Tattoos and Blues in Santa Rosa offers 3 days of tattooing and body piercing by some of the worlds finest artists. Competitions, seminars, live blues music, circus acts, and fine foods round out the festival.

There is a certain feeling of camaraderie in the tattoo crowd, a peaceful bunch with an edge. Overall, the vibe of the Tattoos and Blues Festival is friendly and mellow, with moments of rowdiness. When I went to the festival before, it might have been obvious that I was a big square among a lot of circles, I felt totally welcome at all times...read more and see video and photos.

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Food lovers…rejoice. There are three foodie extravaganzas coming up in Sonoma County:

On Saturday we have the Winter Artisan Cheese Fair in Sonoma. For just $20 you can sample cheese from top makers to your heart’s content.

On Sunday is the Symphony of Food, Wine & Art in Santa Rosa. This is the longest-running food and wine tasting event in the county and features wine from over 40 local wineries, food from area restaurants, music by the Santa Rosa Symphony youth ensembles, and artwork by local artists. All proceeds go to the Santa Rosa Symphony Music Education programs.

And then we have the main course on Monday the 22nd through Sunday February 28th with the much-anticipated Sonoma Cty Restaurant Week. This is your chance to try out some of the best local restaurants for a fraction of the usual price. Go here and click on the links to see photos and details of some of the participating restaurants such as Estate, bovolo, John Ash & Co., Mosaic Restaurant and many more.

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Valentine’s Day is on Sunday and there are plenty of special events planned. Check out our food events page for a listing. A couple of our top picks include:

Estate Restaurant in Sonoma, which is housed in one of the most romantic buildings in town, in one of the most romantic towns on earth, will be hosting a special Valentine’s Day Brunch.

Graton Ridge Cellars is holding their annual Sweetheart's Chocolate, Cheese & Wine event on both Saturday and Sunday. Taste their wines paired with fine chocolate and local artisan cheeses – all complimentary.

And don't forget, the fun and ever-popular Cloverdale Citrus Fair and the Parade are also taking place this weekend.

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The Wine and Chocolate Fantasy at Rodney Strong Vineyard this Saturday is the perfect event to take your sweetie to for an early Valentine’s Day celebration.

The Fantasy takes place in the vineyard’s very large barrel room which is filled with fine wines and great chocolates. Chocolate fountain, chocolate popcorn, handmade truffles, and another glass of wine please, dear. Who wouldn’t feel romantic?

Plus, there’s always good, live music for this event. So, you can wow your date with your snappy steps. Or just wait for everyone else to get busy dancing while the two of you zoom in on that chocolate fountain.

• See video, pictures and details for the Wine and Chocolate Fantasy at Rodney Strong

Also on Saturday, you can taste and then vote for your favorite clam chowder at the annual Chowder Day in Bodega Bay. Stop at the Sonoma Coast Visitor's Center on Highway 1 to pick up a complimentary map showing participating restaurants. Not only do you get to try out some really good chowder and have some fun, but this is also a great way to get to know the coast. The surf is intense and beautiful at this time of year. And make sure you keep an eye out for the migrating whales.

• Check out our Sonoma Coast Whale Watching page for details and tips.

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There are no big festivals scheduled in Sonoma County this coming weekend. So, if you’re looking for a nice, mellow time, without the crowds, and plenty of individual attention at the tasting rooms, this is a great time to come visit.

While you’re here, check out some of the area’s famous crab feeds. Fresh Dungeness Crab from the Sonoma Coast is in season, and locals flock to the all-you-can eat buffets which are often held as community fundraisers. Check out our listing of Food Events for ideas. And for more local specialties, Master Sommelier Geoff Kruth from The Farmhouse Inn and Owner/Chef Duskie Estes from ZaZu & Bovolo will be offering a food and wine pairing seminar featuring three different homemade salumi's from ZaZu paired with three Quivira wines.

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Don’t worry about the rain this weekend: The charming Cloverdale Old Time Fiddle Festival takes place indoors. And this sweet, folksy event is a ray of sunshine in this otherwise rainy, thundering week. Musicians from all over the country come to compete. And others come to have some fun in the special jam area where you can witness some truly great, spontaneous music unfold.

Check out the video, pictures and details for the Cloverdale Old Time Fiddle Festival taking place at the Citrus Fairgrounds. And don’t forget, the Citrus Fair is coming up next month.

Also this weekend is the Sonoma County:

The Sonoma Environmental Film Festival is being held in the town of Sonoma.

On Thursday, The Last Day Saloon in Santa Rosa is hosting a benefit show for Haiti earthquake relief. The lineup includes: BluesBurners, Joel Rudinow and Rude Notes Galore, Levi Lloyd and the 501 Band, Linda Ferro Band, The Pulsators, Seraphin, Spencer Burrows and Kris Dilbeck (of Frobeck), and The Thugz.

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Start the new year off right with the first big wine event of the year--Winter Wineland. Over 100 wineries in the Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Chalk Hill and Alexander Valley Appellations are participating in this annual tradition. Visit any of the wineries you want and enjoy special tastings such as limited production wines, new releases, barrel tastings or library wines. Meet the winemakers and/or owners. Plus some of the wineries will offer food pairings, music, entertainment and tours. It all depends on which ones you choose to visit.

You just pay for the event ($40 for both Saturday and Sunday or $30 for just Sunday) at the first winery you visit, and receive a wristband that gives you access to all the rest. Go here for Winter Wineland video, pictures and details.

Mark Your Calendar:
Sonoma Co. Restaurant Week  February 22 - 28

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The Sonoma Valley Olive Festival is in full swing and one of the festival’s most popular events is coming up this Friday: Martini Madness. Bartenders from all over Sonoma Valley compete to see who can come up with the best new martini.

Coming up next weekend: Winter Wineland

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Christmas is coming and music is in the air.

The Santa Rosa Nutcracker Ballet(click for video), at the Wells Fargo Center this weekend, is one of the best Christmas traditions in Sonoma County and a terrific event for the whole family. I know, I know…going to see a local ballet production can be a scary proposition. Unlike pizza, ballet is not good even when it’s bad. When it’s bad, it’s awful. So, no, I wasn’t particularly excited the first time my family ventured forth to see the Nutcracker in Santa Rosa. It was just one of those things I had to do as the father of a little girl who wants to grow up to be a ballerina (…and a fairy…and a princess). So, to say I was happily surprised at the caliber of this performance would be an understatement. I was absolutely thrilled. And I would happily see it again--even without my Little Princess in tow.

One of the reasons this local production is so good is that instead of being produced by any once dance school in the area, all local dancers who are trained by schools and/or instructors in Sonoma County are welcome to audition. So, the pool of talent is large. Plus, professionals from around the world are hired for the principal parts… read more.

 

Another Christmas tradition taking place this weekend is the beloved Redwood Empire Sing-Along Messiah (click for video). Now in its 29th consecutive year, is the longest-running sing-along Messiah in the country.

Saturday’s event can be attended by anyone who loves music and who would like to sing or listen to the music of Handel's Messiah along with an on-stage chorus of about 100 voices and the accompaniment of a full orchestra. The performance is led by Maestro Dan Earl as he conducts The Santa Rosa Symphony League along with Santa Rosa Symphonic Chorus and the Santa Rosa Chamber Orchestra. Maestro Earl was a singer in the first Redwood Empire Sing-Along Messiah back in 1977 and has been Choral Director and leader even since…read more.

 

And for a unique and beautiful musical holiday experience, Carols in the Caves (click for video) is definitely one of my favorite events. I don't want to ruin it for you and explain the feel of it all; you just have to go. If you are into mellow gatherings with soulful purpose, you can't go wrong. I promise, you won't be disappointed...read more.

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Brrr, it’s cold outside. Plus, the forecast calls for rain this weekend. So, when life gives you lemons…why make lemonade, if you can enjoy some wine. And what a better way to spend a cold, bleak day than at a local winery, sipping your favorite drink, enjoying the festive holiday decorations, and maybe even warming up by the fireplace. (One of our favorites is the fireplace at C. Donatiello Winery.)

Or make it a holiday outing for the whole family and visit the Sonoma Valley wineries competing in the Gingerbread Winery Contest. Pros and amateurs have made gingerbread likenesses of their winery and are displaying their creations in the tasting rooms. Vote for your favorite.

Participants include:

Anaba Wines
60 Bonneau Road, Sonoma 707-996-4188

Arrowood Vineyards & Winery
14347 Sonoma Highway, Glen Ellen 707-935-2600

Chateau St. Jean
8555 Highway 12, Kenwood 707-833-4134

Cline Cellars
24737 Arnold Drive, Sonoma 707-940-4030

Jacuzzi Family Vineyards
24724 Highway 121, Sonoma 707-931-7575

Kenwood Vineyards
9592 Highway 12, Kenwood 707-833-5891

Landmark Vineyards
101 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood 707-833-0053

Larson Family Winery
23355 Millerick Road, Sonoma 707-934-4090

Little Vineyards Family Winery
15188 Highway 12, Glen Ellen 707-996-2750

Nicholson Ranch
4200 Napa Road, Sonoma 707-938-8822

Robledo Family Winery
21901 Bonness Road, Sonoma 707-939-6903

Roessler Cellars
380 First Street West, Sonoma 707-933-4440

Viansa Winery & Marketplace
25200 Arnold Drive, Sonoma 707-935-4700

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Both the Guerneville and the Petaluma Parade of Lights will take place on Saturday. The Guerneville Holiday Parade of Lights celebration is so uncool it’s cool. Lots of locals deck out their cars and trucks with Christmas decorations and lights, and drive them down the main drag. Then, there’s a big party out on the street with live music and dancing and lots of laughing. Check out the video.

The Petaluma Holiday Lighted Boat Parade is a more traditional affair in which lighted boats float down the river while onlookers ooh and aah. Then everyone strolls through downtown to enjoy even more Christmas lights and decorations and do a little shopping, and perhaps grab a bite to eat. Yep, we have a video of that one too.

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Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

Haven’t planned out your turkey day dinner yet? Try getting a last minute reservation at these Sonoma County restaurants serving Thanksgiving Day meals.

If you want to remind yourself of something to be thankful for, just go outdoors and enjoy the natural beauty of Sonoma County. Go for a walk in the neighborhood, or head out to some of the area’s amazing parks: Armstrong Woods, the coast and Annadel are among the best. Or, if cruising down the scenic roads and checking out some wonderful wineries is more your style, don’t miss the Heart of Sonoma Valley Holiday Open House on Friday and Saturday. Visit your choice of 25 Sonoma Valley wineries, sample the wines and nibbles and do some holiday shopping all for $30.

And if it’s family tradition to buy a Christmas tree on the day after Thanksgiving, you won’t find nicer Christmas tree farms than the ones in Sonoma County. People as far away as Sacramento make a day or a weekend out going to their favorite farm and picking out the perfect Christmas tree. There’s just something special about walking in the brisk, country air, smelling the fresh scent of pine, and drinking a warm cup of cider that you just can’t get from buying a tree at a parking lot.

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If you like wine, this is a good weekend for you.

The Holiday in Carneros weekend allows you to drive through the Carneros wine region, which straddles both Sonoma and Napa Valleys in the south, and stop by at participating wineries to sample wines and some food pairings and take in all the holiday decorations and cheer. Many wineries offer special events such as holiday craft fairs or live music. Admission is just $40 for both days.

It’s also time for the worldwide Beaujolais Nouveau celebration. The festivities originated in the Burgundy region of France where Beaujolais Nouveau, the first wine of the season, was released at the stroke of midnight on the third Thursday of November. It is against the law to release it any earlier than that, so it became a friendly competition to see who could get the wine the quickest, and also who could transport the wine in the grandest manner. There are stories of wine bottles arriving via hot air balloons and horse drawn carriages. Festivities take place at bars, bistros, restaurants and homes around the world. In Sonoma County, the biggest celebration is organized by the Alliance Française of Santa Rosa and will be  held Friday night at the Vista del Lago Club House.

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If you’re like me, and harps always make you think of angels and heaven… maybe it’s time for us to broaden our horizons and check out the 20th Annual Festival of Harps, this Saturday, at the Spreckels Performing Arts Center in Rohnert Park. From what I understand, there’s a whole world of harp music out there.

In years past, the festival has included performances on traditional gut-strung Celtic harps playing time-honored jigs, reels and ancient airs played. Small, lightly strung Gothic harps have been used to play sacred and secular music from Medieval France, Germany and Italy. The Konghou , an exotic Chinese harp with bent strings, evoked the Far East tones consisting of  pentatonic scales. Plus modern compositions of classical, pop, Latin and jazz were all played on the Pedal harp.

And this year brings even more performances on a wide variety of harps that span the globe and many musical genres. For example, there will be traditional harps and music from Burma, Ireland, West Africa (featuring music of the kora, especially the Sufi music from Senegal), and many more.

Find details here.

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The Russian River Wine & Food Affair is such a cool event that you don’t even have to like wine to enjoy it—but it definitely doesn’t hurt.  You drive around the Russian River area which, by the way, is gorgeous this time of year, and stop off at participating wineries for wine and food tasting, all for one price($60 weekend; $40 Sunday only; $25 designated driver). This wine event is extra special because folks really go out of their way to provide great food to pair with the wine. In fact, they put out a cookbook each year with recipes that are used at each of the wineries. If you order tickets in advance, you get the cookbook. If you’re not a big wine fan, you can be a hero to your friends and serve as the designated driver. And for $25 you can drive through the beautiful countryside, stop off at the wineries, and partake in some wonderful nibbles.

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This Saturday is Halloween! And if you find yourself in Sonoma County on Halloween eve, obviously, the best thing to do is go trick-or-treating. And, the best place to do that is on Macdonald Ave. in Santa Rosa. The residents of one of the area’s most prestigious neighborhoods go all out to celebrate the holiday, and locals flock here each year. Some of the neighbors put on skits in the front yard (one year it was the psycho shower scene, another time they did a vampire training seminar), others make games (my son will never forget the time he lost his Snickers bar at the candy blackjack table), and some concoct haunted passages that you have to pass through in order to reach the front door and claim your sweet reward. Kids run around looking for treats, teens run around looking for each other, and adults stroll around looking at it all.

If you’re looking for more of a Halloween fright, check out the Hopper House of Horror or the No Chance Ranch Haunted House. Also, the Petaluma Pumpkin Patch and Amazing Corn Maze stays open late on Friday and Saturday nights (admission closes at 9:30 pm). This is not a sweet, little kiddie maze. This is a monster. It takes most people about 45 minutes to make it through. Others take longer. And many can be seen giving up and ransacking their way straight through the walls of corn in an attempt to escape. Keep in mind that the maze is not lit…and being trapped inside it on a dark and spooky night sounds like a great way to spend Halloween to me.

And, if you’re looking for the more spiritual and multi-cultural rite to honor the souls of the departed, Petaluma hosts one of the best Day of the Dead celebrations in Northern California. The big 2-week event is topped off by the grand procession and performance on Friday night. At 6pm, Mariachi Jaliso, Danza Coyolxauqui Aztec drumming and dance grupo, a Folkloric Dance Group and Windsor Bloco will lead the traditional candle-lit procession with giant puppets through Petaluma.

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There are a few events going on in Sonoma County this weekend, but, if I were you, I’d just get in the car, drive on the country roads and explore some of the area’s famous Pumpkin Patches. The weather is supposed to be crisp and mostly sunny this weekend, which sounds like a perfect fall day. Go to the farm, check out the gorgeous autumn colors, take in the fresh air, feel the cool breeze on your face, and pick out a pumpkin while you’re at it. See our video of some of the best pumpkin patches in the area, and another video and pictures of our favorite haunted house at No Chance Ranch.

If you have kids, stop by Santa Rosa’s historic Railroad Square on Saturday for the annual Railroad Scare!, a FREE family event. Watch a magic show, trick-or-treat in the shops, take part in the parade (led by Snoopy) and more.

And, if you’re a Pinot Noir aficionado, Sunday’s your day. The Artisanal Pinot Noir tasting will take place at Rodney Strong Vineyards. Tickets for Sunday’s wine tasting is $69. Or, if you want to take part in the entire 3-day Pinot on the River immersion event with lectures, tours, tastings, dinner and more, tickets are still available for $700.

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October is pumpkin patch time in Sonoma. It’s a local tradition to head out to the farm, enjoy the scenery and the crisp, autumn air, and pick out your Jack-O-Lanterns plus the main ingredient for your homemade pumpkin pie. Many of the farms have hayrides and mazes and other kid-friendly activities. Others simply offer a wonderful, relaxing environment and great pumpkins. See this video of some of our favorite local pumpkin patches to help you decide where to go.
And for even more pumpkins, the Windsor Pumpkin Festival takes place on Sunday. This event always reminds me of a Norman Rockwell painting: kids decorating pumpkins, folks eating pancakes, grown-ups shopping for veggies. It’s an endearing community gathering and definitely worth a look, especially if you have children.
The day starts off with a pancake breakfast from 8:30-1:00. (Adults $8, kids 10 and under $4.) Weigh-ins for the The Biggest Pumpkin Contest start at 10am—and the current record is 901.5 pounds! New this year is a bowling alley where you try to knock down the pins with a pumpkin. There’s also face painting and pumpkin painting, scarecrow building (and you can take it home) a Bicycle Rodeo, Jubilee Jumps, Ooops the Clown, the Wizard of Oz Scarecrow and the farmers market with plenty of local food and produce as well as arts and crafts.
The 4th Street Jazz Band will provide music for the day. At 11am, starting at the corner of Duvander and McClelland, the band will lead "The Parade of the Pumpkin Desserts" in which the local high school’s Culinary Arts Department and area restaurants parade their desserts down the street. Kids and adults in Halloween costumes are invited to join in on the parade. The deserts are served at the end.
The festival takes place rain or shine. But…let’s hope for sunshine on Sunday. Last Sunday was cold and gloomy, and I didn’t go to the Tolay Fall Festival or ARTrails. And, as I mentioned in the previous post, these are two of my very favorite annual events. But, happily, both are taking place again this week. The Tolay Festival runs from Thursday to Sunday and is great opportunity to see this beautiful property. Plus, there are a lot of cool activities for kids. And ARTrails is on both Saturday and Sunday. This is a wonderful time to see meet some interesting artists and view their work while exploring Sonoma County.

