No Nukes: The Nuclear Age is Already Over

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Either nuclear weapons kill us or we move beyond them, soon. Via mass death or the building of a new security system, the nuclear age is finished.

The nuclear deterrence system that the world presently relies upon for its security is rotten, evil, completely unworkable and obsolete. It is a nuclear war waiting to happen, a war no one can or would win. But we remain ostriches with heads deep in sand, waiting passively for an inevitable holocaust apparently too big to prevent.

The United States, based on core principles like the value of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, should make a precious gift to the world and sign the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. It would be the first of the nine nuclear powers to sign, and the initiative would be welcomed with relief and jubilation by the vast majority of the world’s citizens.

It is an important fact that Putin, a leader as ruthless in his own way as Hitler, has more nuclear weapons at his disposal than any other nation, but so far, and may it continue, he has not used them. Why? Is it because he fears our nuclear weapons? Or is it because in spite of his gross deficit of compassion for Ukraine, he knows that turning swaths of that nation into radioactive desert does not fit any sane conception of military conquest?

Of course “conventional” war itself is equally insane. The October 7 Hamas attack and what has followed is a tragic case in point. The immense loss of life in the Israeli military’s “conventional” response can only concentrate our minds upon what the massive loss of life in a nuclear war would look like.

A world beyond war itself is possible. Viable alternative security systems have been elaborated in great detail. But we can take a sensible step in that ultimate direction quite safely, which is to unilaterally start backing off the nutty, silly, irrational hair-trigger nuclear system presently holding the whole world hostage.

Winslow Myers is the author of ‘Living Beyond War: A Citizen’s Guide.’

Your Letters, May 1

Four-twenty

Thanks for the 420 history (April 17 Pacific Sun). There was another early pot fellowship at San Diego State College back in 1965. We were “The Eagles” because one of us called a meeting by announcing that there would be “a gathering of eagles” that evening, signaling that we would get high and “fly.”

I was “The Condor,” as I was tall, skinny and had come into the circle a little later than the others, who had met at Point Loma High School. We hung out at a large table in the West Commons, where we discussed literature and philosophized about women. It was summer school. We later called it “The Long Pot Summer of ’65.”

Our Mexican pot came in 1-ounce baggies for $10 and was full of sticks and seeds that we could germinate. “Colas” and “buds” were unheard of. We wore Dr. Pepper bottle caps stuck to our shirts, using the old cork liners inside. The corporate name meant a prescription of Dr. Pepper to be swallowed at “10, 2, 4,” but our joke was a double entendre for taking a puff at those times.

We did not become widely known. But just think, if the rock group, The Eagles, had existed and known one of us back then.

Daniel Keller

San Rafael

Driven Mad

The CEO of Tesla says the firm is not a car company. Rather, Tesla is a tech firm. If Tesla builds tech (robotics, self-driving applications, etc.) the way it has built cars, then we should be worried, given the tech “glitches” Tesla has had to overcome.

Gary Sciford

Santa Rosa

Viano Quartet, Open Studios, and Sean Carscadden

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Mill Valley

Viano Quartet

Chamber Music Marin spotlights the Viano Quartet in their 2023-24 concert series, offering audiences a transformative experience with some of the globe’s finest classical talent at pocket-friendly prices. This season, the quartet is set to bridge the gap between ensemble and solo performance, crafting a harmonious blend that highlights individuality within a unified sound. The upcoming performance features a compelling lineup of classical masterpieces, including Beethoven’s beloved and profound “String Quartet in E minor, Op. 59, No. 2, ‘Razumovsky.’” Each piece promises to showcase the quartet’s fiery, narrative-driven style, creating a musical journey that promises to resonate with new audiences and seasoned aficionados alike. 5pm, Sunday, May 5, Mt. Tamalpais United Methodist Church, 410 Sycamore Ave., Mill Valley. Tickets are $48 (youths 18 and under are always free). To purchase tickets, visit chambermusicmarin.org.

