CITY RESCINDS 2020 WATER CONSERVATION REQUIREMENTS
NEAR-RECORD
RA INFALL SPELLS THE END FOR YEARS-LONG DROUGHT
Christian KallenBy
The sidewalks from last week’s deluge had barely time to dry when the City of Healdsburg on Monday night lifted mandatory water conservation policies, imposed almost three years ago to combat the drought that has afflicted Sonoma County and the rest of California.
The policies were related to Stage 2 Mandatory Water Shortage Requirements, which required a 20% reduction in water use from residents and businesses in city limits. The city had at one time been under Stage 3 water use restrictions of 40% due to “extreme drought conditions,” per the state of California.
After early rains in the fall of 2021, the City reduced mandatory water restrictions back to Stage 2 to target a 20% reduction in water usage.
Healdsburg was one of the most successful communities in the state at reducing water usage, far above the 20% requirement, to almost 35% reduction in water usage overall. That success was qualified however by the fact that water use per capita in Healdsburg has historically been high, according to Utility Director Terry Crowley’s report to the city council.
However, on March 24—thanks to abundant and record rainfall across the state—the governor’s office all but announced the drought was over, repealing the statewide requirement for a voluntary 15% reduction in water use, and the requirement that municipal water suppliers (such as Healdsburg) hold at Stage 2.
Starting during the
UN’S ‘THIN ICE’ STATEMENT HITS HOME WITH COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS
By Christian KallenThe window of opportunity is closing for a coordinated response to combat climate change, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said recently. “Humanity is on thin ice—and that ice is melting fast,” said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. “Our world needs climate action on all fronts—everything,
everywhere, all at once.”
That includes even towns like Healdsburg, where over the past five years a group of dedicated residents has pushed the climate agenda forward— first demanding that climate become one of the City Council’s goals for 2022-23, then working to keep the process energized when it began to falter. Their efforts culminate with an upcoming Climate Fest to be held on Earth Day, April 22, where up to 60 climaterelated organizations, businesses and agencies will share their vision with the public through displays, activities, music and
inspiration, at the Healdsburg Plaza.
Seed of this movement was Healdsburg 2040, a grass-roots network of activists that grew out of the Sustainable Design Assessment Team's (SDAT) 2018 visit to Healdsburg. There are now four workgroups within Healdsburg2040. org, some with as many as 20 members who have been meeting since SDAT left town over five years ago.
Although SDAT was designed to help “communities develop a vision framework for a sustainable future,” it was missing a crucial component.
“HB 2040 years ago initiated the discussion about climate change, when we realized that climate was not even mentioned in the SDAT report in 2018,” said Walter Niederberger, a Swiss journalist who has lived with his wife, Anne, in Healdsburg since 2015 and has been part of HB 2040 from its inception.
Granted, the Healdsburg City Council had adopted a climate emergency declaration in 2019. But the city still lacked a comprehensive Climate Plan, with formal goals and staff/budget allocations. So Healdsburg 2040 pushed the city to prioritize climate action in last
HEALDSBURG JAZZ REVEALS 2023 FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
JAZZ MASTER
DIANE REEVES, RISING STAR
SAMARA JOY HEADLINE
What some like to call “Sonoma County’s premier summer music and wine event,” the Healdsburg Jazz Festival returns to full flower and robust musical health for its silver anniversary this summer.
The festival celebrates its 25th anniversary from June 17-25, with a varied lineup of artists who
year’s goal-setting session to develop a framework for projects to achieve tangible GHG reductions.
Climate Action Healdsburg
After that meeting, a core group of 10 met on the eve of Earth Day 2022, asking what more they could be doing to address climate change. Over the past year, that group, now known as Climate Action Healdsburg, has become a busy hive of locals putting their energies and expertise toward environmental problem-solving. The group now numbers about
represent the “past, present, and future of jazz”— the theme for this year’s musical celebration.
“This year marks the 25th year anniversary of the Healdsburg Jazz Festival and will be my third year as artistic director,” said composer/bassist Marcus Shelby. “I am proud to say that we have accomplished our vision of creating a nine-day summer festival that is musically, artistically and culturally diverse…”
The Healdsburg Jazz Festival partners with Grammy Award-winning artists, Michelin-starred chefs, exceptional wines, independent filmmakers, spoken word artists and visual artists for a memorable nine days in wine country. It unites residents and visitors
STARTING GUN Competitors in the 2022 Lake Sonoma 50, a 50-mile run around Lake
A CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS IN HEALDSBURG
Lake Sonoma 50
A half-marathon, marathon and 50-mile run will be held at Lake Sonoma this weekend, April 7 and 8. Race finish lines at Lake Sonoma Visitor’s Center; more information at Healdsburg Running Company, 333 Center St.
Day of the Beaver Friday, April 7 is the International Day of the Beaver, a holiday created in 2009 by Beavers Wetlands & Wildlife (B.W.W.). It kicks off a month of beaver news and information at Healdsburg Regional Library, which will have display tables about the national animal of Canada and a signature creature of North American
streams. On display until April 29, at 139 Piper St., open daily.
Elephant Songs
John Courage Trio comes back to the Elephant in the Room on Friday night, April 7, at 8pm.
