🌱 River Legend Retiring + Junior High Run + R.I.P. Pomo Leader

Hey, everybody! Simone here with your big Mothers Day weekend edition of the Healdsburg Patch newsletter, filled with everything you need to know about what's going on in town. Let's get right to it.

First, your weekend weather:

• Friday: Mostly sunny. High: 85 Low: 52.
• Saturday: Sunny and hot. High: 93 Low: 54.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny and breezy. Cooling down a little. High: 82 Low: 54.
• Monday: Mostly sunny. High: 79 Low: 50.
• Tuesday: Mostly sunny again. Heating back up. High: 86 Low: 51.

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Air over Healdsburg:

Here are the top 5 stories today in Healdsburg:

1. Kathleen Rose Smith, an influential member of the Miwok tribe on the Sonoma County coast and the Dry Creek Pomo tribe here in the Healdsburg area, has passed away at age 84. Her parents were Stephen Smith, Jr. of the Bodega Miwok and Jenner Pomo tribes and Lucy Ann Lozinto Smith of the Dry Creek Pomo tribe. Kathleen "grew up in her mother's homeland," her obituary says. More from the obit: "An artist from early childhood, she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the San Francisco Art Institute. Kathleen was a founding member of the Federated Coast Miwok. She was also a culture bearer and proud citizen of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria. Her professions included cultural interpreter, consultant, and demonstrator. Her art was featured in numerous exhibitions and publications. Kathleen authored 'Enough for All: Foods of My Dry Creek Pomo and Bodega Miwuk People.' Kathleen leaves behind her spouse Beverly Ortiz; sisters Marceline Delira and Nancy Napolitan; sister-in-law Ann King Smith; thirteen nieces and nephews; several cousins, great- and great-great nieces and nephews; and a spoiled cat." Her loved ones will hold a "funeral service, reception, and luncheon" for her at the Healdsburg Community Church on Monday morning, followed by a burial in Sebastopol and a "potluck dinner and traditional ceremony" in Forestville the following day. You can learn more here. (Legacy.com & Press Democrat; paywall)
2. Legendary local river guide Larry Laba, 71, who runs the Russian River Adventures boating and floating company in Healdsburg, reportedly plans to sell his company and retire at the end of this season, after more than two decades on the water. And given all the rain we've gotten, he's going out on a "doozy of a season," the North Bay Business Journal reports. From the Journal story on his retirement: "He wants to travel and sell the Healdsburg Avenue, aka Old Redwood Highway, business that’s become a local mainstay and helped anchor the river economy along the 9-mile stretch between the Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach and the Wohler Bridge near Forestville. A sentimental nostalgia came over a tearful Laba on his April 22 opening day with the notion he’d leave his 2,200 square-foot operation that at times is more about fun than business. ... 'This is my all-time favorite water level. See the river ‘greening’ up? It’s perfect for Earth Day,' Laba told the group of 15 rafting enthusiasts on the beach. 'There’s really nice bird life. We’ve seen an otter and bald eagles.'" Upon hearing the news of Laba's impending retirement, the folks at local river health nonprofit Russian Riverkeeeper wrote online: "It’s hard to imagine him not being part of the river scene. Thank you for all that you do Larry!" Amen. (Russian Riverkeeper via Facebook & North Bay Business Journal; paywall)
3. If you come across a massive blob of middle-school kids running through town this afternoon, they're likely part of the big annual "Run for Funds" event organized by the Healdsburg Junior High's Parent Teacher Organization. Here's some info that one of the parent organizers sent over: "Beginning at approximately 2:30 on Friday, May 12, nearly 300 students will hit the pavement and run (or walk) in the 'Run for Funds' fundraiser from the Healdsburg Junior High campus on Grant Street to the Healdsburg Plaza and back. The PTO is excited to bring the Run for Funds is back after a three year hiatus. The event culminates with a color powder blast when students arrive back on campus. Students have actively been soliciting pledges from family and friends both in person and via the 99 Pledges web site." All the money they raise will reportedly go toward field trips, graduation, end-of-year activities and other "activities to promote positive school culture" at the junior high. The organizer who reached out also wanted to give a hat tip to the local businesses who've pitched in: "Karma Dog Construction, Kiwanis, Mr. Moons, Shawn Widick Dentistry, W.C. Sanderson Ford, Rack and Riddle, Healdsburg Orthodontics, Tamarind, Cruess, and Platinum Vine Tours." See the map below for today's run route! (Inbox & 99 Pledges)

4. Healdsburg police say they chased a felon driving a motorcycle without plates through town all the way down to San Rafael — at speeds up to 130 mph — in the wee hours yesterday morning. Here's the full police report: "On May 11, at about 2:15 AM, a Healdsburg Police Department Officer observed a motorcycle driving without any license plates. Officers attempted a traffic stop and the suspect failed to yield and fled south on Highway 101 at speeds of approximately 115-130 MPH. Officers pursued with the assistance of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office and a CHP helicopter. The suspect pulled over in Novato and discarded a firearm. He then continued fleeing south. Officers continued pursuing into the City of San Rafael where the rider ran into a dead end and fled from the motorcycle. Due to the suspect having discarded a loaded firearm, a K9 with the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office was deployed to take the suspect into custody. The suspect was also found to be in possession of a large amount of methamphetamine. The suspect was identified as Buck Christopher Knell Jr, a 25-year-old male from Santa Rosa. After medical clearance, he was booked into jail. Knell currently has four pending criminal cases in Sonoma County, including a case for feloniously fleeing from law enforcement, and a case where Knell was found in possession of multiple firearms, including a machine gun and an AR15 style ghost gun." He was reportedly wearing an ankle monitor throughout yesterday's ordeal. (Healdsburg Police Department via Facebook & The Mercury News)
5. The front and back doors at the Healdsburg Senior Center on Matheson are getting a total makeover. Construction will start this coming Monday and last through June 5; classes and other activities will be relocated to the Healdsburg Community Center during that time, according to the latest newsletter from our city manager. "The long-awaited door project at the Senior Center consists of replacing the current doors with fully automatic sliding glass doors at the front and rear entry points of the Center," the newsletter says. "The new sliding automatic doors will be like doors seen at local hospitals or grocery stores where the door opens as the individual approaches the building. There will be no need to physically touch the door or press a button to open." Once construction is done, the center plans to host a "Doughnuts and Doors celebration" to welcome back local seniors. (City of Healdsburg)

