Healdsburg Tribune May 30 2024

The Healdsburg Tribune

The Healdsburg Tribune

HEALDSBURG TO PARTNER WITH SONOMA COUNTY IN ‘ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION’ OPEN HOUSE

IDEAS SOUGHT FOR BIKE PATHS, IMPROVED SIDEWALKS, ACCESSIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS TO MAKE TRAVEL SAFER

By Christian Kallen

Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA) continues to seek feedback from the public for an updated “Active Transportation Plan,” one suitable for residents of its nine cities as well as its unincorporated communities.

The goal is to update the 10-year-old 2014 Countywide Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan in light of shifting community priorities and a growing emphasis on “active transportation.” That is, getting from one place to another using human power for mobility instead of high-emission combustion engines.

“Sonoma County currently has more than 317 miles of built bicycle infrastructure, over 75 of which were built in the last five years,” states the SCTA at www.scta.gov.ca. “The vast majority of the bicycle infrastructure is in the form of bike lanes on street networks. Almost 1,000 miles of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure are planned to be built throughout Sonoma County in the years to come.”

The SCTA is now reaching out directly to local residents in various cities through community Open Houses to share information about Sonoma County’s extensive bicycle path system and walking trails. While Petaluma and Santa Rosa are already updating their Active Travel Plans (ATP), ATP Open Houses have recently taken place in Sonoma, Rohnert Park

Big Rigs, Centaurs, Spirits and Even a Marching Band

HEALDSBURG’S TWILIGHT PARADE OUTDOES ITSELF WITH HOUR-LONG EXTRAVAGANZA

Staff Report

The 75th annual Twilight Parade went off without a hitch—a blaze of color and familiar faces flowing through town like a river of lights. Despite a pre-parade episode where an argumentative driver scared the horses while attempting to join the parade at Tucker and Fitch streets, “This is the biggest event of the year, and it went off without incident,” the Healdsburg Police Department said on Facebook.

Don’t forget the music— including a Dixieland band,

pop from various decades and nations, and a oneman band on a bicycle. But there was only one marching band. Once the standard in any parade, the marching band was altogether absent until toward the end, when the Elsie Allen High School and Cesar Chavez Language Academy bands showed up, marching smartly down Center Street and up Piper behind a green-capped drum major.

As it happens they not only won the Bands category, where there was little competition, but they were the overall Sweepstakes award winner as well. It was a repeat win for the big bands; they took Sweepstakes last year, too.

Another strongly musical and even more visual marching unit was Comité Pochtlán, also known as Carnaval Putleco, a wildly inventive troupe of dancers from the Mexican state of Oaxaca. Wearing shaggy masks of animal fur or fabric dreads, more than 40 members danced and marched to their own beat like a procession of spirits from between dimensions.

As KQED noted in a post-parade report, “Each dancer is wearing a tiliche—an incredibly colorful and elaborate full-body suit made out of hundreds of ribbons that move in all directions as the dancer deftly skips and jumps to the rhythm of the music.”

Other award-winners

RIVERKEEPER CHIEF RECALLS LOCAL ICON, ACTIVIST

DR. MARTIN GRIFFIN, FOUNDER OF AUDUBON CANYON RANCH AND HOP KILN WINERY, DIES AT 103

By Don McEnhill

Note: Environmental pioneer and Westside Road winemaker Dr. Martin Griffin died this week at his home in Belvedere, Marin County. He was 103 years old. One of his proteges, Don McEnhill of Russian Riverkeeper, tells of the impact Griffin had on his life.

included best Commercial Float from Healdsburg Lumber Co., with Eric Ziedrich and his extended clan chillaxin’ on a flatbed; Heartizens, for Kids NonProfit; Sonoma County Farm Bureau, for Adult Non-Profit; cars and trucks entries from Live Oak Preschool, Sonoma Strong Hauling and Junk Removal; and the junior marching unit of Ballet Folkorico.

HFFCF

The competition at the Healdsburg Future Farmers Country Fair, at Rec Park, proved to be no less challenging. The Cake Auction raised more than $11,600, much of it from a $3,250 bid for Ellen Johnson’s chocolate-and-vanilla

Marty was drawn to Sonoma by both an interest in owning a vineyard and by an interest to protect the Russian River. In 1975, Marty purchased Hop Kiln Ranch on Westside Road near Healdsburg, and became a resident of Sonoma County. He found a river that was being assaulted by gravel mining, which at that time ran Sonoma County and the Board of Supervisors. Soon after moving to Healdsburg, he started forming alliances to advocate against mining “the water supply of the North Bay.” He founded the Westside Road Wineries Task Force and Russian River Task Force to build support for stopping gravel mining. Numerous lawsuits were filed against the mining companies and Sonoma County to stop mining. Sometimes the lawsuits succeeded,

cake with strawberry filling, purchased by the Rigney Family. Summer’s Market’s peanut butter-chocolate cake drew a $725 bid from All Access Pest Control, while Ivy Munsell’s yellow-cakewith-chocolate-frosting cake went for a bargain at $700, to TJ and Diana Murphy. Apparently one can’t go wrong with chocolate.

