🌱 Drought Status + New Tasting Rooms + Forest Work On Fitch

Yay, we made it to Friday! To celebrate, here's your weekend edition of the Healdsburg Daily, full of everything you need to know about what's going on locally. Enjoy <3

First, your weekend weather:

• Friday: Sunny. High: 64 Low: 38.
• Saturday: More sun. High: 66 Low: 36.
• Sunday: More sun, and a little warmer. High: 69 Low: 37.
• Monday: Sun sun sun! High: 70 Low: 38.

Shoutout to our premier local sponsor:

• Have you stopped by Amy's Wicked Slush near Memorial Bridge lately? Amy's has Slush in glorious flavors like root beer, mango, and orange cream and soft serve in flavors like Cupcake, Blueberry and Brown Sugar Cinnamon. Can’t decide? Get the Split — half-slush, half-soft serve layered up like a parfait! Do yourself a favor and stop by ASAP.

Air over Healdsburg:

Here are the top 5 stories today in Healdsburg:

1. Heads up for anyone who lives on Fitch Mountain or likes to hike there: The Healdsburg Fire Dept. will soon start taking advantage of this wintertime weather to groom the forest on top of Fitch ahead of next fire season. "We will be using saw teams and some equipment to reduce the fuel load," fire officials say. "We are removing ladder fuels, thinning smaller and diseased trees under the direction of a professional registered forester." They say they're going to try to "keep the park open while the work is being done," but we'll see. And while they're up there, they ask that you "please make sure that the fuels crew see you if you are trying to pass them on the trail." (Facebook & Facebook)
2. My mom forwarded me kind of a scary New York Times update (hi mom!) on the state of the drought in California after "an unusually dry January." The TLDR is that much of the water-supply gains we got from those big, beautiful rains in October and December "are slipping away sooner than any of us would like," as the state's snowpack reportedly falls below "90 percent of its historical level." In the words of a rep from the CA Dept. of Water Resources: "That one dry month of January basically wiped out whatever head start we had as we head towards the end of winter." And the forecast for February isn't looking very wet so far, either. So keep your water-conservation hats on, Healdsburg! According to county water officials, Lake Sonoma is lower right now than it was at this time last year, ahead of the historic drought of summer 2021. Some slightly better news: Levels at Lake Mendocino, Healdsburg's main source of water (via the Russian River), are around 20 percent higher than they were at this time last year — although we're still only at 62 percent of the target. (New York Times & Sonoma Water)
3. Have you joined the local effort to save Healdsburg yarn and knitting shop Purls of Joy yet? A group of neighbors are coming together to try to "start a CO-OP of sorts" to purchase the shop before it's forced to close this month, according to Janice Orrego, one of the potential co-op members. "We are so very close in making this a reality and would hate to see this store close," she says. "It would be [a loss] to the HBG community and to surrounding areas as well." The group plans to meet again tomorrow morning from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the shop, located at 461 Healdsburg Ave. near Piper Street. All are welcome and encouraged to come help "maintain a center for the fiber arts in Healdsburg." You can reach out to Janice at Janorrego@icloud.com for more info. (Inbox & Facebook & Google Maps)
4. Speaking of local institutions in limbo: Today is the last day for anyone interested in taking over the contract for the historic Villa Chanticleer on Fitch Mountain to submit a "request for interest" to the city, who owns it. The Tayman Golf Group has been running the Villa since 2014, but they're backing out this summer. Over the next month, city officials say they'll be "discussing the future operational aspects of the Villa," and then "these discussions will be integrated into a Request for Proposal that is expected to be issued in March." Indicating interest now "involves no commitment," the city says. Here's some cool backstory from the Tribune: "The Villa Chanticleer has been an important part of Healdsburg since it was built in 1910 as a country resort for the French elite of San Francisco. ... In the early 1900’s the Villa was a well known resort where people could take buggy rides up to eat at the screened dining pavilion or visit the numerous vacation cabins." (City of Healdsburg & Facebook & SoCoNews Healdsburg)
5. We've been hearing about a possible SMART train extension through Healdsburg for years. Small update on that front from the Press Democrat: "SMART’s extension from the Sonoma County Airport to Windsor is 30% constructed, including 3.1 miles of rail and pathway. The railline is seeking additional grant funds to complete the $65 million project. Once funding is secured, the project could be ready for service within 18 months." And the further extension to Healdsburg "is also funding dependent," the PD reports, so "SMART is working to identify and obtain funds for this project. A major cost factor is the cost to repair or replace the Healdsburg Russian River Bridge, with a current estimate of $17 million for this structure." Sounds like we still have a while to wait... (Press Democrat; paywall)

From our sponsor:

Tackling a big to-do list around the house to start the new year? Our partners at Thumbtack, the home services app, have made hiring trusted local pros for pretty much any job extremely easy and intuitive. In minutes, you can find a painter, plumber, roofer or someone to help with small jobs such as trash hauling or appliance repair. And Thumbtack's rating system can give you confidence that you're hiring a quality pro you can count on. Click here to get started.

