Page 36 - Sonoma County Gazette February 2017

“Community Is A Sign Love Is Possible....” Jean Vanier
By bringing top-notch pubic events to our vibrant small city a special community composed of the events’ leaders, volunteers and supporters (plus the visitors their successes attract!) regularly creates many signs of love. February’s calendar especially demonstrates this via two intriguing examples, one of long-time tradition and the other of recent innovation. They are the annual Cloverdale Citrus Fair, a golden oldie celebrating its 125th anniversary and the Alexander Valley Film Society (AVFS), a golden newbie, whose 3rd Annual Red Carpet Fundraising Gala celebrates the 89th Academy Awards.
As a 501c(3) AVFS’s mission is to “...strengthen our community by captivating and engaging audiences, cultivating new fans of lm, providing access and educational opportunities in the media arts, celebrating our collective humanity through year-round educational and cultural enrichment programs, and the annual Alexander Valley Film Festival.”
Kicking o with the Red Carpet at 4pm on Sunday, 2/26, AVFS brings all
the glitz and glamour of Hollywood to Cloverdale thanks to a deliciously “Black Tie attire suggested #DivasWelcome” evening that features the Oscars telecast on the big screen of The Clover movie theater plus many other high glam highlights, including: models and costume changes; local wines and beers; elegant nosh; personalized seats at an After-Awards Dinner prepared by celebrity Chef Domenica Catelli; both a silent and a live auction (hosted by Rick Gomez, cast member of Band of Brothers and Justi ed). Tickets from $200 for individuals through a range of highlights-enhanced “Tables for 10”.
Meet and possibly join those who are moving the community forward to the excitement of the Red Carpet! On February 6th at 5pm, as AVFS prepares for the big event, you’re invited to the Oscars Fundraiser Volunteer and Social Recruitment Happy Hour at the Cloverdale Performing Arts Center! (209 No. Cloverdale Blvd.) For more information, to order tickets and/or RSVP for the 6th: av lmsociety.org
It’s Always Fair Weather!
Though it’s often very pleasant there’s always a chance that the weather over the Presidents’ Day weekend will bring a nip in the air or even a dollop of rain. Yet, for the thousands of us who love the historic annual Cloverdale Citrus Fair whatever the third Monday in February and the three days leading up to it may bring, it’s always “Fair weather!”
That’s because the Fair never fails to bring us days and evenings lled with great fun, a wide variety of indoor and outdoor entertainments and even opportunities for wonder, including: the fabled Fair Queen Pageant along
with the delightful Lily Lemon/Oran Orange Contest for children; the big downtown parade; a talent show; live music, this year featuring Mariachis and the Blues/Southern Rock sounds of Double Standard; a petting zoo along with livestock shows co-starring pygmy goats, rabbits and cavys; unique and justly popular citrus-themed exhibits; culinary exhibitions; arts and crafts displays; wine tasting; and, of course, classic midway carnival rides, concessions, and all our favorite Fair foods!
This year’s Fair theme, “Something Old, Something New, 125 Years With You”, honors a remarkable anniversary as 2017 promises four unforgettable days (Friday, 2/17, through Monday, 2/20) during which Fair visitors of all ages, backgrounds and interests will join in a community tradition stretching back to 1892 when abundant citrus crops were a major part of our economy. Plus, Thurs., 2/16, Fri., 2/18, and Sun., 2/19, o er “Broadway”, a Cabaret style evening show with no host bar. Enjoy Senior Day on 2/17 and Kids Day on 2/20! For complete information on each Fair day, times, tickets, Sr. and Kids Days, or any other questions, call 894-3992 or check cloverdalecitrusfair.org
Thus, the communities within the Fair and AVFS both demonstrate love and evoke it from an ever-wider community of the rest of us who show our love through participation in and support of these and other events and, if we’re lucky, even get to express our love and appreciation through a newspaper column.
36 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 2/17
When reading this you have nished all the fun of the holidays and may be getting ready either to party in the New Year or start the rst of the resolutions... which usually begin with shedding all that holiday weight. Motion Fitness on North Street is a good
place to start. At a reasonable $50 a month, the gym is relaxed and open 24 hours a day for those 4am treadmill runs. Love their classes, too, and training with Thoma!
As the entire country deals with the results of an election that has created a true love-hate-fear-victory emotional roller coaster, here in Healdsburg we had our own recount for city council. Incumbent Gary Plass was not re-elected and newcomer Joe Najoukas was, in reality, elected to this rst term. I have to give it to him that he was tireless in his outreach to local voters with daily meet-n- greets which appear to have paid o .
In other news, the much-anticipated Singlethread restaurant opened in mid-December to excellent reviews by those lucky enough to be invited to
soft opening weeks or those able to a ord the minimal menu price of $295 per person before wine. Kyle Connaughton’s elevation of cuisine in the Japanese kaiseki fashion is unique and incredibly memorable in addition to being beautiful. The Connaughtons grow what they need for the restaurant at their ve-acre Russian River farm and the rooftop farm on top of the building at North and Center streets (the former post o ce location). Singlethread also had luxurious accommodations where they anticipate guests’ needs in the Japanese tradition of Omotenashi hospitality.
The best thing you can do in January is to explore the wineries of the Russian River Wine Road at my favorite event of the year, Winter WINEland, over
the weekend of January 14-15, 2017. At only $45 for the weekend, the food
and wines and values these wineries o er makes Winter WINEland one of the few remaining bargains in our corner of wine country. Sometimes we forget to look in our own backyard to discover new wineries or rediscover the classics. Hats o to Winter WINEland for their 25th Anniversary and Beth Costa who has been helming the Wine Road activities for as long as I can remember. Buy tickets before it sells out at www.wineroad.com.
Tourism remains strong in Healdsburg but I will be interested in seeing how the new 16% TOT tax will a ect hotel and bed-n-breakfast stays. Healdbsurg’s TOT is now one of the highest in the nation, even surpassing New York City’s. Say you have a two night stay at a hotel for a rate of $700...you will now spend an additional $112 for TOT and the support of ongoing tourism. That is enough for two pizzas and a bottle of wine moderate wine at Scopa.
And the continuing expansion of Healdsburg is a ecting businesses that have thrived and given back to this town for decades. The roundabout construction has meant a very negative turn for businesses in the area like Singletree Inn which is now practically unreachable on foot without sidewalks and a continuously confused tra c pattern. Please patronize these businesses and keep them in our town.
Singletree is the ultimate locals’ breakfast but other favorites with locals includes the hour long dollar oyster hour every weekday at Café Lucia. Order all you need because they sell out fast! Spoonbar is continuing their $6 Encanto Pisco (shout-out to local Walter Moore) cocktails with some yummy bites
while Chalkboard has an Italian happy hour menu now from 4:30-6:30. Love the pasta and Italian Mule for a $12 dinner! And Bravas Tapas continues their 420 hours when selected items are $4.20 including a special cocktail and the daily atbread. Yes, it has a cannabis signi cance but 420 is also the restaurant’s address on Center Street.
Other highlights of the local holiday o erings was the annual Open House for Brush Studio (go by and meet new owner Emma) in collaboration with Elements on the Plaza Salon and several stunning art galleries including Andy Katz whose son, Jessie Katz, made the spectacular wine being served, Aperture. Jessie is winemaker at Lancaster and imagery runs in the family. Photo attached is my delight at winning an array of great products from the Elements drawing. A great night.