Tag: sonoma county

Capt. Steve Baxman has been saving lives and fighting fires on the Russian River for the past 45 years. (JOHN BURGESS / The Press Democrat)

Monte Rio Fire Captain Steve Baxman Has Seen It All

Steve Baxman makes friends the hard way. “I still have people stop me on the street and thank me for something I’ve done,” he says. As a member of the Monte Rio volunteer fire department for the past 45 years, Baxman has rescued so many people he can’t remember them all. “But I’ll say, ‘Give me […]

Sonoma County Winery Tasting Rooms to Visit This Winter

  Winter is quiet and contemplative in Sonoma, a time when grapevines go dormant and the wines from the 2015 harvest are at rest in cellars. The countryside can be beautiful, dark golden and gray, without a grape leaf in sight. It’s a fine season to stop in at wineries, which are apt to be […]
Photography by Rebecca Chotkowski.

Petaluma Painter Roberta Ahrens: The Wall is Her Canvas

Whether Roberta Ahrens creates a panoramic mural or an 8-by-8-foot painted canvas, her work is never diminutive. Nature speaks to her in a loud voice, and she translates that inspiration into paintings that are lifelike yet unique. She paints cherubs on ceilings, and lilies, poppies and peonies on cracked linen, bringing vibrancy and boldness to […]
Photography by Rebecca Chotkowski.

A Sonoma Home Founded on History and Art

When Fred and Barbara White Perry purchased 4 acres that were once part of the historic Buena Vista Winery, established in 1857, they felt a huge responsibility to honor the land. Located inside the Buena Vista gate and with a view through the trees to Bartholomew Park Winery, they can imagine Agoston Haraszthy, the original […]

Zydeco Music Sensation in Sonoma

Close your eyes and you’d think you were in a bar on a Louisiana bayou. The dance hall is packed. The band plays zydeco, which melds French and Caribbean music styles, with accordions and washboards front and center. Dancers fill the floor, quickstepping and stomping. Beer flows, and the high-energy beat surges through everyone. But […]
Keelyn Walker, right, peeks from under a lion costume while Brook Szczekocki greets guests arriving for a Chinese New Year celebration at the Veteran's Memorial Building in Santa Rosa on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015. The Redwood Empire Chinese Association hosted the event honoring the year of the Ram. (Jeremy Portje / For The Press Democrat)

Events to Celebrate Year of the Monkey in the North Bay

The Chinese will welcome the Lunar New Year starting Feb. 8, and the unpredictable Year of the Monkey promises to be a lot more fun than the last 12 months of the steady, surefooted Goat. Occupying the 9th position on the Chinese Zodiac, the Monkey is curious, mischievous, clever and playful. Those born in the […]
Mensona Kennel Club: This weekend at the Lyttle Cow Palace at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, watch a few dozen smart dogs take part in agility trials. This entertaining event is free to attend, and takes place 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Find out all the details at mensona.org. (PD FILE)

Things To Do This Week In Sonoma County

  Tuesday, Feb. 2 Jessica Lea Mayfield: Singer-songwriter. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. HopMonk Tavern, Sebastopol. $10-$12. 829-7300, hopmonk.com. Wednesday, Feb. 3 ‘West Side Stories’: Five-minute true stories live onstage. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Sonoma Portworks, Petaluma. $8. westsidestoriespetaluma.com. Thursday, Feb. 4 ‘Into the Woods’: Live musical opens at 7:30 p.m. Thursday; closes Feb. 14. Person Theatre, Sonoma […]
Seaside Chowder with fish, mussels, squid, shrimp, potatoes, bacon, cream, at Seasdie Metal Oyster bar in Guerneville, California on Wednesday, January 13, 2016 (Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat)

Where to Find the Best Clam Chowders on the North Coast

In New England, a bowl of award-winning chowder can be found around every corner. But honestly, there are not many worthy of the honor. Most arrive at the table in the midst of a perfect storm: either so thick that your spoon stands at attention, or so overcooked the clams taste like rubber bands, if […]