Southern Sonoma Country Life

Treat Mom to Books By Sonoma County Authors This Mother's Day

At least fifty-eight books by Sonoma County authors are available to order online at Bookshop.org. 

I know this as I gathered as many as I could find with distributable titles and placed them on a local author's virtual shelf in my own little store within a store on Bookshop, a new bookselling service which gives a portion of its online sales back to brick and mortar bookstores that don't have their own online sales system in place. Year to date, Bookshop has sent over a million dollars back to bookstores at a time when every dollar counts. 

Lots of local authors sell their books directly from their websites, so it's always a good idea to order from an indie this way, as a bigger percentage of the book sale supports writers in their work. 

If you'd like a copy of my suspense novel Big Green Country signed and delivered to your mom by Mother's Day, May 10th, go to the homepage of Southern Sonoma Country Life and look for the PayPal store half way down the right hand side of the page. No charge for delivery. 

I also have copies of Fog Valley Winter, Pioneer Heritage, Backroad Rambles and Vintage Recipes available directly by request. Fog Valley Winter is a non-fictional favorite with local foodies and historians and anyone who loves the southern Sonoma County and coastal west Marin foodshed area and is unable to visit for obvious reasons right now. 

And if you've read any books by Sonoma County authors recently, please do take a few minutes to write a brief review online. Amazon reviews are so important and serve as a benchmark for readers and the publishing industry to take a look at when considering the merit of a title. Doesn't matter if you didn't buy it there.

 

Plant a Shakespeare Garden This May — 48 Bard-Approved Seed Varietals Suitable for Sonoma County Climate

‘I know a bank whereon the wild thyme blows,
Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows.’

Front and back yards are blooming with roses and wisteria as May approaches in Sonoma County and with time on our hands at home, what better way to boost spirits than tending to a garden? 

A notice in the window of Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Bank caught my eye on my morning walk this week. "Plant a Shakespeare Garden," it called out! And there's no finer example of this than the grounds the Bard tended to himself over 400 years ago. From Avon to Stratford, the English country gardens he grew up in and explored continue to inspire to this day.

The book Shakespeare's Gardens explores these gorgeous grounds — including Shakespeare's birthplace in Henley Street, his childhood playground at Mary Arden's Farm and his courting days at Anne Hathaway's cottage.  

It would be hard to replicate Shakespeare's plant list in its entirety, given the different growing conditions, though Baker Creek does stock some 48 of them!

Baker Creek Seed Bank in downtown Petaluma is closed during shelter in place, though staff are taking weekly, prepaid, no-contact pickup orders on Fridays, between 11 am and 3 pm. Email your order/questions to petalumaseedbank@gmail.com by 5 pm on Thursday evenings for Friday collection.  

San Francisco's Golden Gate Park website reports of many residents of the Bay Area and beyond who have focused their own gardens on the blooms and plants mentioned in their favorite Shakespeare play.

As is evident from this complete list, Shakespeare was enthusiastic in populating his works with flowers, plants, and trees.

