Support Gather and Give tradition benefitting SF-Marin Food Bank and Toys for Tots; Pronzini Christmas Tree Lot celebrates 51 years at Bon Air

Who:  Santa Claus arrives at noon at Santa’s Workshop aboard a shiny, red fire engine (courtesy of the Larkspur Fire Department) at Bon Air on the first three Saturdays of December to celebrate the season. Children of all ages and pets of all sizes are invited to whisper their wishes to the Man of the Season, pose for a free portrait with Santa (courtesy Bon Air), enjoy sidewalk specials, Santa’s elves, children’s activities and people and puppy treats.

What: In the spirit of the season, Bon Air invites visitors to Gather and Give, continuing its long-standing tradition of hosting a Holiday Food Drive with the SF-Marin Food Bank. Collection barrels for canned food are located throughout Bon Air. Tax-deductible “grab and give” grocery bags are available for purchase from Molly Stone’s, ranging from $18 – $22 per bag and discounted by 10%. Bon Air also supports the Larkspur Fire Department’s annual Toys for Tots Drive, accepting new, unwrapped toys for kids of all ages in a collection barrel near Santa’s Workshop.

Pronzini’s Christmas Tree lot celebrates its 51st year at Bon Air, offering fragrant Christmas trees, wreaths, garland and more. Find them under the big oak in the west parking lot.

When: Saturday, December 1, 8 and 15, noon – 3 p.m.
• Santa Claus arrives at noon
• Pronzini’s Christmas Lot open November 24 – December 24; daily, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.      

Admission: Free

Final family-friendly evenings of craft beer, live bluegrass in 2018. Benefitting Wildcare and Bread & Roses

 What: The Thirsty Third Thursdays of Summer concludes with the al fresco screening of the 1964 classic Beatles movie “A Hard Day’s Night” presented by the Mill Valley Film Festival.  On-screen lyrics encourage families and friends to sing along under the stars. The free, family-friendly evening of craft beer tasting, live bluegrass, kid-friendly beverages and activities at Bon Air benefits Wildcare and music partner Bread & Roses. Ambassador animals will make special appearances and donations are encouraged. Delicious box dinners are available for purchase from many of Bon Air’s popular restaurants. Guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs.

 Admission:  Free. Popcorn courtesy of Framecrafters Gallery and soft serve ice cream treats from Gott’s Roadside. Box dinners available for purchase.

When: Thursday, August 16, 5:30-7:30 p.m.; “A Hard Day’s Night” begins at 8p.m.

 Who: Craft beer by Eel River Brewing Co. from Humboldt County.; music by Dirty Cello

Where: On the Promenade adjacent to the fire pit with comfy Adirondack chairs, market tables and chairs shaded by umbrellas, water features, children’s play area and nearby bocce.

 About Hard Day’s Night: Their feature film debut stars The Beatles – four young lads from Liverpool – in Richard Lester’s boldly contemporary rock n’ roll comedy, unleashing the fledgling Beatles into a maelstrom of screaming fans, paranoid producers, rabid press and troublesome family members, and reveals the secret of their survival and success: an insatiable lust for mischief and a life-affirming addiction to joy. Singalong to “I’m Happy Just to Dance with You,” “Tell Me Why, “Can’t Buy Me Love, “A Hard Day’s Night” and more.

About Wildcare: Headquartered in San Rafael, WildCare’s mission is to advocate for wildlife for a sustainable world, pursuing this mission through nature education, wildlife medicine, advocacy and community outreach. Through partnerships with schools, collaborations with other organizations, educational programs and activities, internships and volunteer opportunities, they make a positive difference in the community.

About Bread & Roses: Bread & Roses Presents is a nonprofit arts organization with a human services mission that brings hope, healing and joy through live music and the performing arts to people who are disadvantaged, marginalized, or otherwise isolated in diverse institutional settings in the San Francisco Bay Area. They produce over 600 concerts a year for youth, adults and seniors who need uplifting most.

Reading & Music Time for Little Ones

What: Bon Air invites little ones and their caregivers to free Summer Wednesdays for Kids – Music Time (afternoons) and Story Time (mornings) on Wednesdays throughout the summer. Lemonade and cookies will be served.

Music Time with Ms. Dani – a fun, silly hour of singing, dancing and wiggling, with children playing percussion instruments, improvising and rhyming. Designed for preschoolers.

When:  Wednesday afternoons, 2:30 – 3:30pm
June 13 and 27, July 11 and 25, August 1

Story Time with Ms. Claudia – a sweet, interactive hour of reading aloud and together classic and new children’s picture books, specifically curated for preschoolers.

When: Wednesday mornings, 11am – Noon
June 20, July 18, August 8 and August 15

Admission:  Free

Where: Under the Bon Air tent next to the Little House playground at the west end of the center.

Greenbrae, CA (May 3, 2018) – Bon Air abounds in al fresco dining spots, whether surrounded by succulents, a living wall, stunning views of Mt Tam, or seated on patios, at charming tables shaded with umbrellas or in comfy, fireside Adirondack chairs.

Enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts, beverages and treats at Bon Air’s restaurants, bakeries, juice bar, dessert shops and delis. The Promenade features tables shaded by Bon’s Air’s signature blue umbrellas and fire pits surrounded by cozy Adirondack chairs for both adults and children.

Dedicated alfresco dining spots can be found at:

• Gott’s Roadside with views of Bon Air’s bocce court and Mt. Tam
• Mollie Stone’s Market at tables and benches, featuring a living wall that showcases Mt. Tam’s native plants under the skylight
• Oyama Sushi amidst the succulent garden created by neighboring Flourish Succulents
• Patxi’s Pizza’s patio with covered tables and heat lamps
• Victoria Bakery & Café with cozy, café-style tables and chairs

Bon Air offers free Wi-Fi throughout.

What: Calling all tomato fans and gardeners! The annual Tomato Market at Bon Air features a curated selection of nearly 3,000 tomato starts from the UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardener program. Eight heirloom and eight hybrid tomato varieties have been selected for their exceptional taste, superior growth habits, disease resistance and performance in Marin’s microclimates.  Grown from seed by Marin Master Gardeners at San Rafael’s Falkirk greenhouse, the ready-to-plant tomato starts are $4 each. Tomato experts and Marin Master Gardeners will be on-hand to answer questions and offer Marin-specific watering, fertilizing, container vs. plot, growing tips and more. The tomato starts go quickly, so early arrival is recommended.

Tomato selection:

• New Offerings: Green Zebra and Black & Brown Boar.
• A Rainbow of Cherries: Barry’s Crazy Cherry, Chocolate Cherry, Rapunzel, Sun Gold and Sweet 100.
• Coastal/Cool Weather Varieties: Black & Brown Boar, Carmello, Early Girl, Green Zebra, Jaune Flamme, Oaxacan Jewel, Paul Robeson, Sun Gold and Sweet 100.
• Container Varieties: Carmello, Cherokee Purple, Chocolate Cherry, Early Girl, Jaune Flamme, San Marzano Redorta, Sun Gold and Sweet 100.
• Beefsteak Tomatoes: Brandywine, Carmello, Chef’s Choice Orange, Early Girl, Cherokee Purple, Oaxacan Jewel and Paul Robeson.

When: Saturday, April 7, 9 a.m. until sold out.

Admission:  Free 

Where: Along the western end of the promenade near Wells Fargo Bank.