Healdsburg COVID Testing + Airport Growing Pains + Zucchini Fest

Mornin', Healdsburg! Happy one day anniversary of the upper Russian River water diversion lockdown. Here's everything you need to know today about what's happening in town.

First, today's weather:

Cooling down a little from yesterday. Some clouds this a.m. should give way to sun in the afternoon. High: 87 Low: 43.

Here are the top 5 stories today in Healdsburg:

1. Finally, Healdsburg has its very own COVID-19 testing spot! Now that getting tested is a big part of all our routines again, Sonoma County officials are partnering with four additional private COVID test providers to meet demand. The new testing center in Healdsburg will be run by Curative out of the Healdsburg Community Center at 1557 Healdsburg Ave. on Mondays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can visit curative.com or call (888) 702-9042 to make an appointment. And if you ever need a test sooner than Monday, check out the county's full list of testing locations and schedules. (Sonoma County Government)
2. Healdsburg's 38th annual Zucchini Festival will be held at the Saturday, Aug. 14 farmers market at North and Vine. It will consist of two competitive tracks: The Giant Zucchini contest, in which the "biggest zuke" wins, and the Zucchini Decoration and Racing event, in which the most creatively decorated — and fastest — zucchini cars win. "Race cars must be made of real zucchini squash," festival organizers clarify. "The squash should be the vehicle, not a roller skate or toy truck."•Here's how to get involved. (Healdsburg Farmers Market)
3. Beware of growing pains at the Sonoma County Airport. Starting today and lasting through August of next year, the "Arrivals/Departures path" through the airport will get a temporary detour, airport officials say. "Please follow POSTED SIGNAGE to help guide you through the airport," they say. Meanwhile, long-term parking at the airport will become much more scarce: "We STRONGLY ENCOURAGE you take advantage of our Airport Taxi Services, Bus and Transit Services, or Ridesharing Apps (Uber, Lyft, Ziro) to transport yourself to and from the airport." (Facebook & Facebook)
4. As the drought gets worse and Healdsburg water restrictions tighten, some concerned citizens are asking their neighbors and local business owners: Are you sure you're really doing all you can to conserve water? Like, sure sure? Brenda Adelman, co-founder of the Russian River Watershed Protection Committee, has an op-ed about it in the Trib this week. And KRCB public radio transcribed the following comment from a resident named Deborah at Monday's Healdsburg City Council meeting: "I called Hotel Healdsburg, and I was kind of sleuthing, I have to admit, but I asked about a reservation, and then I clearly asked, 'well, are there any restrictions because of the drought' and the answer was 'oh, no!'" (KRCB & SoCoNews Healdsburg)
5. You know that sweet little Victorian home right next to Rec Park on 1st and Piper, with the wraparound veranda and pale yellow paint job? It went on the market yesterday for just under $2 million. According to the real estate listing, it dates back to 1885 and has a "rare mansard second story." Check out the listing for pics. (Redfin)

Today's Healdsburg Daily is brought to you by our friends at GoodRx — the best way to save money on your prescriptions. GoodRx helps you locate the lowest prices for medications at local pharmacies, so you're not overpaying. Works for pet medications too! To see how much you can save, go to GoodRx.com.

Healdsburg pic of the day:

Want to see your local photo here? Submit it for consideration. Please confirm in the email that you own the rights to the photo, and that Patch has permission to republish it.

Today in Healdsburg:

• First Responders Resiliency Conference at Bishop's Ranch (August 3-5, 8AM-5PM)
• Virtual Teen Anime Club at Sonoma County Library (4-5PM)
• Live at Duke's Spirited Cocktails: Matty Tucker (5-8PM)
• Community Education Event: "Ecological Regeneration of our Fire Ecosystems" at Villa Chanticleer (6PM)
• Trivia Night at Coyote Sonoma (7-9PM)

Healdsburg Patch Notebook

• Find out if you're really doing everything you can to conserve water with this "Home Water Use Survey Kit" shared by the Russian River Watershed Association. (Facebook).
• Fun fact: Guy Fieri stopped by the Sonoma County Fair over the weekend and reportedly spent upward of $30,000 at the pig auction. A few Healdsburg FFA kids showed their pigs at the event. (Facebook & Press Democrat; paywall)
• Here's some more info on tonight's "free community presentation on fire ecology and grazing" at the Villa. It's being hosted by the Healdsburg Fire Department. (SoCoNews Healdsburg)
• A barking dog is allegedly making quite a commotion every night until 3 a.m. out Dry Creek Road. (Nextdoor)
• Wine Country hotels such as Hotel Trio in Healdsburg are reportedly chasing the "lost group travel business." (North Bay Business Journal)
• COVID restrictions may be back in play, but it looks like these two cool Sonoma County events are still on for summer, if you need a day trip: The accordion festival in Cotati and the Old Time BBQ event in Cazadero. (Sonoma County Gazette & Sonoma County Gazette)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Event:

• 14th Annual Petaluma Music Festival (August 7)

Job listing:

• Caregiver (Details)

Now you're in the loop! See you tomorrow for your next update. If you're enjoying these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to follow 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.