The Healdsburg Tribune 6-8-2023

The Healdsburg Tribune

AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS FROM TWILIGHT PARADE AND HFFC FAIR OVER $810,000 DONATED FROM A GENEROUS COMMUNITY

Results of the 74th annual

Healdsburg Future Farmers and 4H parade and country fair came in too late for last week’s issue, but it was without doubt a very successful Memorial Day weekend.

The parade was a return to form for the Healdsburg tradition, which was reduced by COVID for a couple of years between 2020 and 2021. But the May 25 parade was back at full force, as was the FFA Country Fair at Rec Park on May 26-27.

Elsie Allen High School and Cesar Chavez

Language Academy bands shared the sweepstakes award for their combined parade entry, and won best band float as well.

Other parade float winners included Fincher Auto Service (best commercial float), Girl Scout Troops 10278 and 10331 (youth non-profit) and Healdsburg Forever (adult non-profit).

Of the car and truck participants, winners included Patin Vineyard Management (antique and classic), Kingsborough Atlas Tree Surgery (specialty vehicle), C & G Landscape and Noble Goat Farm (commercial) and Comite Pochtlan (novelty costume). Best mounted group was Cabalgata Rio Lago.

At the fair auction, the total earned from the hard work of local FFA and 4H students was $810,734. The scholarship total came to $28,000 awarded, including the Joe Rochioli Memorial Scholarship and the Jim Salomone Memorial Scholarship. Of this total, $20,500 was for graduating seniors and $7,500 for continuing education applicants.

Pride Flag, Electric Rates Raised by Council

CITY FORCED TO INCREASE CHARGES BUT SAYS IT’S STILL A BARGAIN

By Christian Kallen

The Healdsburg City Council gathered for the first of its two meetings in June, during which the council is tasked with a number of key measures to keep things on track for their goals and city management over the summer. The council and much of city staff traditionally takes off the month of August as a summer break.

Just prior to the June 5 meeting, however, all five council members and a healthy assembly of interested residents gathered outside Council Chambers for the raising of a multihued flag to recognize Pride Month in Healdsburg.

Mayor Ariel Kelly read from the city’s proclamation—officially presented

in the meeting that followed, where it was read out by Vice Mayor David Hagele—saying “Healdsburg’s colorful LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual and Ally) communities represent an integral part of our community and enhance our city’s well-being…”

The multi-colored nature of the community is symbolized by the Pride Flag, with its nine colors. Prior to the raising of the banner on the city’s flagpole, just below the Stars and Stripes, all council members gave a personal statement about pride and inclusion.

They were joined by Ozzy Jimenez, who served as a councilmember and mayor in 2021-22, and was the first openly gay member of the body.

Councilmember Chris Herrod struck a somber note when he brought up the recent national strife, taking note of “the increase

in hatred that’s grown across the country, and that it has, in some places, crept into government,” he said. “I believe it’s important that we raise the Pride Flag here to signify that this hatred has no place in Healdsburg.”

At the outset of the Council meeting, Sharon Pollock of Healdsburg High School, advisor of the school’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance, accepted the proclamation following the presentation of a second city proclamation, recognizing June as Elder Abuse Awareness Month.

Electric Rates Increase

Proclamations dispensed with, the city moved on to other business. Perhaps the most significant for residents was adopting an increase in the electric rates that the city charges its customers.

Healdsburg has the distinction of being the only incorporated city in

All five council members and a healthy assembly of interested residents gathered outside Council Chambers for the raising of a multi-hued flag to recognize Pride Month in Healdsburg.

Sonoma County with its own electric utility. But it can’t escape the rising cost of energy altogether. On Monday night, the City Council voted to accept a new electric rate structure that will increase rates over each of the next five years. The city’s electric cost of service analysis (COSA) and rate development has been discussed twice previously, during the March 6

BLOODROOT HOSTS A MUSICAL RAMBLE ALT-COUNTRY LINEUP SPARKS WEST PLAZA PARK FEST ON SATURDAY

By Christian Kallen Tucked into the calendar between the haute cuisine of the Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience and the musical mélange of the Healdsburg Jazz Festival, another lifestyle festival hits town: the BloodRoot Ramble.

