Healdsburg Tribune
Healdsburg Tribune
TREATED
WASTEWATER TO BE DISTRIBUTED TO PARKS, CEMETERY FOR IRRIGATION
By Christian Kallen
Some of Healdsburg’s key streets are the scene of extensive road work these days as some two miles of purple pipe are installed to deliver treated, but not drinkable, water to irrigate city parks and other landscape areas.
Work on the project began in June and is anticipated to continue the rest of the year. Though it’s been in the planning stage for some time, the City Council gave its approval to the $4.8 million project in March, awarding the contract to low-bidder Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.
The first stage of the project took place in midJune on Kinney Road, west of Highway 101 near Opperman & Son Inc. At about the same time the pipe was installed on Kennedy Lane just east of the freeway, from there turning up Healdsburg Avenue to University Avenue, and at the Memorial Bridge.
This phase of construction is ongoing, and vehicle traffic is affected by work crews at present.
What Color Is Your Pipe?
Purple pipes are used so they are clearly distinguishable from regular water delivery systems, to avoid accidental mixing of drinkable water and treated wastewater.
Recycled water is used in many places and for many uses around Sonoma County, according to the Sonoma Water Agency, at sonomawater.
➝ Pipe Project, 4
WHAT LOCALS THOUGHT OF EDGE ESMERALDA, MYSTERIOUS
VILLAGE’
‘POPUP
By Simone Wilson
Earlier this year, when Healdsburg resident and civic activist Richard Burg, 79, heard that a conference for techies and futurists called Edge Esmeralda was coming to town for the entire month of June, he was immediately skeptical.
“I thought, ‘Oh, we’re being colonized,’” Burg said. Some called it a cult. Others, a scam. Many felt insulted by the idea of a group of outsiders coming here to tell us how to live.
Now, the core crew of 200 or so Edge Esmeralda participants who walked, biked and boarded around town this month—plus hundreds of others who dropped in for shorter stints—are preparing to vacate their Healdsburg hotel rooms, or wherever else they found to crash. And plenty of locals are
left wondering what just happened, if anything at all.
“I haven’t noticed any impact during my normal everyday activities,” said Healdsburg Mayor David Hagele. Jeff Kay, city manager, added: “Most days, I don’t even notice that they’re here.”
The leaders of the two main organizations behind the event, Janine Leger of Edge City and Devon Zuegel of Esmeralda Land Company—both young women in their 30s—had hoped to create the feeling of a multi-generational college campus within Healdsburg’s existing grid.
“This isn’t such crazy utopian thinking,” said Zuegel, who grew up in the Bay Area. “Basically, we’re just creating a little college campus. You can choose to attend the lectures. And if you choose not to, it just feels like your normal life. Only slightly more fun.”
Zuegel and Leger’s vision sold more seats than they expected—including 150 month-long tickets, costing upward of $2,000 each (with dinner most
nights), plus hundreds of other daily and weekly passes. More than 200 locals ended up buying in as well, for $200 each.
The “decentralized” programming calendar, where anyone with a ticket could add an event to the lineup, quickly filled out with 20-plus events per day. Most were held at a few central locations—like the CraftWork co-working space, the former Yoga on Center studio and local hotels where participants stayed.
CraftWork owner Jim Heid, incoming chair of the Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce, said many businesses in town benefitted from selling space or services to Edge Esmeralda. But a few found the flexible scheduling style chaotic and frustrating— for instance, when organizers added or canceled a session last-minute.
“We want to allow for spontaneity and serendipity,” Heid said. “But it shouldn’t happen at the expense, either human or financial, of some of the
PRUNE PROMOTERS PICK THE PACKERS
BASEBALL AND AGRICULTURE BOTH HAVE DEEP ROOTS IN HEALDSBURG
By Christian Kallen
Old-timers in Healdsburg remember that, come harvest time, it wasn’t the smell of fermentation from winegrapes that wafted over town, with its promise of a better vintage, but another smell: that of sundrying prunes.
“You could smell it everywhere—and you
businesses that are trying to be good hosts.”
Topics of Discussion
Some of the topics covered at TEDx-style talks and interactive meetings throughout the month seemed stranger than fiction—like using telepathy on animals or trying out a new “spiritual machine” that induces lucid dreaming. Other sessions were more akin to group therapy, focusing on the interpersonal aspects of workplaces and communities.
Almost all centered around the principle of “techno optimism”: the belief that humans should harness the power of modern technology to better the world.
If one looked closely enough, signs of foreign subcultures were visible around town. There were the nomadic cryptocurrency people in drapey clothing and toe-hugging footwear, some of whom attended a similar popup
either loved it or you hated it,” said a neighbor at a yard sale not long ago. He compared it to other seasonal agricultural smells, which one either loves or hates depending on how one makes a living.
“It’s certainly our favorite of the agricultural smells,” Kelly Meza said with a laugh. She was with a six-person entourage from the California Prune Board, who visited Healdsburg on Saturday, June 15—National Prune Day—to celebrate the holiday with the local baseball team, the Prune Packers. That the California Prunes crew was in Healdsburg to recognize the day was no accident.
city last year in Montenegro—dreamed up by Vitalik Buterin, the billionaire behind the Ethereum crypto brand, and organized in part by Edge City. Then there were the AI (artificial intelligence) people. Some wore little recorders around their necks that taped their daily interactions, Black Mirrorstyle. There were the gadget geeks: One shepherded a robot dog through the aisles of the Raven Theater; another rode a Honda Motocompacto scooter around the library. Perhaps most mysterious were the longevity people, hosting jargon-heavy “hackathons” in dogged pursuit of figuring out how to live forever.
