Community happenings around Sonoma County

GEYSERVILLE

Take a walk through Pine Flat history

Local Geyserville historian Joe Pelanconi will lead a casual walk through Pine Flat on Saturday, April 21.

Learn about the Pine Flat boom town of the mid 1870s and some of the personalities involved from Pelanconi, author of “Quicksilver Mining in Sonoma County: Pine Flat Prospect Fever.”

Copies of the book will be available for purchase after the walk.

Meet at 9 a.m. at Red Winery and Pine Flat roads, bring a water bottle, camera or phone, and wear comfortable shoes.

Contact Audubon Canyon Ranch education specialist David Self at 707-431-8184 for more information.

HEALDSBURG

Workshop for mental health survivor training

The Healthcare Foundation of Northern Sonoma County is teaming with the Sonoma County Post Wildfire Mental Health Collaborative to sponsor wildfire mental health survivor training, in a two-day workshop called “Skills for Psychological Recovery” training.

The workshop will take place Saturday April 14 and 21, and Sunday, April 22 at the Hyatt Regency Sonoma County Wine Country. Admission is $40.

Practitioners who complete the 12-hour training will earn 12 continuing education credits in their field. SPR skills include problem solving, helpful thinking, building healthy social connections, positive activity and scheduling, and managing reactions.

The presenters are Dr. Patricia Watson and Dr. Joe Ruzek of the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs National Center for PTSD. Ruzek is also with Stanford University. The training is part of communitywide strategies implemented by the Wildfire Survivor Mental Health collaborative to help Sonoma County residents impacted by the fires.

For more information, visit healthcarefoundation.net, or call 707-473-0583.

Registration for summer art camp

The Healdsburg Center for the Arts has opened registration for summer art camp for youths ages 4-17. Classes will be offered in photography, sculpture, theater, mosaic, painting, cooking, drawing and more.

Each week features at least two age-group, half-day sessions for four days. Fifty classes will be offered during the summer.

In addition, HCA will hold Fun Art Fridays with an open studio with varying materials each week. Fun Art Fridays will run on June 22, 29, and July 13, 20 and 27.

For more information, visit healdsburgcenterforthearts.org/art-camp. Register by April 15 for a 10 percent discount. Tuition assistance is available.

?Free health screenings, activities for families

From 12-4 p.m. Saturday, April 14, the Healthcare Foundation of Northern Sonoma County joins Healdsburg in offering free health screenings for vision, hearing, blood pressure, dental, dermatology and other screenings.

Fitness pros will be on hand to offer demonstrations of tai chi, zumba, stretching and yoga. Walk-run activities are planned for the whole family.

The event ties into activities celebrating the work of iconic late farmworker organizer Cesar Chavez. From 4-7:30 p.m., there will be music and a celebration.

The Healthcare Foundation of Northern Sonoma County is focused exclusively on the health of the northern region of Sonoma County. It relies on donor contributions to fund its work. For more information, visit healthcarefoundation.net or call 707-473-0583.

ROHNERT PARK

‘If I were a Thief’ campaign to launch

In an effort to reduce theft from vehicles, Rohnert Park Public Safety is launching a new community awareness campaign, “If I Were a Thief … You Would Now Be a Victim.”

Over the next few months at all times of the day and night, Public Safety personnel will be going into neighborhoods and parking lots looking into vehicles for visible items that would attract a thief.

All vehicles checked will receive a card that either says you could have been a victim of theft or commends you for not leaving valuables in sight. The goal is to educate residents to reduce crime.

Questions or concerns about the program can be directed to Rohnert Park Public Safety Sgt. Astley at 707-584-2600.?

SANTA ROSA

Crossing the Jordan fundraising gala

Crossing the Jordan, a Santa Rosa nonprofit that helps clients overcome abuse, homelessness and addiction, is hosting a fundraising gala to support its housing and transformational programs.

“Knights of the Round Table - Not Forgotten Ball” is 6-11 p.m. April 28 at Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country, 170 Railroad St., Santa Rosa. Tickets are $100.

The event includes appetizers, dinner, dessert and libations. Entertainment features live music by Allstar Jukebox and performances by Arthur Murray Dance Center and students from Rancho Cotate High School and Rincon Valley Christian School.

Silent and live auctions are planned.

The event celebrates six years of service, support, partnerships and volunteering. More than 100 people have completed Crossing the Jordan’s 18-month Residential Life Transformation Program, which includes a year of intense structure and six months of residential aftercare.

The nonprofit has an online store and six retail locations to support its programs. Crossing the Jordan was founded by Michael and Dana Bryant.

For tickets or information, visit crossingthejordan.org/not-forgotten-2018/.

SONOMA

Town Hall meeting?on cannabis industry

Attend a Town Hall meeting to learn about potential cannabis regulation and cannabis business options under consideration for Sonoma.

The meeting is from 6:30-9 p.m. Wednesday at the Sonoma Community Center, 276 E. Napa St.

Presenters will discuss the cannabis industry and regulatory options available to cities. Public input in encouraged as the Sonoma City Council makes cannabis-related decisions in the next few months.

For more information, visit sonomacity.org/cannabis-regulation/.

Decorated pine tree collecting Facebook fans

A pine tree that hasn’t yet reached maturity is generating a fan base in Sonoma Valley, recently attracting the attention of Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office deputies, who posed two of their vehicles side-by-side for a photo opportunity with “Arnold the Tree.”

An unknown person, or persons, has been decorating the tree since December, when red and gold balls trimmed the tree, located on Arnold Drive by Watmaugh Road, near the Temelec housing community.

Since then, it’s been bedecked with hearts for Valentine’s Day, shamrocks for St. Patrick’s Day and, most recently, oversized Easter eggs in a variety of colors and patterns, with a few bunnies standing nearby.

The Sonoma Sheriff’s Office Facebook post on Easter generated more than 800 “likes” and a string of comments noting the joy and smiles the tree has been bringing.

Check out the holiday transformations at facebook.com/Arnold-The-Tree-192030501387757/.

‘School’s Out, Art’s In’ registration now open

Registration is open for kids 7 and older interested in “School’s Out, Art’s In!” summer art camps at ArtEscape, a nonprofit arts program in Sonoma Valley.

The weeklong camps begin June 11 with “Plein Air & Urban Art” for students ages 7-12.

Camps continue through Aug. 3, with themes including “FUNctional Art Camp & A Circular Circus” and “Mexican Food and Decor.”

Camps are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Friday. The fee is $150 per camp, with scholarships available. Discounts apply before April 15 when registering two children online.

ArtEscape, at 17474 Highway 12, Boyes Hot Springs, is staffed by local artists.

For more information, call 707-938-5551, or visit artescapesonoma.com.

Towns correspondents