It’s conceived by Noah and Kelly Dorrance, the

and April 17 meetings. But this week the council voted to accept rate increases proposed by utilities director Terry Crowley. Putting Healdsburg’s rates in the context of the region’s largest utility, Crowley pointed out that PG&E already raised rates 9% earlier this year. Even when the new city rates are implemented, Healdsburg’s residents currently

owners of the BloodRoot Wines tasting room at 118 North St. “We’ve been working on this for a while and we’re really, really excited,” said Kelly Dorrance. “It’s just, you know, it’s go time.”

Though not musicians themselves, aside from dabbling in guitar (Noah Dorrance) and piano (Kelly Dorrance), the two have long been passionate fans and supporters of live music, and launched a similar wine-and-tunes festival while at Banshee Wines several years ago. That culminated in Banshee Fest, in 2016, which featured Lord Huron and the Black Sheep Brass Band at West Plaza Park.

They’ll use the same venue for the centerpiece of this year’s BloodRoot Ramble, an all-afternoon event that begins at noon on Saturday,

PROUD FLAGGERS Healdsburg’s City Council shows off the Pride Flag that will fly over city buildings in June.

From left are David Hagele, Ron Edwards, Chris Herrod, Evelyn Mitchell and Mayor Ariel Kelley.

Photo by Paul King

INDIE ALT-COUNTRY ROCK Singer/songwriter Justin Osborn fronts Susto, a five-man band from Charleston, South Carolina, which will play the BloodRoot Ramble on June 10 at

Photo by Christian Kallen

HEALDSBURG HAPPENINGS

Healdsburg, 1261 Grove St.

Healdsburg Jazz 25th annual Healdsburg Jazz Festival begins Saturday, June 17, with a Juneteenth celebration at the Healdsburg Plaza, 2-8pm. Artists include the Charles McPherson Quintet, the Robin Hodge Williams Gospel Choir and poet Enid Pickett. Festival continues with daily events through June 25. Tickets and information at healdsburgjazz.org.

Radio Stars

Pride Flag

➝ 1 pay $92 per month on average, while PG&E customers pay $173 as of the first of the year.

But the cost of energy has increased by 26% in the past year; transmission costs increase by a lesser but significant 5%, and thanks to COVID and other factors materials cost have also increased. Capital improvement costs are also rising with two new undergrounding projects in town.

to mitigate impact of energy costs on “vulnerable residents” will be expanded, a 25% discount to apply to households with income at 80% of Average Mean Income (AMI), as opposed to the current 60% of AMI.

A CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS IN HEALDSBURG

Graduation Day

Healdsburg High School seniors graduate on Friday, June 9, in a 7pm ceremony to be held at the high school’s athletic field. Congratulations to all graduating seniors.

Play Ball!

Prune Packers baseball continues its 2023 season with games at Rec Park, June 8-11 against various opponents. Weekday games start at 6pm at Rec Park, Sunday games at noon. $8 admission, food and beverages available for purchase. Schedule and tickets at prunepackers.org.

New Stage

The 222 live theater presentation of Chapatti, a play by Christian O’Reilly, runs through June 11 (various times). It features Ashland veterans Michael Elich and Robin GoodrinNordli in a two-person drama at the Paul Mahder Gallery, 222 Healdsburg Ave. Tickets and information at the222.org.

Rhythm Reception

The exhibit at the

Healdsburg Center for the Arts, 334 Center St., presents work by various artists on the theme of “Rhythm.” Gallery hours 11am-5pm daily, 11am6pm on Friday and Saturday, closed Tuesday.

Farmers’ Market

Healdsburg Certified Farmers’ Market at the West Plaza lot on Saturday, June 10, 8:30am-noon.

BloodRoot Ramble

A music and wine appreciation event at West Plaza Park from BloodRoot Winery. Saturday, June 10 from noon to 7pm. Musicians from Dad Country, with food, wine and beer available. Tickets $65 at the Bloodroot tasting room, 118 North St., or bloodrootwines. com/Wine/TheRamble.

Sunday in the Plaza

Not to be confused with the more party-hardy

Tuesday at the Plaza, The Plaza hosts live picnic music on Sundays from 1-3pm until Aug. 13. This week, June 11, it features Justin Diaz (Classics/ Americana).

Tuesday at the Plaza Certified Farmers’ Market open 9am-12:30pm,

and Tuesday in the Plaza music plays from 6-8pm, this week featuring Laura Benitez and the Heartache. Both events Tuesday, June 13, at the Healdsburg Plaza.