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Did I mention how much I love Sonoma County in October? Ok, yes, I know I said something about that in the past couple blog posts…but did I mention it today? There is no better place on earth than Sonoma in autumn.  And this weekend, there are several events which show off this area to its best.

First of all, there’s the FREE Tolay Fall Festival Thursday through Sunday in Petaluma (and again next Thursday through Sunday). This is located on a gorgeous piece of property which is close to downtown Petaluma yet feels like out far away, in the middle of nowhere. Just driving there through the wide open space is relaxing. And once you get there, you can hear the birds and the breeze, but you can’t hear the hum of the streets. Parking is $5.

This is the former Cardoza Pumpkin Patch, and you can still get your Halloween pumpkins here (but they are now brought in and not grown on-site). Plus there are tons of family activities such as the Native American Village with demonstrations, “From Earth to You” hands-on children’s area & Kiddie Corral, Night Time Creatures Barn with Creep Crawly Critters room, live animals, nature hikes a giant straw maze the World Record Pumpkin Seed-spitting Contest is open to all. My favorite is the free ranger-led hay rides that take you for a tour through the property. The vistas are incredible and on a clear day you can see Golden Gate Bridge. See the photos and video.

If the Tolay Festival sparks your Halloween spirit, then you’re in luck because the No Chance Ranch Haunted House is opening up this Friday. This place is a hoot! This is what would happen if you and your family one day decided, “Hey, let’s turn our place into a haunted house,”—and then you went totally nuts with that idea. Lots of screams and laughter, lots of kitsch, tons of fun. See the photos and video. Check out some of the best SoCo Pumpkin Patches and Festivals here. (photos & video)

Another of my favorite autumn events is happening this weekend and next weekend: ARTrails Open Studios. You download a map of the artists who are taking part in the juried event,  and then you drive through the beautiful back roads of Sonoma County and stop at the studios you want to visit. You know, I just read over that last sentence and the way I describe it, it just doesn’t sound like much fun. But believe me, it’s great. You drive around, stop, talk to some really cool artists and they tell you about their work, hopefully you get to buy some, then drive around through more beautiful countryside, stop, talk, look. Well, damn, that doesn’t sound any better. You’re just going to have to take my word for it. This is a wonderful event.

If you can still get tickets for Saturdays’ Healdsburg Crush Festival, get them. This is a great, little, “secret” foodie event. It benefits a private school that a lot of Healdsburg “elite” send their kids too, so the Festival has the feel of an insider’s gathering with some of the best food and wine around. See the video.

The Festa Italiana on Sunday also has the feel of an insider’s event, but this one is more down-to-earth and kid-friendly. The local Italian community puts the Festa on each year and there’s lots of food, music, dancing, bocce ball and more.

Sunday’s Sonoma Mtn. Art & Wine Festival & Classic Car Show combines art, music, beer, wine, environmental awareness and classic cars into a one day event

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The Sonoma County Harvest Fair is one of my favorite annual events. My family goes there every year, and we’ll be there again this weekend (Friday, Oct.  2 – Sunday, Oct. 4th). There’s something really nice about strolling around in the autumn air and checking out the bounty of the harvest, such as the giant pumpkins and a wonderful variety of apples. (Sample the apples and buy your favorites at any time. Or, come back on Sunday as the fair comes to a close, and buy apples at sale prices.)
There are a bunch of activities for everyone in the family. My kids are always fascinated with the bee-keeping display. And we check out the haunted house each year, but it can be frightening for very young kids who get spooked easily.
My favorite event is the World Championship Grape Stomp (video). It’s a zany, high-energy competition in which 2-person teams try to stomp out the most juice out of their barrel of grapes within the allotted time. (Three minutes if I remember correctly.) A live Dixieland Jazz band plays during the stomp while the crowds cheer and yell.
The big draw of the Harvest Fair is the wine tasting going on at Grace Pavilion where more than 300 award-winning local wines are poured. The Harvest Fair (see video) holds the largest regional wine tasting in the nation and professional judges from around the country fly to Santa Rosa for three days of blind tastings. Medals are awarded to the best of more than 1,000 wines entered. (See the video of the wine judging above.) In addition, there’s also a microbrew tasting, chef demos, seminars and more.
On Friday, you can taste wines by varietal during two sessions: noon to 2:30pm or 4:30 to 7pm. Tickets are $35 per session and include unlimited wine tasting, commemorative glass, and fair admission. Pair your wine with gourmet food samplings, two food tastes come with admission; an additional available 4 are $6. The first session features roving sommeliers who will discuss the finer points of the varietals and offering advice about tasting. The second session is informal and “self-guided.” You can attend both sessions for $60.
On Saturday and Sunday, you can taste wine by winery. For $7 admission you get a commemorative glass and two taste tickets, additional tickets are 4 tastes for $6 or $2 each. You simply walk from table to table and chat with winery personnel and sample the wines you want. On Saturday there’s also a Microbrew Tasting ($15 for 5 taste tickets and a commemorative mug) and on Sunday a Chocolate and Port tasting ($4 per paired taste).
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The Handcar Regatta is this Sunday…and, what can I say except I kicked myself after I missed the first annual event last year. It reminded me of the time in grade school when I missed one day of class that whole year, and wouldn’t you know it, that was the day the Goodyear Blimp happened to land in the field next to the school. How bummed was I? Yep…just about all my friends went to the Regatta so I heard all about what a wonderful event it turned out to be. The highlight was watching the handmade contraptions traveling down the tracks at Railroad Square. But the other big feature was just milling about and people watching because a lot of artsy/alternative type folks were there, Burners, Steamers, Makers. Check out the video. And, yes…I’m going this year. (Sunday in Santa Rosa.)

Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill are here again. The fiddle and guitar duo are regulars and always a huge hit at the Sebastopol Celtic Music Festival. You say you don’t like fiddle music? It doesn’t matter. This is extraordinary, you’ll love it. Trust me on this one; it’s a must-see. You can watch them in this video, but keep in mind that seeing them live adds a whole different energy. Of course, there’s a lot more to see and do at this popular annual event. There’s always tons of Celtic music and dancing, and this year there will be world music as well. (Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Sebastopol.)

Maria Maulder’s new CD just came out a week or two ago, and you can catch her near the beginning of her tour as she performs at Old Grove Festival in Armstrong Woods Theater. This is a gorgeous spot in a redwood grove, so anytime you can catch a show here (which isn’t too often), it’s a big deal. Usually, the shows start while it’s still light out and end when it’s dark. And being in the woods at night is truly magical. How cool would it be to hear “Midnight at the Oasis” while sitting under moonbeams streaming in through the branches of redwoods. I have no idea if Maulder will even be performing that song, let alone if she would sing it at night…but it does conjure up a nice image, don’t you think?  Maulder and the Jug Band play on Sunday, Chanticleer, the choral singing ensemble, perform on Saturday. This is a benefit for Stewards of the Redwoods which does great work in support of Sonoma’s many natural treasures. (Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Guerneville.)
Another benefit for a local natural treasure is the Russian Riverfest, Sunday in Forestville. Food, wine, speakers and more, all to aid the Russian Riverkeeper program.

Sonoma is, obviously, the perfect place to enjoy great food and wine and, per usual, there are several delicious happenings this weekend. There’s the Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival Friday through Sunday (see the video), the Taste of Petaluma on Saturday, and the free annual Tomato Festival at the Santa Rosa Farmer’s Market on Saturday. See more food events here. And see a listing of more annual events here.

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Organizers for both the Zin Topia festival up in Dry Creek Valley and the CRUSH celebration in Sonoma Valley plan on these being annual events. But, right now, they are both brand new and being held for the first time this weekend.

The Zin Topia Festival is being held in the sunny and open Lake Sonoma Warm Springs Recreation Area and features small production Zinfandels, Sauvignon Blanc and uncommon red and white varietals. There will also be artisan food, live music, locally grown and crafted products, such as olive oil, honey, jams round out the festivities, and last but not least, a light-hearted grape stomp competition.

The CRUSH festival in Sonoma Valley features harvest activities and wine tastings at 20 participating wineries. For a $30 weekend pass, you can go to as many of the tasting rooms you care to visit, try their wine and perhaps get a behind the scenes look of what happens at harvest. Or, for an additional fee, you can take part in exclusive events such as wine and cheese pairing seminars, dinners with the winemaker, and much more.

For great food, dance and fun, check out the Glendi Festival both Saturday and Sunday. Lots of foodies throughout the area come for the homemade ethnic food. And just as many folk dance enthusiasts come for the Balkan music. Put the two together, and you can’t go wrong.

With venues in Sonoma and Napa Counties—some of them in wineries and other outdoor spaces—the Wine Country Film Festival offers great movies in beautiful settings. Runs Sept. 17-20 and 24-27.

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Phew, it’s a busy weekend ahead…

To start off, I want to let you know that there are still a few tickets left for the popular Kendall Jackson Heirloom Tomato Festival on Saturday. Usually, the festival is sold out far in advance. But this year, in this economy, most of the events aren’t drawing the crowds they did before. And speaking of the lousy economy…$75 per ticket for the KJ Tomato Festival doesn’t sound cheap, but the last time I was there, I ate and drank myself silly. Top wine country chefs are serving up their tomato-inspired creations, and they don’t skimp. So, it turned out to be quite a deal. And it goes to a good cause, The School Garden Network of Sonoma County. There’s also art, wine education seminars, Food & Wine Magazine's Best New Chef's Challenge, and great music. It’s an upscale event, but not snobby.

This year, for the first time, Jazz on the River and the Russian River Blues Festival will be combined into one weekend event. Jazz will be performed on Saturday and Blues will be performed on Sunday. As always, the festival(s) features wonderful music in a lovely setting. Hang out on the beach and listen to the tunes, stare off into the beautiful tree lined river, jump into the water if you want to cool off. It’s tough to think of a better way to spend the weekend.

So, we’ve got your jazz, we’ve got your blues, and this Saturday, Sonoma County’s even got your Zydeco music. People from all over converge in Sebastopol for a day full of high energy music and dancing at the Cajun Zydeco Festival. And I mean a FULL day of music and dancing—it’s non-stop from 10:30 am to 7pm. And I could swear that some of those folks dance the entire time. (So, it’s a great place for people watching on top of everything else.) And everyone’s encouraged to join in. There are even free dance lessons between sets and almost everyone participates. And, when you need to refuel, there’s crawfish and jambalaya as well as other more low-key foods.

Or, if you just want to mellow-out this weekend, check out the Katmandu Fall Festival in Sonoma. It’s in Depot Park which is nice and grassy with plenty of shade trees. There’s a marketplace with clothing, food, arts and crafts and more, plus people practicing various forms of body work, such as massage, and alternative healing methods. And there’s a small stage featuring entertainment from Katmandu and the surrounding region. Proceeds go to the Children's Medical Aid Foundation.

Coming up next week: Wine Country Film Festival, Zin Topia, Glendi Festival, and Crush in Sonoma Valley 

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It's been a very eventful week for me in Sebastopol. I work at an audiophile reissue label in Sebastopol called Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab, we remaster classic rock and jazz on proprietary equipment and release the music on limited edition 24 Karat gold CD's and on 180 gram virgin vinyl. Yup, we actually still cut lacquers and put out LP records. I'm the vp of technology and besides getting to research the latest and greatest in the high-end audio world, I get to meet some very passionate and interesting people.

On Wednesday we had Wayne Garcia come by. He writes for the Absolute Sound magazine (also a food and wine writer) and came by to interview our 2 mastering engineers, veteran Shawn Britton and Rob Lo Verde who recently came from NYC's Sony Music Studios. After the dog and pony show we went out with Wayne to Restaurant Eloise for lunch. I went to Eloise for the first time almost exactly a year ago. My wife Maja and I had just left TASTE of Sonoma and still had time left over and were trying to come up with something to do (we have 4 kids and "free time" together is at a premium). We decided to go to Restaurant Eloise. A couple of months prior, I shot the video of Chef Eric Korsch (click on Restaurant Eloise link to view) and Maja and I really wanted to try the roasted bone marrow that all the foodies were buzzing about. Admittedly, I was a little sauced when I tried the bone marrow dish, and simply just didn't get it. However, I also had the chilled heirloom tomato soup and was floored, simply amazing!

I've now been to Eloise 6 times and each time I go there I try something new and always leave deeply satisfied. This time I had the duck and it was soooo good. I am now officially a huge fan of the roasted bone marrow dish. Turns out the first time I ate it I was A) drunk and B) ate it the wrong way. Furthermore Chefs Eric Korsch and Ginevera Iverson always come out and talk to all the guests, a really nice touch. Sorry I digress. Bottom line, Restaurant Eloise is hands down my favorite restaurant in Sonoma County. If you enjoy delicious food and haven't been to Eloise, you owe it to yourself to try this Sonoma County gem. Btw I also ran into iconic food writer and James Beard Award winner Michele Anna Jordan at Eloise, another good reflection of Eloise's well earned stellar reputation with serious foodies.

Yesterday I picked up high-end audio god Tim de Paravicini at SFO, who flew in from England, and proceeded to take him to one of my favorite haunts in Sebastopol, Hopmonk Tavern. Tim is a very eccentric guy whose talents are many, but he particularly excels in developing super high quality audio gear and does work for the likes of Pink Floyd and many other famous musicians and world class recording studios. When I go to Hopmonk, it's usually for lunch or to catch a music gig. I have never gone for dinner. Boy, the joint was jumping on Friday night and again tonight. Reservations might be a good idea if you go on the weekend. Tonight we sat out on the patio as a singer guitar player strummed away, people laughed and joked about around us, what great ambiance! As the sun was setting, and the nearly full moon was rising, the thoughts, "life is good" and "isn't this great" kept entering my mind. Btw,Tim was over the moon for the Death and Taxes lager by Moonlight Brewing Company at Hopmonk, a huge compliment coming from a well seasoned, beer drinking Englishman.

Which finally brings me to what inspired this post in the first place: strawberries. As it turns out there are 2 different varietals of strawberries predominately grown in Sonoma County, Chandler and Seascape. Chandlers are usually available earlier in the season while the Seascapes ripen right about now. One of my favorite things to do during the summer is to buy a full flat of strawberries from the stand on Hwy 12 in Sebastopol for a mere $20, and then down them all in one day with my family, friends and neighbors. Lao Satern owns the stand in Sebastopol and his brother Sun owns the stand in the town of Sonoma. Lao hails from Thailand and grew up as a nomad farmer working the rugged hills growing rice and corn. Lao is a soft spoken gentleman and is very passionate about his craft, a true artist.

About a month ago, my boss and the owner of Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab, Music Direct and of Amex Plum Card Commercial fame, Jim Davis of Chicago tried Lao's organic strawberries and proclaimed after a few bites "these are the best strawberries I have ever tasted." World traveler Tim, in true understated Englishman form stated, "these are lovely." Although the more exquisite tasting Chandlers are now going out of season and the more subtle Seascapes are becoming more dominate, we were lucky enough to score a flat of mostly Chandlers and a little slice of heaven. Yes, life is good. I love Sonoma County.

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Labor Day Weekend is coming up, and that means Wine Country Weekend in Sonoma.

For many years, the Valley Harvest Wine Auction had been held on Labor Day Weekend. But, starting last year, the auction teamed up with the Sonoma County Showcase of Wine and Food which use to be held in July. And now, the auction plus the Showcase’s big wine and food event TASTE at MacMurray Ranch and it’s series of winemaker lunches and dinners, make up the Wine Country Weekend.

The 3-day celebration starts on Friday as several wineries host Winemaker Lunches and Dinners featuring top-notch food and wine pairings by the winemaker and a local chef.

Then, on Saturday, is the sophisticated yet casual TASTE of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch. People stroll about the beautiful home and grounds of the Gallo Family and taste an endless array of fine wines from throughout Sonoma County, plus morsels created by top local chefs. Later in the night, there are more Winemaker Dinners.

Finally, on Sunday is the always fun and zany Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine Auction in which folks dress up in wacky costumes, raise money for local charities, and laugh—laugh a lot.

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The 2nd Annual Petaluma Wine, Jazz & Blues Festival is on Saturday, and this year it is moving to the Sonoma/Marin Fairgrounds instead of downtown. The music and the wine tasting will be taking place in the area where the concerts typically take place at during the fair. So, it should be a nice, large venue, open. Musical performances include Booker T., Joe Louis Walker as well as Sonoma County’s own Charlie Musselwhite.  The wine tasting will include the Gold and Silver Medal winners from the more than 500 wines which were entered in the North of the Gate competition at the Sonoma-Marin Fair.

Miss those rubber duckies? Don’t worry. It’s true that the Duncan Mills Festival of Art and Wine no longer exists. But happily, the rubber duck races have been moved over to the Bodega Seafood, Art and Wine Festival, which is now in its 15th year. The event, which takes place both Saturday and Sunday,  features seafood, art, wineries, breweries, crafts, music and dancing and a kids area. Keep in mind, this is a benefit for the Stewards of the Redwoods, which is leading the battle to keep the state parks in Sonoma County open during this current budget crisis. As of now, several area parks are slated be closed after Labor Day. So, money you spend at the Bodega Food and Wine Festival will have an important destiny.

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Here at SonomaUncorked.com we have a soft spot in our hearts for the Cotati Accordion Festival. It’s a really neat crowd that gathers there. You get the polka masters, and the traditionalists (I always think of the guy playing the accordion as Lady and the Tramp share their spaghetti meal), but you also get a lot of young kids who play their accordions to punk songs and such. There are a lot of good vibes and camaraderie across generations and musical styles. I guess if you play an instrument that everyone always makes make fun of, you’re bound to make strong connections with kindred spirits. Festival takes place both Saturday and Sunday. See details plus videos and photo.

On Saturday, Santa Rosa is holding its second annual Taste of Railroad Square. You can stroll through the historic district, stop by at participating merchants, and try some food from local restaurants as well as beer and wine. It’s $40 for 10 tastes. I wasn’t able to go to last year’s event, so I can’t really say much about it. Friends that did go, gave it mixed reviews. But, this year, one of the co-creators of the popular Handcar Regatta took over the helm and is organizing Taste, so we’re hoping for good things. See details.

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A lot of big, annual events are concentrated in the Northwestern part of Sonoma County this weekend.

