Southern Sonoma Country Life

Sky Hill Cultural Alliance & Petaluma Museum Association Present Schubertiade — Sunday June 16th, A Celebration of the Story and Music of Franz Schubert

Wines & Sunsets Live Music & Food Trucks Events Return to Paradise Ridge Winery's Russian River Valley Estate Amphitheater June 19th through September 18th

This summer, Wednesday nights once again mean Wines & Sunsets at Paradise Ridge Winery’s Russian River Valley Estate Amphitheater in Santa Rosa, June 19 to Sept. 18.

The Wines & Sunsets series was voted “Best Winery Event in Sonoma County” in 2017, just prior to the fires that ravaged the winery and many of the buildings on the property. This year’s Wines & Sunsets series will be held in the hillside amphitheater just below the tasting room and events center, which is being rebuilt and is set to reopen in November.

The amphitheater offers expansive views of vineyards and the Russian River Valley. Wines & Sunsets features festive live music, wines by the glass or bottle, and goodies from gourmet food trucks. Two of this year’s evenings are themed: Red, White & Bubbles on July 3 and Hot Havana Nights on Aug. 21.

Seating is family style, with everyone sharing tables. Click here for Advance tickets are $10 general or $5 for wine clubs members, and may sell out; if tickets are available at the door, it’s $15 general or $10 for club members.

Wines & Sunsets

Paradise Ridge Winery Estate
4545 Thomas Lake Harris Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
707-528-9463

prwinery.com/

Also, The Ranch at Lake Sonoma welcomes us to its warm weather line up. 

Listen to live music and watch the sun setting over the water at the new Sunset Music Series concerts at The Ranch at Lake Sonoma, in northern Sonoma County.

Enjoy local food, beer, and wine, and savor the view from the scenic Redwood Barn, perched high above Lake Sonoma, Sonoma County’s largest and most picturesque park. Held from 4 p.m. until sunset on the second and fourth Sundays from June 9 to Sept. 8, the free concerts will benefit local nonprofit groups.

The schedule includes: June 9, electric blues by Johnny Sansone & The Remedies; June 23, Two Lions Band singer-songwriters; July 14, indie rock by Justin Schaefers & The Blind Barbers; July 28, funk and soul by Trace Repeat; Aug. 11, brass and soul by Spike’s Awesome Hotcakes; Aug. 25, The Thugz jam band; and Sept. 8, country music by The Easy Leaves.

The Ranch at Lake Sonoma offers scenic horseback tours for all levels of experience, as well as providing a stunningly scenic rustic venue for weddings, corporate events, dinners, parties, and other gatherings.

 

Sunset Music Series

The Ranch at Lake Sonoma
100 Marina Road, Lot A
Geyserville, CA 95441
707-494-4449

www.theranchatlakesonoma.com

Let's Build A Park — Informational Town Meetings for Petaluma River Park Plans on the McNear Peninsula 5.30pm June 13th at Hotel Petaluma, June 24th at The Petaluma Library

Petaluma River Park is a nonprofit organization by forward thinking locals on a mission to build a public park for recreation, education, conservation, culture and community. A park for everyone. 

My husband, Timo is brokering the sale of the land from the historic McNear Family to Petaluma River Park group and is a keen supporter of the project. He'll be at both of the public town hall meetings this June on to speak and answer any questions from the transfer of ownership perspective. This will be a dream come true for our community. 

PLEASE NOTE THERE IS A TYPO ON THE DATE IN THIS IMAGE - PETALUMA LIBRARY DATE IS MONDAY JUNE 24th. 

