🌱 Storm Recap + Local Veteran Dies + Holiday Shopping In Healdsburg

Welcome back, Healdsburg! I'm here in your inbox per usual to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on in town. Today you'll learn about these stories and more:

• What happened during the weekend storm
• The death of a well-known local veteran
• Who won the big REIBT high school basketball tournament on Saturday
• How some local shops are faring amid the holiday rush

But first, your local weather:

• Tuesday: Mostly sunny. High: 58 Low: 30.
• Wednesday: Frost and fog in the morning, then a mix of sun and clouds. High: 56 Low: 31.

And a heads up: Just like this morning, there will be a "freeze warning" in effect from 1 a.m. through 9 a.m. tomorrow morning, when temps are expected to dip below freezing. "Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold," national weather officials say. "To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above-ground pipes to protect them from freezing." (National Weather Service)

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Air over Healdsburg:

Here are the top 3 stories today in Healdsburg:

1. The weekend storm came and went without too much apparent chaos in Healdsburg, aside from some power outages reported at the height of the action Saturday. We got about 2 inches of rain that day, according to the Press Democrat — and my parents' rain gauge shows that all in all, we've gotten nearly 5 inches over the past few days in the hills just outside Healdsburg (see below). From the PD: "Saturday’s 'Dragon Storm,' as it was dubbed by a weather forecaster due to its shape on satellite images, left trees uprooted and homes damaged in Monte Rio as it drenched much of the North Bay. Some places around Sonoma County also lost power. ... About 531 customers in Sonoma County were without power Saturday from the storm Saturday, affecting Cazedero, Cotati, Guerneville, Healdsburg, Monte Rio, Sebastopol, Santa Rosa and Rio Nido." Anyone with a view of the mountains to our east might have seen some snow in the past few days, too. "Saturday’s storm system was also responsible for widespread heavy snow, up to 4 feet in higher elevations," the PD reports, "from the Sierra Nevada into much of the intermountain West, the weather service said." (Press Democrat; paywall)

2. Holiday shopping season across Sonoma County "is in full swing as consumers continue their race to the register while combating inflation and rising prices on such daily items as groceries," the Press Democrat writes. The paper stopped by five local businesses — including two in Healdsburg — to see how it's going. While other shops across the county reported "mixed results," things are looking up at both Falling for Dainty, the new jewelry store on the plaza, and DaVero Winery on Westside Road. Falling for Dainty owner Brooke Gabrielian says her "business has been doing well, with many of her loyal online customers popping in to her shop to see her in-person." She says "people love to come in to the store to touch and feel everything." And here's the word at Healdsburg winery DaVero: "Spokesperson Barbara Fitzgerald said the winery has... compiled gift sets of local goods like the winery’s olive oil, wine and locally made preserves for almost nine years to bring in customers who don’t drink wine. She said the winery was worried about consumer turnout this holiday season because of rising prices, but the turnout has been decent. 'Our numbers are ahead of where we were last year by about 10% right now,' Fitzgerald said. 'The average order value is not different from last year at all, and people are really spending the same amount.'" (Press Democrat; paywall)
3. Longtime Healdsburg resident and World War II veteran William "Bill" Stiles has passed away at the age of 96. As a young man, Bill served in the U.S. Navy at Iwo Jima and Okinawa — and just last spring, according to his obituary, "a retired Chief from the Washington DC Capital Police awarded Bill a US Capital Flag for his service in World War II and has applied for the awarding of a Purple Heart for his service at Iwo Jima." Bill and his wife, Hazel "Woodie" Stiles, reportedly moved to Healdsburg in the summer of 1964. One of their daughters is current Healdsburg resident Linda Clary. From his obit: "Bill was a long-standing member of the Sotoyome-Curtis #123 Masonic Lodge, the American Legion Post 111 and Honor Guard, Sonoma County 40 & 8 Post 21 Drum & Bugle Corp, and a lifetime blood donor of more than 50 gallons. ... Each Memorial Day weekend for 40 years, Bill would tirelessly put out flags for the Veterans at Oak Mound Cemetery" in Healdsburg. Also: "Bill worked at the Healdsburg High School teaching typing and bookkeeping to hundreds of students as well as counseling Key Club members during his long career. Never one to relax, following his retirement from teaching Bill continued his love to drive by working several years for Enterprise Car Rental. Later he bagged groceries and brought in shopping carts at Safeway, then boxed canned goods for a local charity." Bill's obituary says that his "memorial service will be held at a later date" — and that "if you wish to be notified," you can reach out to legionwoodie@gmail.com. (Legacy.com)

