🌱 New Campo Opens + Local Wine Boss Dies + Fourth of July In Town

Hey, everybody! I'm here in your inbox on this sweltering Saturday with your Fourth of July weekend edition of the Healdsburg Patch newsletter — full of everything you need to know about what's happening in town. We've got a bunch of big news today, including:

• The opening of Molti Amici, aka the second coming of Healdsburg's beloved old Campo Fina restaurant
• Some new pickleball courts at the high school
• A famous local winemaker who passed away recently
• The final schedule for Fourth of July festivities downtown
• And more...

But first, your weekend weather:

• Saturday: Sunny and super hot. High: 103 Low: 54.
• Sunday: Sunny and hot again. High: 99 Low: 53.
• Monday: Still mostly sunny, but cooling down a little. High: 91 Low: 49.
• Tuesday: Mostly sunny. High: 86 Low: 52.
• Wednesday: Mostly sunny again. Cooling down even more. High: 81 Low: 50.

From our sponsor:

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Here are the top 3 stories today in Healdsburg:

1. It's gonna be another big Fourth of July in downtown Healdsburg. The city and the Rotary Club will be throwing their annual "Kids' Parade & Duck Dash" in the plaza from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4, alongside the farmers market. There will be a whole bunch of games and races during that time — including a "Bubble Bonanza" and a "Trike Tract" — to the sounds of live music by the Russian River Ramblers, the Healdsburg Community Band and Court 'N' Disaster. Then later that night, when it gets dark around 9:30 p.m., the city and the American Legion will be staging their traditional 20-to-30-minute fireworks show at the high school. More info from the city: "Due to the size of this year’s show and to ensure spectator safety, viewing at the High School sports fields will not be available this year. Viewing will be available at the Fitch Mountain Elementary School Campus, on the west side of the High School in the parking lot area, and throughout other points in the City. Most of the fireworks will be visible 200 feet in the air and higher so look for places that provide a good view of the sky above the High School. In addition, this year we will be closing University Avenue from Badger Street to Monte Vista Avenue and Sanns Lane from University Avenue to Harold Lane for additional spectator viewing and better pedestrian access. No parking or vehicle traffic will be permitted on these streets from 6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. on July 4th." And FYI, there will be no "Tuesdays in the Plaza" concert that night. (Healdsburg Patch & City of Healdsburg)

2. Molti Amici, the casual Italian restaurant created in the image of Healdsburg's beloved Campo Fina in the same space downtown at 330 Healdsburg Ave., is now open for business. "We can’t wait to share our restaurant with you!" owner and founder Jonny Barr wrote in an email yesterday to customers. Here's the rest of his announcement: "Molti Amici will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 5:30 pm until 9:00 pm. We plan to add lunch service a few weeks following our grand opening. Reservations are recommended, but walk-in guests are always welcome. You can make reservations at MoltiAmici.com. When you enter, you will find a new, light, and airy vibe and a menu that combines the vibrant spirit of California with the rich culinary heritage of Italy. Molti Amici, which loosely translates to 'many friends' in Italian, is a gathering spot where friends and family come together to share good food, laughter, and a game of bocce ball on the back patio. I am so lucky not only to realize my dream of opening this restaurant, but also to be able to do it with this outstanding culinary and service team. We look forward to seeing you!" Check out the restaurant's Instagram for pics of the revived space. (Inbox & Sonoma Magazine & Molti Amici via Instagram)
3. One of Healdsburg's most well-known wine bosses, Paul Dolan of Truett Hurst and VML Wines, just died from cancer in his early 70s. He was "known for his generosity, allegorical speeches, constant pocket dials, and pride for those he loved," his obituary says — and "leaves behind a profound void in the hearts of his family, a wide circle of friends and colleagues who were touched by his journey, the winemaking and sustainable farming communities, the vibrant coffee shop scene in Ukiah and Healdsburg, and his faithful, four-legged companion and daily coffee shop partner, Don Julio." Paul spent much of his career cultivating vines up in Mendocino County, including at Fetzer Vineyards and Dark Horse Vineyards. More from his obit: "Through his collaboration with Mendocino Wine Company, Paul founded the Paul Dolan Wine brand in 2007, showcasing the remarkable potential of biodynamic farming in producing award-winning wines. In 2010, he established and hosted Biodynamic Camps at Dark Horse, imparting Rudolf Steiner's holistic farming principles to eager learners. Unfortunately, upon parting ways with Mendocino Wine Company in 2012, Paul was devastated to lose all rights and involvement with his namesake brand. Later, Paul and [his son] Heath entered into a partnership with friend Mark DeMeulenaere and the Hurst family of Sonoma County, creating Truett-Hurst Winery, nestled on a picturesque piece of property along Dry Creek in Healdsburg. The Truett name holds historical significance as it harkens back to the Dolan family's first vineyard, which supplied grapes to the legendary Italian Swiss Colony brand. Together, they created a beautiful space for people to gather, celebrate, and revel in the joys of life. In fact, Paul's final public appearance was in early June, attending his nephew Ryan's wedding at Truett Hurst, where he radiated pride, love and happiness." (Legacy.com & Sonoma County Gazette)

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This weekend in Healdsburg:

