🌱 Pruning Time + Smitty Robinson Tribute + Local Cannabis Shop?

Simone Wilson
Updated ·9 min read

Hello, neighbors! It's me, Simone, your host of the Healdsburg Daily. I'm back in your inboxes this Thursday with all the latest on what's been happening around town. Here we go...

First, today's weather:

Some sun, then clouds. High: 63 Low: 34.

After a couple days of wild winds, the "High Wind Advisory" ended this morning. Gusts reportedly blew as strong as 70-plus mph yesterday in the mountains surrounding Healdsburg. And "a 56 mph gust was recorded on Red Hill east of Healdsburg," according to the PD. (Healdsburg Patch & Press Democrat; paywall)

Air over Healdsburg:

This is what the air over Healdsburg looked like earlier this morning. (Photo courtesy of Holly Wilson)
This is what the air over Healdsburg looked like earlier this morning. (Photo courtesy of Holly Wilson)

Here are the top 5 stories in Healdsburg today:

  1. The City of Healdsburg is considering "possible changes in commercial cannabis regulations within the city limits," which could pave the way for a new cannabis dispensary in town. But first, they're seeking input from residents via an official "Commercial Cannabis Community Survey" currently making the rounds. City leaders say they'll "use this feedback to help guide policy discussions later this year," so "please voice your opinion on this important matter." You have til Feb. 11 to fill out the survey. (Facebook & SurveyMonkey - English & SurveyMonkey - Español)

  2. Related: Healdsburg couple Ingrid Tsong and Jonathan Wentzel are featured in a somber CapRadio story on local cannabis farmers facing an "end of days" situation. Their farm, Beija Flor Farms up in Mendocino County, "has reached a breaking point in recent months," the story says. "Prices have fallen so far that their business is now losing money, and the couple is unsure they can afford to plant a crop this year." They and other farmers are criticizing Gov. Newsom for failing to set the legal cannabis industry up for success once Prop. 64 passed. For this Healdsburg couple, "the combination of high taxes and fees and an acreage cap for their farm, an oversupply of marijuana on the legal market and few places to sell it, has squeezed them from all directions. Tsong said their crop last fall cost about $460 per pound to produce, a third of that from California’s cultivation tax for growers. But wholesale prices have dropped to about $300 per pound in recent weeks, compared to as much as $800 per pound at the same time last year." (CapRadio)

  3. Fern Calender Naber, a longtime elementary school teacher in Healdsburg, has passed away at the age of 98. From her obituary: "Fern was a committed member of Trinity Baptist Church and an active participant of the Healdsburg Museum and a volunteer at the Schulz Museum. Fern excelled as a third-grade teacher, spending nine years at Healdsburg Elementary, and 13 years at Fitch Mountain School. Sharing her talents of teaching and love of children, she connected not only through school, but Vacation Bible School, her puppets (many remember her beloved Daisy) and volunteer time spent in various local groups and organizations." May she rest in peace. (Legacy.com)

  4. The Museum of Sonoma County posted a great tribute on social media this week to Healdsburg's own Smith "Smitty" Robinson, who was "one of the few Black residents of Sonoma County when his parents moved to Healdsburg in 1923." You may know him as the namesake of the Robinson Gym at Healdsburg High. According the museum, during World War II, Smitty "wrote letters to every active service member from Healdsburg and even began sending them a newsletter called 'Smitty’s Scoops' with news from Healdsburg." He also "started the Smitty Robinson Trophy to be given annually to the outstanding female athlete in high school"; "lead the youth choir at the then Federated Church of Healdsburg (now the Community Church)"; and, during the Korean War, "organized a grassroots effort in the community to send care packages to soldiers." Upon his death, the Healdsburg Tribune reportedly called Robinson “one of Healdsburg’s most famous citizens, and one of its best liked." (Facebook)

  5. What's going on in Healdsburg's miles and miles of vineyards these days? Sonoma Magazine has a good explainer on all the critical vine activity that happens during wintertime months, when rains have turned the grass below vines a beautiful, blinding green and the mustard seed between rows is exploding. The main thing is pruning. "The annual shaping of dormant vines is both a meditation and a careful calculation, as dedicated crews set the stage for the coming year's harvest," the magazine says. Marco Garcia, vineyard manager at Healdsburg's Capo Creek Ranch, explains how he decides when to prune: "When you see all the vines with leaves still even just a little green, they are still working. When all the leaves have dropped, they are shut down. If you cut before they’re dormant, you’ve broken them. ... There are so many things to think about as you go." It reportedly takes three workers around six weeks to prune all the vines at Capo Creek. And it's more relaxed than harvest. "You start your morning with a coffee, play some music you love, and soak up the beauty of nature… Oh my goodness, it’s the best job in the world,” Garcia says. (Sonoma Magazine)

