Southern Sonoma Country Life

San Francisco's Summer Line-Up Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Grateful Dead

San Francisco is marking the 60th anniversary of the Grateful Dead, this summer, celebrating the iconic band's profound influence on San Francisco and American culture with months of special events, concerts, exhibitions and tributes citywide. It took me a while to process the "Deadhead" counter-cultural movement after I arrived in California from the UK in the early 90s. Bob Lively's  printing company I worked with in my job with the Living History Center (Renaissance Pleasure Faire — another iconic counter cultural phenomenon) also produced posters for the Grateful Dead. Bob had a lot of fun filling me in on the history of the Summer of Love and Northern California's embrace of free spirited movements.

It's fantastic to see the spirit of the Grateful Dead live on. Especially this year, in the current political climate. 

Festivities in the city will reach a zenith August 1 to 3, when Dead & Company headlines three nights of historic performances at Golden Gate Park's Polo Field, supported by tribute bands playing throughout San Francisco and City Hall and other landmarks illuminated in tie-dye. Haight-Ashbury, the Grateful Dead's home during the transformative 1960s, will again become the colorful heart of festivities.

“From Haight-Ashbury to the Excelsior District where Jerry Garcia grew up, the Grateful Dead's influence is integral to our city's cultural fabric," saya San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie. "Sixty years later, we proudly honor their legacy through concerts, community events, and celebrations, reflecting San Francisco's enduring spirit of creativity, connection, and musical innovation.”

Celebrating 60 Years of Musical History

Formed in San Francisco in 1965, the Grateful Dead redefined live music with improvisational performances blending rock, jazz, and blues. The band's legendary concerts drew millions of devoted fans, creating a global community of “Deadheads” bonded by shared musical experiences.

The 60th-anniversary festivities include:

• Dead & Company at Golden Gate Park: Grateful Dead band members Mickey Hart, and Bobby Weir, joined by John Mayer, Jeff Chimenti, Oteil Burbridge and Jay Lane, headline three unique performances on August 1–3. Ticket sales start on May 28. Visit deadandcompany.com for details.
• Jerry Day Celebration: The free, annual Jerry Day concert on August 2 commemorates Jerry Garcia's 82nd birthday and the 60th anniversary of the Grateful Dead at the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater in McLaren Park. Performances feature Melvin Seals & JGB, Stu Allen & Mars Hotel, and Grahame Lesh, Elliott Peck, and Alex Jordan. The concert is followed by “Jerry Nite,” the official Jerry Day after-party that supports Jerry Day and the Excelsior District, Garcia's childhood neighborhood.
• Jerry Garcia Street Sign Unveiling: A commemorative “Jerry Garcia Street” sign will be unveiled at Harrington Street, Garcia's childhood neighborhood, on August 1 at 11 a.m.
• Haight Street Daydream: Haight-Ashbury merchants are hosting celebrations on June 21, July 19 and August 16, featuring live music, art showcases, special promotions, and vibrant street activities.
• One for the Vault: Great American Music Hall will host a three-night tribute from August 1 to 3, celebrating the Grateful Dead's historic 1975 performance at the historic venue. The lineup features artists including Melvin Seals & JGB and AXIAL TILT 2025.
• SF Giants' Jerry Garcia Tribute Night: On August 12, attendees at Oracle Park receive tie-dye jerseys, accompanied by a special pre-game performance from Moonalice.
• Annual Haight-Ashbury Street Fair: On September 7, enjoy performances, art, community spirit, and a vibrant lineup that historically includes legendary artists.
• Jerry Garcia in the Lower Mission: From October 29 – November 23, Magic Theatre premieres a musical exploration of Garcia's early years in the Mission District.
• Dead-icated Stay: Hotel Zeppelin's package celebrating the 60th anniversary includes a suite equipped with a vintage record player, a handpicked vinyl albums, The ABCs of The Grateful Dead book, a pint of Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream, and a 10% discount on food and beverage from the hotel's restaurants, including at PLS (Peace, Love, Soul) and on Post.

The Counterculture Museum Opens

Opening soon at the iconic corner of Haight and Ashbury, the Counterculture Museum is the first institution dedicated to preserving and interpreting the art, music and activism of countercultural movements—from the Beat Generation to hippies and beyond. Co-founded by Estelle and Jerry Cimino, creators of the Beat Museum, the museum will serve as a cultural anchor point to the historic neighborhood and feature original artifacts and multimedia storytelling that bring to life the stories and people that shaped these movements.