For families in particular, the Gravenstein Apple Fair (video) in Sebastopol is a big draw and it is one my favorite kid-friendly festivals. The event celebrates the local Gravenstein Apple, which, incidentally, has earned a position in the Slow Food movement US Ark of Taste. (A catalog of over 200 foods which Slow Food organizers hope to promote and therefore save from extinction.) The festival takes place in Ragle Park, which is a lovely venue with lots of big oak trees and plenty of shade. There’s always good, live music, interesting vendors, games, food, etc. Plus, there are apple pie eating contests. One of the things I’ve learned in my many years of life is: When given the opportunity to stuff your face with fresh apple pie—take it.

For the 21+ crowd, one of our personal favorites is happening this weekend: The Russian River Beer Revival & BBQ Cookoff (video). We love the laid back crowd and great grub. If this is the first time you’re hearing about it—sorry, you’re too late. It’s already sold out. Keep it in mind for next year. It’s a good one.

Over at the airport, Wings Over Wine Country(video) will be going on both Saturday and Sunday. Everyone should see an air show sometime in their life. And personally, I think once is enough. I find the whole thing really loud and too sunny and hot. But, I know there are plenty of buffs out there and I’m sure this is a slice of heaven for them.

The Russian River Grape to Glass Weekend is not your ordinary wine weekend. This event is filled with all types of wine events as well as what I like to call “Wine Country lifestyle experiences.” Attend vintners’ presentations, see a film, have fun at the Hog in the Fog bbq, see the area by hot air balloon, bike or kayak, etc.

I have not attended the annual Healdsburg Guitar Festival yet (which, by the way, now takes place in Santa Rosa at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts.) But my husband, who knows such things, says that people come from all over the world for this event. It’s basically a huge gathering of folks who make guitars (luthiers) and people who love to play guitars. There are seminars for the luthiers and workshops for the players, live music all day long by talented guitarists, lots of hand crafted instruments for sale, etc. This is where a musician and craftsman can meet and discuss how to create that dream guitar, and a must-see event for anyone interested in the art form.

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It’s fair time! The County Fair begins tomorrow Tuesday, July 28 and runs through Sunday, August 9 in Santa Rosa.

Yes, our fair is corny—and we love it. Even though it’s large and well-organized, this is not a glitzy event. It is a “real” fair meaning that most of the locals I know not only attend each year, but many of them participate in it as well. A few years back, I strolled around the fairgrounds and noticed that our neighbor across the street had entered her apricot preserves in the baked goods and preserves contest; our son’s kindergarten teacher had a picture in the photography contest; and a friend’s daughter had a calf in the livestock show.

And I used the word “stroll” because that’s what people do at the fair. They stroll and meander and hang out. Life rolls back to a slower rhythm. Teens flirt at the midway. Kids run around with faces sticky from ice cream. Adults escape the midday sun in the coolness, and beauty, of the Hall of Flowers. And then everyone gathers together to sing along to one of those musical acts that mom and dad grew up with, but that are nevertheless fun for kids and teens. For example, this year one of the shows is The Village People. Speaking of…it’s not too late to send in a video for the Village People "YMCA" contest (deadline is Aug. 3). Dress up as a policeman, construction worker etc, sing the “YMCA” song, do the moves—you know the ones—and if you win, you get to meet and greet the band prior to their show on August 6. See…I told you our fair is pretty corny. And…you’ll love it too. (See the video and photos.)

 

MY LIST OF MUST-DO'S AT THE COUNTY FAIR:

 

• 1.  Relax in the Hall of Flowers: Landscape specialists from throughout the county compete to create the best exhibit made of flowers. This year’s theme is “The Garden Time Forgot.” The first time I saw the flower show, I was rather stunned—this is the largest of its type in the United States, and it is quite grand.

• 2.  Eat some fair food: Deep fried Twinkies, funnel cakes, cotton candy…where else but the fair?

• 3.  Brave a carnival ride: Sure the rides at Six Flags are bigger and faster. But, there’s nothing quite like a midway on a warm summer night, with the music blaring and the carnies yelling. Keep in mind that the rides can get pretty pricey. So, if you really like them, save some money by going on a Monday when rides are only $1 each. Or, you can buy wristband which allows for limitless rides. Wristbands are $25 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, all day. On Friday, you can get a wristband for $20 for half a day, 11am to 5pm, or 5pm to 11pm. There are no carnival ride specials on Saturdays and Sundays.

• 4.  Make a bet at the horse races: I’m not much of a gambler and the only time I go to the races is during the fair. But, for those few seconds when I’m standing there yelling for my horse to come in, I have a blast. For better or worse, these races are not a very intimidating scene. There are a bunch of families with kids there and everyone’s hanging out in their shorts and t-shirts. (Not at all like a James Bond flick or gangster film.) Last year, I stood next to a little girl who was blowing bubbles and spinning in circles during the entire race.

• New this year: On Saturday Aug. 8 there's a whole new type of race at the track when Dachshunds dash for the finish line on the Wiener Nationals. You can even enter your own Wiener Dog.

• 5.  Check out the competitions: What’s a county fair without a blue-ribbon pie or a best-of-show hog? You can find most of the arts and crafts in the Garrett Building by the Redwood Theater, and the livestock area runs down the middle of the fairgrounds. Also, there are a bunch of “on-the-spot” contests that you can join. You don’t need to sign up ahead of time. Just check the time and location and show up about ten minutes before the contest start time.

• 6.  See a show: There’s free live music and other entertainment throughout the fairgrounds. But, the top shows take place at the Redwood Theater and the Chris Beck Arena:

Redwood Theater Shows

(General Admission to all these shows is free but there’s a charge to sit in the front 720 seats.)

• Nat & Alex Wolff Wednesday, July 29 @ 7:00 P.M.
• Wailing Souls Thursday, July 30 @ 8:00 P.M.
• John Michael Carroll Monday, August 3 @ 8:00 P.M.
• Village People Thursday, August 6 @ 8:00 P.M.
• Fiesta Sunday, August 9 @ 6:00 P.M.

 

Chris Beck Arena Shows

• Rodeo Friday, July 31 8 P.M.
• Bull Riding Saturday, August 1 8 P.M.
• Mexican Rodeo Sunday, August 2 6:00 P.M
• Tractor Pull Tuesday, August 4--7:00 P.M.
• Destruction Derby Saturday (7 P.M.) & Sunday (7 P.M.)

 

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We'd like to give Hardy Wallace of Altanta Georgia a big, warm Sonoma County "welcome." And congratulations for winning the Murphy-Goode Winery (in Alexander Valley), "A Really Goode Job--Wine Country Dream Job" contest. The contest had over 800 applicants who had to turn in a 1 minute video. The job, which requires a web 2.0 social media savvy expert, pays 10 thousand a month for 6 months plus deluxe accommodations in a private home walking distance from Healdsburg Square. No doubt, the offer attracted some heavy hitters from the online media world. One applicant had a show on CNET and a built-in audience...but didn't know much about wine. Another was a well known food blogger with a huge following. Right from the get-go, I loved Hardy's video but thought for sure he was a goner and Murphy-Goode would take the path of least resistance and choose someone who already had a well established audience. My bad--I should have known better and had more faith in Murphy-Goode. I tip my hat to you.

Imho Murphy-Goode did the right thing and chose the most earnest, fun, quirky, down to earth applicant. To me, this is right in line with what Sonoma County is all about. No hype, no bs, just an earnest way of life! Bottom line, this guy fits right in.

Here's a quote from Hardy's video: (It wasn't so much what he said, but the sincerity with which he said it.)

 "One of the things I love the most, is taking wine, which so many people look at as a complex subject, and actually bringing the joy back into it." - Hardy Wallace

The above picture says it all... You don't need to be uptight and self-conscious to enjoy a good glass of wine. Just have fun with it.

 

 

 

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Whether you love the coast or the redwoods, this Saturday is the perfect time to check out the spectacular, natural beauty of Sonoma County.

Take a gorgeous drive up the coast—about 20 minutes north of Jenner—to the Cultural Heritage Day celebration at Fort Ross: It’s a great event in a wonderful setting.

Back in the early to mid-1800s, Russian trappers founded the settlement and the area was home to a number of cultural groups (Russians, Creoles, Native Alaskans, and Kashaya and Coast Miwok Native Californians). The Heritage Day event is a celebration of this cultural diversity and history.

You can walk around the fort and see traditional arts and crafts as well as participate in a number of activities. Although the festival has an educational bend, it is more lively and playful than similar events I’ve been to. Check out the video and pictures to get a sense of the spirited, fun-loving nature of this celebration.

19005 Highway 1; Saturday 10am to 5pm; $20 per car, $15 senior; 707-847-4777


While the Sonoma Coast is stunning, the redwood forests are absolutely captivating as well. Stroll through the area’s largest old growth redwood forest for the Armstrong Redwoods 75th Anniversary Gourmet Hike.

Enjoy gourmet appetizers prepared by local chefs and paired with Sonoma County premier wines. Docents will share some of the natural and cultural history of the park. And simply walk along the paths and allow the magic of the forest to seep in. The final stop is the historic outdoor amphitheater where birthday cake and champagne will be served as guests listen to music.

17000 Armstrong Woods Road in Guerneville, Saturday 1 to 5pm; presold tickets are $30 per person or 2 for $50. Tickets for just the birthday cake reception are $10 per person.

 

Don't forget, the Sonma County Fair starts on Tuesday. (Blog post coming.)

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Civil War Days

I had a friend who was a Civil War enthusiast. (Perhaps “fanatic” is a better word.) And he participated in all those reenactments that take place throughout the country, such as the Civil War Days event that will be going on at Duncan Mills this Saturday and Sunday. So, I’ve witnessed these folks first hand, in everyday life, and believe me, many of them don’t just reenact the war: They live it. Many of them talk about it and read about it and think about throughout the day. For example, the last time I saw my buddy Bill, we hung out in Santa Barbara, walked around State Street, even went to a party, and all the while he wore his Civil War uniform. Odd? Maybe. Interesting? You bet.

So, as a witness, I can tell you that the reenactment that is about to take place this weekend is not just a lark. It’s a passion. And that passion comes through even as you’re watching on the sidelines. If you go, expect lots of noise, shouting, gun shots, and cannon fire. It’s an 8-year-old boy’s dream come true. I know that statement is so not PC on so many levels. But the thing is, I saw a group of 8-year-old boys at Civil War Days a few years back. And, if you had seen them, you would have said the same thing.

See VIDEO location, cost and other details.

 

Dixieland

The South may have lost the Civil War, but Dixieland will never die. And it lives on this Saturday at Cline Wine & Dixieland Jazz Festival. Enjoy top live music all day long from 11am to 6pm.
Cline Cellars, 24737 Arnold Dr, Sonoma (707) 940-4000; 11am to 6pm Saturday; $30

 

Catalan Fest

Or just a little bit further down Arnold Drive, you can take a break from the US altogether this weekend and get a taste of the Old Country at Gloria Ferrer’s 23rd annual Catalan Festival. Catalonia, which is in the northeast corner of Spain, has an urban yet Mediterranean feel to it. And its main city, Barcelona, will always hold fond memories for just about any American kid who rode on the Eurorail during summer vacation. Celebrate the artistic and entrepreneurial spirit of this popular Spanish region with great food and wine and wonderful views at Gloria Ferrer (see photos of the winery). There will be a Paella cooking demonstration, Flamenco dancing, live music and more.
Gloria Ferrer Winery, 23555 Arnold Dr, Sonoma (707) 996-7256, or tickets at (707) 933-1999. 11am to 4 pm Saturday and Sunday; $45, $37 for under 21

Grill Becomes pizzavino 707

And heck, while we’re celebrating the food and wine of the Mediterranean, why not check out the new pizza place in Sebastopol that opened today. The former West County Grill  is being reopened as pizzavino 707 (click for pictures). Emphasis is on locally sourced food, wood-fired pizzas, and daily specials.
6948 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol (707) 829-9500 or (707) 827-3071

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After the excitement of all those 4th of July celebrations last weekend, this coming weekend is really mellow in comparison.

First off, there’s the Enmanji Temple Teriyaki BBQ and Bazaar in Sebastopol on Saturday. The event is considered the “grandfather of Bay Area teriyaki barbecues.” It started 55 years ago and it still has the feel of an old-time, warm and simple tradition. Teriyaki, as well as other homemade Japanese dishes, are severed, and cultural events take place throughout the day, including the popular Taiko drumming shows. The Japanese and the Buddhist communities turn out for the celebration and there’s a strong community feel to the event, yet I never felt like an outsider.

Then, on Sunday, enjoy fantastic, FREE entertainment when the Pulsators kick off the 2009 season of Live At Juilliard.  Each Sunday from now until August 9, a different band takes the stage at the downtown Santa Rosa park. Bring a blanket or fold-up chair and kick back on the lawn or dance on the grass to some great music--the bands are among the most popular in the Bay Area. Check out this video of the Pulsators when they performed in Windsor. Take a picnic or buy a meal prepared by Worth Our Weight Culinary program. Coffee drinks are available through The Coffee Girls and taste fine wines by Roshambo Winery. There’s a playground at the park for the kids, or they can dance and play by the stage. Lots of neighbors meet up here on Sundays, so it’s a great place to go as a tourist to get a feel for the local lifestyle. permalink...

Happy 4th of July! See our listing (with videos and pictures) of all the Independence Day events throughout Sonoma County. Check out all the quirky celebrations in Monte Rio, dance to Wonderbread 5 at the fairgrounds, kick back with a hometown parade in Sonoma, and so much more. permalink...

This weekend, The Sonoma-Marin Fair brings to you ugly dogs. Really ugly dogs. In fact, the world’s ugliest dogs. That’s some kind of ugly. Most people describe the dogs as “so ugly they’re cute.” That might, or might not, be the case. Here’s the video. You be the judge.

The World’s Ugliest Dog competition is one of the most popular, and it seems to be one of the most famous, events in the area. How famous? Not long ago, I was in Southern California and was talking to someone about Sonoma County. I mentioned Healdsburg. He hadn’t heard of it. I mentioned Bodega Bay. Nope. I mentioned Petaluma. “Ah man, that’s where they have that ugly dog contest. Damn, that was intense. I saw it on TV and this one dog was like…, and like…” and this guy proceeded to imitate the winner’s expressions and mannerisms. It was a disturbing site. His brother soon came over, I assume out of concern for his health, and he told his bro that I came from the place with all those ugly dogs. “Remember, we saw it on TV, and the dog was like…and like…” and the spasms started anew. And then his brother jumped in with his own demonstration. All in all, I don’t think they resembled the winning dog at all. But, I didn’t tell them that.

Keep in mind that the fair is more than just ugly dogs. There are all kinds of rides, contests, shows and concerts, including Night Ranger, The Charlie Daniels Band, and Poison frontman Bret Michaels. And everything--including carnival rides and the concerts--is included in the price of admission. (Obviously, food and drink and such is going to cost extra.)

The fair runs from Wednesday through Sunday. The Ugly Dog Contest is on Friday. Fair admission is $8, $10 and $15. The Petaluma Fairgrounds is west of Hwy 101 at the Washington St. exit.
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It’s a pretty mellow weekend coming up in Sonoma County, which is good since it’s Father’s Day. And it seems that on their special day, most Dads want to hang out at home, BBQ, admire their lawn, sit back and listen to the stereo. But, even that might get boring after a while. So, keep in mind that you have the 29th Annual Cotati Jazz Festival to turn to, for a bit of added spark on Saturday. (See the video.)

Don’t worry guys: There’s always some kind of BBQ-ey kinds of food to be had and most of the fun takes place on the lawn at the Cotati Plaza. So, it’s almost like being at home, but with killer live music. And it’s FREE. You can watch the main shows at the Plaza, or stroll around Cotati and watch other bands at venues such a Zone Music, Spancky's Bar, The Tradewinds, Masala Jack's, Friar Tuck's Pub, and Redwood Café. (And, did I mention that it’s free!) The theme for this year’s festival is “Chasing the Blues.”

If you want even more, head north to Guerneville for the “Keepin' The Blues Alive” show with legendary slide guitar master Roy Rogers and his band the Delta Rhythm Kings. The benefit is a Fireworks Fund Raiser for the Russian River Chamber of Commerce. Enjoy some blues and save the fireworks! Saturday 6 – 10pm at the Guerneville Veterans Hall. Tickets are $25 advance and $30 at the door. 707.869.9000

Or, if you’re having a hankering for some accordion music, head south to Petaluma for the “Celebration of the Accordion.” Music will be playing from 11am to 5pm next to the Petaluma Yacht Club, Overlooking the Petaluma River. The free event is both Saturday and Sunday. 707.762.9348 permalink...

Wow, it’s a big weekend coming up, with some of my favorite annual events:

Sonoma County Hot Air Balloon Classic

I like hot air balloons—I mean, who doesn’t? Let’s say you’re driving down the highway and you see a hot air balloon in the distance. Doesn’t it always bring a smile to your face? Don’t you always point it out to whoever is riding with you? Of course you do. Granted, I suppose in other parts of the country seeing a hot air balloon in the sky isn’t an ordinary occurrence. But, in Sonoma County, it happens quite a bit. And during the two-day festival, it obviously happens a lot.

But, even as much as I love watching the balloons flying in the distance, my favorite part of the festival takes place while the balloons are still on the ground and really close. The Dawn Patrol, to me, is the very best part of the whole event. You need to get to Keiser Field in Windsor (where the festival takes place) by 5am, before the sun even rises.  (It’s usually pretty cold, so bring jackets.) It always feels like such a special event because we have to get up so early and travel in the darkness. Then, once we’re there, my kids love it because they can play with a bunch of children outdoors in the dark. How often do they get to do that? Plus, there are these little toys for sale, which basically shoot glow sticks way up into the sky. And all the kids run around trying to catch them as they float back down to earth. Then, just as dawn is about to break, three of the hot air balloons are blown up. And then, as the gas is fired up inside of them, you can see the balloons glow in the dark, ablaze with color. For me, the whole experience is so unique and colorful and joyful, that it’s actually worth pulling myself out of bed so early and braving the cold.

Even if you don’t make it for the Dawn Patrol, there is still plenty to do. First of all, just watching a huge piece of fabric lying down on the ground being blown up, taking shape, and then taking off into the sky, is pretty special. And, there’s usually one big balloon which remains only partially blown up and still on the ground so that folks can run around inside of it. When I was little, we would play with a parachute in my PE class and the best part was when we would make a big “tent” out of the parachute and sit inside. This balloon reminds me of that, but way bigger and way cooler. (Check out the third video on this page to see what it looks like.)

