Columns

Over a period of two years, pictures of this sculpture surrounded by a hedge at the crossing of two streets in Healdsburg failed to make the cut.  I’ve wanted to write about it. I walk or drive by often. Several attempts to find the right...

This Week in H’burg is a weekly column featuring photos and fun facts from local photographer Pierre Ratté. Each week we’ll feature a new photo from Ratté along with a fact about the subject matter of the photo.

100 years ago – May 17, 1923 Lake Sotoyome to Reach Around Fitch Mountain For Summer Residents It appears virtually assured that Lake Sotoyome, Healdsburg’s summer bathing and boating “lake,” will this season be located high enough up the Russian River to back the water up...

"Announcement has been made this week in 1975 that the Healdsburg House, a restaurant at 25 Grant Ave., has been sold to the former chef of the Golden Bear Lodge in Kenwood and his wife. Gene Boulware, who has been chef at the Golden Bear for 20 years, expects to re-open Healdsburg House soon. He purchased it from its original owner, Augustine Tito..." The restaurant later became known as Giorgio's.

With one of the largest congregations in town and Sunday worship services at 10 a.m. that draw 300 members and visitors each week, the First Baptist Church of Windsor (FBC), is the only house of faith in this community with a private elementary and junior high school.

The traffic sign on Dry Creek Road reminds me farming takes place here every day. And, isn’t it glorious to live in an area that is grounded? Literally grounded, making a living from the earth. If you’ve been on a local road behind a tractor...

Rainbow colors on this Healdsburg fence and the flags celebrating Pride Month symbolize freedom, overarching beauty, something special and something joyful. Looking upon colorful flags and the happiness of Pride parades, it’s easy to forget the history that led to these colors and today’s freedoms....

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...

News from 100, 75 and 50 years ago in Healdsburg, including the fact that two television sets will be in operation as part of the extensive program of entertainment planned for St. John’s County Fair to be held over the July Fourth weekend...