Letters to the Editor: November 14, 2017

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Letters to the Editor: November 14, 2017

Bad Faith

The Ken Burns/Lynn Novick documentary The Vietnam War is not required viewing (“Don’t Forget,” Open Mic, Oct. 4). Burns and Novick want viewers to believe the war “was started in good faith by decent men.” Ha! Nothing could be further from the truth.

The U.S. government and its mainstream media propagandists need to sanitize history in order to justify current and future wars. This is what PBS (the Petroleum Broadcasting Co.) is doing. It would be more accurate to peruse the Pentagon Papers, released by Daniel Ellsberg and Anthony J. Russo Jr. in 1971, documenting how the government knew it couldn’t win the war, yet killed 3.1 million people.

Also check out A Rumor of War (1977), in which Marine Lt. Philip Caputo describes “orgiastic violence” as “standard operating procedure . . . kill as many of them as possible . . . stack ’em like cordwood,” and Nick Turse’s 2013 book Kill Anything That Moves. The “endless slaughter” was “neither accidental nor unforeseeable,” but rather “the outcome of deliberate policies, dictated at the highest levels of the military.”

Also, the group Veterans for Peace, on their resource Vietnam Full Disclosure, comments: “Burns and Novick’s film . . . can be understood as a sophisticated exercise in empire denial.”

—Barry Barnett

Santa Rosa


Insurance Assurances

I’ll tell you how the fires will affect insurance (“Fair Questions,” Oct. 25): about $400 a month, that’s how.

—Barbra Ann Schora

Via Facebook.com

Insurance is already too expensive and there are too many government-mandated coverage requirements like the two years worth of expenses for those displaced. What is that, two years of staying in a hotel plus some food allowance? There is also a built-in workers’ compensation insurance requirement for homeowners’ insurance, and don’t be surprised if the government gouges the insurance companies when billing for cleanup. Insurance that provides only minimal liability and rebuilding of burned structure should be available for those who want it in the interest of affordability.

—M Hilber

Via Bohemian.com

Emergence

I am a fan of some of those building methods (Open Mic, Oct. 31). How would rammed earth fare in a fire? What about a living roof? Of course, we live in earthquake country too, and that has to be accommodated. The other aspect of this issue is, should we be living in the wildland/urban interface? That is why these fires are so catastrophic. Once people move into the woods, minor fires no longer occur, leaving the occasional huge fire to wipe everything away. Lets do some honest, creative thinking about these issues.

—Steve Davey

Via Bohemian.com

Write to us at le*****@******an.com.

Free Pot

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Free Pot

On a Sunday morning in November, four vehicles from the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office climbed Old Cazadero Road. At the same time, a convoy of a U-Haul and three other vehicles descended the road. The passengers in the convoy—many of them medical marijuana patients—hoped to reach River Road before law enforcement intercepted them.

In the U-Haul that “Oaky” Joe Munson had rented explicitly for the occasion, he and his team had stashed 30 pounds of marijuana that they taken, or stolen or liberated (take your pick), from an illegal, unpermitted marijuana farm at the top of the ridge.

Several of Munson’s San Francisco patients who were suffering from AIDS had been unable to drive to Sonoma. But they still wanted their medicine.

No doubt California’s marijuana czar, Lori Ajax, would like Munson to disappear from the cannabis landscape, not only because he has taken the law into his hands, but also because he boasts about it. In his mid-50s and a ball of energy, he probably has years ahead of him.

Munson and his crew didn’t make it to River Road before the deputies. For two hours, there was a standoff in the woods while the sergeant and his deputies asked questions, examined IDs and wrote down names, addresses and phone numbers.

The entire escapade was the brainchild of Munson himself. A longtime marijuana grower, friend to medical-marijuana patients and a legend in outlaw circles—as well as a husband and father—he wanted what he insisted was rightfully his. He had a verbal agreement, he said, to grow marijuana with his business partners. In return for his efforts, he would receive a percentage of the crop.

Strictly old-school, with old-school methods, he would not likely survive in the brave new world of legal adult use of marijuana, but he was still riding high that Sunday.

During the previous summer, Munson had run afoul of his partners, or they’d run afoul of him. In any case, he was thrown off the property, told never to return and informed that he had no legitimate claim to any of the marijuana he’d helped cultivate.

Munson consulted with Victoria Shanahan, one of several lawyers who have represented him and who recommended that he not “raid” the farm. She reminded him that he might be arrested for trespassing. Munson went ahead anyway. It took him a couple of weeks, but he recruited Sonoma County marijuana cultivation maven Alexander Carpenter, along with two beefy friends and half a dozen medical-marijuana patients. Then he led his convoy up Old Guerneville Road and into the woods.

“We’re not taking any guns or weapons with us,” Munson explained to one and all. “If they start something, we’re going to leave.”

Everyone, including the beefy fellows, agreed. But when Munson and his crew arrived at the primitive encampment in the woods and began to remove containers filled with marijuana—and load them into the U-Haul—there was an altercation. Words were exchanged and someone threatened to kill Munson.

Munson had invited me along for the ride and urged me to write a story about what Carpenter would call “the afternoon adventure.” I scribbled madly in my notebook and at the same time witnessed the altercation, though I was too far away to determine who started it. Then it was time to beat a retreat.

On the way downhill, I sat in the U-Haul with Munson and Carpenter, a self-defined “expert cannabis consultant,” who had come to observe the event and stay detached, though he didn’t entirely succeed. When the altercation began, he emerged from the U-Haul and drew close to the action.

Munson, Carpenter and I assumed that the police would be waiting for us near the bottom of the road.

“I’d rather that the sheriff have the weed than those thieves,” Munson said. He added, “They didn’t hide the crop like I told them to. They made it easy for me to take what rightfully belonged to me.”

The first sheriff deputy on the scene blocked the road with his vehicle and approached Munson, who must have looked like the ringmaster.

