🌱 Big Move For Michelin Chef + Healdsburg AAPI Residents Tell Stories

Hi, everybody! Simone here with your fresh copy of the Healdsburg Patch newsletter on this wet and wild spring Tuesday. You know the drill — keep reading to find out all the things you need to know about what's happening locally.

But first, your local weather:

• Tuesday: Rain and possible thunderstorms. High: 61 Low: 46.
• Wednesday: Partly sunny with more chances of rain and some wind. High: 68 Low: 44.
• Thursday: Same deal! High: 68 Low: 45.

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Air over Healdsburg:

Here are the top 3 stories today in Healdsburg:

1. Just in time for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, Healdsburg city leaders hosted the final installment last Thursday of their recent "community encuentro" discussion series in town — this one, focused on the 1.7 percent of locals who identify as AAPI. "[Six] panelists purposely sat in a half-circle as conceptualized by facilitator Corrina Hui of Acosta Latino Learning Partnership, with about 40 audience members across from them, seated in folding chairs," according to the Press Democrat. Most of the two-hour event was reportedly spent listening to the panelists share their personal stories, including "their family’s migration and lived experiences in the United States and Healdsburg." Among the panelists were Japanese-American residents Nozomu 'Nez' Tokugawa, chef and owner of Taste of Tea; Patrick Mukaida, retired director of hospitality at Ferrari-Carano; and Gayle Okumura Sullivan, co-owner of the Dry Creek Peach orchard and farmstand; as well as Filipino-American residents Caroline Bontia, who runs the Shop Local Healdsburg blog and social media account, and Lise Asimont, a higher-up at Dot Wines; and finally, Chinese-American resident Elaine Chen, who works at a regenerative farming nonprofit funded by local restaurants. More from the PD: "In the last 20 minutes of the meeting, an audience member asked about racism they’d experienced. Panelists said they’d encountered it in varying degrees. Asimont said she’d experienced it the week prior, whereas Mukaida said he saw it 'once or twice' growing up but otherwise had experienced no significant instances of hatred toward him. The group did, however, acknowledge widespread anti-Asian sentiment in the pandemic’s wake in Healdsburg and across the country." (Press Democrat; paywall)
2. I'm a little late on this one! The longtime chef at the Madrona Manor restaurant and hotel on Westside Road — recently rebranded and refurbished as The Madrona — has departed for a chiller job at Jordan Vineyard & Winery across town, in the Alexander Valley. Sonoma Magazine has the story: "After nearly 25 years as the lead chef of Madrona Manor (now The Madrona), chef Jesse Mallgren is stepping down from the Michelin-starred restaurant he put on the map. Best known for his forward-thinking menus and dedication to locally sourced ingredients, Mallgren brought a refined approach to California cuisine that made the restaurant a star long before Healdsburg became the internationally known dining destination it is today. Mallgren will take over as executive chef of Jordan Vineyard & Winery, named one of the top 50 wineries in the world in 2022. 'It’s better for my family and me,' Mallgren said from the Jordan kitchen on his first day of work earlier this month. He said family obligations and an increased workload contributed to his decision. When new owners reopened The Madrona last year, they added lunch and brunch services open to the public. 'Twenty-one meal services a week was just difficult to have a family with. With the staffing issues in Sonoma County, it was impossible not to be at the restaurant every moment,' Mallgren said. 'I had dinner with my family this Saturday night, which is insane. I don’t think I’ve ever done that,' said the 53-year-old father of two who started his career at Madrona Manor as a dishwasher." No word yet on who his replacement will be at The Madrona! (Sonoma Magazine)
3. The community has been rallying around a new Healdsburg police officer and 17-year Marine Corps veteran whose baby was born prematurely in February with a "rare immune deficiency disorder" that "presents itself with symptoms similar to certain types of cancer." The Healdsburg Police Officer's Association is running an online fundraiser for Officer Victor Claros' baby Romeo, in order to "assist the family with any expenses that come up in the foreseeable future." Nearly $5,000 has been raised so far, with a target of $50,000. The fundraising page says Officer Claros "is one of Healdsburg Police Department's newest officers and has quickly become a valued member of the department and the HPD family. Any help that can be provided will be greatly appreciated." And the Claros family gave an update on Romeo's status yesterday: "Romeo is currently growing and awaiting approval from the FDA to try a european drug due to the chemotherapy drugs on hand being too harsh for his little body to take. His [disorder] is being suppressed by multiple drugs, but that is only temporary. Due to the regimen of medications... this provides a window for infections and also organ failure. This situation is still changing every day. The Claros family thanks everyone for their continued support through this difficult time." (GoFundMe & Healdsburg Police Officers' Association via Facebook)

