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Luther Burbank Center for the Arts 18th annual Art of Dessert fundraiser Happens April 17

Join us ONLINE for our 18th annual Art of Dessert and support our biggest fundraiser of the year. Art of Dessert has raised more than $4.5 million over the years to help support our community’s home for the arts and helped provide enrichment in the arts to 480,000+ children.

This year we are coming together virtually to commemorate 40 amazing years of connecting our community through the arts across schools, homes and stages.
This beloved event includes a silent auction with incredible wine options, a virtual live auction with auctioneer Greg Quiroga, performances by our amazing Luther Locals and more. We are partnering with our friends at Park Avenue Catering to bring the experience into your home with specialty meal and dessert options coming soon. The evening will be hosted by Board Chair Susan Preston and Sonoma County Supervisor James Gore.
The event is free to attend, with registration required. We’re grateful every day for our LBC’s friends and supporters who make possible the impactful arts and education work that benefits our region.
REGISTER TO JOIN HERE 
Sponsorships are still available for this virtual celebration; please email Robin Seltzer at rseltzer@lutherburbankcenter.org or click here for sponsorship details.
 

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Sonoma County to distribute $32 million in renter aid for tenants affected by pandemic

Beginning April 19, Sonoma County residents can apply for rental assistance on SoCoEmergency.org or by calling 2-1-1 to reach English- and Spanish-speaking operators. Applicants can also find a community based organization to assist them by visiting socoemergency.org/emergency/novel-coronavirus/finance-housing/housing-and-renter-support/

Sonoma County residents who accumulated rent debt due to economic hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic will soon be able to apply for aid, and down the road legal assistance, to stave off evictions.

Sonoma County government officials are set to begin distributing more than $32 million in federal and state dollars within two weeks. The county’s Community Development Commission will open the program April 19 and process applications until the funds are exhausted, Tina Rivera, the commission’s assistant director, told the the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.

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Sonoma County launches effort to vaccinate the housebound

The County of Sonoma has arranged to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to adults 16 years and older who are homebound for a variety of medical reasons and have difficulty getting to a clinic. The County is working with Fox Home Health, which has established a mobile vaccine clinic for those who are homebound.

The County Department of Health Services is working to prioritize homebound individuals in collaboration with service providers, including in-home supportive services, hospice, North Bay Regional Center, Council on Aging and the Adult & Aging Division of Human Services.

The community can participate by reaching out to people they know who may be homebound to share information about the mobile clinic.

“We want to connect with those individuals who are homebound for medical reasons and let them know we will come to their home to vaccinate them against COVID-19,” said Dr. Urmila Shende, head of the County’s COVID-19 vaccination team, in a statement. “This is part of the County’s campaign to take care of our medically vulnerable residents and make sure they don’t slip between the cracks of the vaccine rollout.”

Medicare considers a person homebound if:

• He or she needs the help of another person or medical equipment such as crutches, a walker or a wheelchair to leave home, or their doctor believes that health or illness could get worse if they leave home.https://newsletter.pressdemocrat.com/framed/single?pid=41&hideImage=1&fid=6053

• And, it is difficult for the person to leave their home and they typically cannot do so.

Fox Home Health will screen homebound individuals for eligibility before providing vaccinations.

Homebound individuals who fit the criteria should call 565-4667 or email stompcovid@foxandassociates.org for more information.

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Happening in April at Food for Thought

FFT Elects Two New Board Members
Food For Thought is pleased to announce the addition of John Andrew Wesley, M.D., and Estelle H. Rogers to its Board of Directors.
“Our board plays an important role in helping the agency provide food and nutrition services to people living with HIV, COVID-19 and other serious illnesses,” said Ron Karp, executive director of Food For Thought. “John Andrew and Estelle, who have both served as volunteers, have long been advocates for underserved communities in Sonoma County. Estelle, an accomplished attorney, has a keen mind and outstanding interpersonal skills and John Andrew has a medical background and extensive experience working with people living with HIV through his work with both Face to Face and Santa Rosa Community Health. We look forward to incorporating their insights into our client programs and are excited to have their help in raising Food For Thought’s visibility in the community.”

