Snapshot

Rust is primarily oxidation-producing iron oxides, most commonly Fe3O4 and Fe2O3. Other metals undergo oxidation, but the term rust is exclusively used for iron. Copper’s oxidation (or corrosion) creates a blue-green color, copper carbonate (Cu2 CO3), commonly described as patina. The Statue of Liberty, clad with hand-hammered sheets of copper, has copper’s distinctive blue-green patina.

It’s mindblowing that Sonoma County is buried under a marine layer for weeks while the coast from Bodega Bay to Big Sur is sunny. Big Sur is having a spectacular streak of sunshine: no rain, no fog, no wind. Yeah, I know. Big Sur...

Up close and personal. That’s the view you’ll get Thursday through Sunday at the Pacific Coast Air Museum, adjacent to  the Charles M. Schultz Airport. Sonoma County’s Air History Museum preserves over 25 military aircraft in varying states of unreadiness.

One-room schoolhouses were standard around the turn of the century. The Felta School was built in 1906. There were reportedly 132 other one-room schoolhouses in Sonoma County at that time.

Talkin’ turkey here. Nope, not Thanksgiving turkey. Turkey tail mushrooms. It’s mushrooming season in Sonoma County. When the weather turns cold and damp, fog rolls in and rain falls, and mushrooms’ fruiting bodies pop up.

Pumpkins have been associated with Halloween since the 1800s when vegetable-carving traditions accompanied Irish immigrants to America. But pumpkin carving on Halloween stems from Celtic traditions to ward off evil spirits with figure carvings on root vegetables.

Nigerian Dwarfs often give birth to twins and triplets. The cuties in the photo here, two rams and a doe named “Hope,” were born last week and are seen here less than 12 hours after their birth.

Recognized as a perfect blend of classical architecture and landscape, the colonnaded pergola and vaulted ceiling-ed rotunda is surrounded by a lagoon on three sides. Architect Bernard Maybeck designed this S.F. landmark in the Beaux Arts style, characterized by grandiose structures with symmetrical styling often including elaborate detailing, classical columns, pediments, friezes and cornices.

We share a meal selected from a cookbook chosen by the host. The host selects the book, cooks the main course, parceling out assignments for appetizer, two sides, and dessert. It all works out.

Havana nights, yes! But Cuban cigars are illegal in the US. Have been since 1962. For a while, 2016-2020, there was an exemption for personal use, but that was revoked. With Cuban cigars outlawed, the next best thing is Antonio Cortada hand-rolling your cigar.