Marin County

Open Studios

The Marin Open Studios is back for its 31st edition, inviting art aficionados to explore over 250 local artists’ workspaces across Marin County. Scheduled from 11am to 6pm, May 4 and 5 and May 11 and 12, this self-guided tour offers a unique opportunity to interact with artists directly and purchase original creations. The diverse array of participants includes sculptors, painters, photographers and jewelers, with 22 new artists joining this year. Preceding the main event, the Marin Open Studios Preview Gallery is open through May 12 at the Sausalito Center for the Arts (750 Bridgeway, Sausalito), featuring a preview of the artists’ work. More details and studio directions can be found at marinopenstudios.org.

Sonoma

Carscadden Comes Home

Sonoma’s own Sean Carscadden, a three-time winner of the Norbays for “Best Americana,” returns to his old stomping grounds for a second annual birthday bash show at the venerable Sebastiani Theatre. The lauded performer turned 40 last year and put on a sold-out show at the venue. Spurred by this success, Carscadden intends to reprise the vibe with a new show beginning at 8pm, Saturday, May 11, at the Sebastiani, 476 1st St. East, Sonoma. Over the last 12 years, Carscadden has produced five sold-out shows at the Sebastiani. The upcoming date will feature a range of musical stylings from New Orleans funk, soul, blues and Americana. Tickets are $25 and are available online at seancmusic.com/shows. Special ‘surprise’ guest performers are promised…

Petaluma

Petalumans of Yesteryear

Beginning Saturday, May 4, and continuing every week through October, the Petaluma Historical Library & Museum offers “living history docents”—the “Petalumans of Yesteryear”—dressed in period attire and leading guided tours of historic downtown Petaluma. The docents will detail the history of the bustling river town from the Gold Rush to its days as the “Chicken and Egg Capital of the World.” Petaluma’s architecture (including eight sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places) will be explored, among other historic attractions. The tours are free, though a $10 donation is appreciated. To register for a tour and for more information, visit bit.ly/petaluma-living-history.

Free Will Astrology: Week of May 1

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ARIES (March 21-April 19): The world record for jumping rope in six inches of mud is held by an Aries. Are you surprised? I’m not. So is the world record for consecutive wallops administered to a plastic inflatable punching doll. Other top accomplishments performed by Aries people: longest distance walking on one’s hands; number of curse words uttered in two minutes; and most push-ups with three bulldogs sitting on one’s back. As impressive as these feats are, I hope you will channel your drive for excellence in more constructive directions during the coming weeks. Astrologically speaking, you are primed to be a star wherever you focus your ambition on high-minded goals. Be as intense as you want to be while having maximum fun giving your best gifts.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): I don’t casually invoke the terms “marvels,” “splendors,” and “miracles.” Though I am a mystic, I also place a high value on rational thinking and skeptical proof. If someone tells me a marvel, splendor or miracle has occurred, I will thoroughly analyze the evidence. Having said that, though, I want you to know that during the coming weeks, marvels, splendors and miracles are far more likely than usual to occur in your vicinity—even more so if you have faith that they will. I will make a similar prediction about magnificence, sublimity and resplendence. They are headed your way. Are you ready for blessed excess? For best results, welcome them all generously and share them lavishly.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): In accordance with astrological omens, I recommend you enjoy a celebratory purge sometime soon. You could call it a Cleansing Jubilee, or a Gleeful Festival of Purification, or a Jamboree of Cathartic Healing. This would be a fun holiday that lasted for at least a day and maybe as long as two weeks. During this liberating revel, you would discard anything associated with histories you want to stop repeating. You’d get rid of garbage and excess. You may even thrive by jettisoning perfectly good stuff that you no longer have any use for.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Graduation day will soon arrive. Congrats, Cancerian! You have mostly excelled in navigating through a labyrinthine system that once upon a time discombobulated you. With panache and skill, you have wrangled chaos into submission and gathered a useful set of resources. So are you ready to welcome your big rewards? Prepared to collect your graduation presents? I hope so. Don’t allow lingering fears of success to cheat you out of your well-deserved harvest. Don’t let shyness prevent you from beaming like a champion in the winner’s circle. PS: I encourage you to meditate on the likelihood that your new bounty will transform your life almost as much as did your struggle to earn it.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Ritualist and author Sobonfu Somé was born in Burkina Faso but spent many years teaching around the world. According to her philosophy, we should periodically ask ourselves two questions: 1. “What masks have been imposed on us by our culture and loved ones?” 2. “What masks have we chosen for ourselves to wear?” According to my astrological projections, the coming months will be an excellent time for you to ruminate on these inquiries—and take action in response. Are you willing to remove your disguises to reveal the hidden or unappreciated beauty that lies beneath? Can you visualize how your life may change if you will intensify your devotion to expressing your deepest, most authentic self?

