TOM CHOWN Matthew Heredia as Viola, and Kot Takahashi as Olivia in SRJC’s Twelfth Night.
As the traditional live local theater season draws to a close this spring, those drawn to watching actors strut, fret, frolic and triumph on stage will have a rich range of productions at local theaters to choose from. And of course, once these shows have finished their runs, it’ll be time for the annual summer theater festivals and series.
Last Chance!
Through May 15 — The North Bay Stage Company presents Agatha Christie’s classic mystery “Murder on the Nile” in the East Auditorium at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa. $28. 546-3600, northbaystageco.org.
Through May 21
“The 16th,” the working title for a work in progress, is the newest creation from The Imaginists theater collective, 461 Sebastopol Ave., in Santa Rosa’s A Street arts district. $5-$25. 528-7554, imaginists.org.
“Disney’s The Little Mermaid,” directed by Gene Abravaya, brings to life the beloved songs from the animated film, including “Under the Sea” and “Part of Your World,” at the Spreckels Performing Arts Center, 5409 Snyder Lane, Rohnert Park. $16-$26. 588-3400, rpcity.org.
Through May 22
“Bob: A Life in Five Acts” follows the life of a boy born and abandoned in the bathroom of a fast food restaurant who grows up to embark on an epic journey across America. Main Stage West, 104 N. Main St., Sebastopol. $15-$25. 823-0177, mainstagewest.com.
The Cinnabar Theater’s Young Rep troupe, directed by Nathan Cummings, presents “Godspell,” the musical based on the gospel of Matthew. $10-$15. Cinnabar Theater, 3333 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma. $10-$15. 763-8920, cinnabartheater.org.
Oscar Wilde’s classical comedy, “The Importance of Being Earnest,” gets a new run at the Cloverdale Performing Arts Center, directed by Jason Edington. 209 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale. $12-$22. 894-2214, cloverdaleperformingarts.com.
“New Voices on the Vine: A Short Play Festival” is a collaboration of Redwood Writers and the Studio Theatre at the 6th Street Playhouse. Seven winning plays from the annual play-writing contest will be produced during this two-weekend festival, including fully produced plays, full-length staged readings, speakers and workshops. 52 W. Sixth St., Santa Rosa. $10-$25. 523-4185, 6thstreetplayhouse.com.
Through May 29
“Calendar Girls,” based on the true story of English club women who posed for a nude calendar as a fundraiser, will sound familiar to many because of the film version starring Helen Mirren. The Sonoma Arts Live Theater Company presents its production in Andrews Hall at the Sonoma Community Center, 276 Napa St., Sonoma. $15-$40. sonomaartslive.org.
Tice Allison directs “Immaterial Matters,” Steve Patterson’s new original play, which won the Raven Theater’s annual ScripTease contest. It tells the story of a young artist in the 1880s who specializes in portraits of the dead. $10-$25. 433-6335, raventheater.org.
Wouldn’t it be loverly if you could see the Lerner and Loewe classic “My Fair Lady,” in a live, local production? You can witness Henry Higgins’ attempt to transform street urchin Eliza Doolittle into a lady in the G.K. Hardt Theatre at the 6th Street Playhouse, 52 W. Sixth St., Santa Rosa. $25-$37. 523-4185, 6thstreetplayhouse.com.
June 2-26
“The Three Musketeers,” playwright Ken Ludwig’s rollicking adaptation of the classic swashbucking tale, gets a lively outdoor production from the Pegasus Theater company, complete with swordplay, at Riverkeeper Stewardship Park in Guerneville. $18-$25 Friday through Sunday; pay what you can on Thursdays. Information: pegasustheater.com. Reservations: brownpapertickets.com, 800-838-3006.
June 10-26
The Cinnabar Theater stages Mozart’s classic opera, “The Magic Flute,” with stage direction by Elly Lichenstein and musical direction by Mary Chun. 3333 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma. $25-$40. 763-8920, cinnabartheater.org.
Matt Lindberg is pictured as Hamlet. (Photo by David Papas)
Cassadee Pope will be appearing at the Sonoma County Fair on Aug. 2. (www.facebook.com/cassadeepope)
Cassadee Pope will be appearing at the Sonoma County Fair on Aug. 2.(www.facebook.com/cassadeepope)
This year, Sonoma County Fair fans will be able to enjoy concerts by an ABBA tribute band, a brother act from Mexico, a winner of “The Voice,” a country music veteran and Grammy-winning band Ozomatli — all included in the price of admission.
It’s one of the first changes instituted by Becky Bartling, who took over in December as CEO of the Sonoma County Fair.
