APRIL

•April 14: 2nd Annual Fort Bragg Grange Rummage Sale and Brunch n' Lunch, 26500 N Highway 1. 916-266-1142; http://fortbragggrange@yahoo.com

• April 14: Vegetable Gardening Demonstration, Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens 18220 N Hwy One, two Miles South of Fort Bragg; 10 am – noon. Located in the historical section of the Gardens between an historic farmhouse and a pioneer cemetery, this garden demonstrates techniques that were used to supply early families of the Mendocino Coast area.

•April 14 & 15: Symphony of the Redwoods: Musical Grand Tour Spring Concert, featuring "Hall of the Mountain King", Grieg's Peer Gynt Suite #1, Shostakovich's Piano Concerto #2 with featured guest pianist, Carolyn Steinbuck, Schumann's Symphony #2. April 14 at 8 pm; April 15 at 2 pm. Cotton Auditorium, 500 N Harold St, Fort Bragg. $20 General, $18 Seniors (65+), youth free. 707-964-0898; http://www.SymphonyoftheRedwoods.org

• April 14: Pre-Symphony Dinner, 5 pm, Redwood Coast Senior Center 490 N Harold St. 707-964-0443

•April 15: VFW Breakfast, 3rd Sunday each month, 8-11:30 a.m. Veterans Hall, Laurel & North Harrison, Fort Bragg.

•April 21: Noyo Food Forest 6th Annual Earth Day Festival. Live music and entertainment, a Culinary Showcase featuring local chefs, spring plant sale, hands-on workshops and inspiring speakers, kids’ activities, local food, pedal powered smoothies, and more! Free. Supports the Organic garden and Farm to School program at Fort Bragg High School. Noon-6 pm. Takes place at The Learning Garden, Fort Bragg High School. 707-964-0218; http://www.noyofoodforest.org

•April 21 & 22: Spring Plant Sale, Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens 18220 N Hwy One, 2 Miles South of Fort Bragg, 9 am-5 pm. 707-964-4352; http://www.gardenbythesea.org

MAY

•Entire month of May: Quilt Walk through downtown Fort Bragg. View fabulous quilts on display throughout downtown. Display leads up to annual Fort Bragg quilt show and sale May 25-27 (see details below).

•May 4: “First Friday” — A number of downtown businesses and art galleries open their doors "after hours" on the 1st Friday of the month, often serving wine and appetizers. 5-8 pm.

•May 5-6: Learn to Kayak Weekend: Learn skills to make your paddling easier and more fun with a weekend of kayaking instruction. $160-$200/person includes instruction and all equipment for the class and tour. Liquid Fusion Kayaking, 32399 Basin Street, Fort Bragg; 707-962-1623; http://www.liquidfusionkayak.com

•May 5-6: 35th Annual John Druecker Memorial Rhododendron Show & Plant Sale, Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. Sponsored by the Noyo Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society, this year's show is "Rhodies in Our Gardens.” The show is free and open to the public from 1:30 pm - 5 pm on Saturday and 9 am - 4 pm on Sunday. There will be hundreds of gorgeous flowers on display, celebrity judging, people's choice awards, raffles, and an opportunity to purchase plants on-site. Docent Tours during the day. Those wishing to enter their own rhodies in the competition should visit Noyo Chapter website for details: www.noyochapterars.com. Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden is located at 18220 N. Hwy 1, Fort Bragg. 707-964-4352; http://www.gardenbythesea.org

•May 6: Breakfast at the Fort Bragg Grange. Join us the First Sunday of the month for a breakfast of pancakes, ham, eggs and hash browns, coffee, tea or milk; OJ available. Adults $7.00; children $3.00. Grange is at 26500 Highway 1, (6 mi north of Fort Bragg) Inglenook. 707-964-2902; http://www.fortbragggrange.org

•May 7: Staff Led Tours At Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden. Join us the first Monday of the month for an informative walk through the Gardens! Sometimes it’s Rhododendrons, sometimes birds, sometimes mushrooms, always fascinating and free w/ admission. Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden, 18220 N. Hwy 1, Fort Bragg. 707-964-4352; http://www.gardenbythesea.org

•May 11: National Public Garden Day, Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, 9 am–5 pm — free.

This day of national recognition honors public gardens and their contributions in education, conservation, and ecology. In honor of all of our nation’s gardens and the people who support them, Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens is providing free admission for all visitors. Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens,18220 N. Hwy 1, Fort Bragg. 707-964-4352; http://www.gardenbythesea.org

•May 12: Hoity Toity Fashion Show and Tea, 1-3 pm (doors open at noon), Eagle’s Hall, 210 N Corry St. Advance tickets $20; $25 at the door. A fun event and a great fundraiser for Parent's and Friends, Inc. Dust off your tea hat and join us for tiny sandwiches (with the crust trimmed off) pots of tea, and a fashion show featuring the crème de la crème of the Paul Bunyan Thrift Shop. Bid on apparel worn by models; shop in the show boutique. 707-964-8542.

