Healdsburg Tribune July 19 2023

NEW ‘CLIMATE MOBILIZATION STRATEGY’ AIMS TO CHART PATH FORWARD

By Tyra Benoit

Imagine what Healdsburg might be like in 2035. On hot days, residents and businesses throughout the city of Healdsburg could be cooled by a stunning canopy of shade trees. Urban gardens, farms and vineyards would flourish with locally produced compost.

Children could safely ride bikes or walk to school. Protected bike lanes would be created for cyclists, crisscrossing the city from Highway 101 through downtown to north Healdsburg Avenue. Free on-demand electric shuttles would serve not just seniors but those who work in and around the city.

More of the water that flows through Healdsburg can be diverted into local aquifers. Recycled water from the wastewater treatment plant keeps the schools, local parks and Plaza green and lush, even during droughts. Sustainable sources of solar, wind and geothermal energy could supply Healdsburg Electric with almost all of the electricity it needs.

Climate Future, 5

SingleThread Leases Former Film Center

SPECIFIC PLANS REMAIN UNSPOKEN FOR 15,000-SQ. FT. CINEMA BUILDING

By Christian Kallen

Even as the new threescreen Plaza Cinema Center gained approval for a downtown Healdsburg location, the fate of the former Raven Film Center has remained uncertain, a 15,000-square foot question mark at the south end of the Mitchell Plaza shopping center.

It now appears that the film center may be headed in an entirely unexpected direction. Vertice Hospitality, known for their management of the Michelin-starred SingleThread Restaurant, signed a 25-year lease to redevelop the former fourscreen movie house in an “adaptive reuse” project that will house “multiple new hospitality concepts.”

The project will be led by SingleThread’s “next generation of hospitality and culinary leaders,” according to a July 14 press release from Vertice. However, a spokesperson shied away from making any specific predictions on what those “new hospitality concepts” could be. “As the space is quite expansive, they are considering many possibilities,” said a representative of Vertice Hospitality.

Given the multi-room layout of the former multiplex, it’s possible a Napa Oxbow-style adaptation could host several business endeavors under one roof. Or the wide recognition of SingleThread, combined with its relatively small seating capacity, suggests the added, larger space could accommodate demand. But absent some concrete evidence or reliable

There are two other dining establishments now in the Center Street strip mall, including Flakey Cream Donuts and El Taco Grande.

information, any speculation would be simply that.

Vertice Hospitality is co-owned by real estate developer and CEO Tony Greenberg, along with restaurant chef Kyle Connaughton and Katina Connaughton, who manages the SingleThread Farm. The trio launched the successful SingleThread Restaurant in 2016, which soon earned three Michelin stars to cement its reputation as one of the best restaurants in the North Bay, if not the state.

415 Center Street was built in 1956 as part of the Mitchell Center. The building was at one time a JC Penny’s store, but that closed down in the early 1980s as Coddingtown became a regional shopping hub.

The Mitchell Center has been owned and managed by the same family for three generations. Though CVS Pharmacy currently anchors the northern end of the shopping center, a number of large retail businesses have also been

DOWNTOWN VICTORIAN-ERA HOME TO BECOME VACATION RENTAL AND WINE BAR

By Christian Kallen

There’s only one block between the popular corner restaurants on Center and North to the residential district that begins at East Street. But soon pedestrians will realize that the transition block is part of the Downtown Commercial zone after all. A new wine bar and tasting room that will specialize in Champagne and other sparkling wines was unanimously approved by the Planning Commission

located there, including Ace Hardware, Molsberry’s and Longs Drugs. There are two other dining establishments now in the Center Street strip mall, including Flakey Cream Donuts (possibly the oldest still-serving restaurant in town) and El Taco Grande. Flying Goat Coffee has a small café there, as well as its roasting facilities. The coworking business CraftWork is also in the mall,

last week. It will open in a former office space tacked on to a 1900-era residence, at 134 North St.

The building was purchased in March of this year for $1.475 million by Sara Quider. She immediately applied for and received a vacation rental permit for the residential portion of the property. The vacation rental could open in a matter of months—a two-bedroom flat with dining area and small kitchen, already furnished.