“This is meant to draw more people to the fair,” said Bartling, who spent 22 years with the San Diego County Fair in Del Mar. “We will have entertainment every night of the fair.”
This year’s fair runs July 22 through Aug. 7 at the fairgrounds, 1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa, themed “Lights, Camera, Fair!”
For the past five years, big-name concerts have been scheduled in the Chris Beck Arena, which seats 4,450, and show tickets were sold in addition to fair admission. This year’s acts will perform at the outdoor Community Theater Stage, which can handle a crowd of 2,500.
The 2016 line-up features the Swedish tribute show Music of ABBA, July 22; Tierra Cali, a popular brother act from Mexico, July 24; the Grammy-winning Los Angeles band Ozomatli, July 26; Cassadee Pope, winner of the third season of the NBC-TV vocal competition series “The Voice,” Aug. 2; veteran country music star Aaron Tippin, Aug. 4.
All shows are included in the fair admission price, but optional reserved tickets for the Music of Abba, Pope and Tippin will be available for $32, with an optional dinner package for $50.
The Sonoma County Fair’s experiment with ticketed concerts produced “some big hits in the past few years,” but attendance was uneven overall, Bartling said.
“It was my recommendation that we follow the model that has been successful at fairs across the country, with free shows included in the price of fair admission,” she said. “You can’t count on selling out a paid show.”
Several traditionally popular fair events — the rodeo, Destruction Derby and three Monster Truck rallies — still will be held in Chris Beck and will require a ticket in addition to fair admission, with prices from $8 to $10 until July 21 and $10-$15 after that.
Fair admission will go up a dollar to $12, $6 for children 7-12, and will include numerous regional and local acts performing on the Community Theater Stage and the fair’s Park Stage.
Ribs for Kids is coming up on Saturday, June 18. Presented by the Petaluma Active 20-30 Club, this event raises money to help disadvantaged youth. I look forward to judging the event, as I did last year, when teams offered up quite a tasty selection of ribs. This year’s venue is the First Presbyterian Church, which offers space for fun and games, and allows families to bring to their kids.
Speaking of ribs, my food crew and I finally had the chance to try Roy’s Chicago Doggery’s Friday night BBQ and found it to be excellent. A limited number of plates of brisket or ribs are available each Friday evening, usually selling out by around 7 p.m. As the regular readers have read before, I spent five weeks last summer driving around the U.S. eating as much BBQ as possible and can honestly say that I never came across ribs that were any better than Roy’s.
My crew and I can’t wait to try the brisket next time around.
More Tasty News…
Lucy O’ Dea working the meat counter at Thistle Meats in downtown Petaluma. (Erik Castro / The Press Democrat)
Thistle Meats Reopens
Speaking of meat, Thistle Meats has reopened after a drunk driver plowed through the front window on Valentine’s Day. The white pig is back in his spot on out front, and the deli cases are again full of the area’s best meats. Sandwiches are available daily, and freshly grilled burgers are usually available on weekends. Welcome back Thistle Meats!
Sausage of the Month
After a well deserve week off, Francesca and Johnny at Yanni’s Sausages in Penngrove have brought back their much-loved Holy Moly Spanish Chorizo as their monthly sausage sandwich special. They use their spicy sausage, topped with mango salsa, Queso Fresco cheese and Petaluma’s own F.A. Nino’s Holy Moly Hot Sauce, which is made with Lagunitas Censored Ale.
New Chinese Cuisine
Fantasy Restaurant Hong Kong BBQ has opened at Round Table’s former location at 1520 East Washington St. A “Grand Opening” banner hangs over the door, but I have yet to hear any reviews. Thanks to reader Mark Davidson, who makes a pretty mean tea-smoked duck and char-siu baby back ribs himself, for this heads up.
Thai Issan Update
Contrary to earlier rumors, Thai Isaan does not appear to be closing. Instead, after cooking dishes from her native Thailand for the past 19 years at this location, Bounleuth Bounson Xiong, known as “Boon” to her loyal fans, is handing the restaurant over to her daughter Samantha Xiong Arellano.
Feed Mill District
J.M. Rosen Cheesecake is listed as the applicant for a change of liquor license application currently in the window at Zodiac’s Petaluma Boulevard North location. Originally interested in Thai Isaan’s space, maybe the “Brew Pub” license at Zodiac’s gives them more options.
With Buffalo Billiards next door and Brewster’s Beer Garden opening two doors down, Petaluma Pete’s dream of a distinctly recognizable “Feed Mill District” might actually come to fruition.
