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O U R 1 6 0T H Y E A R
NO 23
Fire news in this week’s Police Log
Flashbacks
First responders rescue dog from house fire on Pordon. 8
Pitcher of the Year
When the Prune Blossom Tour was a real thing. 4
Senior Eric Nielsen says practice makes near-perfect. 6
JUNE 5, 2025
June is again ‘jazz month’ in Healdsburg ● Stepping out to the 27th annual jazz festival not a long walk Photo by Sienna Morales
Arts & Entertainment
Ukulele virtuoso plays for Father’s Day Hawaii-born Jake Shimabukuro has expanded the universe of ukulele playing with forays into jazz and blues, like his recent record with Mick Fleetwood. He’ll headline the Healdsburg Jazz Festival on June 15. See story at right.
SMART train is getting closer still ● Rail service reaches Windsor station with daily schedule Staff Report SMART seems to be making good on its promise to bring the commuter rail line north to
Healdsburg in the foreseeable future, possibly by late 2028. That projection is bolstered by the opening of the Windsor train station over the weekend. The final regulatory hurdle was crossed late last week, permitting the Sonoma Marin Area Rapid Transit system to begin regular operations. Trains began running on Saturday, and after a weekend of working out the kinks full weekday service began Monday morning. The train station is built in a former depot, in service between 1900 and 1958 as a Northwest-
ern Pacific rail station and then as a bus terminal. It has since been considerably updated and expanded to serve as a commercial arcade and home to the Windsor Chamber of Commerce. It is, as the rail transit company points out, “just steps from the Windsor Town Green… making it easier than ever to enjoy Windsor’s shops, restaurants, and events by train.” The Town of Windsor is requesting Federal Railroad Administration approval to — More on page 5
By Christian Kallen The Healdsburg Jazz Festival (HJF) seems as if it could be modeled after a film festival, with multiple venues offering different artists throughout the day. One needs a day-planner, or a cell phone, to keep track of it all. There are the featured events, sure—a Juneteenth Celebration, a Father’s Day Concert, headline shows at Bacchus Landing—but it’s the little gigs that count. A survey of the menu of musicians can easily turn into a fan’s tour of town, from Healdsburg grand to cozy, outside and indoors, daytime to late at night. The Raven Opening night this year takes place at the Raven Theater (115 Plaza St.), always a favorite hall for HJF performers since the begin-
ning (when it still showed movies). Dozens of posters of past concerts and plays decorate the walls of the classic 480-seat cinema hall, and the stage is set for NEA Jazz Master Kenny Barron on Friday, June 13. Adding to the celebration is Tyreek McDole, a 25-year-old Haitian-American vocalist whose first album is being released this week. The Plaza The next day is Saturday, June 14, and the festival celebrates Juneteenth a bit early, once again turning the turn-of-thecentury Healdsburg Plaza into a full-on outdoor concert venue with a full stage set up opposite the Gazebo. Multiple artists will participate in this six-hour show—including the aptly billed — More on page 3