“What’s going on?” the officer asked in a nonthreatening tone of voice. He explained that he was responding to a 911 call about the theft of a computer.

Munson explained that he had come to collect a debt that was owed him, and that no one had taken a computer. Then he voluntarily opened the U-Haul and said that the containers were filled with marijuana destined for patients. The officer nodded his head and said that if it were medical marijuana, it would presumably be given away and therefore didn’t have any cash value. He implied that no one would be arrested.

When I showed my media credentials and asked the commanding officer if he would be willing to answer questions, he replied, “I’m not giving a press conference.”

Then he went up hill to investigate, leaving Munson and his crew under the supervision of two young officers.

“Stuff like this happens all the time,” one of the sergeants said.

“It’s a common occurrence,” said another.

“I voted to legalize weed,” said another deputy. “I hope some day it’s in the same boat as tobacco and alcohol.”

When Munson said that his marijuana business was “farm to patient,” a deputy smiled and said, “That’s the way to do it.”

One of the medical-marijuana patients asked how he thought the matter would be resolved.

“I’m not sure,” said the sergeant. “My commanding officer has a lot of leeway and there’s a huge gray area.”

He added, “It’s hard to know what’s legal and what’s illegal these days.”

Not surprisingly, it didn’t look like a huge gray area or illegal to J.P., a medical-marijuana patient who had survived cancer. Nor did it seem like a gray area to the three women—Denise Lindquist, Helen Starling and Rene Bullock—who stood close together the whole time and who told the officers they just wanted their medicine. Lindquist has MS and breast cancer.

“The biggest thing in my life has been medical cannabis,” she explained. “Experimenting with strains has been an ongoing process. I am getting closer to the right cocktail that will help me have a better quality of life. Joe Munson has been helping me.”

Helen Starling has cancer of the uterus. Rene Bullock has cancer and brain lesions. All of them, including J.P., who had survived stage 3B melanoma, insisted that marijuana reduced their pain.

“Medical marijuana helped me get off opioids,” J.P. said. “Pot also helped me through my angst-ridden teen years.”

After an hour or so, the commanding officer returned with the names and the contact information for the growers on the ridge. Then he told Munson and the crewmembers they were free to go with the marijuana. Apparently, no one on the ridge was willing to file a complaint.

“You took the law into your own hands,” a patient told Munson. He nodded his head and said, “Maybe so, but the whole point was to get the marijuana to those who need it.”

Munson climbed behind the wheel of the U-Haul. The convoy moved out and the deputies moved on.

“Times have changed,” Munson said. “Five years ago this never would have happened.”

Carpenter said, “The police think of themselves as heroes fighting crime. It would not have looked good on their record if they had arrested some old ladies who have cancer and who use marijuana as medicine.”

At the end of the day, no one had been arrested and the crop had not been confiscated. Munson’s law prevailed and Munson’s patients received their medicine.

Jonah Raskin is the author of ‘Marijuanaland: Dispatches from an American War.’

Alt Turkey

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Alt Turkey

As the days get short and blustery and we dig in for the holidays, I find myself pondering the Tofurky, and how we got here. Tofurky was designed to resemble a baked stuffed turkey with gravy—and it would, if a stuffed turkey resembled a plant-based cheese combo.

Most vegetarians I know are confident enough in their vegetarianism that they don’t feel the need to go through the motions of ritually eating the roast beast. In my experience, the vegetarians and vegans are often the best cooks in the room. If the cook is allowed to use bacon and butter, anything can taste good, but to satisfy an omnivorous body with herbivorous cooking is a trickier feat.

I’m in the camp that believes what vegetarians really want is vegetables. So I say cook vegetables that look and taste
like what they are, rather than
like a carcass.

Here are two recipes that will satisfy all of the vegetarians at your table, providing you make enough.

One, roasted roots, is as old as autumn. The other tastes like bacon. After all, vegetarians miss turkey once or twice a year, but they miss bacon every day.

My roasted roots technique is based on the potato, but several more roots can be added, such as carrots, celeriac, parsnip or yellow beets (red beets will make the whole batch look like it’s drenched in blood). Dense, greasy fingerling potatoes are my favorite.

Cut all the roots into similar-sized chunks so they cook at the same pace, and toss them in olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder. If you want to add herbs, like thyme, rosemary or sage, do it. Spread the roots on a baking tray and bake at 350 until they are done—about an hour depending on how thinly they are sliced, stirring every 15 minutes. When the roots are done, add grated or pressed garlic while still hot, stir one final time, and cool.

And here is how to make tofu taste like bacon: cook it with bacon. Then remove the bits. Watch your vegetarian friends melt in a vat of ignorant bliss.

But if that is too edgy for you, here is a way to get that tofu close enough to bacon that your guests will insist they need to take another bite, and another, before they can decide if it really does taste like bacon.

Cut a brick of extra-firm tofu into half-inch cubes, but do it sloppily, so that the pieces are uneven, with thick and thin parts, and add them to a pan on low heat, with about two tablespoons of olive oil per pound of tofu. Cook slowly, stirring as the water cooks off, and a layer of brown builds on the flat sides of the increasingly dense, crisping pieces. If the olive oil cooks off, add more. Add a few large chunks from a single onion layer along with a clove of garlic cut in half.

As the brown approaches irresistibility on all sides, sprinkle salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika. Add a teaspoon of honey per pound of tofu—or more, to taste—and soy sauce to taste.

Don’t worry about what to serve with it. Like bacon, these tofu bits can go on anything, from roasted roots to salad to a vegetable side dish.

And if they beg for your secret, tell them it’s bacon grease.

Still Standing

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Still Standing

Threatened by the recent Nun’s fire, but left relatively untouched, Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen is one of Sonoma Valley’s few spots spared by the disaster.

