Southern Sonoma Country Life

Frances' Favorite Things — Holiday Gift Guide 2019 — Downtown Merchants' Annual Open House, Saturday December 7th

My goodness, what a fantastic day of festive cheer and entertainment and customer appreciation and incentives for the annual Downtown Merchant Holiday Open House in the historic boutique district of Petaluma this Saturday, December 7th, 2019.

Thanks to Marie McCusker and team with our wonderful Downtown Association for putting all the bells and whistles and candy canes together for a holiday shopping day to remember for locals and visitors alike. 

If you can't make it downtown this Saturday, do make it a priority to shop locally this December. Your business is more than welcome in any of our local stores, eateries and services, including the many small and medium sized cafes and businesses that are not located in downtown itself. 

Looking through the list of merchants who are putting on something special during the day, it's hard to pick out favorites other than to say that I always find something I love in our downtown boutiques and shoe stores. And if you're really stuck for gift ideas for someone special on your list you can't go wrong with presents for the pantry and holiday table from Sonoma Spice Queen and iLeoni or a massage certificate from Soft Shell. 

Field Works is one of several local merchants offering curated, local gift baskets. I recently picked up a blue and white Delftware Santa at Summer Cottage Antiques, a reminder that affordable vintage treasures abound in our antique-heavy town. Gallery one is an emporium of handmade jewelry and art and decorative gifts that is a great go-to for that something original or out-of-the-ordinary. 

Books are the best gifts! I will be joining the creative makers in the Small Vendor Fair inside The Bank Community Hub and Marketplace for a few hours during the festivities with copies of my book, Big Green Country, still hot off the press. Stop by and say hi between 11am and 5 pm.  

 

(corner of Petaluma Blvd & Washington)

 

11 - 5	Small Vendor Fair
11:30	The Apple Tree Morris Dancers
12 - 3	Capvara the Clown	Fun & interactive family friendly performances
12 - 5	Free Balloon Art & Face Painting	with Budderball & the PHS Cheer Team
3:30	Alchemy Vocal Performance
3 - 5	Hope, Love & Magic	Anna & Elsa telling the story of Frozen 1 & 2

 

MERCHANT OFFERINGS

 

Alchemia Gallery	1 - 4 pm cider and treats
Athletic Soles	Free runner gloves with every shoe purchase
Ava Ln. Hairdressing	Christmas music and raffle tickets for products
Barber Cellars	$5 off any bottle purchase
Bay-Ti Modern Rustic Living	20% off anything in the store
Chelsea Antiques	Treats in the store
Copperfields Books	Free balloon art from 11-1 with Paula Moors
Club Pilates	25% off retail
Clutch	25% off all handbags all week! Drinks and snacks in store
Ethical Clothing	Cider, cookies, treats & special promotions all day
Field Works	Refreshments and a drawing for 2 gift baskets
Flower Child Consignments	$5 off for every $25 spent. Caricature artist "Faces by Audrey"
Gallery One	Happy Hour after 4 pm and 50% off selected items
Hollingsworth Jewelry	Appreciation party, door prizes and giveaways
iLeoni	Hot coco & cookies at 12
J. Fermi	20% off any one item
Louis Thomas	Cider and cookies
McGuire's Pub	3:30 West County Harmony Traditional & Seasonal Music Caroling
Nan Winters	Prosecco & snacks. Discounts on selected merchandise
Obsessed	15% of purchase of $150 or more
Passeggiata Shoes	Bring a same day receipt from another Petaluma shop for 10% off
Petaluma Pet Company	Dog treats for visiting dogs
Petaluma Pie Company	Annual Pie tasting from 12 - 3 pm
Phoenix Optical Petaluma	Goodies and raffle give away, plus 30% off discounts
Razzle Dazzle	Hot cider, cookies, appetizers & cheer
Red Umbrella	Refreshments, music and special sale rack
Riverfront Cafe	Free glass of wine or beer with purchase of entree
Robindira Unsworth	Treat in the store
Shunzi	Food, drink and discounts from 3 - 7 pm
Soft Shell	Refreshments & snacks, 15% off all purchases
Sole Desire	20% off all boots (excluding UGGS) & $0 off all shoes
Sonoma Spice Queen	Warm drinks and treats
Spiral Jewelry & Artisery	Special thank you gift to customers who spend over $100, cookies
Splendid Little Shoppe	Cider & cookies and splendid little raffle kick-off
Stink	Champagne & treats; save 20%
Stockhome Restaurant	Kids eat for $2.50 off the kids menu
Summer Cottage Antiques	Appetizers and hot apple cider
The Strike Zone	Serving cookies and sale on select items
Threads A Boutique	Refreshments in the store & pastries supplied by Bright Bear Bakery
Wicked Slush	25% off all hot drinks
Yankee Girl Antiques	Champagne, cider and sweets

