My dear friend and fellow Sonoma County author Suzanne Maggio has a new podcast and it's pretty fantastic! Her interviewing skills are superb and I'm not just saying that because we're pals. A lot of writers think about podcasting, it's a powerful tool to inform, entertain and stay in touch. But actually producing a series and packing it with important and meaningful content is another thing altogether.
In 2019 Suzanne walked Spain’s famous pilgrimage, El Camino de Santiago. One night, in the small town of Carrion de los Condes, she went to a pilgrim Mass. At the end, she was given a small paper star, a reminder to be the light for someone. As she continued along those 500 miles, that simple gift came to mean a lot to her.
The inspiration for this podcast came from that journey. "In these challenging times, I believe we have an obligation to show up for one another," shares Suzanne. "To give back to our communities. To bring our light into the world. From Sparks to Light shares the stories of people who choose to follow their spark and light the darkness."
Each week we hear the stories of people who are giving back in different ways. Learn what inspires them and what they learned along the way.
"I hope their stories inspire you to find your spark and encourage you to shine your own precious light in the world," says Suzanne.
High school students with learning disabilities often face great challenges when it comes to applying for and attending college. Petaluma-based advocate for students with learning disabilities, Tate Barend, has announced a fundraising drive for his inspirational Lift Off Scholarship to increase the impact and inspire the aspirations of the recipients.
Many students with Learning Disabilities have high IQ’s but neurological differences in brain structure and function affect their ability to receive, store, process, retrieve or communicate information. Because they learn differently students with learning disabilities face challenges in traditional school systems which often usher them towards their diploma instead of preparing for college.
UC Berkeley and Petaluma High School Alumni Tate Barend relates to this strongly after experiencing firsthand the difficulty for students like himself who wanted to successfully transition to higher education. In 2015, Barend founded with his own finances the Lift Off Scholarship with the goal of uplifting students with learning disabilities who have overcome the odds to pursue college.
“With the pandemic unraveling traditional education, I fear that students with learning disabilities are falling through the cracks," says Tate. "This is why I'd like to transition this scholarship to a larger non-profit that will increase the impact. To do this I need donations''
Although a corporate donor or an individual who has the passion and resources to provide longevity to this local scholarship in the future would be ideal in Tate's quest for funding, every donation, of any amount, will help young recipients realize their potential by inspiring those with a learning disability that they have the power to go after their dreams.
Tate launched his initial Lift Off scholarship after receiving a scholarship from 10,000 Degrees in high school. "I instantly felt the support that the organization provided through its Near-Peer Fellow who checked up on me throughout the semester," he explains. "College is an intense and confusing place. I hope the additional support will provide each annual recipient the added support to go after his/her dreams!”
“I'm asking for people who care to open up their hearts and help with donations of any size, large or small. It can make a huge difference in a student with a learning disability’s life, knowing people care and support their dreams enough to donate and fund the Lift Off Scholarship in partnership with non-profit 10,000 degrees. Receiving the scholarship is for many with learning disabilities the first time in an academic setting they have been awarded and recognized for their hard work. I've seen the power of recognizing this struggle for students with learning disabilities.”
It can be hard to understand the challenges a student with learning disabilities faces, unless a person has walked a similar path through school and life. Graduating high school is often the highest goal set for a student who struggles in traditional academic systems.
“The average high school graduation rate for students with disabilities, is 67.1 percent, according to the latest data [in 2017]. That’s 17.5 percentage points lower than the 84.6 percent rate at which all students graduated” wrote Carol Cohen, a former director at the National School Boards Association.
The Lift Off scholarship was started since many students with learning disabilities have a hard time competing for scholarships that are based on academic achievements because although they work as hard if not harder than many of their peers it's not always reflected in a high GPA.
“Research shows standardized testing struggles often disqualify high school LD students for institutional and state merit scholarships,” writes Stephanie A. Knight of Beacon College.
Tate's scholarship is specifically for students with learning disabilities to acknowledge their efforts and offer support and encouragement when they take the next step in pursuit of their dreams.
The Lift Off Scholarship has supported six years of graduates from Petaluma High School. The next chapter of the Lift Off Scholarship is to partner with 10,000 Degrees — a leading college success nonprofit in California.
Partnering with 10,000 Degrees will enable the scholarship to provide academic and financial support for all four years of a student's college and expand it to all of Marin and Sonoma County’s public high schools.
Any High School Seniors with learning disabilities no matter the GPA who have aspirations for higher education may apply to the scholarship at 10,000 degrees website by March 2nd.