To mark the park’s good fortune, officials are opening it to the public for free through the rest of the year. Admission fees and parking usually run between $10 and $20, though visitors can now explore the 1,400-acre area that famed author Jack London called home over a hundred years ago and enjoy the park’s resumed schedule of walks and events gratis.

This Saturday, Nov. 18, the park hosts its weekly Saturday hike, led by an experienced naturalist. Nov. 18 also marks the annual Jack London Memorial, located at the author’s gravesite within the park. Both events begin at 10am, with no reservations required.

On Friday, Nov. 24, the park celebrates another long-standing tradition with the annual post-Thanksgiving Turkey Waddle, offering the public a chance to walk off the stuffing among the park’s ancient redwoods.

The park has also rescheduled its previously canceled Mindful Walk on Saturday, Dec. 9, that combines hiking and meditation for a day of emotional and mental healing. All these events are free, including parking.

Jack London State Park, 2400 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen. 707.938.5216.

Sip and Shop

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Sip and Shop

If you’ve come here for council about poultry and wine, I’ve got this: pick up one bottle of Pinot Noir and one Chardonnay, and make sure they’re made by our Sonoma and Napa County neighbors.

Now, get out—out of the crowded house, that is, and tool around wine country for a few hours this Thanksgiving weekend, if not to pick up a few gifts, then to just take in the autumn air and feel the glow from a sip of wine—or perhaps glögg—and leave others to jostle joylessly in aisles of retail.

Sonoma Valley

Can’t wait? Get a head start on the holiday at Three Sticks Wines #SonomaStrong Holiday Market, Sunday, Nov. 19, noon–4pm. Originally planned as a members-only event, #DestinationDurell was remade as a crafts and gift market and is open to the community for a $20 fee, which goes to CAWineStrong fire relief and gets you wine and a raffle ticket. Never mind those hashtags—you don’t need to be logged in to drop by at the old Vallejo-Casteñada Adobe, one of the last from the 1821–1846 Mexican Period and a visual-furnishings feast on the inside. Look for treats and trinkets from Wine Country Chocolates, Sethi Couture Jewelry, BRAM Cookware, Pottery by Nicole, Love Sonoma Boutique and more—maybe splurge on sumptuous Pinot Noir and Chardonnay for your holiday dinner, too. 725 Broadway, Sonoma.

Twenty-one members of the Heart of Sonoma Valley Winery Association—from Glen Ellen’s Madrone Estate to the Ledson “castle” near Oakmont—hold their annual Holiday Open House Nov. 25–26. Not all offer food pairings, but it’s a good deal for tasting at multiple wineries. $45 advance; $55 door. 11am–4pm. No-drinkie driver discount. heartofsonomavalley.com.

Dry Creek Valley

DaVero Farms & Winery’s day-after Thanksgiving celebration on Friday, Nov. 24, is a casual party welcoming all ages, and nice dogs on a leash, to meander around their extensive biodynamic garden and visit the popular pig pen. Gift ideas include estate olive oil and wine duos; eats made possible by Franchetti’s mobile wood-fired pizza ovens. $10 donation and proceeds from Pollo Rosso jug wine sales support UndocuFund, a nonprofit aiding fire-affected families not eligible for federal assistance. 11am–4pm.

Get your glögg on at West Wines’ Scandinavian Christmas-style open house, Nov. 24–26, and enjoy hot, spiced wine and cookies while perusing Swedish Christmas decorations and glassware.
1000 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg.

Alexander Valley

All six wineries participating in Black Friday Open House offer small bites with their Alexander Valley wines, plus a raffle, gifts and wine discounts. Nov. 24, 11am–4pm. $35; $40.

Napa Valley

The “Brightest Town in Napa Valley” actually requires tasting rooms to devote space to retail, so you know there’s shopping galore in Yountville. “Holidays in Yountville” turns on the lights Nov. 20.

Nov. 9: Eco Noir in Sonoma

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Nov. 9: Eco Noir in Sonoma

Prolific North Bay author and frequent Bohemian contributor Jonah Raskin is best known for his poetry and books on cannabis and Jack London. Now Raskin makes a hard-boiled foray into the world of crime fiction with his latest novel, a self-described eco-noir thriller, ‘Dark Land, Dark Mirror.’ Following the female private eye Tioga Vignetta, the murder mystery is set in the wine country and casts ominous shadows across the Golden State. Raskin reads from Dark Land, Dark Mirror with a book launch on Thursday, Nov. 9, at Readers’ Books, 130 E. Napa St., Sonoma. 7pm. Free admission. 707.939.1779.

Nov. 11: Feast On This in Yountville

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Nov. 11: Feast On This in Yountville

Long before Julia Child became a celebrity chef, she and her husband Paul Child lived in Paris, Marseille and the French countryside after WWII. This week, Napa Valley Museum presents a world-premiere exhibit, ‘France Is a Feast,’ that features rarely seen black-and-white photographs taken by Paul Child in France between 1948 and 1954. Inspired by the new book of the same name, this art show also features an audio tour to deepen the experience. France Is a Feast authors Alex Prud’homme and Katie Pratt will be on hand for an opening reception on Saturday, Nov. 11, 55 Presidents Circle, Yountville. 5pm. $20. 707.944.0500.

Nov. 11: Big & Slim in Petaluma

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Nov. 11: Big & Slim in Petaluma

Aside from their juxtaposing monikers, bluesmen Big Jon Atkinson and Coyote Slim are a musical match made in the Delta. From Southern California, Atkinson is an accomplished harmonica player, singer and blues songwriter who performs solo and with his band Big Jon & the Nationals. Sonoma County native Coyote Slim is similarly gifted, playing guitar and singing with an authentic blues sound. The two players take the stage this weekend for a spirited show, and Coyote Slim is donating any album sales to Sonoma County fire victims on Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Big Easy, 128 American Alley, Petaluma. 707.776.7163. Doors at 6:30pm. $5. Full dinner menu available with reservations. 707.776.7163.

