Healdsburg Today • Wed, Apr 9

• The end of the road for a beloved Healdsburg bookshop owner

• A chance to celebrate Jendala, another local we lost this year

• Cutbacks on Avelo flights out of Santa Rosa — part of a shock pivot for the budget airline

• More trouble for the operator of Healdsburg Senior Living on Grove

• New union backing for staffers at Healdsburg Hospital

• The reopening of Summer’s Market on Powell (for now!)

• A bunch of big events coming up over the next couple weeks, including the Rotary Club’s annual Easter Egg Scramble on the elementary school lawn and the return of the Healdsburg Farmers Market (see “What’s Happening”)

• More, more, always more...

SPONSOR SHOUTOUT

Local Realtor Stacey Bernd has a great rental available in the tree-lined Rincon Valley community of Santa Rosa. The home is a beautiful three-bedroom, three-bath with a huge open floor plan and tons of natural light. Enjoy a modern kitchen, a spacious living area with a cozy fireplace, multiple balconies and a sunny backyard — all for just $3,500 per month. Learn more, see pics and get in touch with Stacey here.

YOUR LOCAL WEATHER

• Today: 🌤️ Mostly sunny and warm. High 78° Low 47°
• Thursday: 🌤️ Mostly sunny and warm again. High 77° Low 54°
• Friday: ⛅️ Partly sunny with a breeze. High 76° Low 44°
• Saturday: ☀️ Pure sun. High 76° Low 46°
• Sunday: ☀️ Sunny and hot. High 80° Low 48°
• Monday: ☀️ More sun, more heat. High 78° Low 47°
• Tuesday: 🌤️ Mostly sunny again! High 76° Low 47°
  

FEATURED EVENT

If you’ve never been to one of the Cloverdale History Museum’s local history talks, here’s your chance: Next up in the museum’s speaker series is a conversation between author Elaine Rock — who just wrote a fascinating book on the women’s rights movement called “Dusty Roads” — and Amy Nykamp, president of Sonoma County NOW. Head to the Cloverdale Performing Arts Center at 7pm on Tuesday, April 22, for an enlightening evening with these two civil-rights experts. There will also be a fun reception with the author afterward at the museum. Tickets here! 

AIR OVER HEALDSBURG

Normally my mom takes your weekly photo of the air over Healdsburg, but today my dad is making a celeb cameo to do the honors. (Photo: Quin Wilson)

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Healdsburg Sotheby’s International Realty

New: Prime luxury apartment in downtown Geyserville

A rare property just went on the market in historic downtown Geyserville, right next to Fermata Coffee, Diavola and the Gun Club. The building for sale at 21015 Geyserville Ave. includes 1,615 square feet of ground-floor retail space and a 1,544-square-foot luxury two-bedroom apartment on the second floor — a stunning home with 17-foot barrel-vaulted ceilings and a charming front deck that looks out onto Geyser Peak and the Mayacama Mountains. Out back, another deck leads down to a patio designed for entertaining and events. The property’s zoning allows for a vacation rental and has a permit for wine tasting, but it could also be an art gallery, retail shop or office building. View more pics of this incredible property and reach out to Realtor Eric Drew to tour it in person.

Wanna help sponsor this newsletter, like Sotheby’s? We should talk.

TOP STORIES

1) Levin & Company co-owner Aaron Rosewater has passed away, but his bookstore will live on

The harrowing medical journey of Aaron Rosewater, beloved co-owner of the Levin & Company bookstore on the Healdsburg plaza, came to a heartbreaking end last week. Aaron died in the hospital Friday, according to loved ones. His wife Gwen, who shared updates throughout the ordeal via a GoFundMe page the community set up to support their family, wrote: “We had to let my darling Aaron go today. We were all out of options — it was the only thing we could do. My heart is just destroyed by this. My daily prayer for decades has been that God take me first. He truly was my better half, and I don't know how I am going to limp through the rest of myself without him.” According to previous updates, Aaron was first hospitalized with “a severe case of Influenza A” that “quickly turned into a devastating medical crisis” — one that left him in critical condition for over two months, “enduring countless complications and setbacks.”

