Spring in Napa Valley! The air is fresh and clean, the mustard is blooming and the vines are bursting, making it a great time to visit the wine country.
“A Garden of Sorts” by John Anderson received the Best Postcard Image award at the 2009 Alameda on Camera exhibit.
Published: April, 2010
Spring (Bud-)Break Party
Spring in Napa Valley! The air is fresh and clean, the mustard is blooming and the vines are bursting, making it a great time to visit the wine country. V. Sattui Winery in St. Helena, this year celebrating the 125th anniversary of its founding, hosts its annual spring evening of wine, food and fun on Saturday, April 17, from 6:30 until 9:30 p.m. New releases, big award-winners, barrel samples and older vintages will all be matched with a delicious hors d’oeuvres menu, this year featuring buffets from the countrysides of France and Portugal and the cities of India. In addition, there’ll be live music by renowned Bay Area rhythm & blues sextet The Midnight Band. Tickets are $69 per member, $79 guests & non-members. Reserve online at vsattui.com or call (707) 963-7774.
Smile, You’re on Alameda Camera
In late February, 48 invited photo-based artists explored and photographed Alameda neighborhoods, favorite places, and secret hideaways for 48 hours. Alameda families, friends, town characters, traditions and cherished nostalgia shared the lens. All “photo-based” artwork mediums and techniques, including traditional, contemporary and experimental, will be exhibited in this annual Alameda event. The Alameda on Camera Exhibit – Citywide Photo Documentary will run from April 2 through May 1 at the Frank Bette Center for the Arts at 1601 Paru Street in Alameda. The Center is open from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Wednesday –Saturday and 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sundays. Admission if free, donations are appreciated.
Jan Wahl Joins the Benicia/Vallejo Humane Society for Barkitecture
Get ready for some fun at Barkitecture 2010, an annual fundraising event for the Vallejo/Benicia Humane Society. Barkitecture consists of two great fundraising events that feature a competition in which local businesses, community groups, neighborhood groups and individuals compete to create unique, custom designed dog domiciles, dog & cat furniture, bird roosts and multiple pet domiciles. The festivities include music, catered cuisine, a premium raffle and a grand silent & live auction of items created exclusively for Barkitecture through gifts generously donated. Psychic Medium & Animal Communicator Charles Peden will be available for readings during the first event, the “People’s Choice Voting” and Preview Party on Friday, April 9 from 5:30 - 8 p.m. at Team Superstores in Vallejo. For a donation of $10 you can have a five-minute reading with Charles to communicate with your pets. Learn more about Charles at www.charlespeden.com. Then San Francisco’s favorite movie reviewer and film historian, Jan Wahl, will be the Guest MC at the big Barkitecture Gala and Auction the following Friday, April 16 at 6 p.m. at McCormack Hall at the Solano County Fairgrounds. The goal of Barkitecture is to raise much-needed operational funds to care for the animals and for outreach to build awareness of the plight of the many homeless dogs, cats, other animals available for adoption or helped through the Benicia Vallejo Humane Society. General Admission tickets for the Gala are $50. For more information about the events or how to contribute, visit www.barkitecture.net
Annual Floating Art Show in Sausalito
Yes, art floats at this fun Sausalito event on the water. On Saturday, April 24, Sausalito’s colorful floating homes community will present the eighth annual Artists of Issaquah free exhibition. Guests will view and purchase a wide variety of outstanding art while aboard some of these unique, world-famous water homes. Resident artists from Issaquah Dock will again be joined by those from Liberty, South Forty, Gate 61/2, West Kappas and A Docks. They will offer at attractive prices: paintings, photographs, sculpture, jewelry, mixed media art and turned exotic wood bowls. The large Sausalito floating homes community boasts a rich heritage of creative expression and this exciting event maintains this valuable tradition. For more information please visit www.artistsofissaquah.com or contact Richard Mickley at (415) 332-4135.
Carnival Time in Vallejo
Butler Amusements, the largest carnival company in the Western United States, is rolling into Vallejo’s Waterfront Park right next to the Ferry Terminal Thursday through Sunday, April 15-18. There will be rides, games and food for the entire family. Choose between a $2 admission and $1 rides or purchase a $25 wristband for unlimited fun. Carnival hours are 4 – 10 p.m. on Thursday, 4 – 11 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. on Saturday and 12 – 11 p.m. on Sunday.
