Healdsburg Tribune
Healdsburg Tribune
CORAZÓN HEALDSBURG COMMITTED TO ‘KNOW YOUR RIGHTS’ ACTION
By Marcy Flores
At Corazón Healdsburg,
we are deeply concerned about the implications of the recent election and the potential for mass deportations. This is not an abstract issue. It’s deeply personal and acutely affects our neighbors, coworkers, classmates and friends right here in Sonoma County. Since the election, we have been collaborating with partners to develop comprehensive plans to protect and support our community. We continue to make referrals to trusted legal organizations and are actively sharing “Know Your Rights” resources and other critical legal information. As part of these efforts, the Secure Families Collaborative of Sonoma County is offering free immigration legal clinics throughout the county. We supported La Familia Sana at one of these clinics in Cloverdale in November, providing resources and guidance. We have been sharing info for the other upcoming clinics in other locations.
We encourage others in our community to get involved. Amplify the voices of those impacted by sharing their stories. Advocate for your neighbors, and connect them with resources. Volunteer your time with organizations like Corazón Healdsburg to provide support to those facing fear and uncertainty.
We are committed to ensuring that everyone in our community knows they belong, regardless of their immigration status. We have
➝ Political Concerns, 4
Plugging In to Pick It Up
ALL-ELECTRIC FUTURE IS STATE LAW, BUT IT WON’T BE CHEAP
By Christian Kallen
Early risers on Dec. 3 may have heard an unfamiliar sound outside their homes: A strange whirring noise, not loud, interrupted by the crash and clatter of garbage cans being emptied and replaced to the curb. The crash and clatter were familiar, but not the whir and whine of the garbage truck itself. In fact, the noise the truck made was more familiar to owners of Prius’ and other EVs. The truck was a McNeilus side-load electric vehicle, or EV. Tracking its progress were City of Healdsburg Public Works engineers, evaluating the future of allelectric garbage trucks for
everyday waste hauling.
It was the second time a Recology EV truck had run its rounds in Healdsburg, according to Public Works Director Larry Zimmer. “The truck was driven from Santa Rosa, completed more than half of a normal route, and returned to Santa Rosa with 52% battery remaining,” he said. “Recology will continue testing the truck and researching battery performance over time.”
Indeed, that’s the point. “We regularly have routes that are running 12 hours from start to finish, where drivers are on the road for 12 hours, sometimes longer,” said Logan Harvey, senior general manager of Recology Sonoma-Marin.
“Basically we have to contend with 1,200 pickups and a thousand homes in these routes,” Harvey said. “We’re trying to determine if EV technology is capable of running that route.”
Said the ever-cautious Zimmer, “The initial results are promising and exciting, but there’s still more to learn about long-term performance and feasibility. Even if the truck continues to perform well, it’s unclear when these vehicles might be deployed in Healdsburg.”
Sonoma Connection
David Hagele, still mayor of Healdsburg for the month of December, was likewise enthused about the future of EV garbage trucks. “I’m excited about everything we can learn from Recology deploying an electric garbage truck in Healdsburg,” he said. “There’s a lot of good data related to the range for the truck, as well as the charging infrastructure needs/location to accommodate larger commercial EV’s locally.” Harvey, himself a former Sonoma City Council
LOCAL EYE DOCTOR WITH A GLOBAL VISION
DR. BARTH’S MISSION TO RETURN EYESIGHT TO THE BLIND
Staff Report
Healdsburg ophthalmologist Dr. Gary Barth has dedicated a significant portion of his life and career to restoring sight to those in dire need, particularly in developing countries.
Last month, Barth hosted a screening of Irene Brodsky’s award-winning
member, resigned to move to Seattle in 2011, where he became general manager of Recology King County. He returned to Sonoma County last year with a promotion to Recology Sonoma-Marin general manager.
Converting Recology’s local pick-up fleet from gasoline or diesel to all-electric is mandated by state law, and overseen by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
“CARB has an incoming requirement that the Recology fleet, and all heavy-duty fleets, are [to be] 100% zero-emission vehicles, I believe it’s by 2042,” Harvey said.
“On the path to that, there are certain targets that we’re required to hit. So we’re looking at different technology, whether it’s electric or hydrogen—they are kind of the main players, because eventually diesel and natural-gas trucks are going to be required to be
documentary, Open Your Eyes, which chronicled the journey of Nepali residents Manisara and Durga, as they confront a world blurred by cataracts due to extended exposure to the unforgiving Himalayan sunlight.
The screening took place at CraftWork on Center Street, and fully engaged the attention of many supporters and friends of Barth. Shot in a span of just three days, Open Your Eyes captured the couple’s challenging descent down the mountains in pursuit of a dream—to see clearly once again.
Both before and following the screening, guests could dive deeper into the landscapes and tales of Nepal, where Barth has spent years developing an organization and movement to restore eyesight to those whose vision has been impacted by cataracts. A gallery of his photos and those of others lined the CraftWork halls,
phased out,” he added. Recology had the firstin-the-nation EV garbage trucks, in use in Seattle (King County) several years ago. At first they were just rear-loaders, but now side-loaders—such as those seen in Healdsburg earlier this month—are in use as well.