The Barrel Auction drew $3,160, with top buyer Eddie Arreguin bidding $900 for the Alexander Valley 4H entry.

Final figures for the livestock auctions and Sir Rusty Raffle, and the scholarship total for all of the fair’s earnings, will be announced soon.

although it was always temporary as the County and mining firms found ways around the legal victories. Despite setbacks Marty kept up the pressure and was persistent in his campaigns to stop mining. In 1993, when he was 73, he helped found Friends of the Russian River, a coalition of businesses, farmers and residents to focus on ending gravel mining. That organization became Russian Riverkeeper and in 2012 succeeded in ending gravel mining in the Russian River, fulfilling Marty’s goal. As the leader of Russian Riverkeeper, I would not be here if it were not for Marty Griffin. In 1998, after living in Texas for nine years, I moved back to Healdsburg where I spent my summers and our family had a cabin. Once back, I was shocked that gravel mining still continued on

➝ Open House, 4

➝ Marty Griffin, 2

Photo by Rick Tang

SWEEPSTAKES It’s hard to beat a marching band in a Memorial Day Parade, and the Elsie Allen High School and Cesar Chavez Language Academy unit proved a repeat winner in the Sweepstakes category. (See additional image on page 6.)

Photo by Mary Kelley

PASSING THE PADDLE Dr. Martin Griffin accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013, awarded by Russian Riverkeeper Executive Director Don McEnhill, right.

HEALDSBURG HAPPENINGS

GOINGS ON AROUND TOWN THIS WEEK & NEXT

Final Days

The popular “Modeling Healdsburg” exhibit from woodworker Jon Lacaillade at the Healdsburg Museum will end its held-over run on Sunday, June 2. The museum is open Wednesday-Sunday, 11am to 4pm, at 221 Matheson St.

Barrel Room

Final show in the Barrel Room at Hudson St. Wineries is today, Thursday, May 30. Enjoy the venue finale with Adults In the Room and the Hudson Street All-Stars. From 5-8pm, $5 cover; food from Fogbelt and paella available. Located at 428 Hudson St., at Front Street.

Cloverdale

Friday Roots-rock reggae from Soul Horizon on May 31 at

Friday Night Live in Cloverdale continues the town tradition. Street fair starts at 6pm, music from 7-9pm, at the Cloverdale Plaza.

Coyote Den Sonoma County band Court ’n’ Disaster sounds off their latest collection, The Devil Made Me Do It, on Friday, May 31. On Saturday, June 1, Glory Dayz with former ShaNaNa frontman Frankie Adel hits the stage at 7:30pm. Coyote Sonoma, 44F Mill St., coyotesonoma.com.

Elephant Music

Solorio plays Americana on Friday, May 31, at Elephant in the Room starting at 8pm. The Elephant is at 177 Healdsburg Ave. Usually $10. Elephantintheroompub.com.

Farmers’ Market

The Saturday Healdsburg Farmers’ Market gets underway in the West Plaza parking lot this Saturday, June 1, from 8:30am to noon.

Tasting Room

Spicy Vines welcomes its Saturday afternoon tasters with live music from a variety of genres. Tumbleweed Soul rolls into town on Saturday, June 1, from 3-6pm, at 441 Healdsburg Ave.

Cats Art Show

“Cats and their Women” is the theme of the newest show at the Upstairs Art Gallery, in the back of Levin & Co. at 306 Healdsburg Ave. Artists’ reception on Saturday, June 1, 3-6pm, with Phyllis Rapp and Linda Barretta. The show continues until June 30.

Jazz in Song

Vocalist Stella Heath and friends perform at Furthermore Wines on Saturday, June 1. 6-8pm, no cover, 328A Healdsburg Ave.

Jazz Nova Brazilian jazz, American standard gems, classical and pop from pianist Stephanie Ozer, accompanied by Peter Barshay

Riverkeeper Recalls Local Icon

the Russian River. Late that summer I read in the Tribune about a general meeting of Friends of the Russian

and attended. After the

meeting Marty asked me who I was, likely thinking I was a gravel industry spy! I told him how I grew up on the river and couldn’t believe that mining was continuing, and asked

what I could do. He smiled at me and said, “We can use help,” and suggested I attend their next meeting. Now it’s 26 years later and I’m still working

and Kendrick Freeman. It’s Saturday, June 1, at the Spirit Bar, Hotel Healdsburg from 6-9pm. No cover, partial Dry Creek Kitchen menu available. 25 Matheson St.