aconitum (monkshood)
almond
aloe
apple, (also crab, pippin)
apricot
ash
aspen
bachelor’s button
balm
balsam and balsamum
barley
bay
bean
bilberry
birch
blackberries and brambles
box
brier
broom
bulrush
burdock
burnet
cabbage
camomile
carnation
carraway
carrot
cedar
cherry
chestnut
clove
clover (or honey-stalks)
cockle
coloquintida
columbine
cork
corn
cowslip
crow-flower
crown imperial
cuckoo-flower (buttercup)
currant
cypress
daffodil
daisy
darnel
date
dewberry
dock
dogberry
ebony
eglantine
elder
elm
fennel
fern
fig
filbert
flag
flax
flower-de-luce (iris)
fumitor
furze
garlic
gillyvor (carnation)
ginger
gooseberry
goss or gorse
gourd
grace (rue)
grape
grass
harebell
harlock (burdock)
hawthorn
hazel
heath (ling)
hebanon (possibly yew)
hemlock
hemp
herb of grace (rue)
holly
holy thistle
honeysuckle
hyssop
insane root (mythological)
ivy
kecksies (hemlock)
knot-grass
lady-smock
lark’s heels (larkspurs)
laurel
lavender
leek
lemon
lettuce
lily
lime
ling
locust
long purple (probably orchis morio, o. mascula)
love-in-idleness (pansy)
mace
mallows
mandragora, mandrake (mythological)
marigold (calendula or pot marigold)
marjoram
marybud (marigold)
mast
medlar
mint
mistletoe
moss
mulberry
mushroom
musk rose
mustard
myrtle
narcissus
nettle
nutmeg
oak
oats
olive
onion
orange
osier (willow)
oxlip
palm tree
pansy
parsley
pea
peach
pear
peony
pepper
pig-nuts
pine
pink
plane tree
plantain
plum
pomegranate
poppy
potato
primrose
pumpion (probably gourd)
quince
radish
reed
rhubarb
rice
rose
rosemary
rue
rush
rye
saffron (C. sativus)
samphire
savory
sedge
senna
speargrass
stover (grass)
strawberry
sugar
sycamore
thistle
thorn
thyme
toadstool
turnip
vetch
vine
violet
walnut
wheat
willow
woodbine (honeysuckle)
wormwood
yew

Source: The Plant-Lore and Garden-Craft of Shakespeare, by Henry N. Ellacombe. W. Satchell and Company, London, 1884.

And if you don't fancy the Shakespeare planting idea here's a handy list posted outside the seed store to let us know what to plant in Sonoma County in the month of May:

Petaluma Gap Winegrowers Alliance Farmers & Winemakers Release a New Video Documenting How Covid-19 is Impacting Business. Buying Wine? Source Doorstep Deliveries From Hyper-Local Wineries to Support Your Local Growers & Winemakers (& Their Families)

Petaluma Gap growers and winemakers share first-hand stories of how Covid-19 is impacting their business. Our hyper-local growers are resilient and used to facing headwinds but they need your help with this one.

Thank you for purchasing wine and participating in virtual tastings while safely sheltering-in-place.

 

The Petaluma Gap is the premier gateway to the Sonoma Coast and northern Marin County wine region. Designated on December 7, 2017 as the country’s newest American Viticultural Area (AVA), the Petaluma Gap is producing premium grapes that make the new AVA one of California’s best areas to grow primarily Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah grapes.

The wind and the fog are the Petaluma Gap’s trademark. The “Gap” is actually a wind gap named after a coastal mountain opening that stretches east from the Pacific through the town of Petaluma and then roars south to San Pablo Bay.

The Petaluma Gap has a 150-year tradition of growing grapes. The Petaluma Gap Winegrowers Alliance is dedicated to supporting growing wine grapes and production of premium wines in the Petaluma Gap.Vineyards are tucked and hidden in the most unexpected places. Crest a hill, round a curve, look into the little nooks and crannies that make up the Lakeville, Adobe Road, or west county landscape, and you’ll notice more and more pockets of green, made up of rows and rows of grapevines. The vines bring brilliant patches of color to the golden grasses that support the neighboring pastures of cows and sheep. These are the vines of the Petaluma Gap and the source of some of the most exciting wines to hit the California wine scene in a very long time.

The Petaluma Gap produces wines for some of the region’s finest wineries including: Keller Estate Winery, Rodney Strong Vineyards, Guarachi Family Wines, deLoach Vineyards, Flowers Vineyard and Winery, Hart’s Desire Wines, Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates, Kosta-Browne Winery, Landmark Vineyards, Loxton Cellars, Sojourn Cellars, Schramsberg Vineyards, and Zepaltas Wines.

Click here for a full list of Petaluma Gap wineries. 

