🌱 Healdsburg School Stats + Water District Plan + Lunar New Year Fest

Hello, friends! I'm here with your sunny Tuesday edition of the Healdsburg Patch newsletter, full of all the local news you need to know right now. Today you'll get updates on:

• How our school district is doing in state rankings
• A big Lunar New Year festival reportedly coming up in the plaza next month
• Plans for a new water district in Alexander Valley
• And more...

But first, your local weather:

• Tuesday: Beautiful sunny day. High: 67 Low: 36.
• Wednesday: Mostly sunny again, and warming up! High: 70 Low: 43.

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Air over Healdsburg:

Here are the top 3 stories today in Healdsburg:

1. The California Department of Education just updated its official "schools dashboard" where it measures each school district's performance — and some of the numbers for the Healdsburg Unified School District are looking pretty rough, while others are strong compared to the rest of the state. On the negative side: Healdsburg's rate of "chronic absenteeism" is "very high" at around 34 percent of students, compared to 30 percent statewide; our suspension rate is also high, at double the state average, with around 7 percent of Healdsburg students suspended for at least one day per year; and our performance in both math and English is considered "very low," each a few points lower than the state average. And on the positive side: Both our "English learner progress" and our graduation rate are considered "very high," with 60 percent of students "making progress towards English language proficiency" and 97 percent of students graduating high school — much higher than the state numbers. You can peruse all the data here. (California School Dashboard & Press Democrat; paywall)
2. Water was a big topic at last night's Healdsburg City Council meeting. In particular, councilmembers reviewed a proposal for new water district called the "Alexander Valley Water District" just north of town. The plan was reportedly presented by Mike Martini and Walter Keiser, "representatives of the Russian River Property Owners Association." According to the Press Democrat, they argued that a new district "is needed to help agricultural landowners acquire legal standing that could open the doors to infrastructure that supports monitoring and protection of water rights," and that "it could also support owners with sustainability, restoration and conservation projects." More from the story: "This proposed district would not include customers serviced by Healdsburg, neither would the city be formally involved with the creation of the new water district. The city would, though, be involved with issues related to Healdsburg’s water supply, according a city staff report. ... Healdsburg’s proximity to the proposed district and shared dependence on Russian River flows and groundwater were grounds for the presentation, Keiser said. 'I don’t want the city of Healdsburg surprised, so we want to keep the avenue of communication open as this project evolves,' said Martini who also the executive director of Sonoma Alliance for Vineyards and the Environment, or SAVE. The proposed boundary, which is in early stages, would likely exist from north of Cloverdale to east of Healdsburg, Keiser said." There didn't appear to be any specific action taken after the proposal last night, but I'll keep you posted on any developments. (City of Healdsburg via Facebook & Press Democrat; paywall)
3. According to the social media mavens over at Shop Local Healdsburg, the city is planning a big Lunar New Year celebration on the Sunday after next in the plaza, ringing in the Year of the Rabbit. (Which officially started on Jan. 22.) I haven't seen any information from the city yet about the event, but Shop Local is seldom wrong! They report that the Feb. 5 celebration will include "music, dance, and Asian street food" from 11 a.m. through 2 p.m. "We hope you’ll join us to enjoy and learn more about this 3,500 year-old new year tradition and get a chance to meet more of our amazing Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community!" Shop Local writes. "We have more interactive and big events planned with local artisans, chefs, musicians, raffle prizes 🎟️, and cocktails & conversations in Healdsburg for the AAPI month of May. Stay tuned!" Again, I'll let you know anything else I hear about it. (Shop Local Healdsburg via Instagram)

From our sponsor:

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Today and tomorrow in Healdsburg:

Tuesday, January 24

• Free Vaccine Clinic For Dogs & Cats at the Healdsburg Animal Shelter (Weekly, 2-4PM)
• Meet the Artist Behind New Exhibit at the Upstairs Art Gallery: "Garden of Whimsey" Watercolors by Phyllis Rapp (Jan. 24-26, 2:30-6PM)
• "Pot Pie & Pinot" Pop-Up at The Harris Gallery, Featuring To-Go Orders of Lamb Bourginon, Goat Molé & Chicken Pot Pie With Costeaux Crust From Local Chef Mateo Granados (3-6PM)
• "Seeds & Reads" for Kids in Grades K-6 at the Healdsburg Library: All About Owls, Feat. Owl Poop Dissection (4-5PM)
• Healdsburg Running Company "Trail Sisters" Host Run & Vision Board Making Party (6PM)
• Healdsburg High School Girls Soccer Home Game Vs. Piner (7PM)
• Healdsburg High School Girls Basketball Home Game Vs. Windsor (7:30PM)

Wednesday, January 25

• Free Coffee Wednesday at Circle K (5AM-10PM)
• Sonoma County Government Hosts Virtual Home Resiliency Workshop: "Solar, Storage, and Electrification - A Perfect Match" (11:30AM-12:30PM)
• "Universal Yums" for Teens at the Healdsburg Library (2PM)
• City of Healdsburg Senior Citizens Advisory Commission Meeting (4PM)
• Free Homework Help for Kids in Grades K-12 at the Healdsburg Library (Weekly, 4-6PM)
• Healdsburg Young Professionals Network & Chamber of Commerce Host "Ventures & Vino" Educational Mixer at Costeaux Bakery, Featuring Interview With Local Winemaker Jesse Katz (5PM)
• Healdsburg High School Boys Basketball Home Game Vs. St. Vincent (7:30PM)
• Deadline to Submit Artwork to Upcoming "Red" Exhibit at the Healdsburg Center for the Arts (11:59PM)

Healdsburg pic of the day:

I haven't been getting many submissions for pic of the day recently, so consider this an official callout! Submit your photos to me here.

I love to feature pics of Healdsburg wildlife, plants, homes, signs, shops, food, vines, roads, skies, activities, parties, community members doin' their thing — whatever stands out to you during your day. Please just confirm when you send me any pics that you own the rights to them, and that Patch has permission to republish them. Thanks, y'all 📸

From my notebook:

• Correction to yesterday's correction! 🙃 The acronym COPE actually stands for "Communities Organized to Prepare for Emergencies" now, not "Citizens Organized to Prepare for Emergencies" like it used to be. (Inbox & COPE Northern Sonoma County)
• City crews are "replacing a damaged traffic signal pole at the intersection of Healdsburg Avenue and Powell Avenue" today, officials say. "Traffic controls will be in place during the work period, and starting at 9:00am, Powell Avenue will be closed. Please drive cautiously!" (City of Healdsburg via Facebook)
• Luxury travel mag Robb Report shares a peek inside one of the $8 million homes for sale inside the Montage Healdsburg resort. (Robb Report)

Now you're in the loop for today! I'll be back 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 Daily? Contact me at simone.wilson@patch.com