What's Happening this week in Sebastopol?
Important city council meeting, last chance for free tax help, and the opening reception for Pulp: Book and Paper Arts Exhibition at SebARTS
AARP Free Tax Prep
Tuesdays, April 2 and 9, 9 am to 2 pm at the Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 High St., Sebastopol.
You’re running out of time to get free tax help in Sebastopol through AARP. There are just two days left: April 2 and April 9. 100% free tax service for those who need help preparing and filing their income tax. You do not need to be a member of AARP. There is no age or income restrictions for their service. Text or call for appointments: 707-582-3945.
Sebastopol City Council Meeting
Tuesday, April 2, 6 pm at the Sebastopol Youth Annex, 425 Morris St., Sebastopol. Free.
Wow, super full agenda at the city council meeting! There will be a public hearing on the Canopy Project, an 80-unit townhome project at the north end of town behind the O'Reilly building. Other topics include a ceasefire resolution for Gaza, fee waivers for Apple Blossom, Gravenstein Commons (the low-income development for the parcel that once housed Horizon Shine), a proposal to suspend Zoom meetings in favor in-person only meetings, and RFP info on solid waste collection.
Luther Burbank Experiment Farm Work Day
Wednesday, April 3, 9 am to 12 pm at Luther Burbank Experiment Farm, 7777 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol. Free.
Join a cadre of enthusiastic volunteers in preserving and maintaining the Luther Burbank Experiment Farm every Wednesday from 9 am to noon. We need volunteers across the spectrum of gardening, leading tours, showing people around the cottage, selling items at the cottage gift shop, and more. All skill and ability levels welcome. Find out about volunteering here.
Wednesday Night Silent Peace Vigil
Wednesday, April 3, 6 pm at the Sebastopol Peace Wall at the corner of McKinley and Petaluma Ave. Free.
The Wednesday Night Silent Peace Vigil in Sebastopol has been meeting since the onset of the hostilities in Israel/Gaza in early October. The focus has been on mourning the loss of all innocent lives, Palestinian and Jewish alike, and to promote healing and the advancement of peacemaking. In light of the ongoing suffering and massive loss of life, primarily among the civilian population of Gaza, we now add to our goals, a call for a complete and immediate cessation of fighting, and a return of all hostages. This weekly vigil—20 minutes of silence—happens Wednesday evenings at 6 pm, in front of The Living Peace Wall between the plaza and the Rialto Theater. There are no speeches, no signs, and no flags. We are committed only to peace and healing.
Your Energy Efficient and Resilient Home
Thursday, April 4, 6 to 7:30 pm at the Sebastopol Community Cultural Center, 390 Morris St., Sebastopol. Free
What uses the most energy in your home? What repairs or upgrades around the house will make the biggest impact on your energy bills? What DIY projects can you tackle yourself? Why all the buzz about going all-electric? We dig into all of that and more during our free Home Energy Workshop brought to you by the County of Sonoma's Climate Action and Resiliency Division. Presentations will also include information about current and upcoming incentives, rebates, and financing to get your projects done. Registration recommended but not required. Reserve your spot.
Eric Lindell Un-plugged with special guest Sam Pelham
Thursday, April 4, 7 pm at HopMonk Tavern Sebastopol, 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. $35-$45.
Hear Rock/ Blues/ Americana master Eric Lindell and Sam Pelham at HopMonk this Thursday. Get tickets.
Chimera First Fridays Open House
Friday, April 5, 5 to 8 pm at Chimera Arts and Maker Space, 6791 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol. Free.
At our First Fridays events Chimera opens their doors to let you check out what they are all about. Stop by to meet your local community of makers, get a tour of our facility, enjoy some fine libations and food, and hear some great local music. You can also have some fun with our hands-on activities and live demonstrations. Admission, demonstrations, tours and music are all free. Beer, wine and food are offered at a modest price.
Exploring Persian Culture Through Food
Saturday, April 6, 9:30 am to 12 pm at Viva Mexicana, 841 Gravenstein Highway S., Sebastopol. $130.
