🌱 Healdsburg Horse Rehab + Raven's New Play + Fan Museum Revamped

Hello again! It's me, Simone, your host of the Healdsburg Patch newsletter. Let's get this weekend started off right, with a look at the most important things happening in town. Here we go...

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Now, your weekend weather:

• Friday: Mix of sun and clouds. High: 59 Low: 35.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny. High: 62 Low: 33.
• Sunday: Partly sunny. High: 60 Low: 34.
• Monday: Getting cloudier throughout the day. High: 57 Low: 40.
• Tuesday: Rain likely. High: 53 Low: 39.

Shoutout to our other premier local sponsor:

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Air over Healdsburg:

Here are the top 3 stories today in Healdsburg:

1. The Raven Players, our local theater troupe, chose a controversial but very relevant subject for their new play at the Raven, opening tonight: school shootings. The play is called “If I Don’t Make It, I Love You," and — according to the Healdsburg Tribune — it was adapted from "a 2019 book of the same name" by nine different playwrights. From the Trib: “'It’s devastating,' admits Steven David Martin, the artistic director of the Raven Players and the director of this production. 'It crosses a line many times into being uncomfortable. But that, I think, is the point of this.' ... When Martin first read the book, he thought he’d finish it quickly. 'It soon became apparent that I could only read three or four stories at a time; they were so gut-wrenching.' That led him to build the play as two separate one-act plays, on alternating nights. As if to make it even more emotionally challenging, Martin stages the play with the audience sitting on risers on the stage itself. 'Because this is just such an intimate story, I wanted the audience to be as close as possible to the storytellers,' he said. Seventy-two seats will be available for each performance, each part on alternating nights from March 24 to April 9. Said Martin, 'And I should also emphasize too that the two parts are not interrelated. You can see them on their own. I think it enriches the experience.'" You can see the schedule and grab tickets on the Raven's website. (Healdsburg Tribune & Healdsburg Tribune & Raven Theater & Press Democrat; paywall)
2. Did you know there's a center in Healdsburg "helping retired, neglected horses" live out their final years in peace? Oak Pond Ranch out Dry Creek Road hosts nearly two dozen horses through "H.E.R.O. (Healdsburg Equine Rehab and Retirement Organization), a state and federal nonprofit organization 'dedicated to the rehabilitation and retirement of Thoroughbred horses exclusively,'" according to the Press Democrat. More from the story: "When entering the Dry Creek Valley on Dry Creek Road, turn right on Norton Road. As you change from the paved road that runs by vineyards and wineries and ultimately leads to Lake Sonoma, you’ll travel up a narrow road to rugged hillsides and verdant pastures. While still minutes from the Healdsburg Plaza, you've entered an unincorporated part of Sonoma County, where you can hear the mockingbirds calling to each other and you’ll see woodpeckers flitting from the trees. Follow the road from blacktop to gravel, rutted and muddy while bouncing over speed bumps that are less onerous than the ruts, then back to smooth pavement. After passing a 'no trespassing' sign and another that says 'what part of no trespassing don't you understand,' you'll find a gate with a sign for Oak Pond Ranch. ... The woman behind the operation is Jackie Sahud, along with her husband, Merv. Both own Oak Pond Ranch, a 54-acre property that has hosted up to 34 horses at a time." Read the whole heartwarming piece here. (Press Democrat; paywall)
3. Healdsburg's very own Hand Fan Museum downtown, now over two decades old, just got a makeover and a brand new exhibit for spring! The museum, a "tiny storefront tucked in the shadow of the Hotel Healdsburg," reportedly "closed at the beginning of the year for electrical reasons" but just reopened last week. "Newly remodeled and freshly painted, the museum provides a warm and inviting space with a range of different educational modes that engage the senses," the Healdsburg Tribune reports. "With its fresh new look, the museum becomes a dynamic new digital discovery center. 'We are now, very selectively, installing thoughtfully curated new and existing items from the permanent collection,' said the museum’s new project manager, Cairenn Voigt. 'You’ll be able to come into a warm and inviting space that offers a range of different educational modalities.' The museum’s new exhibit is 'Fans in Bloom,' featuring historic and modern fans from around the world depicting many varieties of flowers. ... A reception for the new exhibit takes place Sunday, April 2, from 3-5pm, and includes a presentation by Pamela Sher, founder and curator of the museum, on the renovated museum’s new features." (Healdsburg Tribune & Hand Fan Museum)

