Fate Of Parklets Downtown + Free Dance Show + Wine Boss Injured

Hello again, people of Healdsburg. It's me, Simone, your host of the Healdsburg Daily. Glad we all made it through that little early-October heat wave. I even managed to float down the river over the weekend, down in Forestville — which just goes to show, where there's a will, there's a way! And now I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in town today. Let's do it.

First, today's weather:

Much cooler than yesterday, with a mix of clouds and sun. High: 76 Low: 52.

Air over Healdsburg:

Here are the top 5 stories in Healdsburg today:

1. What will be the fate of all the parklets and 15-minute parking zones that have popped up in front of restaurants surrounding the Healdsburg plaza in the year and a half since the pandemic started? City leaders are leaning toward making them an "ongoing component of the downtown business area," instead of dismantling them in January 2023, as planned — but they want your input first. A pair of community meetings today and tomorrow will give "residents and business owners the opportunity to provide feedback on these initiatives." There are currently 24 parklets and six 15-minute parking zones in downtown Healdsburg. Says City Councilmember Ariel Kelley: "Community input will be valuable in framing what these programs could look like in the future." (Facebook & City of Healdsburg)
2. The 67-year-old man "seriously injured" in a head-on crash on Highway 12 west of Santa Rosa last week is Randy Peters, a "well-known grape grower from Healdsburg" who owns Peters Family Winery, his wife Robin tells the Press Democrat. She says he's in the ICU with fractured ribs, and is having trouble breathing. The other driver involved, 42-year-old Santa Rosa resident Horacio Vigil, was killed in the crash. According to the CHP, Vigil "drifted into the opposite lane and crashed into" Peters' Chevy flatbed truck. From the PD: "Peters is a partner with winemaker Erik Miller in Kokomo Winery. He also sells pinot noir and chardonnay grapes to several wineries including Papapietro Perry and Anthill Farms," all in the Healdsburg-Dry Creek Valley area. (Press Democrat; paywall)
3. After much speculation among Healdsburg residents that local hotels and housing developers haven't been doing their fair share to save water amid this grueling drought, the Tribune ran a piece yesterday on the various ways Healdsburg hotels are trying to help. Recent water-saving measures include building a giant, 16,000-gallon cistern under Harmon Guest House; only washing sheets and replacing towels upon request at Harmon and h2hotel; replacing the lawn inside Hotel Healdsburg with a gravel pit; and retrofitting the Best Western Dry Creek Inn with "water efficient showers and sinks" expected to save 770,000 gallons per year. Healdsburg's commercial sector reportedly used around 25 percent less water this July compared to last; by comparison, the residential sector used over 50 percent less. (SoCoNews Healdsburg)
4. Healdsburg's longtime representative in the Sonoma County government, Supervisor James Gore, has announced he'll be seeking a third — yes, third — term in next year's election. "With his current term ending in 2022, Gore, 43, is closing in on eight years representing the 4th District, taking in much of northeastern Sonoma County including Windsor, Healdsburg, the Alexander Valley and Dry Creek Valley," the Press Democrat reports. Gore chatted with the PD about his legacy and plans for the future "over a cup of coffee and cranberry turkey sandwich at Costeaux French Bakery in downtown Healdsburg, his hometown." (Press Democrat; paywall)
5. There's a fancy San Francisco dance company passing through Healdsburg this coming weekend — and you can see them perform for free! The "coolly precise, warmly human" Margaret Jenkins Dance Company will reportedly "bring excerpts from its new work in progress, 'Global Moves,'" to the former warehouse at 444 Healdsburg Avenue at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 10. According to the SF Chronicle, "a new outdoor sculpture by designer Nilus de Matran will anchor the dance’s prologue," and the show will be followed by an artists’ reception. You can RSVP on the dance company's website. (Margaret Jenkins Dance Company & SF Chronicle Datebook)

Today's Healdsburg Daily is brought to you by Newrez, a leading nationwide mortgage lender. Whether you want to lower your interest rate or consolidate debt, now is a great time to consider refinancing. Make a smart move for your future and refinance with Newrez today. Call 844-979-1707 to connect with a Newrez loan officer. Newrez, LLC (NMLS #3013)

Today in Healdsburg:

• Sonoma County Board of Supervisors Redistricting Public Hearing (9AM)
• Healdsburg Tuesday Farmers Market, Feat. Avalanche Violin and Guitar (9AM-12:30PM)
• Healdsburg American Association of University Women (AAUW) Forum on Women of Ancient Egypt: Dispel Myths, Learn Contributions (10-11:45AM, Tuesdays, Oct. 5-Nov. 9)
• Healdsburg Community Meeting: Downtown Parklets, 15-Minute Parking, Open Streets (11AM)
• Healdsburg Library Brown Bag Book Club, Virtual Edition: "Everything I Never Told You" (12-1PM)
• Healdsburg Running Company Ladies Night Run Ending at Market 377 (6PM)
• Informational Meeting on City of Healdsburg's Preschool Program Provider Request for Proposal (6PM)
• Virtual Film Screening and Director Q&A at Sonoma County Library: "El Cacao: The Challenge of Fair Trade" (6-7PM)
• Adult Workshop: "Still Life Painting in Goucache" at Healdsburg Center for the Arts (6-8PM, Tuesdays, Oct. 5-26)

Healdsburg Patch Notebook

• Healdsburg's Memorial Bridge will be completely closed until 3 p.m. today while Caltrans does a "routine bridge inspection." According to the city, "the bridge inspection is conducted every two years to evaluate the bridge and determine if future maintenance like painting or pavement repairs are necessary. In the event of an emergency, the bridge would be safely opened and operational within 15 minutes." (Healdsburg Patch & Facebook)
• Two Healdsburg High School graduates passed away recently, according to friends and family: Louella "Lou" Elaine Poirier, class of 1963, and Rob Harrington, class of 1972. Click through to learn more about their lives and legacies. (Facebook & Facebook)
• The Healdsburg animal shelter is running "very low on wet and dry dog and cat food at the moment." You can drop off donations at the shelter, located at 555 Westside Road, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. every day except Monday. (Facebook)
• Today is the last day to sign up to enter the Healdsburg Scarecrow Festival, a "community art project/contest/fundraiser auction" that benefits the Healdsburg Center for the Arts.(Facebook)
• Last night's Healdsburg City Council meeting, featuring big convos on universal basic income as well as fire services on Fitch Mountain, is available to view on Facebook. And the Trib has some helpful context. (Facebook & SoCoNews Healdsburg)
• Student journalists at the Healdsburg High School Hound's Bark have been learning "first-hand how to layout a newspaper" from mentors at the Healdsburg Tribune for the past few weeks. Now they're working on "laying out and printing the student newspaper... for the first time in over a year, since their print publication was halted while students were on distance learning." (SoCoNews via Mailchimp)
• The PD has a sweet little piece on how to visit France and Italy without ever leaving Healdsburg. Hint: It involves wineries. (Press Democrat; paywall)
• If you see a Healdsburg firefighter or police officer wearing a pink T-shirt around town this month, FYI — it's part of a breast cancer awareness campaign. (Facebook & Facebook)
• Did anyone lose a key fob on Healdsburg Avenue over the weekend? (Facebook)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Add your business here

Events:

• Noises Off (October 8)
• Add your event

For sale:

• hardwood mix firewood for sale (Details)
• Add your item

Job listings:

• Caregiver (Details)
• Add your job listing

Okay, you're all caught up for today! See ya tomorrow. And if you're liking these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to read along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— 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? I'm all ears. You can contact me at simone.wilson@patch.com.