Southern Sonoma Country Life

Communities for Food & Family Farms Town Hall Gathering — Sonoma County's Resounding Ag Culture Rally Call for NO on Measure J on November's Ballot

"First time I set eyes on the Victorian riverfront city of Petaluma was from the misty coastal west, driving into historic downtown via quaint and charming D Street, its well preserved Queen Anne and craftsman homes a classic Kinkaid picture of Hometown Americana come to life. As I remember it, that weekend evening, Petaluma struck me as the kind of town its people must like to come home to — the kind of place where families gather at the table come evening time and neighbors chat on the porch. I didn't know it at the time, but I'd been chasing my muse in the American West and I'd found it. I can see cows, I'd declared, when a move to this rural community became a possibility."  — quote from my first book, Fog Valley Crush, Love at First Bite, At Home in the California Farmstead Frontier, 2014

I'd written a column in the Petaluma Argus Courier for five years, from 2010 to 2015 prior to producing my first non-fiction book — traveling the backroads of the south county with my notebook in hand, frequently reporting on the boom of the Farm to Table Movement in the region and the evolution from traditional farming to organic. It was all about survival of the fittest for our rural farms, who could pivot to organic, to cheesemaking, to keeping a hold of their multigenerational land. And, as an immigrant myself, I fell in love with the pioneer spirit that infused the people that steward these lands, day in day out, year after year, decade after decade. They don't get to take a day off when it rains too hard, or their back aches. It's hard, physical labor out there and a strong sense of connectedness with mother nature as well as the neighbors, even if they're a mile down the road. 

Fog Valley Crush was the first of two food history and pioneer culture books on the region, which I followed up with two novels, also set against our regional backdrop. I'd say I'm as drawn to the storied farming culture as I am in sitting down at my kitchen table with family and friends, enjoying the bounty of our extended backyard. Every decade there's a new direction. But I, like so many in the area, didn't quite see this one coming, at least not in the form that is presenting itself in Sonoma County in the run up to November's election. 

Our local, regenerative farms are some of the smallest in the nation. They are renowned for leading the way in sequestering carbon, while striving for the highest animal welfare standards around. We've taken for granted, I guess, that we live in a picture-postcard agricultural haven and that our ranchers and farmers have been largely left in peace for over a century and a half as stewards of the green and seasonally alternatively golden, rolling pasturelands that stretch out to the coast. 

This idyilic landscape is under threat. No one is entirely sure why Sonoma County has been targeted, but it's being seen by many as a potential 'foot-in-the-door' for eradicating the future of this country's commercially viable animal product farming. 

In direct response, Sonoma County's Communities for Food & Family Farms has emerged in the Petaluma area with one simple goal: To unite our local community to stand behind our farmers, knowing that Sonoma County farmers farm with compassion for animals, stewardship for the environment and a commitment to provide quality local food for all. This particular group joins a movement throughout the county, including the official website for No on J as well as Sonoma United  and Sonoma Food No on J. 

It's time for us to pay attention to what is happening on our doorstep. And so I took a seat at at a community town hall out in the heart of the matter, notebook once again in hand.

When Albert Straus, founder of globally-respected Straus Family Creamery stands in front of a crowd of farmers, restaurateurs, foodies and concerned community members and says that his company would fold if a controversial measure on the upcoming Sonoma County November election ballot was to pass, let me tell you, each and every person in that barn, positioned out on the edge of rural Petaluma, sat up ramrod straight and listened.

My fridge is never without a respectable stock of Straus butter and Straus Greek Yogurt. Best of the West. I'm loyal and I love it. There are plenty of decent alternatives out there, but the fact that they've been trucked from far flung corners of the country negates for me any benefits in cost cutting and quality. Carbon footprint and all, not to mention that several Straus dairy products come in returnable glass bottles which are in due turn, sanitized and reused. I don't need to preach to the converted. If you're local, chances are you know how great this trailblazing creamery is. 

Albert Straus believes that the orchestrators of Measure J are fixated on big as bad because there's so much manure. Talking points that one of the country's leading organic dairymen disputes wholeheartedly. "It goes right to the core of who we are," he declared, explaining how animal welfare is a core tenet of organic farming. "Our high quality producers, we've built a carbon neutral dairy farm model that is being used as an example for the world." 

Forty-two percent of the milk in California is from Sonoma County. California dairies outside of our county have up to 2,300 cows on their land. The largest in our county is less than a third of that size and are pasture raised. There are eight dairies in Sonoma County with over 700 cows today and these farmers are leading the way with farmed animal welfare, compliant water quality and green energy, using manure to power the operation. 

Straus explained how: ""We would lose up to 30% of our milk supply which would put us out of business."  Large scale industrial farms outside of the county would be given an unfair advantage. 

Simple as that. Straus spoke of the dwindling rural population and number of children in rural schools. "We are losing our rural communities," he said.

Dairy farmer Sam Dolcini said: "The end goal of this measure is to control your diet." Others spoke of venture capitalism invested in vegan diets. This was a barn full of innovators who explain to the world how to create food systems that are more resilient. During COVID many of these dairies provided free or reduced cost milk for local families. If there's another major crisis, we must protect our regional food supply.

Elisa Weber, owner of Petaluma's iconic Della Fattoria, said: "I believe strongly that they're trying to seed their nasty spot in the finest food place in the nation. We need to rekindle our relationship with local food. It's our place on the world's stage. If they cut off our food supply, that hits Marin and San Francisco, who also eat Sonoma County food. I've had hundreds of conversations with people from all walks of life and we've yet to figure out why they are doing this here."

Della Fattoria Cafe in downtown Petaluma showcases the best of Sonoma County foods and produce. 

Elise's husband, David Yunker added: "People don't realize just how horrible this is going to be if this goes through. We're going to see a collapse of our local food chain change the entire tapestry of how we live our life."

He and several other speakers addressed the many thousands of ungrazed acres that would lead to enormous fire hazard. "Meanwhile, we'll be living off packaged foods from who knows where."

Fifth generation Shelina Moreda is no shrinking violet when it comes to public speakingon behalf of her family's heritage dairy. Shelina is a decorated motorcycle racer and covergirl, who has rescued hundreds of animals in numerous wildfires. 

"These people are not running out there to rescue animals in wildfires," she said. "Most people don't know what's going on here. We have to call each other whenever a drone flies over. What's going to happen in those hills when the cows are gone?" 

The subject of land grabs was raised, with the potential for parceling off ranches and development. 

Who is behind Yes on Measure J?

A group called The Coalition to End Factory Farming is composed of numerous animal advocacy, environmental, and social justice organizations including Compassionate Bay, FACES (Farm Animal Climate and Environmental Stewards) of Sonoma County, and Direct Action Everywhere - SF Bay Area.

Small and large local farm families are terrified of this group's threat to their historic ranchlands. Not all ranchers are running multigenerational enterprises. Many are new, first generation farmers who firmly believe that they will have no access to farm materials and feed or large animal vererinary services should the larger farms be shut down. This in turn will destroy their ability to survive in the dwindling farming industry.  

Many who spoke at the Communities for Food & Family Farms Town Hall presentation said they are sickened by the prospect of being victimized by flash mob bus loads of protestors being dropped off at their ranches and storming their properties. One concerned rancher spoke of all the children living on the ranches that have been intimidated by this method. Others are resigned for more to follow, saying that they are fully transparent about their farming operations and have nothing to hide. 

"We're just trying to save our farms. What they were looking for bringing in 400 people was the aggressive reaction of the traditional Billy Bob farmer," said fourth generation poultry farmer Mike Weber, whose Petaluma Weber Family Eggs production facility was stormed by activists in the past. "Instead, we are committed to being the most reasonable, meeting animal welfare, organic and environmental standards and exceeding them."

Weber's farm is the first in the state to produce large volumes of organic fertilizer used in turn by Community Supported Agriculture programs (CSAs) and small, organic farms throughout the region. 