 

Frances' Favorite Things — Holiday Gift Guide 2019 — Beautiful Blooms by Flower Casita

Now that I'm coming up for air after getting my novel Big Green Country out into the big, wide world, I'll be posting a little more frequently here on Southern Sonoma Country Life and in the run up to Christmas, sharing some of my favorite local things for gift ideas and activities.

I love that Flower Casita Floral Design in Petaluma's Theatre Square now has its own online ordering website store for deliveries in the south county. There's nothing nicer than a browse in store, inside Theatre Square, on 2nd Street, opposite the sweet shop but if you're pushed for time, you simply can't go wrong with a gorgeous floral arrangement or holiday table centerpiece. Simple as that. 

Click here for web store. 

Are You Ready for an Unforgettable Virtual Roadtrip From the Sonoma Coast Ranchlands Into the Emerald Triangle? Order Your Copy of Big Green Country Today!

Rain is falling heavily over our beloved Sonoma County and neighboring regions. It's colder than usual for this time of year and nights close in early. Perfect timing for a gripping and gritty new novel. 

Big Green Country is published and I have copies. Please do order directly from me for now if you're in the U.S. It is available online, but prices seem to fluctuate on Amazon and my price of $19.99 beats the big mega beast at the current time. I'm also offering bulk discounts for holiday gifts and happy to ship for free in the States. Go to the homepage of this blog, scroll down to the right to find my PayPal store. 

The Kindle price does not fluctuate, so if you're a tablet reader, head to Amazon for the e-book. 

I can't wait to see books in our favorite North Bay bookstores. If you'd like to support a local author and an indie bookstore this Cyber Monday, stop into Copperfields or Book Passage, or Reader's Bookstore in Sonoma, Point Reyes Books . . . and ask to special order a copy. They are available for distribution by Ingram. Hopefully our local bookstores will decide to stock a few more for the holiday season. 

Also, I will have more details to post tomorrow on my first meet and greet with books at the former Seed Bank in downtown Petaluma this Saturday, December 7th during the annual Merchants' Holiday Open House event. Pick up copies from me during the day. 

 

128 Black Friday Wildfire Fundraiser for Kincade Wildfire Victims — Treat the Family to a Wonderful Day of Wine Tasting in the Alexander Valley

Looking for somewhere you and your family can go after Thanksgiving? Explore the wineries along Taste Destination 128 for a day of family fun. Fifty % of all ticket sales will be donated to the United Way of Wine Country in supporting Kincade Wildfire victims, survivors & evacuees immediate needs. Visit eight Alexander Valley wineries, each offering holiday wine special and delicious holiday food bites!

The festive participating wineries are: Alexander Valley Vineyards, Hanna, Hawkes, deLorimier, Soda Rock, Trentadue, Simi and Zialena.

Take in the gorgeous views of Wine County in what’s known as the hidden gem of Sonoma County, Alexander Valley.

Fri, November 29, 2019

11:00 AM – 4:00 PM PST

Location

Alexander Valley

95448

Pre-Sale Tickets $50 General Admission | $40 Members | $15 Designated Driver Purchase Tickets

View Map

Shopping for friends and family this holiday season, look no further. Wine makes for a perfect gift for your loved ones. Share the joy of your favorite wine from Alexander Valley with your family and friends.