The timeline is a bit longer for the tasting room: It requires significant remodeling, including ADA-compliant bathrooms, which

Photo by Christian Kallen

Photo by Christian Kallen

A CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS IN HEALDSBURG

Healdsburg

Museum

The new exhibit at the Healdsburg Museum, “We Are Not Strangers Here: African-American Histories in California and Healdsburg,” opens on Thursday, July 20, at 11am. The museum is located at 221 Matheson St., and open Wednesdays through Sundays from 11am to 4pm.

Indie Rock

Dad Country discoveries show up at Little Saint (25 North St.) on Thursdays at 7pm. On July 20, see singer/songwriter Conor McLaren, described by his fans as

“Bob Dylan doing a line of Oasis with a shot of Sublime.”

The One About…

Comedy writer and teacher Jesse Fernandez headlines this month’s Comedy Night at Coyote Sonoma. He’s joined by funsters Jeanette Martin and Marcus Williams. It’s on Friday, July 21 from 8-10pm, $15 presale, $20 at the door, 44 Mill St.

Cycle Tour

Formerly known as the Annual Healdsburg Bicycle Tour, this year’s Giro Vigneti Healdsburg gets on the road from the Mill District starting at 6:30am on Saturday, July 22. Sponsored by Rotary Club of Healdsburg Sunrise, the 36th year of this “health and wellness cycling tour” offers four distance routes, from

19.3 to 102.5 miles, each through the landscapes of the wine country. Sign up at girovignetihealdsburg.org.

Farmers’ Market

Healdsburg Certified Farmers’ Market will be held Saturday, July 22 from 8:30am-noon at the West Plaza lot. Live music and lots to shop for from local producers.

Sunday in the Plaza Groove with the tunes of Nate Lopez from the Gazebo stage while experiencing the relaxed picnic atmosphere of the Healdsburg Plaza, from 1 to 3pm on Sunday, July 23.

Samba Sounds

Hard-working jazz combo Samba Noma plays the Furthermore Wines room on Sunday, July 23, from 5-8pm. Features

Christian Foley-Beining on guitar and Ruth Ahlers on flute and sax, with Jim Passerell on bass and Kendrick Freeman on drums. Furthermore is at 328A Healdsburg Ave.

Saxophonics

Terry Hauck brings saxophone blues to the Elephant in the Room on Saturday, July 22, 8pm. 177 Healdsburg Ave., $10. Visit elephantintheroompub.com for all listings.

Tuesday at the Plaza Certified Farmers’ Market from 9am-12:30pm, Tuesday, July 25, at Healdsburg Plaza. Later, the park is taken over by the city’s Tuesday in the Plaza music program, this week with the Afro-Latin jazz fusion of the John Santos Sextet, 6-8pm.

GHG Open House

The City of Healdsburg’s developing Climate Mobilization Strategy will focus on key measures and actions most impactful in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

An Open House will be held Wednesday, July 26, from 6-7:30pm at the Healdsburg Community Center, 1557 Healdsburg Ave. More information at Healdsburg.gov/CMS.

Art After Dark

The community-wide street fair and art celebration returns on Friday, July 28, from 5-9pm. Various street art vendors, live performances and activity booths enliven Center Street from the Plaza to North. It’s free. healdsburgcenterforthearts.org.

Shakespeare

This year’s Theater in the Park show is The Comedy of Errors, a “madcap romp” (as the Bard didn’t say) with not one but two sets of twins. The Raven Players set the show in modern-day New Orleans during Mardi Gras. Performances in West Plaza Park at 7:30pm on Thursdays through Saturdays, July 27-29, Aug. 3-5, Aug. 10-12. Free.

STEAM Festival

Healdsburg Community Services partners with Corazon Healdsburg to support the children in the community, to prepare for the new school year through hands-onactivities and demonstrations for youth in grades K-12. Saturday, July 29, 7am-3pm at Healdsburg Community Center, 1557 Healdsburg Ave. Free.

Photo courtesy of Giro Vigneti

PEDALING IN PARADISE The 36th annual run of the Giro Vignetti, or vineyard bicycle tour, takes place on Saturday, July 22, starting at the Healdsburg Community Center at 6:30am.

City Distributes $50k to 8 Local Arts Projects

STREET SIGNS, DANCE PROJECTS, ‘PRUNE BOX DERBY’ EARN AWARDS

The long-time-coming city awards for local arts projects were finally distributed in June, resulting in 40% of the money going to a single public arts project along Foss Creek Parkway. Much smaller awards went to a variety of proposals designed to underwrite community arts and culture activities and visions.

