Wings Over Wine Country roars back to life this weekend

After a hiatus, the Pacific Coast Air Museum’s air show Wings Over Wine Country returns this weekend with much to see and do.|

The air show is back.

After a hiatus last year, Wings Over Wine Country returns this weekend to the Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport. Among the things to watch for in the air and on the ground:

-• The host, Pacific Coast Air Museum, is saluting first responders and private citizens who rushed to the aid of neighbors during the firestorm of almost a year ago.

-• The new wine-and-beer garden.

-• The Red Stars, four propeller-driven, Eastern bloc military training planes that fly in such tight formation you’d think they were glued together.

THE BLOOD COUNT stands at 22 pints for Santa Rosa High and 16 for Montgomery.

Organizers of the Blood Feud, a blood-donation contest between Santa Rosa’s two original public high schools, hope that by the end of the day Saturday more than 100 Vikings and Panthers will have rolled up their sleeves at Blood Centers of the Pacific on Industrial Drive.

Potential blood donors can make an appointment or just stop by.

And remember, the winning school will win not only bragging rights for a year but also the tasteful and unique Bucket of Blood trophy.

THE LOVE OF MUSIC will fill each inch of Santa Rosa High’s classic auditorium Saturday evening and again Sunday afternoon when the all-volunteer Sonoma County Philharmonic strikes up its 20th season.

Joining the seriously good orchestra will be the voices of the California Redwood Chorale. There’s more to learn about the performances at socophil.org.

To celebrate its anniversary, the Philharmonic this season is featuring original pieces by Sonoma County composers. First up this weekend: conductor emeritus Gabriel Sakakeeny and his “The Lion and The Rose.”

The stars of intermission will again be the home-baked cookies.

ANOTHER CONDUCTOR is certain to draw a large crowd to Oakmont next Sunday, Sept. 30.

Francesco Lecce-Chong, the brand new music director of the Santa Rosa Symphony, will speak of his vision for the his first season before Oakmont’s remarkable, 17-year-old Sunday Symposium speaker series.

This Sunday’s guest has some star power too: Erin Brockovich, speaking of the 2017 firestorms and her old adversary, PG&E.

To attend the Oakmont Sunday Symposium, you’ve got to be either a resident of the east Santa Rosa over-55 community or an invited guest.

If you have no friends at Oakmont, perhaps it’s time you sought some out.

FRIENDS OF BILL W. have for years met on Saturday mornings at a church in west Santa Rosa to promote their sobriety.

But the Thanksgiving Lutheran Church at Fulton Road and West College Avenue is being sold to the city for use by the water department, so the Third Step AA meeting must find new digs.

So far, the search is cold. If you know of a space the group might use Saturday mornings, please drop a line to info@sonomacountyaa.org.

Usually, 80 to 100 people attend the meetings and they can afford to pay about 70 bucks a week for use of a place.

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