Sousa and Salsa

The Healdsburg Community Band delivers their annual concert in the Healdsburg Plaza on Sunday, June 2. Gary Johnson conducts a program of marches, Hollywood tunes, folk songs and Latin dance music for brass band. It’s free and fun, starting at 1pm.

Plaza Tuesday

El Grupo Café Canela spices up the Gazebo stage and Tuesday night picnickers on Tuesday, June 4, following the Tuesday morning Farmers’ Market on Plaza and Center streets.

Community Meeting

The City and the Sonoma County Transportation Authority invite anyone

interested in biking, walking or travel by mobility device, for transportation or recreation, to take part in an Active Transportation Community Meeting on Wednesday, June 5, at the Community Center. This is the first round of outreach in developing a Healdsburg Active Transportation Plan. 5:30-7:30pm, at 1557 Healdsburg Ave.

Be Prepared

Wildfire Safety Webinar for customers in Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino counties on Wednesday, June 5, at 5:30pm. Join virtually to hear Regional Vice President Dave Canny and other members of PG&E safety team. For information, visit www.pge. com/webinars.

Blues on the Green

Down Highway 101, Windsor’s Summer Nights on the Green goes “young country” with Dustin Saylor, on Thursday, June 6.

Farmers’ Market 5pm, music 6-8pm.

Second Story Singer, songwriter and luthier Ana Egge plays the Second Story stage on Thursday, June 6. Lucinda Williams called her “the folk Nina Simone.” Upstairs at Little Saint, 25 North St., www.littlesainthealdsburg.com.

Mozart’s Piano Daniel Adam Maltz demonstrates the technical and emotional range of the fortepiano, the keyboard instrument that Mozart knew. Sunday, June 9, at 2pm at the Raven Performing Arts Theater, 115 North St. Tickets from $35 VIP, $25 general, $10 student (plus ticket fees) online at raventheater.org or at the door if available.

Post events on the Tribune’s online calendar at healdsburgtribune.com/ calendar and send special announcements to editor@ healdsburgtribune.com.

for what is now Russian Riverkeeper. I’m honored to carry on his work and continue to stand on his shoulders like so many others he inspired to work in the conservation field. Our

region is so much better off for his conservation work, so whether you are enjoying time in West Marin or Sonoma, or paddling on the Russian River, we can all thank Marty Griffin for

taking up the cause and protecting it all!

Don McEnhill is the executive director of Russian Riverkeeper, www. russianriverkeeper.org .

Photo by Christian Kallen

COMMUNITY BAND The Healdsburg Community Band plays its annual concert from the Gazebo stage on Sunday, June 2. It’s free, it’s fun and it starts at one o’clock.

River,

➝ Marty Griffin, 1

Ramble Returns: Concert With a Cause

LORD HURON, ANDREW BIRD

HEADLINE INDIEROCK FESTIVAL AT COMMUNITY CENTER FIELD

Cristan Molinelli-Ruberto

A few months before she became one more statistic of gun violence, 9-year-old Evelyn Dieckhaus wrote in her journal: “Friends first, forgive, hug your teacher, lift others up. Have people rise in kindness.”

A year later, her aunt Kelly Dorrance is still trying to have people rise in kindness through fundraising and activism to combat gun violence. The vehicle: The second annual BloodRoot Ramble, a music festival by winery owners Kelly and Noah Dorrance, set for June 7-8 in the heart of Wine Country.

Healdsburg is a small, community-driven and picturesque town, where people wear muted sundresses, relaxed linen shirts and large-brimmed hats. Healdsburg is where you find airy and coastal-feeling tasting rooms and quaint vineyards spanning the slopes of Sonoma County.

In contrast, The Ramble is a sexy, loud and grungy indie-rock music festival with bold orangey-red colorways and skull motifs throughout the marketing. The two shouldn’t mix, but they will this year.

Kelly Dorrance is in awe of all Evelyn was able to accomplish by the young age of 9. She talks about Evelyn in the present, “Was, is, I still don’t talk about her in past tense. That sucks,” she said. She pulled out her phone and showed pictures of Evelyn’s journal, sent by her mother, Katy Dieckhaus. Although Dorrance said, “I can’t do her justice … she is remarkable,” she is trying with The Ramble, this June. On top of throwing a music festival for Healdsburg, she is partnering with Giffords, an anti-gun violence organization founded by former Congresswoman and mass-shooting survivor Gabrielle Giffords.