From our sponsor:

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Today and tomorrow in Healdsburg:

Tuesday, December 13

• World Cup Soccer Watch Party at the Elephant in the Room: Argentina Vs. Croatia (11AM)
• "Seeds and Reads" at the Healdsburg Library for Kids in Grades K-6: Wildflower Seed Bombs (4PM)
• City of Healdsburg Planning Commission Meeting (6PM)
• Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE) Meeting at Healdsburg High School (6PM)
• "Crafting with CreativeBug" at the Healdsburg Library: Beginning Calligraphy Class (6PM)
• The Legendary Johnny Rawls Live at the Elephant in the Room (6-9PM)
• Healdsburg High School Greyhound Band's Winter Concert at the Raven Theater, Featuring the HHS Jazz Band, the Healdsburg Junior High Band & the Prince Street Band (7PM)
• Healdsburg High School Boys Soccer Home Game Vs. Roseland University Prep (7PM)

Wednesday, December 14

• Minimum Day at Healdsburg High School for Final Exams (Dec. 13-15, All Day)
• Farm to Pantry Glean at Norris Farm (9AM-12PM)
• "Game On!" for Teens at the Healdsburg Library (2-5PM)
• City of Healdsburg Senior Citizens Advisory Commission Special Meeting (4PM)
• North Bay Business Journal Hosts "Top Projects" Awards at Bacchus Landing (4-6PM)
• "What Moves You?" Spiritual Reflection & Communal Meal at THE 222 (5:30PM)
• Rio Lindo Adventist Girls Basketball Home Game Vs. Victory Christian Academy (5:30PM)
• City of Healdsburg Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting (6PM)
• Healdsburg Unified School District Board Meeting (6PM)
• Canon Book Group at the Healdsburg Library: "Man's Search for Meaning" (6PM)
• Healdsburg Running Company Ladies Host Ugly Sweater Run & Cookie Exchange, Featuring Beer Pong (6PM)
• Trivia Night at Coyote Sonoma (Weekly, 7-9PM)
• The Mavericks’ Very Merry Christmas Tour at the Luther Burbank Center, Feat. Special Guest JD McPherson (7:30PM)

From my notebook:

• Unfortunately, although they've both had excellent seasons so far, neither of the Healdsburg High School basketball teams — the boys nor the girls — won the big REIBT tournament over the weekend. Justin-Siena won the boys bracket and Ukiah won the girls'. (Healdsburg Tribune via Facebook & Joe Dukepoo via Facebook & Napa Valley Register)
• The folks from the Shop Local Healdsburg blog and Instagram account went boutique hopping around the square recently, and made a video of their top picks for local gift shopping. It includes "what’s new, best sellers, and staff picks we learned all this month — as great gift ideas to help make your shopping season more merry and bright ✨." Check it out here. (Shop Local Healdsburg via Instagram)
• The Sonoma County Library is asking students from across the county to design "poster artwork inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s quote 'Power at its best is LOVE, implementing the demands of JUSTICE.'" Here's how to enter the contest. (Sonoma County Library & Sonoma County Library via Facebook)
• And the Healdsburg Tribune is hosting a local pet photo contest. Pics must be submitted by Dec. 30, and then the voting will last through Jan. 20. Learn more here. (Healdsburg Tribune & Patch Neighbor Posts)

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Events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Fresh Perks Every Week (December 13)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed. See you tomorrow for 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