🌱 New Mayor, Council + Plaza Santa Pics + Roundabout Running Record?

Hi there, Healdsburg! It's me again — here to tell you everything you need to know about what's happening in town. Today's issue of your Healdsburg Patch newsletter includes:

• A guy who allegedly ran 415 laps around the Healdsburg roundabout
• Rave reviews from the big plaza holiday event last Friday
• The final roster for Healdsburg's city government — including our new mayor
• And more...

But first, your daily weather:

• Tuesday: Mix of sun and clouds. Small chance of rain. High: 60 Low: 33.
• Wednesday: Dense fog and widespread frost in the morning — but mostly sunny after that. High: 61 Low: 36.

Shoutout to our premier local sponsors:

• Looking to rent in the Healdsburg area? Stacey Bernd at Healdsburg & Artisan Sotheby's International has lived in Sonoma Co. for 48 years and been in real estate for 30. She knows the market the way only a local can. Thinking of listing a property for rent? She can help with that too. Contact Stacey and work with Healdsburg's best.

• Have you stopped by Amy's Wicked Slush near Memorial Bridge lately? Amy's has Slush in glorious flavors like root beer, mango, and orange cream and soft serve in flavors like Cupcake, Blueberry and Brown Sugar Cinnamon. Can’t decide? Get the Split — half-slush, half-soft serve layered up like a parfait! Do yourself a favor and stop by ASAP.

• Looking to buy or sell a luxury property in Sonoma County? Healdsburg’s Sotheby’s International Realty is a local firm with global reach that specializes in luxury real estate, vineyards, wineries and land in Sonoma County. Healdsburg's Sotheby's: local expertise, deep market knowledge, and a passion for the community. Whether buying or selling, it pays to work with the best. Call Healdsburg’s Sotheby’s at 707-433-4800.

• Considering a fire-safe metal roof or siding for your home? Metal Roof Company has specialized in metal roofing and wall panels in the North Bay area for nearly 30 years. They work with homeowners, architects and general contractors on everything from single-family homes to commercial installations — and take pride in getting the job done right. To see a gallery of projects or to learn more, visit Metal Roof Company today or email metalroofcompany.com@gmail.com.

Click here to get your business featured in this spot.

Air over Healdsburg:

Here are the top 3 stories today in Healdsburg:

1. Ron Edwards, a retired caterer and cannabis farmer, has officially been sworn in as a two-year member of the Healdsburg City Council — after spending nearly a month neck-and-neck with his contender, former mayor and local water justice advocate Brigette Mansell, in the county election results. Our two new four-year councilmembers, Evelyn Mitchell and Chris Herrod, were sworn in at last night's regular council meeting as well. Also: The former head of local nonprofit Corazón Healdsburg, Ariel Kelley, is the new mayor of Healdsburg. Up to now she's been serving as vice mayor under Mayor Ozzy Jimenez, who is no longer on the council as of last night's ceremony. "Last night I was officially sworn in... after being selected by my fellow council members," Kelley writes on Facebook. "I am truly grateful to my colleagues who have selected me to lead our council as we move forward into 2023." You can watch the whole ceremony in this video of the meeting, posted on the city's website. (City of Healdsburg & Ariel Kelley via Facebook & Press Democrat; paywall)
2. The San Francisco Chronicle has the astonishing story of a young Healdsburg man who was so "restless" that he "ran around the town's roundabout 415 times" last Friday — and had a "wonderful time." Yes, you read that right. Tate Dobson, 21, "had the day off work so he drove downtown, parked his car and proceeded to run around the roundabout that leads into Healdsburg’s touristy downtown — 415 times," the Chronicle reports. "The circle is about 460 feet in circumference. Jogging from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Dobson logged 36 miles — a 9:45 per mile pace — according to his Strava app." Tate tells the paper he had recently hiked the 2,600-mile Pacific Crest Trail, and "was feeling restless being back in his home routine." The idea reportedly came to him "when he was drunk with friends the day before Thanksgiving." More from the story: "Hour 2 was probably his valley. 'I was like, why am I doing this? I have so much time to go.' But then he settled in with music in his headphones. Occasionally he'd stop at his car for water or to throw back some fruit snacks or energy bars. By late afternoon, having logged hundreds of laps, people in town were starting to realize something was going on. Passerby drivers rolled down their windows to ask what he was doing. Others honked in support." Read the full story here — the entire thing is amazing. (SF Chronicle; paywall)
3. Did you catch the "Merry Healdsburg" tree-lighting ceremony and holiday extravaganza in the plaza last Friday night? Rave reviews all around. Geyserville resident Greg Heumannin sums it up in the "What's Happening Healdsburg" Facebook group: "Gotta say — my faith in humanity has been severely taxed these last 6 years. But the tree lighting event on The Plaza tonight was a happy reminder of how wonderful it is and how lucky we are to live HERE. What an awesome event. I love the fact that the band was latin. This was the largest crowd I've seen on the Plaza in 20 years. So many young people with children! My 2 yr old grandson was mesmerized by the angels on stilts, but his favorite attraction was still the fire truck! I am uplifted tonight! Hat's off to all those who made this happen." The city uploaded some beautiful pics of the event to their Facebook page, writing: "THANK YOU to everyone who came out last night! Special thank you to our partners, and to all of our staff, including Community Services, Public Works, the Fire Department, and the Police Department who worked hard to make this event such a success!" And if you took any photos with Santa at the plaza, the city just uploaded them all here... (Merry Healdsburg Photos via ConstantContact & City of Healdsburg via Facebook & Facebook Groups)

