Business event a success
We are so grateful to the Healdsburg business community and the residents of Healdsburg who supported the second annual Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year Awards event.
Small businesses are the powerhouse that keeps the engine of our community running. Not only do they employ over 70 percent of the working folks in Healdsburg, they more than pull their weight on boards and commissions, coaching teams and sponsoring events.
When you read this list of donors, sponsors and winners you will easily recognize the businesses from their generosity and community spirit. Thank you to our sponsors: Left Coast Marketing, Redwood Moving and Storage, Costeaux French Bakery, Healdsburg District Hospital, Healdsburg Lumber Company, Recology, Humane Society Sonoma County-Healdsburg and Camellia Inn.
Our generous donors were: Ferrari-Carano Vineyards, Comstock Wines, Preston Farms and Winery, Hudson Street Wineries, Dry Creek Winery, Rochioli Winery, Pedroncelli Winery, Alexander Valley Vineyards, Mueller Winery and Merriam Vineyards.
We are also pleased to announce the 2018 winners: General Business, Big John’s Market; Woman-owned Business, Healdsburg SHED; Hospitality, Portalupi Winery; Nonprofit, Humane Society Sonoma County-Healdsburg; and overall winner of the Business of the Year 2018, Amy’s Wicked Slush.
Carla Howell and staff
Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce
Distressing incident
Is racism alive and well in the ‘burg? Apparently. At a recent social gathering, a friend described a distressing (and apparently all too common) racial-profiling incident that he had experienced downtown just the day before.
Our friend is a black American in his early 70s, a property owner in Healdsburg for 44 years and a resident for the last 25. He was in a business on the Plaza, conversing with the owner as he often does.
While simply hanging out talking, from the corner of his eye he noticed an older white woman clutching a small white dog, staring at him in an alarmed way before abruptly leaving. He knew that look. In that moment he also knew she was going to contact the police. Sure enough, a few minutes later a police officer arrived, briefly assessed the situation from the doorway and left without a word.
What we would like to ask anyone reading this is, how would you feel were this to happen to you? Unfortunately, this was not a unique or isolated incident in our friend’s experience of this place he has called home for many decades.
I wish that I could have asked this ignorant (and yes, racist) woman what on earth made her think this gentleman posed any sort of threat. This behavior is simply not OK, and well, just makes us sad.
Christina and Gregor Nelson
Healdsburg
Naming suggestion
We have lived and loved Healdsburg since 1973. Our most wonderful years have been since 1984 when we moved into what we affectionately call Healdsburg’s “Historic South of the Tracks” neighborhood.
Recently we read that the area may be renamed “The Mill District,” after a lumber mill that is soon to be replaced by a destination tourist resort. There is also talk about cutting down the redwood trees. If this happens, I suggest we call this neighborhood “The Redwood Grove.” It seems to make sense.
Tom Peterson
Healdsburg
