“The Magnitude of the Mahoneys: The Reach of One Family,” a display of photos and memorabilia of former Santa Rosa Junior College trustees Herold and Connie Mahoney, runs through July 25 in the Mahoney Library Gallery. A graduate of SRJC, Herold Mahoney served on its board of trustees from 1980-1990 and envisioned what is now the fully established Petaluma campus. Gallery hours are 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays. The exhibit is free; a $4 parking permit is required.
The Petaluma Health Care District offers a four-session class, “Preventing Diabetes and Heart Disease,” for those with impaired glucose tolerance or other symptoms related to metabolic syndrome. Classes are 6-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, May 14-June 4. Cost is $15 and pre-registration is needed. Call 766-8647.
Jennifer Gennari, author of “My Mixed-Up Berry Blue Summer” is this month’s speaker at Writers Forum of Petaluma. Her topic, “Creator and Critic: Balancing Between Writing and Revising,” discusses how to switch from writing to editing your work. The workshop is from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, May 16 at the Petaluma Community Center, 320 N. McDowell Blvd. Cost is $15. Visit thewritespot.us for details.
Ready to “Return to Paradise?” Check out this year’s salute to the iconic film, “American Graffiti,” as the annual celebration returns May 17-18 for its eighth year. From 4-8 p.m. Friday, May 17, the Plaza North Shopping Center hosts a Cruise-In Social. Then, on Saturday, May 18, downtown is where the action is, with art shows, demonstrations, window displays and, of course, more than 350 classic cars and trucks. Vehicles begin arriving downtown at 8:30 a.m. and, on both days, revelers can tune in to XERB – 88.1 – for the music of the era. The cruise itself is from 4-9 p.m. For the full schedule, go to americangraffiti.net.
Here’s a chance to legally peek into other people’s gardens during the 22nd annual Sonoma County Medical Association Alliance Foundation Garden Tour. The self-guided tour features six diverse owner-designed and maintained gardens. Owners are Petaluma Garden Club members and/or Master Gardeners. In addition there will be outdoor art and musicians, wining and dining, art raffles and a door prize. The event is from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 17-18. Tickets are $10-$45. Go to scmaa.org or call 578-4537.
The St. Petersburg Men’s Ensemble, founded in 2003, offers a free concert at 7 p.m. Saturday May 18. The a cappella quartet performs a variety of styles – from ancient Russian chants and Western European choral numbers to modern music. They also sing Russian folk songs, secular and ecclesiastic songs, modern compositions and popular melodies. The concert is at Elim Lutheran Church, Baker and Stanley streets. Call 762-4081.
Pianist Jura Margulis plays compositions by Bach, Schubert, Puccini and Saint Saens on the legendary Henry F. Miller piano at the Petaluma Historical Library and Museum. Born in Russian and trained in Germany, Italy and the United States, Margulis’ performance is his fourth at the museum. The concert begins at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 18 20 Fourth St. Tickets are $25-$30. Call the museum, 778-4398, or go to petalumamuseum.com.
Brulée, the local music group that performs “jazz with a twist” plays from 2-4:30 p.m. Sunday, May 19 at Aqus Café. Julie Crystel and Doug Onstad offer a selection of standards, blues, originals and classic jazz – with a touch of pop and folk. Aqus is at 189 H St. Visit bruleesonomacounty.com.
Always wanted to run away and join the circus? Lagunitas Brewery can make that wish come true with the Lagunitas Beer Circus, a benefit for the Petaluma Music Festival. The event offers “mind-bending acts” including burlesque dancers, live circus music, brews and food from 1-6 p.m. May 19. Tickets are $40. Visit lagunitas.com or go to 769-4495. The brewery is at 1280 N. McDowell Blvd.
