Home and garden news and events

GUALALA: Exhibit looks at the gifts of childhood

Because Christmas and Hannukah are the times when most kids receive their best toys, the holidays tend to ignite fond memories of playthings.

Placewares+LyndonDesign Gallery is honoring the gifts of childhood with an exhibit “Playthings Old and New.”

On display at the coastal gallery will be Japanese wood Kokeshi dolls collected by Marilyn Green, a collection of snow globes by Laura Martinez and David Moulton and the lifetime collection of baby rattles that Placewares owners Lu and Maynard Lyndon have been collecting since 1967. Their collection is spotlighted in a new book, “Rattled,” which shows off hundreds of different rattles and the stories behind them.

The Lyndons, who founded the high-design housewares shop and gallery 10 years ago, will also share their collection of antique building blocks, some more than 100 years old.

Placewares+LyndonDesgin is located within the Cypress Village complex at Highway 1 and Ocean Drive in Gualala. 884-1184 or placewares.com.

PETALUMA: Holiday decor from your own yard

Learn the lore, legend and secrets around making wreaths, swags and table decor for the holidays from materials gleaned from your own yard during a free workshop Dec. 6.

Master Gardener Ellyn Pelikan will show how to create these artful creations on a budget from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Petaluma Regional Library, 100 Fairgrounds Dr., Petaluma. sonomamastergardeners.org.

SONOMA: Learn how to make wreaths

Sonoma Country Antiques is hosting a hands-on wreath-making class for anyone wishing to make their own holiday decorations with greenery. The Nov. 30 workshop will include demonstrations on how to create a centerpiece and a wreath.

All materials will be supplied for making one 24-inch wreath in the class with assistance from the instructors Bonnie Brown and Natasha Drengson, local artists and floral designers. Participants should bring their own hand pruners, gloves if desired, and any greenery they may have. More greenery will be supplied. Cost is $45 with all proceeds, after the cost of materials, going to Lyon Ranch, a local sanctuary for abandoned and neglected animals.

The event is from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Sonoma Country Antiques, 23999 Arnold Drive (Hwy 121), Sonoma. Reservations are required,. Call 938-8315 to reserve a spot or call Bonnie Brown at 935-8986 for questions. The class is limited, so early reservations are recommended.

SANTA ROSA: Explore world of worms

Master Gardener Jennifer Roberts will lead a journey into the “Wonderful World of Worms” on Dec. 6 at the Rincon Valley Library.

Roberts will talk about the benefits of composting with worms and explains, how it works, what is needed to get started, how to maintain your worm box and how to trouble shoot problems. Free. 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 6958 Montecito Blvd., Santa Rosa. Sonomamastergardeners.org.

SANTA ROSA/SEBASTOPOL: Washi egg workshops

Barbra Friedman reprises her popular workshops on the ancient craft of washi egg making starting Nov. 30 in Santa Rosa.

Friedman will show how to make ornaments using real eggs and handmade Japanese mulberry paper at Riley Street Art Store, 103 Maxwell Court. Cost is $35.

She will repeat the workshop on Dec. 2 at Patisserie Angelica, 6821 Laguna Parkway, Sebastopol. Fresh steeped tea and treats is included with the $45 price of the class.

The final class will be Dec. 3 at Coffee Catz, 6761 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol. Lunch, sweets and coffee and tear are available for purchase. Cost for the class is $35.

All classes will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. For information or to register call 696-2009 or email barbrabvf@yahoo.com.

ROHNERT PARK: Avoiding garden injuries

Nurse and Master Gardener Lois Temple will give ticks on how to avoid common injuries while gardening during a free workshop Dec. 6 at the Rohnert Park/Cotati Regional Library.

Temple will talk about the safe use of electrical tools, hand tools, as well as how to avoid tripping, falling and gettingh injured by thorns and repetitive motions. She will also talk about stings, bites, Lyme disease, West Nile Virus, Legionnaire’s and common poisonous plants. 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.. 6250 Lynne Conde Way, Rohnert Park. Sonomamastergardeners.org.

You can direct home and garden news to Staff Writer Meg McConahey at meg.mcconahey@pressdemocrat.com or 521-5204.