Planning Commission

The scheduled meeting of the Planning Commission for Tuesday, June 13, has been canceled. Next meeting will be June 27, 6pm at City Council Chambers, 401 Grove St. Live at healdsburg.gov/ zoom at time of meeting.

Parks and Recreation

Scheduled meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission is Wednesday, June 14, 6pm at City Council Chambers, 401 Grove St. Check the city website to confirm. Also live at healdsburg.gov/zoom at time of meeting.

Young Professionals

“Leading with Influence” is a panel discussion with Maggie Curry, Lilian Uwuseba and Kelsey Smith, moderated by Kerry Rego. Presented by Healdsburg Chamber and others. Thursday, June 15, 5:30pm, at The Lodge at

Rodney Strong Summer Concert Series begins Saturday, June 17, with Marc Cohn (“Walking in Memphis”) and Shawn Colvin (“Sunny Came Home”). At Rodney Strong Vineyards, 11455 Old Redwood Hwy., 6pm. Fitch Mountain

Footrace

Sunday, June 18 marks the 47th annual 10k race around Fitch Mountain, with an in-town 3k loop for everyone. Starts at 8am, benefits the Healdsburg Kiwanis Memorial Scholarship Fund. Registration is free at fitchmountainfootrace.org; information at Healdsburg Running Company, 333 Center St. City Council Healdsburg City Council will meet on Monday, June 19, 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.

Filosofía Caribeña

Bay Area percussion master John Santos commands the Raven Theater stage on Monday, June 19 at 6pm. A performance with his sextet will follow the screening of the new documentary Santos: Skin to Skin by Kathryn Golden and Ashley James, which includes a Q&A with the filmmakers. Tickets $50/ general, $25/student, at the door if available or raventheater.org.

Though the first year’s increase, starting with the October utility bill, is a whopping 16%—a number that’s sure to be noticed by the city’s ratepayers—the annual rate hikes decrease after that, rising 14% in 2024-25, 8% the following year and only 7% in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27.

Those rate increases are specific to residential ratepayers; small commercial, large commercial and outdoor lighting customers will have other rate adjustments.

Crowley told the Council that the increases are designed to cover forecast costs in each of the major cost categories: energy generation, transmission, distribution and operating expenses.

“Energy and transmission costs, utility undergrounding projects and inflationary constructions costs are large drivers increasing revenue requirements,” according to Crowley’s report.

Still, the rate increases that the city asked for will produce lower costs than the comparable rates from PG&E and Sonoma Clean Power, both of which are also expected to increase their rates in coming years. “We expect PG&E’s rates to outpace the City of Healdsburg’s costs,” said Crowley.

The proposal includes a lower rate for multifamily households for customers who live in apartments or a shared space, a change from the existing rate schedules. In addition, the low income programs

Councilmember Evelyn Mitchell asked about the deferred maintenance that the city has built into the new rate structure—$1.6 million worth—that will probably come due when the next rate fee study is produced in 2027.

“That work doesn’t go away,” admitted Crowley, acknowledging the city will need to decide which capital projects will be pursued at that time. But he pointed out that the city has not increased rates since 2019, “So we’re doing some catch-up.”

Before the council voted to approve the increase, Vice Mayor Hagele said, “I think I’m like everybody else; we don’t like that the rates are going up. However, I think the key phrase that I saw in that presentation is ‘revenue required.’ This isn’t profit.” He drew the comparison with an investor-owned utility such as PG&E.

“The revenue required is based on a budget that we passed, which included reserve requirements, which are our goals; capital improvements that we need… and finally assuring that we have reliable power that is available to our community. Here’s the cost to achieve that,” said Hagele.

“So based on the discussions that we’ve had, not just on this topic, but whether it’s looking at the climate issues, the goals that we want to achieve as a community, I think it’s important that we pass this now,” he concluded, and made the motion to do so. It was approved unanimously.

Healdsburg rate-payers can expect to see the rate increase in their October 2023 utility bill.

Photo by Christian Kallen

TUESDAY PARTY Healdsburg’s summer officially got underway with Tuesday in the Plaza on May 30, when Club 90 kicked off the summer series with two hours of dance music.

HFFC Fair Awards

BloodRoot Ramble

June 10. Featured musicians include the Lone Bellow, a folk-rock trio out of Nashville; Susto, the Charleston, South Carolina indie rock band fronted by Justin Osborne; and Cayucas, a poppy surf-rock band from Santa Monica led by twins Zach Yudin and Ben Yudin.