Front-loaders, which pick up the large collection containers used in commercial accounts, are still some time away, as the technology to operate front-loaders is still in development. “Right now it’s more the residential side-load collection trucks that you see like in your neighborhoods,” Harvey said.
Obstacles
Despite CARB’s requirements, there’s no clear throughline from the current fleet of gas- or diesel-fueled trucks to a universal EV fleet. One hurdle is money.
providing the context for Barth’s moving tales of his humanitarian efforts.
Cataracts are cloudy areas in the eye caused by over-exposure to UV rays, an especially common problem among people who live at high altitudes and in outdoor sports enthusiasts. Surgery is the only effective treatment for cataracts, but surgical facilities and professionals are hard to come by in developing parts of the world. The event brought together 80 guests and has raised over $50,000 to date, with donations still coming in (bbheye.org). These funds directly support life-changing eye-care programs, including cataract surgeries throughout Southeast Asia, and the creation of Primary Eye Care Centers (PECCs) in underserved regions of Nepal. Barth, together with BBH Eye Foundation and partners, has helped restore
Photo
GOINGS
ON AROUND TOWN THIS WEEK & NEXT
CLOSURES
City of Healdsburg No city council or commissions meetings for the rest of the calendar year. City offices will be closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Dec. 24-25, and Dec. 31-Jan. 1, 2025.
Ongoing
“Toys on the Go” is the theme of the holiday exhibition at Healdsburg Museum, featuring toy vehicles collected by the late Steve Castelli and a model train display from Wayne Padd. Continues through Jan. 19, Wednesdays through Sundays, 11am to 4pm. 221 Matheson St.
THURSDAY, DEC. 19
Second Story Another singer-songwriter double bill on the
Second Story stage. Trevor Bahnson is a rock ’n’ roll romantic, Alicia Gail a Memphis-based indie. Another in a notable series of free concerts on Thursdays, from 6-9pm, at Little Saint, 25 North St., littlesainthealdsburg.com.
FRIDAY, DEC. 20
Holiday Sparkle Indulge in early evening shopping in Healdsburg’s Plaza District on Friday night. This is the perfect opportunity to support
Dans of Steel, a tribute band for the New York jazz rockers, Steely Dan (apologies to William Burroughs). They play the Elephant in the Room on Friday night, starting at 8pm. Cover is $10 at the door, 177 Healdsburg Ave.
SATURDAY, DEC. 21
Final Saturday Market
This is it: the final Farmers’ Market of the year, on Saturday, Dec. 21. Fresh local produce, holiday food and craft items; a great place to catch up with weekly friends. From 8:30am to noon in the West Plaza Parking Lot. Saturday Market to return April 13, 2025.
Lobby Jazz
Take a break from shopping and hang out in the Hotel Healdsburg lobby for a while in the Spirit Bar, where the Robb Fisher Trio plays standards and originals. With Fisher on bass, Ben Stolorow on piano and Brandon Etzler on drums. Music 6-9pm, no cover, limited menu available, 25 Matheson St. Mazzocco & Music
our local businesses and find special treasures for everyone. All shops open till 8pm. Sponsored by Healdsburg Chamber, stayhealdsburg.com.
Ruth Ahlers Jazz saxophonist Ruth Ahlers, with Brad Maestas (bass) and Gino Raugi (drums), brings it all together at Furthermore Wines on Friday night, from 5:30-8:30pm. No cover, 328-A Healdsburg Ave. Do It Again Reel in the years with
Ken Wilson’s Mazzocco Wines throws itself a party at the Coyote, and calls in the Fab Four—well, Hey Jude—for a tribute set we can all sing along to and dance with. Tickets $15 for this Dec. 21 show, starts at 7pm, Coyote Sonoma, 44-F Mill St.
Pagan Solstice
Enjoy a Solstice Harp Concert and Dinner at Geyserville’s Isis Oasis. Light wish candles for the coming year, shake bells for solstice, and
sing along with “Silent Night” and other holiday favorites. Tickets $5-$30. 5-8:30pm, 20889 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville. Swingin’ With the Season The Marcus Shelby Orchestra, with Tiffany Austin, perform a holiday jazz concert based on Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite at the Raven Theater. An amazing concert for young people and adults. Saturday, Dec. 21, at 7pm. Raven Theater, 115 North St. Tickets $25-$75 at the door or at raventheater.org.
SUNDAY, DEC. 22
Choral Concert
The choir of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church presents a choral performance of “Lessons and Carols” on Sunday, Dec. 22. The public is invited to sing along or simply listen as the choir tells the Christmas story. 5-6pm, 209 Matheson St.
THURSDAY, DEC. 26
Hanukkah
Join a community Candle Lighting on Thursday, Dec. 26, organized by the new organization Jewish Healdsburg. Gather in the Plaza beginning at 5pm for the lighting of the second candle of the menorah at 5:30pm. The Hanukkah celebration will continue until 7pm at Acorn Café. All are welcome, please RSVP at jewishhealdsburg.org/rsvp.