"For every farm job that is lost there's a corresponding job lost in the industry," he said. 

Sonoma County Farm Trails on its OPPOSITION to the proposed local ballot Measure J: "We join in the Sonoma County Family Farms Alliance effort and the “No on Measure J” campaign in urging our friends and members to consider helping to defeat this misguided measure that will be detrimental to our local farming community and economy.

Measure J targets Sonoma County family-owned farms that have been producing fresh, nutritious, and sustainable food for over 100 years. Measure J will devastate local food production, which would make our region more dependent on out-of-area production—driving up food costs and limiting food security—especially during major disasters. It would lead to higher greenhouse gas emissions for food transportation far from source, and put our county at a disadvantage for preserving open working landscapes.

Petaluma City Council members unanimously denounced the measure at a meeting this July, urging all Sonoma County voters to vote NO to J on the Nov 5th ballot. According to City staff, the measure could potentially shut down at least six dairies and 16 poultry farms in the Petaluma area alone. 

During their May 14th meeting, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors heard a presentation from Sonoma County staff, including the Sonoma County University of California Cooperative Extension and the Sonoma County Agriculture Commissioner, quantifying the enormous economic damage that this measure would cost our local economy. The report acknowledged $259 million in locally produced agricultural products would be lost. In addition, a study by the Agribusiness Institute at Cal State Chico expected a $121 million hit on affiliated businesses, such as veterinarians and animal feed providers, as well as tourism. The report also noted a $38 million reduction in consumer spending attributable to jobs lost because of Measure J. This measure would limit jobs and limit the amount of local ethically grown and raised food in our shared community

Coalition to End Factory Farming is using this ballot measure process in Sonoma County to attempt to directly pass legislation to shut down the federal definition of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (otherwise dubbed Factory Farms), of which there are around 21 in Sonoma County. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines CAFOs based on their risk of water pollution. All farms in Sonoma County, large and small must adhere to the strictest of current EPA standards. And if a dairy for instance, grazes 700 acres, its 700 mature dairy cows should be considered relative a herd to the space in question. The Coalition to End Factory Farming claims that the regulatory authorities are failing to protect animals, the environment and public health. It is the coalition's belief that many of the larger farms in Sonoma County are hiding behind their bucolic marketing. 

When asked what will happen to small, local family farms if Measure J passes in November, the Yes on Measure J website quotes in its frequently asked questions section: "In fact, it would help small, local family farms. This ordinance would only prohibit industrialized factory farms that confine large numbers of animals, for example, farms with 82,000 or more egg-laying chickens, 2,500 or more pigs, or 700 or more cows, or farms that have been identified as significant contributors of pollutants. These massive factory farms often hurt small family farms. Small family farms cannot compete with industrial farming because factory farms externalize their costs onto animals, society, and the environment. This ordinance will help restore the local diverse agriculture that existed in Sonoma County before the factory farms moved in."

But according to most small local farmers this is absolutely not the case and small family farms in the county will likely be eradicated along with the larger farms if this measure goes through.

Bronte Edwards, Founder, Rancher of Rainbow Family Ranching Co is an impassioned, highly vocal supporter of farms of all sizes in the region. "This group has taken adventage of our community," she said. "It is pure malarkey."

Sonoma County Supervisor Lynda Hopkins emphatically agrees with the No on Measure J community, saying that the county has an obligation to insure that the Yes on Measure J contingency does not mislead voters with the ballot question. She states: "Our smaller farmers are saying, no, this is wrong, warning of economic impact, loss of local food production, harm to organic dairies." Hopkins insists that small, local farmers and large, alike, are already adhering to the strictest of standards and that even the most modest-scaled chicken farm, for instance, must feed indoors for more than 45 days a year in a long rainy season. This would effectively put the smallest of family farms in peril under the Measure J laws. "I think its impact would be devastating to farms and local food security. Personally, I love local butter, eggs, cheese. If this passes, people won't stop buying eggs, butter and cheese, they'll just have to buy it from farms that aren't local and quite frankly, don't have the animal welfare standards that our local farms do."

Hopkins urges Sonoma County residents to get to know our local farmers, shop more at the farmer's markets, pick local brands, ask questions and educate friends, family, cowokers and neighbors as to what our county will look like and how it will significantly impact our local food supply if Measure J was to be approved. 

California Farm Bureau, Sonoma County Farm Bureau, Sonoma County Farm Trails, Sonoma County Conservation Action, Sonoma County Alliance, Cal Climate & Ag Network all say NO on J. 

The No on J FAQs includes info on California’s Proposition 12, which is arguably the nation’s strongest animal welfare law and is already providing protections against the continued confinement of animals (specifically veal calves, breeding pigs, and egg-laying hens), and ensures these animals are given the ability to move around freely, even in an operation considered a CAFO. At the local level, farms that would be affected by Measure J already follow third-party animal welfare standards, including audits to ensure the care and well-being of farm animals. So if anything, this measure proposal shines even more of a spotlight on the practices within our local farms. Let's continue to be a county that farming communities around the world turn to for inspiration and innovation. Let's continue to be a farming community that cares and collaborates and continues to open its gates and educate the public in order to provide us with the best, most nutritional local food in a future where having one of the word's best local food supplies is one of the most reassuring elements of our modern lives.  

Take some time out of your day to read through and share our region's ag culture website info at https://foodandfamilyfarms.com/.

Click here for the impacts of Measure J.

Frances Rivetti is a British Americaan freelancw writer based in Petaluma, Sonoma County. She is the author of four books: Fog Valley Crush, Love at First Bite, At Home in the California Farmstead Frontier; Fog Valley Winter, Pionner Heritage, Backroad Rambles and Pioneer Recipes; Big Green Country and The House on Liberty Street. She is at work on her third novel, Floating in the Middle, which is set against the coastal erosion backdrop of Sonoma Coast. Follow her on social media on

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Easy Like Sunday Morning — Iron Horse Vineyards' Beach Cleanup on the Sonoma Coast with the Surfrider Foundation, Followed by Oysters and Ocean Cuvee at Nick's Cove

Photos — Frances Rivetti 

Sunday mornings in Sonoma County in August are fairly often fogged in. The marine layer lends its cool blanket to the start of day, which is actually quite ideal for a beach cleanup volunteer stint. 

It didn't take too much to talk me into signing up for a session combing for washed up and disgarded plastics and other items that don't belong out at beautiful Doran Regional Park and beach in our beloved Sonoma coastal region. Especially as my husband, Timo and I would find ourselves in such wonderful company. 

Cleanup day sponsor Iron Horse Vineyards is where rustic meets elegance. What a perfect combo when paired with the Sonoma Coast Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation. This pioneering and generously philanthropic estate winery was founded in Green Valley in the Russian River, in 1976, handcrafting California’s most celebrated Sparkling Wines.

Iron Horse is renowned for its Sparkling Wines, which have been served at the White House for six consecutive presidential administrations, beginning with the historic Reagan-Gorbachev Summit Meetings ending the Cold War. The winery's Chardonnays are also radiant and Pinot Noir is its rising star. 

The winery's CEO, Joy Sterling is a member of the California State Food & Agriculture Board, appointed by the Governor and most recently appointed by the State Senate to the California Coastal Conservancy so it's not surprising a cleanup collaboration such as Sunday's was such a delight.

Winery club members and friends who signed up for the day enjoyed an awesome Iron Horse after party with oysters and Ocean Reserve Blanc de Blancs at Nick's Cove late morning. 

Doran is one of our regular go-to beaches for dog walks and picnics. It was in remarkably good shape for a weekend morning and a reminder that we have an extremely good community of eco-minded beach-goers in this region, for the most part. There's always the little things that get away from a pack-in, pack-out beach day, such as hair ties, zip ties, ring tops, sandwich and dog poop bags and clothing. 