Click here to learn more about John Andrew and Estelle and FFT’s other board members.
John Andrew WesleyEstelle H Rogers
FFT’s Wellness Month Events in Coming in April!Join FFT’s Fundraising Team Today!
FFT invites you to get moving while helping us provide nutritious food for our neighbors living with serious illnesses! This fun and engaging virtual fundraiser challenges you to get up go and do something active that you enjoy! Walking, running, hiking, cycling, skating or even swimming – you choose! Then ask your friends and family to donate to FFT in support of your fundraising effort. Simply click here to become a fundraiser.Healthy Greens Online Cooking Class
Join FFT’s Registered Dietitian Nina Redman and Chef Ruth Lefkowitz for an online cooking demonstration on Wednesday, April 7th at 2 p.m. 
Our culinary team will be preparing a spring herb soup and a chicken, avocado and grapefruit salad. These recipes feature a variety of spring greens that you can mix and match. 
To sign up, please email KathleenH@FFTfoodbank.org. A Zoom link and the recipes will be sent to you prior to the class. A suggested donation of $25 is requested. To donate, please click here.
Yoga at DeLoach Winery
Join local yoga teacher Kelliann Reginato for a 75-minute class at picturesque DeLoach Vineyards on April 11th to benefit Food For Thought! 
Class will be multi-level and COVID-19 safety protocols will be in enforced. Standard ticket price is $30, with option to donate more if desired. 		‌DeLoach will be offering two-for-one tastings to all participants, with proceeds for wine purchases donated to Food For Thought as well! Click here to register.
FFT’s Plant Start Sale
Get ready to plant your 2021 garden at Food For Thought’s Wellness Month Plant Sale! Buy starts of diverse organic heirloom vegetable varieties, flowers and native plants. 
The sale runs during the weekend of April 24-25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the Food For Thought parking lot at 6550 Railroad Ave. in Forestville. Support a great cause and take home some special plants!
All proceeds benefit Food For Thought, serving thousands of Sonoma County residents living with serious illnesses with healthy food.
Spicy Chard Soup
Enjoy a delicious bowl of Spicy Chard Soup this St. Patrick’s Day!
This savory soup is a great way to get some nutritious leafy greens into your diet. It includes crushed caraway and cumin seeds and is accented by harissa or the hot sauce of your choice. Click here for the recipe.
DONATE

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Sonoma County Pride News

Sonoma County Pride is Back!,Beyond The Rainbow – Thriving, Reviving, and Surviving

After a challenging year of cancellations and lockdowns, this year’s Sonoma County Pride celebration returns with hope and positivity! This annual event will include a month-long series of COVID-19 aware micro-events in varied venues throughout Sonoma County. The events will offer activities for all ages and abilities. This year’s theme, “Beyond the Rainbow: Surviving, Reviving, and Thriving”, takes inspiration from THE WIZARD OF OZ to offer renewal and support to the LGBTQ community. Sonoma County Pride’s Secretary Cheryl Kabanuck puts the beloved film’s lessons into perspective. “There’s no place like home being back together with our community. Courage leads us here, knowledge is how we survive and heart is what keeps us together.”Since the worldwide pandemic forced the cancellation of 2020 Pride events everywhere, it was important to find a unifying theme to recognize we’re not all in the same space mentally and emotionally. The past year has been incredibly challenging for everyone, and each of us faced different struggles. The focus for Sonoma County Pride 2021 is on the mental, physical and emotional health and wellness of community members. Vice President @Grace Villafuer emphasizes, “While some of us are reviving and thriving, some of us are still focused on surviving. Wherever we are on our journey, we hope Sonoma County Pride 2021 will offer each of us a feeling of community, pride, and peace. We strive to not only reach our unique rainbows – our dreams and inner strengths, but we look to go Beyond the Rainbow!”According to Director of Logistics Brian Rogers, “Those of us who survived this surreal year gained new respect and meaning for the prime lesson Dorothy learned in Oz: ‘There’s no place like home.’ Now that we have nearly SURVIVED the pandemic, let’s embrace that hopeful spirit as we REVIVE together and support one another so we can once again THRIVE.”Christopher Kren-Mora, President of Sonoma Pride, promises a different but exciting series of events to bring the community back together in a spirit of celebration. “It won’t be a single weekend this year, but a month of fun, hope, and renewal that we’ve all been hoping for.” The calendar of upcoming Sonoma County Pride events will be published as dates and venues are confirmed.

#beyondtherainbow#SCP2021#lovewins#Pride2021

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Free LGBTQI History: A Sonoma County Timeline Class Wednesday

ACTUP Sonoma County 1988: members of this infamous protest group will be talking about their contributions to AIDS awareness and support of AIDS patients in Sonoma County.

To register for the LGBTQI Timeline class please click on the appropriate link below. If you have not taken any classes through SRJC in the past year, you are considered a New Student.

NEW STUDENTS need to first complete an application for Santa Rosa Junior College at  https://santarosajuniorcollege.formstack.com/forms/srjc_noncredit_application_for_admission.

REGISTERED AND CONTINUING STUDENTS can enroll in the class at;

https://santarosajuniorcollege.formstack.com/forms/non_credit_enrollment_form

Use the following course info: OAP 505. Section 7072.

