Southern Sonoma Country Life

Celebrate Spring on Tomales Bay With a New Tuesday Afternoon Bayside Market & Pet Friendly Waterfront Oyster Bar at Nick's Cove

In honor of man’s best friend, Nick’s Cove Restaurant, Oyster Bar & Cottages is officially “going to the dogs” with the property’s sixth-annual Pet Appreciation Month and the return of the Pampered Pooch Add-on Package throughout April. This spring will also mark the launch of the property’s new Bayside Market, Nick’s Cove’s new monthly marketplace where guests may purchase locally grown produce, eggs, meat, flowers, honey and more, beginning Tuesday, April 3rd, 2018.      The Bayside Market will take place the first Tuesday of every month throughout the fall from 4-6pm, in the dog-friendly Waterfront Lounge adjacent to the the restaurant, overlooking Tomales Bay. It will be a place where the property’s talented farmer, Brendan Thomas, can sell some of the excess produce and flowers that he harvests from The Croft, Nick’s Cove’s on-site farm and garden, as well as showcase other West Marin and West Sonoma County producers. The small monthly market will offer raw goods such as flowers, vegetables, eggs, and meat, as well as locally produced dairy products, fermented goods, beverages, etc. The first Tuesday of every month, weather permitting, the event will feature a handful of different producers and the restaurant at Nick’s Cove will be offering $1 raw oysters, $2 beers, and clam chowder to attendees. This is a perfect opportunity to come out and participate in the local food scene, and the party will continue in the restaurant with Local’s Night, which takes place every Tuesday, and features live music and a $25 prix fixe menu.   The Waterfront Oyster Bar will also be officially opening for the season on Saturday, May 5, complete with outdoor couches and tables for comfortably enjoying drinks and oysters. In addition to the restaurant’s extensive indoor seating, the Waterfront Oyster Bar is a relaxing, dog-friendly patio where guests may enjoy drinks and oysters al fresco every Saturday and Sunday throughout the summer, from 11am – 4pm. The adjoining, dog-friendly Nick’s Cove beach is steps from the Waterfront Oyster Bar, and, weather-permitting, bonfires are lit every night for guests to enjoy homemade s’mores kits while the sun sets.   For those interested in truly indulging their pets, Nick’s Cove is celebrating its 6th Annual Pet Appreciation Month this April, and is offering a Pampered Pooch Add-on Package that may be added to any overnight stay in one of the property’s luxurious pet-friendly Cottages.  The perfect place to escape for a beautiful and relaxing vacation with the whole family, the Cottages are designed with a rustic, nautical elegance and are appointed with luxurious amenities such as large soaking clawfoot tubs, wood burning stoves and fully-stocked honor bars.   For $55, the Pampered Pooch Add-on Package includes the following special amenities: Two matching Nick’s Cove bandanas for pooches and humans BBQ oysters and a half bottle of Nick’s Cove Cabernet (for humans) and house-made biscuits (for dogs) delivered upon arrival Special dirty-paw towels in the room Map of local dog-friendly beaches and trails Ball launcher toy to enjoy on the Nick’s Cove private beach A stuffed toy  to take home for four-legged friends Continental breakfast for two humans delivered to the cottage in the morning with the day’s edition of the San Francisco Chronicle Add-on package price does not include tax or gratuity. Offer requires 48-hour notice and expires April 30, 2018. To reserve the Pampered Pooch Package, please call 415-663-1033.

Earth Day Living Arrangement Workshop at Second Street Flowers, Petaluma

Participate in Second Street Flowers' upcoming Living Arrangement course focusing on the idea of a centerpiece that lasts. Participants will be combining a collection of plants and fresh flower stems to create a festive focal point for your celebrations. This container selection will be something you will love to use over and over again. The course will touch on design, color, and technique - quintessential Second Street Style!   Workshop components are locally sourced and unique to the design. This type of lasting creation may be spruced up for your special events and last for many weeks thereafter. The lecture portion will also discuss container plant care and how to replant for further enjoyment. All materials are included and light refreshments will be served. Once you're confident with your centerpiece it's yours to take home to enjoy! Come solo or come with friends, celebrate Earth Day with dirt in your hands.   Date: Sunday, April 22nd Earth Day!   Time:  10 am - 12 pm   Location: Second Street Flowers                 140 2nd Street, Suite 116                 Petaluma, CA 94952   Cost:  $175 per person (10 students max)   Follow this link to get your tickets today or call the shop and register at 707.559.5243.

