Page 29 - Sonoma County Gazette October 2018

Soap Cauldron on Old Red
El Dia de Los Muertos Petaluma: The 18th annual El Dia
de Los Muertos Petaluma alter placements is almost upon us. Any downtown businesses that would like to participate can, FREE OF CHARGE, and will be added to the map, which gets distributed to 3,000+ tourists and locals. The placing of alters, in honor of those that have passed on to the afterlife, is a time- honored multi-cultural tradition, and has quickly gained popularity. Visit the Petaluma Downtown Association’s website or El Dia’s Facebook page.
A 10,000 sq. ft. maker space is taking shape under the leadership of property owner Cornerstone Properties. The former Old Adobe Lumber site at 5400 Old Redwood Hwy. tenants include Soap Cauldron and FEED Sonoma (Farmers Exchange of Earthly Delights). FEED consolidates local produce of small farmers to sell through diverse marketing channels. Retrograde Roasters roasts coffee beans here, too.
I talked with Emma Mann, owner of Soap Cauldron. She moved here from The Barlow to produce natural lines of artisan soaps and skincare, handcrafted in small batches with gourmet oils, butters, essential oils and botanicals. In business 20 years, Mann and her team make Three Sisters Apothecary soaps and shampoo bars for people and Soapy Tails products for dogs.
El Dia de Los Muertos Petaluma festivities start on Oct. 7 with an opening event and health fair at from noon to 3 p.m. at the St. Vincent’s Church plaza. Oct. 13 is an artist reception from 6 – 9 p.m. at Ice House Gallery. Oct. 16-Nov.
2 alters will be on display throughout downtown. Oct. 17 is another artist reception and gathering at the Petaluma Mail Depot from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Oct.
19 is the Poetry of Remembrance event at Petaluma SRJC from 6-8 p.m. Oct
20 is the SRJC Petaluma El Dia de los Muertos Community Celebration from 10-3 p.m. And the big Candlelight procession with giant puppets starts at 4 p.m. at the Smart Train Station, with the procession walking on Washington Street towards the Petaluma Fairgrounds for the closing event, which lasts until 10.
Mann holds a MA in Marketing, and worked for EO Products and Avalon companies before launching her business closer to home. No water is used. “As soon as you include water you have to add synthetic preservatives,” said Mann. “And did you know household cleaners and dog products don’t legally have to reveal ingredients?” Mann’s passion was palpable over the phone!
Mann’s daughter Sabrina studies molecular biology at UC Berkeley, and creates formulas for Soap Cauldron. The duo produce and sell products on site (as well as online and at select retail outlets). A dog bath salt was in great demand during last year’s fire, as it will detox the toxins on an animal’s pads.
Yo ho ho and a bottle of Rum! The Petaluma Museum Association, in partnership with Preferred Sonoma Caterers and Wilibees, present a Rum-paired dinner on Thur, Oct. 4, starting at 6 p.m. This fundraiser
is held each fall, but with a different menu of food and drink, and is always a huge hit. What with this year’s being rum, the museum is encouraging guests
to dress as pirates. Chef Amber Balshaw of PSC is a real pro when it comes to catering, but goes that extra mile when doing a paired dinner. I am impressed to see how much thought she puts into each dish to make sure that it works well with the spirits, each of which have their own distinct characteristics. In addition to Amber, Wilibees staff will be on hand to not only help pour the various rums, all of which are available at their shops in both Petaluma and Santa Rosa, but to also help explain the spirits and why they work so well with Amber’s dishes.
Displaced from her home near Coffey Park for more than a week, Sonoma Strong made a unifying bond in the maker and food communities. Mann gives soap seconds to Redwood Gospel Mission and Catholic Charities. “Never underestimate the value of a hot shower,” said Mann. “Sixty people offered us places to stay, and ZaZu owners gave me the keys to their restaurant in case I was hungry!” The holidays are coming, folks, so put Soap Cauldron on your list.
Denman Ranch: I enjoyed a coffee at Penngrove Market with Ulysses Torassa, owner of the nearby Denman Ranch. Her 6.6 acres are across from Palace of Fruit on part of the original 2,000-acre dairy ranch. It was founded
by Ezekiel Denman, reaching all the way to Two Rock in its day. Today, the property is a community of creative makers and several renters.
