North Star Gala Supports Sebastopol Center for the Arts

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North Star Gala Supports Sebastopol Center for the Arts

Sonoma County has been a retreat and home for contemporary creatives for decades.

From Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s boundary-breaking “Running Fence” and Ned Khan’s mesmerizing elemental installation sculptures, to the bittersweet, contemplative comics of Charles Shultz and the darkly poetic music of Tom Waits, Sonoma County is an inspiration—maybe even a North Star—for artists creating meaning with their work.

Honoring and supporting this integral work, the Sebastopol Center for the Arts presents the Second Annual North Star Gala, the center’s annual fundraising event celebrating art and artists, on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 5-9 pm. This year, the aptly-named gala will host an evening extravaganza honoring art and artists, while raising funds to support the center’s many programs and sharing the myriad talents of the area’s creatives with patrons.

During the event, guests will enjoy a locally-sourced dinner created by chefs Daniel Kedan and Marianna Gardenhire of the award-winning, Michelin-recognized Backyard Restaurant, while sultry Parisian musical vibes permeate the evening, courtesy of Le Duo, featuring Mimi and Gabe Pirarda.

“Last year was magical,” says Serafina Palandech, executive director of the Sebastopol Center for the Arts. “The event sold out, with 160 art lovers joining us to celebrate the arts and raise money for SebArts.”

Patrons will be able to meet and chat with the artists during the event and will have the opportunity to participate in an assortment of multi-sensory art experiences throughout the evening, encompassing music, visual art, film, poetry and more. But the night’s centerpiece will be a live auction with Ellen Toscano, the Singing Auctioneer.

Six desirable items will be featured at the live auction. They include a trip to Mexico, a dinner for 12 from a renowned local chef and artwork from internationally esteemed artists Ned Kahn, Maria de los Angeles, Gregory Rick and Monica Rosa.

“The works in the live auction are world-class pieces from incredibly talented and famous artists,” Palandech says. Proxy bidding will be allowed, so those who can’t attend can contact SebArts beforehand to bid on the live auction.

North Star Gala is an easy way to get involved. Even easier is the online auction, where art appreciators can start bidding right now from the comfort of their homes to support both SebArts and local artists, who will receive 40% of the proceeds. It’s a win-win-win.

“The artwork will be displayed at the gala, so I hope you will come to the event to see an incredible art exhibit of work from local, national and international artists. Seeing artwork in person is very different than viewing it online—the resonance, the emotion, the colors—all can be very impactful when seen in person,” Palandech explains. “However, if you cannot join us at the gala, all of the work is available online for bidding. This is a rare opportunity to buy original artwork.”

For those looking to support or benefit from the arts, SebArts is one-stop shopping. They offer nine programs that serve thousands of artists and art lovers around Sonoma County, including a Literary Arts program, two Open Studios programs—Art Trails and Art at the Source, an Artist Incubator Program where artists learn business skills, a film program, a choir, youth programs and summer camps, a ceramics studio, and education and performance departments.

“This year, we have partnered with several other non-profit organizations, including hosting Queer Family Picnic, Chinese New Year’s celebration, the Apple Blossom Fair and Peacetown. We average about 100+ hours of volunteer time per week,” says Palandech.

Formerly the director of AIDS Walks nationwide, fundraising and organizing for 15 years, Palandech is also an art lover, artist, mother and business owner. She was drawn to the position at SebArts—which had been suffering from Covid closures—in the spring of 2023 with a vision of building a thriving community space.

“I love the community, and I have a grand vision for SebArts,” she says, “one in which all disciplines can meet, where artists can converse with the public, that can support emerging scenes and introduce and provoke debate, where we make art and view art.”

Her grand vision for SebArts programming has manifested quickly, to the benefit of the entire county. In 2024, SebArts Gallery presented 10 exhibitions, including Reverberations, a curated show that paired works from private collections with poetry from 56 poets.

They also featured an innovative Light Show with multi-mediums, a Teen Art Show, Pulp: Book Arts and a Members’ Art Show, among others. The gallery store offers a variety of goods created by local artists and hosts two annual Art and Craft Fairs to highlight and support local artists and makers.

It’s an understatement to say that Palandech and SebArts know how to gather the community. The Literary Arts program alone featured writing salons, poetry readings, the nomination and inauguration of the Sonoma County poet laureate and a Lit Crawl with 122 authors reading at nine venues around Sebastopol.

Over 300 artists from around Sonoma County participated in Art Trails and Art at the Source, generating over $1 million in art sales revenue for the artists, with over 50,000 attendees. Meanwhile, back at the brick-and-mortar, their award-winning ceramics studio has over 50 classes annually with over 150 students, along with over 70 courses in drawing, painting, weaving, enameling and other visual arts annually.

