Page 36 - Sonoma County Gazette Sept 2017

In case you missed my recent Petaluma Ice Cream Guide article in the Petaluma Argus-Courier, Mariposa Ice Creamery came in as one of the top favorites, not only for their creaminess, but also for their great flavors,
like Spiced Mexican Chocolate, Coffee Caramel Crunch, Peanut Butter Pretzel, and their spectacular Strawberry ice cream. Focused on wholesale and catering, Mariposa will hold one of their rare warehouse sales on Sept 1 & 2 at their commercial kitchen, located behind the Petaluma Fairgrounds.
Petaluma is very excited to be the new home of the Sonoma County Fermentation Festival, hosted at the Petaluma Fairgrounds on Sat, Sept 2, from 11am – 5pm. Yours truly will be volunteering, because I want to get an inside look at what promises to be an incredibly informative and delicious festival about everything from pickles and kimchi to bread, cheese, cider, and beer.
Along with a huge market place, with a plethora of free samples, there is a healthy list of hands-on classes and professional presentation relating to everything from making your own kefir to the ins and outs of cider. Visit www.fermentfestival.com for more info. The VIP ticket gets you into the Libation Lounge, where guests will find all the region’s best cideries, meaderies, and breweries.
September 16, 2017 marks the rst big fall festival day, with at least three great events. One of my favorite events of the year is the
Petaluma River Clean-up, which is schedule for Sat, Sept 16, in conjunction with California Coastal Cleanup Day. A collaboration between the Friends
of the Petaluma River, Sonoma Regional Conservation District (RCD), and multiple community sponsors this is an opportunity to educate the public about our inland waterways. I highly encourage you bring the kids because this event will give them a whole new perspective on our town, our waterways, and what it means to be part of a community like Petaluma.
The clean-up begins at Steamer Landing Park (D & Copeland St.), at 9am, where teams will be dispatched to remove trash and debris from 14 waterways throughout our watershed. Bring a water bottle, hat, gloves, shoes that can get muddy, and an enthusiasm for the stewardship of our Petaluma watershed.
At 1pm volunteers will be treated to a BBQ lunch for a job well done. www. friendsofthepetalumariver.org
After the River Clean-up, head over to the Petaluma Fairgrounds on Sat, Sept 16 from 12-6pm for the fourth annual Agrarian Games. Put on by the Farmers Guild, this event is “an interactive festival celebrating sustainable agriculture, local food and family farms! From wheelbarrow relays to watermelon seed- spitting, whether you’re a farmer or an eater, a country bumpkin or a city- slicker, join us for an afternoon of local food, live music and farm-themed games to test your strength and speed, your knowledge of soil types and your proficiency with a pitchfork.” www.farmersguild.org
As if there wasn’t already enough to do on Sat, Sept 16, the Petaluma River Craft Beer Festival will run from 1-5pm, hosting 23 local breweries along one historic waterfront. Tasting tickets can be used for both beer and food, which will be proved by the likes of F.A. Nino’s, Sax’s Joint, Bellyfull Dinners, Brasil BBQ, Palms Grill, Rosso, Twin Oaks, and last, but certainly not least, Charley’s Wine Country Deli, who knows how to grill up sandwiches with the best of them.
The Petaluma Poetry Walk will wind its way through downtown Petaluma on Sept 17, beginning at 11am and concluding at 8pm. The venue changes on the hour, with multiple presenters at each location. For the first time, all surviving Sonoma County poets laureate will read, along with many other of the county’s finest poets. The walk with also celebrate the life and work of Sonoma County’s second poet laureate, David Bromige. This event is free to the public. www.petalumapoetrywalk.org
Even when we aren’t buying early holiday gifts or the perfect hallway rug, we thoroughly enjoy walking the closed downtown streets and visiting as many of the food vendors as we can at the fall Petaluma Antique Faire, held this year on Sun, Sept 24, from 8am – 4pm.
