🌱 Healdsburg Preschool Founder Dies + Great Redwood Trail Progress

Hello again, everybody! It's a hot spring Thursday in Healdsburg and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in our community. Keep reading for the latest.

First, your local weather:

• Thursday: Mostly sunny and hot. High: 88 Low: 51.
• Friday: Same deal. High: 88 Low: 51.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny and cooling down just a little. High: 84 Low: 47.

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Air over Healdsburg:

Here are the top 3 stories today in Healdsburg:

1. There are some exciting developments in today's issue of the Healdsburg Tribune on the planned 316-mile Great Redwood Trail that would stretch along old rail lines from Humboldt Bay to San Francisco Bay, passing through Healdsburg via our Foss Creek Pathway. The trail will traverse "landscapes such as old growth redwood forests, oak woodlands, vineyards and wineries, scenic rivers including the Russian and the Eel," state parks and bays, according to the Trib — and in a parallel effort, as you might know, SMART train officials are attempting to revive some of the adjacent rail lines for passenger service. Tribune reporter Christian Kallen attended the most recent Great Redwood Trail Agency (GRTA) board of directors meeting last week, which was actually held right here in Healdsburg. The agency is reportedly in the process of drafting a master plan for the trail — aka, "a 'high-level roadmap' to guide trail design, maintenance and operations, habitat restoration and other project priorities" — and hopes to be finished with the plan by next spring. More from the Trib report on the meeting: "'Healdsburg was in fact the impetus for the Great Redwood Trail,' said Sen. Mike McGuire, now majority leader of the state Senate, who has been the primary driver behind the Great Redwood Trail for almost 20 years. From 2004 to 2010, McGuire was a city councilmember, and the youngest mayor in Healdsburg’s history at 26. 'I remember sitting in the council chambers looking out from the windows seeing folks walk up and down the tracks,' recalled McGuire. He said the idea of opening up the Foss Creek corridor to let folks explore the town by means of the unused rail route had been gaining momentum at the time. 'The Foss Creek Trail really has changed the face for recreation in the city of Healdsburg, and it just made sense to build a walking path along Foss Creek. And then we started to think, why couldn’t we do that through the North Coast?' McGuire said." Read more here! (Healdsburg Tribune)
2. Longtime Healdsburg resident and local entrepreneur Brenda Winegarner, who founded the Pine Tree School preschool and childcare center at the south end of town, has passed away in her early 80s. "A Healdsburg resident since the early 1970s," her obituary says, "Dean founded and managed Pine Tree School, a noted preschool in Healdsburg, until she retired in 2003 at age 61. Not satisfied with retirement she opened a bookstore on the Town Green in Windsor in 2004. She operated Pages Books on the Green until forced again into retirement by a stroke in 2022. This bookstore gave her a chance to work with and train many young employees in their first job opportunity. She loved children, books, roses, and analyzing and trading stocks. She will be remembered for her intellect, perseverance, love, kindness, and generosity." Brenda reportedly leaves behind her husband, Richard Winegarner, along with their four kids, three grandkids and three great-grandkids. May she rest in peace. (Legacy.com)
3. The head of curriculum and instruction for the Healdsburg Unified School District has been poached by the Sonoma County Office of Education to fill an urgent role as "assistant superintendent to oversee school safety efforts in the wake of the Montgomery High School tragedy," according to the Press Democrat. More from the story: "Louis Ganzler was appointed by County Superintendent Amie Carter and will also oversee school community partnerships and college and career readiness efforts at SCOE, a state-chartered organization. In a SCOE news release, Carter said she is thankful the Healdsburg Unified district allowed him to leave his role as director of curriculum and instruction earlier than originally planned to address calls to prevent school violence after the fatal stabbing of Jayden Pienta, 16, who died after a classroom fight March 1 at Montgomery. The stabbing prompted countywide school walkouts and calls for improved safety, security and mental health support. Ganzler, a Montgomery High graduate, was a regular presence on the campus following the stabbing, Carter said in a news release." (Press Democrat; paywall)