The museum will open with a special exhibition on the San Francisco Oracle, an underground newspaper in San Francisco that explored hippie consciousness through interviews, articles, and commentary. Known for its vibrant, colorful layouts and psychedelic artwork, the newspaper was published in Haight-Ashbury, one block from the site of the Counterculture Museum. Though it only produced 12 issues, the newspaper captured the spirit of the counterculture movement and was heavily influential during, and in the lead-up to, the Summer of Love.

Visitors can also explore an exhibit displaying a rare recording of the Acid Test with the Grateful Dead. Recorded in 1966, the tape is one of the earliest recordings of the Grateful Dead and is a piece of a larger movement, led by author Ken Kesey, advocating for the use of the psychedelic drug, LSD.

Find more information on these and other events celebrating the Grateful Dead's 60th Anniversary here at sftravel.com.

 

Petaluma Chinatown Unearthed

Petaluma Chinatown Unearthed — Facing the Past for a Better Future exhibit at The Petaluma Historical Library & Museum coincides with the renaming of the city's Center Park to "Historic Chinatown Park" in recognition of the contributions of the early Chinese Community in the area. 

I stopped by the Museum on a breezy Thursday afternoon to take in the exhibit, expertly curated by Petaluma Old Chinatown Memorial Park Ad Hoc Committee, with support from The City of Petaluma, the Asian American Pacific Islander Coalition of North Bay, the Asian American Alliance of Marin, Japanese American Citizens League, Petaluma River Park and several more key partners.  

Area resident, film maker, story teller and former business owner of Petaluma Pie Company Lina Lin Hoshino played a key role in preparing and presenting this important exhibit. 

Artifacts, maps, clothing and historical records transport visitors through a time portal to the early days of Petaluma as a frontier town — uniquely from a Chinese perspective, between the 1860s and 1890s. 

 

 

A companion exhibit called Chinese Pioneers: Power and Politics in Exclusion Era Photographs provides a history of the social and judicial disenfranchisement of Chinese Californians—as well as moments of Chinese agency and resilience in the decades before and after the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act. 

The exhibits run through June 8th, 2025. The Museum is located at 20 4th Street in historic downtown Petaluma and is open Thursday through Sunday 10 am to 4 pm. 

A walking tour of Chinatown Unearthed takes place from the museum on June 1st, 2025 from 2 pm to 3.30 pm. It is sold out. 

I've written about the cultural groups that settled early Petaluma in my non-fiction books, Fog Valley Crush and Fog Valley Winter. Since these two books were published there has been much new focus on expanding the spotlight on the Coast Miwok people who were here first and whom the land belonged to originally for thousands of years, as well as those not widely focused on who toiled and devoted their lives to make this place what it has become. 

Here's an excerpt from my 2026 book Fog Valley Winter — Chapter 23

Of all the immigrant groups who settled in California during the Gold Rush era, it was the Chinese who struggled with the deepest cultural gulf between themselves and most other immigrant groups in their assimilation into American life . . .

It was the struggling peasant farmers of the Chinese masses who were desperate enough to voyage to California to pan for gold, being worked ragged in brutal conditions in mines and on the railroads. 

Whatever small amounts they were able to earn in the Gold Rush, this amounted to considerable sums of money over months and years, when sent back to impoverished family in China. Patience was a virtue — if they survived to tell their tale. 

Thousands suffered through years of prejudice and gruelling blood, sweat and tears with the sole goal of someday returning to their ancestral homeland to be surrounded by the simple comfort of relatives. 

A song from old San Francisco's Chinatown expresses this desire in direct terms: "I am returning home with purses and bags stuffed full. Soon I will see my parents' brows beaming with joy." 

The Chinese community in Petaluma emerged within the fledgling frontier city, with its own stores, restaurants, laundries and warehouses. Most of the Chinese who lived in Petaluma in the 1880s were young men in their late teens or twenties. They held tight to their customs and their hopes to one day return home. 

Though largely peace loving, industrious, kind and frugal, the Chinese were often vilified for cultural habits among some, those of smoking and gambling. 

An archeologist I met on a tour of the Old Adobe across town had talked to me about his experience of the Chinatown excavations in Petaluma's now Theatre Square in the 1990s. He had been adament that the opium problem in Petaluma had been on a small scale at most. "It likely didn't amount to much more than the habits of a few old men," he said. 

~

Still, a number of Chinatown shanties were torn down in 1911 for the development of the McNear Building. By that time, most residents of Chinese heritage were driven out by racist scapegoating. It's important today to note and recognize the locations of Chinese owned businesses, boarding houses and wash houses in the downtown Petaluma area. Present day controversy abounds over the planning proposal for a six-story boutique hotel on the site of several long-forgotten Chinese owned businesses. The site was later utilized as a gas station for many decades.