Along those lines, check out “Feed Mill District Park Renovation” at GoFundMe.com in order to help Petaluma Pete renovate the little space at the corner of Petaluma Boulevard North and Washington Street. It’s a simple plan, but it will go a long ways toward prettying up one of the main intersections that we, and our out of town guests pass through on a regular basis.
It would be nice to have something other than an asphalt covered space filler.
Candy Shop Work
The Sweet Zone, formerly Powells, is currently hiring. Two of their employees are moving on to college so this is a rare opportunity for a young person to get some great work experience. Schedules are flexible, it pays better than minimum wage, and best of all, they offer employee discounts.
(Contact Houston Porter at houston@avant-larde.com)
John Vrattos cooks a sausage on the grill as his wife Francesca prepares Greek fries at their Penngrove restaurant, Yanni’s Sausage Grill. They have been married for 35 years. (Christopher Chung / The Press Democrat)
A photo of Guy plugging his new Louisville Smokehouse concept restaurant (By Michael Clevenger, The Courier-Journal)
Kentucky is about to get sauced by Guy Fieri’s newest restaurant venture, Guy Fieri’s Smokehouse. The barbecue restaurant concept will open in Louisville in early fall promising, “eclectic, made-from scratch food that he has discovered on his travels for…Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” the Lexington Herald-Leader reports.
A photo of Guy plugging his new Louisville Smokehouse concept restaurant (By Michael Clevenger, The Courier-Journal)
The smokehouse, estimated to cost about $1.5 million to open, will become part of a large shopping, entertainment and restaurant area called Fourth Street Live! in downtown Louisville. Other restaurants at the “dining, entertainment and retail destination” include Hard Rock Cafe, T.G.I. Fridays, Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant, and local restaurants Birracibo (artisan pizza and craft brews) and Bourbon Raw (raw bar, Southern cuisine).
It’s not a huge stretch for the chef, who recently divested all of his involvement with his Sonoma County restaurants Johnny Garlic’s and Tex Wasabi’s. Fieri has long been a bbq fan, as a member of BBQ team Motley Que Crew, and winning a spot in the BBQ Hall of Fame in 2012. That and a line of bbq sauces that frankly aren’t half bad. He also recently opened Guy’s BBQ Joint in Baltimore.
The menu for Guy Fieri’s Smokehouse will include smoked meats, trashcan nachos, steaks, fried chicken and burgers, according to reports.
Courtesy of Success magazine
Meanwhile, Success magazine just released an epic “at-home-with-Guy” piece about the chef, his fans, his haters, and his dreams. Entitled Guy Fieri Shares What Feeds His Appetite for Lifethe article runs in the Personal Development > Attitude section of the mag in an issue dedicated to the theme of “Nourish”. Editor-at-large Michael J. Mooney finds the chef to be a “down-to-earth, family focused and unlikely chef who doesn’t play by anyone’s rules but his own.”
“He is who he is, all day long. ‘What you see is what you get with me. There’s no show.'”
““Cooking is all about people,” he says. “Food is maybe the only universal thing that really has the power to bring everyone together. No matter what culture, everywhere around the world, people get together to eat.”
The level of hate baffles him. “If there are 100 people who don’t like me, 90 of them don’t have a reason, Have I pissed some people off? Yes. Have I done wrong? I’m not sitting here saying I haven’t. But most of the negativity is entirely superficial.”
Fieri, now 48, estimates that, if he weren’t so focused on being there in the morning when his younger son wakes up and at night when he goes to sleep, he could do 25 to 35 percent more business—an astonishing number when you consider the incredible amount Fieri actually does.”
It’s a nice article, with plenty of photos at his home in Santa Rosa. It’s also nice to finally hear from Guy, in his element, without a whole lot of the Donkey Sauce bluster.
An unusual forest on the northern Mendocino Coast where the arms of ancient “candelabra” redwood trees mysteriously rise straight toward the skies will become accessible this week to the public for the first time in more than 100 years.
The so-called “Enchanted Forest” will become accessible to hikers on Friday via a new 2.3-mile trail at the southern end of the 58-mile Lost Coast trail, according to Save the Redwoods League.
The League purchased the grove, along with 957 acres known as Shady Dell, from the nonprofit Redwood Forest Foundation Inc. for $5.5 million in 2011.
Only the trail itself will be open to the public for now, said league spokeswoman Jennifer Benito.
“We are currently focusing on fire safety and restoration at this time and will evaluate additional access later,” she said.
Candelabra trees at Shady Dell. (www.savetheredwoods.org)
The trail is dedicated to Peter Douglas, a champion of preserving the coast. He helped draft the referendum that established the California State Coastal Commission in the early 1970s. He also helped write the Coastal Act of 1976, which gave the commission — which he headed for 26 years — permanent status as a quasi-judicial agency. He died in 2012 at age 69.