Spike Sikes and His Awesome Hotcakes will open with their local soul and jazz set, and DJ Ears of Maize will keep the music going. The show will fill the grassy West Plaza Park with music and merriment until 7pm. With the temporary vacancy at the former Bear Republic Brewery, attendees will be able to spread out onto the hardscape between that building and the Hotel Healdsburg next door.

“This is a pretty eclectic group of musicians, but it all kind of falls into like indie alt rock country,” said Kelly Dorrance. “I think it’s the type of music that will definitely translate across a pretty wide audience.”

Though the Saturday festival is the most public event, the three-day Ramble actually begins with a Friday 8pm show at Little Saint’s upstairs venue featuring Shannon Shaw (of Shannon and the Clams), and concludes on Sunday with the Marietta Farm house Jam and Wine maker Hang, from 1 to

5pm, with Cayiucas and the Sonoma duo Little Worth.

“It’s very ambitious, but, like I told you, it’s a labor of love,” Dorrance admitted. “I’ll report back to you on how well thought-out it was after we get done.”

Behind the Music

A lot has changed for Kelly and Norah Dorrance in the last few years. Noah Dorrance was one of three in the original team that created Banshee Wines, with its Center Street tasting room/record room/ hangout.

“I give Noah credit for that. When we envisioned the tasting room at Banshee, he was very adamant from the beginning to not have a bar, to make it feel more like you’re in the living room at a friend’s home,” said Dorrance.

“Now, that’s normal. It wasn’t back then,” she said. “You build relationships with people, which is ultimately what makes a business successful.”

They started their own wine side-label— Reeve Wine, which now has an open-air tasting room tucked away in Dry Creek Valley—even while still with Banshee.

In 2018, when Bill Foley bought out Banshee but kept on its co-founder,

BloodRoot Wines to their portfolio and opening the Healdsburg tasting room in 2020.

Bloodroot, a common wildflower in their native Missouri, is said by some to have medicinal properties. But it seems to be a particularly apt metaphor for wine, said Kelly Dorrance. “It’s a name that my husband, Noah, was drawn to. And we thought it was a pretty easy name to remember,” she said with a laugh.

One thing that hasn’t changed for them is their love of music. Their tasting room on North Street, across from the Raven, is a relaxed place with good tunes on the sound system.

On weekends, they often have live music on the patio, sometimes in association with their next door neighbor, Healdsburg Jazz.

But this coming weekend they get the jump on next week’s Healdsburg Jazz Festival with their own three-day music festival, termed the BloodRoot Ramble. The name is inspired by the legendary Midnight Rambles that drummer Levon Helm of The Band held at his Woodstock, New York home in the early part of this century. These were informal jams and song-sharing sessions originally held

The Barrel Auction brought in $3,200, and the Cake Auction scored a total of $11,640 for the 51 cakes entered. The scholarship cake alone earned $325.

Winners of the Sir Rusty Raffle were Larry Solomon and Rob Scates (both winning a $500 gift

to stave off bankruptcy. For the Dorrances, the music festival itself is another way of giving back to the community. They envisioned the Saturday Ramble at least in part as a benefit, and Corazon Healdsburg and the Farmers’ Market will see a share. Sunday’s jam-and-hang will benefit Everytown for Gun Safety, which advocates for gun control and against gun violence.

Friday night’s show at Little Saint will benefit Light-Catchers, their own non-profit formed in the wake of the death of Kelly Dorrance’s niece, Evelyn Dieckhaus, who

card) and Jackie Sellards (winner of freezer-ready lamb).

Susie Garcia, co-treasurer of the Healdsburg Future Farmers Country Fair, credited the impressive totals to “tremendous support from an amazing community for our long lived traditional HFFCF.”

was killed on March 27 at the Covenant School shooting in Nashville.

Last weekend, BloodRoot worked with almost 100 independent wineries to devote a portion of sales to promote gun safety, and raised nearly $90,000 to benefit Everytown Against Gun Violence through light-catchers.org.

BloodRoot Ramble, the homegrown music festival, includes three public concerts from June 9-11 and VIP-only events as well. Information and tickets available at bloodrootwines.com/ Wine/TheRamble.

COUNTRY FAIR Auctioneer Randy Parnell manages a livestock lot at the Healdsburg Future Farmers Country Fair, May 27.

