Sonoma Top Tens – complete with laugh track
Sonoma just found out we are one of Budget Travel's 'Coolest Small Towns in America.'
Budget Travel judges chose towns with fewer than 20,000 people that 'offer travelers an unparalleled mix of culture, community spirit, natural beauty and great food.'
Experience Sonoma Valley, which is the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau's marketing arm that communicates beyond Sonoma Valley, notified us of the honor.
SVVB acting Executive Director Gary Saperstein told me, 'We are thrilled to be recognized as a cool city... who knew we were that cool to make the top ten list!'
On the other hand, WalletHub, which obviously needs on-the-ground reporters, just named Sonoma the fourth 'Best California Beach Towns to Live In.' Mill Valley (no beach) was listed #1, along with Daly City (no beach), Eureka and Richmond.
Sonoma even ranked ahead of towns that actually have beaches such as Newport Beach (90), Santa Cruz (11), Monterey (14), Capitola (32), Morro Bay (34), and Malibu (38).
Would they be thinking of beaches along Sonoma Creek or Nathanson Creek?
Thursday nights on Edge
John McReynolds and crew's fabulous Thursday night dinners at Edge continue July 12 with cold corn soup with scallop and caviar; seared New York steak with a cured egg yolk and potato purée; and apricot gallettes with ice cream and exclusive Stone Edge wines. The July 19 dinner includes Hopper shrimp salad, crispy chicken with carnaroli rice, carrots and raspberry and peach crepe with almond ice cream. Each dinner $150. 139 E. Napa St., Sonoma. Reserve at larry@stoneedgefarm.com or at 935-6520. Stoneedgefarm.com.
Larson Family Winery's family photo day
Larson Family Winery's annual Family Photo Day will be Friday, July 13, and they are taking reservations for appointments.
The Larsons say, 'Bring your family, picnic, dogs and smiles and enjoy the afternoon at Larson together. Families will have professional photos taken in a variety of poses and locations at the winery. All photos taken will be sent to your email.'
Proceeds from the event will go to the Valley of the Moon Children's Center. Remember that Larson Family Winery and crew planted (for free) the educational vineyard and donates their crew to teach Adele Harrison science students the seasonal upkeep of a vineyard. Each student gets to prune and pick a whole vine. They have also planted and taught at the Valley of the Moon Children's Center as a donation, where proceeds from Photo Day will go. $75 wine club members, $90 others.
Make your Photo Day reservation at 938-3031, ext. 11. 23355 Millerick Road, Sonoma. Larsonfamilywinery.com.
Larson also now features Food-Truck Sunday Fundays weekly. This Sunday, July 8, they will host Got Balls Meatball Factory, July 15 brings El Coyote Mexican food, and July 22 features Q Craft BBQ.
Gay Wine Weekend
Gay Wine Weekend co-organizer Gary Saperstein says that he has just added one more Winemaker Dinner with Corner 103 at El Dorado Kitchen ($150).
Great looking Friday night dinners that filled almost too quickly include Jeff Cohn Cellars at the Fig Farm with Chef John Toulze; Winery Sixteen 600 at Fifth Street Farm with Chef Kyle Kuklewski; Sonoma Loeb at the original Williams-Sonoma store; Mercury Wines at Carneros Bistro; and Hip Chicks winery from Portland at the Girl & The Fig.
Chateau St. Jean will again host this year's Twilight T-Dance to celebrate the 10th anniversary of GWW with chef Chad Carlstedt of Classic Culinare as VIP Reception chef. The Fig Rig and Cochon Volant will have their food trucks and specialties available for general admission t-dancers.
There will also be a hot and cold Recovery Brunch at the Lodge at Sonoma on Sunday, July 22 with still wines donated by MacRostie Vineyards and sparkling wines by Corner 103 ($75). Hilarious auctioneer Michael Tate will stimulate everyone to give. All funds from the auction benefit Face-to-Face, Sonoma County's HIV/AIDS Network. ($75) 10 a.m. outinthevineyard.org.
Pet Lifeline's Paws for a Cause
Do not miss a chance to help Pets Lifeline, the region's only no-kill pet rescue center located right here in Sonoma. Executive Director Nancy King, her crew, and a bevy of volunteers offer shelter to cats and dogs, as well as those who love them, dog training, spay and neutering programs, and chances for humans to read to the animals, become Foster Families to cats and dogs, and even care for feral cats.
You can have a blast helping Pets Lifeline on Saturday, July 21, with its annual dinner at Vintage Kennels on Bonness Road. The owners take the horses, camels and other loveables out of their stalls, clean everything, and strew straw around and load picnic tables inside and out. And occasionally, if you are lucky, a sweet horse will poke its nose back through the Dutch door to nibble your salad.
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