I hope whatever resolution results from a potential city-wide referendum on the project enables the site to eventually be developed into some kind of positive space for the community to embrace. What can we learn from this history as a community during a turbulent and diversive present period in our history? 

 

 

 

West Marin's Toluma Farms Announces Debut Cookbook "Feasts on the Farm"

Set to hit shelves on August 5th, 2025 this cookbook is a celebration of sustainable farming, cheesemaking, and community in West Marin 

The team at Toluma Farms announces the forthcoming release of a debut cookbook, "Feasts on the Farm: Over 60 Seasonal Recipes and Stories of Sustainable Farming from Tomales Farmstead Creamery."

Co-authored by Tamara Jo Hicks and Jessica Lynn Macleod, and published by Chronicle Books, this culinary journey is set to grace bookshelves on August 5, 2025. The cookbook offers an intimate look into the world of sustainable farming and artisanal cheese-making in picturesque West Marin County, while simultaneously heralding an exciting new era for Toluma Farms.

Featuring stunning photography by Katie Newburn and a foreword by culinary icon Alice Waters, "Feasts on the Farm" promises a rich tapestry of recipes, stories, and insights that celebrate the farm's commitment to ecological stewardship and community-driven agriculture.

“Feasts on the Farm” showcases over 60 recipes organized by season—many showcasing the farm’s award-winning Tomales Farmstead Creamery cheeses—with a diverse array of starters, mains, and desserts. These wholesome recipes are interwoven with ideas and inspiration for advocacy and attainable sustainable living, alongside personal anecdotes and stories from family, friends, and collaborators who share a special connection to Toluma Farms.

The culinary spectrum ranges from rustic farm-fresh creations to sophisticated dishes crafted by acclaimed local chefs, catering to a wide array of palates and skill levels. Standout recipes include the luxurious "Peas, Cheese and Caviar" by Chef Seth Stowaway of San Francisco's Osito; the indulgent "Eggs Brouillés with Truffle Butter and Brioche"; and a delightful "Campari Hazelnut Cake" (photo at left).  Simple, delicious, and quintessentially Californian, these recipes celebrate the bounty of Marin County's regenerative farming community and are perfect for cheese lovers all year round. 

Written by Toluma Farms owner Tamara Jo Hicks and leadership consultant/coach  Jessica Lynn Macleod, who also developed the recipes and illustrated the book, "Feasts on the Farm" is more than just a collection of recipes: it's a 219-page journey through the seasons, celebrating the connection between land, animals, and the nourishing food they produce. 

 

Tamara Hicks founded Toluma Farms in 2003 with the vision of restoring and stewarding land that had fallen out of production to create a sustainable, regenerative farm. Through Feasts on the Farm, she shares her story of transformation from city dweller to passionate farmer alongside her husband David Jablons and daughters. Her journey reflects the healing power of working closely with the land and animals, a theme that echoes throughout the book. Throughout the process of developing recipes, writing and illustrating Feasts on the Farm, Jessica Macleod shares her story of newfound purpose and inspiration discovered during her time volunteering at Toluma Farms, alongside her delightful illustrations and personal recipes. 

“We wrote this cookbook not just to share our stories and recipes, but to kick off the fourth phase of our business - cultivating healthy communities on the farm and in West Marin," says Tamara. "Our first phase was land restoration; the second was building our herd and flock; the third was launching Tomales Farmstead Creamery to produce our artisanal goat and sheep cheeses. Now our fourth phase will be expanding our two-decade focus on education and land access for all.” 

In addition to their educational tours for children and adults, Toluma Farms will be adding an artist-in-residence program for artists engaged in environmental sustainability, agriculture, and food. They will also increase access for organizations involved in social change to make space for work retreats and respite. Central to this phase is their commitment to providing a space for change-makers, cultivating healthy communities both on the farm and throughout the Bay Area.  

There are very few small-scale, sustainable dairies making cheese in this country, and even fewer that are environmentally sustainable and operated by  women, BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities. The animals and team at Toluma Farms are 95% female, and one of Tamara and Jessica’s main goals for Feasts on the Farm is to inspire and encourage others to consider the long and hard road of farming.

This commitment is exemplified by both Tamara and Jessica, who share an innate talent for bringing people together, nurturing their teams, and fostering collaborations – skills that are evident in their everyday life and work.  The cookbook hopes to convey this transformative power of sustainable, regenerative agriculture, and the ability of connecting with soil, plants and animals to provide a meaningful life.

