Cotati Chickens

I like to walk. I tend to take the same route whenever I can. It’s kind of nice to get to know all the different sights around town (and probably become one of them myself). One of the things that I particularly enjoy seeing on my walk are the chickens that make their home by the local Walgreen’s drug store. There are usually about 8 – 12 at any particular time. I’m not sure if the reason the number stays relatively constant has to do with human intervention or otherwise. They are always a welcome sight on my walk, especially when they have young chicks.

The chickens actually predate the drug store. There used to be a house tucked into a lot behind where the store is now. The people their used to raise chicken and we would occasionally see a couple around near the main road. That property was sold (but is still empty) and the drug store was built but somehow the chickens remained. They are a welcome sight in our busy world. They always stop and watch them for a few minutes while I’m passing by. They bring a bit of small town feel to an ever-growing town and act as a reminder, to me at least, to slow down once in a while and enjoy the scenery.

 

An Album I'll Always Love

Boy that's a tough question but I think the album I'd want to listen to is Nilsson Schmilsson by Harry Nilsson. I just love all the songs on that album and never seem to get tired of it.

An Afternoon of Vintage Planes

I finally got the chance to go out to the Schellville airport for the “demonstration days” weekend. It was great to see a bunch of vintage planes but it was much more low key than I was expecting. Basically, some people just had their hanger doors open so you could see their planes. There were planes in various states of repair. I was talking to one fellow who had a beautiful 1918 biplane that he had spent the last 30 years restoring. He was now working on anther plane that was just a pile of pieces of metal and wood in the hanger. He also directed me to the Sonoma Sky Park airport a couple of miles away that had a real vintage air show going on. I found lots of people and planes there. All in all, a very pleasant way to spent the afternoon.

Green Music Center

A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to go on a tour of the new Green Music Center at Sonoma State University. The hall was not open yet so this was a great chance to see it before it was completely finished. Even unfinished it’s an awe inspiring concert hall. It’s like walking inside a fine musical instrument. The interior is constructed of 5 or 6 different kinds of wood, each chosen for their acoustic qualities. No detail was overlooked. The temporary folding chairs look out of place in this venue but they will soon be replace by seating being specially built for the hall.

There was a wonderful quartet playing there to demonstrate the acoustics of the hall. They played various pieces and even changed the hall settings (raising and lowering various curtains and panels) to change the sound of the hall and show its versatility. Very impressive! It will be nice having a world-class concert hall here in Sonoma County. I can’t wait to go to a real concert here though I’ll probably have to wait at least another year or two. While the concert hall itself is mostly done the lobby and other areas need to be finished (like the bathrooms which don’t exist yet).

The 3rd Annual 2010 Great West End & Railroad Square Handcar Regatta & Exposition of Mechanical & Artistic Wonders!

Just got back from the Handcar Regatta in Santa Rosa a little while ago. A wonderful event despite the heat (about mid 90’s but still cooler than last year!). Wonderfully creative devices and outfits abound. I’ve been looking forward to this event since last year and it did not disappoint. Also had a very nice lunch at Lococo’s Cucina Rustica right there on 4th street.

Downtown Petaluma

We were Sunday driving a couple of weeks ago and somehow ended up in downtown Petaluma. I snapped a photo of this Coca-Cola sign that I’ve always liked. The parking lot next to the brick building is the back end of the lot where they filmed the scene of the cop car losing its axle in American Graffiti. There a good map here that shows where many of the scenes were filmed around Petaluma.

Speaking of Biplanes…

While coming up with the image for the heading on this blog I was thinking about Schellville Airport (aka Sonoma Valley airport). I remember going out there many years ago and taking a ride in one of their biplanes. It was an incredible experience. Leather cap and goggles, open cockpit, flying out to San Francisco bay. They even did a loop and a roll on the way back. The prices have gone up quite a bit. I believe I only paid $30 back then. The same ride now it $175, but I’m sure it’s still worth it.

I saw on their website they have a Display Day on the second weekend of each month. I’m going to try to make it out there next month (6/12 – 6/13). They have a nice collection of vintage planes. Should be fun!

http://sonomavalleyairport.com/

Hello world!

At long last I’m going to try to get this blog setup. I’m having fun playing with adding images to the Twenty-Ten theme to see what I can do to personalize it. So far so good…