Healdsburg City Councilmember Chris Herrod said he barely noticed any of them. But for the sake of the local economy, he’s glad they were here—renting out venues, buying up hotel rooms and popping in and out of coffee and
The newly-formed Pacific Empire League, six teams of college-age baseball players, is a fertile ground for the cultivation of professional athletes, hoping at least for a tryout with a major league team if not a place on the roster. At least so far, the Healdsburg Prune Packers are dominating the league. They are undefeated on the season, 16-0 as we go to press. Under 11-year coach Joey Gomes, the team won three straight league championships with the older, more established California Collegiate League. It proved successful enough for Healdsburg to spawn its own confederation of Northern California teams, to create what the new league’s president, Natalie Norman, likes to call “a powerhouse summer collegiate league.” The Prune people know it’s smart to back a winner. Plum by Another Name The prunes we value today are the product of the European Petit d’Agen plum,
‘Techno Optimists’, 7
courtesy of Edge Esmeralda
TECH THEATER An Edge Esmeralda event at the Raven on June 10 kicked off a ‘LabWeek’ full of programming that focused on
HEALDSBURG HAPPENINGS
GOINGS ON AROUND TOWN THIS WEEK & NEXT
Second Story
Connor Pledger, an indiefolk and alt-pop artist who grew up in Atlanta, moved to Los Angeles in 2015 and comes to Healdsburg on June 27. Upstairs at Little Saint, doors open at 6pm for the 7pm show. 25 North St., littlesainthealdsburg.com.
Tree Fruit Rock dance band Apple Z performs for the folks at Summer Night on the Green in Windsor, Thursday, June 27. Farmers’ Market 5pm, music 6-8pm.
Friday Night Live Scythian brings Celtic folk
rock to Cloverdale for the weekly street fair and music happening on Friday, June 28, from 6-9:30pm.
Raven in Windsor
The Raven Players take their show down the road to the Windsor High School theater, staging Stephen Sondheim’s breakthrough musical, “Company,” weekends from Friday, June 28, to Sunday afternoon, July 14. A newer, smaller theater promises a more intimate audience experience. Tickets $10 students, $40 general. 8695 Windsor Rd., Windsor. raventheater.org.
Friday Blues
Furthermore Wines’ own Chad Richard takes up his ax to head the Rainbow Jazz Collective on Friday
night, June 18, at the downtown wine bar. Music from 5-8pm, at Furthermore, 328-A Healdsburg Ave.
Farmers’ Market
The Saturday Healdsburg Farmers’ Market gets underway in the West Plaza parking lot this Saturday, June 29, from 8:30am to noon. This week the Healdsburg Jazz Future All-Stars play for your shopping entertainment.
Gypsy Jazz Music in the style of Django Rheinhardt with the county’s finest in the genre: Ian Scherer and Emily Froberg on guitars, Trevor Kinsel on bass. Hotel Healdsburg’s Spirit Bar on Saturday, June 29. No cover, partial Dry Creek Kitchen menu available. 25 Matheson St.
Rolling Tumble Electric Tumbleweed, a psychedelic outlaw country group based in Sonoma County, now five years old, blows into Healdsburg on Sunday, June 30. Tickets $10 at the door, from 6-9pm. The Elephant in the Room is at 177 Healdsburg Ave., elephantintheroompub.com.
Monsters of VH-1
Fans of Van Halen (the band) will head to Coyote Sonoma on Saturday night, June 29, starting at 8pm for screaming guitar, dead-on vocals and stage antics by Unchained. The Mill Street venue features Karaoke Thursday and Trivia Night on Wednesdays, too. At 44F Mill St., coyotesonoma.com.
SNAPSHOT
Birkenstocks
ARCHETYPAL OPEN-TOED SANDALS PROVIDE COOL COMFORT
By Pierre Ratte
Summer solstice is behind us. Summer is here. Time to get your Birks on! Swimming ponds, rivers, the Pacific, pools, playgrounds, campgrounds, summer vacations taken here and there—get on out there and enjoy summer.
With perfect timing, Birkenstocks were introduced to the U.S. market in the summer of 1966 and reportedly sold through health stores. Originally taken up for healthy feet and emblematic of the hippie movement, Birks have been trending with techies. In each group, this “shoe” brand found success expressing environmentally friendly, casually comfortable, unconventional style.
Sundays at the Plaza
Wobbly World plays music without borders at the Gazebo stage on Sunday, June 29, from 1-3pm. No cover, bring a picnic.
Healdsburg
Tuesday Tuesday morning, July 2, the Farmers’ Market (9am to 12:30pm) is open downtown on Plaza and Center streets. Later that same day, the Sorentinos play homegrown rock from Gazebo stage from 6-8pm. Food vendors offer locally sourced food for sale starting at 5pm, complimentary bike valet services available.
Tough Enough
The Fabulous Thunderbirds fly into the Raven Theater on Wednesday, July 3, performing their
hits, from “Tuff Enuff” and “Wrap It Up” to more recent work, fronted by their original blues harpist and vocalist, Kim Wilson. Only GA tickets available at $53 (includes fees); the dance floor beneath the stage will be open. Doors open 7pm, music from 8-10pm. 115 North St., raventheater.org. Duck Dash & Fireworks Kids parade, duck dash and Independence Day festivities at the Healdsburg Plaza, from 10am to 1pm. Followed later that evening by the annual fireworks show at Healdsburg High, 9pm. Post events on the Tribune’s online calendar at healdsburgtribune.com/ calendar and send special announcements to editor@ healdsburgtribune.com.
Many say that nothing provides cool summer comfort for their feet like a wellworn pair of Birkenstocks. Just ignore the first week’s painful experience of breaking them in. Then, enjoy. Fun facts: Birkenstocks date back to 1774 in Langen-Bergheim, Germany, where Johann Adam Birkenstock was a “subject and cobbler.” Around the late 1800s, family members developed the flexible-contoured footbed that provided arch support. Physicians and podiatrists were endorsing Carl Birkenstock’s footbed by the 1930s.
