Join us the evening of Wednesday, May 22nd, for an Idea Lounge conversation with Frances Rivetti, award-winning British-American novelist and former journalist, and Heather Irwin, dining editor for Sonoma Magazine and The Press Democrat. Come for drinks and mingling at 6:30pm, and enjoy the program from 7:00-8:00pm.

ART - Frances Rivetti - "The Importance of Place in Storytelling"

Frances is an award-winning British-American novelist and former journalist.  Her second novel, House on Liberty Street, Home of Second Chances, is based on a fictional Victorian house situated in Petaluma.  She is active in the community and values the sense of place and people in her writing.

LIFE - Heather Irwin - "Why Sonoma County's Food System is Unique"

Heather is the dining editor for Sonoma Magazine and The Press Democrat.  She founded Sonoma Family Meal in 2017, a non-profit organization that has served more than 75,000 meals to disaster survivors and to locals with food insecurity during the pandemic.

The Idea Lounge

The purpose of the Idea Lounge is to share stories and build connections that inspire and motivate, generate reflection, promote empathy, and celebrate community. One speaker is from the arts and the other is not.  They may have never met. For twenty minutes each, the speakers present an aspect of their lives which may include how they chose their professions, how people or circumstances inspired them, or decisions they made that changed the direction of their lives or careers.

The audience has equal time to uncover the commonalities between two seemingly disparate topics and career paths.   The monthly event, on the fourth Wednesday of the month, is held at the Petaluma Arts Center.  It is scheduled from 6:30-8pm with the event starting at 7pm.  Refreshments are available.

PAC members $12 | Non-members $15