Jack London Park starts music series

Sonoma Valley's Live Music Scene

by James Marshall Berry/Index-Tribune Music Columnist

Monthly hikes, picnics set at Jack London

The new Picnic ’til Sundown at Jack London State Historic Park, a series of regular hikes, begins on Thursday, May 23. It takes off where last year’s popular Twilight Hike series left off.

Nature photographer to speak

Nature photographer Suzi Eszterhas will discuss her fascinating career choice during the next Valley of the Moon Nature Lecture series, set for Thursday, May 23, at 7 p.m. at the Sonoma Valley Veterans Memorial Building.

‘Art of Eating’ set for June 2

Audubon Canyon Ranch (ACR), a North Bay leader in conservation science, habitat protection and restoration and nature education, returns with the third annual Art of Eating fundraising event that celebrates the life, career and former home of food writer M.F.K. Fisher. The sumptuous food, wine and brews benefit will take place on Sunday, June 2, in Glen Ellen.

‘Adventures Of Phillip Marlowe’ at dinner theater

The regular offering of Old Time Radio Dinner Theater returns to Murphy’s Irish Pub this weekend with “The Adventures Of Phillip Marlowe, P. I.” The shows take place on Sunday and Monday, May 19 and 20, at 5:30 p.m.

Lecture looks at Ukraine’s past, present

The Sonoma Community Center and the Sonoma Sister Cities Association have announced the next installment of its Windows to the World Lecture Series. Dr. Paul Gregory, a fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, will speak on “Ukraine’s Tragic Past and Present” at Sonoma Community Center on Thursday, May 23, at 7 p.m.

Karaoke for the Cure seeks raffle prizes

Work on your stage presence and pick out a favorite song – Karaoke for the Cure is back and raising money for the American Cancer Society. While the event isn’t until June 13, organizers are looking for donations of raffle prizes to help make the event a success.

Anti-bullying event for kids

A newly formed Sonoma group calling itself Courage is taking a stand against bullying with a free event for kids on Saturday, May 25, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at the Sonoma Valley Moose Lodge.

Vallejo, Haraszthy wedding re-enacted at Buena Vista

Buena Vista Winery and the Sonoma-Tokaj Sister City Committee are preparing for the living history re-enactment of the 1863 double wedding of Attila and Arpad Haraszthy to Natalia and Jovita Vallejo. This momentous event in Sonoma’s history took place on June 1; 150 years and a day later the Haraszthys and Vallejos will return to life at Buena Vista Winery, along with their respective fathers: Count Agoston Haraszthy and Gen. Mariano Vallejo, and a host of supporting players.

Cowboy Cab to aid Teen Services

The Sonoma Valley Teen Services’ second annual Cowboy Cab fundraising event is set for Saturday, June 1, from 6 to 9 p.m., once again at the friendly confines of Larson Family Winery.

Community Table pairs chefs, wineries

Officials at the Sonoma Community Center have announced the next two dates in its Community Table dinner series, which features uncommon dinners prepared by local chefs and winemakers. The series will resume Thursday, May 30, and finish Saturday, June 8.

Hooker House opens new exhibition

The historic Joseph Hooker House has opened a new exhibit this week, titled, “Joseph Hooker in Sonoma: What he saw and who he knew.”

Summers’ shares new poetry book

Berkeley-based publishers FMRL has released Lisa Summers’ stunning collection of verse, “Star Thistle & Other Poems.” The Sonoma-based author’s debut book is available locally at Readers’ Books and will be launched with a reading presented by Words and Strings at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 16, at the Epicurean Connection, 122 W. Napa St., Sonoma.

Book groups, discussions continue at library

The Sonoma Valley Regional Library will host the final two book discussion groups for 2013 on Wednesday, May 22, and Thursday, June 27, at 2 p.m. in the library’s Delong Room.