Festival Goal

The goal is to raise $100,000 to help fight gun violence in the United States. All proceeds produced from the festival weekend will go toward this goal. And with the purchase of any ticket to The Ramble, festival-goers can add a donation to Giffords in Evelyn’s name. That support is much needed, as throwing an entire music festival is a huge endeavor. Dorrance can describe just how much effort it is because they are doing it all inhouse. “You know it can be hard when you’re not a

The Ramble combines two days of great music, wine and fundraising efforts to stop gun violence in the United States. That may seem like an unlikely pairing, but for the Dorrances, it is their life now. They lost their niece in the Covenant School Shooting in Nashville, Tennessee, in March 2023.

known entity like Outside Lands or BottleRock,” she said. “So it’s going to get better for us to book bands as we have more of a reputation and we have assets to share. But it’s really just elbow grease. And just doing it. And there’s a million different pieces.”

Last year’s Ramble was held in West Plaza Park, that often-overlooked public space behind the former Bear Republic Brewery. This year the event has been moved to a much larger venue, in fact a place that has not yet been used for a public concert of this sort: the grass fields at the Healdsburg Community Center.

“I’m nervous,” Dorrance said. “It’s a big undertaking. When we did The Ramble last year, it was so fun and I felt like it went off so well, so I’m hoping I have that same feeling. It’s just four times bigger.”

The Ramble begins on Friday evening, with a reception at Reeve Wines in Dry Creek (the Dorrance’s “upscale” label), followed by an opening party and concert in Healdsburg with the Coffis Brothers.

The next day, Saturday, is the Ramble itself: from noon to 8pm at the Community Center Field, featuring Lord Huron, Andrew Bird, Cautious Clay, the Nude Party and Spike Sikes.

“We were able to get some of the bands, like Lord Huron, basically at cost because they’re friends of ours and they wanted to help. And so we’re getting a band at an amazing value,

that sells out huge amphitheaters,” Dorrance said. Andrew Bird Singer-songwriter Bird is purposely making time to support the cause, and Evelyn.

“Andrew Bird wasn’t coming through here, but he loves the cause, too, so he made his schedule work,” Dorrance said. “So having that lynchpin of a cause makes it feel a lot more purposeful, a lot more valuable.”

Having a cause has also made the 2024 Ramble feel more special. Tastingroom manager Jessica

Whitaker described how The Ramble transitioned from “this cool thing that Kelly and Noah were doing” in 2023, to “more about supporting and showing up for Kelly and Noah, and the loss they’ve experienced, and the good that they’re trying to do.”

She was a key player in planning the first Ramble in 2023—helping to plan and coordinate tasks for the weekend, including event setup and removal and acting as a band coordinator, as well as heading beer and wine sales at the beverage tent the day of the festival.

The Ramble is “not very

Healdsburg,” Whitaker said, and it is a testament to how community-driven the town is to support this endeavor. And this is a big reason Whitaker looks forward to being part of The Ramble this year. The Ramble is something new and innovative to the winery space in Sonoma County, and it’s continuing to put BloodRoot on the map. “So doing something that’s different like this is a big differentiator,” Dorrance said. “You know everyone does winemaker dinners and pickup parties, but no one does … The Ramble.”

Photo by Leigh-Ann Beverley

DORRANCE DUO Kelly and Noah Dorrance, presenting the music at the 2023 Bloodroot Ramble. They return to the stage in June to shepherd this year’s Ramble, to be held at the Healdsburg Community Center playing field on June 8.

It Started With Decoration Day SNAPSHOT

AFRICAN AMERICANS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FIRST MEMORIAL DAY PARADE, 1865

by Pierre Ratte

Memorial Day is set aside as the last Monday in May to honor all who served in military service, especially those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Despite Memorial Day’s deep significance, it was not recognized as a national holiday until 1971. The complex and poignant story of its becoming a national holiday echoes through the canyons of American history from the Civil War to the present. For many years, Memorial Day was celebrated as “Decoration Day.” It was conceived to honor deceased Civil War veterans. Graves in almost every city and hamlet were decorated to commemorate sacrifices in the war that tore our nation apart.

Decoration Day was first recognized at Arlington cemetery on May 30, 1868, with a speech by General James Garfield, later President Garfield, honoring 20,000 fallen soldiers. Arlington Cemetery holds both Northern and Southern soldiers. Despite this auspicious beginning for a national holiday,

Decoration Day holidays were declared by individual states on a variety of dates.

After World War I, all the states unified around a common day to celebrate, which was May 30th. But it was still not a national holiday. Only when Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which

Active Transportation Plan

➝ Open House, 1

and Sebastopol. The Healdsburg meeting will be held next Wednesday, June 5, at the Community Center (1557 Healdsburg Ave.), from 5:30-7:30pm. A similar ATP Open House will take place in Cloverdale the next night, Thursday, June 6, starting at 5pm at the Cloverdale Performing Arts Center (209 N. Cloverdale Blvd.).

