Okay, I will admit it….I am in love. In a way that just makes me sing and dance and smile with delight, every time I get the chance to experience the joy of a good local cheese! And thankfully, this month is the annual Artisan Cheese Festival. I will be slathering that creamy brie on crackers, bread or nothing at all! Getting to experience new and exciting cheeses from near and far away, that have rich, complex flavors enhanced by bubbles of sparkling wine and beer. Yes, folks, this is what fairy tales are made of……

And speaking of being in Hog Heaven…..did I mention bacon? As we all know, you can never have enough bacon or any pork product for that matter, so the geniuses at Dry Creek Kitchen dreamed up Pigs and Pinot weekend….where we get to go hog wild with some of the best chefs creating amazing tasty treats perfectly paired with our favorite Pinot Noirs from Russian River Valley.

But the month gets better….it IS St. Patrick’s Day, which features one of my all time favorite meals – corned beef and cabbage. I will pass on the green beer, but I will partake in several corned beef and cabbage dinners before the month’s end.

Throw in Barrel Tasting Weekends, Restaurant Week and Pancake Day and truly, only one word can describe this month – YUMMY!…..Enjoy!

~Sue

 

Friday, March 4

Cycle for Paws – Santa Rosa
The Studios at Montecito Heights-a exercise studios with indoor cycling, yoga & Xtend Barre classes-is hosting a fund raiser for the Sonoma Humane Society. Event consists of 2 (45 minute cycling classes – no experience necessary), a raffle, refreshments & maybe even a guest appearance from an animal or two. Open to the public. $20/Donation to ride in a class. Raffle Tickets are $5/each or 5/for $20.
Montecito Heights Health Club – The Studios
170 Farmers Lane, Santa Rosa
(707) 528-4348

 

Friday – Sunday, March 4-6

Silver Scream – Santa Rosa
Film & Comic Festival
Film, Horror, Sci-Fi & Wine
Roxy Stadium 14
Downtown Santa Rosa

 

Friday – Sunday, March 4-6 and March 11-13

Barrel Tasting – March 4-6 & 11-13
Event Hours: 11am-4pm. Cost: $45/Weekend, $35/Sunday Only, $5/Designated Driver
It’s ALL about the WINE. Sample wines from the barrel, talk to winemakers & explore the beautiful Alexander, Dry Creek, and Russian River Valleys.
Wine Road – Northern Sonoma County
Various Winery Locations, Healdsburg
800-723-6336

 

Friday – Sunday, March 4-6 and March 11-13

RENT – Santa Rosa
Presented by the Santa Rosa High School.
Friday & Saturday at 7:30pm. & Sunday* at 2pm.
Tickets: $8/Students & Seniors, $15/General.
Santa Rosa High School Auditorium
1235 Mendodino Ave., Santa Rosa

 

Saturday, March 5

FIESTA – Santa Rosa
Celebration Benefiting Elsie Allen High School Foundation
Elsie Allen High School Foundation unites students, parents & faculty, both past & present & interested community members for the purpose of providing financial support for the students, school & its programs. Casual Attire
6pm – Specialty Cocktails, Wine, Mingling & Raffle
7:15pm – Gourmet Dinner
8:15pm – Live Auction & Create-A-Future (fund a need)
Friedman Event Center, Santa Rosa
(415) 686-3516

 

Saturday, March 5

Howarth Park Boathouse – Santa Rosa
….will be open for renting paddleboats, kayaks, canoes, stand up paddleboards or sailboats. Boathouse hours are Saturdays & Sundays from 11am-5pm, weather permitting. The Boathouse will also be open Monday-Thursday, March 21-24, for Spring Break.

 

Monday March 7 – Sunday March 13

7th Annual Sonoma County Restaurant Week
Dates: March 7-13, 2016.
Lunch – $10, $15 or Dinner – $19, $29, $39.

 

Tuesday March 8

11th Annual National Pancake Day
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals is partnering with IHOP Restaurants to offer free pancakes to anyone & everyone who wants them across the U.S. with the hope that guests will leave a DONATION for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

Monies raised in your area will stay locally to help save & improve the lives of kids in your neighborhood.

 

Saturday March 12

SAY Open House – Santa Rosa
Hours: 3-5pm. Featuring tours of the Say Dream Center & plenty of fun!
SAY Dream Center
2447 Summerfield Rd., Santa Rosa
(707) 800-3967

 

Saturday, March 12

Crab Feed – Santa Rosa
Annual Elsie Allen High School Project Grad
from 6-9pm. Benefits ‘Safe & Sober’ Celebration.
All-you-can-eat Crab, Pasta, Salad, Bread.
Dessert to be served. Raffle & Silent Auction.
Tickets: $40, $45, $50 – Advanced.
Center for Spiritual Living
2075 Occidental Rd., Santa Rosa
(707) 479-4181

 

Saturday, March 12

8th Annual All-You-Can-Eat Corned Beef & Cabbage – Sebastopol
5pm: Appetizers, 5:30: Dinner.
$20/General, $10/Kids 10 & under.
Seating Limited – Pre-Sale ONLY.
Sebastopol Masonic Center
373 No. Main Street, Sebastopol
(Across the street from Safeway)
Tickets Available at:
Sebastopol Cleaners: (707) 823-6981
990 Graventstein Hwy. S. (next to Fircrest Market)

 

Saturday, March 12

Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner – Santa Rosa
Enjoy Corned Beef & Cabbage, Potatoes, Mashed Rutabaga, Coffee, Juice & Dessert.
Tickets: $24/Adults, $8/Kids 8-14.
Norway Hall
617 West Ninth St., Santa Rosa
(707) 894-1807

 

Sunday, March 13

St. Patrick’s Day 5K – Santa Rosa
arch 13, 2016
3pm – Race
This 5K chip-timed race is open to all – Come with friends, come in costume & come ready to have a good time! Receive a commemorative mug at the finish line! Finishers get to fill their mug with root beer courtesy of Whole Foods Market or a beer (for those 21+).