Plus, kids can go on tethered balloon rides and go up about 50 feet into the air. (There is an additional fee.) And there are all sorts of rides and games and vendors. And, of course, the big event is watching all the balloons taking off into the sky. Around 6:30 am, about 30 or so balloons take off during the main launch, and more launch afterwards. Keep in mind, the balloons don’t always take off early in the morning, and every now and then, they don’t take off at all. It all depends on the weather and visibility. But, quite honestly, I’ve had a good time in the festival even when the balloons couldn’t fly. Plus, the Dawn Patrol takes place anyway.

• See videos, photos and information about the Sonoma County Hot Air Balloon Classic.

Harmony Festival

Goodness, what can I say about the Harmony Festival? It’s tough to describe, you just need to experience it. Basically, if you like Burning Man, or if you have an artsy streak, or a hippie streak, or a Goddess one, or New Age or gypsy or environmental or Deadhead, or, well, just about any kind of alternative, free-spirited streak, you’ll probably love the Harmony Festival. There’s tons of music and lots of speakers and all kinds of interesting folks walking about. This isn’t your run-of –the-mill type of festival: It’s an experience.

And the best way to experience it is to actually live it for the three days it’s here. People come here from all over the country and camp onsite and are fully immerse in all the different aspects of the festival. I’ve never done the whole camp and live and breathe Harmony thing. But, I know people who have and they describe it as a life-altering experience.

• See video, photos and information about the Harmony Festival.

Peggy Sue’s All American Cruise

This is a fun event for anyone. But, if you like cars, especially vintage American cars and hot rods, you’ll be in heaven. You can see the classic car show on Saturday and Sunday, which includes 50s-style music and entertainment and lots of folks who come to the show dressed up in their 50s garb. On Saturday night, the owners take their vintage treasures for a spin, and cruise through downtown Santa Rosa from 5 to 9pm. Events take place Thursday through Sunday.

• See video, photos and information about Peggy Sue’s All American Cruise.

 

For information about Russian River Passport and other June events in Sonoma County, see our Annual Events listing.

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Beerfest keeps it pure and simple: For nearly two decades now, the festival has been all about beer, food and music. For the price of admission ($35, $40), you can drink as much beer as you like from the area’s best microbreweries, eat as much food as you like from some of the area’s favorite restaurants, and listen to tunes from the THUGZ, one of the area’s favorite bands. What could be simpler, or better, than that? All in all, it’s a fun, pretty mellow, enjoyable event, happening this Saturday, June 6, 1-5pm. Check out this video of the THUGZ playing at Beerfest a couple of years ago.

Most of the activity takes place outside, at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts. But, some of the beer and food booths can also be found indoors. Which might be a good thing considering the crazy weather we’ve been having here. Did everyone see the showers this morning? And there have been lighting storms across the state today. The forecast calls for thunderstorms on Friday and light rain on Saturday. Very strange. And there’s talk in the air about the end of the world being at hand… So, take advantage of Beerfest this Saturday to eat, drink and be merry. Also, there is a silver lining to all this odd, cloudy weather. Check out this photo of the beautiful sunset earlier tonight. (This picture was taken at Landmark Vineyards.)

Following Beerfest, which is a benefit for Face to Face, the Wells Fargo Center will host the 15th Annual Pride Comedy Night. The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Celebration features comedians Alec Mapa and Marga Gomez and the Pride Dance follows the show. Wells Fargo Center, 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa. 707.546.3600.

Also this weekend:

Scooter Rosa : June 5 – 6
Scooter madness takes over Santa Rosa this weekend. On Friday, there’s a block party and barbecue at Revolution Moto on D Street between Fourth and Fifth streets in Santa Rosa. On Saturday, the Scooter Rosa Rally takes place in Railroad Square. And on Sunday there’s the Scooter ride. Benefits the Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the North Bay. 707.523.2371.

Russian River Rodeo : June 6 – 7
Horseshoe tournament, BBQ, rodeo and all sorts of cowboy-type happenings at Duncans Mills. 707.865.9854.

Plan Ahead: Harmony Festival is coming June 12-14

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I just wanted to pop in a quick entry about my experience yesterday just outside the town of Sonoma in the Los Carneros wine region. I started the day at the Wine Country Classic Vintage Car Races at Infineon Raceway. At first it was a little overcast, but the clouds cleared up by noon. I would imagine this event would be an exotic car buff's dream come true. Lamborghinis, Lotuses, Ferraris were in abundance as were many other golden age cars of the past. I'm not a car buff, but this was truly a unique and very cool event. I just wish I had more time to hang out, there was a lot to see. But I had already committed to go to the Carneros Heritage Fest by 2. 

So, then it was off to the Carneros Heritage Fest about 3 miles away. I was welcomed by a sea of kites. The festival is held in a wide open space that gives you the great feeling of taking pause and realizing, "It's a beautiful day!" Lots of things for kids to do and, of course, the wine was flowing, plus I enjoyed some of the best lamb dishes I have ever had in my life. Thumbs up!

UPADATE: Monday June 1st - The Russian River Beer Revival & BBQ Cookoff tickets go on sale today. This is one of my favorite festivals and tickets always sell out fast. No tickets at the door, so get your tickets now or miss out on one of the best Sonoma County events. If I had 1 event to go to every year, this would be it. Friendly people and good times for all. TICKETS

 

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I love lamb, so I’m a big fan of the Carneros Heritage Fest, taking place this weekend in Sonoma. Each year, the Carneros wine region celebrates its history and heritage—and its namesake. In Spanish, "Carneros" means “ram” which is a male sheep. So, one of the main features of the fete is the big, lamb BBQ on Saturday, as well as a special lamb, winemakers dinner on Friday. And they don’t stop with the delectable kind of lamb either. They even incorporate the live, “baa, baa” types of sheep into the celebration with the sheep herding demonstration. Plus, there’s a kite flying exhibit (and you can fly a kite too!) in honor of that windy Carneros climate.  And there’s even a falconry demonstration. I’m not positive what falconry has to do with the region, but, I’m sure there are plenty of birds of prey in the area, so, there you go. On top of all that, you can enjoy wine and cheese and much more. This is a great, little festival. And even though it’s perfect for wine lovers, it’s one of the few wine-type events that’s wonderful for the whole family. Read more.

The big Healdsburg Jazz Festival starts this weekend and ends next weekend. This is the real deal: World-class artists playing in intimate settings. It's not a very commercial event, not a lot of hype, yet, year after year, the group comes up with knock-your-socks off jazz.

Also this weekend:

Wine Country Classic Vintage Car Races
Watch vintage classics as they race the 12-turn, 2.5 mile course at the Infineon Raceway. You’ll also have the chance to view the cars up close.  Saturday and Sunday in Sonoma

Quarryhill Botanical Garden Celebration
Enjoy a group tour through the lovely gardens. Plus, plant sale, silent auction and talk. Reservations only. Saturday in Glen Ellen

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The “Big Deal” this weekend is, of course, the annual Sonoma Jazz + Festival in Sonoma. This year, some of the featured performers include: Joe Cocker, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Lyle Lovett & His Large Band, Chris Isaak, Ziggy Marley, and many more. You’re not alone if you’re wondering why this is called a “jazz” festival. Lots of folks have been pointing out that many other types of music are represented as well. Well, that’s where the “+” part of the festival’s name comes in. But, on top of that, there’s a lot more to the festival than the big stage. Much of the entertainment will be taking place at various venues throughout downtown Sonoma, and most of those are jazz acts. So, if you love jazz—or just about any other type of music—this is one of Sonoma County’s most popular events.

Other than Jazz +, it’s a pretty slow weekend around here. The annual  Memorial Day Weekend Antique Fair is taking place on Sunday at Healdsburg Plaza Park. (Downtown Healdsburg;  9 am - 4 pm; 578-7772) Or, if you have kids, you might want to check out the annual open house Saturday at the US Coast Guard Station in Bodega Bay. Visit the station, tour the boats and see the helicopters. There will be various demonstrations including basic maritime damage control and a live search and rescue display with a Coast Guard helicopter and a Motor Lifeboat. And the REACH Air Ambulance will be landing at the station. (355 Doran Beach Road, Bodega Bay; 10 am - 3 pm; 875-3596; Free)

And speaking of kids, one of my son’s most-anticipated annual events is coming up on Saturday…the all-you-can-eat ice cream social at the Vet’s Center 11am - 3pm. Call for details. (1351 Maple Ave at Hwy. 12; 565-7176)

For a more grown-up feast on Sunday, try Oysterpalooza, taking place on the sunny patio at Rocker Oysterfeller's. Enjoy five bands (Americana-Country-Roots), fresh oysters, BBQ, Memphis style pulled pork, Texas smoked beef brisket, full bar and draught beer. (14415 Highway One, Valley Ford; 2 – 9 pm; 876-1983; $7 cover)

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We went to  the Tribal Fest in Sebastopol this weekend--it was packed and a full of energy (lots of cheering, dancing, laughing women). Check out the video and photos here to see what it was like. I love the final shot because it gives you an idea of how excited and supportive the crowd was. permalink...

A friend of mine tried to describe the Tribal Fest event to me (which is going on now through Sunday in Sebastopol) and this is what she came up with:
“Imagine you had a huge party and invited a bunch of dancers who are Burners and Goths and Goddesses and members of all kinds of different (sub-cultures)—or, you know, just doing their own thing and not a part of any group at all. And then you turn on some great music and everyone performs their own version of a belly dance. That’s the Tribal Fest.”

I haven’t been to the gathering yet so I’m not sure how accurate that description is, but, I gotta say, I love the image. I’ll be going this weekend and writing about it in the blog. So, check back later if you’re curious.

Keep in mind, there’s a lot more to the huge 5-day Tribal Fest event than the dance performances. This is the biggest event of its kind and there will be about 60 classes taught by 39 teachers from 16 different countries throughout the world. Plus, about 50 vendors will be on site selling all types of dance and lifestyle merchandise. The performances are on Friday 4:30 - 10pm; Saturday 11am - 10pm; and Sunday 11am - 6 pm.

Also, this year, they’re introducing the new Tribal Fest Jam Band. Several noted musicians will be taking the stage and inviting anyone else to come up and join them. (Please bring your own drums, zills, mizmar, whatever.) And all dancers are invited to join in as well. Think of it as one, big drum circle. (Saturday starting at around 5:15pm.)

See location, map, prices, etc. here.

See the schedule.

 

Another unique festival this weekend is the Freestone Fermentation Festival on Saturday. This is a celebration of all things fermented with presentations and interactive demonstrations, plus food wine and music. Feel the fermentation process at work by dipping your feet into a cedar enzyme bath. Learn about making compost and ethanol, plus methane digestion and bio-remediation. Sample wine, bread, cheese, miso, pickles, soy sauce, tofu, sauerkraut, natto and kombucha.

Most of the event will be taking place at the Salmon Creek School. So, you can take the opportunity to tour the green building with its new, first-in-the-state, LEED-Certified meeting facility as well as its organic school gardens, or enjoy a nature trail through the redwoods.

 

Yet another cool festival for Saturday…the Cigar BQ, which features premium cigars, vintage wines, California cuisine, live music and fun. We can’t tell you where this mysterious event is being held—you have to catch a shuttle bus from several Sonoma County locations which take you to the secret spot.

Also on Saturday, the Luther Burbank Rose Parade and Festival takes place in downtown Santa Rosa. It’s more of a community gathering than a tourist attraction, but, sometimes those make the best tourist attractions anyway. Catch a slice of local life as folks watch their kids perform in marching bands and wave to civic leaders atop of floats.

Parade starts at 10am at Sonoma Ave & E Street, travels to 4th Street and ends at 4th Street and Mendocino Ave. The festival is in Courthouse Square from 11am - 4pm with kids activities, live music, awards ceremony, the High School Culinary Program Iron Chef Competition, and more.

 

And on both Saturday and Sunday you can enjoy Passport to Sonoma Valley. Explore California’s Original Wine Country as you visit wineries throughout Sonoma Valley—over 40 of them are participating, including some which are rarely open to the public.  

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There aren’t a lot of events going on this weekend in Sonoma County, which is just as well considering it’s Mother’s Day. And, being a mom of four, all I ever want to do on my special day is take it easy and get some R&R. So, take a nice leisurely drive through the beautiful Sonoma countryside and stop off at one of the wineries for some TLC.

Quivira Vineyards & Winery will be giving complimentary wine tastings, discounts and flowers.  And Hop Kiln Winery will be handing out long stemmed roses to the first 50 Moms and offering a special deal on Sauvignon Blanc. Some wineries will also be serving a special Mother’s Day brunch.  Gloria Ferrer will feature a special meal paired with award winning sparkling wines. ($80 or $64 for wine club members and persons under 21 years of age.  11 am - 2 pm; 707.933.1999.) Or enjoy brunch on the Kunde Estate Vineyard Terrace, followed by a tour of the 32,000 square foot Aging Caves with a sample of wine straight out of the barrel. ($60 or $55 for wine club members, at 10:30 am ; 707. 282.1534).

If you’re celebrating Mother’s Day a little early on Saturday, wineries are offering plenty of chocolates and flowers for Mom to indulge in. Get a taste of the chocolate and wine pairings at Lambert Bridge Winery and meet Marisa Churchill who was called "one of the city's top pastry chefs" by Michael Bauer of The San Francisco Chronicle. ($75 or $50 for wine club members; 2 - 4 pm; 800. 975.0555 x13). And over at Chateau St. Jean you can celebrate their annual Fete De La Fleur. Enjoy a springtime stroll through their beautiful gardens while in full bloom and sample some of their clarets such as the winery exclusive Reserve Malbec and Estate Viognier. ($10; 10 am - 5 pm).

Also on Saturday, the “Eastside Bunch” will be holding their Spring Fest. For $10 you get a logo tasting glass, wine and nibbles at a cluster of Russian River Valley wineries including Merriam Vineyards, Acorn Winery, Christie Vineyards, Christopher Creek Winery, Foppiano Vineyards, Mietz Cellars and Rodney Strong Vineyards. No reservations required. 11 am - 5 pm;  707.433.4032)

But Moms cannot live by wine, chocolates and flowers alone. Moms want chili! Don’t miss the Great 12th Annual Petaluma Chili Cook-Off  Saturday, 1 – 5pm. Vote for your favorite chili, salsa and beer by the best chefs and breweries in the Bay Area. Enjoy spicy chili, hot music and boisterous fun.

Just added: Mother's Day Brunch at HopMonk Tavern click for details.

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 Here's a quick glimpse of the Cinco de Mayo celebration earlier this evening in Santa Rosa. It was reported by the Press Democrat that approximately 7000 people attended.

 

 

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This Friday kicks off the 13th Annual California Herdeljezi Roma Festival. On Friday night from 7pm - 11pm at the Sebastopol Veterans Memorial Building, a mini film festival dubbed Romani Film Night will take place, tickets are only $10. In case you're wondering, a "Herdeljezi" is a celebration in May that is a tradition in Eastern Europe, and "Roma" means Gypsy. So loosely translated, this is a May festival of Gypsies...cool!

I can't say I have been to the Roma Festival. However I have been fortunate enough to be able to get some pictures and video of last years festival. You can tell a lot about a festival, by the people who run it. I spoke with Roma Festival founder Carol Bloom yesterday, and for someone who was counting down to lift off in 2 days, she was remarkably calm, cool and collected; in a word, relaxed. You gotta love the laid back ways and attitudes of Eastern Europeans, a perfect pairing with the Sonoma County lifestyle. Then I met up Andrea at the Ace in the Hole to get the video footage, another mellow soul. While I quizzed Andrea about the festival her phone was constantly ringing off the hook, again; calm, cool and collected. To me, this speaks volumes about the people involved with the festival. I can say with the utmost certainty, your in good hands.

The main part of the Roma Festival takes place on Saturday between 1pm - 8pm at Ives Park in Sebastopol. I am told this is a very family friendly event, the price of admission is $12 and kids under 12 get in for free. The main festival is all about the entertainment on the main stage, and of course dancing! Eastern European Gypsy folk music is played and people typically line dance in a circular fashion. If you have ever been to the wonderful Glendi Festival you'll know exactly what I mean. The bands groove takes over the crowd and a joyful stream of consciousness connects everyone, even if you are just an observer. It's joy in a very pure, celebratory form. For an extra fee a traditional meal is served, as well small plates of appetizers, Turkish coffee and other goodies. And for those who want to party and dance all night, follow the procession from Ives park to Hopmonk Tavern at around 8pm. where the good times will continue into the wee hours. The party at Hopmonk Tavern starts at 9pm and is $10. Click the link for video and pictures of last years Roma Festival.

For the official California Herdeljezi Roma Festival site go here.

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This weekend, Sonoma County is holding festivals in honor of apples, butter, eggs, tomatoes and, of course…the mighty grape.

 

Apple Blossom and Butter and Eggs Parades

The Sebastopol Apple Blossom Festival parade and the Petaluma Butter and Eggs Days Parade fall on the same day (as always). Both are very charming small-town events. It seems that the basic premise is that half the town parades down the street while the other half of the town cheers them on. It’s not much more complicated than that, and there’s not a lot of pomp and pageantry involved. Yet, there’s something very entertaining about it. And, I won’t deny, I got tears in my eyes more than once while watching the Sebastopol parade. Why, I can’t explain. It just has a very earnest feel to it.

The bummer is that, every year, you have to decide between one parade or the other because they take place on the same day. So, since I have to chose, I usually go to Sebastopol. First of all, Sebastopol is really small. Meaning, if you’re going for small-town charm, it’s not going to get smaller and more charming than this. But, on top of that, it also has that whole artsy, Bohemian thing going for itl. So, you end up getting these very creative and free-spirited yet wholesome event. That’s not a common combination, and makes for a unique experience.

In addition to the parade, the Sebastopol event also features a festival at Ives Park both Saturday and Sunday. There’s music, food, wine, kids activities…the usual. It’s nice enough, but doesn’t quite hold the magic for me that the parade does. But this year, Pride and Joy will be performing, and they’re always a lot of fun.

The Petaluma Butter and Egg Days is only on Saturday. But, on Sunday, the city will hold its big, 23rd Annual Spring Antique Faire featuring over 180 dealers.