 

Make A Traveling Postcard From Your Home — Join the Women's Wisdom Initiative In Reaching Out to Survivors of Violence Against Women and Girls

It's been a while since I've posted about the beautiful Traveling Postcards program. I joined in a postcard making workshop at the Petaluma Arts Center in 2015 with several dear friends. That afternoon is poignant in my memory, not least for its pause in our busy lives to better understand what the Women's Initiative is all about, but also because one of those dear friends is no longer with us. If you're looking for an at-home, caring & artistic way to reach out into the world and spread love, here is one great way:

"As our world struggles to adjust to our new normal, the Women's Wisdom Initiative has made some changes as well. With the news of the COVID-19 spreading throughout the globe, I am devastated to announce that we will no longer be able to travel to Greece in June to conduct Traveling Postcard workshops in the Moria refugee camp in Lesvos," says Sonoma C0unty-based Founder Caroline Lovell. 

Now that most colleges have shut their doors and sent students home for the year, this important initiative is also now unable to take Traveling Postcards on its Spring college tour, where its partners with colleges across the country to provide healing arts workshop for students.

Despite these unexpected-but necessary-timeline changes, this vital work continues:

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. One of the terrifying consequences of families being in quarantine is that violence against women and girls has increased exponentially over the last few months, according to the United Nations. Overwhelmed with calls related to COVID-19, the police do not have the resources to respond. 

"It is more important than ever that we do what we can to serve this population," says Caroline. "We need your help. In this time of great need, we ask for the gift of your time. We would like to invite you to make your own Traveling Postcards that we can share with survivors. Detailed instructions here on how to make your own postcards.  We also have gift sets of 'replica' postcards that you can send to friends at this time.

In making your own postcards you are serving those most at-risk while still sheltering in place. Making a postcard is a meaningful, heartfelt activity that allows you to reach out to women across the world without ever leaving your home. Both the act of making art and receiving the finished product are an act of healing.

Here's a copy of my postcard, which has long since been delivered inside a Women's Initiative hand block print care bag. There are many ways to donate to help this invaluable work. Click here for photo gallery.

Please do make a postcard or two of your own and mail to Women's Wisdom Initiative, 40 Fourth St #260, Petaluma, CA 94952.

Traveling Postcards at Home from Caroline Lovell on Vimeo.

 

 

Call of the Old/New Wild West — To Howl or Not to Howl?

“We are never alone
We are all wolves
Howling to the same moon.” 

Atticus

Image: Pinterest

 

Time magazine reports in its April 10th 2020 edition: "It starts with a few people letting loose with some tentative yelps. Then neighbors emerge from their homes and join, forming a roiling chorus of howls and screams that pierces the twilight to end another day’s monotonous forced isolation.

From California to Colorado to Georgia and upstate New York, Americans are taking a moment each night at 8 p.m. to howl in a quickly spreading ritual that has become a wrenching response of a society cut off from one another by the coronavirus pandemic.

They howl to thank the nation’s health care workers and first responders for their selfless sacrifices, much like the balcony applause and singing in Italy and Spain. Others do it to reduce their pain, isolation and frustration. Some have other reasons, such as to show support for the homeless."

If it's the moon you're howling to:

"We hate to burst your bubble, but it is a myth that wolves howl at the moon!," writes the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in an online article on its website as to why wolves howl.

"Howling may be heard at night, but it is not a behavior directed at the moon. Instead, it is used as a social rally call, a hail to hunt or as a territorial expression. Did you know that individuals have different howls that can be heard by other wolves 6-7 mile away? A howl can even help a lost wolf find its way home. A wolf separated from its pack uses a “lonesome howl” — a shortened call that rises in pitch. If answered, the wolf then responds with deep, even howls to inform the pack of its location."

Well, the vital connection many are seeking from being holed up in isolation makes for a need to connect somehow, some way and I guess the constant online chatter with our phones glued to our palms isn't cutting it given the longevity and severity of the current crisis. 

I've been wondering how many people have joined the pack. Way over half a million Americans, it's estimated are joining in the nightly baying. And according to news sources, it all started in Denver, Colorado at the start of the crisis with Facebook Go Outside and Howl founders, poet storyteller and activist Brice Maiurro and his girlfriend Shelsea Ochoa leading the call.

"We wanted to do this mostly because people are feeling isolated right now," says Shelsea, a street artist and activist who works at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. "I think it hit on something others needed." The howl was inspired by friends and their time abroad. 

