In the introduction to the Sonoma Valley section of the book I talk about the poor ducks having to put up with the "fetid green" ponds on Sonoma Plaza (page 110). Well, the good folks at the the Sonoma City Council must have read my damning description (yeah, right) because in March 2006 the city started a six-month renovation of those ponds.

On a recent (mid-March, 2006) visit to the Plaza there was a large muddy hole populated by several backhoes where once the fetid green puddles of the former duck and fish pond existed. By the end of summer that hole should have been transformed into a nice, clean new set of ponds.

The $700,000 renovation is evidently the first maintenance performed on the duck pond and the accompanying fish pond since both were constructed over 70 years ago, according to the Sonoma Index Tribune. It will include new filtration systems so hopefully the ponds will not turn that contagious shade of green again and I'll have to find some other aspect of the plaza on which to turn my cynical gaze for the next edition of the book.

The ducks, meanwhile, have been sent to an unidentified "temporary residence", the Tribune reported. So pause for thought next time you order Sonoma Duck at some fancy wine country restaurant. Then settle back and enjoy it with a nice Syrah.