Visitors Chronicle Is a Monthly Digest of What's Happening in Sonoma County

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The Visitors Chronicle is a monthly digest of what's happening in Sonoma County. Please forward to all tasting room, front desk, and concierge staff. To receive this e-mail directly, contact Tina Luster, [email protected].

Chambers & They ask, we answer: Visitors Visitors Centers questions Bodega Bay Chamber www.bodegabayca.org (707) 347-9645 I can't believe summer is winding down and school is already starting. Labor Day, which closes out summer and opens Bohemian Connection harvest and crush season, is just around the corner. www.bohemianconnection.com (707) 874-9407 I don't know about you, but we've been getting some Cloverdale Chamber & "interesting" questions from visitors lately. While they provide a Visitors Center much-needed chuckle, we've also seen there are patterns to the www.cloverdale.net (707) 894-4470 majority of the questions we receive. [email protected] 105 N. Cloverdale Blvd. Cloverdale I've compiled some of these questions and possible answers into a blog, inside-sonoma.com/about-sonoma-county. Cotati Chamber www.cotati.org (707) 795-5508 Within the blog are links that will be helpful for you and your [email protected] visitors. Share at will. Please email me other helpful links and I'll 216 E. School Street Cotati share them in the next Visitors Chronicle.

Forestville Chamber Happy harvest - Tina http://bit.ly/9MYVPc (707) 887-1111 6652 Front Street * * * Forestville Sonoma County Tourism Bureau is rolling out the Certified Fort Ross State Historic Tourism Ambassador program this fall. The goal is to showcase Park Visitors Center and our region and improve visitation by inspiring front-line Museum hospitality employees and volunteers to work together to turn fortross.org every visitor encounter into a positive experience. (707) 847-3437 19005 Highway 1 Jenner The premise is simple: If front-line employees and volunteers (those who come into immediate contact with the visitor) Geyserville Chamber provide quality service, visitors are more likely to have a www.geyservillecc.com (707) 857-3745 positive experience. Visitors who have a positive experience are Geyserville more likely to return. And they will share their perceptions with Healdsburg Chamber their friends. Everyone benefits - visitors, hospitality workers & Visitors Bureau and their employers, and the local and regional economies. www.healdsburg.com (707) 433-6935 217 Healdsburg Avenue Successful candidates will receive the designation Certified Healdsburg Tourism Ambassador™ (e.g. Mariano Vallejo, CTA) and will Hispanic Chamber renew their certification on an annual basis to maintain their www.hcc-sc.org knowledge and skill base. (707) 575-3648 3033 Cleveland Ave., Ste. 306 Santa Rosa * * *

Jenner Visitors Center New Tourism Business in Your Area? Let Us Know SCTB is http://bit.ly/bVX2LB always on the lookout for new tourism-related businesses so we (707) 865-9757 10439 Highway 1 can better promote the area. If you know of a new business like Jenner a restaurant, lodging, winery, tour or attraction, please let us Lake Sonoma Visitors know about it and we will update our listings. Center & Fish Hatchery http://bit.ly/cqEf8d Please send us any tips on new businesses to (707) 431-4533 [email protected]. Include the name of the 3333 Skaggs Springs Road Geyserville business, type of business and a phone number or email where we can contact them to update their listing. This is a free service Mark West Area for businesses in the Business Improvement Area. Chamber & Visitors Center www.markwest.org * * * (707) 578-7975 [email protected] 4787 Old Redwood Highway Order Maps and Guides If you need more maps or visitors Santa Rosa guides before the next quarterly shipment you can do so using Monte Rio Chamber the partner brochure request form, www.monterio.org www.sonomacounty.com/partners/request-items. If you did (707) 865-1533 not receive the maps or guides, you can also use the form to [email protected] 20406 Church Street request them. Monte Rio * * * North Bay Black Chamber www.nbbcc.org (707) 838-7608 Hosting Journalists - Let SCTB Help Just a quick reminder, if a Santa Rosa journalist has contacted you for Occidental Chamber assistance with a visit feel free www.occidental.org (707) 874-3279 to contact Birgitt Vaughan, SCTB's P. O. Box 159 Occidental public relations manager, [email protected]. Petaluma Area Chamber You can also refer them to the www.petalumachamber.com media assistance form at (707) 762-2785 6 Petaluma Blvd. North, Ste. A2 http://www.sonomacounty.com/co Petaluma ntent/media-assistance-request. Petaluma Visitors SCTB has resources available to Program assist with journalists. Just let us

