Page 52 - SCG December 2015.indd

COMMUNITY
• Ticket price must be $20 or less, or be considered a Benefit for a Good Cause.
• We are not responsible for errors or omissions. CALENDAR • All ongoing events are available online at www.SonomaCountyGazette.com,
search Calendar.
• Our Online Calendar is updated throughout the month and has the most
up-to-date event information.
Email Calendar Events to vesta@sonic.net
Who is The Holly King?
classes and workshops LEARN
By Celeste Goodwin of Moonlight River Ministries
Moonlight River Ministries gathers annually to celebrate the Winter
Solstice and honor the Holly King with our own crafts fair and festival. Many wonder why, and just who is this Holly King?
Dec 2 ~ Wreath-Making Class ~ Join Gold Ridge Star from 5:30-9p. $10 per wreath, all materials provided. Please join us, even if you are not making a wreath, to enjoy refreshments and Christmas carols, free of charge. Donations of evergreen, silver dollar eucalyptus, or holly branches gratefully accepted. Sebastopol Masonic Center, 373 North Main St. Sebastopol.
Dec 5 ~ Pruning Fruit Trees: Maintaining Your Backyard Orchard. ~ 10:30a – 12:30p. Master Gardener Denny Pedersen will demonstrate how to prune your fruit trees for great fruit and healthy beautiful trees. Denny covers the tools you need and how to use them, how to shape your trees, when to prune and what cuts to make. Cloverdale Regional Library, 400 N. Cloverdale Blvd, Cloverdale. 565-2608 or visit www.sonomacountymastergardeners.org
or gift-giving. Materials are included, but feel free to bring your own. Bring with you: a rolling pin if you have one and a cookie sheet. 6:30-8p. $30. Sebastopol Grange Hall, 6000 Sebastopol Rd (Hwy 12), Sebastopol, CA 95472. Please register in advance. More info: www.northbaylearningsource.com
Dec 16 and 17 ~ “This Moment” Meditation Hour ~ Free, open to the public. Sebastopol Library, Community Room. Wed 7-8p, Thurs 5-6p. Taught by Rei Blaser, Certified Meditation Teacher. For more info, call Rei at 707-889-2296.
Jan 5 & 7 ~ 3 Myths that Are Causing Your Back Pain ~ Free, RSVP required. 7:15-9:15p. Sonoma Body Balance, 210 Vallejo Street, Suite C, Petaluma. Class includes slide show on posture, lecture, practice and hands-on guidance. Call 707-278-8718 or register at www.sonomabodybalance.com.
DeTurke Round Barn Classes ~ Take a class right in the West End Neighborhood inside the beautiful DeTurk Round Barn. All classes available in the City of SR Rec & Parks Spring/Summer Activity Guide srcity.org/departments/ recreationandparks/programs/Pages/ default.asp
~ Discovering Art Series ~ The Cloverdale Arts Alliance annouces the Discovering Arts Series. 7-9p on the first and third Wednesdays of the month at the Cloverdale Arts Alliance Gallery. 204 North Cloverdale Blvd, Cloverdale. 894-4410. $7 per-meeting. www.cloverdaleartsalliance.org
The why of it is fairly simple: We as a pagan and non-traditional community wanted to have a winter celebration that was not Christmas centric, and honored a very important holiday to the pagan community. More importantly, a pagan community celebration that you can bring your family to!
There are significant similarities between the myths of the Holly King and that of Santa Claus. From the colors associated with them, to their mode of transportation. The Holly King is often depicted
as being elder, dressed in deep reds, rich greens, all trimmed with warm furs, and adorned with holly. The Holly King is often depicted as having a sleigh and a team of eight stags.
The Holly King represents one half of the year, while the other is personified by his counterpart, and rival, the Oak King. The two deities skirmish ceaselessly as the Wheel of the Year turns. At Midsummer the Oak King is dominant, while the Holly King is at his weakest. The Holly King begins to regain his power as the Autumn Equinox approaches. The scales finally tip in the Holly King’s favor, and
Cloverdale Arts Alliance
his strength is greatest at the Winter Solstice.
The Winter Solstice (or Yule) is on the longest night of the year. Once this
night has passed the days will become longer, and life is beginning to stir under deep blankets of snow. The battle of light (the Oak King) vs. dark (the Holly King) is commonly played out in folk traditions, when winter’s cold could devastate a family or village. The return of the light (longer days) was
the heralding of hope. Admittedly, we do not face harsh winters here, however, many of our ancestors faced unforgiving winters, and without so many modern conveniences and comforts to help them through hard, dark, cold winters.
Dec 5 ~ Holiday Decorating ~
We hope to have you join us for this family and pagan friendly winter crafts fair. There will be a nice selection of locally crafted wares and services, caroling, treats, and possible a visit from the Holly King himself!
Adult & Kids art Classes ~ Early afternoon , 8-week art courses for adults, and an after-school course for children. Drawing, painting, collage, and more. Children meet Tuesdays 3:30-5:30, adults meet Tuesdays 11:30a- 2p. $250 and family discount applies. 707- 894-8500 cloverdaleartsalliance.org
10:30a–12:30p. Master Gardener Sue Lovelace will demonstrate her step- by-step, time saving techniques for assembling the precise number of flowers and greens and choosing the right sized oasis or container. Rincon Valley Regional Library, 6958 Montecito Blvd. www.sonomacountymastergardeners. org
Dec 6 & 13 ~ Creating a Table Centerpiece ~ Artful Arrangements is offering two classes, which includes all materials and tools needed, as well as refreshments. 10a-noon. $10 each, or two friends (or parent/teen) for $15 Call Coordinator Diane in advance to register at 707-664- 8656. www.artfularrangements.org.
Dec 7 - Make and Take: Holiday Clay Ornaments - Learn to make DIY air- dry clay and use it to create several beautiful ornaments for decorating
Dec 2 ~ Post-Impressionists, Seurat and Matisee; Cubism
Dec 16 ~ Modern Sculpture; Art in the 1920’s and 1930’s.
52 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 12/15
Science Buzz Café ~ A place where, for the price of a cup of coffee or a bowl of soup, people can meet to discuss the latest ideas of science and technology which are changing our lives. www.
sciencebuzzcafe.org/ Daniel daniel@economicsfoundation.org
Osmer