Please consider donating to Tate's fundraising drive by clicking here so that he may continue to inspire students with learning disabilities to believe in themselves and reach for the stars. If you have any questions for him reach out at liftoffscholarship@gmail.com.
One of my favorite regional wine event extravaganzas, Taste of Sonoma returns in-person on June 25th, 2022 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the beautiful grounds of Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens.
I've attended several Taste of Sonoma events over the years when the annual celebration was hosted at historic MacMurray Ranch in the Russian River area. I never made it to its spot at Sonoma State University, though I'm happy to hear it has landed at Kendall Jackson.
One of Sonoma County’s most highly anticipated events of the year (presented by Vintec), this year's action-and-flavor-packed day features a fantastic, walk-around wine tasting, guided wine seminars, garden tours, premium wine experiences, lots to eat from local food trucks, themed lounges and activities.
With access to over 60 varietals from 18 unique growing areas, Sonoma County’s legendary winemakers have crafted wines for all palates.
Taste of Sonoma tickets are on sale now, take advantage of early bird pricing through May 31 at TasteofSonoma.com.
“We look forward to hosting Taste of Sonoma at Kendall-Jackson this year,” said Randy Ullom, Winemaster & Senior Vice President, Kendall-Jackson. “Locals and visitors look forward to sampling the exceptional variety of Sonoma County wines each year and our 4-acre culinary gardens, expansive lawn and al fresco patio will provide a picturesque backdrop for the food and wine experience.”
Soak up the sun and enjoy the bounty that Sonoma County has to offer in one immersive day. Sample Sonoma County wines from across the region and meet the vintners in the Grand Tasting AVA Tents.
VIP Club Reserve ticket holders will enjoy early admission at 11:00 a.m. with access throughout the day to limited production, reserve, and award-winning wines poured by the winemakers and owners of Sonoma County’s world-class wineries.
“Vintec is excited to join Taste of Sonoma as the Presenting Sponsor and Official Wine Storage Partner,” said Terri Fenwick, Senior Director of Sales. “Keeping wine stored at perfect temperatures in the hot summer sun will be a key part in elevating the tasting experience.”
Learn about the art of collecting, cellaring and serving wine in the Vintec Lounge; sip frosé at Rodney Strong Vineyard’s “Destination Rosé” Lounge; or play giant Jenga while sipping sparkling wine in the Gloria Ferrer Bubble Lounge.
Grab a beverage from the beer garden or the Kendall-Jackson Garden Bar to enjoy with complimentary dishes from the Nosh Food Truck Plaza. Get your groove on at the Celebrity Cruises Silent Disco and visit the Acura selfie station with friends to create a memento of the event. Enhance your day with add-on experiences such as exclusive Wine Talks and Garden Tours.
Getting to Taste of Sonoma is easy this year. The venue, Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens, is conveniently located near Highway 101 for Bay Area road-trippers.
If you're outside of the area and you're looking to make a weekend of it? There are lots of great lodging options nearby as well as direct flights to Sonoma County airport. Sonoma County Tourism’s website can help with your accommodation and itinerary search.
Early bird ticket purchases made by May 31 will receive special pricing, from $180 General Admission to $210 VIP Club Reserve, plus optional add-on experiences.
All attendees must be at least 21 years of age. Pets are not allowed, only service animals will be granted entry. Learn more at TasteofSonoma.com.
Fellow Sonoma County author Shugri Said Salh's raw and unforgettable memoir The Last Nomadsat on my bedside table for a couple of months waiting for its turn in a rather large pile of must-read books. I met Shugri at VIBE Gallery in downtown Petaluma where we both have our books. Lots of friends in town know her through kids and school and sports but we hadn't crossed paths prior to this year. By the time I picked up her book, I couldn't put it down.
It's extremely humbling to process all that has happened to this modern mother of three. I have nothing but respect for her rich and compelling storytelling and sheer humor and spirit that jumps from the page. It also makes sense to learn from her acknowledgements that she had a staunch local writing partner to work with at this stage of such an extraordinary personal journey — Sonoma County teacher Gayla Overmeer. I'm amazed at how much detail is captured and the sharing of such vivid, personal and often times unimaginably painful memories must have been made much more bearable by having Gayla's support in the pouring over of word-by-word.
It's an important book to read right now as we consider the cost of war on families, communities and entire cultures that are forced into the perilous human migration trail. That Shugri found her way ultimately to Sonoma County, forged ahead with a career as a nurse and has raised a beautiful family of her own with her Ethiopian-American husband gives me hope for some of the hundreds of thousands of struggling souls who have had to flee their homelands.