Robert B. Reich & Lynn Woolsey in Conversation — The Common Good — Petaluma Veterans Auditorium Sunday April 8, 2026

Sunday, April 8, 4pm PETALUMA VETERANS AUDITORIUM  ROBERT B. REICH & LYNN WOOLSEY IN CONVERSATION The Common Good Literacyworks and Copperfield’s Books presents best-selling author and Professor of Public Policy at UC Berkeley, Robert B. Reich. Reich’s newest book is a passionate manifesto on why we must restore the idea of the common good back to the center of our economics and politics. With the warmth and lucidity that has made him one of our most important public voices, Robert B. Reich makes the case for an inclusive understanding of the American project, centering on the moral obligations of citizenship. Secretary Reich will be in conversation with former US Representative Lynn Woolsey, who served for California's 6th congressional district from 1993 to 2013. Tickets:  $40 + fee admits one (1) and includes a copy of the book.  $10 + fee student ticket, admits one (1). All guests with a student ticket must present a valid school ID at the door. TICKETS

Home Cook Volunteers Needed for Sonoma Family Meal in Petaluma — Food Prep Shifts Saturdays Noon to 4pm

 

One of the most vital and effective grassroots efforts to emerge in the rally call to help Sonoma County neighbors rebuild their lives after October's devastating wildfires, is undoubtedly the Sonoma Family Meal Program, still going strong in its fifth month of feeding those most in need after losing their homes.  

Volunteer Coordinator for Sonoma Family Meal, Heidi Hansen reached out this week for help in outreach to our community in the south county. If you, or anyone in your family or friend group (over 18) has Saturday afternoons available to volunteer in the East Petaluma kitchen, Sonoma Family Meal would be so grateful to get you signed up.  

The ongoing purpose of Sonoma Family Meal is to activate and connect the local food community with families impacted by physical or economic displacement and in need of nourishment.

Born from the wildfires of 2017, the program’s initial success was in its rapid activation of a network of chefs, food professionals, farmers and producers to take in large amounts of donated food, prepare it safely and quickly, utilize all available food sources and avoid waste, creating an efficient program that served between 2,000 and 3,000 portions of restaurant-quality food for families of 4-6, served to-go for anyone in need of a meal.

Based on the fledgling  program's experiences over in its first five weeks of service, Sonoma Family Meal has put into practice a second phase of its ongoing program that more closely targets families most affected by the disaster that can best be served by ongoing prepared and semi-prepared meals.

Sonoma Family Meal has worked with more than 1,000 volunteers since October 2017. That’s a lot of folks who have cooked, cleaned, handed out meals, hugged, laughed, cried and wanted to help their fellow Sonoma County neighbors — and many of them are still at it. 

Founder and Executive Director, tireless Heather Irwin  is the dining editor for Sonoma Magazine and the Press Democrat and the founder of BiteClub. With more than 12 years of experience covering local restaurants, chefs and food purveyors, she is uniquely qualified to lead a local effort to feed fire victims during the 2017 wildfires in Sonoma County.

The concept for SFM came together in the darkest hours of the wildfires when Heather's own family was evacuated and found themselves in an unfamiliar home struggling to find a way to feed 10 people.

 

In the first five weeks of SFM, 80,000 meals were served, and the program — now a 501c3 non-profit–will continue as long as there is a need.

 

Sonoma Family Meal is currently adding 5 new families per week to its pilot program.  An intake coordinator contacts families who may best be served by Sonoma Family Meal. Families who have lost a home are prioritized. Documentation is required.

 

Click here to find out more about Sonoma Family Meal program and to volunteer. 

and here to donate. A $10 donation pays for two meals. 