Proceeds from the 5K benefit the Santa Rosa Recreation & Parks Scholarship Fund. Scholarships from this fund provide families in need the opportunity to participate in our recreation programs, including swim lessons for kids.
Juilliard Park, Santa Rosa

 

Thursday March 17

SCOPE FOR HOPE | ST. PATRICKS DAY HEALDSBURG PARADE AND FREE TRAINING RUN
The Bull is rocking the Healdsburg St. Patrick’s Day Parade this year in sneakers! We’re inviting our listeners to do a shakeout run before the parade and then cool down by walking in the parade with us. It’s part of the FREE 3-part training series we’re doing to help prepare for Scope for Hope 5K/10K Fun Run & Walk with our friends at Sutter Health and HRC! We’re going to walk or run (all fitness levels are invited and welcome!). Meet up at HRC (333 Center St, Healdsburg) at 6:30am. Costumes and green clothes encouraged! Afterwards, we’ll have St. Patty’s Day sweets and treats to give out compliments of our friends at Costeaux French Bakery! Plus fun prizes and giveaways!

 

Friday March 18- Saturday March 19

11th Annual Pigs & Pinot Weekend – Healdsburg
This celebration has become a tradition among pork & wine enthusiasts eager to experience the creations of over 60 wineries & 20 chefs who showcase their talents each year.
Hotel Healdsburg
25 MATHESON St., HEALDSBURG
(707) 431-2800

 

Friday – Saturday, March 18-20

Artisan Cheese Festival – Petaluma
Have FUN as you eat, drink & learn all weekend.

Friday – Cheesemongers’ Duel – The Best Bite
A lively competition with 2/dozen cheese experts, artisan cheese, wine, beer & cider.

Saturday – All Things Cheese
Sign up for a class to learn from our experts.
Then an Evening Celebration with cheese-inspired dishes from local & Bay Area Restaurants & Caterers. Sampling of artisan wines, beer & cider.

Sunday – Bubbles & Brunch
Wine Country Chef John Ash along w/ Gloria Ferrer Bubbles, multi course cheese demo & early entry into Marketplace.

Saturday March 19
Annual Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner – Geyserville

Live Music & Silent Auction. Event: 5-8pm.
$20/Adults, $5/Kids 13 & under.
Tickets: Bosworth, Diavola or
Click here for details
Benefit for the the Earthquake Retrofit Project.
Oddfellows Hall 176
21027 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville

 

Saturday March 19
Spreckels Gala Fundraiser – Rohnert Park

JOEL, the Band – Rohnert Park
The Premier Rock n’ Roll Billy Joel Cover Band.
Grand Gala Fundraiser & Silent Auction.
Ticket Prices:
$55 – Dress Circle Lounge – (Best Seats in the House, complimentary appetizers, wine, beer from 7-8pm. During intermission champagne & dessert).
$45 – VIP – Great Seats,
$35 – General Admission.
Spreckels Performing Arts Center
5409 Synder Lane, Rohnert Park
(707) 588-3400

 

Saturday March 19

Pancake Breakfast – Windsor
Hours: 8-11am. Cost: $5/Per Person.
Enjoy a delicious Pancake Breakfast, enter the Raffle to win a beautiful gift basket, and help Troop 999’s scouts attend summer camp & other year-round scouting events.
Windsor Grange
9161 Starr Rd., Windsor
For Advance tickets: (707) 484-4931

 

Saturday & Sunday, March 19-20

Savor Sonoma
20 Wineries throughout Kenwoood & Glen Ellen.
Meet Winemakers, Barrel Tasting, Reserve Wines & Local Chefs.

 

Saturday March 26

Egg Hunt for Tots – Santa Rosa
Little ones (ages 5 & under) are invited to celebrate all things spring! Cost: $8/Per Tot. Take photos with Mr. Bunny, pet baby farm animals, make festive crafts, play games & hunt for surprise-filled eggs. This event sells out & tickets must be purchased in ADVANCE.
Howarth Park Softball Field
630 Summerfield Rd., Santa Rosa
(707) 543-3737

 

Wednesday, March 30 – Sunday, April 3

19th Annual Sonoma International Film Festival
Taking place in the heart of Northern CA’s Wine Country & will feature 90+ hand-selected films including independent features, documentaries, world cinema & short films. All films are shown at intimate venues within walking distance of Sonoma’s historic plaza.

World-class cuisine from local artisans & exceptional wine from Sonoma vintners. Cost: $175-$5,000.
103 E. Napa Street, Suite A, Sonoma