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): If human culture were organized according to my principles, there would be over eight billion religions—one for every person alive. Eight billion altars. Eight billion saviors. If anyone wanted to enlist priestesses, gurus and other spiritual intermediaries to help them out in their worship, they would be encouraged. And we would all borrow beliefs and rituals from each other. There would be an extensive trade of clues and tricks about the art of achieving ecstatic union with the Great Mystery. I bring this up, Virgo, because the coming weeks will be an ideal time for you to craft your own personalized and idiosyncratic religious path.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Hidden agendas and simmering secrets will soon leak into view. Intimate mysteries will become even more intimate and more mysterious. Questions that have been half-suppressed will become pressing and productive. Can you handle this much intrigue, Libra? Are you willing to wander through the amazing maze of emotional teases to gather clues about the provocative riddles? I think you will have the poise and grace to do these things. If I’m right, you can expect deep revelations to appear and long-lost connections to re-emerge. Intriguing new connections are also possible. Be on high alert for subtle revelations and nuanced intuitions.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): It’s fun and easy to love people for their magnificent qualities and the pleasure you feel when they’re nice to you. What’s more challenging is to love the way they disappoint you. Now pause a moment and make sure you register what I just said. I didn’t assert that you should love them *even if* they disappoint you. Rather, I invited you to love them BECAUSE they disappoint you. In other words, use your disappointment to expand your understanding of who they really are, and thereby develop a more inclusive and realistic love for them. Regard your disappointment as an opportunity to deepen your compassion—and as a motivation to become wiser and more patient. (PS: In general, now is a time when so-called “negative” feelings can lead to creative breakthroughs and a deepening of love.)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): I assure you that you don’t need “allies” who encourage you to indulge in delusions or excesses. Nor do I recommend that you seek counsel from people who think you’re perfect. But you could benefit from colleagues who offer you judicious feedback. Do you know any respectful and perceptive observers who can provide advice about possible course corrections you could make? If not, I will fill the role as best as I can. Here’s one suggestion: Consider phasing out a mild pleasure and a small goal so you can better pursue an extra-fine pleasure and a major goal.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): I invite you to take an inventory of what gives you pleasure, bliss and rapture. It’s an excellent time to identify the thrills that you love most. When you have made a master list of the fun and games that enhance your intelligence and drive you half-wild with joy, devise a master plan to ensure you will experience them as much as you need to—not just in the coming weeks, but forever. As you do, experiment with this theory: By stimulating delight and glee, you boost your physical, emotional and spiritual health. 

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Aquarian author Lewis Carroll said, “You know what the issue is with this world? Everyone wants some magical solution to their problem, and everyone refuses to believe in magic.” In my astrological opinion, this won’t be an operative theme for you in the coming weeks, Aquarius. I suspect you will be inclined to believe fervently in magic, which will ensure that you attract and create a magical solution to at least one of your problems—and probably more.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Which would you prefer in the coming weeks: lots of itches, prickles, twitches and stings? Or, instead, lots of tingles, quivers, shimmers and soothings? To ensure the latter types of experiences predominate, all you need to do is cultivate moods of surrender, relaxation, welcome and forgiveness. You will be plagued with the aggravating sensations only if you resist, hinder, impede and engage in combat. Your assignment is to explore new frontiers of elegant and graceful receptivity.