 

Petaluma Arts Center Call For Youth Art Entries for 6th Annual Art Shapes The World (Deadline March 19th)

The Petaluma Arts Center is accepting entries for 2D and 3D media for the 6th Youth Exhibition: Art Shapes the World. Submissions are open to grades K-12, up to 18 years of age, in the greater Petaluma area. MAXIMUM ENTRY 3 PER ARTIST. ENTRY/SUBMISSION FEE is $5. All art must be original and not copies of master artists. No images from the media or internet. Jurors will accept student art for this exhibit based on CA Visual Arts Standards relevant to grade level, artistic perception, creative expression, and historical and cultural context. Only 5 more days to submit! Deadline is March 19 at 5pm.

THEME: Artist's Choice

CURATED BY: Kate Blakeslee

EXHIBITION DATES: April 14 - June 16, 2025

OPENING RECEPTION: April 14, 5 - 7pm

Click here for entry info. 

Creative Sonoma — Grant Applications Open for 2018 Innovative Arts Education Programs Serving Sonoma County Students With Limited Access to Arts Training

Creative Sonoma has announced that grants are available for innovative arts education programs serving students in the County who may have limited access to arts training. Grants are being provided in a partnership between Community Foundation Sonoma County and Creative Sonoma, a division of the Economic Development Board of Sonoma County.

“We know that the arts have the power to teach young people skills well beyond the actual creation of art itself,” said Chair of the Board of Supervisor James Gore. “Programs that will be funded with these grants can help our young people build their ability to think critically and be creative problem solvers which will be essential to their future success.”

Grants are available to nonprofit organizations that provide students, aged 2-18, with opportunities to participate in high quality arts learning programs. Individuals working with fiscal sponsors may also apply. Eligible projects can incorporate any creative discipline, from photography and writing to theater, graphic design, crafts, filmmaking and more.

Projects may be produced in schools, or in out-of-school settings. Projects will be evaluated based on their creativity and innovation, and the anticipated impact they will have on their participants.

The deadline for application is Thursday, April 12, 2018.

“Our Foundation has prioritized the distribution of our resources through the lens of equity,” said Elizabeth Brown, CEO of Community Foundation Sonoma County. “These grants are specifically directed to provide arts opportunities to students who might not otherwise have access to it across our County.”

Grant guidelines outlining eligibility and application forms are available at www.CreativeSonoma.org/grants. Questions on the project can be sent to Samantha.kimpel@sonoma-county.org.

Portrait of a Photographer — Murray Rockowitz — a New Chapter for Artist and Studio — Northern California Classics

Self Portrait —Murray in the doorway to his studio  

Photos featured courtesy of Murray Rockowitz 

Portrait photographer Murray Rockowitz has captured the image of and made photos of at least a couple of thousand of people over a period just shy of a quarter of a century in or around his second story studio overlooking historic downtown Petaluma.

It is the end of an era in that the master portrait maker is moving out of his fabled digs for a new free-wheeling chapter of field work, camera in hand, inspiration renewed.

In Murray's own words: "I had the notion the studio chose me. People came to the studio rather than me going to them, more often than not." Why? "Because I followed my passion as a photographer to master the art of the hardest of all portraiture, the studio portrait," he said. "There is nothing to lean on beyond the subject, the camera and the photographer, no help from the environment."

The studio that chose Murray is now visibly sagging with age, poised for some new chapter of its own, located upstairs in The Steiger Building, the site of Petaluma's first general store, a lilac and green trimmed iron front Victorian storefront built in the mid 1800s. The building, like its neighboring structures was constructed with a lack of forethought for future generations in so far as it turns its back to the river that ferried boatloads of produce, poultry and dairy products to San Francisco and Oakland during the Gold Rush era. Back in those days, the river was a freeway or sorts and a new downtown had no time for river walks and water front cafes. 

The Steiger Building and most other early Victorian buildings in its vicinity were fortunate to survive the 1906 earthquake that more severely rattled San Francisco to the south and Santa Rosa to the north. The city's first Independence Day celebration is believed to have been held on this same site on July 4th, 1852, assumedly attended by the proprietors, staff and family of neighboring businesses, a flour mill, an early hotel, butcher shop and bakery that catered to an influx of new arrivals in a growing community in the heart of a most fertile valley.  

It's hard to picture, today, the fleets of schooners, sloops and paddle wheelers that once transported such volume of people and goods along this narrow waterway earning Petaluma the title of third busiest inland port in the state.

Time stops for no one and The Steiger Building has recently changed hands. The portrait photographer's long time lease has come to an end.