Here's the publisher's blurb, which is an excellent recap of Shugri's incredible, detailed story of survival, determination, compassion — set against the most traumatic backdrop of human suffering and sheer individual will to survive and ultimately flourish.
A remarkable and inspiring true story that "stuns with raw beauty" about one woman's resilience, her courageous journey to America, and her family's lost way of life.
Born in Somalia, a spare daughter in a large family, Shugri Said Salh was sent at age six to live with her nomadic grandmother in the desert. The last of her family to learn this once-common way of life, Salh found herself chasing warthogs, climbing termite hills, herding goats, and moving constantly in search of water and grazing lands with her nomadic family. For Salh, though the desert was a harsh place threatened by drought, predators, and enemy clans, it also held beauty, innovation, centuries of tradition, and a way for a young Sufi girl to learn courage and independence from a fearless group of relatives.
Salh grew to love the freedom of roaming with her animals and the powerful feeling of community found in nomadic rituals and the oral storytelling of her ancestors.As she came of age, though, both she and her beloved Somalia were forced to confront change, violence, and instability.
Salh writes with engaging frankness and a fierce feminism of trying to break free of the patriarchal beliefs of her culture, of her forced female genital mutilation, of the loss of her mother, and of her growing need for independence. Taken from the desert by her strict father and then displaced along with millions of others by the Somali Civil War, Salh fled first to a refugee camp on the Kenyan border and ultimately to North America to learn yet another way of life.
Readers will fall in love with Salh on the page as she tells her inspiring story about leaving Africa, learning English, finding love, and embracing a new horizon for herself and her family. Honest and tender, The Last Nomad is a riveting coming-of-age story of resilience, survival, and the shifting definitions of home.
NPR did a great interview with Shugri when the book released in 2021. Click here to read.
Ready to blow away the cobwebs on your stylish sunhat and wine-tasting sneakers? Tickets are on sale now for the fantastic Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience, an impressive and super exclusive first-time event set in our region for May 20th-22nd, 2022 featuring top wineries and restaurants such as The Matheson and Single Thread.
This special wine weekend includes all sorts of swish parties, panel discussions, fun barbecues, festive lunches and dinners, a country music concert with The Band Perry, chef demonstrations and an awesome grand tasting.
Local chefs who are participating include Kyle Connaughton of Single Thread, Duskie Estes of Farm to Pantry, Douglas Keane of Healdsburg Bar & Grill, Traci des Jardins of Public House in San Francisco, Casey Thompson of Folktable in Sonoma, and Dustin Valette of The Matheson and Valette.
Among the event’s many guest chefs will be Food Network star Maneet Chauhan, Food & Wine culinary director-at-large Justin Chapple, Los Angeles chef/owner Ray Garcia and “Top Chef” winner Stephanie Izard.
General admission is $200, which includes an extensive Vinters Plaza Grand Tasting and the Sips and Sliders event at the Healdsburg Bar & Grill on May 21, with other add-on options.
If you fancy going all-out then The VIP package is $2,500 and includes the kickoff lunch and welcome celebration on May 20th, four events on May 21st and a farewell lunch on May 22nd, with other add-on options.
Ultra-VIP tickets are $3,700 and include the welcome celebration on May 20th, seven events on May 21st and a farewell event on May 22nd, including exclusives for Ultra-VIP ticket holders only.
You also can buy tickets for individual events (a la carte) which is a great way to go if you're not needing all the bells and whistles bit would like a taste of the action.
Events will be held at The Matheson, Montage Healdsburg and The Madrona along with wineries including Kendall-Jackson Estate and Gardens, Jordan Winery Estate, Rodney Strong Vineyards, Dutton Ranch and Stonestreet Mountain.
May is National Historic Preservation Month, and Petaluma has much to celebrate! With 15 local historic landmarks and another 8 on the National Register of Historic Places, a vibrant local history museum, a State Historic Park, a Petaluma History room at the local library and a community supportive of historic preservation, it is no wonder Petaluma is on the map for California history and culture.
In the words of Petaluma and Sonoma County historian Katherine Rinehart: “An essential part of what gives Petaluma its unique character and a sense of community is its history. One way in which that history is conveyed to visitors and residents is through its rich and varied collection of architectural treasures. These treasures reflect the character and aspirations of the people responsible for their construction and design and provide a visual timeline of Petaluma’s history.”
CELEBRATION DATES
May 2022 (May 1 - May 31, 2022)
KICK-OFF EVENT
May 1 at 10:30am at the Petaluma Historical Library and Museum. Mayor Theresa Barrett will proclaim May as Petaluma’s celebration of National Historic Preservation Month.
