Free Will Astrology: Week of July 24

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ARIES (March 21-April 19): Aries singer-songwriter Lady Gaga has written many songs, both for herself and for other artists. She has famously declared that some of her most successful songs took her just 10 minutes to compose. They include โ€œJust Dance,โ€ โ€œPoker Faceโ€ and โ€œBorn This Way.โ€ According to my interpretation of the astrological omens, you could be rising to Lady Gaga levels of creativity in your own sphere during the coming weeks. And I wonโ€™t be surprised if your imaginative innovations flow with expeditious clarity, like Gaga at her most efficient.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): During the winter, some animals hibernate. They enter a state of dormancy, slowing their metabolism, breathing and heart rate. Other animals enter a similar state during the summer, conserving energy when the weather is hot and dry. Itโ€™s called estivation. According to my analysis of the astrological omens, many of you Tauruses would benefit from a modified version of estivation in the next couple of weeks. Youโ€™re in prime time to recharge your energy through deep relaxation and rest.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): The English word โ€œamphibianโ€ is derived from the Greek term โ€œamphibios,โ€ which means โ€œliving a double life.โ€ The original meaning of the English word was โ€œcombining two qualities; having two modes of life,โ€ though eventually it came to be used primarily to describe animals that function well on both land and in water. You Geminis are of course the most amphibious of all the astrological tribes. You can feel at home in a variety of situations. This may sometimes stir up confusion, but I see it as one of your greatest potential strengths. In the coming weeks, I hope you enjoy it to the maximum. It should serve you well. Wield it to take advantage of the sweet perks of versatility.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): I dreamed that a young elephant appeared on the back deck of my house and stuck its trunk through the open sliding glass door. I got up from my chair and gently pushed the animal away, then closed the door. But after I woke up, I was sorry I had done that in my dream. What was I afraid of? The elephant posed no dangerโ€”and may have been a good omen. In some cultures, elephants in dreams and visions are symbols of good luck, vitality, long life and the removal of obstacles. So hereโ€™s what I did. I dropped into a deep meditative state and reimagined the dream. This time, I welcomed the creature into my home. I gave her the name Beatrice. We wrestled playfully and had fun playing with a red rubber ball. Amazingly, later that day, a certain obstacle in my actual waking life magically disappeared. The moral of the story, my fellow Cancerian: Welcome the elephant.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Some bamboo species grow very quicklyโ€”as much as 36 inches per day. I suspect your capacity to burgeon and blossom will display a similar vigor in the coming weeks. You may be surprised at how dramatic your development is. Iโ€™m hoping, of course, that you will be acutely focused on channeling your fertility in positive ways. Donโ€™t feed an urge to recklessly gamble, for instance. Donโ€™t pursue connections with influences that are no damn good for you. Instead, decide right now what areas of your life you want to be the beneficiaries of your growth spurt. Choose the beauty and power you will encourage to ripen.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): For months, we heard and saw crows pecking on the roof of our rental house. Why? Were they grubbing for food? It was mildly annoying, but seemingly no big deal. Then one night, their small, regular acts of mayhem climaxed in an unexpected event. Rain began to fall around 8pm. It was constant, though not heavy. At 9, the ceilings in five rooms began to leak. By 10:30, our house was flooded. We managed to rescue most of our precious items, but the house was damaged. We had to find a new place to live. I donโ€™t expect anything nearly this drastic to befall you, dear Virgo. But I do encourage you to check to see if any small problem is gradually growing bigger. Now is a favorable time to intervene and forestall an unfavorable development.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Two Scottish veterinarians researched the health of rhesus monkeys that are compelled by human handlers to dance on the streets of Islamabad, Pakistan. When I first learned about this, my response was, โ€œWow! Donโ€™t those doctors have anything better to do? That is the most obscure research I have ever heard of.โ€ But later, I decided I admired the doctors because they were motivated primarily by compassion. They found the monkeys were under severe stress, and they publicized the fact as a public service. Their work will ultimately lead to better treatment of the monkeys. In accordance with astrological omens, Libra, I advise you to seek out comparable ways to express altruism in the coming weeks. By engaging in noble and idealistic acts, you will attract good fortune into your sphere both for yourself and others.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Do you place any limits on how deep and expansive you allow your yearnings to be? Are you ever worried that maybe you desire too much and are at risk of asking for too much? If you answered yes to those questions, Scorpio, I will give you a temporary license to rebel against your wariness. In accordance with astrological rhythms, I authorize you to experiment with feeling the biggest, strongest, wildest longings you have ever felt. Please note that I am not advising you to immediately go out and actually express those longings to the hilt. For now, Iโ€™d like you to simply have the experience of entertaining their full intensity. This will be a healing experience.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You will never guess the identity of the strongest animal on the planet. Itโ€™s not the gorilla, tiger or elephant. Itโ€™s the dung beetle, which can lug loads that weigh 1,141 times as much as it does. The equivalent for you would be to pull six double-decker buses crammed with people. Iโ€™m happy to inform you that although you wonโ€™t be able to accomplish that feat in the coming weeks, your emotional and spiritual strength will be formidable. You may be surprised at how robust and mighty you are. What do you plan to do with all that power?