The Enchanted Forest contains about two dozen candelabra redwoods, some as old as 500 years, according to league officials.
The oddly twisted trees are believed to be the result of strong winds and salt air. They likely are the only old-growth trees on the property, apparently saved from logging by their unusual deformities, league officials have said.
Shady Dell is slated eventually to be united with Sinkyone Wilderness State Park, which ends at Usal Beach, the southern tip of the park and of the Lost Coast.
Shady Dell. (Photo by Paolo Vescia, www.savetheredwoods.org)
If you’re looking for fun things to do this weekend, you’ve come to the right place.
On Friday, take a step back in time for Howarth Park’s ’70s themed Family Night. On Sunday, taste Gold Medal wines at the Press Democrat’s North Coast Wine Challenge. And both Saturday and Sunday is the Sunset Magazine celebration at Cornerstone Sonoma. All this and more is in our list of things to do.
FRIDAY, May 13
Howarth Park Family Night
This Friday, travel back in time for a pop culture party right out of the ’70s. From 5-8 p.m., the whole family can enjoy K-Land rides and rentals from the boathouse. If you wear funky clothes from the 1970s, you’ll receive 50% off all rides and rentals. Find out more at www.facebook.com/santarosarec.
Join the party at Cornerstone Sonoma when Sunset Magazine unveils their test gardens with a wide variety of events.
SATURDAY, May 14
Sunset Celebration Weekend (Saturday & Sunday)
This weekend, join the party at Cornerstone Sonoma when Sunset Magazine unveils their test gardens with a wide variety of events. The celebration will include presentations by editors, celebrity chefs, vintners, craft beer brewers and lifestyle experts, including Ayesha Curry, Ludo Lefebvre, Cindy Pawlcyn, Andy Ricker and more. The event is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and $35 for general admission. VIP tickets are $125. Seminar and tasting tickets are also available. Find out all the details at www.sunset.com/cw.
Living History Day
Travel back in time at Petaluma Adobe State Park for a day of historical skits, children’s games, dancing and music. Volunteers will be dressed in clothing that would have been worn in the 1840s, and will demonstrate crafts from the past, such as basket weaving and candle making. Bring your picnic lunch and plan to stay for the day. The event begins at 10 a.m., and admission is $3. Find out more at petalumaadobe.com.
Enjoy a night of lobster, local wines and micro brews at the 2nd annual Windsor Lobster Feed.
Windsor Lobster Feed
Enjoy a night of lobster, local wines and micro brews at the 2nd annual Windsor Lobster Feed, a benefit hosted by the Windsor Rotary. This annual event raises funds for the community’s at-risk youth, high school scholarships, school program improvements and a variety of projects. Highlights of the evening will include live music and dancing to the Unauthorized Rolling Stones, and silent and live auctions. The event starts at 4 p.m. at the Windsor Golf Club, and tickets are $125. Find out more at www.windsorlobsterfeed.com.
Star Party in Sugarloaf
Get an expansive view of the night sky this Saturday when the Robert Ferguson Observatory’s three main telescopes will be open for nighttime viewing. Ongoing presentations on astronomy will be shared, and docents will answer any questions. The event begins at 3 p.m. at the observatory, and admission is $3 for adults 18 and over. Parking is $8. Find out all the details at rfo.org.
Artists Reception at Riverfront
This Saturday, enjoy an evening of fine art of various mediums and live music by folk Americana band, Half Bad Neighbor at an artists reception at the Riverfront Art Gallery in Petaluma. The event will be a chance to meet local artists and view their art, and enjoy local wines and tasty treats. The event takes place 5- 9 p.m., and admission is free. Find out more at riverfrontartgallery.com.
SUNDAY, May 15
North Coast Wine Challenge
This Sunday, taste the winning wines in this year’s North Coast Wine Challenge, the Press Democrat’s annual tasting event. 80 Gold Medal wines will be served alongside gourmet bites from wine country’s leading chefs. The event takes place 1-4 p.m. at the Sonoma Mountain Village in Rohnert Park. Tickets are $95. Find out all the details at northcoastwineevent.com.
More Upcoming Events…
Revered pianist Jura Margulis performs May 26 at the Petaluma Historical Library and Museum. (Courtesy Photo)
FRIDAY, May 13
Pilobolus: Diverse modern dance company known for its ‘Shadowland’ production, 8 tonight, Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa. $20-$50. 546-3600, lutherburbankcenter.org.
Holly Near: Singer-songwriter and social activist, plus musicians Barbara Higbie and Jan Martinelli, 8 tonight, Occidental Center for the Arts. $20-$23. 874-9392, occidentalcenterforthearts.org.
