Forestville
Wine & Food Pairing
Russian River Vineyards’ chef Gustavo Lopez and winemaker Giovanni Balistreri have put together a special culinary experience to kick off the New Year, featuring small dishes thoughtfully created to complement the wine and a fine vegetarian menu. The meal will premier the winery’s just ready Bacigalupi Chardonnay paired with a Maine lobster tail poached in butter, served on a toasted brioche roll and drizzled with a fresh herb aioli. The rich vanilla notes from the chardonnay are said to complement the succulent texture and buttery flavor of the lobster perfectly. Seatings are at noon, 2pm and 4pm, Saturday, Dec. 31, Russian River Vineyards, 5700 Hwy 116 N, Forestville. Reservations required. $95 per person. Bookings can be made online at bit.ly/rrv-nye.
Mill Valley
Pre-NYE Party
Revelers may dance the night away in Mill Valley at a Pre-New Year’s Eve Party, featuring fan-favorite hits and music videos with DJ Darryl K. All party guests will receive complimentary New Year’s hats and favors, and tickets are $20 if bought in advance (by Dec. 29) or $25 at the door. Adults of all ages are welcome, and dressy attire is requested. This event is co-sponsored by The Society of Single Professionals, the world’s largest non-profit singles organization; Professionals Guild; and Peacock Gap Golf Club Dance Group, among others. The party takes place from 8 to 11:30pm, Dec. 30 at The Club at Harbor Point, Lighthouse Grill, 475 E Strawberry Dr., Mill Valley.
Santa Rosa
MLK Birthday Celebration
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Birthday Celebration Sunday commences at 6:30pm, Sunday, Jan. 15, online via Zoom and live-streamed on Facebook. The event is free. This year’s program includes a bevy of poetry, dance and speakers, as well as music by the MLK Celebration Mass Choir, with Benjamin Mertz and Louis Jenkins, and featuring Dela the Fella and Tina Rogers. Presenters and performers also include Ancestral Libations by ReEllis Dotson-Newman & Sabryyah, Alicia Sanchez, Enid Pickett, Rose Hammond, Joe Salinas, MaDonna Feather, Rev. Lee Turner and Kirstyne Lange, president of the Santa Rosa/Sonoma County Chapter of NAACP. A program featuring dozens of performers and presenters is rounded out by oratories presented by middle and high school students. The celebration can be viewed online at Zoom ID: 882 4845 5259 (passcode: 172836) and live-streamed at Facebook.com/MLKcommittee.
Sonoma County
The City of Sonoma’s Cultural and Fine Arts Commission is seeking nominations for the 2023 Sonoma Treasure Artist of the Year Award. First awarded in 1983, the Sonoma Treasure Artist is selected and recognized for outstanding achievement in a chosen artistic medium, including the performing, visual, theatrical, literary and craft arts, and for their service and involvement within the community. The public is invited to nominate, in writing, individuals they feel would be worthy of the Sonoma Treasure Artist honor. Letters of nomination must include a description of the artist’s work and contributions to the community, and a rationale for why that person should be named Treasure Artist of the Year. Nominations will be accepted in the office of the City Clerk, No. 1 The Plaza, Sonoma, CA 95476 (City Hall), or by email at [email protected], until 5pm Jan. 20.