Homework: Tell yourself the truth about something you have not been fully honest about. Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology.com

Singer-Songwriter Margo Price at Mill Valley Music Fest

In 2016, Margo Price put out Midwest Farmer’s Daughter, an album of hardcore honky-tonk songs that put a singer-songwriter spin on traditional country.

The next year, her All American Made album moved away from the straight country, adding a shade of R&B to the mix. Then 2020’s That’s How Rumors Get Started shifted Price into classic rock territory.

Now Price has released Strays II, an expanded version of the album she released earlier in 2023. It spins ’60s/’70s psychedelia into a genre-defying, roots-music amalgam, continuing the process of constant reinvention that Price acknowledges she got from music’s master changeling, which she will also bring to the Mill Valley Music Festival come May 11 and 12.

“That’s been one of the biggest tools in my toolbox that I’ve definitely got from (Bob) Dylan. And it’s scary as hell,” Price said. “You know, you make a record, there’s finally a breakthrough—my first album was incredibly kind of ’60s/’70s traditional country, pedal steel, walking songs and fiddle and all that stuff. I think a lot of people just really expected (me) to stay in that lane and just do that forever.

“But in a way, as Dylan saw folk music as a vehicle—it could take him where he needed to go. I kind of felt that way with country music,” she said. “I had been a student of folk, blues, rock ’n’ roll and all those things in the melting pot. I think Dylan is kind of the ultimate figure. If somebody can do any genre, it’s him.”

Price made those comments during a recent on-stage interview earlier at the Switchyard during The World of Bob Dylan conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma, an event that explored Dylan’s influence on her and her relationship with his music.

That influence was pivotal after Price moved to Nashville, Tennessee, from rural Illinois, where she spent hours under a famous Dylan 1966 poster listening to Dylan’s music, going beyond the greatest hits she’d previously absorbed.

“I just dove in headfirst and started listening to all the albums because my parents were trying to convince me that I needed to go to Belmont (University), look at this music degree and all this stuff,” Price said. “And I think just listening to the entire Bob Dylan catalog was a better use of my time than educational pursuits.”

“I always kind of feel nobody can do what Bob Dylan can do,” she said. “But of course, you try to take pieces and vignettes in his sketches, things that he’s done. It just makes me feel less afraid to use any vocabulary and track any tempo or just even doing songs differently.”

Price, 40, wasn’t born when Dylan released his now-classic ’60s songs. Nor was it likely she heard many of them on the radio growing up. But when she discovered Dylan as a teenager, she found her favorite song and more.

“We’ve covered so many songs, things, deep cuts that nobody would ever do from like Basement Tapes or like Hazel,” said Price. “So much of that is just in my subconscious now. It’s just in the fiber of my being and, really, learning,” she added. “Now, obviously, I think it’s important to write your own songs and have your own voice and do your own thing. But when I was young and coming up with this, every single song that I covered, it was kind of like trying on a new outfit. See how that fit, you know? Then from there, you could construct your own.”

For more information about the Mill Valley Music Festival, including the complete lineup and tickets, visit millvalleymusicfest.com.

Cinematic Science at Rafael

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Everything I know about life, I learned at the movies. This includes my tenuous understanding of the natural world. Fortunately, a new series, “Science on Screen,” is here to fill the estimable gaps.

Pairing film screenings with scientific discussions, the series is hosted by local media personality and playwright David Templeton in conversation with a variety of science-adjacent luminaries—including award-winning novelist Nina Schuyler, whose 2023 science-fiction tome, Afterword, was named one of the Top 100 Notable Books by Shelf Unbound.

Their conversation is part of “Aging, AI, & Making Connections In A Technological World,” and follows a screening of Robot & Frank, a 2012 film that finds an irascible old man (Frank Langella) paired with a caretaker robot he despises.