It was our first time volunteering with Surfrider Foundation. Everyone was super friendly and helpful in sending us out along the coastline and dunes to scour the sand for items that shouldn't be there. We heard some recent stories from neighboring beach cleanups in which volunteers retrieved an old microwave from the dunes and a groundwork digger that had been pushed off a cliff. Thankfully it was only smallish items that had washed up or been dropped at Doran. 

The experience really made me think though and I will endeavor to keep a bag and gloves in the car whenever I'm out at the beach. Waiting for someone else to pick up trash is not the move. If we all pitch in, our beaches will become more pristine than they already generally are. 

Iron Horse produces exclusively estate-bottled still and sparkling wines with a distinct “sense of place”. They are specific to the Green Valley of the Russian River Valley AVA, plus the uniqueness of our vineyard, and the vintage at hand. As a result, wines are elegant, bright, focused, highly nuanced, and silky smooth. They exude quality, grace and optimism. 

I was excited to taste Iron Horse's Giving Wine, it's spectacular Cuvee 2019 Ocean Reserve Blanc de Blancs —a blend of two Chardonnay clones – Clone 4 and Rued Clone, hand harvested – from six different blocks on the winery's Russian River estate. The raw bar at Nick's was fresh and delicious. Nothing beats oysters shucked at the source, though poached prawns came a close second.

 

If you'd like to visit Iron Horse Vineyards, click here to reserve a tasting. 

Find out more about volunteering for Surfrider Founding at this link. 

Nick's Cove is located on the shores of Tomales Bay in neighboring Marin County. Click here to find out more about Nick's Cove's cottages, bar, restaurant and private party rooms. Good news is the former boat shack (lost to a fire) at the end of the pier at Nick's is due to be reconstructed this fall. 

 

 

 

 

 

Festival del Sole — A New Classical Music, Food & Wine Festival in the West Opens with a Conversation about Climate Change

 

What is Festival del Sole, you may ask? 

In 2003, the Festival del Sole was born in Cortona in Tuscany, incorporating a cacophony of events including concerts, fine art exhibitions, culinary, literary events and wine tastings. In 2006, international arts entrepreneur and pianist Barrett Wissman and his wife, cellist Nina Kotova brought the Festival Del Sole to Napa Valley (now known as Festival Napa Valley).

Over the years, the Festivals have attracted a stunning lineup of some of the world’s greatest musicians, artists, actors, chefs and personalities including Robert Redford, Placido Domingo, Renee Fleming, Sting, Thomas Keller, Antonio Pappano, Sophia Loren, Pinchas Zukerman, John Malkovich, Midori, Teodor Currentzis, Maxim Vengerov, Lang Lang, Bobby McFerrin, Anthony Hopkins, Joshua Bell, Sarah Chang, Jeremy Irons, Jean Yves Thibaudet, Cecilia Bartoli, Hélène Grimaud, Jaap Van Zweden, Tony Bennett, Angela Gheorghiu, Vittorio Grigolo, Martha Argerich, David Foster, Whoopi Goldberg, Michael Keaton, Al Jarreau, Elvis Costello, Frances Mayes, Anna Netrebko, Sir James Galway, Vladimir Jurowski, Stephane Deneve, Nikolaj Znaider, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Dmitri Sitkovetsky, Salvatore Accardo, Jonas Kaufmann, Nigel Kennedy and others.

This year, Barrett Wissman decided to bring back the style, artistic level, tradition and excitement of the Festival del Sole to the wine country of Northern California, in partnership with the stunning acoustic and architectural gem, the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University and its Executive Director Jacob Yarrow. What better stage than this to celebrate the planet that inspires all this beauty with a focus on the environment?

The program featured three evening concerts at the Green Music Center, followed by a Sunday early evening screening of Climate Change awareness multimedia & symphony film, narrated by retired Acadamy Award winning actor and filmmaker Robert Redford. It was such a delight to see Redford in the audience, supporting his wife, Sibylle Szaggars Redford with her non-profit, The Way of the Rain, at the Green Center and later that evening at Buena Vista Winery. 

Wine and Culinary experiences during the four day event were curated this August by leading wine publication, VINOUS. First on the roster of good taste was a lunch & pairing at Three Sticks Wines, Sonoma. 

It was my pleasure to be invited to find out more about the festival to share with my readers. You can read my feature on opening day delights here. 

Later that first evening, after the opening concert, musicians and festival-goers enjoyed a super exclusive supper at Healdsburg's private, luxury estate New Tree Ranch. In fact, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening meals all took place at the ranch. I didn't make it up to Healdsburg during the festival but I can't wait to visit New Tree Ranch in the near future. Everything I've heard about it is enticing. There's a lot of choice when it comes to luxury in wine country, but authenticity, character, warmth and sustainable style rarely mesh so seamlessly.

Friday's tasting and lunch took place at the Russian River's Freeman Vineyard and Winery — another great choice, undoubtedly for showcasing Sonoma County's superb hospitality. 

Twinkling lights welcomed guests to a star-studded, elegant gala dinner at historic Buena Vista Winery in Sonoma after Sunday's screening of The Way of The Rain, featuring Buena Vista’s wines as well as a Bordeaux wine crafted by enologist Michel Rolland especially for The Way of the Rain. Sunday evenings in Sonoma County are generally far more sleepy, so this was a real treat after the screening at the Green Center! I thoroughly enjoyed mingling with members of the film's production and non-profit team, as well as the Festival founders. 

In November of 2015 Sibylle Szaggars Redford founded The Way of the Rain Non Profit Organization, which is organized exclusively for charitable, cultural and educational purposes, including the specific purpose of developing, producing and performing educational and artistic performances themed and designed to promote public awareness and support for the protection of our Earth.

The Way of The Rain was inspired by the annual monsoon rains that sustain life on the fragile landscape of the high - desert plateaus of the Southwest. This live multidisciplinary performance invites the audience to remember their physical and spiritual connection to our planets beauty and plight through paintings, music, dance, film, light and spoken word. Conceived by environmental artist Sibylle Szaggars Redford to explore the issue of climate change resulting in rapidly changing weather patterns, Sibylle Redford collaborates with world renowned artists to create a piece that illustrates crucial environmental dilemmas through performance art.

Szaggars Redford is a German born multimedia environmental artist whose artwork has been exhibited throughout Europe, Monaco, Peru, Singapore, Japan, Suriname and the United States. She is the 2016 recipient of the US State Department’s Art in Embassies Program for the US Embassy in Paramaribo, Suriname where after visiting the countries Rain Forests and Indigenous Peoples, 10 of her site specific Pieces were placed on permanent display in the US Embassy in Paramaribo, Suriname.

Her artistry spans across mediums and decades, from painted oil sketches and photographs of her Moroccan travels, expressions on canvas from her American Indian Pueblo visits, large Oil paintings where she explores “The Shape of Color“ and her recent works of watercolor abstracts shaped by the monsoon rains of Santa Fe, New Mexico, California and abroad.

Having worked as an environmental artist for almost 4 decades, her desire is to create art that transcends words, languages, cultures and politics. Szaggars Redford creates art in order to speak to a deeper universal consciousness that’s connected to and dependent on the earth and its environments. In order to find a stronger voice through art for the Earth, Szaggars Redford entered the world of performance art as an homage to the universal elements and an artistic medium for environmentalism in action.

In 2013 Szaggars Redford in collaboration with Icelandic Composer and Musician David Thor Jonsson, designed a concept for a staged art performance piece “The Way of the Rain” which would incorporate different art forms; music, dance, film, light, spoken word and her first designed stage backdrop of multiple large “Rain Painting Silks” that would symbolize falling water from the heavens.

Sunday's screening brought a fresh face to the stage. Fresh as in age and energy, though global social media powerhouse, Khaby Lame is certainly no stranger to the masses on Tiktok. The 24-year-old comedic star has over 250 million followers across his channels on social media. Khabane "Khaby"  is a Senegalese-Italian whose rise to fame came about after he took to making home video skits during his lay-off as a machinist in Milan during COVID.