Come to Viva Mexicana for a flavorful journey into Persian cuisine. This in-person and hands-on event will immerse you in the vibrant flavors and traditions of Persian cooking. Along the way the facilitator, Sima, will talk about the culture and traditions of Iran and share her experiences. Even though by this time Norouz (Persian New Year) will have come to an end, in this class we will learn the traditional dishes that are served for Norouz or anytime in spring. Get tickets.
Family Bike Workshop
Saturday, April 6, 10 am to 2:30 pm Sebastopol Independent Charter School, 1111 Gravenstein Hwy. N, Sebastopol. Free.
Families are invited to learn how to ride together in a safe and fun way at a free Family Bicycling Workshop. Fun games and a neighborhood ride. Join the Bicycle Coalition’s certified cycling instructors for a fun workshop for parents and kids. Children must be able to ride a bike and be ready to take to the road with their parents. Parents are allowed to trail their children in trailers or child seats too. Children and parents must participate in the clinic together and bring their own bikes and helmets. Register here.
Docent Tour at Hidden Forest Botanical Reserve
Saturday, April 6, 10:30 am to 12:00 pm at 3970 Azalea Lane, Sebastopol. $10.
Plant ecologist Mike Boss will lead you on a guided tour through the Hidden Forest Botanical Reserve, showing you seasonal highlights of the forest, including unique and rarely seen plants. Wear sturdy shoes, appropriate clothing for the weather and be prepared to be awed and inspired by natures beauty, diversity, and interconnectedness. Please respect neighbors by driving slowly down Azalea Lane. Reserve your spot.
Saturday Watercolor Basics & Techniques
Saturday, April 6 & 13, 1:30 to 3:30 pm, at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 South High St., Sebastopol. $110.
This watercolor class will focus on skill and technique development: wash, color mixing, texture and line. Beginning painters will practice developing a strong foundation. Advanced painters will benefit from new approaches to the basics and sharpened skills. Reserve your spot.
Pulp: Book and Paper Arts Exhibition Opening Reception
Saturday, April 6, 2 pm to 5 pm at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 S. High St., Sebastopol. Free but donations accepted.
Exhibition features handmade artist's books or book art objects, showing excellence in bookmaking or altered book techniques, including books made of any medium (not just paper), as well as the art and craft of letterpress printing, bookbinding, book art sculptures, etc. Paper Arts includes innovative or traditional explorations of paper sculpture, papermaking, etc. The exhibition runs from April 4 to May 5.
Young Voices Concert Series
Saturday, April 6, 5 to 6 pm at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 S. High St., Sebastopol. $10.
Young Voices Concert Series features musical performances by college, high school and middle school students from Sonoma County. Immerse yourself in a symphony of talent and passion at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, where the vibrant notes of the Young Voices Concert Series echo the boundless creativity of the next generation. This extraordinary musical journey invites you to witness the power and brilliance of emerging young artists. On April 6, hear the Sonoma State Jazz Orchestra. Get tickets.
PEAK INTO NEXT WEEK: Lit Crawl Sebastopol features over 119 authors from around the Bay Area during its four hours of literary mayhem and will draw hundreds of readers, writers, and revelers to crawl through downtown Sebastopol, listening to readings and celebrating Sonoma County’s spirited and diverse literary community. Saturday, April 13, starting at 2 pm. See schedule here.
BEYOND SEBASTOPOL: Occidental Arts and Ecology Center’s Mother Garden Nursery Season Opening, April 6 & 7, 10 am to 5 pm. Spring has arrived with an explosion of green growth and vibrant flowers. It’s a bit too early to plant many of the annual summer crops, but it’s the prime season to fill your perennial beds with beauty and diversity. The folks at OAEC’s Mother Garden Nursery are busy stocking the shelves for you to explore starting this weekend!
For a more complete musical schedule for Sebastopol, see happeningsonomacounty.com and choose Sebastopol from the dropdown.
SUBMIT YOUR EVENT to the official Sebastopol Community Calendar, one of the many sources I use to put this column together.