Page 36 - Sonoma County Gazette December 2017

Come December, Petaluma turns into a winter wonderland, even o er- ing a bit of “snowfall” if you are in the right place at the right time. Visit PetalumaDowntown.com and VisitPetaluma.com for more info all these free events....
This will be our rst post- re holiday. I’m feeling the giving spirit in new ways. I hope to share experiences with friends and family, and I found a few fun things to do this season. And when so many have lost so much, let’s give. Our “second responders” are the community non-pro ts, who
For those who are unfamiliar, right at the heart of downtown, on the ground oor of the Lan Mart building, under Old Chicago Pizza, it’s always winter at Christmas Fantasia. This is one of the Bay Area’s largest year-round holiday ornament shops, and is right across the breezeway from Marisa’s Fantasia, which also o ers an incredible array of both holiday and fun year-round gifts.
were stretched to capacity even before the re. We can o er our generous gifts.
Petaluma Tree Lighting “Light Up a Life” is a tree-lighting ceremony held, in Walnut Park, in honor of loved ones lost. On Friday, Dec 1, festivities will begin around 6pm, culminating with several of the parks trees being lit in white lights – except for one red light to signify the heart. Hospice of Petaluma has been doing this since 1985 in order to remember loved ones who have passed. Attendees will enjoy music by local choirs and musicians, a brief welcome by members of Hospice of Petaluma, and are invited to light candles to remember loved ones lost. “Hospice exists in the hope and belief that daily needs may
Cinnabar Theater has two tempting performances. Music in the Mansion is on Sunday, December 3rd at 7:30 pm. Violinist Claire-Jeanne Martin and pianist Nancy Hayashibara present a musical evening of old favorites. Some are sentimental salon gems, operatic arias, charming cafe ballads, sacred songs, movie scores, and a gypsy tango or two thrown in for air. Beautiful music
be met with appropriate care and sensitivity through the dying and grieving periods, and that all will be done to make the life that remains as digni ed and satisfying as possible.”
Small gifts from local businesses are in order this year. The Sonoma County dish towels are back in stock at Hello Penngrove, downtown in The Grove. The towels make a great local gift, displaying place names of our towns, along with images of what puts each area on the map: apples, roses, Butter & Egg Days, a boat with USS Dungeness and more. The shop usually hosts holiday craft and story activities for children, so watch their Facebook page for details.
Festival of Trees Also on Friday, Dec 1, from 6-9pm, and continuing on Dec 2, from 3-9pm, “the Fabulous Women welcome you to their holiday extravaganza. Bid on magical trees decorated by local businesses, listen to Christmas Music, enter our ra e, shop at the holiday market place, enjoy the sweet shop, and take photos with Santa.” This year’s festival is at Hotel Petaluma, with proceeds going to support charitable causes. thefabulouswomen.com.
Light Up The Square Annual Tree Lighting The Theatre District will hold their Annual Tree Lighting ceremony on Saturday, Dec 2, from 6-8pm. Event highlights include live music, a special appearance from Santa, festive entertainment, a free souvenir photo booth and much more. “You won’t want to miss the magical *snowfall* at the Square once the tree is lit at 6:30pm.” theatredistrict.com.
Merchant Holiday Open House Downtown merchants usher in the holiday season on Sat, Dec 2, o ering great shopping deals, photos with Santa, plenty of treats, plus lots of other activities.
Lighted Boat Parade Bundle up the family to experience the magic of
the Lighted Boat Parade. The decorated boats make a spectacular arrival at the Petaluma River Turning Basin in the heart of historic downtown, arriving about 6:15 P.M.”, on Sat, Dec 9.
Lighted Tractor Parade On Sun, Dec 17, Penngrove adds to the lights with its Lighted Tractor Parade. See Lyndi Brown’s “Penngrove Station” column for more info.
Gingerbread House Showcase & Competition Hotel Petaluma’s 2nd Annual Gingerbread House Showcase & Competition is Dec 15-17. Although the entry deadline may have passed by the time you read this, give them a call anyways if you’d like to compete. www.hotelpetaluma.com/gingerbreadhouse.
Festival Of Christmas Throughout the holiday season, downtown Petaluma o ers some reoccurring holiday cheer, with “The North Pole Connection: Visit Santa” in the Lan Mart building, Fri-Sun throughout the season. Take photos with Santa and enjoy special treats and fun throughout the historic building. lanmart-petaluma.com.
Petaluma Pie Company The New Year’s Eve Gala Concert is sponsored by Sky Hill Cultural Alliance and hosted at the perfectly pitched ‘Carnegie Hall of the West’, our very own Petaluma Historical Library and Museum on Sun, Dec 31, from 6-8pm. An elite section of string players from the San Francisco Symphony graciously performs each year, joined by organizer Elizabeth Walter, local pianist and Petaluma Museum board member. Floor seating includes complimentary wine and cheese, with balcony seating receiving elite beverage service. This concert is a holiday highlight and sells out every year, so get your tickets now at petalumamuseum.com
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Thank you Chuck Lucas for rounding up these next two items, plus photos by Kate Lucas and Cathy Steinmeyer.
in a beautiful mansion at 920 D Street, Petaluma. Tickets are $25. Next up,
who doesn’t love a little Frank? My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra opens Friday, December 15th and runs through January 14th Many call him the greatest pop vocalist of the 20th Century. His songs spanned many musical genres – traditional pop, easy listening, jazz, swing, and vocal jazz. Ticket info is at cinnabartheater.org
The Love In The Air Was Thicker Than The Smoke
On Wednesday October 18, 2017, ten days after the devastating Sonoma County re, a dinner was held at the Penngrove Social Firemen’s clubhouse
to honor our brave re ghters and the sel ess volunteers who supported our remen and those who lost their homes to the ravages of the re. Angelo’s Meats provided the food and the ne cooks of the PSF cooked things up. It
was a welcome relief from the intensity of the last ten days and showed the support of the community for our re ghters and volunteers. A table of Heroes includes, from left to right: Jimmy Bernal, Chris Foss, Larry Martinez, Arturo Shotwell, Julian August, and Tim Henry.
Bundle up, and come down to Main Street to enjoy the second annual Penngrove Holiday Parade of Lights on Sunday, December 17th from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. You’ll see glammed up tractor trailers, farm vehicles, and decorated farm tractors covered in lights. It will be fun for the whole family.
Holiday Parade of Lights – December 17
Last year, the idea was conceived by Kim Hanson, owner of JavAmore Café, and the producer of the Fourth of July Parade and the Luau. In a matter of days she put the event together, navigating the many regulations of the County, SMART and insurance. It was a stunning success and a clamoring began to make it an annual Penngrove tradition. The parade will stage in the Penngrove Park and move uphill on Main Street, following the fourth of July parade
route. Watch out for the train. All participants must register, and there is no fee to enter. Please show up an hour early at the park. To join us in this event, go to JavAmore Café or contact Kim for your entry form at 794-1516 or email mrsjjava@hotmail.com.