Columns

Healdsburg could have been called Karlsburg over the last couple of weeks when thick fog settled in the Russian River Valley creating near white-out driving conditions and beautiful sunrises and sunsets. by Pierre Ratte “Karl,” actually “Karl the Fog,” is the name given to San Francisco’s...

By Jon Haupt Throughout the month of December, the Healdsburg Regional Library will provide a series of events to help brighten your days. Our most anticipated event this month, a Healdsburg Library Posada, will take place on Saturday, Dec. 16, from 11am to 2pm. This...

What’s more fun than children playing in puddles? The rain created many joyful moments this past week—and not just for 5-year-old boys in rubber Wellies. Fire-risk gauges dialed down to their lowest level: Low. Creeks started flowing. Hills and meadows began greening, a harbinger...

City’s Ordinance Problem Downtown Healdsburg may soon have another luxury hotel, thanks to an error by city staff in publishing notice of a 2018 ordinance that would have prohibited the hotel. Unfortunately, the error wasn’t a one-off.  The city’s 20 most recent ordinances—going back to April...

By Pierre Ratte This weekend’s rain released earthy fragrances, falling gently over two days and lessening fire-season anxieties. Maybe the rain is ending this year’s fire season and beginning winter’s filling of reservoirs and the Sierra’s snowpack. Last winter, Northern California received epic rain and...

Sadly, last weekend’s eclipse was not visible while hiking, due to cloud cover, but there was a noticeable darkening of sky and forest. While walking this trail a lovely waterfall appeared, brightening the darkening day with a glinting trickle. Walking in a natural setting can...

Healdsburg Library staff members are looking forward to a very busy October, with many exciting opportunities to engage with the public. Some weeks are so packed with activities that I can only offer a smattering of suggestions; for the full list, please visit our...

Despite climate and global warming concerns, this summer in Sonoma County was relatively cool if measured by the late onset of grape harvests.

100 Years Ago: Sept. 20, 1923 Grape Shipments Running High as Cars Grow Short The surplus of refrigerator cars has been exhausted and the Healdsburg district is now on a hand to mouth basis in grape shipping, according to W. E. Hicks, Northwestern Pacific station agent. There...

Autumn light slashes through a dazzling collection of pumpkins. Once upon a time, it seemed all pumpkins were orange. Now, they come in a plethora of colors ranging from orange to red, yellow, green, white and striped combinations. Pumpkin is a vernacular term for winter...