As well as hearing details of the SCTA plan, attendees can learn about the city’s progress on developing its own Active Transportation Plan by reviewing draft projects, programs and policies in development. Attendees can suggest additional ideas not currently in the draft, perhaps working in study groups to develop cogent suggestions.

One key feedback mechanism has been and continues to be an

Sinteractive survey on the county website at fp.mysocialpinpoint.com/ sonoma-county-atp, which gives residents the opportunity to “pin” their ideas to an ArcGIS map, designed for easy navigation and posting of notes to the ATP. Similar sharing of ideas are encouraged at the ATP Open House events as well, ideas that help define priorities for bicycle and pedestrian improvements, identify strategies for the implementation of associated projects and programs, and support countywide bicycle and pedestrian coordination.

Healdsburg’s ATP

While the Foss Creek Pathway is a noteworthy addition to the city’s active travel opportunities, many bicycle riders in particular feel that more could be done to not only encourage two-wheel transport, but

am Radelfinger, a dedicated public health professor known for his love of family, art, dogs, and nature, passed away peacefully in Healdsburg, California on April 15, 2024 at the age of 89.

Born in San Francisco, California on March 15, 1935, Sam was the beloved husband of Rita Scardaci for four decades. Together, they share five daughters and were blessed with 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren, all of whom Sam cherished deeply.

Sam was committed to improving public health education and community health outcomes. He pursued his passion by teaching, researching, and working with communities in the field of public health, leaving a lasting impact on his students and colleagues.

After graduating from Stanford with a degree in Economics, he received his Master’s degree in Public Health from UC Berkeley, and then returned to Stanford for a Doctorate in Education. In 1969, he joined the faculty of San Jose State University where he designed and implemented the curriculum for the Master’s Degree in Public Health, served as department chair, and taught for nearly forty years. Throughout his life, Sam served his community through many organizations, including the California Interagency Council on Family Planning, Society for Public Health Education, Santa Cruz AIDS Project, Hispanic/ AIDS Community Coalition, Five County HIV Prevention

recast Memorial Day’s celebration as the last Monday in May, effective May 1971, did Memorial Day become an official national holiday. Fun facts: African Americans were responsible for the first Memorial Day parade. In 1865 after the war’s end, the first troops to enter Charleston—the city

to make it safer. This despite the city’s own Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan, last revised in 2013.

“The idea behind it is obviously to develop a much better integrated transport system, if you will, for pedestrians and bicyclists and public transport—so-called active transportation, everything except for cars,” said Walter Niederberger.

He’s a key member of the Move! Healdsburg group that holds public events to call attention to bike and pedestrian safety in town. He’s also one of 10 members of the city’s Active Transportation Working Group, overseen by Michael Harrington of the Public Works Department.

But Niederberger is as much a critic of the city’s ATP as an advocate.

“Believe it or not, we don’t have one single inch of green painted bicycle lanes in Healdsburg. That’s very unusual,” he said by phone from his native Switzerland earlier this week. “In Europe right now,

where the war started when Citadel cadets bombed Fort Sumter in April 1861—were from the 21st Infantry Regiment of U.S. Colored troops stationed on Hilton Head Island. They were accompanied by the famed 55th Massachusetts Infantry, also African American soldiers. One of their first acts on

everybody walks, everybody’s on a bicycle. It’s just a different world, you know?”

On the other hand, said Niederberger, “Healdsburg, if you will, is not very advanced when it comes to safe and specific infrastructure for bicyclists and pedestrians.” He emphasized that pedestrians, too, are in need of infrastructure improvements for hearing- or sight-impaired residents, as well as those who rely on mobility support for their cross-town travels, like Christine Weber’s electric three-wheeler.

Niederberger and the Active Transportation Working Group have already put together their own list—still growing—of “hot spots,” locations that are unsafe or marginally safe for bicyclists or pedestrians. “And the list is very long,” he said, including uneven sidewalks, unsafe streets due to pavement deterioration, lighting or design, and dangerous intersections.

March 15, 1935 – April 15, 2024

Community Planning Committee, Department of Health

Services State Office of AIDS, HIV Prevention Project, Planned Parenthood of Alameda-San Francisco, and Planned Parenthood of Santa Cruz.

He also served the global community with the Ford Foundation in Dhaka, Bangladesh, USAID in Jakarta, Indonesia, and the Peace Corps in Brazil and the Philippines.

entering the city was to give Union war dead, some 200 people who had been held prisoners at the city’s racetrack and buried in a mass grave, a proper burial. That first parade commemorated the “Martyrs of the Race Course.” Bands played, flowers were strewn and African American ministers recited verses from the Bible. Though reported contemporaneously in the New York Tribune and Charleston Courier, this first Memorial Day celebration was suppressed and uncovered by accident when Yale professor David Blight rediscovered the information in 1996.

