Published Februuary 16, 2006

Sonoma Valley Olive Festival Artisan Market, the festival’s grand finale, features olive-themed foods, wine, art, and entertainment for all, cooking demonstrations by Sonoma’s best chefs, and seminars, all behind Sonoma City Hall in the Plaza. Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. $20 includes logo glass and tasting tickets. Free for children under 12. Tickets at door or by calling (707) 996-1090.

“Spit the Pit” Contest, sponsored by KSVY-91.3 Sonoma (www.ksvy.org), at the Olive Festival Artisan Market in Sonoma Plaza, rain or shine! Registration at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 25 at KSVY booth. Olive pit spitters in three age categories: 18-106; teen hawkers 14-17; and adolescent projectile chuckers 10-14. Get in a spitooey practice session Friday at 9 a.m. at KSVY studios with Morning Show hosts Veronica Torres and Michael J. Kelley, 172 West Napa Street, Sonoma, and win tickets to Olive Festival Artisan Market.

Prestwood Winter Ball at The Lodge at Sonoma, featuring comedian Joe Klocek, Dave Chavoya and the Hellhounds playing the blues, dancing, and an auction that includes a chicken cut and tied by television chef Jacques Pepin at his 70th birthday “class” at Ramekins Sonoma Valley Culinary School, a signed copy of Pepin’s new cookbook, and a Pepin-signed apron commemorating the event, rare local wines, and a catered Martini-Murder-Mystery dinner party for 20. Benefits arts programs at Prestwood Elementary School. 5 p.m. Saturday, 1325 Broadway, Sonoma. $85 includes champagne reception, dinner, and all entertainment. Call (707) 227-7828 for reservations.

“That’s Amore” performance by Sonoma Valley Chorale’s Chamber Ensemble at Gloria Ferrer Champagne Caves’ tasting room, Saturday, in conjunction with final weekend of Sonoma Valley Olive Festival. Olive-inspired appetizers will be served with Gloria Ferrer’s glorious champagne, to “memory lane” love tunes from P.D.Q. Bach, Cole Porter, and George Gershwin, to French love tone poems of Morten Laurdisen. 23555 Carneros Highway, Sonoma. $25 or $20 for Cuvée Club members and under 21. Doors open 7:30. For tickets call (707) 933-1999 or visit www.gloriaferrer.com, or (707) 935-1576 or www.sonomavalleychorale.org for more info.

“Visiting Professor of Pessimism” performed by San Francisco playwright, satirist, and solo performer Charlie Varon at Sonoma Community Center’s Andrews Hall, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. Collaborating with Jim Rosenau, Varon’s humor has appeared in The New Yorker, The Atlantic, Los Angeles Times and Salon. Full of “topical humor,” the Marsh Theater production is first of three one-man show series. Sponsored in part by Sonoma Valley Unified School District. 276 East Napa Street, Sonoma. $18 general, $15 members, seniors, students, and includes glass of wine at intermission, sold at Readers’ Books or at Sonoma Community Center. Call (707) 938-4626, ext. 1.

"Spit the Pit" cover art.