🌱 Antique Store Closing + Storm Recovery Center Maxed + E-Bike Saga

Hi there, Healdsburg! I'm here in your inbox this glistening winter Thursday to get you up to speed on everything you need to know about what's going on in town. In today's issue, you'll find news about:

• A favorite old Healdsburg antiques warehouse closing their doors
• The overwhelming turnout at the county's storm recovery center here in town
• Why the City of Healdsburg really paused its Bird e-bike program
• And more...

But first, your daily weather:

• Thursday: Mostly sunny. "Freeze warning" in effect overnight. High: 56 Low: 34.
• Friday: Frost in the morning. Mostly sunny again. High: 61 Low: 33.

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Air over Healdsburg:

Here are the top 3 stories in Healdsburg today:

1. You know how yesterday I told you about the storm “recovery support center” that Sonoma County officials opened at the Healdsburg Community Center to provide financial support to local storm victims? Unfortunately they're not accepting any more "applicants for emergency financial assistance" at our center nor the one in Guerneville, officials say, because too many people have already applied. The Press Democrat stopped by the center Monday and talked to Healdsburg landscaper Roberto Levaro Estrada, who hasn't been able to do his job during the heavy rains — one of hundreds of locals seeking assistance that day alone. He's reportedly still waiting to see if he will qualify for relief funds. "Levaro Entrada said he had to stay indoors for much of the storm," the PD reports, "taking care of his 16-, 14- and 11-year-old kids. Now that they are at school, he can go out and seek assistance, but he said he is afraid he won’t qualify for enough to cover two months of rent and bills. He needs at least $1,200 for rent. 'We don’t know what will happen if we can’t pay,' he said." And now, the application window for this pilot program has been closed entirely. However, county officials say that "both centers will continue to take information from applicants and direct them to non-funding related resources that may still be available" and that people are still "encouraged to call 211 Sonoma County for more information about available resources." (County of Sonoma via Facebook & Healdsburg Patch & Press Democrat; paywall)
2. The Healdsburg Tribune has the scoop on why the Bird e-bike share program in Healdsburg is on pause. In short — city leaders tell the Tribune that the Bird company staffer who was in charge of collecting, recharging and relocating bikes after they'd been used quit unexpectedly right before the holidays, and Bird hasn't found a replacement yet. So they asked Bird to remove the bikes from our streets until it’s sorted out. And apparently the same exact thing just happened in Windsor! Here are some more details from the Trib on our latest e-bike saga: "The City of Healdsburg can’t seem to keep its skinny wheels on the road. When former bike rental contractor Zagster went bankrupt during the pandemic, it left this popular wine country destination without tourist-friendly bike rentals. So with a $290,000 contract from the City of Healdsburg, Bird Global took up the challenge and delivered close to 100 new blue electric bikes to several stations around town. That was in October, about four months ago. ... Billing problems with the app emerged almost from the start, sometimes making it easier to check out a bike than to return it. The distinctive blue bikes were often found in random locations around town, sometimes for days at a time, often not charged up enough for a new customer to take over." Healdsburg Mayor Ariel Kelley says she doesn't think Bird's reported financial struggles at the corporate level are a factor, and hopes to get the program up and running again soon. (Healdsburg Tribune)
3. Did you know the big Mill Street Antiques warehouse, located across from the Elephant in the Room pub and next to Coyote Sonoma in the Mill Street shopping center, is moving up to Cloverdale after three decades in Healdsburg, due to rising rents? According to the Trib, it will close at the end of this month and reopen on March 1 at 790 South Cloverdale Blvd., described as "an empty storefront... next to the Ace Hardware store on the south end of town." Co-owner Liz Frigerio says of Healdsburg: "There’s no compassion for locals keeping us here… You watch businesses go in and out quickly on Healdsburg Avenue because the rents are too high for a small business." More from the Trib: "The space is 4,400 square feet, which is a substantial downsize from the 7,500 square footage they have now. But the move comes with a lot of unknowns. Although it is farther north, there are those who think that’s a good thing. 'Even when I talk to customers who come in and have only been here five years, they talk about how the city has changed. It used to feel real small-town; now it’s catering totally to the rich in San Francisco,' said Frigerio. 'I don’t mean to be negative, but I’m looking for a house in Cloverdale.'” Click through for the full story, including some great context about antique trends right now and the evolution of that little shopping center at the intersection of Mill Street and Healdsburg Avenue. (Healdsburg Tribune)

Healdsburg pics of the day, foggy morning edition:

Do you have a great local pic to share? I would love if you would send it to me for consideration in the newsletter. Pics of community members are especially appreciated! Please just confirm in your email that you took any photos you're sending, and that Patch has permission to republish them. 📸

Today and tomorrow in Healdsburg:

Thursday, January 19

• Rio Lindo Adventist Girls Basketball Home Game Vs. Pacific Union College Prep (5PM)
• Indie Rock Band Güero Live at Little Saint (5:45PM)
• Healdsburg Running Company Hosts Santa Rosa Run to Juncture Taproom (6PM)
• Healdsburg High School Boys Soccer Home Game Vs. Analy (7PM)
• "Cesar Died Today" Latino Play at the Raven Theater (Jan. 19-21, 7:30PM)
• Spike Sikes & His Awesome Hotcakes Live at the Elephant in the Room (8PM)

Friday, January 20

• Bilingual Family Storytime for Kids Aged 0-5 at the Healdsburg Library (10:30AM)
• The Humdinger Band Live at Coyote Sonoma (5-8PM)
• Beo String Quartet Performance at THE 222, Featuring Pre-Show Discussion (6:45PM)
• Healdsburg High School Girls Soccer Home Game Vs. Santa Rosa (7PM)
• Blind Boys of Alabama Live at the Luther Burbank Center, Featuring Special Guest Charlie Musselwhite (8PM)
• Ellie James Live at the Elephant in the Room (9PM-12AM)

From my notebook:

• The Healdsburg Farmers Market has announced some schedule changes for the 2023 season. "Although it would be nice to have a year-round market, I think most will agree these last few weeks of downpours has allowed us to see the advantage of having a seasonal one," organizers say. "On that note, our 2023 season will begin with Saturday market opening April 15th and closing December 23rd (one week longer...Yay!!)...perfect for the last minute shopping needed for the holidays! Tuesday market will open May 16th and closes a month earlier this year, on September 26th. Staying open through October last year meant a month of very slow markets. Thanks to all who did come, but there weren't enough of you... " (Healdsburg Farmers' Market via Facebook)
• We're now entering a dry period for the next week or two, says our hometown state senator, Mike McGuire. "There’s potential for some light rain later this week, but it will be minor," he says. "This dry-out will give folks a much deserved break to dig out. Early models show a wet February. Knock on wood because we need more of the wet stuff to fill up CA’s largest reservoirs." (Mike McGuire via Facebook & SF Chronicle; paywall)
• Looks like the winter shelter at St. Paul's Church will be open tonight and tomorrow night, due to the near-freezing temps expected overnight. (Reach for Home via SignUpGenius)

You're officially in the loop for today. See you soon!

— 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