Healdsburg pic of the day:

Want to see your local photo here? Submit it for consideration. We especially love pics of community members! Please just confirm in your email that you own the rights to the photo, and that Patch has permission to republish it.

This weekend in Healdsburg:

Friday, February 4

• Little Monsters Culinary Cooking & Art Class at Old Felta Schoolhouse (3:45-6:30PM)

Saturday, February 5

• Healdsburg Running Company Lake Sonoma Gray Pine Flat Trailhead Loop Run, Feat. Potluck Food Contest With Smoking Man (8AM)
• Guided Nature Therapy Walk at Wildhaven Sonoma (10-11AM)
• SOMA Church Community Hike at Healdsburg Ridge Open Space Preserve (10AM-1PM)
• Vaccine Clinic at Healdsburg Elementary School's Fitch Mountain Campus (10AM-2PM)
• Sonoma County Library Presents: Virtual Drag Queen Story Hour, Feat. the "Ultra Glamorous PerSia" (10:30AM)
• Live Music by Adam Lieb at Spicy Vines Winery (3-6PM)

Sunday, February 6

• Valentine's Pop-Up at Bon Ton Baby: Fairies Just Wand to Have Fun (10AM-5PM)

Monday, February 7

• Monday Mystery Book Group at Sonoma County Library: Dear Child, by Romy Hausman (2:30-3:30PM)
• Mindful Monday Virtual Yoga for All Ages at Sonoma County Library (4:30-5:30PM)
• Healdsburg City Council Meeting (6PM)
• Healdsburg High School Course Selection Night for Incoming 10th Graders (6PM)

From my notebook:

• Healdsburg resident Frank Palmieri reportedly died on New Year's Eve at the age of 82. He was "an artist, a trusted and steadfast friend, an integral part of a group of local skilled craftsmen and ... a devoted family man," according to his obituary. In his younger years, Frank "worked in the Crystal Growing Departments of Fairchild Semi-Conductor International until its closure in Healdsburg," his obit says. "He then applied his skills to his remodel and repair business for 40 years in the Healdsburg area. Frank was also a volunteer for 12 years at The Salvation Army Lytton ARC, helping many young men on their paths to sobriety." May he rest in peace. (Legacy.com)
• A new "Sicily-inspired" Healdsburg winery called Aeris Wines "has been quietly open for a few weeks" on the northwest corner of the plaza "and will host a grand opening event on Feb. 11," according to the San Francisco Chronicle. And they're "pouring the best white wine you've never heard of," the Chronicle writes — a variety called Carricante, reportedly "one of the most coveted white wines from Italy, rarely seen in California." (SF Chronicle; paywall)
• There are some more good Healdsburg wine and food updates in the very first edition of a monthly SF Chronicle column called "New in Wine Country." Tidbits include: Lo & Behold, the new bar and kitchen birthed by the original founders of Duke’s Spirited Cocktails, is now officially open on Healdsburg Avenue where Mateo's used to be; natural wine company Jolie-Laide just moved into the Idlewild Wines tasting room on the plaza, alongside Idlewild and Ruth Lewandowski Wines; and Smith Story Wine Cellars, Instagram-famous for their goldendoodle, is now serving their wines at the Bacchus Landing tasting collective off Westside Road. (SF Chronicle; paywall)
• How awesome is this? Volunteers from Healdsburg nonprofit Farm to Pantry say they recently "gleaned" nearly 600 pounds of oranges from trees on the Healdsburg plaza, then delivered them "to those facing food insecurity." (Facebook)
• The Healdsburg Police Department posted a sweet tribute yesterday to Leo, the department's official "therapy dog" who "checks on people throughout the day to make sure they're okay." (Facebook)
• These are the three local homes that earned "historic preservation awards" this year from the folks at the Healdsburg Museum: 1385 Magnolia Drive, 310 East Street and 120 North Street. Click through for the before-and-after pics. (Facebook)
• A rather gorgeous male husky was found running loose yesterday on Healdsburg Avenue near Kennedy Lane. He's now waiting for his human at the Healdsburg animal shelter. (Facebook)

Loving the Healdsburg Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe
• Get your local business showcased in front of readers
• Send me a news tip or suggestion at simone.wilson@patch.com

That's it for now. I'll catch up with you all 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.