Daedalus Howell: As a writer, sometimes of sci-fi, why do you think AI has such a grip on the public imagination, and why is it so grim?

Nina Schuyler: In many ways, AI is a better human. Like the speed of light, it can go through vast datasets and find patterns that point to possible solutions… It’s like a new god, and the techies promise that the future is not just bright, it’s radiant. But then, where do humans fit in?

DH: It feels like we’re in a sci-fi story right now—are we finally in a “life imitating art” moment?

NS: In my novel, Afterword, I wrote about a female mathematician who uses AI to bring back the voice of her dead lover. I started writing in 2019, and shortly after, it was published. What I imagined is now possible. You can talk to the dead.

Every time I discuss AI, I preface it with “all of this could be outdated in a couple of months.” …So you’re right. We’re in a life-imitating art moment. Be careful what you imagine.

DH: What’s the best-case scenario for our current trajectory with AI?

NS: The best-case scenario is that AI collaborates with humans, working with us to solve significant issues: political, medical, climate and social. The efficiencies created by AI are passed along to consumers in the form of cheaper goods.

Sufficient laws and guardrails are put into place to prevent harm, and humans are fairly compensated for their data, which is used to build AI. To help sort disinformation from information, AI-created content is labeled.

‘Science on Screen’ launches at 7pm, Wednesday, May 1, at the Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center, 1118 4th St., San Rafael. Tickets are $8.50 CalFilm members, $10.25 for youth and seniors, and $14 for general admission.

‘The Marin Dad’: Marinfluencer Adam Cohen

Even before I interviewed Adam Cohen, I already felt like I knew the guy, and that’s all thanks to his hilariously on-point social media (@Marin.Dad) reels about life in this here county of Marin.

What do you do?

I’m The Marin Dad, aka Marinfluencer. I promote Marin County businesses through The Marin Dad (themarindad.com) and build offsites for corporate teams through Marin Offsite (marinoffsite.com).

Where do you live?

Mill Valley.

How long have you lived in Marin?

Since 2019.

Where can we find you when you’re not at work?

Marin is my work. I’m driving around Marin County all day long, interfacing with the community and local businesses to promote our amazing home. Oh yeah, and taking my kids on Marin adventures. I also serve on the board of the Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce.

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

Just look at Marin Dads. They send it off chunky steep trails, surf overhead waves before work and ski Tahoe like they were 16 years old. By far the most Marincredible experience is riding the Dawn Patrol Tam. We ride up in pitch-black darkness to the summit of Mt. Tam to see the sunrise.

What’s one thing Marin is missing?

School buses for public schools. Let’s reduce the traffic.

What’s one bit of advice you’d share with your fellow Marinites?

Let’s embrace the new people moving to Marin. We’ve had a wave of new residents arrive, and they only desire to share in the Marin Magic. I’ve benefited from what I call “Tam Glad.” It’s the spirit of Marin where folks who’ve lived here way longer show me the best of Marin Magic.

If you could invite anyone to a special dinner, who would they be?

Arnold Schwarzenegger!

What’s some advice you wish you knew 20 years ago?

Be curious, not judgemental. I think Walt Whitman said that… and Ted Lasso.

What’s something that in 20 years from now will seem cringeworthy?

Obsession with Stanley water bottles. There’s more to life than water bottles.

Big question. What’s one thing you’d do to change the world?

Think small and local. Helping people doesn’t need to be at scale. The most immediate impact you can make is helping your neighbor.

Keep up with Cohen at @Marin.Dad.

Nish Nadaraja was on the founding team at Yelp, serves on the San Anselmo Arts Commission and is also a Marin dad.

Corner Bar: Mill Valley Cocktail Lounge Opens

Marin’s local culinary enthusiasts are eager to welcome Corner Bar to the bustling streets of downtown Mill Valley.

This highly-anticipated addition to the county’s eats and drinks scene is the perfect combination of a chic cocktail lounge aesthetic and service meeting that casual and easy beer and bites vibe.