Photo by Christian Kallen

HOST AND EMCEE Noah Dorrance plays master of ceremonies for the 2016 Banshee Fest in West Plaza Park.

The same location will host this weekend’s BloodRoot Ramble, his new winery’s first musical show.

Photo courtesy of Laurel Anderson Creative

KELLY DORRANCE Co-founder of BloodRoot Wines at the tasting room on North Street in Healdsburg.

Photo by Kelly Dorrance

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

CITY, CHAMBER AND OTHER LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS

Prune Packers Return With a Win

BASEBALL SEASON GETS UNDERWAY AT 100-YEAR-OLD REC PARK DIAMOND

By Christian Kallen

The Healdsburg Prune Packers, one of the oldest and most venerated community baseball teams in the state, got its season underway with a ceremonial first pitch by Mayor Ariel Kelley at 6pm on Tuesday, June 6.

Clarence Ruonavaara

Grandstands at Art

McCaffrey Field began filling up long before the first pitch as excited baseball fans converged on Rec Park for the 2023 season of the Packers, in hopes that the team would once again win the championship as they have for the past two years.

The first game pitted the Prune Packers against the Bay Area’s GameDay Prep Tigers, a non-conference team, but one which proved a tough opponent. After taking an early lead, the Packers—composed of college athletes and some

“local talent” recruited to fill out the roster, as the NCAA baseball playoffs are still underway—saw their 3-0 lead evaporate as the game progressed, and entered the bottom of the eighth behind 5-3.

With one out, Kimble Schuessler took a walk, advanced to second when Cole Brodnansky was hit by a pitch, then everyone came home as Alex Leopard slammed a three-run home run—the season’s first—to put the Packers ahead for the 6-5 win.

Games this season will be broadcast live on an audio stream at prunepackers-baseball.mixlr. com—there’s a link on the team’s home page at prunepackers.org— called by Aaron Arnstein, a sports journalism senior at the University of Maryland. When possible, video coverage is also available for home games at youtube.com/@ PrunePackers/streams.

Team History

The game was played at Rec Park, a facility built for the Prune Packers that first saw use 100 years ago,

OBITUARY

LEILA C. LOWNES

September 29, 1926 - May 2, 2023

Leila C. Lownes, known as Lee Lownes, a long time Healdsburg resident passed away in her home on May 2, 2023 at the age of 96. She was the beloved wife of the late Kenneth C Lownes, loving mother to Donna L Lownes.

Lee is survived by her daughter Donna, brother-in-law Manuel Lownes, nephew Robert Lownes and numerous other nieces and nephews, as well as many special friends.

Lee will always live in the hearts of her many friends and family.

A private family service will be held on June 8, 2023 at Santa Rosa Memorial Park. A celebration of Lee’s life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to the American Heart Association or a charity of choice.

in 1923, as team president Richard Bugarske announced over the loudspeakers as the teams took the field. Bugarske will continue announcing home games from the grandstands through the season.

Other uses of Rec Park, including the FFA Fair and Auction, began only much later, in 1950. The high school team, the Healdsburg Hounds, play their spring season games on the field as well.

The Prune Packers have always been a popular team in Healdsburg, though there have been

years where the franchise slumbered. But when Joey Gomes signed on as general manager and team coach 11 years ago, a seachange took place in the fortunes of the Prune Packers, which culminated in the last two seasons, 2021 and 2023.

Both years, the Prune Packers—with their whimsical name but talent-loaded roster—won the state title in the California Collegiate League, an 11-team, two-division league first formed 30 years ago. If the past two years are any indication, the Prune Packers will enter tournament play following their final regular season game on July 30, a postseason that could last until the championship series on Aug. 4-6.

Later this month, on June 23, the team will hold their second annual golf tournament, a fundraiser at Windsor Golf Club. It’s a good opportunity to meet this year’s crop of college kids who hope Healdsburg becomes their launching pad for a professional career with Major League Baseball.

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.

Call or email for details:

If all goes well, anyone coming north toward downtown Healdsburg will soon be greeted by a number of “Hometown Heroes” banners lining Healdsburg Avenue.

In partnership with local Rotary and the American Legion posts, the city will launch a program featuring local active duty military members on prominent banners lining the avenue. It will be similar to the program already in effect in neighboring Windsor, showcasing local families with a personal stake in the nation’s defenses.

