Donald Lamarion Spence, 1962-2018
He went by a single name, “Spence,” and was equally singular in his focus on community and a very large circle of friends in his adopted hometown of Healdsburg. His full name was Donald Lamarion Spence and he died Dec. 13 after a long fight against lung cancer. He was 56. A large portion of his circle of friends held a candlelight memorial in the city’s Plaza last Friday, Dec. 14.
Published author visits St. John the Baptist Catholic School
On Friday, Dec. 14, Jennifer Lynn Alvarez, presented her books “Riders of the Realm” and “The Guardian Herd” to the students of St. John the Baptist Catholic School. Everyone was excited to hear her speak about how she became an author and where the ideas for her characters originated. A number of the students felt inspired to write their own story after listening to her presentation. Most significantly, she reminded students how fun and important it is to read.
New rules for the road approved in 2018
A statement from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) released Dec. 17, details some new laws affecting motorist starting in 2019. “New laws approved by the California legislature in 2018 will affect roadway safety in several ways, including helmet use on bicycles and motorized scooters, hit-and-run on bicycle paths, modified exhaust systems and enhanced safety for refuse collection vehicles,” said the statement. “To support its mission of providing the highest levels of safety, service and security, the CHP is highlighting several of these new laws.”
Sonoma County Board of Supervisors approves creation of affordable homes
In a significant step towards addressing Sonoma County’s housing crisis, the board of supervisors approved a series of actions that will result in the creation of 618 new units of affordable housing over the next three years.
City operations and facilities to move to 100 percent renewable energy
Healdsburg becomes second city in county to implement green energy usage
SDAT arts and culture report calls for more public art and access to art programs
Groups want to see increased accessibility to the arts throughout community
SLIDESHOW: Emerald Cup brings a higher love to Sonoma County
Annual event mixes serious trade talk with playful vibes
Learn how to live with lions, our local apex predator
Local research provides insight into the habits of these unique animals
Guardians of the truth
TIME magazine’s ‘Person of the Year’ for 2018 is a group of imprisoned and slain journalists. The selection honors journalists as “guardians of the truth.” Besides being slain and jailed, journalists everywhere now face toughening challenges to investigate, report and defend the truth. This is true in oppressive non-democratic countries like Saudi Arabia, Russia, Myanmar and it is true right here where economic factors are eliminating journalist’s jobs and where our president calls journalists “enemies of the people.”
Arts & Entertainment
Multicultural Center takes shape at Abel de Luna
Bursts of color explode from every corner and every angle of the newly repainted Abel de Luna Community Center on the north side of town. Fuchsia, sunflower, marigold, plum and chrysanthemum abut and juxtapose with one another on the many outside walls and columns, as two muralists work on their own visions of Healdsburg.