Corner Bar is officially open for business as of Wednesday, April 24, and those behind the bar are excited to stun customers with an eclectic and delicious selection of cocktails, craft beers, tasty Mediterranean bites and oh so much more.

“We want something where you feel comfortable to come in for a beer like you would with a real bar, but where you can also get a high-level cocktail with food and legitimate, high-level service,” said Corner Bar partner Jason Sims.

The masterminds behind this chic new cocktail lounge/casual beer bar are Mill Valley culinary legends Bill Higgins, Peter Schumacher and Sims. Higgins, Schumacher and Sims are known for their work at well-known local eateries Buckeye Roadhouse, Playa and Bungalow 44, respectively. Meanwhile, Kevin Blum, editor of the Marin Dish, is handling the hype train for Corner Bar. Together, these local food, drink and hospitality experts are flexing their combined experience to bring the best of the best to Corner Bar and its customers.

“Drinks-wise, I like to do lots of approachable, fun drinks,” said Sims. “We have a little essentials section with three cocktails for $10 every day, all day,” he continued. “One of those is an espresso martini…and I’m also doing a mojito…and then we have a whisky sour that we make with cinnamon syrup, and it’s delicious. I’m also always going to rotate a shot on [the essentials menu].”

The tasty tidbits on the menu at Corner Bar were artfully crafted by chef Michael Siegel of Playa and San Francisco’s Bix and Betelnut restaurants. Marin’s foodies will approve of the salmon tartare; duck wings with a l’orange glaze; a mezze plate with pita, hummus and piquillo pepper; and fries with a tzatziki dip (to name only a few).

“The food is really so cool,” Sims said. “It’s meant to be shared; we’re not serving just standard entrees, but lots of small plates meant to be shared like hummus…we’re even doing caviar service.”

“We also have this roasted lamb neck that’s just so good,” he continued. “It’s just this super tender meat that comes with lettuce cups and sauce, and you build your own cup—it’s so interactive and fun.”

Alongside tender and delicious lamb neck, Corner Bar’s mains menu includes large and small charcuterie boards, a hamachi collar, a burger with fries, ravioli and much more. And for dessert, Corner Bar customers can anticipate a chocolate pot de creme, or Basque-style cheesecake with orange marmalade or ice cream.

Much like the menu, Corner Bar’s venue is simultaneously cozy, casual and refined, thanks to the deft expertise of its accomplished architect, Tim Dixon, and the well-regarded designer, Liz Schumacher. Corner Bar can seat 60 patrons at a time, striking that perfect balance between intimate and lively, just like Mill Valley itself.

“It’s right in downtown Mill Valley on the corner,” Sims said. “We really wanted to tap into the crowds from before and after Sweetwater shows or the Throckmorton Theatre. It’s also a perfect location if you’re on the way to Muir Woods or Stinson Beach.”

Corner Bar, 106 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley. Open 4 to 11pm, Monday through Thursday; from 4pm to midnight on Fridays, and 4 to 9pm on Sundays. To learn more about Corner Bar, call 415.888.8001 or visit cornerbarmv.com.

DocLands, Star Wars, Shane Mauss

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San Rafael

What’s Up, Doc?

What has 30 films, 49 filmmakers and 26 premieres? That would be the DocLands Documentary Film Festival, running Thursday, May 2 to Sunday, May 5 at the Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center. Opening the fest is Skywalkers: A Love Story. Don’t confuse this with another famous Skywalker from around these parts (looking at you, Luke)—no, this is a literal spin on the concept that follows the adrenaline-fueled romance of Russian rooftoppers Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus as they embark on a daring quest to climb the world’s latest super skyscraper. Talk about getting high. “With every perilous ascent, they push the boundaries of trust and love, capturing their vertigo-inducing feats on camera for the world to see,” reads the rather breathless summary. You had us at “adrenaline-fueled romance.” Directors Maria Bukhonina and Jeff Zimbalist will be present. For more information, including tickets, visit doclands.com. The film center is located at 1118 4th St., San Rafael.

