🌱 Earth Day Events + The New Healdsburg Lumber + Gun Fight On Grove?

Hello, neighbors! I'm here in your inbox today with your jam-packed Earth Weekend edition of the Healdsburg Patch newsletter, filled with everything you need to know about what's going on around town. You'll find these stories and more:

• An expansive new home for Healdsburg Lumber
• Some local teens suspected of shooting a gun near City Hall
• Tons of Earth Day events in town, including the much-anticipated Climate Fest in the plaza

But first, your local weather:

• Thursday: Mostly sunny and breezy. High: 75 Low: 46.
• Friday: Mostly sunny and breezy again. Heating up. High: 82 Low: 49.
• Saturday: Same deal! Hottest day of the weekend. High: 83 Low: 51.
• Sunday: More sun. High: 76 Low: 46.
• Monday: More sun. High: 75 Low: 43.
• Tuesday: Annnd more sun. High: 76 Low: 46.

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Air over Healdsburg:

Here are the top 3 stories in Healdsburg today:

1. If you noticed some police hubbub in the downtown area on Tuesday afternoon, it might have been this. Healdsburg police say they got a call around 3:30 p.m. about "suspicious individuals wearing hoodies and having their faces covered with bandanas" near the intersection of Grove and North Streets, by City Hall. "When officers arrived in the area," police officials say, "they located two individuals and attempted to contact them. The two individuals immediately ran from officers, jumping fences and running through yards in an attempt to evade officers. After pursuing the individuals on foot, officers caught both individuals in the 700 block of Healdsburg Ave [near Lincoln Street]. During a search of one of the individuals’ backpack, officers located a loaded firearm. The suspects, 15 and 16-year-old juveniles from Healdsburg, were arrested on charges including possession of a loaded firearm in public, possession of a concealed firearm in public stolen, possession of stolen property, and resisting arrest. The 16-year-old was additionally charged with violation of the terms of his juvenile probation based on a prior firearms-related charge. Both juveniles were booked at Juvenile Hall." Police shared a pic on Facebook of the alleged gun and ammo they confiscated. And they add that the day before around the same time, they had responded to a "nearby apartment complex" after receiving reports of gunshots and "subjects matching the same general description." After investigating, police say they "determined that at least two shots were fired from a handgun at another individual" and that "no one was struck during that incident, but evidence of the crime was located at the scene." (Healdsburg Police Department via Facebook & Press Democrat; paywall)
2. One of Healdsburg's most successful and well-loved local businesses, Healdsburg Lumber Company, just opened the grand doors of their brand-new location across the river at at 13534 Healdsburg Ave. to the public. The Tribune has the story: "Healdsburg history was remade this week as the long-standing location of Healdsburg Lumber Company closed and a new 43,000-square-foot complex of home improvement services opened less than a mile to the south, toward Highway 101. 'Healdsburg Lumber has been at that facility since 1875 or ’76,' said Eric Ziedrich, looking at an early 20th-century photograph blown up into a mural behind the service desk at the new store. 'That’s A.F. Stevens who bought the site in 1907. The lumber yard had just burned down. He bought it, rebuilt it — he was an ambitious, motivated entrepreneur.' A description which could easily fit Ziedrich himself, a three-time city councilmember, two-time mayor who is currently embracing real estate as a second career. He pulled himself out of the day-today operations of Healdsburg Lumber when he turned over the reins to his daughter, Jill Ziedrich Gaylor, in 2020. She and her two daughters were on-hand at the 13534 Healdsburg Ave. location on Monday morning as Ziedrich cut a yellow caution-tape 'ribbon' to mark the unofficial opening of the new site. Gaylor said the official opening would be June 15, once all the bugs are worked out, but her father had organized the Monday morning ribbon cutting to recognize the staff and contractors who made the move possible." Very exciting. You can read the whole piece — and see the pics! — here. (Healdsburg Tribune & Healdsburg Lumber Company)
3. Grace Elizabeth "Bette" Lopeman, a Windsor resident and "staple at Healdsburg High School for over 30 years," has passed away at age 89, according to her obituary. "She touched the lives of many students as a teacher's aide, coach and statistician for every sporting event she could attend," her obituary says. She reportedly leaves behind three children, 10 grandchildren and eight great-great grandchildren (!). More from Bette's obituary: "She was married to her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Richard 'Dick' Lopeman, for 45 years before he preceded her in death. She will be remembered for her quick wit, infectious laugh, soft spot for her dogs and love of Bette Boop. She is also preceded in death by her son, Kevin. Bette was a sports enthusiast, a passionate SF Giants, 49ers fan, avid knitter and never met a slot machine she didn't like. She loved family and attended every event she could. ... A graveside burial at Santa Rosa Memorial Park will be held on April 21, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. and will be open to anyone that would like to attend. A celebration of life will follow at the Holiday Inn in Windsor from 4:00 - 6:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Humane Society in Healdsburg." (Legacy.com)

From our sponsor:

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Coming up in Healdsburg:

Thursday, April 20

• Great Redwood Trail Agency Board of Directors Hold Public Meeting at Healdsburg City Hall (10:30AM)
• Homework Help at the Healdsburg Library (3PM)
• Healdsburg High School Softball Team Plays at Home Vs. Tomales Bay (5PM)
• Corazón Healdsburg, Legal Aid of Sonoma County Host Tenant Rights Workshop / Taller Educativo Sobre Sus Derechos Como Inquilino (6PM)
• "420 Party" at the Elephant in the Room, Feat. Live Music by Bossa Funka Nova, Nick Otis & Matt Silva (6PM)
• Marty O’Reilly Live at Little Saint (6PM)
• Healdsburg Running Company Hosts Rohnert Park Run to Old Caz Brewery (6PM)
• West Side School Fundraiser: Dine & Donate at Bollywood Kitchen (Dinnertime)
• Copperfield’s Hosts Book Release Party at Thumbprint Cellars: "Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club" by J. Ryan Stradal (7PM)
• Trivia Night at Fogbelt Station Beer Garden (Weekly, 7-9PM)
• Karaoke Night at Coyote Sonoma (Weekly, 7-10PM)