Nov. 12: Still Harvesting in Healdsburg

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Nov. 12: Still Harvesting in Healdsburg

Downtown Healdsburg’s Spoonbar hosts its annual Harvest Dinner this weekend to show that Sonoma County’s bounty is still as strong as ever. Spoonbar chefs Casey and Patrick Van Voorhis, along with Red Bird Bakery, offer a three-course family-style feast paired with Preston Family Farm wines. The dinner will feature seasonal favorites like ash-roasted beets and winter citrus to start, heirloom squash and roast hen for the main course, and pumpkin cake and ginger-poached pears for dessert. Corkage fees are waived for this communal event, and diners are welcome to bring their own wine on Sunday, Nov. 12, to Spoonbar, 219 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg. 6pm. $68. 707.433.7222.

Holiday Arts 2017

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Holiday Arts 2017

Believe it or not, the holiday season is upon us. And that means nearly two months of holiday fun and cheer are coming your way. To help you navigate the season, and keep your spirits bright, we present our select guide to holiday fun from Thanksgiving to Christmas.

EVENTS

Wine Country Turkey Crawl Taste and pick a wine to pair with your Thanksgiving dinner with the fundraising winery tour. All of the ticket sales will be donated to the Redwood Credit Union North Bay Fire relief fund, and each of the neighboring wineries will show off their best vintages to complement turkey and cranberry sauce. Nov. 12. Dutton Estate, 8757 Green Valley Road; Furthermore Wines,
3541 Gravenstein Hwy. N.;
Marimar Estate, 11400 Graton Road, Sebastopol. 11am. $15; tickets include a tasting at all three wineries. duttonestate.com.

Napa on Ice Napa’s outdoor skating rink, located on the grounds of the Napa Expo, is back for another year of holiday fun. Recreational ice skating on 6,300 square feet of real ice is open daily with lessons, parties, private ice time and special events offered. Nov. 17–Jan. 7. $13 general admission; $15 VIP admission. napaonice.com.

Winterblast Annual holiday art party turns 13 and takes over the South of A arts district in Santa Rosa. Open studios showcase dozens of artists in their element, an electric sofa parade lights up the streets and live music kick the holiday spirit into gear. Magic, belly dancing, food trucks, beer and wine and merriment abound. Nov. 18.
312 South A St., Santa Rosa. 5–9:30pm. Free entry. sofasantarosa.com.

Santa Train & Wine Train Thanksgiving The Napa Valley Wine Train welcomes Santa aboard for a season of magical fun in a nostalgic railroad setting. Sip cocoa, enjoy musical entertainment, tour the Napa Valley and get a photo with Santa. Nov. 18–Dec. 29. $49. On Thanksgiving, guests are invited to dine in style and enjoy a traditional feast with all the fixings while riding the train. Nov. 23. $171 and up. 800.427.4124.

Holidays Along the Farm Trails Celebrate the season with the local agricultural community, as farmers and producers offer a view of life on the farm. Find farm-stand gifts, cut a Christmas tree to take home and enjoy DIY workshops. Hosted by Sonoma County Farm Trails. Nov. 18–Jan. 1. Various Locations in Sonoma County. Registration required to save the date. farmtrails.org.

Holidays in Yountville Skip the big-box stores this Christmas and join the people of Yountville for six weeks of food, wine and holiday cheer. As the town transforms into a magical winter wonderland with thousands of sparkling lights, visitors can enjoy a full schedule of live entertainment, art shows, workshops and classes, along with unique shopping choices, food and wine tours, carriage rides and more. Nov. 20–Dec. 31. Downtown Yountville, Washington St., Yountville. Full schedule and info
at yountville.com.

Napa’s Christmas Tree Lighting The mayor of Napa flips the switch and welcomes the Christmas season to Napa in this traditional community event. Sip on hot chocolate, nibble on cookies and enjoy local entertainment. Nov. 22. Veterans Park, Third and Main streets, Napa. 6pm. Free. donapa.com.

Winter Lights Santa Rosa’s downtown Courthouse Square shines with the annual Christmas Tree lighting ceremony that includes activities for all ages. Enjoy local eats, see Santa arrive on a fire truck and partake in the Remembrance Candle Lighting. This year’s Winter Lights theme is “I Believe in Santa Rosa,” to highlight the town’s resilience and strength in the wake of October’s fires. Nov. 24. Third Street and Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa. 4pm. Free admission. 707.545.1414.

Santa’s Riverboat Arrival Santa and Mrs. Claus give the season its start when they arrive by tugboat at the Petaluma River Turning Basin and disembark to hand out candy and take holiday photos with kids while live entertainment from the likes of the Pacific Empire Chorus and Petaluma School of Ballet entertains the crowd. Nov. 25.
River Plaza Shopping Center,
72 E. Washington St., Petaluma. 11:30am–1pm. Free. 707.769.0429.

Heart of Sonoma Valley Holiday Open House Toast the holiday season on a tour of 20 wineries throughout the heart of Sonoma Valley. Weekend includes access
to wineries and winemakers,
wine cave tours, holiday gifts and wine country holiday cheer.
Nov. 25–26. 11am–4pm. $45–$55
per person; designated driver,
$10–$15. heartofsonomavalley.com.

Holiday Tea Service Hotel Healdsburg hosts weekend tea services to provide a relaxing atmosphere in the midst of all the holiday madness. Enjoy custom teas, pastries, petite sandwiches, even classic cocktails. Festive piano music and décor add to the ambiance. Nov. 25–Dec. 24. 25 Matheson St., Healdsburg. Saturdays and Sundays, noon–2pm. 707.431.2800.

Napa’s Christmas Parade This long-running, family-friendly evening parade features creative floats built by Napans themselves, focusing on the theme “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Nov. 25. Second and Third streets in downtown Napa. 5–7pm. Free. donapa.com.