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): By age 35, you have already shed over 50 pounds of skin. The flesh that covers you is in a constant state of renewal. In the coming weeks, I expect your rate of regeneration to be even higher than usualโ€”not only in regard to your skin, but everything else in your life, as well. Hereโ€™s a proviso: Renewal and regeneration are always preceded by withering or dwindling. To enjoy the thrill of revitalization, you must allow the loss of what was once vital but is no longer.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Among people who go hiking a lot, โ€œdeath marchโ€ is a term that refers to a long trudge through boring scenery in bad weather. Letโ€™s use this as a metaphor for your life. I believe you have recently finished your own metaphorical version of a โ€œdeath march.โ€ Any minute now, you will begin a far more enjoyable series of experiences. Get ready for an entertaining meander through interesting terrains in fine weather. Be alert for unpredictable encounters with inspiration and education.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Alex Larenty gives massages to lions at the Lion Park near Johannesburg, South Africa. They especially love foot rubs. Even Jamu, king of the local beasts, rolls onto his back so Larenty can get a good angle while caressing and kneading his paws. I bring this to your attention, Pisces, because itโ€™s a good metaphor for the unique power you will have in the coming days: a knack for dealing successfully with wild influences and elemental powers through the magic of kindness, affection and service.

Homework: What goal would you and your best ally love to pursue together? Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology.com

A new, exciting summer season at the Green Music Center

Sponsored content by the Green Music Center

This new season features indoor-outdoor concerts from popular artists including pop music sensations Colbie Caillat and Gavin DeGraw; American music icons The Beach Boys; chart-topping country artist Niko Moon; Reggae/Pop legends UB40; and singer and songwriter; businesswoman, author, television celebrity, and two-time Latin Grammy Award winner, Chiquis. Concerts take place in Weill Hall with seating both in the hall and on the outdoor grass and terraces of Weill Lawn. Lawn tickets for most performances are $30 (kids 12 and under are half off).

Making its return to Summer at the Green is Global Roots Sonoma, a world music festival that connects Sonoma County to the globe. Global Roots Sonoma features multiple stages, food trucks, family activities, and artist workshops. This yearโ€™s lineup includes performances by Lila Downs, Dakhabraka, Caรฑa Dulce y Caรฑa Brava, Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino, Sam Reider & Jorge Glem and more.

Summer at the Green will also host two summer arts festivals this summer. Festival del Sole returns to the Green with international stars including violinist Viktoria Mullova, cellist Nina Kotova, pianist Olga Kern, violinist Pinchas Zukerman and the Zukerman Trio, Tenor Joseph Calleja, as well as a screening of the film performance of Sibylle Szaggars Redfordโ€™s The Way of the Rain: Hope for Earth featuring Robert Redford, who will be present for the screening. PianoSonomaโ€™s chamber music festival will include performances by pianoSonomaโ€™s artists in residence led by acclaimed pianist Peter Dugan.

View the full Summer at the Green lineup, and buy tickets at GMC.Sonoma.edu.


July 4 fireworks
Back with a bang. Photo by @brennanspark-201

4th of July Fireworks Spectacular

Santa Rosa Symphony
Transcendence Theatre Company
Thursday, July 4 at 7:30pm
Tickets $40-75

The biggest fireworks display in Sonoma County returns with a bang! This family-friendly celebration featuring Sonoma Countyโ€™s own Transcendence Theatre Company and Santa Rosa Symphony in an evening of show tunes and patriotic classics, followed by a spectacular post-concert fireworks show! 

Supported in part by Exchange Bank and Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards


UB40 Red Wine Tour logo
UB40 is turning 45.

UB40 Red Red Wine Tour with special guest Inner Circle

Sunday, July 28 at 7 p.m.
Tickets $40โ€“$75

UB40 is one of the most successful and influential British groups of all time, with more than 100 million albums sold, and more than 50 charting singles in the UK, including their trademark global #1 hits โ€œRed Red Wineโ€ and โ€œ(I Canโ€™t Help) Falling in Love With Youโ€; and U.S. Top 10s โ€œHere I Am (Come and Take Me)โ€ and โ€œThe Way You Do The Things You Do.โ€ The reggae/pop legends set the stage for their highly anticipated 45th Anniversary celebrations this year.

Supported in part by Balletto Vineyards and Oliverโ€™s Market.


Summer at the Green 2024 logo
The 2024 summer concert season has something for everyone.

Colbie Caillat & Gavin Degraw

Friday, August 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets $40โ€“$75

Grammy Award-nominated multi-platinum singer and songwriter Gavin DeGrawโ€™s inimitable voice and soulful style boldly bloomed on his platinum-certified full-length debut, Chariot. It included the gold single โ€œFollow Through,โ€ as well as both platinum hits, โ€œChariot,โ€ and โ€œI Donโ€™t Want To Be.โ€ 

Colbie Caillat is a 2X Grammy Award-winning, 5X Grammy Award-nominated singer/songwriter whose catalog has amassed over 15 billion global streams. Her debut album Coco hit #5 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart and is certified 3X Platinum, while her Platinum-selling follow-up album Breakthrough landed at #1 on the Billboard album chart.

Supported in part by The Press Democrat and Willow Creek Wealth Management.


The Beach Boys logo
The Beach Boys are one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful bands of all time.

The Beach Boys

Wednesday, August 28 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets $30โ€“$110

For more than six decades, The Beach Boysโ€™ music has been an indelible part of American history. Their brilliant harmonies conveyed simple truths through sophisticated, pioneering musical arrangements. The Beach Boys transcended their music and have come to represent Californian culture. They provided fans around the world with a passport to experience love, youthful exuberance, and surf culture. The Beach Boys are one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful bands of all time, with over 100 million records sold worldwide.

The Beach Boys are led by lead singer and critically acclaimed chief lyricist Mike Love, who, along with longtime member Bruce Johnston, musical director Brian Eichenberger, Christian Love, Tim Bonhomme, Jon Bolton, Keith Hubacher, Randy Leago and John Wedemeyer continue the legacy of the iconic band.

Supported in part by Redwood Credit Union and Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards.


Whitney Houston
An official and authorized symphonic celebration of the works of Whitney Houston.

