Join us for a panel discussion about gender identity on Tuesday, November 12, at 6:00 pm at the Rincon Valley Regional Library. Panelists include transgender youth and adults who will share their perspectives.
| As the holiday season approaches, we at are gearing up for a time of giving and gratitude. November is a month of reflection, and we’re reminded of the importance of community and compassion. With your support, we can ensure that every client has access to nourishing meals during the holidays. Join us as we prepare to share warmth and kindness with our neighbors in need—together, we can make a meaningful difference! Thank you to our team of volunteers for your continued support! Food For Thought could not run the way it does without all of you! |
| It’s not too late to sign up to be a volunteer at Dining Out For Life, our biggest fundraiser of the year! We have over 65 restaurants partnering with us this year and especially need help in Windsor, Healdsburg and Sonoma. Come be part of this fun event and share your love for FFT at the same time! If you are interested in volunteering for Dining Out For Life or would like more information, reach out to Emily at EmilyV@FFTfoodbank.org or (707) 887-1647 ext. 109. |
  |
| Holiday Food Bank Shifts |
| During the holiday season, we try to provide our clients with a little something special to make the holidays exciting! This year, we will be offering a Holiday Bag, a bag of ingredients to make a side to their holiday meal. With the guidance and support of our food bank team, you will be preparing these bags to get sent out the following weeks. |
| Thanksgiving Holiday Prep Friday, November 1Saturday, November 2Saturday, November 16 Winter Holiday Prep Friday, December 6Saturday, December 7Saturday, December 14 Wednesday, December 18 If you are interested in helping during this holiday season or would like more information, sign up online or reach out to Emily at EmilyV@FFTfoodbank.org or (707) 887-1647 ext. 109. |
 Become a Delivery Driver |
 Do you enjoy driving? Do you want to help our community in need directly? Help deliver healthy food to our home-bound clients! You’ll pick up pre-packed grocery bags of food at our facility in Forestville and drive to 6–10 clients’ homes per delivery route in the same geographic area. We have delivery routes across Sonoma County, so we may have a route near your neighborhood.If you are interested in taking a route or would like more information, sign up online or reach out to Emily at EmilyV@FFTfoodbank.org or (707) 887-1647 ext. 109. |
 Holiday Food Drives |
| What an exciting time for food drives! With the holiday season just around the corner, we are getting ready for our biggest donations of the year. We’re seeking enthusiastic volunteers to join our team in collecting vital donations for our neighbors in need. Your support will help us gather more food than ever, ensuring that everyone in our community has a festive meal to enjoy. This is your chance to dive into the holiday spirit, connect with others, and be a part of something meaningful. Sign up now and help us spread joy and sustenance this season! |
| New Food Drive Volunteer Training Days & Locations Shifts are 10:00 am-12:30pm, 12:30-3:00 pm, or 3:00-5:00 pm Saturday, November 9Oliver’s Market, 461 Stony Point Rd, Santa Rosa Saturday, November 16Oliver’s Market, 9230 Old Redwood Hwy, Windsor Saturday, November 23Safeway, 406 N Main St, Sebastopol Monday, November 25 & Tuesday, November 26Oliver’s Market, 546 E Cotati Ave, Cotati Wednesday, November 27Safeway, 461 Stony Point Rd, Santa Rosa To learn more or sign up for an orientation shift, please contact Amanda Wood, Food Drive & In-Kind Donation Program Manager, at AmandaW@FFTfoodbank.org or (707) 887-1647 ext. 125. |
| Forestville Holiday Faire |
| We are excited to have a booth at the Forestville Holiday Faire this year! Join us as we offer visitors the opportunity to hear about the amazing things we do at FFT. Shifts are two hours long and would be happy to have you there to share your knowledge about FFT. If you are interested in helping or would like more information, reach out to Emily at EmilyV@FFTfoodbank.org or (707) 887-1647 ext. 109. |
 We Appreciate You! |
| As we go into another busy month, we want to take a moment to express our deepest appreciation for all the incredible volunteers who make our work possible. Whether you’ve collected donations at food drive, helped pack groceries in the food bank, nourished our organic garden, assisted at our recent community events, or delivered many meals to our clients that are home bound, your dedication and hard work does not go unnoticed. You are the heart and soul of Food For Thought, and your commitment to serving our community is truly inspiring. Thank you for your time, passion, and support! |
| Thanks to our generous sponsors and in-kind partners: |
 |
| Food For Thought’s mission is to foster health and healing with food and compassion. |
The practice of using altars is a way for us to call on our loved ones by inviting their spirits to join us for a day of celebration and love, so we can reflect on the wisdom they’ve passed on to us. Join Karla Garcia as we make our own altar, and learn about the history and symbology of Dia De Los Muertos and altars. Space is limited. Advanced registration is required. Most supplies included*
*Most supplies are provided by The Legacy; bring a small box of your choice, photo(s) of your departed loved ones or pets, and any other items you’d like to use to decorate your altar.