Lame is to collaborate with Sibylle Szaggars Redford over the next year on a content series to be filmed in his native Senegal, bringing attention to the importance of environmental sustainability. Lame will direct and shoot the content to be narrated by Robert Redford, who is Vice President of The Way of the Rain. 

“Having a voice like Khaby helping to reinforce our mission and tell our story to his youthful generation of followers is a dream come true,” said Sibylle Szaggars Redford. “The future of our planet is in the hands of Khaby’s generation and there couldn’t be a better person to collaborate with us to magnify our message.”

“Collaborating with Sibylle and Robert Redford and The Way of the Rain, Inc. is an honor and important responsibility for me,” said Khaby Lame. “I want to do what I can to communicate about environmental issues we face in my native Senegal, on the African continent and on a global scale.  I look forward to collaborating with Robert Redford in having his iconic voice telling the story and to having his advice and counsel when directing and editing the content.  I have been an admirer of his legacy of work as both an actor and director.”

“Collaboration across genres, generations and talent is what makes the Festival Del Sole unique,” explains Barrett Wissman. “It is satisfying to bring together extraordinary people like the Redfords and Khaby Lame together to help achieve their aspirations and goals.” 

 It takes time for a  festival to find its feet in a new location. Although the Festival del Sole is firmly established with a history in Italy and in neighboring Napa County, as its first port of call several years ago, Sonoma County appears to be the perfect fit going forward and the Green Center at Sonoma State as ideal for staging world class musicians as it is for concert-goers alike. With so many fantastic options for lodging in Sonoma County and experiencing the best of Sonoma wines and culinary expertise, great taste makes for a clear coollaboration for coming years. I'm already looking forward to next year's festival and its increasing spotlight on climate awareness. 

A Warm Sonoma County Welcome on Opening Day of International Festival del Sole

Opening evening program of the inaugural, internationally aclaimed Festival del Sole in its new Sonoma County location brought the audience to its feet in the lauded surrounds of the Green Music Center at Sonoma State, Thursday, August 1st, 2024.

The festival concept was born in Italy in the 1990s, thanks to the brilliant collaboration of global arts entrepreneur and pianist Barrett Wissman and his celebrated wife, Nina Kotova, one of the world's most highly recognized and inspirational cellists. The couple and their son spend their time between homes in Rome and Montana. Barrett Wissman is the Executive and Artistic director of the Taormina Film Festival amongst his long list of past and present biographical accolades. 

It has been 21 years since the Festival del Sole inaugurated in the scenic Tuscan city of Cortona, incorporating a dizzying array of events over the past two plus decades including concerts, fine art exhibitions, wine tastings, literary and culinary gatherings, attracting a line up of many of the world's greatest musicians, artists, actors, winemakers, chefs and personalities. 

What better location to reprise this wonderful festival than Sonoma County, going forward?

And if the first day and evening's program is anything to go by, the Festival del Sole is here to stay, having found its ideal setting. 

Pictured above, cellist Nina Kotova and Steinway artist pianist Olga Kern lit up the stage with complex, moving and sensational classical solo and chamber music performances, interspersed with violin and cello, violin and piano and and violin solos by violinist Viktoria Mullova. 

The evening was mesmerizing from start to finish with selections from Johann Sebastian Bach, Claude Debussy, Cesar Franck, Bela Bartok, Franz Liszt and Johannes Brahms — a breathtaking and terrific introduction to a four day cultural extravaganza.  

Concert goers may book ahead online through the Festival website or purchase in person at the Green Music Center box office on the campus of Sonoma State. 

There are wine tastings and lunches, dinners and a sumptuous Gala Dinner at historic Buena Vista Winery in Sonoma in support of Sunday's The Way of the Rain non-profit founded by Sibylle Szaggars Redford, dedicated to the mission of developing, producing and performing educational and artistic performances to promote public awareness and support for protection of the earth. 

Sunday evening's Green Center 6pm screening of Szaggars Redford’s multidisciplinary staged music, art and film performance of The Way of the Rain at the Dallas Texas Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Hall, with a spoken word narration by her husband, Robert Redford, tells the artistic story about the formation of the Universe, the evolution of all galaxies and the eventual birth of the unique and beautiful Planet Earth with all its elements. Founder, President and Artistic Director of The Way of the Rain Sibylle Szaggars Redford and invited guest Robert Redford will be in attendance for this special event.  

Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Sonoma's Three Sticks Wines Prema Kerollis (center) welcomed artists, musicians, wine writers and guests to the festival's exquisite, inaugural lunch and wine tasting at the winery's gorgeous downtown Sonoma tasting room and garden, Thursday. 

Three Sticks Wines is hidden in plain site, a few steps off the plaza in the heart of downtown. It's truly a gem of a tasting room. I've visited many throughout Sonoma, Marin and Mendocino counties in a reporting capacity over the past couple of decades and am delighted to come across one that satisfies the soul in every sense. I prefer an unpretentious winery, personally and Three Sticks fits the bill, though all the more gloriously in that location, style and decor, hospitality is second to none and the wines — well, this is a winery that produces every grape and drop of wine in its extraordinary Pinot, Chardonnay and Rose offerings. 

If you have yet to discover Three Sticks Wine, make a date to explore. What a delight from ringing the vintage doorvbell to 1842 Vallejo Casteñada Adobe, the winery's discreet hospitality home at 143 West Spain Street, Sonoma, to the joy of table fellowship in most delicious, seasonal lunch and summery pairings. A true taste of place in each glass. Rooted deeply in the essence of California, Three Sticks Adobe is a testament to the region's rich heritage. 

Lunch of Seared Maine Scallops, Roasted King Salmon and Strawberry Blueberry Crisp was prepared by Executive Chef Armando Navarro of nearby El Dorado Kitchen. 

The renowned Ken Fulk designed the indoor and outdoors of Three Sticks hospitality center and showcases his signature touch, fusing timeless elegance with contemporary allure. The Adobe was built just before the Gold Rush by Salvador Vallejo, brother to General Mariano Vallejo and has been lovingly restored as a Sonoma landmark. Widely ecognized for producing some of the best pinot noir and chardonnay in California from exceptional estate vineyards, Three Sticks offers a variety of curated experiences by reservation.

Wine and Culinary Curation partner in the festival is the expert team at Vinous, one of the world's most influential wine publications, founded by Antonio Galloni. 

I'm looking forward to attending more of the exciting program for 2024. It's not too late to attend if you're just finding out about it. If not, I'll be sure to share info ahead of the 2025 Festival. 

 

 

Revisiting the Past — Return to Ely — England's Second Smallest City

Am I My Brother's Keeper (runs through September 1st, 2024) — An extraordinary exhibit of 28 polychrome figures by sculptor Sean Henry prompted a visit to The Ship of the Fens,  Ely Cathedral this summer during my recent family trip back to the home country. 

Don't be confused by me striking my own pose whilst back in the heart of the Fenlands, about 14 miles north east of Cambridge and 80 miles north of London, where I started my journalism career. It was in Ely where I memorably covered the arrival of the late Queen Elizabeth II arriving at the train station for the annual Maundy Monday service at the cathedral in the late 80s. I've so many vivid memories of my time in the Ely area rambling around the backroads in the Ely Standard Mini, reporter's notebook on the passenger seat on the hunt for stories.

Oldest son, Rocco and my husband, Timo, took the time to recreate a favorite photo of me standing right there almost thirty years ago, during a rare winter visit. This time, though it was in June, wasn't the most summery of English days, but the weather made for ideal exhibition going on hallowed ground. 