“The gala is our biggest fundraiser of the year,” says Palandech. “Our goal is to raise $125K to support our programs and services. We are entirely privately funded by the community and do not receive public city or county grants. We need our community’s support to continue to provide this programming.”

Three artists will be honored this year at the gala—Kathryn Davy for her contributions to the Visual Arts team, Jean McGlothlin for her work with the Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival and Linda Loveland Reid for her dedication to the Literary Arts program. Each of them exemplifies the spirit of community service, dedicating countless volunteer hours to SebArts and helping create something bigger than themselves.

While community art organizations across the country are closing or cutting back, SebArts has expanded its offerings. This year, SebArts aims to grow arts education for children throughout West County and seeks community support to make it happen.

“Art and artists are essential, and the community thrives because of them,” Palandech affirms. “Art making can provide an end to loneliness, bring joyful playfulness and give a sense of purpose to folks.”

Sebastopol Center for the Arts’ North Star Gala is from 5 to 9pm Saturday, Sept. 14, at

282 S. High St., Sebastopol. Tickets start at $250. For more information, call 707.829.4797 or visit sebarts.org.

The Charlie Browniest: ‘Peanuts’ musical in Rohnert Park

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The Charlie Browniest: ‘Peanuts’ musical in Rohnert Park

With the deep connection between Charles Schulz and Sonoma County, one might expect You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown to run perpetually. Rohnert Park’s Spreckels Theatre Company is hosting the Peanuts gang with a production running through September 15.

The show began its life as a series of songs by Clark Gesner. After receiving permission from Schulz, Gesner produced a concept album and then a stage adaptation. It opened off-Broadway in 1967 and enjoyed a four-year run. 

The late nineties brought revisions and a revival, noted by the addition of new music and songs by Andrew Lippa.  

There’s no plot per se, just a series of vignettes featuring Charlie Brown (Anderson Templeton), Lucy (Kaela Mariano), Linus (Tyler Ono), Sally (Nicole Stanley), Schroeder (Chase Thompson), and, of course, Snoopy (Brady Voss).

The sense of the comic strip coming alive was supported with a three-panel comic strip backdrop and simple, colorful set pieces by Eddy Hansen and spot-on recreations of the expected character clothing by Donnie Frank.

The vignettes were of familiar Peanuts moments: Charlie Brown pining for the Little Red-Headed Girl, Lucy pining for Schroeder, Schroeder pining for Beethoven, Linus pining for his blanket, Sally pining for better grades, and Snoopy pining for his dinner.  The kite-eating tree, psychiatrist booth, baseball game, and Sopwith Camel also appear.

The challenge of mounting a production of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, is that it’s not really a children’s show, but you must do something to keep the tykes in attendance attentive.

Director Elly Lichenstein appears to have sought a solution to this dilemma through casting. It’s a mixture of teens and adults, and while it’s nice to see some of the area’s talented young performers get a shot at larger roles, they lack gravitas. Ono’s Linus has a wonderful bit with “Me and My Blanket” but his more philosophical moments came off as too juvenile. Thompson captures Schroeder’s love and passion for music, but his frequent expressions of anger were out of step and over the top.     

The girls come off best, with Stanley perfectly capturing Sally’s neediness and scapegoating while Mariano fully embodied Lucy’s alpha femaleness (and crabbiness). 

Voss played Snoopy for the kids which, based on the reactions from the young folks, worked well, but I missed a sense of the character’s intelligence. Silliness reigned supreme here.   

Templeton exuded Charlie Brown’s lack of self-confidence, but that anxiety seemed very real when singing. He was clearly struggling with some of the songs, and his already thin voice disappeared occasionally, as was the case with several other cast members.

The curious decision to not use mics while having a four-piece band onstage did not serve this production well. The band, under the direction of Janis Dunson Wilson, did not overpower the singing and handled the music quite well. The cast simply did not receive the amplification support they should have.

You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown is the theatrical equivalent of opening up a dog-eared copy of a Peanuts compendium and paging your way through a trip down memory lane.   

‘You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown’ runs through Sept 15 in the Condiotti Experimental Theater at the Spreckels Performing Arts Center, 5409 Snyder Lane, Rohnert Park. Fri-Sat, 7:30 pm; Sun, 2 pm. $16 – $42. 707.588.3400. spreckelsonline.com 

Real Freedom: A Letter from the DNC

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Last weekend, when I arrived back home from the Democratic National Convention, my first stop was a visit to the Sonoma County Democratic Party’s “Blue Wave BBQ & Bluau.” Still buzzing with excitement from the prior few days in Chicago, it was a pleasant surprise to see that energy had followed me home to Sonoma County.