Tickets include a wristband to taste at all 7 wineries, a food ticket per winery, and a Taste Destination 128 logo glass.

Pre-Sale Tickets:

$50 General Admission | $40 Members | $15 Designated Driver/ Children

Please select your check in winery when purchasing tickets.

 

Participating Wineries:

Alexander Valley Vineyards

Tomato Soup Shooter topped with Grilled Cheese

 

deLorimier

Sweet Potato, Ham and Bean Soup

Paired with our 2017 Primitivo

 

HANNA Winery & Vineyards

Winter Squash Gratin and Stuffed Pork

 

Hawkes

Fall Apart Ribs with a Savory Cabbage Slaw

 

Simi

Nonna's Meatballs with Tierra Farms Polenta

 

Soda Rock Winery

Beef Short Ribs Over Polenta

 

Trentadue

Caramelized Shallot and Blue Cheese Tarts with Crispy Leeks

 

Zialena

Grazing Table from Field and Farm Bountiful Boards & Tables featuring Gourmet Cheese, Charcuterie, and more!

Windrush Farm Holiday Art Faire — Saturday & Sunday Nov 30th and Dec 1st 10 am to 3 pm

Cover Reveal for "Big Green Country" — A Novel by Frances Rivetti — Available Very Soon (Late Nov 2019)

It's with great excitement and some nail-biting that I'm finally able to announce that after three-and-a-half long years of work my debut novel "Big Green Country"  is available to pre-order on Amazon and will be in print in time for Christmas. An e-book will also be available in the coming weeks. 

I've just decided to add an option to buy directly from me as author/publisher via PayPal as soon as the book is uploaded and ready for print. I will add that button to buy here on my blog site and will share via an updated post and social media. 

Big Green Country is a gripping and unforgettable family suspense story lifting the veil from the shrouded secrecy surrounding the ugly underbelly of Northern California's complex cannabis culture.

Culling from my research as an independent journalist at home at the gateway to the region's infamous Redwood Curtain, I have painted a gritty, graphic fictional portrait of the contemporary Green-Rush from one women-driven family's unique perspective — the lure, the benefits, the potential for boom and bust, but most importantly, its impact on the human condition and the real and present danger posed to young women attracted by large cash earnings.

Big Green Country is a controversial crisis of rural poverty, environmental issues, immigration, addiction, a broken health care system, alternative medicine and the stark reality of human trafficking within the region known as the Emerald Triangle.

This book is suitable for readers 18 and over due to its graphic content.

I'm also delighted to unveil a brand new FrancesRivetti.com website for my books, indie published under Fog Valley Press. 

Please take a few minutes to explore my new site, produced by the wonderful and talented Dana Weitzenberg of Southern Sonoma County-based Lobstervine Web Design & Development. Do sign up for my book release newsletter. I promise not to send too many mailchimp e-missives, only when there's book news to report such as launch events, readings and signings which I will be planning in the New Year. 

I'll be working on getting Big Green Country into physical bookstores as soon as possible, it may take a couple of weeks from the first orders for print books to arrive, so please be patient. The good news is I am printing with IngramSpark and as Ingram Content Book Group is the world's biggest book distributor, book stores should have no problem ordering copies. 

If you do purchase hard copies before Christmas and I hope so, I encourage you to bring them for me to sign at one of my launch events after the holidays. 

 

 

 

Petaluma to the Playa Exhibit, Petaluma Arts Center — Artists Who Create For and Document Burning Man November 23rd 2019 through January 18th, 2020

If you've never been to Burning Man and wish you had — or not, now's your chance to experience a selection of the art and originality of this unique annual gathering of creative, free thinking souls, many of whom are home-based in the Petaluma Area. Petaluma Arts Center hosts Petaluma to The Playa, November 23rd 2019 through January 18th, 2020 featuring work of artists who document for and create Burning Man. 

