Unplug the electrics this weekend. Why not? There's plenty to do in the great outdoors and you'll be in good company!
Check out PetalumaUnPlugged.com for a full list of fun things planned in the Petaluma area from Friday April 10th through Sunday April 12th.
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Photos: Dominic Rivetti
After a weekend visit to old favorite, West Country's Wild Flour Bread in bucolic Freestone, I'd have to agree with the words of James Beard, in that: "Good bread is the most fundamentally satisfying of all foods ; and good bread, with fresh butter, the greatest of feasts".
A wise idea when making a pit-stop at owner Jed Wallach's Bohemian Highway brick oven bakery is to travel with family and friends.
Wild Flour makes only four kinds of bread, but you're going to want to try them all. It's impossible to sneak by the bakery's sticky buns (even with your eyes covered) and leave without having one sliced to share. Cheese fougasse, goat flat bread and either the Bohemian (apricot, orange and pecan) or the Egyptian (pear, fig and candied ginger) and whipping cream scones are a daily sellout, calling our names with a waft of apricot, white chocolate, ginger or double chocolate, espresso and hazelnut.
Bakery hours are 8am to 6:30pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday only.
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Congratulations to winemakers Timo and Mike on the newly announced 2015 Sonoma Marin Fair "Gold — Best in Class" award for Rivetti Mountain handcrafted 2013 cool climate Que Syra Syrah.
Timo describes this special vintage as: "Nonno's 2013 organic egg white special Syrah" in remembrance of his dear Dad's passing during that harvest season.
Grapes were left to hang longer than usual while we were in Europe for Nonno's services. It was a bitter sweet late crush as Timo remembered learning to make wine with his Dad, as a young boy.
This 2013 vintage was the last of many years of young wines that underwent the muscle and magic of our irrepressible pal Rob, whose passion in the backyard viticultural process was for the annual pressing, a week or so after crush.
Rob's sudden passing in his prime, in April 2014 marked a second mourning and a massive void in the winemaker's lair as in the lives of our community and Rob's many friends and family.
I know that both Nonno and Rob would be tickled wine-pressed pink to learn that this 2013 press is pouring the best yet. This one is for them.
Last but not least, Timo employed an age-old French winemaking technique in the pre-bottling stage of this particular vintage.
Our friends and near neighbors the Villas came up trumps with organic, farm fresh egg whites from their henhouse — brought over to soften the youthful vintage — a remarkably simple, super effective and natural tool.
Truly a neighborhood gem. Already limited production is under lock and key!
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All Images courtesy of The Women's Wisdom Initiative
Join Petaluma newcomer Caroline Lovell, Founding Director of non-profit The Women's Wisdom Initiative for an extraordinary afternoon of art making and social change on April 12th at the Petaluma Art Center from 1pm to 3pm.
In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness month, a Traveling Postcards workshop will be hosted by another great local non-profit, Guided to Safety and the Art Center, and facilitated by Caroline.
All of the postcards created in Petaluma on April 12th will be delivered to Verity, Sonoma County's sole rape crisis center.
We first met through a mutual friend at dinner downtown, a few months after Caroline moved to Petaluma from the East Bay
Caroline commutes to Berkeley to run The Women's Wisdom Initiative, a global force that operates through gentle strength, creativity and support. Seeking a simpler, more peaceful home life, this inspiring and gifted visionary artist and her husband (also an artist) chose to settle here in Southern Sonoma County now that their three children are grown.
The fact that someone as innovative, warm and wise as Caroline picked this community in which to nurture herself and her family, in my mind speaks volumes for this place we call home.
I couldn't wait to hear more about what it is she does and how it was she came to create Traveling Postcards program six years ago, and, in turn, its umbrella organization, The Women's Wisdom Initiative, last year.
"Traveling Postcards had grown to such an extent that it needed taking to the next level," explained Caroline, whose first career was as a professional photographer specializing in portraiture.
With a degree in psychology and art and a masters in transformative arts, Caroline's emphasis has long since been working within community using healing properties of creativity.
Yet as a photographer, she grappled with that one illusive image that would effect change.
"I was focused on the idea of a single, beautiful photograph to change the world," she said. When, at age 40, this fine art photography revelation had yet to materialize, Caroline embarked on her major in transformative arts.
Life, as it tends to do, took its twists and turns and when she needed to take a break from her studies, the mother of three launched into full time work for five years as an admissions counselor at John F. Kennedy University (located in San Jose, Pleasant Hill and Berkeley).