 

The Story of Toluma Farms

The story of Toluma Farms began in 1999 when Tamara Hicks and her husband David Jablons, after the birth of their second child, became increasingly conscious of the food they were feeding their family and its impact on the planet. As a Clinical Psychologist and a Physician/Scientist respectively, they were acutely aware of the health issues associated with over-processed foods and the mental health benefits of connecting with nature and eating local, fresh produce.

Their search for a working land property led them to a 160-acre former cow dairy in Tomales that had fallen out of production. In 2003 they purchased the land and committed themselves to stewarding it and restoring it to the state they believed it was in when originally cared for by the Coast Miwok Tribe.

The goal was to restore, preserve, and protect the land, return it to agricultural production, and open it to the public.  Over the years, Toluma Farms has evolved into more than just a dairy farm. It has become a school for children and adults alike, offering a space to connect with the natural world, commune with animals, and rediscover the sacred nature within themselves. The farm has established itself as a hub of the West Marin farming community, actively advocating for the work of female farmers and fostering a network of local producers who trade goods and support one another. 

What began as a love for the land and West Marin soon blossomed into a deep appreciation for the community of farmers, ranchers, food makers, chefs, and restaurant owners. The couple found themselves surrounded by a community of the most collaborative, hardworking, creative, and kind individuals they had ever encountered.

Feasts on the Farm is not just a cookbook; it's a love letter to the West Marin farming and food-making community. It celebrates the heart and soul of Toluma Farms and pays tribute to the magical people and places that inspire hope for a brighter, greener future.

"Feasts on the Farm: Over 60 Seasonal Recipes and Stories of Sustainable Farming from Tomales Farmstead Creamery" will be available in bookstores nationwide and online retailers starting August 5, 2025. 

Pre-orders are now available through major online retailers including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and IndieBound. Additionally, signed copies can be pre-ordered directly from Omnivore Books or the Toluma Farms website (www.tolumafarms.org).

ISBN: 9781797229164, priced at $29.95

Murder on Main Street — Murder Mystery Dinners with Petalumans of Yesteryear

Case solved! Murder on Main Street costumed dinner theater — one of the latest and greatest new additions to Petaluma's supper scene. I was delighted to conjure my assigned role of Lucinda Hatch, fictional player in Petaluma's 19th century spiritualism movement. 

Lucinda often holds seances in her home on Liberty Street! She has hosted many of California's most influential in her parlor. One of this illustrious group pictured has done away with Ebenezer "Boozie" Smith, bartender at the Washoe House and each and every one of them has good reason to suspect each other. 

The year is 1901 and electricity is just arriving in Petaluma, Sonoma County. It's set to be a night of explosive truths! I'm not about to spill the beans on who dunnit — find out for yourself if you're in the area and up for a fun escape from the concerns of modern day!

Writer/producer Leslie Scatchard and the Petalumans Of Yesteryear invite you to join the cast for an unforgettable spring or summer murder mystery supper, either at Petaluma's historic private dining room at the back of Risibisi on Petaluma Boulevard (original Main St) and/or in the Wild Goat private dining room in the Old Mill. 

 

May 29 at Risibisi

June 26 at Wild Goat Bistro

July 31 at Wild Goat Bistro

August 28 at Wild Goat Bistro

If you're a history fan and like to have fun, sign up solo, with a friend, or better still, gather work pals, family and friends and book all eight seats. What a memorable gathering! Ticket price is $85 per person and includes a three course dinner. 

I thoroughly enjoyed myself, solving the mystery of Boozie's downfall along with friends, including our celebrated county historian Katherine Rinehart. 

Check out availability via this link at the Petalumans of Yesteryear website. 

 

Meghan's As Ever Brand Offers a Taste of California

If it's good enough for the King of England to embrace his own British product line, Highgrove luxury foods and goods from his country estate garden, then it's not surprising that his enterprising California-based daughter-in-law Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has announced her first As Ever collection of eight signature taste-of-Montecito products.

Meghan's initial collection, launched this April and developed in partnership with Netflix's CPG division, derives from her approach to elevated, everyday living and is inspired by her long-lasting love of cooking, entertaining and hostessing with ease.

I must admit I was disappointed to discover the entire first batch of everything in Meghan's online shop sold out on day one. Not because I don't wish her every success (I do), more so than I'm looking forward to ordering a few of her products to see if they live up to all the press. 

Following the debut of Netflix's "With Love, Meghan", and according to the press release, As ever brings to life the staples Meghan turns to time and again in her own kitchen and daily life. "Designed to infuse warmth, beauty, and intention into daily rituals, this collection marks the beginning of a brand that will continue to evolve with new seasonal offerings inspired by Meghan's personal essence." As ever will release new product collections seasonally.