Local volunteers were organizing postcard parties, phone banks and trips to talk to voters in the key swing state of Nevada. Community activists were plotting how best to support our excellent Democratic nominees in key red-to-blue congressional seats across California. And our local Democratic clubs were fired up—reporting higher membership and greater excitement than they’ve seen in years.

This is possible not just because of the Harris-Walz campaign and the Democratic Convention—it’s actually about something so much bigger than a few days in Chicago. It’s more than days of speeches contrasting our agenda with the darkness of Donald Trump and the dangers of Project 2025. It’s about—as Pete Buttigieg put it—a better kind of politics.

This kind of politics results when we’re brought together by visionary, not vindictive rhetoric. When we run on an agenda focused on expanding freedoms rather than stripping them away. When we unite our communities through joy, not blind them by hate.

That was the true thread I saw in Chicago: that there is hope in that kind of politics and power in fighting for the future instead of stewing over the past. And that better kind of politics is achievable if we all show up, have the tough conversations and do the hard work of being engaged.

After all, it’s not too bold to suggest that women should have the freedom to choose what they do with their own bodies. That kids be free from gun violence in schools and at home, and you are free to marry who you love. Working families should have the freedom not to have to choose between putting food on the table or paying the rent.

That’s what the Democratic National Convention reminded us of. That’s what the Harris-Walz campaign is all about—a campaign for the people and the future.

Because we’re not going back.

Ariel U. Kelley lives in Healdsburg.

California’s Last-ditch Efforts to Cut Electric Bills

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California’s Last-ditch Efforts to Cut Electric Bills

The Legislature and Gov. Gavin Newsom have significantly scaled back their eleventh-hour plans to reduce Californians’ electric bills and fast-track renewable energy projects.

The main proposal to address California’s rising electric bills would give each household a small, one-time credit of between $30 and $70, according to a person familiar with the bill. This measure would save an estimated $500 million, which would come from cuts in utility programs that assist low-income residents and schools.

For weeks, top lawmakers and the governor’s aides have negotiated a series of proposals to address California’s twin clean energy challenges: meeting mandates for clean, carbon-free energy and reducing electric bills that are among the highest in the nation.

By the deadline last week, the state’s leaders unveiled six bills that address the cost of electricity and building of renewable energy projects.

Environmental groups, clean-energy businesses and consumer advocates have mixed feelings about them, with some saying they are largely ineffective and others saying they are a good first step.

Loretta Lynch, an environmental consultant and former California Public Utilities Commission president, said that customer bills are climbing because the commission keeps approving rate increases. She added that the Assembly measures wouldn’t address the biggest drivers of consumer costs.

“The last-minute, gut-and-amend backroom deals do not attack the root causes of California’s incredibly high energy bills,” she said. “Instead, they rob Peter to pay Paul—taking away key funds from programs that work to create a sham (consumer) bill reduction.”

But the executive director of The Utility Reform Network, Mark Toney, supported the measures, saying they are “an important first step towards affordable energy for all California residents.” He has called lowering ratepayers’ costs an urgent priority because the state could lose public support for clean energy.

Molly Croll, director of Pacific offshore wind for American Clean Power, a renewable industry group, said she was surprised by the streamlining proposal and has no position on it, since it wasn’t anything the industry lobbied the Legislature for. “We haven’t had input,” she said, echoing comments from other renewable energy groups.

Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire, from Santa Rosa, said he would try again next year by bringing back more proposals.

“This is a two-year effort,” he said. “Anything worth its weight in life, anything big and bold, takes time. But we’re committed.”

Californians’ electric bills have nearly doubled over the last decade as the state’s biggest utilities have passed spending on reducing wildfire risks and transitioning rapidly away from fossil fuels. Rates are expected to continue outpacing inflation through 2027.

Two measures authored by Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris, from Irvine, aimed at reducing energy bills were introduced last week by gutting and amending two unrelated bills.

Assembly Bill 3121 would require ratepayers to be paid funds—reportedly amounting to a single $30 to $70 credit for each household—from a few consumer energy programs in areas served by Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric. Included are a program to upgrade school heating and air conditioning systems and two programs to help low-income Californians save on their energy bills, such as incentives for installing solar panels and rebates for energy storage.

Advocates for the programs say the proposed cuts would harm low-income Californians and children while cutting ratepayers’ utility bills only inconsequentially.