Post events on the Tribune’s online calendar at healdsburgtribune.com/ calendar and send special announcements to editor@ healdsburgtribune.com.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Christmas Culinary Celebrations
SOLSTICE SEASON FILLED WITH FEASTS
Staff Report
Don’t look now, but it’s almost Christmas. It may be too late to come up with the perfect celebration, but maybe not—several area restaurants have created special menus and events for the last big holiday of the year.
Start off early on Christmas Eve with “Breakfast with Santa” at Costeaux French Bakery, from 9-11am. Enjoy a deepdish quiche, lox omelette or even chilaquiles among other breakfast favorites, while the kids gaze wideeyed at Mr. Claus himself and more than 800 nutcrackers lining the wall.
Costeaux’s bakery is cooking up a holiday storm as well, featuring its celebrated cinnamon-walnut bread and other seasonal treats. 417 Healdsburg Ave, 7:30am to 2:30pm.
If it’s time for dinner, several local restaurants are happy to oblige. One of them is Spoonbar, the dining area on the ground floor of H2H. Years ago it adopted the Italian-American Feast of the Seven Fishes as its own annual contribution to the season, and the Feast returns this year.
This “festive culinary journey honors family and the bounty of the sea,” focusing on seafood since many traditional Catholics
practice abstinence from meat until Christmas Day itself. Spoonbar’s familystyle menu will include delicately prepared shellfish Dungeness Crab Fusilli; a bold, flavorful Baked True Cod; and dessert offerings that include Sicilian Cannoli, Amaretti and Warm Donuts.
Led by executive chef Wyatt Keith, the menu is an expression of Spoonbar’s innovative “SoCoMed” cuisine, bringing together the bold flavors of the Mediterranean
region with the bounty of Sonoma County.
The Feast of the Seven Fishes is $120 per person, at Spoonbar, 219 Healdsburg Ave., open 3-8pm on Tuesday, Dec. 24. Reservations are recommended, at (707) 433-7222. Also open in Healdsburg on both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve is Baci Cafe & Wine Bar, even though it is usually closed Tuesdays. It will be open from 3-9pm both days, and will offer a “very special holiday dinner” from
husband-and-wife team
Lisbeth Holmefjord and Shari Sarabi. 336 Healdsburg Ave. (707) 433-8111. Another Christmas Eve idea involves chefs Nate Davis and Dustin Valette’s Holiday Takeaway Dinner. The “indulgent holiday feast for four” includes a 40-oz. Prime Rib, roasted Brussels Sprouts, potatoand-celeriac Gratin, and Bone Marrow Focaccia. Orders must be placed by end-of-day Dec. 19; pick up Dec. 23 or 24; $256 serves four. 106 Matheson
St. (707) 723-1106. Down the highway toward River Road, John Ash & Co. promises a “special menu featuring a selection of seasonal favorites,” from the kitchen of new executive chef Sergio Howland. Dinner service is 5-9pm on Tuesday, Dec. 24. Prices vary.
Christmas Day Dinner (Dec. 25)
Spoonbar is also open on Christmas Day from 2-8pm when its Christmas buffet will be filled with seasonal
delights for a memorable dining experience. Dishes include classic Roasted Prime Ribeye, sides including Mixed Winter Brassicas and Crispy Smashed Potatoes, and indulgent desserts like Chocolate Hazelnut Cake and assorted Christmas Cookies. The special Christmas buffet is $95 per person, $45 for children 12 and under. Visit spoonbar. com/events/?id=64 to view the full menu, make a reservation via Open Table or for more information.
CRABFEST Loren Plum (left) and friends gather for Healdsburg Rotary Club’s annual Crab Feast, which took place on Dec. 14 this year. It is one of several community events to celebrate the season.
Photo by Rick Tang
JULIA CHILD CHANGED THE WAY AMERICA EATS
By Pierre Ratte
What’s your favorite holiday cookie? Probably not Oreos. Persimmon cookies are a fave in our house. Then there’s the traditional family cookies. Italian cookies with names like amaretti, anellini, biscotti, cicirata, cuccidati, giuggiulena, pignoli, pizzelle and torcetti.
Fun Facts: Julia Child was 6 feet 2 inches tall. During World War II, she joined the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), precursor to the CIA. She worked directly for General William J. “Wild Bill” Donovan in top-secret research and records. In the OSS, she created a shark repellent from kitchen ingredients to deter unintended detonations of undersea mines.
Posted to China and Sri Lanka, she received the Emblem of Meritorious Civilian Service from the OSS. Her file, which was declassified in 2008, is available in its entirety online in the National Archives, link bit.ly/4gyWU0t. Or search under her maiden name: Julia McWilliams. Posted to France in 1948 with her husband Paul—5 feet 9 inches tall—Julia Child graduated from Cordon Bleu in 1951. She began teaching and writing about cooking with Simone Beck and Louisette Bertholle.
Together they wrote Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Published in 1961 by Alfred Knopf, 3.5 million copies have sold.
In July 1962, Julia appeared on WGBH’s pilot, “The French Chef.” Her pay was $50 per show. Julia and The French Chef marked the beginning of America’s interest in fine food.
