🌱 Fitch Mountain Trails Close + Maui Support Swim + 24/7 Library

Hey, everybody! Let's kick off another sweet summer weekend in Healdsburg with a quick review of all the most important things going on in town. In today's newsletter, you'll get updates on:

• The Fitch Mountain trail renovations now underway
• An event this weekend at Memorial Beach to support Maui wildfire victims
• A handy new pickup option at the Healdsburg Library
• And more...

But first, your weekend weather:

• Friday: Clouds turning to sun. High: 83 Low: 54.
• Saturday: Clouds turning to sun again. High: 87 Low: 59.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny. High: 89 Low: 59.
• Monday: Mostly sunny. High: 90 Low: 56.
• Tuesday: More of the same! High: 91 Low: 57.

Air over Healdsburg:

Here are the top 3 stories in Healdsburg today:

1. Looks like the Fitch Mountain trail rats will have to hang back until winter. Healdsburg city leaders announced yesterday that the whole trail network throughout Fitch Mountain Park will be closed from now through sometime in October, while crews make some long-awaited upgrades to the area — including trail and creek restoration, plus a new bridge. (See graphic below for the final vision!) "With construction activities that includes the use of heavy equipment and hauling of materials, we are required to close all trail access from the Villa Chanticleer lower and upper parking lots, along with trail access from North Fitch Mountain Road," the city says. "The main trail and all connection trails will be inaccessible during construction. To ensure your safety, please do not proceed past the closure signage and do not cross construction fencing. During Fitch Mountain’s construction activities please join us at the 155-acre Healdsburg Ridge Open Space Preserve located off Parkland Farms Boulevard and Arabian Way. Keep an eye out for the fascinating wildlife, including an otter residing in Fox Pond. ... Thanks for your understanding." After this first phase of renovation is over, crews will be sprucing up the dog park, parking lot and restrooms through winter and spring — but the trails themselves should be back open during that time. (Healdsburg Patch & City of Healdsburg & City of Healdsburg & City of Healdsburg via Facebook)

2. I'm sure you've all heard about the wildfires ravaging the Hawaiian island of Maui right now. The death toll is at 55 people and counting, and some very special nature has been destroyed. It's all incredibly heartbreaking. In an effort to help, the folks from Healdsburg Running Company are hosting a Maui support swim at Healdsburg's Memorial Beach along the river this weekend. From organizers: "Maui, our hearts, prayers, support and donations can not replace your devastating loss! #mauistrong is understood sadly in Sonoma County! Come Out Sunday and Swim, donate. Some folks will bring some wine, beers and soft drinks for the kids! Meet up and Swim at Memorial Beach! Wear anything hawaiian shirt or hat or suit!" The event starts at noon. (Healdsburg Running Company via Facebook & Washington Post)
3. Starting next week, a cool new "outdoor locker system" at the Healdsburg Library will "allow you to pick up requested items at any time, 24/7, day or night," according to the Healdsburg Tribune. Library officials are calling it the "BiblioBox" — part of a growing convenience fleet that also includes a BiblioBus and BiblioBike. Here's some more info from the library's branch manager, Jon Haupt: "We know that sometimes people have a hard time getting to the library during our open hours. ... Whatever the reason, we expect that our BiblioBox will be very handy for many of our community members. The BiblioBox will be operational starting on Aug. 14. In order to use it, you will make a request in our library catalog for books, DVDs or other items, just like you would’ve before." (You can do this via the Sonoma County Library website.) "But when you go to select a location for pickup, you will choose between Healdsburg Library and Healdsburg Library Bibliobox. The latter will flag the item for our staff so that your items will be placed in a locker for you to pick up. Once you are notified to pick your items up, you will come to the BiblioBox with your library card, scan it and enter your PIN. A locker will pop open, providing you with your items. Once you take them out and close the door, your transaction is complete. Since you could pick up your item any time of day, even at 3am, the pickup window is shorter. Unlike the seven day window for regular requests, BiblioBox items need to be picked up within three days. If this service helps you get the materials you need, we encourage you to give it a try." (Healdsburg Tribune & Sonoma County Library)

