🌱 See SMART Train Station Proposal + Matheson 'Manslaughter' Update

Hello all! Simone here with your weekend edition of the Healdsburg Patch newsletter, full of everything you need to know about what's happening in town. Let's dive right in.

First, your weekend weather:

• Friday: Clouds turning to sun. High: 82 Low: 59.
• Saturday: Clouds turning to sun again. High: 88 Low: 57.
• Sunday: Partly sunny. High: 90 Low: 57.
• Monday: Partly sunny with a slight chance of rain. High: 87 Low: 61.
• Tuesday: Mostly sunny. High: 82 Low: 55.

Air over Healdsburg:

Here are the top stories today in Healdsburg:

1. At the next Healdsburg City Council meeting on Monday night, there will be a big presentation on the new SMART train station proposed in Healdsburg — and city officials have shared some exciting renderings and maps ahead of time. It looks like they're choosing between three locations for the station: the first, at the original depot site near Harmon Street, next to where Healdsburg Lumber used to be; the second, on Grove Street right across from City Hall; and the third, on Vine Street one block south. As part of the $160 million project extending the rail line from Windsor to Healdsburg, SMART train planners also say they want to "replace the existing Railroad bridge across the Russian River with a dual purpose rail & pedestrian bridge," effectively "connecting Bailhache Ave. to Front St." for pedestrians. They'll also need to install a train crossing alert system at the Healdsburg roundabout, because the train tracks run right through it. And at the station itself, SMART plans to build a "passenger boarding platform, shelter & amenities, bicycle parking" and 30 to 50 dedicated parking spots for vehicles. About half the money for the project has been secured so far; SMART says they're waiting on some federal grant allocations and other funding to reach the $160 million. Still, they seem pretty confident they'll be done with the Healdsburg extension and station by 2026. You can find more details on the city's website — or better yet, stop by City Hall on Monday at 6 p.m.! (David Hagele via Facebook & City of Healdsburg & Nextdoor)

2. The Healdsburg Tribune and Press Democrat have more details on the ongoing investigation into the July 3 death in town of Abel Garza, a 41-year-old father of three from Santa Rosa. The newspapers report that another man from Santa Rosa, 34-year-old Romario Morga Cisneros, was working in the pool area at Hotel Healdsburg that day, and fought back with Garza's own weapon after Garza allegedly attacked him and a couple of other employees with a metal object resembling a landscaping or gardening stake. Garza was later found dead "just yards off Matheson Street in a parking area near Williamson Wines," the Trib reports — so authorities have pinned his death on Cisneros, and handed him charges of involuntary manslaughter. More from the Trib: "The July 3 incident began a little before 9:30am, when several men working in the pool area of Hotel Healdsburg encountered Garza and told him he had to leave. ... In the confrontation, Garza reportedly threw toilet paper in the pool, struck a bellperson and took a hotel worker’s tools, reported as a nail gun or similar. Reports indicate that Garza was shirtless, and possibly associated with a skateboard and a green F-150 truck, wherein was found alcohol. ... Garza left the hotel area but returned later that same morning, at about 10:20am. This time, he was carrying a hammer and what was described as 'an unknown metal object' that some reports characterized as a gardening stake. He was also reported to have had confrontations with at least one other individual in the area, and reportedly threw the hammer before leaving the scene for the parking area behind The Wurst across the street. At some point, a physical fight occurred between three of the presumed hotel workers and Garza, during which one of the hotel employees suffered minor injuries." You can find more details in the Trib and the PD. (Healdsburg Tribune & Press Democrat; paywall)

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This weekend in Healdsburg:

Friday, August 18

• Summer Sidewalk Sale at 17 Businesses in Downtown Healdsburg (Aug. 18-20, All Day)
• Adam Lieb Live at Davis Family Vineyards (3-6PM)
• "Friday Flicks" at the Healdsburg Library: Family-Friendly Movie Screening (Weekly, 3:30-5PM)
• Healdsburg Running Company Hosts Kids Run to Amy's Wicked Slush (5PM)
• Ricky Ray Plays Roadhouse Blues at Furthermore Wines (5-8PM)
• The Pulsators Live at Soda Rock Winery, Featuring Food From Nellie’s Oysters (5-8:30PM)
• "Kinky Whites Party" With Ziggy the Wine Gal at Comstock Wines (6-8:30PM)
• "The Killer Dueling Pianos" Song & Dance Battle at Francis Ford Coppola Winery (6-9PM)
• Parisian Pop-Up Dinner at Jordan Winery (6-9PM)
• Outdoor Summer Movie Series in the Healdsburg Plaza: "Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade" (7:15PM)
• "24/7: Theater Without a Safety Net" at the Raven: 7 Writers, 7 Directors & 7 Groups of Actors Create 7 Ten-Minute Plays in 24 Hours, With the Audience's Help (Aug. 18-19, 7:30PM)
• Edith Márquez Live at the Luther Burbank Center (8PM)
• Comedy Night at Coyote Sonoma, Featuring Comedians Sean Keane, Tramane Webb & Jeff Dean (8-10PM)
• The Mad Maggies Live at the Elephant in the Room (8-11PM)