The medium of photography and the appreciation of fine art photography have also changed. During our wintery afternoon catch-up, Murray talked of how photography has become more "democratic," and how his career as a portrait photographer is taking on an evolution of its own. It was a suitably atmospheric early March afternoon, sitting across from one another in the low light, comfortably nestled on a pair of vintage velvet sofas, me with my notebook in hand, Murray with portfolios of his work opened on a low table between us. Cardboard packing boxes cluttered the studio's original hardwood floor as rain pelted on single pane glass in long windows with a view across the boulevard downtown to Putnam Plaza and the visible iron front rooftops of Kentucky Street, running parallel to what was originally known as Main Street.

I wanted to know what was next for the man who has made so many striking portraits in this space for such a large part of his career. Murray is 65 years old. He first opened shop in 1989, establishing a portraiture business in his home in Petaluma before moving to a first studio down the street in 1992. "The roof leaked to such an extent I was only able to put stuff in the right place," he said. Three years later he set up a larger studio upstairs in the Steiger Building, a space that had been occupied prior to his era as a hair and beauty salon.

Murray talked of his dad, a printer for 50 years in Rochester, New York. With printing  in the blood as well as longevity of business, I was not surprised to hear of the dedication of the elder Mr Rockowitz to his trade.

"My dad gave me his old Kodak 35 mm rangefinder camera (the first of its kind in the U.S.) when I graduated from Syracuse University," Murray said. The fresh-faced young marketing graduate's plan was to head west to California and take time to make travel photographs with color slides, not knowing much about photography, but having seen Ansel Adams photos of Yosemite and thinking it couldn't be that good. "There it was — incredible," he laughed. 

Sam Rockowitz - Murray's Dad (Murray Rockowitz)

After settling first in Mill Valley, Murray purchased his first modern camera, a Nikon, his camera of choice. He was still shooting in color for the most part when his landlords, a sound editor and amateur photographers, suggested he try working in black and white.

"They loaned me an enlarger," he said. "And I bought materials and taught myself by working an entire couple of years exposing two to five rolls of film a day, developing film and printing late into the night."

Murray studied the greats by bringing home a stack of photography books from the Mill Valley Public Library. "I photographed everything," he said. "In the summer of 1980 I first used a Rolleiflex — I was smitten, I still use a Rollei it is my favorite camera and format," he said of the classic, German, high end TLR camera noted for its state of the art build quality, size, weight, durability, simplicity and superior optics.

Laurie Cahoon - Summer 1980 - Made with Murray's first Rollei and first roll of film run through it, his bride of almost 40 years (Murray Rockowtiz)

During this time, Murray managed a cafe in the old Mill Valley Train Depot and drove a cab. "I was not using my degree," he said. Instead, he enrolled in a class in educational technology at SF State and then, another, in photography at City College, San Francisco. "After half a semester I knew what I wanted to do," he said.

Murray took a class from world renowned Petaluman, the late Morrie Camhi a prolific photographer who documented Jewish communities both on the wane and in full bloom. According to an article in the Jewish News of Northern California, the work of the renowned photographer, who passed away in 1999 was: "Thoughtful, intense and probing, Camhi's work enjoyed a wide audience all over the word, and has been exhibited at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and at museums and galleries in Chicago and New York, as well as Europe, Japan and New Zealand."

"Morrie became my mentor," said Murray. "He was so generous with everything, his teachings, his self and sharing supplies. I was making photos of nature etc."

 It was Morrie who gave his appreciative student his first full critique, encouraging Murray to start cropping his work.

"I was working in the genre of the greats and he encouraged me to work hard at finding my own voice," he said. "I took Morrie's portrait class which started me on this path."

Murray then found making landscapes: "Were not exciting to me, unless there was a person in there."

After establishing himself by calling friends and neighbors and anyone he knew to ask if they'd sit for him for his first few portraits, he soon was successful in selling them the prints.

"Morrie taught me the "making" of a portrait, not the "taking" of a portrait," a principle that Murray has stood by steadfastly to this day. "I teach this to all of my workshop students," he said.

Lynn and Morrie Camhi (Murray Rockowitz)

"After talking to people to find out what is important and significant to them, I choose what goes into the frame and when to make the exposure," he explained.