Friday, April 21

• Earth Week Nature Hikes at Jordan Vineyards & Winery, Feat. Mountain Views, Wildlife, Pollinator Sanctuaries & Wine Pairing Lunch (April 21-23, 9:45AM-2PM)
• Bilingual Family Storytime for Kids Aged 0-5 at the Healdsburg Library (10:30AM)
• Super Smash Bros Video Game Tournament at the Healdsburg Library (3PM)
• Pizza on the Piazza at Bacchus Landing (4-7PM)
• Healdsburg Jazz Hosts 25th Anniversary Gala & Multi-Course Dinner at the Montage Healdsburg, Feat. "Swing!" Theme & Live Music by Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers(4:30PM)
• Ricky Ray Plays Roadhouse Blues at Furthermore Wines (5-8PM)
• Friday Evening Wine & Song at Hudson Street Wineries, Feat. Live Music by Youngblood & Company (5-8PM)
• Corazón Healdsburg Committee Meeting (6PM)
• Healdsburg High School Baseball Team Plays at Home Vs. Analy (7PM)
• St. John's Catholic School Students Perform "The Wizard of Oz" at the Raven Theater (April 21-22, 7PM)
• '80s Band Tainted Love Live at Coyote Sonoma (8-10PM)
• Electric Tumbleweed Live at the Elephant in the Room (8-11PM)

Saturday, April 22 🌎

• Earth Day Celebration at Little Saint, Feat. Rise & Shine Yoga, Outside DJ, Farm Stand, Patio Pop-Up Wine Tasting, Recork Program Dropoff & More (8AM-11PM)
• Russian River Adventures Opening Weekend, Feat. '80s Theme (April 22-23, 9AM-5PM)
• Healdsburg Farmers Market in the West Plaza Parking Lot (8:30AM-12PM)
• Healdsburg Elementary Hosts Workday in the School Garden (9-11AM)
• Healdsburg Community Church Hosts "Outdoor Adventure With Soul": Russian River Float & Picnic (Time TBD)
• Corazón Healdsburg Hosts Books & Roots Bilingual Reading Program / Programa de Lectura Bilingüe Libros y Raíces: "I am Latinx" (10AM)
• Healdsburg High School Auto Shop Hosts 7th Annual Car Show in the Main HHS Parking Lot (10AM-2PM)
• Read to a Dog at the Healdsburg Library (Weekly, 11AM)
• The Setting Wines Hosts Spring Release Party at Bacchus Landing (12-5PM)
• Healdsburg Climate Fest in the Plaza, Feat. 50+ Booths, Bike Rodeo, Kids’ Helmet Giveaway, "Earth Protectors Parade," Electric Car Show, Craft-Making & More (1-4PM)
• Celebration of Life for Deceased Healdsburg Residents Lyle & Dorothy Studer at the Healdsburg Golf Club at Tayman Park (1-4PM)
• Darren O'Brien Plays Live Music at Fogbelt Station Beer Garden (5PM)
• Live Jazz at Furthermore Wines (5-8PM)
• Skyway Man & Kelly McFarling Live at Little Saint (6-11PM)
• Healdsburg High School Baseball Team Plays at Home Vs. Cloverdale (7PM)
• Zodiac Trio Live at THE 222 (7:30PM)
• Comedy Night at Coyote Sonoma (8-10PM)
• Electricats Live at the Elephant in the Room (8-11PM)

Sunday, April 23

• Single Thread Farm Tour in Dry Creek Valley, Feat. Tea & Light Snacks (10AM)
• St. John's Catholic School Students Perform "The Wizard of Oz" at the Raven Theater (2PM)
• SOLD OUT: Barndiva Hosts Annual Pink Party in the Garden, Feat. 40+ Rosés From Sonoma & Mendocino Counties (2-5PM)
• Santa Rosa Symphony Performs "My Kind of Broadway" at the Luther Burbank Center (3PM)
• Sip Wine & Paint "Lavender Fields" at Furthermore Tasting Lounge (3-5:30PM)

Monday, April 24

• Tween Hangout for Kids in Grades 4-6 at the Healdsburg Library, Feat. Book Making & Movie Screening (3:30PM)
• City of Healdsburg Housing Element Work Group Hosts Special Meeting (6:30PM)

Tuesday, April 25

• Healdsburg High School Badminton Team Plays at Home Vs. Roseland University Prep (4:30PM)
• Clover Sonoma Family Fun Series at the Luther Burbank Center: "Acoustic Rooster’s Barnyard Boogie" Starring Indigo Blume (6:30PM)

From my notebook:

• Today and tomorrow, watch out for Healdsburg city crews doing their "annual roadway and crosswalk striping maintenance" at 16 different "street sections and intersections" in town. "As a reminder, please use caution when driving through roadway work zones," city officials say. Click through for the full list of spots they're targeting. (City of Healdsburg via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Delighted Every Week (April 25)
• Passport to Dry Creek Valley - Sonoma County's Premier Wine & Food Festival (April 29)
• 5th Annual Garagiste Wine Festival: Northern Exposure (April 29)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop! Enjoy this beautiful weekend, and I'll see you on the other side...

— 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