Lighting of the Snowmen Annual tradition lights up Cornerstone Sonoma with decorative snowmen coming to life amid live music and entertainment. Get a photo with Santa and enjoy the seasonal spirit in the picturesque setting.
Dec. 2. Cornerstone Sonoma, 23667 Hwy. 121, Sonoma. 4pm. Free admission. 707.939.3010.

The Reindeer Run Seventh annual run or walk covers Thompson Trail on Wetlands Edge Trailhead and encourages participants to dress in festive holiday gear. Dec. 2. Eucalyptus Drive, American Canyon. 8am. $37–$45. khopeinternational.org.

Napa B&B Holiday Tour & Taste Event The B&Bs of Napa invite you inside their historical inns, decked out in festive decorations, to savor select wines and tasty holiday treats. Transportation and entertainment included. Proceeds benefit local charities. Dec. 2. 3–7pm. $75. napaholidaytour.com.

Calistoga Lighted Tractor Parade Twenty-second annual small-town celebration of the holiday season and Calistoga’s agricultural heritage boasts vintage tractors, antique trucks and other rustic autos lit up in dazzling displays. Dec. 2. Lincoln Avenue between Stevenson and Cedar, downtown Calistoga. 7pm. Free. visitcalistoga.com.

Luther Burbank Holiday Open House A popular holiday tradition in its 38th year, this open house features Victorian-era finery and a charming tour of Burbank’s historic home and gardens, with free parking at First and D streets and free rides on Rosie the Trolley to and from the Handmade Holiday Crafts Fair held at the Finley Community Center. Dec. 2–3. Luther Burbank Home & Gardens, 204 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa. 10am to 4pm. $3; kids 12 and under are free. lutherburbank.org.

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Calistoga Winter in the Wineries Winter-long getaway event lets you purchase a passport to visit up to 17 wineries and meet the winemakers in and around the Calistoga area in relaxed tasting tours that you schedule at your convenience.
Dec. 2–Feb. 4. Twenty-one and over only. $60. visitcalistoga.com.

Windsor Holiday Celebration on the Green Bring the kids to send letters to Santa, make crafts, decorate gingerbread, have a look at the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Grove on display through New Year’s Eve and take a carriage ride before the annual tree-lighting ceremony. Dec. 7. Windsor Town Green, 701 McClelland Drive, Windsor. 5–8pm. Free admission; $1–$10 for various activities. townofwindsor.com.

Light Up a Life Heartland Hospice honors lives lost with annual candle- and tree-lighting ceremonies. Celebrate the holidays with community, enjoy live music from Michael Brandeurg’s Jazz Trio and create an ornament in honor of your loved one. Dec. 7. Montgomery Village Terrace, 911 Village Court, Santa Rosa. 5–6:30pm. Free. mvshops.com.

Sebastopol Holiday Home Tour & Artisan Boutique Enjoy the holiday lights and décor of several different stylish homes, with cheerful music and festive bites on hand. Then, browse a variety of holiday crafts and decorations for sale at a boutique at Pleasant Hill Christian School, all benefiting the Jacob’s Scholarship Fund. Home Tours, Dec. 8–9; Artisan Boutique, Dec. 8–10. 1782 Pleasant Hill Road, Sebastopol. Friday, 5–9pm; Saturday, 10am–5pm.; Sunday, 10am–4pm. Tours, $10–$35 and up; Boutique, free admission. sebastopolholidayhometour.com.

Petaluma Holiday Lighted Boat Parade A floating parade of sparkling boats shines on the Petaluma River to ring in the season, while downtown shops stay open late for holiday strolling. Dec. 9. Petaluma River Turning Basin, Petaluma. 6pm. Free. visitpetaluma.com.

Napa Lighted Art Festival This festival creates a stunning walking path of artwork as light displays are projected onto a variety of buildings throughout the town every evening from Dec. 9 to Dec. 17. Downtown Napa and the Oxbow district. 5–10pm. naparec.com.

Hanukkah Hootenanny Enjoy Judd’s Hill Winery’s 11th annual Hanukkah bash featuring lively entertainment, wine, brisket sliders, latke bar and traditional jelly doughnuts. Guests are encouraged to bring unwrapped new toys and canned (nonperishable) food items for donation to local Napa charities. Dec. 10, Judd’s Hill Winery,
2332 Silverado Trail, Napa. Noon–2:30pm. $55; $25 for Wine Club members. juddshill.com.

SHOPPING

Holiday Crafterino Ninth annual art-and-craft extravaganza
features a curated collection of
64 vendors, food trucks and
loads of cheer. Proceeds from
sales and a raffle supports the Committee on the Shelterless.
Nov. 12. Petaluma Veteran’s Memorial Building, 1094 Petaluma Blvd. S., Petaluma. 11am–4pm. $1 admission. www.holidaycrafterino.com.

Gifts ‘n’ Tyme Holiday Faire This fair, going 45 years and counting, highlights more than 85 local and regional artists and makers of fine crafts selling everything from stocking stuffers to fine works. Holiday music and aromas like cinnamon-roasted almonds fill the air. Nov. 17–19. Napa Valley Expo, Chardonnay Hall, 575 Third St., Napa. Friday–Saturday, 10am–6pm; Sunday, 10am–4pm. Free. 925.372.8691.

American Folk Art Holiday Festival Inaugural fest features unusual and one-of-a-kind folk-art creations and antiques. Wine and chocolate pairings, treats and other beverages available for purchase, and a positive communal spirit await on Nov. 18, Lucky Penny Community Arts Center, 1758 Industrial Way, Napa. 10am–3pm. $10 at the door. luckypennynapa.com.

