VOTMA benefit party at Kenwood’s Plaza Park

Party to benefit the Valley of the Moon Alliance to be held Saturday in Kenwood.|

Up-valley locals are making plans to spend Saturday, Sept. 23, at the Plaza Park in Kenwood in support of the Valley of The Moon Alliance (VOTMA), the 15-year-old nonprofit whose focus is protecting the rural and agrarian character of the Sonoma Valley.

The event is called the Preserving Sonoma Valley Party, and all proceeds are to benefit VOTMA, which hopes to upgrade their website among other improvements. “We try to get ourselves out there every once in a while for public information,” said director Kathy Pons.

The event starts at noon and runs until 4 p.m. Beer, wine and other libations will be available, and a silent auction will be held to raise funds for VOTMA. Among the items at the silent auction will be the woodblock print used in this year’s event poster, “Red Earth, November Light” by Micah Schwaberow. Other auction items include a Marmot 2-person tent, a Hello Beautiful skin care package, a basket from Flatbed Farms and more to be announced.

The food will feature Maria Carrillo High School’s Culinary Program, with the students running a “Triple Choice Burger Bar” offering chicken, beef or Portobello mushroom burgers “with all the fixings,” according to the Kenwood Press, co-sponsor of the event. The school has been working with Colleen and Steve Rose of the old Vineyards Inn on Highway 12 to develop their program.

Information tables from the Sonoma Ecology Center, Arthur Dawson and the Glen Ellen Historical Society, the California Alliance for Family Farmers, Ann du Bay of the Sonoma County Water Agency, Sonoma County Bee Keepers and others will be present.

A Latin jazz quartet is expected to be playing in the gazebo at Plaza Park – formerly the site of the World Pillow Fighting Championships – and the rumor is that the legendary “Bubble Man” will be there as well.

The Plaza Park is located on Warm Springs Rd. and Los Guilicos Ave. Advance tickets are $30, students $20, available at the Kenwood Press or online at brownpapertickets.com/event/3066621. Day of event tickets are $35.

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