The Voice of Whitney
A Symphonic Celebration

Sat, Sep 7 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets $35โ€“$115

The Voice of Whitney: A Symphonic Celebration is an original tribute concert celebrating the โ€œmost awarded female artist of all timeโ€ (Guinness World Records), Whitney Houston. This dynamic production celebrates the singerโ€™s astounding musical legacy with new, original orchestrations of her sweeping catalog performed live. From her legendary Super Bowl XXV performance of โ€œThe Star Spangled Bannerโ€ to timeless hits โ€œI Wanna Dance With Somebody,โ€ โ€œHigher Love,โ€ โ€œI Will Always Love You,โ€ and โ€œHow Will I Know,โ€ among many others, audiences will be immersed in the world of Whitney as the evening weaves through her iconic songbook, film performances, intimate home videos, and rare never-before-seen photos and footage.

This official and authorized production is a collaboration between Pat Houston and the Estate of Whitney Houston, Park Avenue Artists, and Primary Wave Music. For the first time ever, the performance will showcase the original master recordings of Houstonโ€™s voice.


Movies at the Green

Supported in part by Sonoma State University Involvement and Sonoma State Alumni Association

Brought to you by Bank of America

Lawn tickets only $5 per person | 12 and under free

Finding Nemo & Finding Doryโ€”Sat, July 6 at 5 p.m. | 6:45 p.m.

Barbieโ€”Sat, July 20 at 5 p.m.

Guardians of the Galaxyโ€”Sun, August 11 at 5 p.m.

IFโ€”Sat, September 28 at 5 p.m.

View the full listing of performances including UB40, Colbie Caillat and Gavin DeGraw and more at GMC.Sonoma.edu or call 707.664.4246.

green music center

About the Green Music Center

Nestled in the foothills of Northern Californiaโ€™s esteemed Wine Country, the Green Music Center (GMC) at Sonoma State University is a focal point for arts in the region. It is comprised of the spectacular 1,400-seat Weill Hall, an acoustically exceptional venue with a modular rear wall that opens to terraced lawn seating, providing picturesque views of the surrounding countryside, and the 240-seat Schroeder Hall, a cathedral-like recital hall designed specifically to accentuate instruments, organ and voice in a small, intimate setting. The Green Music Center presents year-round programming of top classical, contemporary, jazz, and world music artists and is home to the Santa Rosa Symphony.

View a complete listing of the Green Music Centerโ€™s upcoming events at GMC.Sonoma.edu.

Weill Hall | Schroeder Hall

Green Music Center | Sonoma State University
1801 East Cotati Ave, Rohnert Park, CA 94928

Circus Vargas brings โ€˜Jubilรฉ! An Epic World Celebrationโ€™ to Marin

Itโ€™s not often that one can live out a childhood fantasy of escape and adventureโ€”or, to invoke industry parlance, โ€œRun away with the circus.โ€ But theoretically, one can, at least in a sense, when Circus Vargas comes to Marin next week.

Although thereโ€™s no word if Circus Vargus is hiring as such (we scoured the website looking for job listings but found nothing), itโ€™s likely only oneโ€™s imagination that will be running anywhere. But that should be enough for most fans to step right up and witness the feats of derring-do of โ€œJubilรฉ! An Epic World Celebration,โ€ the lauded circusโ€™ latest touring iteration.

Founded in 1969 by Bay Area native Clifford E. Vargas, Circus Vargas, at its peak, used a tent the size of a football field, according to the aforementioned website. Vargas died in 1989, and in the intervening decades, ownership of the venture changed between friends and circus professionals. Then Katya Arata Quiroga and her husband, Nelson Quiroga, acquired Circus Vargas in 2005. The two have operated it since.

Over the years, Circus Vargas has continued to evolve, dispensing with animal acts and focusing the experience on an intimate, single-ring setting. It emphasizes the artistry of live performances by aerialists, acrobats, contortionists, jugglers and clowns, among other traditional circus arts (and a little upside archery using toes instead of fingers whilst balancing on a pole for good measure).

The two-hour show also features comedy, a flying trapeze and heart-pounding acts like a performance involving four motorcycles exploring the outer edges of Newtonian physics in a globe-shaped cage.

As our colleague at the Santa Barbara Independent observed at a recent show, โ€œWith all this grandeur, Circus Vargas certainly captured the world of the classic circus, successfully paying homage to a bygone era marked by elaborate costumes, whimsical fanfare, and daring feats of bravery and skills.โ€

To that end, the scope of โ€œJubilรฉ!โ€ represents a fusion of global cultures, featuring performers from 15 different countries. Opera-trained ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson masterfully guides the audience through a journey celebrating the rich tapestry of global traditions. Iverson has the distinction of being both the youngest and the first Black ringmaster of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus, where he performed until its closure in 2017, making him the final ringmaster in its storied 146-year history as โ€œThe Greatest Show On Earth.โ€

Since Circus Vargas merges classic circus traditions and contemporary, international flair, itโ€™s no wonder that audiences are drawn to this spectacle year after year. As Katya Arata-Quiroga shared with the Downey Patriot earlier this year, โ€œEvery year, people want some joy in their livesโ€ฆ Thatโ€™s something that we try to give to people. They come here, they forget their problems, they get some joy, they see something new.โ€

Circus Vargasโ€™ opening night commences at 7 pm, Thursday, July 25 and continues through Aug. 5, at Northgate Mall, 5800 Northgate Dr., San Rafael. Tickets for the all-ages show

are $25 to $85 (children under 2 are free) and are available online at tickets.circusvargas.com.

Making Change: Denominations of choice

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It has been a long time since Americans got out of our election system, what we need to preserve our democracy and set the country up for success. As it is presently designed, the system lacks the three essential features that sustain any healthy organization: innovation, accountability and competition.

Other than that, shit is working just great, thank you very much.

