UDJ 12-12 Column

From CFI

Apples and Crafts

Got apples? Want juice?

Rumor is that the good folks of Anderson Valley had lots of fun this year gathering around the apple press at their farmers’ market. We decided to see if it will work in Ukiah. So, for tomorrow’s market we are borrowing their apple press. The Apple Farm will also furnish some of their organic and biodynamic apples (which have been very popular at the market this winter) to help us demonstrate the press. Bring your own apples and clean glass jars to catch the juice and join in the fun. All year I wanted do a column spotlighting the crafts at the market. Now seems like the perfect time.

We have lots of great crafts every week, and they are all locally made. Overall, we had more than twenty-five different local crafters at the market this year. Some were ephemeral, some are institutions. More are joining regularly. For example, Renee Goodwin’s Creative Creations joined the market as new vendor just last Saturday – and did a brisk business in knit scarves. Tomorrow I expect three or more new craft vendors, including Valena’s Ceramics, Sue Gill’s hand painted items and Mara Montiel delaMora’s jewelry.

Today, I want to highlight a few of 2008’s most reliable and popular craft vendors. Tara Plocher, owner of Tara’s World Peace Dolls, has been at 28 of the 32 markets so far this season, the record for a craft vendor. She makes Waldorf dolls from wool and cotton, finger puppets, bookmarks, clothespin dolls, dreamcatchers, pine-needle baskets, greeting cards, yo-yo potholders, purses, and other, simple, inexpensive, playthings, from cotton, wool, paper, and wood – all in an attic craftsroom on Standley St. She has been perfecting her skills sewing and painting for over 50 years.

Another frequent attendee and best seller is Nash Gift and Linens, which offers a wide range of table linens, appliance covers, placemats, aprons and more. Peggy Nash and sister Alberta began their business in Redwood Valley about 10 year ago as a way to put their extensive collection of fabrics, assembled with love, to good use. Peggy’s husband Gary helps with sales at the market and with the business books. Sometimes, he even helps me get the chairs put away.

Our biggest selling craft vendor for 2008 was Joanne Horn’s Afterglow Naturals, a line of hand crafted herbal products. Founded in 2000, Afterglow Naturals is dedicated to making top quality gentle and effective body care products including creams, balms, rubs, masks, conditioners, soaps and much more. Unfortunately, Joanne will not be with us tomorrow. But, hopefully she will be back next weekend so her many fans can stock up for the holidays. In case you miss her, you can order at www.afterglownaturals.com

Still don’t think there is enough at the market? Here is a sample of what we had last week: salmon roast and filet, petrale sole, crab, jumbo prawns, honey, local beef, several types of nut, several dried fruits, eggs, carrots, beets, turnips, head and leaf lettuce, parsnips, broccoli, radish, green onions, onions, spinach, cilantro, several types of squash, tomatoes (although they are likely the last of the season), jalapeno, cucumber, many types of peppers, potatoes, chard, kale, many types of apples, garlic, leeks, cauliflower, green beans, strawberries, fresh cut flowers, several types of cheese, olive oils, honey and more.

Whew! Why shop anywhere else?

After tomorrow’s market plan to stop by the Saturday Afternoon Club. Santa will be in the house at 2 pm. You can have your picture taken with the Big Jolly, have some hot cider and cookies and listen to live music. The event is a benefit for the clubhouse and also for the community. Organizers are encouraging people to bring donations of canned goods for the food bank, toiletries for the women’s shelter and toys for local children in need.

Congratulations to Finn Alden, who won the November market raffle basket. It was heaped full of goodies donated by Jini Reynolds of Down to Earth Landscape and by our many generous farmers’ market vendors. John Johns has already started filling up the basket for December (to be raffled the first Saturday in January). Be among the first to get a ticket tomorrow. We might just use the proceeds to buy our own apple press.

     Your inland fall/winter farmers’ markets are in Anderson Valley at the Philo Grange on Sundays from noon-2 p.m., Ukiah in Alex Thomas Plaza on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Willits in the Community Center on Thursday from 3-6 p.m.