Posts from — March 2009

The 36^th Annual Bodega Bay Fisherman’s Festival will be held April 4-5 from 10 am to 5 pm at Westside Park, Bodega Bay.  Admission is $10 ($8 for seniors), children under 12 free. Pets on leash are permitted.  There’s live music, a crafts fair, food booths and wine tasting. In addition, on Saturday, there will be the entertaining wooden boat contest where teams of four people each will begin with the same set of materials (lumber, nails, screws, duct tape) and will attempt to build a boat capable of taking at least one of them around a short course in Bodega Harbor, racing against all the other teams. Also on Saturday is the parade of pets and on Sunday there will be a boat parade and the blessing of the fleet.

Come and see this supercalifragilistic film based on the book, “Mary Poppins” by P.L. Travers. Chalk drawing and mini-kite craft in the Children’s Room following the movie. Rated G. All Ages.

Central Santa Rosa Library

707-545-0831

 2-4:30 p.m. 

Free

>

Frugal doesn’t mean that fine food is out. Sonoma County has picnic spots that rival the ambiance of 4 star restaurants.

>

Starting April 2, we’re running a new series. Every Thursday through Spring, we’ll post a primo Sonoma County picnic spot, and a local chef or foodie will suggest a picnic menu (and often provide recipes) that can be enjoyed at that particular picnic site.

Do you have a favorite picnic spot? Tell us where you like to picnic and why—either in the comments section if this post, or in any Thursday picnic post’s comments  section before June 1 (scroll to the end and click on “comments”; only one comment per post will be counted)—and you’ll be entered in a random drawing  to win a copy of the new The Vineyard Cookbook, by Barbara Scott-Goodman. The Vineyard Cookbook has seasonal recipes, wine pairing, and beautiful color photos.

The publisher is offering our readers a 15% off deal on the Vineyard Cookbook, so if you don’t want to wait for the drawing (Mother’s Day is coming…) just click here
> .

North Bay Blues Legends: Volker Striffler, Michael Barclay,  and Mark Burgstahler. Frank Hayhurst hosts this special evening, and will pull the curtain back on the “tricks of the trade” that guitarists use to get that magic mojo going. The event is free, but they ask you to sign up in advance.

Tuesday March 24

7 pm

>
Zone Music

7884 Old Redwood Hwy

Cotati

707-664-1213

Free

>

There are lots of free and cheap things to do in Sonoma County, but no doubt about it: Sonoma County hotel rooms aren’t cheap. But spring is the shoulder season, and the recession has spawned some nice deals on rooms in Sonoma County hotels, motels, B&Bs, and vacation rentals. (Looking for Summer 2009 deals? Try here)

Here are a few Sonoma County Spring lodging specials: [Read more →]

Sonoma State University’s annual low-cost physical health exams and appraisals for well adults and children begin tomorrow (Wednesday March 18).

>
Appointments are for Sonoma County residents only and are available through May 20. [Read more →]

The first harbor seal pups have been born at the seal rookerey at Goat Rock at Sonoma Coast State Beach in Jenner. These are the things that make Sonoma County special–and it’s free. [Read more →]

>

The Santa Rosa Juggling Club will offer demonstrations and instructions on juggling, including 3-, 4- and 5- Ball Patterns, How to Juggle Three Clubs, and How to Pass Clubs, for kids and adults at the Santa Rosa Central Library (211 E St, 707-545-0831).

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Time: 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Free

Don’t forget to scroll to the end and add a comment to the Sonoma County Movie Location post to be entered to win 4 free movie passes or a DVD of Bottle Shock. Subscribe to our email updates (enter your email  in the subscribe box to the right) to win a copy of the photo book, Hidden Sonoma.

Infineon Raceway is offering  free haircut at Supercuts to the first 200 people who buy two tickets for Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown, either Saturday, May 16, or Sunday, May 17, or a combination of the two days. The offer starts Saint Patrick’s day (Tuesday March 17) and runs until the haircut coupons are gone.