After his final breath Friday, Gwen wrote: “At least the torment is over for him and for myself. It has been two months of agony.” She also shared a glimpse into Aaron’s final conscious moments on this Earth: “We told him he was the best husband the world had ever seen, and the best father, and that hundreds and hundreds of people adored him. He had not smiled in days, but he smiled beatifically at all of us and lifted his lips to kiss me, something he had not done since this started. He radiated peace and love and gentle joy, and absolutely acceptance of everything just as it was.”

A few days later, Adele Levin — Aaron’s mom and business partner, who opened Levin & Company more than three decades ago — wrote on Facebook that her family has no plans to shutter the shop. “Our bookstore will continue to serve this community,” she wrote. “Our Aaron is gone and we will all miss him terribly but Aaron’s Mom, Adele, Gwen and Aaron’s son, Emile, will continue to run the bookstore as efficiently as before. But we admit it will be a hard act to follow because Aaron did it so well and with such ease. We will just have to up our game and work a little harder.” Here’s some more backstory on the Levin legacy, from Adele’s post:

“For those of you who do not know the bookstore’s history, Levin & Company started as a small used bookstore on Center St across from the Police Station in downtown Healdsburg but soon started expanding and started carrying new books. People encouraged us to do so. An opportunity to move onto the plaza in 1995 became possible with the help of a local customer who provided a loan to expand our inventory. ... Thanks to a loyal local customer base and a good location for attracting tourists Levin & Company has now been in business for 33 years and is doing very well. Once again, the Levin & Company family wants to thank the community for helping us through the present crisis, the loss of our dear Aaron.”

In the end, our community raised over $85,000 to help pay Aaron’s medical bills and support his family and business during this ordeal. And if anyone has any extra to pitch in, I’m sure it would be appreciated.

Aaron Rosewater, left, with his son Emile, who will help run Levin & Company in his dad’s absence. (Photo: Adele Levin via Facebook)

  (Photo: TK)

2) Another staple of the Healdsburg community who died recently will get her due this Sunday

Not everyone gets their own holiday when they pass away — but not everyone is Jendala Utsch. The legions of locals who adored this Healdsburg artist, entrepreneur and love warrior are organizing a celebration of life for her at the Villa Chanticleer on Fitch Mountain this coming Sunday from noon to 3:30pm, called “Jendala Day.” And the festivities will continue into the evening at 444 Moore Lane, near City Hall, where Jendala created a magical headquarters for her healing arts nonprofit, Heartizens. (Which, BTW, will endure under brand-new executive director Tess Aston, who just left her post as “engagement manager” for the True West Film Center to take over for Jendala, as one of the artist’s dying requests. Learn more about Heartizens and how you can get involved on the org’s website.)

Here are more details about the big event planned this Sunday, from the invite: “There will be a ceremony at 1:00 p.m. in the garden, special performances by the Todd Bugbee’s Dead Roses and Tony Glaser, kids’ activities, food for purchase from Dim Sum And Then Sum, non-alcohol drinks and local treats, and cash bar. We hope this day will be an opportunity to heal, to celebrate, to remember, to empower, to be resilient, and most importantly, to love... just as Jen would have wanted.”

And here’s some info from Healdsburg Community Services Director Mark Themig, a close friend of Jendala’s, on how we all can help make Jendala Day as magical as possible:

Flowers: If you are fortunate to have early season flowers in your garden, or if you are picking some up at the market this weekend, please bring a small bouquet to help share Jen’s love and make the Villa vibrant! We’ll have mason jars available for vases, or bring your own. You can drop them off at the Villa between 10:00am-11:00am, or bring them with you when you come for the day and we’ll help you find a place. Look for a table outside the entrance with mason jars for arranging.

Photos: Jen’s vibrancy lives on in all of us. Help share the impact she made on you by sharing your favorite photos of Jen with us. We’ll compile the photos for a slide show that will run during Jendala Day! Have a Google account? Use this link to upload photos directly to a shared album. (No Google account? Upload photos to a folder without signing in by using this link.)

