Smith: A wallet returns, now for a bike

About 10:30 Halloween night, Gary Looney wondered as he stepped to answer a knock at the door, what more could happen?

He’d been perturbed and on the phone to “800” numbers since discovering that as he’d stepped from his parked car on Santa Rosa’s goblin-swarmed McDonald Avenue, bound for a friend’s party, his combination wallet/cellphone case evidently had dropped onto the street.

Looney ached at the thought of losing the photos in his phone, especially those of his late wife, Debbie. Then there were the credit cards and more than $1,000 in cash.

Looney opened the front door. There stood a young family of four, the two little girls resplendent in their costumes.

The strangers had found Looney’s address on his driver’s license. They handed him the fully intact wallet and phone case they’d picked up on McDonald Avenue. Looney opened it and offered a gift of gratitude to the kids.

Thank you no, was the reply. They were just doing what anyone would do.

SUCH AN ENDING would restore Marscell Rodin, the pedaling baker of Santa Rosa’s Junior College neighborhood.

Rodin has for years delivered organic delectables on his beautiful, silver, 21-speed Raleigh Venture equipped with saddlebags and fenders.

He emerged Thursday evening from an acupuncture office on Seventh Street near Mendocino Avenue to this: His helmet and severed cable lock lay where his bicycle had been.

“It’s devastating for me,” he said. “I use this bike for everything, it is my lifeblood.”

KATI HILARIO is preparing to bake.

Kati’s the 15 year old who prepared dozens of pumpkin pies the past three Thanksgivings, sold them to folks who’d ordered them and then donated the proceeds to the Redwood Empire Food Bank.

“My goal this year is to bake over 100 pies and raise over $1,500,” said the sophomore at Maria Carrillo High.

She is thrilled that instead of baking at home this year, she’s been offered use of the commercial kitchen at the food bank.

“I have recruited my cousin and some friends to help my mom and me,” she said.

The extraordinary young woman, pained and pressed into action at age 12 by the revelation that a large share of Sonoma County residents cannot afford adequate nutrition, sells her pies for $15.

She asks that orders be placed by Nov. 22. To order, email Kati at kati.pfpproject@gmail.com or send her $15, cash or check, at 4928 Stonehedge Drive, Santa Rosa 95405. Checks should made out to her.

Pies will be delivered the day before Thanksgiving.

THE DONUT HUT is no more.

The latest owners of the landmark at the arrowhead where downtown Santa Rosa’s Healdsburg Avenue meets B Street shut ‘er down.

Already, workers are transforming the ex-Hut into Brew, a gathering spot with coffee in the morning, then beer.

Partners Alisse Cottle and Jessica Borrayo both come to the new enterprise from Taylor Maid Farms Coffee & Tea.

Cottle said Brew will open in December with Ritual coffee, local craft beers, yummies from Criminal Baking Co. and enough donuts to pay homage.

Chris Smith is at 707-521-5211 and chris.smith@pressdemocrat.com.