•May 12: Mother’s Day Breakfast, 8 -11 am, Redwood Coast Senior Center 490 N Harold St. $12. 707-964-0443.

•May 13: Skunk Train Mother’s Day Brunch, 10 am (4-hour round trip). Treat Mom to a relaxing morning riding the train and sipping Mimosas (juice for the kids), then enjoy a special brunch in the redwoods. Adults $70; children $40. Board at the Skunk Depot, Foot of Laurel St. 707-964-6371; www.skunktrain.com

•May 25-27: Fort Bragg Quilt Show, Sat. 10 am-5 pm, Sun. 10 am-4 pm, Town Hall and Masonic Hall. Admission $7, children under 11 free. Preview party Fri. May 25, $12 (includes admission for entire weekend show). Fabulous quilts, quilting demos, quilts for sale. Presented by Soroptimist International of Fort Bragg. Contact information: Susan Bivins, sbivins4220@earthlink.net

•May 25-28: Mendocino Waves and Caves Kayak Weekend. Experience camping and exploring the Mendocino Coast, enjoying areas only accessible by kayak. Dart into sea caves, glide down waves, and experience the incredible beauty of the wild Mendocino Coast. Three nights of camping and meals provided. Novice through Advanced paddlers will enjoy this trip.
Cost: $395/person (early registration discounts available). Contact Liquid Fusion Kayaking, 707-962-1623; http://www.liquidfusionkayak.com

•May 26: Starry Night: Symphony of the Redwoods Annual Pops Fundraiser Concert, Eagles Hall, Fort Bragg. Doors open at 6:30 pm; show starts at 7. $40 for concert and buffet, $20 concert only. A Starry Night of great music, singing and surprises, fantastic food and silent auction items, no host bar, and the Visual Violins drawing. Tickets available at www.SymphonyoftheRedwoods.org; 707-964-0898. Eagles Hall is located at 450 South Franklin Street.

•May 26: Chris Hillman Concert, Saturday, May 26th, 8 pm (doors open at 7:30) Cotton Auditorium, 500 N. Harold St, Fort Bragg. Tickets $25 ($30 at the door). An unforgettable evening featuring Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer/songwriter Chris Hillman (Byrds, Flying Burrito Brothers, Manassas) with long-time singer and instrumentalist Herb Pedersen. Purchase advance tickets at https://winesong.ejoinme.org/?tabid=350899. Proceeds benefit the Mendocino Coast Hospital Foundation.

•May 26: Pre-Chris Hillman Concert Dinner. The Fort Bragg Senior Center (adjacent to the Cotton) is hosting a fantastic Mexican dinner (proceeds benefit the Senior Center) prior to the show so come early! For information call 707-964-0443.

•May 26-27: Fourth Annual Fort Bragg Sea Glass Festival, 10 am - 6pm, Sea Glass Museum, 1701 N. Hwy 1, Fort Bragg. Local and out-of-town Sea Glass artists display their sea glass art. Fort Bragg has the highest concentration of sea glass in the world. Come see what wonderful things artists create with it. Information: 707-357-1585; http://www.glassbeachjewelry.com/festival.htm

JUNE

•June 1: “First Friday” — A number of downtown businesses and art galleries open their doors "after hours" on the 1st Friday of the month, often serving wine and appetizers. 5-8 pm.

•June 2-3: Learn to Kayak Weekend: Learn skills to make your paddling easier and more fun with a weekend of kayaking instruction. $160-$200/person includes instruction and all equipment for the class and tour. Liquid Fusion Kayaking, 32399 Basin Street, Fort Bragg; 707-962-1623; http://www.liquidfusionkayak.com

•June 3: Breakfast at the Fort Bragg Grange. Join us the First Sunday of the month for a breakfast of pancakes, ham, eggs and hash browns, coffee, tea or milk; OJ available. Adults $7.00; children $3.00. Grange is at 26500 Highway 1, (6 mi north of Fort Bragg) Inglenook; 707-964-2902; http://www.fortbragggrange.org

•June 4: Staff Led Tours At Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden. Join us the first Monday of the month for an informative walk through the Gardens! Sometimes it’s Rhododendrons, sometimes birds, sometimes mushrooms, always fascinating and free w/ admission. Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden, 18220 N. Hwy 1, Fort Bragg. 707-964-4352; http://www.gardenbythesea.org