West County Craft Faire Ramp up to the holidays with this 16th annual celebration of all things local and handmade. West County vendors will sell crafts, jewelry, clothing, quilts, bodycare products, art and much more, with live music, food and refreshments and a raffle to benefit Sebastopol based Interfaith Sustainable Food Collaborative. Nov. 18–19. Sebastopol Grange Hall, 6000 Hwy. 12, Sebastopol. 11am–4pm. Free admission. sebastopolgrange.org.

Holiday Marketplace at CIA Copia Start your holiday shopping with seasonal and local offerings from Napa and Bay Area vendors, featuring handmade items and culinary delights. Nov. 24–26. 500 First St., Napa. 11am–4pm. ciaatcopia.com.

Rohnert Park Holiday Arts & Crafts Faire Thirty-eighth annual fair features holiday decorations, live music and jolly entertainment, festive treats and cheerful holiday crafts and jewelry. Nov. 24–25. Rohnert Park Community Center, 5401 Snyder Lane, Rohnert Park. 10am–4pm. Free. 707.588.3456.

Calistoga Holiday Village & Christmas Faire First, stroll through downtown Calistoga
and indulge in a holiday shopping spree on Friday, Dec. 1. Then enjoy a fair with artisan vendors, food and activities on Saturday, Dec. 2. Napa County Fairgrounds, 1435 N. Oak St., Calistoga. 9am–4pm. Free admission. visitcalistoga.com.

St. John’s Christmas Boutique
A tradition in the town of Ross, the boutique offers homemade jams, jellies and baked goods, as well as holiday gifts and items such as wrapping paper and holiday cards. Proceeds benefit charitable causes, and helps support community needs at St. John’s sister parish in Malawi, Africa. Dec. 1–3. St. John’s Episcopal Church, 14 Lagunitas Road, Ross. Friday, noon–6:30pm; Saturday, 10am to 5pm. Free admission. 415.456.1102.

Handmade Holiday Crafts Fair Festive annual event features 80 local artists selling their quality crafts and gifts, holiday goodies, entertainment, a prize drawing and trolley rides to the Luther Burbank Home & Gardens Holiday Open House. Dec. 2–3, Finley Community Center, 2060 West College Ave., Santa Rosa. Saturday, 9am–5pm; Sunday, 10am–4pm. $3; 12 and under are free. 707.543.3737.

Freya Lodge Holiday Arts & Craft Fair The Norwegian cultural center hosts this classic fair. Enjoy a variety of high-quality handmade items made by Sonoma County artists. There will also be Scandinavian baked goods, Norwegian waffles, coffee and
light lunch available to purchase, and a cozy holiday atmosphere. Proceeds from food sales go to children’s charities. Dec. 9, Freya Lodge Sons of Norway Hall,
617 W. Ninth St., Santa Rosa.
9am–3pm. 707.579.1080.

Petaluma Arts Association Holiday Arts & Crafts Show Local artists and artisans show off their handmade wares at an art-and-craft show perfect for gift giving, benefiting Mentor Me. Dec. 9–10. Petaluma Community Center, 320 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma. 10am–4pm. petalumaarts.org.

Sonoma Ceramics Fiber & Print Holiday Sale Give the gift of art and find affordable and unique holiday items from several artists who work in Sonoma. Pieces range from decorative ornaments to sculptural works of art. The Ceramics Studio is also open for tours and artist demonstrations. Dec. 9–10. Sonoma Community Center, 276 E. Napa St., Sonoma. Saturday, 10am–5pm; Sunday, 10am–4pm. Free admission. 707.938.462.

Goddess Crafts Faire Women’s art, music, dance and handmade gifts by local and regional women are all part of this 23rd annual community holiday fair. Dec. 9–10, Sebastopol Community Center, 390 Morris St., Sebastopol. 11am–7pm. $5–$13 suggested donation; kids free. goddesscraftsfaire.com.

Occidental Holiday Crafts Faire Find unique works by more than 35 local and regional artists, grab gift certificates for local restaurants and hotels, enter into raffles for local goodies, hear live music from West County musicians, taste food from a gourmet chef and enjoy baked goods by Salmon Creek School students this season. Dec. 9–10, Occidental Community Center, 3920 Bohemian Hwy., Occidental. 10am–5pm. Free admission. occidental ca.org.

PERFORMANCE

Sonoma County Philharmonic Music director Norman Gamboa and the local philharmonic present a program titled “Fanfare,” featuring violinist Pam Otsuka and viola player Robby Moales. Pre-concert talks will illuminate the various selections presented in concert and proceeds will support fire relief efforts. Nov. 18–19. SRHS Performing Arts Auditorium, 1235 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa. Saturday, 7:30pm; Sunday, 2pm. $15; students are free. socophil.org.

Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater Yountville Holiday Movie Series, with Polar Express on Nov. 19, How the Grinch Stole Christmas on Dec. 1 and Elf on Dec. 8. 7pm. $5–$40 (Nov. 19 is free). VOENA: Voices of the Season presents “Wonderland” Dec. 9. 7pm. $25. Holidays in Buenos Aires with Michael Guttman and JP Jofre,
Dec. 10. 3pm. $30–$55. Napa Regional Dance Company’s 17th annual production of The Nutcracker, Dec. 16–17. Saturday, 2pm and 7pm; Sunday, 2pm. $35–$45. 100 California Drive, Yountville. 707.944.9900.

Le Cirque de Bohème Annual winter circus wonderland is based on the wondrous French tradition. This year, a brand-new original production, Freedom, tells enchanting tales with an amazing cast of performers who achieve world-class heights. Nov. 24–Dec. 17. Cornerstone Sonoma, 23570 Arnold Drive, Sonoma. Days and times vary. $30–$55; kids under 15 are $22. cirquedeboheme.com.