Friedman/Hart Quartet: Jazz standards and Latin jazz at ‘Jazz in the Neighborhood,’ 6 tonight, Copperfield’s Books, Healdsburg. Free. 433-9270, copperfieldsbooks.com.
‘Godspell’: Cinnabar Young Rep production of the timeless musical, opening performance 7:30 tonight, Cinnabar Theater, Petaluma. $10-$15. 763-8920, cinnabartheater.org.
‘The Importance of Being Earnest’: Oscar Wilde’s comic jewel, opening performance, 7:30 tonight, Cloverdale Performing Arts Center. $12-$22. 894-2214, cloverdaleperformingarts.com.
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra: Celebration of conductor Nicholas McGegan’s 30th anniversary, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Weill Hall, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $35-$85. 866-955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu.
Frankie Boots and the County Line: Folk rock/Americana band, 8 p.m. Saturday, Phoenix Theater, Petaluma. $17-$20. 762-3565, thephoenixtheater.com.
Yuna: Contemporary pop, acoustic folk and soulful rhythm and blues artist from Malaysia, 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Mystic Theatre, Petaluma. $19-$21. 765-2121, mystictheatre.com.
SUNDAY, May 15
Amanecer Flamenco: Two 45-minute sets of passionate Spanish flamenco song and dance, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Cinnabar Theater, Petaluma. $15-$25. 763-8920, cinnabartheater.org.
Santa Rosa Symphony Youth Orchestra: Award-winning ensemble, 3 p.m. Sunday, Weill Hall, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $12-$17. 546-8742, santarosasymphony.com.
Hank Levine: CD release party, several performers, 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Redwood Café, Cotati. $25 (includes CD). 795-7868, redwoodcafe.com.
MONDAY, May 16
‘The Day the Earth Stood Still’: Vintage film series, 1951 sci-fi classic, 7 p.m. Monday, Sebastiani Theatre, Sonoma. $9. 996-2020, sebastianitheatre.com.
TUESDAY, May 17
John Prine: Two-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, 8 p.m. Tuesday, Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa. $47.50-$100. 546-3600, lutherburbankcenter.org.
WEDNESDAY, May 18
Art & Architecture: ‘Leonardo da Vinci – The Genius in Milan,’ 1 and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Rialto Cinemas, Sebastopol. $15. 525-4840, rialtocinemas.com.
THURSDAY, May 19
Dana Gioia: Poetry reading with the California Poet Laureate, 7 p.m. Thursday, SHED Grange, Healdsburg. $10. 431-7433, healdsburgshed.com.
FRIDAY, May 20
Sonoma Bach Choir: Fifty-member ‘Voices and Pipes: Tongues of Fire’ concert, 8 p.m. May 20, Schroeder Hall, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $15-$25. (877) 914-2224, sonomabach.org.
Salute to ‘American Graffiti’: Hotrods and screamin’ machines, ‘Cruise-in’ and kickoff social, 4-8 p.m. May 20, Petaluma Plaza and Plaza North shopping centers. Free. 762-3394, americangraffiti.net.
Los Lonely Boys: Texas rock-blues-soul-country trio of musician brothers, 8 p.m. May 20, Uptown Theatre, Napa. $40-$50. 259-0123, uptowntheatrenapa.com.
Tommy Castro and The Painkillers: Classic rock, blues and soul, 8 p.m. May 20, HopMonk Tavern, Sebastopol. $20. 829-7300, hopmonk-sebastopol.ticketfly.com.
Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival: Winemakers, pinot and barbecue, 5-8 p.m. May 20, Pennyroyal Farm, Boonville. $50, sold out. Festival continues through Sunday, May 22. 895-9463, avwines.com.
Guarneri Jazz Quartet: Jazz in the Neighborhood concert series, 7 p.m. May 20, Copperfield’s Books, Santa Rosa. Free. 578-8938, copperfieldsbooks.com.
SATURDAY, May 21
Andre Nickatina: Hip-hop/rap artist (formerly Dre Dog), plus Husalah, 8 p.m. May 21, Phoenix Theater, Petaluma. $25. 762-3565, thephoenixtheater.com.
Fête de la Fleur: Wine tasting in the gardens blooming with spring flowers, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. May 21, Chateau St. Jean Winery, Kenwood. Free admission, food and wine for purchase. 257-5784, chateaustjean.com.
VOENA: ‘Voices of Broadway’ youth choir, 7 p.m. May 21, Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater, Yountville. $25. 944-9900, lincolntheater.com.