I watched the first episode recently and enjoyed the setting and scenery from the backdoor overlooking the spectacular Santa Ynez mountain range. Meghan appears to be a genuine natural in the kitchen and I appreciate her California aesthetic. My main take on the series is that she's not doing anything out of the ordinary outside of the scope of her extraordinary resources. Plenty west coasters are busy doing what she does with a bag of popcorn and a vase of fresh flowers without all the fanfare. But that's the beauty of it in a way. How refreshing for Harry to sit at a kitchen counter with his kids and eat from bowls of pasta with spring veggies from the family garden, prepared by his partner. 

I'm editing this post after its release after receiving an interesting note from my friend, experienced canner and longtime reader, Kathy, in Colorado. Kathy points out that, as she sat, reading at her desk while large flakes of snow fell outside her home office window, she, herself, had just put up two batches of fresh strawberry jam this same afternoon, baked a loaf of bread and popped beef tips in the crockpot for dinner. 

Kathy found the Netflix series entertaining enough to stick with all the way through. But as an experienced canner of 25 years, she was rather concerned by a segment in the series in which Meghan whips up a small batch of raspberry jam and promptly pours the finished product into some jars sitting open on the counter, popping on lids and pretty labels to complete the task.

"I do hope she (or her canning minions) understand that proper canning includes sterilizing the jars, lids, rims and all canning tools and the importance of doing a final bath for at least 20 minutes (longer at altitude) to eliminate botulism."

So, if you're reading this and you've been inspired to make jam and can for the first time, please do consult correct proceedure before doing so. I count myself lucky in being the frequent recipient of Kathy's annual kitchen creations and have plenty friends in the Petaluma area who treat me to a jar or two, seasonally. Not one of my specialties. 

I did think there would be more of a range in the collection, but it's probably best to start small and scale up gradually. As grocery bills continue to climb here in the USA, Meghan's not the only one making her own jam and whipping up a batch of shortbread. But a splurge on a tin of her herbal lemon ginger tea would be a proper treat! And for all her critics, you can't argue with the sweet success of a sell out day. 

Available now on a waiting list, on AsEver.com, the following products will, at some point, be available to ship nationwide across all 50 states with plans to expand globally.

Now obviously this creates the buzz of a luxury goods line in selling out so fast. A smart move. 

• Raspberry Spread in Keepsake Packaging - The heart of the collection, and where it all began. This luscious, fruit-forward spread is housed in elegant keepsake packaging designed to be repurposed long after the last spoonful. SRP: $14 [Raspberry Spread without Keepsake Packaging available soon, SRP: $9]
• Herbal Lemon Ginger Tea - A modern take on a classic, this bright and warming infusion balances zesty flavor with a touch of spicy ginger, creating the perfect morning ritual. SRP: $12
• Herbal Peppermint Tea - A crisp and refreshing blend of pure peppermint, this tea offers the perfect moment of peace, whether sipped hot or iced. SRP: $12
• Herbal Hibiscus Tea - Vibrant and floral, this lively, tangy brew delivers a naturally sweet finish, especially delightful with a drizzle of honey. SRP: $12
• Flower Sprinkles - A touch of edible artistry. Elevate any dish with these delicate, colorful florals—turning omelettes into masterpieces, salads into statements, and mealtime into moments of joy. SRP: $15
• Crepe Mix - Elegance made effortless. This light, airy mix delivers delicate crepes that are as perfect for a solo gourmet indulgence as they are for a cozy family breakfast. SRP: $14
• Shortbread Cookie Mix with Flower Sprinkles Included - A flavorful, crumbly delight with a whimsical floral twist. Enjoy them as-is, crumble them over ice cream, or use them as the perfect base for your favorite spreads. SRP: $14
• Limited-Edition Wildflower Honey with Honeycomb - A luxurious, drizzle-worthy indulgence with tasting notes of wildflowers, finished with a stunning wedge of honeycomb. Elevate everything from yogurt and tea to roasted salmon and charcuterie spreads. Supplies are limited. SRP: $28

 

 

 

Stranger in a Divided Land: Navigating Expat Life in America's Political Storm

It has been thirty-five years since I stepped foot on American soil as a newcomer—a stranger it is accurate to say. An immigrant. Never mind my mild manners and polite English accent, it took several, long years to sort through all the complex paperwork necessary for my Green Card, during which time there was an extended period where I did not leave the country. I was young and accompanied by my very determined and hard working husband—a double immigrant in that he is first generation British Italian. It was in his blood to be so brave as to uproot us during a tough recession in the early days of our marriage in search of overseas opportunity. 