The movie Julie and Julia , released in 2009, starred Amy Adams, Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci. The film is based on a blog documenting Julie’s 365 days cooking all 524 recipes in Julia’s 726-page cookbook. The movie grossed $130 million on a $40 million budget.
Here’s a recipe of our favorite, persimmon cookies:
• Beat: 1 cup sugar, 1 egg, half-cup butter, 1 cup mashed ripe Hachiya persimmon pulp;
• Blend: 2 cups flour, 1 tsp soda, .5 tsp cinnamon, .5 tsp clove, .5 tsp nutmeg, .25 tsp salt. Optional: 1 cup raisins, 1 cup walnuts or pecans;
• Bake: 350F, 12 minutes or until brown but still soft.
Closing with Julia’s signature outro: Bon appetit!
EV FLEET
➝ Electric Future, 1
“Right now, give or take, a diesel or natural-gas collection vehicle will run us around $475,000,” Harvey said. All-electric trucks are currently at least twice that, $1.2 million or more. Diesel trucks are also more efficient—a full day’s route of 10-12 hours can be accomplished with an EV truck, but its “fuel” (charge)
efficiency drops the heavier the load is; a fully loaded garbage truck can haul more than 10 tons of yard waste.
“Those trucks can run a 10-hour route very successfully, [but] when it gets heavy or it has to haul long distance to a yard, then you start to have a lot of battery loss,” Harvey said.
“So we’d have to get oneand-a-half EV trucks to replace a diesel,” he added. That leads to the next hurdle: community buy-in.
“The technology is
always evolving,” Harvey said. “This is a conversation we’re going to be having with our communities as we are required to roll out and comply with these regulations—which direction we want to go, and how we’re able to pay for the higher expenses of these vehicles.”
He acknowledged, “That’s something that every community is going to have to start dealing with as we move forward to a more sustainable world.”
red and yellow immigration cards that can help immigrants understand their rights, and we encourage anyone with specific questions or looking for support to call our office at (707) 615-4567.
Marcy Flores is the executive director of Corazón Healdsburg, a bilingual family resource center.
DIRECTOR Marcy Flores of Geyserville has been with Corazón Healdsburg since 2019.
Photo courtesy of Corazon Healdsburg
➝ Political Concerns, 1
HERE’S JULIA Holiday baking. Cookies. Christmas tree ornaments. They are all here on a kitchen table Christmas tree. Look! There’s Julia Child!
Photo by Pierre Ratte
Photo Courtesy City of Healdsburg
SPORTS
REIBT Round-up for Host Healdsburg
GIRLS TAKE SECOND, BOYS THIRD IN 75TH ANNUAL TOURNAMENT
By Caleb Knudsen
The sounds of dribbling, squeaking sneakers and off-the-backboard goals resonated through Smith Robinson Gym (and the smaller East Gym) for the long weekend of the fourday Redwood Empire Invitational Basketball Tournament (REIBT). It was the 75th year of Healdsburg High’s own tribute to regional basketball, and whether for local fans or visiting teams, it did not disappoint.
Undefeated so far this season, the girls HHS Greyhounds came in topseeded, and they met that expectation right out of the game with a 47-35 win over Cloverdale’s Eagles on Wednesday night. Their dominance prevailed in their next game as well, Friday’s almost identical 47-35 win over Fortuna.
But it wasn’t easy getting there. The coasting Greyhounds were held to just two points in the third period, which forced their play into a higher level as they mounted a 21-point fourth quarter to pull away. Allie Espinoza led scoring for the Hounds with 16 points while Ruby Leffew was right behind her at 15.
Their seven-game winning streak ended Saturday’s tournament championship game when they met Justin-Siena High, of Napa County. Likewise undefeated so far this year, the Braves presented a solid offensive attack
with Lauren Keller for 16 points and Jordan Washington with 12.
Meanwhile Healdsburg’s leading scorer, Espinoza, was held to nine, and though the final score of 52-38 shows the game didn’t get entirely out of hand, it did demonstrate the superiority, at least in this game, of the Lady Braves.
Varsity Boys
On the boys side, Healdsburg’s Greyhounds tournament began with a dominant performance over Roseland College Prep, a 91-14 victory that was never in doubt. The Hounds held RUP scoreless in the first quarter and the score at halftime was 51-4, and Healdsburg’s baskets fell like dominoes all evening.
Pierce McWilliams scored 16, Thatcher Little hit for 14 and Teague Jasper for 13, and the high-scoring Greyhounds finished on top of the world Friday night.
If it was an exhilarating game for the Greyhounds, the next day reality came calling as Healdsburg played a double-header on the tournament’s last day. Despite 18 points from Ethan Overdorf and 11 from Little, Healdsburg fell to Kelseyville, 70-53.
The 75th annual REIBT ended that night for the Greyhounds with their loss to San Rafael, the eventual tournament champion, 83-42.
The tournament concluded with a secondplace finish for the hosting Hounds girls, and a thirdplace finish for the boys, behind girls champion
Justin-Siena and boys winner San Rafael. Selections for tournament players included Thatcher Little on the boys’ all-tournament roster, and both Ashley
Behrens and Allie Espinoza on the girls side.
