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TheHealdsburg HealdsburgTribune Tribune The Enterprise & Scimitar Enterprise & Scimitar
Visit for daily updates on local news views www.healdsburgtribune.com for daily updates on local news andand views Our 157th year, Visit Number 44 www.healdsburgtribune.com Healdsburg, California 1865 –November 3, 2022 Healdsburg, California Healdsburg, California
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Date, Date, 20202020
DR. MASE ORDERS FLU SHOTS FOR HEALTH CARE WORKERS COMBINED FLU/ COVID/RSV INFECTIONS FEARED IN THE COMING WINTER By Christian Kallen
➝ Flu Shots Ordered, 7
Photos by Rick Tang Photography
Flu season, generally from Nov. 1 to May 31, arrives this year as Sonoma County continues to fight the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Sundari Mase, the Sonoma County health officer, warned of the potential risks of both viruses circulating in the community at the same time this winter, which could put a strain on hospital resources. “As Sonoma County works to reduce transmission of COVID-19, influenza season is fast approaching,” Mase said. “The flu and COVID-19 will likely be spreading at the same time, and relaxed COVID-19 mitigation measures may result in an increase in flu activity during the upcoming season. Influenza is preventable with a vaccine that is currently available.” Also on the radar: a feared increase in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which usually affects children under two but can have serious impacts on the health of seniors as well. As she has in previous years, Mase is arguing for increased vigilance over the coming flu season by recommending flu shots for everyone—and requiring them for health care workers in certain health care and congregate facilities. “The flu vaccine requirement applies to all workers who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or residents,” read a press release from the Department of Health Services. “Workers include nurses,
POISED Dancers prepare for their performance on Dia de Muertos in the Healdsburg Plaza, Oct. 30.
Day of Dead Brings out Community SONOMA COUNTY GATHERS AT PLAZA PARK FOR 6TH ANNUAL DIA DE MUERTOS By Christian Kallen
Much-loved cars whose trunks were open to imaginative ofrenda, altars in tribute to the departed, lined Matheson Street. Children dressed as monarch butterflies flitted down marigold petal paths. Aztec dancers stepped and rattled to a racing heart of drums, as incense floated through the midday air at Plaza Park last Sunday afternoon.
It was the annual Dia de Muertos in Healdsburg, the sixth since the Mexican custom was locally revived in 2016. Though it was quiet and restrained in 2020—a particularly poignant time for a celebration for the recently departed—2022 marked the year it came roaring back. The social, family and traditional aspects of the commemoration were all on display, and the town came alive in ways it rarely has lately. "Community gatherings like Dia de Los Muertos are built on community trust to invite those that may not always feel included on our plaza,” Mayor Ozzy Jimenez
told the Tribune. He called out in particular to Yolanda Giron and Leticia Romero, strong leaders who have played important roles in supporting community life. Estimates are that about 4,000 people showed up, and it seemed that most of them stayed all day, until the music stopped at 6pm. They were representative of a population that doesn’t often show up in large numbers for downtown Healdsburg events. The crowds—mainly families, with grandparents speaking Spanish, children speaking English and the
CLARION A performer with Danza Xantotl blows a conch for the Aztec dance celebration at the event.
➝ Day of the Dead, 9
WINE & FOOD AFFAIR IS HEADING OUR WAY 24TH ANNUAL EVENT PROMISES BOTH QUALITY OF REFRESHMENT AND QUANTITY OF ATTENDEES By Christian Kallen Photo courtesy of Wine Road
LAUGHTER Wine & Food Affair attendees celebrate the good life during the annual event
that returns to the area this weekend.
One of the events that has pinned Healdsburg at the epicenter of California’s Wine Country, and which year after year increases its visibility, is the Wine & Food Affair. It takes place this weekend for the 24th season,
one of three signature events from the Wine Road association of nearly 200 wineries. From Balletto Vineyards on Occidental Road between Santa Rosa and Sebastopol to the south; Roth Estate on Chalk Hill Road to the east; J. Rickards in Cloverdale; and a slew of tasting rooms throughout the Dry Creek, Alexander and Russian River Valleys, the local map is chockablock full of wineries participating in this feast of oenological wonders. Attendance at this weekend’s event is expected to be high, like other post-pandemic activities that have seen soaring participation. For locals, it might be seen as a time to nest or rest at home with your own favorite dish and a bottle; but taking ➝ Wine & Food Affair, 5