Over nearly 25 years of making portraits mostly in this same space, Murray is proud of having given all those who have sat (or stood) for him the same dignity, listened to their stories. He has made portraits for homeless people in transition through the Committee for the Shelterless program as well as several generations of numerous families who come back to see him when new life chapters emerge.

Portraits have been made of people traveling through Petaluma who stumbled upon Murray's studio. Others have made the trip from Southern California and beyond for a sitting with one of the most celebrated portrait photographers in Northern California.

"It's been poignant, photographing this way," said Murray and though moving out of this studio is bittersweet, he is finding himself energized at the prospects of making portraits by going out to the people.

"No, I am not retiring," he said, adamantly, in answer to the number one question people ask him with regards to his studio move. "I am taking it on the road."

Now, this is something he is thoroughly looking forward to. In liberating himself from the physical space of a studio, Murray sees the possibilities as many of places he will make a portrait of you: on your porch, in your kitchen, on a motorcycle or bike, making art in your own studio perhaps.

"I'm not a lifestyle photographer," he maintained. There are plenty around. "I don't follow trends, I am sticking with my vision, my sensibilities and style as I always have as a portrait photographer." 

Grandma Lu & Nan (Murray Rockowitz)

When Murray started out very few portrait photographers were working in black and white, though plenty followed suit.

"I love traditional black and white silver gelatin prints," he said, "though I do give and enjoy giving the option of film or digital in black and white or color."

Over the years, Murray has enjoyed making a series of portraits of neighboring merchants outside of their downtown storefronts as well as local characters. This project took on a fresh emphasis after teaching a photography class in Italy in which he was captivated by the cast of characters he'd stumble across on any given day.

"When you work in black and white, you have to wait until the light is just right or it ain't happening," he said. "I think every serious student of photography should experience film photography, take a class, spend time in the dark room. When you realize how hard it is to make a great photograph with traditional photography you become more careful."

Jackson (Murray Rockowitz)

Psyche and Lucy (Murray Rockowitz)

Murray encourages emerging and hopeful photographers looking to make a living from their craft in a seemingly saturated world to: "Learn your craft, study what came before you, find your voice, do something that you love." He never discourages anyone from the desire to make photographs for a career. Though: "Yes, there are certainly easier ways to make a living," he said, "I feel so grateful and honored to have pulled it off for this long."

"I am excited for this next phase, the different challenges of going out into the world," said Murray. "To work with the environment and situations which present themselves and make that work. What fun."

Eulalia and Manuel (Murray Rockowitz)

Lydia in Grandma's Prom Dress (Murray Rockowitz)

Juliet and Remy (Murray Rockowitz)

Tom Williams _Originator of The Apple Box - Artist (Murray Rockowitz)

Jay and Bill of Bill & Jays (Murray Rockowitz)

Mayor Curley Boston, MA (Murray Rockowitz)

Murray during our chat in his studio, March 2018 (Frank Simpson)

Seated on a stool adjacent to the sofas where Murray and I sat across from each other, our mutual friend, Frank Simpson*, a retired lawyer and prolific photo blogger joined the conversation —"Murray in many of his photo seminars would always say that we are "capturing light" and that should be our guide to making a photo in the camera and post processing in a dark room. He regularly pointed out that the same principles also apply to digital photography. Murray is a master at showing how digital photography should be managed in the camera and in digital post processing. Same rules, different tools."

*Frank is an ardent citizen journalist of the internet-age, sharing his work on his own well-trafficked site, The Petaluma Spectator.  He photographs for several community non-profit organizations. It was Frank who reached out to me and asked if I would like to write a piece on Murray's new chapter as a local icon as portrait photographer. Frank and I have collaborated on several stories over the years since we met as fellow online contributors to Petaluma360.com in its early infancy in 2006. That in itself is a little slice of local history! We met outside of a blogger's meet-up hosted by the Argus Courier in McNear's Saloon and became fast friends as curious transplants to the region. 

Frank and Murray share a passion for large format prints. "Images that capture your eye and attention for more than a second," said Frank. "That is a hard sell these days with most people watching images fly by on the cell phones."

