🌱 Weekend Storm Info + River Belle Inn Tour + Bird E-Bike Update

Hello, everybody! I'm back in your inbox this morning to get you up to speed on all the most important things happening in town. Enjoy this abundant Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend edition of the Healdsburg Patch newsletter, and I'll see you next week. 💚

But first, your (very wet) weekend weather:

• Friday: Heavy rain and possible thunderstorms. High: 56 Low: 51.
• Saturday: More rain, wind and possible thunderstorms. High: 55 Low: 42.
• Sunday: Mostly cloudy with chances of rain. High: 51 Low: 45.
• Monday: Rain likely again. High: 50 Low: 37.
• Tuesday: Mix of clouds and sun. Chance of more rain. High: 58 Low: 39.

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Here are the top 3 stories today in Healdsburg:

1. Looks like we're in for another long weekend of rain. "Precipitation, measuring as much as 1½ inches per day, will fall Friday, Saturday and Sunday across the North Bay, according to the National Weather Service," the Press Democrat reports — lasting at least through MLK Day on Monday. Weather officials say we could see up to 3 or 4 inches of rain during that time, and over 6 inches at higher elevations. An official "flood watch" goes into effect in the wee hours tomorrow morning, lasting at least through Monday afternoon. So watch out for "urban flooding, mudslides and debris flows" this weekend. Prediction models for the Russian River show the river cresting overnight Saturday around 18 feet in Healdsburg — which is I believe the highest it's gotten so far, but still below flood stage. As usual, though, the spots where they measure river levels in Guerneville and Geyserville are expected to overflow. Meanwhile, two towns just to the north and south of us — Cloverdale and Windsor — have both declared a local "state of emergency" in response to all the damage these storms have caused. But here in Healdsburg, where we seem to be faring a little better than surrounding towns, officials haven't taken that step yet. (County of Sonoma via Facebook & National Weather Service & National Weather Service & Press Democrat & Press Democrat; paywall)
2. The folks who run the Shop Local Healdsburg blog and social media account just took a fascinating video tour of the historic River Belle Inn under its new ownership. Vertice Hospitality, the same management team that runs three-Michelin-starred Healdsburg restaurant SingleThread, reportedly purchased the Front Street inn, located a few blocks north of Memorial Bridge, last fall. And local history buffs will be happy to hear they've made it into a total 1800s time capsule. Here are Shop Local's notes from the tour, conducted by the inn's new general manager, Brianna Davis: "This was our first visit at the inn, and we couldn’t help but spend a lot of time in awe of the inn’s backyard expansive view of the Russian River and Fitch Mountain backdrop. Brianna walked us through the property, and shared some upcoming events they’d love to host such as yoga, live music etc. (while being mindful of their bed and breakfast licensing limits). "Some decor updates are in the works while still preserving much of the original details and history of the property. We also toured Isabelle Simi’s bedroom suite, who owned and lived here from 1895 until she died in 1981—while she spearheaded her family’s winery [SIMI Winery], at the age of 18 years old." Click through to watch the full tour. (Shop Local Healdsburg via Instagram)
3. Mae Malone, a local powerhouse who split her time between Healdsburg and Santa Paula down in SoCal, passed away last week at the ripe age of 97. She and her late husband Bob retired here circa 1989, according to her obituary. Mae was an active member of St. John's Catholic Church, where she reportedly played the organ, and she served as dean of the local Sonoma County chapter of the American Guild of Organists in the '90s. More from her obit: "For relaxation, Mae trained her German Shepherd achieving an AKC Utility Dog title and swam a mile in the pool several days a week until the age of 88 years. Mae studied music under James Welch, DMA, becoming an accomplished organist. She had a custom pipe organ built for her home, hosting musical soirees in Santa Paula and in Healdsburg, CA... . Mae loved to garden, growing roses, avocado, oranges, and an abundance of zucchini. Mae loved hosting an annual "Zucchini Dinner" for her many friends and won a blue ribbon at the Healdsburg Zucchini Festival for her zucchini bread. Mae was an optimist. She survived polio and cancer and lived through the Great Depression and World War II." May she rest in peace. (Legacy.com)

This weekend in Healdsburg:

Friday, January 13

• Sandy’s Live at Little Saint (5:45PM)
• "Books & Roots" Bilingual Reading Program / Programa de Lectura Bilingüe "Libros y Raíces" at Corazón Healdsburg: "Tito Puente: Rey del Mambo" (6-8PM)
• Healdsburg High School Girls Soccer Home Game Vs. Rancho Cotate (7PM)
• Rootstocks Live at Coyote Sonoma (7-9PM)
• Healdsburg High School Girls Basketball Home Game Vs. St. Vincent (7:30PM)
• Eric Long Band Live at the Elephant in the Room (9PM)