 

Ely is the second smallest city in England, after the city of Wells in Somerset. A small town was established around the monastery and Cathedral which dominated the Isle of Ely for centuries. Ely was actually an island until 400 years ago, when work to drain the Fens (freshwater marshes) began, creating the fertile farmland the Fens are known for today. The cathedral has welcomed visitors and pilgrims for over 1300 years. Gracing a vibrant community today (population 19,200), Ely Cathedral provides a glimpse into centuries of English heritage alongside incredibly beautiful art and architecture.

The 14th century Octagon tower at Ely and its unique wooden lantern is considered one of the wonders of the medieval world. The cathedral took over 300 years to be built. Its graceful Norman nave is among the longest in England, with a remarkable 19th century painted ceiling.

According to Historic UK: "Still susceptible to flooding today, it was these watery surrounds that gave Ely its original name the ‘Isle of Eels’, a translation of the Anglo Saxon word ‘Eilig’. It was an Anglo Saxon princess, Saint Ethelreda, who founded the first Christian community on the islands’ hill top site in 673 A.D. for both monks and nuns. Like her father Anna, the king of East Anglia, Ethelfreda had become an enthusiastic supporter of the new religion that was fast spreading through the country."

The cathedral with its many features, including the 14th century Lady Chapel and Octagon Tower, was used as a film set for the  Elizabethan epics ‘The Golden Age’ and ‘The Other Boleyn Girl’ and more recently, Bradley Cooper, as Leonard Bernstein, conducting Mahler's Second Symphony in Maestro. 

Arguably the most famous resident of Ely was The Lord Protector, the uncrowned King of Great Britain and Ireland, Oliver Cromwell. Cromwell inherited a large estate in the area from his uncle Sir Thomas Steward in 1636, going on to be the local tax collector, a man of wealth and great standing in the community. It was he who was responsible for shutting the great doors of the cathedral for around a decade. 

If you're looking for a less crowded experience after visiting Cambridge, Ely is easily accessible by train. Stroll up from the station to wander around ancient buildings and medieval gateways, the Cathedral Close (the largest collection of domestic monastic buildings in the country) and Oliver Cromwell’s House, open  year-round with exhibitions, period rooms and a haunted room. Tea rooms and antique shops abound. 

We walked down to the riverside for a pint and a fish lunch, followed by ice cream from an old-fashioned van. There are several good choices of pubs and restaurants down by the water and in town. The newspaper office is gone from its long time location, which was sad to see, as with so many print newspapers around the world, though it's still in existance at least.  

Though I felt nostalgic for the past and its simpler times, I was glad to see that the city and cathedral is thriving and appealing to a variety of visitors with its embrace of art and modern culture. It's a lovely place, well located given the access to public transport and I can see why I have such fond memories from that chapter of my life. 

 

Click here for more information on visiting Ely. 

 

Good News on the Precarious Saga of Petaluma's Historic Downtown Rail Trestle Rehabilitation Project

A rendering drawn by Robert Frank for Heritage Homes of Petaluma in January 2016 of what a rehabilitated trestle would look like based on designs prepared by GHD in 2011

It has been two years since I wrote an extensive feature article on the 100th anniversary of Petaluma's Historic Downtown Rail Trestle on the southwest bank of the Petaluma River turning basin. An update has been in the works for a while. However, the subject of the deplorable state of the Trestle and the complex, precarious bureaucratic framework which had prevented its rehabilitation from moving forward at any definitive pace is a formidable local issue to report on.

Good news this first week in June, 2024, however, is that the City of Petaluma has newly revised its budget for the Trestle Project to fund at least the design phase of its rehabilitation/reconstruction through construction drawings and environmental permit applications. 

"Staff recently retained a consultant, Foth, for the design-phase work . . . with a kick off planned in June," responded Gina Benedetti-Petnic, Interim Director of Public Works and Utilities for the City, in response to my recent email querie as to the current status of the project.

Foth is based in Petaluma in the Marina and according to the company's website, suitably prides itself on solving its clients' toughest science, engineering and infrastructure problems. The Trestle certainly fits the bill. Foth will be working with Senior CIP Engineer, Steven Worrell, who is assigned to the Trestle project in Petaluma Public Works. 

This is encouraging indeed. As each month, the Trestle surface sinks closer to collapse. Many community groups, business owners and members have demanded progress on fixing up what has become a private amusement park for the colony of Norwegian river rats that call it home. Public patience had waned to the point of despair for the City of Petaluma and the Trestle's owner, Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit to figure out a strategy and funding avenues for the realization of the construction of a genteel public promenade, long-since envisioned. 

Hot off the press as I readied to post this update, the email from Benedetti-Petnic further outlined that the design services will include planning, limited additional studies, design alternatives and options analysis and, ultimately, the final design of a rehabilitated Trestle. The design phase is expected to take approximately one year and include a robust public outreach component to seek community feedback and inform the design. 

Petaluma City Council Member Karen Nau reiterated: "The City of Petaluma is helping with design funding this year & next! $675,000.00 being appropriated for the Trestle Project. We just decided at last night's meeting. City "found funds" in unspent Appropriations in another Capital Improvement Project. Hopefully, more projects and the Trestle can get funded in the future. I will continue to advocate to spend CIP Budget Appropriations on these much needed projects that are assets to our community and enhance the quality of life."

Further notes from the Interim Director of Public Works and Utilities, speaking in her role and also on behalf of the City Manager, Peggy Flynn, who is on vacation at this time, instruct that the budget will fund the design phase through construction drawings and environmental permit applications. The trestle has been at the top of the City Council's list of "Goals and Priorities" since City Manager Peggy Flynn established the program. 

"With the project shovel-ready at that point, it will be much more competitive for the grant funding that will be needed to move the project forward into construction," explained Benedetti-Petnic. 

Thank heavens. After more than a quarter century of neglect, the ruin that is the dilapidated 1922 Petaluma Trestle is turning 102. And to borrow a quote from the New York Times on majestically moldering rail stations and historic rail structures, the Petaluma Trestle, has, until now, been: "slowly crushed by the boot of time". 

It's a political and civic hot potato. Transfer of ownership title from SMART to the City is, consequently, a remaining hurdle, even at a potential bargain sale of a single dollar. It's the City's lot to prepare contract documents for bid and confirm all permits and entitlements so as to not miss the boat on critical grant funding opportunities. SMART, for its part, is reportedly enthusiastic about the potential hand over, especially since there is no rail component in the plans. And SMART has pledged to provide some financial support for the grant process once the City has its game plan in place. 

However: "Until the City comes to an agreement with SMART and obtains rights to the trestle structure (currently owned by SMART), we do not have authority to perform alterations of any kind nor want to assume the risk of doing so. As we gain a more comprehensive understanding of the environmental risk and liability, staff will be better informed for our discussions with SMART regarding future ownership. There are several precedents required before staff can begin negotiating ownership with SMART, including a complete updated environmental analysis (amended EIR) so that the City understands the environmental liability and cleanup requirements. The City is better positioned to partner with SMART to apply for grants than assume ownership and go it alone."

The Trestle's story is entrenched in the pioneer history of Petaluma. Three decades before the advent of the interstate highway and trucking industry, the structure was built on the banks of the busy Petaluma River, to link the bustling water and rail-based forms of travel and goods movement. 

The structure itself is the original redwood members. It originally carried the weight of a freight line that transferred fresh produce and other goods from the agricultural fields north and west of Petaluma to heavily-laden steamers and schooners that traveled the slough waters into San Francisco Bay. It was these tracks and Trestle that enabled Petaluma to serve as the "Egg Basket to the World".

There are people figuratively camped out at the cautionary wire fencing waiting to give money to the Trestle project. Historic Petaluma Woman's Club, for one,  has been poised to help with support for widespread community engagement and fundraising for the past two years. The 150-member strong club has firmly committed to providing support for grant writing efforts, hosting community input meetings and eliciting support from numerous community partners and the public at large. 