In California, Shelsea's friends and family have long since howled at sunset; in Brazil, where she lived recently, residents cheer at sunset. Her partner, who also works at National Jewish Health and his fellow poets like to howl at the moon during back-alley poetry readings in Boulder.

Here in southern Sonoma County and neighboring Marin County, howling has certainly taken off through valley and hilltops and coastal bluff. But not everyone is a fan of the mournful call each and every night. I reached out on social media to ask friends and neighbors if they're howling or not and how it makes them feel, either way. The responses flooded in by the dozens and are equally fascinating in those individuals and families who I was surprised to hear are howling to their hearts content and others whom I might have thought more likely to unleash their inhibitions are not into it at all, or prefer to practice their own, individual call to the wild, somewhat less publicly. 

"People just want to be a part of the human family," my youngest son explained when I asked him if his neighbors in Davis, CA were howling. He hadn't heard a single howl and wasn't aware of this curious and captivating practice. "Wolves form complex social units," he added: "So it's not surprising that when people feel sad, lonely, frightened and isolated, they would identify with a call of the wild."

"Let all of life be an unfettered howl,"

                                             Vladimir Nabokov                                                  

"I've always howled at the full moon, so I am delighted to howl nightly," said Sarah G. And a handful of blocks from Sarah's house, Stephen P concurred: "We are howlers....ahooooooo".

Kathleen M was not so keen: "Not. I get it’s great for others but it’s like nails on a chalk board for me and my dogs freak out. I can see I’m perhaps too contained and uptight to make that type of noise though and it could obviously help to release tension. My son thinks it sounds fun and really wants to join in, he’s 14. I really like the countries that sing together and haven’t seen it successful here locally."

"I'm a howler!" wrote Becky M. "It helps me to feel connected to the collective consciousness, to have some kind of primal release in this mess. Didn't know this introvert would like it, but I'm really liking it!"

Kathy O.D agreed: "We are howling on Keokuk! Such a great opportunity to check in with our neighbors and let off a little steam." And Linda S.A also: "Yes by all means howl! We do every night with my next door neighbor . My doggie 🐶 joins in too."

Herlinda H came to the party later than some: "I howled for the first time last night; as I heard some children howling outside. I thought; they will remember this collectively for the rest of their lives. So I joined in."

"Absolutely no chance. That’s not to say I won’t stand outside and applaud politely 👏 👏 🇬🇧 Plus Holly gets agitated by it all 🐕," stated Lesley M, a sentiment shared by Sue D: "I'm not a howler. My dogs get agitated and start to bark. For some reason, their participation is not welcome. And now the illegal fireworks have started too. It's not a pleasant way for our household to wind down from the day."

Kellee Y confessed: "I howl on occasion, but never inhale." And Jennifer R.P shared: "I've howled once or twice last week. While it feels good in terms of release, I also simultaneously feel really annoyed by it. It feels kind of forced and "poser" as a gesture, but I get that it makes others feel connected."

"We are howlers!" Shannon H.B was proud to admit. "Did you see I was quoted in the PD? The most thrilling thing that is happened to me since being quarantined! I was cut out of the Argus version😢".

Mary F wrote: "Howling is part of my day I look forward to. And my little dog too!"

"I do, I did it a few times, it’s kind of fun to stand outside your door and howl and to hear the other howling, it only lasts for about two minutes," shared Hanna A from neighboring Marin County.

Annee B. K agreed: "We ring our gong. We also howl most nights. It feels neat to hear that we’re not so alone." 

Margo G was not so convinced: "No . . . I can see how it would be fun, or feel good, or help people feel connected . . . but not interested. I also don't understand how it's showing support of nurses/health care workers. It's howling! There are plenty of things one can do to actively support..."

Katy F. V howls loud and proud. Karen N said: "I don’t howl, but enjoy my neighbors enthusiasm, me, I personally feel like screaming because as an extrovert this social distancing is really difficult. I thrive on socializing!"

Louise L wrote: "Yes, I howl and love hearing the whole neighborhood appreciating the people who put their lives at risk to save ours." And Cathy P and her little dog love it.

Susan H was clearly not a fan. "No, thank you. IMHO (in my humble opinion), silence is golden," she shared, whereas Laurie F is an unabashed howler.

