🌱 Little Saint Shakeup + Repair Shop Closing + Roundabout Runner

Hello, Healdsburg! The weekend is upon us and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on all the most important things happening in our community. Today's weekend edition of the Healdsburg Patch newsletter includes updates on...

• The Little Saint and Single Thread restaurants parting ways
• A 67-year-old motor repair shop closing downtown
• The return of Healdsburg's indefatigable roundabout runner
• How the Bird e-bike share program is going
• A holiday home decorating competition this year in town
• And much more

But first, I have a correction to make! In Wednesday's newsletter, I included a story from The Jewish News of Northern California saying Ariel Kelley is our first Jewish mayor in more than 100 years. The story quoted Holly Hoods, head of the Healdsburg Museum, as saying that prior to Kelley’s appointment, the last Jewish mayor of Healdsburg was Samuel Cohn in 1886. However, Hoods now tells me she was "misquoted." She has not followed up yet to tell me what the correct information is; however, a trusted reader did reach out to say she believed that Leah Gold, who served as mayor twice in the past couple decades, might be Jewish. I'll keep you posted. My apologies for the misleading info. (Healdsburg Patch & The Jewish News of Northern California)

Now, your weekend weather:

• Friday: Fog and frost in the morning, with a "freeze warning" in effect through 9 a.m. — then mostly sunny. High: 62 Low: 30.
• Saturday: Fog and frost, then sun. High: 62 Low: 34.
• Sunday: Same as Saturday. High: 58 Low: 34.
• Monday: Fog and frost, then mostly cloudy. High: 54 Low: 36.

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Air over Healdsburg:

Here are the top 5 stories today in Healdsburg:

1. Little Saint, the giant new food, art and event space in the former SHED building on North Street, is officially splitting off from the three-Michelin-starred Single Thread restaurant a couple blocks east. "After nearly three years of collaboration, Single Thread owners Kyle and Katina Connaughton’s Vertice Hospitality is ending its management of Healdsburg’s Little Saint," Sonoma Magazine reports. "Vertice Hospitality and Little Saint, owned by Jeff and Laurie Ubben, seem to be parting amicably, though no specific reason for the change was given." So the Ubbens are fully in charge now. "The couple will assume management of Little Saint in early January 2023, taking over all food and beverage operations," according to Sonoma Mag, and their "focus on plant-based offerings will continue." The couple says that "it's with much gratitude and excitement that Little Saint is ready to pick up where Vertice leaves off." As for the Connaughtons: They're reportedly planning to refocus their efforts on "agricultural experiences at the Single Thread farm in Dry Creek Valley" and the River Belle Inn, which they bought earlier this year — as well as "some other new projects currently in development." Reflecting on the Little Saint project, they say they're "proud to have been a part of this very special collaboration within our community" and "excited to see what’s next for Little Saint and to watch it grow and thrive under new management." But after what happened to SHED, neighbors can't help but wonder whether there's trouble in paradise... (Sonoma Magazine & Facebook Groups & SF Chronicle; paywall)
2. E&M, an old Healdsburg motor repair shop run by multiple generations of the local Deas family at the corner of Mill and East streets, is shutting down its motor repair operations in town, the Healdsburg Tribune reports — but the core business isn't going anywhere. Just pivoting. The 67-year-old shop "is leaving behind the business that gave it an honored place in Healdsburg history to focus instead on an increasingly successful business sector," the Tribune reports. And that sector is "industrial automation sales and services." Since its founding, E&M has grown to employ "120 sales and service workers, with offices in southern California, Oregon and Washington, as it maintains headquarters in Healdsburg," according to the Trib. More from the story: "The E&M motor shop currently has six staff members. All of them are expected to work through the end of the year. Some will stay on to help wind down operations, and some will move to other divisions within the company. ... 'Last year, the motor shop did $1 million in business. But overall, we did $67 million — the rest of that is selling industrial automation components and services,' said Paul Deas. 'This has been pretty hard for our father, who is sad to see this go but understands it,' Steve Deas interjected. That would be Edgar Deas, the E of E&M. 'We tried to emphasize to him it’s everything we have, every other part of the business is because of that motor shop.'" I recommend you read the full story in the Trib — lots of interesting industry and family history in there. (Healdsburg Tribune)
3. The young guy from Healdsburg who ran around the roundabout 415 times on Nov. 30 reportedly did it again two weeks later — this time, in the other direction. And for even more laps. Tate Dobson, 21, who lives in town with his grandpa, "repeatedly ran counterclockwise" last Sunday "and bettered his time and distance, covering 61 kilometres in his six-hour time limit, with an average pace of 5:53/km," according to a running magazine from Canada. "Dobson ran around the 140-metre loop 437 times." He tells the magazine: “I think I don’t get dizzy." Here are some more delightful details from the piece: "He cleverly named his run on [running app] Strava 'widdershins,' which means counterclockwise. He once again was fuelled on only water and Motts-branded fruit gummies. 'I set up a gummy’s and water fueling station on the middle of the sidewalk in the roundabout,' he laughs. 'I tried to fuel every half hour but did not do a great job.' This time Dobson did not do the challenge alone, but had a friend who jogged with him for support. He also motivated two other friends to do the same roundabout challenge in Atlanta, Ga." However, don't expect to see him out there again soon: "When asked whether he would return to the roundabout for another ultra, he said not for a while." (Canadian Running Magazine)
4. Wondering how the pilot program for Bird e-bikes is going in Healdsburg? Our vice mayor, David Hagele, has shared some "VERY preliminary" early data showing how many people are riding the blue bikes and where they're most often starting and ending their rides. By my calculations, it looks like there's been an average in November and early December of five or six rides per day. Keeping in mind that these numbers are likely affected by "the weather, time of year & small sample size," according to Hagele. Here's what he's seeing: "It looks like a lot of the rides are either starting or ending in the neighborhoods vs. downtown. I know up here in Parkland Farms, I see a lot of people walking to the park with their helmets, ready to hop on the e-bikes! I’m looking forward to seeing these usage trend maps & the data after a year of use. Ride safe!!" (David Hagele via Facebook)
5. The New Horizons Band of Sonoma County's holiday concert this Sunday afternoon at the Healdsburg Community Church will be the final performance for Lew Sbrana, the band's founder and longtime conductor. "It will mark the end of a remarkable career for a man who has probably touched more lives through music than anyone else in Healdsburg, and perhaps the county," the Tribune writes. "The band is the local chapter of an international organization of community bands made up of musicians 50 years and older — the sort of senior who may have played in high school or college but left his or her instrument behind as they moved into family and career." Lew also taught music at Healdsburg's high school and junior high for over 30 years and started the Healdsburg Community Band in the early '80s, the Trib reports. Then, in the '90s, he started the New Horizons Band. It began with "twelve brave and enthusiastic members," the band's website says, and had grown to 80 members before the pandemic. From the Trib: "They are now down to a more manageable 60, all of whom will take the stage for the final time under Sbrana’s direction at 2pm on Dec 18. 'It’s been a lot of fun,' he said more than once. 'But I’m at peace; I’m ready to step down.' But not before he has found someone he can, most literally, pass the baton to: former Piner High music instructor Michael Milbrath." (Healdsburg Tribune & New Horizons Band of Sonoma County & Healdsburg Community Church via Facebook)