Birkenstock USA had been based in Marin since 1971. Its former U.S. headquarters can be seen on the west side of Highway 101 in Novato. John Savage Bolles designed the unconventionally styled, midcentury modern building with white pyramid roofs, triangular-eyebrow overhangs and concrete walls
in 1962. It was originally built for McGraw Hill Publishing as a warehouse and distribution center. Birkenstock became the building’s tenant from 1992 to 2008. The company partially moved back to the site in 2014, but permanently vacated in 2020. The building now reportedly sits vacant.
Back to Sandals
Two thousand years ago sandals were also in style. Wisdom from those days remains in style in some places, and in some places not. With no fewer troubles on the horizon, it’s worth remembering simple advice from those sandalwearing times in treating everyone as we treat ourselves this summer.
A special thank you to firefighters who labored through the night to contain the recent Point Fire with minimum property losses in beautiful Dry Creek Valley.
SORENTINOS The long-lived Sonoma County rock band, fronted by singer-songwriter Danny Sorentino, returns to play Tuesdays in the Plaza on July 2, from 6-8pm. There will be dancing.
Photo by Pierre Ratte
BIRKENSTOCKS As if awaiting their feet’s return, a pair of sandals rests by a local lake.
HIKING
Rail Trails, an Idea Whose Time Is Summer
NEW GUIDEBOOK PICKS THE BEST FROM EUREKA TO MONTEREY BAY
By Christian Kallen
Every year, summer’s arrival brings with it the resolution to take more hikes. Young adventurers may plan extended forays in the backcountry or weeks-long tromps along the Appalachian or Pacific Crest trails, but those challenges aren’t in the cards for most of us. Instead, an easy stroll along a nearlevel trail with some scenic or historic value is the perfect way to get out and feel good about it. Enter the rail trail. The concept developed in the 1980s as railroads across the country were decommissioned and a growing population sought new trails to travel. Thus the Rails to Trails Conservancy was formed out of timely necessity. Nearly 2,500 rail trails nationally now span 25,000 miles, as practical a reuse of a transportation corridor as one could conceive.
Much local attention lately has focused on the Great Redwood Trail, a promised 271-mile pathway from Marin County to Humboldt Bay, to be built along the former railroad tracks that linked the Bay Area with Redwood Country.
But the Great Redwood Trail is neither an isolated nor unique concept. Rail trails, the conversion of
railroad easements into foot trails, have been developed in different places around the country for years, and Glen Ellen’s Tracy Salcedo has been writing hiking guidebooks for at least as long. Put the two together and discover her latest, Best Rail Trails – Northern California It’s subtitled Accessible and Car-free Routes for Walking, Running, and Biking, and if that doesn’t sell the concept nothing will. A total of 37 such trails, plus several bonus
tracks, span the state from Eureka to Fresno, and each description includes a list of amenities including cell coverage, directions, distance and even canine compatibility. (Fortunately that almost always means only leashed dogs are permitted.) The not-so-dirty little secret about rail trails is how absolutely perfect they are for the casual hiker. “First and foremost, their flat or gentle grades make them perfect for all kinds of users of all ages,” Salcedo
writes. “They are almost universally accessible and usually wide enough for people to share with companions and others, regardless whether on foot or on wheels, self-propelled or along for the ride.”
What’s Not to Like?
Here in Healdsburg we have the Foss Creek Pathway, a classic rail-to-trail conversion running from the former Depot on Hudson Street to the Healdsburg Community Center. A
part of the Great Redwood Trail concept, as well as a link in the SMART Footpath in development, this guidebook covers it, too.
It’s far from the only one, familiar or unfamiliar. Others include the Joe Rodota and West County trails, the Sonoma City Trail—which, like the Foss Creek Pathway, travels next to an old depot—and the Valley of the Moon Trail, near Salcedo’s own haunts.
Farther afield the Great Shasta Rail Trail and the Bizz Johnson National
Trail near
Lassen offer more mountainous terrain and scenery. While an overnight option is possible— the Bizz Johnson is 25 miles one way—it can be traveled on a bike in a day, all downhill from Westwood to Susanville, where a smart traveler can grab the Lassen Rural Bus line for the return trip. This book should live in the car, so it’s easy to grab and consult on a whim. It’s a good example of the value of an actual physical guidebook—one can leaf through its pages or consult its maps to find the nearest rail trail on a whim, and be ready to take a hike with little more than a water bottle and a hat. Using an app just doesn’t bring the same spontaneous satisfaction as having a good guidebook handy, and this is a good guidebook to have handy.
TRAILSIDE ART The Foss Creek Pathway, one of about 40 routes described in the guidebook ‘Best Rail Trails – Northern California,’ includes public art along its two-mile length.
Photos by Tracy Salcedo
“Best Rail Trails – Northern California,” by Tracy Salcedo (Falcon Guides, 2024). $22.95, 267 pages.
STREAMING
Beat the Heat With Summer Movies
AND A TALL COOL ONE
By Jared Rasic
Okay, it’s officially hot outside, which means most of you are going to start summer adventuring. I’ve heard of such things, but being that I am what the experts call an “indoor kid,” I will continue living vicariously through all of you while you do all those outdoor things that would definitely break me in half the first time I try them. Instead, I’m going to post up near some air conditioning and watch as many summer adventure movies as I possibly can over the next few months.
Since there are so many to choose from, here are a few great ones to start with that will make you feel like your own personal action hero.
The African Queen (1952): If you haven’t seen this movie then you’re missing out on one of the all-time greats. We’ve got Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn as a rough-and-tumble riverboat captain and a primand-proper missionary who adventure down a dangerous river in East Africa while fighting evil Germans. This has it all: romance, adventure, heroism and comedy in equal measures. Truly one of the best movies ever made.
Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016): This might be more of a fall adventure,
Wastewater to be Distributed
org. Recycled water is used across Sonoma County for agriculture, including vineyards and other crops in Sonoma Valley. Several cities in Sonoma County also use recycled water for their playing fields,
but it’s still one hell of an adventure and looks pretty warm sometimes. A rebellious orphan kid runs away from his new foster family into the New Zealand outback on his own journey of self-discovery. The film effortlessly bounces between a gorgeous travelog of the New Zealand bush, a touching and poignant look at found family, and a hilarious and profane adventure. Buy this movie and watch it over and over.
The Kings of Summer (2013): Three teenagers try to build their own house in the middle of the woods. Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts turns what could have been a stereotypical coming-of-age dramedy into an exciting and touching adventure
such as Sonoma and the Rohnert Park school system.
In Windsor the high school, golf course and some residential neighborhoods use recycled water for their landscaping, according to Sonoma Water.
about that feeling of invincibility we have when we’re at our youthful bravest. Surprisingly great with a wonderful performance from Nick Offerman.
Midsommar (2019): This might not be an adventure, but it’s certainly intense and the sun is shining in almost every frame of the movie, so I’m calling it one! Plus, there are a ton of ominous Swedes who are obviously up to no good, so that’s exciting too.
The definition of a slowburn, Midsommar takes characters we both love and hate and sends them down a twisted and insane folk-horror rabbit hole that is literally unforgettable.
Point Break (1991): Skydiving, bank robberies, surfing, Keanu
Reeves, Patrick Swayze, Gary F**king Busey … this movie has it all. You’ve seen it, you probably love it. It’s the quintessential summer adventure that was extreme before Mountain Dew or Doritos.
Sorcerer (1977): The sweatiest movie ever made follows Roy Scheider and a small group of men with nothing to lose as they drive two trucks filled with also-sweaty dynamite through the South American jungle. Based on the 1953 masterpiece The Wages of Fear , there’s a sequence in this film set on a swaying bridge that is, quite literally, one of the most adventurous sequences of all time. When we talk about movies having the power to
transport you, watch this and tell me you don’t feel like you went on this jungle adventure along with these four crazy men. There are so many summer adventure movies to choose from that trying to make a comprehensive list is a losing battle. I would be remiss to make a list like this and not mention The Goonies Dope Adventureland Luca Jaws Stand By Me , Thelma & Louise , True Romance , Moonrise Kingdom , Y Tu Mamá También, The Endless Summer, Do the Right Thing and dozens more. Life itself can be an adventure, so it doesn’t always take Indiana Jones to navigate the booby traps. Sometimes all it takes is you.
Similarly, Healdsburg’s purple pipes will bring treated water for irrigation of the open grass fields at Recreation Park, Healdsburg Elementary School, Giorgi Park, Oak Mound Cemetery and the greens at Tayman Park.
This project is estimated to offset the need for 27 million gallons of water annually.
The project as designed consists of approximately 10,000 feet of 12-inch pipeline, 675 feet of 4-inch pipeline, four connection turnouts and a bulk fill station.
Eventually the project may be extended farther north up Fitch Street to Healdsburg Junior High, Gibbs Park and eventually up to the Healdsburg Community Center, which would require another 2.7 miles of pipeline. However, this first round of funding is only enough to support delivery to the central part of town, and not its northern parks.
This phase of the project is supported by a $7.1 million grant received
from the state that funds about half of the overall recycled water pipeline infrastructure. It is hoped the remainder of the project will be offset by another state grant in the amount of $8.5 million, a grant that has been applied for but not yet approved.
Healdsburg’s wastewater treatment facility is located off Westside Road, at 340 Forman Lane. Its surface is covered with a solar power generating array that makes double use of the facility’s footprint. According to Sonoma Water, the district agency
that manages water resources, “Recycled water is cleaned wastewater from homes and businesses. Water from sinks, toilets and indoor plumbing goes to a treatment facility. Advanced treatment processes are used to remove bacteria and pollutants. Treated wastewater undergoes extensive testing to ensure that it meets strict standards set by the California Department of Health Services.”
Why Recycle
The city’s utility department focused on two means of compensation: more water from Lake Sonoma by improving well fields in Dry Creek, one of the long-term projects the city hopes to underwrite with the new water and wastewater rate increases.
The other contributor to decreased water sources is to employ treated wastewater for uses that do not require fresh water.
“With that in mind, we have been working on the Municipal Recycled Water Pipeline to offset some of the demand on our potable water resources and make us more resilient for future droughts,” according to Healdsburg’s utility department on the page describing the project, at healdsburg.gov/ RecycledWaterPipeline. During non-drought years, the project will allow more water to remain in the streams and reservoirs, benefitting riparian ecology and the region.
The city’s wastewater irrigation system is one way to deal with the limited availability of water from natural sources. Healdsburg currently gets about 80% of the city water supply from the upper Russian River, but water shortages from Lake Mendocino are expected in the future.
Pipe Project, 1
Photo courtesy of Fox
HIGH BUDDIES Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze bond at 10,000 feet in this skydiving scene from 1991’s ‘Point Break,’ an action movie that still
Photo by Christian Kallen
How Long Can the Streak Last?
PRUNE PACKERS STILL UNDEFEATED AS ROAD TRIP BEGINS
By Caleb Knudsen
After the 2001 season the Oakland Athletics lost three of their key players, and general manager Billy Beane responded by adopting the statistical analytics that came to be known as “sabermetrics” to reshape the team for 2002. That year the Oakland A’s put together a 20-game winning streak, the most recent major league team to reach that number.
The Prune Packers still have a way to go, but not too far. As they head north for a six-game road trip they are sitting on a 16-0 record, six of them league games that put them miles ahead of their nearest rivals in the new Pacific Empire League.
Not all of their 16 wins have been easy. Far from it. Despite some blowouts embarrassing to both victor and vanquished— nobody really boasts about a 26-2 win like the Packers inflicted on the Alameda Anchors on June 9—several recent games went into an extra inning or two, and only a walk-off win kept the streak alive.