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Healdsburg pic of the day:

Healdsburg resident Christopher Lefferts, who lives off South Fitch Mountain near the golf course, took this pic of his dog Gizmo celebrating the Chinese Year of the Tiger. Lefferts used to own 8 Dragons Restaurant in the Safeway Shopping Center, which closed down last year. "If you can, please try to get food from a Chinese restaurant" to celebrate the Chinese New Year, he says. "The Covid restrictions and stay at home recommendations have been especially difficult for restaurants." (Photo courtesy of Christopher Lefferts)

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Today and tomorrow in Healdsburg:

Thursday, February 3

  • Healdsburg American Association of University Women (AAUW) Forum: "Interpreting Works of Art - Your GPS for Visual Literacy" (10-11:45AM)

  • "Creativity As Self-Care" Class at Healdsburg Center for the Arts (Weekly on Thursdays, Feb. 3-March 10, 5:30-7PM)

  • Healdsburg Running Company Thursday Night Run: Hoka Demo to Rockpile Vineyards Tasting Room (6PM)

  • Healdsburg High School English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) Meeting (6-8PM)

Friday, February 4

  • Little Monsters Culinary Cooking & Art Class at Old Felta Schoolhouse (3:45-6:30PM)

From my notebook:

  • State officials are offering an all-day "technical assistance workshop for cannabis cultivators" this coming Wednesday at Healdsburg's Best Western Dry Creek Inn. "Cannabis permitting, engineering and grant staff" from the state will be on hand to discuss "general and complex cannabis construction activities, notification package assistance, compliance questions and cannabis grant program opportunities." (CA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife)

  • Erik Engstrom and a group of around a dozen other Healdsburg neighbors pooled the money needed to help out a well-known artist in town after his car, which also serves as his home, broke down for good. He's now got a new set of wheels. Shoutout to everyone who pitched in! (Facebook)

  • The local "Indivisible Healdsburg" org is pressuring our City Council to adopt a more climate-friendly "electric reach code for new residential construction," which would require "new low-rise residential buildings to eliminate natural gas and have only electric appliances." (Facebook)

  • There's a nice feature in the Press Democrat on Little Monsters Culinary, a Healdsburg cooking school for kids that instills "life skills and confidence" in the kitchen. (Press Democrat; paywall)

  • The North Bay Business Journal has an interesting profile, too, on Healdsburg resident and Michelin chef Steve Litke, a former chef at Bistro Ralph's who went on to head the kitchen at the increasingly prestigious Farmhouse Inn in Forestville for more than two decades. Now that he's retiring, he reflects on his legacy and the talent moving into Farmhouse to fill his shoes. (North Bay Business Journal)

  • Some more industry news: Investment firm SBJ Capital has purchased the Rack & Riddle sparkling wine company in Healdsburg. (Axios)

  • There are a couple super sweet-looking "tortoiseshell" cats now up for adoption at the Healdsburg animal shelter. As well as a tiny terrier puppy! (Healdsburg Patch)

  • A new documentary being made about sexual abuse survivors was filmed partially in Healdsburg, the PD reports. (Press Democrat; paywall)

  • Girl scout cookie season is upon us! Here are a couple local Healdsburg girls taking pre-orders. (Facebook & Facebook)

  • Did anyone spot the massive military USAF KC-10 Extender tanker and cargo aircraft doing training exercises yesterday at the Sonoma County Airport? Here's some cool footage. (Facebook & Facebook)

  • I'm sure you've heard already, but every household in the U.S. can now order four free at-home rapid antigen COVID tests. Here's more info from Sonoma County officials on how to get yours. (Facebook)

  • Members of the "You Know You're from Healdsburg, CA if..." community Facebook group are always uploading wonderful old pics from Healdsburg's past. Here are some nice shots of City Hall circa 1886 and 1914 and Garrett's Hardware circa 1924. (Facebook & Facebook & Facebook)

  • Both KinSmoke and Duke's on the plaza have taken down their outdoor seating areas, according to observant neighbors. (Facebook)

  • And speaking of KinSmoke: Their happy hour menu is back. It's available on weekdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Facebook)

  • The Flakey Cream donut shop in the CVS shopping center is hiring servers right now. (Nextdoor)

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You're all caught up for today. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with a new update!

— Simone Wilson

About me: I was born and raised in Healdsburg, CA, where I was the editor of the Healdsburg High School Hound's Bark. I have since worked as a local journalist for publications in San Diego, Los Angeles, New York City and the Middle East. I'm currently a senior product manager for Patch.

This article originally appeared on the Healdsburg Patch