What's happening this week in Sebastopol?
August 5-11: City council meeting, dog training, improv, square dancing, and, of course, the Gravenstein Apple Fair
Multi-Generational Chess Club
Monday, August 5, 3 pm to 4:30 pm, at Sebastopol Regional Library, 7140 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol. Free.
Calling all chess players—everyone, 3 to103, who enjoys playing chess. All levels are welcome. Every Monday from 3 pm to 4:30 pm at Sebastopol Regional Library. See our article on the multi-generational chess club here.
Emergency Prep Help for Seniors
Tuesday, August 6, 9:30 am to 11:30 am, at the Sebastopol Area Senior Center, 167 N. High St., Sebastopol. Free.
Join the Sebastopol Area Senior Center in a workshop on what to do in an emergency. Workshop includes discussions of fire and evacuation safety for seniors, free emergency to-go bags and supplies, as well as discussions of pet safety during evacuations, earthquake safety, extended power outages and other likely emergencies in Sebastopol and west county. Advance registration is required; seats are filling up fast. 707-829-2440
Sebastopol City Council Meeting
Tuesday, August 6, 6 pm to 10:30 pm, at the Sebastopol Youth Annex, 425 Morris St., Sebastopol. Free.
Discussion and consideration of approval of public works/engineering reorganization; creation of ad hoc committees for Sebastopol Cultural Community Center and garbage services; consideration of a proposal to direct city attorney to review current city council policy for council protocols.
Dog training class: Motivation Through the Eyes of a Dog
Wednesdays, August 7 to Sept. 11, 10:30 am to 11:30 am, at the Sebastopol Community Cultural Center, 390 Morris St., Sebastopol. $240.
Join this six-session class designed to meet your pup’s social, physical, and mental needs, helping them reach their full potential as a balanced dog. Please note that all handlers must be at least 18 years old to participate. You can also drop in for just $45 a class. Register now.
Improvising for Life
Wednesday, August 7, 3 pm to 4 pm, at Sebastopol Downtown Dance/Art Space, 172 N. Main St., Sebastopol. $8 members, $10 non-members.
Improv games will teach you how to be present, tap into your silly, imaginative, spontaneous, child-like self, stop worrying, and enjoy the present moment, which is all we have anyway. Improv is a way of living authentically and an attitude to life that gets us out of our heads and into our hearts, living in the moment, responding rather than reacting, and laughing heartily. Sponsored by the Sebastopol Area Senior Center. Register now.
Breakdance Foundations Workshop (Youth)
Wednesday, August 7, 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm, at the Sebastopol Community Cultural Center, 390 Morris St., Sebastopol. $10.
Ever wanted to feel what it’s like to be a breakdancer, aka bboy/bgirl? Well, here’s your chance. On Wednesday August 7, come to the Sebastopol Community Cultural Center and learn the foundations of what it takes. Instructor and Youth Programs Coordinator Sean Armstrong will take you on a journey in movement, expression and confidence as he breaks down the steps to perform a breaking ‘set’ on the dance floor. Get tickets.
Wine, Bites & Music with winemaker Fred Scherrer
Wednesday, August 7, 5 pm to 7 pm, at Region, 180 Morris St., Sebastopol. $75.
Enjoy a selection of Scherrer Winery’s portfolio of six wines poured tableside with the Winemaker, Fred Scherrer. Indulge in this exclusive experience of six wines and six paired bites by local favorite Pascaline French Bistro. In a uniquely elegant setting serenaded with live Music, it will be a wonderful evening at Region. Get tickets.
Peacetown concerts at Ives Park
Wednesday, August 7, 5 pm to 8 pm, at Ives Park, 7400 Willow St., Sebastopol. Free.
At this week’s summer Peacetown Concert in Ives Park, hear Soul Fuse(original funk) and Sarah Baker. Friends, food trucks, fun!
Free Introduction to Square Dancing
Wednesday, August 7, 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm, at Wischemann Hall, 465 Morris St., Sebastopol. Free.