Author Frances Rivetti and First of Three Sons, Rocco in California 1991.

To be a stranger in the USA was, at first, a mixture of excitement, confusion, isolation and hope. There was a lot of tears and frustration amidst a sense of wonder in a land of supposed possibilities. Any initial thrill was quickly replaced by the reality of navigating an unfamiliar culture and systems that felt overwhelming.

Everyday interactions were initially disorienting, subtle nuances in social norms and humor. I remember wandering the aisles of a Safeway in Marin County where we house sat for a couple of weeks. "Cute suit," a woman said as she paused in pushing her cart to admire my matching shorts and top. I'd never had that happen to me in the UK. A complete stranger commenting on my outfit while grocery shopping. I blushed and thanked her, wondering what on earth made my British attire so obvious. Nowadays, I'm the one who dishes out compliments when a stranger makes me smile. 

I often found myself caught between two worlds—the culture and identity of my home country and the new, American culture I was trying to adapt to. I missed my family back in the UK terribly. There was a sense of being torn as I attempted to figure out where I fit in, how to maintain my heritage while also embracing the new experiences and people around me.

Despite these challenges, there was also a sense of hope and resilience in a constant balancing act between adapting to the new world around me and holding on to the essence of who I am in my core.

Over time, my sense of being a stranger shifted as I built a new life, creating a community of wonderful friends and coworkers who helped me find ways to bridge the gap between my past and present as a British American. It wasn't easy, but the experience to dual nationality and US Citizenship transformed into something deeply personal and enriching. Three American born sons sealed the deal. I am passionate when it comes to my family, my heritage and my adopted home country.

Which brings me to the political divisions affecting daily life in the US and social interactions for expats such as myself. 

"When are you coming back to Britain?" ask friends in the UK. "What about Italy?" My husband holds citizenship in Britain and Italy as well as the USA. 

"It's complicated," I reply. It certainly is. 

It's hard for others to understand when they haven't been through the extraordinary process I've described above. The prospect of giving it all up a second time and turning my back on the USA during these turbulent times does not appeal. At least not yet. 

Social media plays a role in shaping perceptions of America and its politics. The impact of online political discourse, including the spread of misinformation, makes it appear impossible to tolerate being caught up between differing political idealogies and the challenges of navigating them. Expats are certainly being forced to question or redefine our cultural identity and ethics in response to the current political climate. The tension between retaining my own values based on my background and my having integrated into American culture is strained. 

Politically charged conversations dominate our discourse. And I am mostly talking about dialog between like-minded friends and neighbors. It's as super-charged in my Northern California semi-rural community as it is in towns and cities from coast to coast. I live in a bucolic wine country region where large numbers of expats from all over the world are fully integretated into society and workforce. International visitors flock to Sonoma County for its food, wine, coastal scenery and hospitality. Or they did until recently. Tourism 2025 remains to be seen. Certainly not expected our Canadian neighbors and who can blame them?

Immigrant culture has been a major theme in my work as a writer. Threat of deportation has in the past few days been escalated to Green Card holders, correct term Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs), foreign nationals granted the right to live in the United States permanently. And it doesn't mean that one has to break the law to be detained. Simply exercising the right to express opinions and ideas without government interference, as ratified in the First Amendment of the 1791 Bill of Rights has been elevated as a highly risky endeavor for anyone not yet naturalized. How long until a naturalized citizen is arrested? It has been threatened. This further silences the immigrant voice for fear of targeted repercussion and persecution despite the idea of equality being deeply ingrained in American society, rooted in the nation's founding principles.

Mental well being is a major concern. We remind one another to focus on the day-to-day, to think globally, act locally, to make our protests count in the most efficient of ways, to spend time in nature, eat a healthy diet, be creative and heart-based in our actions. But let's face it, waking up in the middle of the night in the grips of anxiety is seeminly now the social norm. The emotional toll of witnessing such unprecedented political unrest, protests and the destruction and cruelty that is being dished out at the hands of those whom I did not vote for is far beyond anything I have experienced in my three-and-a-half-decades of American life. 

The feeling of being powerless and voiceless is the same for an immigrant as for those amongst the American born who did not sign up for this. Yet packing our bags and willfully leaving is not a passport into a perfect world. What's happening here in the States is having a ripple effect around the world. Just because a Europen country or, say, New Zealand, for instance, may have appeal, we can't expect to impose ourselves on their welcome without understanding the impact on their infrastructure. And just because we don't belong to them (or even if we do) that doesn't mean we get to ignore their politics and challenging social structures as we abandon our own. 