"I’ve been howling for 3 weeks. Every night," shared Cindy T. "It’s therapeutic. The first 3 weeks, I was the lone howler in my hood. I’m now joined by neighbors, thankfully. Tonight made me teary-eyed. It fills my heart knowing we’re acknowledging those who are holding up us home bound folks, those who are providing the tender loving care to those who are ill."

Suzanne M is howling in Penngrove. And: "Yes! It’s adorable and cathartic in my neighborhood, grown ups howling with kids, wrote Amanda M.

Marie M replied that: "Like Lesley M, I'm not much of a howler, love the intent and sentiment though. I prefer traditional applause like Europe.
Love the Thursday night tribute in Coventry UK."

Out in the countryside, Nariman M reported "Where we are, only the coyotes howl."

Mary M shared: "We howl, we drum, we yip. We have horn, tambourines, dancers. In our neighborhood 8pm is the daily pressure release valve as well as the shout out to the front lines. Why not is the real question?"

Whereas Helen P in Australia asked: "every night?"

Cathe H and her family do howl every night. "It's great fun, she wrote. And from Marta S: "I’m howling . . . it’s great to feel part of the pack!"

Beckie K confessed: "I did one night and no one in my family joined me nor could I hear any neighbors so it was a one time deal. My dog did join me though." And Shannon A feels that: "The howl is comforting. I’m not a howler. I’ve whistled, played a flute."

Over in Cherry Valley, Mary L said, thoughtfully: "We howl occasionally. I also see it as a cathartic release and, as an acknowledgement of those who are out there working so others can regain health, buy groceries, receive packages and so, so many other things. I also think, since we’re practicing “distancing”, it’s a way of saying to one another, “we are here!”.

"We do howl most nights and have a neighborhood full of beloved howlers!" wrote Marjorie H."Remember seeing a post from a nurse on the frontline of this battle who said “I appreciate the howls and claps and what I want you to do next is get us a new president!” We're busy working on that too!"

Across the pond in the south of England, Kerry P replied: "Oh good lord no". Jude M in Petaluma disagrees wholeheartedly: "Yep! I set my alarm for 7:59 pm and go out on my front porch for 30 seconds plus and then into my backyard for 30 seconds plus. Fellow howlers respond back...💕
I love that we are thanking our first responders, nurses, doctors and everyone else who is helping. It feels great. And it feels safe to know that there are others out there with the same attitude... being grateful❤️ ".

Drew W reminded us that: "Communities that Howl together stay together." Robin R on the other hand: "OH HELL NO AND FIREWORKS ARE NOT COOL!!!"

Donald McCrea shared a musical offering, alongside: "like Ginsburg, I have been howling all my life . . . (but, I channel it through music and photography) . . .if you want to learn how to peacefully resist the parasites who are plundering the planet, buy a copy of NEVER SORRY /AI WEIWEI) . . . and to remove stress from your life: meditate . . ." Click here for Donald's wonderful One WORLD. 

 

"Nope," said Jenny T.C. And Cara N: "No — but it cracks me up- because I always know when it’s 8pm!"

 

Joy T replied from Washington State: "This is spreading to near nation-wide. It was originally started to howl for the medical community. Some are howling, some are banging pans but all are making noise. I agree with Robin regarding the “NO Fireworks” bit."

 

Closer to downtown, Elaine S: "Oh yes! The first night we went out, could only hear clapping and cheering so that’s what we did. Now, we have Alexa remind us of the time .  . .  Then open the front door and the back door to howl, to clap, and ring our Cable Car type bell and our Tibetan gong! My friends in nursing have expressed their gratitude to all of us for showing them our gratitude and it feels like a primal way to feel connected to Community!"

 

Mary N wrote: "Yes, we’re howlers along with many on our block. There is some drumming going on as well!" And Leslie E from Marin: "Yes, we howl every night at 8pm! It feels great to let it all out and thank our Health care workers and first responders!".

