Only in Sebastopol ~ July 4, 2015

Have a Safe and Sane Day

The Apple Blossom Parade in April marked the debut of the Sebastopol Slow Down Cat created by local artist Patrick Amiot. He's all about recycle, repurpose and reuse.

He felt the portable sculpture could enhance local traffic safety while building further goodwill between the community and the police department. You never know where our Safety Cat is going to show up, but he always brings awareness and a smile. Patrick's sculptures can be spotted all around town and there are a number of them on Florence Avenue, always a fun walk to share with visiting friends. 

For more about Patrick visit his new website at http://www.patrickamiot.com/

The Forecast is for Rain ~ March 25, 2014

December on the Lane ~ Dec 1, 2013

December tiptoes in as softly as fox paws

On redwood duff beneath the trees

Each morning brings with it

Subtle changes to the universe

 

The rains of late November

Resurrect the seeds of summer

Pastures turn green on a moment's notice

Morning cold still gives way to warm 

 

 

A noble cat stretched out

Toasting in the afternoon sun

Content to watch his normal prey

Instead of giving chase

 

 

Robins making rainbows

On their way to winter homes

Bathing rituals
Emptying bowls twice daily

Birdsong in the tree tops

 

 

Squeeze the most from your every day

Savor the light, the texture and the sound

Embrace the kiss of late autumn

For once the sun sets

This day becomes a memory

 

Sunday Coloring Book ~ Oct 21, 2012

Rumor has it we're going to get rain tonight so we decided to take a walk at Riverfront Park just outside of Windsor. Got some good exercise, a few photos, and checked out bass fishing possibilities. Rod is now, after all, a gentleman of leisure, a fledgling retiree, and elder of the hood (well besides me). He's looking forward to some uncommited time and then will start scouting out volunteering opportunities. He's seen how much I enjoy my two days a week at the Legacy Shop Annex in Sebastopol.

Chicory Blossom

Huzzah, Long Live the Queen

The Queen Arrives

On September 18th Sebastopol's first annual Renaissance Faire transformed Ives Park into the village of Fenford for a day of living history. Passports were issued to students to encourage exploration of the fair, to ask questions and learn about the ways of their forebears. Activities ranged from archery, rat-a-pult, rounders, the dunk tank and tug-o-war to wheat-weaving and storytelling. 

Guilds demonstrated period arts and how to make such things as head garlands, chain mail bracelets, herbal sachets, and wooden shields. There was a variety of fine food from grilled turkey legs to crepes and refreshing libations at the Pip and Vine Tavern. The weather was perfect and the predicted rain held off until Sunday. Simply put, it was absolutely magical.

It was great fun and a very successful fundraiser for Park Side, Pine Crest, Brook Haven and REACH schools. It could not have been accomplished without the dedicated army of volunteers and sponsors who were ready to do anything needed: sharing ideas, skills, financial support and time. There is talk of extending the celebration to two days next year.

Members of the Queen's Court strolling through the park

Our Sticks and Stones booth was opposite the Fenford stage under a stand of redwoods. A perfect location. We had music, dance, song, and Shakespeare to enjoy throughout the day. It's great fun to step outside the everyday to dress up and play a part. We're hoping there will be a class on conversational Olde English before the next faire so that we not only look part but can translate it.


Ye Olde Shopkeepers

Too Much Fun!

The Town Crier and His Wench

April 24, 2010

Photo by Carol Maynard Ruddick

We are usually perched on someone's retaining wall on Main Street to watch the Sebastopol Apple Blossom Parade. This year we got to participate in full costume to support the upcoming "Much Ado About Sebastopol" Renaissance Faire planned for September 18th, 2010. Our contingent included the Queen and her court, children and adults in period wear and even a knight on horseback.

My friend and neighbor, Andrea Hagan Schmitz, started doing Renaissance Faires for her classes at Brook Haven Middle School a number of years ago and the event grew to include other local schools. The students got an opportunity to step back in time and experience the Renaissance. They dressed in period costumes, joined a guild and got to participate in workshops like: piracy, sword play, chain mail and candle making.

This year Andrea has joined forces with the Sebastopol Educational Foundation to turn the Renaissance Faire into a great family oriented event and fundraiser to benefit local schools.  So put September 18, 2010 on your calendar and start thinking about your costumes. 

For more information go to http://www.muchadoaboutsebastopol.org/ Huzzah!

Apple Blossom Time

Sebastopol is the home of the Gravenstein apple and the 64th Apple Blossom Parade and Fair is on April 24th. This is the ultimate small town parade: including our Veteran's group, local dancers and musicians, horses and llamas, school bands, marching dog brigades, wacky floats and general silliness, antique tractors, vintage cars, fire engines, and anything that can be motorized by a Zap electric engine; from a wheelbarrow to a skateboard. What more could you ask for on a sunny Saturday morning?  

Apple Blossom on our oldest Gravenstein tree

A little background on the Gravenstein apple from http://www.slowfoodusa.org/

The heirloom Gravenstein is widely regarded as one of the best eating and baking apples. A fine balance of sweet and tart, its flavor intensifies when made into sauce, juice, cider or vinegar and it holds its shape beautifully in pies and tarts. Aficionados flock to Sebastopol during the Spring Festival and again at the Gravenstein Harvest Festival in August.

German migrants brought the apple to North America in 1790 and Russian fur traders planted the first West Coast Gravenstein orchards at their outpost in Fort Ross in 1820. It is likely that cuttings from these trees were used to start the orchards in Sebastopol. By the early 1900s thousands of Gravenstein orchards were established and the apple had become the heart of a major industry in Sonoma County. During World War II American troops were provided with applesauce and dried apples from Sebastopol Gravensteins, and this made the apple into an icon for the town.

Unfortunately suburban development and the popularity of wine production have reduced the number of apple orchards. During the past six decades, Sonoma County’s Gravenstein orchards have declined by almost 7,000 acres to about 900 acres. Most of the Sebastopol growers farm land has been in apple production for over a century.

The International Slow Food organization based in Italy designated the Gravenstein apple as one of a handful of heritage foods to be preserved in the United States and the only one in California. The Presidia program, created by the Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity, organizes and funds projects to protect our heritage of agricultural biodiversity and assist groups of artisan producers, to promote and protect farmers who nurture their apples from tree to table.  

No matter where you live, support your health and local farmers by shopping locally and visit the farmers' markets.