"It enabled me to work full time and finally to get my master's degree," she said. It allowed her to be an artist and, in her words: "coming out as an artist was a big deal".
Caroline's believing in herself as a healing artist able to make a difference in a community and in the world brought her full circle to an early adult passion for women's rights. "I grew up in the 70s, when there was a lot of change for women," she said. With a photographer's eye for vintage postcards of people in thrift and antique stores, Caroline began taking notice of the messages most often scribbled on the back.
"Each person in these postcards had a complete history," she said. I felt the connection. The essence of memory and what's left behind. I wanted to know more about them".
When a friend invited her to Africa, Caroline embarked on a soul searching journey to raise travel funds. She set up a portrait studio and long tables in a friend's house and invited others to make postcards with their pictures.
"It was like an old fashioned sewing circle," she said. "The concept being to come together as a community because someone needs something. Making something for someone else with our hands connects us to one another on a deeper level".
Caroline spoke of our busy lives, of how few people take time to spend quality with family and close friends. "Women do, though," she said. "All over the world, when women feel safe, they talk and they pass that wisdom on to sisters, friends, neighbors".
She provided all of the art materials for the first workshop with the main idea to share wisdom on a postcard that would be given to a woman the postcard maker would never meet.
"All the postcards went to Africa and more came back," she said. Though Caroline was, to her immense disappointment, ultimately unable to make the trip herself, she was bolstered by the realization that in life: "most of us don't get to go".
Rather than feel that she hadn't the power to do anything, she incorporated the intimacy of connection the first postcards had created into a dynamic new humanitarian program in an arena that not many people had been willing to talk about.
"No-one wanted to talk about domestic violence or rape," she said. "Through Traveling Postcards I was able to connect from a positive, self empowering place. I was able to say, I see you, I want to share this wisdom".
Caroline speaks passionately on "Women's Talk". So often ridiculed for its unimportance, she advocates its essential role in women's lives. "It is the most powerful thing we have to share. That wisdom — when we make a card we are choosing the colors, shapes, words, we are personally involved. No two cards ever are the same."
A 4x6 card is not very threatening. It is something handmade that can be easily stored in a backpack or a dresser. Card making has provided thousands of women in shelters across the country with the chance to speak, to share their wisdom with other women in other shelters.
"They have so much to say," said Caroline. Women in shelters have been told, many for all of their lives that they have no value, that they have nothing to say.
One of Caroline's favorite inspirations was gleaned from the words of one of the wisest — Mother Teresa: "In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love".
It struck me that Caroline's path to creating such a profoundly caring, wide-reaching non-profit was paved with the simplest of stepping stones.
In conversations with women in my life, one of the most common themes is how to shape a fulfilling, generous, giving and meaningful life.
Caroline leads by example with the development of The Women's Wisdom Initiative through an initial idea as pure and uncluttered as making cards. "Everyone loves to make and receive a card," she said.
Crisis centers around the country began asking to put a card in every hospital care bag handed to women who undergo medical examination after rape or violence trauma.
"These are cards that are from someone who cares. I care about you, they say, you are not to blame. It starts the healing process," said Caroline.
It is her and the "fantastic" board of the Women's Wisdom Initiative's goal to put a card in every single bag across the country.
Given that these care bags, containing toiletries and a change of clothes are typically plastic, The Initiative came up with the idea of the Traveling Heart Bag, sturdy on the outside and soft on the inside, like women. Each bag has a pocket for a card, clothes and toiletries, a list of resources and a subtle message "Bring Your Heart With You".
These beautiful bags are being made in Nashville, Tennessee by another heart warming non-profit named Sew For Hope. Women who are political refugees are taught to sew and given a sewing machine of their own at the end of a 10 class course.
"We never want these bags to be seen as a stigma," said Caroline, who had brought one along with her to breakfast. It was just the sort of lovely, designer-handcrafted carry-all I'd expect to see on the back of a chair in Della.
"The idea is for all of us to carry one of these bags in solidarity," she said.
I came away from our window table wondering how many people I might share this story with. I hope that you will pass a link along to everyone you know who might have a heart to sign up for the Traveling Postcards Workshop at the Petaluma Arts Center this April 12th.
Make a card, buy a bag. Enjoy the company of others. Pass your words of wisdom to a woman who needs it most.
Caroline also leads her inspirational workshops in private homes. These are vital fundraisers for The Women's Wisdom Initiative. Each workshop is asked to raise a starting point of $1,000 to, in turn, fund workshops in women's shelters across the country. Generally, everyone who attends a private workshop donates a specific amount, depending upon how many people it takes to meet the $1,000 goal.