When: Friday, Oct 25th | 2:30pm – 4pm
Cost: $25 Members/$35 Non-members
Inviting our LGBT Family, Friends & All Allies
Hosted by Scotty King, LGBT Liaison, Rainbow Connection of the Sebastopol FUN Senior Center
Halloween, Thursday, Oct 31st
Cost: Free
Please Register in advance.
Register online here. or Call 707-829-2440
When: 6:30 PM Meet outside the Senior Center.
What: Wear a fun hat or costume! Dance to the best of the Halloween Dance songs!
(Monster Mash, Addams’s Family, Time Warp, Ghostbusters, I Put a Spell on You, Werewolves of London, etc)
Then: 7:30 PM, we walk 4 blocks together to the Halloween Street Party on Florence Ave.
We will mingle, float, and parade through the crowds. We will find and dance to the glorious Hubbubb band. Wear something that lights up if you can. Please note that no drinks or food will be served. The Center will be closed when we meet at 6:30 PM. Bathrooms are available at the library.
“People tell me it’s the highlight of their year,” Patrick Amiot said. Halloween on Florence Avenue is typically a huge west Sonoma County happening. “We expect anywhere from 8,000 to 10,000 people,” Amiot said. For several years, Sebastopol police and firefighters have closed off Florence to vehicular traffic for the safety of the kids and adults who swarm in to collect candy and see what sorts of zany Halloween fun the residents were hosting in their yards. See the fabulous works of art on Florence Street here.
Video: Patrick Amiot, Sebastopol California, Sculptor Florence Ave
Then: 8:30 (or earlier), Walk back and head home.
We will be bringing you into the exquisite home of a local LGBT household to view their collection of stunning artworks. Join us for lunch at the senior center, visit Alan Beckstead, the main collector of the art, then we visit a their West County elegant and distinguished home that’s filled with exquisite works of art.
20 FOLKS MAX, WILL SELL OUT, RESERVE NOW
What: LGBT Art Tour
Date: Wednesday, October 16
When: 11:30 AM meet at the Harvest Cafe in the Sebastopol Senior Center
Then: 12:30 carpool to Art Tour at Alan, Danny and Steve’s place
Tour: 1.5 hour
Leave: To return to Senior Center at approximately 2:30
Arrive: Back at senior center at approximately 3 PM
Space is very limited, must register in advance. If you are a member and have a key tag, register online HERE, or call 707-829-2440
Cost: $35 for members, $45 for non-members, price includes lunch at the Harvest Cafe
| Remembrance. Resistance. Resilience. October is LGBTQIA+ History Month, an annual tribute to the rich and diverse history of LGBTQIA+ communities. This month-long recognition, created by high school teacher Rodney Wilson and fellow educators in 1994, aligns with National Coming Out Day on October 11. Join us throughout the month for celebratory events and explore our lists of books, movies, and more. Together, we continue to shape a future characterized by acceptance, love, and unity. |
| Events for Everyone |
| For families. Join us at the Rincon Valley Regional Library on Saturday, October 12, at 10:30 am for Family is a Rainbow Storytime, an event for queer families and allies celebrating family, diversity, and community. Recommended for ages 3-8. |
| For teens. Join us at the Central Santa Rosa Library on Tuesday, October 22, at 5 pmfor a youth-led Pronoun Advocacy Workshop! We will share our stories, brainstorming what to do in different scenarios, and discuss advocacy tactics. For ages 14 and up. |
| For teens & adults. Join professional genealogist Stewart Traiman virtually on Saturday, October 19, at 11 am for stories of LGBTQ ancestors in the historical context of LGBTQ rights. Traiman will focus on finding research clues in genealogical records to discover ancestors that may have been lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer. |
| But wait, there’s more! See the full list of events, books, resources, and more here. |
| Share Your Story |
| Celebrate LGBTQIA+ history and share your story with Here + Queer, Sonoma County, an archive project that collects and amplifies the histories of Sonoma County’s LGBTQIA+ communities. We accept digital content in the form of personal narratives, essays, anecdotes, photographs, creative works, audiovisual material, and more. Submissions from all ages, backgrounds, and time periods in Sonoma County history are welcome. Anonymous submissions are supported. Find out more here.Make History |
| A Notice from Your Library |
| All libraries will be participating in the Great California ShakeOuton October 17, 2024. Please be aware that we will perform an earthquake drill at 10:17 am PT. |
