Petaluma Butter & Egg Days

For the last 34 years, the neighboring town of Petaluma has gathered to celebrate the city's agricultural history, particularly its dairy and eggs, in what has become known as the Butter and Egg Festival! The annual celebration includes a parade followed by a street festival. The 2015 event is scheduled for this Saturday, April 25 in historic Downtown Petaluma, and the theme is "Petaluma: Fertile Ground." 

The event runs from 10 AM to 5 PM, with the parade beginning at noon on Fourth & D Streets and ends at Petaluma Blvd South. More than 3,000 people and 100 units are participating in this year's parade. Before or after the parade, visitors can explore the 4 blocks of vendors, including food, arts & crafts, sponsors and nonprofit organizations. On average, the festival draws more than 25,000 visitors, making it one of the North Bay's largest events!

Other aspects of the festival include the firefighter's cow pie throwing contest and the "Cutest Little Chick in Town" costume contest, and live entertainment from the Dixie Giants and Bad Neighbors.

Thinking of attending this year's event? It is free to attend, Petaluma Transit is designating April 25 as a free ride day! It is approximately a 25-minute drive from Annadel apartment homes in Santa Rosa to Downtown Petaluma. It's the perfect excuse to take a drive and enjoy the outdoors this weekend!

If you would like to volunteer for the event, they need your help! More than 240 volunteers are needed each year to help with the parade, beer garden and more. For more information on volunteering, click here.

Have you attended Petaluma Butter & Egg Days in the past? Do you plan to go back again this year? Share your comments with us on Annadel's Facebook and Twitter pages!

Sources consulted:
Petaluma Downtown
See California
SF Fun Cheap

Earth Day Events in Santa Rosa

From organic farming to wineries, Santa Rosa is an area that relies heavily on the earth. As Earth Day approaches (it's next Wednesday, April 22), there are a couple of opportunities to celebrate and give show some love back to our area's land - cleaning up Jack London State Park and the Earth Day Festival! These two events are a nice balance of work and play to celebrate Earth Day!

Jack London State Park Earth Day Restoration and Cleanup

Jack London State Park is one of Annadel's favorite outdoor spaces in Santa Rosa, so we hope you'll help keep it beautiful! Volunteers are needed to help plant vegetation, pick up trash and beautify the campgrounds.

According to The Press Democrat, interested volunteers should meet up at 2400 London Ranch Road in Glen Ellen at 8:30 AM this Saturday morning (April 18). The cleanup should conclude around 11 AM. If you are interested in helping to pick up the park, you do need to register in advance. You can do so by clicking here or by calling 888-98-PARKS. Parking fees will be waived for any volunteers. It is approximately a 35-minute commute from Annadel to the volunteer meeting location at the park. Elsewhere in Sonoma County, volunteers are also needed at Fort Ross and Bodega Dunes. 

Earth Day Festival

After you're done sprucing up Jack London State Park, head to downtown Santa Rosa for the Earth Day Festival at noon! This free event includes food, live entertainment and Earth Day activities, making this event friendly for the entire family! The event will be held in Courthouse Square and concludes at 4 PM. Annadel apartment homes are located just a 6-minute drive away from Courthouse Square and downtown Santa Rosa. 

Are you going to be among the volunteers and attendees of this weekend's Earth Day events? These are both bound to be fun events that will better our community!

Annadel Half Marathon

The Santa Rosa area is filled with lovers of the nature and outdoors, and athleticism. Residents here love to hike, bike, and run! This weekend brings one of the biggest and most fun events that combines both the outdoors and exercise - the Annadel Half Marathon!

Proceeds from the race go towards the maintenance and improvement of Annadel State Park! Even if you're not an avid runner, if you regularly use the park's trails, you can appreciate the importance of the Annadel Half Marathon. You may want to consider being a volunteer in future races if you would like to contribute in some way other than running.

If you do like to run, but aren't prepared to run 13.1 miles, consider participating in something new to the race this year - the 5K! Race time for the 5K is at 8:15 AM. If you would like to participate in the 5K, you can register here. Unless you have properly trained for the half-marathon, we do not recommend signing up for it at the last minute, but 3.1 miles in a 5K is much more manageable!

Another way to support the runners of the Annadel Half Marathon is to cheer on the half-marathon or 5K participants! Running is an endurance sport and the participants will appreciate the enthusiasm of the crowd! The race begins and ends at Spring Lake Park. To see a full map of the course so you can find the best spot to be a spectator, click here. The race is tomorrow, April 11 at 8 AM. Parking at the park is $7 or free to park members. If Spring Park is full, you may find alternative parking at Channel Dr. and Montgomery Dr. If you're an avid visitor of Spring Lake Park, you'll be happy to know that Annadel apartment homes are only a 15-minute drive away! Best of luck to all of this year's participants! We'll be rooting for you!

