? Weird River Algae + Big Restaurant Honors + New Blood At City Hall

Hey, everybody! It's me, Simone, back in your inbox this morning to walk you through everything you need to know about what's happening in Healdsburg. Let's do this...

First, your daily weather:

• Thursday: Hot summer day! Morning clouds turning to sun, with some strong winds. High: 94 Low: 53.
• Friday: Mostly sunny and breezy. High: 90 Low: 51.

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Air over Healdsburg:

Here are the top 4 stories today in Healdsburg:

1. Some "potentially harmful" blue-green algae has been detected in the stretch of the Russian River that runs through Healdsburg, as well as other spots along the river, according to state and county officials. They say they're posting a sign at Memorial Beach and nine other local beaches warning river-goers to watch out for weird goop in the water. Photos on the sign show examples of these "colorful algal mats that range from bright to dull green, orange, brown and maroon." The PD reports that "as of Tuesday night, no toxic substances have been confirmed in the river this season, according to Rich Fadness, whose job with the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board includes monitoring and testing water for contaminants. But lab results from samples collected upstream of Healdsburg, around Del Rio Woods, were still pending, and the substance found there is known to produce hazardous toxins, he said." So as the summer gets hotter and the water line gets lower, people playing in the river are being advised to avoid strange-looking slime and wash themselves and their pets thoroughly after swimming. (Healdsburg Patch & County of Sonoma via Facebook & Press Democrat; paywall)
2. Healdsburg's most decorated fancy restaurant, SingleThread ? serving modern Japanese dishes over an elaborate series of courses ? just got another big honor. It slides in at a cool No. 50 on the prestigious "World?s 50 Best Restaurants" list for 2022. Our local joint is the only California restaurant, and one of just three U.S. restaurants, on the list; the other two are Atomix and Le Bernardin in New York City. Here's how SingleThread responded to the news on Instagram: "We are so incredibly proud to be on the @theworlds50best list and celebrate this amazing recognition of our team. After a year marked with a pandemic that has challenged the entire restaurant community and a fire in our own kitchen this is an absolutely incredible moment of celebration. Thank you to all of our guests, supporters, artists and artisans, farmers, and most importantly the dedicated and passionate team that pours their heart, soul, and love into our home each and every day ??." (Sunset Magazine)
3. Update on the long, drawn-out movement to allow cannabis shops to operate in Healdsburg! The city is reportedly planning to put a measure on our November election ballot that asks if we want to place a "special tax on cannabis operations inside city limits," then dump that money into the city's general fund. By approving this new tax on future hypothetical purchases in future hypothetical weed shops, Healdsburg voters won't be allowing the shops to operate in the first place ? but it would put a lot more momentum and incentive behind the movement, seeing as the city would now benefit financially and be able to augment other local initiatives with the money. "This may be the year Healdsburg joins the rest of California in the pot revolution ? for the purposes of city revenue at least," the Tribune writes. City staffers are also currently drafting an official weed shop ordinance to put before the City Council in September. "But don?t hold your breath," says the Trib. "Even if the business tax measure passes, and the city council can agree on a model for a cannabis business in town that can pass through all the hoops a jurisdiction can erect ? a task that can take over a year, judging by other county jurisdictions ? it won?t be until 2024 at the earliest before a big green leaf emblem rises over a storefront, and the 'Open' sign lights up." (Healdsburg Tribune)
4. Speaking of our City Council and the upcoming election: The nomination window just opened up for "anyone interested and eligible to run for Healdsburg City Council" this November. Hopefuls have until 5 p.m. on August 12 to "submit all necessary paperwork and proof of eligibility." Because former councilmember Skylaer Palacios left earlier this year, and a couple other members' terms are expiring, three seats are currently up for grabs: two four-year seats and one two-year seat. "Councilmembers are elected at large to serve four-year terms," the city explains. "The term expiration dates are staggered so that not all terms expire at the same time." More info here on how to apply! (City of Healdsburg & City of Healdsburg via Facebook)

Today and tomorrow in Healdsburg:

Thursday, July 21

• Back to School Donation Drop-Off Event at the Healdsburg Community Center (July 21-27, 9AM-5PM)
• Kids Yoga at the Healdsburg Library (11AM)
• New Exhibit Opening at the Healdsburg Museum: "Stories Behind the Structures: Preserving Healdsburg's Hidden History" (11AM-4PM)
• Adam Moss Live at Little Saint (5:45-8PM)
• Healdsburg Running Company Chiquita Run, Ending With Bubbles at Breathless Wines (6PM)
• Healdsburg Prune Packers Baseball Game Vs. the Lincoln Potters at Rec Park (6PM)
• Songwriters in Paradise (SIP) Healdsburg Festival at Bella Vineyards, Featuring Rounds by Chris Gelbuda, David Ryan Harris, Patrick Davis, Ashley Campbell, Channing Wilson & William Beckmann (6:30-9:30PM)
• Raven Players Present "Twelfth Night (With A Twist)" Performance in the Plaza (July 21-23, 7:30 PM)
• Karaoke at Coyote Sonoma (7:30-11PM)

Friday, July 22

• Petaluma Gap Wine Accreditation Program at Bacchus Landing (9-10:30AM)
• "Wine Country Yarn Hop" at Purls of Joy Healdsburg & Other Yarn Shops Across Sonoma/Mendocino Counties (11AM-5PM)
• Family Storytime at Giorgi Park (10:30-11:30AM)
• Birds & Bubbles Lunch in the Vineyard at Kokomo Winery (12-2PM)
• Friday Music at Selby off the Square, Featuring Adam Lieb (3-5:30PM)
• Little Monsters Culinary "Summer in the Vineyard" Kids Cooking Class at Merriam Vineyards (3:30-5PM)
• Yuka Yu DJ Set at Furthermore Wines Tasting Room (4-7PM)
• Healdsburg Running Company Kids Scavenger Hunt (5PM)
• Healdsburg Prune Packers Game Vs. the West Coast Kings at Rec Park (6PM)
• Wilson Wines Summer Music Series at Mazzocco Winery, Feat. Motown Soul by The Harvest Band (6-8:30PM)
• Songwriters in Paradise (SIP) Healdsburg Festival at Comstock Winery, Feat. Rounds by Kristian Bush, Ashley Campbell, Paul McDonald, Channing Wilson, Patrick Davis & James Otto (6:30-9:30PM)
• Pop Fiction Live at Coyote Sonoma (8-11PM)
• Willie Walman Project Live at the Elephant in the Room (July 22-23, 8-11PM)

From my notebook:

• Healdsburg knitting co-op and yarn shop Purls of Joy will be one of four stops on an awesome-looking "Wine Country Yarn Hop" happening this weekend across Sonoma and Mendocino counties. Basically, you pay $5 for a tote bag, "passport" and free pattern ? then get to hopping. "It?s kinda like a pub crawl but for fiber enthusiasts," explains Purls of Joy co-op member Janice Orrego. (Inbox & Wine Country Yarn Hop & Petaluma Argus-Courier)
• Popular singer-songwriter Lucy Dacus just announced her tour dates for 2022 ? and it looks like they include a show in November at Little Saint, Healdsburg's newest food and event space. (Pitchfork)
• The Healdsburg animal shelter is running low on pet food! They need both the wet and dry varieties for cats, kittens and dogs. Here's how to donate. (Humane Society of Sonoma County via Facebook)

Alright, you're officially in the loop for today. See you 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 Daily? Contact me at simone.wilson@patch.com