www.visitpetaluma.com know if you need anything. (707) 769-0429 Birgitt Vaughan, public 210 Lakeville St./Hwy. 116 * * * Petaluma relations manager, assists hundreds of journalists Redwood Coast What's going on in your area? every year. Chamber & CVB Submit items, feedback, and http://bit.ly/i0t6Ci (707) 884-1080 suggestions to Tina Luster, 39150 South Highway 1, Unit 4 [email protected], by the last Friday of the month to Gualala be included in the next month's issue. Rohnert Park Chamber www.rohnertparkchamber.org There are a lot of events going on now through September. For (707) 584-1415 [email protected] a complete listing of events, visit 101 Golf Course Dr www.sonomacounty.com/events. Rohnert Park

Russian River Chamber Upcoming Events

& Visitors Center www.russianriver.com Wings Over Wine Country Air Show Aug. 18-19 (707) 869-9000 [email protected] Witness an amazing display of aircrafts in the sky and on the ground at the 16209 1st Street Pacific Coast Air Museum's annual Wings Over Wine Country Air Show. Guerneville Adults $20; Children (6-12) $5 Russian River Visitors Sonoma County Airport Santa Rosa,, CA 95403 Center at Korbel 707-565-7243 www.russianriver.com (800) 253-8800 Gualala Arts' Art in the Redwoods Festival 2012 Aug. 18-19 [email protected] What began among the redwoods on Gualala ridge in 1961 has grown to a 13250 River Road weekend attraction for thousands. This popular weekend event features art Guerneville from near and far along with free entertainment and artists booths. Santa Rosa Chamber $6; Free children 17 and under Gualala Arts Center 46501 Gualala Road www.santarosachamber.com (707) 545-1414 Gualala, 95445 637 First Street Contact: Gualala Arts Center Santa Rosa Email: [email protected] 707-884-1138 Santa Rosa CVB & California Welcome gualalaarts.org/AIR/Festival-2012.html Center www.visitsantarosa.com Aqus Foundry Festival Aug. 18 (707) 577-8674 9 4th Street A day of music on the river, this benefit for Petaluma Bounty entertains Santa Rosa neighbors and friends with an eclectic mix of music, food, and fun. Beso Negro, DJIIN, Machiavelvets, and the Easy Leaves. Sebastopol Area $12/Members $15/General Kids under 12 FREE Chamber & Visitors Center Foundry Wharf Green 625 2nd St. Petaluma, CA 94952 Contact: Diane Gentile www.sebastopol.org (707) 823-3032 Email: [email protected] [email protected] 888-988-2787 265 S. Main Street Sebastopol 22nd Annual Cotati Accordion Festival Aug. 18-19 A non-profit, multi-cultural musical extravaganza held in La Plaza Park Sonoma Coast Downtown Cotati, featuring legendary accordionist Dick Contino. This is Visitors Center www.bodegabay.org Cotati's 22nd year of accordion fun! (707) 875-3866 $17 one day, $25 two days 850 Coast Highway 1 La Plaza Park 60 West Cotati Ave. Bodega Bay Cotati, CA USA 94931 Sonoma Valley Chamber Contact: Linda Conner www.sonomachamber.com Email: [email protected] (707) 996-1033 707-664-0444 651 Broadway, #A cotatifest.com/ Sonoma Sonoma County Bicycle Expo Aug. 19 Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau The Sonoma County Bicycle Expo is your summertime destination for all www.sonomavalley.com things bike, featuring an array of bikes, parts, gear, clothing, and accessories. (707) 996-1090 It has become the region's premier bicycle vendor fair. Fun Bike Unicorn Club 453 1st Street East and Whiskeydrunk Cycles will show off their latest amazing art bikes. Sonoma OneLove BMX will astound with tricks and stunts.Street musicians and Windsor Chamber performers will delight.New Belgium Brewing will host a 'chill space.' & Visitors Center Free www.windsorchamber.com 2nd and E Street Santa Rosa, CA USA 95404 (707) 838-7285 [email protected] Contact: Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition 9001 Windsor Road Email: [email protected] Windsor 707-545-0153