$10, 177 Healdsburg Ave. Elephantintheroompub. com
And Furthermore…
Crescent Moonshine returns to Furthermore Wines on Saturday, April
8. Check out the interview in the March 2 Healdsburg Tribune. 5-8pm, 328 Healdsburg Ave.
Tika Tunes
Tika Moon and the Moonshines bring their harmonies to Coyote Sonoma on Saturday, April 8. 7-9pm, no cover. 77 Mill St. Coyotesonoma. com
Planning Commission
The City of Healdsburg
Planning Commission meets on Tuesday, April 11, at 6pm. At Council Chambers, 401 Grove St., or view online at facebook/ CityofHealdsburg.
Parks and Rec
The city’s Parks And Recreation Committee will meet on Wednesday, April 12. The agenda will be posted a week before the meeting. Attend live at 401 Grove St., 6pm, or view on facebook/ CityofHealdsburg.
Farmers’ Market
On April 15, the Healdsburg Certified Farmers’ Market returns to West Plaza Parking Lot at North and Vine, and every Saturday thereafter into December, from 8:30am to noon.
Wear White Second annual Healdsburg En Blanc benefit for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma-Marin
on Saturday, April 15, “an evening soiree” benefiting more than 600 area children and teens. One rule: Wear white. Villa Chanticleer, 6-10pm, tickets $150 at bgcsonoma-marin.org/ healdsburg-en-blanc
Grunge Saturday
Celebrate tax day on April 15 with a grunge immersion at Coyote Sonoma, where Corduroy: A Pearl Jam Experience pays tribute, and the Stone Temple Peruvians open. Ripped jeans, Pendletons preferred. $20, 8-10pm, Saturday, April 15, 77 Mill St.
Healdsburg Chorus
Two performances of the Spring Concert from Healdsburg Chorus, a community group of singers, who ask, “How Can I Keep From Singing?” Find out Saturday, April 15 at 7pm, and Sunday, April 16 at 3pm at the Raven Theater. Tickets
$20. More information at healdsburgchorus.com
City Council
Healdsburg’s City Council will meet on Monday, April 17, for their regular twice-monthly meeting. The agenda will be posted a week before the meeting. Attend live at 401 Grove St., 6pm, or view on Facebook/ CityofHealdsburg.
Great Redwood Trail Public meeting of the Great Redwood Trail Agency board of directors, to be held Thursday, April 20, at Healdsburg City Council Chambers, 401 Grove St., 10:30am.
Earth Day Climate Action Healdsburg and the City of Healdsburg combine forces to hold a Climate Fest on Saturday, April 22 in the Healdsburg Plaza. Interactive displays, events for
grownups and kids, music and speakers from 1 to 4pm. More information at climateaction healdsburg.org
Seniors Meet
The next scheduled meeting of the Senior Citizens Advisory Commission Meeting will be Wednesday, April 26, at 4pm at City Council Chambers (401 Grove St.).
Final Meeting “Is the Dream Alive and Well in Healdsburg?” is the title of the fifth and final encuentro in Healdsburg’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion series. This meeting explores contemporary and historical experiences of the Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community in Healdsburg and Sonoma County. Thursday, April 27, 6:30pm at Healdsburg Community Center. Healdsburg.gov/dei
Drought’s Over
summer of 2020 and lasting through the fall of 2022, Sonoma and Mendocino counties experienced prolonged and historic drought conditions. These conditions depleted water storage in Lake Mendocino and Lake Sonoma, requiring the City to implement mandatory water conservation measures.
The last few months have brought nearrecord rainfall to Sonoma County and Healdsburg, filling the two Russian River reservoirs to their limit. Lake Sonoma, which on Oct. 1, 2022 contained only 42% of storage capacity, now sits at over 106%. Six months ago, Lake Mendocino held only 36% of capacity; now it’s over 99%.
Cumulative rainfall totals in the area generally put the year-todate total at about 50 inches, almost 15 inches in March alone, though there’s a range of numbers from different locations. The rainfall year is marked from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30, the
months of most seasonal precipitation.
The long and the short of it: Due to increases in stored water and Gov. Gavin Newson’s recent Executive Order lifting statewide requirements, the City of Healdsburg no longer has either the supply shortage or the provision “that requires mandatory conservation measures,” according to the report presented to the City Council at their April 3 meeting.
But as director Crowley said at Monday’s meeting, “There are still state requirements for not wasting water. Those are pretty simple things, common sense you know—not over-spraying on the sidewalks, not over irrigating so much that you have runoff, not washing a car with a hose that doesn’t have an automatic shutoff valve…”
Other state limitations prohibit outdoor watering within 48 hours after one quarter inch or more of rainfall; and no washing of hard surfaces like driveways or sidewalks
that do not absorb water, as well as several restrictions on the public use of water for decorative purposes, such as lawns or fountains.
Added Crowley, “We will continue to reach out to the community and educate them about the safe use of water, or the conscious use of water, through the summer, as we go into irrigation season. So it’s not that we’re looking forward to the next drought, but we need to plan ahead for that.”