The first thing we need to do is restructure how people are elected to the House and Senate, two legislative bodies also known as the Most Expensive Clown Shows in the World. What we have learned is that it is impossible to govern effectively when there is only one thread of ideas that voters in the primary elections agree on: โ€œWhatever you do, do not work with the โ€˜other side.โ€™ Do not work to reach consensus.โ€

Do not work with โ€œthem.โ€ Do not negotiate. Do not deal effectively with complex trade-offs involving our countryโ€™s and the worldโ€™s supremely complicated problems. In other words, do not do the job that taxpayers deserve. But weโ€™ll pay you anyway, not to do your job out of our pockets through the tax system. And weโ€™ll cover your health care and all costs related to not doing your job.โ€

Wow, what a deal it would be to have that kind ofโ€ฆ erโ€ฆ job! In contrast, I have never held a position in a for-profit company or nonprofit organization where I was paid on purpose not to do the job I was hired to do.

Most people agree that choice is good, and the more choices, the better. Choice works in cereals and running shoes but doesnโ€™t seem to exist in elective offices. In this country and across the globe, Americans have been champions of a free market economy and full representative democracy. The benefits of this twin system program have been widespread, with some exceptions, due to how well these ideas complement each other.

One-half of the twins, the free market system, continues to contribute results, innovation and accountability. Restaurants that suck go out of business and are replaced. Bad products disappear quickly. Bad leaders and managers also disappear, for the most part. We get all those online and text-based surveys because businesses know that the price of a shit reputation resulting from poor performance is that the business dies, sure as hell.

Not so in politics. In the next clever installment, we will explore ways to clean up the mess and rebuild democracy.

Craig Corsini lives and writes in San Rafael.

Stone Zone: Sculptor Jael LaFemina

Jael LaFemina uses sculpture and stonework to bring the vastness of nature into focus so we can immerse ourselves in it. A master stonemason and gardener, he likens both his professional work and sculpting to choreography. My opinion? I just think he rocks.

What do you do?

I sculpt stone and find new and interesting ways to stack them on top of one another.

Where do you live?

Iโ€™m in Tam Valley.

How long have you lived in Marin?

15 years.

Where can we find you when youโ€™re not at work?

Walking my dog around Laurel Canyon Trail and Green Glen Way. Tamalpie for some great food. Or in bed!

If you had to convince someone how awesome Marin is, where would you take them?

Out to Coyote Peak; itโ€™s a stunning view from there and gives such a great perspective on where we are.

Whatโ€™s one thing Marin is missing?

Fireflies.

Whatโ€™s one bit of advice youโ€™d share with your fellow Marinites?

Keep an eye out while driving; you may be in the entitlement lane.

If you could ask anyone to join you at dinner, who would you invite?

Herman Hesse, Isamu Noguchi, Brancusi and Mae West. It would be sushiโ€”Iโ€™d imagine some of those guests would find it quite exoticโ€”and we would lubricate the conversation with sake.

Whatโ€™s some advice you wish you knew 20 years ago?

Go to The Hoffman Institute in San Rafael. It was instrumental in getting in touch with all the parts of me, thus creating a strong โ€œteamโ€ to make decisions in my life not informed by my subconscious.

Whatโ€™s something that 20 years from now will seem cringeworthy?

Nextdoor; maybe thatโ€™s actually now.

Big question. Whatโ€™s one thing youโ€™d do to change the world?

Isolate the common sense gene.

Keep up with LaFemina at @lafeminajael on Instagram and haikudezine.com.

Nish Nadaraja was on the founding team at Yelp, serves on the San Anselmo Arts Commission and attempts to play pickleball at Fairfaxโ€™s Caรฑon Club.

Get Baked: Breadheads Unite at Madrona Bakery

Not everyone has a sweet tooth when it comes to their baked goods. But establishments like Mill Valleyโ€™s Madrona Bakery sure do make it easy to enjoy the savory side of life.

For those who donโ€™t know, Madrona Bakery is a cozy baked goods shop just next to the bustling downtown square. Although less than a year old, Madrona Bakery already has its regulars popping in and out, requesting favorites to take along on their morning walk or to/from work.

Upon visiting the bakery, itโ€™s easy to see how this little eatery earned such a large, staunchly loyal crowd of customers from the community in only a few short months.

Of course, the baked goods at Madrona Bakery are delicious and the vibes immaculate, but thatโ€™s not what makes this place stand out from the other sweet and savory-slinging establishments of the Bay Area. No, what makes Madrona Bakery special is its care and responsiveness to the communityโ€™s tastes and taste buds.

Madrona Bakery features a seasonal menu made with ingredients bought fresh from Marin-local farmersโ€™ markets, which are used alongside carefully selected and imported items. Together, this balance of local and sourced ingredients ensures a curated and consistent baseline of high-quality textures, flavors and all-around yummy eating experiences in every season. Just donโ€™t be surprised when the time of plentiful summer tomatoes comes to its natural end and so too do Madrona Bakeryโ€™s summer tomato creations.

The two women who own and operate Madrona Bakery are Marin County locals, Nicola Carey and Gemma Edward Aron. Together, these friends and fellow baked goods enthusiasts have made it their mission to serve the most perfectly curated selection of goodies to their local community.

Madrona Bakeryโ€™s menu is, as a result, seasonal and crafted in direct response to the likes and desires of those who frequent it. In other words, Edward Aron and Carey actively listen and respond directly to the feedback of customers in order to ensure the items they make and sell are exactly what the people walking in want to eat.

So, what do the people of Marin County and the Mill Valley community enjoy in their baked goods? Wellโ€ฆletโ€™s take a look at the Madrona Bakery menu and see what it reveals about the taste buds of our neighbors.