From our sponsor:

Today’s Healdsburg Patch newsletter is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. T-Mobile has invested billions to light up their best network ever, covering 99% of people in America with LTE, which helps to keep communities like ours informed and connected. We thank T-Mobile for their support and for making today’s Healdsburg newsletter possible.

Today and tomorrow in Healdsburg:

Tuesday, December 6

• Spanish Music & Movement for Kids Aged 0-6 at the Healdsburg Library (11AM)
• Brown Bag Book Club at the Healdsburg Library: "Girl, Woman, Other" by Bernadine Evaristo (12PM)
• Healdsburg High School Girls Soccer Home Game Vs. Elsie Allen (5PM)
• Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE) Meeting at Healdsburg High School (6PM)

Wednesday, December 7

• Teen Knits & Knots at the Healdsburg Library, With Experts From the Purls of Joy Co-Op (3:30-5PM)
• Adult Knits & Knots at the Healdsburg Library (6-8PM)

From my notebook:

• Reach for Home, the nonprofit running Healdsburg's new homeless shelter in the old L&M Motel, says "more of the rooms at the L&M Village are nearing completion" and that residents have been moving in at "a staggered ramp-up." Reach for Home org leaders claimed in a recent email that those who've moved in already "report feeling safe and several say they are sleeping well for the first time in years." (Facebook Groups)
• Former Healdsburg restaurant Cyrus has secured a Michelin star just three months after re-opening in Geyserville. "The award was announced Monday night during a live ceremony honoring the 2022 California Guide winners in Los Angeles," the Press Democrat reports. Thus making Cyrus "one of only three restaurants in Sonoma County with star designations." The other two — three-starred SingleThread and one-starred Barndiva, both located in Healdsburg — also kept their stars at last night's ceremony. (Press Democrat; paywall)
• Registration is now open for the 2023 season of the Healdsburg Little League. You can sign up your kids for a baseball or softball team through Jan. 8. (HealdsburgBaseball.com & Facebook Groups)
• The tuna sandwich at Troubadour in downtown Healdsburg makes the Chronicle's list of the top three tuna sandwiches in the Bay Area. (SF Chronicle; paywall)
• The Sonoma County Library system is running a "Send Our Seniors Mail" program again for the holiday season this year, in order to foster "kindness and support for elders in the community." Some of the seniors at Healdsburg's Pacifica Senior Living Community will be on the receiving end. Here's how to participate. (Sonoma County Library)
• Little Saint, the new food, art and event space on North Street, is hosting a holiday toy drive for Corazón Healdsburg. You can drop off "unwrapped, new toys or gift cards" through Dec. 16. "These gifts will be shared with kids at a special holiday event on the Healdsburg Plaza" that evening, org leaders say, "to celebrate the beginning of Las Posadas and Hanukkah. ... Everyone is welcome to join us as we experience how two different cultures mark this time of year." (Corazón Healdsburg via MailChimp & Corazón Healdsburg via Facebook)
• Also: Healdsburg Elementary's Fitch Mountain Campus is "collecting kid’s coats for a coat swap" at the Parent-Teacher Organization's BINGO night this Thursday, Dec. 8. "Clean out your closets and drop off kid’s clean coats to either school office," organizers say. (Healdsburg Elementary School via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Free Stuff And Great Perks Every Week (December 6)
• TD 128 Sip, Soup and Sweaters (December 10)
• Healdsburg Chorus Concert - "Season of Light" (December 10)
• Add your event

That's it for today! See you right back here tomorrow...

— 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