The city’s website has an April 4 “news flash” or FAQ on the rescinding of the restrictions, at healdsburg.gov/Civic Alerts.aspx?AID=627. It states, “Historically, Healdsburg used about 50% more water per capita than other cities in the County prior to the 2021 drought. While consumption was higher than other cities in the region before the drought, Healdsburg residents have made substantial reductions in their water usage during the drought.”
Additional city information on conservation is found at smartliving healdsburg.org
EVIDENCE Tools recovered from a traffic stop of a vehicle just outside city limits on April 4 are “commonly used in the commission of a burglary,” said Healdsburg Police.
COPS CATCH CATALYTIC CONVERTER SUSPECTS
TOOLS, GPS POINT TO BURGLARY TARGETING PRIUS-TYPE VEHICLES
By Christian KallenAt about 2am on Tuesday, April 4, Healdsburg Police noticed a GMC Adadia crossing the double-yellow line on Healdsburg Avenue north of the city, and conducted a traffic stop near Lytton Springs Road.
During the stop, officers observed multiple construction tools on the back seat of the vehicle, which police described as “commonly used in the commission of a burglary—specifically the theft of catalytic converters.”
Sawzalls, a car jack, bolt cutters and an impact gun were found and confiscated, and a photo of them was posted on Facebook with a brief description of the incident.
In addition, when one of the suspects gave permission to police to access his phone, a search revealed that the suspect had a photo of removed catalytic converters on it.
The officers also found that the driver had the vehicle’s GPS navigation set to five specific residential addresses in Healdsburg, based on addresses found in his phone history. Subsequently it was
found that most of these addresses were affiliated with Toyota Priuses, “one of the most common vehicles that burglars target for their catalytic converters,” according to the post.
The source of those addresses is being investigated.
Both suspects were arrested for multiple charges, including felony conspiracy and possession of burglary tools, and taken to county jail. One of the suspects was identified as 28-year-old Edwin Valdez-Romero of Suisun City. Confirmation of the identity of the second suspect, also an adult male, is still pending.
“Residents associated with the targeted addresses have been contacted and advised of this incident by police,” concluded the social media post.
Poetry Month at the Library
MAYA ANGELOU, W.B. YEATS AND LOCAL LAUREATES IN REMODELED MEETING ROOM
By Jon HauptWe here at the Healdsburg Regional Library are excited to have our meeting room refreshed so that it is more comfortable and ready to serve the large number of events and programming over the next year— and when our larger full library refresh project takes place, most likely starting in early 2024, we will be able to provide some services out of this room while the rest of the building is closed for construction.
Now that the carpets have been installed and new paint applied to the walls in the library’s meeting room, it’s back to business. The library is hosting a wide variety of free events in April that we invite the public to enjoy.
April is National Poetry Month, and several of our programs this month will have related content. On Saturday, April 8, from 2 to 4pm, we are pleased to co-host a Maya Angelou Celebration with Healdsburg Jazz.
As in previous years, this event will honor Dr. Maya Angelou’s legacy on the occasion of her birthday week. The celebration will feature performances by special guest poet and curator Nia McAllister, Healdsburg Jazz poet laureate
Enid Pickett, choreographer and dancer Aimee Rose and alto saxophonist Phil Vieux, as well as bassist and Healdsburg Jazz artistic director Marcus Shelby. The program will also include an open mic for any poets in attendance.
On Wednesday, April 12 from 6 to 7:30pm, our longtime “great works” book club, the Joe Mesics Literary Canon, will discuss the poems of William Butler Yeats. Book clubs in our library system aim to appeal to a variety of audiences, and this club is of special interest to those looking to read or reread books of historical note and analyze what makes books “great.”
The library will offer a special Poetry Open Mic Night on Tuesday, April 18 at 6pm. This event, presented by the library along with two special guests—former Healdsburg literary laureates Russ Messing and John Koetzner—offers a chance to share a poem or two with other local poets, poetry lovers and anyone else who is willing to give it a try. For those not up for sharing just yet, we still recommend the event as an opportunity to listen to neighbors’ creations.
Teens & Tweens
This has been a great year for teen programming at the library, with weekly popular programs on Wednesday afternoons including Game On! for gaming teens, as well as Anime Club and Universal Yums. The
fun continues on Friday, April 21 at 3pm with our monthly Smash Bros Gaming Tournament. This is for teens who love playing Smash Bros or who know of someone who would like to compete. Come one, come all to our tournament and determine who is the champion this month.
It has come to our attention that a special hangout for tweens would be a win for our community. This month, we’re proud to roll out a new series of Tween Hangouts every Monday afternoon from 3:30 to 5pm. We will have a different program every week. In April, we have oversized games and Ozobots, forest and fairy houses, Universal Yums and book making—all aimed specifically at grades 4 through 6. We have
CONTACTS FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS
Healdsburg City Council
Ariel Kelley (mayor), David Hagele (vice mayor), Ron Edwards Chris Herrod Evelyn Mitchell (council members). City of Healdsburg , 401 Grove St., Healdsburg, CA 95448. Phone: 707-431-3317.
Email: City Clerk Raina Allan rallan@healdsburg.gov; website healdsburg.gov/179/City-Council
Sonoma County Supervisor
4th District Supervisor: James Gore Supervisors Administration Building, 575 Administration Dr., County Room 100A, Santa Rosa, CA 95403. Phone: 707-565-2241.
