Sonoma Valley Calendar

The 109th Audubon
Christmas Bird Count
presented in partnership with sonomabirding.org
Friday, January 2
Dawn-Dusk
At dawn on Friday, January 2nd Dozens of birding teams, led by expert birders, will scour the Sonoma Valley and the Petaluma wetlands in search of over 180 species of birds  that dwell in the area. Last year, Sonoma Valley was ranked 23rd nationally of over 2000 North American participants. “This is citizen science at its best and the annual event ties together all the valley communities as well as our neighbors in Petaluma and Napa” said Tom Rusert, co-founder of the event. The bird count will finish with a pot-luck dinner held in Andrews hall beginning at 5pm. Experience in birding is not necessary to participate. This event is open to all ages. To sign up for the bird  count or for more information visit sonomabirding.org.

2nd Annual Christmas
Bird Count for Kids
presented in partnership with sonomabirding.org
Saturday, January 17, 9am-1pm
Fee: $5 suggested donation
Guided by experienced birders, kids ages 4-18 will hike in areas throughout Sonoma, learn about and count winter birds at the second annual Christmas Bird Count for Kids, and have their work documented nationally. The event culminates with a pizza and ice cream party at the Sonoma Community Center at noon. The results of the count will be posted on eBird, an electronic bird list developed by Cornell University.
Participants must be registered. Please call the Sonoma Community Center at 707-938-4626 ext 1. or email scc@vom.com to register.

“IDOL” VOCAL COMPETITION
comes to
Sonoma Community Center

Sonoma’s answer to American Idol will be brought to you by Youngdahl Music Studios in partnership with the Sonoma Community Center. Sonoma Idol North Bay vocal competition is accepting talent from age 12-18. (Junior division is age 12-14, Upper division is 15-18.) Contestants must reside in Napa, Sonoma and Marin Counties.

The preliminary auditions begin in January. The first public round of the competition begins February 27 and continues through to the final round on May 1st. The winner will record a CD at Youngdahl Music Studios with professional musicians and give a featured performance at Sebastiani Theater.

Jennifer Youngdahl has taught private voice lessons, performance and recording workshops and creativity empowerment retreats over 20 years. Her students win vocal competitions, voice scholarships, solos in school choirs & musicals. They are featured artists on radio shows, perform in bands and vocal ensembles and record CD’s. Jennifer’s own list of accomplishments include singing on numerous radio and TV commercials, charting on adult contemporary radio with one of her original songs and as an inventor, patenting a musical gift card.