It goes back to August 2021, when the City of Healdsburg adopted an Arts & Culture plan promising $50,000 to begin underwriting local arts projects.

The money was allocated in the FY 202223 budget, but it wasn’t until last month that the City Council finally took action to distribute the funds.

A solicitation for grants was distributed on May 20 for the first round of proposals, in both English and Spanish. According to Garrett Perdigao, recreation supervisor for the city, 27 proposals were received. They were evaluated by the members of the Creative Leadership team, Healdsburg High and the Parks and Recreation Commission’s arts subcommittee.

Just a month ago, the City Council finally adopted a resolution at the June 20 City Council meeting to approve grant funding for the justending fiscal year, FY 2022-23.

Awards were allocated based on artistic merit, community impact, feasibility and alignment with the Arts and Culture Master Plan.

The approved projects are:

Adopt–A–Stop: Replacing the existing stop sign pole at the corner of Center and Matheson streets with a sculptural version. While the proposed sign location is not feasible due to safety and traffic regulations, city staff will work with the applicant to find an appropriate location in town to support the project. (Grant amount $2,500) The 222 - Indigenous Voices: Funding four literary events at The 222 highlighting culture and traditions of Indigenous communities in Northern California. ($5,000)

Prune Box Derby: Proposal to fund an immersive art event to bring back a joyful legacy and invest in Healdsburg families and community. Inspiration for this immersive art event is based on the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art “Artist’s Derby,” which took place last year at the infamously steep McLaren Park. ($5,000)

Voigt Family Sculpture Foundation: Proposal to fund a collaboration with the Voigt Family Sculpture Foundation and internationally renowned sculptor Ned Kahn to expand placement of public art along an important section of the Foss Creek Pathway in Healdsburg. ($20,000)

Foss Creek Pathway Fence Beautification: Proposal to fund a woven yarn art on a section of

Foss Creek Pathway fencing that would be created by several different groups, over six sessions from July to December of 2023. ($2,500) Ballet Folklorico: Proposal to fund Ballet Folklorico Yolotl to continue the 37-year history of performing Mexican ballet in Healdsburg and neighboring communities. The project is a collaboration between Ballet Yolotl; Yolanda Giron, its founder and director

based in Healdsburg; and Latinos Unidos del Condado de Sonoma, a community based non-profit organization founded in 1966. ($5,000) Healdsburg Museum

Lighting Project: Proposal to fund illumination of the front of the Healdsburg Museum with an array of programmable LED lights creating energy and excitement after dark, along with installation of banners on the exterior of the

museum to complement the nighttime experience. ($5,000)

Healdsburg Center for the Arts – Art After Dark: Proposal to fund Art After Dark, a free, community arts event that takes place during the summer months with the mission of providing fun, creative evenings for residents and visitors, and increasing opportunities for local artists. ($2,500)

Photo by Kathy Birdsong

ARTS ON DISPLAY Stephanie Willshon-Butler, at left, and Alic Bunting show off their work at the June 23, 2022 Art After Dark on Center Street. The Healdsburg Center for the Arts received a $5,000 city grant to support the street fair, which will be held again on July 28.

FLASHBACKS

CURATED NEWS FROM ‘THE HEALDSBURG TRIBUNE’ OF YEARS GONE BY

100 years ago –

July 19, 1923

Ball Fans ‘Kick’ Against Aviators

Many complaints have been made by spectators attending the baseball games against the airplanes which, almost every Sunday, do flying tricks over the crowded grandstand and bleachers.

During the Napa game a plane swooped down over the bleachers, a few hundred feet from the ground, in a faked landing, and then rose to resume its flight toward Alexander Valley. It appeared as if the machine was going to land on the ball field so much so that players of the Napa team, then in the field, ran for safety.

The baseball management requests local flyers to refrain from these tactics, stating that the authorities will be appealed to unless the practice is discontinued. There is a state law against aviators performing tricks over places where spectators are assembled.

75 years ago –July 23, 1948

Crowds Increase at County Fair Night Saturday

Sonoma County Fair Night will be held at the band concert in the Healdsburg Plaza Saturday night, with guest entertainment in addition to the band including several of the entertainment acts to be presented at the forthcoming Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa.

With interest growing in the concerts each week, arrangements are being made for increasing the seating capacity in the Plaza to accommodate the evening crowds.