Email: district4@sonoma-county.org
Website: sonomacounty.ca.gov/ administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/ board-of-supervisors
State of California
plenty of programming aimed at lower grades and teens, and we hope that this particular age group will benefit. Check in with us or on our calendar for what’s coming up next month. This year, our Homework Help program is back for anyone from grades K–12 looking for a little assistance understanding their homework. Given the popularity of the program and the different school release times, we’ve now expanded to offer Homework Help on Wednesdays from 4 to 6pm and Thursdays from 3 to 4:30pm. We look forward to seeing students there.
Jon Haupt is the branch manager of the Healdsburg Regional Library, 139 Piper St., Healdsburg. Open daily.
2nd District Assemblymember: Jim Wood, 50 D St., Suite 450, Santa Rosa, CA 95404. Phone: 707-576-2526. Email: assemblymember.wood@assembly.ca.gov
Website: a02.asmdc.org
2nd District State Senator: Mike McGuire 50 D St., Suite 120A, Santa Rosa, CA 95404. Phone: 707-576-2771.
Email: senator.mcguire@senate.ca.gov
Website: sd02.senate.ca.gov
United States
U.S. Congressman Jared Huffman, 4th Congressional District, Sonoma County office: 206 G St., Unit #3, Petaluma, CA 94952. Phone: 707-981-8967.
Email: huffman.house.gov/contact
Website: jaredhuffman.house.gov
U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510. Phone 202-224-3841. Email: feinstein. senate.gov/public/index.cfm/e-mail-me
Website: feinstein.senate.gov
U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510. Phone 202-224-3553. Email: padilla.senate. gov/contact/contact-form
Website: padilla.senate.gov
Climate Agenda
➝ 1
25 engaged volunteers.
“We know there's a problem, but what's the best way forward?” asked Ty Benoit, who helped push-start Climate Action Healdsburg into action a year ago.
A former history professor and dean at Santa Rosa Junior College, Benoit can’t stop bringing her energy and organizational skills to bear on community issues. She’s also president of the Healdsburg chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), which continues to be active in public education.
“As a history professor, my emphasis was teaching about civilizations and why they rise and fall, and how climate sometimes makes a big difference in terms of both the development and the demise of civilization,” said Benoit.
That academic interest was transformed in 2017 into something far more personal. “After we lost our house in the Tubbs fire, I became much more interested in current science and current information about the climate crisis,” she said.
Benoit now chairs the meetings of Climate Action Healdsburg (climateactionhealdsburg.org), which has made their presence felt throughout the city’s climate strategy efforts.
“The City/Rincon and Associates should be providing some direction soon about the criteria that will be used to prioritize the ideas that have been generated from the community,” Benoit said this week.
The group is given heft by the contributions of Anne Arquit Niederberger, a Swiss climate scientist and policymaker who has advised financial institutions, private companies and national governments on climate and clean energy action plans and programs, including the Nobel Prize-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which issued the recent dire warning mentioned earlier.
“Rome is burning, and we need to act as much as we can, as fast as we can,” said Anne Niederberger. “Where I come from as a climate person, I want to have the biggest impact possible.” That includes taking action locally to have an impact globally.
Making Plans
At the urging of Climate Action Healdsburg, the city signed with experienced environmental advisors Rincon Consultants in November 2022, for a budgeted $106,000, to research, outline and deliver a Climate Mobilization Strategy to the City Council. That work, now
ongoing, includes several public meetings and two surveys enroute to a final CMS for Healdsburg to be delivered in August. (The progress of this effort can be followed online at Healdsburg. gov/cms.)
Rincon possesses statewide experience with climate action and resilience planning, including in its portfolio many cities across the state, as well as regional agencies such as Sonoma County Regional Parks and the County of San Mateo. “A huge chunk of the work they’re doing is technical work,” said Assistant City Manager Andrew Sturmfels, who is overseeing the Climate Mobilization Strategy. Terra Sampson of the Utility Department is the project manager.
“The other piece of the work that we’ve asked them to engage on is the public outreach component,” saud Sturmfels. That’s where the common interests of the City of Healdsburg, Rincon Consultants and Climate Action Healdsburg intersect Rincon’s latest community workshop was held March 1, an online-only brainstorming meeting, though a group of Spanish speakers shared access from a room at the Healdsburg Community Center. It did not go well. The online meeting utilized an “idea board” technology that was, to most attendees, ill-explained and ineffective.
identity + strategy + design
“The risk with virtual engagement events can be that access to the technology can at times be cumbersome,” said Erik Feldman, Rincon’s principal in charge of the Healdsburg contract. “However, on the flip side, virtual engagement can provide convenient access to a wider swath of a community that might not have the time, resources or inclination to travel for public participation.”
Public Input
But Climate Action Healdsburg was moved to set up a conference with Rincon and city staff a little over a week later.
All participants agree it was a positive meeting, helping the three groups reach common ground in their common interest. “And basically we talked about how we can improve the
citizen engagement process going forward. So it wasn’t really dwelling on the past; it was about what can we do better,” said Anne Niederberger.
“They are an incredibly knowledgeable stakeholder group on this topic, and this project is very important to them,” said Sturmfels.
