Page 32 - Sonoma County Gazette February 2020

I’ve been looking forward to February this year! These wonderful
Pull up a chair. Take a taste. Come join us. Life is so endlessly delicious. – Ruth Reichl
heart-shaped leaves in brilliant Valentine’s red adorned a gateway along the southern portion of Geyserville Avenue. Though it was almost dusk when I spotted them, their glowing colors still shone through the November gloom. It seems like the perfect Valentine’s Day greeting for all of us here in Wine Country!
Cloverdale’s February delights both serious and high spirited include. Oscar night is back on February 9th bringing Cloverdale and all of Sonoma
While we are still in the grip of our winter - the envy of many a snow-bound state - there is still plenty to do and enjoy in our part of Northern Sonoma County. If romantic love is on your mind, there are many local options for dinners and special getaways in Geyserville. If civic love is your preference, there are many ways to explore the history of our charming town.
County the Alexander Valley Film Society’s annual fundraiser, Red Carpet Evening. AVFS provides opportunities for young people to explore and learn all aspects found in the art of film making as well as access to the film world. Doors open at 4pm with the Oscar telecast beginning at 5pm. As you watch the announcement of the 2020 winners in film industry, dinner is served. Red Carpet Evening is being held at Trentadue Winery, in Geyserville. Ticket availability is limited. Go to: www.avfilmsociety.org. If not available, plan for next year.
Steelhead Festival: Frolic with our favorite fish at Lake Sonoma on Saturday, February 8th from 10 am-4 pm. Lake Sonoma is only about 10 minutes away. However, parking for this very popular event is challenging. Get there early and expect you may still have to walk or take the shuttle from more remote parking lots and build in some extra time to get there as traffic may be backed up. The festival happens rain or shine and rain is not unlikely for February 8th, so prepare accordingly. Last year, the event attracted
Speaking of movies, check out Clover Theater’s special Tightwad Tuesday. Good movies for $5; along with Beer/wine for $5. Find out what is showing each week at: clovertheater.com or call 894-6347. 121 East Third Street.
over 6,000 people in steady rain. Kids will have a chance to try to catch a Steelhead trout and there will be food, wine, beer, music and much more. Admission is free. The event is on Skaggs Road at the Milt Brandt Visitors Center.
For the 92nd year, it is Citrus Fair time once again in Cloverdale! Come on your own or with friends or family to enjoy this year’s fair theme California Dreamin’ - February 14th - 17th as it gives us the fun and joy found in Cloverdale living. Cheer as Mary Jo Winter, 2020’s Grand Marshall, and the Humboldt State Lumberjacks lead off the joyous parade down Cloverdale Boulevard. Then, go ride the Ferris wheel and other classic county fair rides even your grandmother remembers. Every day brings new music: Rock on Band, Summer Beach Party and The HOTs, Mariachi Barragán, and Clean Sweeps. Other fun events include: the Baby Derby - crawlers only! each
Get Romantic in Geyserville:
The newly-remodeled Geyserville Inn is
offering a fabulous Valentine’s Day Getaway,
in a deluxe room, complete with a split of
Prosecco, chocolate-covered strawberries, a
gorgeous Silk Rose Petal scatter in the room,
a complimentary wine tasting at the on-site
tasting room, Duo, and a delicious brunch
for two. Prices start at $280 for a Queen
room and $300 for a King room. Is more than
a romantic weekend on your mind? The
Geyserville Inn offers an even more enticing
package - a personalized full Proposal
Package including dinner, photographer,
and other amenities which can meet your more-than-just-romantic needs. Contact Christina at christina@geyservilleinn.com or call her at 707.857.4343 ext. 2. And of course, if you’re a bit further along than that, the Geyserville Inn is a great place to get married as well. See all their offerings at geyservilleinn.com.
The Hope-Merrill House is also offering a Valentine’s Day special, with
1-, 2-, and 3-night packages in the Inn’s luxurious Victorian-themed rooms including truffles, a bottle of Trentadue’s renowned Chocolate Amore Port, and breakfast. Contact them at: hope-inns.com.
Upcoming Foodie Moment of the Month: Remember - Sonoma
County Restaurant Week runs from February 21-March 1st - a lavish
“week” with two weekends. Geyserville Grille is participating with a $15 lunch including wine and a $29 dinner including dessert. Other Geyserville spots may be added; reservations are recommended for any participating restaurant. For more information check the Restaurant Week page at: sonomacounty.com/restaurant-week.
Know something else I should cover? Please email me at the address above!
of whom gets a ribbon and package of diapers; the Queen Pageant with scholarships as the prizes; classic “fair” foods; wine tasting from the winners of the largest Wine Competition in the world, “which, incidentally originated here in Cloverdale”; That’s Entertainment, a tribute to film, theater, and music with reserved seating, small appetizers, dinner, dessert, and a bottle of wine on the table; and, then, there is Lily Lemon and Oran Orange, king and queen of a pageant for little kids. Visit the exhibits filled with local artisans – painters, cooks, and seamstresses – for all ages, all tastes. All this and more at Citrus Fairgrounds, 1 Citrus Fair Drive. For events, times, tickets, and pre-fair savings go to: cloverdalecitrusfair.org or the Fairgrounds box office.
Prompted by great reviews, Flavor Fiesta turned into a delightful experience. The welcoming staff greeted us with smiles, but, even more enticing, was seeing the most luscious looking strawberries being sliced and readied for use. Touching base with Ramiro Martinez, the owner, we were further intrigued by his description of Flavor Fiesta as a “diverse frozen dessert shop” incorporating as much “real fruit as possible!” - ice cream, smoothies, fruit cocktail, fresada (fruit slush), bianicos, and much more. We realized we had discovered healthy sweet treats for adults and kids. Located in Furber Plaza, 1123 South Cloverdale Boulevard.
Zero Waste pick-up happens February 21st-23rd, 9am-5pm, at the Citrus Fairgrounds. Televisions both LEDs and CRTs, old phones, cables, radios, routers, microwaves, DVD players, tape players, power cords, stereo equipment, copiers, computers, monitors, laptops, tablets, printers, scanners, fax machines, power cords, robot vacuums. Also, you can turn in up to three clean, dry mattresses. Not necessarily fun, but a joy to get rid of all that old stuff hanging around. Find what you can and cannot bring plus alternative times and places at: zerowastesonoma.gov.
“I was taken by the power that savoring a simple cup of coffee can have to connect people and create community.” ~ Howard Schultz
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