Chimes and Blankets: At 1:00PM we will be coming together in the Villa Garden to remember Jen and share the love that she brought into our world. You are welcome to bring your favorite chime to hang in the garden, and blankets for the lawn during the day.

Hopefully this turns into an annual Healdsburg holiday... (Image: Heartizens)

  (Photo: TK)

3) Summer’s Market is open for business again, as its owners keep looking for a buyer

Healdsburg high schoolers and Powell Avenue people, rejoice! Summer’s Market, the little neighborhood convenience store and deli that replaced Powell Avenue Market a little over a decade ago, is up and running again. Co-owners Summer Sebastiani and Todd Fernandez officially reopened this week after months of closure. When they decided to shut down the market and list it for sale last October, Todd told the Healdsburg Tribune: “It’s not money, it’s just exhaustion.” But when Christian Kallen, my colleague at the Trib, stopped by a few days ago, Todd seemed refreshed. He called this “Summer’s 2.0,” and said: “We told people we’d be back in May if we couldn’t sell it, and here we are.” The owners even had to restock everything, because when they closed their doors last fall, they donated all their stock to charities. “We’ve done it before — we know how to do it,” Todd said. Here are some more details on what nudged him and Summer out of retirement, courtesy of the Press Democrat:

During their hiatus, the couple spent most of their time with their dogs and gardening, but Sebastiani said community members kept reaching out to her about the deli’s closure.

“We’re coming back for them and only them,” Sebastiani said. “It broke my heart to leave because it is like our baby, but we needed a break and I thought we could pass the baton on to somebody who was going to carry on, but we just haven’t found the right person yet.”

She said they will be serving the same classics such as sandwiches and baked goods, with a few new menu items not yet finalized.

That said, the Summer’s property at 555 Powell Ave. — including the market, a storage yard and a two-bedroom home out back — is reportedly still on the market for just under $3 million, if you happen to have a secret dream of keeping after-school pitstop culture alive on Powell.

Summer and Todd, back by popular demand. (Photo: Christian Kallen)

  (Photo: TK)

4) Avelo Airlines is halting half its routes out of the Sonoma County Airport — and pivoting to deportation

This is a rough one. Not even one year after Avelo Airlines announced it would start calling our local Santa Rosa airport one of its home bases, to much fanfare, airline bosses have decided to vacate their new hub and cut all the new flights they added over the past year, along with some local crew members, according to the North Bay Business Journal. These changes will go into effect in May, aka next month — the same month Avelo is “set to begin flying deportees under a new deal” with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Business Journal reports. So, while the airline says it’s making cutbacks in Sonoma County because of “poor financial performance,” onlookers are having a hard time not drawing a connection between that and the whole ICE thing.

Avelo will reportedly keep running nonstop flights between Santa Rosa and Burbank, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; Palm Springs, California; and Bend/Redmond, Oregon. (Those last two routes are seasonal, BTW, and will continue to be.) And the airline is cutting flights between Santa Rosa and Boise, Idaho; Salt Lake City, Utah; Ontario, California; and Kalispell, Montana. More from the stranger-than-fiction Business Journal story:

“STS was selected for closure because achieving necessary financial results there has proven more elusive than expected,” [Avelo communications manager Madison Glassman] said. “With more time to build the markets, perhaps our initial hypothesis could be correct, but now is the time to utilize our aircraft in the best possible opportunities.”

A key opportunity became public this week, with Andrew Levy, CEO of the Houston-based Avelo, announcing the airline will begin flying next month for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration Control and Enforcement agency as part of a “long-term charter program” to support deportation efforts. ...

Tom Cartwright, a flight data analyst for the advocacy group Witness at the Border, whose social media feeds are closely watched in immigration circles, said he isn’t aware of any other commercial airlines that have provided such flights for ICE in the past five years he’s been tracking flights. He called the decision by Avelo “unusual” considering charter companies the public likely hasn’t heard of typically make these flights.