36 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 9/17
Hawaiian Luau, Penngrove Style – Sept. 9
Last month I gave you a heads-up on the Sept. 9th Luau in Penngrove Park. Top three reasons I love this Luau: 1) It is mellow and the food is great, 2) the exceptional performance by Taimalietane Islands Of Polynesia dance troupe, and 3) funds go to upkeep of the lovely Penngrove Park, owned by Penngrove Social Firemen. Oh, and it starts at 3 pm, with dinner at 4:30 pm. If you haven’t pre-purchased tickets, you can still charge by phone by calling organizer Kim Hanson at JavAmore Café, 794-1516. Tickets may be sold out at the door.
Do You Believe in Magic? Sept. 9
An evening of magic, comedy and storytelling is coming to Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Sept. 9th. I saw Nick Fedoroff perform at the Marin Showcase Theater, and can say he puts on a fast-paced, jaw-dropping show. His storytelling skills are well honed and the audience enjoyed every minute. It’s suitable for ages 7 up to 97. brownpapertickets.com/event/2952296
Village Celebrates Community and Choice – Sept. 25
To celebrate its 15th anniversary and the Village movement it inspired, Beacon Hill Village (Boston) invites communities around the nation to participate “virtually” in a webcast featuring renowned surgeon, public health researcher and writer Dr. Atul Gawande, MD, author of the seminal book Being Mortal. On Monday, Sept. 25, 2017 the event will be live-streamed at Petaluma Library during a program from 1:30 – 3:30pm, hosted by the local Village Network of Petaluma. Dr. Gawande will speak about the value of community and opportunities as we grow older. The free event is also a chance to meet Joanne Martin Braun, the new Membership and Volunteer Manager of Village Network of Petaluma. She will lead a post-webcast discussion on aging, honoring choice and transforming habits, cultural expectations & one-size-fits- all corporate offerings as we age. Call 707-776-6055 for more info, email info@ VillageNetworkofPetaluma.org .
Constructive Collisions: Art, Science and
the Environment – Sept. 12
An interesting panel discussion at Petaluma Arts Center will be moderated by curator Carin Jacobs, MA on Tuesday, September 12, 7:00pm-8:30pm. It’s part of the current exhibit Tidal Response: Coastal Marine Environments from Above and Below, running through October 21. Speakers include:
Peter Connors, PhD, Research Ecologist, UC Bodega Marine Laboratory and Manager, UC Bodega Marine Reserve (retired); Jennifer Parker, MFA, Professor of Digital Art and New Media, Founding Director of OpenLab Art & Science Research Center, UC Santa Cruz; and Erika Woolsey, PhD, CEO and Co- Founder of The Hydrous. Admission is $18 general, $15 PAC members. www. petalumaartscenter.org
Back to Penngrove
The Hello Penngrove shop welcomes a new Story and Song Time leader, Sarah Moore, to lead the fun on Wednesday mornings at 10:30am. Sarah works in the shop while she attends SRJC, with a goal of becoming a teacher. The free event includes 10% off for attendees on any purchases. The gift shop brims with home, kids, baby & gifts. You’ll find hand-made, locally made & one-of-a- kind items. It’s never too early to think of the giving season ahead. Located in The Grove center.
A “For Sale” sign on the paved lot next to Penngrove Pub indicates Martin Sessi’s property is for sale. But never fear, it has nothing to do with the Pub.
Sonoma Aperitif in PGrove has been hosting some wonderful salon events at their maker space on the historic winery property across from Palace of Fruit. Events go something like this: drinks and dinner followed by a thought- provoking presentation that morphs into Q&A and general conversation with dessert. At a $ 20 – $ 30 per person price range, this can’t be beat, and includes aperitif, dinner, dessert, and party. Big ideas, great conversation, delicious food and wine (available for purchase). She’s hosted conversation salons
with scholars, French Gypsy music, and more. Laura Rush keeps all the tops spinning, so for info, email her at laura@sonomaaperitif.com.