🌱 Airbnb 'Experience' + Healdsburg Mayor History + Local Shelters

Hi guys! Simone here with your fresh edition of the Healdsburg Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about what's happening in town, including updates on...

• Healdsburg's first Jewish mayor in over 100 years
• The death of a well-loved local therapist
• A new Airbnb "social impact experience" offered in Healdsburg
• Much more

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Now, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Frost and fog in the morning, then a mix of sun and clouds. High: 57 Low: 30.
• Thursday: Same deal. High: 61 Low: 29.

Also: There's another "freeze warning" in effect from 1 a.m. through 9 a.m. tomorrow morning, when temps are expected to dip below freezing. "Frost and freeze conditions will kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing," national weather officials say. And the county warns people to stay indoors if possible. Local shelters for those without a place to stay include St. Paul's Church in Healdsburg. (County of Sonoma via Facebook & National Weather Service)

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Here are the top 3 stories today in Healdsburg:

1. Did you know that Ariel Kelley is Healdsburg's first Jewish mayor in more than 100 years? That's what The Jewish News of Northern California is reporting this week. Kelley, a career attorney and the former head of our local Corazón Healdsburg nonprofit, "was elected to a four-year council term in November 2020 and became the vice mayor shortly thereafter," the Jewish News writes — then "was appointed to the yearlong position by her peers on the city council" on Dec. 5. More from the story: "Prior to Kelley’s appointment, the last Jewish mayor of Healdsburg was Samuel Cohn in 1886, according to Holly Hoods, executive director of the Healdsburg Museum and Historical Society. Hoods added that the Jewish community was heavily involved in the founding of the Sonoma County city. While there is no synagogue in Healdsburg, there is a small Jewish community of about 40 families, Kelley said. Kelley, who has lived in Healdsburg for nearly 10 years, described herself to J. as an 'active, practicing, religious Jew.' She and her family attend services at Congregation Ner Shalom in Cotati and Congregation Shomrei Torah in Santa Rosa." (The Jewish News of Northern California)
2. We just learned that Ariah Keller, a well-known marriage and family therapist in Healdsburg, passed away over summer. She was only 65. Her obituary calls her "a deep confidante for so many in her community" and someone who "made the world a better and more beautiful place." Ariah ran her practice out of an office near Healdsburg Hospital. She "was a proud, loving, and extraordinary mother to her son, Cameron, who she raised single-handedly in the Healdsburg, California wine country," her obit says. "Together, they lived with a host of beloved family pets, including Bella, Stripes, Patches, Ani, and Beasley." Now, "she is truly loved and deeply missed by her family, friends, clients, and all those she touched in her extraordinary life." R.I.P. (Legacy.com)
3. You know that "Experiences" feature on Airbnb where you can book "unforgettable activities hosted by locals" near the place you're staying? Well, they just added one in Healdsburg: A day of volunteer harvesting with Farm to Pantry, the Healdsburg org who gathers (aka, "gleans") any extra produce from local farms with more than they need or can handle, and feeds it to the hungry. "We are so excited to announce that gleaning with Farm to Pantry is now a Social Impact experience on AirBnB!" the org says. "Social impact experiences on Air BnB allow visitors who may not know the best way to give back to the community they’re visiting, to do so! This is also means Farm to Pantry will get 100% of the proceeds to help fight hunger." According to the Airbnb listing, participants pay $20 to help out for three hours. Here's what the listing says: "Spend time with Farm to Pantry to view some of Sonoma Counties beautiful properties and orchards! ... We ensure that you will have an amazing experience seeing gem properties of Northern California, while helping community members and the environment!" (Airbnb & Farm to Pantry via Facebook)

From our sponsor:

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Healdsburg pics of the day, winter skies edition:

Wanna see one of your pics right here in the newsletter? Send it to me for consideration. Please just confirm in your email that you took the photo, and that Patch has permission to republish it, K? 📸

Today and tomorrow in Healdsburg:

