New Healdsburg Bar + Best Local Employers + Cool 'Seed Library'

Morning, Healdsburg! Good to be back. Let's start this Tuesday off on an informed note, shall we? Here's everything you need to know about what's happening today in town.

First, today's weather:

Some fog and clouds through mid-morning, clearing to sun. Weather officials are still warning of bad air quality due to smoke from California wildfires. High: 81 Low: 44.

Here are the top 5 stories in Healdsburg today:

1. A small brush fire broke out Sunday night on the outskirts of Healdsburg, at 7455 West Dry Creek Road near Cozzens Corner. Like all other Sonoma County fires so far this season, Cal Fire's Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit quickly nipped the "Mountain Fire" in the bud. "The fire is approximately 0.7 acres and 100% contained," officials wrote in the wee hours Monday. "Crews will continue to work on putting out hot spots. Use caution if traveling in the area." In more disturbing fire news, there are a dozen major wildfires burning across California right now — including the "explosive" Caldor fire in the Tahoe area, currently "knocking on the door to the Lake Tahoe basin." (Healdsburg Patch & Facebook & Press Democrat; paywall)
2. Tension continues to rise between Healdsburg city leaders and local water activists over the myriad housing developments and hotels being constructed during this brutal drought, such as the Mill District and North Village. According to the PD, there are "more than 500 planned and prospective units in the pipeline — more than half of which would be sold at market rate." Activists called for a complete "pause" in new development during a three-hour (!) working session yesterday on the City of Healdsburg's 2021 update to its 2020 Urban Water Management Plan. You can watch the whole thing on Facebook. (Facebook & Press Democrat; paywall)
3. The North Bay Business Journal's list of the "Best Places to Work in 2021" includes three Healdsburg companies: Healdsburg Lumber, Mengali Accountancy and the Parkpoint Health Club. The winners were selected based on employee surveys. They'll reportedly be "recognized at an in-person event Sept. 15 from 4–6:30 p.m. at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa." (North Bay Business Journal)
4. Here's what's going into the spot just vacated by Mateo's on Healdsburg Avenue near the roundabout: Lo & Behold, a new "bar and kitchen" created by the founders of Duke's Spirited Cocktails on the plaza. They say they'll be serving their "signature style of cultivated cocktails with a full menu of global inspired comfort food," and that "the vibe will be lively and casual, always fun, and welcoming to all." The Duke's founders reportedly had a falling out with that bar's main investor and namesake, David "Duke" Ducommon, and parted ways earlier this year. (Facebook & Sonoma Magazine)
5. The Tribune has a useful writeup on the years-in-the-making Healdsburg Arts and Culture Master Plan that was approved at last week's Healdsburg City Council meeting. The local paper also posted some details on the "revised roof design and schematic" for the planned Foley Family Community Pavilion on North Street, likewise years in the making. From the Trib: "Instead of having more of an open air roof, the historic building will feature a mix of solid and translucent panels with an industrial aesthetic that will match the overall rustic/agricultural design and feel of the structure." (SoCoNews Healdsburg & SoCoNews Healdsburg)

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Today in Healdsburg:

• Healdsburg Tuesday Farmers Market (9AM-12:30PM)
• Kids' Cooking Mini Camp at Villa Chanticleer (3:30-4:45PM)
• Virtual Pride Club for Teens at Sonoma County Library (4-5PM)
• Healdsburg City Planning Commission Meeting (6PM)
• Tuesdays in the Plaza: Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers (6PM)
• Ladies Night at Healdsburg Running Company: Trail Sisters Spring Lake Run & Optional Paddle (6PM)
• Live at Duke's Spirited Cocktails: Dustin Saylor (8-10PM)

Healdsburg Patch Notebook

• Healdsburg High School's new principal, Amy Jones-Kerr, is in the clear for now. According to the Trib, an independent investigation reviewed by the Healdsburg Unified School District Board of Trustees has "found nothing to substantiate concerns regarding Jones-Kerr’s leadership as former Roseland School District superintendent during a time when the district was receiving allegations of racism, inequity and favoritism." (SoCoNews Healdsburg)
• Healdsburg native Lupe Lopez, the "daughter of working-class immigrants from Mexico," could use some help finishing up her last year of graduate studies at Columbia University. "With the support of my community, my goal is to be able to fully fund my degree," she writes. (GoFundMe)
• A stray black mama cat was found near West Sausal Lane and Old Ketchum Road in Alexander Valley over the weekend. She's being taken care of at the Healdsburg animal shelter. (Facebook)
• Here are all the ways you can support the 50-plus families who lost their homes in the Cache Fire over in Clearlake last week. (Facebook)
• Did you know there's a special little "seed library" located at the Healdsburg Library, where you can pick up some seeds for your garden or leave seeds for others? (Facebook)
• There will be a pop-up vaccine clinic at today's farmers market again, featuring the now-extra-legit Pfizer vaccine. "Sadly Marla Bakery has had to drop out due to lack of employees," market organizers say — but on the upside, "High Maintenance will be playing some rockin' jazz for your listening pleasure on the gazebo stage." (Facebook)

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Alright, that's it for today. See you all tomorrow for your next update! If you're into these newsletters, consider bringing some more friends and neighbors on board. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— 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? Email me at simone.wilson@patch.com.