I’ll leave you with this protest song by American folk legend Woodie Guthrie, which feels extra relevant right now:

“Deportee (Plane Crash at Los Gatos)” by Woodie Guthrie. (Video: YouTube)

  (Photo: TK)

5) The company that owns Healdsburg Senior Living just went bankrupt

The beleaguered parent company of the Healdsburg Senior Living facility on Grove Street, a San Diego-based company called Pacifica that runs 80 such facilities in seven states, suffered another blow this week: They were forced to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, according to the Press Democrat — leaving the fate of Healdsburg’s local senior home and its dozens of residents uncertain. Pacifica was also about to open another senior home in Santa Rosa, which now seems unlikely, given the news. From the PD:

The case, filed March 24 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court’s Southern District of California, is under Chapter 7, often referred to as liquidation. Unlike a Chapter 11 case, Chapter 7 requires the debtor to close its doors.

“Businesses going through this type of bankruptcy are past the stage of recovery and must sell off assets to pay their creditors,” according to the Investopedia website.

It’s unclear how the move will affect Pacifica Senior Living facilities or its senior resident population. Neither Pacifica Companies — the elder care provider’s parent corporation — or the attorney representing it in bankruptcy court responded to interview requests. A message left for Healdsburg Senior Living management went unanswered.

“Of course, there’s always concern for the residents,” said Sanford Horowitz, a Glen Ellen attorney who helped win a $2.5 million settlement against Pacifica last year, in a case involving Healdsburg Senior Living. “But these people (running Pacifica) were such bad operators, it might be better in the long run. It depends on whether someone is doing oversight. Or if perhaps they’re able to sell.”

Indeed, Pacifica has earned a checkered reputation here in town since it took over the home on Grove circa 2018. The years that followed were marked by repeated complaints and citations, peaking in 2021 when a resident of the facility’s “skilled nursing unit,” Phyllis Johnson, died in a manner that her surgeon later testified showed “clear reckless neglect” on the part of Healdsburg Senior Living. Pacifica was forced by federal regulators to close the home’s skilled nursing unit entirely in 2022, and just ended the ordeal last year by settling with Johnson’s family for around $2.5 million. The home’s operators have since been pushing for a fresh start and trying to earn back the community’s trust, with events like a group birthday party they just threw in February for five residents turning 100 — a “centenarian celebration,” they called it. The home’s activities director told me at the event that occupancy was low, and that Pacifica was trying to recruit more residents. Here’s to hoping all our local seniors see a smooth transition amid this corporate turmoil.

I had a lovely time chatting with centenarian Marge Barnard at Healdsburg Senior Living on Feb. 28. (Photo: Rick Tang/Healdsburg Tribune)

  (Photo: TK)

6) Healdsburg Hospital workers are now unionized

KRCB news radio has the scoop on this one! The station reported Friday that the 200 or so staff members at our 43-bed Healdsburg Hospital just voted to join the National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW). Healdsburg Hospital was purchased in 2021 by the Providence Medical Group, which also runs five other hospitals across NorCal, including one in Santa Rosa and one in Petaluma — and now, thanks to this latest vote, the NUHW union “represents workers at every Northern California Providence hospital,” according to a press release. Next, union reps plan to “bargain contracts at all six Providence hospitals across the region.”

Debra Lehnhard, a registered nurse at Healdsburg Hospital, tells radio reporters: “We’re excited to join our fellow NUHW members at the bargaining table and work together on a contract that secures market rate pay, improves patient care and safeguards medical care in our community. As the only non-union hospital in the region, we have a lot of catching up to do when it comes to our wages and retirement benefits.” And the union’s president, Sophia Mendoza, is even more blunt in the NUHW press release: “Union power is growing across the Providence system in California, and our members are determined to use their strength to win fair wages, secure safe staffing levels, and keep medical services in their communities. Our newest members at Healdsburg worked hard to win their union, and they’re going to join us in winning groundbreaking contracts across Northern California.”

