The Voices of Healdsburg by Merrilyn Joyce — April 2020

Wow! Another wake up call, like we didn’t hear the last ones? Healdsburg residents, whose hearts have been tenderized by fire threats, evacuations, PG&E shutoffs, losses to hospitality businesses, gentrification evictions and flood damage are again responding with compassion: reaching out, looking after the more vulnerable, expressing gratitude, offering support and inviting calm.

This forced isolation is a perfect time to reflect, to acknowledge our feelings, to think deeply about life and death, to turn to our treasured writers, thinkers and poets in order to make sense of existence.

“Fools stand on their island of opportunities and look toward another land. There is no other land; there is no other life but this.” ~ Henry David Thoreau

So, take a spring walk in the amazingly clear brisk air; prepare food and eat at home; plant seeds for summer bounty; offer assistance where you can with whatever gifts you have to share. It’s time for relaxing baths, for prayer and meditation, for singing, shadow dancing, and staying connected. Friends who aren’t on the internet may truly appreciate a phone call or a card. Don’t forget the shelterless!

There is only now, and the bitterer it is, the sweeter it feels to live the moment to its fullest.” ~ Tamuna Tsertsvadze ~

Thankfully, City staff are getting really good at emergencies! Healdsburg City Council ratified the city’s March 11 emergency declaration, in relation to COVID-19. An emergency declaration allows the city to access mutual aid and other resources.

If you’ve been too busy to participate in City government now is your chance.

City Council meets April 6 and April 20, 6PM using new Brown Act revisions that allow all but one council member to call in remotely. You can watch/listen to the meetings from home via the City website. Click on the tiny orange RSS symbol on the right. http://healdsburgca.iqm2.com/Citizens/default.aspx .

Residents who use the internet are staying connected on social media during this crisis. On Nextdoor Healdsburg there’s been a robust conversation on various ways to support community members, seniors and local businesses. Neighbors have offered to pick up items for seniors or visit from a safe distance. Seniors in isolation report they will continue to pay house cleaners; others suggest buying gift cards from local businesses and restaurants. El Sombrero, for example, is closed but is offering gift cards.

Neighbors urge we also support our poorly paid hospital staff with gift cards from local restaurants. Many restaurants are offering takeout, delivery, curbside pickup etc. Some mentioned are:Agave, Baci, Barrels, Brews & Bites, Barn Diva, Costeaux (delivers Sunday brunch!), Casa de Mole, Catellis, Downtown Bakery, 8 Dragons, El Farolito, Journeyman Meat Co. Thai Orchard, Vallette’s and Wicked. Don’t forget to tip.

Shelton’s practices strict safety guidelines, has a super convenient curbside pickup. Email your order and pay online; they fill orders wearing gloves. They will also deliver within Healdsburg for a $35 min order and $5 delivery charge. Big John’s is open and well stocked. Safeway is open and has senior hours on Tuesday and Thursday 6AM–9AM, but some shoppers ignore social distancing and take your own hand sanitizers. Windsor Safeway will deliver. Oliver’s is open and has posted the strict safety precautions they follow. Many other stores may be open, and all need our support. Visit your favorite food store or restaurant’s Facebook page; email or call them.

The City has set up a Neighbors Network to match those with needs with volunteers helpers. If you can volunteer to help someone, let the City know. For more information and to submit requests for help—like shopping, errands, pet care assistance, minor home maintenance, social interaction, etc—or to volunteer, call: 707-431-3492 or visit the City’s Volunteer Program.https://www.ci.healdsburg.ca.us/860/Volunteer-Program Reach for Home is distributing food for the shelterless each Thursday at 8 drop locations. Portable toilets are adjacent the Plaza and most parks.

“Instead of bracing yourself for the perils of the unknown, Embrace the joy that is here, in your present moment.” ~ Michelle D. Rosado ~

Share how you are coping: HBG_Gazette@sonic.net