However, he added, while Climate Action Healdsburg is an important stakeholder, “I don’t want it to be lost that we’re engaging the entire community on this process.”
He cited recent meetings with high school students and senior citizens, the Rotary and the Chamber of Commerce. Said Rincon’s Feldman, “Our goal is to help the city present information and gather feedback from the community to build out a draft CSM that will be presented to City Council and posted for public
review and comment, prior to adoption.
Fortuitously, the perfect opportunity for greater public engagement is right around the corner. Rincon Consultants will have booths at the April 22 Climate Fest, as will the City of Healdsburg, to gather more direct information from the event attendees, and to share answers.
While the co-sponsorship of the City of Healdsburg is welcome, the Earth Day event has been almost wholly planned by Climate Action Healdsburg, coordinated by Judy Fujita, with a group of 25 other volunteers who are making it their mission to put climate at the center of Healdsburg’s public conversation.
“The good thing is the city agreed to partner with us,” said Fujita. “I think it’s going to be great.”
Rome is burning, and we need to act as much as we can, as fast as we can. Where I come from as a climate person, I want to have the biggest impact possible.
SNAPSHOT OF THE WEEK
Getting Nutty With the Way of Water
AMOUNT OF H20 IT TAKES TO GROW A WALNUT
By Pierre RatteLast week, it was cheese. This week, it’s nuts. No, not crazy. Not nutty.
Nuts—like almonds, like walnuts and pistachios. Much was made of almonds’ water usage, requiring one gallon per nut. Whoa! That is a lot of water! A question
might be: Compared to what?
The fact of the matter is crops in California, more or less, require three acre-feet of water. Three acre-feet equals one acre of land, with standing water three feet high, or approximately 1 million gallons.
That million gallons does many things: It goes back into the ground, transpires to the atmosphere, grows the tree, leafs out the tree, produces flowers and finally
Healdsburg Jazz
artists performing amid the backdrop of 180 surrounding wineries and 30 gourmet restaurants.
Said Shelby, “We will honor the African American holiday Juneteenth with a powerful lineup of musical artists, celebrate Father’s Day featuring this year’s multiGrammy Award-winning artist Samara Joy, and we
will give thanks to our founder Jessica Felix with a special tribute to Pharoah Sanders and Joey DeFrancesco,” both of whom passed away in the last year.
This year’s theme of “Healdsburg Jazz: Past, Present, and Future” is reflected in the festival line-up, which includes rising stars Joel Ross and
produces fruit, which might be nuts.
A million gallons per acre helps Mother Nature and farmers fill supermarket shelves with fresh fruit and vegetables week after week.
For context on water usage, consider the following: 1 almond = 1 gallon, 1 pistachio = 2 gallons, 1 walnut = 5 gallons, 1 orange = 13 gallons, 1 apple = 18 gallons, 1 pound of alfalfa hay = 100 gallons. Poor little almond seems maligned.
Camille Thurman, as well as legends Dianne Reeves and Charles McPherson. Poetry performances, film, photography exhibits and educational offerings throughout the nine days of the festival help round out the offerings beyond jazz to the total creative contributions the music and its maker have brought to world culture. With both ticketed and free community concerts, the Healdsburg Jazz Festival promises something for everyone. Notably, several big-draw artists will play not in a concert hall but at the Bacchus Landing tasting room complex on Westside Road. These include Samara Joy (a Father’s Day show on Sunday, June 18), the Bill Frisell Trio (on Thursday, June 22), the Pharoah Sanders & Joey DeFrancesco Tribute Concert (Friday, June 23) and Dianne Reeves (Saturday, June 24).
Other venues include the Madrona, Hotel Healdsburg’s Garden Court and its Spirit Bar, and the Elephant in the Room. A special film and concert featuring Bay Area percussionist John Santos will be held at the Raven Theater on Monday, June 19.
There’s a good dose of community-oriented music, too. Saturday, June 17 will see a free Juneteenth celebration in the Healdsburg Plaza, with spoken word
It’s been a long rainy winter. Mother Nature is smiling. The hills are ever so green. The reservoirs are filled. Streams are flowing.
Nutty fun facts: Almonds: CA: 1.37 million acres, producing 2.8 billion pounds; 80% of world and 100% of domestic supply. Spain and Iran, the next largest growers, produce: 0.7 billion pounds combined. Almond trees take about three to four years to harvest a crop.
Average economic life span is 20-25 years.
Walnuts: CA: 400,000 acres, producing 720,000 tons; 14% of world and 100% of domestic supply. Top producing countries by tons: China (2.5 million), U.S. (720,000), Iran (320,000), Turkey (225,000), Mexico (170,000) and Ukraine (126,000). Walnut trees take about 8-10 years to produce a crop, with an average economic life of 35 years.
Pistachios: CA: 375,000 acres, producing 500,000 tons; 75% of world and 100% of domestic supply. Top producing countries by tons: U.S. (500,000), Iran (135,000), Turkey (25,000), Syria (8,000), EU (4,000). Pistachios are pollinated by the wind, not bees. It takes a pistachio tree five to seven years to produce a harvestable crop, and 15-20 years to reach full production. Pistachio trees’ lifespan can reach 100 years.
artists, as well as gospel and straight-ahead jazz. Carlitos Medrano and Sabor de mi Cuba return to Tuesday in the Plaza on June 20, also free.