To participate in the program, active duty military members or their families will complete an application, including a digital photo of the service person in dress uniform, and including the service person’s name, branch of service and a 150-word bio.

Eligible are currently serving members on active duty in the United States armed forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard or Space Force), and those either having permanent residence in the Healdsburg area or having an immediate family member working or residing in the Healdsburg area.

Applications will be submitted to the Banner Review Committee for final approval. The Healdsburg Hometown Heroes Military Banner Program is administered by the City of Healdsburg’s Community Services Department in partnership with the volunteer, community-based Healdsburg Hometown Heroes Military Banner Committee.

More information and the application link is at healdsburg.gov/1084/ Healdsburg-HometownHeroes.

Chamber Needs

Volunteers

The Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce is looking for a volunteer to staff the Visitor Center every Sunday from 10am to 3pm. This will provide an opportunity to interact with locals and visitors from all over. Training will be provided. For more information, contact SusanH@ Healdsburg.com

Dispensary Applications

Open Soon

The cannabis dispensary process will open for applicants on June 15, City Manager Jeff Kay

announced in the June 5 council meeting. Healdsburg is one of a handful of cities in Sonoma County without a dispensary to this point, but has approved up to two retail cannabis stores in city limits, a business tax on revenue and other measures preparatory to the move.

Kay encouraged interested entrepreneurs to review the requirements and process on the city’s website and to email cannabis@healdsburg.gov to begin the process. Applications will be accepted until July 31, after which review by city staff and the consultant, HdL, will lead to a winnowing of applicants before a public review.

Business License Online

The City of Healdsburg is now offering an easier way to get a business license— they can now be applied for, paid for and issued online. The entire process can be completed from home, business or from a mobile device. Applicants need to create an account, complete the application through the online portal and pay the required fees before printing the business license from the local computer.

A valid business license must be issued prior to conducting any business within the city. The City of Healdsburg’s business license period runs from July 1 through June 30. Annual renewal notices for taxes are emailed on or before June 1, and renewal payments are due on or before July 1. License fees are based on the type of business and gross annual receipts earned within the city limits. For more information or to apply, go to Healdsburg. gov/businesslicense.

4th of July

The regular Tuesday in the Plaza event will not be held on July 4, because the city has other plans to recognize the nation’s Independence Day.

A special holiday celebration in the Plaza will follow the regular Tuesday Farmers’ Market (9am to 12:30pm), with a Kids’ Parade and Duck Dash (10am-1pm), in partnership with the Rotary Club of Healdsburg Sunrise.

In the evening, residents will look to the skies for an exuberant display of patriotism. The City hosts Healdsburg’s American Legion for the annual Fourth of July fireworks show, and is grateful for the financial support from the Healdsburg Tourism Improvement District for making this year’s show possible.

A reminder: Private fireworks are illegal in Healdsburg and therefore not allowed.

MISSING SOMETHING?

The Police Log column usually found in these pages is published online only this week, at healdsburgtribune.com. It covers reports received the week of May 15-21.

GROUND RULES Prune Packers general manager and coach Joey Gomes goes over lay of the land at Rec Park for umpires and the visiting coach before the 2023 season’s first game, on June 6.

Photo by Christian Kallen

Photo by Christian Kallen

RUNNERS ON Healdsburg’s starting pitcher Marv Guarin tries to quell a threatened rally in the second inning of the June 6 Prune Packers-Tigers season opener. The Packers won, 6-5.

HOMETOWN HEROES Nancy Palumbo and Mayor Ariel Kelley kick off the city’s banner program to recognize active duty military members with a Healdsburg family connection. Palumbo holds a photo of her daughter, Kelly Deutermann, a commander in the U.S. Coast Guard, who will retire in 2024 after 20 years of service.

Photo by Christian Kallen

OPENING DAY The 2023 Healdsburg Prune Packers gather for a team photo with Mayor Ariel Kelley (#9) before she threw out the first pitch to start the June 6 game.

FLASHBACKS

lumber company. It is situated on the land being developed by the county as a public beach where Highway 101 crosses the Russian River.

50 years ago –

June 8, 1973

Pacific Lumber Co.

Sold, Name Change

Made by New Owner

Loneliness v. Love

‘CHAPATTI’ IN HEALDSBURG

By Harry Duke

The 222 is a non-profit, member-supported arts, culture, and entertainment venue that’s housed in the Paul Mahder Gallery in Healdsburg. Open since 2021, to date it’s presented musical programs, literary readings, film showings and other community events.

