🌱 Election Info + E-Bikes In Action + More Parkland Farms Housing?

Hello all. Simone here, back in your inbox with a rainy Election Day edition of the Healdsburg Daily. Keep reading for all the community news you need to know right now, including...

• The skinny on today's election in Healdsburg
• A bunch of new housing proposed near Parkland Farms
• The official launch of the e-bike share program downtown
• A writing residency program at Healdsburg wineries
• The return of our famous fire-abatement goats
• And more!

But first, your daily weather:

• Tuesday: Heavy rain and possible thunderstorms. High: 52 Low: 39.
• Wednesday: Another chance of rain — but otherwise a little warmer, with some sun peeking through. High: 60 Low: 37.

These are the great local businesses who sponsor the Healdsburg Daily. We love what they do, and we think you will, too:

• 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.

• Looking to rent in the Healdsburg area? Stacey Bernd at Healdsburg & Artisan Sotheby's International has lived in Sonoma Co. for 48 years and been in real estate for 30. She knows the market the way only a local can. Thinking of listing a property for rent? She can help with that too. Contact Stacey and work with Healdsburg's best.

• Healdsburg gardeners and plant enthusiasts: Need help growing your garden? Thrive Hydroponics and Garden Supply is a family-owned, full service garden shop with over 15 years experience helping people care for their plants. Whether you’re a first-time grower or an experienced greenhouse gardener, they’ve got the right supplies and expert knowledge to help your garden flourish — including a variety of soils at the best prices. Visit them here and check out their Fall Super Sale for up to 40% off.

• 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.

• 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.

Click here to see your business featured in this spot.

Air over Healdsburg:

Here are the top 5 stories today in Healdsburg:

1. Today is Election Day for the 2022 midterms in Healdsburg, as well as across California and the rest of the nation! (Hopefully you knew that already.) Locally, we're electing three city councilmembers and voting on two measures — as well as choosing our favorite candidates for a slew of races at the county and state levels. Here's what you need to know about voting today, via Patch reporter Maggie Fusek: "Registered Healdsburg voters can cast their ballots by drop box, at a vote center, or via U.S. mail. Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by Nov. 8, and ballots returned at a designated ballot drop box must be deposited by 8 p.m. on Election Day. In most instances, Californians are not required to show identification to cast a ballot. However, those who did not provide a driver’s license number or a social security number while registering to vote may be asked to do so while voting for the first time in person. The Healdsburg 24-hour drop box location is at Healdsburg City Hall, 401 Grove Street. The Vote Center at Healdsburg Community Center, 1557 Healdsburg Ave., is open [from] 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8. A map of more drop boxes and voting locations in Sonoma County is posted here. The state's website is also a good place to look up voting locations near you." (Healdsburg Patch)
2. Healdsburg's new fleet of Bird e-bikes have "arrived and are ready to use" for a three-year pilot program starting now, city officials say. All you have to do is find one of the bright-blue bikes somewhere in town, then use the Bird app to unlock it and pay for a ride. And "if you are a CARE customer, non-profit employee, in a state of federal assistance program, a Pell Grant recipient, a senior citizen or a U.S. Veteran you are eligible for a reduced rental rate," according to the city. Here are the eight main docking stations announced so far, with additional ones possibly coming if ridership numbers are high: Foss Creek Pathway at Railroad Depot; Healdsburg Avenue at Plaza Park; North Street at West Plaza; Public parking lot near 434 Healdsburg Avenue; Foss Creek Pathway near City Hall; Giorgi Park; the Healdsburg Community Center; and Barbieri Brothers Park in Parkland Farms. (City of Healdsburg & David Hagele via Facebook)
3. Did you know that for the past nine years, a group of local wineries have been hosting a "writing retreat program" called "Writing Between the Vines," where selected writers spend up to a week working in "a place where they can take nature in, sip a glass of wine and let their creative process find a new path"? The tenth season of the program is about to begin. And of the five Sonoma County wineries participating, three are located in Healdsburg: Moshin Vineyard, Jordan Winery and West Wines. The folks from West say they're “excited to participate and hope to inspire writers with our vineyard views and ambiance under the old giant valley oak.” According to Wine Industry Advisor: "The 2023 season has five locations with placements available for up to nine writers in both solo and co-residency retreats. Applications are now open for spots in the 2023 season. Deadline to apply is November 28, 2022." Click through to apply or get more info. (Writing Between the Vines & Wine Industry Advisor)
4. The fire-abatement goats have returned to Healdsburg's Ridge Open Space Preserve near Parkland Farms! "Grazing has begun," city officials say, "and will continue through the end of the year." More from the city's announcement: "Both sheep and goats will graze treatment areas as we continue to work to create calming zones and fire breaks in the foothills above Healdsburg. Please remember to keep your dogs on leashes while enjoying the preserve. The Park will remain open for most of this vegetation treatment. It is worth noting that all grazing animals have gone through a thorough health screening, with a Licensed Veterinarian prior coming to the site and will have a herder on site 24 hours a day. The animals' health will be evaluated daily by trained herders and monthly by a veterinarian. This project is a continuation of the Coastal Conservancy Grant managed by Healdsburg Fire Department." (City of Healdsburg)
5. Right nearby, at the end of Parkland Farms Boulevard, a developer called Freebird Development Company wants to build an "affordable housing project comprised of 118 residential units, associated open space, parking, and community facilities on an approximately 12-acre site. Housing types include two-story townhomes, and two- and three-story stacked flats." The proposal will be discussed at a planning commission meeting tonight at City Hall. This would be the affordable housing component part of the city's larger "Saggio Hills Area Plan" for the nearly 260-acre chunk of land that includes the the Montage resort, bordered by the Open Space Preserve and existing Parkland Farms housing. The larger project will also eventually include "a community park, public and private open space and trails, a pump station, and a city fire substation," according to a summary posted to the city's website. As part of the original plan, developers reportedly promised to "grade a 14.16 acre area, install infrastructure and roadways to serve the area, and dedicate the site to the city for future development with up to 150 units of affordable housing." That last part being the topic of tonight's meeting! One neighbor on Nextdoor encouraged others to attend, writing: "Water issues, density, height, evacuation feasibility, traffic, congestion are just some of the concerns that need to be addressed. We need to understand that this project will affect all of us at the North end of Healdsburg." (City of Healdsburg & City of Healdsburg & Nextdoor)