Last Saturday night more than 2,000 persons thronged the Plaza and sat in cars around it to hear Band Leader Roy Chilton and his Healdsburg Summer Band present an outstanding concert, with KSRO Announcer Jack Murphy as master of ceremonies.

Thrills a-plenty were provided the crowd by Cecil and Shirley, sensational roller-skating act

that formerly toured the world with CSO shows. Guest soloist last weekend was Joe Novelli of Santa Rosa, with community singing added as a new feature of the evening’s entertainment. This Saturday night’s show will include an array of dancing acts from Dinah’s Dancepades, along with “boogie woogie” by beautiful Norma Beshilas of the Alibi Club at Santa Rosa. The following week, July 31, will be “Fitch Mountain Night” at the band concert, with entertainment provided by Fitch Mountain residents and resorts.

50 years ago –July 19, 1973

Mill St. Interchange Bids Ordered

The call for bids on the Mill St.-Healdsburg Ave. interchange project was authorized by the City Council Monday night, signaling the end of the city's biggest traffic headache. City Engineer Robert Rose estimated the interchange costs at a total of $110,000. Of this the Northwestern Pacific Railroad and Public Utilities Commission are expected to contribute $40,000, with the city and county splitting the remaining $70,000.

The project will provide for left turn lanes on Healdsburg Ave., automatic gates to stop traffic for trains, and signals to allow traffic from Mill St. to cross. It will also widen parts of Mill St. to allow better traffic circulation and provide a right-turn lane on to Healdsburg Ave. going south.

The Healdsburg Museum and Historical Society is located at 221 Matheson St. Open hours are 11am to 4pm, Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is free, donations accepted.

Art After Dark

Photos courtesy of Healdsburg Museum and Historical Society

PLAZA STAGE A military-style band takes a bow from the old stage at the Healdsburg Plaza, circa 1939.

DERAILED In 1952, a trail derailed at the corner of Mill Street and Healdsburg Avenue, then known as West Street. The intersection is now the location of the beloved roundabout.

GAME DAY Baseball fans watch a game at Recreation Park, sometime in the 1920s. Rec Park was built for baseball in 1921.

Climate Future

➝ 1 If any of these ideas are of interest, one may join Climate Action

Healdsburg at the City of Healdsburg’s Open House on Wednesday, July 26, between 6 and 7:30pm at the Healdsburg Community Center. Snacks, childcare and Spanish interpretation will be provided.

Healdsburg has been fortunate this year. It has been cooler than normal. So far, there have been no major fires or smoke-filled skies. Reservoirs filled up during the winter. But this may change again. And just like the rest of the world, Healdsburg can't escape the climate crisis and needs to adapt.

The city is in a good position, with the financial means, dedicated city staff and active residents. It will take time and commitment in a small town of 12,000 residents to significantly reduce the emission of greenhouse gasses, but it can be done.

Healdsburg took a huge step forward this year. Since the City Council mandated a Climate Mobilization

Strategy, city staff have been hard at work developing a list of measures and actions to mitigate the impact of climate change. Difficult decisions will have to be made.

Transportation is the single biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Healdsburg by far. How can it be made attractive for people to leave their cars at home and find alternative ways to get around?

The Climate Mobilization Strategy will be presented to the City Council in September for implementation in the coming years. At the Open House, attendees will have an opportunity to view the proposals and discuss the questions about the unique climate challenges of the town.

Residents can have a direct impact on the choices that will be made and get involved with those who have already started to work on projects such as planting more street trees, composting more waste, reducing idling in town or bringing

back beavers to the Russian River.

Climate change has been in the news for years, and many have tuned out, thinking that the situation seems hopeless. Even though the world’s average temperature reached a new high on July 3, 2023, there are also signs that humans are collectively turning this around. Like many other communities across the world, Healdsburg is committed to bringing down emissions, but will need the support of its residents for this effort to be successful.

Measures that not only reduce emissions, but maintain Healdsburg’s smalltown character and make it a vital and healthy place to live and work, can make an impact. Climate policy is local. By attending the Open House on the evening of July 26, one can demonstrate support of the creation of a more beautiful, climateresilient Healdsburg.

Ty Benoit is the volunteer coordinator of Climate Action Healdsburg. Walter Niederberger of Healdsburg 2040 contributed to this story.

OBITUARY OF A DOG

Waffles

In great sorrow, we announce the passing of Waffles, whose full name was Wea Willy Waffles Willner. Waffles passed on July 3rd, one day before his 19th birthday.

