Out, About & Around the County Nov. 1, 2019
The history of baseball in Sonoma
The Sonoma Valley Historical Society has opened the first of a two-part exhibit on baseball in Sonoma Valley, running now through Dec. 1 at the Depot Museum in Sonoma. In 1970, there were 31 baseball teams playing on Sonoma's Arnold Field. Part one of the exhibit features schools, youth, women and girls. Part two, which will go up after the New Year, will focus on amateur, semi-pro, and pro-baseball in Sonoma Valley. The exhibit will tell the story in photos and narrative with a display of memorabilia like gloves, jerseys, jackets and trophies, all contributed by members of the community. Free. The museum is open 1-4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.Info: 343-1335. 270 1st. St. West, Sonoma.
In the center of Mrs. Krishnan's Party
The Green Music Center presents a month of boundary blurring performances, showcasing artists from around the world, starting with a comedy on Nov. 6 and 7 that seats the audience around the dining table in the back room of an Indian-run convenience store for Mrs. Krishnan's Party. Mrs. Krishnan is thinking of selling the shop. It's Onam, a time to celebrate life, death, and rebirth, and over one joyous evening Mrs. Krishnan's Party magically transforms strangers into friends through laughter, tears, music, and food. Each night features eight seats at Mrs. Krishnan's table - in the center of the action. At 7:30 p.m. both nights, in the Weill Hall Loft. Tickets: $25-$50.Info: 664-4246, gmc.sonoma.edu. 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park.
SoCo Cannabis Appellations Forum
Sonoma County is well known for its wine appellations, but what does the future hold for cannabis appellations? Elyon Cannabis will host a forum discussing the future of Sonoma County's cannabis branding and the uses of cannabis appellation designations on Nov. 6, 5:30 p.m., in Santa Rosa. The night will include networking, light food and refreshments, and a panel of industry experts discussing Sonoma's cannabis permitting program, the local industrial hemp program, and the future of cannabis as a product of Sonoma County.RSVP: socoappellationsforum.eventbrite.com. 5355 Skylane Blvd., Ste. A, Santa Rosa.
Free movies for seniors
On Nov. 7, the Free Seniors Movie Series returns to Third Street Cinemas in downtown Santa Rosa. As usual, a choice of three or four movies will be shown on the first Thursday of each month at 10 a.m., through June 4, 2020. No tickets are needed. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. For a list of movie titles for each month, call Third Street Cinemas the week of the series at the phone number below. Info: 525-8909 x 2. 620 3rd St., Santa Rosa.
River otters on the rise
The River Otter Ecology Project has been monitoring and researching river otter recovery for seven years. Their community science-based project uses camera trapping and scat collection for genetic and bacterial analysis to find out where the otters are, what their niche is in the ecosystem, how they are doing, and what the implications are of the return of this apex aquatic predator. On Nov. 7, 6:30-8 p.m., Megan Isadore, executive director of the River Otter Ecology Project, and Terrence Carroll, head of data and informatics, come to the Laguna de Santa Rosa Environmental Center to talk about the “Otter Spotter” program, as well as results from the River Otter Ecology Project's study of 225 km stretches of Marin coast, river, reservoir and bay. Cost is $14; pre-registration required.Info: www.lagunafoundation.org. 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa.
History of the mission olives
The Nov. 7 meeting of the Valley of the Moon Garden Club will feature Nina Keena speaking about olive trees that were planted in the 18th century at the California missions. Keena has worked to preserve, restore, and educate people about these historic trees, testing their DNA to trace them back to their origins in Spain. Seedlings have been grown from ancient mission olive trees to keep the variety from dying out. There will be an olive tasting after the presentation. The public meeting is at 7 p.m. Refreshments and a plant raffle follow the meeting. Garden Club members are free; guests are $5.Info: Burlingame Hall at the First Congregational Church, 252 W. Spain St., Sonoma.
An evening in Tokaj
The Sonoma-Tokaj Sister Cities Committee presents its bi-annual fundraiser on Nov. 9. “An Evening In Tokaj, Hungary” will feature authentic Hungarian cuisine, music provided by Corvinus Chorus, and dancing, with a performance by the Esterlanc Hungarian Folkdance Ensemble. From 6-9 p.m., guests will enjoy traditional Hungarian dishes, including homemade pastries, and other goodies. Since 2012, the Sonoma-Tokaj Sister City Committee has been an instrumental force in joining two historic cities together through programs helping Sonoma and Tokaj students learn about each respective wine region, and work “the crush.” A $65 donation includes full dinner with wine, entertainment, and dancing.Info: sonomasistercitiesassociation.org/news_events/. Burlingame Hall at 252 West Spain St., Sonoma.

