🌱 Upcoming Meteor Showers + Sonoma County Sheriff Scammer Warning

Welcome back, Healdsburg. I'm here in your inbox this warm morning to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on in town.

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 90 Low: 51.

Here are the top three stories today in Healdsburg:

1. Don't miss the chance to witness shooting stars during the ongoing Delta Aquariid and Perseid meteor showers in the nearby Rohnert Park-Cotati area. The Delta Aquariids are active from Jul. 18 to Aug. 21, with peak activity around Jul. 30-31, offering a display of 15 to 20 meteors per hour after 2:00 a.m. Meanwhile, the Perseids will grace the skies from Jul. 14 to Sep. 1, peaking between Aug. 11-13, with the possibility of observing an impressive 50-100 shooting stars an hour, in the predawn hours under a dark sky. While the nearly full moon on Jul. 30-31 might affect the visibility of Delta Aquariids, the Perseids' peak is perfectly timed with the new moon, making it the best meteor shower of the year as acclaimed by NASA. (Rohnert Park-Cotati Patch)
2. Beware of a scammer impersonating a Sonoma County Sheriff Sergeant who is attempting to deceive victims into paying for a missed court date using gift cards. The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office has warned that they will never call and ask for money, gift cards, or any form of payment. Scammers often use high-pressure tactics to manipulate victims, so it's essential to think before giving away money or personal information, especially if it's unexpected. Be cautious of calls from unfamiliar numbers, and if in doubt, contact your local law enforcement agency to report the situation. (KSRO)
3. On Tuesday afternoon, two small vegetation fires occurred in Sonoma County. The first fire, measuring a quarter acre, took place on the 7300 block of Valley Ford Road in nearby Two Rock. Multiple firefighting agencies responded swiftly and contained the fire; however, the cause remains under investigation. The second fire was a 50-by-50-foot grass fire on Montecito Boulevard at Benecia Drive in Santa Rosa. The fire burned in a mowed field with green regrowth, which slowed its spread and prevented any threat to nearby homes. Firefighters successfully contained the flames within 10 minutes of arrival, though the cause was not mentioned in the report. (KSRO)

Shoutout to our premier local sponsors:

• Searching for your dream rental in the Healdsburg area? Discover the pleasure of finding your perfect rental in picturesque Healdsburg with the expert guidance of Stacey Bernd. With 50 incredible years of living and breathing Sonoma County as a second-generation realtor, Stacey is dedicated to helping you find the ideal home. Connect with Stacey Bernd to have her find your dream rental home.

• Healdsburg gardeners and plant enthusiasts: Need help growing your garden? Thrive Hydroponics and Garden Supply is a family-owned, full service garden shop with over 15 years experience helping people care for their plants. Whether you’re a first-time grower or an experienced greenhouse gardener, they’ve got the right supplies and expert knowledge to help your garden flourish — including a variety of soils at the best prices. Visit them here and mention Patch for 30% off your order.

• 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.

Today in Healdsburg:

Thursday, July 27

• Trivia At Fogbelt Brewing Co. (6:00 PM)
• Shakespeare In The Park At West Plaza Park (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Meet Tugboat, the highly skilled mussel-sniffing dog at Lake Sonoma. Tugboat has been trained to detect invasive quagga and zebra mussels that attach to boats, which can lead to expensive issues like clogging water intake pipes and accumulating sharp shells on various surfaces. (County of Sonoma via Facebook)
• Don't miss the Summer Sidewalk Sale in downtown Healdsburg from Aug. 18-20. Take advantage of fantastic deals from our fabulous retailers, making it one of the best shopping events of the year! (Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce via Facebook)
• The Raven Performing Arts Theater and the Raven Players are partnering with the City of Healdsburg to bring nine live performances of "The Comedy of Errors" to the community, free of charge, in West Plaza Park this summer. The play, set in modern-day New Orleans during Mardi Gras, features a hilarious tale of mistaken identities involving two sets of twins. Don't miss this entertaining event, with upcoming performances on Jul. 27-29, Aug. 3-5, and Aug. 10-12 at 7:30 p.m. (Healdsburg Community Services via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday. I'll see you around!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.