Rec Park Update + Healdsburg's Michelin Stars + Water Fee Outrage

Happy Wednesday, Healdsburg! Here's everything you need to know about what's happening in town today.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 86 Low: 49.

Air over Healdsburg:

Here are the top 6 stories today in Healdsburg:

1. Good news for everyone mourning Rec Park as the official home for Friday night lights in Healdsburg: School district officials have changed their mind about moving home football games to the all-weather turf at high school campus next year. After realizing the turf only supports seating for 250 people — and given the fact that "Healdsburg High School football games draw a crowd of about 300 to 600 people" — the district has announced that games will still be played at Rec Park for the time being. Otherwise, they'd have to conduct another whole mess of an environmental review process. “So we’re not going to bother doing that because I don’t imagine it will be received well by the neighbors,” Healdsburg's superintendent says. (SoCoNews Healdsburg)
2. Guess who just earned their very first Michelin star? Widely beloved Healdsburg restaurant Barndiva, located just south of the plaza on Center Street. And SingleThread a few blocks north "retains the elusive three Michelin-star designation, the highest award a restaurant can achieve," according to Sonoma Mag — an honor held by only five other restaurants in California. Barndiva posted a "huge congratulations to our wonderful Chefs Jordan Rosas and Neidy Venegas and to all the incredible farmers and purveyors who have made this journey with us over the years" to their Facebook page this week, in response to the announcement. "Our hearts are full of gratitude for all the hard work, talent, and genuine hospitality shown by our amazing team here." (Sonoma Magazine & Facebook)
3. In case you missed it: Starting next week on Monday, it'll cost you $45 per delivery to get recycled water for your tank from the City of Healdsburg — and at some point in November, the deliveries will stop completely. The city program has been free up to now. Many Healdsburg residents are upset about these changes, mainly because they invested so much money in the water tank infrastructure itself at the start of summer, assuming the water itself would keep flowing in for free. "It was very discouraging and shortsighted to hear [councilmembers] justify their votes at last week's City Council meeting," resident Geri Hadley said in an email. There's also a huge thread about it in the "What's Happening Healdsburg" Facebook group, started by resident Richard Butler. "I wanted to see if anyone else is feeling duped…" he wrote. (Inbox & Facebook & SoCoNews Healdsburg)
4. Did you know Healdsburg is home to a "microbiome therapeutics company" called ISOThrive, headquartered on Toyon Drive by the river? They make gut-health supplements, and got approved earlier this month to make a similar product for pets and livestock. According to the Business Journal, the company's CEO and founder sees the product as a promising potential substitute for antibiotics in farm animal feed. He's eyeing the poultry industry in particular. (North Bay Business Journal)
5. Healdsburg has gotten a couple shout-outs this week from big travel publications. Firstly, Conde Nast Traveler has named us the foodie capitol of the California Wine Country. "These days, we're heading north to the charming town of Healdsburg... where terraced restaurants, boutiques, and high-end art galleries line the quiet streets, and the likes of chef Charlie Palmer has set up shop," Conde Nast writes. And secondly, Fodors says a road trip through Healdsburg is one of the 15 best in the U.S. for fall foliage. The Alexander, Russian River, and Dry Creek valleys "offer the same fiery explosion of oranges, yellows, reds, and maroons that East Coasters brag about (with deep red Cab Savs to match)," Fodors says. (Conde Nast Traveler & Fodors)
6. It's Healdsburg police log time. The latest log, current through Monday, includes reports of a woman on Center Street "lying on the sidewalk pouring food onto the sidewalk and then eating the food off of the sidewalk"; someone spotted driving 90 MPH across Memorial Bridge; an alleged chip-and-salsa theft from a Healdsburg Avenue business by "the same woman who shoplifted in 2019"; a woman in a wheelchair seen "drinking beer and acting crazy," also Healdsburg Avenue; and a car found on Grant Street with wax in the ignition and eggshells near the door, which caused the reporting party to suspect that "those responsible are witches trying to cast a spell on her." And much, much more. (SoCoNews Healdsburg)

Today's Healdsburg Daily is brought to you by Newrez, a leading nationwide mortgage lender. Make a smart move for your future and refinance with Newrez today. Call 844-979-1707 to connect with a Newrez loan officer. Newrez, LLC (NMLS #3013)

Today in Healdsburg:

• Family Storytime at Sonoma County Library: "Odin: Dog Hero of the Fires" (10:30-11AM)
• Virtual Sonoma County Arts Education Alliance Meeting for Parents: Advocacy, Opportunities (6PM)
• Virtual Film Screening and Q&A Panel at Sonoma County Library: "Wilder than Wild: Fire, Forests, and the Future" (6-7:30PM)
• Trivia Night at Coyote Sonoma (7-9PM)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Add your business here

Events:

• Discover Simple No Cost Way to Start Selling Online (September 30)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop! See you all tomorrow for another update. If you're enjoying these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to read along. 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? I'm all ears. You can email me at simone.wilson@patch.com.