The nine-day series of concerts concludes on Sunday afternoon, June
25, when Dr. Michael White and his Original Liberty Jazz Band perform a Tribute to Sidney Bechet at Ferrari-Carano Winery in Dry Creek.
“We are very thankful to the city and community of Healdsburg
and hope you can enjoy and cherish nine days of music and art in wine country for our 25th anniversary,” said Shelby. Tickets are available for members as of April 4, at healdsburgjazz.org/ purchase-tickets
POLICE LOG
PARTIAL LIST OF INCIDENTS REPORTED TO HEALDSBURG POLICE, MARCH 19-25
Sunday, March 19
• 11:03am. Graffiti reported on Ward St., which the Reporting Party (RP) believes is gang related, located on the front post of his property this morning.
12:58pm. Officer initiated activity at 7-Eleven, Healdsburg Ave. Vehicle stopped for registration and defective lighting violations. A 47-yearold male was arrested and taken to county jail on an outstanding Sonoma County nobail warrant for DUI and failure to appear.
Monday, March 20
7:15am. Unwanted Subject at Healdsburg City Hall on Grove St. City employee called to report that there is a woman sleeping in the bathroom near the Council Chambers at City Hall. Officers responded and made contact with two subjects who claimed they were using the restroom
7:30am. Grand Theft on Sunnyside Dr. RP called to report that sometime overnight the tool boxes of his truck were broken into and $5000-$6000 worth of tools were taken. RP believes the neighbors may have video footage
8:38am. Unwanted Subject at Flying Goat Coffee on Center St. blocking the sidewalk near the Raven Film Center. RP also believes she’s smoking pot. Subject was gone from location but was located behind the Raven Theater. No further assistance needed.
• 11:47am. Disruptive behavior reported at Plaza Park on Healdsburg Ave. Officers responded, no subject was located.
2:43pm.Report on embezzlement at Aaction Rents on Grove St. RP called to report on a piece of equipment that has not been returned and is past the rental period.
Equipment is a Pipe Die & Ratchet; cost is $456.45 on contract.
RP states they have attempted contact with the subject and sent out a Final Demand Letter on March 4, 10 days
after the equipment was due to be returned.
Tuesday, March 21
9:43am. Petty theft reported on Sherman St. RP said two pairs of shoes were taken off his porch last night. RP does have video feed and states the value of both pairs of shoes is approximately $100. Report taken.
6:22pm. Occurred at Healdsburg Community Center on Healdsburg Ave., 2-vehicle accident with property damage only.
11:29pm. Stolen Vehicle reported from Latigo Ln. residence. Earlier this evening the RP arrived home to find his vehicle that was parked in front of his house was gone. He went inside his house and noticed the second set of keys were gone. He drove back to his friend’s house on Sunnyvale and called HPD. The vehicle’s license plate was hot-listed and a county-wide be-onthe-lookout (BOL) alert sent. Early the next morning, Cloverdale Police located the vehicle and a pursuit south on Hwy. 101 ensued. Cloverdale Police lost contact with the vehicle due to weather conditions. (Vehicle was located in Oakland on March 23.)
Wednesday, March 22
12:44pm. Petty theft reported at Big John’s Market on Healdsburg Ave. from March 18; RP stated a shoplifter stole approx. $182 of goods. Store wants to charge.
2:50pm. Reckless driver reported on Larkspur Dr., a blk Corvette was seen doing donuts at the end of the dead-end. Officer responded and checked the area. Gone On Arrival/ Unable to Locate.
3pm. Officer initiated activity at Shelton’s Natural Food Market, Center St., led to citation issued to an unlicensed driver.
Thursday, March 23
1:43pm. Fraud reported at Summit State Bank on Vine St. RP states there’s fraud charges on his account, multiple charges over the course of the last 6 months. Came from their checking account which the RP has since closed. Total charges taken were approximately
$6,000 w/ multiple transactions.
• 2:27pm. Vehicle recovery, Healdsburg Police Department on Center St. The vehicle reported as lost to the Stolen Vehicle System on March 21 was recovered by Oakland Police Department.
5:32pm. Officer initiated activity at Big John’s Market, Healdsburg Ave., as a result of Flock hit for a National Crime Information Center warrant. Officers responded, vehicle located in parking lot unoccupied w/ a dog in the front. A 41-yearold male was arrested for a warrant out of the state of Washington.
8:38pm. Annoying/ Harassing Phone Calls at Healdsburg Police Department on Center St. Received a call with loud reggae music playing and no response from the caller. The music stopped and then the caller disconnected. Phone number is associated with harassment calls.
• 9:45pm. Domestic dispute was reported from Healdsburg Running Company on Center St., in progress down the alley next door for 5-15 minutes. Female is crying and RP hears banging. It is dark down the alley, and the RP cannot see any descriptors, but can hear that it is a female and a male.
9:47pm. Public Intoxication at Valette on Center St. Female was screaming, stating
a male manager tried to rape her. She is being removed from the business. Dispatch could hear loud screaming from the female. A 22-year-old woman was arrested for public intoxication and resisting arrest, and transported to county jail.