Congrats to our local health care crew. (Photo: NUHW)

  (Photo: TK)

PICS OF THE WEEK

Check out the cute new hut for seeds and books at Badger Park! City Manager Jeff Kay announced its debut in his last community report, saying: “Despite the rain showers, our dedicated parks team has been hard at work, tackling important projects and making much needed repairs. They’ve recently completed the Memorial bricks installation at Villa Dog Park, repaired the Community Center playground slide, and added a charming new seed and book house at Badger Park Garden. We’re thrilled to see the community enjoying these new features and are excited to continue improving and enhancing our parks for everyone to enjoy!” (Photo: City of Healdsburg)

And neighbor Donna Koblick O’Brien took this pic of the riverside lot on the east end of Memorial Bridge — containing what’s left of Amy’s Wicked Slush, after it was demolished recently. (Following a fire that gutted it last year.) Anyone have info on what’s coming next for this property? Let me know. (Photo: Donna Koblick O’Brien)

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

Wednesday, April 9

• The North Bay Children’s Center at Fitch Mountain celebrates “week of the young child” with community tour, family craft activities and more (daily through Fri, Apr 11)

• “What Moves You?” spiritual reflection and community potluck at The 222 (monthly, second Wed, 5:30pm)

• “Canon Book Group” meeting at the mini Healdsburg Library: “A Winter’s Tale” by William Shakespeare (monthly, second Wed, 7-9pm)

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Thursday, April 10

• Odyssey Wine Academy hosts “Wine & Spirit Education Trust” (WSET) certification course at Bacchus Landing: “Level 2 Award in Wines” (9am-5pm)
• Watercolor class at Healdsburg Art Atelier (weekly, 10am-noon)
• AARP hosts final tax help session at the mini Healdsburg Library inside the Community Center (10am-3pm)
• Healdsburg High School swim team hosts home meet against Windsor High (4pm)
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The high school’s small but mighty swim team is preparing for a high-stakes rematch with Windsor this week! (Photo: Michael Lucid/Healdsburg Tribune)

• “Writers Space” at The 222: Work quietly together (monthly, second Thu, 4-6pm)
• Trivia night at the Fogbelt Station beer garden (weekly, 6-8pm)

• Matthew Logan Vasquez, frontman of indie-rock band Delta Spirit, plays free solo show at Little Saint (6-9pm)

• Author talk at The 222: Susan M. Gaines speaks on her new novel, “Accidentals,” a love story “within a thicket of history, endangered species biology and Latin American political repression” (7pm)

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Friday, April 11

• Creative doodling session at the Healdsburg Senior Center (10am)

• Auteur Wines opens new tasting room on Wohler Road in the Healdsburg countryside (10:30am)

Last weekend, I visited Auteur Wines cofounder Kenneth Juhasz at his gorgeous new spot next to the Raford Inn, at what he calls the “wishbone” of Eastside and Wohler roads. Kenneth explained that while some of his peers may be downsizing in this uncertain moment for the wine industry, he’s doubling down and betting on the enduring magic of excellent wine. Full interview coming soon! In the meantime, check out the San Francisco Chronicle’s glowing coverage of Healdsburg’s newest rural winery — or go check it out for yourself, starting this Friday! Reservations here. (Photo: Simone Wilson)

• Free intermediate ukulele class at the Healdsburg Senior Center (12:30-3:30pm)

• Art therapist Erin Partridge hosts “intuitive movement to art” dance session at The 222 (weekly, 1-3pm)

• “Book Buddies” session at Healdsburg Elementary: Teens read to kids in grades K-3 (weekly, 2:45-4:15pm)

• Friday night dance band at Longboard Vineyards: Smoke & Mirrors plays classic rock and Mommy’s Yummys serves Mediterranean food (weekly, 5-7pm)

• Live jazz at Furthermore Wines (Fri-Sat, Apr 11-12, 5:30-8:30pm)

• Healdsburg High School baseball team plays home game against Montgomery High from Santa Rosa (6pm)
• Healdsburg High School softball team plays home game against Windsor High (6:30pm)

The Hounds have been playing some solid softball this year. (Photo: Michael Lucid/Healdsburg Tribune)