The man behind the lens, March 2018 (Frances Rivetti's iphone)

As Murray packs the last of his framed prints into boxes, hauls them home and into storage, you may bet that he's keeping his eye on the folk he passes along the way, waiting for the light to fall — just right. Soon enough, we'll be seeing him out and about a lot more, doing what he does best, making photos of people. 

A quote by Ansel Adams springs to mind: "“You don't make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved.” 

Self Portrait, Murray, in his early studio 1995

And one more that could have been penned for Murray: “When you photograph people in color, you photograph their clothes. But when you photograph people in Black and white, you photograph their souls!” — photojournalist Ted Grant.  

Murray Rockowitz PHOTOGRAPHER

707 291-3040 (mobile) 

murray@rockowitz.com

http://www.rockowitz.com

http://murrayrockowitz.wordpress.com

https://www.instagram.com/murrayrockowitz/

https://www.facebook.com/Murray-Rockowitz-Photographer-195226606490/

Morning Walks in the Garden — A Saturday Docent Led Spring Series at Glen Ellen's Quarryhill Botanical Garden — Sonoma County's Hidden Gem

Sonoma Valley’s Quarryhill Botanical Garden in Glen Ellen is offering a Garden Walks Series tied to the flowering cycles of wild Asian flora. The sequence of walks has been carefully scheduled so participants can experience rare wild plants in full bloom.

Each walk will highlight the energy of the season, from the ancient grace of the magnolias in early spring, to the exuberant and fragrant roses and colorful lilies that bloom as spring and summer unfold.

The walks will be led by Quarryhill Docent Kathleen Aspenns who is also a certified Flower Essence Practitioner. She will share the history, lore, botanical knowledge, and the healing gifts of the flowers during your stroll in the garden.

The Garden Walks Series begins Saturday, March 17 from 10 a.m. to noon, and continues April 28, June 9 and July 21. Click here to register in advance. The fee for each walk is the $12 general admission to the Garden ($10 members), payable at the Visitor Center the day of the walk.

Quarryhill Botanical Garden is famed for its vast collection of plants from East Asia, set in a secluded garden of tranquil ponds, gently rolling paths and scenic vistas.

Countdown to the 12th Annual California Artisan Cheese Festival in its New Location in Santa Rosa March 23 to 25 2018

I'm looking forward to checking out the new location for California’s premier cheese and wine event, the 12th annual California Artisan Cheese Festival,  taking place March 23-25, 2018 at at its new location, the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa.

This much loved festival, which attracts more than 2,500 guests, brings together artisan cheesemakers, vendors, authors, chefs, brewers, winemakers and turophiles for three days of cheese tasting, education and celebration makes its move north this year after its first 11 years with Petaluma as its HQ.

Throughout the weekend, cheese enthusiasts have the opportunity to experience new, limited-production, and rare artisan cheeses, and learn about the art of making cheese—all while supporting California farmers and cheesemakers. The three-day public event includes cheese tastings, pairings, seminars and demonstrations, farm and creamery tours, and a culinary competition.

The Artisan Cheese Tasting & Marketplace offers a terrific opportunity to get to know this cheese festival for the first time or the 12th!

Sunday March 15th 12 to 4 p.m. 
Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Hall of Flowers
Tickets: $50 for adults, $25 for children 12 and under

The grand finale of the festival, the Marketplace brings together more than 115 artisan producers of the best local cheese, wine, beer, ciders and other specialty foods. Guests are invited to taste, discover and buy new cheeses and the next wave of interesting cheese accompaniments, and artisan products that complement cheese. Tickets includes admission, author book signings, the cherished Artisan Cheese Festival insulated cheese tote bag, and a festival wine glass.
 
For more details about the California Artisan Cheese Festival and to purchase tickets, visit www.artisancheesefestival.com.

Generous sponsors of the California Artisan Cheese Festival include American AgCredit,  Beehive Cheese Company,  Bellwether Farms, Cowgirl Creamery, Culture Magazine, Cypress Grove, Edible Marin & Wine Country, Lagunitas Brewing Company, Marin French Cheese Company, Nicasio Valley Cheese Company, Pennyroyal Farm, Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company, Pure Luxury Transportation, Real California Milk, Rustic Bakery, Hotel Petaluma, Sheraton Sonoma County – Petaluma, Valley Ford Cheese & Creamery, Whole Foods Market, and Wild California.