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November 20, 2020

Holiday Guidance to Minimize COVID-19 Spread

Sonoma County has joined other Bay Area counties to issue the same recommendations for safer holidays and travel to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

The safest gathering? One composed of a small group of people who meet outdoors for a short time, wear face masks, sit at a distance and who follow other safety measures. Any activity outside of your household increases chances of virus exposure, so be selective and space out your public activities.

If gathering with your small, stable group is most important, consider forgoing or delaying other activities such indoor dining to reduce your overall exposures and protect your group. Although some traditions will have to be put on hold this year, there are still creative ways to have a Happy Thanksgiving and maybe even create new traditions. For more information, go to: https://socoemergency.org/emergency/novel-coronavirus/holiday-recommendations/

Governor Orders Curfew Between 10 PM - 5 AM

COVID-19 cases continue to increase in California. As a result, Gov. Gavin Newsom this week issued a limited "Stay at Home Order" that requires counties in the purple tier -- including Sonoma County -- to impose a curfew between 10 PM - 5 AM.The curfew starts Nov. 21 and will be in effect until at least Dec. 21.

This curfew means that non-essential work and activities are not allowed; it's aimed at discouraging people from holding large gatherings. Residents can still leave their homes if they have to as long as they don't interact with people outside their households. The governor's order also does not apply to people experiencing homelessness.

For more information, go to https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/limited-stay-at-home-order.aspx

Free COVID-19 Testing Continues
Schedule Appointments Online

Sonoma County continues to offer free COVID-19 testing – including Wednesdays in November from 9-11 AM -- at the Healdsburg Day Labor Center, in the City Hall parking lot (401 Grove St.). Other COVID-19 testing sites include Cloverdale, Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, and Guerneville.

These free, confidential tests are available to all Sonoma County residents regardless of documentation status. No ID is required. People can now schedule a COVID-19 test online at https://sonomacounty.fullslate.com/ as well as call (707) 565-4667.

There is also a COVID-19 testing site in Windsor, at 25 Bluebird Drive, under the auspices of the California Department of Health. These tests are also free. For more information and to make an appointment, go to: https://lhi.care/covidtesting or call 1 (888) 634-1123.

Sonoma County residents can get $30 as compensation if they get tested. In addition, if you must quarantine and cannot work, you can get up to $1,200 in compensation if your employer doesn't pay for your sick leave. More information: https://socoemergency.org/emergency/novel-coronavirus/healthy-body-mind/healthcare-testing/covid-19-testing-in-sonoma-county/

Downtown Art Installation

We invite you to come downtown and experience several murals that will be installed in the Open Streets area this weekend. Local artist Jessica Martin is spearheading the art installation, which features works by several local artists.

The murals are one element of a four-part art series that will bring artistic features downtown between now and spring 2021. The project is made possible through Sonoma County grant funding the Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce received as part of Creative Sonoma's “2020 Creative Reopening Project.” For more information, please visit www.artinhealdsburg.com.

Nov. 21: Garden Club Plant Sale

Our friends from the Healdsburg Garden Club will hold another plant sale tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 AM – 1 PM in West Plaza Park, between the former Bear Republic and Hotel Healdsburg. Here are just two examples of the homegrown plants that will be available for purchase.

Enso Village Project Moves Forward

At its meeting on Nov. 17, the Planning Commission approved a Design Review and Conditional Use Permit with a 6-0 vote to allow the Enso Village Senior Living Community Project to prepare construction documentation for the issuance of building permits. This new senior project, to be located at 16977 Healdsburg Ave., will be a 221-unit senior living community with 54 memory care/assisted living beds on a 16-acre parcel on the south end of the "North Village" project site.

The proposed Enso Village’s main facility will include dining, bistro, lobby, library, spa/wellness/fitness, clinic, therapy areas, administrative offices, support spaces, etc. A second, two-story building will house independent-living units. There will be onsite parking for 275 vehicles. Enso Village is anticipated to be ready for occupancy in 2023.

Energy Star Appliance Rebate Ends Dec. 31

The Utility Department’s rebate for EnergyStar appliances is set to expire on Dec 31. If you’re looking to replace your old, inefficient refrigerator, dishwasher or washing machine, please submit your rebate application soon.

Find the most efficient appliances by going to Enervee’s marketplace (https://choose.enervee.com/) and selecting a model with a high energy score to help you save in the long run. The rebate application can be found here: https://bit.ly/3f8kaUB

Tree Removal Complete on Borel Road

Workers removed the last of the diseased eucalyptus trees on Borel Road on Monday, eliminating the possibility of falling limbs or trees. The City would like to thank the neighborhood residents for their patience and understanding -- both for the disruption and the time it took to get the work done.

Recycled Water Expansion

Workers installing recycled-water pipes.

The City is installing approximately 2,500 ft. of 8-inch purple-pipe to meet regulatory requirements of the Regional Water Board. The purple pipe designates that this water is not suitable for drinking but great for irrigation purposes.

When completed, this phase of the project will irrigate about 120 acres of vineyard and landscape using recycled water. This recycled-water expansion helps the City to better manage compliance with the seasonal discharge prohibition of our NPDES permit.

Jan. 9, 2021: Healdsburg Fire Bucket Brigade Blood Drive

Mark your calendars: January 9, 2021, is the date for Healdsburg Fire Department’s Bucket Brigade Blood Drive. The drive will be held from 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM in the truck bay of the firehouse, at 601 Healdsburg Ave.

The Bucket Brigade is a friendly competition with other fire departments in Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino counties. January’s blood drive will look different as donors and staff will be masked up -- but the goal remains the same -- to help save lives. Last year, the Bucket Brigade provided 930 lifesaving units of blood.