 

Castles and Kites at Doran Beach

Considering how warm it’s been lately, this may be perfect timing for the annual Castles and Kites Celebration at Doran Beach on Saturday. This is its fourth year, and I’m hoping to finally get over to the coast and enjoy it this time. My husband was able to take the kids a couple of years ago, and he said it was a wonderful day at the beach with some great kites and sand sculptures. Check out the video here.

 

Tomatomania at Cornerstone Garden

I’m also going to try and make it over to the Tomatomania! event at Cornerstone Gardens, taking place on both Saturday and Sunday. Anything that you want to buy or learn regarding tomatoes, you can do it here. Plus, it gives you a good excuse to visit Cornerstone Gardens. Take your camera, there’s a photo op at every turn.

 

Passport Weekend in Dry Creek Valley

Here in Sonoma, we love and honor our apples, butter, eggs, tomatoes, etc. But, all in all, the grape is king. Hail to the chief with Passport to Dry Creek Valley, one of Sonoma County’s most popular wine events. But, sadly, if this is the first you’re hearing about it, it’s probably too late to find a ticket. This two-day event sells out every year. You might just get lucky and find tickets on Craigslist. But, either way, start planning for next year by joining the wine club at one of the participating wineries and then buy tickets through them.

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Iron Horse Vineyards is a natural for celebrating Earth Day. First of all, it has wonderful views of some of the most beautiful, unspoiled, countryside anywhere: An inspirational reminder of what it is we’re working to hold on to. Plus, even though the winery has a glitzy reputation (their wines have been served in the White House since 1985, during four consecutive administrations) it is, in reality, a very down-to-earth, friendly place.

On Sunday, April 19, Iron Horse and several nearby wineries will host their annual “Celebrate Earth Day with Green Valley” event from 11am to 2pm. This is a FREE public event with wine tastings and food pairings (yes...free) and all sorts of tours and exhibits.

 

Here are some of the highlights:

 Iron Horse Vineyards
Complimentary wine plus vegetable soup, fresh from the garden, prepared by Iron Horse Chef Ruben Gomez and paired with “Occidental Bread” from Wild Flour Bread. Also, a special introduction to San Francisco chocolate start-up TCHO, which sources cacao beans from a certified organic estate in Madagascar.

There's also a one-day eco exhibition by guest curator Nicole Lee of art inspired by, or made from, the natural environment. Featured area artists include Cameron Kelly, Nicole Buffett, Fred Vedder, Ashley Helvey, and Monty Monty. Local favorite 3D-Edddy will also be creating his well-known head sculptures on the premises. 

 

Dutton-Goldfield & Balletto Vineyards
Docent-led tours of Laguna de Santa Rosa. The patio features local food to pair with the wines, plus environmental information and exhibits.

 

Hartford Family Winery
Complimentary wine tasting along with local organic breads and cheeses. The vineyard team will discuss sustainable and organic farming practices from 11am to 3pm.

 

DeLoach Vineyards
Artwork from the local Summerfield Waldorf School, as well as sustainable fashions created from recycled wine packaging by students at the Academy of Art. Plus, the winegrower will lead hands-on tours through the vineyards and their unique, half-acre garden to discuss biodynamic and organic farming.

 

For information about more upcoming events, including April in Carneros this weekend, see our calendar.

 

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My cousin Misha always said that one of the nice things about Christian celebrations was the opportunity to drink wine. If you’re like Misha, then Easter in Sonoma is like Heaven on Earth.

Start the day with an Easter Sunrise Mass by the big cross at Cline Cellars, which happens to be on consecrated ground. Back in 1823, when Father Jose Altimira was looking for the perfect spot to build a mission, his first choice was the land where Cline now stands. He blessed the ground and planted a cross in anticipation of building the mission there. But, eventually, he chose to move the site to, where it is now, by the Sonoma Plaza.

Each year, Father Michael Kelly, the pastor from the Mission St. Francis Solano (a.k.a The Sonoma Mission) goes to Cline Winery to deliver the Easter Sermon. You can listen while watching the sun rising over the grapevines and above some of the most beautiful gardens in all of Sonoma County. Service begins at 6:00 am, Sunrise at 6:38 am. Coffee and pastries served following the service. Free and open to the public. No reservations required.  24737 Highway 121 (707) 940-4025

Then, after exploring Sonoma for a while, head over for Easter Brunch at Estate restaurant. The food is incredible and, like Cline Cellars and the Mission, this beautiful building is full of history. The 1884 Victorian was once the home of General Vallejo’s daughter and her husband, the son of Count Agoston Haraszathy (the “grandfather of California viticulture”).10 am – 3pm; $32/$15 kids; 400 W. Spain St., 707.933.3663

After fueling up a bit, there are a number of nearby wineries you can visit, including Buena Vista (which was started by the aforementioned Count Agoston Haraszathy), Gundlach-Bundschu, and Sebastiani. And, if you’ve enjoyed these recommendations for your day, raise a glass to Cousin Misha for inspiring them.

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My son likes to go to the magic shop in downtown Santa Rosa. The owner is an actual magician and often does tricks for the customers, so it’s always a fun stop. Yesterday, my son bought some prank candy which has cod liver oil in it. It tastes sweet at the beginning and then ends up tasting like fish. I found out later today that he passed out the candies at school as an April Fools joke. This is his idea of high humor.

I’m planning on taking my son to the Occidental Fools Day Parade this Saturday, April 4th. I’ve seen the video and pictures and the participants are obviously having a blast. It’s full of ridiculous costumes and singing and dancing and general, good-natured mayhem. I heard that there was some theme to the parade, but I don’t think anyone took that, or anything else, too seriously. From the looks of it, it was pretty much anything goes, as long as it inspires happiness and laughter. I'm hoping my son will find his people there. If you too want to take part in it, put on something silly and meet up in downtown Occidental at 1pm. (Downtown Occidental consists of a couple of blocks on the Bohemian Hwy. So, don’t worry—you’ll find them.) If you’re just watching, the parade starts at 2pm.  I saw folks in the video throwing bead necklaces and candy out into the crowd. So, if you want to take some cod liver candy to throw out for that extra bit of pizazz, you know where to go.

Speaking of fishy delights...also this coming weekend (both Saturday and Sunday) is the Bodega Bay Fisherman’s Festival. This is a very sweet, authentic event. It started off many years ago as simply a way for the small coastal town of Bodega to pay tribute to its fishermen. The women would pick flowers and then get together to create a beautiful wreath, which was then taken out into the ocean on a boat and tossed onto the water, to honor the lives that had been lost at sea. Later, the whole town would gather for great seafood and song and games. Through the years, the festival has grown and now there’s a lot more food and a lot more music and a lot more events (including the popular homemade boat races). But, the original spirit of camaraderie lives on.

And over on the other side of the county, the Sonoma International Film Festival is going on now, April 1-5. Not only does it feature 75 films from throughout the world, but this event is also recognized as one of the Top 10 destination film festivals on the planet. (Well, of course...it's taking place in Sonoma!) This year's honoree is actor Bruce Willis; with a tribute on April 4.

 

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As the main city in Sonoma Wine Country, Santa Rosa has been trying to determine its identity for a while now. Is it the nightlife center of the county? (It’s not.) Is it the arts and cultural center? (To be fair, Santa Rosa has a lot to offer on that front. But, if you’re craving art and culture, San Francisco is a stone’s throw away.) So, while Santa Rosa has been debating what its special identity is, its standing as an environmental hub has been sneaking up on it. For a while now, the city has been receiving awards for being a leader in earth-friendly policies. Just today, I was talking to a friend in Santa Barbara who mentioned that among environmentally-conscious folks there, Santa Rosa has the reputation as a Green city.

So, if you want to experience a bit of that Santa Rosa cutting edge “Greeness,” one good place to check out is the new GG's Earth and Surf at 630 Third St. (707- 528-1445). The green-certified restaurant features all organic produce and seafood from farms within a 150 mile radius, as well as local, organic wines and spirits. Although they can’t get every single ingredient from 150 miles away, about 85 percent of their items are from the area. Not only has the food been getting rave reviews, but folks have been commenting that it’s not that pricey.

A great time to visit GG’s would be on Saturday night when they’ll be turning out many of their lights between 8:30 and 9:30 pm in honor of Earth Hour, so be prepared for a candlelit meal. Earth Hour is a worldwide, coordinated effort in which people turn off the lights, 8:30 to 9:30 pm local time, in an effort to draw attention to global warming. This year, some places that will go dark for the hour include: The Golden Gate Bridge, the Empire State Building, the Eiffel Tower, the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Acropolis in Athens, and even the Vegas strip. (By the way, my Santa Barbara friend pointed out that according to the Earth Hour map, Santa Rosa is the only California city north of San Francisco to have officially supported the effort.)

But all this environmental concern does not mean that Santa Rosa is a particularly somber, or sober, city. Nope, not at all. Case in point: The ever-popular Battle of the Brews will be held in the city on Friday night. Lots of beer, lots of music, lots of food, lots of cleavage…check out the video. Hey, there are times to be concerned about the environment. And there are times to eat, drink and be merry. Santa Rosa offers it all.

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The barrel tasting fun continues this weekend, but on a much smaller scale. Savor Sonoma Valley which is a very intimate affair, takes place Saturday and Sunday with just under 20 wineries participating in picturesque Sonoma Valley.

Pictured above is the view from the tasting room of Loxton Wines from a past Savor Sonoma Valley event. Winemaker-grower Chris Loxton is a prime example of a winemaker with major credibility and experience who puts on no airs about wine. This down-to-earth Aussie transplant grew up in the vines of Australia and is a 4th generation grape grower. Chris was also winemaker at Sonoma Cutrer, as well as his current neighbor Wellington Vineyards, before striking out on his own. Although he has decades of experience under his belt, Chris, like so many other Sonoma County wine superstars, is very low-key. If you walk up to a barrel at Loxton during the weekend and some nice, modest guy serves you wine, don’t assume it’s the hired help. It could very well be Chris. So, don’t miss out on the opportunity to chat with and ask questions of this seasoned expert. And because Chris is who he is, it doesn't matter whether you are totally clueless about wine or a jaded industry veteran, Chris will speak to you with equal enthusiasm. To me, Chris Loxton and Loxton Wines exemplifies the ultimate Sonoma County winery experience: Comfortable, relaxing, top quality wines, incredible views and a humble winemaker and staff who make visitors feel like old friends. See the video of Chris Loxton and father, Australian grower Bob Loxton.

Speaking of unassuming …check out this video - Savor Sonoma Valley. About 2/3 of the way through (right at the 1-minute mark), you’ll see a man sitting between two barrels, busily pouring tastings for guests at last year’s Savor Sonoma weekend. I wonder if they knew that the guy in the Hawaiian shirt was none other than Mike Berthoud, winemaker for Mayo Family Winery.

For Savor Sonoma participating winery map, event details, pictures and video click here: Savor Sonoma Barrel Tasting.

In Petaluma on Sunday, California Cheese takes center stage at the California Artisan Cheese Festival which will probably be the only place on earth where many people will be saying; "Wow, that smells like dirty socks, mmmm, may I taste it please?"

Last year's event was packed, the place was jumping. This year's event has expanded; the outside tent area is significantly bigger, so there will be more to experience. Cooking demonstrations, wine, music and cheese glorious cheese! Check out pictures of last year's California Artisan Cheese Festival event as well as video of Executive Chef John Toulze of ESTATE Restaurant and the girl & the fig restaurant in Sonoma at the festival here. If you love cheese and wine, the California Artisan Cheese Festival is a can't miss event. And even if your not an enthusiast, it's a fun social way to get educated about cheeses and just have fun.

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Mustard is in full bloom all over the county. And if you come up to the Sonoma County Bluegrass & Folk Festival this Saturday, you will see incredible fields of gold on Route 12 in Santa Rosa heading west into Sebastopol, were the festival takes place. Spring is here and it feels like the weather is getting nicer with each passing day. Flowers are blooming, birds are singing and, overall, everyone seems a bit happier and relieved that winter is over. (And also relieved that the winter brought some rain!)

The Bluegrass & Folk Festival takes place at the Sebastopol Community Center. Although all the main music takes place indoors, there's plenty to do outdoors because many festivals goers hang outside in small and large groups to informally jam out with each other. Some call it "parking lot picking" and, depending on who's jamming, it can be an incredible experience on its own. Check out all the details, video and pictures at this link: Sonoma Bluegrass & Folk Festival.

Barrel Tasting Weekends continues, and I forgot to mention in my last blog post that most of the wineries are also open on Friday for barrel tasting. Call ahead to make sure. So if you want to beat the crowds, come up a little early on Friday and get more personalized service from the wineries. To find out more and to see the video and pictures, click on the link: Barrel Tasting Weekends.

Take care and enjoy the weather!

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The Wine Road Barrel Tasting Weekends is taking place this weekend and next. The whole idea around barrel tasting is that you can sample a wine that’s still in the barrel and not yet finished. It's a glimpse into the potential of the wine. Then, you can often compare the barrel tasting to a finished, aged wine, of course of a different vintage. However it's an incredibly fun way to educate yourself about wines and a neat way to train your pallet . Furthermore, if you find a particular barrel tasting to show promise, you can buy, typically at a discount, the wine, which will be shipped to you when it is finished aging. Basically you reserve yourself some bottles or better yet a case, and have "dibs" on the wine before anyone else. 

But to me, the real beauty of Barrel Tasting Weekends is that many wineries have the winemaker and sometimes the grape growers on hand to answer any questions. I very much believe that looking at the person who made the wine eye to eye and getting to know their personality has a great effect on how you feel about the wine. The wine in many respects is an extension of that winemakers personality and their philosophy not just on wine, but life itself. With that said, there are so many great winemakers with great character in Sonoma County. Their passion for excellence is contagious, it really adds to the experience of tasting the wine. Click on the link to see video, pictures and get complete information about the Wine Road Barrel Tasting Weekend.

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It can never be said that Sonoma County is a one dimensional place. In this part of wine country we vive la difference!

With that being said. I have to admit. I never thought much of tattoos.

I came away from last year's Tattoos & Blues with a totally new perspective and a deep respect for tattoo artists and the tattoo scene in general. Tattoo artists come from all over the US to participate in this unique celebration that marries the blues, circus acts and of course tattoo art.

What impressed me most was the intricate work and the attention to detail that was being performed right before my eyes. Some of the work that I saw blew me away, it was high art.

Tattoos & Blues starts Friday and ends Sunday at the Flamingo Hotel and is definitely worth checking out. For video, pictures and details click here.

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Undeniably one of the most romantic and scenic wineries in all of Sonoma County, St. Francis Winery and Vineyards celebrates 30 years of winemaking this weekend. So if you blew it last weekend on Valentines Day, here's a great way you can redeem yourself!

Free wine tasting takes place in the stellar St. Francis Winery and Vineyards tasting room along with hors d'ouvres and of course breathtaking views of Sonoma Valley. The St. Francis team of winemakers will be on hand to answer any questions or to just shoot the breeze with event goers. I would highly recommend this event which takes place both Saturday and Sunday from 12 - 4pm. St. Francis Winery is a top notch operation. This celebration should be a high quality event.

Also of note, this Sunday is the Winter Artisan Cheese Fair, at the Sonoma Valley Women's Center in downtown Sonoma.  Sheana Davis of the Epicurean Connection hosts the event that features an array of cheeses from all over the world. Sunday 12 - 4pm.

Last but certainly not least is wine and food writer Michele Anna Jordan's pick of the week. The multi award winning Faith Ako will be performing traditional Hawaiian music at the Wells Fargo Center's intimate Merlot Theater on Saturday at 8pm.

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Santa Rosa is the largest city in the North Bay. Yet, it has no professional basketball team. No pro football team. No baseball or hockey or soccer team. Nada. Zero. Zilch. But, the city is home to a huge and avid cycling community. And what the city does have is the Amgen Tour of California which, each year since its inception in 2006, has finished the first leg of its 9-day cycling race in downtown Santa Rosa. The locals go nuts. Perhaps all that pent-up frustration of not being able to cheer on a home team comes out each February as the world’s best cyclists ride into town.

Weekend riders show up in their regalia of spandex shorts and neon shirts. Groups of kids dash about on their dirt bikes. Moms hold up their babies so they can see the blur of color and feel the breeze created by the passing racers. It seems like the entire city turns out to cheer. Most people chant “Levi! Levi!” for Levi Leipheimer, who not only lives in Santa Rosa but who has won the Tour for the past two years. But, this is a friendly, welcoming, Northern Californian community. So, most of the screams are of a general, all-inclusive nature. And ah, this year, Lance Armstrong is a new teammate of Leipheimer’s on the Astana team, and he’s making his North American comeback with this Tour. Bring earplugs.

Race organizers say the Amgen Tour of California draws the most spectators of any one sporting event in the United States—somewhere in the vicinity of 1.6 million viewers. Don't be surprised if it feels like the bulk of them (or at least the boisterous ones) are in downtown Santa Rosa.

The City has a whole slew of events scheduled for both Saturday and Sunday. A family-friendly festival is taking place on Fourth Street, east of Hwy. 101, while a more adult-oriented festival, with a beer garden and more, takes place on the other side of the highway in old Railroad Square. Or, get into the spirit of the event by going for a bike ride. The racers are expected to arrive in Santa Rosa from Davis around 4pm, which gives you plenty of time to take a ride through the city. Or head out to locals' favorite Annadel State Park for mountain biking. (Yup, the same spot that furnished the stones for La Rose Hotel.) You'”l find 5,000 acres of wilderness and miles of trails. But be careful. At first Annadel feels like a city park because it's right there, close to streets and shops and restaurants. But don't be fooled. It's rugged in there. And folks who have found themselves in trouble have had to be airlifted out in the past. If you'd like a mellower ride, try a loop around the lake at Spring Lake Park, which is adjacent to Annadel. You can rent a bike at Rincon Cyclery ($30-$50 per day), about a 5 - 10 minute ride to either park.

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Get ready! Rain or shine! The 117th Cloverdale Citrus Fair (click for video & pictures) is coming and is one of the first California fairs of the year! The festivities kick off on Friday the 13th when the fair officially opens it's doors to the public and finishes on Monday, Presidents Day. Carnival style rides, games, arts and crafts, agricultural displays and contests and of course lots of live music. Of special note, Elvin Bishop will headline on Sunday with 2 performances at 2 and 4:30 pm. So if you need a winter blues fix, Elvin Bishop is definitely worth seeing and should more than satiate your jones.