Upcoming the boys and girls teams both enter another long-standing tournament, the 52nd annual Stokes in Kelseyville. Not
until after Christmas do normal one-on-one games return, with the girls playing Marin Catholic at home on Dec. 28, and the boys meeting Cloverdale on Jan. 3, 2025.
Gridiron Greyhounds Have Presence in All-League
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR GOES TO NATHANIEL ROWLAND
By Caleb Knudsen
Despite losing all of their Redwood Empire-Mountain League games and finishing the season with a 3-7 record, the Healdsburg Greyhound varsity team made their presence felt under first-year coach Criss Rosales.
“I believe we were able to bring life back to the program and to the community,” Rosales said. “Regardless of what the record says on paper, we were a very good football team this year and other coaches agree. We are a hungry team with a lot to prove.”
Nobody demonstrated that spirit, or hunger, like
Nathaniel Rowland. The senior lineman won the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award, with five sacks, 4.3 tackles per game, and constant pressure on opposing quarterbacks and rushers, leading his coach to bubble over with enthusiasm.
“He is an animal. There are not many players who have the passion, motor and attitude that Nathaniel has,” Rosales said. “He truly is that player that a coach will talk about throughout their career and use him as an example. One of the greatest Greyhounds of all time.”
Quarterback Nova Perrill II also rated well among the all-league selections, made by the teams’ coaches. Runner-up for Offensive Player of the Year, he easily made the league’s second team. “He really was the driving force to our offense. I really put a lot on his
shoulders with our offense,” Rosales said.
Other second-team honors went to running back Frank Rea, a sophomore this year. “The Healdsburg Greyhounds have always been known for having a monster running back lead the way, and I’m proud to say Frank Rea will carry the torch for us,” Rosales said, clearly looking forward to next year’s schedule.
Offensive lineman Isaiah Robles also rated a secondteam selection, as did defensive lineman Leo Kluse and linebacker Max Morris.
“We have a lot of dogs returning next year, and there are a few young guys that will be on the varsity lineup that will be big-time play-makers for us next year,” said the coach. “We have just started our offseason program, and these kids have winning a league title in their sights.”
Photo by Joe Rowland
GUARDING Amelia Wickersham (1) drives toward the basket against Justin-Siena’s Jordan Washington (23) in the championship game of the 2024 REIBT.
Photos by Michael Lucid
LAYUP Healdsburg’s Thatcher Little (33) goes up for two against San Rafael in the REIBT championship game on Dec. 14. Little was named to the all-tournament roster as the Greyhounds finished third in the five-team tourney.
Redistricting Underway as Council Selects Mitchell as New Mayor
NUMBER OF DISTRICTS, ROLE OF MAYOR AT ISSUE IN VOTING RIGHTS ACT COMPLIANCE
By Christian Kallen
The year’s last meeting of the Healdsburg City Council was fraught with signs and portents of the future, some of them just business as usual—the selection of a new mayor and vice mayor—and some of them with years-long impact.
In the former category, Evelyn Mitchell’s elevation from vice mayor to mayor for 2025, per the usual process of civic courtesy, was a given. But a bit of a surprise occurred when one of the two possible vice mayor candidates nominated the other, as Ron Edwards put Chris Herrod’s name forward.
Edwards, coming off his re-election to a fouryear term, could have been perceived as a favorite, and in fact Linda Cade in public comment following the nominations thought Edwards should be the mayor in 2024, skipping the stepping-stone seat altogether.
But Herrod was happy to accept Edwards’ nomination, and the eventual unanimous decision to make him vice mayor, and thus the presumed mayor for 2025.
GLOBAL VISION
➝ Local Doctor, 1
sight to more than 200,000 individuals in Southeast Asia since 2019—an incredible number of lives improved by applied science. Barth himself became committed to this effort when as a Williams College student of Indian Art and Religion he went to India.
“During the five months, I witnessed so much blindness that I redirected my studies to medicine,” he said.
Mayor’s Role
While the role of the mayor in Healdsburg is largely ceremonial—to chair meetings, issue proclamations and be the city’s public face—it is not entirely so. With the imminent elimination of the at-large election of City Council members to accord with the 2002 California Voting Rights Act, the role of the mayor could become much more important.
Paul Mitchell, of the consultancy Redistricting Partners that the city has engaged to manage the process of dividing Healdsburg into election districts, gave a lengthy but necessary overview of the coming change.
Though it is technically not a redistricting, but a “districting,” the process requires six public hearings of which Monday’s City Council meeting was the first.
There were two different pathways toward a CVRA-compliant model for council elections: A five-district model, with a single council member for each district and the mayor selected from the five (as in fact occurred in Monday’s meeting itself).
The four-district model would have four City Council members elected by the voters in their district, while a fifth seat (to prevent tie
votes in any civic legislation) would go to a mayor elected “at large” by all voting residents.
This is the process followed in Windsor, the most recent jurisdiction in Sonoma County to adopt a CVRA-compliant structure: four district-elected council members, and a mayor elected at large for two years. A similar structure is at play in Petaluma, though it has six districts and an at-large elected mayor. However, while council members are elected for four-year terms, the mayor is also elected for four years.
