Bike Race, Marathon Take Over Rural Healdsburg
There were two large athletic events in rural Healdsburg over the weekend, both of them an annual thing: a world-famous bike race called Levi's GranFondo and a spring marathon out at Lake Sonoma. Both got started first thing Saturday morning. For the bike race,...
Pics of the Week: ‘Peptoc’ Party
Remember “Peptoc”? It was a hotline created by two teachers at West Side Elementary in rural Healdsburg nearly three years ago. Anyone who was feeling down could call the hotline at 707-873-7862 to listen to recorded messages of cheer from local elementary-school kids.
And it’s still going...
Healdsburg Oak Tree at Community Garden, 130 Years Old, Might Be Chopped Down
The ancient and beloved local oak tree that grounds a new Healdsburg community garden is at risk of being torn out by local government officials. It's a "spread valley" oak, at least 130 years old, at the "Lil Ag Equity Garden" run by local...
The Wurst Restaurant Closes in Healdsburg: Here’s What’s Replacing It
The Wurst, downtown Healdsburg’s go-to sausage and burger spot at 222 Matheson St., quietly closed its doors for the final time last weekend after nearly 15 years in business. And just as suddenly, the owners of The Wurst have announced they plan to open a different...
Amy’s Wicked Slush to Close Memorial Beach Shop
Amy Covin, who parlayed a life-long affection for Boston-style “slush”—a fruity ice confection with drizzles, sprinkles and playful attitude—into a Healdsburg dessert destination, announced over the weekend that she would be closing the flagship shop in early September.
“I think we outgrew this facility the...
Healdsburg’s New Movie Theater Set to Open in 2025
At last, construction kicked off this month on the True West Film Center near the plaza, behind the old Bear Republic brewpub space — thanks in large part to an “anonymous donation” of $1 million to the cause, according to the Press Democrat. Healdsburg’s new, two-story movie theater...
‘I went against a dragon’: Salon moves to survive impacts of COVID
The owner and operator of Vanity the Salon, a Healdsburg beauty parlor, has moved to a new location, after nearly two years of struggling to keep her business — in an industry particularly hard hit by the pandemic — alive.
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...
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...
In Memoriam: Thomas C. Reed
A very powerful military man named Thomas C. Reed, who lived in Healdsburg for many years with his wife Kay, passed away last month at age 89. He was reportedly the first U.S. Air Force veteran to become secretary of the whole force, which...