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This weekend in Healdsburg:

Friday, December 16

• Breakfast With Santa at Costeaux Bakery (Weekly in December, 9-11AM)
• Bilingual Family Storytime for Kids Aged 0-5 at the Healdsburg Library (10:30AM)
• Healdsburg High School Floral Club Selling Festive Arrangements (11AM-4PM)
• Food Delivery Volunteer Shift at Farm to Pantry: Meet in Petaluma & Deliver to Families in Healdsburg (1:30PM)
• Mick Tapparo Jr. Invitational JV Wrestling Tournament at Healdsburg High School (3PM)
• Community Posada & Hanukkah Celebration in the Healdsburg Plaza, Featuring Car Show, Traditional Jewish & Mexican Dishes, Live Music & Kids Toy Giveaway (5PM)
• AVFilm Hosts "Movie on the Vineyard" Screening of "Home Alone" in the Barrel Room at Hook & Ladder Winery (4PM)
• Getaway Adventures Hosts Holiday Lighted Bike Ride Through Healdsburg, Feat. Free Hot Chocolate & Cookies (5:30PM)
• "White Christmas" Holiday Musical by Theater Students at the Luther Burbank Center (Dec. 16-17, 7:30PM)
• The HOTS Live at Coyote Sonoma (8-11PM)
• Neon Blue Live at the Elephant in the Room (9PM-12AM)