Follow Traveling Postcards on Facebook.
What: Traveling Postcards Workshop
When: Sunday, April 12, 1:00pm-3:00pm
Where: Petaluma Arts Center, 230 Lakeville Street- Plenty of easy parking!
Register: $7 material fee*
Reserve your seat by clicking here!
Beverages & snacks included
NOTE: limited to 40 participant
* Scholarships available; contact us at GuidedToSafety@gmail.com
Guided to Saftey is Sonoma County’s Resource for education and information on Domestic Violence, Teen Dating Violence and Sexual Assault. The nonprofit was founded as a community effort to shed light on unpleasant subjects and demonstrate the necessity to talk about domestic, sexual, and dating violence. GTS supports Petaluma and surrounding communities without prejudice to age, race, gender or sexual preference.
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When Jack London died in 1916, the responsibility of caring for the ranch fell on Jack's widow, Charmian London, and his step-sister and ranch superintendent, Eliza London Shepard.
When Charmian died in 1955, Eliza’s son, Irving Shepard, inherited the vast Jack London Ranch having taken over his mother’s position before she died in 1939.
The history of the Jack London Ranch period after Jack London’s death is not well known. A presentation of Jack London Ranch history on Saturday April 25th, 2015 is a first of its kind event and will cover the period from the mid 1930’s until 1977.
Hear first-hand accounts from Shepard family descendants and others who had direct contact with the ranch and knew Charmian London, Eliza London Shepard, Irving and Mildred Shepard, and the Shepard children. A question and answer period will follow the presentation.
More information on this event at www.jacklondonpark.com
WHEN:
Saturday April 25 10:00 am to noon ♦ Refreshments served
WHERE:
Winery Ruins at Jack London State Historic Park. Park in the Ranch parking lot.
2400 London Ranch Road in Glen Ellen
Tickets are $10 and are available in advance at the Museum store, online at www.jacklondonpark.com or by calling (707) 938-5216..
There is also an additional $10 per car parking fee collected at the entrance kiosk. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact our office at (707) 938-5216.
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Picture: "Leaning Into the Land" by Nancy Stein
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Collaborating with other artistic types is such fun. How exciting to share the news that the Social Sketch concept taking off in some of the hottest creative communities in the West is coming to Petaluma this spring.
Social Sketch, started by San Francisco artist and author Courtney Cerruti and her friend Mike McConnell (click here for more info) is launching regular gatherings at our favorite hang-out, Aqus Cafe at Foundry Wharf on Monday April 20th, 6.30 to 9pm.
"The idea is to show up with some of your favorite drawing tools and small sketchbook or paper," says Petaluma's chief instigator, (and illustrator extraordinaire of Fog Valley Crush) Nicky Ovitt. "Artists (everyone can draw!) will enjoy a community exchange of ideas and collaborate by sketching on each other's work to trade/share the final pieces".
Some index cards and a few pens and colors will be available for anyone who doesn't have the basics.
Courtney and possibly Mike too will be on hand for part of the first gathering of Social Sketch in Petaluma.
Though this is a free event, support for Aqus Cafe as host venue is of course, encouraged. Dine in the cafe during or ahead of Social Sketch and/or purchase refreshments throughout the evening.
Check out Social Sketch on Facebook.
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Book a table for a Thursday evening dinner April 2nd, 9th and 16th at Petaluma's tastiest hidden treasure Twisted 2 and experience the best in Southern Sonoma County's slow food, fine wine and live music by winner of West Coast Songwriters “Best Song of the Year”, 2014, Amy Hogan.
A lot of you are regulars at Dick and Julie Warner's exclusive little eaterie, tucked away in the historic Lan Mart Building in the heart of downtown Petaluma's bustling boutique shopping district. Many more have yet to explore Julie's marvelous, seasonal menu and her husband's wonderful world of rare wines.
If you've wandered through the Lan Mart Building, cutting through from busy Petaluma Boulevard to Fourth Street, you'll undoubtedly have spotted this inviting spot, and, if you've not yet stepped through its doorway into deliciousness, may well have been wise enough put it on your must-do list of places to eat out.
The scoop is pretty simple. Twisted 2 is a labor of love. It is open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays only, from 5pm to 10pm.
