In Memoriam: Gail Elaine Adams
Healdsburg resident Gail Adams passed away on Christmas Eve at the age of 83, after battling a disease called Lewy Body Dementia with “grace and resilience” for the past eight years. She was born and raised in Ellensburg, Wash., and got her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of...
Shuttered businesses facing unmet challenges
The coronavirus pandemic is taking a devastating economic toll on Sonoma County’s economy: tourism, once a mainstay, is non-existent; 16,000 local workers have filed for unemployment; more than a thousand small businesses have applied for the federal Small Business Administration (SBA) Payroll Protection Plan (PPP). Meanwhile local governments continue to provide essential public health and welfare services, while their normal revenue sources trickle to near-zero.
Olive-oil shop coming to Healdsburg Plaza
A vacant plaza spot this prime was bound to find a tenant sooner or later: It’s been just over three months since Thumbprint Cellars left its 15-year home at 102 Matheson St. on the southwest corner of the plaza, and now we know who will...
In Memoriam: Barry Steele
Well-known local businessman Barry Steele reportedly passed away last month. The former owner of the Fairview Inn & Suites at the south end of town "died unexpectedly" at age 81 "on the land he loved in Geyserville," his obituary says. More from the obit: "Barry 'Like...
Small production wine label Marine Layer Wines will have a tasting room on Center Street
A new tasting room that will solely feature Marine Layer Wines, a small production wine label that focuses on making Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with grapes from the Sonoma Coast, is coming to Center Street this August.
Farmworkers Claim Retaliation at Bill Foley Vineyard Job
Sonoma County farmworker advocacy org North Bay Jobs With Justice, known for their annual protest during the Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience tasting near the plaza, is making some headway in one of their local campaigns against a familiar name in Healdsburg winemaking: billionaire Bill Foley,...
Villa Dog Park Closed for Renovations
The dog park next to the Villa Chanticleer on Fitch Mountain will be closed for at least the next few months, while city crews carry out a "comprehensive renovation project" to fix up the park, local officials announced this week. So that local dog...
JANE opens the door to high heaven
In this "web extra," we take readers inside the JANE Dispensary. It officially opened last week right next to the Coyote Sonoma, a tasting room for Wilson wines and live music venue (aka the “Coyote Den”).
Meet Mella, Stella’s Identical Pup
Now when most winemakers talk about “clones,” they’re talking about varietals selected for specific qualities, such as flavor, color or intensity. The Dijon clones of pinot noir or chardonnay are well known; but the canine clone of a winery dog is a new thing entirely.
More local headlines: AmeriCorps cuts, immigrant fears, airline protests
One of Corazón Healdsburg’s AmeriCorps staffers, 18-year-old Agustin Hernandez — who was reportedly doing work to help local immigrant families “understand their rights and navigate intimidating legal systems” — saw his position terminated a few weeks ago when the Trump administration made $400 million in AmeriCorps cuts, according to...










