No Rosé Party today, The Mill, super foods and Afghanistan

Todd Jolly, popular sommelier at the Mattsons’ Sonoma’s Best, has “indefinitely postponed” the Rosé Party for this year. It was to have been held tonight, Friday, Aug. 20.

Jolly says he had sold “almost 100 tickets and it seems like a potential risk for all patrons” as well as Sonoma’s Best staff.

He added in an email that “tasting fees will be refunded to the accounts that they were purchased from by Tuesday of next week” adding that “If you would like to use your tasting fee for a bottle of wine instead, let me know.”

Clearly he was sad to cancel but thought it was the best thing to do, given the current uncertainty with delta variant cases rising in Sonoma County.

Charles Schulz and ice cream cake

The Charles M. Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa celebrates its 19th birthday tomorrow, Saturday, Aug. 21, with Snoopy and Charlie Brown.

We always think of Charles M. Schulz, the cartoonist, as Charlie Brown’s father. And Linus was patterned after the late Linus Maurer, a friend and colleague of Schulz, longtime Kenwood and Sonoma resident, and Index-Tribune cartoonist.

According to the museum’s press release, 1.5 million visitors have traipsed through its exhibits, which are fascinating and often represent the cartoonist’s view of current events and war.

But that’s not all – there will be free ice cream cake at noon, courtesy of Cold Stone Creamery in Santa Rosa. Guests can meet Melanie Kohn, the voice of Lucy Van Pelt, from 11 a.m. to noon. The rest of the party runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa. 579-4452.

Mulling over The Mill

Thriving at Jack London Village in Glen Ellen, The Mill offers a charming experience from fresh flowers on every table to a nasturtium in the ice tea.

Two friends and I ordered the wood-fired pizza of the day. It was gorgeous even just to look at, with roasted cauliflower, cherry tomatoes, Brussels sprouts, artichokes and watermelon radishes. Executive Chef Dana Jaffe’s melon gazpacho was like perfume. Of course there are also Wagyu beef burgers and steaks, truffled fries and Dana’s sweets.

All utensils and dishes are biodegradable, seating is still outside only, tables are still 8- to 10-feet apart, and all staff members are thoroughly vaccinated.

Stepping out to El Huerto Super Foods

El Huerto is tucked between Great Clips and Little Caesar’s Pizza in the Maxwell Village Shopping Center.

Originally the owners hoped to do healthy juice drinks and crepes, but the crepe part never worked out. With smart survivor instincts, they added “super foods” instead.

Thanks to Julie Diamond for posting her raves for El Huerto’s “So Sonoma” salad, I skipped out on Saturday to get one. I would subtitle it “Health in a Box.” It’s loaded with a variety of local greens, garbanzo beans or chickpeas, pumpkin seeds, raw Brussels sprouts, feta cheese and a delicious light vinaigrette dressing.

They also offer panini, bubble waffles, toasts from avocado to Nutella, Glow Bowls such as the healthy and sweet Acai bowl and one with oatmeal, and of course smoothies that got them started. Nothing priced over $9.95. You can order ahead at 934-8791.

Farm to Pantry branches out gleaning

Farm to Pantry, led by Duskie Estes who first gleaned here at Haystack Farm in Sonoma, worked with volunteers from Jack London State Historic Park to glean the 40 acres of fruit trees to supplement food for the hungry among us.

During one of their first gleanings, or pickings, they were able to harvest 450 pounds of vegetables with more than 100 pounds going to Sonoma Overnight Support. Two weeks ago the owner of Haystack emailed me that the volunteers had picked 850 pounds in one day.

This all came to Sonoma when we of the Sonoma Valley High School Agricultural Advisory Committee had a going-away celebration for our beloved ag teacher at Haystack and Duskie Estes and her husband John Stewart catered the event with their Black Piglet food truck. Duskie, the property owner and I chatted a lot about expanding Farm to Pantry’s program into Sonoma Valley. Haystack grows solely to give way their produce and flowers.

Since then other people have stepped up to contribute their extra food to be given to those who need it. Farm to Table will glean at your farm or come to your backyard and pick what you can’t use on your fruit tree.

We even have mobile home park residents offering to collect their excess fruit off their trees for this great project.

Home kitchen businesses?

We have several already.

On Monday the Sonoma City Council decided not to go along with Sonoma County in supporting “Micro-enterprise Home Kitchen Operations” approved by the state.

Many of us know loads of chefs or just plain good cooks who have been doing this for years, whether they make pies, pizzas, jams or tamales, and some have even invited guests to pay for special meals in their homes, without licenses.

It seems to be understood that you take your chances in ordering and showing up at these cooks’ doors to pay and collect your food. And it is sometimes better than that at some restaurants, including what a former city council member and mayor used to serve.

Interestingly, most caterers seem unworried about it, while others clearly don’t want the competition.

Free enterprise?

Napa Wine Train Murder Mystery Tours

In conjunction with The Murder Mystery Company, the Napa Valley Wine Train is going ahead with its 2021 schedule, very popular with people who love the immersive style where guests get to participate, make up the story and solve the mystery.

While aboard the train, guests will solve a murder and enjoy a multi-course dinner while rolling up the Napa Valley for two hours. Actors will stay six feet from guests and wear clear face shields during the performance. All materials will be sanitized. There was no mention about guests wearing masks, and their PR agency did not respond to phone calls or emails.

The “season” started Tuesday with “Death of a Gangster” and continues with “Crime and Punishment” on Sept. 9, “Death of a Gangster” again on Sept. 23, and “Wizards and Witches” on Oct. 2, 9, and 16. $405 per person. Arrive at train station at 5:45 p.m., return at 9:30 p.m. For more info call 800-427-4124 or visit winetrain.com. There is no mention of masks or vaccinations on their website.

Tasca Tasca observation

Kirstin and Craig Adryan, worldwide cruise travel agents, emailed this next story: “We had a lovely visit to Tasca Tasca tonight and met a young man named Peter who waits tables for you. Wanted to mention to you this is one of the greatest talents in the raw that we have encountered in years. Please consider mentoring this guy, he has that intangible to convey a sincere welcome that makes for great salesmanship.

“He is hungry to learn and we gave him a few Portuguese words that friends had taught us. He might try one on you next time you see him!”

Tasca Tasca and La Salette owner Manuel Azevedo responded that he agrees that “Peter” is developing into a true professional with a highly successful career in restaurants ahead of him.

And Afghanistan

I have had an upset stomach since Sunday or Monday. While teaching American Government and Politics at the University of British Columbia in 2001, I helped students start the Afghan Women and Children Education Project, which led to outreach to female leaders in Afghanistan and Pakistan recommended by two well-known American television personalities.

They did so well at starting schools for women and children that we hosted an event with both the ambassadors to and from Canada and Afghanistan, as well as the immediate previous Foreign Minister of Canada to honor the students.

Many Afghan, Pakistani and Indian students brought their favorite dishes made by their mothers to represent their country’s culinary pride and traditions.

Now what?

Patricia and Ted Eliot

Many Sonomans remember the late Patricia and Ambassador Theodore (Ted) Eliot, Jr. who, after 30 years of Foreign Service around the world, moved to Sonoma became tireless and dedicated conservationists and environmentalists who saved lots of the country. Ted served as American Ambassador to Afghanistan from 1973 to 1978.

A connection that still tickles me is that the Eliots carried an antique ice cream scoop in their car for two years before finally giving it to me for my Kathleen Hill Culinary Collection.