Larkspur

The Saga Continues

Speaking of Skywalkers… Remember a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, you could only watch the original Star Wars saga on Disney+? Okay, maybe it wasn’t that long ago, but it’s probably been a while since you saw Luke, Han and Leia defeat the Empire on the big screen. Just in time for May 4 (as in “May the ‘fourth’ be with you”—see this week’s arts feature), Larkspur’s Lark Theatre will unspool all three of the original Star Wars movies (none of the greasy kid’s stuff like The Phantom Menace) in two slates beginning at 9:30am, Saturday, May 4. All in, the marathon screening sesh includes Star Wars, Episode 4: A New Hope, Episode 5: The Empire Strikes Back and finally Episode 6: Return of the Jedi. This all day Saturday matinee is one for the ages—literally in terms of actual time spent in a theater seat as well as the age range of prospective attendees—all are welcome to the PG-rated extravaganza. Tickets are $5 per film, per showing—so, $15 for the whole shebang. The Lark is located at 549 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur. larktheatrer.net. Emotional support Wookies allowed with permit. No droids allowed.

Santa Rosa

Piece Work

Perhaps author David Shields summed it up best when he observed that “Collage is not a kitchen sink; it’s not a refuge for the compositionally disabled.” Santa Rosa Arts Center is apt to concur. The organization’s present exhibit, “Small Works: Collages,” celebrates the enduring appeal and innovative spirit of collage art. This event, featuring works from local artists, is set to run from May 5 through June 30, at the center’s Small Works Gallery, 312 South A St., Santa Rosa. The artists utilize everyday materials like magazine photos, newspaper clippings, cardboard and even cereal boxes to create compelling visual narratives. An artists’ reception is scheduled for the opening day, Friday, May 5, from 5-8pm, providing an opportunity for guests to meet the creators behind the artworks. The exhibition is characterized by its focus on smaller-scale pieces, each no larger than 12 inches, highlighting the intricate and thoughtful use of materials typical of collage art. For additional information, visit santarosaartscenter.org.

Petaluma

‘A Better Trip’

Award-winning comedian Shane Mauss, known for his performances on platforms like Conan, Comedy Central and Netflix, brings his unique comedy and science show, “A Better Trip,” to the Mystic Theater in Petaluma on Sunday, April 28. This one-of-a-kind event combines Mauss’ sharp humor with his deep knowledge of science and psychedelics. The show features a blend of stand-up comedy enhanced by striking visuals and custom animations, creating an immersive psychedelic comedy experience. “A Better Trip” builds on Mauss’ previous successes, including his documentary, Psychonautics: A Comic’s Exploration of Psychedelics. This tour, spanning over 100 cities, showcases his dual expertise as a comedian and science communicator, offering audiences not only laughter but also insightful commentary on psychedelic culture through engaging storytelling. The show will start at 7:30pm, with doors opening at 6:30pm. Tickets and additional information are available online at shanemauss.com/petaluma. The venue is located at 23 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma.

Tik Talk: Global Warning

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To Edward Campagnola

there will be no snow in this poem

i grew up on the california coast

sunshine, smog and optimism

writers write what we know, they say

coin terms and make clichés,

turn clichés into new expressions…

tree leaves crackle in the wind

as my hand creates directly from my brain

inscribing visions from

inner thoughts and images

making metaphors evocative…

there will be no snow nor any ice on earth

soon—a boon solely to the new

explorers and conquistadors

seeking the northwest passage

to riches yet untold,

unsold, unexploited

environment is evaporating

into thin air thickened with fumes and

smoke and transparent greenhouse vapors

invisible yet indivisible from breath

never leaving any evidence on our tongues

or noses, skin or eyes to remind us

(the oblivious)

that the sixth extinction is upon us (all—

no exceptions made)

the unstoppable tipping point

pointing right at us

a giant finger in the sky

a middle finger

imminent and inexorable

unyielding, hard as nails

in our coffins

a cancer stick

stuck in our collective throat and lungs

do we need more metaphors?

the writing on the wall is writ

clear across the hazy sky

Barry Barnett lives in Santa Rosa.