Healdsburg’s population is less than 12,000, while Windsor’s is more than twice that at 26,000 and Petaluma’s is almost 60,000. Santa Rosa, with a population of more than 176,000, has a similar structure to Petaluma’s, but with seven council members and a rotating mayor selected from among them.
Five, Six or Seven?
Based on size alone, the current default structure of five districts seemed reasonable to the council members. And the idea of electing an at-large mayor who would be more likely to represent the whole city than a specific district did
not garner much support among the sitting council members, though both Herrod and Kelley seemed open to the idea.
But Edwards, Michell and Hagele—a by-nowfamiliar alliance—leaned into the conservative approach of keeping five districts, and the “powersharing” approach of a mayor selected from them. And while both City Manager Jeff Kay and redistricting consultant Mitchell repeated that no decision was required in this first meeting, the sense of the majority was clearly to stick with the accustomed structure—“It’s working,” they repeated among themselves several times.
That direction was not entirely supported by the residents who viewed the meeting.
The assumption throughout Mitchell’s presentation was that there would be either four or five districts drawn in the city, based not so much on overall population but on numbers of registered voters. However, in a letter to the council received in advance of the meeting, and from comments made during it, the argument for a seven-district council was proposed.
While that would divide Healdsburg, with only 3.56 square miles, into relatively
small districts, it would also increase the possibility that a minority member (most likely Latino) would be elected to serve.
Phil Luks, the outspoken former chair of the Planning Commission and still a member, said that if the council created five districts without providing a demographic area from which a Latino member could be elected it would mean that redistricting was “a failure,” in terms of the CVRA requirements.
Mark McMullen, an even more-frequent public voice in council meetings, sent a letter to the council for the record in which he argued for enhanced representation and diversity through more than five districts.
“With more districts, there’s a higher likelihood of representing Healdsburg’s various communities, including our significant Hispanic population (28%) and other minority groups,” he wrote. “This directly addresses the concerns raised in the lawsuit.”
It would also, he said, “create a more responsive, inclusive, and future-proof governance structure for Healdsburg.”
The council’s advocacy to keep things as they are, with a five-district council and selected mayor, also drew criticism following that decision. Merrilyn
Joyce said she approached the council members during the break following the redistricting discussion but was “not heard.”
She wrote that her “passion for democratic process is strong and that passion went on high alert last night after your unanimous decision to lock in the number of districts and the mayoral question in this first ever districting hearing which had minimal public input.”
Rebecca Miller also weighed in by a message to the Tribune, “The council’s actions last night railroaded this decision through, without community input or even acknowledgement of the proposed process that was laid out in advance.”
The second of the six required meetings on the redistricting is scheduled for the next City Council meeting, the first of 2025, on Jan. 6. Following that Mitchell and Redistricting Partners have five weeks to work up a proposed districts map, which would be presented Feb. 18. Two meetings would follow on March 17 and April 7, where the final map would be presented.
The city’s information page on the process can be found at Healdsburg.gov/ districtelections.
The BBH Eye Foundation is a nonprofit, humanitarian foundation that supports comprehensive eye-care services at no charge to lowresource communities in underdeveloped countries. It was founded in 2019 by Dr. Barth, Jack Blanks and Gary Hahn.
Dr. Barth also has an ophthalmology practice in Healdsburg at 640 Healdsburg Ave.
Guests also heard moving stories from Barth’s “Cataract Chronicles,” highlighting his 25 years of humanitarian work among the people and cultures of India, Nepal, Cambodia, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Vietnam. There are now nine Chronicles live online on the BBH Eye Foundation website at bbheye.org/ gary-barth-chronicles.
EXTENDED FAMILY On Dec. 16, the City Council cleared the way for the Healdsburg Community Center to be named for Abel De Luma (sixth from left), who with his family posed with the council for photos.
Photo courtesy of City of Healdsburg
Photo courtesy of BBH Foundation
LEGAL NOTICES
: 01/15/2025 at 10:00 AM Place of Sale: In the Plaza at Fremont Park, Fremont Park, 860 Fifth Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95401 Estimated amount of unpaid balance and other charges: $275,470.94 Street Address or other common designation of real property: 97 Kennedy Lane #6, Healdsburg, CA 95448 A.P.N.: 002-591-009-000 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address or other common designation, if any, shown above. If no street address or other common designation is shown, directions to the location of the property may be obtained by sending a written request to the beneficiary within 10 days of the date of first publication of this Notice of Sale. If the Trustee is unable to convey title for
12/26/2024 (Pub Dates in Healdsburg Tribune 12/12/2024, 12/19/2024, 12/26/2024) NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE T.S. No. 24-30472-JP-CA Title No. 240363739-CA-VOI A.P.N. 066-322-032-000 YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED 12/31/2012. 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 PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. A public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash, (cashier’s check(s) must be made payable to National Default Servicing Corporation), drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state; will be held by the duly appointed trustee as shown
*Performing such
and duties
may be directed by the City Council from time to time.