• Italian Saxophone Quartet performs at The 222 (7pm)
• Lunar Sea Radio, a funky bluegrass band, plays the Elephant in the Room pub (8pm)
• Fleetwood Mask, a Fleetwood Mac cover band, plays Coyote Sonoma (8pm)
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Saturday, April 12 🌝

• Annual 50 miler, marathon and half marathon at Lake Sonoma (6am)
• Season opener: Healdsburg Farmers Market in the west plaza parking lot (weekly, 8:30am-noon)

• Kiwanis Club of Windsor hosts free annual Easter egg hunt on the Windsor High School baseball field (10am)

• Read to a dog at the mini Healdsburg Library (weekly, 11am-noon)

• Make your own DIY book bag at the mini Healdsburg Library (11am-12:30pm)

• Floral arrangement class at Dragonfly Farm & Floral: Learn to make “contemporary asymmetrical arrangements” (11am-1pm)

Perfectly imperfect. (Photo: Dragonfly Farm & Floral)

• Egg hunt at Healdsburg Senior Living on Grove Street: Friendly goats, Easter bunny photo opp, kids art activities and more (noon-3pm)

• Spring release party at the Aldina Vineyards tasting room inside Bacchus Landing (noon-4pm)

• Flower printing workshop at h2hotel: “Create a one-of-a-kind neckerchief or bandana” (2-4pm)

• Healdsburg Children’s Choir practice at the Community Center (weekly through May 17, 2-5pm)

• Opening reception for new “Californication” art exhibit at the Rena Charles Gallery: Photography by Alexis Greenberg and live painting by Willow LaLand (2-6pm)

• Painting session at Healdsburg Art Atelier (weekly, 4-6pm)
• “Easter brunch for dinner” cooking class at Quail & Condor bakery: Eggs en cocotte, hot cross buns and more (4-7pm)

Giving new meaning to Easter eggs... (Photo: Parker Hill Provisions)

• Robb Sudduth Quartet plays live jazz at Hotel Healdsburg (weekly, 6-9pm)

• Victoria Schlesinger, editor-in-chief of Bay Nature Magazine, speaks on the magazine’s history at The 222 (7pm)

• Traveling Wilburys Revue, a Traveling Wilburys cover band, plays Coyote Sonoma (7:30pm)

• Pat Jordan Band plays party blues-rock at the Elephant in the Room pub (8pm)

Sunday, April 13 ✡️

• Forestville Chamber of Commerce hosts annual Easter egg hunt at Forestville Youth Park, followed by milk and cookies (10am)

• “Jendala Day” at the Villa Chanticleer: Celebration of life for beloved local artist Jendala Utsch, followed by afterparty at Heartizens on Moore Lane (12-6pm)

The most wonderful day of the year. (Image: Heartizens)

• “Vinyl Sundays” at Furthermore Wines: Listen to blues records with Tony Lemieux of Rambletone Blues (weekly, 4-7pm)
• Poetry reading at The 222: “SECRETS” by Ravyn Dawn (5pm)

• Staten Island standup comedian Sal Vulcano performs at the Luther Burbank Center in Santa Rosa on his “Everything’s Fine Tour” (5pm)

• Dave Hamilton Band plays folksy Americana at the Elephant in the Room pub (6pm)

Monday, April 14

• City and county officials host public “Safe Routes to School” assessment at the Healdsburg Elementary campus (8-9:30am)

• Graveside service for longtime Healdsburg resident Wanda Monticelli at Oak Mound Cemetery, followed by celebration of life at Trinity Baptist Church (11am)

• “Jumpstart Your Art” working session for artists and creatives at The 222 (weekly, 1-4pm)

• City and county officials host public “Safe Routes to School” assessment at the St. John’s campus (1:30-3pm)

Let the inspections begin. (Image: Sonoma County Safe Routes to School)

• Healdsburg High School swim team hosts home meet against Piner High from Santa Rosa (4pm)

• Poetry slam at Healdsburg Elementary’s Fitch Mountain campus library (5:30-6:30pm)