“Petaluma has long recognized the importance of our built environment," says the Mayor. "We value our history as a transshipment hub on the Petaluma Slough—now, River—which made Petaluma a vibrant town in its own right. Today we are also tasked with preserving the architectural legacy we have inherited which not only reflects an energetic and vigorous past, but provides continuing shelter to our residents, and homes to many businesses: retail, commercial and industrial. Our historic downtown and our historic neighborhoods also provide the greenest buildings for the future. As we move toward carbon neutrality, preserving what we have and adapting with environmentally favorable technology, we can transform our history into our future.”
BACKGROUND
Every year, local preservation groups, state historical societies, and business and civic organizations across the country celebrate Preservation Month through events that promote local history, historic places, and heritage tourism.
This year, many local organizations are collaborating to provide a month’s worth of events and activities to celebrate Petaluma’s history and to underscore the importance of historic preservation. Collaborating groups include:
Petaluma Museum Association/Petaluma Historical Library and Museum
City of Petaluma/Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee
Sonoma County Public Library /Petaluma History Room
Heritage Homes of Petaluma
Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park
Heritage Network of Sonoma County
“The Petaluma Museum Association is delighted to be collaborating with the City of Petaluma, the Library, and our own local State Historic Park to present a diverse menu of activities to celebrate National Historic Preservation Month," says President, Petaluma Museum Association, Debbie Countouriotis. "This strong collective effort underscores Petaluma's commitment to preserve our past while we live in the present. We expect this celebration of preservation and our local history to become an annual event, celebrated every May to coincide with other similar activities nationwide.”
Scheduled events include a Heritage Homes tour, a pop-up history booth with children’s activities in downtown Petaluma, twice weekly historic downtown walking tours, and special guided tours and craft demonstrations at the Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park during Memorial Day weekend.
The City of Petaluma’s Preservation Specialist, Isabel Castellano and California State Historian, Amy Crain will provide an overview and discussion of federal, state, and local historic preservation programs. Local author and historian Katherine Rinehart will present on “Petaluma’s Historic Commercial District: A History in Preservation.”
About the Organizations
The Petaluma Historical Library and Museum (PHL&M) is a local history museum housed in a historic Carnegie Library building built in 1904. The museum building and artifacts are owned by the City of Petaluma and managed by the Petaluma Museum Association (PMA), a private nonprofit organization. Founded in 1978, the PMA undertakes activities which increase the educational and cultural services of the PHL&M to the membership and to the public; preserves the history of Petaluma and the surrounding area; focuses public attention on the needs of the PHL&M and stimulates participation in its activities; provides services and funds to improve, extend and exhibit the various collections and PHL&M facilities.
The Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee is a five-member body appointed by City Council to promote and preserve the city’s historical, architectural and cultural resources. The Petaluma Museum Association/Heritage Homes and Landmarks Committee recommends appointment of one member and two members shall be appointed from among professionals in the disciplines of history, architecture, archeology, or related professions.
Big news for local olive oil lovers. The McEvoy Ranch annual fall sale grew to such popularity that it was almost impossible for staff out at the ranch to keep up with demand. Lines grew famously long, such is the demand for McEvoy oil, pantry and beauty products within our community and the Bay Area.
It's a brilliant idea to have an outlet in the warehouse district of West Petaluma down near Foundry Wharf.
Visit the McEvoy Ranch Warehouse Outlet in downtown Petaluma for discontinued and overstock items with savings up to 40%.
I expect there'll be more excitement in the area in coming months as other organic, sustainable and gourmet producers seek space in this terrific neighborhood.
Store Hours & Location: Thursday - Saturday 11:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Three cheers for the return of live theater. It's been an incredibly difficult couple of years for everyone, but theater's especially. If we stop to recognize the importance of live arts in our lives now it's back, we should make it a priority, right? I'm going to get myself to more local shows in the coming year and I hope to see you at some of them too.
Petaluma’s premier theater company, Cinnabar Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director Nathan Cummings and Executive Director Diane Dragone, is proud to announce its 2022/2023 season lineup, celebrating their 50th anniversary.
As Cinnabar Theater celebrates their 50th season, it presents a series of shows that reflects a passion for bringing the arts to the Petaluma community and beyond. Cinnabar Theater’s upcoming plays and musicals promise to tell stories through new perspectives and imaginative theater-specific storytelling devices that will transport their audiences across time and space!
From the auditorium of a school's spelling competition to exploration on the high seas, our season will explore the human conditions of competition, survival, love, family, adventure, and more.
