🌱 Tribune Reporter Moves On + Housing Policy + Huge New Park?

Hey, everybody! I'm back in your inbox this spooooky fall Wednesday to tell you everything you need to know about what's happening in Healdsburg. Today you'll find news about:

• A former Healdsburg Tribune reporter with a cool new job
• The city's proposed housing policy for the next eight years
• A 32-acre wilderness park being planned at the north end of town

But first, your daily weather:

• Wednesday: Fog and clouds in the morning, then some sun. High: 83 Low: 50.
• Thursday: Fog then sun again. High: 85 Low: 48.

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Air over Healdsburg:

Here are the top 3 stories today in Healdsburg:

1. Elsa Cavazos, the former Healdsburg Tribune reporter who did some great work covering local Hispanic issues for the Trib when it was owned by SoCoNews — but got laid off when the paper switched hands — has a cool new job in town. She's now working as a "community outreach specialist" for two local fire-safety groups: The Northern Sonoma County branch of the "Communities Organized to Prepare for Emergencies" civilian group (better known as COPE), and the Northern Sonoma County Fire Protection District, the official agency protecting rural Healdsburg. COPE leaders made the announcement this week. "We are very grateful for a grant from the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, we couldn’t have done it without their support!" they say. Elsa grew up in Mexico and Texas, then moved to Healdsburg a little under a year ago to write for the Trib, according to COPE. When that gig ended, she "worked as a campaign manager for a ballot measure initiative for affordable childcare in Sonoma County." And now, this! Needless to say, Elsa is bilingual. "Inclusiveness and equity are extremely important to her and being able to bring awareness to fire prevention and preparedness excites her," COPE says. Also: "Cavazos specifically would love for the Spanish speaking community to have the resources to better react when needed and help them along the way." (COPE Northern Sonoma County via Facebook)
2. A working group that the city asked to draft Healdsburg's housing policy for the next eight years — called the "Housing Element" of the city's general plan — has a fresh draft ready for the public to review. Community members can submit their feedback through Oct. 30. The new 70-page housing plan aims to be a "detailed statement of the housing goals, policies, programs, and quantified objectives for the City" from 2023 through 2031. A big focus of the plan is providing shelter for local homeless people — and even more so, ensuring affordable options for the rest of us. From the intro section: "Along with the reduction of working families able to afford living in Healdsburg comes a reduction of volunteers and support for community-based organizations and activities, and fewer young professional households, and fewer new (non-tourist oriented) employers in the town for lack of affordable housing for their workers." The city planning commission reviewed this new draft of the Housing Element at their meeting last night — you can watch them go through it in a video posted to the city's website. And FYI, at the 14-minute mark, there's an inside look into the new, private homeless-shelter rooms at the L&M Motel. (Healdsburg City Planning Commission & City of Healdsburg & Facebook Groups)
3. Ahead of the November election, Healdsburg city officials are on a mission to educate us about why we need the tourist money allocations we'd get from Measure L so bad, to fund "major park improvements" in town. Specifically, a proposed upgrade for Badger Park and a new, 36-acre public park planned for the north end of Healdsburg Avenue, adjacent to the Montage Resort — both of which the city wants to fund by way of Measure L. The Badger Park facelift would reportedly include "an expanded children's play area and community garden, improved walking trails, and a bigger off-leash dog area," as well as two promenades "that zig zag between the various park areas emulating the flow of river currents," new sports courts and shaded picnic areas. And here's how city officials describe their vision for the new Saggio Hills/Montage Park (that's the working name, at least): "The site is comprised of rolling oak grasslands with scattered oak trees, seasonal wetlands, a flood detention basin for Foss Creek and a storm water basin for a nearby future housing site. The preliminary master plan includes restoration of the Foss Creek riparian habitat, an improved trail network, various parking lots at different park entry points, frontage planting to match the surrounding vineyards and seating at site overlook points. New amenities include sports fields and courts, play areas, a large picnic pavilion, bandshell, open lawn areas, dog play area, community garden, a pump track, picnic grove and special use gardens (e.g. native plantings, pollinator gardens, and habitat for insects and reptiles)." See images of both plans below! (David Hagele via Facebook & David Hagele via Facebook & City of Healdsburg)

Healdsburg pic of the day:

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Today and tomorrow in Healdsburg:

Wednesday, October 12

• Seminar at CraftWork Healdsburg: "Business Resources for Busy People" (8-9AM)
• Farm to Pantry Gleans at Noble Goat & Farm to Fight Hunger (8:30AM-12PM)
• Sonoma County Government Hosts Virtual Home Resiliency Workshop: "Saving Energy at Home - Your House is a System" (11:30AM-12:30PM)
• Jeremy Forman of Butterscotch Stanley Live at the Luther Burbank Center (5PM)
• "What Moves You?" Spiritual Reflection & Communal Meal at THE 222 (5:30PM)
• Canon Book Group at the Healdsburg Library: "Paradise" by Abdulrazak Gurnah (6PM)
• Trivia Night at Coyote Sonoma (Weekly, 7-9PM)

Thursday, October 13

• Monthly Drawing Series at the Healdsburg Center for the Arts: "Drawing Autumn Leaves in Colored Pencil" (10AM-3PM)
• Sonoma County Officials Host Virtual Drought Town Hall (4PM)
• Pizza To-Go Dinner: Fundraiser for Healdsburg High School SkillsUSA & Culinary Arts (5-7PM)
• Troubadour Bread & Bistro Hosts "Le Dîner" Experience With 5-Course Prix Fixe Menu (Oct. 13-29, 5:30-10PM)
• Todd Snider Performs at the Raven Theater for His "American Troubadour Tour" (8PM)

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Events:

• The Wizard of Oz: An All New Interactive Family Experience (October 15)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door! I'll see you right back here tomorrow.

— 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