Sonoma Arts Live A Christmas Carol meets Noises Off in the hilarious holiday affair, Inspecting Carol, coming to Sonoma this season. Set in the ’90s, the story follows a small theater company struggling to survive and facing inspection while trying to get through a production of the Dickens’ classic. Nov. 29–Dec. 10,
at Andrews Hall in Sonoma Community Center, 276 E. Napa St., Sonoma. Wednesdays through Fridays, 7:30pm; Sundays, 2pm. $22–$26; $37 VIP (includes dessert and wine). sonomaartslive.org.

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Luther Burbank Center for the Arts Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis, Nov. 29. 7:30pm. $59–$75. Transcendence Theatre’s Broadway Holiday Spectacular, Dec. 1–3. Friday, 7:30pm; Saturday–Sunday, 2pm and 7:30pm. $39–
$139. Left Edge Theatre presents The Santaland Diaries, Dec. 1–17. Friday–Saturday, 8pm; Sunday, 5pm. $25–$40. Tony Bennett, Dec. 5. 7:30pm. $89–$149. Posada Navideña. Dec. 8. 7pm. $5 $10. Kids 2 and under are $2. Symphony Pops: A Holly Jolly Pops. Dec. 10. 3pm. $37–$80. Under the Streetlamp: Hip to the Holidays, Dec. 14. 7:30pm. $39–$59. Roustabout’s Apprentice Program: White Christmas.
Dec. 15–17. Friday, 7:30pm; Saturday, 3pm and 7:30pm; Sunday, 3pm. $16–$26. Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker. Dec. 18. 7pm. $34–$74. 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa. 707.546.3600.

An Irish Christmas An exciting celebration of holiday joy, laughter and life returns to the North Bay with the talented dancers of the internationally acclaimed Kerry Dance Troupe performing traditional Irish dances that incorporate theatrical arts and music from Christmas classics like “Silent Night” and “Little Drummer Boy.” Nov. 30. Uptown Theatre, 1350 Third St., Napa. 8pm. $35–$55. 707.259.0123.

Blue Note Napa Willie K: A Special Holiday Performance, Dec. 1–2. 7:30pm and 9:30pm. $25 $35. Royal Jelly Jive’s Christmas Special, Dec. 9. 7:30pm and 9:30pm. $15–$30. Kellie Fuller, Sandy Riccardi and Mike Greensill’s Cool Yule Christmas Show, Dec. 14. 7:30pm and 9:30pm. $10–$35. Jessy J: A Special Christmas Performance, Dec. 15–16. 7:30pm and 9:30pm. $15–$35. VOENA: Voices of the Season presents “Wonderland” in the
JaM Cellars Ballroom, Dec. 16. 7pm. $30. 1030 Main St., Napa. 707.880.2300.

Nutcracker: The Musical The classic tale of toys comes to life, and a girl transported to the land of sugarplum fairies marks the Cloverdale Performing Arts Center’s annual Christmas show. Dec. 1–10. 209 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale. Friday–Saturday, 7:30pm; Sunday, 2pm. $12–$22. 707.829.2214.

A Vintage Christmas Healdsburg’s Raven Players go on the road to Geyserville and perform the world premiere of playwright Tony Sciullo’s A Vintage Christmas. The original play mixes elements of old-school holiday stories A Christmas Carol and It’s a Wonderful Life, and sets the action in wine country on Christmas eve, when spirits show a wine owner what could happen to his family if he sells the business. Opening night includes a bubbly reception and post-show discussion. Dec. 1–10, at Trione Vineyards & Winery, 19550 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville. Times vary. Space is limited. $10–$25. raventheater.org.

6th Street Playhouse A pair of classic holiday tales make their way to the stages at the Railroad Square theater house. In the main GK Hardt Theatre, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas dazzles with a beloved songbook score and toe-tapping dance routines. In the smaller Studio Theatre, Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge puts a new spin on the classic Christmas Carol with Bob Cratchit’s wife taking center stage. Dec. 1–23. 6th Street Playhouse, 52 W. Sixth St., Santa Rosa. $10–$38. 707.523.3544.

Alleluia Anyway Occidental Community Choir ushers in the season with a program that stretches genres and traditions and reminds us to shine a light in dark months and dark days . Come early for pre concert sing alongs. Dec. 2–3, 8–9 at Occidental Center for the Arts, 3850 Doris Murphy Court, Occidental; Dec. 10 at Glaser Center, 547 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa. Times vary. $15; kids 12 and under are free. occidentalchoir.org.

Healdsburg Chorus The long-running community choir shares
the joy of the holidays in their annual winter concert, with new arrangements of spirited standards and a slew of seasonal surprises
set to fill your stockings with
cheer. Dec. 3, Glaser Center,
547 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa. 3pm; Dec. 7–9, Healdsburg Community Church, 1100 University St., Healdsburg. Thursday–Friday, 7pm; Saturday, 3pm. healdsburgchorus.com.

Chris Isaak Holiday Tour Known as one of the best live performers of our time, the contemporary crooner brings the spectacle of the holidays to his rock show and performs both his best hits and seasonal classics including “Blue Christmas” and “Hey Santa!” Dec. 7. Uptown Theatre, 1350 Third St., Napa. 8pm. $75–$115. 707.259.0123.

Holiday Choral Concert Join the Silver Singers for a festive concert that includes performances by choral groups from Rohnert Park and Windsor senior centers. Dec. 7. Bennett Valley Senior Center,
704 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa. 11am. Free. 707.545.8608.

ArtQuest Dance Company Winter Performance The talented students of Santa Rosa High School’s award winning ArtQuest program communicate the spirit of the holidays through movement. Dec. 8–9. SRHS Performing Arts Auditorium, 1235 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa. 7pm. $5–$15. Srhsdance.org.