To learn more see PetalumaRiverPark.org

A Smorgasbord of Sonoma County's Musical Talent — The Space Orchestra Performs a Tribute to Joe Cocker — Mad Dogs & Englishmen Plus The Soul Section, The Mystic Theatre, Petaluma, May 17 — A Benefit for Petaluma Music Festival

Don't miss this terrific bus load of our favorite local musicians at The Mystic Theatre, Petaluma, Friday, May 17th, 2019.  The Space Orchestra performs a tribute to Joe Cocker's legendary rock n roll classic, Mad Dogs & Englishmen with the added bonus of the rock, funk and soul of the Bay Area's The Soul Section — Doors 7:30pm / Show 8:30pm$25 in advance / $30 day of show. All profits to benefit the Petaluma Music Festival, Keeping Music in Our Schools. I recommend you click here to buy tix ahead of time, these shows generally sell out fast. 

Author Roger McNamee Brings His Book "Zucked: Waking up to the Facebook Catastrophe" to LiteracyWorks Lectures — Friday, May 10th, Copperfield's Petaluma

 

Event date: 

Friday, May 10, 2019 - 7:00pm

Featured Book: 

Zucked:Waking Up to the Facebook Catastrophe $28

Non-profit organization LiteracyWorks and Copperfield's Books presents as part of its Lecture Series Roger McNamee and his The New York Times’ bestseller about a noted tech venture capitalist, early mentor to Mark Zuckerberg, and Facebook investor, who wakes up to the serious damage Facebook is doing to our society - and sets out to try to stop it. Zucked is both an enthralling personal narrative and a masterful explication of the forces that have conspired to place us all on the horns of this dilemma. This is the story of a company and its leadership, but it's also a larger tale of a business sector unmoored from normal constraints, just at a moment of political and cultural crisis, the worst possible time to be given new tools for summoning the darker angels of our nature and whipping them into a frenzy.

AUTHOR: Roger McNamee has been a Silicon Valley investor for 35 years and co-founded successful funds in venture, crossover, and private equity. His most recent fund, Elevation, included U2's Bono as a co-founder. He holds a B.A. From Yale University and an M.B.A. From the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College.

This Event is FREE to attend.

Event Location: 

Copperfield's Books,

Petaluma Store

140 Kentucky Street

Petaluma

Click here for more info on LiteracyWorks.

Architectural Digest-Worthy West Petaluma Vintage Gem On the Market For First Time in Over Half a Century

What makes a house an Architectural Digest-worthy home? This means something different for everyone when it comes to the dream home design world, be it mid-century modern open plan, a state-of-the-art beachside apartment, sleek, urban loft with dramatic city scape views, a charming, Victorian farmhouse or craftsman bungalow. That's the beauty of inspiring design.

In this particular case, I've been eyeing this elegant, wonderful two-story home on Sunnyslope Avenue in West Petaluma for many years of my morning dog walking routine, wondering what it looked like inside and how its unique style came about. It strikes me as an especially gracious home with an air of southern European elegance in its gorgeous, Northern California, heavily canopied, creekside setting. 

I was thrilled to finally get to look inside its fabulous front door when my husband, Timo started working with the home's long-time family members, who were readying their beloved late parents' property for sale for the first time in many decades.  

There's something extra special about this one-of-a-kind house, the front section which was added on to in the 60s from its original ranch style layout to accommodate a large and lively family. I love all of the harmonious period features and I hope that whoever the lucky buyers are will retain much of its original charm and character. 

Here's what Timo says about it in his new listing: Architecturally Unique Legacy Estate. Once in a Lifetime Opportunity to Own One of the Most Desirable Homes in West Petaluma. This 3,014 Sq Ft Light Filled Home Comprises; 4 Beds, 2 Baths, Conversation Room, 2 Fireplaces, Upstairs Master Suite, Large Family Room w/ Built in Bookcases, Open Kitchen & Dining Area, Bonus Office,Indoor/Outdoor Living w/ Large Patio Situated in a Grove of Redwood & Oak Trees with Seasonal Creek on a 16,416 Corner Lot.

He'll be holding it open both Saturday & Sunday of Mother's Day weekend, May 11th & 12th and the following weekend, May 18th & 19th 1pm to 4pm. 

Click here for the listing link. 