Battle of the Brews

Sonoma County isn't just home to wine country, it's also home to many beer lovers. This Saturday, the Battle of the Brews takes place at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, featuring the 19th annual People's Choice Main Event! Proceeds benefit the Youth Benevolent Fund. For some details on the event, please see the information below, courtesy of the event website (where you can also find full details of Saturday's event).

Saturday, March 28, 2015
Grace Pavilion
Sonoma County Fairgrounds
1350 Bennett Valley Rd.
Santa Rosa, CA 95402

Craft Brew Cup and 'Wich Hunt: 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Main Event: 4:00 - 8:00 pm (Taps off at 7pm)

GET TICKETS
The All Access $95 Craft Cup tickets will include the following:

Tasting of all Craft Cup Competing Brews Starting at 1pm
Tasting of all 'Wich Hunt Competing Dishes Starting at 1pm
Live Jazz during the Craft Cup + 'Wich Hunt
Live demonstrations by vendors
One entry into the Craft Cup raffle
Access to the Main Event

For 19 years, the Active 20-30 club of Santa Rosa has held the Battle of the Brews fundraiser. This event has raised nearly $1,000,000 dollars, the proceeds of which have been distributed by our Youth Benevolent Fund to help change the lives of needy children.

Artisan Cheese Festival

Here at the Annadel, we live in the heart of Sonoma County wine country, and what goes better with wine than cheese? This weekend, one event combines these two worlds, California's 9th Annual Artisan Cheese Festival in Petaluma. The three-day festival kicks off tomorrow and runs through Sunday, March 22. Santa Rosa Convention and Visitors Bureau has more details:

California's 9th Annual Artisan Cheese Festival in Sonoma County Wine Country
Date: March 20 - 22, 2015
Time: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

Location: Show map
Sheraton Sonoma County-Petaluma
745 Baywood Dr. 
Petaluma, CA 94954
USA

Contact: Judy Groverman Walker
Phone: 707-523-3728
Email: info@artisancheesefestival.com

Three days of cheese bliss awaits. Take a farm tour on Friday. Cheese making workshops; cheese pairings; learn cheese basics. Grand Cheese Tasting and Best in Cheese Competition on Saturday night with over 2 dozen restaurants showcasing cheese-inspired dishes for sampling with wines and beers. Bubble Brunch and Marketplace on Sunday where you can taste and buy cheeses from more than 20 artisan cheese makers; meet, try and buy the wares of artisan wineries, craft breweries and local food vendors

Make Your Weekend Plans!

Do you feel spring in the air? We do! Take the opportunity to get out of the apartment this weekend and spend some time out and about in our area. We mentioned that we will have a booth at the Saint Patrick's Day 5K on Sunday, so we hope you will visit us there. However, the 5K is certainly not the only event taking place this weekend. Here are some other fun area events to keep you occupied, courtesy of The Press Democrat:

March 12-14
‘Pop-Up Paella Party’: Gerard Nebesky, prince of paella. 6 p.m. March 12-14. Relish Culinary Center, Healdsburg. $39. 431-9999, relishculinary.com.

Friday, March 13
Steve Gillette & Cindy Mangsen: Singer-songwriter duo. 7 p.m. March 13. Occidental Center for the Arts. $12-$15. 874-9392.

Friday, March 13
Sonoma Bach & Baltimore Consort: Shakespearean era songs. 8 p.m. March 13. $14-$22. First Church of Christ Scientist, Petaluma. sonomabach.org.

Friday, March 13
Fab Four: ‘The Ultimate Beatles Tribute Band.’ 8 p.m. March 13. Uptown Theatre, Napa. $39-$59. 259-0123, uptowntheatrenapa.com.

March 13-15
‘Romeo & Juliet’: Young Repertory stages Bard’s classic, March 13-15. $10-$15. Cinnabar Theater, Petaluma. 763-8920, cinnabartheater.org.

March 13-15
Barrel Tasting: Tastings at 100 wineries in the Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River Valleys. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. today through Sunday and March 13-15. wineroad.com.

Saturday, March 14
Vin Olivo Grand Tasting: 60 wineries, 25 restaurateurs. 7 p.m. March 14. Renaissance Lodge at Sonoma. $75-$85. sonomavalleywine.com.

Saturday, March 14
Vaud & the Villains: Cabaret show. 8:30 p.m. March 14. Mystic Theatre, Petaluma. $20-$23. 765-2121, mystictheatre.com.

Saturday, March 14
New trail opening: East Slope Sonoma Mountain Ridge Trail, Jack London State Park, Glen Ellen. Public hike, noon March 14. Free. 938-5216, jacklondonpark.com.

Saturday, March 14
Sonoma County Bluegrass & Folk Festival: 1-9 p.m. March 14. Sebastopol Community Cultural Center. $30-$35. 823-1511, seb.org.

Sunday, March 15
Peter Case: Grammy-winning singer-songwriter. 8 p.m. March 15. $25-$35. HopMonk Tavern, Sonoma. 935-9100, hopmonk.com.

