Columns

You can smell it in the air, feel it in your bones, see it in the beginnings of color change — summer is ending and with it the tremendous energy force of Mother Nature’s race to produce food. The food’s consumers are more than just human. They include the animals that share our planet. Hence, the seeds of weeds and trees feed the birds. Melons, winter squash, and tree fruit fill beaks and stomachs of hundreds of creatures hiding in nests, burrows, blackberry brambles.

She wore sensible shoes, a nice white blazer and a smile that said, “Sit up, you in the back row. I’m talking to you.”  It was Sister Simone Campbell, one of the famed “Nuns on the Bus,” stopping by in Charlotte last week. The only nun to address the Democratic convention but far from the only sister in the room.

Friends of the Healdsburg Library are always seeking book donations for the three book sales they hold yearly. Books, videos, CDs can be left at the library. Public School Success Team (PSST) is looking for tutors and volunteers. Please contact them at 707-473-0902 or email...

Mr. Healdsburg, Chris Herrod, and Supervisor Mike McGuire were with us at the Zucchini Festival, welcoming everyone and reminded us that, although the kids may be back in school, and summer may seem to be winding down, we still have Indian Summer to enjoy, and the market is at its peak now and for the next month. The farmers are busy harvesting, and the Wednesday Market continues through October, and the Saturday Market continues through November.

Pride in Public Service

The grape harvest is underway, so drive carefully – you’ll be sharing the roads with trucks, tractors and harvesters, busy traveling from one dirt driveway to another. The harvest always seems to me to be an extraordinary time. When you ponder it, the bounty that comes from soil, water and sun is sort of miraculous. Grapes are the marquee crop around here, but the abundance of fruit, vegetables and flowers is gratifying and humbling.

Among the scads of poll reports I have heard recently one especially confounded me.  The question was “Are you going to vote in the coming election?” and according to the poll a large number of respondents said “No” Next Question. “If you did vote who would you vote for?”  Answer. “Probably Obama.”

Olivia was scratching. The dog was miserable. She was so consumed by itching that it interfered with barking which is one of her joys in life. We knew it was bad when in the middle of the night two utility guys did an emergency fix on a power pole in the street, which was the perfect occasion for a righteous, indignant round of barking. And she just crawled under the bed and scratched.

Healdsburg Animal Shelter is looking for volunteers to work during the Sunset Magazine Breezehouse tours. Home tours are Fridays-Sundays starting August 3 and ending September 9. Volunteer shifts are 4 hours long (9:30 – 1:30 and 1:30 – 5:30) and HAS will receive a...