The Barlow's Grand Opening Street Fair: On Saturday from 4 to 9 p.m. The Barlow, Sebastopol's dramatic new food, art, wine and business park, celebrates with live music, food, wine and more.
Nearly two dozen artisan vendors will participate in the festivities and there will be food from resident restaurants — Zazu Restaurant, Woodfour Brewery and Taylor Maid Coffee — and food trucks like Red Horse Catering and Palooza. In addition, tasting rooms will be serving yummy nibbles.
Even though there are still plenty of unoccupied spaces at The Barlow, there is a lot to see and a lot to do. If you attend, be sure to check out Ben Kinmont Bookseller's little shop, which is next door to Woodfour Brewery. It is an absolute treasure, hidden in plain sight.
You'll find The Barlow at the corner of Highway 12 and Morris Street, on the eastern edge of Sebastopol. When it comes to parking, arrive early or get creative. And carpool if you can.
Grand Finale of El Dia de los Muertos: On Saturday, the monthlong observance and celebration of El Dia de los Muertos concludes with the Procession of the Giant Puppets, which begins at Water Street Bistro (100 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma) and meanders to the Petaluma Arts Center for an evening of food, music, art and dance celebrating our loved ones who have passed on.
The giant puppets are reason enough to join in. They are mesmerizing.
We've attended several years and it is one of Ms. Mouthful's favorite events. If you've never been, go! If you have been, you don't need any encouragement; you already know how exquisite this evening is.
For a full schedule and more details, visit petalumaartscenter.org.
Last Call for "Best Winery Chefs" Tickets: If you'd like to attend the "Best Winery Chefs of Sonoma County" dinner Nov. 9 at the Santa Rosa Golf and Country Club (333 Country Club Drive, Santa Rosa), you need to snag your tickets right away. The four chefs involved have generously agreed to keep reservations open until Nov. 4, after which you will be out of luck.
Participating chefs include Erik Johnson of J Vineyards, who kicks off dinner with a sea scallop appetizer partnered with a J sparkler. Justin Brukert of Ledson Winery will prepare pumpkin soup paired with the winery's sauvignon blanc.
Timothy Kaulfers of Artista Winery will present a dish of locally raised pork paired with the winery's widely acclaimed pinot noirs.
For dessert, Simi Winery's chef Kolin Vazzoler takes the helm, with a surprise indulgence paired with the winery's limited production late-harvest wine.
Cost is $160 per person. Each winery chooses a local nonprofit to receive their portion of the proceeds. J has selected Canine Companions.
The evening begins at 6p.m. with a wine reception and concludes with a wine and travel auction.
The dinner is a project of Santa Rosa Sunrise Rotary.
To reserve a spot, visit bestwinerychefs.com or call the chair of the event, Larry Martin at 526-2992 or email larry@foodandwinetrails.com
A little aloha for you: On Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m. Ono'z Cafe (16218 Main St., Guerneville) will offer live Hawaiian music and casual hula to accompany its home-style Hawaiian cooking.
There is no cover charge, and the cafe has just gotten its beer and wine license, so you can stop by for a few tunes, a dance, a glass of wine or a Hawaiian shave ice or spend the evening over dinner.
If you can't make it this Saturday, this casual group of musicians will return Nov. 16 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Balletto Wine Dinner: On Monday, La Gare French Restaurant (208 Wilson St., Santa Rosa) hosts a six-course winemaker dinner with John and Terry Balletto and their winemaker, Anthony Beckman.
The evening begins with appetizers outside, weather permitting. You'll enjoy calamari, p??and smoked salmon, along with Balletto 2012 Estate Rose of Pinot Noir.
Highlights of the sit-down portion of the evening include a salmon cake with Dungeness crab and citrus beurre blanc paired with Balletto 2012 Estate Pinot Gris and stuffed pork tenderloin, dried cherry sauce and 2012 Balletto Estate Pinot Noir.
Baby spinach salad, braised short ribs and Valrhona chocolate cake are also on the menu, along with several more Balletto wines.
Cost is $75 plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are required; for yours, call 528-5355.
Love Your Farmer Celebration: On Nov. 9 from to 5 to 10 p.m., the Sebastopol Farmers Market hosts its first ever dinner at the Sebastopol Grange (6000 Sebastopol Ave.)
The celebration has several components. At the core is, of course, dinner, which will be prepared by Lata Pagara of Lata's Indian Cuisine and Joe Reuter of Green Grocer using foods from market farmers. Woodfour Brewery will provide beer and there will be a selection of wines from local wineries.
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