🌱 Gas Tax Holiday? + Omicron's Impact On Sonoma + Rosé The Robot

Sean Peek
·3 min read
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Happy Friday, people of Healdsburg! I'm Sean Peek and I'll be filling in while your usual curator, Simone, is on vacation for the next week. Now, here's what's happening around town today, in five minutes or less. — Sean

First, today's weather:

Fog in the morning; sunshine. High: 64 Low: 38.

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Here are the top 3 stories in Healdsburg today:

  1. As fuel prices skyrocket in Healdsburg, a "gas tax holiday" has been proposed by Governor Gavin Newsom to reduce the financial burden on local drivers. Gas taxes had been set to increase in July 2022 to adjust for inflation, but Newsom's proposed budget will "backfill" the $523 million in taxes to transportation projects. According to AAA, the average price for regular gas in Healdsburg was $4.80 this week, just 7 cents below the area's highest recorded average price of $4.87 in November. (Healdsburg Patch)

  2. The omicron-fueled COVID-19 surge has hit Sonoma County hard, with healthcare facilities stretched to the breaking point and local businesses struggling to stay afloat. In response, Sonoma County Health Officer Dr. Sundari Mase issued public health Order C19-35 on Monday, effectively prohibiting large gatherings throughout the county. The order also asks Sonoma County residents to cancel or postpone smaller get-togethers for the next month, but some locals believe it will be difficult to enforce. Brad Barmore, co-owner of KINSmoke restaurant on the Healdsburg Plaza, told Petaluma 360 he believes some people in the county "are probably gonna have parties out of spite ... [because] that’s the way it has been weaponized." (Petaluma 360)

  3. A very special staff member of the Hotel Trio Healdsburg got a shout out in AARP's 2022 Hotel Industry Trends list: Rosé the robotic social distancing ambassador. This Marriott property on Dry Creek Road has been using its 3-foot-tall robot to deliver everything from linens to wine to hotel guests, who can summon Rosé using a mobile app. Innovations like robots for guest services are just one of the tech-enabled conveniences that hotels are using to attract guests in the COVID era. (AARP)

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Today in Healdsburg:

  • Art Exhibit: Bold Flavors In Fauve At Upstairs Art Gallery (11:00 AM)

From my notebook:

  • After 20 years serving the community on Plaza Street, Healdsburg Center for the Arts has relocated to a new home at 334 Center St. (Facebook)

  • Looking to buy a new home in the Healdsburg area? These two local homes have just hit the market. (Healdsburg Patch)

  • In collaboration with Healdsburg Community Services, LandPaths will be hosting a stewardship workday at Fitch Mountain Park and Open Space Preserve on Jan. 21, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers will work to pull the invasive French Broom plant along the Fitch Mountain Trail. Sign up here. (Facebook)

  • Winter Wineland returns to Healdsburg this weekend with 54 participating wineries. Attendees will get to meet winemakers and taste new releases and limited production wines. (Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today. I'll see you soon!

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.

This article originally appeared on the Healdsburg Patch