Amgen Tour: Men’s and women’s cycling road races and Lifestyle Festival with live music and entertainment, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. May 21, downtown Santa Rosa. Free. tourrosa.com.
Luther Burbank Rose Parade: Floats, bands, horses and units march from Sonoma Avenue and E Street, 12:15 p.m. May 21, downtown Santa Rosa. Free. 542-7673, roseparadefestival.com.
SUNDAY, May 22
Santa Rosa Symphonic Chorus: Mozart’s ‘Requiem,’ 3 p.m. May 22, Glaser Center, Santa Rosa. $15. 527-4999, ext. 9228, santarosasymphonicchorus.com.
‘Double Take’ Gala: First-birthday celebration and fundraiser for the Museums of Sonoma County, 5 p.m. May 22, Vintners Inn, Santa Rosa. $200. 579-1500, sonomacountymuseum.org.
Wavy Gravy’s 80th Birthday: Benefit for Seva Foundation’s global sight restoration programs; live music, art, entertainment, 2-10 p.m. May 22, Sonoma Mountain Village Event Center, Rohnert Park. $20-$150. seva.org.
Leon Russell and Lee Gallagher & The Hallelujah: Music legend plus up-and-coming Bay Area band, 8:30 p.m. May 22, Mystic Theatre, Petaluma. $36-$41. 765-2121, mystictheatre.com.
Guy Gavriel Kay: ‘Children of Earth and Sky’ author at Brave New Worlds series, 2 p.m. May 22, Copperfield’s Books, Petaluma. Free. 762-0563, copperfieldsbooks.com.
With a high point of 660 feet, Foothill Regional Park offers hikers, bikers and runners incredible views, deer and duck sightings and 6.8 miles of trails accented with rolling hills, ponds, greenery, oak savannas and bay, madrone and buckeye trees. It’s a year-round calorie-burner suited to outdoorsy types of all levels.
Located at the northeast corner of Windsor between Highway 101 and Chalk Hill, the 211-acre parkland was a cattle ranch until the mid-1980s, and many of the trails are former ranch roads.
The Three Lakes Loop is a leisurely 1.4-mile jaunt, requiring less than an hour at a light jog or walking pace. More challenging is the 3-mile Perimeter Trail, which can be completed in less than two hours and offers sweeping views of Windsor and the Santa Rosa Plain.
As with most Sonoma County Regional Parks, only dogs on leashes are allowed on the trails. The Ravine Trail is a favorite of both deer and equestrians, so be sure to keep a strong grip on your pup’s leash.
The judges of the fourth annual Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge have sipped their way through more than 1,050 wines in a quest to uncover the best wines grown on the North Coast. On Sunday May 15th, it is your turn to taste the winning wines.
Now in its fourth year, The North Coast Wine Challenge continues to grow in prestige and popularity as it judges and showcases the finest wines produced and bottled within California’s North Coast AVA, which includes Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino and Lake counties, as well as parts of Marin and Solano counties.
On Sunday, visitors to the North Coast Wine Event at Sonoma Mountain Village (SOMO) in Rohnert Park will get a chance to taste the wines that achieved both a Gold Medal status and 90+ points in the competition. The winning wines, presented by taste profile, will be complemented by gourmet bites prepared by notable local chefs such as Armando G. Navarro of El Dorado Kitchen, Mark Stark of Stark Reality Restaurants, Liza Hinman of The Spinster Sisters and Thomas Schmidt of John Ash & Co.
Event Information When Sunday, May 15, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Where Sonoma Mountain Village, 1100 Valley House Drive, Rohnert Park
For tickets and more information, visit northcoastwineevent.com
Yoga has been alive and thriving in Sonoma County since the 1960s, when the first communes appeared along the western fringes of the county. But interpretations of traditional yoga and riffs off the principal themes have been growing and evolving ever since. Today, North Coasters can practice a variety of types, from more familiar Hatha to new styles such as Acro or Aerial. Below we have listed yoga styles currently taught in Sonoma County, including studios we have visited.
Hatha Yoga
Hatha translates to sun (ha) and moon (tha) and refers to the skillful placement of the body in poses (or asanas) to bring balance between strength and flexibility. A set of static Hatha yoga poses is performed in a slow sequence that, due to its pace and attention to alignment, is great for beginners.
Many Hatha teachers now incorporate flowing postures such as the Sun Salutation sequence into their classes, but at a much slower pace.
Local Studio Shane Davis at Yoga One, 110 Kentucky St. in Petaluma or 589 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa
Iyengar
This form of yoga was developed by B.K.S. Iyengar, regarded as of the great yogis of all time. It is an interpretation of classical Hatha, with sequences of static postures held at length. The emphasis is on precise correct alignment, using props — blankets, bolsters, blocks and straps — to allow each practitioner to find a personal understanding of the pose.
