Fire Watch + Church Buyer On Grant + Healdsburg 'Astrotourism'

Good morning, neighbors! Simone here with your Monday edition of the Healdsburg Daily.

First, today's weather:

Some fog and clouds through at least mid-morning. High: 86 Low: 49.

Here are the top stories in Healdsburg today:

1. Two small wildfires were burning last night just north and south of Healdsburg. One of them was a 7.25-acre fire near Lake Sonoma, and the other was a half-acre fire near the Bohemian Grove in Monte Rio that had firefighters battling flames in "steep, heavy timber," according to Cal Fire. Both appeared to be under control as of late last night, with no reported evacuations or injuries. Props to local fire crews for nipping them in the bud! (Twitter & Twitter)
2. Sonoma County renters will get a few more months of COVID-19 relief under the just-extended Emergency Rental Assistance Program. The county's eviction moratorium and other tenant protections will remain in place until at least Nov. 1, officials say. Even better: Eligible renters who can prove COVID-related hardships can now get 100 percent of their rent covered by the government; up to now, it was capped at 80 percent. (Patch Press Release Desk)
3. In the latest local home sale roundup from the PD, covering the first half of June, we're seeing sixteen homes sold in Healdsburg. The most expensive of the bunch was a three-bedroom on a six-acre estate out Westside Road with "a pond and a barn/garage guesthouse." It reportedly sold for a whopping $4.45 million on June 15. (Press Democrat; paywall)
4. Elsewhere in Beverly Healdsburg: The new Montage Healdsburg resort near Parkland Farms just introduced a two-night "astrotourism experience" for $95,000 per party. The price includes a private roundtrip flight to and from anywhere in the U.S., lodging at the "premier three-bedroom Guest House, perched high above the resort" and — the main event — "a private tour of the Robert Ferguson Observatory and use of telescopes" to "guide you through the constellations." Guests get to walk away with a "limited edition night sky image" of them and the stars above Healdsburg. (Robb Report)
5. The 10,000-square-foot warehouse-looking building on Grant Avenue near the 101 freeway entrance at the south end of town has a buyer. The Seventh-day Adventist Church purchased the building back in March, according to the Business Journal. The real estate agent listed on the sale is Gil Saydah of Keegan & Coppin in Santa Rosa. (North Bay Business Journal)

Today in Healdsburg

• All Sorts of Sports Summer Camp at Healdsburg Community Center (August 2-6, 9AM-12PM)
• Exhibit at Upstairs Art Gallery: "People Who Need People" (July 26-August 29, 11AM-6PM)
• Virtual Healdsburg City Council meeting (6PM)

Healdsburg Patch Notebook

• We mentioned this on Friday, but in case it got lost: Healdsburg's interim police chief, Matt Jenkins, has officially been promoted to chief. He's reportedly been with the department for nearly two decades since starting as a college intern in 2002. Former Police Chief Kevin Burke retired in November, leaving the position open. (Facebook & SoCoNews Healdsburg)
• Quick COVID update: Sonoma County is now at 11 cases per 100,000 residents, and rising. The seven-day average of cases per day is approaching 100 — higher than it's been in almost six months. Meanwhile, businesses and public agencies across the county are scrambling to re-institute some of the old restrictions we all thought we were free of there for a minute. (Petaluma Argus-Courier & New York Times)
• Related: Duke's Spirited Cocktails in downtown Healdsburg says it's having a hell of a time getting customers to wear masks again. (Press Democrat; paywall)
• Did you know there's an ice cream shop behind La Pizza on Healdsburg Avenue? "Amazing hidden gem in Healdsburg!" a neighbor writes in the "What's Happening Healdsburg" Facebook group. "The maple nut ice cream...soooo good!" (Facebook)
• Over on Nextdoor, other neighbors are peeved about Healdsburg pedestrian habits. In particular, that thing where "pedestrians who fail to heed the DON'T WALK sign continue to cross until the light turns red." (Nextdoor)
• The Trib has a helpful summary of what's on the agenda at tonight's Healdsburg City Council meeting. The stars of the show will be drought, climate change and COVID. (SoCoNews Healdsburg)
• A letter to the editor from Healdsburg resident Pat Abercrombie to the Trib goes into depth about the possible dangers of consolidating local fire districts without a secure funding source. She writes: "People joke (I hope they’re joking) that Fitch Mountain will one day go off like a Roman candle spewing embers over Healdsburg and points south. Let’s not let that happen." (SoCoNews Healdsburg)
• The Santa Cruz Sentinel has a great, in-depth update on the water situation in Healdsburg and other NorCal communities. The impressive graywater system in Brigette Mansell's kitchen makes a cameo. (Santa Cruz Sentinel; paywall)
• Related: Healdsburg resident Monique Verrier has started a website devoted to town drought info and stories from residents. (Nextdoor & Facebook)

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• Event: 14th Annual Petaluma Music Festival (August 7)

Thanks for following along and staying informed! See you tomorrow morning for another update. If you're liking these newsletters, consider bringing some friends and neighbors along for the ride. 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? You can email me at simone.wilson@patch.com.