Friday, March 24
• 8:07pm. At East St./ Mill St., RP just caught the children who stole the RP’s son’s scooter ($1,000 value) and took possession back of the scooter. RP states all the children have scattered in different directions. Dispatch could hear a verbal disturbance between the RP and another male, and the RP disconnected. Officers responded, and the item was returned to the RP.
10:26pm. Public intoxication at Dry Creek Inn. RP is 3rd party and received information from the Uber driver, who states a female passenger is extremely drunk and is needing a paramedic. The female is in the back seat vomiting, and the male with her abandoned her. Officers responded; the female was released to family.
Saturday, March 25
10:55am. Disturbance at Victory Apartments on East St. RP stated there is a male who is blaring music and yelling profanities. RP attempted to ask him to keep the music and yelling down, but then he began yelling
profanities at her. He is in his backyard. RP and male share a fence line. RP wants the male to keep the music down, stop taunting her dog and not blare music/scream. RP also believes his behavior is aggressive.
2:04pm. Reckless Driver at Redwood Hwy./Dry Creek Rd. BOL from CHP for a reckless driver. Gray Toyota Prius ending in 834, vehicle seen weaving in-and-out of traffic and rude hand gestures. No desc of the driver. Officer responded to the area and was unable to locate.
• 2:24pm. Fraud reported at Healdsburg Police Department on Center St. RP received mail from someone stating the RP owed money for a collision her vehicle was involved in. She called the number and could tell the scammers were fishing for additional information. She provided no personal or identifying information and checked with her insurance.
• 3:01pm. Drug Activity at Redwood Hwy./ Lytton Springs Rd., Healdsburg. Two people in a late model pick up were arrested, a 27-year-old female and a 35-year-old male, on multiple drug activity charges and outstanding warrants from Sonoma and Mendocino counties. Charges include possession of paraphernalia, possession and intent to sell of
methamphetamines, destroying or concealing evidence, possession of a controlled substance in a state correctional facility, petty theft, violation of probation and vehicular violations.
• 7:40pm. Reckless Driver was reported on Piper St. when a RP stated there is a truck “chasing a kid in a playful but reckless manner. The kid was running while being chased by the truck, like racing to see how fast he could run.” Juvenile and vehicle were last seen south on Fitch. Gone On Arrival/ Unable to Locate.
7:57pm. Trespassing occurred at Big John’s Market on Healdsburg Ave. RP states a transient came in and took a bite out of a piece of cheese and put it back on the shelf.
10:41pm. Accident reported at Redwood Hwy./Dry Creek Rd. RP lives west of the freeway and heard a car spin out north of the 101/Dry Creek. RP states it “sounded like a vehicle crash with two loud bangs.” The RP cannot see anything and does not know how many vehicles are involved. Officers responded, unable to locate.
• 10:55pm. Officer initiated activity at Parkland Farms Bl/ Canyon Run, vehicle stopped for expired registration. A 24-yearold male was cited for driving with a suspended license.
LYLE AND DOROTHY STUDER
July 1, 1937 - March 24, 2023
June 9, 1941 - April 26, 2022
Lyle Studer passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 24, 2023. He was born on July 1, 1937 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. His family moved to Redondo Beach and then settled in the Shasta Lake area when he was eleven. Lyle loved hunting and fishing as well as staying busy afterschool with boxing and baseball. After graduating from Shasta High School in 1955, he spent the next year working at J.C. Penneys and attending Shasta College before enlisting and completing four years in the Air Force. Lyle would often talk about his time being stationed in Greenland and being happy to be transferred to Hamilton Air Force Base in California. During his time in the service, he met the love of his life, Dorothy Hislop, whom he would marry in 1959. Upon his honorable discharge Lyle returned to Redding and restarted working for J.C. Penneys. He worked in a variety of positions but excelled in the shoe department. His hard work and customer service got noticed and he was put on the management track. Lyle went on to management positions in Madera, San Luis Obispo, Healdsburg and retired from the Petaluma Penneys store. Lyle was very proud of his 30+ years of work for J.C. Penneys and its original “Golden Rule” philosophy. A highlight in Lyle’s life was meeting Mr. J.C. Penney in person. In addition to work he volunteered for various service clubs as well as being a member of the Healdsburg Parks and Recreation commission.
As hard as he worked outside the home, Lyle always made his family his number one priority. He and Dorothy were married for 62 years, ending upon Dorothy’s passing in April 2022. Their children, Dean and Tracie, were the center of their lives. They were overjoyed to become grandparents and continued the tradition of never missing any of their activities. In retirement Lyle and Dorothy enjoyed traveling, playing Pinochle and spending time with their family and friends.