First up are the mouthwatering assortment of breads, a staple item that many bakeries donโ€™t sell for some strange reason. But at Madrona Bakery, customers can select between the Madrona levain, the seeded levain, the baguette, green olive focaccia, caramelized onion focaccia, pizza focaccia, the multi-grain sando loaf, challah (on Fridays), pain de mie (on the weekends), Cali whole wheat (on Saturdays) and olive levain (on Sundays).

Even better, Madrona Bakery offers the simple yet mind blowing option of dressing up a bread-eating experience with butter, seasonal house-made jam and olive oil.

After 11am, Madrona Bakery offers its customers sandwiches, which is an excellent idea considering the selection. On one hand, the ever-classic ham and butter baguette can appeal to those customers looking to savor simple, quality flavors without any extra tastes to distract or detract.

On the other hand, those who want more complex flavor profiles in their sandwiches may enjoy the spicy Italian baguette sandwich or the cheddar and chutney on seeded levain. And for the wild card sandwich, the farmersโ€™ market veg on focaccia option is always rotating and allows adventurous customers to come in and try something new with each shift in the seasonal menu.

Drink options include all the classic coffee options like drip, espresso, Americano (sparkling or otherwise), cortado, cappuccino, latte, mocha, hot cocoa, matcha and chai lattes, tea, iced tea and lemonade, to name only a few.

Oh, and we canโ€™t forget to mention the wineโ€”thatโ€™s right, Madrona Bakery also serves wine alongside beer and tasty tinned fish to pair with it. This means customers can come in, sit back and sip on some wine while enjoying a classic sandwich or simply dipped bread in olive oil.

For those who walk into the bakery and find they just canโ€™t decide between all the classic and more out-there flavor combinations, Madrona Bakery has a solution. Or, more accurately, they have a flow chart on a chalkboard that customers can follow and refer to when struggling to decide what item (or items) to enjoy that day.

Questions like, โ€œWhat should you order?โ€ and โ€œSweet or savory?โ€ come first, followed by an ever-expanding flowchart taking customers on individual adventures between โ€œclassicโ€ and โ€œseasonalโ€ and โ€œflake cityโ€ or even โ€œtake me to flavor town.โ€

Alongside catering to the savory side of customersโ€™ taste buds, Madrona Bakery also has some incredible sweet treats that must be mentioned. Between the almond croissant, the pain au chocolat, the Nutella croissant, the cinnamon spice knot, the cardamom swirl, the almond butter banana bread and the lemon lavender honey pull-apart alone, almost any savory-loving person could find themselves converted.

But it is the weekends-only menu that really kicks off the Madrona Bakery experience, with signature items like the lemon meringue croissant, which offers the best flaky, golden brown exterior one could hope to find, filled with a tart, tangy, perfectly balanced lemon meringue filling that practically flies off the shelf.

Another weekend-specific treat at Madrona Bakery is the sโ€™mores croissant, which the owners of Madrona know is a fan favorite among the high-school-aged crowd. The black sesame croissant, fruit and custard croissant and the sprinkles croissant complete the weekend menu.

Life is all about balance, and everyone has their own way of toeing that line between healthy and happy, disciplined and indulgent and, of course, sweet and savoryโ€ฆand here in Marin, bakeries like Madrona are making those choices easier to balance than ever before. With seasonal, fresh ingredients and a rotating menu of everything from stuffed bagels to unbelievable sandwiches and all the cookies and wine in between, the only thing that could go wrong is walking past and never stopping by to see what sort of tempting treats await.

And hey, if thereโ€™s something one would love to see on the menu that isnโ€™t there, just swing by, say hi and share those ideas/cravings with the bakery. Who knows, they just may make delicious dreams an even more delicious reality. After all, the not so secret ingredient at Madrona Bakery is loveโ€ฆand butter, of course.

Madrona Bakery is open from 8am to 3pm Thursday through Monday and is located at 17 Madrona St. in downtown Mill Valley. The bakery does not accept cash payments (for hygiene reasons, in part), so be sure to bring some other cashless way to pay for those pastries. To learn more about Madrona and the many baked goods they make and sell, visit the website at madronabakery.com or call 415.915.9120.

Free Will Astrology, July 17

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ARIES (March 21-April 19): Have you ever been given a Starbucks gift card but then neglected to use it? Many people fail to cash in such freebies. Believe it or not, there are also folks who buy lottery tickets that turn out to have the winning numberโ€”but they never actually claim their rewards. Donโ€™t be like them in the coming weeks, Aries. Be aggressive about cashing in on the offers you receive, even subtle and shy offers. Donโ€™t let invitations and opportunities go to waste. Be alert for good luck, and seize it.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): The coming weeks will be a favorable time to enhance your relationship with food. In every way you can imagine, be smart and discerning as you plan and eat your meals. Here are ideas to ponder: 1. Do you know exactly which foods are best for your unique body? 2. Are you sufficiently relaxed and emotionally present when you eat? 3. Could you upgrade your willpower to ensure you joyfully gravitate toward whatโ€™s healthiest? 4. Do you have any bad habits you could outgrow? 5. Is your approach to eating affected by problematic emotions that you could heal? 6. Are you willing to try improving things incrementally without insisting on being perfect?