“It is a pound-foolish decision that doesn’t address the systemic (energy) affordability crisis we’re facing,” said Stephanie Seidmon, program director for UndauntedK12, a nonprofit that helps public schools transition to clean energy. “It feels more like a political stunt, and it’s unconscionable we would do that to our children, our staff members and our teachers who come to schools that are not always safe learning and working environments.”

Jennifer Robison, a Pacific Gas & Electric spokesperson, said the company hasn’t taken a position on AB 3121, but supports returning money to customers from the programs.

“PG&E shares the Legislature’s and Governor’s focus on making energy bills more affordable for our customers. We’re working to stabilize bills and limit average annual bill increases to no more than 3% through 2026,” Robison said in a statement. She added that the company has “adopted companywide savings initiatives to reduce our operating costs and limit unnecessary expenses” and is “supporting customers with ways to reduce energy use and bills.”

The second legislative proposal, Assembly Bill 3264, would require the Public Utilities Commission to study how to reduce the costs of expanding transmission capacity and report to the Legislature on energy efficiency programs funded through consumers’ utility bills.

Two other Senate bills address utility costs. Advocates said that Senate Bill 1003 would help address the cost of utilities’ wildfire plans, and Senate Bill 1142 would prevent power shutoffs for ratepayers who agree to payment plans.

Furthermore, the Senate moved forward with a considerably scaled-back version of proposals to fast-track renewable energy projects. Those proposals aimed to streamline and assist solar, offshore wind, battery storage and other green energy projects.

Senate Bill 1272 would allow the California Energy Commission to adopt an overall environmental impact report that evaluates the potential effects common to a wide range of clean energy projects. This approach allows developers to rely on that analysis in most cases, saving time and money.

Renewable energy advocates asked for more time to craft better legislation, given the bill “raises more questions than it answers.”

Instead, the clean energy groups wanted the state to update its tax code to align with federal rules, which would allow them to take advantage of renewable energy tax credits, part of the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, without being taxed on them as income.

“We appreciate the intent to facilitate project streamlining, which is definitely needed, but deserves more discussion,” Shannon Eddy, executive director of the Large-scale Solar Association, said. “What clean energy projects need in that timeframe is tax conformity.”

McGuire previously backed away from proposals that would create the tax credits, streamline local and state permitting and grant “by right” approval to developers building in areas already zoned for them, eliminating the need for local approvals.

Also gone are proposals to consolidate the process by creating a “one-stop shop” system for applications, hearings and decision-making.

Due to the state’s large fiscal deficit, McGuire said that creating tax credits was difficult. He added that he would bring back the rest of the measures next year.

To meet its ambitious greenhouse gas targets, California must supply 60% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030 and 100% by 2045. Californians are facing the highest energy bills in continental America.

Your Letters, Sept. 4

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Don Patrol

Our boy, Big Don, will be the next U.S. president. It’s been in the script for quite some time. The faked assassination attempt was a public ritual that sealed his new role as “president.” Don’t expect to be seeing any deportations, affronts on big pharma, money laundering diverted from the U.S.-Israel war industrial complex or a healthy respect for the privacy of citizens here in the States.

You can vote for him, if you want, or not vote for him. Your vote won’t change the outcome. I hope none of you will be sending your sons and daughters off to be sacrificed for the international banking cabal when the call is made. I’m not sure what the solution is, but Trump will not be helping us in just about any regard.

Libby Hicks

Sebastopol

via Bohemian.com

Nobody’s Hero

Let us remind ourselves about two things. First, Joe Biden is nobody’s hero. He should have quit his “job” of being on the public dole at least 10 years ago, perhaps longer. The fact that he fired himself is not remarkable in itself, even though it was exactly the right thing to do.

Second, Donald Trump has demonstrated that he is a degenerate, imbecile sociopath who should not be allowed anywhere near a position of responsibility. To confer upon him even a whiff of skill, integrity, knowledge or ability to lead is an obvious mistake. Those who believe otherwise about him are as deluded as he. There, we are reminded.

Craig J. Corsini

San Rafael

Chatty Animals, Ember Stomping, More

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Chatty Animals, Ember Stomping, More

Tiburon

What Does the Sea Turtle Say?

Marta Stella Wendlinger is a local artist about to host her inaugural solo exhibit, entitled “If Animals Could Talk.” The pieces that comprise this exhibition are unique and colorful collages made from and inspired by vintage National Geographic magazines. Wendlinger creates her collages with special attention to texture, color saturation, composition, pattern construction and taste (though hopefully not in the literal sense). Her collection of collages takes on symbolic, spiritual and aesthetic angles in a complex creative feat that’s downright fun to look at. The “If Animals Could Talk” exhibition is in collaboration with The Heritage & Arts Commission of Tiburon and is open now through Saturday, Oct. 26. Tiburon Town Hall and the “If Animals Could Talk” exhibition are located at 1505 Tiburon Blvd., Belvedere Tiburon.

