Red Flag Update + Grape Harvest Numbers + Residents Rally For Rec

Hey, neighbors! Simone here with your Tuesday edition of the Healdsburg Daily. Here's everything you need to know about what's happening in town.

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First, today's weather:

Hot and sunny, with widespread haze in the afternoon. High: 97 Low: 55.

Air over Healdsburg:

Here are the top 5 stories today in Healdsburg:

1. We appear to be in the clear today wildfire-wise, after strong heat and wind late Sunday through last night made for optimal fire conditions and prompted a Red Flag Warning. We also managed to dodge any major official PG&E power shutoffs during the dicey weather window, although Healdsburg residents reported some brief spot outages on social media. Wind gusts up to 40 mph were recorded in Healdsburg yesterday, and up to 45 mph in the hills, as vigilant local firefighters on "Red Flag patrol" combed the area for signs of fire and Citizens Organized to Prepare for Emergencies (COPE) members flew red flags in their yards. (Facebook & Twitter & CBS San Francisco)
2. There was also a bit of a scare at the Uniquely Chic Floral & Home flower shop on Healdsburg Avenue yesterday morning. "One of the shop workers, Janine, said she went in to open the shop for the day and noticed a strong smoke smell and called the fire department," the Tribune reports. Healdsburg firefighters responded and investigated the smell while cops directed traffic around two fire engines at the scene, but nothing appeared to come of it. (SoCoNews Healdsburg)
3. The PD has some good updates on the state of the Healdsburg wine industry this harvest season, amid a trifecta of harsh conditions: drought, wildfires and an ongoing pandemic. Word on the 2o21 wine grape harvest is that while yields are predictably low due to limited water for vines — Healdsburg's Mauritson Farms, for one, is seeing a 15 to 30 percent dip — the grapes haven't been damaged by smoke like they were last year, and milder summer temps were favorable as well. "The fruit is beautiful," says Dennis Murphy of Murphy Ranch and Vineyards in the Alexander Valley. Vineyards that rely on the Russian River for water are struggling the most, as their water rights were taken away this year, but Murphy believes most have been able to "eke by." (Press Democrat & Press Democrat; paywall)
4. Meanwhile, retired local winemaker Terry Harrison, who "dry farmed grapes for 20 years on West Side Road," hopes to convince other grape growers to revive the age-old art of irrigation-free growing. Back in his day, he says, "we watered the first couple of years to get the vines started, and then we stopped irrigating. We were on deep clay alluvial soil, and we had deep-rooted rootstock, and the vines did fine.” (Press Democrat; paywall)
5. After Healdsburg High School officials announced last week that Friday football games would be moved from Rec Park to the high school next year, ending a decades-long tradition, some locals are pushing to halt the move. A Facebook group dedicated to "saving Hounds Friday Night Lights Football at Recreation Park" has racked up more than 1,000 likes in the 5 days or so since it was created. According to the group's "About" section: "The goal of this group is to show overwhelming local community support to cause school officials to take pause and reconsider this decision. Traditions matter and Hounds Football at Recreation Park has played a huge part in creating and sustaining our town's character, culture and fabric." (Facebook)

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Today in Healdsburg:

• Sonoma County Board of Supervisors Virtual Meeting (8:30AM)
• Healdsburg Tuesday Farmers Market, Feat. Hank Levine on the Gazebo Stage (9AM-12:30PM)
• "Little Monsters" Culinary Cooking & Art Workshop at the Villa Chanticleer (3:45-5:45PM)
• West Side Elementary Board of Trustees Meeting (5:30-7:30PM)
• Healdsburg Running Company "Ladies Night In Town" Loop, Ending with Movie Under the Stars (6PM)

Healdsburg Patch Notebook

• Speaking of high school football! The Greyhounds regained some footing in their season last Friday with a 27-7 win at home against the Willits Wolverines. “They played as a team and everything just came together,” their head coach says. They're now at 2 wins and 2 losses for the season. (SoCoNews Healdsburg)
• After announcing their "Best Places to Work in 2021" last month, the North Bay Business Journal now profiles all the local employers who won, including three Healdsburg companies: Healdsburg Lumber, Mengali Accountancy and the Parkpoint Health Club. Click through for more info on why these local companies are so beloved by their employees. (North Bay Business Journal)
• Substitute teachers at Healdsburg schools got a big pay raise at the most recent school board meeting. They'll now get $180 per day, a $40 increase — or if they're a district retiree, they'll get $195 per day, a $55 increase. (SoCoNews Healdsburg)
• Healdsburg police officer Frank Patane was just promoted to the rank of sergeant. (Facebook)
• The Healdsburg Library is looking for part-time "shelvers." The position pays around $16 per hour. (Facebook)
• A couple Sonoma County Airport flight updates: The Santa Rosa-to-Vegas route is officially in effect, and the flight to Denver is set to resume in February of next year. (North Bay Business Journal)
• Emmylou Harris staged a surprise concert over the weekend down in Sonoma, at the "Haystack Harvest Hoedown." And with a name like that, how could she resist? (Press Democrat; paywall)
• There was reportedly a small power outage Saturday night when a Jeep Grand Cherokee collided with a utility pole on West Dry Creek Road. (Facebook)
• This cat showed up at a neighbor's house on March Avenue yesterday. Recognize it? (Nextdoor)
• And another "sweet little gray kitty" was found on 2nd Street near Healdsburg Elementary School. (Facebook)

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That's it for today! See y'all back here tomorrow. BTW — if you're loving these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to follow 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? Reach out anytime to simone.wilson@patch.com.