Waffles was well known throughout Windsor. In his younger years, he was known in the soccer community for running on the field dressed as a mascot during halftime, to the joy of everyone. He dressed as the Green Flash, a unicorn and a pink bunny, to the laughs of all who saw him. He was often a distraction, as children wanted to hold and pet him before the game was over.

He later was designated as a therapy dog. Children would gather around to see him and take their turn holding him. He enjoyed being coddled in arms, like a baby. Waffles was so trusting and easy going that he could be held upside down! His motto was any lap in a storm.

Waffles was much loved in the Windsor School District

community, with his tongue hanging out and silly grin. The children would come running when they saw him.

He made everyone feel better and was happy to be by anyone’s side.

Waffles seemed to know who had a problem and would approach those in

need. Everyone who met him loved him!

Waffles loved sunbathing, ice cream and marshmallows. He enjoyed being in costume for any occasion, as it brought him attention and more pets.

He was greatly loved and will be missed by all who met him.

THE FUTURE IS NOW Penelope Nieto Gutierrez leads the Climate Protectors Parade at the Earth Day Climate Fest in Healdsburg in April 2023.

Photo by Erica Gutierrez

Packers on a Roll as 2023 Season Heads for Home

THREE-GAME SWEEP OF MENLO PARK SETS THE STAGE FOR ‘3-PEAT’

By Caleb Knudsen

As the final two weeks of the 2023 summer California Collegiate League season take shape, the Healdsburg Prune Packers remain in first place in the northern division with a league record of 22-3, 31-3 overall. But all eyes are on the season’s final week, when the Packers play a five-game series

against the second-place Walnut Creek Crawdads, July 25-29.

This past week, the Packers took on the Menlo Park Legend in a three-game series, all games played at historic Rec Park. The Legend is a community collegiate team. And though they don’t play in the CCL Northern Division, they have had a strong season against several common opponents.

In the first game, on Friday, June 14, Healdsburg took an early lead with the first pitch of the bottom of the first, courtesy of a solo home run

from Robbie Hamchuck.

The score would remain 1-0 until the bottom of the sixth, when the Packers’ Ivan Brethowr hit a two-run shot in his first game with the team. The 6-6 junior from UC Santa Barbara ended the day 2-for-5, making a strong showing and big contribution.

The Packers scored again in the sixth on an RBI single from Blake McDonald. Then they put the game away with a 5-run seventh. A slew of wild pitches from Jackson Snitco of the Legend staff brought in three of those runs, while the

Healdsburg platoon of Christopher Stamos, Wyatt Tucker, Grant Cherry, Michael Rice, Elliot Gallegos and Gary Hall allowed only a single hit in the 9-0 shutout.

On July 15, the second game of the series got started on a hot Saturday night. The Pack once again demonstrated their dominance with three runs in the first and four more in the second inning, eventually running up a 12-1 victory.

Hunter Dorraugh was 3-for-4 at the plate, with a double and an RBI; Brethowr was 3-for-5 with two doubles and

three RBIs; and Hamcuck was 2-for-2 plus two walks that kept him in scoring position all night.

Marv Guarin got the win with five innings of one-hit ball, that hit being a solo home run from Menlo Park’s Noah Zertuce in the fourth for the Legend’s only run.

The series ended on Sunday, July 16, with a noon start time as temperatures in Healdsburg reached the century mark. The final 5-3 score reflected the tightest game of the series, but once again home runs gave the win to the Pack.

The Packers had taken a 2-0 lead in the third inning, when Damian Bravo homered and Dorraugh, the next batter, got the first of his two fourbaggers of the game.

But the Menlo Park team seemed inspired by the heat, scoring three runs in the fifth to lead for the first time in the series. All the runs came off Noah Millikan, who only gave up three hits, but all of them productive for the Legend.

With their backs to the wall in the 7th inning, the Packers managed to score twice to regain the lead. Dorraugh was hit by a pitch to open the inning, scoring on Brethowr’s double. After Joey Kramer flied out, Cameron Nickens singled in Brethowr, though the Packers’ rally fell short of a big inning as they left three men on.

In the next frame, Dorraugh hit his second home run, providing the insurance that Healdsburg needed for the 5-3 win. The next two weeks promise some great baseball and perhaps the season’s biggest challenge. A three-game series against the Lincoln Potters (1112) is playing out through July 20, with the last game in Healdsburg.