 

Napa

Open Sesame – No, Open Studios

Open Studios Napa Valley is a self-guided citywide art discovery tour that pairs well with a pinot noir, or so they say. Come on out to Napa and enjoy finding favorites among 75-plus artists featured in this annual Open Studios event. Those who are curious about art, artists themselves and especially anyone looking to purchase a special new piece of art should consider coming out to explore—after all, there’s no better time for shopping than the fall. The Open Studios Napa Valley citywide spirit runs from now through Sept. 30, though the actual artist studios will be open from 10am to 5pm Sept. 21 through 22 and again Sept. 28 through 29. For more information, visit openstudiosnapavalley.com.

Glen Ellen

Take a Hike

Fitness fanatics and nature enthusiasts alike may rejoice in answering the call of the wild (i.e., hiking in Jack London State Historic Park). Anyone who wants to take a hike, the guided kind, may do so in a series of hikes every Saturday beginning Sept. 7 and ending Oct. 5. Note that dogs are not invited along on these hikes, to protect the natural wildlife. Each hike in this series costs $15 per person plus a park entry fee of $10 per vehicle. Except for hike #3, all of the hikes take place at Jack London State Historic Park, located at 2400 London Ranch Rd. in Glen Ellen. Visit jacklondonpark.com to purchase tickets or learn more.

San Rafael

We Didn’t Start the Fire

Ember Stomp is back for yet another year of teaching California locals one thing: Only you can prevent wildfire. This event is educational, free to attend and designed for the whole family. There will be burn demos, food trucks, fire smart landscaping classes, live music, face painting and so much more. So, do Smokey the Bear proud and come on out to this year’s Ember Stomp 2024. To learn more, visit the website at firesafemarin.org. This year’s Ember Stomp takes place from 11am to 5pm on Saturday, Sept. 7 at the Marin Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Dr., San Rafael.

Free Will Astrology: Week of Sept. 4

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Free Will Astrology: Week of Sept. 4

ARIES (March 21-April 19): In 2015, a large earthquake struck Nepal, registering 7.8 on the Richter scale. It was so powerful, it shrunk Mt. Everest. I mention this, Aries, because I suspect you will generate good fortune in the coming months whenever you try to shrink metaphorical mountains. Luckily, you won’t need to resort to anything as forceful and ferocious as a massive earthquake. In fact, I think your best efforts will be persistent, incremental and gradual. If you haven’t gotten started yet, do so now.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): We don’t know the astrological sign of Egyptian Queen Cleopatra, who ruled from 51 to 30 B.C.E. But might she have been a Taurus? What other tribe of the zodiac would indulge in the extravagance of bathing in donkey milk? Her staff kept a herd of 700 donkeys for this regimen. Before you dismiss the habit as weird, please understand that it wasn’t uncommon in ancient times. Why? Modern science has shown that donkey milk has anti-aging, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities. And as astrologers know, many of you Tauruses are drawn to luxurious and healing influences that also enhance beauty. I recommend you cultivate such influences with extra verve in the coming days.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): In two trillion galaxies stretched out across 93 billion light years, new stars are constantly being born. Their birth process happens in stellar nurseries, where dense clouds of gas coalesce into giant spheres of light and heat powered by the process of nuclear fusion. If you don’t mind me engaging in a bit of hyperbole, I believe that you Geminis are now immersed in a small-scale, metaphorical version of a stellar nursery. I have high hopes for the magnificence you will beget in the coming months.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): The planet Mars usually stays in your sign for less than two months every two years. But the pattern will be different in the coming months. Mars will abide in Cancer from Sept. 5 to Nov. 4 and then again from Jan. 27 till April 19 in 2025. The last time the red planet made such an extended visit was in 2007 and 2008, and before that in 1992 and 1993. So what does it mean? In the least desirable scenario, you will wander aimlessly, distracted by trivial battles and unable to decide which dreams to pursue. In the best scenario, you will be blessed with a sustained, fiery devotion to your best and most beautiful ambitions.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Famous rock musicians have on occasion spiced up their live shows by destroying their instruments on stage. Kurt Cobain of the band Nirvana smashed many guitars. So did Jimi Hendrix, who even set his guitars on fire. I can admire the symbolic statement of not being overly attached to objects one loves. But I don’t recommend that approach to you in the coming weeks. On the contrary, I believe this is a time for you to express extra care for the tools, machines and apparatus that give you so much. Polish them up, get repairs done, show them you love them. And if you need new gizmos and gear to enhance your self-expression, get them in the near future.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): In all of world history, which author has sold the most books? The answer is Agatha Christie, born under the sign of Virgo. Readers have bought over 2 billion copies of her 70-plus books. I present her as a worthy role model for you during the next nine months. In my astrological opinion, this will be your time to shine, to excel, to reach new heights of accomplishment. Along with Christie, I invite you to draw encouragement and inspiration from four other Virgo writers who have flourished: 1. Stephen King, 400 million in sales from 77 books. 2. Kyotaro Nishimura, 200 million in sales from over 400 books. 3. Leo Tolstoy, 413 million from 48 books. 4. Paul Coelho, 350 million from 28 books.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Centuries before the story of Jesus Christ’s resurrection, there was a Greek myth with similar themes. It featured Persephone, a divine person who descended into the realm of the dead but ultimately returned in a transfigured form. The ancient Festival of Eleusis, observed every September, honored Persephone’s down-going and redemption—as well as the cyclical flow of decay and renewal in every human life. In accordance with astrological omens, I invite you to observe your own version of a Festival of Eleusis by taking an inventory: What is disintegrating and decomposing in your own world? What is ripe for regeneration and rejuvenation? What fun action can you do that resembles a resurrection?