Tuesday, April 15 💰

• Book club meeting at the Healdsburg Senior Center: “Did I Ever Tell You?” by Genevieve Kingston (monthly, third Tue, 10-11am)

• City and county officials host public “Safe Routes to School” assessment at Healdsburg Elementary’s Fitch Mountain campus and the high school (1:30-3pm)

• “Ben’s Friends” group hosts sober meetup at Healdsburg Bar & Grill for “anyone struggling with addiction in the hospitality industry” (weekly, 9:45am)
• Oil painting class at Healdsburg Art Atelier (weekly, 10am-1pm)
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The new Healdsburg Art Atelier studio on Hudson Street, right across from Old Roma Station, has really been ramping up the class schedule lately. This is a still-life oil painting done by teacher Phil McDonel. (Image: Healdsburg Art Atelier)

• Sonoma County Democratic Party hosts “End Tax Injustice” caravan protest at post offices across the county, including in Healdsburg (12:30-6pm)

• City and county officials host public “Safe Routes to School” assessment at The Healdsburg School (1:40-3:10pm)

• Healdsburg High School softball team plays home game against Piedmont High from the East Bay (4:30pm)
• Homework help for kids in grades K-12 at the mini Healdsburg Library inside the Community Center (weekly, 4:30-6:30pm)

• Aikido class for adults at the Healdsburg Community Center (weekly through May 20, 5:15-6:15pm)

• Chris Hoog and friends play saxophone jams at the Elephant in the Room pub (7:30pm)

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As glam as sax can get. (Image: Chris Hoog)

Wednesday, April 16

• Teen hangout at the mini Healdsburg Library: Movie with popcorn (weekly, 1:30-2:30pm)

• “Book Buddies” session at Healdsburg Elementary: Teens read to kids in grades K-3 (weekly, 2:45-4:15pm)

• “Intercambio” grupo de conversación para principiantes / beginning conversation group at the mini Healdsburg Library (weekly, 4:30-5:30pm)

• Healdsburg Unified School District’s board of trustees holds regular meeting at City Hall (monthly, third Wed, 6pm)

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Thursday, April 17

• City and county officials host public “Safe Routes to School” assessment at the Healdsburg Junior High campus (1:50-3:20pm)

• “Artful play” workshop for kids in grades K-6 at the mini Healdsburg Library (3:30-5pm)
• Healdsburg High School tennis team plays home match against Ukiah (4pm)
• Healdsburg High School softball team plays home game against St. Vincent de Paul High from Petaluma (4:30pm)

• Healdsburg Jazz hosts annual gala and concert at the Montage Healdsburg resort: “Kim Nalley Sings the Great American Songbook” (5-9:30pm)

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Gearing up for the jazz festival in June... (Image: Healdsburg Jazz)

• Corazón Healdsburg hosts volunteer appreciation fiesta at the Healdsburg Community Center (5:30-7:30pm)

• Live jazz at Furthermore Wines (weekly, Thu-Sat, 5:30-8:30pm)

• “We Want the Funk” music documentary film screening and dance party at the Raven Theater (6-11pm)

• Trivia night at the Fogbelt Station beer garden (weekly, 6-8pm)
• Shannon Lay, a folksy singer-songwriter, plays free show with the Buddy Hollywood band at Little Saint (6-9pm)
• Forest Ray, a psychedelic rock band from Seattle, plays the Elephant in the Room pub (7pm)
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Friday, April 18 ✝️

• Healdsburg City Council holds special goal-setting session at the golf course clubhouse (8am-3pm)

• Kids singalong with a farmer at Little Saint (10-11am)

• LandPaths hosts “Broompullooza Finale” volunteer workday at Fitch Mountain Open Space Preserve (10am-2pm)

Last chance to pull broom, before it goes to seed! (Photo: LandPaths)

• Bilingual storytime for babies and toddlers at the mini Healdsburg Library inside the Community Center (10:30-11:15am)

• “Bunny Craft Corner” for kids at the Montage Healdsburg resort: Egg dying, crafting bunny ears and more (Fri-Sun, Apr 18-20, 1pm)