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This weekend in Healdsburg:

Friday, May 12

• Spirit Friday at West Side Elementary School: Tropical Day (All Day)
• E-Waste Collection Event at the Healdsburg Community Center (May 12-14, 8AM-6PM)
• "Shifting the Lens" Guest Chef Series at Jordan Vineyards & Winery, Featuring Vietnamese-American Chef Tu David Phu (May 12-14, 11AM & 2:30PM)
• Healdsburg Junior High's Parent Teacher Organization Hosts "Run for Funds" Fundraiser Through Town (2:30PM)
• Live Music by Dan Greer on the Garden Deck at Davis Family Vineyards (3PM)
• High School Baseball League Championships at Rec Park, Featuring North Bay League-Redwood Title Game Between Montgomery & Healdsburg (4PM)
• Lucky Heron Boutique Hosts Mothers Day Makers Market (5-8PM)
• "Gin & Genes" Cancer Fundraiser at Arnot-Roberts Winery, Featuring Drinks, Live DJ & Auction (6-9PM)
• New Play at the Raven Theater: "Noel Coward's Hay Fever" (May 12-13, 7:30PM)
• Flamenco Gypsy Jazz Band Barrio Manouche Performs at the Elephant in the Room (8PM)
• The Remedies & Johnny Sansone Live at Coyote Sonoma (8-11PM)

Saturday, May 13

• Healdsburg Running Company Hosts Sugarloaf Ridge Run (8AM)
• Healdsburg Farmers Market in the West Plaza Parking Lot (8:30AM-12PM)
• Healdsburg Garden Club Hosts Pop-Up Plant Sale & Scholarship Fundraiser at the Farmers Market, Including Vegetable Starts, Succulents, Perennials, Herbs & Mothers Day Gifts Like Floral Bouquets, Planted Baskets & Estate Jewelry (9AM-12:30PM)
• Cloverdale's Green Thumb Gardening Club Hosts Arts & Crafts Fair at the Cloverdale History Center (9AM-3PM)
• "Sparkling Discoveries" Wine Tasting Event at Amista Vineyards (9:30-11AM)
• Healdsburg "Wonder League" for Special-Needs Kids Hosts Baseball Game at the Community Center Field (Weekly, 10:30AM)
• Roth Estate Winery Hosts Annual "BBQ, Bottles & Bocce Tournament" (1-4PM)
• Opening Reception for New Art Exhibit at the Hammerfriar Gallery: "Embody: Connections to the Subconscious", Paintings & Mixed Media by Kathleen Yorba & Ryan Douglas (2PM)
• "La Dolce Vita: Golden Hour Wine Country Garden Party" at Ferrari-Carano Winery, Featuring Silent & Live Auctions (4-8PM)
• Rainbow Jazz Collective Performs at Furthermore Wines (5-8PM)
• Alexander Valley Film Society (AVFilm) Hosts Film Screening of "Turning Red" at Bacchus Landing for AAPI Heritage Month (6:30PM)
• Sonoma Voices Rising Perform "Thank You, Mom: A Special Concert of Gratitude and Celebration" at THE 222 (7-8:30PM)
• Rock & Roll Rhythm Revue Live at Coyote Sonoma (7-10PM)
• Standup Comedian Sarah Silverman Performs at the Luther Burbank Center on Her "Grow Some Lips" Tour (8PM)
• Tony Glaser's Band of Theseus Live at the Elephant in the Room (8-11PM)

Sunday, May 14 💐

• Local Fire & Water Agencies Host Free Mother's Day Pancake Breakfast & Safety Fair in Windsor (8AM-12PM)
• "Sonoma County Go Wild Hikers" Group Hosts Mothers Day Hike at Riverfront Regional Park (8:30-11AM)
• Healdsburg Running Company Hosts Sunday Bike Ride For Runners (9AM)
• New Play at the Raven Theater: "Noel Coward's Hay Fever" (2PM)
• Healdsburg Running Company Hosts Mothers Day River Paddle From Del Rio to Memorial Bridge (5PM)

Monday, May 15

• Tween Hangout at the Healdsburg Library: Create Mindful Glitter Jars (3:30PM)
• Healdsburg City Council Meeting (6PM)

Tuesday, May 16

• Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce Hosts "Women in Business" Coffee Chat at Coyote Sonoma (8-10AM)
• Healdsburg Farmers Market on the Plaza (9AM-12:30PM)
• "Seeds & Reads" for Kids in Grades K-6 at the Healdsburg Library, Featuring Bee Theme (4-6PM)
• West Side Union Elementary School District Board of Trustees Meeting (5PM)
• Healdsburg Running Company "Trail Sisters" Host Run/Walk Ending at Bacchus Landing for Barre Class (6PM)

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Now you're in the loop for the weekend! Have a wonderful Mothers Day, and I'll see you soon...

— 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