That’s followed by a single game against the San Francisco Seals on Friday, July 21, then a 2-game set with the Solano Mudcats on July 22-23.

The season ends in grand style, as the 2nd place Walnut Creek Crawdads and the Healdsburg Prune Packers meet for a five-game series to decide the league pennant, July 25-29. Only the Crawdads (11-6 as we go to press) have posed a challenge to the Packers; in fact, all three of Healdsburg’s league losses have come at the claws of the Crawdads.

UPDATE: The Prune Packers suffered only their fourth loss of the season on Tuesday, July 18, at the hands of the Lincoln Potters, losing 13-8.

Home games are at 6pm at Rec Park; tickets are $8 adults or two for $15, kids free. Prunepackers.org.

Photo courtesy of NorCal Images

RISING MARINER Jared Sundstrom, who played with the Prune Packers in 2022 and at the outset of the 2023 season, was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 10th round of the MILB draft this month.

Photo by Christian Kallen

BETWEEN INNINGS The Healdsburg Community Band has become a fixture at Prune Packers baseball games, playing during the interludes between innings to mixed response.

‘Elvis Has Left the Building’ and Arrived in Cloverdale

THE KING LIVES ON IN FARCICAL PRODUCTION

By Beulah F. Vega

Live theater returns to the Cloverdale Performing Arts Center (CPAC) with Elvis Has Left the Building

It’s a farcical look at what was going on in the Colonel’s office that December of 1970 when Presley went to Washington. Written by mother and son team V. Cate and Duke Ernsberger and directed by Jonathan Graham, the show runs through July 30.

The Colonel (Tom Gibson) has lost a roulette game to an infamous gangster in Las Vegas. He now has 24 hours to produce Elvis for a command performance, but nobody knows where Elvis is. Hijinks ensue involving hypnosis, a stern German secretary (Angela Squire), an inept employee (Adam Paulsen), a skeptical protegee (Devin McConnell) and a nosy femme fatale reporter (Dawn Gibson).

The playwrights seemed to have relied on people’s love of Elvis

instead of putting any depth into the script, resulting in predictable one-note jokes. To be fair, the opening night audience’s laughter showed that where Elvis is concerned, depth is rarely needed.

CPAC has always been an impressive little technical theater, and this production is no different. It helps that every member of the production team is doing double duty. Scenic design, light design and stage management were all efficiently handled by board president Amy Lovato. Sound design was by director Jonathan Graham, and there’s impressive costume design work by artistic director Robert Zelenka. It should be no surprise, given the production team, that every member of the cast is a familiar face on the CPAC stage. Squire and both Gibsons have been appearing in CPAC shows since the beginning. McConnell has been in multiple shows, and Paulsen is the board’s secretary. Familiarity isn’t always a bad thing. But when there’s too much familiarity, things

can lose their edge. That isn’t to say that there aren’t good performances here. Gibson is perfectly cast as the scheming, irascible and yet loveable Colonel Tom. Squire’s Trudy is self-aware and unsubtly ridiculous in the funniest possible way. Though McConnell’s Candy is stiff, his performance after a “metamorphosis” is surprisingly fluid and funny. Other things that should be honed (like the inconsistent and unintelligible dialects used by all but Tom Gibson and Squire) are left to sort themselves out.

Despite its unevenness, if one just wants to have fun and celebrate a love for Elvis, this show will fill that niche. If one is looking for a razorsharp farce, well then, they’re headed for Heartbreak Hotel.

‘Elvis Has Left the Building’ runs through July 30 at the Cloverdale Performing Arts Center, 209 N. Cloverdale Blvd. Saturday, 7:30pm; Sunday, 2pm. $10 -$15. Special Club 99 performance Sunday, July 30, $50. 707.894.2219. cloverdaleperformingarts.com.

Photo by Jonathan Graham

KING Adam Paulsen plays an ‘inept employee’ who enjoys a moment in Elvis drag.

Bubble Bar

are now up a narrow flight of stairs.

Promising a diverse selection of sparkling wines, including some affordable quaffs for the casual imbiber, applicant Quider made her pitch to the commission for the Healdsburg Bubble Bar.

“I want it to be a special place for Healdsburg, for residents and tourists to come in and to celebrate,” she told the commission. “Weddings, retirement, a new job, a Wednesday, whatever they would like to come and just celebrate.”