My understanding of American politics is expanded to the point of not comprehending in the slightest how so much has been so brutally undone so fast. And without going through any of the legal channels established by the Constitution. How will it continue to unfold without safe spaces for open, respectful discussion and solidarity with the most vulnerable in our society? 

The current political climate will undoubtedly influence future waves of immigrants to the US. Long term impacts of this will be profound. 

Like all my expat friends, I have worked hard to establish a life, given back to my community, fallen in love with the land, built profound personal relationships and raised my children into American culture during my years in the U.S. These connections provide my strongest reasons to stay.  I am a glass half full kind of girl. I believe in the American spirit, its people. There has to be a way forward that captures the energy and appetite for change, creating a future in which the best version of the USA will emerge for the betterment of our future generations. I hope that it's not impossible for all of us who have the courage and strength to be willing to play a tiny part in this. In the meantime, the comfort of my family, my home and our extraordinary natural world, my work environments and social circles currently continue to outweigh any desire to move out of the United States.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Through the Photographer’s Lens — Petaluma Regional Library Sponsors Expert in Early California Portrait Photography at Arts Center Feb 22, 2025

Petaluma Regional Library brings photo conservator Gawain Weaver to the Petaluma Arts Center for an informative and enlightening presentation on early California portraiture, Saturday, February 22nd, 2025.

“This is an opportunity to place yourself and your family in local history and improve your understanding of the artifacts in your homes and local museums,” says Connie Williams, the History Room Librarian at the Petaluma Regional Library.

Weaver will discuss early California portraits: how they were created, how to view them and what they can tell us about life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

“Explore the techniques, styles, and cultural significance of these captivating portraits,” Williams says, “and bring your own early family portraits to share.”

The two-hour workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturday, February 22, at the Petaluma Arts Center, 230 Lakeville Street in downtown Petaluma.

The session will include an opportunity for participants to share their family heirlooms and scan them to a flash drive for digital preservation.

Photos  Featured above:

Abigail Ainsley Goodwin Haskell (1819-1884), unidentified photographer, Petaluma Pioneers archive (petalumapioneers.org)

Maxima Antonia Ynitia (1841-1901) and Maria Antonia Ynitia (1845/6 -1925), sisters abnd members of a prominent Coast Miwok family.

This is 2025 — Communicating in a Brave New Year

This New Year I'm keeping my feet firmly planted on solid (Sonoma County) ground for the time being, organizing my home and mind and writing space in order to prepare for what promises to be a wild and unprecedented ride ahead for all of us no matter where we are in the world.

Politics, human rights, science, space, climate. How best to keep afloat in what may be the most turbulent period of our collective lifetime? It may not be the perfect place in many aspects, but Sonoma County, in my opinion, is certainly one of the best places on earth to call home, to nourish ourselves and share community with as the world as we know it shakes, rattles, rumbles, roars and rolls into something new and unimagined.

So far this year, as forewarned by astrologists, meteorologists and global political forecasters, it appears we're immediately off to the races by January 6th with freezing, arctic storms and perilous floods in the east and midwest and in the region of England where I was raised. The media has launched its annual diatribe blasting New Year reports of targeted violence in New Orleans and Vegas. Conflicts continue to rage.

And already, several international government leaders have or are preparing to depart the chaotic world stage, including our country's current President.

Saturn is losing its rings of all things. At least to human visibility and by Spring of this year. 

It was eerily calm in the joint session of Congress today as American Democracy kept to its word with Trump's election victory certification. Kamala Harris performed her ceremonial duty as President of the Senate with a solid dignity which I found encouraging in its promise of the crucial work to come in counter balance of the days, weeks, months and years ahead on the volatile U.S. political front.  

Many more people than ever are turning away from the news, turning inward, focused on their own immediate circumstances, family, friends and neighbors. It's understable in a time when we simply don't know what to believe. And for good reason. Social media channels are corrupt with fake identities, false images and messaging, propaganda we're fed from who knows where. Email and phone calls from bad actors to the point where we delete all but the most trusted missives in our daily in-box. 

I'm taking more time to read the Sunday newspaper in depth. It may not be unbiased either, but it's certainly better for my blood pressure than absorbing the hysterical tone of the national network news. Are we to become an entirely ignorant nation of docile and unquestioning creatures? I hope not. But how are we to stay informed? Connect? It's going to be interesting to see what happens in the near future with our shaky forms of communication. Our storytelling. A simple phone call to and from an elderly friend or family member when traditional landlines become obsolete. 

