year, once in each season, learning to care for the land and give back to the property they have been visiting. They have pulled invasive fennel and planted native grasses, as well as creating the art project.

Stewardship flags above Fox Pond on Healdsburg Ridge. (Photo: Lisa McGibbin)

Colleen Flores’ third-grade students at Alexander Valley School added the stewardship flags.

“It’s a magical place for the students,” said Bree Arthur of LandPaths. “There’s something about the circle of bikes that calls to them. Not only did they create their stewardship flags, they ‘curated’ their exhibit in an artistic manner.”

“I love LandPaths, and all they do and are teaching our children,” said Nicteha Peline, an Alexander Valley parent volunteer, who has a child in Flores’ class.

To learn more, visit landpaths.org.

Evelyn Mitchell and Kiska Icard pose with Zinny at Natalee Tappin’s business, the Healdsburg Dog House.

Animal services are coming back to Healdsburg. A cooperative agreement will bring a Healdsburg campus of the Sonoma Humane Society to 14242 Bacchus Landing Way, off Westside Road on April 1. A trailer will house a day-use facility for licensing, adoptions and return of strays to their owners.

The office will operate 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Animals will be available on site during the day and return to Santa Rosa in the evening.

“We’re bringing in a revolutionary model of two nonprofits combining to do what a municipality once did,” said Evelyn Mitchell, a Healdsburg resident and president of Sonoma Humane Society’s board of directors.

“This has been an evolution for us,” said Kiska Icard, executive director of the Society. “We’ve worked with the Healdsburg Animal Shelter in the past. When the shelter started to close, we offered to help. We began to take in animals in the year before they actually closed. … The final day, we took the remaining animals.”

Interim animal control services have been managed by Sonoma County Animal Care and Control.

“These are critical services for our community,” said Mayor Jim Wood. “We wanted to ensure they were available to the people who live here. The no-kill stance was an important component for us.

“Healdsburg’s new animal shelter building, which was never occupied because of construction defects, remains in litigation,” said Wood. “Until it’s resolved the property can’t be rehabilitated. We have no idea how long it will take.”

Noted deficiencies include cracking cement and a too-shallow cement slabs.

While the Healdsburg Animal Shelter board is still actively pursuing the lawsuit against the facility’s contractor, it remains on the periphery of the current agreement.

Learn about vermicomposting this week at Healdsburg SHED. (Photo: Ann Carranza)

From New York City, the Catalyst Quartet comes to Healdsburg SHED, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 18. 25 North St. Enjoy music in a relaxed, café atmosphere, produced by Gary McLaughlin, past director of the Russian River Chamber Music Society. Craft beer, wines and edibles available for purchase. Tickets $25. For more information, visit bravenewmusic.org. For online tickets, visit brownpapertickets.com .

Red Dot Emerging at the Healdsburg Center for the Arts’ first “emerging artists show.” Now through April 27. “This is a new generation of artists making the commitment to self-expression that furthers our collective understanding and appreciation of some of the social and cultural elements of contemporary life.” Daily 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. 130 Plaza St. For more information, call 431-1970.

“The Beauty of Blossoming Branches,” 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 19, at Dragonfly Floral, 425 Westside Rd. $95. Bring your favorite large container. For more information, visit dragonflyhealdsburg.com, or call 433-3739.

The Friends of the Healdsburg Library book sale begins this week for members only 1 – 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, and continues from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 20 and Friday, March 21, and Saturday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Items include hardback and paperback books, DVDs, videos, music and collectibles. Proceeds benefit library programs. 139 Piper St. For more information, call 433-3772.

Relay for Life – Healdsburg’s first fundraiser, a pasta dinner, will be held from 5 – 8 p.m. Thursday, March 20, at the Best Western Dry Creek Inn Krug Event Center, 198 Dry Creek Rd. Tickets $15 at the door. Pasta, salad and bread. “Refreshments and delights” sold separately. For more information, call Kelly 671-5918.

The Raven Film Center’s Documentary Series presents Muscle Shoals, a story of “a small town with a big sound,” that shaped the history of popular music. Proceeds from the film benefit The Overture Project. Wine hosted by Truett Hurst Winery, 7 p.m. Friday, March 21, followed by screening, then Q & A with cinematographer, Anthony Arendt. 415 Center St. $20. For more information, call 479-9979.

Big Brother and the Holding Company (yes, the band that made Janis Joplin famous) comes to the Raven Performing Arts Theater, in a benefit for the Ceres Community Project, at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 22. Sam Andrew, Peter Albin, David Getz , Tom Finch and Darby Gould with Maxx Cabello Jr. Tickets $35. 115 North St. For more information, visit raventheater.org. To purchase tickets online, visit funkforlife.org. To learn more about the Ceres Project.

The wonderful, wormy world of vermiculture? Learn all about it with the Compost Club’s Rick Kaye at Healdsburg SHED, from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., 25 North St. $20 For more information, visit . To buy tickets online, visit brownpapertickets.com.