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): The coming weeks will be an excellent time to take inventory of your community and your network of connections. Here are questions to ask yourself as you evaluate whether you already have exactly what you need or else may need to make adjustments. 1. Are you linked with an array of people who stimulate and support you? 2. Can you draw freely on influences that further your goals and help you feel at home in the world? 3. Do you bestow favors on those you would like to receive favors from? 4. Do you belong to groups or institutions that share your ideals and give you power you can’t access alone?

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): “Progress was all right. Only it went on too long.” Sagittarian humorist James Thurber said that, and now I’m conveying it to you. Why? Well, I am very happy about the progress you’ve been making recently—the blooming and expanding and learning you have been enjoying. But I’m guessing you would now benefit from a period of refining what you have gained. Rather than even more progress, I feel you need to consolidate and integrate the progress you have so robustly earned.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): The people of Northern Ireland have over 70 colorful slang terms for being drunk. These include splootered, stonkied, squiffy, cabbaged, stinkered, ballbagged, wingdinged, bluttered and wanked. I am begging you, Capricorn, to refrain from those states for at least two weeks. According to my reading of the omens, it’s important for you to avoid the thrills and ills of alcohol. I am completely in favor of you pursuing natural highs, however. I would love you to get your mind blown and your heart opened through epiphanies and raptures that take you to the frontiers of consciousness.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Beginning 11,000 years ago, humans began to breed the fig. It’s the world’s oldest cultivated food, preceding even wheat, barley and legumes. Many scholars think that the fig, not the apple, was the forbidden fruit that God warned Adam and Eve not to munch in the famous Biblical passage. These days, though, figs rarely make the list of the fruits people love most. Their taste is regarded by some as weird, even cloying. But for our purposes, I will favorably quote the serpent in the Garden of Eden: “When you eat the fig, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God.” This is my elaborate way of telling you that now may be an excellent time to sample a forbidden fruit. Also: A serpent may have wise counsel for you.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): The coming weeks would be an excellent time to file lawsuits against everyone who has ever wronged you, hurt you, ignored you, misunderstood you, tried to change you into something you’re not and failed to give you what you deserve. I recommend you sue each of them for $10 million. The astrological omens suggest you now have the power to finally get compensated for the stupidity and malice you have had to endure. JUST KIDDING! I lied. The truth is, now is a great time to feel intense gratitude for everyone who has supported you, encouraged you and appreciated you for who you really are. I also suggest you communicate your thanks to as many of your personal helpers and heroes as you can.

Homework: What are you afraid or too timid to ask for? I dare you to ask for it. Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology.com

Politicos’ Kids Not Fair Game

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Like many others, I wept watching vice presidential candidate Tim Walz’s son, Gus, express his sheer admiration of his dad during the Democratic National Convention.

Gus had tears in his eyes. As an expression of pure joy, when he pointed his index finger at his dad during his speech, he said, “I love you, dad” and “That’s my dad!”

Much has been made about the fact that Gus has a nonverbal learning disorder as well as anxiety and ADHD. While none of that matters in regard to his elated show of affection for his dad, it did perhaps offer some people the chance to think about those issues and to consider how the Walz family has admirably supported Gus.