 

Rachel K reported the howling was slower to take off through the east side of Petaluma though neighbors are catching on. Meloni M wrote from Bainbridge Island of her brother's reaction: "Alone in his apartment in San Rafael, he has been thoroughly confused. I explained it last night. He said "Oh, I just thought it was more crazy Marin".

 

Rural homesteader Susan V's take on it was more coyote than wolf: "I have my own countryside real deal. They unfortunately do realize they start two hours earlier than is required. I am not joining, my howl sounds more real than their howl ."

 

"Hans and I did it together the first few nights and then I stopped but he still partakes," shared Dena C G. "I like listening to it though.' Layla F declared she is: "More of a cat so I occasionally meow at 8 pm "

 

Trish B.I enthused: "Yes! Every night! The idea behind it is beautiful. Showing our support to all the medical professionals who are risking their lives to save the lives of others. 💕". And Gretchen S: "Howling yes - fireworks no - It's great to hear echos from the distance - as well as across the street!"

 

"I’m not, but I do open the door to listen," replied Nancy O. "However, last night I did one good howl and got a great response from the turkeys behind our house."

 

Tess B is a howler and she loves it. Gail B keeps forgetting, or she would, but she does have her Christmas lights on, as does Susan H.

 

"When I heard a lot of noise, I opened the patio door and joined the whole! Really fun! " — Lyndi B. Another Marie M howls every night in Mill Valley. "Have to admit I have an excellent howl! 😎".

 

In the words of Carol L: "Nope . . . I'm just not one to do something because everyone is."

 

From West Marin, Meegan L.O reported "We have been howling at 8 since the start, and it feels very unifying. We are all in this together, but the howling feels good to be vocalizing our thanks to essential workers and hearing that others in our community are also grateful for them."

 

"No not into the howling thing at all," replied Brenda M. "There are mixed messages about the reasons for doing it and some I don’t agree with personally. There are ways to thank the hard working responders, nurses, doctors etc. it sets off the neighbors dogs too." while a different Brenda M had other feelings: "I don’t partake but enjoy it immensely . . . the message fills my heart "

 

Ettamarie P said: "I could hear some way out here in the country!" And in town, Allison W. M said: "Yes howl, what ever the reason, it is fun!" 

 

"Our street howls and B joins in," responded Alice C. "I’ve started using it to tell the time. They are v punctual!" From Brighton, England, Craig B preferred a more British approach: "Thursday 8pm clap, cheer for NHS staff here in UK".

 

Maggie H wrote: "I'm too much of an introvert to howl. I would prefer banging on pots and pans or something less primal. But I am grateful for the howls. The men in my family howl. The women, not yet."

 

In the words of Kirsten S: "We howl. Loudly. Really try to sound like dogs. It feels great, it sounds beautiful." And Sally V.W: "No, but I enjoy it. 💕"

 

Last word at the time of posting goes to Nuala C, who replied, simply: "Yes we howl."

 

And, according to National Geographic: "Some canines, monkeys, and yes, even mice communicate and defend their territories by howling, experts say."

 

So, in answering the question of to howl or not to howl, it's pretty much all down to a matter of seeing ourselves as part of the animal world, of personal expression and/or a decent set of noise cancelling headphones. 

I'd like to make one little suggestion. When school's back in, it might be an idea to teach our future generations to sing like the Italians . . . 

~

“Down towards one end of the village, among the small houses, a dog complained about the cold and the loneliness. He raised his nose to his god and gave a long and fulsome account of the state of the world as it applied to him. He was a practiced singer with a full bell throat and great versatility of range and control.”

John Steinbeck, The Moon is Down 

 

 

Escape to the Country — Secluded Sonoma County Ranch Property with Workshop/Barn, Pond, Views

“You would be much amused with the animals round the ranch.”

Theodore Roosevelt, Letters to His Children 

How does a ranch in a secluded, rural setting in central Sonoma County sound right about now? This lovely, three bed/two bath single story homestead with outbuildings, pond and dock is on the market for the first time since it was built in the sixties for a local family easy access to Petaluma and Sebastopol. 