Quick Links Indy® Grand Prix of Sonoma Aug. 24-26 www.sonomacounty.com inside-sonoma.com The IZOD IndyCar® Series hits the rev limiter as the cars and stars of the Online events calendar Indianapolis 500® invade the Sonoma Valley for the eighth consecutive year Submit to online calendar at the Indy® Grand Prix of Sonoma, Aug. 24-26. Order guides and maps $10-$85 Contact Visitors Chronicle Sonoma Raceway 29355 Arnold Drive, Hwys 121 & 37

Sonoma, CA 95476 800-870-7223 Contact: Sonoma Raceway 800-870-7223 www.racesonoma.com/tickets/indy_grand_prix_of_sonoma/

Russian River Car Show 2012 Aug. 25 The 13th Annual Russian River Car Show features Stock and Modified American cars built between 1900 and 1973. Family fun including bbq, raffle, and more! Free Monte Rio Community Center 20488 Hwy 116 Monte Rio, 95462 www.friendsofmonterio.org

Bodega Seafood Art & Wine Festival 2012 Aug. 25-26 This joyful, unique celebration of food, wine, beer, art, and entertainment features a juried fine art & craft marketplace, a variety of foods, 3 stages of entertainment, dancing, kid's activities, and a wine and microbrew tasting.Advance ticket purchase discounts available. $15; Seniors $13; Teens 12-18 $10; Free under 12 Bodega Seafood Art & Wine Festival 16855 Bodega Hwy Bodega Bay, 94922 www.winecountryfestivals.com

Studio Discovery Tour 2012 Aug. 25-26 and Sept. 1-3 Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the northern California coast while visiting the personal studios of unique and talented artists. This free, self-guided tour takes place along the Sonoma and Mendocino coast over two weekends: Aug. 25-26 and Sept. 1-3. Free Gualala Arts Center 46501 Gualala Road Gualala, CA USA 95445 707-884-1138 Contact: Marianne Baxter Email: [email protected] 707-785-9513 www.studio-tours.com

Taste of Petaluma Aug. 25 Embark on a culinary walking journey of Petaluma's finest restaurants, galleries, shops, wineries, breweries and food purveyors in historic downtown Petaluma. $35; $40 Helen Putnam Plaza 134 Petaluma Blvd. N Petaluma, CA Sonoma 94952 Contact: Cinnabar Theater Email: [email protected] 707-763-8920

Grill 116 Aug. 25 The six Route 116 wineries invite you to enjoy grilled food bites and wines while checking out cool classic cars at each . Take home a logo wine glass. Taste Route 116 Wineries Hwy 116 Sebastopol, CA 95472 Contact: Sue Bonzell Email: [email protected] 707-823-3040

Sonoma Wine Country Weekend Aug. 31, Sept. 1-2 From the unpretentious style of Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch, to the festivity and elegance of the Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine Auction at Chateau St. Jean, this is unlike any other wine and food event. If that's not enough, book an intimate winery lunch, dinner party, and barbecues for three unforgettable days of celebration, Sonoma County style. Cost depends on activity Contact: Sonoma County Vintners & SV Vintners & Growers Phone: 800-939-7666

Art By The Sea - The Sea Ranch Art Tour 2012 Sept. 1-3 Enjoy a free, self-guided tour to the studios of over 20 professional and emerging Sea Ranch artists and artist-owned galleries on one of the most beautiful art trails in Northern California. Free Various Studios Contact: Carol Kozal Email: [email protected] 707-884-9065

B.R. Cohn Classic Car Cruise-In Sept. 2 Enjoy a great selection of specially invited classic cars on display around the tasting room and patio area. Pouring the Classic Car Wine series and hosting a food cart for lunch. Free B.R. Cohn Winery 15000 Sonoma Highway Glen Ellen, CA USA 95442 800-330-4064 Contact: Tasting Room Email: [email protected] 800-330-4064 ext. 124

19th Annual Cloverdale Car and Motorcycle Show Sept. 8 More than 300 vintage cars, trucks and motorcycles line Cloverdale Blvd. Music, Beer, Wine, Food, Arts, Crafts. Fun for the entire family. Stroll the "Coolest small town in the West." Cloverdale Plaza N Cloverdale Boulevard Cloverdale, CA usa 95425 Contact: Cloverdale Chamber of Commerce Email: [email protected] (707) 894-4470

