Camp Rose memories
Affordable housing’s challenge Architect Alan Cohen explains why it’s so difficult 5
Growing up backstage at Jane Moore’s theater 4
Born into wine Clay Mauritson’s favorite drink is zinfandel, and he’s not alone 7
HEALDSBURGTRIBUNE.COM
OUR 161ST YEAR
NO 34
AUGUST 20, 2026
Here comes the LUV ● High-tech new car wash in final cycle By Christian Kallen
— More on page 6
— More on page 6
Photo by Rick Tang
acrylics. It was relatively early in the morning, 10am, but one can never tell how hot the day will become this time of year.
Some people say they’re holding off on washing their car until LUV comes to town. A laudable sentiment, perhaps, but if the modern-day car wash on Healdsburg Avenue is what they’re waiting for, that day is upon us. Soon, anyway. The installation’s target date for opening is Sept. 1, or shortly thereafter. Asked whether or not there would be an opening celebration, owner Lawrence Amaturo said, “I love parties! And yes, there will be a monthlong celebration.” Exactly what a month-long celebration at a car wash looks like, time will tell. LUV is putting the finishing touches on its new car wash at 191 Healdsburg Ave., the site of a storied-yet-bankrupt predecessor. When first approved by the City Council in 2024, it was to be a Splash Express car wash, but Amaturo sold his several local Splash locations to LUV and the name took over. LUV car washes are located in five states, with five in the
REVEAL Artist Jake Messing, a Dry Creek Valley native returning to his source after a commercial career, shares his insights and purpose at the unveiling of his mural at Russian Riverkeeper on Aug. 12.
Back to the Russian River again ● Artist comes full circle with mural at Russian Riverkeeper By Christian Kallen When Jake Messing stood in front of the mural he had just completed for Russian Riverkeeper (RRK) on the north side of the nonprofit’s headquarters at 139 Healdsburg Ave., he had finished more than another mural. The subject matter was clear, unambiguous: the course of a river from its point of origin
to the sea, with the birdlife and salmon surrounding its journey. Perhaps oddly, perhaps not, the water on the right side of the wall seems to come from Pomo baskets, not springs. The artist had the answer. “The amazing thing about those Pomo baskets is that they were so tightly woven that they could hold water,” Messing said. And if one thinks about it
even briefly, the ability to transport water opens up a lot of opportunities. He segued into an obligatory if still meaningful speech of respect, “To acknowledge the Pomo people and that they’ve been here for thousands of years, and their deep-rooted connection to the land and ecosystems.” RRK held the Aug. 14 “Mural Mi xer” to inaug urate the 35-foot-long, 10-foot-high wall Messing had just finished painting with bright, durable