Sonoma County Happenings Archive

St. Francis Winery Outdoor Film Festival

By
Timothy
Published: July 19, 2011Posted in: Sonoma County HappeningsTags: , , , , ,

For my money not a lot can beat wine and a picnic. Maybe it’s the people I’m usually with or the sunny days but something about that combination brings laughter and joy in my life. It’s tough to beat. That is until I learned that someone had the great idea of adding movie watching to that equation. That someone was St. Francis Winery in Santa Rosa, CA with something called the “Stars Under the Stars” Outdoor Film Festival.

The film festival is its second year and they will be showing a different movie every Thursday night from now to August 18th for free. The movies range from Ferris Beuller’s Day Off to the offbeat wine inspired comedy Sideways. With a description like, “Pack a blanket and picnic and join us on the lawn of our beautiful Sonoma Valley Visitor Center for a movie under the stars” how could I resis.

Larry & Joanne Happy 32nd Wedding Anniversary

Being the movie buff that I am I simply couldn’t resist and it just so happened that their opening night coincided with my parents 32nd wedding anniversary. That was all the incentive I needed to get everyone together to make the drive to the winery on Hwy 12 west of Santa Rosa.

All four of us quickly made camp on their spacious lawn with great views overlooking the valley and its vineyards and promptly started munching on our standard picnic items.

In addition to the movie St. Francis brings in a musical act befitting to the movie while you wait for sun to go down. Before our showing of Big Night the Vegas greats, Gin and Johnny of the Atomic Lounge Show, decided to sing us their favorite lounge and crooner tunes. They even gave a shout out to Larry and Joanne for their anniversary.

If you want relaxing times with friends along with some good wine and movie watching then this is definitely for you. Below is the schedule for the rest of this years film festival and be sure to look for me when you go because I’m definitely going back.

See ya at the next one…

 

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Petaluma Music Festival

By
Timothy
Published: August 6, 2010Posted in: Sonoma County HappeningsTags:

If its one thing Sonoma County knows how to do its music festivals during the summer. Usually the food and drink is just right for the summer heat and gives you the energy to groove to the good tunes.

This weekend the Petaluma Fairgrounds is going to be hosting the Petaluma Music Festival. The festival is going to be kicking it off right with acts such as ALO, Poor Man’s Whiskey and many more. In addition to the music there will be plenty of food with Lagunitas Brewing Company serving their great Petaluma brewed beer and tons of Sonoma County wineries showing off what they have to offer. There will also be a silent auction and raffle featuring celebrity autographed guitars.

The main reason this event is so important for the community is that most festival proceeds will be donated to Petaluma area music programs. Be sure to check out our friend Petaluma Pete and Petaluma High School’s band director, Cliff Eveland, below talking about the festival, Petaluma school music programs and of course the guitars. Its a great thing when you see communities come together to support school music programs so I hope to see you there!

Click HERE for tickets to the festival!

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Celebrate the 4th of July Right

By
Timothy
Published: July 2, 2010Posted in: Sonoma County HappeningsTags:

Most of you out there have plans for the holiday weekend I’m sure. But for the rare good few (me included) who don’t have much going on just because you don’t have plans now doesn’t mean that you have to sit on your butt all weekend (unless you want to). Here’s just a little taste of some going’s on in Sonoma County this weekend.

Friday night is for the music lovers out there because Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery in downtown Sonoma is putting on a free concert from 6:30 to 9:30PM. You really can’t beat free especially in downtown Sonoma.

Speaking of free, something that I always liked to do with my fiancé when I lived in Sonoma was to go to the town square park and have a picnic. Not only is it nice and quite in the park but you can also open beer or wine. When you’re in the middle of wine country it makes sense. Pick up some lunch and a bottle of wine at The Sonoma Cheese Factory right there on the square and go and enjoy yourselves in the park.

Now if you want to see some amazing fireworks displays then you have to check out the Red, White and Boom at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa. Not only do you get a great music synched fireworks show there is tons of food and awesome concerts before the fireworks. You get all that for a measly $7 adult admission.

Hopefully one of the above events strikes your fancy, if not then I’m sure you’ll have no problem finding something to do this weekend. Whether its going to concerts, barbecuing or simply just lazing around we at The Sartori Team wish you a happy Independence Day.

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Fair Time is Fun Time!

By
Timothy
Published: June 24, 2010Posted in: Sonoma County HappeningsTags:

Normally we wouldn’t give you the scoop about upcoming events going down in Sonoma County until later in the week. But this isn’t any normal week the Sonoma-Marin Fair starts today at the Petaluma fairgrounds.

My family has always referred to the fair with the above title. This is our half-truth half mocking of the fair. As a youngster I was apart of the local 4-H and would bring beef cattle to show. There are always trials and tribulations when dealing with stubborn beef cattle in 100° weather. The fair for my family always brought some bad memories because of this fact, but overall we have great memories of family and friends from our experience at the fair.

If you and your family have nothing else to do this weekend then spend some time at the fair and enjoy yourselves. It has a little something for everyone. If you’re into music check out any of the free concerts that play every night. I might be out there for Joan Jett on Friday night. Always a fan favorite in town, Petaluma Pete will be there too.

Contestant in the ugly dog contest

Also, be sure to check out the Worlds Ugliest Dog® Contest on Friday.  Or simply just go for the great fried food. Don’t forget about the wine tasting for you adults. Be sure to check out the livestock animals as well.  The Sonoma-Marin Fair is just great family fun that everyone can enjoy.

Heck maybe Larry or I will see you there. We’ll be the ones with a beer and corndog in our hands.

Thanks!

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