Outgoing President of the Woman's Club, architect Colleen Mahoney, wrote to the city in February of this year: "It is evident that this project will be one that will bring everyone in our community together. We look to you, City of Petaluma to wholeheartedly support this project that is a win win for everyone in Petaluma."

However,  Mahoney does not mince words in reminding city officials that: "The continued deterioration is an embarrasement to our community." 

David Rabbitt, County Supervisor, Second District and Chair of the SMART Board of Directors informed Mahoney this week that SMART has indeed offered to sell the Trestle to the City for one dollar, so the ball is in the City's court regarding ownership. As far as grant funding goes, it does not appear any more advantageous who owns it. 

Rabbitt indicated that the City wishes to move further along in design and understanding of the total cost of the project before committing to its purchase. This would include demolition related environmental remediation. 

"Understandable, but either way, SMART and Petaluma need to partner on finding the resources to finish the project. SMART has made that commitment," he said. 

Mahoney  pointed to cities around the country that have reoriented toward their river pathways in recent years for leisure and recreation, including neighboring Napa. Riverfronts were the industrial warehouse districts of the early 1900s, whereas today, we celebrate our urban waterways as places to gather and entertain. Petaluma River Park is an extraordinary example of what can be done when we set our minds to it as a community.  

"This has the potential to be a shining example of how a community can come together and rehabilitate its riverfront as a world class promenade," Mahoney added. "Time is money and we need to get this done. It's non-controversial and everyone will benefit."

Our community understands that the Petaluma General Plan, The Central Specific Plan and the River Access and Enhancement Plan all emphasize the importance of reorienting toward the river. Rehabilitation of the trestle will improve public access, recreation, education and enhance the character, history and identity of Petaluma. 

Katherine Gregor, of Gregor Communications spoke with me on June 5th. Gregor has been active in the Time to Trestle campaign at the Petaluma Woman's Club. She has attended a series of meetings with the PWC committee members and City staff for more than a year.

"I also helped craft and submit the pre-application for a State Coastal Conservancy grant," she said. The Coastal Conservancy grant may be revisited once shovel ready plans are in place. "It's such great news that the City has finally allocated significant funds and hired a consultant to complete the design and engineering work. Yay!  But it's important to understand that those professional services are just one leg of the three-legged stool. On a parallel track, the City absolutely needs to pursue all possible grants to fund the construction — once it's a 'shovel-ready' project. Construction will require some $7-12M of outside funds, from the estimates I've seen. So, the project can't get done without millions in State or other funds."

The essential third leg is assuming legal ownership or hammering out a cross-agency maintenance agreement with SMART, Gregor added. "That has dragged on forever, for some sticky reasons. Understandably, the City doesn't want to assume liability for unknown future issues. And SMART doesn't really want it either.  So it's complex. City and SMART leadership need to be motivated to devote the time, sustained energy, resources and political moxie to get an agreement signed. Advancing on all three fronts at once, over this next year won't be easy  but with enough drive at the City, it can be done."  

Bill Rinehart, who serves on the city's Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee, wrote to the City Clerk, Mayor McDonnell and council members on May 20th, 2024. In his letter, he expressed to the mayor and council members that although it was good to see that the Historic Waterfront Trestle rehabilitation project remains on the City's project list, he was sad to see so little progress at that time. All this pressure on the City seems to have helped, given the more recent initial fund-finding news. 

"It's been ten plus years since plans, specifications and estimates were completed and now to be 'back to the drawing board' is a shame," he'd written.

The 2013 engineer's estimate for construction costs was $4,328,324. "The current C.I.P. lists it at $13,664,000. What does this tell us?" asked Rinehart. 

"This structure is the character defining feature of our city. Its current condition is unacceptable, yet its potential as an economic catalyst, a community hub and source of pride for generations is undeniable," Rinehart stressed. "Not to mention its importance to the history of our town and the successes of our regional economy. Please take action and get this funded and done. It can be your legacy."

Previous to the June 3rd funding announcement, I'd reached out in May to the Mayor of Petaluma, Kevin McDonell and Vice Mayor, John Shribbs with regards to the current status of the Trestle project, as well as the city clerk. I was encouraged to hear back from both the Mayor and Vice Mayor the following morning. 

The response from Mayor, Kevin McDonell was: "Alas funding continues to be a challenge. The City has a very limited amount of discretionary funding available.  It was always conceived that the construction funding (90%ish of total cost) would be from grant sources.  However, the City is finding it difficult to fund the investigations and design necessary for grant applications.  The City is still trying to pull the needed funding for investigation and design. Regarding the details of status that would be useful to your article, staff is the best source.  If you ask a Council member you will get opinion, enthusiasm, optimism and filtered status.  Only staff can give you facts. Let me reiterate my enthusiasm, optimism and hope."

And the reply from the Vice Mayor, John Shribbs, also prior to the funding announcement: "At the last city council meeting, Peggy (Flynn) said we are going to pursue a joint grant from SMART and the city assuming we can find a source of grant funding. The only other option is to buy the trestle from SMART for $1 and take on all responsibility and liability ourselves. Going for grant funding jointly is the better option."

Marie McCusker, Petaluma Downtown Association and Visitors Program Director commented on the subject this week: "The dilapidated, decaying trestle is an embarrassment to our city, yet we have the perfect opportunity to preserve its hardworking roots by creating an open space for the community. It is important to recognize the crucial role that parks and open spaces play in making our downtown more welcoming. Our history sets Petaluma apart as a Rivertown. Imagine Petaluman’s and visitors alike enjoying a park-like setting in the heart of our downtown, a place to gather, enjoy events, and create an authentic sense of place. The financial investment is critical to move this much-needed project forward and the time is now!"

Trestle Preservation advocate Historian Katherine Rinehart reports: "As many may know from watching the May 20, 2024, Petaluma City Council budget workshop, the trestle rehabilitation project remains a priority within the FY 2024-2025 Capital Improvement Program Budget."

The Rinehart's are among many residents and activists who have urgently called for the rehabilitation of the historic Trestle. No other couple more so than Christopher and Elaine Stevick, pictured below. 

Christopher Stevick is an award winning preservation and restoration contractor and a recipient of the Petaluma "Good Egg" award. Elaine, a retired speech pathologist, choir member of numerous local choral groups and a prominent board member of Petaluma Woman's Club and its Time to Trestle Campaign. Together they have dedicated decades of their life and more recently, an entire room in their historic west Petaluma Victorian home to campaigning for the saving and restoration of the Trestle. 

Stevick has hands-on experience in significant restorations on numerous historic structures in Petaluma, including St. Vincent's Church, Hotel Petaluma, the Carnegie Library and Museum and the removal of the fake facade of the Sienna Antiques building, downtown. He has refused to back down in his support for the restoration of the Trestle and has spearheaded numerous events and demonstrations over the years, including a prominent "This Place Matters" campaign and photo opportunity which led to a $500,000 grant from California Coastal Conservancy for environmental analysis. 

His extensive and formidable stack of documentation dates back to 2010 and contains email exchanges, council presentations, city-based studies, correspondence and council-approved goals, including inspections last spring when the team from Porter & Associates worked with the city’s structural engineering consultants GHD, to complete the detailed “timber assessment” of the Trestle.

Though many long-time Petalumans fondly remember the last of the trolley-era along the Trestle and as an outdoor gathering space for  boating and river festivals, there is no longer any push to bring back trains along the historic structure. 

Interestingly, Stevick's research showed that reinforcement of the structure would, in fact, be substantial enough to carry the weight of a trolley (and this was his dream for many years). In its heyday, The Petaluma Riverfest attracted thousands of visitors to the Trestle. Imagine that now? As a compromise, the Stevick's realization of a pedestrian promenade would be enough of a dream come true at this point. 

I called the Stevicks on their vacation in Tahoe with news of the June 3rd funding announcement. Elaine Stevick is especially enthusiastic as a spokesperson for the Woman's Club in that the club has been encouraging of more public input on the Trestle project for some time.