Dorothy Colleen Studer passed away peacefully by her husband’s side on April 26, 2022. She was born in Redding, CA on June 9, 1941. She was a proud alumnus of the Shasta High School class of 1959. Dorothy worked many years as a bookkeeper and spent her retirement years volunteering and being a wonderful Grandma. Please read her full obituary on Legacy.com
Lyle and Dorothy are survived by son Dean (Teri) Studer of Healdsburg, CA, daughter Tracie (Steven) Barrow of Cloverdale, CA. They leave behind their grandchildren: Kodi (Brendan) O’Dwyer of Petaluma, CA, Kaylon (Paige) Studer of Mountain View, HI, Matthew (Emilie) Barrow of Santa Rosa, CA and Cera (Eli Marrone) Barrow of Seattle, WA. They were blessed with their great grandchildren Kieran O’Dwyer, Hannah O’Dwyer and Maya Barrow. Lastly, they leave behind many adored nieces and nephews and wonderful friends.
A Celebration of Life for Lyle and Dorothy Studer will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2023 from 1:004:00 pm at the Healdsburg Golf Club at Tayman Park, Healdsburg, CA. Lunch will be provided and the program will begin at 1:45pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Healdsburg Greyhound Boosters Club @ P.O. Box 401, Healdsburg, CA 95448.
REBECCA IVANOVICH GALLAGHER
January 27, 1953 - March 16, 2023
Rebecca Ivanovich Gallagher passed away suddenly on Thursday, March 16, 2023 at Memorial Hospital in Santa Rosa - just missing one of her favorite annual traditions of cooking a St. Patrick’s Day feast of corned beef, cabbage, and homemade soda bread for family and friends. Rebecca was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother (“Baba”), sister, daughter, aunt, cousin, in-law, and friend. She was 70 years old.
Born January 27, 1953, to Daniel and Betty Ivanovich in Des Moines, Iowa, Rebecca spent her childhood and young adulthood in Los Angeles County, where she developed a passion for music and the arts. She married her husband of 40 years, Bob Gallagher, in 1982 and soon settled in Healdsburg, which would remain their home for the next 30+ years. Rebecca and Bob have two children, Courtney and Rory. Rebecca earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education from Sonoma State in 1993, marking the initiation of her 30-year career as an educator and career developer for Sonoma County students. Rebecca was passionate about supporting and educating at-risk youth whose backgrounds made continued schooling a particular challenge. She taught at many Sonoma County schools, including Marce Beccera, Ridgeway, Montgomery High School, and Sonoma County Juvenile Hall, covering subjects from English to History to Entrepreneurship.
More recently, Rebecca spent much of her time outside the classroom as a Career Development Coordinator for the Sonoma County Office of Education and as a Board Chair for the California Jump$tart Coalition. She developed curriculum specific to career readiness, financial literacy, business creation, and other competencies that broadly prepare students for success in the workplace and professional life. Hearing from former students who found their way to enriching careers was an immeasurable joy for Rebecca.
Outside of work, Rebecca relished her time with family and friends. She lived for holiday meals, vacations in Cayucos, adventures with her grandsons, and any opportunity to be surrounded by those she loved. She loved [extra hot] Americanos, fruity Zinfandels, Steely Dan, and anything (and everything) that sparkled. She will be remembered for her welcoming and warm presence, generous spirit, endless energy, and vibrant personality.
Rebecca is survived by her husband, Bob, their children, Courtney (Jeffrey) and Rory (Ashley), grandsons Ronan and Asher, and siblings Deborah, Cheri (Mark), Danette, and Peter (Heidi). For those who wish to honor Rebecca’s life and her contributions to the Sonoma County community, the family asks that donations be made to Social Advocates for Youth: saysc.org/donate
Celebrate a life well lived
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.
LUISA DE LA O
June 21, 1935 - March 23, 2023
Luisa De La O passed away peacefully in her Healdsburg home on March 23, 2023, at the age of 87. She was born in Puerto de la Vega, Jalisco, Mexico and emigrated to the U.S. when she was 10-years-old. She married Sergio De La O in Brawley, California and had two children. In 1967, the family then settled in Healdsburg and a few years later, their third child was born.
Luisa had a wonderful way of interacting with children and parents. For 10 years, she worked as a teacher’s aide at Head Start preschool in Healdsburg. She had a passion for crafting, making piñatas and handmade handbags, knitting and crocheting. Later she worked for Sprouse-Reitz where she enjoyed communicating with customers, some of whom she had known for many years. Luisa also loved singing and dancing with her family and friends. She was known for her generosity, compassionate spirit and fierce love of her immediate and extended families.
Luisa was preceded in death by her father Angel Lorenzana and mother Jesus Mariscal Ornelas Lorenzana, and siblings Eva Lorenzana Lopez, Ricardo Lorenzana and Petra Lorenzana Diaz, and sister-in-law Teresa Lorenzana. She is survived by Sergio, her husband of 63 years; her three children Yadira Rosas, Sergio Jr. and Jessie Lina De La O; her three grandchildren Lili Apgar (Gabriel), Angela Jensen (Michael) and Julian Rosas (Amanda); and her greatgrandchild, Everly Apgar. She is also survived by her brothers Julian Lorenzana, Joe Lorenzana (Maria), and by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at St. John’s Catholic Church on Thurs., April 27th with visitation from 4- 8 p.m. and a rosary at 7 p.m. On Fri,. April 28th, a mass in Luisa’s honor will be held at St. John’s at 11 a.m., followed by interment at Oak Mound Cemetery at 12:30 p.m. Please contact Fred Young Funeral Home at (707) 4738431 for more information.