From our sponsor:

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Healdsburg pic of the day:

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Coming up in Healdsburg:

Tuesday, May 2

• Healdsburg Center for the Arts Hosts Watercolor Basics Class for Adults at the Community Center (Weekly on Tuesdays, May 2-30, 10AM-12PM)
• Spanish Music & Movement for Kids Aged 0-6 at the Healdsburg Library: (11AM)
• Healdsburg Brown Bag Book Club: "You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty" by Akwaeke Emezi (12PM)
• Friends of the Healdsburg Library Host Annual Meeting (5-6:30PM)
• Healdsburg High School Softball Team Plays at Home Vs. St. Vincent (5PM)
• Healdsburg Running Company "Trail Sisters" Host Local Loop Run (6PM)
• Sen. Mike McGuire & Cal Fire Host Virtual Town Hall on Wildfire Preparation & Prevention in Northern California (6:30PM)
• AVFest Hosts AAPI Heritage Night at Lo & Behold in Healdsburg, Featuring Film Screening of "7 Days" (6:30PM)
• Caroline Rose Live at Little Saint (8-11PM)

Wednesday, May 3

• Sonoma County Government Officials Host Virtual Home Resiliency Workshop: "The Value of Energy Efficiency in Home Electrification" (11:30AM-12:30PM)
• "Game On!" for Teens at the Healdsburg Library (1:30PM)
• Homework Help at the Healdsburg Library (Weekly, 4PM)
• "Knits & Knots" at the Healdsburg Library: Learn How to Knit/Crochet With Experts From the Purls of Joy Co-Op (6PM)
• Healdsburg High School Baseball Team Plays at Home Vs. Piner (7PM)
• Trivia Night at Coyote Sonoma, Featuring Star Wars Theme (7-9PM)

Thursday, May 4

• Gentle Yoga at the Healdsburg Senior Center (Weekly on Thursdays, May 4-25, 10:10AM-10:55AM)
• Screening of the Alzheimer's Association's "A Caregiver's Guide to Finances" at the Healdsburg Library (11AM-12PM)
• Homework Help at the Healdsburg Library (Weekly, 3:30PM)
• Trivia Night at Fogbelt Station Beer Garden (Weekly, 6-8PM)
• Twain Live at Little Saint (6-9PM)
• Karaoke Night at Coyote Sonoma (Weekly, 7-10PM)

In partnership with T-Mobile:

Do you know an incredible mom you'd like the rest of Healdsburg to know about, too? Maybe it's your mom — or your daughter, a friend who's a mom or someone who steps up like a mom for the people in her life. Whoever it is, we want to hear about her! Just fill out this simple form and we'll do the rest.

From my notebook:

• The popular Watch Duty fire alert app, created in Healdsburg, has reportedly expanded its coverage area across much of the western U.S. "Over the past year, it has added dedicated reporters in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, Colorado, and Arizona," says a press release on the expansion. "Watch Duty's services are now live in these states, along with California, Colorado, New Mexico, Montana, Utah and Wyoming." (PR Newswire)
• The folks at the Healdsburg Museum just set up an "agricultural display" in a tall case at Hotel Healdsburg's Spirit Bar. The mini exhibit highlights "Healdsburg's historic agricultural 'triplets' — grapes, hops and prunes: the crops that built Healdsburg from 1860s to 1970s," museum officials say. "On display are historic photos, artifacts and ephemera from the Healdsburg Museum collection. We want to have more displays around the community to help share the treasures of the Museum beyond the Museum walls. Let us know your ideas for collaborating." (Healdsburg Museum and Historical Society via Facebook)

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That's it for today. See you right back here tomorrow!

— 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at simone.wilson@patch.com