Amy's April gigs at Twisted 2 are the perfect pairing. Due to the compact seating space in the dining area, Amy will be comfortably nestled in the restaurant's cozy loft area. Heard but not necessarily seen....
"I think it’s a unique dining experience in that guests are able to enjoy the live music with out it distracting from their amazing dinner...the food and wine is so very good," says Amy. "For me, it’s like having friends for dinner while I play for them from my studio. They can visit around the table but I know they’re listening and I’m delighted to have people relax in that way. I'll be playing classical music, improvising on whatever sounds right in the moment, singing my originals, classic jazz standards or just about anything I want. I’m thoroughly enjoying this new venue!"
It is a good idea to book ahead at Twisted 2 by calling 707 789 9914.
Happy Hour and a Half runs from 5pm to 6.30pm. Wines are sold by the glass or by the bottle during this popular early evening pit-stop and you are welcome to order a bite to eat as an appetizer or main dish.
After 6.30pm the seriously-keen food adventurers show up for Dick and Julie's Prix Fixe Menu.
Priced at $95 per person with wine, or $60 per person without wine, Prix Fixe four course meals are best depicted by one of the couple's scrumptious sample menus:
Amuse Bouche
Couture Farms Pistachio Nuts
Rack and Riddle Blanc de Noir - Sonoma NV
First Course - Choice of One:
Ahi Sashimi and Asian Slaw
Seared Hawaiian Fish with Tropical Salsa
or
Artichoke Flan with Tarragon Dressed Kale Salad
2013 Apsara Sauvignon Blanc - Napa Valley
Second Course - Choice of One:
Chiogga Beet and Pink Lady Apple Salad with Aged Gouda, Almonds and Blood Orange Vinaigrette
Escarole Caesar with Anchovies and a Grilled Crouton (contains raw egg)
Chilled Watermelon Gazpacho
2012 Orin Swift Mannequin White
Third Course - Choice of One:
Pan Roasted Hawaiian Snapper with Hoisin Glaze with Thai Inspired Rice Noodle and Vegetable Salad
Braised Lamb Shank with Rosemary Polenta and Sauteed Swiss Chard
Tea Smoked Petaluma Liberty Duck Breast with Hibiscus Glaze and Jasmine Brown Rice
or
Wild Mushroom Farro Risotto with Garden Kale, Baby Sweet Potatoes, Spring Onions and Mascarpone
all third courses served with both
2010 Hart's Desire Pinot Noir – Eastman Lane, Petaluma
2011 Hallowed Ground Napa Red Wine
Dessert – Choice of One:
Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp
Meyer Lemon Pudding
Flourless Walnut Cake with Caramel Sauce
or
Peanut Butter Chip Brownies with Caramel Sauce
2011 Hart’s Desire Muscat or 2008 Grahams LBV Port
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Berkeley bursts with fresh and creative energy. And nowhere more so than the sun drenched, light, bright art oasis that is the lovely and gracious Jessica William's Brushstrokes Studio.
Southern Sonoma County creatives collaborated with Bay Area art world women friends for festive Spring book signings, wine tasting and art show upstairs in Brushstrokes, located a few blocks up from the bustling Fourth Street shopping district in Berkeley.
How fun to spend a Thursday evening with such inspiring friends — ceramicist Rae Dunn (holding an increasingly world famous Wilma), artist Tamara Apple (center), lifestyle photographer (and fellow Petaluman) Stephanie Rausser (with sweet Lulu from her children's book Lulu and Pip) and our super hostess Jessica (far right).
Rae's newly released book Wilma's World has hit a home run right off the bat and is about to be released in an overseas edition in Italy, too.
Sonoma County readers are able to buy copies of the delightful Wilma's World at B Street Mercantile Company in downtown Petaluma, where it graces a display of local author offerings, including my own Fog Valley Crush and pal Stephanie's Cameron & Co published Lulu and Pip (featuring renowned SoCo designer Jess Brown doll).
It was my first visit to Brushstrokes. I was instantly enchanted by its simplicity, style and charm.
Jessica has been at the helm of this haven of creativity for the past 18 years. Her talent for reinventing her space is evident in the modern approach to a ceramics studio with up-to-the-minutes hues, tidy shelves of contemporary items to paint and plentiful inspirational pieces on display.
Look at Tamara's gorgeous oyster paintings. Aren't they wonderful in a set like this? Lots of people went home with their favorite ones.
Next time I'm in the area I'm going to stop in and indulge myself in an hour or two's escape and paint myself a teapot just like this!
If you're in the area, stop by yourself.
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