Professional theater now enters that mix with a series of productions programmed by wellknown Bay Area theater artist and educator Aldo Billingslea. Their inaugural presentation is the two-hander Chapatti by Irish playwright Christian O’Reilly, which runs through June 11.

The show’s title happens to be the name of an unseen dog at the end of an unseen leash being held by Dan (Michael Elich). We learn that Dan is in mourning for the loss of a 30-year love and struggling with facing life alone. His path crosses with Betty (Robin Goodrin Nordli), an elder caregiver who, after the failure of a childless, loveless marriage, has taken solace in the company of cats—19 of them.

And so, the dance begins for 90 intermission-less minutes as two lonely people with nothing visibly in common take the first often-amusing steps in sharing just a bit of their love for their animals with another human being.

Elich and Goodrin Nordli are quite effective in their roles. The script also requires them to give

voice to multiple other characters, mime their interactions with their pets, and facilitate one on-stage costume change that they both handle with aplomb.

The show is minimally staged on a raised platform surrounded by artwork in the center of the gallery. Its set is basically two chairs, two stools, a box and a couple of trash bags. Fifteen tables seating four guests each comprise the audience area. The tables are nicely spaced so sightlines are rarely a problem. There is minimal lighting, and no voice amplification as the modified double Quonset retains and distributes the sound well albeit with a persistent hollowness/echo.

This production of Chapatti was originally produced last year by the Rogue Theater Company in Ashland, Oregon, and is essentially a traveling version of that show. The performers, the director (Robynn Rodriguez), and the stage manager (Kimberley Jean Barry) are all members of that company as well as decadeslong veterans of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

Playwright O’Reilly, who allowed the artistic team to modify his script for an American audience, breaks no new ground with his tale of the search for human connections, but Chapatti tells the tale well.

‘Chapatti’ runs through June 11 at The 222, 222 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg. Friday, 6pm; Saturday, 7:30pm; Sunday, 2pm. $45-$85. Students free with ID. 707.473.9152. the222.org

NEWS FROM ‘THE HEALDSBURG TRIBUNE’ OF YEARS PAST

100 years ago –June 7, 1923

Old Stream Bed

Found Under City

A subterranean river which flows through the heart of Healdsburg’s business district has been discovered through improvement work going on at the First National Bank. The old stream bed was reached during excavation for an underground tank, to be located beneath the sidewalk on the east side of the bank building. The workers first

became aware of it when they began to encounter water, which increased as greater depth was reached. At the depth of 12 feet, a small electric pump and a hand pump, working together, could not keep the water level down, and a larger pump was found necessary. At this depth, gravel and large rounded stones, such as are found in the river bed, were encountered in quantities. It is believed that the Russian River, which annually changes its course, at one time flowed through the site now occupied by the city. The 1,500-gallon tank, to be used for oil storage for heating purposes, was

installed today, after several thousand gallons of water had been pumped from the hole the past few days.

75 years ago –

June 8, 1948

Roller Skating Rink to Open at Memorial Beach

A contract for the operation of a roller-skating rink, to be located at Memorial Beach, was consummated this week between the County of Sonoma and E. H. Owens and Mrs. Marian Matthies, co-partners in the enterprise. The building in which the rink is to be housed was formerly a dance pavilion and more recently, used by a

The Pacific Lumber Company’s retail lumber yard in Healdsburg has been purchased by David W. Ziedrich, who has announced that its name will be changed to Healdsburg Lumber Company. The sale became official May 25. Ziedrich reports that former Pacific management and employees will be retained in the yard, which is located at 359 Hudson St. The new owner has been a building contractor for the past 18 years, 10 of them in Santa Rosa. He says the company will continue to supply plywood, lumber, hardware, roofing materials, doors, windows and anything else needed for construction. Ziedrich and his wife, Dolores, who is a registered nurse at Memorial Hospital in pediatrics, live in Santa Rosa with their four children.

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

Photo by Jonathan Wind

UNLEASHED Robin Goodrin Nordli and Michael Elich in ‘Chapatti.’

ABOVE GROUND View from the Healdsburg Plaza northeast to First National Bank/ Farmers & Mechanics Bank, circa 1920. An underground stream bed was found in a building excavation in 1923.

Photo courtesy of Healdsburg Museum and Historical Society