• Art therapist Erin Partridge hosts “intuitive movement to art” dance session at The 222 (weekly, 1-3pm)

• “Book Buddies” session at Healdsburg Elementary: Teens read to kids in grades K-3 (weekly, 2:45-4:15pm)

• “Easter brunch for dinner” cooking class at Quail & Condor bakery: Eggs en cocotte, hot cross buns and more (Fri-Sat, Apr 18-19, 4-7pm)
• Floral centerpiece class at Dragonfly Farm & Floral: Learn to make wildflower centerpieces for spring and Easter (6-7:30pm)
• Healdsburg High School softball team plays home game against Novato High (6:30pm)
• Healdsburg High School baseball team plays home game against Analy High from Sebastopol (7pm)
• Sonoma Shakers, a high-energy local dance band, plays Coyote Sonoma (7pm)
• SOLD OUT: Standup comedian Paula Poundstone returns to the Raven Theater to make fun of our Hand Fan Museum (7:30pm)
• The Pitchforks, a classic country and honky tonk band, plays the Elephant in the Room pub (8pm)
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Saturday, April 19

• Little Saint celebrates third “B-Earth Day” with flower stand, live music by Albert & His Dreamboats, sparkling wines and more (8:30am-10pm)

Little Saint turns three, on the same day the Earth turns... 4.5 billion something? (Image: Little Saint)

• Healdsburg Farmers Market in the west plaza parking lot (weekly, 8:30am-noon)

• Healdsburg Rotary Club hosts annual Easter Egg Scramble at Healdsburg Elementary’s Fitch Mountain campus: Hunt for “plastic eggs filled with delightful treats,” bicycle raffle and more (9am)

• Comstock Wines hosts annual “Egg Scramble in the Vineyard” for Easter, followed by wood-fired pizzas and wine (10:30am-1pm)

• Annual “Spring Egg Hunt in the Vineyard” and Easter carnival at Francis Ford Coppola Winery in Geyserville (11am)

• Read to a dog at the mini Healdsburg Library (weekly, 11am-noon)

• “Rest, Rise & Realign: A Transformative Meditation Journey” at Dragonfly Farm & Floral (weekly through May 3, 11am-12:30pm)

• Gel plate printing art class at the Healdsburg Center for the Arts (11am-3pm)

• Dry Creek Kitchen at Hotel Healdsburg hosts second annual Easter Jubilee: Easter egg hunt, special brunch and more (1:30-3:30pm)

• Cat Video Fest at True West Film Center: “A curated compilation of the finest and most entertaining cat videos” (2pm & 6pm)

• Healdsburg Children’s Choir practice at the Community Center (weekly through May 17, 2-5pm)

• Painting session at Healdsburg Art Atelier (weekly, 4-6pm)
• Healdsburg Future Farmers Country Fair hosts annual barn dance and dinner fundraiser at Alexander Valley Hall in Geyserville: Live music by Train Wreck Junction (5-10pm)

I risked life and limb to get this horrible pic of the barn dance banner hanging along Highway 128 as I drove by last month. (Photo: Simone Wilson)

• Chris Amberger Trio plays live jazz at Hotel Healdsburg (weekly, 6-9pm)

• Trio M, an all-star jazz collective, plays The 222 (7pm)
  

• Aqua Nett, an ’80s party rock band, plays Coyote Sonoma (7pm)

• Marcus Buser, a jazzy surf-rock musician, plays the Elephant in the Room pub (8pm)

Sunday, April 20 🐣

• Spoonbar hosts annual Easter brunch buffet, including bottomless Bellinis (10:30am-2:30pm)

That’s it for this week. Leave no egg unturned out there, OK loves? 💜

— Simone Wilson

About me: I was born and raised in Healdsburg, CA, and have since worked as a local journalist for publications in San Diego, Los Angeles, New York City and the Middle East. I’m now a senior product manager and staff writer for the Weeklys newspaper group, including the Healdsburg Tribune and the North Bay Bohemian.

Have any feedback, questions, suggestions or corrections? Or a tip about something happening in town? Hit me up at swilson@weeklys.com.