Fire Watch + Greywater Guide + Winery Turned Pollinator Paradise

Happy hot summer Thursday, y'all. It's me again, your host of the Healdsburg Daily — here to tell you everything you need to know about what's happening today in town.

First, today's weather:

Seriously sweaty, with even more excessive heat expected over the weekend ahead. High: 97 Low: 53.

Here are the top stories today in Healdsburg:

1. Quick fire watch in nearby towns. First, there's the 80-acre "Broiler fire" in Ukiah, named after the steakhouse near where it started. Around 250 homes were reportedly evacuated yesterday and at least one building burned. Second, there's the 6-acre "Grange fire" in Sonoma Valley, with no reported evacuations or damage but lots of spooky smoke over Santa Rosa yesterday. Fortunately both vegetation fires appear to be under control, with no further spread. (Press Democrat & Press Democrat; beware the paywall!)
2. This is so heartening. Jordan Vineyard and Winery in Healdsburg's Alexander Valley is turning around 12 acres of native grassland on its property into a paradise for local pollinators like butterflies, bees, bats and hummingbirds. "We decided we’ve got this land, and it’s completely wild. Pollinators are losing habitat in the west," says a rep for the winery. "If we have land that can help them, why not?" (North Bay Business Journal)
3. Eighty-seven nonprofits across Sonoma County impacted by the pandemic are splitting $1 million raised in a wine auction last year. Local recipients include the Healdsburg Education Foundation, Corazón Healdsburg and the Healdsburg Museum. (Wine Industry Advisor)
4. More bad news on the COVID front. ICU beds are completely swamped in Sonoma County hospitals. The county's ICU beds are 72% occupied this week, county data shows — or 81.5% "discounting surge capacity." (Press Democrat; again, beware the paywall)
5. Sonoma Mag has an "exclusive first peek" — and maybe the only peek most of us will ever get — at what's on the menu at Healdsburg's newest fancy restaurant, the Matheson. We're picking up lots of fish eggs, flatbreads and heirlooms. The restaurant, which also has a second-floor mezzanine and a rooftop lounge, is slated to open in August at 106 Matheson. (Sonoma Magazine)

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Today in Healdsburg

• Free Summer Wrestling Camp at Healdsburg High School (9AM-12PM )
• Virtual Fire and Drought Landscaping Workshop from City of Healdsburg (6PM)
• Mamma Mia! at the Raven Theater (8-9:30PM)
• Summer Take & Make Craft Kits at Sonoma County Library (All day)

Healdsburg Patch Notebook

• Looking for a good Zinfandel? The Zin from Healdsburg's A. Rafanelli Winery is being recognized in the North Bay Business Journal's annual "Best of" issue for 2021, based on reader polling. This is the third year it won. Click through for some cool Rafanelli family history as well. (North Bay Business Journal)
• Even local firefighters are hyped on the Matheson. The Healdsburg Fire Department recently "organized an area familiarization and fire systems training... at Healdsburg's newest and highly anticipated restaurant." See the pics. (Facebook)
• There's a moving sale going on through July 18 at the Healdsburg Center for the Arts, ahead of their big move around the corner from 130 Plaza to 334 Center. Twenty percent off all art. (Facebook)
• The new Healdsburg police log is out! Featuring a suspected drunk driver who hit a cone and median on Healdsburg Avenue, but turned out to be "just extremely tired"; a thief who allegedly walked out of a store near Center Street "with multiple items, pills and some type of electronic, in a 'Happy Birthday' bag"; and a whooole bunch of fireworks. (SoCoNews Healdsburg)
• Join the conversation on the "What's Happening Healdsburg" Facebook group about the "neglected parking lot between the paint and jewelry stores" on Center Street. What would you do with it? (Facebook)
• An itty-bitty earthquake reportedly rattled the Geysers earlier this week. If you felt it, congrats — you are the princess from "The Princess and the Pea." (KSRO)
• Just try to look away from this reality-show footage Sonoma County park officials dropped yesterday, depicting the daily life of a Sonoma Valley mountain lion they've been tracking. "Spoiler alert: It's very similar to what your house cat might do each day — grooming, napping, and stretching," they write. The vibe is almost voyeuristic. (Facebook)
• Here's a helpful guide to using greywater in these exceedingly dry times from the Russian River Watershed Association. (Facebook)
• The Sonoma County Sheriff's Dept. is hiring "correctional deputies." (GovernmentJobs.com)
• Just in time for another heat wave, the county's tourism org has a roundup of all the best local ice cream shops. Healdsburg's Wicked Slush and Noble Folk make an appearance. (Sonoma County Tourism)

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Thanks for following along and staying on top of what's happening locally. If you're feeling these newsletters, consider inviting some friends and neighbors to join you. 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 email me at simone.wilson@patch.com.