Haven’t taken in the Sonoma-Marin Fair yet? There’s still time. It runs through Sunday, June 24, at 175 Fairgrounds Drive, with gates opening at noon. Visit goats and rabbits, sheep and chickens; ride the Tilt-a-Whirl and merry-go-round; win prizes at the carnival; admire local and youth crafts and horticulture; watch chef demonstrations, taste some wine and enjoy a Latina band festival in the afternoon. The day ends with the traditional Destruction Derby, $5 plus the regular $10 to $15 fair admission. Visit Sonoma-marinfair.org.
Are you a punctuating perfectionist? Do your evening prayers include the phrase, “I before E except after C?” If so, “Spell Down! A Very Tricky Bee” will sharpen your pencil of pleasure. In a fund-raiser for North Bay literacy programs, local organizations and businesses will show off their spelling prowess (or lack of) 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 26, at Lagunitas Brewing Company, 1280 N. McDowell Blvd. Admission is $10 and includes a beer. The spell-athon features a cheaters theme, and guests and participants are encouraged to dress up as their favorite cheater. For more information, visit literacyworks.org or call Kelin Backman at 290-6723.
A new Digital Mixed Media exhibition explores the work of Bay Area artists who alter photographs and combine images with mediums that range from metal sculpture to tapestry. The exhibit opens Friday, June 29, and runs through Sept. 9 at the Petaluma Arts Center, 230 Lakeville St. An artists’ opening reception is 4 to 6 p.m. July 14. Invited artists include Chuck Close, Hung Liu, Guy Diehl, David Best, Enrique Chagoya, Squeak Carnwath, Mildred Howard, Don and Era Farnsworth, Pamela Holmes, Joe McDonald, Bill Kane and Cathy Richardson. Call 762-5600 or visit petalumaartscenter.org.
Bingo! Yes indeed, it’s time to get together for two afternoons of scorecard enjoyment. The benefits for Women’s Cancer Awareness Group take place 1:30 to 3 p.m. Thursday, June 28, at the Petaluma Senior Center, 211 Novak Drive, or 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 30, at the Petaluma Community Center, 320 N. McDowell Blvd. Cost is $15 for regular bingo or $20 for deluxe, which includes an extra game, twice as many cards and six raffle tickets. Sign up at 769-8325 or e-mail infowcag@gmail.com.
Are you ready for a day of music along the river? The Aqus Foundry Fest starts at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 30, a benefit for the Committee on the Shelterless. Admission is $12-$15 and includes food, beverages, family fun and a ton of live music by the Highway Poets, Choppin Broccoli, the Hoovers and the Gold Coast Jazz Band. The tunes continue into the evening at the docks at Foundry Wharf, 625 Second St. Go to aquscafe.com.
— Katie Watts