Cajun Zydeco Festival Sept. 8 End the summer with a day of Zydeco! Dancing goes on all day. Whether you know how to dance Cajun style or not, there is fun for everyone! Try crawfish and jambalaya along with an assortment of food and drinks. Ives Park 7400 Willow Road Sebastopol, CA USA 95472 Contact: Rotary Club of Sebastopol Sunrise Email: [email protected] 707-823-3631 rotarycajun.com/

Old Grove Festival Sept. 15 "Swinging in the Redwoods" with Dan Hicks, Solid Air, and Sticky Notes. Enjoy this fun, annual concert in the beautiful open-air theatre at Armstrong Redwoods. Food, wine, and beer bar. Benefits local State Parks' volunteer programs. $25 General; $10 Children (5-12) Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve 17000 Armstrong Woods Road Guerneville, CA USA 95446 707-869-2015 Contact: Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods 707-869-9177 www.stewardsofthecoastandredwoods.org/oldgrovefestival.htm

Kendall-Jackson Heirloom Tomato Festival Sept. 15 Enjoy gourmet dishes and hundreds of varieties of heirloom tomatoes, artisan breads and cheeses, seminars on food and wine pairing, live music, and of course, extraordinary Kendall-Jackson wines. $65 Kendall-Jackson Wine Center 5007 Fulton Road Fulton, CA USA 95439 707-571-8100

Email: [email protected] 800-769-3649 www.kj.com/tomato-weekend

Russian River Jazz & Blues Festival 2012 Sept. 22 & 23 George Benson, David Sanborn, Brian Culbertson, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, and many more will perform. Get ready for another awesome weekend filled with jazz, blues, dancing, wine tasting and lounging in the river. $50 / $10 Kids 6-12 / $80 2-day pass Johnson's Beach & Resort 16241 1st Street Guerneville, CA USA 95446 707-869-2022 707-869-1595 www.omegaevents.com/russianriver/

EarleFest Sept. 22 Rodney Crowell, Carolyn Wonderland, Poor Man's Whiskey, David Luning Band! Sonoma County edibles, beer and wine. Dynamite Silent Auction. Celebrate Americana at EarleFest 2012. $25 Advance / $30 Day of Earle Baum Center of the Blind 4539 Occidental Road Santa Rosa, CA USA 95401 Contact: Lynn Newton Email: [email protected] 707 523 3222 earlefest.com

2012 Sonoma Valley CRUSH Sept. 26-30 Have you ever romanticized about getting involved in a wine harvest & crush? Join 20 wineries this September for 2012 Sonoma Valley CRUSH and experience harvest, hands-on. $35 Sonoma Valley 9077 Sonoma Highway Kenwood, CA 95442 Contact: Josie Gay Email: [email protected] 866-794-9463 www.heartofsonomavalley.com

Green Music Center Grand Opening, with Pianist Lang Lang Sept. 29 Sonoma State University will step onto the world's musical stage when internationally acclaimed pianist Lang Lang launches the 2012-13 Inaugural Season of the Green Music Center. $55 - $155 Weill Hall at the Green Music Center 1801 East Cotati Avenue Rohnert Park, CA USA 94928

Email: [email protected] 866-955-6040 gmc.sonoma.edu/

Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival 2012 Sept. 29-30 The Vintage Festival celebrates the harvest and the yearly crush. Taste more than 100 different Sonoma Valley wines, catch the "Get Your Glow On" parade, join in the 5K run/walk, and stomp some grapes. Live music & kids' activities. Sonoma Plaza Sonoma, CA 94576

Email: [email protected] 707-996-6881 sonomavinfest.org/

Weekend Along the Farm Trails Weekends Sept. 29 - Oct. 28 This popular event has been extended for a full month. Join local Sonoma County farmers for tours, artisan foods, hands-on activities, cooking, pick- your-own, agricultural demonstrations, music, and harvest. Contact: Sonoma County Farm Trails Email: [email protected] 707-837-8896 www.farmtrails.org

26th Annual Fall Antique Faire Sept. 30 Antique & Collectible lovers take note! Featuring over 180 dealers, this show has an incredible array of jewelry, art, linens, decor, furniture, books & bargains for all budgets. Free Historic Downtown Petaluma Fourth & Kentucky Sts Between B St and Washington St Petaluma, CA USA 94952 Contact: Jenny Email: [email protected] 707-762-9348 www.petalumadowntown.com

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