🌱 Bear Republic News + City Council Race + Holiday Markets, Parties

Hello and happy Friday! It's me, Simone, host of the Healdsburg Patch newsletter — your guide to everything you need to know about what's happening in our community. We've got a big, wet, festive weekend coming up in town. To get you prepped, today's newsletter includes updates on...

• The uncertain future of the Bear Republic brewpub
• The official swearing in of Healdsburg's new city councilmembers
• Tonight's "winter wonderland" extravaganza in the plaza
• An ungodly amount of local holiday markets and parties this weekend
• And more!

But first, your weekend weather:

• Friday: Frost in the morning, then mostly sunny. High: 57 Low: 32.
• Saturday: Scattered showers — and maybe even a little snow! High: 52 Low: 42.
• Sunday: More rain, with a possible thunderstorm. High: 56 Low: 42.
• Monday: Cloudy and probably rainy again. High: 55 Low: 39.

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Air over Healdsburg:

Here are the top 3 stories today in Healdsburg:

1. The three new members of the Healdsburg City Council, elected by residents on Nov. 8, will be sworn in at the council's regular meeting on Monday, according to current councilmember David Hagele. Incumbent Evelyn Mitchell and Chris Herrod won the two open four-year terms — and the race for the two-year seat has been too close to call for weeks now, but this seems to indicate the council will be recognizing Ron Edwards as the winner over Brigette Mansell. He currently leads by 50 votes on the county's election results website. Guess we'll find out for sure on Monday! Also on the meeting agenda, according to Hagele: "We’ll kick things off with a couple of proclamations… one recognizing Tina Trettin on her retirement and Jerry Eddinger for his decades of service to the City. Under Old Business, we’ll get a financial update for the 1st quarter of our fiscal year (TOT, sales tax, etc.) and an update on the [Diversity, Equity & Inclusion] plan. Under New Business, we have a contract & Lease with Corazón and a revision to the garbage/recycling rate schedule, then, on to the exciting part!!! We’ll certify the election and swear in our new Councilmembers!!!" (David Hagele via Facebook & Sonoma County Government)
2. The Bear Republic Brewing Company, which moved its brewpub from Healdsburg to Rohnert Park right before COVID hit, is closing the new location on Dec. 11 and staying "vacant through until at least the spring to give president and CEO Richard G. Norgrove time to decide its next step," according to the Press Democrat. It's one of various Sonoma County brewpubs that have reportedly been struggling to stay open. Bear Republic "had already cut back its operating hours and experimented away from the traditional waitstaff model," the PD reports — and "a slower winter season would put the brewpub in the red, forcing Norgrove to reexamine his hospitality element at the business just south of Roberts Lake Park along the Highway 101 corridor." He tells the paper: “I just don't know how survivable it is under its current format. That's where we needed to make some changes. I mean we're just not making money." Nearly 40 brewery employees will reportedly be furloughed because of the shutdown. (Facebook Groups & Press Democrat; paywall)
3. Surely you know this already, but the plaza Christmas tree will finally get its lights tonight. After a long week of ornamenting, city crews will ceremoniously light the 43-foot white fir around 6:30 p.m. this evening, as the main event of the big "Merry Healdsburg" festival lasting from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The city promises to transform the plaza into a "winter wonderland" for the occasion — complete with a bunch of free holiday activities like carriage rides; photos with Santa; hot chocolate from Costeaux; traditional "Aguinaldo" Christmas goodie bags from Corazón Healdsburg, full of candy and treats; musical performances by the Healdsburg Chorus and Rocio La Dama de La Cumbia y Su Sonora; and more. There will also be a bunch of private food and desert vendors. Only thing that would make it more magical? Some real live snowflakes overnight... (Healdsburg Patch Calendar & Healdsburg Tribune)

From our sponsor:

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Healdsburg pics of the day:

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This weekend in Healdsburg:

Friday, December 2

• Bilingual Family Storytime at the Healdsburg Library for Kids Aged 0-5 (10:30AM)
• World Cup Soccer Watch Party at the Elephant in the Room (11AM)
• Volunteer Delivery Shift for Farm to Pantry: Meet at Feed Sonoma in Petaluma & Deliver to Families in Healdsburg (1:30PM)
• Little Monsters Culinary Hosts "Holiday Traditions" Kids Cooking Class at Felta School House, Featuring Hanukkah Recipes (3:30-5PM)
• Opening Reception: Holiday Gift Market at the Healdsburg Center for the Arts (5-8PM)
• "Merry Healdsburg" Tree Lighting Celebration in the Plaza, Feat. Carriage Rides, Costeaux Hot Chocolate, Food & Desert Vendors, Live Music, Photos With Santa & Other Family Activities (5-8:30PM)
• Kaethe and Marié, Acoustic Violin & Accordion Duo, Live at Little Saint (5:45PM)
• Pop/Rock Pianist Nick Foxer Live at Coyote Sonoma (6-9PM)
• Book Release Party & Poetry Reading at Arnot-Roberts Winery: "Embodied" by Xerxes Whitney (6:30PM)
• Blues Guitarist & Singer Elvin Bishop Live at the Raven Theater (7:30PM)
• Murray & Peter Present "A Drag Queen Christmas" at the Luther Burbank Center (8PM)
• Blues Defenders Live at the Elephant in the Room, Feat. Levi Lloyd (8-11PM)