She clarified she was not asking for any event allowance for the business, just anticipating the sort of “event” when people like to drink Champagne.

Quider has been in the wine business for 28 years, and was for many years a winemaker for Ferrari-Carano under

previous owners Don and Rhonda Carano. She now serves as VP of winemaking for the tri-state portfolio of its new owners, Foley Family Wines.

But she affirms that in her enthusiasm for sparkling wine, and in her long-standing interest in opening a room to feature its effervescent qualities, she acts alone without Foley’s support. (FerraiCarano has no sparklers in its cellars.)

She told the commission she envisions a “French bistro” styling for the otherwise neutral street-side space, most previously occupied by Licoco’s offices, whose tasting room remains on Matheson.

According to the application, the bar will be open six days per week, from 11am to 6pm (closed on Tuesdays). Interior improvements within the building will include a

new bar with four seats, a lounge area with 10 seats and an outdoor patio with six seats. The concrete landing outside the front door will be remodeled and fenced, to allow for extra outdoor socializing.

The Healdsburg Bubble Bar will showcase and serve sparkling wines from around the world (Champagne, crémant, cava, prosecco, etc.). The shop will also offer tasting flights, beer sales and retail sales of bottles of the wines served at the bar, as well as non-alcoholic sparklers such as kombucha.

But for Tom Rackerby, the opening of a Champagne bar across the street from his business could be a problem.

A CPA who has long had an office at 133 North St., he expressed his concern that yet another alcohol establishment in town is not conducive to the neighborhood.

“This project is encroaching on our neighborhoods. It’s encroaching on established businesses, and it’s going to be nothing but a big party time in downtown,” he said. He also questioned the impact on parking in the area, already severely limited by Valette’s parklet dining addition.

Thomas

Francis Weso

July 16, 1953 - July 14, 2023

Virgil Junior “JR” Cowan

July 9, 1942 - June 29, 2023

Known as JR Cowan, beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, great grandfather and uncle, passed away peacefully at home sitting on his back patio enjoying the view of his property. Work was JR’s middle name. He started at a young age working for Idaco, which became Boise Cascade and then RJW. After his daily job, he would cut and deliver firewood, which eventually developed into Cowans Healdsburg Tree Service. Cowan Healdsburg Tree Service was built on JR’s outgoing personality, respect for all people and his desire to help anyone in need. JR was so proud of his son Bill Chaney for taking over the business and continuing with the dedication and respect that JR had established. JR was known for being one of the most generous human beings and was always offering help to all. Jr was known by all for his wit and valued treasures that he collected from his tree jobs throughout the years. He had a love for hunting and spending time at his cabin up at the Geysers.

JR is survived by his wife of 43 years Patricia Cowan, daughters Charlene Wilson and Tami McPherson (Rob McPherson), son Bill Chaney, sister Emily Debenham (Dennis Debenham) and multiple nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by all.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, August 6, 2023, 12:00pm at Johnson’s Alexander Valley Wines, 8333 HWY-128, Healdsburg, Ca.

Another potential problem was discussed by cautious commissioners themselves, who brought up the 2017 “dispersion” component of downtown zoning that allows only one tasting room (or wine bar) per block face, meaning each side of the street.

The policy was initiated in 2017 to put the brakes

Thomas Francis Weso, born July 16, 1953, in Neopit, Wisconsin, died July 14, 2023, in Healdsburg. He is survived by his wife Denise (Dotson) Low-Weso; daughter PEmecewan (Fleuker) Meisel (Joshua) of Lawrence, KS; stepsons David Low (Allison), of Healdsburg and Daniel Low (Meiling) of Washington D.C.; and adopted daughter Diane Willie of Albuquerque; grandchildren Curtis Fleuker, Frances Meisel, Natalie Low, and Aidan Low. Other survivors are his sister Mary Walker-Sanapaw (Al Dick), brother Donovan Walker, and aunt, Nita Perez (Bobby). Other survivors are sister-in-law Jane Ciabattari (Mark) and brother-in-law David Dotson (Ginny). He was born on the Menominee Indian reservation in Wisconsin. He worked over fifteen years in Madison. He attended Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas, and the University of Kansas, where he received a degree in anthropology and a master’s degree in Indigenous Global Studies. He taught social sciences at Kansas City area colleges for 20 years. He wrote Good Seeds: A Menominee Indian Food Memoir (Wisconsin Historical Society Press), and Survival Food: North Woods Stories by a Menominee Cook, forthcoming, which will be launched at The 222, November 12, 2023. His Native American Stories for Kids won a Kansas Notable Book Award. He was known for his humor and political insights, especially on social media. Celebration of life at First Congregational Church of Santa Rosa at 2pm on July 23, 2023.

on runaway wine commerce of the Downtown Commercial and Plaza District zones. According to its terms, the goal of the ordinance is to “maintain a mix of retail services and uses within the downtown area to encourage economic diversity and services for residents and visitors.”