Today’s social square dancing uses 55 moves woven together in an ever-varying tapestry of dance set to a variety of music. Exercise your body and mind as part of a very supportive community of dancers. Wear casual attire. Everyone is welcome—lesbian, gay, straight. No partner needed, but bringing a friend is always fun. Walk-ins welcome. Come early for registration and parking. Register here.
An Evening of Plein Air Painting and Drawing with Erica Warren
Thursday, August 8, 6 pm to 8:30 pm, Irwin Creek, 625 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa. Free.
Come explore the Laguna de Santa Rosa with your pencils and brushes. During this special summer evening, participants will take a short walk around Irwin Creek and the dry summer wetlands of the Laguna de Santa Rosa for a journaling and painting session using the medium of their choice. Your instructor will introduce the site and build your sense of place to enhance your creativity as you explore light and shadows under the trees during the golden hour and find special vignettes and vistas to draw from your chosen perspectives. Register now.
Reverberations 2024: final week of the exhibit
Thursday through Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm, at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 South High St., Sebastopol. Free to $15 donation.
This week is your last chance to see Reverberations 2024, an immersive art experience, merging world-renowned art with ekphrastic poetry. An ekphrastic poem is an evocative description of a work of art to affect and expand the artistic experience. This is a fantastic exhibit. Don’t miss it.
Painting with Soft Pastels
Friday, August 9, 10 am to 12 pm, Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 South High St., Sebastopol. $50.
Explore the vivid world of soft pastel with master pastelist, James Reynolds. The class begins with a short demonstration and introduction to this vivid and flexible medium. Then students will begin a pastel painting of their own. The student is free to choose an image, but guidance will be available.
Community Market Clothing Swap
Saturday, August 10, 11 am to 2:30 pm, at 6782 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol.
Need to clean out your closet? Looking to update your wardrobe? Bring your clean and gently used clothes to this clothing swap.
Apple pie making at the Community Church of Sebastopol
Thursday through Sunday, August 8-11, varied times at the Community Church of Sebastopol, 1000 Gravenstein Hwy. N., Sebastopol. Free.
It’s that time...Apple Pie Season. With the Gravenstein Apple Fair just around the corner, the Community Church of Sebastopol is gearing up to bake over 1,000 pies to raise money for their youth programs and camperships. So grab your apron and sign up for a pie-making shift August 8-11. Volunteer to help.
Grandma’s All Apple Breakfast & Fritter Sales
Saturday and Sunday, August 10-11, 9 am to 12 pm, Sebastopol Masonic Center, 373 North Main St., Sebastopol. $17.85.
“Grandma’s Apple Fritters” is celebrating its 30th year. Stop by for breakfast on your way to the nearby Gravenstein Apple Fair. You can also get a boat of Apple Fritters for dine-in or take-out. Get tickets.
Gravenstein Apple Fair
Saturday and Sunday, August 10-11, 10 am to 6 pm, at Ragle Ranch Regional Park, Sebastopol. $20 to $150.
Farm Trails, which produces the Gravenstein Apple Fair, has done a remarkable job over the years of creating a truly authentic local fair experience that combines an old-fashioned agricultural fair—complete with educational panels—with a top-flight modern tasting event and music festival. Get tickets.
Art show reception: Meet the artist of "From the Inkwell"
Sunday, August 11, 3 pm to 5 pm, Sebastopol Regional Library, 7140 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol. Free.
Bill Shortridge is an artist living in Sebastopol. He works in pen & ink, watercolor, oil paints, silverpoint and pencil. His drawing technique reflects a more realistic approach, while his oil paintings explore composition and texture creating a more abstract environment. This dichotomy provides a balance in his work; a spiritual shift that maintains a fresh point of view, re-invigorating inspiration.
For a more complete musical schedule for Sebastopol, see happeningsonomacounty.com and choose Sebastopol from the dropdown.
Want us to feature your event in “What’s happening this week in Sebastopol?” Submit your events to the Sebastopol Community Calendar, which is back online. This is one of the many resources I use to put this column together.
Keep up the good work!