Wednesday, December 14

• Minimum Day at Healdsburg High School for Final Exams (Dec. 14-15, All Day)
• Farm to Pantry Glean at Norris Farm (9AM-12PM)
• West Side School Students Host Holiday Market With Handmade Gifts (Dec. 14-15, 1:30-3:30PM)
• "Game On!" for Teens at the Healdsburg Library (2-5PM)
• City of Healdsburg Senior Citizens Advisory Commission Special Meeting (4PM)
• North Bay Business Journal Hosts "Top Projects" Awards at Bacchus Landing (4-6PM)
• "What Moves You?" Spiritual Reflection & Communal Meal at THE 222 (5:30PM)
• Rio Lindo Adventist Girls Basketball Home Game Vs. Victory Christian Academy (5:30PM)
• City of Healdsburg Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting (6PM)
• Healdsburg Unified School District Board Meeting (6PM)
• Canon Book Group at the Healdsburg Library: "Man's Search for Meaning" (6PM)
• Healdsburg Running Company Ladies Host Ugly Sweater Run & Cookie Exchange, Featuring Beer Pong (6PM)
• Trivia Night at Coyote Sonoma (Weekly, 7-9PM)
• The Mavericks’ Very Merry Christmas Tour at the Luther Burbank Center, Feat. Special Guest JD McPherson (7:30PM)

Thursday, December 15

• Healdsburg Running Company Hosts Thursday Night Run With the Crew, Finishing at the Harmon Guest House Rooftop (6PM)

From my notebook:

• Healdsburg nonprofit Reach for Home says that due to the cold, the winter shelter at St. Paul's Church "will continue to be open through at least this Sunday, December 18." Dinner is served at 6 p.m. every day except Sunday, when it will be served at 5 p.m. — and the doors shut each night at 9 p.m. Wanna help out? You can sign up here to make and serve meals. (SignUpGenius & Reach for Home via Facebook)
• Meanwhile, Healdsburg resident Anne Goebel says she just visited the new L&M Village homeless shelter at the south end of town, recently opened inside the old L&M Motel, to see how her friend Sandra is doing there. "She's very happy to be there," Anne says. "Sandra is a go getter and wants to contribute to the success of this project. Many things are needed. How do people feel about placing a tree with each residents wish on it? Those who want could adopt a person to facilitate a successful transition for them." You can message Anne directly on Nextdoor if you're interested. (Nextdoor)
• The Healdsburg High School girls soccer team is undefeated so far this season. They just won their fourth game — a shutout — against St. Vincent. Woot! (Press Democrat; paywall)
• There's a great piece in the PD this week on three Sonoma County wineries that recently "passed the torch" to the next generation — including Ramey Wine Cellars here in town. From the story: "When Alan Ramey expressed interest in working for the family business one summer, the first task his father assigned him was to clean every ball valve in the cellar with a toothbrush. ... Today, Alan and his sister, Claire Ramey, are at the helm of the esteemed family winery in Healdsburg, where they are learning to pave their own path under their father’s legacy." (Press Democrat; paywall)
• Some more interesting local business news from the PD: A new program called Sonoma Corps that gives students "work-readiness skills" for the manufacturing industry — including "agriculture, food and beverage production, health care and tech" — is proving fruitful for local companies with staffing shortages. Graduates have had success here in Healdsburg at both the Costeaux bakery and Max Machinery Inc., a company "which makes meters that track the amount of liquid, gas or vapor moving through a pipe for automobiles, airplanes and hydraulic testing." Read the full story here. (Press Democrat; paywall)
• The company behind Healdsburg's under-construction Mill District development says home sales have been super strong so far. Along with two other luxury developments the company is building in Arizona and Colorado, they've sold $300 million in homes this year. And they're not even built yet! (Mile High CRE)
• FYI — Grandma's pumpkin patch up past the Montage isn't selling Christmas trees this year. But they say they can still go find a tree for you and deliver it, if you want. (Nextdoor)

Alrighty, that's it for today. I'll be back tomorrow with more!

— Simone Wilson

About me: I was born and raised in Healdsburg, CA, where I was the editor of the Healdsburg High School Hound's Bark. I have since worked as a local journalist for publications in San Diego, Los Angeles, New York City and the Middle East. I'm currently a senior product manager for Patch.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Healdsburg Daily? Contact me at simone.wilson@patch.com