What should not have happened is that hateful people took to the Internet to make fun of Gus. But it did. For example, conservative columnist Ann Coulter wrote on the platform X, “Talk about weird.” The comment has since been deleted, but that does not erase the despicable sentiment behind making fun of a teenager who expressed his love for his father.

Trump supporter and podcaster Mike Crispi referred to Gus as Walz’s “stupid crying son” and wrote on X, “You raised your kid to be a puffy beta male. Congrats.” Another Trump supporter, Alec Lace, who actually hosts a podcast about fatherhood, wrote, “Get the kid a tampon already.”

The issue goes beyond people saying disgusting comments about Gus Walz, however. It brings to light the fact that to some in the United States, politician’s kids are fair game. They should never be. Sadly, there is a long history of trolls attacking politician’s kids. Remember all the comments about Chelsea Clinton? How about the grotesque things people said about Sasha and Malia Obama?

It is not just conservatives who play dirty and attack the kids. Like Chelsea, Barron Trump was also ridiculed on Saturday Night Live after his dad took office. Barron faced more mean-spirited attacks when he decided to get involved politically as he was turning 18.

This really is quite simple: Leave the kids alone. They have nothing to do with their parent’s choice to run for office. There are plenty of policy issues that desperately need to be the focus of the upcoming election. Let’s pay attention to those and not to bullying kids. We can do better.

Laura Finley, Ph.D., teaches in the Barry University department of sociology & criminology.

Your Letters, 8/28

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Grain Reign

While it is true I hold degrees from both Deep State and California State University, Deep, I no longer believe that Chef Boyardee conspires with Franco-American to perpetuate the myth of canned noodle supremacy over boxed Golden Grain.

Perhaps it is time for all of us to face the whole grain truth: Rice-A-Roni, the San Francisco treat, beats the shit out of any Iron Curtain-based rice pilaf, regardless of how much neofascist salt it contains. Because after all, Generalissimo Franco, despite his brutal persecution of the poet, Garcia Lorca, is still dead.

Craig J. Corsini

San Rafael

Real Change

Trump sure does stand for real change. Very much like the changes Hitler wrought in the 1930s. Thumbs down to that!

As for the military industrial complex, I thank our stars we can resist the True Believers out in the world who want to tear down our relatively progressive society.

Christopher Emley

San Rafael

Bolinas Film Fest, David Luning and a Lethal Shark

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Bolinas Film Fest, David Luning and a Lethal Shark

Bolinas

Four-Day Movie Par-tay

Film buffs should definitely not miss a trip out to West Marin when the second annual Bolinas Film Festival comes to town. Some of the movies set to play at this four-day film festival extravaganza include Planetwalker, La Chimera, Giants Rising, and Maya and the Wave. Between the opening night gala, film screenings galore, plenty of panel discussions, Q&As to one’s heart’s content and a spaghetti dinner to boot, there’s enough entertainment for everybody. To learn more or purchase a pass to one or all of the days, visit bolinasfilmfestival.com. The second annual Bolinas Film Festival is set to show Sept. 19 through 22 at The Starlight Theater, 5 Brighton Ave.

Cloverdale

‘Lessons’ Learned

Americana singer-songwriter and local David Luning is set to release his highly anticipated third album, Lessons, just before heading out on a 20-date Southeast tour following his appearance at the AmericanaFest conference in Nashville. Catch Luning live at Cloverdale Arts Alliance on Thursday, Sept. 5, at 7:30pm, where he’ll bring his storytelling prowess to the stage. Lessons drops the next day. Tickets are $40 and available now at bit.ly/luning. 204 N Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale.

Napa

Nine Centuries of Singing

The Bay Area’s own 23-voice choir, Aeternum, is performing in Napa next month with two separate shows in its Echoes of Light concert series. Aeternum’s Echoes of Light concerts offer a choral performance so nice, it’ll take to the stage twice—its first showing is set to take place at 7:30pm, on Sunday, Sept. 8, at Mont La Salle Chapel, with the second at 7:30pm, on Saturday, Sept. 14, at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. Tickets to see Echoes of Light are sold at aeternumchoir.org and cost $25 apiece, though students, first responders and veterans may pay a discounted price. Mont La Salle Chapel is located at 4405 Redwood Rd. in Napa, and St. Mary’s Episcopal Church is located at 917 Third St. in Napa.