On Saturday in addition to the Cloverdale Citrus Fair is the Citrus Fair Parade (click for video & pictures) that winds down main street and is a short walk to the fairgrounds. The parade is a wholesome family affair with some fun twists like the Humboldt State Marching Lumberjacks pictured above. To me the parade is the icing on the cake and makes the drive up to Cloverdale totally worth it. A free parade, only $6 to get in the fair, lots of great activities to do, it's a no brainer. If you don't want to spend the whole day at the Cloverdale Citrus Fair, there are plenty of things to do and places to see while in Cloverdale and the surrounding Alexander Valley area.

Of course Saturday is Valentines Day, so many wineries in Sonoma County (click for video & pictures) and Sonoma Restaurants (click for video & pictures) are running specials. Make sure to call ahead for details and reservations.

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The information on Sonoma Uncorked is based soley on what we locals would tell a close friend. With that said, there's not much going on this weekend. If you are a glass is half full kind of person, you could seize this opportunity to come up because this is the slow part of the year, and therefore not crowded. Furthermore, the weather is supposed to be incredible!

I have no idea what the weather holds for next weekend, but frankly it doesn't matter. The stars have aligned in your favor and your cup runneth over. In short, there are plenty of tickets left for the 20th Annual Rodney Strong Wine and Chocolate Fantasy (click for video & details) on Saturday February 7th from 1 - 4pm. Typically, tickets sell out way in advance. You have to call in for tickets ($40) or order on the web, no tickets are available the day of the event. Here's the number if you want to call - 707.431.1533.

I attended 2 years ago in the pouring rain and it was absolutely fantastic! First off, the event takes place in Rodney Strong Vineyard's HUGE barrel room, barrels stacked up to the ceiling! Of course there is plenty of chocolate and wine to go around, no lines, just casual tastings. Like dark chocolate and dried cherries, toffee paired with Zinfandel and chocolate popcorn with Merlot are just a few examples. Being in a huge barrel room with a wide assortment of artisan wines and chocolate, automatically qualifies the Rodney Strong Wine and Chocolate Fantasy as an extremely unique event.

However, for the last 2 years, the awe inspiring, Earl Thomas has been performing at the festival. He will be there this year too and I hope for many years to come. Earl's performance takes the event into a whole new dimension. He always gets the crowd dancing and whooping it up! Quite frankly, Earl Thomas is an extremely talented, electrifying and soulful singer/songwriter/performer. Yes, he's really that good! Check out the Rodney Strong Wine and Chocolate Fantasy video to get a glimpse of Earl.

My wife and I often joke around with an events "worthiness", in terms of how far away a friend of ours would have to drive or in some cases fly to attend the event. The further one of or friends would have to travel the more "worthy" the event would have to be. Even though this is a one day event that lasts only 3 hours...I would say it's LA and Seattle worthy. Seriously, inmho, this is a truly unique "can't miss" event and luckily for you, there are tickets still available. If you need an excuse to come to Sonoma, this is it!

As of this writing there were still $138 round trip tickets available from LA, Las Vegas and Seattle.

If you got the scratch, or even if you don't, the Rodney Strong Wine & Chocolate Fantasy delivers in a big way and is well worth the trek here.

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Well, the weather is a little dreary to say the least. But fear not, there are plenty of indoor activities this weekend. First up is the charming, folksy Cloverdale Old Time Fiddle Festival (video & pics) which takes place at the fairgrounds. Speaking of, next month, the fairground plays host to the Cloverdale Citrus Fair (video). Folks from all over the Northwest gather for this indoor fiddle competition and gathering. This year features a new competition called "Anything Strings" which happens on Saturday, along with the "Twin Fiddle" competition, which is always fun to watch. One of the highlights will be on Sunday afternoon when 14 year old Griffen Stoller of Belvedere takes stage.(pictured above) I've seen him twice and he is always a pleasure to listen and watch. Maybe catch a few sets and then go wine tasting at historic Cellar No. 8 at Asti Winery or any of the wineries in the spacious Alexander Valley. If getting individual attention at a winery is your thing, then this is your weekend! Hotel and B & B rates are low, so there are all sorts of deals to be had. Of course with the weather being a so dreary, it always yields lower visitors. So, to me, this is the time to come up! A foggy rainy day in wine country can be very romantic indeed. For instance C. Donatiello Winery in Healdsburg has an awesome tasting room with big windows with views and a fantastic fireplace. Sipping on fine Russian River Pinot Noir and watching the rain come down...ahhhh. In the town of Sonoma California, it's the 2nd Annual Sonoma Environmental Film Festival at the Sonoma Valley Women's Club. I have not attended the Sonoma Environmental Film Festival yet, but after talking with the promoter, I feel this is going to become a very popular event. Have a great weekend and be safe out there! permalink...

Winter Wineland 2009 is the first big wine event of the year. Over 100 wineries in the Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Chalk Hill and Alexander Valley Appellations all come together for a special winter celebration. Click on the link for video and pictures from last year and all the details. Also be sure to check out the map with all the participating wineries on it.

The weather has been clear skies with temperatures in the upper 60's. And the forecast says the beautiful weather will continue on through the weekend.

This is great news if you are on the fence about coming up this weekend. Many Sonoma Hotels and Bed & Breakfasts are running specials this time of year. As a matter of fact, this is the slow time of the year, meaning it's a good time to come up if you want personalized service. Of course, the area in which Winter Wineland takes place will be busy this weekend.  So, if you are looking for quiet times with a personal touch, perhaps a visit to Sonoma Valley might be in order?

So there you go. If you are in a social mood, go check out Winter Wineland. Pay one price, gain access to special tastings at over 100 wineries spread out over 4 appellations. Otherwise, if you are just into getting a good deal on a place to stay, decompressing, enjoying the weather and hanging out at an uncrowded winery, then perhaps, Sonoma Valley is the ticket. If you can't make it up this weekend, fear not. Next weekend, there is no big wine event, places to stay will still be cheaper AND most all wineries all over Sonoma County will be slow and will have time to give you personalized service. Don't take my word for it, check out this blog about a trip up here last weekend. Troy (the blogger) visited wineries in 3 different appellations and his story very much captures the essense of Sonoma wine tasting experiences this time of year.

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It can't be denied that 2008 was a historic year. All the same, I can't wait to see it go! To all you folks out there with hope and faith in your hearts and minds, have a happy new year! Here's wishing you all the best!

 

I think the New Year's celebration at Hopmonk Tavern is going to be a barn burner. The folks over at Hopmonk really know how to throw a party AND Albino! headlines the show, which completes the formula. Check out the video above of Albino! and also check out their Burning Man Festival 2008 documentary and other videos here. More details on the Hopmonk site.

Another promising new year's event is at Latitude in Rohnert Park. Decadance 2009 promises a "Funky/Formal" and "respectful vibe". More info here.

To get the full list, click on the link Sonoma New Years Eve. Take care and be safe out there!

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The holiday season is in full swing in Sonoma. Tomorrow the award winning group Chanticleer performs at St. Vincent de Paul Church, a glorious sounding room in Petaluma. If you like choral music and haven't seen Chanticleer live, you really owe it to yourself to see and hear this remarkable group. Top shelf. Click on Chanticleer Christmas in Petaluma for details.

Traditions...What would the holiday season be without them? With 2 shows on Saturday and 1 on Sunday the Nutcracker in Santa Rosa is reaching new levels by pooling talent from across Sonoma County and then also bringing in national and international level dancers for the main roles. The result is a high quality experience and a great way to spend special holiday time with friends and family. Check out video from last year's Nutcracker Ballet performance here.

Last but certainly not least is the longest running sing-a-long Messiah in the Country. The Santa Rosa Sing Along Messiah aka the Redwood Empire Sing Along Messiah gives it's 29th annual performance this Saturday at the Santa Rosa High School Auditorium. This is a very casual family type event, no need to know the words to the "Hallelujah" chorus because the host, the Santa Rosa Symphony League, hands outs the lyrics so you can sing a long with ease. Click the link to check out video from last year's Santa Rosa Sing Along Messiah. permalink...

Oh.........my........god! "Get up off of that thang!" The Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir Ensemble brings down the house and leaves them begging for more at the historic Bartholomew Park Winery in Sonoma! I wish you were there!

The Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir Ensemble is lead and inspired by charismatic and super friendly Artistic Director Terrance Kelly, who often interacted with the audience in a playful, joking kind of way. The night was full of highs, but at the end of the show the whole room became entranced; the group consciousness was raised and we were all transcended into an altered state of being. In other words, the OIGC did not just raise the roof last night, they blew it clear off!

Who dreamed up this gig? Pairing wine, food and gospel music at a historic winery, inside it's museum no less? Pure genius! Well of course it's the folks over at Gundlach Bundschu Winery, who sort of steward Bartholemew Park Winery. My hats off to you and of course the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir Ensemble. An incredible evening that I will never forgot. I'm still buzzin' from it. Thank you.

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I love Sonoma County! Free spirited moments like the one shown above are what Sonoma is all about. The video above was taken last Saturday at the Holiday Parade of Lights in Guerneville and features the local band the T.H.U.G.S who specialize in Grateful Dead covers and play almost every Thursday night at the Pink Elephant in Monte Rio. The parade of lights is a hometown, laid back, "river" event, similar in spirit to the Monte Rio 4th of July Fireworks celebration; irreverent, fun and carefree. 

I understand that this may not be everyone's cup of tea. But it proves that an area can be free spirited and fun loving and still be recognized worldwide as a top vacation destination for serious food and wine experiences. Sonoma County does all this without being caught up in all the pretentiousness that so often goes along with "Wine Country living." To me, this is very special indeed. At the end of the day, Sonoma County is about enjoying life and there are many vehicles to get you there depending on your tastes. In a word, Sonoma County offers diversity.

Speaking of diversity, this weekend offers a lot of different things to do. Let's start with the Bartholomew Park Winery annual presentation of the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir in the town of Sonoma. Nibble on specially prepared appetizers and drink fine wine while listening to gospel music. Does it get any more diverse than that? There are 2 shows on Saturday at 4:30 pm & 7:30. Click here for more details.

Also in Sonoma this Sunday, there are the Olive Curing Seminars with Don Landis at the stunning Jacuzzi Winery. If you can't make it this Sunday, fear not. There are 2 more scheduled seminars at Cline Cellars and BR Cohn Winery in the coming weeks. For video and details about Olive Curing Seminars with Don Landis, click on the link.

Now, while you are in the town of Sonoma, there are also many other things going on. It is, after all, the Sonoman Season! Sonoman Season is a collection of events happening throughout the holidays in the town of Sonoma. The artsy, eccentric, fun loving folks in Sonoma take the holiday season to a whole new level this year. There is so much to do, I don't even know where to start. Click here to see all the activities in and around the town of Sonoma this weekend.

Cheers!

 

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I spent some time over Thanksgiving weekend checking out Christmas Tree Farms in Sonoma. It was a bittersweet experience. On my way to Celesta Farms in Sebastopol I drove right by Hill Tree Farm on the corner of Bodega Hwy and Watertrough. So I turned around to investigate and ran into Linda Behler, the owner of the farm. After 20 + years selling Christmas trees, Linda has decided to get out of the business. For my first stop of the day this was very sad news indeed. The upside is, if you want to visit her this weekend, you can get a tree for $15. There's not a lot to choose from, they will sell out fast. However, she also has other trees that cost more, but are still at blow out prices, selection is limited. I  also spoke with someone over at Davis Christmas Tree Farm in Sebastopol and she said, "No one will have to go away because they can't afford a tree, we'll work it out with whatever budget they have." Nice! Now that's the spirit!

Highlights of my "3 hour tour" of Sonoma County Christmas Tree Farms were (in no particular order): Picturesque Moon Mountain in Sonoma. Quiet and mellow mom & pop operation Wallinfarm in Sebastopol. And the full experience-- hot cider, coffee, candy canes, tractor rides, gift shops- at Reindeer Ridge, Frosty Mountain Tree Farm and Garlock Tree Farm, all in Sebastopol.  The big surprise of the weekend was Pochini Family Farm in Knights Valley on Hwy 128. It's in Sonoma County, 1 mile from the Napa border, with a Calistoga address. If you come in from 101 and head down Hwy 128 through Alexander and Knights Valley; the drive is absolutely rewarding, perhaps my favorite Sonoma County back roads drive. If you really want to get "out there" this is the place.

If you are from out of town, buying a Christmas Tree in Sonoma is a great excuse to come up. According to all the growers many folks come up from San Francisco and make a day of it. Tying the tree to the roof of the car and driving back to the city is no big deal. The weather has been incredible, and nothing beats searching for your own tree, while breathing in the fresh country air with a scent of pine. Every time you see your decorated tree, you'll remember that special day.

Click on the link to check out the complete listing and some pictures of Christmas Tree Farms in Sonoma.

 

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I just wanted to put out a short note to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving! Be safe out there! permalink...

This weekend officially marks the holiday season here in Sonoma County with the annual Holiday in Carneros wine tasting event. A mere $40 gets you 2 days of wine and food tasting with many of the wineries also featuring, special pairings, barrel tastings, music and arts and crafts. The Holiday in Carneros event is not only an extremely good value but is one of the few wine events of the year that includes both Sonoma and Napa wineries. Some of the hots spots are, the highly revered Schug Carneros Estate Winery, the serene and spacious Cline Cellars and the nearly one man operation of Homewood Winery. All these wineries really put out a good spread and have many guests to socialize with. Click on the Holiday in Carneros link for video, pictures and a map of the participating Sonoma wineries. Click here for details of what each winery is offering.(pdf) Click here to find out more about the Los Carneros Appellation (video).

Speaking of price; how does free sound? That's right, sound for free, the classic sounds of "The Romantic Russians." Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 3pm the American Philharmonic perform at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa featuring Heidi Hau playing the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2 a.k.a. Rocky 2. A.k.a. the music pop singer/song writer Eric Carmen "borrowed" for the melodic theme of his 1976 hit "All by Myself". "When I was young, I never needed any... ah, ahem...uh, sorry, very sorry. ; ) Anyway, a fantastic community orchestra with some very palatable repertoire, a great opportunity to expose yourself to the arts.

I just wanted to mention I put up a listing of restaurants open for Thanksgiving, many of the menus are just a click away.

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The Sonoma olive harvest is in full swing! Olive picking and pressing for olive oil is taking place all over Sonoma County as we speak. When making premium olive oil it is important to pick the olives at the right time AND get the olives to the press immediately after they have been picked, to assure for best taste.

In 2 weeks many of the olive presses in Sonoma County open their doors to the public and have "community milling days". This is a great time for olive oil fans to learn more about how olive oil is made and an opportunity for boutique olive growers, neighborhood harvesters, and even those with just a tree or two, to create their own field blends. Some of the mills that will be open for pressing in 2 weeks are the Dry Creek Olive Company in Healdsburg, Mc Evoy Ranch in Petaluma and the Olive Press in Sonoma.   

Other than the olive harvest, things are pretty quiet around here; it's nice.

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It's been an exciting and hectic and wonderful and stressful time in left-leaning Northern California lately. But now, with a historic presidential election behind us, it's time to take a deep breath and slow down. The rains came and flushed out everything, the air is crisp and clean with a little bit of a chill. And now, it seems as though everyone in Sonoma has shifted down a gear.

This is considered the "slow season" and the good news is all the Sonoma hotels and B & B's drop their rates (some very significantly) for the winter season. With all this good news, maybe it's time to treat yourself to a little fun and relaxation.
 

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Well it looks like rain is a strong possiblity for Halloween this Friday, what a bummer! Well, I know that is not going to stop my 10 year old son and for that matter many others. We all know Halloween brings out the "crazies". I do not see the weather deterring those folks determined to have some fun. So here's a quick round up of things to do this weekend.

Starting with Friday Halloween night, Hopmonk Tavern presents it's 1st Annual Cirque Du Sebastopol Halloween party! The festivities continue on to Saturday when MUYTATOR (a traveling circus spectacle) performs at Hopmonk. And from what I have read and seen it seems like it's going to be quite a show, Check out the video of MUYTATOR at the Burning Man Festival.

Of course all the Pumpkin Patches in Sonoma County have extended hours on Friday night, to check out all the pumpkin patches here in the Sonoma Annual Events section. Also of note is the Hopper House of Horror which is located at the old Hungry Hunter Restaurant location in Santa Rosa. And the No Chance Ranch Haunted House is open Friday from 4-10pm.

The picture above is from the McDonald Avenue neighborhood in Santa Rosa, which is in itself is a classic Sonoma County Halloween event. The whole neighborhood gets in the Halloween spirit and puts on a huge show, in a fun over the top kind of way. The houses are completely decked out, fog machines, little skits, mini graveyards, the works! My friend lives in the neighborhood, and last year his landlord spent over $800 on candy alone and estimated 1400 trick or treaters came to their door! Now that's dedication!

Maybe your not feeling so wild and crazy and would prefer to mellow out and relax instead. I would suggest the Russian River Wine & Food Affair might be the ticket. Over 70 wineries participate spread out over the Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley and Alexander Valley. All the wineries put their best foot forward with specially prepared wine & food pairings. Attendees of course get an event wine glass, but the kicker is that you also get a cookbook that has all the recipes for the food portion of the pairings. So if one of the pairings you try along the wine road resonates with you; then you can prepare the same dish at home and pair the Sonoma County wine with it. To see what each winery has prepared for you go here and scroll down to "Notables."

 *NEW*

Also check out our new way to plan a trip for all the wine festivals or a trip to Sonoma County in general. Go to the Russian River Food & Wine Affair page. You will see markers for all the participating wineries on the map; then scroll down to "Notables". Click on the map icon next to the winery you are interested in and the map will float down the page to show you the location. If you like the winery, click on the heart icon on the map. You'll see a little heart next to the icon of the winery you just marked. Go around the map and check out other nearby places and mark the ones you like. Then just go to "My Sonoma" on the top menu and there will be a list of all the places you marked off. Look for nearby restaurants or hotels on the map's drop down menu. It's a work in progress and we have many other goodies in store. Please email me with any suggestions or comments. Our goal is to build "My Sonoma" into a useful, quick and easy planning tool. Enjoy.

Happy Halloween!