But all of those wins were at home; until this week the Packers had not played a game on the road. The home field advantage is real, and the next three games in Medford, Oregon, should determine if the Prune Packers can sustain their drive.
The Pack has met the Rogues of Medford three times already, all in the past week, and won all three. Last Tuesday, June 18, the Packers spotted the Rogues a run in the top of the second inning, then came back to tie in the same inning. They added three more in the fourth inning, sparked
by Jonas Salk’s first home run of the year. In the sixth inning Joey Kramer’s two-run homer (his sixth) pretty much put the game out of reach, but Cade Campbell’s tworun shot in the seventh was the icing. Healdsburg ended up winning, 8-2.
The next night was anything but a blowout. The determined Oregonians scored their thirdinning run again then added two in the fifth and another in the sixth, taking a surprising 4-3 lead into the ninth inning.
With Alec Belardes on the mound, the Rogues went down in order in the top of the inning, then Kramer popped his seventh homer to tie the game. Logan Sutter doubled, and walks to Max Debiec and Cade Campbell loaded the bases. Rogues pitcher Kurt Marton, unable to find the zone, hit Kenny Decelle on a 1-0 pitch and the winning run
Baseball and Agriculture
grafted to an American plum rootstock, said Donn Zea, executive director of California Prunes. But even he had a hard time talking about prunes when the Packers were on the field. It was the third inning, a scoreless tie with the Menlo Legacy.
“National Prune Day is celebrated on June 15 every year,” a voice boomed out over the wooden bleachers at Rec Park. Dick Bugarske, a former high school teacher (and president of the baseball club) who announces the games at Rec Park, extolled the fruit from his grandstand press box.
“On this day, the many health benefits of these dried plums are highlighted,” he continued.
“Prunes are incredibly rich in fiber, vitamin A and cancer-fighting antioxidants. What’s more, they’re also good for your vision and digestion.”
Keeping things moving is a plus both in digestion and baseball.
Though Bugarske said he had read of a local team called the Prune
Packers years earlier, it wasn’t until 1921 that the name was officially applied to Healdsburg’s team, endorsed by the chamber of commerce of the time. These were young men who played ball after their day’s work in the orchards and drying barns was done. According to a 1917 story in the Healdsburg Tribune , “several thousand cartons of Sunsweet prunes” were packaged as holiday gifts, each including three pounds of specially picked and packed prunes, “an artistic recipe book” on how to cook and serve them and “a little art card of holiday greetings” furnished by the local chamber of commerce. Even then, the prune lobby played hardball.
Outstanding in Its Field
The current California Prune Board, created in 1952, represents more than 800 prune producers statewide, doing research, trade management, policy and promotion. That explained its
trotted home.
After dispatching the Rogues 11-6 the next night, the Prune Packers opened a threegame series against the Humboldt Crabs—who brought along the Crab Grass Brass Band to enliven the stands with between-inning melodies. The home team swept the series, including a 13-1 romp on Saturday, June 22, that saw triples from Healdsburg’s Maddox Molony, Eamonn Lance and Hideki Prather.
Sunday’s final game of the series saw recent arrival Jake Tatom of the University of Houston go three-for-three, raising his batting average over his first four games with the team to an eye-opening .667. The final score, 9-1, sends the Packers off on their Oregon adventure sitting pretty.
But wait: Though the team has scored easy wins over PEL rivals Medford,
presence at Art McCaffrey Field on June 15.
Representatives came with small bags of free prunes to be handed out at all games this season, each containing about four of the juicy, sweet, dried fruit.
Today California accounts for 40% of the world’s supply of prunes.
The Sacramento Valley is now the leading area for prune production, but in the 1930s Santa Clara County claimed the title “Prune Capital of the World.”
Healdsburg’s own title, “Buckle of the Prune Belt,” can only be seen as tongue-in-cheek, but historic photos from the Healdsburg Museum show the pride that local farmers and their families took in the name. The valleys of the time were filled with the fragrant white blossoms of plum trees where vineyards now stand.
Deep Roots
“My family moved out here in the 1900s,” said Dustin Valette, chef and owner of the Valette and The Matheson restaurants, boasting of his local roots. “It used to be hops back in the day.
Humboldt and Solano, they have yet to play two league teams: the West Coast Kings and the Lincoln Potters. They meet them back home the first
week of July—and the Potters of Placer County currently boast a 20-3 record. That Wednesday, July 3, meeting will be a game to watch, and
the best way to watch a game like that is live. First pitch for all weekday home games is 6pm, 12:30pm on Sundays, at Rec Park, 515 Piper St.
Then it was prunes and now wine.” He said his uncle, David Fanucchi, grows grapes now, but didn’t always. “He had a big prune orchard, and then they converted that into grapes.”
Fanucchi Ranch in Alexander Valley now produces a vineyarddesignate sangiovese for Foley Wines and an oldvine zinfandel for Hartford Wines, among others.
But when it specialized in prunes, it sat in the heart of a prune-growing region of the valley. Though their dominance has long since faded, prunes still have their place in the seasonal menu of Healdsburg’s better restaurants. “I’m born and raised here. This is my neck of the woods,” said chef Valette. “I grew up in the transition from prunes to vineyards, and
we use fresh plums, fresh prunes all the time, as much as we can.”
Valette is speculating about the recipes he can cook up when they become available. “Probably pretty soon,” he said. “I would say the next couple weeks, honestly.” Keep an eye on the Farmers’ Markets, where the local plums begin to appear first. The prunes can’t be far behind.
Photos by Christian Kallen
TAKING AIM Healdsburg’s Sal Batres, who came into the June 20 game after starter Derek Schaefer gave up three runs in the first inning, was himself pulled in the 5th for the eventual winning pitcher, Elliot Joslin.
Photo by Christian Kallen
PRUNE PEOPLE The California Prunes team gathers at Art McCaffrey field for a Prune Packers game on June 15. From left, Meg van der Kruik, Kiaran Locy (behind), Kelly Meza, Enrique Meza, executive director Donn Zea (applauding) and Harrison Zea.