Saturday, August 19

• Garrett Hardware Celebrates 134th Anniversary With 15 Percent Off Most Items, Plus Refreshments, Costeaux Cake & Other Goodies (7AM-7PM)
• Yard Sale at 317 Piper St., Featuring "Household Decor, Furniture, Garden Pots/Decor & Lots of Great Jewelry" (8:30AM)
• Healdsburg Farmers Market in the West Plaza Parking Lot (8:30AM-12PM)
• Farm to Pantry Hosts Volunteer Beet Glean at HomeFarm: Meet at the Dry Creek General Store & Drive to the Farm Together (9AM-12PM)
• "U-Pick" Summer Flowers at Front Porch Farm (9AM-2PM)
• Read to a Dog at the Healdsburg Library (Weekly, 11AM)
• Healdsburg Museum Hosts History Talks in the Plaza (Weekly, 11AM-2PM)
• Art Class at the Healdsburg Center for the Arts: "Abstract Collage & the Creative Process" (11AM-3PM)
• Tarweed Live at Davis Family Vineyards (3-6PM)
• Scott Ray Laws Live at Fogbelt Station Beer Garden (5PM)
• Nick Otis & Amre Leon Dana Live at Furthermore Wines (5-8PM)
• Single Vineyard Dinner at Rodney Strong (5:30PM)
• Sunset BBQ at Zialena Winery, Featuring Zinfandel, Winemaker Pig Roast & Live Music (5:30-8PM)
• "La Cosecha" 11th Annual Grand Tasting at Bacchus Landing: Members of the Mexican American Vintners Association Share Their Wines (6-9PM)
• Paul McCandless & Christian Foley-Beining Live at Hotel Healdsburg (6-9PM)
• Red's Blues Live at the Elephant in the Room (8-11PM)
• '80s Movie Night at Coyote Sonoma, Featuring Live Music by Notorious (9-11PM)

Sunday, August 20

• "Hot August Nights" Classic Car Show at Chateau Diana Winery, Featuring BBQ Food Truck, Live Music, Slushies & Wine (12-4PM)
• "Fête Du Vin Blanc" Summer Soiree & Wine Tasting Event at Barndiva, Featuring "37 Exciting Whites From Sonoma & Mendocino Counties" (2-4PM)
• Country Singer Josh Turner Live at the Luther Burbank Center (7PM)
• Bluegrass Band Fog Holler Live at the Elephant in the Room (8PM)

Monday, August 21

• Intermediate Tennis Class for Kids Aged 7-14 at Giorgi Park (Mondays & Wednesdays, Aug. 21-Nov. 15, 4-5:30PM)
• Healdsburg City Council Meeting (6PM)

Tuesday, August 22

• First Day of Class at The Healdsburg School (All Day)
• Healdsburg Farmers Market on the Plaza (9AM-12:30PM)
• Food Distribution at the Healdsburg Community Center (Weekly, 9:30-10:30AM)
• Healdsburg High School Girls Tennis Team Plays at Home Vs. Windsor (5PM)
• Luther Burbank Center Hosts Donor Appreciation Party (5:30-7:30PM)
• Tuesdays in the Plaza, Featuring Live Music by Americana/Folk Rock Band Free Peoples (6PM)
• Healdsburg City Planning Commission Hosts Public Hearing on Construction of "New 43,968 Square-Foot Winery Production Facility, Warehouse & Office" at 1460 Grove St. (6PM)
• Healdsburg Running Company "Trail Sisters" Host Hawaiian-Themed Magnolia Run, Ending With Mai Tais in the Parklet (6PM)
• Boot Juice Live at the Elephant in the Room (7-10PM)

From my notebook:

• Costeaux French Bakery has been finding all sorts of ways to celebrate their 100th anniversary this year. They held their latest party yesterday at the bakery. Here's a recap from the lady who runs the Shop Local Healdsburg blog: "There was a champagne 🍾 🥂 skirt tower that greeted you at the door, the infamous @thatmattyvino emceed, a proclamation honoring today’s celebration by the city of Healdsburg by [Mayor] Ariel Kelley, and a heartfelt speech and thank you by current owners since 1981, Will Seppi and his family — were given along with a lavish spread of bites and fantastically ornate bday CAkE 🎂 🎉 . Cheers to 100 more years, @costeauxfrenchbakery! Thank you for all the sweet community love and care you bring 💛 🇫🇷 🥐 🥖 🍪 🎂." Their next party is a costume dinner planned for Saturday, Aug. 26. (Shop Local Healdsburg via Instagram & Costeaux Anniversary Party)

• The Healdsburg Chorus will start rehearsing a couple of Mondays from now, on Aug. 28, for their annual holiday concerts this December at the Raven, a chorus rep tells me. This year's song list includes “Betelehemu,” “All My Heart This Night Rejoices,” “Do You Hear What I Hear," “Ocho Kandelikas,” “Wexford Carol,” “Go Tell It On The Mountain” and more. Interested in getting involved? The rep says: "The Healdsburg Chorus is comprised of community, non-professional singers, and welcomes new members each season. Rehearsals are Monday nights from 6:30 to 8:30p. The chorus doesn’t hold auditions, but new members will sing for the director after the second rehearsal to make sure they are in the correct section and can sing together with others." See the chorus website for more info. (Inbox & Healdsburg Chorus)
• There are five new cats up for adoption at the Healdsburg animal shelter, including an orange one named Ed Sheeran who looks a spooky amount like Ed Sheeran. (Healdsburg Patch)

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Featured events:

• Book Sale August 18-20, Rincon Valley (August 18)
• Live Music by Adam Lieb (August 18)
• Live Music by Tarweed (August 19)
• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Free Stuff And Great Perks Every Week (August 22)
• Taking Parkinson's to the Mat! (August 24)
• Add your event

That's it for today! I'll be back next week with more 🫡

— 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]