I will send out the zoom invites on Monday.

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Free HIV In-Home Test Kits Available for Home Delivery

HIV In-Home Test Kits Now Available for Home Delivery
We are excited to announce that getting an HIV In-Home Test Kit just got easier! If you reside in Sonoma County you can now receive one of our HIV In-Home testing kits in the mail. All you have to do is fill out the form on our website and we will send you the FREE kit. 
As always all information provided to Face to Face is confidential. We will not keep, use or sell your information to anyone. 
Click on the link belowhttps://f2f.org/services/hiv-testing
SYRINGE DROP BOX NOW IN PLACEWe are thrilled to be able to share with you our Syringe Kiosk located outside our office doors here in Santa Rosa. 
Now needles can be disposed of at this location 7 days a week, even when our offices are closed.
We support the safety of people who use drugs and our community. In 2020 alone we retrieved 658,000 needles. With this drop box we will be able to keep more needles off of the streets to create a safer community. 

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Free LGBTQI History: A Sonoma County Timeline Class Wednesday

Forward Together – 1988: Magi Fedorka will be talking to us about getting the Pride Resolution passed in 1992 as well as other accomplishments and struggles faced by this unwavering force for LGBTQI rights and recognition.

To register for the LGBTQI Timeline class please click on the appropriate link below. If you have not taken any classes through SRJC in the past year, you are considered a New Student.

NEW STUDENTS need to first complete an application for Santa Rosa Junior College at  https://santarosajuniorcollege.formstack.com/forms/srjc_noncredit_application_for_admission.

REGISTERED AND CONTINUING STUDENTS can enroll in the class at;

https://santarosajuniorcollege.formstack.com/forms/non_credit_enrollment_form

Use the following course info: OAP 505. Section 7072.

I will send out the zoom invites on Monday.

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LGBTQ Best Practices Training Starts March 17

Part one will take place on March 17th from 9-11 am and part two will take place on March 18th from 9-11 am. Zoom links for both parts will be shared with all attendees.

LGBTQ Connection is pleased to offer their LGBTQ Best Practices Training via Zoom! Our trainers are bilingual and can answer questions in English or Spanish, but this training will be held in English.

LGBTQ Connection is offering the Napa & Sonoma County communities and local organizations a chance to learn from and participate in LGBTQ Connection’s highly reviewed LGBTQ Best Practices training. This workshop helps attendees to better reach and serve lesbian, gay, bisexual, & transgender youth, adults, & seniors.

Don’t miss the opportunity to:

  • Have a better understanding of LGBTQ identities.
  • Have more compassion for LGBTQ people & their experiences.
  • Be more aware of specific issues that affect the mental health of LGBTQ youth & LGBTQ seniors.
  • Be more confident in your ability to support LGBTQ people.
  • Gain knowledge of resource and referral information for LGBTQ people.
  • Be able to identify specific mental health resources accessible for LGBTQ people.

Spots are limited! If you have any questions or want more information please contact Isamar at fernando@lgbtqconnection.org or by calling 707-439-8928.

Enroll HERE

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La primera parte se llevará a cabo el 17 de marzo de 9 a 11 a.m. Y la segunda parte se llevará a cabo el 18 de marzo de 9 a 11 a.m. Los enlaces de zoom para ambas partes se compartirán con todos los .

LGBTQ Connection está contenta de ofrecer su Capacitación de Mejores Prácticas LGBTQ en Zoom. Nuestros entrenadores son bilingües y pueden contestar sus preguntas en inglés o en español, pero esta capacitación se llevará a cabo en inglés.

LGBTQ Connection ofrece la oportunidad, a la comunidad de Napa y Sonoma y a las organizaciones locales, de participar en su capacitación de Mejores Prácticas LGBTQ. Este taller está diseñado a mejorar el conocimiento, el acceso y la inclusión de jóvenes, adultos y personas mayores que son lesbianas, gays, bisexuales y transgéneros.

Participantes saldrán con:

  • Una mejor comprensión de las identidades LGBTQ.
  • Más compasión por las personas LGBTQ y sus experiencias.
  • Concientización de los problemas específicos que afectan la salud mental de las/los jóvenes
  • LGBTQ y personas mayores LGBTQ.
  • Más confianza en su capacidad para apoyar a las personas LGBTQ.
  • Conocimiento de recursos e información de referencia para personas LGBTQ.
  • Capacidad de identificar recursos específicos de salud mental accesibles para personas LGBTQ.

¡Hay cupo limitado! Si tiene alguna pregunta o desee más información, póngase en contacto con Isamar: fernando@lgbtqconnection.org o llame al 707-439-8928.

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