What's happening this week in Sebastopol?
A different take on Gaza, fall birding, AI, an art dinner, music and the Historical Society's 50th Anniversary Gala
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Science Buzz Cafe: Apology to Gaza from a former Israeli Paratrooper
Monday, Nov. 11, 6 pm, at Hopmonk, 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. $10.
In August 2024, Sebastopol’s Ofer Zur, a psychologist and citizen of Israel, flew into the warzone and sent an apology in the form of a paper airplane over the wall into Gaza, asking for forgiveness (in Arabic) for what he did as a soldier in Gaza in 1970. For his actions and those of other Israeli soldiers, he says he feels partly responsible for the Oct. 7 massacre. Hear his intellectually nuanced and heartfelt view of this seemingly intractable international and humanitarian crisis.
Planning Commission Meeting
Tuesday, Nov. 12, 6 pm, at the Sebastopol Youth Annex, 425 Morris St., Sebastopol.
There is only one item on the agenda: A public hearing for an application for a conditional use permit for The Barn Fitness Collective at 6731 Sebastopol Ave., Suite 110. See the agenda and staff report here.
Fall Birding at Delta Pond
Wednesday, Nov. 13, 8:30 am to noon, Santa Rosa Creek Trailhead near 642 Willowside Road, Santa Rosa. Free.
Join Teresa and Miles Tuffli for an exciting opportunity to explore the bird-rich location of Delta Pond (typically closed to the public). The group will walk along Santa Rosa Creek Trail to access the pond entrance, then slowly meander the loop around the large pond. Late fall is a terrific time to visit Delta Pond—a great variety of birds make the area their home for the fall and winter months, including multiple duck species and other water-loving birds. The group will be covering up to 3 to 4 miles on foot. For those with mobility issues, know that there will be unpaved trails, slight inclines and likely some mud. Get tickets.
Art Share: Show & Tell: Nov Session
Wednesday, Nov. 13, 3:30 pm to 6 pm, at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 S. High St., Sebastopol. $10.
Come to the first '“Art Share: Show and Tell” at SebArts. Bring one of your masterpieces or something in the works to share. The discussions will inspire and motivate the beginner to the expert. Each artist has 10 minutes for discussion and input from attendees. Max 12 attendees. RSVP required. Other artists and non-artists are welcome as "listeners." Moderated by Linda Loveland-Ried. Register here.
Storytelling and Content Creation in the AI Age
Thursday, Nov. 14, 3 pm to 4:15 pm, at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 S. High St., Sebastopol. Free.
This free introductory session is the first step in SebArts’ AI Empowered Content Creation Workshop Series. Help shape future sessions to best serve your creative needs. Discover how to collaborate with AI to tap into your intuition and imagination, how to use principles of magic while interfacing with AI, learn about tools for intuitive video and audio creation, leverage AI for content analysis and theme extraction, and create stunning visuals with AI-assisted generation. Register now to receive the Zoom link!
Pallette: An Exclusive Culinary & Arts Experience
Thursday, Nov. 14, 6 pm to 8:30 pm, to Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 S. High St., Sebastopol. $250.
Join SebArts for an intimate gourmet dinner in the SebArts Gallery. Dine among the creative works during the Art of Food Show, an exhibit on the artistry and love of food. (This exhibition opened on Nov. 1 and runs through Dec. 1.) Learn more or get tickets for Pallette.
Film: 1-800-ON-HER-OWN
Thursday, Nov. 14, 7 pm, at Rialto Cinemas, 6868 McKinley St., Sebastopol. $16.50.
1-800-ON-HER-OWN follows groundbreaking indie musician/feminist Ani DiFranco, founder of the first “woman-run non-corporate queer-happy” label, Righteous Babe Records, on a wild road trip from her punk-folk past to her life today as an activist and rock star. Throughout, Ani remains resolutely true to herself, no matter the cost. Get tickets.
Guerillacapella Pop-Up Concert
Friday, Nov. 15, 12 pm to 1 pm, at Sebastopol Area Senior Center, 167 North High St., Sebastopol. Free.
Come enjoy Jim Paschal’s acapella group Guerillacapella for some sing-a-long tunes at The Harvest Cafe at the Senior Center. Enjoy with the purchase of lunch or feel free to come and hang around noon to enjoy the music. (Personal recommendation from Laura: I first saw these folks at the ‘Day After the Election’ get-together at the Community Center, and they were fantastic.)
Holiday Wreaths for the Gratefully Dead and the Living
Saturday, Nov. 16, 10 am to 2:30 pm, at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 S. High St., Sebastopol. $60.
Create wreaths festooned with abundant foliage made from live and dried foliage. Unique elements like lichens, seaweed, stones, pine cones, seed pods, dried flowers, thistles, and shells will add a fun flair to your wreaths. Learn more and reserve your spot.
Community Song Circle with Molly Bajgot
Saturday, Nov. 16, 4 pm to 5:30 pm at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 500 Robinson Road, Sebastopol. By donation.
Come to a community song circle with Jewish musician, singer, songwriter, song leader Molly Bajgot. She will sing songs of joy and pain, grief and beauty. There is no pre-registration, and the event is donation-based.
Western Sonoma County Historical Society 50th Anniversary Gala
Saturday, Nov. 16, 6 pm to 9 pm, at the Holy Ghost Hall, 7960 Mill Station Road, Sebastopol. $55.
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Western Sonoma County Historical Society, the umbrella organization that runs the West County Museum and the Luther Burbank Experiment Farm. Food, wine, silent auction, music, historical displays and videos. Help the Historical Society celebrate the past, present and future. Get tickets.
Adorn: A Holiday Jewelry Market
Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 16-17, 11 am to 4 pm, at Chimera Arts and Maker Space, 6791 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol.
Two days of holiday shopping at Adorn, a jewelry market featuring beautifully handcrafted pieces by talented local artisans from the Northbay Jewelry Arts Guild. Admission is free.
The Trade Holiday Market
Sunday, Nov. 17, 11 am to 4 pm, at The Barlow, 6770 McKinley St., Sebastopol.
Holiday-scented candles, festive home decor, cozy sweaters...shop it all at The Trade Holiday Market hosted at the Barlow. More than 50 local vendors to shop. Live music by Parade Garden (band starts at noon). Food and wine from Barlow vendors. Bring your friends and family out to enjoy the holiday season at the Barlow.
Hope for Harry: A Benefit Concert for Harry’s family in their time of need
Sunday, Nov. 17, 1 pm to 5 pm, at the Sebastopol Community Cultural Center, 390 Morris St., Sebastopol. $28.52.
Hope for Harry is a special event celebrating the incredible talent of Harry Gale, musician, songwriter, producer, recording engineer, and friend. Join Harry’s friends and fellow community members at the Sebastopol Community Cultural Center for a night filled with live music, good vibes, and support for Harry. This in-person event is a unique opportunity to show your love for Harry and his family in their time of need. Don’t miss out on this chance to come together as a community and lift up one of our own. Get tickets.
For a more complete musical schedule for Sebastopol, see happeningsonomacounty.com and choose Sebastopol from the dropdown.
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