Located at the end of a country lane with forever views of Mount St Helena, vineyards & rolling Sonoma County hills. This coveted 1838 sq ft main house is in original condition with studio below on 3.9 bucolic acres. Ideal for 4H projects. Outbuildings include a 48 x 40 workshop/barn with 200 amps & hydraulic car lift - a dream for the project/ car enthusiast plus extra 43 x 21 storage/barn/garage for band practice, art studio, parties, boat storage. Close to distinguished Dunham school & the historic Washoe House with easy freeway & Hwy 116 access.

Bring your vision & turn this incredible home & property into your own little paradise! 7257 Orchard Station Road Sebastopol, CA 95472. Offered at $1,140,000. Click the following link for specifics on Timo's latest listing. 

https://www.timorivettirealestate.com/property/14/22006388/7257-Orchard-Station-Road/

 

 

Furloughed Sonoma County Carpentry Apprentices Launch a GoFundMe to Craft Perspex Medical Intubation Box Shields for Hsopitals

 

It's heartening to hear that a group of young carpenter apprentices in their twenties have launched a GoFundMe to keep up their campaign to use furlough time to craft vital perspex intubation shields for hospital use during this time of crisis.

This fundraiser is spearheaded by Brenden Murphy of Petaluma and it is off to a great start in less than 24 hours, with over $3,000 donations. Please take a look at the group's GoFundMe page. I know Brenden and his family personally and vouch for the reliability of this community effort. 

Click here for their fundraiser info. 

 

 

 

 

Flower Casita in Petaluma's Theatre Square is Back With Weekly Floral Subscription Deliveries to Petaluma and the North Bay Each Monday

Treat yourself or a loved one to a weekly floral subscription delivery by Flower Casita each Monday to brighten these challenging weeks. Pick from a weekly wildflower bouquet $45 ($180 a month) or weekly bowl of seasonal blooms $75 a week $300 a month). 

contact@flowercasita.com

 

 

Coastal Locals — Shop Tomales Farmers Market Online & Pick Up Your Order on Saturday Morning at The William Tell House in Tomales

In light of the current COVID-19 public health crisis, the board of directors of Tomales Farmers Market is not planning to host its physical farmers market for the foreseeable future. However, it is  hosting a weekly pickup location in Tomales for locally produced goods!

A new online marketplace is designed to connect you to with TFM producers, purchase from them and invite you yo pick up your order on Saturday morning at the William Tell House in Tomales. Visit the TFM marketplace page here for more information and to shop.

Tomales Farmers Market is actively seeking local farmers, producers and makers to become a part of its market. If you are interested in becoming a vendor and/or a sponsor, please get in touch. The market team would love to hear from you.

The Tomales Farmers Market was founded in 2019 by a group of Tomales locals working in the food and agriculture industry. It is are a community-based, CDFA Certified Farmers Market looking to connect the residents and visitors of West Marin with the agricultural, culinary, and artisan commodities that are produced in the immediate area. It is are a registered nonprofit and 100% volunteer-run.

It is the goal of Tomales Farmers Market to bring the community in and around Tomales together to celebrate and participate in the local foodshed. The market works to promote its vendors and to provide a direct to consumer marketplace for the public. It also hopes to foster educational opportunities regarding the local food system, specifically focusing on equity and access, local and traditional practices, and environmental sustainability and stewardship.

While driving out through the beautiful, scenic countryside to pick up an order sounds very appealing right now to me as I post this from my desk in West Petaluma, we're not supposed to be driving across county lines, or driving anywhere that's not essential, currently. So, this wonderful opportunity is best served to folk who live in the coastal area for now. Once restrictions lift, I'll be in line for my weekly order and a walk on the beach to boot!

Click here for website and shopping. 

 

 

Farm to Table Dinners and Delicious Pantry Items — Wishbone, Petaluma Steps it Up

 

Wishbone Petaluma is stepping it up big time with curbside pick up of farm to table meals plus, this week, will start offering popular pantry items in addition to prepared meals. Think pie dough, hot sauce, fresh ricotta, yogurt, salad dressings, bacon .....

Daily menus are announced by instagram, facebook and on the restaurant's website. 

Curbside Pick up is just a text away!  Text 1-707-306-0997!