SUMMIT Coach Joey Gomes, second from left, delivers the news to pitcher Sal Batres (No. 15) that he’s being relieved, with two runners on base in the fifth inning. The move paid off: The Packers went on to win, 11-6.
➝ Prune Promoters, 1
FLASHBACKS
STEAMBOATS, TOURISTS AND ARSENIC IN THE WATER
100 years ago: June 26, 1924
‘FIRST STEAMBOAT
NAVIGATES RIVER’
The first steamboat ever on the Russian river, at least in this section, chugchugged up and down the long deep pool between the river dam site and the railroad bridge Saturday. The boat did not frighten spectators, as did Fulton’s Clermont on the Hudson many years ago, but it excited no less curiosity than did the Clermont.
The boat, run by steam heated by a distillate burner, is the property of the Boy Scouts of
Healdsburg. It was built at the high school by the high school troop, and is in the charge of the members of that troop. The craft was launched this morning, after having been hauled on a trailer from the high school machine shops Friday night.
75 years ago: June 24, 1949
‘WELCOME SUMMER RESIDENTS’
New faces are seen about the city, new cars on the streets, activity in the Fitch Mountain area is increasing . . . which all points to the fact that summer residents are here again. These people have made an investment in this area. Their interests and our interests become the same, not for the summer months alone, but for
all the year around. The fact that they are here, and come back year after year, serves as a vote of confidence that this area has much to offer. We welcome them and hope they accept this community as their own, taking an active part in all things done.
50 years ago: June 27, 1974
‘ARSENIC DANGER
DECLARED AT DAM’
Opponents of construction of the Warm Springs Dam have announced another reason why construction should be delayed until after further environmental tests have been conducted. The Warm Springs Dam Task Force reports that large amounts of potentially deadly arsenic have been discovered in assay tests of rock outcroppings
in the Skaggs Springs mining area. Task Force attorney Paul Kayfetz reports the tests were conducted Monday by Sonoma State College geology professor W. H. Wright and an unidentified mineralogy specialist at the college. Samples were taken over a wide area near the former mercury mine Sunday after the son of its former
owner expressed misgivings about the adequacy of tests conducted by the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Kayfetz said the samples contain large amounts of arsenic (70 percent) and sulfur in two forms, one of which is highly soluble in water. Wright feels a full geological survey of the area should be made before the $114 million flood
control-recreation project is allowed to continue.
Public Affairs Officer
Eugene Huggins reported Wednesday that as soon as the Corps receives Wright’s report it will study it and issue a reply. Huggins said the Corps had conducted tests in 1970 and 1971 on water and sediment in the Skaggs Springs area and found no trace of arsenic.
Capture the essence of a departed family member with an obituary in the pages of our papers. Your tribute will appear perpetually on our website, and that of our partner, Legacy.com. We can write a tribute that embodies the spirit of the deceased, or we can publish one you provide us.
RIVER VIEW Looking upriver from the seasonal dam toward the Memorial Bridge, circa 1920.
Photos courtesy
Healdsburg Museum and Historical Society
POSTCARD A slanted view of downtown Healdsburg in 1922, looking east on Matheson Street toward Fitch Mountain and its summer resorts.
INSPECTION Ed Langhart, one of the founders of the Healdsburg Museum, examines quicksilver ore found at Skaggs Springs in March 1969, before the Warm Springs Dam was built.
Mysterious ‘Popup Village’
‘Techno Optimists,’ 1
➝
sandwich shops.
“Economic diversity is something that we need across the board,” Herrod said. “That includes manufacturing and retail, but also tourism. So I generally have a positive outlook on anything that happens to Healdsburg that’s outside of food and wine. That would include athletics or arts—or,
in this case, education.”
Healdsburg resident Burg became one of the more active participants, even hosting his own forums. While he said he found some of the events “disappointing,” he enjoyed many others—like a men’s healing group that he called “unusually well done.”
Another regular attendee, 24-year-old Quaid Bulloch,
is a Healdsburg native.
“This is making Healdsburg feel new,” he said while walking along the Foss Creek Pathway to an Edge Esmeralda event in town.
“It’s kinda cool.”
Heid at CraftWork said he’ll miss the optimism and energy that participants brought to Healdsburg— their naivete, even. “In a town that tends to grumble a lot and kind of cling to the past, it was really a breath of fresh air,” he said.
UNCONFERENCE An Edge Esmeralda talk hosted by the Convergent Research organization at a Healdsburg hotel.
CLASSIFIED ADS/LEGAL NOTICES
person(s) is (are) doing business as: 1. WEBISTREE. COM, 313 1ST STREET, HEALDSBURG, CA 95448, COUNTY SONOMA, Mailing Address: SAME: Is hereby registered by the following owner(s): VICKIE L NORRIS, 313 1ST STREET, HEALDSBURG, CA 95448. This business is being conducted by AN INDIVIDUAL. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious name or names above on 01/09/2000. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: VICKIE L NORRIS, OWNER. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Sonoma County on MAY 02, 2024. (Publication Dates June 6, 13, 20, 27 of 2024 The Healdsburg Tribune).
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT - FILE NO: 202401862 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: 1. CHATHAM NEIGHBORHOOD, 6195 DRY CREEK ROAD, HEALDSBURG, CA 95448, COUNTY SONOMA, Mailing Address SAME: Is hereby registered by the following owner(s): CHATEAU DIANA LLC, 6195 DRY CREEK ROAD, HEALDSBURG, CA 95448: This business is being conducted by A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious name or names above on N/A. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: DONNA GIBSON, CFO. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Sonoma County on June 05, 2024. (Publication Dates June 13, 20, 27 and July 4 of 2024 The Healdsburg Tribune).