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This weekend in Healdsburg:

Friday, March 24

• Registration Opens for Spring Forum Lecture Series Hosted by the Healdsburg Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW): "The Use and Misuse of American Military” (9AM)
• Farm to Pantry Hosts Volunteer Citrus "Gleans" at Healdsburg Farms (9:30AM-12PM)
• Foley Food & Wine Society Hosts Healdsburg Immersion Weekend (March 24-26, 11AM-4PM)
• Super Smash Bros Game Tournament at the Healdsburg Library (3PM)
• Live Jazz at Furthermore Wines: Chris Amberger & Jeremy Lieber (5-8PM)
• "NOWRUZ" Persian New Year Feast at Baci Cafe & Wine Bar (March 24-25, 5:30-8PM)
• New Play at the Raven Theater About School Shootings: "If I Don't Make It, I Love You" (March 24-25, 7:30PM)
• Reggae Band Sol Horizon Live at Coyote Sonoma (8PM)
• Sakoyana Live at the Elephant in the Room (8-11PM)

Saturday, March 25

• Healdsburg Youth Wrestling Club Hosts Annual Club Tournament at HHS (6AM-3PM)
• Healdsburg Running Company Hosts Lake Sonoma Pre-Run (8AM)
• Read to a Dog at the Healdsburg Library (11AM)
• "Appellation Experience" at Seghesio Family Vineyards: "An Intimate Journey Through Zinfandel" (11AM-1:30PM)
• Cornhole Tournament & Fundraiser at TCElite Gym (Youth & Teens at 11AM & Adults at 2PM)
• Little Saint Hosts Women in Wine Mixer & Fundraiser (3-6PM)
• Spring Soirée & Barrel Tasting at HANNA Winery in the Alexander Valley (4-6PM)
• Francis Ford Coppola Winery Hosts Dungeness Crab Feast, Paired With Their Diamond Collection Appellation Series Wines (5:30-9PM)
• PBS/NPR Fundraiser: First Annual NorCal Public Media Food & Wine Awards at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts (6-9PM)
• Mary Stallings Duo Performs at THE 222 (6:30PM & 8:30PM)
• Pazifico Live at the Elephant in the Room (8-11PM)
• ACDC Cover Band Live at Coyote Sonoma (8:30-11:30PM)

Sunday, March 26

• Matinee Showing of New Play at the Raven Theater About School Shootings: "If I Don't Make It, I Love You" (2PM)
• Comedy Night At Furthermore Wines Tasting Lounge (6PM)

Monday, March 27

• New Art Exhibit at the Upstairs Art Gallery: Russian River Seasons (March 27-April 30, 11AM-6PM)

Tuesday, March 28

• “Seeds & Reads” for Kids in Grades K-6 at the Healdsburg Library: “Butterfly Puddler / Charco de Maripos” (4PM)
• Healdsburg High School Tennis Team Plays at Home Vs. St. Vincent (4PM)
• Healdsburg High School Badminton Team Plays at Home Vs. Elsie Allen (4:30PM)
• "Kitty City" Opening & Local Business Networking Mixer at the Healdsburg Animal Shelter (5:30PM)
• Family Board Game Night at the Healdsburg Library (6PM)
• Healdsburg Running Company Hosts Pub Run in Petaluma (6PM)

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Featured events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Fresh Perks Every Week (March 28)
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Now you're in the loop for the weekend. I'll see you right back here next week!

— 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at simone.wilson@patch.com