A Frozen Ballet Teresa Lubarsky’s Healdsburg Ballet premieres a brand-new show based on the beloved fairy tale “The Snow Queen” by Hans Christian Andersen. Dancers of all ages create a ballet that is sure to delight audiences of all ages. Dec. 9–10. Raven Performing Arts Theater,
115 North St., Healdsburg. Saturday, 7pm; Sunday, 2pm. $15–$20. healdsburgballet.com.

Healdsburg Community Band’s Christmas Concert The 30-plus member band plays their annual holiday-themed concert with classics and big band arrangements of Christmas hits. Dec. 9. Cloverdale Veterans Memorial Building, 205 W. First St., Cloverdale. 7:30pm. Free; donations accepted. Dec. 16. Raven Performing Arts Theater,
15 North St., Healdsburg. 7pm. $25. healdsburgcommunityband.org.

The Joys of Christmas Napa’s community-based chorus Sing Napa Valley hosts featured soloists and Napa Valley Children’s Chorus for a new holiday show that includes performances of Christmas Oratorio by Camille Saint-Saëns and “The Seven Joys of Christmas” by Kirke Mechem.
Dec. 10. First United Methodist Church, 625 Randolph St., Napa. 1pm. $25. singnapavalley.org.

Green Music Center Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale presents Handel’s Messiah, Dec. 10. 3pm. $50 and up. 30th Anniversary of Windham Hill’s Winter Solstice, Dec. 15. 7:30pm. $25 and up. Cherish the Ladies’ Celtic Christmas, Dec. 16. 7:30pm. $25 and up. Sonoma Bach Presents Early Music Christmas: Windows to the Soul, Dec. 16. 8pm. $25. Dave Koz 20th Anniversary Christmas Concert with David Benoit, Rick Braun and Peter
White, Dec. 17. 7pm. $50 and up. 1801 East Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. 866.955.6040.

A Chanticleer Christmas Holiday favorite from the vocal orchestra tells the Christmas story in Gregorian chant, Renaissance polyphony, traditional carols and a medley of spirituals. Dec. 11, St. Vincent’s Church, 35 Liberty St., Petaluma. 6pm and 8:30pm. $35–$75. chanticleer.org.

Reader’s Theatre’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ The classic story will be told with an emphasis on the dramatic art of storytelling. Dec. 14. Person Senior Wing at Finley Center, 2060 W. College Ave., Santa Rosa. 3pm. Free. Space is limited; RSVP recommended. 707.543.3745.

Letters to the Editor: November 14, 2017

Bad Faith The Ken Burns/Lynn Novick documentary The Vietnam War is not required viewing ("Don't Forget," Open Mic, Oct. 4). Burns and Novick want viewers to believe the war "was started in good faith by decent men." Ha! Nothing could be further from the truth. The U.S. government and its mainstream media propagandists need to sanitize history in order to justify...
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Free Pot

On a Sunday morning in November, four vehicles from the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office climbed Old Cazadero Road. At the same time, a convoy of a U-Haul and three other vehicles descended the road. The passengers in the convoy—many of them medical marijuana patients—hoped to reach River Road before law enforcement intercepted them. In the U-Haul that “Oaky” Joe Munson...
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Alt Turkey

As the days get short and blustery and we dig in for the holidays, I find myself pondering the Tofurky, and how we got here. Tofurky was designed to resemble a baked stuffed turkey with gravy—and it would, if a stuffed turkey resembled a plant-based cheese combo. Most vegetarians I know are confident enough in their vegetarianism that they don't...
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Still Standing

Threatened by the recent Nun's fire, but left relatively untouched, Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen is one of Sonoma Valley's few spots spared by the disaster. To mark the park's good fortune, officials are opening it to the public for free through the rest of the year. Admission fees and parking usually run between $10 and $20,...
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Sip and Shop

If you've come here for council about poultry and wine, I've got this: pick up one bottle of Pinot Noir and one Chardonnay, and make sure they're made by our Sonoma and Napa County neighbors. Now, get out—out of the crowded house, that is, and tool around wine country for a few hours this Thanksgiving weekend, if not to pick...
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Nov. 9: Eco Noir in Sonoma

Prolific North Bay author and frequent Bohemian contributor Jonah Raskin is best known for his poetry and books on cannabis and Jack London. Now Raskin makes a hard-boiled foray into the world of crime fiction with his latest novel, a self-described eco-noir thriller, ‘Dark Land, Dark Mirror.’ Following the female private eye Tioga Vignetta, the murder mystery is...
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Nov. 11: Feast On This in Yountville

Long before Julia Child became a celebrity chef, she and her husband Paul Child lived in Paris, Marseille and the French countryside after WWII. This week, Napa Valley Museum presents a world-premiere exhibit, ‘France Is a Feast,’ that features rarely seen black-and-white photographs taken by Paul Child in France between 1948 and 1954. Inspired by the new book of...
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Nov. 11: Big & Slim in Petaluma

Aside from their juxtaposing monikers, bluesmen Big Jon Atkinson and Coyote Slim are a musical match made in the Delta. From Southern California, Atkinson is an accomplished harmonica player, singer and blues songwriter who performs solo and with his band Big Jon & the Nationals. Sonoma County native Coyote Slim is similarly gifted, playing guitar and singing with an...
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Nov. 12: Still Harvesting in Healdsburg

Downtown Healdsburg’s Spoonbar hosts its annual Harvest Dinner this weekend to show that Sonoma County’s bounty is still as strong as ever. Spoonbar chefs Casey and Patrick Van Voorhis, along with Red Bird Bakery, offer a three-course family-style feast paired with Preston Family Farm wines. The dinner will feature seasonal favorites like ash-roasted beets and winter citrus to start,...
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Holiday Arts 2017

Believe it or not, the holiday season is upon us. And that means nearly two months of holiday fun and cheer are coming your way. To help you navigate the season, and keep your spirits bright, we present our select guide to holiday fun from Thanksgiving to Christmas. EVENTS Wine Country Turkey Crawl Taste and pick a wine to pair with...
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