BICYCLE CLUB A March 2024 group ride of Move! Healdsburg at Orsi Family Vineyards, with Walt Niederberger, center, giving directions.

Although pedestrian travel is a major component of a city’s Active Transportation Plan, Niederberger is particularly focused on bike travel.

“You remember the Climate Action Plan, right?” he said, referencing the city’s Climate Mobilization Strategy adopted in October 2023. “A major item in that plan was that because we have to reduce the emissions by cars, there’s only

two or three ways to do it— we walk or we bicycle or we use public transport.”

The next community bike ride from Move! Healdsburg is this Friday, May 31. It begins at 5:45pm at the Healdsburg Community Center and ends there at 7pm. For more information, see movehealdsburg.org/ events/2024-roll-intosummer.

In his retirement, he continued to teach at Sonoma State University and served on the Strategic Planning Committee of Healdsburg District Hospital and on the Board of the Healthcare Foundation Northern Sonoma County. His focus on community engagement and support for improving the health and wellbeing of the community remained a lifelong passion.

In his spare time, Sam found joy in the outdoors, sea kayaking, cooking, reading, composing Haiku, meditating, Tai Chi, and listening to music. He also enjoyed creating art: photographing and painting the landscapes and wildlife of Santa Cruz, Plumas, and Sonoma Counties. He took pride in the planning, cutting, and soldering of intricate stained glass pieces that drew inspiration from mythology and nature.

Sam’s love for dogs was evident to all who knew him, and he was often seen with a faithful canine companion at his side: most recently, the Italian Spinone he called “Leonessa the Brave.”

Sam will be remembered for his kind heart, unassuming demeanor, dry sense of humor, encyclopedic knowledge of fiction and non-fiction, his unwavering dedication to his family and profession, and his zest for life.

The family will gather in celebration of Sam’s life later this summer. To honor Sam’s memory, please consider donating to The Healthcare Foundation Northern Sonoma County.

Photo by Pierre Ratte

TRUE COLORS An American flag is painted on a rusted truck that shows no signs of leaving its final resting place near Cutchogue, New York.

Photo by Christian Kallen

SAM RADELFINGER

Greyhounds Place 5 on All League Roster

ALEX MAUROMANOS NAMED PITCHER OF THE YEAR

By Caleb Knudsen

Now that the winners of the North Bay League’s Redwood division have been settled, with Justin-Siena scoring a surprise upset over

Saint Mary’s on May 22, the All League players have been officially announced. All League selections are nominated by their coaches, and voted on by the entire coaching staff of the league. Given that the Healdsburg Greyhounds fell only midway in the playoff rankings, the choice of Pitcher of the

Year is especially noteworthy: Alex Muaro-Manos, only a sophomore on the young Greyhounds team.

Mauro-Manos racked up a 7-2 record over the season, pitching seven complete games and accumulating a league-leading Earned Run Average of only 1.02. Among the highlights were three complete

be back to lead the Greyhounds in their 2025 baseball season against a reorganized NBL league.

Other Greyhounds named to the All League Team were first-team selections Wyatt Dugan (No. 22) and Tyler Swanson (No. 5), and second-team picks Xander Harms (No. 11) and Isaiah Robles (No. 16).

games against first-place finisher Montgomery, two of them shutouts and one of them in the league’s playoff series. He also led the Greyhounds to their May 15 first-round division playoff win over Alameda’s St. Joseph Notre Dame, 2-1, in another complete game. As a sophomore, he will

As the team’s go-to man behind the plate, senior Dugan was rocksolid on defense with only two errors over 28 games, for a .988 fielding percentage, while allowing zero passed balls. Offensively, he drove in 14 runs on only 12 hits, including two doubles.

Infielder Tyler Swanson,

also a senior, hit a teamleading .342 over the season for an on-base percentage of .452, driving in 13 runs on 26 hits, which included five doubles, two triples and a home run. He scored 17 times, helped along the base paths by his five stolen bases. He also proved an effective relief pitcher, not allowing a hit in three innings of work while striking out five. Outfielder Xander Harms and first baseman Isaiah Robles, both sophomores, made a significant impact on the Greyhounds this year. A .213 hitter, Harms led the team with two home runs. Robles was a reliable glove at first with a fielding percentage of .949 across 27 games.

All League Selections for Lady Greyhounds

SIX PLAYERS GET RECOGNITION FROM LEAGUE’S COACHES

By Caleb Knudsen

Four of Healdsburg High’s softball team were named to the NBL All League roster as well. First team selections were Claire Berry at first base and Izzy Osborn at second; second team members included centerfielder Celia Vallatton and Ashley Jenkins at third base. The pitching battery of senior Laurel Heaney and catcher Mia Falberg earned honorable mention in the league’s listings as well. Berry (who wears No. 11), though only a sophomore, is a multi-sport athlete—she was on the varsity basketball team earlier this year and played on the girls tennis team as well. She hit for a team-leading

.359 average and slugging percentage of .765 including three home runs and 25 RBIs, and was starting pitcher in five games along with her first-base duties.

