Alexander Valley Pruning Contest Coming Up — Now, With Women
The Alexander Valley Winegrowers group, which oversees all the grape-growing activity in the valley northeast of Healdsburg, is hosting their local grapevine pruning contest this Feb. 13, aka Valentine's Eve, for the 24th year. All workers at Alexander Valley vineyards are invited to enter...
Healdsburg’s Water Supply at Risk After PG&E Pivot
Maybe you've heard mention, over the past few years, of a big bureaucratic haggle going on up in Mendocino County over the fate of an aging piece of waterway infrastructure called the "Potter Valley power plant." It's owned by PG&E right now, but they've...
In Memoriam: Bob Pape
Longtime Healdsburg resident Bob Pape, a well-loved leader in local schools who went on to become a bit of a community fitness guru, passed away earlier this month at the age of 76, according to his obituary — "after a short and intense battle with...
Healdsburg’s New Fire Substation: Construction Update
Construction continues on a new, 4,162-square-foot "substation" for firefighters at the more rural north end of town. The concrete slab that will serve as a base for the main building was poured last week, the city says. Next, "the wall framing, truss installation, and roof sheathing...
In Memoriam: Arline Smith
Longtime Healdsburg resident Arline Hotle Smith passed away last month at age 89. She and her husband of 62 years, Bill, "moved to Healdsburg with their three children in 1976," according to her obituary. They were known to "travel extensively on their boat, circling...
Healdsburg’s Historic River Belle Inn Might Close Soon
The Press Democrat is reporting that Vertice Hospitality Group, the company that oversees Michelin darling SingleThread, is closing the River Belle Inn along Healdsburg’s western riverbank — just two years after buying and reopening it, to much fanfare. Here’s what the PD learned:
A Healdsburg mansion built in 1895...
In Memoriam: Bill Domenichelli
Bill Domenichelli, a prominent member of Healdsburg's local Domenichelli clan — and the Engelke clan, by marriage — has died of a "sudden illness" at age 71, according to his obituary. Bill grew up with seven siblings on a prune ranch in Healdsburg, and met...
Grant Money for Healdsburg Events Likely to Draw Tourists
There's only a couple of days left to apply for some of the grant money being offered by Healdsburg's Tourism Improvement District, to anyone who wants to organize "arts, cultural and educational activities" that will encourage people to come stay in Healdsburg this summer...
Dim Sum Spot Taking Over Jimtown Store
It's official! The historic, long-shuttered Jimtown Store out in Alexander Valley has a new tenant: a dim sum spot and deli called Jimtown and Then Sum. The property transfer was finalized on Leap Day, the store's former owner writes on Instagram, "after a very...
Corazón Healdsburg Gets Big Gift From Comcast
Comcast donated $45,000 to local nonprofit Corazón Healdsburg and handed out 100 laptops to families at a festive event, which also included a screening of the new Trolls Band Together movie.
Sports
The view of the Packers from the pressbox
The week just passed encapsulated the great baseball program built by coach Joey Gomes with the Healdsburg Prune Packers. Tons of powerful offense paired with fantastic pitching and defensive web gems, on a team built with rising stars from across the country. It is frankly surprising to see the determination and great chemistry within a team like the Packers after only a month of playing together.