"We have the meeting space in our beautiful Brainerd-Jones' designed craftsman clubhouse on B Street," she reiterated. "And we look forward to hosting many public input conversations at the Woman's Club going forward." 

As for Christopher Stevick: "This will make national news! The Trestle will draw a great deal of money to support our merchants and possibly help with continued dredging. Inch by inch, we're getting there."  He added that he's looking forward to the project gathering momentum and the snowball effect of plans coming together after so long.

The Historic Petaluma Mill fronts most of the length of the Trestle and has been converted through adapted reuse from grain processing and warehousing to a mix of retail and business services. The Trestle structure begins on the south end at the Petaluma Yacht Club and ends at the north end at the Water Street Plaza. Completion of the Trestle project would double the riverfront open space in the historic downtown area. 

I strolled the riverfront Saturday morning, May 24th and stopped for breakfast at Water Street Bistro. There, I watched as a yacht was stuck in the mud in a super low tide. A line of yachts was moored at the foot of the trestle. While it's great that funding finally came in for the dredging of the river, I wondered what the sailing community make of this unsightly and shocking scene in the heart of our downtown? 

The decaying Trestle certainly smelled as bad as it looked, especially in low tide and it wasn't a particularly warm morning. A fellow diner was observing the commotion of the stuck yacht. "Am I dumb or what?" she asked. "But I just don't get this Trestle situation."

"Don't worry," I reassured her. "You're not alone." 

I walked back down to the river on the morning of June 4th, 2024 and took a video of the Trestle in its current condition, stopping in for a coffee at the River Cafe. Along with Waterfront Bistro's Stephanie Rastettter, Riverfront Cafe owner, Ellias Ghattas must be two of the most patient business people in this part of town. Each have watched the Trestle's decay, day after day, week after week, for years, from their vantage points closest to the fenced off structure.

"Please continue to write about it," he urged. "I heard the pilings are okay after the engineering report came in. I saw them out there," he said. "The Trestle fixed-up would be big news for everyone."

I asked Gina Benedetti-Petnic about the report on the pilings. Her response is technical, but it's important to include the Interim Director of Public Works and Utlities response with regards to a complete structural component of the Trestle that was performed in 2023 by the City's consultant, GHD Engineers and their subconsultant, Porter & Associates: 

"The assessment was designed to provide information about the condition, species, and grade of the structural members. After more than a century of service, the condition of timber pilings, pile caps, sway braces, stringers, and decking that make up the Trestle varies broadly, from poor to excellent. Prior to the assessment, the species and structural grade of the various member types were unknown. The species and grade, along with condition, determine the amount of load each member can support. This assessment provides a more reliable means of determining the allowable stresses and identifying structural members requiring reinforcement or replacement. These determinations from the assessment about wood species and member grading are also essential to identifying suitable repair materials in compliance with the Secretary of the interior’s Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties. In other words, this assessment is a critical foundation for the design work that we are now undertaking.

That study determined the wood species for various member types, visual assessments of the structural members (piles, pile caps, stringers, braces), moisture content measurements, and resistance drilling to quantify internal deterioration. The high level summary of that assessment concluded that the timber piles showed significant deterioration and almost all piles were found to require repair or replacement: 170 piles were determined to have moderate to severe wood decay damage. The upper framing members (pile caps, stringers, and ties) are generally in better condition and can selectively be replaced where needed (mostly rated in the Fair to Excellent range)."

Sign up here for the Time to Trestle Facebook Group for community updates. 

The 150-member-strong Petaluma Woman's Club was founded in 1896 t0 take on positions of issues in Petaluma of the day. The establishment of a non-profit endowment fund last year makes it possible for the modern-day club to spearhead community fundraising for the Trestle Project once the City has established exactly where these monies will go. 

In the meantime, if you'd like to see this keystone project move forward, please comment on the City of Petaluma's General Plan Update Policy Frameworks to ensure that the trestle rehabilitation remains a priority for current and future city councils.  Input is due by June 20th, 2024. If you have trouble with the online comment process for the city, email your support for the Trestle to [email protected].

Katherine Rinehart has identified three frameworks where the trestle rehabilitation should be noted:

Economic Development

Policy ED-4.5 Invest in Downtown

Policy ED-6 Attract Visitors to Downtown

Parks
Goal P-3 Petaluma River Recreation

Policy P-4.1 Develop an Interconnected Public Space Network

Historic Resources

Guiding Principle #10

Policy HR-1.6 Prevent Demolition by Neglect

Policy HR-5.3 Promote Heritage Tourism

Watch out for more frequent update articles on the Trestle by independent journalist Frances Rivetti. Frances trained as a newspaper reporter in the UK. Based in Petaluma, Sonoma County, she writes on a wide range of lifestyle topics, with a special interest in history, natural history, travel, culture and food. Frances is the author of four books set in Northern California: Fog Valley Crush; Fog Valley Winter (Non-fiction); Big Green Country and The House on Liberty Street (Fiction). She is at work on a third novel, set on the Sonoma Coast, which she hopes to release in 2025. Find Frances' author pages at francesrivetti.com and on Facebook here. Her blog Southern Sonoma Country Life has been in circulation for over a decade, providing a platform for her to publish and share her feature articles widely via social media. 

 

 

Petaluma Gap Winegrowers Alliance 2024 Wind to Wine Festival August 10th — Immersive VIP Tastings of Petaluma Gap Wines at Gambonini Family Ranch

Photos © Fabian Jauregui.

The Petaluma Gap Winegrowers Alliance (PGWA) today announced the opening of ticket sales for their annual Wind to Wine Festival, celebrating the distinct wines grown in the wind-driven Petaluma Gap American Viticultural Area (AVA).  This year’s festival will return to the historic hay barn at Gambonini Family Ranch on Saturday, August 10.

New at the festival this year is the addition of three Seated Seminars, offering VIP attendees the opportunity to immerse themselves in a tasting of Petaluma Gap wines curated from multiple wineries. Seats are limited, and each tasting will be guided by winemakers and other representatives of the wines in the lineup.

Photos © Fabian Jauregui.

The Grand Tasting portion of the event will include 25+ wineries pouring a wide array of Petaluma Gap wines. The Girl & the Fig will provide delicious appetizers to pair with the wines, while Point Reyes Cheese will offer a sampling of their local artisanal cheese, and Clay Bell sets the festive mood playing acoustic guitar out on the beautiful patio.

PGWA expects another sold-out event and encourages all producers of Petaluma Gap wine to be part of the Wind to Wine Festival and work with the Alliance to promote their own Wind to Wine satellite events in conjunction with the Festival.

Photos © Fabian Jauregui.

“We are thrilled to be working with Gambonini Family Ranch and Girl + the Fig” said Scott Welch, Director of Farming for Jackson Family Wines and President of the PGWA Board of Directors. “Both of these partners are icons in our region and represent the best of the best,” said Welch.

“The Petaluma Gap Winegrowers would like to thank American AgCredit, returning as the Presenting Sponsor for Wind to Wine, as well as the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors as a supporting sponsor” Welch said. “We also look forward to new partners, co-sponsors and guests joining us for another successful and fun event.”

For more information or to purchase tickets please visit petalumagap.com.

 

About the Alliance

Founded in 2005, the Petaluma Gap Winegrowers Alliance (PGWA) exists to educate members of the wine trade and consumers about the Petaluma Gap AVA and to increase awareness of the region’s unique growing conditions and resulting wine quality. PGWA additionally supports member winegrowers and vintners within the region through ongoing programs and communications designed to help them maximize their success within the industry. The group’s membership is made up of grape growers, wineries, associate business members, sponsors, and local community members with a passion for the region and its wine.