The teacher may focus on such details as how to position your foot or even how to fold your blankets. The discipline brings great awareness to the body and can be therapeutic.
Viniyoga
Viniyoga is a gentler practice in the lineage of T.K.V. Desikachar, popularized in the U.S. by Gary and Mirka Kraftsow. It emphasizes the creation of a personalized practice to meet your unique needs, focusing on function over form. It is a slower version of Hatha yoga with attention on breath, bandhas, sound, chanting and meditation.
Bikram Yoga
This is a sweaty sequence of 26 Hatha yoga postures performed in a room heated to more than 104 degrees. Bikram Yoga can be performed by anyone, with a beginning series that is super accessible. Founder Bikram Choudhury cured a knee injury with this heated, therapeutic practice. Asanas are performed in a static fashion, with practitioners striking a pose, holding it and then doing it once more.
Muscles and connective tissue are more pliable, so you will be have greater flexibility. The heat also can release toxins and causes the heart works harder to pump oxygenated blood to your muscles. Not recommended for those with heart disease.
Ashtanga
Ashtanga yoga was made popular by K. Pattabhi Jois, who arranged Hatha asanas into specific sequences that worked to heat the body. It incorporates lots of Sun Salutations, standing and seated sequences into a fast-flowing choreographed practice. The same poses are performed in the same order every time, with students advancing to intermediate levels only after mastering the primary series.
Ashtanga is the mother of all Vinyasa and Power yoga styles, but differs in that it is built around the traditional sequence. It is a serious physical workout that requires strength and flexibility.
Vinyasa
Vinyasa yoga is a branch off the Ashtanga yoga tree and is probably the most popular style practiced in America today. “Vi” means sequence and “nyasa” means conscious placement. The practice links movement and breath to intention; the word is generally the shorthand for any style of flow yoga.
Poses are linked together by one main sequence: chaturanga to upward-facing dog to downward-facing dog. Expect a lot of Sun Salutations and a faster pace than Hatha. Variations abound, including Ashtanga, Jivamukti, Power yoga and Prana flow.
Local Studios
Many studios teach it. Try a class at: Thrive, 6914 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol Yoga on Center, 401 Center St # C, Healdsburg The Dhyana Center, 186 N. Main St., Sebastopol Soul Yoga, 2801 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa
Power Yoga, Baptiste Style
Power yoga is a vigorous from of Vinyasa yoga developed by Baron Baptiste. It is a hot, sweaty workout, quick paced and usually practiced in a room heated to about 90 degrees. As in Bikram, the heat allows greater flexibility and helps detoxify the body. Unlike Bikram, the poses flow from one to another. It is best to study other forms of yoga before trying this one. Wet your feet by trying an intro class.
Local Studio Three Dog Yoga, 1617 Terrace Way, Santa Rosa
Kundalini Yoga
This style of yoga was brought to the states in the late ‘60s by Yogi Bhajan. It’s quiet and meditative, using gentle movement, dynamic breathing techniques, meditation and chanting to awaken one’s awareness of the energetic body. It leans heavily on the Tantric yoga philosophy of the six chakras that run along the spinal column and one that sits at the crown of your head.
Exercises focus on the ascension of Kundalini energy, conceptualized as a serpent rising from the base of your spine to the crown of your head. Serious practitioners wear white to block out negative influence, and expand “auric radiance” by wearing turbans. You may spend most of your class time on the ground with closed eyes. Although all yoga is a moving meditation, this one really feels like it.
AcroYoga
It’s a combination of yoga, acrobatics, dance and, in some interpretations, Thai massage, usually performed with the practitioner playing one of three roles. The base is a person who lies on the ground to support another person with using their legs and arms. The flyer is elevated off the ground and uses gravity, abdominal strength and flexibility to hold a number of dramatic poses. The spotter watches the primary players and ensures that the flyer returns to the ground safely and the base lifts safely.
In addition to the physical and mental health benefits, AcroYoga teaches practitioners to clearly communicate at they counterbalance. Although teachers assert that anyone can practice Acro, it requires a base level of strength and flexibility and is often taught as a partner class workshop.
Local Teacher
João Paulo Pereira offers classes periodically throughout Sonoma County. Contact him at thatyogaguy.com for upcoming classes.
Aerial Yoga
Aerial Yoga is a playful form that combines aerial acrobatics with traditional yoga asanas that uses gravity to deepen stretches and support inversions. It is performed with the help of silk hammocks that can ease compression in the joints and spine. Because wrapping your arms in the silks requires you to use different muscles than those used in traditional yoga, expect a nice bit of muscle soreness.