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT - FILE NO: 202401867 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: 1. MONTCLAIR MANSIONS, 6195 DRY CREEK ROAD, HEALDSBURG, CA 95448, COUNTY SONOMA, Mailing Address SAME: Is hereby registered by the following owner(s): CHATEAU DIANA LLC, 6195 DRY CREEK ROAD, HEALDSBURG, CA 95448: This business is being conducted by A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious name or names above on N/A. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: DONNA GIBSON, CFO. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Sonoma County on June 05, 2024. (Publication Dates June 13, 20, 27 and July 4 of 2024 The Healdsburg Tribune).
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT - FILE NO:
202401859 The following person(s) is (are)
doing business as: 1. LA BELLE NAIL LOUNGE, 2350 KAWANA SPRINGS RD, SANTA ROSA, CA 95407, COUNTY SONOMA, Mailing Address SAME: Is hereby registered by the following owner(s): LA BELLE NAIL LOUNGE INC, 2350 KAWANA SPRINGS RD, SANTA ROSA, CA 95407: This business is being conducted by A CORPORATION. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious name or names above on N/A. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: DAVIS TRAN, CEO. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Sonoma County on June 04, 2024. (Publication Dates June 13, 20, 27 and July 4 of 2024 The Healdsburg Tribune).
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT - FILE NO:
202401875
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: 1. NORTH BAY EQUIPMENT RENTAL, 129 N CLOVERDALE BLVD #7, COUNTY SONOMA, Mailing Address PO BOX 276, CLOVERDALE, CA 95425: Is hereby registered by the following owner(s): LA DARYL CHRISTIAN ROBERTSON, 328 MOONLIGHT CIR, CLOVERDALE, CA 95425, CHRISTIAN HUNTER ROBERTSON, 306 CHAMPLAIN AVE, CLOVERDALE, CA 95425: This business is being conducted by A GENERAL PARTNERSHIP. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious name or names above on 01/01/2021. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.
Signed: DARYL ROBERTSON, PARTNER. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Sonoma County on June 06, 2024. (Publication Dates June 13, 20, 27 and July 4 of 2024 The Healdsburg Tribune).
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT - FILE NO: 202401828 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: 1. CASARI CONSTRUCTION, 4615 HALL ROAD, SANTA ROSA, CA 95401, COUNTY SONOMA, Mailing Address SAME: Is hereby registered by the following owner(s): CASARI CONSTRUCTION, 4615 HALL ROAD, SANTA ROSA, CA 95401: This business is being conducted by A CORPORATION. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious name or names above on N/A. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: ARIANA MAZZUCCHI, CFO. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Sonoma County on MAY 31, 2024. (Publication Dates June 20, 27 and July 4, 11 of 2024 The Healdsburg Tribune).
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT - File No: 202401808 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: 1. SEBASTOPOL FAST FILL MARKET, 370 SEBASTOPOL RD, SANTA ROSA, CA 95407 COUNTY SONOMA: Mailing Address: 3669 MT DIABLO BLVD, LAFAYETTE, CA 94549: is hereby registered by the following owner(s): 1. GAWFCO ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED, 3669 MT DIABLO BLVD, LAFAYETTE, CA 94549. This business is being conducted by A CORPORATION. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious name or names above on 05/22/2024 declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: MOHAMMED AHMADI, PRESIDENT. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Sonoma County on MAY 30, 2024. (Publication Dates June 13, 20, 27 and July 4 of 2024 The Healdsburg Tribune).
Trustee Sale APN: 161-140-001-000 TS No: CA07001453-22-3S TO No: 2971265 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE (The above statement is made pursuant to CA Civil Code Section 2923.3(d)(1). The Summary will be provided to Trustor(s) and/or vested owner(s) only, pursuant to CA Civil Code Section 2923.3(d)(2).)
YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED August 22, 2016. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On July 17, 2024 at 10:00 AM, In the Plaza at Fremont Park, 860 Fifth Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95401, MTC Financial Inc. dba Trustee Corps, as the duly Appointed Trustee, under and pursuant to the power of sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust Recorded on August 25, 2016 as Instrument No. 2016074157, of official records in the Office of the Recorder of Sonoma County, California, executed by NICHOLAS WILLIAM PLOTNIKOFF, AN UNMARRIED MAN, as Trustor(s), in favor of MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. as Beneficiary, as nominee for SIERRA PACIFIC MORTGAGE COMPANY, INC., A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION NMLS:1788 as Beneficiary, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER, in lawful money of the United States, all payable at the time of sale, that certain property situated in said County, California describing the land therein as: AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED IN SAID DEED OF TRUST The property heretofore described is being sold “as is”. The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 9200 LAKEWOOD DRIVE, WINDSOR, CA 95492 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of
Photos courtesy of Edge Esmeralda
PLAZA PICNIC Each Thursday evening in June, Edge Esmeralda organizers invited participants and locals to picnic together on the lawn of the Healdsburg Plaza.
PANHANDLING, PETTY THEFT, PROBATION AND PARAPHERNALIA
Monday, June 10
10:11am A hit-and-run accident occurred on Greens Drive at Matheson Street. The driver of the other vehicle stopped to make sure the victim was okay, but then left before exchanging information. Officers responded and took a report.
11:51am Petty theft occurred on Highland Circle. A garage door opener was taken from an unlocked vehicle. An officer responded and took a report.
3:02pm Petty theft occurred at Safeway on Vine Street. A man came into the store three times and left with different items each time, including seltzer and laundry soap. The store was not willing to press charges, but was willing to file trespass paperwork against the man if he could be identified.
3:42pm A 39-Year-Old (YO) man was panhandling with an offensive sign and made obscene gestures at Big John’s Market on Healdsburg Avenue. The Reporting Party (RP) was a concerned citizen. The man was arrested and cited for violating probation, theft or misappropriation of lost property, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of methamphetamine and possession of a controlled substance.