If you are interested in applying, applications are available on the City’s website under Government: Boards and Commissions at https://healdsburg. gov/177/Boards-Commissions or by emailing rallan@healdsburg.gov. All completed applications must be submitted to the Office of the City Clerk by 5:30 P.M. Tuesday, January 7, 2025. Dated: December 5, 2024
Raina Allan, City Clerk NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE T.S. No. 24-02459-GM-CA Title No. 240435545-CA-VOI A.P.N. 002-591-009-000 YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED 12/10/2015. 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 PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. A public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash, (cashier’s
company, either of which may charge
a
for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property. NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call 800-280-2832 or visit this internet website www. ndscorp.com/sales, using the file number assigned to this case 24-02459-GM-CA. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the internet website. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale. NOTICE TO TENANT*: You may have a right to purchase this property after the trustee auction pursuant to Section 2924m of the California Civil Code. If you are a “representative of all eligible tenant buyers” you may be able to purchase the property if you match the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction. If you are an “eligible bidder,” you may be able to purchase the property if you exceed the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction. There are three steps to exercising this right of purchase. First, 48 hours after the date of the trustee sale, you can call 888-264-4010, or visit this internet website www.ndscorp.com, using the file number assigned to this case 24-02459-GM-CA to find the date on which the trustee’s sale was held, the amount of the last and highest bid, and the address of the trustee. Second, you must send a written notice of intent to place a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 15 days after the trustee’s sale. Third, you must submit a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 45 days after the trustee’s sale. If you think you may qualify as a “representative of all eligible tenant buyers” or “eligible bidder,” you should consider contacting an attorney or appropriate real estate professional immediately for advice regarding this potential right to purchase. *Pursuant to Section 2924m of the California Civil Code, the potential rights described herein shall apply only to public auctions taking place on or after January 1, 2021, through December 31, 2025, unless later extended. Date: 11/26/2024 National Default Servicing Corporation c/o Tiffany and Bosco, P.A., its agent, 1455 Frazee Road, Suite 820 San Diego, CA 92108 Toll Free Phone: 888-264-4010 Sales Line 800-280-2832; Sales Website: www.ndscorp.com A-FN4829784 12/12/2024, 12/19/2024,
sole and separate property Duly Appointed Trustee: National Default Servicing Corporation Recorded 01/11/2013 as Instrument No. 2013003312 (or Book, Page) of the Official Records of Sonoma County, California. Date of Sale: : 01/10/2025 at 10:00 AM Place of Sale: In the Plaza at Fremont Park located at 860 Fifth Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95404 Estimated amount of unpaid balance and other charges: $3,044,045.04 Street Address or other common designation of real property: 11278 Eastside Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448 A.P.N.: 066-322-032-000 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address or other common designation, if any, shown above. If no street address or other common designation is shown, directions to the location of the
lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property. You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder’s office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property. NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call 714-730-2727 or visit this internet website www. ndscorp.com/sales, using the file number assigned to this case 24-30472-JP-CA. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: 1. TAD’S ENTERPRISES, 2. LA DOLCE AUDIO, 2723 AZTEC STREET, SANTA ROSA, CA 95403 COUNTY SONOMA: Is hereby registered by the following owner(s): TERRY LEE GESUALDO, DEBBIE RAE GESUALDO, 2723 AZTEC STREET, SANTA ROSA, CA 95403: This business is being conducted by A MARRIED COUPLE. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious name or names above on 8/13/2002. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: DEBBIE GESUALDO, PROPRIETOR. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Sonoma County on NOVEMBER 11, 2024. (Publication Dates December 5, 12, 19, 26 of 2024 The Healdsburg Tribune)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT - FILE NO: 202403369 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: 1. CECILIA THE HOLISTIC NUTRITIONIST, 42 WEST GRANT ST UNIT 203, HEALDSBURG, CA
CRIMES
& CONCERNS REPORTED TO HEALDSBURG POLICE, DEC. 2 - 8, 2024
Residents and others are encouraged to call Police Dispatch as needed at (707) 431-3377, operational 24/7
Monday, Dec. 2
11:24am A vehicle was stopped at Simi Winery on Healdsburg Avenue for violating vehicle registration rules. A 56-year-old (YO) man was cited for possessing false identification, driving without a license, violating vehicle registration rules and lacking proof of insurance. The identification was seized for evidence.
1:35pm The Reporting Party (RP), a witness, indicated that a hit-andrun accident occurred at Tayman Park Golf Course on South Fitch Mountain Road. The RP could not describe the suspect vehicle and stated that the victim was somewhere on the golf course. The RP was asked to have the victim and witnesses call the Healdsburg Police Department when the victim returned from the golf course.
Tuesday, Dec. 3
• 1:42pm The RP, the owner of Flyers on Healdsburg Avenue, stated multiple transients were on the property. Officers responded and contacted the subjects, but they were not on the RP’s property.
• 2:28pm Graffiti was reported on Dry Creek Road at the railroad tracks.
2:34pm Graffiti was reported at Healdsburg Community Center on Healdsburg Avenue.
