Palestinian nonviolent activist Iyad Burnat will tell stories of his life in Bil’in andoccupied Palestine at “From Palestine to Petaluma: A Workshop and Talk on Nonviolent Resistance,” at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 7. He will discuss nonviolent popular resistance with a goal of peace and prosperity for all and show photos and videos. The Metta Center hosts a free workshop before the talk, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Fifth and C streets. Call 774-6299 or visit mettacenter.org.

The Light Foundation, an inclusive, nondenominational prayer group, holds a free Burning Bowl ceremony to welcome in the year 2013. The event takes place from 11 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Jan. 9. To find out more, or to register, call Christine Bandettini at 765-3995.

Discover the age-old art of weaving and how it has evolved over the centuries as “4 Weavers: Contemporary Expressions of an Ancient Craft” takes center stage at the Petaluma Arts Center, beginning Friday, Jan. 11 and running through March 10. Featured weavers are Ulla de Larios, Candace Crocket, Barbara Shapiro and Suki Russack. They will demonstrate from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturdays Jan. 19 and Feb. 16. In addition, clothing designer Sandra Ericson offers a workshop on bias skirt draping on Saturday, Feb. 9, and Shapiro leads a second workshop on indigo dye on Saturday, Feb. 23. A reception for the artists is from 2 to 4 p.m. Jan 12. The Arts Center is at 230 Lakeville St. Hours are noon to 4 p.m. Thursdays through Mondays. Call 762-5600 or go to petalumaartscenter.org.

The Penngrove Social Firemen’s Taste of Italy dinner begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, at the Penngrove Community Clubhouse. The evening starts with cocktails, followed by a 7 p.m. dinner featuring chicken and ravioli, plus salad and dessert. Proceeds benefit improvements to Penngrove Park, the clubhouse and the community. Tickets are $15, $5 children, at JavAmore Café, 10101 Main St., 795-1516. The clubhouse is at 385 Woodward St.

It’s time for lively music and zesty food. Not only that, tunes and tastes benefit Mentor Me Petaluma. The sixth annual Band Night strikes up the band at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, with music by the H.O.T.S., food from local eateries such as Cucina Paradiso, RisiBisi, P.S. to Go and pizza made on-site. There will be a beer and wine bar plus a game room – so come prepared for sports like foosball and ping pong. The event takes place at the Cavanagh Recreation Center, 426 Eighth St. Tickets are $25. Call 778-4798 or go to mentormepetaluma.org.

Looking ahead

HobbyExpo 2013 is just over a month away. On Saturday, Feb. 9, the Petaluma Community Center hosts the free event, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring displays and demonstrations from Sonoma County hobby clubs, model railroads, remote-controlled planes, ships and cars, battling robots, war gaming and remote-controlled car racing. The event includes vendor tables, a raffle, make and take for kids and a speed-building contest. This year’s contest theme is “Models from the Movies.” Go to ipmssantarosa.org for more information.

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