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Hybridization could be a fun theme for you in the coming weeks. Youโ€™re likely to align yourself with cosmic rhythms if you explore the joys and challenges of creating amalgamations, medleys and mash-ups. Your spirit creatures will be the liger, which is a cross between a lion and a tiger, and a mule, a cross between a horse and a donkey. But please note that your spirit creatures will not be impossible hybrids like a giroose (a cross between a giraffe and a moose) or a coyadger (a cross between a coyote and a badger). Itโ€™s good to be experimental and audacious in your mixing and matching, but not lunatic delusional.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): In 1986, Cancerian singer-songwriter George Michael released his song, โ€œA Different Corner.โ€ It was a big hit. Never before in British pop music had an artist done what Michael accomplished: wrote, sang, arranged and produced the tune, and played all the instruments. I foresee the possibility of a similar proficiency in your near future, Cancerianโ€”if you want it. Maybe you would prefer to collaborate with others in your big projects, but if you choose, you could perform minor miracles all by yourself.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): In the Biblical allegory of Noah and the Ark, God warns Noah about an impending flood and commands him to build a giant lifeboat to save living things from extinction. Noah obeys. When the heavy rains come, he, his family and many creatures board the boat to weather the storm. After 40 days and nights of inundation, they are all safe but stranded in a newly created sea. Hoping for a sign of where they might seek sanctuary, Noah sends out a dove to reconnoiter for dry land. But it returns with no clues. A week later, Noah dispatches a second dove. It returns with an olive leaf, showing that the Earth is drying out and land is nearby. Dear Leo, your adventure isnโ€™t as dire and dramatic as Noahโ€™s, but Iโ€™m happy to tell you itโ€™s time for you to do the equivalent of sending two doves out to explore.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): According to an ancient Chinese proverb, โ€œAn ant on the move does more than a dozing ox.โ€ I will add a corollary: An ant may be able to accomplish feats an ox canโ€™t. For instance, I have observed an ant carrying a potato chip back to its nest, and I doubt that an ox could tote a potato chip without mangling it. Anyway, Virgo, this is my way of telling you that if you must choose between your inspiration being an ant or an ox in the coming days, choose the ant. Be meticulous, persistent and industrious rather than big, strong and rugged.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): โ€œIf it sounds too good to be true, it always is,โ€ said stage magician Ricky Jay. I only partially agree with him. While I think itโ€™s usually wise to use his formula as a fundamental principle, I suspect it wonโ€™t entirely apply to you in the coming weeks. At least one thing and possibly as many as three may sound too good to be trueโ€”but will in fact be true. So if youโ€™re tempted to be hyper-skeptical, tamp down that attitude a bit. Open yourself to the possibilities of amazing grace and minor miracles.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): What is the largest thing ever sold in human history? It was a 530-million-acre chunk of land in North America. In 1803, the French government sold it to the American government for $15 million. It stretched from whatโ€™s now Louisiana to Montana. Hereโ€™s the twist to the story: The land peddled by France and acquired by the U.S. actually belonged to the Indigenous people who had lived there for many generations. The two nations pretended they had the right to make the transaction. I bring this to your attention, Scorpio, because the coming weeks will be an excellent time for you to make a big, important purchase or saleโ€”as long as you have the authentic rights to do so. Make sure there are no hidden agendas or strings attached. Be thorough in your vetting.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): An antiques dealer named Laura Young bought a marble bust of a distinguished man at a thrift store in Austin, Texas. Later, she discovered that it was over 2,000 years old and worth far more than the $35 she had paid for it. It depicted a Roman military leader named Drusus the Elder. I foresee similar themes unfolding in your life, Sagittarius. Possible variations: 1. You come into possession of something thatโ€™s more valuable than it initially appears. 2. You connect with an influence thatโ€™s weightier than it initially appears. 3. A lucky accident unfolds, bringing unexpected goodies. 4. A seemingly ordinary thing turns out to be an interesting thing in disguise.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): My childhood friend Jeanine used to say, โ€œThe best proof of friendship is when someone gives you half their candy bar. The best proof of fantastic friendship is when they give you even more than half.โ€ And then she would hand me more than half of her Snickers bar, Milky Way or Butterfinger. In accordance with astrological omens, I invite you to give away at least half your candy to those you care for in the coming days. Itโ€™s a phase of your astrological cycle when you will benefit from offering extra special affection and rewards to the allies who provide you with so much love and support.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): If youโ€™re a teacher, itโ€™s a favorable time to enjoy a stint as a studentโ€”and vice versa. If youโ€™re a healthcare worker trained in Western medicine, itโ€™s an excellent phase to explore alternative healing practices. If youโ€™re a scientist, I suggest you read some holy and outrageous poetry, and if youโ€™re a sensitive, introverted mystic, get better informed about messy political issues. In other words, dear Aquarius, open a channel to parts of reality you normally ignore or neglect. Fill in the gaps in your education. Seek out surprise and awakening.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Jane Brunette, a writer I admire, uses the made-up word โ€œplurkโ€ to refer to her favorite activity: a blend of play and work. I have always aspired to make that my core approach, too. I play at my work and work at my play. As much as possible, I have fun while Iโ€™m doing the labor-intensive tasks that earn me a living and fulfill my creative urges. And I invoke a disciplined, diligent attitude as I pursue the tasks and projects that bring me pleasure and amusement. I highly recommend you expand and refine your own ability as a plurker in the coming weeks, Pisces. (Jane Brunette is here: flamingseed.com.)

Rivertown Revival After Dark & More

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Petaluma

Rivertown Nights

Friends of the Petaluma River presents Rivertown Revival: After Dark!, 5 to 10pm, Friday, July 19 and Saturday, July 20, at Steamer Landing Park, 6 Copeland St., Petaluma. This reimagined evening festival promises a (literally) cooler experience amidst Petalumaโ€™s warm summer, featuring music, food, drinks, local art, acrobatics and $5 weddings (some may recognize at least one officiant as the Bohemian and Pacific Sun editor). Fridayโ€™s lineup includes Wreckless Strangers, The Sam Chase & The Untraditional, Tru Lyric, Abracadabra Trip, Sierra Camille, and Bourbon Street Brass Band. Saturdayโ€™s Rivertown Revue showcases Sean Hayes, Pete Delaney, Jessica Malone, LaiddBackZach, Josh Windmiller, Aki Kumar, Simonรฉ & The Smokey Edges and the Sonoma County Pomo Dancers. Both nights offer additional performances and chill vibes from the Abracadabra Bus. โ€œOur goal is to create a magical evening event for our community, with the cooling Petaluma breeze enhancing the experience,โ€ says FOPR founder Elizabeth Howland. Attendees are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket to enjoy the festivities. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door, or $40 for a two-day pass and available at rivertownrevival.com.