Saturday, July 1

• Healdsburg Farmers Market in the West Plaza Parking Lot (Weekly, 8:30AM-12PM)
• Read to a Dog at the Healdsburg Library (Weekly, 11AM)
• Healdsburg Museum Hosts "History Talks" in the Plaza (Weekly, 11AM-2PM)
• "Dollar Days" at the Healdsburg Pool: Family Entry for $1 Per Person (Saturdays & Sundays, July 1-August 13, 1-4PM)
• Opening Reception for New Exhibit at the Hammerfriar Gallery: "Stars & Stripes: A Show on the American Flag" (3-6PM)
• '90s Alt / Indie Acoustic Band Crescent Moonshine Live at Furthermore Wines (5-8PM)
• Healdsburg Prune Packers Play Home Game Vs. the Sonoma Stompers at Rec Park (6PM)
• Dallas Caroline & Justin Peterich Live at Coyote Sonoma (7-10PM)
• New Play at the Raven Theater: "Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" (7:30PM)
• Norwood Fisher's Trulio Disgraci Live at the Elephant in the Room (8-11PM)

Sunday, July 2

• New Play at the Raven Theater: "Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" (2PM)
• Spike Sikes & His Awesome Hotcakes Live at the Elephant in the Room (6-9PM)
• Rock Band The Heavy Heavy Live at Little Saint (8-10PM)

Monday, July 3

• Healdsburg Center for the Arts Hosts Week 4 of Summer Art Camps for Kids (July 3-7, All Day)
• Independence Day Fireworks & Concert at Keiser Park in Windsor (4PM)
• Yoga in the Vineyard at 32 Winds (Weekly, 5:30-6:30PM)

Tuesday, July 4

• Fourth of July Kids Parade & Duck Dash in the Plaza (10AM-1PM)
• Healdsburg Farmers Market on Matheson Street at the Plaza (9AM-12:30PM)
• Food Distribution at the Healdsburg Community Center (Weekly, 9:30-10:30AM)
• Fourth of July Party at the Elephant in the Room, Featuring Live Music by Treasures, the John Courage Trio & More (2-10PM)
• Healdsburg Prune Packers Celebrate July 4 With Home Game Vs. the Novato Nicks at Rec Park (5PM)
• Singer-Songwriter S.G. Goodman Live at Little Saint (6-9PM)
• Independence Day Fireworks Set Off at Healdsburg High School (9:30PM)

Wednesday, July 5

• Food Distribution at the Healdsburg Senior Center (9:30-10AM)
• "Game On!" Video Game Meetup for Teens at the Healdsburg Library (1-2PM)
• Senior Citizen Strength Training at Rec Park (Weekly, July 5-26, 1:15-2PM)
• Healdsburg Prune Packers Play Home Game Vs. the West Coast Admirals at Rec Park (5PM)
• "Knits & Knots" at the Healdsburg Library: Learn How to Knit/Crochet With Experts From the Purls of Joy Co-Op (6-8PM)
• Trivia Night at Coyote Sonoma (Weekly, 7-9PM)

From my notebook:

• In case you missed it — Healdsburg's main swimming hole along the Russian River, Memorial Beach, is now open for the first time in four years. Thanks to all the rain we finally got this season! (SFist & KPIX & Sonoma County Gazette & CA.gov)
• The Press Democrat has some more juicy details on (and renderings of) the new three-screen movie theater, called the Plaza Cinema Center, that the city just approved near the plaza behind the old Bear Republic location. “We’re hoping to start construction by the end of the year, and we’re hoping to open in 2024,” says the head of AVFilm, the org building the theater. She says the movies they show will be "a hybrid of Hollywood and independent fare." More from the PD: "Plans for the Plaza Cinema Center call for three movie auditoriums on the first floor with seating ranging from 23 to 54 seats, plus a classroom, offices and meeting spaces on the second floor. The theater will be located on a courtyard accessible by an archway in the middle of the 300 block of Healdsburg Avenue. Behind it is the large parking lot where the Healdsburg Farmers Market is held." (Press Democrat; paywall)
• After years of lobbying from local pickleball enthusiasts, "Healdsburg’s new pickleball courts are officially open at Healdsburg High School," according to the mayor. (Healdsburg Mayor Ariel Kelley via Facebook)
• The SMART train extension to Healdsburg just got another big $30 million cash infusion from the state. With these funds, "SMART says it can complete the Windsor extension and begin engineering and construction of critical segments of the Healdsburg extension," according to RailwayAge Magazine. (Healdsburg Patch & RailwayAge Magazine & Patch Neighbor Posts)
• A group of stranded boaters at Lake Sonoma reportedly had to be rescued by the sheriff last Wednesday. (Northern Sonoma County Fire District via Facebook)
• Three different wildfires broke out across Sonoma County yesterday: One in Mark West Springs just east of Windsor, one in Petaluma and one in Valley Ford near the coast. All were contained by firefighters within an hour, according to Cal Fire — thanks to a "rapid response" that "highlights the robust mutual aid system we all benefit from." (CAL FIRE Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit via Facebook)
• Related: It's that time of year when local fire officials remind us that it's illegal to set off our own fireworks in Healdsburg. (City of Healdsburg Fire Department via Facebook)
• A neighbor at the north end of town says on Nextdoor that she has noticed a "growing cockroach problem" in her neighborhood. She says: "A couple days ago I was walking on Terrace and Spruce I believe, when I saw at least a dozen cockroaches running in the road and on the sidewalk. I knew then that this was a potentially big problem. Last night I was going for a walk, and I noticed the cockroaches have spread to twin Oaks and Sunnyvale. I even noticed one in front of my house. I’m VERY concerned." (Nextdoor)

Thanks for reading, Healdsburg! I'll be on vacation in Mexico for the next week, during which time I'll have someone covering the newsletter for me. I'll miss you all... see you on the other side ✌️

— 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