Izzy Osborn (No. 12), another sophomore, was a foundational infielder making only a single error in 20 games, and a reliable baserunner herself. She ranked first in on-base-percentage of .457, stole eight bases and scored 21 times.

Center fielder Celia Vallatton (No. 33) and Ashley Jenkins (No. 13) at third base were named to the NBL Redwood second team. Switch-hitter Vallatton, a junior, brought a .429 on-base-percentage to the lineup, drawing 20 walks and always seeming to be on base when it counted.

Jenkins, another sophomore on the young Greyhounds softball roster, held down the hot spot at third through a demanding season. She, too, demonstrated great baserunning sense, especially down the stretch en route to the playoffs.

The team’s lead battery, the pitcher and catcher combination, received Honorable Mention for two seniors on the squad.

a sure hand and poise.

Photos by Christian Kallen

WINNING PITCHER Healdsburg’s Alex Mauro-Manos, seen here playing against Kelseyville on April 17, was voted the NBL ‘Pitcher of the Year’ for his 2024 season. The sophomore ended the year with a 7-2 record.

Starting pitcher Laurel Heaney was a workhorse, pitching most of the innings over the long season, ending with 84 strikeouts and an 8-8 record. Mia Falberg was there the whole way, catching all 22 games with

Photos by Michael Lucid

WATCHING IT GO Claire Berry, the Greyhounds’ top hitter with a .359 average, was a first-team NBL Redwood All League selection.

Photo by Christian Kallen

ALL LEAGUE GIRLS From left, the four members of the Healdsburg Greyhounds softball team selected to the NBL All League roster: Clair Berry, Ashley Jenkins, Celia Vallatton and Izzy Osborn.

BOYS ALL LEAGUE The five players from the Greyhounds baseball team selected for the All League roster. From left, Zander Harms, Tyler Swanson, Alex Mauro-Manos, Wyatt Dugan and Isaiah Robles.

SEASONAL FAIRS, RIVER DAM IN CONSTRUCTION AND MORE LIVING HISTORY

100 years ago: May 29, 1924

False Report of Purpose of River Dam Project

A threat to halt the building of the Russian River dam here, through a misunderstanding, was made Saturday, but the situation was cleared and work was proceeding on the Chamber of Commerce’s important project this morning.

A false report, apparently emanating from Healdsburg sources, brought a delegation of representatives from the Russian River Chamber of Commerce to this city to protest against building of the dam. An injunction to stop work was all in readiness for serving.

Word had reached the resort section of the river resort that the Healdsburg dam plan was an irrigation project, and that the water to be backed up by the dam here would be diverted for irrigation purposes. As this would lower the water level at the river resorts, the Russian River Chamber of Commerce was ready to fight to the last ditch, they stated. The delegation represented Monte Rio, Rio Nido,

Guerneville and other resorts in that section, which would be seriously handicapped if the river was lowered.

When it was explained that the dam here was mainly for the purpose of providing a summer pleasure lake, and that the only economic feature was that of backing up the water in the city springs, the delegation departed in peace and contentment. With that cleared up, the pouring of concrete for the bulkhead and retaining wall were resumed.

75 years ago: May 27, 1949

Television Sets To Be Exhibited at St. John’s Fair

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. On Sunday and Monday, July 3 and 4, special activities for the children including contests and pony rides are slated, and many other events will provide for local residents and visitors a variety of fun.

A featured attraction at the fair will be an exhibit room in which art works and crafts, the creations of young people and adults of this community, will be displayed. Prizes to be given

FLASHBACKS

away at the fair are now on display at the Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s office on West Street.

50 years ago: May 30, 1974

Largest Auction in Fair History

A quarter century of unparalleled success was recorded last Saturday night when the bank accounts

of 4-H and FFA livestock youngsters were padded with a record smashing $45,278 offered by generous bidders in the fabulous four-hour junior livestock auction which climaxed the Healdsburg Future Farmers Country Fair.

The total was $8,669 higher than the previous record of $36,609 set last year, and the sale averages for hogs and lambs were above fondest expectations. However the beef

prices were down from last year but still far above the market support price of 40 cents a pound. The average for 13 steers was 79 cents, compared to 92 cents a year ago.

Last year 137 lambs averaged an all-time high of $1.50 per pound, and even though the last 66 woolies were sold in pen lots of two, the average skyrocketed to an almost unbelievable high of $1.74. The prices paid for 28 market hogs also were staggering. The average was $150, compared to the previous record last year of $107. Highly inflated prices were paid again for fryer pens of three market rabbits, with a top bid of $180.

