Feeling speedy? Meet Petaluma’s Nancy Wilson, author of “Queen of Speed: The Racy Life of Mary Petre Bruce,” plus four other local writers at the Redwood Café in Cotati. The event, “Wine and Dine with Local Authors,” is from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26. The other authors are Gayle Swift, Paul Greenberg, John McCarty and Robert Kourik. The café is at 8240 Old Redwood Highway. Call 889-3419 or e-mail monamech@gmail.com for reserved seating.
Enjoy an evening of dancing to jazz and reggae plus a Haitian dinner for a good cause 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26. Proceeds benefit Haiti’s La Maison des Petits de Diquini Orphanage. Lagunitas Brewery is the place, 1280 N. McDowell Blvd. Tickets are $25 in advance at SVBO.org, or $30 at the door.
Let’s go bananas – Grandpa Banana’s. Take in an evening of traditional Americana music Tuesday, Feb. 25, as performed by Grandpa Banana’s Band. The band features David Thom and Sam Page. Tunes begin at 6:30 p.m. at Corkscrew Wine Bar, 100 Petaluma Blvd. North. Call 789-0505 for more info.
A free evening of women’s wellness is coming up Thursday, Feb. 28. Speakers include Carrie Peterson, discussing body image; Lorraine Segal, taking a look at healing through forgiveness, and Kate Levinson, offering insights on how and why our feelings toward money can be the cause of stress. Women’s Wellness Day is from 6-8 p.m. in Carole Ellis Auditorium on the Santa Rosa Junior College Petaluma campus, 680 Sonoma Mountain Parkway. For details, call 481-4968 or e-mail dziccone@santarosa.edu.
Vodka connoisseurs, this one’s for you. Petaluma’s Literacyworks hosts its annual Straight Up! a Charbay Vodka Cocktail Competition on Thursday, Feb. 28. Ten Sonoma County restaurants will be competing. The event also features music by the Rivereens, casino games where you can play slots online for real money from the 1920s and a costume competition, so rouge your knees and roll your stockings down. The fun starts at 6 p.m. at the Petaluma Sheraton, 745 Baywood Drive. Tickets are $35 and available at literacyworks.org.
Eve Ensler’s “The Vagina Monologues” makes its sixth annual V-Day trek to Petaluma. This year’s production of the funny, poignant play benefits Guided To Safety and will be held at Rooster Run Golf Club, 2301 E. Washington St. Performances are at 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 28-March 2. Tickets are $20. For details, go to v-daypetaluma.org.
Eager to get out and explore in early spring? Why not hike with a ranger at Tolay Lake Regional Park? From 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, March 3, hikers can enjoy views of the Bay Area while learning about the park’s cultural history and biodiversity. The hike is followed by an optional orientation for a Tolay Lake day-use permit from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Permit holders may use the park on weekends for hiking, biking, horseback riding and picnicking. For details, go to sonoma-county.org. The park is located on Cannon Lane, off the south end of the Lakeville Highway. Admission is free, but parking is $7.
— Katie Watts
