🌱 'Dangerous' Poles On Bike Path + Rain Forecast + Harvest Parties

Hello all. Simone here with your fresh weekend edition of the Healdsburg Daily! Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about what's happening in town, including updates on...

• A proposal to get rid of safety poles on our local bike bath
• Grants for Healdsburg events that might attract tourists
• The folks running for City Council
• All sorts of harvest parties this weekend

But first, your weekend weather:

• Saturday: Mix of sun and clouds, with some strong winds. High: 77 Low: 55.
• Sunday: Rainy, windy and cool. Possible thunderstorms. High: 63 Low: 55.
• Monday: More rain and possible thunderstorms. High: 71 Low: 52.

Also: These rains, expected to last into Tuesday, could "dump enough rain on the region to temporarily tamp down the likelihood of wildfires," the Press Democrat reports. As much as an inch-and-a-half is predicted for higher-elevation parts of Sonoma County like the Healdsburg hills, and up to an inch in town. You can read more about this "pretty decent rainfall event" in the PD. (Press Democrat; paywall)

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Air over Healdsburg:

Here are the top 3 stories today in Healdsburg:

1. The Foss Creek Pathway through town could see its safety poles — or "bollards" — removed in the near future, if Healdsburg City Councilmember Ariel Kelley gets her way. She has "introduced a proposal to remove the safety poles from the city’s Foss Creek Pathway," the PD reports, "in response to the death of Rob Reyes, a Santa Rosa chef who died Aug. 23 after he crashed into a safety pole while bicycling on a west county trail." More on her rationale, from the story: "Kelley said she believes the poles, called bollards, are a danger to cyclists who often ride squeezed together in groups and can’t easily avoid them. She said she rides Healdsburg’s bike path every day, often with her son and daughter, ages 6 and 8. 'I think they (bollards) are generally really challenging to navigate,' she said. 'I have definitely hit a couple, usually just bumping into them. My kids run into them all the time.'" The full City Council plans to discuss Kelley’s proposal at their regular meeting on Monday evening — and "if a majority of the members agree the issue should be acted on, the policy will be introduced at a future meeting, probably in about a month, Kelley said." (Press Democrat; paywall)
2. Healdsburg's Tourism Improvement District is dangling $200,000 in grants for anyone who wants to organize "arts, cultural and educational activities" that will encourage people to come stay in Healdsburg. Grant applications will be accepted from now through Sept. 30 for stuff taking place between November 2022 and April 2023. "Priority is given to events or projects that encourage visits during the typically slow season (November – March) and mid-week," a rep for the tourism district says. "In years past, grants have been awarded to Corazon Healdsburg, The Alexander Valley Film Festival, Healdsburg Jazz Festival, Healdsburg Center for the Arts, Tuesday Concerts in the Plaza, the Healdsburg Museum, Dia De Los Muertos events, the community favorite Fourth of July Parade and Duck Dash, and more." This year's winners will be announced Oct. 20. Here's how to apply for a chunk of the money. (SurveyMonkey & Healdsburg Patch)
3. If you missed the Healdsburg City Council candidates forum earlier this week at Coyote Sonoma — or just want to know more about who's on the ballot this fall — the Healdsburg Tribune just ran a great little Q&A with the four candidates vying for two full-term seats on the council. Health coach Linda Cade, local businesswoman Susan Graf, sales manager Chris Herrod and incumbent Evelyn Mitchell answer the following questions: "What are the most important reasons you’re running for a city council seat?"; "What experience or specific qualifications will you bring to the city council?"; "How do you think the council can better represent its constituents?"; and "What do you think that visitors should know about Healdsburg?". The Tribune says they'll publish similar questions and answers from the other three candidates, shooting for the half-term seat, in next week's issue. (Healdsburg Tribune)

Healdsburg pic of the day:

Note from Simone: Want to see a photo of yours featured in the Healdsburg Daily? You can send it to me here. Please just confirm in your email that you took the photo, and that Patch has permission to republish it! 📸

This weekend in Healdsburg:

Saturday, September 17

• Botanical Bus at Corazón Healdsburg (All Day)
• Alexander Valley Vineyards Harvest Party (All Day)
• Bella Winery Backyard Harvest Jamboree (All Day, Sept. 17-18)
• Harvest Wellness Weekend at Montage Healdsburg (All Day, Sept. 17-18)
• Healdsburg Saturday Farmers Market (8:30AM-12PM)
• Russian River Watershed Cleanup Day at Memorial Beach (9-11AM)
• Healdsburg Museum Presents Matheson Street Historic District Architectural Walking Tour (10AM)
• Pinot, Pups & Pizza at Bacchus Landing (10AM-5PM)
• Read to a Dog at the Healdsburg Library (11AM)
• Copain Wines Harvest Party (11AM-4PM)
• Opening Year: "Cloverfest" Beer Festival at the Cloverdale Citrus Fairgrounds (12-4PM)
• DJ Yuka Yu Spinning Vinyls at BloodRoot Wines (3-7PM)
• Sutro Wine Company Harvest Pick-Up Party at Hoot Owl Picnic Grounds (5-8:30PM)
• Robb Fisher Trio Live at Hotel Healdsburg (6-9PM)
• Sonoma County Wine Auction at Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards & Winery (7PM)
• 46th Annual San Francisco Comedy Competition Semi-Finals at the Luther Burbank Center (8PM)
• The Rootstocks Live at Coyote Sonoma (8-11PM)
• Junior Toots & The Fyah Squad Band Live at the Elephant in the Room (8-11PM)

Sunday, September 18

• Winemaker Harvest Walk & Tasting at West Wines (9:45-11AM)
• 13th Annual Fiesta de Independencia at the Luther Burbank Center (1PM)
• Summit Session: Library Wine Immersion at MacRostie Estate House (2-4PM)

Monday, September 19

• Sonoma County Economic Development Board Workshop: How to Stabilize Your Business in Uncertain Times (12-1PM)
• Healdsburg Garden Club September Monthly Meeting at the Villa Chanticleer (12:30PM)
• Healdsburg City Council Meeting (6PM)

From my notebook:

• I saw a bunch of questions in my inbox and on social media this week about the helicopters buzzing over Healdsburg. City officials had warned that PG&E would be "flying helicopters to conduct surveys over our power lines in Healdsburg and Fitch Mountain" between Monday and Thursday — "equipped with LiDAR technology" and "flying at an altitude of about 500 feet." The point of the surveys was reportedly to "collect more data about PG&E’s power lines, poles and their surrounding environment in high-fire threat areas" You can call 1-877-295-4949 or email wildfiresafety@pge.com for more info. (City of Healdsburg via Facebook & Nextdoor & Facebook Groups)
• After a rough first few games, the Healdsburg High School football team almost came through with a win last night at Rec Park against Lower Lake, but ended up losing 30-36. "Great night at Rec park!" City Council candidate Chris Herrod says on Facebook. "The Hounds held the lead for most of the game but it slipped away at the end for a heartbreaking loss! They looked awesome though. Oh, and the band sounded amazing!"(Facebook Groups & MaxPreps)
• Healdsburg resident Lea Donosky emailed to tell me that "someone has left this skateboard in front of 210 Piper St in Healdsburg." See photo below. Anyone recognize it?

Now you're in the loop and ready to take on the weekend! Enjoy this summer rain, til we meet again...

— 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