Sebastopol

โ€˜Go Fishโ€™ at Rialto

Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the seminal lesbian classic Go Fish at 7pm, Saturday, July 20, at Rialto Cinemas, 6868 McKinley St., Sebastopol. This special event, co-sponsored by Willows Workshop Horror Filmmaking Camp, features a brand-new 4K restoration of the film and an on-stage conversation with co-writer and star Guinevere Turner and LGBTQ film historian Jenni Olson. Go Fish, a pivotal piece of New Queer Cinema, captures the vibrant Chicago lesbian community. The film follows the romantic journey of hip Max (Turner) and crunchy Eli (V.S. Brody), aided by college professor Kia (T. Wendy McMillan), semi-closeted Evy (Migdalia Melendez) and the promiscuous Daria (Anastasia Sharp). Go Fish addresses themes from coming out to bisexuality, showcasing the unique responsibilities of queer filmmakers. Originally premiering at the 1994 Sundance Film Festival, Go Fish was made on a minimal budget over several years. Despite this, it became a landmark in LGBTQ cinema, reflecting its culture at the height of โ€œlesbian chic.โ€ Tickets are available at the cinemaโ€™s box office and online at rialtocinemas.com/coming-soon/go-fish-seb.

Novato

Toad Mode

Another 30th anniversary! Toad The Wet Sprocket celebrates the three decades of their platinum-selling album, Dulcinea, with a U.S. tour. Known for hits like โ€œFall Downโ€ and โ€œSomethingโ€™s Always Wrong,โ€ the album has become a cornerstone of their live performances. And theyโ€™re bringing a weekend of them to Novatoโ€™s Hopmonk Tavern at 6pm, Friday, July 19 and Saturday, July 20, as part of the Cookout Concert Series. Tickets are available online at hopmonk.com/livemusic (FYI: the Saturday show has sold out by press time). The venue is located at 224 Vintage Way, Novato. And, in case one is wondering, the band takes its name from an off-handed, surrealist remark made by Eric Idle in a Monty Python sketch.

Mill Valley

Garlin & Blue

The Rachel Garlin Band brings celebrated storytelling and songwriting to Sweetwater Music Hall on Sunday, July 21. San Francisco-based singer, songwriter, playwright and LGBTQIA+ community member, Garlin will perform selections from her discography as well as songs from a musical stage play in development, โ€œThe Ballad of Madelyne & Therese,โ€ a tale of forbidden love between two women in 1940s New York City. Garlin has invited longtime friend Lila Blue to open the concert. Blue, a 24-year-old non-binary and queer folk musician from Brooklyn, was once Garlinโ€™s student and is now a collaborator. Their return to the Bay Area promises an evening featuring remarkable songwriting and a celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community. Doors open at 7pm, and the show starts at 8 on Sunday, July 21, at the Sweetwater Music Hall, 19 Corte Madera Ave., Mill Valley. Tickets are $20 in advance (via sweetwatermusichall.com) and $25 at the door.

Your Letters, July 17

Blame Game

When will humans, in their ignorance, stupidity and denial, ever truly realize that they have

been the main cause of climate change? Overpopulation is rarely mentioned as the primary

cause of extreme weather events globally and many other problems. We hippies tried to warn

everyone a long time ago.

I chose surgical, permanent contraception in 1974. It is too late now for our small individual efforts to make any real difference for change. However, we should still take those individual actions to mitigate the inevitable disastrous environmental effects.

Barbara Daugherty

Santa Rosa

Them Dems

I will not give ONE MORE RED CENT to the Dem prez race (or even down-ballot ones) until we have a ticket that can do the job. Get some cojones, Dems: OPEN CONVENTION! Excitement! An incredible deep bench of candidates that could drown out DJT!

I am a big fan of Joe Bidenโ€™s. He has been a superb public servant and a wonderful, effective president. But he promised us he would be a โ€œbridge,โ€ remember?

Well, bridge time has come! This race is indeed existential for the America we know and love.

Anne Dorsey

Sausalito

Ridinโ€™ With Biden

I am going to vote for Biden. I am doing so because Dems do not have enough time to field a viable candidate. Republicants will destroy the Constitution. The Oval Office will be a true Russia-style office. There are so many other reasons. Lastly and more importantly, the alternative is so much worse.

Gary Sciford

Santa Rosa

Editorโ€™s Note: The letters above and the cartoon were filed before the assassination attempt on Donald Trump on Saturday, July 13, 2024.

It Was 20 Years Ago Today: โ€˜Beatles In The Parkโ€™ celebrates two decades in San Anselmo

San Anselmoโ€™s โ€œBeatles In The Park,โ€ a beloved annual celebration of the Fab Fourโ€™s music, is making a grand return on Saturday, July 27.

The fact that the eventโ€™s 20th anniversary aligns with the opening line of The Beatlesโ€™ iconic Sgt. Pepperโ€™s Lonely Hearts Club Band album isnโ€™t lost on the eventโ€™s producer, the San Anselmo Arts Commission, which has summoned the talents of The Liddypudlians, the tribute act that performed at the cityโ€™s first iteration of โ€œBeatles In The Parkโ€ in 2004.

Known by the sobriquet, โ€œThe Liddies,โ€ the band will be augmented by a mini-orchestra of strings, brass and woodwinds, as well as a chorus, to better showcase the sonic tapestry for which The Beatles songbook is known.

