🌱 'Community Leader' Dies + Movie Theater Update + Valentine's Day

Hey, everybody! Simone here with your Valentine's Day edition of the Healdsburg Patch newsletter, filled with all the local news you need to know right now. Let's get right to it...

First, your local weather:

• Tuesday: Cold and blustery day with a chance of rain. Prepare for freezing temps overnight! High: 54 Low: 28.
• Wednesday: Mostly sunny and warming up. High: 63 Low: 30.

Shoutout to the awesome local businesses who keep this newsletter running:

• Looking to rent in the Healdsburg area? Stacey Bernd at Healdsburg & Artisan Sotheby’s International is a second generation realtor who has lived in Sonoma County for 50 years. You could say she has real estate in her genes – even her daughter is a real estate agent! Work with a local agent you can trust. Thinking of listing a property to rent? Stacey is a wiz at successfully matching quality owners and tenants. Contact Stacey and work with Healdsburg’s best.

• Looking to buy or sell a luxury property in Sonoma County? Healdsburg’s Sotheby’s International Realty is a local firm with global reach that specializes in luxury real estate, vineyards, wineries and land in Sonoma County. Healdsburg's Sotheby's: local expertise, deep market knowledge, and a passion for the community. Whether buying or selling, it pays to work with the best. Call Healdsburg’s Sotheby’s at 707-433-4800.

• Considering a fire-safe metal roof or siding for your home? Metal Roof Company has specialized in metal roofing and wall panels in the North Bay area for nearly 30 years. They work with homeowners, architects and general contractors on everything from single-family homes to commercial installations — and take pride in getting the job done right. To see a gallery of projects or to learn more, visit Metal Roof Company today or email metalroofcompany.com@gmail.com.

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Air over Healdsburg:

Here are the top stories in Healdsburg today:

1. Military veteran and Healdsburg "community leader" Dennis O'Neel just passed away at age 79. "He was such an integral part of Healdsburg, beginning with Healdsburg Photo, participation in Rotary, and being Santa at Cousteau for over 25 years," his wife of 56 years, Chris, tells me over email. She says his funeral mass will be held this Saturday morning at St. John’s Church. From his obituary: "Born in 1943 in Inglewood, California, Dennis attended San Diego State University, where he was an active member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon before enlisting in the military. He proudly served in the U.S. Army and received a bronze star for his service in Vietnam. ... After his military service, Dennis worked for several multinational corporations worldwide before moving to Healdsburg in 1992, where he and his wife ran a photo lab, portrait studio, and framing business for many years. Dennis believed in supporting his community and was a founding member and first President of the Sunrise Rotary Club of Healdsburg. For 25 years, he was the beloved Santa every Christmas and greeted children at Costeaux French Bakery, the City of Healdsburg town square, and St. Johns Catholic Church." Sending a lot of love to all who knew him... (Inbox & Legacy.com)

2. Update on the new "Plaza Cinema" movie theater planned for that little shopping center behind the old Bear Republic location! The Shop Local Healdsburg blog and social media account just posted a "sneak peak" from the org behind the vision — the Alexander Valley Film Society, or AVFilm — of some new plans, renderings and empty rooms at 371 Healdsburg Ave. "Plaza Cinema will include: 3 theatre rooms, with 26, 56, and 33 seats, respectively; meeting and classroom spaces for aspiring film students' event courtyard; and office headquarters," Shop Local reports, adding: "We also got an exciting sneak peek (though we can’t show that just yet!) of the front entrance facade rendering, fabric swatches and floor sample. All I can say is, expect luxe, modern, earthy rich tones — the perfect compliment to wine country living, and soon, watching." AVFilm's executive director tells Shop Local that the idea is to build a "state of the art" theater with a "smaller and responsible carbon footprint" than it would had have in the old Raven Theater building — "a cinema that reflects a contemporary understanding of movies, audiences and community." Check out Shop Local's full video post for some visuals. (Shop Local Healdsburg via Instagram)

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Healdsburg pics of the day, Valentine's edition:

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Today and tomorrow in Healdsburg:

Tuesday, February 14

• Valentine’s Day Wine & Food Pairing at Thumbprint Cellars (Feb. 14-19, 11AM-6PM)
• Valentine's Sushi Class at Comstock Wines (11:45AM-1PM)
• "For the Love of Pasta" the Healdsburg Senior Center (12PM)
• Opening Reception for New Art Exhibit at the Upstairs Art Gallery: "Color With Love" (3-6PM)
• SOLD OUT: "Olive You" Valentine's Dinner at Costeaux Bakery (5:30PM)
• Healdsburg City Planning Commission Meeting (6PM)
• Healdsburg Running Company Hosts "Valentine's/Single Awareness Day" Event With "Dot Bubbles & Romance Novels" (6PM)
• Emcee Radioactive Valentines Live at the Elephant in the Room (7-11PM)

Wednesday, February 15

• Lunch with the Mayor at the Healdsburg Senior Center (11AM-12:30PM)
• Teen Anime Club at the Healdsburg Library (1:30PM)
• Homework Help at the Healdsburg Library (Weekly, 4PM)
• Conversation at Craftwork Healdsburg: "The Lions of The Namib & Gorillas of Central Africa: The Power of Sustainable Travel" (5:30-7:30PM)
• Healdsburg Unified School District Board Meeting (6PM)
• Open Mic for Gen Zs at Jendala's Studio (Monthly, 6-8PM)
• North Coast Section Boys Soccer Playoffs: Healdsburg High School Plays Marin Catholic at Home (7PM)
• North Coast Section Girls Basketball Playoffs: Healdsburg High School Plays Lick-Wilmerding at Home (7PM)
• Trivia Night at Coyote Sonoma (Weekly, 7-9PM)

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Featured events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Fresh Perks Every Week (February 14)
• Mardi Gras 2023 (February 21)
• Taxes in Retirement Webinar (February 21)
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Now you're in the loop for today! I'll be back in your inbox soon 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at simone.wilson@patch.com