The Healdsburg Museum, 221 Matheson St., is open Wednesday through Sunday, 11am to 4pm. No admission, donations welcome.

Photo by Rick Tang

MASKED DANCERS Some of the colorful participants in Comité Pochtlán’s novelty costume entry; once again they were a winner at the 2024 Twilight Parade.

Photos courtesy Healdsburg Museum

FAIR GALS Barbara Basford and Kay Woodward in an advertisement for St. John’s Fair, held Fourth of July weekend in years gone by.

STEALING, SOLICITATION, SHOPLIFTING AND RUNNING A RED LIGHT

Monday, May 13

• 2:31pm Three people at the Flyers station on Healdsburg Avenue were asked to leave the property. The Reporting Party (RP) declined to file a no-trespassing letter, but wanted the people to move along. Officers responded and did not find anyone.

3:27pm The RP on Spruce Way stated her catalytic converter was stolen from her vehicle a few months ago. She has since had the vehicle repaired. At the beginning of April, she discovered that the catalytic converter was stolen again. For health reasons, she waited to report the second theft to the police until May 13, 2024.

Tuesday, May 14

11:29am A man in front of the main entrance to Safeway on Vine Street was loitering and playing music. The RP, security at the store, asked the man to leave, but he refused. Officers responded and the man agreed to move along.

4:36pm The RP indicated his vehicle at Railroad Park on Front Street was damaged, perhaps from an attempted theft of the catalytic converter. The RP wanted the issue documented.

• 9:55pm A vehicle that exited Highway 101 on Lytton Springs Road was reportedly driving without using headlights and straddling both lanes. Officers responded, but the vehicle was gone on arrival and unable to be located.

Wednesday, May 15

• 3:36pm A weapon violation occurred at Empire Mini Storage on Grove Street. Officers responded. A 55-year-old (YO) man

was arrested for being a felon in possession of ammunition, possession of armor-piercing bullets, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of methamphetamine, and misuse of vehicle registration documents and license. He was transferred to county jail.

• 5:58pm A 71-YO woman on Adeline Way was arrested for corporal injury to a spouse and false imprisonment. The woman was taken to county jail.

Thursday, May 16

• 11:21am A vehicle was stopped on Healdsburg Avenue at Parkland Farms Boulevard for running a red light. A 24-YO woman was cited on an outstanding Sonoma County warrant regarding possession of drug paraphernalia.

4:16pm The RP at Big John’s Market on Healdsburg Avenue reported a shoplifter on the patio. Officers cited a 31-YO woman for petty theft.

Friday, May 17

8:06am A man on Dry Creek Road at Plank Coffee asked patrons to make purchases for him. When asked to stop soliciting, the man was verbally aggressive. He then left. The RP was advised to call back if the man returned. The RP was willing to file trespassing paperwork against the man.

• 11:04am An irate customer at Silveira Buick GMC Inc. on Healdsburg Avenue threatened to put the dealership “on national news” over an issue with the DMV. The person subsequently left. An officer took a report.

2:37pm Two women were fighting in their room at Calderwood Inn on West Grant Street. Officers responded and arrested a 40-YO woman for corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant. She was taken to county jail.

3:07pm A social worker from Healdsburg General Hospital on University

Avenue reported that a man required stitches due to his wife throwing a phone at him while he was driving. Officers arrived and confirmed the incident occurred on Highway 101, 20 minutes north of Healdsburg. The issue was transferred to California Highway Patrol.

Saturday, May 18

12:19pm Protesters blocked approximately 60 guests from entering an event at Hotel Healdsburg on Matheson Street. Officers responded and resolved the issue.

8:22pm The RP, Wine Festival security, indicated that three men with open containers of alcohol exited a vehicle on North Street at Foss Street. Officers responded, but the men were gone on arrival and unable to be located.

Sunday, May 19

7:30am The RP on Tulip Court stated that someone broke into one of his toolboxes.

Nothing was taken, however approximately $300 of damage was caused to the toolbox.

An officer responded and took a report.

7:31am The RP at Big John’s Market on Healdsburg Avenue stated a theft occurred on May 16, 2024. A person came in and took beer and food from the hot bar totaling $30.08.

An officer responded and took a report.

• 7:32am The RP at Big John’s Market on Healdsburg Avenue indicated a theft occurred on May 17, 2024. A person took food from the hot bar and two sodas totaling $18.06.

An officer responded and took a report.

11:15am The RP indicated that her colleague living on March Avenue was in a domestic dispute with her partner. She was punched in the face and suffered a black eye. An officer responded. A 25-YO man was arrested and transported to