Why The Beatles? Simple: People love, love, love The Beatlesโ€”and nostalgia can be healthy in proper doses.

โ€œBeatles In The Park has always been a personal favorite of mine,โ€ remarked Mayor Eileen Burke. โ€œIt attracts fans of all ages from all over the Bay Area and brings the town and community together. As the song goes, it’s โ€˜guaranteed to raise a smile.โ€™โ€

Moreover, the reasons to host the one-night-only concert are as numerous as The Beatlesโ€™ hits. Proceeds from the concert support the commissionโ€™s annual youth artist scholarships, benefiting high school students in theater, dance, music and visual arts. The annual event is the commissionโ€™s sole fundraiser, with 100% of the proceeds going towards new public art projects, art advocacy and youth scholarship programs.

โ€œWe have been fortunate to sell out Creek Park each year,โ€ noted arts commissioner Elizabeth Grasso. โ€œGiven the anniversary and amazing history, weโ€™re expecting this to be our biggest year yet. Make sure you get your ticket to ride!โ€

Beatle-y puns aside, whether one is four or 64โ€”or even 104โ€”there is no denying that people love singing and dancing to The Beatles. To wit, the all-volunteer arts commission is understandably excited to โ€œget backโ€ to it and again deliver the joy of Beatles music to the community. Also, we have it on good authority that the initials from โ€œLucy in the Sky with Diamondsโ€ arenโ€™t a veiled reference to โ€œLiddies Sing Downtown.โ€ Just sayinโ€™.

The 20th annual โ€˜Beatles In The Parkโ€™ concert takes place from 6 to 9pm, on Saturday, July 27 at Creek Park, 249 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Anselmo. Tickets are $35 for adults, $12 for children aged 3 to 12 and free for children two and under. For more information, visit sananselmoarts.org/beatles-in-the-park-2024.

Free Will Astrology: Week of July 24

Free Will Astrology: Week of July 24
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Aries singer-songwriter Lady Gaga has written many songs, both for herself and for other artists. She has famously declared that some of her most successful songs took her just 10 minutes to compose. They include โ€œJust Dance,โ€ โ€œPoker Faceโ€ and โ€œBorn This Way.โ€ According to my interpretation of the astrological omens, you could be rising...

A new, exciting summer season at the Green Music Center

Summer at the Green 2024 logo
Sponsored content by the Green Music Center This new season features indoor-outdoor concerts from popular artists including pop music sensations Colbie Caillat and Gavin DeGraw; American music icons The Beach Boys; chart-topping country artist Niko Moon; Reggae/Pop legends UB40; and singer and songwriter; businesswoman, author, television celebrity, and two-time Latin Grammy Award winner, Chiquis. Concerts take place...

Circus Vargas brings โ€˜Jubilรฉ! An Epic World Celebrationโ€™ to Marin

Itโ€™s not often that one can live out a childhood fantasy of escape and adventureโ€”or, to invoke industry parlance, โ€œRun away with the circus.โ€ But theoretically, one can, at least in a sense, when Circus Vargas comes to Marin next week. Although thereโ€™s no word if Circus Vargus is hiring as such (we scoured the website looking for job listings...

Making Change: Denominations of choice

It has been a long time since Americans got out of our election system, what we need to preserve our democracy and set the country up for success. As it is presently designed, the system lacks the three essential features that sustain any healthy organization: innovation, accountability and competition. Other than that, shit is working just great, thank you very...

Stone Zone: Sculptor Jael LaFemina

Jael LaFemina uses sculpture and stonework to bring the vastness of nature into focus so we can immerse ourselves in it. A master stonemason and gardener, he likens both his professional work and sculpting to choreography. My opinion? I just think he rocks. What do you do? I sculpt stone and find new and interesting ways to stack them on...

Get Baked: Breadheads Unite at Madrona Bakery

Not everyone has a sweet tooth when it comes to their baked goods. But establishments like Mill Valleyโ€™s Madrona Bakery sure do make it easy to enjoy the savory side of life. For those who donโ€™t know, Madrona Bakery is a cozy baked goods shop just next to the bustling downtown square. Although less than a year old, Madrona Bakery...

Free Will Astrology, July 17

Free Will Astrology: Week of June 26
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Have you ever been given a Starbucks gift card but then neglected to use it? Many people fail to cash in such freebies. Believe it or not, there are also folks who buy lottery tickets that turn out to have the winning numberโ€”but they never actually claim their rewards. Donโ€™t be like them in the...

Rivertown Revival After Dark & More

Petaluma Rivertown Nights Friends of the Petaluma River presents Rivertown Revival: After Dark!, 5 to 10pm, Friday, July 19 and Saturday, July 20, at Steamer Landing Park, 6 Copeland St., Petaluma. This reimagined evening festival promises a (literally) cooler experience amidst Petalumaโ€™s warm summer, featuring music, food, drinks, local art, acrobatics and $5 weddings (some may recognize at least one officiant...

Your Letters, July 17

Blame Game When will humans, in their ignorance, stupidity and denial, ever truly realize that they have been the main cause of climate change? Overpopulation is rarely mentioned as the primary cause of extreme weather events globally and many other problems. We hippies tried to warn everyone a long time ago. I chose surgical, permanent contraception in 1974. It is too late now for...

It Was 20 Years Ago Today: โ€˜Beatles In The Parkโ€™ celebrates two decades in San Anselmo

San Anselmoโ€™s โ€œBeatles In The Park,โ€ a beloved annual celebration of the Fab Fourโ€™s music, is making a grand return on Saturday, July 27. The fact that the eventโ€™s 20th anniversary aligns with the opening line of The Beatlesโ€™ iconic Sgt. Pepperโ€™s Lonely Hearts Club Band album isnโ€™t lost on the eventโ€™s producer, the San Anselmo Arts Commission, which has...
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