Today and tomorrow in Healdsburg:

Tuesday, November 8

• Brown Bag Book Club at the Healdsburg Library: "Mexican Gothic" by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (12-1PM)
• "Seeds and Reads" for Kids in Grades K-6 at the Healdsburg Library: Paint & Plant a Mini Pot (4-5PM)
• "Mi Bebe y Yo" Taller Para Padres / Parent Workshop at Corazón Healdsburg (5PM)
• Women of Windsor (WOW) Professionals Group Meets at Merriam Vineyards (5-7PM)
• Baile Folclórico at Corazón Healdsburg (6PM)
• Healdsburg City Planning Commission Meeting (6-10PM)
• Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE) Meeting for Healdsburg High School (6PM)
• Healdsburg Running Company Hosts Trail Sisters Vineyard Run at Trinite Estate Winery on Chalk Hill Road (6PM)
• Succulent Terrarium Workshop for Adults & Teens at the Healdsburg Library (6-7PM)
• Howling Coyote Tour at the Elephant in the Room, Featuring Live Music by Jim Sabo, David Whitley & Stephy Leigh Griffen (6-9PM)

Wednesday, November 9

• "Game On!" Gaming Event for Teens at the Healdsburg Library (2-3PM)
• Distribución de Pañales / Diaper Giveaway at Corazón Healdsburg (5PM)
• Copperfield’s Books Celebrates Release of Tor Kenward's New Book "Reflections of a Vintner" With Discussion & Wine Tasting (5:30PM)
• District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC) Meeting for the Healdsburg Unified School District at the Junior High (6PM)
• Canon Book Group at the Healdsburg Library: "And Quiet Flows the Don" (6-7:30PM)
• Community Dialogue With Versa-Style Dance at the Luther Burbank Center (6-7:30PM)
• "Knits N Knots" at the Healdsburg Library: Learn How to Knit, Crochet or Felt Autumn Leaves With Experts from Purls of Joy (6-8PM)
• "What Moves You?" Spiritual Reflection & Communal Meal at THE 222 (6:30PM)
• Trivia Night at Coyote Sonoma (7-9PM)

Healdsburg pics of the day:

Note from Simone: Want me to feature one of your photos in the newsletter? Send it on over. Please just confirm in your email that you took the photo, and that Patch has permission to republish it. 📸

From my notebook:

• The Press Democrat reports that today's Healdsburg City Council race "spotlights tension between tourism and locals." Read the full story here. (Press Democrat; paywall)
• A few cross-country runners from Healdsburg High placed at the (very cold and rainy) league championships up in Ukiah over the weekend. According to the PD, "Healdsburg sophomore Kaeden Anderson won the individual boys race with a time of 17:24 (the Greyhounds’ first individual champion since Jason Mendes in 1996)" and Healdsburg freshman Beatrice Hawkes placed second in the girls race, with a time of 22:14. Freshman Jake McWilliams also came in seventh in the boys race, at 18:48. (Press Democrat; paywall)
• A reminder that this week is "education week" in Healdsburg! Aka, that time each year when the Healdsburg Education Foundation does a big fundraising push for donations that they then distribute to local schools. You can donate to the foundation directly or stop by one of various local businesses who've pledged to donate a portion of purchases to the cause — see the list below. (Healdsburg Education Foundation)

Alrighty, that's all for today. See you soon...

— 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