🌱 The Next Campo Fina + Healdsburg Housing Controversy + Chef Awards

Hello, everybody — I'm here with your fresh copy of the Healdsburg Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out all the local information you need to know right now.

First, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Rain and possible thunderstorms. High: 52 Low: 34.
• Thursday: Fog and frost in the morning, then mostly sunny. High: 62 Low: 41.
• Friday: Mix of clouds and sun. High: 59 Low: 38.

Our local sponsors have some great stuff to offer:

• 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.

• 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.

Click here to get your business featured in this spot.

Air over Healdsburg:

Here are the top 3 stories today in Healdsburg:

1. Another local Italian joint is stepping into the large void left by Campo Fina, which closed its doors last year in downtown Healdsburg due to rising rent and other economic factors. The new restaurant is called Molti Amici, or "many friends" in Italian, and it's the brainchild of former SingleThread general manager Jonny Barr. He reportedly plans to open this May, with the local couple who owns Quail & Condor and Troubadour coming on as co-executive chefs. "When Campo closed, something clicked, and I knew I had to bring it back," Barr tells the Press Democrat. “I needed to make sure the space went to a restaurateur who really cared about our community. I want to bring new life to the space, to pay respect to what was, and to embrace what can be." More details from the PD: "As the new owner, he plans to bring back the wood-fired pizzas, pasta and fiercely competitive games of bocce on the outdoor patio, but most importantly, the sense of kinship [former owner Ari Rosen] fostered at the restaurant. ... When Rosen closed the restaurant Oct. 1, he cited the space's rent doubling, a labor shortage and a lack of housing for restaurant staff. 'We are aware of the challenges that our industry faces, be it high rent or lack of workforce, and we're embracing the challenge,' Barr said. ... He hopes to keep the menu simple and seasonal, focusing on the community. Barr, who is also a sommelier, will curate the wine program. The 115-seat Molti Amici will also have a full bar." (SF Chronicle & Press Democrat; paywalls)
2. Speaking of rising rents! At last week's Healdsburg City Council meeting, councilmembers ended up delaying a vote "concerning a three-unit decrease in housing units that would help to secure financing for the North Village Housing Project" being built across from the Montage, the Press Democrat reports. Comstock Homes and Burbank Housing are reportedly co-developers on the project. To be honest, I've read the PD article like three times and I'm still having trouble understanding exactly what's going on with the three missing units and why — but affordable housing advocates who attended the City Council meeting definitely seemed upset about the prospect of the development shrinking. A rep for Comstock reportedly said at the meeting that "the previous design was 'shut out' of multiple rounds to secure tax credit financing" and that "the project as proposed was not competitive because it was just simply too small and too expensive. Therefore, we had to reexamine the project unit mix that made the requested amendments... necessary." And in response, "numerous Healdsburg residents, who included farmworkers and a housekeeper, urged the city to find a way to accommodate the loss of the three units and to consider the families who are most impacted by the housing crisis. 'I think more than anything, we want to hold the developer accountable. I think it’s the city’s job to oversee that,' said López Pardo." You can read the full story in the PD, or watch the council meeting yourself on the city's website; the housing matter starts being discussed around the 47-minute mark. And this issue will reportedly come back before the council at their April 17 meeting. (City of Healdsburg & Press Democrat; paywall)
3. Kyle and Katina Connaughton — the chefs at threee-Michelin-starred SingleThread, arguably Healdsburg's most famous and decorated fancy restaurant — are finalists for a James Beard award this year, in the "Best Chef: California" category. In January, they were announced among 20 semifinalists for that award; the pool has now been whittled down to five. They're now up against the chefs at SoCal restaurants Holbox, Hayato, Anajak Thai and Taco María — all of them located in the Los Angeles area. The way the Beards' "Best Chef" category works is that California, Texas and New York state all get their own winner, while the rest of the states are grouped into regional buckets — for 12 total chef awards. The winners will be announced in June. (SF Eater & James Beard Awards)

Healdsburg pics of the day, rainy spring edition:

Wanna see one of your pics in the newsletter? Submit it here for consideration. Please just confirm in your email that you took any photos you're sending, and that Patch has permission to republish them. Thanks! 📸

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 Patch newsletter possible.

Coming up in Healdsburg:

Wednesday, March 29

• "Game On!" Video Game Group for Teens at the Healdsburg Library (1:30PM)
• Healdsburg High School Track & Field Team Hosts Home Meet Vs. Elsie Allen (4PM)
• Homework Help at the Healdsburg Library (March 29-30, 4PM)
• Corazón Healdsburg & the Healdsburg Unified School District Host "Padres en Acción" Info Session on "Individualized Education Programs / Programas de Educación Individual" (6PM)
• Healdsburg High School Baseball Team Plays Home Game Vs. Santa Rosa (7PM)
• Students From the Healdsburg School Perform Disney's "Beauty and the Beast, Jr." Musical at Rio Lindo Adventist Academy (March 29-30, 7PM)
• Trivia Night at Coyote Sonoma (Weekly, 7-9PM)

Thursday, March 30

• Healdsburg High School Badminton Team Plays at Home Vs. Analy (4:30PM)
• Humbird, aka Singer-Songwriter Siri Undlin, Live at Little Saint (5:45PM)
• Healdsburg Running Company Hosts Lake Sonoma Marathon Pre-Party (6PM)
• Trivia Night at Fogbelt Station Beer Garden (Weekly, 6-8PM)
• City of Healdsburg Hosts "Community Encuentro" Conversation at the Healdsburg Community Center: "Jornadas de Trabajo / Labor Days: Migrant and Service Community Experiences in Healdsburg" (6:30PM)
• Karaoke Night at Coyote Sonoma (Weekly, 7-10PM)
• Bachata Salsa Dancing at Furthermore Wines (7PM-12AM)
• Play About School Shootings at the Raven Theater: "If I Don't Make It, I Love You" (March 30-April 1, 7:30PM)
• Comedian Kevin James Performs at the Luther Burbank Center for "The Irregardless Tour" (8PM)
• Artist Entry Deadline for Upcoming "Shadows and Light" Show at the Healdsburg Center for the Arts (11:59PM)

Friday, March 31

• Ticket Sales Open for AVFilm's 9th Annual Alexander Valley Film Festival Later This Spring (All Day)
• Healdsburg Running Company & Mill District Velo Host "Critical Mass" Community Bike Ride (4:30PM)
• Montagne Russe Tasting Room Hosts "Vinyls & Vino" Trivia Night at Bacchus Landing, Featuring "All Things '80s" Theme (5-7PM)
• Friday Evening Wine & Song at Hudson Street Wineries, Feat. Rock Band Used Goods (5-8PM)
• DJ Urn Mac & DJ Jolu Play House Music at Furthermore Wines (5PM-12AM)
• Pianist Inna Faliks & Poet Ellen Bass Perform at THE 222, Feat. Pre-Concert Discussion (6:45PM)
• SOLD OUT: Rufus Wainwright Performs at Little Saint (8PM)
• Comedy Night at Coyote Sonoma (8-10PM)
• Mike Saliani & The Canyon Stars Live at the Elephant in the Room (9PM-12AM)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured gigs & services:

• Upcoming Grad Night or Birthday Party? Make it a Casino Party! Get 10% Off Your First Event!! (Details)
• Add your gig or service

That's all for now! I'll be back in your inbox soon with your next update.

— 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