For the Good of the Cause in Sonoma County - American Summer 2024

Festival del Sole 

Festival del Sole
Festival del Sole returns to the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University, offering a captivating blend of music, wine, and philanthropy. Originating in Italy, the festival was conceived as a gathering for friends to create music in a warm atmosphere. This year’s event, starting on August 1st, features a stellar lineup including Olga Kern, Nina Kotova, Viktoria Mullova, Pinchas Zukerman, Amanda Forsyth, Michael Brown, and Joseph Calleja. Highlighting the finale on August 4th is a screening of "The Way of Rain" featuring Robert Redford with music by Tim Janis. Inspired by the annual monsoon rains that sustain life on the fragile landscape of the high – desert plateaus of the Southwest, The Way of the Rain – Hope for Earth tells the artistic story about the formation of the Universe, the evolution of all galaxies, and eventually the birth of our unique and beautiful Planet Earth. The performance interprets nature’s powerful beauty while calling attention to the Earth’s vulnerability brought on by climate change. The grand gala dinner and auction hosted by Buena Vista Winery and Jean-Charles Boisset will benefit the environmental nonprofit The Way of the Rain, promising memorable culinary and wine experiences throughout | August 1 - 4

Harvest at Jack London State Historic Park

Jack London State Historic Park

History and nature enthusiasts visiting Jack London State Historic Park can delve into the story of an orchard originally planted between 1908 and 1912, later abandoned and recently revitalized. The day will begin with a presentation detailing the orchard's rich history and the progress made in its restoration efforts. Visitors can then opt for a moderate six-mile hike to explore the rejuvenated orchard firsthand, accompanied by insights into the challenges overcome during the revitalization process, such as water access issues. Originally part of the Sonoma Developmental Center, the orchard boasted a diverse array of fruit trees and grapevines. Acquired by Jack London State Historic Park in 2002, the orchard faced neglect until 2017 when efforts began to revive it, largely led by volunteers. Today, the orchard produces an abundance of fruit, which is harvested and distributed by Farm to Pantry to support local Sonoma organizations aiding food-insecure populations. In 2023 alone, 7,129 pounds (about the weight of an elephant) of fruit were donated, highlighting the orchard's renewed role in community support | August 17 | 9:00 am

Sonoma County Wine Celebration
The Sonoma County Vintners Foundation has rebranded its charitable event to the Sonoma County Wine Celebration. The event will take place at Chateau St. Jean Winery in Kenwood. Recognized by Wine Spectator as a top charitable auction, it unites wine experts, local chefs, and guests to benefit the community. Featuring exceptional auction lots of fine wines and cuisine, the event continues to support the Foundation's mission, having granted over $41 million to local nonprofits in education, health, environment, arts, and culture. This year, the focus is on the K-3 Proficiency Project, enhancing literacy among Sonoma County children. Supporters are invited to join for a memorable event supporting community enrichment | September 19 –21

The Petaluma Reusable Cup Project

Petaluma Reusable Cup Project

The Petaluma Reusable Cup Project, launched by the NextGen Consortium and spearheaded by the Center for the Circular Economy at Closed Loop Partners, marks a groundbreaking effort in promoting reuse across restaurants in Petaluma. Beginning August 5, over 30 establishments including Starbucks, PepsiCo, Yum! Brands, and local cafes will replace single-use cups with reusable alternatives for all to-go orders, free of charge. This initiative, the first of its kind in a U.S. city, aims to foster habits of cup return among consumers, potentially eliminating hundreds of thousands of single-use cups. Supported by a network of return points and local collaborations with entities, the project seeks to establish a scalable model for sustainable cup use. By engaging a diverse range of national chains and community businesses, the program not only aims to reshape consumer behavior but also to provide valuable data for future reuse system designs and regulatory frameworks nationwide.