🌱 Russian River Gets Branded + Big Finance Merger + Stoner Avenue?

Hi all! Simone here with your fresh Monday copy of the Healdsburg Daily, full of all the things you need to know about what's happening locally. In today's briefing, you'll learn about these stories and more:

• A new logo for the Russian River, created by a Healdsburg design firm
• A big financial merger in town
• A little-known street sign by the railroad tracks

But first, your daily weather:

• Monday: Mostly sunny. High: 85 Low: 52.
• Tuesday: Clouds turning to sun. A little warmer. High: 88 Low: 52.

Shoutout to the awesome local businesses who keep this newsletter running:

• 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.

Click here to get your business featured in this spot.

Air over Healdsburg:

Here are the top 3 stories today in Healdsburg:

1. Healdsburg-based nonprofit Russian Riverkeeper, whose mission it is to "ensure a thriving river system and your rights to fishable, swimmable and drinkable waters," say they teamed up with two local labor orgs over the summer to create what they're calling a "Climate Resilience Task Force." The team consists of "two Riverkeeper field restoration experts" and "ten Indigenous and immigrant farm workers from Oaxaca, Mexico," org leaders say. The goal was to "pay them a fair living wage, provide training and support, and create a labor force that can be hired for future projects by organizations doing climate resilience projects." Anyway — the task force is a thing now, and their first two projects were completed in August. First, they worked to break up a "fuel ladder" of "heavy weeds and overgrown vegetation" along the riverside near the Geyserville Bridge. Next, they say they did similar fire abatement and plant cleanup work in "the Healdsburg 101 bridge area, which was a massive undertaking," as well as in Guerneville and Cazadero. Later this month, the same task force is planning to take on the Herculean task of removing Arundo, an invasive weed, from the banks of the river. (Russian Riverkeeper)
2. Speaking of the Russian River: Did you know it's got a fancy new brand identity, courtesy of Healdsburg design agency Catch Creative? The agency just created a new logo centered around the phrase “Respect Russian River," consisting of "a stylized R with flowing vertical lines." It was commissioned by a local coalition of 22 orgs called the Russian River Confluence, with an aim to "engage visitors, residents, and businesses in stewardship and promotion of responsible enjoyment of the River." They're now encouraging local businesses to print the designs on T-shirts and water bottles and bags and stickers and stuff. At a recent rollout of Catch's final creatives, business reps in attendance were reportedly "given a sample box with thought-starters for possible uses of the new logo and concept." Basically they'll "get a broad license to use the brand" as long as they "make a pledge to be a sustainable business and contribute to the Confluence in some way each year." Check out the new logo and corresponding merch samples here. (Sonoma County Gazette)
3. In case you missed it — earlier this summer, there was a big, important finance business merger involving a Healdsburg accounting firm called Mengali Accountancy Inc. Local entrepreneur Renee Mengali started the agency way back in 2003. Now, "the 44-year-old Mengali is adjusting to a career change," the Business Journal reports. "She is a managing partner at Moss Adams, which is one of the 15 largest public accounting firms in the United States. On Aug. 1, Moss Adams finalized an asset purchase agreement with [Mengali] in which the firm took possession of a 'majority' interest." More from the story: "All of her clients and nearly 48 employees are now part of the Moss Adams team. Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed. The contract calls for the Mengali team to remain as its own division in Moss Adams — Outsource Real Estate Accounting. While Moss Adams still has its Santa Rosa office, the Mengali group will stay in Healdsburg." The Mengali offices are located on Foss Creek Circle near the post office. If you're interested, you can read more details about the merger in the Journal. (Google Maps & North Bay Business Journal; paywall)

Healdsburg pic of the day:

Note from Simone: I love to feature pics from community members in the Healdsburg Daily. You can send yours to me here. Please just confirm in your email that you took the photo, and that Patch has permission to republish it! 📸

Today and tomorrow in Healdsburg:

Monday, October 3

• Healdsburg City Council Meeting (6PM)

Tuesday, October 4

• Farm to Pantry Garden Gleans at Tres Alamos & Dry Creek Vineyards (9AM-12PM)
• Healdsburg Tuesday Farmers Market (9AM-12:30PM)
• Spanish Music & Movement for Kids Aged 0-6 at the Healdsburg Library (11AM)
• Brown Bag Book Club at the Healdsburg Library: "The Removed" by Brandon Hobson (12-1PM)
• "Mi Bebé y Yo" Taller del Embarazo en el Centro Comunitario de Healdsburg: Cambios Físicos y Emocionales / Pregnancy Workshop: Physical & Emotional Changes (5-7PM)
• "Paletero Man" Book Reading & Sing-Along Musical Performance by Author & Musician Lucky Diaz at the Healdsburg Library (6PM)
• Healdsburg Running Company Trail Sisters Magnolia Loop Run, Ending at Furthermore Wines for Trivia (6PM)

From my notebook:

• This is the last month of the Healdsburg Farmers Market before it closes for the colder months. Stop by while you can! (Facebook Groups)
• The Troubadour sandwich shop near the plaza, a project of the Quail & Condor bakery folks, is gonna start holding fancy dinners for $125 per person. The first one will be Oct. 13. "Located off the square in central Healdsburg, our humble Boulanger transforms into a 20- seat intimate bistro," the Troubadour owners say. They'll be serving a "French- inspired 5-course prix fixe menu dedicated to the rich agriculture of Sonoma presented with a modern yet classic flair." (Tock & Love Healdsburg via Instagram)
• It's that time of year when the Healdsburg Center for the Arts begins recruiting local artists to sell their wares at the center's big annual holiday gift market. (Healdsburg Center for the Arts)

That's it for today. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with more!

— 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