Hey, kiddos. It’s me, Simone, your local newsletter chief — here to fill you in about all the best ways to spend these balmy, late-spring days and nights in Healdsburg. It’s a duty that feels extra special and honorific to me this week, because it happens to be the fifth anniversary of The Healdsburg Newsletter — and the first anniversary of me taking the newsletter independent last June! Woot woot. I’m wildly thankful for all your support over the past year; thanks to you, I’m living out my biggest career dreams right here in the small town where I grew up. And how better to celebrate than with a week full of local calendar candy like…
Our famous annual jazz festival, attracting talent like Ms. Lisa Fischer and the great Charles Lloyd
A newer festival just finding its stride — aka, Healdsburg Pride!
The Madrona’s yearly drag brunch, in all its extravagance
City hearings on two planned Healdsburg Ave developments
A celebration of life for Healdsburg’s best-known cat mom
Lotsa good pre-summer baseball action at Rec Park
Another round of hot outdoor concerts and movie screenings
And more sweet excuses to gather during peak hang season 🤙
First things first, though: With the power of our imaginations combined, let’s all send a virtual storm of confetti-filled “Congrats” balloons to members of Healdsburg High School’s Class of 2026, who just got diploma’d Friday night on the HHS field. (Video below!) You might also have noticed their handsome faces peering down at you from a series of “senior graduation banners” that city crews fastened to street lamps across downtown Healdsburg last month — a tradition born back at the height of Covid, when it was too risky for school officials to hold a public graduation ceremony. So now we’ve got both. Huzzah… 🎉
Healdsburg Mayor Chris Herrod, whose own son Henry is graduating high school this year, shared this video that a Healdsburg school board member took during Friday’s ceremony. “This school has a lot be proud of,” the mayor wrote. “As does the whole community. Thanks to everyone who helps supports Healdsburg’s kids.” (Video: Chris Herrod via Facebook)
And a quick reminder before we begin. The No. 1 way you can help make sure this newsletter thrives and grows — and never, ever goes away — is to keep blabbing about it to everyone you know. You can send them the following link to subscribe. (Or just forward them this email you’re reading!) Alright, y’all… PSA complete. 😘
NOW, HOW’S THE WEATHER?
We’ve seen quite the idyllic stretch of mild heat so far this June — although these strong, swirly winds that keep kicking up around dusk have added a spooky touch, wildfire-wise. And the weather is expected to get more extreme from here, according to our local branch of the National Weather Service. “Fire weather concerns increase midweek across the North Bay Interior Mountains due to gusty northerly winds and critically dry conditions,” the office posted today. “Remember… one less spark, one less wildfire!” Sonoma County government officials have likewise been warning locals about staying safe in the heat. And not for nothing! We could see our first triple-digit temps of 2026 this week, if we are to believe the NWS forecast for Healdsburg. Full outlook below…
Today 🌤️ Mostly sunny. Windy at night. High 81° Low 54°
Tomorrow 🌤️ Mostly sunny and windy again. High 79° Low 55°
Tuesday ☀️ Sunny and windy. High 84° Low 56°
Wednesday ☀️ Still sunny. Heating up! High 97° Low 67°
Thursday ☀️ Sunny and hot. High 100° Low 61°
Friday ☀️ More sun. Cooling down a little. High 84° Low 58°
Saturday ☀️ Sunny. High 92° Low 57°
Sunday ☀️ Sunny. High 89° Low 57°
AIR OVER HEALDSBURG
Here’s what this perfect Sunday in Healdsburg looked like from above. (Photo: Holly Wilson)
ON THE CALENDAR
Featured event (from my sponsor!)
North Bay comedian Steve Ausburne hosts “Healdsburg After Dark” standup comedy night at CraftWork Healdsburg, with sets by Cody Woods and Nancy Lee (Fri, Jun 26, 7-9pm)
“Wow, wow, wow. We somehow pulled off a partnership with hands down the best comedian in the North Bay,” the event planners at CraftWork wrote earlier this year, in a newsletter about their 2026 collaboration with funny guy Steve Ausburne. And after his first show in February, they say everyone’s been asking, “When’s the next one?” Ta-da! Now you know… (Image: CraftWork Healdsburg)
Sunday, June 7
Third annual Edge Esmeralda popup village at Healdsburg hotels and other venues, for “people building a brighter future” (daily thru Jun 27)
Movie showings this week at True West Cinemas: “Power Ballad,” a feel-good musical comedy from “Once” director John Carney; “Tuner,” a crime thriller with Dustin Hoffman; “Disclosure Day,” Steven Spielberg’s new alien movie; “Backrooms,” a sci-fi/horror film whose director grew up in Petaluma; “Pressure,” a war drama starring Brendan Frasier; free kids matinee screenings of “The Lego Movie” and more (daily, 11am-11pm)
It’s still a little surreal to me that we have a full-fledged movie theater in Healdsburg — bringing all the exciting new first-run stuff, plus a bunch of oldies-but-goodies. Let’s make sure it stays that way by remembering to go to the movies! (Image: True West Film Center via Facebook)
The Joni Mitchell Situation plays jazzy Joni songs at Furthermore Wines (5:30-8:30pm)
Spike Sikes & His Awesome Hotcakes play blues, swing and jump music at the Elephant in the Room pub (monthly, first Sun, 6-9pm)
Monday, June 8
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