Saturday, December 17

• Healdsburg Running Company Hosts Morning Trail Run at Jenner Headlands (8AM)
• Final Healdsburg Saturday Farmers Market of the Season (8:30AM-12PM)
• Drew Esquivel Memorial Duals Wrestling Tournament at Healdsburg High School (9AM-6PM)
• "Cloisonne" Jewelry Making Class in Santa Rosa Through the Healdsburg Center for the Arts (Dec. 17-18, 9:30AM-4:30PM)
• Read to a Dog at the Healdsburg Library (11AM)
• Holiday Open House at Oakville Grocery & Wine Merchant, Feat. Free Food & Wine Tasting, Cookie Decorating for Kids, Hot Chocolate Bar, Photos With Santa & Toys for Tots Collection (11AM-1PM)
• Celebration of Life for Healdsburg Resident & Antique Store Owner Mike Lynch at St. John's Parish on Fitch Street (12-3PM)
• Final Weekend: Holiday Tea at Hotel Healdsburg, Feat. Teas, Cocktails, Pastries, Dainty Finger Sandwiches & Other Holiday Fare (Dec. 17-18, 1-2:30PM)
• Matinee: "White Christmas" Holiday Musical by Theater Students at the Luther Burbank Center (Dec. 17-18, 2PM)
• Healdsburg High School Boys Basketball Home Game Vs. Cloverdale (5PM)
• Mimi & the Moonlights Play Lounge Session at Furthermore Wines Tasting Room (5-8PM)
• Live Jazz at Hotel Healdsburg: John MacKay Trio (6-9PM)
• Solo Jazz Pianist Marc Cary Performs at THE 222 (Dec. 17-18, 7PM)
• Holiday Sing-Along at the Raven Theater (7:30PM)
• Country Singers Dallas Caroline & Justin Peterich Live at Coyote Sonoma (7-9PM)
• VROS Live at the Elephant in the Room (9PM-12AM)
• Deadline to Enter the Healdsburg Holiday Home Decorating Competition (11:59PM)

Sunday, December 18

• Holiday Cookie Decorating Workshop for Kids at Little Saint With Quail & Condor Chef Melissa Yanc (11AM & 12:30PM)
• Valette Wine Lunch, Feat. Ketcham Estate & Bobcat Wines (12-3PM)
• New Horizons Band of Sonoma County Plays Free Concert at Healdsburg Community Church, Feat. Final Performance of Lew Sbrana (2PM)
• Comedian Sal Vulcano Live at the Luther Burbank Center (8PM)

Monday, December 19

• National Academy of Athletics Hosts Winter Holiday Break Basketball Camp for Kids Aged 7-13 at the Healdsburg Junior High Gym (Dec. 19-23, 9AM-3PM)
• Chanukah Celebration & Menorah Lighting at Oakville Grocery (5PM)
• "Crafting & Cocoa" at the Healdsburg Library: Gift & Ornament Making Workshop (11AM-12:30PM)
• Healdsburg City Council Meeting (6PM)

From my notebook:

• Mayor Ariel Kelley is hosting a holiday home decorating contest in Healdsburg this year! Tomorrow is the last day to enter. "If you are Healdsburg resident and love decorating your home and yard for the holidays, then you should submit your information through this form... to enter the First Annual Healdsburg Holiday Home Decorating Competition," she says. "Homes that joined the competition will be visible on a map (coming soon!) so you can judge their decorations for yourself. Voting will be open to the public starting Sunday, December 18. A winner will be announced on New Year’s Eve." (ArielKelley.com)
• Related: Everyone's been talking about this one house down in Windsor with a bonkers Christmas light display. "Worth the drive," says Healdsburg resident Valerie White. (Facebook Groups)
• Sonoma County health officials are recommending — but not requiring, at least not yet — that we all wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID this holiday season. The local business community has reportedly had mixed reactions. From the PD: "Some local retailers were seen wearing masks Wednesday while others plan to take it 'day to day' and let customers decide. Tallia Hart, CEO of the Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce, said business owners and consumers need to be able to make their own decisions in relation to wearing masks. With ongoing economic uncertainty and concern, she said, a mask recommendation is just another frustration business owners have to deal with. 'We’re putting too much red tape on businesses to the point where they are suffering to operate,' she said." (Healdsburg Patch & Press Democrat; paywall)
• The young man who died when he crashed his motorcycle out near Lake Sonoma a few weeks ago has been identified as 22-year-old Rohnert Park resident Devin Mansen. Friends and family are mourning his early death. (Legacy.com & Press Democrat; paywall)
• FYI, there will be a series of free, outdoor Snoopy-themed ice skating performances down in Santa Rosa this weekend. (Redwood Ice Theatre Company)
• The deadline to participate in the "Art for Animals" fundraiser at the Healdsburg animal shelter is this Sunday. Basically, you submit a pic of your pet, and for $12, it will be turned into a piece of art — and all the money goes to the shelter. (Humane Society of Sonoma County via Facebook)
• If you want some homemade tamales for the holiday season, this guy from Healdsburg says his mom is your gal. The flavors are chicken with green sauce and pork with red sauce. "Last orders I’ll take will be on Sunday the 18th," he says, for delivery on the Dec. 20 and 21. (Facebook Groups & Facebook Groups)

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Phew! We made it — you're officially in the loop. 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 Daily? Contact me at simone.wilson@patch.com