| Thank you for being a member of the Sonoma County Library community. Visit us online or in person at one of our branches. Be sure to check out open jobs at Sonoma County Library here. Questions? Please call your local library or click here to send us a message. Conmemoración. Resistencia. Resiliencia. Octubre es el mes de la historia LGBTQIA+, un tributo anual a la variada y abundante historia de las comunidades LGBTQIA+. Esta conmemoración del mes concebida por el maestro de preparatoria Rodney Wilson y otros educadores en 1994 coincide con el 11 de octubre, el Día Nacional para Salir del Clóset. Te invitamos a acompañarnos durante el mes para eventos de celebración y a explorar nuestras listas de libros, películas y más.Juntos, podemos crear un futuro caracterizado con aceptación, amor y unidad. |
| Eventos para todos |
| Para familias. La biblioteca regional de Rincon Valley presenta una hora de cuentos en el programa de La familia es un arcoíris el sábado 12 de octubre a las 10:30 am. Este evento es para las familias LGBTQ+ y sus aliados que celebran familia, diversidad y comunidad. Recomendado para edades 3-8. |
| Para jóvenes. Te invitamos a la Biblioteca Central de Santa Rosa el martes 22 de octubre a las 5 pm para participar en un taller de apoyo a los pronombres dirigido por jóvenes. Compartiremos nuestras historias, reflexionaremos sobre qué hacer en diferentes escenarios y discutiremos las tácticas de apoyo. Para edades 14+. |
| Para jóvenes y adultos. Te invitamos a participar en una presentación virtual el sábado 19 de octubre a las 11 de la mañana con el genealogista profesional Stewart Traiman para conocer historias de antepasados LGBTQ en el contexto histórico de los derechos LGBTQ. Traiman se enfocará en encontrar pistas de investigación en los registros genealógicos para descubrir antepasados que pueden haber sido lesbianas, gays, bisexuales, transexuales o queer. |
| ¡Pero espera, hay más! Te presentamos la lista completa de eventos, libros, recursos y más aquí. |
| Comparte tu historia |
| Celebra la historia LGBTQIA+ y comparte tu historia con Here + Queer, Sonoma County, un proyecto que archiva y amplifica las historias de las comunidades LGBTQIA+ del condado de Sonoma. Aceptamos contenido digital en la forma de historias personales, ensayos, anécdotas, fotografías, obras creativas, material audiovisual y más. Se aceptan presentaciones de todas las edades, orígenes y períodos de tiempo de la historia del condado de Sonoma. Aceptamos envíos anónimos. Descubre más aquí.Haga historia |
| Un aviso de tu biblioteca |
| Todas las bibliotecas participarán en el Great California ShakeOutel 17 de octubre de 2024. Ten en cuenta que realizaremos un simulacro de terremoto a las 10:17 a.m., hora del Pacífico. |
| Gracias por ser miembro de la comunidad de Bibliotecas del Condado de Sonoma. Visítanos en línea o en persona en una de nuestras bibliotecas. Asegúrate de consultar los trabajos disponibles en la Biblioteca del Condado de Sonoma aquí. ¿Preguntas? Por favor llama a tu biblioteca local o haz clic para enviar un mensaje.If you would like to unsubscribe from our email newsletter, please click here or inform a library staff member. This will not impact your hold or overdue notices. Si deseas cancelar los correos electrónicos que recibes de nosotros, haz clic aquí ó infórmale a un miembro del personal de la biblioteca. Esto no afectará tu espera o avisos de vencimiento de préstamos de libros. |
LGBTQI History: A Sonoma County Timeline 1947-2000
Mondays 6-7:30pm. Online via Zoom through SRJC LifeLong Learning. On Oct 14, we will be talking with Ruth Mahaney and others about the interface between Lesbian liberation and the Women’s Movement in SoCo in the 1970s. Please contact me to enroll in this FREE class and receive a Zoom link: cdungan@santarosa.edu
Are you LGBTQ+ and 50 years of age or older? Rural-living and low-income? The Sebastopol Area Senior Center is looking for focus group participants as part of a state-wide project focusing on the experiences of LGBTQIA+ older adults. Your participation will directly influence resources, services and policies to better support the LGBTQIA+ communities.
Email Scotty at scotty@sebastopolseniorcenter.org to potentially take part in this important focus group which seeks to amplify the voices of LGBTQ+ individuals who live rurally and are low-income.
The date is Saturday, October 5, from 1-3 p.m. at our Sebastopol Senior Center.
Participants must register and be approved ahead of time.
For more information, including how to participate in this focus group, please email: scotty@sebastopolseniorcenter.org or by clicking HERE
