Mouthful: Winterblast, Gatsby and more

Winterblast! Just as a northern Pacific storm was blowing freezing conditions over much of the country, the South A Street Arts District - SOFA - hosts a favorite early winter fete, Winterblast, which is free, family friendly and not particularly chilly.

This year, the 10th annual arts festival, parade and street fair kicks off at 5 p.m. Nov. 15 and wraps up, slowly, around 9 p.m.

This is SOFA’s biggest event of the year, with a parade of pimped-out sofas, artistic bicycles, performers in costume, a marching band and so much more, including illuminated sculptures, fire dancers, lanterns, street performers, live music and a wide array of food, beverages, beer and wine available for purchase at a variety of stations throughout the area.

Galleries and studios are open, everyone is in a great mood and Ms. Mouthful guarantees you a fun time. You can even dress up however you like, including in your most outlandish costume. You won’t be alone.

Parking is a bit challenging in the area and the earlier you arrive, the easier it will be.

The South A Street Arts District is located on the edge of downtown Santa Rosa, adjacent to Juilliard Park at the corner of South A Street and Sebastopol Ave.

More more information, visit sofasantarosa.com.

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It’s a Beaujolais Time of Year: The world’s newest wine, 2014 Beaujolais Nouveau, will be released around the world on Nov. 20.

On Nov. 21, the Santa Rosa French-American Charter School Foundation will present its annual celebration at the Showcase Cafe, located at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds (1350 Bennett Valley Road., Santa Rosa).

The fete includes appetizers, desserts and the new wine to savor and sample, along with dancing to the music of Dgiin and both silent and live auctions that include, among many other items, unique gift baskets.

Things get started at 6 p.m. and wrap up around 11 p.m. Tickets, $55 each, are available by phone at 327-7668 and at srfacs.org.

The new wine also should be in markets in plenty of time to grab a few bottles for your holiday table.

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Craft Fair Season Kicks Off: This Saturday, Nov. 15, one of the first craft fairs of the holiday season takes place at the Sebastopol Grange Hall (6000 Highway 12, Sebastopol) from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This is the 13th annual fair and features more than 30 local vendors, offering everything from sweet nibbles and other edibles, handmade lotions and balms, fiber arts and jewelry to up-cycled clothing, fine arts and more.

A raffle of gift baskets benefits the Inter-Church Food Pantry and the Sebastopol Grange.

Admission is, of course, free.

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Crab Season! It’s time for Dungeness crab, the Pacific coast’s sweetest winter miracle. The commercial season opens on Saturday, Nov. 15. A few days later, on Wednesday, Nov. 19, Rosso Rosticerria (1229 N. Dutton, Santa Rosa) celebrates with a family-style Cioppino Night.

The menu begins with Crab Margherita (that’s a pizza, not a cocktail) and arancini (risotto balls) with prosecco.

Next comes big pots of cioppino to be shared with everyone at the table, followed by pumpkin panna cotta, with Preston Sauvignon Blanc and Sedara, a delicate red wine from Sicily.

Cost for two, with wine, tax and gratuity, is $137.

Advance reservations are required and you should make them soon, as the event is expected to sell out.

To snag a seat, email gesine@rossopizzeria.com or call 526-1229.

Service is from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

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Paws for Love Cooking Contest: Do you pamper your pups with homemade treats? Do you have a special recipe that your finicky cat can’t resist? Consider entering the Paws for Love Recipe Contest.

Simply email your recipe and contact information to ellyn@pawsforlove.info by Nov. 25.

The winner receives a Paws for Love gift collection.

Paws for Love’s 16th annual Gala is coming up on Feb. 7 , and the organization, which benefits needy animals, is looking for volunteers for both the event and for other activities. If interested, email Ellyn@pawsforlove or jpleonard44@comcast.net or call 899-4046.

To learn more about the organization and its projects, visit pawsforlove.info.

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428 Collective: A group of 11 Sonoma County artists known as the 428 Collective now have an on line store, currently featuring work by Carol Vena-Mondt, Cristina Hobbs, Alice Sutro, Chelsea Wills, Jessica Martin, Flora Skivington, Caitlin McCaffrey and Victoria Wagner. You can shop online but arrange to pick up items so that you don’t incur shipping costs. You’ll find it at 428collective.com.

To see examples in the real world, there is a clear-out sale on Nov. 15 and again on Nov. 23 at Studio 428 (428 Moore Lane, Healdsburg), from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days.

If you can’t attend at these times, you can arrange an appointment between Nov. 16 and Nov. 23. For more information, email info@jmartinart.com.

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Calling All Flappers: As of press time, there were still tickets available for the Rotary Club of Sebastopol’s Great Gatsby Gala, an evening of dinner, dancing, and, best of all, dressing up. If you’ve been hankering for a bit of glamour, this event is for you.

It all takes place at the Sebastopol Community Cultural Center (390 Morris St.) from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. this Saturday, Nov. 15. Tickets are $125 each.

Things get started with a Champagne and appetizer reception, which includes a full bar, a martini bar and fine wines. Raffle tickets will be sold at this time, and the silent auction will open.

At 6:45, guests will be seated for dinner, the silent auction will close and there will be a Battle of the Bands, featuring musicians from Analy High School and El Molino High School.

Grapevine Catering Co. will serve dinner, accompanied by Balletto Vineyards and Winery wines, at 7 p.m. The live auction begins at 7:10.

At 8:30, dancing begins, with live music by the Silver Moon Band.

For tickets, visit greatgatsbygala-rotary.com, where you can preview the truly remarkable auction items, as well.

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Simi Winery Demonstration & Tasting: Next Saturday, Nov. 22, Simi Winery (16275 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg) hosts a demonstration and tasting with the winery’s executive chef, Kolin Vazzoler.

At 3 p.m., he’ll lead a seminar on apple chutney and cranberry compote. Following the demonstration will be a cheese and wine reception and a tasting of the chutney and compote. Simi’s Russian River Chardonnay and Sonoma County Pinot Noir will be poured.

Cost is $60 per person for the general public and $50 for members of the wine club.

To sign up, visit simiwinery.com.

Michele Anna Jordan has written 17 books to date, including “Vinaigrettes and Other Dressings.” Email Jordan at michele@saladdresser.com. You’ll find her blog, “Eat This Now,” at pantry.blogs.pressdemocrat.com.