THIS WEEK: On the podcast: Sunflowers and Naked Ladies; online magazine: Shone Farm is Very Berry; events: La Cosecha Grand Tasting with Mexican-American-owned wineries; and Dinucci’s Annual Classic Car Show.
This week, we’re recovering from the amazing Gravenstein Apple Fair, where we tasted artisan-produced food and wine, heard amazing music from the likes of John Courage and Audio Angel, and listened to a panel of women in agriculture discussing the challenges and advantages of their work and life as farmers in Sonoma County.
Local flowers are in abundance right now, from grown-here bouquets at the farmers markets, to our favorite summer volunteer, the Naked Lady, to fields of sunflowers. At Della Fattoria in Petaluma, gorgeous bouquets can be had, bought while having brunch, for $25, and at FlyDog Farm in Healdsburg, there is an explosion of flowers right now, pick some up at their farmstand. There is no shortage of events this weekend, read on for more.
THIS WEEK’S PODCAST: Flower Power
I know I always ‘forget’ that flowers make such a big difference in our homes. But when someone brings them, or I remember to buy them for myself, a vase of flowers is such a vibe-changer in the room! In this week’s podcast episode, food expert Clark Wolf talks with Daedalus Howell about flowers, “One of the things I like to remember is when you go to a farmers market, if you can, buy flowers.” he recommends. He also tells the story about what is going on with these hay bales at the Gravenstein Apple Fair this past weekend. Listen to the entire episode here>
ON THE WEBSITE: Shone Farm is Very Berry
There’s something deeply satisfying about eating a berry you picked yourself—especially when it comes straight from one of Sonoma County’s most interesting working classrooms.
Santa Rosa Junior College’s Shone Farm is opening its fields for a series of Friday U-Pick days, inviting the public to gather berries and other seasonal produce while getting a firsthand look at the 365-acre farm in the Russian River Valley.
Shone Farm serves as an outdoor classroom for SRJC students studying sustainable agriculture, viticulture, natural resource management and animal science. Its vineyards, forests, pastures, gardens and livestock facilities also provide opportunities for students in programs ranging from botany and ecology to culinary arts. Read more on our website>
EVENT: La Cosecha Grand Tasting
Saturday, August 15, Heirs Of My Dream Winery, Sonoma
The Mexican American Vintners Association’s 14th annual La Cosecha brings together Mexican-American-owned wineries from across California for an evening of wine, food and live music at Heirs of My Dream Winery in Sonoma. Taste wines, meet the vintners and growers behind the labels, enjoy tasty bites, and stick around for live music and dancing. Proceeds from the silent auction support MAVA’s scholarship and education programs. Go here for tickets
Dinucci’s Annual Classic Car Show
Saturday, August 15, Dinucci’s, Valley Ford
Classic cars take center stage at Dinucci’s annual show. Come enjoy the vintage cars, and live music and stay for the food and drinks. Chat with fellow enthusiasts and catch some live music from Dry Creek Station from 2–5 p.m. Trophies and prizes are awarded at 4 p.m. Limited-edition show T-shirts, lunch, dinner, local beer, wine, spirits and grab-and-go snacks are available throughout the day. Go here for tickets