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This weekend pinot noir enthusiasts unite in force to celebrate the esteemed varietal. Event sponsor The Pinot Report puts on Pinot on the River, a 3 day festival that starts this Friday and reaches it's peak on Sunday when the Grand Artisanal Pinot Noir Tasting event takes place at scenic Russian River Vineyards. Sample some of the best pinot noirs from the West Coast all in one place, there will be almost 100 to choose from! Also present will be several top tier artisan cheese producers offering samples and if that's not enough you can easily get lunch at Stella's Restaurant which is on the Russian River Vineyards Property. There are still tickets available, but you have to buy them online before Friday. If you are a pinot noir freak this is a can't miss event.
Get your tickets here.
If you are coming from the South there are some great restaurants you will be passing by on your way home. Perhaps making reservations for a little din-din on the way home may be in order? I would suggest checking out K & L Bistro in Sebastopol, which is in the Michelin Guide, or the newest hot spot, Restaurant Eloise. You will drive literally right by both on your way home, and what a way to top off a great weekend!

 

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The Windsor Pumpkin Festival is a free annual event that takes place this Sunday on the spacious Windsor Green. There's a pancake breakfast in the morning followed by the Parade of Pumpkin Desserts that starts at 11:30 at KC's Downtown Bar & Grill. Other activities include pumpkin painting, a pumpkin contest, a scarecrow contest and the highlight for me is the Pumpkin Car Races! Yeah baby! The rules on the Windsor Farmers Market website read:

- Body of race car must be pumpkin or winter squash
- Axles must travel through the body of the Pumpkin–         - NO ROLLER SKATES!
- Wheels can be any type – wooden, metal, vegetable, or plastic
- Maximum width of car is 11 inches to fit the 4-lane track
- All ages are welcomed!

Gentlemen, start your engines! This event is a gas! The absurdity of racing, let alone watching, goofy looking pumpkins and squashes with wheels wiz down the track is enough to make anyone chuckle! I cannot deny, I deeply regret missing the Zucchini Car Races earlier this year at the Windsor Zucchini Festival. Both of these events have "World Championship" designation potential written all over them! Bottom line, the Windsor Pumpkin Festival is a very family friendly, fun event, and the Pumpkin Car Races is the icing on the cake. Click on the Windsor Pumpkin Festival link for video, times and details.

I also wanted to mention that details for more pumpkin patches have been put up. We have information on the very traditional Muelrath Ranches Pumpkin Farm in Western Santa Rosa as well a Hale's Apple Farm which offers pumpkins in Sebastopol.

Don't forget, this is the last weekend for ARTrails Open Studios that takes place all over Sonoma County and the must-do experience Tolay Fall Festival. Enjoy this beautiful weather, see you out there!

 

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On Saturday, I went with my son to the No Chance Ranch Haunted House on Llano road and to phrase it appropriately, it was a hoot! The friendly and hospitable Brady clan that owns the farm, gets together and puts on a show for the locals, now 3 years running. The ranch is completely decked out with Halloween decorations, trinkets, a pumpkin patch, hay ride, snack bar, haunted house and a "chicken" house for young kids; and adult wimps. ; )

My 10 year old son loved the hay ride, "it was cool, we went up, down and around this wild track, not just in a boring circle." As it turns out the backyard is a moto cross track complete with ramps and banked turns...yee haw! I personally love the haunted house as did my son, who confessed he got really scared, only once. ;)

I also fell in love with all the neat little electronic Halloween themed novelty items in the "Chicken" house. Where in hell did they find all this stuff?

Not only is the No Chance Ranch Haunted House a Sonoma County gem, it's a real authentic slice of Americana.

Click on the No Chance Ranch Haunted House link for video, picture gallery, description, map, fees and times.

 

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The Tolay Fall Festival takes place over a span of 8 days over the next 2 weeks. The festival runs Thursday through Sunday this week and next. When you drive East on Lakeville Highway to the festival you can feel your blood pressure lowering. The unique beauty of the area, rolling hills, pastoral views and overall openness gives you a sense of connection with nature. Once you go up the long driveway to Tolay Lake Regional Park, that connectivity deepens. You crest a hill and then the whole countryside opens up, wide open space...ahhh.

Once you start your descent down the hill, you can see the area where the festival takes place. It looks sort of small from that distance, but as you near it, you realize it's pretty big. Go to the Tolay Fall Festival page and check out the google map. Hit the magnifying glass icon and zoom in...you'll see what I mean. Can you say "in the middle of nowhere?" How great is that? No distant hum of the highway, truly "out there," but still drivable by car, nice. Parking is $5 and festival is free. There are many activities for children and adults, but, to me, the big highlight of this event is the free guided tours given by the park rangers which can last 45 minutes or more. They have a few tractors that pull large carts across the dry lake bed and go up into the hills. On a clear day you can see San Francisco.

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This year's World Championship Grape Stomp was a barn burner! It was sort of a tournament of champions with a dash of celebrity to add a little twist. Bob Blumer from the Food Network's Glutton for Punishment show made it to the finals and posed a serious threat.

After talking to someone on his crew, I realized Blumer was from Canada. Could it be true? Canada was a front runner for the coveted crown? Do they even have grapes in Canada? If Canada won, it would be a major embarrassment for "wine country" stompers.

Rest easy...2006 Champs, mother-son team, Michelle and Kopa Kaluahine edged out 2007 champs, mother-daughter team, Tamara and Ashley Dunn. Phew...that was close; Blumer came in 3rd! Not bad. Of course it helps that he was trained for a week by brothers and former champions Jack and Jed Czajkowski. Then Jed and Bob teamed up as swabby and stomper, while brother Jack reunited with his old swabby and past champion Lewis Knight.

Even though Bob didn't come out on top in the competition, he still got a taste of victory. Bob and Jed had a side bet with Jack and his partner: The losing team between them would get buckets of the stomped grapes poured over their head! Pictured above is Jed and Bob celebrating after Jack and Lewis took their medicine.

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Sonoma County Harvest Fair" align="left" />Well it's time for the Sonoma County Harvest Fair, my single most favorite festival of the year! To me the the Harvest Fair typifies the Sonoma County way - irreverent, fun loving, easy going but yet when it comes to food and wine, very serious. This unique combination is rare in the world we now live in and the Harvest Fair really brings this all together in a special way. If you're in San Jose, San Francisco or the East Bay, I totally encourage you to come up for a fun filled weekend that is neither flashy or over the top; but rather, wholesome, down to earth and genuine. Whenever I go to the Sonoma County Harvest Fair, it makes me smile inside. This is reflected by the other folks who attend. The "spirit" or "vibe" is such that everyone is super friendly, and you can tell they're smiling inside as well. (And usually on the outside too.) Good times.

 The festivities kick off Friday at 3pm with a special all inclusive wine tasting event of all the award winners. If you can't make it Friday, no worries: All day Saturday and Sunday you can taste over 1000 wines from over 200 wineries that use Sonoma County sourced grapes.

Don't forget to check out the World Championship Grape Stomp. Preliminaries take place throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday and the finals are on Sunday at 5pm. Just this event is well worth the $6 it costs to get into the entire festival. You've never seen anything like it! Check out the video of last years grape stomp here and the 2006 Championship video is here.

Next up is the BR Cohn Fall Music Festival in Glen Ellen which features the Doobie Brothers on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are sold out for Sunday's event but there are a few tickets left for Saturday's show. This is a great event! The venue is awesome. You sit on a hillside looking down at the stage with the rolling vineyards as your backdrop. Check out the video of the Doobie Brothers here.

Last but not least, for pet lovers, the picturesque St. Francis Winery and Vineyards puts on its annual Blessing of the Animals event on Sunday. Bring your pet so he can get blessed by the priest. You can even enter your dog in the Winery Dog of the Year Contest. It's all free.

That's it! Enjoy the weekend!

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This weekend is a great one! There’s that autumn crispness in the air, the colors of the leaves are starting to turn color and you can feel the season starting to change. The Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival takes place all day Saturday and Sunday at the historic Sonoma Square and is a free event! The festival is the second oldest in California, the first being the Rose Parade. All of Sonoma Square is full of activities, grape stomps, wine booths, art and two stages of live music with David Lindley headlining on Sunday at 3:00 pm. It's a great way to spend the day with family and friends. Load your car up with the gang, pack a picnic, lay out a blanket and enjoy the festivities. There's a little something for everyone at this historic festival. To get a feel for what it is like check out the Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival video.
On Saturday night, the Sonoma County Harvest Fair at the fairgrounds features the Awards Night Gala. Also during the day on Saturday is the Taste of Petaluma and the Fairy Folk Festival in Santa Rosa. The Taste of Petaluma features tasting at numerous restaurants in Petaluma, live music and activities are abound in the downtown area. The Fairy Folk Festival is full of magical motifs and has hints of the renaissance faire. Check out the Fairy Folk Festival video here. Fall is here, enjoy the great weather and the change of season. Get outside and be a part of it!

Check out the video of Sonoma's Valley of the Moon Festival headliner David Lindley above, it was shot 14 days ago!

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This weekend is full of culture! In Santa Rosa the Glendi Festival takes place on Saturday and Sunday. International foods, kids play area, baked goods and a Klesmer band are the formula to get people dancing and having a great time. The Glendi Festival (see video) took me by surprise. There is a real sense of community and the vibe is somewhat spiritual, the kind that makes you glad to be alive. I don't know how else to explain it: The Glendi Festival makes you smile inside. The highlights are the Klesmer band and the folk dancing which is done in a circular fashion. Everyone is encouraged to join in. This is what makes it so special, and if you have been wondering about the Glendi Festival, it’s totally worth checking out.

Friday night, the Seabastopl Celtic Music Festival kicks off with a concert. The festival continues all day Saturday and Sunday with the highlight being the amazing duo of Martin Hayes on fiddle and Dennis Cahill on guitar in a separate concert on Saturday night. If you have never seen them, you can check out the end of the video on the Sebastopol Celtic Music Festival page. For full line up and ticket info click here.

Last but certainly not least, on Sunday, the scenic C. Donatiello Winery in Healdsburg hosts Otis Taylor and his “trance blues” stylings. Only 150 seats are available in this beautiful, intimate outdoor setting. The Otis Taylor show closes the season for C. Donatiello Winery's "Live in Middle Reach" concert series. If you haven't made it to any of these unique shows, now's the time. Tickets are only $35 and there is a reception with Otis Taylor after the show. Ticket info is here.

Don't forget to check the music section for Brad Henstock's blog on what's happening in the music and nightlife scene. UPDATE Thursday 9:30 pm - CAST OF CLOWNS AT HOPMONK Sunday night. Melvin Seals (Jerry Garcia Band). Greg Anton (Zero), Jeff Pevar (CSN, Phil and friends) - VIDEO

For great insider info on the food & wine scene, check out, writer extrodinaire Michele Anna Jordan's in depth blogs about food and wine.

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SonomaUncorked.com would like to give a big welcome to Brad Henstock who will be covering the music and nightlife scene here in Sonoma County. What impressed me about Brad was not only his knowledge of the local scene and beyond (which is impressive!); but also his enthusiasm and earnestness. He spoke passionately about bands he liked and had intelligent insights and knowledge of small details about them. Furthermore, his tastes are diverse, leaning more towards an appreciation of talent rather than a particular genre of music.

Brad is originally from Australia and now lives with his wife Allyson in Santa Rosa. A veteran of the entertainment business, Brad has worked all over the world including stints in the Caribbean, Vail, Chicago and Alaska. We at SonomaUncorked.com feel most fortunate to have him on board! You can find Brad's insights and updates on Mondays in the Sonoma County Music & Nightlife section. Feel free to contact Brad with any ideas or stories at his email address [email protected].

We're just finishing up our events section that allows links to your site, uploading of pictures about your event and a google map of the location of your event, all for free! We want to tell the world about your Sonoma County food, wine, music or art event. Just register with the site, respond to an email confirmation message and start adding your Sonoma County events at no charge on any of the events pages. Just click "add an event." It's free and it's easy!

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Here come the Sun Kings! I was just checking youtube to see if there were any videos of this Beatles tribute band. I found one and I got to say, I'm very impressed. These guys are tight!!! The Sun Kings play at the Old Grove Festival in the redwood theater at Armstrong Woods State Park (Guerneville) this Friday night. Gates open at 5pm. If you dig the Beatles, this is a can't miss event. The Old Grove Festival also has 2 events on Saturday to wrap up their season. The Sonoma County Repertory Theater puts on the Taming of the Shrew, gates open at noon. And following the performance, there is a Greek Festival in the picnic area; limited to only 50 people. Call here to see if you can still make a reservation for the Greek Festival 707-869-9177 X 00. Regardless, there are still plenty of tickets left for the Sun Kings and Taming of the Shrew shows. You can always pack your own picnic.

Then on the other side of Sonoma County is the wonderful Katmandu Fall Festival (check out the video & pictures at that link) in Sonoma's Depot Park. The festival has this mellow spiritual vibe. Soft music plays in the background, wine and food is served and there is also a great vending - alternative lifestyle scene. It's free to go in , however there is a $10 suggested donation. If you are in a mood to just relax and take the day in at a beautifully shaded park, then I think you will really like this festival. The Katmandu Fall Festival most certainly deserves the award for mellowest festival in Sonoma County.

 

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Just wanted to write a quick post about our good friend and writer Michele Anna Jordan who writes our wine and food blogs and is the author of the BLT Cookbook and creator of the "World's Biggest BLT." Michele did the first "World's Biggest BLT" event back in 2003 at the Kendall Jackson Heirloom Tomato Festival. Then, last year, she teamed up with the Windsor Farmers Market. Check out the video of that event here.

This past weekend, the Windsor Farmers Market decided to do it again, but this time.....uhhh.......ummm.....without Michele! And get this, they tweaked the name a little bit to the "World's Largest BLT" AND are applying for the Guinness Book of World Records! Can you say tacky?! Furthermore, on the Windsor Farmers Market site, they talk about last year's event without even a mention of Ms. Jordan. I don't know about you, but from where I come from, that's called stealing. We have an award-winning author who created a concept and executed it, and then, for whatever reason--sorry there are no "good" ones--Windsor Farmers market decided to call it their own. C'mon man, give me a break! I love the Windsor Market, they have done wonderful things there. Sorry to speak ill of them, but really, this crosses the line. Windsor Farmers Market, please use an original idea for next year.

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September is a big month for festivals in Sonoma. We kick the month off with 3 very significant ones. Leading off is the two day event Jazz on the River aka The Russian River Jazz Festival. A laid back affair right smack dab on the banks of the Russian River on Johnson's Beach with giant redwoods surrounding you. If you dig jazz and the great outdoors, this would be the perfect combination for you.

Next up is the Kendall Jackson Heirloom Tomato Festival. Like every year, this one has been long sold out, and rightly so. It's one of my favorite wine and food events. A chef cook off, wine seminars, an art display, great food and wine, live music and a massive display and tasting of heirloom tomatoes. KJ knows how to throw a party! Try craigslist, you might get lucky.

Last but certainly not least is the Sebastopol Cajun Zydeco Festival, the second largest Cajun Festival in California which has a new home at Ives Park. 4 bands play and festival goers dance the day away. One of my favorite local bands will be there, the Zydeco Flames. Crawdads, fried food, apple pie and free dance lessons will help you get your mojo workin'.

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The Sonoma County Harvest Fair has made some important announcements. An exclusive event featuring the Harvest Fair's medal winning wines and food prepared by local chefs takes place on Friday October 3rd from 3pm-7pm, only the wine tasting pavillion and the wine sales area will be opened on Friday. Saturday October 4th will be when the whole Harvest Fair will be open and a new microbrew tasting is set for Saturday the 4th from 1-5 pm. If you are from out of town, mark your calender, the Sonoma County Harvest Fair is a can't miss event, all of Sonoma Counties best wines under one roof, plus lots of other things to entertain. Come up for this one...it's really that good. Click this link for complete information and to see a video to get the feel of it - Sonoma County Harvest Fair.

Last but not least, The Food Networks Bob Blumer of the TV Show A Glutton for Punishment is "training" for a week in preparation for the World Championship Grape Stomp. I guess Bob hasn't seen the video of the internet sensation the "grape lady." All I can say folks, is to take the young children out of the room. This is not for the faint of heart!

The World Championship Grape Stomp is no laughing matter. As evidenced from the above video, this is a dangerous sport.

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Sonoma Wine Country Weekend is here! This is the local wine and food event of the year. Or at least that's the buzz around it. And, I have to say, it does sound promising. The weekend, which is new this year, is a combination of the former Sonoma County Showcase of Wine and Food and the Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine Auction, both of which had been very popular events throughout the years. So, I figure if you put them together into one big weekend, it's bound to be good.

Celebrity chefs, superstar winemakers and top sommeliers (hey, this is Wine Country--the best food and wine professionals are our rock stars) will be rubbing elbows with the public in this 3-day celebration. Sonoma Wine Country Weekend kicks off tomorrow (Friday) with winemaker lunches and winemaker dinners which take place at scenic locations all over Sonoma County. Most are sold out, but you might be able to find a few tickets left at these special events. Click on the links above to check for availability.

On Saturday in Healdsburg, at the famed MacMurray Ranch (owned by the Gallo family) is the Taste of Sonoma, which was named one of the "10 Best Wine and Food Events" by Celebrated Living magazine. How can you miss with over 100 of the best Sonoma County wineries pouring and over 60 critically acclaimed chefs creating pairings designed to wow visitors. There are still a few tickets left.

Last, but certainly not least, is the Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine Auction at Cline Cellars on the outskirts of Sonoma Valley. The fun-loving folks of Sonoma Valley really know how to throw a party! This year's theme is "1 Day of Peace and Wine." Since the price of entry is $750, one would think this would be a black tie affair, as most typical (meaning stuffy) auctions and fundraisers are. But, that's not the case with this spirited wine country event. Here, many local winery owners, winemakers and attendees get dressed up in costumes that fit the year's theme. I have never attended, but I've heard a lot about past auctions. And judging from friends' stories and pictures, it sure looks like a blast. I think the description on their website says it all, "You're not hallucinating, you're in Sonoma Valley!" Go here for more information and tickets.