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Healdsburg pics of the day, river health edition:

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This weekend in Healdsburg:

Friday, August 11

• Epicurean Kitchen Bistro at Williamson Wines (12-2:30PM)
• "Friday Flicks" at the Healdsburg Library: Family-Friendly Movie Screening (Weekly, 1-3PM)
• Smith Story Wine Cellars Hosts Summer Social at Bacchus Landing, Featuring Food From The Parish & Live Music by Dusty Rhodes & The Shop Band (5-7PM)
• Nate Lopez Plays "Groove in the Lounge" at Furthermore Wines (5-8PM)
• Hawaiian Luau at Healdsburg Senior Living (5:30-7:30PM)
• Parisian Pop-Up Dinner Series at Jordan Winery (Weekly, Aug. 11-25, 6-9PM)
• Raven Players Perform "Shakespeare in the Park" at West Plaza Park: "The Comedy of Errors" (Aug. 11-12, 7:30PM)
• Psychedelic Country Band Electric Tumbleweed Live at the Elephant in the Room (8-11PM)
• House Music Party at Coyote Sonoma (8PM-12AM)

Saturday, August 12

• Healdsburg Farmers Market in the West Plaza Parking Lot (8:30AM-12PM)
• "You Can Dig It" Iris Class & Iris Sale at the Russian River Rose Company: "How to Dig, Groom & Successfully Plant Those Beautiful Princesses of the Early Spring" (10AM-12PM)
• Hawley Winery Hosts "Sip & Paddle" Canoe Trip Along the Russian River in Healdsburg (10:30AM-3:30PM)
• Read to a Dog at the Healdsburg Library (11AM)
• Healdsburg Museum Hosts History Talks on the Plaza (Weekly, 11AM-2PM)
• Blanchard Family Wines Hosts Annual Reserve Barrel Tasting Experience (Aug. 12-13, 11AM-4PM)
• Wine Country Distillery Festival at the Luther Burbank Center (12-4PM)
• Wine Club Pick Up & Paella Party at Armida Winery (1-4PM)
• CD Thompson Live at Fogbelt Station Beer Garden (5PM)
• Chip Boaz Jazz Trio Live at Furthermore Wines (5-8PM)
• "Chicago: The Tribute" Performance at the Raven Theater (7:30PM)
• Joel Astley Live at the Elephant in the Room (8-11PM)

Sunday, August 13

• Healdsburg Running Company Hosts Maui Support Swim at Memorial Beach (12PM)
• Sundays in the Plaza, Featuring Live Music by Ukulele Hook-Folk Player Jon Gonzales (1-3PM)

Monday, August 14

• AVFilm Hosts "Perfect Pairings" Double Classic Film Screening at The Madrona: "Citizen Kane" by Orson Welles & "Velvet Goldmine" by Todd Haynes (5PM)
• Susto Live at the Elephant in the Room (7-10PM)

Tuesday, August 15

• Healdsburg Farmers Market on the Plaza (9AM-12:30PM)
• Felta Education Foundation (FEF) Meeting at West Side School (9AM)
• Food Distribution at the Healdsburg Community Center (Weekly, 9:30-10:30AM)
• Communities Organized to Prepare for Emergencies (COPE) Chapter of Northern Sonoma County Hosts August Info Session (3:30-5PM)
• Sebastian Saint James & the Muscle Souls Live at the Luther Burbank Center (5:30-7:30PM)
• Tuesdays in the Plaza, Featuring Live Music by Nuevo Canto/Latin Fusion Band Los Pinguos (6PM)
• Healdsburg Running Company "Trail Sisters" Host Olivet Road Run, Ending With Pool Party & BBQ (6PM)
• Caitlin Jemma & King Dream Live at the Elephant in the Room (7-10PM)

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• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Delighted Every Week (August 15)
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That's it for now! I'll see you very soon.

— 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.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Healdsburg Patch newsletter? Contact me at [email protected]