After being apart in person for so long Cinnabar Theater is excited to open its doors to the community once again and reconnect as it seeks to enlighten and entertain.
The 50th anniversary season opens with “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”, A Musical Comedy by Rachel Sheinkin and William Finn. September 9 - 25, 2022. This Tony award winning musical comedy takes a hilarious and candid look at the lives of 6 mid-pubescent children as they fight their way through the Spelling Bee Championship of a lifetime.
The second show is “Misery”, based on Stephen King’s Hit Thriller, by William Goldman. October 14 - 30, 2022. When romance novelist Paul Sheldon is forced to write a new novel by his “number one fan,” Annie Wilkes, he quickly realizes she has no intention of letting him go.
The third show is “Daddy Long Legs”, a Musical Romance By John Caird & Paul Gordon. January 6 - 22, 2023. A heartwarming Cinderella story about a witty young woman and her mysterious benefactor known as “Daddy Long Legs”, who each find love where they least expect it.
The fourth show in the lineup is “Tiger Style!” A Play About Family by Mike Lew. February 3 - 19, 2023. Adult siblings Albert and Jennifer Chen take an “Asian Freedom Tour!” from California to Shenzhen, examining the successes and failures of “tiger parenting” in this comedy.
A fifth show is “Shipwrecked! An Entertainment. The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont”. An Adventure Tale For All Ages by Donald Margulies. April 7 - 23, 2023. Inspired by the true story of the unlikely hero, bombastic adventurer Louis de Rougemont, Shipwrecked! is a fun-filled production with a wealth of fantastic characters.
Final show of the season, an Opera, is TBA. The dates will be June 9 - 25, 2023.
Tickets and season subscriptions will be available this summer via www.cinnabartheater.org or call (707) 763-8920. Stay tuned for more information!
For Cinnabar Theater Diane Dragone, Executive Director and Nathan Cummings, Artistic Director. Cinnabar Theater is located at 3333 Petaluma Blvd. N, Petaluma.
Who doesn't love succulents? For starters, they're low maintenance, requiring little watering or pruning, they come in all sorts of sizes, shapes and colors, can be planted in pots indoors or out and they attract fewer pests than other plants.
Why not join the McEvoy Ranch Gardening Team for its Succulent Design Workshop this Spring where you will build a beautiful arrangement and learn how to care for your succulents?
Saturday, April 30th Location: McEvoy Ranch Frantoio Patio
Each ticket includes succulents, gardening materials, and a pot in which you'll design your creation and take it home with you! After the workshop, you'll enjoy a glass of McEvoy Ranch wine and sandwich* on the beautiful Tasting Room Patio overlooking natural ponds and rolling hills of orchards.
*GF & VEG Available Upon Request 1 Week in Advance
Pricing:
Early Bird (Through April 14th): $150
Standard Ticket (After April 15th): $175
Social Club Members Receive 15% OFF Event Tickets
Saturday, April 30th Session 1: 9 - 11 AM Session 2: 1 - 3 PM
The Ranch is a magical place and staff love sharing it with guests. Visit any time for Wine and Olive Oil Tastings or a WalkAbout Tour, or mark your calendar for one of the upcoming Workshops or Celebration Events. A wide range of fun and interesting workshops include Winemaker dinners, Yoga, Community Milling Day and Wreathmaking Workshops. If you see something you like, sign up early, as spots fill-up quickly.
For reservations, questions, or changes, email events@mcevoyranch.com or call 707.769.4113. Staff check voicemail often. If after hours, staff will return your call the following day.
Hi! Nice to see you! I'm Frances Rivetti — lifestyle journalist, author, culture seeker
Welcome! I'm Frances. I'm a British/American lifestyle writer, born in a small, English market town at the border the Lincolnshire/Cambridgeshire Fens and for the last three decades, entrenched in the spectacular coastal region of Sonoma County in the San Francisco North Bay area.
I am a freelance writer who enjoys sharing the best of the south county at the gateway to Sonoma Wine Country and other interesting, quirky, delicious and/or top flight destinations in Sonoma, Napa, Marin, SF and travel notes and tips elsewhere around the world.
I've written two non-fiction books on the food and farming culture of southern Sonoma County and coastal West Marin: Fog Valley Crush and Fog Valley Winter. My first novel (also set in Northern California), Big Green Country, was published in 2019 and awarded Best Western Regional Fiction in the Independent Book Publishers Awards in 2020. My second novel, The House on Liberty Street is set in Petaluma, Sonoma County and will release in fall 2022.
Please get in touch if you have any questions about my work or would like to commission me for an article.