Exhibition Opening Day — November 23rd, 2019

Hat Making Workshop:  12pm - 4pm Click here to register. 
Bliss Studio Tour 4pm - 6pm
Mutant bicycle decorating and community parade 12pm - 4pm 

See PAC for more info.

Home for the Holidays — Fabulous Women Festival of Trees, Petaluma Hotel, Friday, Dec 6th 6-9pm, Saturday, Dec 7th, 3-9pm

Romp With the Beasts — A Night of Ferocious Fun for Safari West Wildlife Foundation — November 16th, 2019

 

Romp with the Beasts

A night of ferocious fun for an amazing cause!

 

Saturday, November 16th, 2019 at Safari West

• 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
• $150 per person
• Contact: (707) 566-3651 or info@safariwestfoundation.org

Donate

 

If you're unable to attend, please consider making a donation!

Safari Attire Optional (but encouraged)

For guests wishing to spend the night on the Sonoma Serengeti, please contact Safari West at (707) 566-3667, or email reservations@safariwest.com

Safari West's annual fundraiser benefits children and youth in learning about wildlife conservation and care. We live in an era of drastic change to our climate and world and the Safari West team believes it is crucial for young people today to understand how their actions now, and in the future, impact this planet and the precious life it harbors. The Safari West Wildlife Foundation provides critical educational opportunities for thousands of kids annually, all financed by the proceeds of this annual fundraiser. Help them expand their critical youth programs into a Wildlife and Conservation Institute for underserved kids.

Safari West promises an evening of entertainment and fine dining, great wines and craft beer, silent and live auctions, a fund-a-youth ask, and for certain sponsorship levels, an overnight stay in one of the famous Safari West tent cabins (with breakfast provided the next morning) and animal encounter with a  highly knowledgeable guide.

The Safari West Wildlife Foundation and Conservation Institute will provide underserved and diverse youth with experiential learning about wildlife care and conservation for many years. In just the past seven years, over 11,000 children and youth from Title One schools have spent time at the Preserve, learning about endangered animals, wildlife conservation, and ecosystem preservation. Kids who wouldn’t otherwise have the means to experience African wildlife on a free roaming preserve continually rank their days at Safari West as among the best.

Dozens of middle and high school students from varied backgrounds, have graduated from Safari West's Junior Keeper program. In this weekly, 10-month program, students discover first-hand what it takes to keep and care for wild animals in a human-managed setting. The Junior Keeper experience has motivated many graduates to pursue university-level studies and productive careers in animal science, wildlife conservation, and zoology.

The Foundation also hosts an annual day camp in the Summer, in which dozens of elementary school students spend a week at Safari West learning about the animals, hiking in protected parts of the Preserve, and making African-inspired art projects to showcase their learnings during the week.

Remember, it’s for the kids!

 

Get Tickets

October Update on My Upcoming Novel — Big Green Country

It's been a while since I've posted regularly on Southern Sonoma Country Life. I haven't forgotten about you, or all of the great things I like to write about and share from this wonderful corner of the world. I've been busier than ever finishing up my fictional debut. 

Things are gearing up with readying my manuscript to put my first novel into print, hopefully before the end of this year and ideally in time for the holidays. 

There's so much to do to make that happen. In the meantime, I've been snapping photos that remind me of the places in the story of Big Green Country, whenever I'm out and about in Northern California. It will be fun to share pictures every so often, seeing as there typically are no photos in a novel and I am so used to capturing images for my writing.  

This first picture wasn't intended to be of my and Rosie's shadow, but it's the first one I'm posting here as I took it back on one of my early location scouting roadtrips up in Humboldt County where much of the action takes place. 

This picture of one of the historical dairy ranches out at Point Reyes reminds me of how I see the fictional old McCleery dairy ranch further up on the Sonoma Coast and where the story starts and ends. 

Big Green Country is very much a road trip suspense story. Expect to be swept through the Russian River and up into the Emerald Triangle beyond the Redwood Curtain during rainy season. I can't wait for winter readings during stormy evenings. 

I'll keep you posted when I have a better idea as to when the book will be ready to roll!