 

 

Adventure Into Another World With Off The Map Travel on the French Island La Reunion, Deep in the Indian Ocean Between Mauritius and Madagascar

In my search to share unique and original travel experience opportunities with my readers, I look for amazing adventures and locales that are not exclusively priced for just the multi-millionaire budget. This one certainly fits the bill as a once in a lifetime trip:

Off the Map Travel has introduced an adventure to “another world,” taking guests through prehistoric jungle scenery to spectacular volcanoes and a night sleeping under the stars in a clear bubble on La Reunion Island.

Deep in the Indian Ocean between Mauritius and Madagascar, La Reunion Island is the setting for the new “Like Nowhere Else on Earth” experience.

On this French island at the crossroads of African, Indian, European and Chinese cultures where English, French and Creole are spoken — and a place likened to Hawaii with its landscape and volcano-filled topography filled with overgrown trees, lush foliage and volcanoes, La Reunion offers a natural paradise where it’s easy to imagine dinosaurs roaming during the Mesozoic Era.   

Begin your island adventure with a helicopter flight over the cavernous ravines, moon-like volcanoes and lush forest before landing at Hiker’s Eden, a lodge retreat deep in the mountains. There you'll enjoy a Creole lunch cooked over an open fire followed by an on-land exploration upward through the area’s lava tubes and caves created by the island’s volcanic lava flow to a ziplining experience through the jungle.

The evening offers even more adventure. Just outside of the small village of Les Makes, 1500 meters above sea level and in the middle of the tropical forest, settle into one of four individual bubble accommodations where the night sky and surrounding wilderness form a natural outdoor blanket. Each transparent bubble provides a sleeping and relaxation space and is connected to a shared bathroom and lounge. “Picture Jurassic Park all around you,” commented Jonny Cooper, founder of Off the Map Travel.

“La Reunion is a dramatic land of fiery volcanoes, steep-sided jungle landscapes and starlit skies – off-the-beaten track and offering a taste of Creole culture with a splash of luxury,” Jonny Cooper continued. “It’s an area unmarred by tourism and filled with adventures.”

Off the Map Travel’s La Reunion “Like Nowhere on Earth” program is offered year-round, with the most popular travel months between May and October. Although the itinerary can be tailored to each guest, an example seven-night, eight-day itinerary with Off the Map Travel (www.offthemap.travel) is priced from $2465 USD per person, based on double occupancy (prices at the time of this writing).

Included in the price are:  daily breakfast; all transfers; accommodations in hotels and villas in the coastal town of Sainte-Gilles; one night in a see-through bubble; a tour into the lava caves; a jungle zipline and a heli-hiking experience to Hiker’s Eden with lunch. Flights are additional. 

For additional information, visit https://www.offthemap.travel/destinations/indian-ocean/la-reunion/.

Off the Map Travel

Off the Map Travel is a team of travel experts who work with experiences and destinations that allow people to explore hidden wonders of the world. Specializing in soft adventure and viewing of the Northern Lights, Off the Map Travel creates tailor-made itineraries that offer a distinctive vacation based on first-hand experience. Off the Map Travel vacations anticipate travelers’ needs with pre-planning and customization. Each bespoke itinerary is tailored to the ages of participants, creating experiences for families, groups, couples and singles that are comfortable and luxurious, with activity levels appropriate for all participants. www.offthemap.travel

For more information on tailor-made Off the Map Travel itineraries visit www.offthemap.travel; call 1-646-701-0041; email info@offthemap.travel or join in the conversation on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube or Pinterest

 

Petaluma Downtown Association Presents Butter & Egg Days 2019 — Saturday, April 27

                 

 

Saturday, April 27th Petaluma's annual Butter & Egg Days parade steps off at noon and marches through historic downtown in a festival of fun and activities from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.   Clover Sonoma leads the Clover Kids’ Parade, which precedes the main parade at 11:30am with a procession of preschoolers and primary grade youngsters and their families. __________________________________________________________________________________   Join the Cutest Little Chick Contest! Petaluma Egg Farm is excited to host the 35th annual Cutest Little Chick in Town Contest. It's always such a treat to see all of the creative and cute costumes and those darling little people all decked out in yellow! Contest judging takes place in front of Copperfield’s Book Store on Kentucky St. Check in 9:45. The contest will start at 10:15.

