Parklet boom, sample sale, bike news and more

Parklet boom: Sonoma’s downtown has undergone a transformation, with elaborate new outdoor dining areas being constructed in former street parking spaces. Dubbed “parklets” or “sidewalk extensions,” the new spaces are adorned with furniture, heavy barricades, twinkle lights, planters — even oriental rugs. Downtown restaurants like Valley Bar and Bottle, Della Santina’s, Café LaHaye, EDK, Plaza Bistro and B&V are sporting the most elaborate set-ups so far. The hope is that these parklets will make outdoor dining more possible during the colder, wetter winter months in Sonoma. The City of Sonoma has a grant program to help businesses with construction costs.

Eighth Street event: Three neighboring businesses on Eighth Street East, Epicurean Connection, Kearsley and Bridges Construction, will be hosting open houses from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14. Upscale bedding company Kearsley will be selling some showroom and showcase house samples and discontinued linens and fabrics. Sheana Davis will be cooking and Bridges will be showcasing some reclaimed furniture from an old remodel project. 19670 8th St. E.

Magazine exposure: Epicurean Connection is also featured in the AAA magazine, Via, this month, with two mocktail recipes. “We are honored to be in with Dollywood!,” says Sheana Davis about another business included.

Bike shop news: Operation Bicycle of Teen Services is celebrating its two-year anniversary at Vailetti Plaza on Saturday, Nov.14, by offering customers a free patch kit and pair of tire levers with every purchase. The shop is open from 1 to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday and specializes in bike repairs, tune-ups, refurbished bike sales and classes, while offering on-the-job training to teens. Operation Bicycle has temporarily substituted its earn-a-bike classes with monthly virtual bike mechanics workshops, which are free and open to all ages. teenservicessonoma.org/operation-bicycle. Operation Bicycle also accepts donations of used bicycles and parts.

Contact Lorna at lorna.sheridan@sonomanews.com.