Saturday, January 14

• Registration Opens for the Lake Sonoma 100K & 55K Races on Oct. 21, 2023 (8AM)
• Healdsburg Running Company Hosts Morning Trail Run at Mt. St. Helena (8AM)
• Wildfire Fuels Reduction Volunteer Shifts at Riddell Preserve Out Westside Road (9AM-4PM)
• Nitzanim Family Hosts Experiential Jewish Learning Program at Preston Farm & Winery: "A Day in the Vineyards" (10AM-12PM)
• Read to a Dog at the Healdsburg Library (11AM)
• Presentation at the Healdsburg Library: History & Tradition of Afro-Peruvian Cajón Drumming at the Healdsburg Library (11AM)
• 20th Anniversary Winter WINEland Tasting Tour Across 70 Wineries in the Valleys Surrounding Healdsburg (Jan. 14-15, 11AM-4PM)
• NFL Playoff Game Watch Party at the Elephant in the Room: San Francisco 49ers Vs. Seattle Seahawks (1:30PM)
• Healdsburg High School Boys Basketball Home Game Vs. Marin Academy (5:30PM)
• Fresh Veggies Micro Brass Band Live at the Elephant in the Room (9PM-12AM)

Sunday, January 15

• Psychic Medium John Edward Performs at the Luther Burbank Center (12PM)
• Free Pipe-Organ Concert at St. Paul's Church, Featuring Classical Works by Composers Ralph Vaughan Williams, Richard Gillard & Philipp Nicolai (5PM)
• Piemonte Night at the Matheson: "Experience the Wines, Foods & Culture of Italy's Famed Piemonte Region" (6PM)
• Deadline to Apply for Wine Education Scholarship Program at Bacchus Landing (11:59PM)

Monday, January 16 (MLK Day & my bday! 🥳)

• MLK Day Tennis Camps for "Junior Beginner" Kids Aged 6-10 & "Junior Intermediate" Kids Aged 7-13 at Giorgi Park (10AM-12PM, 12-2PM)
• National Academy of Athletics Hosts MLK Day Dodgeball Game for Kids Aged 7-13 at the Healdsburg Community Center (9AM-12PM)

Tuesday, January 17

• Adult Aikido Class at the Healdsburg Community Center (Weekly, Jan. 17-Mar. 14, 5:15-6:15PM)
• Healdsburg Running Company "Trail Sisters" Host Chiquita Run With Finish at Longboard Winery (6PM)
• Zumba With Chuy at TCElite Gym (Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6-7PM)
• North Bay Events Hosts Family Trivia Night at the Healdsburg Library (6-7:30PM)
• Rodney Strong Dance Series at the Luther Burbank Center: Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo (7:30PM)

Note from Simone: Probably best to check with organizers before attending any of the above events, especially the outdoor ones, in case they're canceled due to weather.

Healdsburg pic of the day:

Do you have a good storm pic to share, or a pic of anything else interesting in town? You can send it to me here for consideration in the newsletter. I especially love to feature photos of community members! Please just confirm in your email that you took any pics you're sending, and that Patch has permission to republish them. 📸

From my notebook:

• After announcing last week that the Bird e-bike share program in town was being "temporarily paused," Healdsburg city leaders are now saying "Bird will be picking up and storing all bikes until the bikes are ready to go back into service." They say they'll let everyone know "once they’re back in action." (City of Healdsburg via Facebook)
• FYI, the "Afro-Peruvian Cajón drumming" event scheduled at the Healdsburg Library tomorrow has been canceled "due to travel woes for the performer." However, library officials say they're "hopeful about his appearances at other branches." More info here. (Healdsburg Patch Calendar)
• The Bay Area's local FOX station aired a helpful video report explaining how water officials are managing our bursting reservoirs during this near-record-setting string of storms. (KTVU FOX 2 San Francisco via YouTube & Sonoma Water)
• The Whole Foods down at the Coddingtown Mall closed early yesterday "after an air conditioning unit on the roof caught fire and forced customers and staff to evacuate," the PD reports. (Press Democrat; paywall)
• And over at the coast near Jenner, a couple hikers caught a crazy rare "tornadic waterspout" on camera — essentially a tornado that forms over the ocean, which can reportedly be caused by atmospheric rivers like the ones we've been experiencing. You can watch it on Reddit. (Reddit & Press Democrat; paywall)
• The Guiso Latin Fusion restaurant next to the Raven is closed temporarily, according to their website. They haven't said when they'll reopen, but their website does say "we can't wait to see everyone soon." (Guiso Latin Fusion & Nextdoor)
• The Healdsburg animal shelter is asking for "donations of gently used pet supplies." You can drop them off right at the shelter, which is located on Westside Road on the way out of town, any day except Sunday between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. (Humane Society of Sonoma County via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to brave this wildly wet weekend. See you on the other side!

— 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