About American AgCredit

American AgCredit was chartered in 1916 as part of the nationwide Farm Credit System and is the nation’s fourth-largest Farm Credit association. American AgCredit specializes in providing financial services to agricultural and rural customers in California, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, New Mexico, Nevada and Oklahoma, and serves capital market customers throughout the United States.

Top Pick — A La Carte Tickets Available to Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience May 16th to 19th, 2024

It's almost time for the 3rd Annual Healdsburg Wine and Food Experience — May 16th through 19th, 2024. I've been extremely lucky to attend several highlights during this terrific event over the past three years and I can't wait to head back up to Healdsburg to join in the fun again this year. Hope to see some familiar faces amongst the crowds. 

There are some Paltinum Packages still available if you're interested in a full four-day, unforgettable experience. Otherwise, tickets are available a la carte. Pop onto the site here and book tickets for the events that excite you most. For instance, Friday night's concert at Rodney Strong Vineyards sounds fantastic at $85 a ticket. Groove the night away with GRAMMY-winning guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter Christone “Kingfish” Ingram amidst the vineyards of Rodney Strong. Kingfish has quickly become the defining blues voice of his generation. 

This four day celebration features the best of world-renowned food and wines, highlighting the Makers Behind the Magic in our county: farmers, growers, winemakers and chefs mingling with globally recognized wines from around the globe. 

Healdsburg Wine and Food Experience highlighs culinary diversity, sustainable farming practices and our deep connection to agriculture with a plethora of tastings, cooking demos, seminars, concerts and parties. 

Back again this year by popular demand:

Annual Happenings:

• Welcome Celebration (Thursday 5/16, 6-8pm at Montage Grand Lawn)
• Grand Tasting (Saturday 5/18, 12-5pm at West Plaza Lot A
• Rooftop Lounge at The Matheson (Saturday 5/18, 12-4pm at The Matheson Rooftop)
• Magnum Party (Saturday 5/18, 8-11:45pm at The Matheson)

New things to consider:

• Bollywood Night on Saturday at La Crema with Chef Maneet Chauhan (Saturday)
• The Wine Down Pool Party at Francis Ford Coppola for all guests (Sunday)
• Live Cooking Demo at Little Saint (all Vegan sister restaurant to Single Thread) with Celebrity Chef Amanda Freitag (Saturday)
• Special Hawaiian dinner (with auction and raising funds for Maui Strong Fund) with Chef Lee-Ann Wong  (also coming in from Hawaii Four Seasons Resort – Exec Chef Ryan Schelling).
• Mazda is the event's official automotive partner, and the new car 2025 MAZDA CX-70 will debut at the event in May. 

Petaluma Celebrates National Historic Preservation Month

 

May is National Historic Preservation Month, and Petaluma is excited to celebrate for the third year. The event is recognized across the country to celebrate each community’s cultural heritage and the importance of preserving local history and historical places. This year, various local organizations are collaborating to provide a month’s worth of events and activities to celebrate Petaluma’s past.

“National Historic Preservation month is the perfect time to think about how we can preserve Petaluma’s vibrant past while also shaping a sustainable, culturally rich future. Along with our partners, we have lined up many exciting programs that build awareness about the people and places that have made Petaluma so special. Our hope is to inspire more conversations about how preservation and adaptive reuse can go hand-in-hand with innovation and progress,” says Stacey Atchley, executive Director of the Petaluma Historical Library & Museum.

The first local National Historic Preservation Month event takes place on Wednesday, May 1st, at 6:30 p.m. at the Petaluma Historical Library & Museum  with an in-depth presentation and discussion by urban planner Dan Zack on the adaptive reuse of historic buildings in downtown revitalization efforts.

Other scheduled events include walking tours of historic downtown. In the last two weeks of May, the Petaluma Regional Library History Room librarian, Connie Williams, has teamed up with local historian Katherine Rinehart to organize a Petaluma History Scavenger Hunt.

Join in on May 15th (6:30 pm) at the rehabilitated Carlson-Currier Silk Mill, now operating as Petaluma’s newest “old” hotel—the Hampton Inn—for a lively panel discussion of local tourism organizations on the role of tourism place-keeping and place-making at the state and local levels.

Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park will host Living History Day on May 25th.

Petaluma has a rich history dating back to the mid-1800s, and the city takes pride in preserving its unique character and charm, its vibrant history museum, a State Historic Park, a Petaluma history room at the local library, and a community supportive of historic preservation.

“In a time when we are all rushing to the newest tech and a time where so much in the world is changing, it is key that we remember where we have been as a means of grounding us. Petaluma celebrates and honors our community's history in the beautiful architecture of our historic residential and commercial buildings. Investments and care in the historic preservation of our legacy structures will be the gift we give to Petalumans of the future,” sas Mayor Kevin McDonnell.

For more information about events, click here for website

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The Petaluma Historical Library & Museum is the Historical Heart of Petaluma. Its mission is to preserve the unique history of Petaluma and provide educational and cultural services to the community. Open Thursday - Sunday 10am - 4 pm. Admission is free, donations appreciated!

The long wait for news on the city's historic riverfront rail trestle renovation project may be inching closer to a start date in the forseeable future. Applications with shovel ready plans for national funding are the hot topic of conversation in Petaluma's historic circles. The Petaluma Woman's Club, founded in 1895 by a group of civic minded and visionary women, has provided the city with grant writing support and a pledge to fundraise for extras for a public riverfront promenade once construction grants have been secured. Click here to find out more about the Woman's Club's ongoing Time to Trestle efforts. 

Click here for a video of Katherine Gregor, spokesperson for Petaluma Woman's Club speaking about the Trestle, this Spring. 

 

The Secret Life of Victorian Homes — As Told By Their Interiors – A Petaluma Historical Library & Museum Series May 4, 11 & 12 4pm to 5.15pm

History is literally coming out of the woodwork in Petaluma this spring. I'm thoroughly enjoying reading and listening to podcasts covering many interersting aspects of life in the early years of settlement. Here's a good one for history-lovers like me: 

Join The Petalumans of Yesteryear for one, two, or all three intriguing evening programs this spring, each exploring a different aspect of Victorian living.

Episode 1 – Saturday, May 4th – 4-5:15 pm

Episode 2 – Saturday, May 11th – 4-5:15 pm

Episode 3 – Sunday, May 12th – 4-5:15 pm

At the Petaluma Historical Library and Museum

Each Episode: $20.00

Purchase Tickets Here

Members! Save with promo code SLMEMBER

Tickets make a great Mother’s Day gift!

 

Modern life began quite suddenly in the Victorian Period. Out of wrenching change, a new class of society was born, and is still with us today. Join us for three intriguing evening programs (single tickets available or buy all three), including light beverages, and enjoy the stories of how it all came about.

 

During the Victorian era, the rate of change was fast and furious – social order and values changed, and became our way of living, affecting us to this day!

Back by popular demand! A three evening event series, presented by the Petalumans of Yesteryear explores how everyday life so dramatically changed in this era; when our city was born and prospered. And, how homes adapted too the new life style …you will be surprised!

 

NOTE

Each unique episode explores different aspects of the fascinating story of Victorian living. Tickets are sold separately, or, for the ultimate experience, purchase all three!

 

Episode 1 – Saturday, May 4th:

Discover how the Victorians got to California, what the dining room reveals about the revolution that took place in society as middle class entered the new era of self-control, and who was responsible for a whole new system of food choices that affect all of us to this day.

 

Episode 2 – Saturday, May 11th

The Parlor was central in Victorian life and death. Learn about how the Parlor reflected the changing roles of women in the family. Plus, a 19th century design craze! During the Victorian era, life began and ended in the bedroom. Come and find out what went on in between.

 

Episode 3 – Sunday, May 12th

Explore the fascinating world of the after-life, helping Victorians navigate life’s most difficult and often, heartbreaking challenges. Discover how the modern idea of self-image developed, and what the Victorians did about it, and find out why their homes always looked so cluttered!