Sunday, March 15
Anne-Marie McDermott: Piano concert. 4 p.m. March 15. Newman Auditorium, SRJC. $15-$26. santarosa.edu.

Sunday, March 15
Ring of Truth Trio: Traditional Irish concert. 7:30 p.m. March 15. Cinnabar Theater, Petaluma. $26. 763-8920, cinnabartheater.org.

Sunday, March 15
‘In the Mood’: 1940s musical revue. 3 p.m. March 15. Wells Fargo Center, Santa Rosa. $35-$65. 546-3600, wellsfargocenterarts.org.

Through March 15
‘Bonnie & Clyde’: Musical based on notorious ‘30s bank robbers runs through March 15 at 6th Street Playhouse, Santa Rosa. $15-$37. 523-4185. 6thstreetplayhouse.com

Through March 15
‘Shining City’: Irish ghost story runs through March 15 at the Main Stage West theater in Sebastopol. $15-$27. 823-0177,mainstagewest.com.

Through March 15
Baseball Exhibit: Historical photo exhibition of the Negro Leagues, through March 15. University Library Art Gallery, Sonoma State University. sonoma.edu.

Through April 20
Alison Saar: LA artist’s work on display through April 20. Sonoma County Museum, Santa Rosa. 579-1500, sonomacountymuseum.org.

6th Annual Sonoma County Restaurant Week

Living in wine country puts us in close proximity to plenty of delectable dining! Monday will kick off a cornerstone event or the Santa Rosa and Sonoma County foodie community - the 6th Annual Sonoma County Restaurant Week! The event runs March 9 - 15, and allows area restaurants and diners to offer and enjoy two-course lunches and three-course dinner at an affordable cost! Here are more details, courtesy of Sonoma County Restaurant Week's website:

The sixth annual Sonoma County Restaurant Week will again be a seven day celebration of our county’s finest food!

Lunch                   or           Dinner

$10 $15 $20                       $19 $29 $39

Two Meals

Three Great Prices

The 6th annual Sonoma County Restaurant Week will continue the tradition of celebrating the finest Sonoma County food! From March 9th through March 15th, 2015, participating restaurants will present fantastic food at fantastic prices. The 2-course prix-fixe lunch option will be offered again in 2015 by participating restaurants, priced at $10, $15 or $20. And as always, all restaurants will offer a 3-course prix-fixe dinner menu for $19, $29 or $39.

There are no tickets or passes required. Food lovers can simply dine out at as many participating restaurants as they would like during Sonoma County Restaurant Week, explore new dining opportunities, or enjoy old favorites. Reservations are strongly recommended!

What is Sonoma County Restaurant Week?
Sonoma County Restaurant Week is a weeklong event celebrating the fine dining opportunities in Sonoma County. Local food aficionados have the opportunity to enjoy special prix-fixe menus from participating restaurants throughout Sonoma County for the week. These three-course special dinner menus will be priced at $19, $29, or $39. These prices are for one three course meal at a participating restaurant. Continuing this year, participating restaurants will also offer a prix-fixe lunch menu. The special 2-course lunches will be priced at $10, $15 and $20. Each restaurant selects its own price point. Restaurants are encouraged to use local ingredients and feature a local wine for Restaurant Week.

When is it?
The sixth annual Sonoma County Restaurant Week will be from Monday, March 9th through Sunday, March 15th, 2015.

Do I need tickets?
No tickets or passes are needed. Simply find a restaurant on the restaurant list and dine out!

Will the menus vary significantly?
Absolutely! Sonoma County Restaurant Week features a wide array of cuisines at three different price points, and now for two different meals, so that you can have an abundance of options at a price that you want. Check out featured menus by clicking on our Restaurant List.

When should I make a reservation?
Since this is a highly anticipated event, it is best to make reservations as early as possible. We recommend calling 7-10 days in advance.

Are tips, beverages, gratuity, or tax included in the three price-points?
Tips, beverages, gratuity, or tax are not included in the price. The promotion includes 3 plated dinner courses, or 2 lunch courses, which will most likely be an appetizer, entree, and dessert on the dinner menu, and an appetizer or dessert and an entree on the lunch menu.

Are there any special themes or promotions?
Chefs are planning on incorporating local, seasonal ingredients and some may feature a wine of their choice to accompany your meal. If a wine is served, it is most likely not included in the price.

Will all participating restaurants offer their Restaurant Week menu all day and every day during Restaurant Week?
Restaurant Week is now a lunch and dinner promotion, although some restaurants may offer only dinner. Restaurants will offer their Restaurant Week menu only during the days they are open. Please check with each restaurant for exact days and hours the Restaurant Week menu will be served.

If a menu has multiple options for each course, do I choose one from each course or do I get to eat all of the options listed?
You can only choose one selection from each course. Many restaurants are providing several options for each course, as to please all diets as well as those who may want to enjoy an establishment more than once during the week.