Santa Rosa

DUN-DUN…DUN-DUN

There’s a screening of Jaws coming soon to a Charles M. Schulz Museum nearby! This showing of Steven Speilberg’s classic 1975 thriller, Jaws, coincides with the museum’s exhibition of “Bravo, Snoopy! Peanuts and Pawpet Theater.” Who in their right mind wouldn’t want to come out to Santa Rosa’s iconic Charlie Brown-themed museum to see the world’s most famous movie about a murderous shark? Tickets to the Friday Movie Night showing of Jaws cost only $10 per person, though museum members receive an additional discount of 20% off. And everyone will enjoy free popcorn to chomp on, just like the scary shark chomps in the movie. Tickets can be purchased in advance at schulzmuseum.org or at the door. ‘Jaws’ will play on Friday, Sept. 6, at 7pm, at the Charles M. Schulz Museum, located at 2301 Hardies Ln., Santa Rosa.

North Star Gala Supports Sebastopol Center for the Arts

Sonoma County has been a retreat and home for contemporary creatives for decades. From Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s boundary-breaking “Running Fence” and Ned Khan’s mesmerizing elemental installation sculptures, to the bittersweet, contemplative comics of Charles Shultz and the darkly poetic music of Tom Waits, Sonoma County is an inspiration—maybe even a North Star—for artists creating meaning with their work. Honoring and supporting...
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The Charlie Browniest: ‘Peanuts’ musical in Rohnert Park

With the deep connection between Charles Schulz and Sonoma County, one might expect You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown to run perpetually. Rohnert Park’s Spreckels Theatre Company is hosting the Peanuts gang with a production running through September 15. The show began its life as a series of songs by Clark Gesner. After receiving permission from Schulz, Gesner produced a...
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Real Freedom: A Letter from the DNC

Last weekend, when I arrived back home from the Democratic National Convention, my first stop was a visit to the Sonoma County Democratic Party’s “Blue Wave BBQ & Bluau.” Still buzzing with excitement from the prior few days in Chicago, it was a pleasant surprise to see that energy had followed me home to Sonoma County. Local volunteers were organizing...
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California’s Last-ditch Efforts to Cut Electric Bills

The Legislature and Gov. Gavin Newsom have significantly scaled back their eleventh-hour plans to reduce Californians’ electric bills and fast-track renewable energy projects. The main proposal to address California’s rising electric bills would give each household a small, one-time credit of between $30 and $70, according to a person familiar with the bill. This measure would save an estimated $500...
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Your Letters, Sept. 4

Don Patrol Our boy, Big Don, will be the next U.S. president. It’s been in the script for quite some time. The faked assassination attempt was a public ritual that sealed his new role as “president.” Don’t expect to be seeing any deportations, affronts on big pharma, money laundering diverted from the U.S.-Israel war industrial complex or a healthy respect...
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Chatty Animals, Ember Stomping, More

Tiburon What Does the Sea Turtle Say? Marta Stella Wendlinger is a local artist about to host her inaugural solo exhibit, entitled “If Animals Could Talk.” The pieces that comprise this exhibition are unique and colorful collages made from and inspired by vintage National Geographic magazines. Wendlinger creates her collages with special attention to texture, color saturation, composition, pattern construction and...
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Free Will Astrology: Week of Sept. 4

Free Will Astrology: Week of Sept. 4
ARIES (March 21-April 19): In 2015, a large earthquake struck Nepal, registering 7.8 on the Richter scale. It was so powerful, it shrunk Mt. Everest. I mention this, Aries, because I suspect you will generate good fortune in the coming months whenever you try to shrink metaphorical mountains. Luckily, you won’t need to resort to anything as forceful and...
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Politicos’ Kids Not Fair Game

Like many others, I wept watching vice presidential candidate Tim Walz’s son, Gus, express his sheer admiration of his dad during the Democratic National Convention. Gus had tears in his eyes. As an expression of pure joy, when he pointed his index finger at his dad during his speech, he said, “I love you, dad” and “That’s my dad!” Much has...
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Your Letters, 8/28

Grain Reign While it is true I hold degrees from both Deep State and California State University, Deep, I no longer believe that Chef Boyardee conspires with Franco-American to perpetuate the myth of canned noodle supremacy over boxed Golden Grain. Perhaps it is time for all of us to face the whole grain truth: Rice-A-Roni, the San Francisco treat, beats the...
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Bolinas Film Fest, David Luning and a Lethal Shark

Bolinas Four-Day Movie Par-tay Film buffs should definitely not miss a trip out to West Marin when the second annual Bolinas Film Festival comes to town. Some of the movies set to play at this four-day film festival extravaganza include Planetwalker, La Chimera, Giants Rising, and Maya and the Wave. Between the opening night gala, film screenings galore, plenty of panel...
Read more
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