Fisher estimated that prior to the 2017 dispersion policy, about 30% of the Planning and Building Department’s applications related to tasting rooms; that number has now dropped to one or two a month, planning director Scott Duiven said.

But restaurants are not included in the dispersion allowance, assistant planner Jeff Fisher said. Neither Valette nor SingleThread across the street, both restaurants that serve alcohol, counts against the Bubble Bar’s plan.

Fisher also pointed out there are now very few block faces remaining in downtown Healdsburg that are available for a tasting room, likely making this location one of the last to be added.

It’s also notable that most tasting rooms get a conditional use permit that “runs with the land,” meaning it’s transferable not only to another leasee, but another property owner as well. Quider confirmed that if her Bubble Bar idea doesn’t pan out, she can lease the

already-licensed tasting room to another tenant.

Following the discussion, and lacking any real reason to deny the application, the commission voted unanimously to approve it. Next stops for Quider will be to get a building permit for the interior improvements, a signage permit, a city business license and a Type 42 (bar, tavern) license from the ABC, Alcohol Beverage Control. “I'm very, very thrilled to have the support of the commission,” said Quider. “It'll be a nice addition to the town of Healdsburg.”

When the meeting was adjourned and Quider’s plans assured, she turned to the half-dozen friends who joined her at the meeting and said, “Let’s go have some Champagne!”

The meeting also saw the re-election of Phil Luks as the commission’s chair and the election of Conor McKay as the cochair for the coming year.

Luks himself had nominated Tom Gerlach as the new chair, given that vice-chair Vesna Breznikar declined to take over the seat. Gerlach returned the favor, saying while he would be happy to serve at some point, he would rather see Luks continue in the role for the coming year.

With the vote, Luks turned his attention to the agenda, saying, “We’re off and running for another year.”

I'm very, very thrilled to have the support of the commission… It'll be a nice addition to the town of Healdsburg.

APPLICANT SARA QUIDER

Photo by Christian Kallen

CHAMPAGNE DREAMS Sara Quider imagines the French bistro-style, ADA-compliant, celebration-friendly Healdsburg Bubble Bar, to open early next year on North Street.

Film Center

along with a handful of other small storefronts.

The Raven Film Center opened in 1996 as a small-screen option to the larger Raven Theater on North Street in the former Penny’s location. Purchased in 2005 by the Tocchini family, who owned several other movie houses in Sonoma County, the theater closed down with the 2020 pandemic.

“We are excited that almost three years after dimming its lights, new life will be breathed into this Healdsburg landmark,” stated property

owner Mary Kellman of the Mitchell family.

“We are looking forward to passing the baton to Kyle, Katina and Tony as they revive and transform the space into a hospitality venue for the community."

Along with the announcement about the 425 Center St. lease, Vertice declared their purchase of 150 North St., an office complex on the corner of East and North.

The building was sold for $4.8 million earlier this year. It was built in the 1950s to house Jordan Oil and Gas by

Tom and Sally Jordan, who later moved into the wine agriculture business. That company is now known as the JOG Corporation.

Again according to the press release, “Vertice plans to collaborate with Dialog, an awardwinning architectural firm specializing in net zero architecture to repurpose the property for future mixed use.”

Vertice is also the current owner of River Belle Inn, at 68 Front St. The luxury bed and breakfast was the former home of Healdsburg wine pioneer Isabelle Simi. Vertice purchased that property in October 2022 for $7.25 million.

FOUNDERS From left, Tony Greenberg, Katina Connaughton and Kyle Connaughton are co-owners of Vertice Hospitality, which is expanding their Healdsburg real estate holdings.

Photo by John Troxell

CORNER LOT The low-slung office building at 150 North St. was sold to Vertice Hospitality, owners of the SingleThread restaurant a block away.

Photo by Christian Kallen