3:15pm An unlicensed driver was cited on Bailhache Avenue.
4:32pm A woman stole $60 worth of food at Big John’s Market on Healdsburg
Avenue. An officer responded and took a report.
11:23pm An officer saw a truck with a trailer parked in the fire zone on Healdsburg Avenue at South University Street. The officer contacted three subjects who were loading a vehicle into the trailer. The trailer was stolen from Santa Rosa. A 54-YO man was arrested and transported to county jail for receiving a stolen vehicle. A 53-YO man was cited and released for possession of drug paraphernalia. The truck and trailer were towed, and the registered owner of the trailer was notified of the recovery.
Wednesday, Dec. 4
7:43am A man was sleeping at the Rite Aid Drugstore on Healdsburg Avenue on the dock facing Grove Street.
The RP requested officers to respond and advise him to leave. The RP also wanted trespassing paperwork filed against him. Officers responded, contacted the man and conducted a probation search. The man was advised of the complaint and a trespassing letter was filed against him.
11:52am Reckless driving was reported on East Street at Piper Street. A vehicle drove through three or four stop signs starting from University Street at March Avenue. An officer responded, but the vehicle was gone on arrival and unable to be located.
• 1:14pm A warrant officer on Orchard Street contacted a 69-YO woman. She was cited and released on an outstanding Sonoma County warrant regarding driving under the influence (DUI) and violating probation.
3:57pm A vehicle at Circle K on Healdsburg Avenue was stopped for violating registration rules. The driver was cited and released for driving without a license and lacking proper vehicle registration.
4:35pm A warrant officer on Matheson Street contacted a 63-YO man regarding an outstanding Sonoma County warrant. He was cited and released
POLICE LOG
on warrants regarding brandishing a weapon or firearm, possession of methamphetamine, public intoxication and criminal threats.
5:12pm The RP said his vehicle was hit on Mason Street and the suspect driver made an obscene gesture toward the RP. The suspect refused to stop, so the RP followed the suspect.
At 5:20pm, a person called about a verbal argument on Mason Street between the RP and the suspect. Officers responded and the parties exchanged information. Prosecution was not desired.
Thursday, Dec. 5
12:11am A warrant officer on University Street at Piper Street stopped a vehicle for having a suspended registration. A 43-YO man was cited and released on two outstanding Sonoma County warrants regarding misdemeanor hit-andrun and possession of a controlled substance.
7:19am Graffiti was twice reported on Lupine Road.
1:49pm A man tried to use counterfeit bills at Big John’s Market on Healdsburg Avenue. He subsequently used a different form of payment. He did not know
•
that law enforcement was called, and sat at a table on the patio. Officers responded and contacted all parties. Big John’s Market declined to press charges because they received a valid form of payment. A report was taken for property destruction.
2:26pm A warrant service officer at the Dollar Tree on Vine Street contacted a person with six outstanding warrants. The person was advised of the warrants and given a ride out of city limits.
2:55pm A vehicle was stopped on Hwy 101 at Old Redwood Highway for violating registration rules. The driver was cited and released for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
3:12pm The RP on Kennedy Lane advertised a bed for sale on Facebook Marketplace and was contacted by a scammer. The RP was sent $2,500 through a cash app and then someone called her and kept her on the phone for four hours during which time she was defrauded of approximately $500 to $600, resulting in a negative balance in her bank account. The RP wanted an incident number for her bank. The RP waited for a
call from her bank’s fraud department and froze her credit with three credit bureaus and the Social Security Administration.
Friday, Dec. 6
10:58am Graffiti was reported on Dry Creek Road at the railroad tracks.
11:16am The RP on South Fitch Mountain Road indicated she tried to get her keys from a man and needed to pick up her son. The RP disconnected the call prior to answering questions. Dispatch called back and spoke to the RP. The RP said she was able to get her keys and was on her way to get her son. The information was noted.
Saturday, Dec. 7
1:46am A vehicle was stopped for speeding near Jerry’s Valero on Dry Creek Road. A 40-YO woman was arrested and brought to county jail for DUI.
9:17am A man was sleeping at Starbucks Coffee on Vine Street and refused to leave. Officers had responded about the same man previously. The RP wanted to file trespass paperwork against the man. Prior to law enforcement’s arrival, the RP called back to say that the man had left the store.
8:58pm
Sunday, Dec. 8
7:25pm
LOCAL CAT SAVES CHRISTMAS
- A local cat showed its owners this Christmas that it
said the cat’s owner. “I didn’t even know cats knew what golf was, and this morning, I unwrapped a fully fit set of golf clubs. Incredible.” The cat, who refused to comment, also purchased an Adidas T-Shirt, two pairs of shoes, a rain jacket, a gift card for lessons, range balls and cocktails along with two dozen Srixon golf balls, receiving a third for free. “The cat was easy to work with. Not only was he generous, he was a savvy shopper and took advantage of our many holiday deals,” said Frank Johnson, the club’s operator. “We’re hoping that the cat comes back, the very next day.”
Photo by Christian Kallen
SHINE A LIGHT The Healdsburg Police Station is located at 238 Center St.