No Nukes: The Nuclear Age is Already Over

Click to read
Either nuclear weapons kill us or we move beyond them, soon. Via mass death or the building of a new security system, the nuclear age is finished. The nuclear deterrence system that the world presently relies upon for its security is rotten, evil, completely unworkable and obsolete. It is a nuclear war waiting to happen, a war no one can...

Your Letters, May 1

Four-twenty Thanks for the 420 history (April 17 Pacific Sun). There was another early pot fellowship at San Diego State College back in 1965. We were “The Eagles” because one of us called a meeting by announcing that there would be “a gathering of eagles” that evening, signaling that we would get high and “fly.” I was “The Condor,” as I...

Viano Quartet, Open Studios, and Sean Carscadden

Mill Valley Viano Quartet Chamber Music Marin spotlights the Viano Quartet in their 2023-24 concert series, offering audiences a transformative experience with some of the globe’s finest classical talent at pocket-friendly prices. This season, the quartet is set to bridge the gap between ensemble and solo performance, crafting a harmonious blend that highlights individuality within a unified sound. The upcoming performance...

Free Will Astrology: Week of May 1

Free Will Astrology: Week of May 1
ARIES (March 21-April 19): The world record for jumping rope in six inches of mud is held by an Aries. Are you surprised? I’m not. So is the world record for consecutive wallops administered to a plastic inflatable punching doll. Other top accomplishments performed by Aries people: longest distance walking on one’s hands; number of curse words uttered in...

Singer-Songwriter Margo Price at Mill Valley Music Fest

In 2016, Margo Price put out Midwest Farmer’s Daughter, an album of hardcore honky-tonk songs that put a singer-songwriter spin on traditional country. The next year, her All American Made album moved away from the straight country, adding a shade of R&B to the mix. Then 2020’s That’s How Rumors Get Started shifted Price into classic rock territory. Now Price has...

Cinematic Science at Rafael

Everything I know about life, I learned at the movies. This includes my tenuous understanding of the natural world. Fortunately, a new series, “Science on Screen,” is here to fill the estimable gaps. Pairing film screenings with scientific discussions, the series is hosted by local media personality and playwright David Templeton in conversation with a variety of science-adjacent luminaries—including award-winning...

‘The Marin Dad’: Marinfluencer Adam Cohen

Even before I interviewed Adam Cohen, I already felt like I knew the guy, and that’s all thanks to his hilariously on-point social media (@Marin.Dad) reels about life in this here county of Marin. What do you do? I’m The Marin Dad, aka Marinfluencer. I promote Marin County businesses through The Marin Dad (themarindad.com) and build offsites for corporate teams...

Corner Bar: Mill Valley Cocktail Lounge Opens

Marin’s local culinary enthusiasts are eager to welcome Corner Bar to the bustling streets of downtown Mill Valley. This highly-anticipated addition to the county’s eats and drinks scene is the perfect combination of a chic cocktail lounge aesthetic and service meeting that casual and easy beer and bites vibe. Corner Bar is officially open for business as of Wednesday, April 24,...

DocLands, Star Wars, Shane Mauss

San Rafael What’s Up, Doc? What has 30 films, 49 filmmakers and 26 premieres? That would be the DocLands Documentary Film Festival, running Thursday, May 2 to Sunday, May 5 at the Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center. Opening the fest is Skywalkers: A Love Story. Don’t confuse this with another famous Skywalker from around these parts (looking at you, Luke)—no,...

Tik Talk: Global Warning

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To Edward Campagnola there will be no snow in this poem i grew up on the california coast sunshine, smog and optimism writers write what we know, they say coin terms and make clichés, turn clichés into new expressions… tree leaves crackle in the wind as my hand creates directly from my brain inscribing visions from inner thoughts and images making metaphors evocative… there will be no snow nor any ice...
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