Petaluma Perspective by Houston Porter - August 2017
Pedal 4 Polio
All the local
The Writers Forum
The Writers Forum returns to Copperfield’s Books on Thur, Aug 17, from 6:30-8:30pm for a presentation by author Peg Alford Pursell. She has taught flash fiction locally at the College of Marin, Book Passage and in the North Bay Writers Workshop and her work has appeared in the Los Angeles Review, Permafrost, Joyland Magazine, and many other journals and anthologies. “Flash fiction isn’t simply fast fiction. Learn more about the short short and explore its potential to enliven and deepen your writing.” Writers Forum founder Marlene Cullen invites you to visit www.TheWriteSpot.us for more information.
The Taste of Petaluma
The Taste of Petaluma takes over downtown for the 12th year in a row on Sat, Aug 19, from 12-3pm.This culinary walking tour of downtown Petaluma promises to give locals and visitors an experience like no other. For $40, guests get ten tasting tickets to use at the locations of their choosing. A free hop-on and hop-off trolley makes getting around downtown easy for those that are too full with all the great tastings samples to walk anymore. It also will make it easy to get between the Wine & Cheese Garden at the Petaluma Historic Library & Museum, the Beer Garden on Water Street, and the Caterers Showcase at the Hotel Petaluma. Also at the Hotel Petaluma, local food experience author Frances Rivetti will be signing her popular Fog Valley Crush and Fog Valley Winter books. Signed copies of Frances’s books make forgreat holiday gifts to locals and non-locals alike. This is a fundraiser for Cinnabar Theater.
Shakespeare on the River
Petalumans look forward to the Petaluma Shakespeare Company’s free presentation of this year’s Shakespeare on the River, which raises its curtain from Fri, Aug 25 – Sat, Sept 9 on “Henry IV – Part One” (directed by Skylar Evans) at the Foundry Wharf at the corner of H & 1st Streets. Friday’s performances start at 7pm, while the weekend’s start at 3pm. Guests will enjoy Shakespeare under the open sky, as it was originally performed at the famed Globe Theater. Instead of bringing our own, we purchase snacks on-site, as this helps support the efforts to keep these shows free to the public. Petalumashakespeare.org
Petaluma Arts
Along with all their great exhibits, the Petaluma Art Center has two special announcements for August. The first is that Executive Director Val Richmond will be retiring. Val has been, and continues to be a valued member of the Petaluma community, and perfectly exemplifies why Petaluma remains such a rewarding place to live. Second, the very popular ArtBus returns to PAC on Sat, Aug 26 at 9:30am to pick up guest for a tour of the fabulous murals of S.F.’s Mission District. Tickets are only $23. www.petalumaartscenter.org.
Children's Book Sale
The Friends of the Petaluma Library will hold their Summer Children’s book sale on Fri & Sat, Aug 11 & 12, followed by the General book sale from Wed, Aug 16 – Sat, Aug 19. Although picked over by Saturday at 2pm, the last two hours, ending at 4pm, are the Bag Sale, where a bag full of your choice of books will only run you a few bucks. Contact Anita Greene at (707) 762-5003 to help volunteer.
Petaluma Music Festival
The 2017 Petaluma Music Festival is Sat, Aug 5 at the Petaluma Fairgrounds. The festival has raised over $200K throughout the years, all going to benefit local school music programs. Gates open at 11:30 a.m., and stay open till 9:30 p.m. Tickets $50.www.PetalumaMusicFestival.org.
