The Buzz: Dragons, lemon cake, and a very big house

Unexpected downtown dragon sighting: Stumbling upon a ravenous, fire-breathing monster while browsing a shop might not seem like much of a sweet surprise. But at Petaluma’s Sweet Zone, in the Theater District, the eye-catching dragon created by Allyson Hart, an employee of the popular candy store, is constructed entirely out of rock candy. On display atop a shelf above racks of gummies and other treats, the ferocious-looking beastie (surely as delicious as it is frightening) is rearing up in front of a small plastic knight. Alas, poor Knight. Methinks thou art about to become a dragon-snack.

Here’s a toast to inspired creativity on the job, and who knows? Perhaps Hart’s reptilian artistry is just the first of many candy sculptures to grace the nooks and crannies of The Sweet Zone in the near future.

COTS volunteer Marge Popp turns 94: Last Tuesday, July 31, the volunteers and residents of Petaluma’s Mary Isaak Center gathered to honor longtime COTS volunteer Marge Popp, who was celebrating her 94th birthday. Lemon cake (Popp’s favorite) was served in the facility’s dining room, where Popp can be found regularly cooking and serving shelterless folks. She has been a COTS volunteer for 36 years, originally at the Petaluma Kitchen on Payran Street and now at the Mary Isaak Center on Hopper Street. In 2014, for her years of service to the community, Popp was named Petaluma Volunteer of the Year. Happy Birthday Marge!

Petaluma Adobe recruiting docents: And speaking of volunteers. It’s one thing to keep the gates open on a valuable cultural treasure like Petaluma Adobe State Historical Park, but without volunteer docents to meet and greet visitors, going to the Adobe is just walking through a big old field with interesting buildings on it. Volunteers are currently being recruited to lead guided tours, assist with special events (like the annual Fandango and Living History Day), and a whole array of other responsibilities. Similar opportunities are available for docents at Sonoma Mission, the Vallejo home, the Sonoma Barracks, and the Toscano Hotel and Kitchen). Volunteers are asked to commit to four hours per month. Free training sessions will begin this fall, but interested volunteers need to register by Friday, Aug. 24. Register at Parks.ca.gov/SonomaSHP

(Have a good idea for a BUZZ item? Drop a line to Community editor David Templeton at david.templeton@arguscourier.com)