Welcome October and Pumpkin Spice everything! Although the weather still seems a bit summery and we send our heartfelt wishes for safety to our Napa County readers, there is a bit of good news. Our 3T Napa Wine Experience event is a go, and museums and gardens are opening. There are more live socially distant events cleverly produced and our fav West Coast Craft is life as well. And a Bay area jeweler is donating to fire relief efforts. And if you need a little focus and clarity, listen into this week’s podcast.

Join Us for an Exclusive Napa Valley Wine Experience

We are excited to virtually take you to Napa Valley to one of their most prestigious vineyards, Grgich Hills Estate. Despite the fires, which we hope will be contained soon, this event is still a go. Your award-winning premium wines for the tasting can be ordered in advance and delivered to your door before the event (ordered by Oct. 14th.) And we will have an exclusive tour and conversation with the winemakers.  GET THE DETAILS.

Museums and Gardens Open to the Public

We need our culture now as an escape and a way to appreciate beauty and creativity and more of them are opening up.

As we reported previously, the De Young is open and now The Asian Art Museum is accepting visitors and offers FREE admission for all – October 3^rd – 12^th. This museum is so worth a visit and what a great time to go. Current exhibitions include Chanel Miller: I was, I am, I will be and Awaken: A Tibetan Buddhist Journey toward Enlightenment. Awaken is remarkable, if the online version is an indication. You will be guided through mediation, art and an awakening. We can only hope. Of course, safety protocols are in place. www.asianart.com

SFMOMA is reopening on the 4^th and with free parking at the museum’s garage on Minna Street and no entrance fees, make sure to support them. October 4^th – 18^th it’s all gratis. They are only operating at 25% occupancy giving you plenty of room to wander safely (with masks on). Best to reserve tickets ahead of time although some will be available at the door. www.sfmoma.org

Learn about Marin’s Rock Art Scene at Marin Museum of Contemporary Art.Schedule an in person visit or virtually view the collection of art, images, and memorabilia including a Jefferson Airplane–signed Gibson guitar, Grateful Dead pool party photographs, and Mt. Tamalpais Amphitheater posters. marinmoca.org

Following are gardens now open, in addition to others currently written about.

• Ruth Bancroft Garden & Nursery – East Bay (Walnut Creek) Limited entry and masks required.
• San Francisco Botanical Garden – SF (Golden Gate Park) Open 7 days a week but onsite programs on hold until further notice.
• The Gardens at Heather Farms – East Bay (Walnut Creek) Outdoor public garden areas open for visiting from sunrise to sunset,
• UC Berkeley Botanical Garden – East Bay (Berkeley) Open Daily, 12 – 5 pm. Online advanced admission tickets are required for all visitors.

Do you find you never have enough time? Are your days filled with things you don’t really enjoy? Do you have days when you feel scattered? Well here to help us find clarity, focus, and fulfillment is Deborah Goldstein, who is founder of Driven Professionals and creator of new tool kit and e-course, Intentional Productivity that will help you do just that. AND, she’s offering Tomatoes a 10% discount with code “tomato.” LISTEN IN HERE.

Applause, Applause for Live Theatre

The Coastal Rep in Half Moon Bay returns with Sorry, Wrong Number, live in their back parking-lot! Opening tonight and running through the 18^th, this radio-style play is a mystery thriller; the tale of a neurotic invalid, whose only contact with the outside world is her phone. Over it, one night, because of a crossed wire, she hears plans for a murder. Suspense mounts as we look into the mind of a desperate and helpless woman determined to save an anonymous woman about to be killed. You must bring your own chair and wear a mask throughout the performance and remain seated appropriately spaced out. Book your tickets now, only $15. Support the arts! www.coastalrep.org

West Coast Craft

This is live tomorrow from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Fort Mason. It’s a single day, outdoor market featuring over 50 of the best artist and designer craftspeople in the Bay Area. Get a head start on Christmas shopping and support Bay Area crafts people. Unique clothing, jewelry, pottery and more. Entrance is FREE!  No food trucks so plan accordingly! http://www.westcoastcraft.com

If you want more crafts to peruse on October 17^th head to the 20^th Avenue Outdoor Pop-Up Shopping event held between Ulloa and Vicente from 10 – 4. Details on their Facebook page.

Jewelry for a Cause

Local jewelry designer, Peggy Li, is once more sharing her talents to raise money for the Redwood Empire Food Bank which works to help people displaced by the fire evacuations and home losses. She will be donating 100% of the proceeds from sales of her Santa Rosa Rosette Necklace and earrings to the cause. Peggy is passionate about giving back and in addition to the Santa Rosa creations she will donate to pandemic relief with the purchase of her weather the storm necklace, a lightning bolt through a cloud. Her VOTE necklaces donate for voting rights. This is an artist stepping out to help the community while creating beauty. http://www.peggyli.com