From our sponsor:

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Coming up in Healdsburg:

Thursday, April 27

• Friends of the Healdsburg Library Host Annual Book Sale at the Library (April 27-28, 10AM-5:30PM)
• Healdsburg Elementary School & Grupo Folklórico Quetzalén Host Baile Folklórico Workshops for Students (2:30-3:30PM & 4-5PM)
• Visitation Service for Deceased Healdsburg Resident Luisa De La O at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church (4-8PM)
• Healdsburg High School Softball Team Plays at Home Vs. Santa Rosa (5PM)
• Healdsburg Running Company Hosts "Spring Fling" Dry Creek Run to Lambert Bridge (6PM)
• Trivia Night at Fogbelt Station Beer Garden (Weekly, 6-8PM)
• Community Encuentro / Discussion at the Healdsburg Community Center, Focusing on the Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Community: "Is the Dream Alive and Well in Healdsburg? / ¿Está Vivo el Sueño en Healdsburg?" (6:30-8:30PM)
• Karaoke Night at Coyote Sonoma (Weekly, 7-10PM)

Friday, April 28

• Opening Day of the Alexander Valley Film Festival (AVFest) in Cloverdale: Screenings of "What's Love Got to Do With It?" & "Anima" at the Clover Theater, Followed by Block Party on First Street & Late Night Shorts (All Day & Night)
• Healdsburg Library Hosts Bilingual Storytime for Kids Aged 0-5 at Giorgi Park, Featuring Miss Charity & the BiblioBike (10:30AM)
• Healdsburg Color Run Starting in the Plaza (3PM)
• Free Organ Concert at St. Paul's Church, Featuring Abraham Ross Playing Mostly Max Reger (6PM)
• Healdsburg High School Baseball Team Plays at Home Vs. Santa Rosa (7PM)
• Dynamic Brazilian Duo, Nilson Matta & Jovino Santos Neto, Perform at THE 222 With Special Guest Percussionist Ami Molinelli (April 28-29, 7PM)
• St. John's Catholic School Students Perform "The Wizard of Oz" at the Raven Theater (April 28-29, 7PM)
• Marshall House Project Live at Coyote Sonoma (8-11PM)
• Third Thursday Live at the Elephant in the Room (8-11PM)

Saturday, April 29

• Annual "Passport to Dry Creek Valley" Wine & Food Festival at 35 Wineries (April 29-30, All Day)
• "Les Dames d’Escoffier" Kitchen Rummage Sale at Relish Culinary Adventures at 14 Matheson St. (9AM-2PM)
• T Barny Gallery & Sculpture Gardens on Pine Flat Road Hosts "Galactic Gathering of 9 Sonoma County Sculptors" for International Sculpture Day (11AM-4PM)
• Healdsburg Farmers Market in the West Plaza Parking Lot (8:30AM-12PM)
• Healdsburg Garden Club Hosts Pop-Up Plant Sale in the West Plaza (9AM-12PM)
• Friends of the Healdsburg Library Host Annual Book Sale & Bag Sale at the Library (10AM-3PM)
• Lila's Street Side Eats Food Truck Parked Outside The Drink (12-5PM)
• Faith Ako Plays Traditional & Contemporary Hawaiian Music at the Healdsburg Library (2PM)
• Live Brazilian Jazz at Furthermore Wines (5PM)
• Rock Candy Live at Coyote Sonoma (8-11PM)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Passport to Dry Creek Valley - Sonoma County's Premier Wine & Food Festival (April 29)
• International Sculpture Day: A Galactic Gathering of 9 Sonoma County Sculptors (April 29)
• 5th Annual Garagiste Wine Festival: Northern Exposure (April 29)
• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Free Stuff And Great Perks Every Week (May 2)
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Now you're in the loop for today! I'll be back in your inbox soon with more.

— 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