Saturday, December 3

• World Cup Soccer Watch Party at the Elephant in the Room: USA Vs. Netherlands (7AM)
• Breakfast with Santa at Costeaux French Bakery (Weekly, 9-11AM)
• Arts & Crafts Holiday Bazaar at Healdsburg's Pacifica Senior Living Community (9:30AM-1PM)
• Alexander Valley Ladies Aid Hosts Annual Old-Fashioned Christmas Bazaar at the Alexander Valley Hall (10AM-2PM)
• Italian Christmas Markets at Orsi Family Vineyards (Dec. 3-4, 11AM-4PM)
• Holiday Bazaar at Bacchus Landing (Dec. 3-4, 11AM-5PM)
• Holiday Open House & Reception at the Upstairs Art Gallery for "Merry and Bright" Exhibit: Meet the Artists & Enjoy Refreshments (11AM-6PM)
• Healdsburg Saturday Farmers Market (8:30AM-12PM)
• "Introduction to Rocketry" Workshop at the Healdsburg Center for the Arts With Teacher Linus Lancaster, Guest NASA Artist Richard Clar & Supervision From the Healdsburg Fire Department (9AM-12:30PM)
• Read to a Dog at the Healdsburg Library (11AM)
• Annual Holiday Wine Tasting & Fundraiser at Limerick Lane Cellars, Feat. Wines From Clarice, Beau Marchais, Moret-Brealynn & Limerick Lane (11AM-3PM)
• Healdsburg Animal Shelter Hosts Kissing Booth at Limerick Lane Fundraiser (11AM-3PM)
• "Gold & Glamorous" Christmas Party at the Jordan Winery Chateau for Members Only (1-4PM)
• "Sweet Little Keepsakes" Ornament-Making Workshop for Kids Aged 5-12 at Healdsburg Art Atelier (1-3:30PM)
• Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc Release Party at HANNA Winery & Vineyards (4-6PM)
• Annual Holiday Group Exhibit & Party at the Paul Mahder Gallery (4-7PM)
• Holiday Sip & Shop at 15 Local Businesses Across Healdsburg, With Check-in at CraftWork (4-7PM)
• 1 Year Anniversary Party at Shine Healdsburg Art Gallery During Sip & Shop, Feat. Live Paintings & DJ (5-8PM)
• Rainbow Jazz Collective Live at Furthermore Wines (5-8PM)
• Ukulele Player Jake Shimabukuro Live at the Luther Burbank Center for "Christmas in Hawaii" Show, Feat. Special Guests Nate Lopez & Justin Kawika Young (8PM)

Sunday, December 4

• Farm to Pantry Hosts Olive Glean in Healdsburg (9:30AM-12PM)
• Winter Open Studio at the Chalk Hill Artist Residency (1-4PM)
• 39th Annual "All Is Bright" Healdsburg Senior Appreciation Dinner (3PM)
• Bi-Annual Community Poetry Night at THE 222 (6:30PM)

Monday, December 5

• Healdsburg City Council Meeting (6PM)
• "ScripTease" Staged Play Reading at the Healdsburg Center for the Arts: "Home" by Petaluma Playwright Nathaniel Roberts (7PM)

Special notice:

Patch has partnered with T-Mobile for two new series: Local Heroes and Star Student Athletes. The goal is to highlight heroes and star athletes in Healdsburg!

• If you want to nominate a local hero, click here
• If you want to nominate a local athlete, click here.

From my notebook:

• It's "Toys For Tots" season in Healdsburg and environs. "If you would like to participate, you can bring a new, unwrapped toy to the police department lobby between now through December 15," Healdsburg Police Department officials say. "Once collected, the toys will then go to the Healdsburg Community Center and will be distributed by the Marine Toys for Tots volunteers." There are a whole bunch of other spots in town where you can drop off toys, too — see our roundup on the Patch. (Healdsburg Patch & Healdsburg Police Department via Facebook)
• Meanwhile, local tourism company Getaway Adventures is doing a kids bike giveaway. They're "looking for children, ages 5-7 that reside in Healdsburg and need bikes and who would otherwise not have bikes," a company rep says. "We have 4 new bikes that we want to give away." You can learn more on their website. (Inbox & Getaway Adventures & Getaway Adventures via Facebook)
• Some neighbors say there was a brief power outage in part of Healdsburg early this morning when something freaky happened with a local power line. Anyone else notice anything? (Facebook Groups)
• Another neighbor on Nextdoor asks: "Has a young witch or wizard lost their wand outside the Starbucks in Vine Plaza? As a wandmaker and wand collector myself I would really like to return it to its owner." (Nextdoor)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Winter Art Market (December 2)
• Italian Christmas Markets (December 3)
• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Free Stuff And Great Perks Every Week (December 6)
• Healdsburg Chorus Concert - "Season of Light" (December 10)
• Add your event

Thanks as always for following along and staying informed. See you next week!

— 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