Friends of the Parade Button Discounts!
Spend $5 and save by shopping locally!

 

Discounts are  available from April 20th - 28th

at participating shops. 

To get the discount you must be wearing your button!

Buttons are available for purchase at the Petaluma Visitors Center, Lombardi's Deli, Raley's, Crown Hair Salon and Petaluma Market.

If that's not enough fun for one weekend, don't miss the open air Petaluma Antique faire, downtown  from 8 am to 4 pm.

Blossoms, Bees & Barnyard Babies — Sonoma County Farm Trails, Spring Tour April 27th & 28th

RSVP is required to receive event map.
Click here to join the fun !

Petaluma Arts Center April Session of The Ideas Lounge Series Features Molly Best & Timo Rivetti on The Arts & Managing the Art of Real Estate in Petaluma, Lagunitas Lounge, April 18th

 

The Idea Lounge
Thursday, April 18th
Lagunitas Lounge
Doors open at 6:30.  Program starts at 7

For the Arts: Molly Best "The Art of Managing an Arts Center"
For Life; Timo Rivetti "The Art of Real Estate"

Molly Best is thrilled to be surrounded by the talent that fills the Art Center.  She is now the PAC’s operational manager and has been busy getting up to speed over the last couple weeks. 
 
Having grown up in Petaluma and now raising her children here, she is very invested in helping her local community grow creatively.  She is an artist, a baker and in a past life, a butcher. 
 
You may recognize her from her days at the Tea Room Cafe or Thistle Meats.  She is no stranger to Petaluma and PAC is proud to welcome her as the newest member of its team. 

Timo Rivetti is a passionate practitioner in the art of real estate in Sonoma County. He enjoyed a diverse career background in his native UK and California prior to earning his reputation as a skilled Petaluma-based property negotiator and dealmaker. 

Timo credits his propensity for creative thinking and out-of-the-box ideas and solutions as the common thread that ties together his rich and varied past career experiences to his ongoing success as one of the region's consistently top performing real estate brokers. Born to Italian immigrant parents in Peterborough, UK, Timo left home at 16, attending Eastbourne Art College with a focus on photography in his late teens. 

This led to an introduction to the vibrant art and music scene in Brighton, England. Timo managed bands in his 20s, the most successful of which, Curiosity Killed the Cat, rose to number one in the British music charts. Timo brokered a deal in which he and the band worked with Andy Warhol at The Factory in New York, producing a music video. 

Numerous start-up opportunities followed on both sides of the Atlantic, with a brief move into the advertising industry bringing him to San Francisco in 1990. Timo tried his hand in various internet companies prior to the birth of his third son in 1998, the year he took the plunge and studied for his real estate license. 

After being in the business for over two decades, Timo has built a wide network of community connections and is focusing much of his attention on working with others in visualizing how to broker deals that better life in Petaluma for all. A long time soccer coach and hobby winemaker, Timo was a founding member of the Petaluma Gap Winemakers Association. He is married to Southern Sonoma Country Life editor & freelance writer/author, Frances Rivetti. Timo and Frances raised their three sons in the area.

Established in 2016, the Idea Lounge is an exciting series of talks with a twist! Two speakers: one from the arts, one not. The audience uncovers what they have in common, revealing connections between art & life. The Idea Lounge is part of PAC Out of the Box, a series featuring collaborative activities that take place literally and figuratively outside the walls of the Arts Center and outside the typical art exhibition. Now in its 5th season, the Idea Lounge has featured speakers of all paths of life, presenting on a variety of topics.

The Idea Lounge is produced by Petaluma Arts Center. Interested in speaking at a future event?

Contact Molly Best at mbest@petalumaartscenter.org