The Magic of Peanuts
On Nov. 10 at 3 p.m., the Charles M. Schulz Museum hosts internationally celebrated sleight-of-hand magician Patrick Martin for a comedic stage show full of mesmerizing tricks and mysteries, presented in conjunction with the exhibition Abracadabra! The Magic of Peanuts. Known for his unique blend of humor and mystery, Martin has entertained for the White House, been featured on the television special Masters of Illusion, and at the Olympic Arts Festival. Info: schulzmuseum.org. 2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa.
Osborn mushroom blitz
Wild mushrooms are indicators of soil and air quality, and support plant growth. Sonoma State University's Center for Environmental Inquiry will host its third annual mushroom blitz, traversing the Osborn Preserve on Sonoma Mountain on Nov. 10, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Learn identification and sustainable harvesting skills, while adding to the center's research database.Info: cei.sonoma.edu/osborn-mushroom-blitz.
New voice from Venezuela
Nella is a new voice hailing from the Venezuelan Island of Margarita. A Berklee College of Music graduate, Nella's music blends her country's folkloric roots, the influence of her contemporaries, and the music of the Andalusian region. Baring her soul in the songs she sings, Nella has already garnered the support of Latin pop star Alejandro Sanz and has performed with a variety of artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Carlos Vives, Luis Enrique and Susana Baca. Nella comes to Schroeder Hall at the Green Music Center on Nov. 10, 3 p.m. Tickets: $30-$40.Info: 664-4246, gmc.sonoma.edu. 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park.
Bookworms unite!
Friends of the Sonoma Valley Library book sale will run Wednesday, Nov. 13 through Saturday, Nov. 16. There will be a “members only” preview on Wednesday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Memberships are available at the door and throughout the sale. The sale opens to the public from 2-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, and then 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Thursday-Friday, and 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on Saturday. Books, DVDs, CDs, LPs are $1-2. All Sonoma kids in grades K through 12 receive their first book free; after that, all kids books are $1 for both hard and softcover. On Saturday, non-profit representatives and all teachers and staff are invited to stock their libraries with free books. Info: 755 Napa St., Sonoma.

Put on your dancing boots
From the Ohio River to the muddy Mississippi, Ashleigh Flynn follows her troubadour heart. A prolific songwriter and performer blessed with unbridled charisma, Flynn grew up in Kentucky and cut her teeth on local bluegrass, classic rock and Motown. Ashleigh Flynn & the Riveters come to Sonoma's Rock and Reel on Nov. 14, at 8 p.m., promoting their newest album which hearkens back to early Stones and '70s psychedelic country rock.Info: www.ashleighflynnandtheriveters.com. 401 Grove St., Sonoma.

Balloon lands in Sonoma
One of the most popular films of the Sonoma International Film Festival is Balloon, a film from Germany that tells the true story of one of the most spectacular escapes from communist East Germany in September 1979. Two families fly over the German border to Bavaria in a homemade hot air balloon in the first ever escape of its kind. The film will screen at the Sebastiani Theater on Nov. 14, with a wine reception followed by film at 7:15 p.m.Info: www.sebastianitheatre.com/. 476 First St. East, Sonoma.
Please, sir, I want some more...
Charles Dickens' famous novel is brought to life as orphaned Oliver Twist navigates the mean streets of London in search of family and love in the Tony award-winning musical, Oliver, running Nov. 15-Dec. 15 at Sixth Street Playhouse. Book, music, and lyrics by Lionel Bart, directed by Patrick Nims, music directed by Ginger Beavers, and choreographed by Joseph Favalora. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets start at $32.Info: www.6thstreetplayhouse.com. 52 W. 6th St., Santa Rosa.
Handcrafted holiday gifts
The Sebastopol Center for the Arts' annual Fall Arts & Crafts Fair will be open for holiday shoppers on Nov. 15, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Local artists and members of Center for the Arts will be selling fine art, ceramics, jewelry, poetry and books for holiday shoppers looking for special, handcrafted gifts. Free.Info: sebarts.org. 282 South High St. (Veterans Building), Sebastopol.