4:39pm The RP on Johnson Street purchased a computer with security software and subsequently received a call from someone falsely claiming to be from the security company asking for permission to access his computer. The RP granted access. The imposter offered a
$200 reward for taking the RP’s time and then sent the RP $2,000, which the imposter demanded back. The RP completed the transaction. The RP’s bank, BMO, requested a police report. An officer responded and took a report.
6:29pm A 51-YO man was cited and released at Safeway on Vine Street on three outstanding Sonoma County warrants regarding illegal squatting, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Tuesday, June 11
• 6:46am Petty theft from two different vehicles occurred on Sunnyside Drive. The RP found items from the front center console of his unlocked vehicle scattered on the seat. The RP’s girlfriend indicated that a purse, containing a wallet, Social Security card and vehicle key, was stolen from the girlfriend’s unlocked vehicle. Subsequently, the bank indicated a transaction was declined at an area motel.
3:11pm Two locked vehicles were broken into while parked in the driveway on University Avenue. There was no sign of forced entry. An iPod and a coin purse were taken. The RP wanted the incident logged.
3:15pm A probation search was conducted near the Healdsburg Gas Mart on Healdsburg Avenue. A 39-YO man was cited for violation of probation, trespass, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of methamphetamine and possession of a controlled substance.
3:50pm RP on Boxheart Drive received a scam email posing as Amazon requesting personal information including her Social Security number and her credit card number, which
she provided. The RP subsequently realized she was scammed, although she did not lose money. The RP also reported the incident to the Federal Trade Commission. The RP requested an incident number.
5:20pm The RP indicated that two people were on a motorcycle driving recklessly at Badger Park on Heron Drive. Officers checked the area, but the vehicle was gone on arrival and unable to be located.
5:38pm A vehicle was stopped on North Street.
A 47-YO man was cited and released for violation of probation and theft or misappropriation of lost property.
8:08pm Two RPs indicated that a gunshot was heard near the Healdsburg Community Center on Healdsburg Avenue. A third RP indicated that the sound was a firework. The firework was thrown in front of the north side of the building and the debris was on the ground. A group of six juveniles were nearby. Officers responded, contacted the juveniles and confirmed the sound was a firework.
10:19pm A woman was screaming “Get out!” and throwing items in her room at the L&M Motel on Healdsburg Avenue. The RP believed the woman was alone because no one else was heard, and the woman had behaved in a similar way previously. Officers responded, but the woman was gone on arrival and unable to be located.
• 11:07pm A vehicle was stopped on Healdsburg Avenue at Powell Avenue for violating headlight rules, running a red light, making an illegal left turn, speeding and disobeying traffic signals.
A 38-YO man was arrested for drunk driving and resisting arrest. He was taken to county jail and his vehicle was towed.
Wednesday, June 12
10:11am The RP indicated that a reckless driver on Old Redwood Highway at Highway 101 was weaving in and out of traffic and attempted to run the RP off the road. An officer responded, but the vehicle was gone on arrival and unable to be located.
10:40am A 38-YO man was cited and released near McDonald’s on Healdsburg Avenue on an outstanding Sonoma County warrant regarding possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of methamphetamine.
• 11:15am The RP at Big John’s Market on Healdsburg Avenue indicated that a person came in on June 11 and took items valued at $83.70 including sushi, cheese, a beer, hot bar food and a shopping basket. The RP was willing to press charges.
12:07pm A vehicle was stopped on Dry Creek Road at Kinley Drive for violating tail light and window tinting rules. A 33-YO man was cited and released for not using a required interlock ignition device, driving with a license suspended for driving under the influence (DUI), lacking proof of insurance, violating probation and on two outstanding Sonoma County warrants regarding driving with a license suspended for DUI, possessing a firearm without a serial number and reckless driving.
• 2:20pm The RP indicated that someone entered his unlocked vehicle on Josephine Lane and took his garage door opener, opened the garage and stole his bike worth approximately $700. The RP was willing to press charges. An officer responded and took a report.
3:56pm The RP stated that a vehicle turned left
on West Grant Street at Grove Street and hit an elderly woman crossing the street in a wheelchair. The woman was transported to Healdsburg General Hospital. An officer responded and took a report.
6:59pm The RP indicated that a man and woman went through about seven mailboxes at Radiant Life Company on Healdsburg Avenue and stole a stack of mail. The RP was referred to the United States Postal Service. Officers responded to look for the suspects, who were gone on arrival and unable to be located.
• 8:15pm Multiple RPs indicated that a driver of a truck hit a pole on Grove Street at Farm Stand Road and fled on foot. Officers responded to look for the suspect, but the driver was unable to be located. The vehicle was towed.
9:54pm The RP indicated that a man and woman were in a verbal argument at L&M Motel on Healdsburg Avenue. The woman yelled at the man to leave and threw items. Officers responded and determined such behavior was an ongoing issue. Information was forwarded to a family therapist to follow up.
10:40pm The RP indicated that he and his friends played Ding, Dong, Ditch on Sunnyside Drive at Powell Avenue and one of the occupants of a house chased the RP, pinned him against a truck, hit him and showed him a firearm described as a black “Glock.” Officers responded, took a report and forwarded the information to the District Attorney for review.
Thursday, June 13
12:22am An officer saw a vehicle doing donuts under the overpass at the Dry Creek Road exit of Highway 101. The vehicle subsequently went westbound on Dry
Creek Road. Officers unsuccessfully tried to locate the vehicle.
• 11:33am The RP indicated that the RP’s vehicle was hit on June 12 on Grove Street. An officer responded and provided an incident number for insurance.
Friday, June 14
• 8:36am The RP indicated two men were in an argument at Badger Park on Heron Drive. Officers responded, but the subjects were gone on arrival and unable to be located.
12:29pm The RP indicated that her vehicle was rummaged through on Sanns Lane sometime between June 6 and June 12. The
5:32pm A