Writing has never felt more compelling to me as it does in the here and now. Books, feature articles, plays, television, screen writing, poetry, journals, storytelling in all its forms carries us into new frontiers with a record of the past. 

And there are a myriad wonderous things to write and read about. Random acts of kindness, of love and bravery, of visionary prowess, invention and discovery. Sunrise, sunset, the powerful pull of the Pacific, fresh produce, trees and plants, wildlife and why we can't get enough of it all despite the struggle. 

Each December I sit down and make time to pen several handwritten letters to old friends in faraway places to fold in with a Christmas card. I take this stack of old fashioned envelopes to the post office and pay for the international stamps and send them off around the world, knowing that sometime between ten to fifteen days, my words will sit open on various kitchen tables, besides various mugs of steaming hot tea, or glasses of wine and be read, transmitting my recap of how I've interpreted the world this past year into the mind of those who generally return the favor, enlightening me with their own experiences of wonder, love, loss and imagination for the future, from their particular vantage point.

Maybe we will return to the days of pen and ink, of print, yet? That's the romantic in me. But also the pragmatic. Write it down, share it, whatever it is you'd like the world to know, or someone in the world to know, at least. Let's restart a reading and writing intention for 2025. Don't get lost in the wake of the sleeper waves which threaten to sneak up on us on a daily basis it seems. Read more. Stay afloat. 

It is a wonderful world aside from the scary stuff that makes us afraid to turn on the TV. And we humans are resilient after all. I'm looking forward to an eventful 2025 recap at the end of this new year. What will we make of it all? Something good, I hope. An end to current conflicts. 

Wishing you comfort and wisdom, stories, knowledge and warmth and most of all, a year with love as its main focus. 

Frances 

 

A Christmas Eve in Petaluma

A Christmas Eve in Petaluma

The rain falls soft, a gentle hum,
On hills where green and vines succumb
To winter’s touch, with grapes still bold,
And Holsteins stand in silence, cold.

The Petaluma River winds its way 

Victorian streets, aglow and gray,
Where ironfronts reflect the light
Of festive windows, shining bright.

Jazz floats low, a mellow sound,
As flour and sugar spin around.
In kitchens warm, the ovens glow,
The scent of cookies as baker's flow.

Neighbors bustle, smiles to share,
Setting tables with tender care,
While others curl in quiet bliss,
A peaceful, sweet, December kiss.

The hills are green, the cows are still,
A Christmas Eve, serene, until—
The laughter calls, the evening sways,
Petaluma wraps in holiday haze.

A moment soft, where time stands still,
Where every heart feels winter's chill,
And joy is found in rain's embrace,
In warm, familiar, loving grace.

So here beneath this sky of gray,
I bake and wrap, watch the day
Turn into night, with stars so bright,
In Petaluma’s Christmas light.

 

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas/Happy Hanukkah 2024. Playing around with AI on the poetry front. I have to admit, it did pretty well capturing my mood this Christmas Eve in response to my very specific prompts. I'm not going to have it write a novel for me, but a Holiday Poem is a sweet little gift when tailored to particular specifics & edited. 

Technology abounds. Good or bad. Good and bad. We will undoubtedly be seeing a lot more of it in the coming year. To counterbalance all of the overwhem of 2024, I hope you enjoy a stroll in the great outdoors this holiday, rain or shine and some days or hours at least disconnected to the online world. 

With that, I will sign off and finish up the baking and wrapping. 

Love to all,

Frances xo

 

December 18th Update — Books, Prints, Newsletters & Upcoming Post Alerts!

Goodness me, December has been busy. I will be sharing a table with my dear friend Gail at Aqus Cafe at Foundry Wharf in Petaluma on Saturday morning, December 21st from 10 am to noon and would love to see you if you are in the area.

Pull up a chair and have a chat! Gail has produced beautful, limited edition prints of her cover illustration for The House on Liberty Street, as per popular request. They are super generously priced at $20 each. 

I have some print copies of the book available and they sell for $20 each, also. Happy to sign and pop in a gift bag with tissue to sort your last minute gifting!

This coming year I aim to integrate my various platforms a little better. Don't you feel we're on social media overload?

My author website is Francesrivetti.com. You can sign up for occasional newsletter mailings that focus on my fiction releases (hopefully two in the next one and two years). I don't send too many out a year so you won't be bombarded with email. 

Here's a link to the recent one so you can see what kind of content is included. 

I have been out and about in the Bay Area this past couple of weeks and will share a couple of posts on some of the highlights of the region I've enjoyed in the next few days. 

Best Wishes,

Frances