 

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Another favorite event of mine is this weekend. The Cotati Accordion Festival, celebrating it's 18th year, starts this Saturday at 9:30 am at La Plaza Park. For years I would joke with my friends about the Cotati Accordion Festival; about how lame it must be, and who in their right mind would want to listen to accordion music all day long? Well....I guess I am a convert! This is a signature Sonoma County event, you're not going to find anything like this anywhere else, truly. And like the Russian River Beer Revial & BBQ Cookoff (see post below), it's the people that make this event so special. Many old timers refer to the "accordion spirit;" it's sort of this happy-go-lucky, irreverent type of attitude and it sets the tone for the whole festival. In all sincerity, it's a special kind of feeling that this festival puts out: It's joyous, fun and, most of all pure. When I went, it made me feel good to be alive. The "good vibes" are simply contagious. So if you have been on the fence about going to this festival; I highly recommend you go. It's a mixture of "old school" accordion players along with the more slick and sometimes crazy "new breed" of accordion bands and players. Also of note, if you have kids, this is a super kid-friendly event. The whole park is contained with fences for the event, and there is a nice little playground area off to the right of the main stage. So it is feasible to sit and watch music while simultaneously watching you kids.

The Cotati Accordion Festival - Use an accordion, go to jail!

Check out videos and pictures of the Cotati Accordion Festival">Cotati Accordion Festival.

Another great gathering this weekend is the Bodega Seafood Art & Wine Festival. They have a great line up of music this year. Saturday features Tommy Castro, Stompy Jones and Poor Mans Whiskey. On Sunday it's the Zydeco Flames, Joe Craven (both days) and Mitch Woods. There are many activities going on at once and the festival is very much kid friendly.

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Well, I went down to Guerneville on Saturday, to the Russian River Beer Revival & BBQ Cookoff. I went with a buddy of mine; not to cover it for the site, but to actually go out and enjoy myself. No video camera, "maybe I'll just bring my camera for stills", I thought. On the drive over, I found myself sort of making excuses about the event to my friend, questioning my own enthusiasm for it in the past. Maybe my judgment was off that day? Maybe I had a few too many beers and convinced myself it was better than it actually was? I mean it's just a bunch of people barbecuing and pouring beer, right? How exciting can that be? I didn't want to let my friend down, so I played it off as no big deal.

We arrived a little early and were allowed entrance before the official opening. We kind of mulled around, checking out the scene and people putting on the finishing touches to their offerings. There was anticipation in the air, but it was understated, very subtle. The gates opened, people started flooding in, the band began to play and within minutes the vibe completely transformed from subtle anticipation to full blown banter and laughter. It was like someone had turned on the "good times" switch. Then it came back to me...the reason why I like this festival so much... it's the people. The vibe is so friendly, strangers stopping strangers, just to shake their hand. Seriously, I don't think there is a more friendly place on earth. Chit chat and conversation comes as easy as just simply saying "hello" to the person standing next to you. It's like the people that come to the the Russian River Beer Revival have this unspoken rule to just be friendly and to be yourself. Truely remarkable.

Needless to say, I shot a little video with my picture camera. The quality is a little cheesy, but I think it captures the feel a little, but in no way does the event justice. The event was taken to an even higher level this year, more beer vendors, more people barbecuing, 3 bands and the overall layout was improved. Two big thumbs up from my buddy and me. Sometimes high watermarks from the past are actually bested when you revisit them!

New pictures are incomplete, but can be found here. Russian River Beer Revival & BBQ Cookoff

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This weekend is packed with festivals! The Russian River Grape to Glass Weekend kicks off the festivities on Friday with the Winery Poker Run starting at 11 am, wine tasting and a movie at 5:30 at the incredible MacMurray Ranch. Details of all the events for Grape to Glass are here. On Saturday it's the Healdsburg Annual Street Dance on the square, music starts at 7 pm. Wings Over Wine Country is on Saturday and Sunday, click on the link and check out the video. Then up North in Hopland is SolFest, a wonderful kid friendly event. My two picks for the weekend take place on Saturday and, if you're the adventurous type, you can hit both fairly easily. Starting at noon is the Russian River Beer Revival & BBQ Cookoff in Guerneville. I really like this event, very laid back, perfect to go with a bunch of close friends. Then right down the street is a 20 piece swing band at the Old Grove Festival in Armstrong Woods. Armstrong Woods is a treat in itself, but to be able to hang out and enjoy some good food and music is a special treat. The Beer and BBQ festival does not allow children, however the Old Grove Festival is a very family friendly event, bring a picnic and flashlights.

So there you go, lots of stuff to do. Summer is winding down, it's not endless, go out and have some fun!

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The Gravenstein Apple Fair starts this Saturday at 10am. Apple sauce eating contest is at high noon and the apple pie eating contest is at 12:30 on both Saturday and Sunday. Yeehaw! ; ) I love this festival. It reminds me of simpler times, when things weren't so hectic. The Gravenstein Apple Fair is put on by Farm Trails an agricultural organization. So of course the focus is on the Gravenstein apple, however there are many layers to this event beyond the noble Gravenstein. Great music all day long on two stages, the highlight being Saturday at 3pm when Peter Rowan plays. Local chefs put on culinary demonstrations and there is an abundance of things for kids to do too. I think it's fair to say the the Gravenstein Apple Fair really pulls off an event that is fun for everyone, from 3 year olds to 80 year olds, no kidding. So whether you are from out of town or a local who has never been; I'd highly recommend you go. The feeling you get at the Gravenstein Apple Fair is special, we should cherish it.

Video of past Gravenstein Apple Fairs.

As mentioned in the previous blog post, Alice waters, foodie icon, was in Sebastopol last weekend to kick off Gravenstein Month. It turns out that our little, local apple was awarded the recognition it deserves and was placed in the Slow Food Ark of Good Taste--a collection of outstanding traditional foods that are in danger of disappearing.

Video of Michele Anna Jordan interviewing Alice Waters in Sebastopol here. 

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This past Sunday, writer Michele Anna Jordon interviewed foodie icon Alice Waters of Chez Panisse during the celebration of the Gravenstien Apple at the Sebastopol Farmers Market. Jordan and Waters talked about the Slow Food Nation event coming up and also about the "Victory Garden" in downtown San Francisco. Check out a video of the Alice Waters interview here. On the same page you can read about Michele Anna Jordan's latest discovery.

 

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I caught the end of the opening day of the Sonoma County Fair. I went with my son (10) and my daughter (3). Since my son had already been to the fair earlier in the day, I just wanted to breeze in really quickly and take a few pictures and video for you. After parking ($5 to $8), tickets to get in ($2 for the kids, $7 for me), a ride on the ferris wheel ($5 each, ouch!) and some cotton candy, I was almost wiped out of the $40 I had on me. Oh well, good thing they have ATM machines on site.

Even though the Sonoma County Fair is a little pricey, it's totally worth it because it delivers on so many levels. Quite simply, there is so much to do, you would be hard pressed to see everything there in one day. The livestock and agricultural exhibits always give the event an old-fashioned, homey feel. The Hall of Flowers was exceptional this year, complete with a large waterfall and even larger lighthouse.

But the big surprise of the day was the puppet show of Thumbelina. It's not that I'm some sort of marionette aficionado. But, I go to festivals and events just about every weekend to cover them for this website. And I'm not getting jaded, but...I am very grateful when I discover something new and wonderful. And the puppet show was fantastic. Laurie Branham and Gil Olin traveled from Mission Viejo with their Marrionette Theatre On Wheels. And they are putting on performances at the fair 3 times a day. I would imagine this sort of thing is becoming a lost art, at least at this high level. I found myself being sucked into the story line and having an appreciation for the artistry involved. Oh, I forgot, my kids loved it too.

Also of note was a band called Blue Moon. Check out the video above. It's got a little sampling of everything I have mentioned here.

So there you go! Pictures of the Hall of Flowers and yes, the puppet show can be found here.

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This Friday the wait is finally over! After a lot of hard work and sweat equity, chefs Eric Korsh and Ginevra Iverson, a husband and wife team, open the much anticipated Restaurant Eloise. And what an entrance...

Both are alums of the famed Prune restaurant in NYC. Sunday night Ginevra appeared on national TV as a sous chef for the team of celebrity chef Gabrielle Hamilton, owner of Prune. They took on the heavily favored Bobby Flay on the Food Network's Iron Chef America. The secret ingredient of the show? Zucchini! Ginevra meticulously worked on a traditional dish called Zucchini Tian which consists of zucchini, onion, potato, tomato and bread crumbs and was served in a cast iron dish. The judges simply loved it, and culinary author Michael Rohlman went on to call it "a perfect dish." Celebrity chef Gabrielle Hamilton and team Prune overtook Iron Chef Bobby Flay and his team with a surprise winning score of 53 to 49.

You can make reservations online for Restaurant Eloise at Opentable.com, and soon at thier website or you can also simply call them at (707) 823-6300.

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Just wanted to give you a quick update on the Old Grove Festival which I went to on Saturday night. As expected, it was a laid back event that delivered memorable moments. Many folks packed picnics and enjoyed an evening of beautiful music played by La Catrina Quartet. Some folks relaxed at the back of the theater, laid down on the benches and gazed up at the towering redwoods while the music played. Here's the video of La Catrina Quartet at the Old Grove Festival, shot last night. The next show in Armstrong Wood's Forest Theater is Saturday August 16th which brings Junius Cortney Big Band with Denis Perrier - 14 piece Swing Band with Female Vocalist. I would suggest making a date of it.

Also wanted to let you know of a few other new videos of Sonoma Wineries that I recently put up. Wine industry veteran and Sonoma County native Rick Raffaini does interviews with some folks in Alexander Valley. Rick shoots the breeze with Bill Meyers of White Oak Vineyards and Winery, Jeff Noel of Robert Young Estate Winery and superstar winemaker Miro Tcholakov of Trentadue Winery.

Of course we can't forget that the Sonoma County Fair kicks of this week on Tuesday the 23rd.

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This Saturday you have an opportunity to do something really special. The Old Grove Festival takes place in Armstrong Woods in Guerneville at 5pm. The amazing and awe inspiring "Forest Theater" is an acoustic space that rarely has music performances. This is an unique opportunity to help out the Stewards of the Redwoods AND experience music in a very special environment. Headlining the performance on Saturday is the La Catrina Quartet from Mexico who was met with a great enthusiasm and cheers recently in Concord and according to their site yo yo ma has even endorsed them. Even though these are world touring performers, it's a very casual affair. It's ok to pack a picnic, just take out what you take in, children are welcome too. It is after all a community concert. Don't forget sweaters and a flashlight! $25 General Admission $40 Reserved. Gates open at 5:00 pm, Opening Act at 5:45pm, Main Act at 7:00pm. Remember, it's for a good cause and it will be an experience you will never forget!

Also don't forget about Civil War Days in Duncans Mills on both Saturday and Sunday. Check out the Civil War Days Video.

 

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As I mentioned in my last post, the amazing Quartet San Francisco plays at 4pm this coming Sunday at Green Music Festival at Sonoma State. Quartet San Francisco was nominated for a Grammy for best classical crossover album in 2007 & 2008. I was fortunate enough to shoot this video the night before they took off to LA for the ceremonies in 2007. QSF really mixes it up and is definitely not your father's chamber music quartet! Instead of chamber music standards like the Beethoven String Quartets, QSF's repertoire consists of highly innovative originals and works from Dave Bruebeck and Duke Ellington to David Grisman and Average White Band; quite diverse one might say.

Here's a little clip from when Quartet San Francisco was in Windsor at Our Lady of Guadalupe for the Russian River Chamber Music series. Here they play Astor Piazzolla's "Libertango".

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The Green Music Festival kicks off this Friday at SSU with the Orient Express Gypsy Band. The Jackie Ryan Trio performs on Saturday.The Green Music Festival runs from Friday the 11th to Sunday the 20th. I would highly recommend seeing Quartet San Francisco on the 20th. Get your tickets now because it is likely to sell out (more on QSF next week). Saturday is also the Graton Ridge Cellars' First Birthday Party at their tasting room in Sebastopol. Barrel tastings, wine related prizes and more are offered from this new winery in the Russian River appellation.

Sunday is the big day, the Enmanji Temple Teriyaki BBQ and Bazaar in Sebastopol would be a good choice. There are bonsai tree and flower arrangement demonstrations, good food, all sorts of games to play, discussions on Buddhism and more. The highlight is the taiko drummers as seen here on this video clip. The big drums are intense and the dance like movements of the drummers make the experience unique. Parking is easy and it's free to get in. The atmosphere is festive but yet gentle, in a Japanese Buddhist sort of way.

Wilson Winery in Healdsburg is putting on a fund raiser for the "Children of the Vineyard Workers Scholarship Fund". $25 admission includes food, wine, live music and wine glass (details). Also in Healdsburg is C. Donateillo Winery's "Live from Middle Reach" Sunday music series. Fred Odell plays a free concert at 1pm, only 150 people are allowed in at this intimate venue. Getting there early is a good idea. Then in Santa Rosa there are 2 free music events. The BBC a Beatles tribute band is playing at Live at Juilliard! in Juilliard Park right on Santa Rosa Ave. Juililard is a great venue to see music, totally family friendly, bring a picnic and enjoy the day. The Montgomery Village Jazz & Wine Series kicks off with female vocalist Debbie Voltura performing with house band Michael Brandenburg and friends. Wine is sold by the glass and Monti's Rotisserie & Bar is right next door if your hungry. Lots to do this weekend, have fun!

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Happy 4th of July! Got back from the Sonoma 4th of July Fireworks a few hours ago and decided to put up the video of it because I enjoyed it so much. Unfortunately I did not make it to the parade in the morning or to the festivities on the Sonoma Plaza. However we dropped right into a parking spot on the west side of the field in back of the The General's Daughter restaurant with ease. The fireworks display was old school and great! A nice long show with a great finale.

Saw the Santa Rosa Fireworks display aka Red, White & Boom on Friday and it was excellent this year. The grand finale was exceptional. For those of you that couldn't make it to see fireworks yet, there is still hope. The Monte Rio Parade of Lights and July 4th Fireworks is a one of a kind event, which takes place today, Saturday. On Sunday, yes Sunday, at dusk Guerneville fireworks over main street. There's still time for a great time this July 4th weekend.

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I just wanted to put this video up now to show you a few of the 4th of July celebrations happening here in Sonoma County. I'll add to this blog post later in the week to tell you about some of these events. In the mean time check out the Sonoma County Events">events sections.

UPDATE

Ok, here we go:

Thursday July 3rd

Red, White & Boom in Santa Rosa is free this year. the catch is that it is $10 for parking, free parking will be a trick in itself. Bring Blankets or lawn chairs, there will be some food vending, but as far as I know, there is no music this year.

Fireworks in Sebastopol is always good fun. I usually sit out in front of the high school for free and meet up with friends. $7 for adults and $3 for kids (6-11) will get you in the Analy high football field where there is music, games, food and other activities. It's a good show and getting in and out of town is easy. Very laid back.

Windsor Independence Day would be my choice. It's free too, and takes place at Kaiser Park. You can see the fireworks from the wonderful Windsor Green and sort of avoid the crowd. There are great little shops around the green, you can bring a picnic and relax. Last year the fireworks display was quite good.

Friday July 4th

Fourth of July on the Plaza in Sonoma starts off Saturday with a parade and there is all sorts of activities going on in the Plaza up until the fireworks goes off at the field in front of General's Vallejo's home. Never been, I'll probably go to it this year.

Now on the other side of the county is the Cloverdale 4th of July Fireworks.

Moving South is the Old Fashion 4th of July Fireworks Display Healdsburg. I am told it goes on for a full 45 minutes. Not too shabby.

I think the pick of this bunch would be Petaluma 4th of July Fireworks, it's their 150 year anniversary, $2 to get in. The Pulsators play at the Sonoma-Marin Farigrounds starting at 3:30. This should be a great event and I bet the fireworks will be especially good, just a hunch.

Saturday July 5th

In Bodega Bay it's the Fireworks Over the Bay celebration. I wouldn't drive out just for this. But if you are in town it's nice to sit in the bay and watch the show. Last year was very cold, so bring warm clothes.

And here's my pick for the weekend Monte Rio Fireworks">Monte Rio Fireworks Over the River it doesn't get much better than this! But don't get me wrong, it's not a flashy high brow affair. It's very homey and pure, that's the attraction for me. The fireworks are good, especially from the bridge. But it's the Water Carnival on the river that makes this particularly unique. Click the link above and check out the video.

Sunday July 6th

Yup, fireworks Sunday night in downtown Guerneville. Independence Day Celebration Guerneville starts at 2pm and has BBQ, beer and a wine bar. Fireworks over Main Street in the evening.

So that's it. Have a happy and safe 4th of July Sonoma County!

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I got to say it: If you can, postpone your trip to come up this weekend. Come up July 4th weekend or the weekend after instead. Right now, the smoke from the Napa and Lake County fires have made the sky very gray and the air quality is not good either. See here. NASA pics here. Even though I'd like to see you, now is not a good time. But if you insist, or if you're already here, let's make the best of it...

I called the Santa Rosa Airport and was told the folks from the Sonoma County Hot Air Balloon Classic festival and the people at the airport were having a meeting. As it turns out, The Sonoma County Hot Air Balloon Classic in Windsor is on. And if there is 3 miles of visibility, the balloons will go up as scheduled on Saturday and Sunday. Visibility has been more than 3 miles in the last few days, so everything should be fine. And even if the balloons don't fly and are tethered to the ground, it's still a spectacular site to see all those hot air balloons in one place.

Armstrong Woods State Park would probably be a good bet this weekend. It's close to the coast and all the redwoods always have a great feel to them. Plus, all those trees must be filtering out the air. Also, the Sonoma Coast will have a nice off shore breeze. But, regardless of all that, I'd still suggest you hold off visiting here until after Tuesday, at which time the skies are expected to clear up. 

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Elwood and owner Karen Quigley, from Seweel, New Jersey will be defending Elwoods World's Ugliest Dog Crown this Friday 6:30 at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma. Elwood's ugly bros are hot on his heels. But don't feel too bad for these unnatracive mutts. They get plenty of attention. In fact, one of the event's previous winners landed a gig as the cover photo for a Bob Weir/Ratdog album cover.

The Sonoma-Marin Fair has some great music acts performing on two stages, livestock on display and extras like a smash up derby and Luche Libre Wrestling...now were talking! Check out the schedule of events here.

Also don't forget on Sunday 1:00 pm will be the FREE concert at C. Donatiello Winery. Brother Cat will be playing their grooves in the beautiful music space that Chris Donatiello has created.

 

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