We have attended several of these dinners, from Mescal to Scotch, and all have been a once in a lifetime dining experience, especially getting to sit beneath the PMA’s huge stained glass ceiling dome. Visit petalumamuseum.com for tickets, $60 for PMA members and $70 for non-members. I recommend putting that extra $10 towards a PMA membership, which will bring you many benefits beyond this $10 discount. Memberships are only $35. For those without garb, Custom Costumes at 927 Petaluma Blvd. N. (707-778-8833) can help you out.
Torassa didn’t intend to get into the wine business, but has planted 3 acres
of grapes. She recently purchased Sonoma Aperitif from founder Laura Hagar Rush. Rena Wallace has come on board with deep experience in the wine business, and dynamic energy to develop the infused wine product. “Laura will always be our Mary See,” said Torassa. “Like the figurehead (See’s Candies) that we’ll always hold high as our founder.”
Election Time: I try not to get too involved in politics, but the Petaluma mayoral election is always an exciting race. Even though Petaluma’s mayor is simply a city council position, but with a different title, people seem to get pretty worked up over it. Last race, Mike Harris lost to David Glass by just 84 votes, and so is back to try again, and is up against three-term city council member Teresa Barrett and newcomer Brian Powell.
Sharing the tasting room are Powicana Farm Winery, offered four types of medal-winning Petite Sirah from its Redwood Valley ranch. Acre and Spade Cider owner Andrew Hoeberichts puts his tech savvy and people skills into marketing his new product. Pacific Crest Brewery will create its first brew this month. The tasting room is open weekends from 1:00 to 4:00 pm.
Inside the Disability Community—Photo Exhibit
Not new to Petaluma, Brian Powell’s family has lived here for generations, although he is brand new to the political arena. He would like to see the council put its energies toward stopping what he considers to be rampant growth in our city. Teresa Barrett is a long-time city councilmember and David Glass ally.
Twenty one photographs by disability activist and Penngroovian Anthony Tusler will go on semi-permanent exhibit at Marin Center for Independent Living (MCIL). An opening event is set for Friday, October 12 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Tusler has the perfect perch from his power wheelchair to see the day- to-day, ordinary human expressions of disability. “I learned to ignore societal prohibitions against staring at the disabled and strived to get past my own stereotypes of what disability looks like,” said Tusler. The images capture his friends, colleagues, and others coming together to celebrate, mourn, play, or just hang out. MCIL is in San Rafael at 710 4th St., opposite the Transit Center.
Medicare’s annual enrollment period ends December 7, 2018. Learn about changes to Advantage Plans, and Part D premiums and formularies that
take effect January 2019. Learn about your options. Presenter Frank Nelson
is Program Manager for Senior Advocacy Services’ Health Insurance and Advocacy Program (HICAP), and a state-certified HICAP counselor, providing free and unbiased counseling services for Medicare beneficiaries. Doors
No matter who you vote for, I encourage you to meet the candidates and ask them the questions that most concern you. Although Mike Harris is politically
a conservative, who campaigned for John McCain, he did not support Trump, which I feel is an important thing to mention. Additionally, when it comes to local politics, liberals and conservatives do not differ in how they fill potholes, so political parties really should be left out of the mix.
Medicare Annual Choices and Changes – Oct. 22
That being said, I believe Mike Harris is Petaluma’s best choice for mayor. Although I am sure any of the three would likely do a good job, I see how involved Mike is in our community, even when he wasn’t on the city council, where he served from 2002 to 2014. He is a staunch supporter of both academics and athletics, and always being available to speak when asked. He understands the challenges of our community and genuinely wants to help revitalize
open at 10:15 am. The seminar runs 10:30 am to Noon at Petaluma Library, 100 Fairgrounds Dr., PTown. Co-sponsored by the Village Network, Senior Advocacy Services and Petaluma Library. Please RSVP by October 15 at 776- 6055 or info@VillageNetworkofPetaluma.org
our economy and improve our infrastructure. However, most important
to me, Mike really listens. I have never seen him shy away from the tough conversations and always leaves people knowing that their voice was heard.
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