The practice is pure childlike fun, but spinning in a silk hammock may not be for everyone, especially those with a tendency toward motion sickness.
Restorative
The focus of Restorative Yoga is on restoring a state of balance by calming the body and mind. A typical class may include just five or six poses held at length, all of which are supported by a block, pillow or blanket. Through the stillness and a tiny bit of guided meditation, you are taught to relax and unwind, the perfect complement to a week of vigorous asana practice or anytime you are in need of rest.
Yin
Yin is a slow and passive series of seated and supine poses designed by Paulie Zink. Asanas are held for 3 to 5 minutes to allow the student to sink in and access the deeper layers of muscle, connective tissue and fascia. It is meditative and inward focusing. A variation Yin/ Yang yoga brings together passive inward focusing Yin poses and some of the more energizing Yang poses.
Kirpalu Yoga
Kirpalu is a yoga Ashram in Stockbridge, Mass., that practices an offshoot of Hatha yoga that focuses on meditative movement. Joan Hawley McClain at Riverbed Yoga in Guernville offers a class that combines Kirpalu with chanting, Reiki and Yoga Nidra (a guided meditation practice performed lying down that incorporates sound healing.
Local Studio Riverbed Yoga, 14014 Armstrong Woods Rd, Guerneville
Veda Vinyasa
Veda Vinyasa is a breath centered practice with a blend of dynamic and static movements for strength and flexibility. Veda Yoga also incorporates elements of Ayurveda, the eastern medical practice for seasonal balance and health.
Forrest Yoga
This Vinyasa yoga is performed in a heated room with long sequences and lots of abdominal core work. It was developed by yogini Ana Forrest, a victim of abuse, as a means of using asana to cleanse the emotional and mental blocks that dictate and limit our lives. Classes are extremely empowering, a great work out and often are recommended for people with scoliosis.
Hip Hop Yoga
Vinyasa Flow classes also can be choreographed to a nontraditional hip hop soundtrack. Look for it at Vibe Yoga, 3895 Princeton Drive, Santa Rosa
Kona Flow
Kona Flow is a little bit workout, a little bit Hatha and a little Vinyasa. This energetic, fun, nontraditional yoga class begins with a series of warm-up exercises that move through the body, allowing you to see which areas are tight, flexible, strong or weak. Following the warm up comes a series of static yoga poses held at length, some of which are unexpected variations of traditional poses.
Yum Yum Yoga
This playful but challenging Vinyasa class is taught by Bekka Adair, a student of yoga pioneer Ganga White. Sequences include some Southeast Asian dance/martial arts moves and the infrequently performed Moon salutations. Adair designs her flow around whomever shows up, so it is suitable for all levels. Plan to do lots of upper body and abdomen work to prepare you for arm balances and inversions, and leave the room feeling like a warrior ready to take on the world.
SF’s wildly-popular Off the Grid street food round up — a conglomeration of food trucks, food tents, drink vendors and live music — is coming to Santa Rosa’s Coddingtown Mall beginning Sunday, May 22 and every Sunday thereafter from 11a.m. to 3p.m.
After successful OTG expansions throughout the Bay Area, the network of mobile food purveyors heads northward to Sonoma County, where we’ll have (at least to begin with) a rotating lineup of at least nine food trucks including Sonoma County’s own Pinup Girl Coffee,Q Craft BBQ, Caribbean Spices Haitian and Caribbean Cuisine and several others yet to be announced. You can see a full list of OTG trucks, carts and vendors in the Bay Area here.
Having been to events in Fort Mason, Marin and the Presidio, they’re fun, family-friendly get-togethers with great food and great music enclosed in a temporary square made by the parked food trucks. OTG operates more than 45 weekly public markets throughout the Bay Area, with the idea of bringing communities together through shared food experiences.
Bring some cash and a sense of adventure, as tables, napkins, forks and seats can sometimes be hard to come by. But that’s the fun of being off the grid, right?
Off the Grid joins the forthcoming Petaluma Block (another food truck and beer garden concept coming in August) in creating open spaces for food trucks and other mobile food vendors in Sonoma County. It’s welcome news after several years of struggles by local food trucks to find a foothold in Sonoma County after vocal brick and mortar restaurants and permitting issues created serious roadblocks for these entrepreneurial ventures.
Off the Grid Food Trucks in Santa Rosa: Sunday afternoons, beginning May 22, 2016 from 11a.m. to 3p.m. at the corner of Guerneville Road and Cleveland Avenue in Santa Rosa.
More details coming soon, as the lineup of vendors is finalized. #santarosafoodtruck
