A solution for the hard-to-find gift

Having a hard time finding the right gift for that special person who has everything? Is this weekend your last chance to go shopping?

Try the brand new gift shop at The Lawler House Gallery!

The Suisun City Waterfront District Artists have added a terrific gift shop to the art gallery on the first floor of Lawler House (718 Main Street, Suisun City). They're open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

They have prints, photographs, jewelry and many more items for sale created by some of the region's most creative artists. The items for sale change all the time as artists create new unique items of art. >> Learn more about the Lawler House Gallery>>

While you're in the Suisun City Waterfront District, check out the local boutiques and salons, or try one of the dozen or so unique family-owned restaurants offering a wide variety of cuisine choices. >>More about the Waterfront District>>

Solano College Theatre Announces an Evening with Tom Hanks

Two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks will make a one-night only fundraising appearance at Solano College Theatre in Fairfield on February 6, 2010. Mr. Hanks’ visit will include a presentation on the Campus Theatre stage, as well as a dinner with guests.

An Evening with Tom Hanks will begin with a special meal at 4:30 p.m. with Mr. Hanks in the Solano Community College dining hall. The dinner will feature entertainment by past and present SCT Actor Training Program students as well as a catered dinner and wine exclusively provided by Green Valley Cellars of Suisun Valley. Tickets for the dinner are $100.

After the fundraising dinner, Mr. Hanks will move into the Campus Theatre to give a first-person exploration of non-fiction film entertainment, utilizing clips from his movies as well as from other documentaries. The presentation will also include an exclusive preview of Mr. Hanks’ newest project, The Pacific, a ten-part miniseries executive-produced by Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman and set in the Pacific Theatre during WWII, which will premier on HBO in March 2010. An audience-interactive question and answer period will conclude the evening’s presentation. Tickets for the presentation are also $100.

Sponsors of the event include Advocates for the Arts, NorthBay Healthcare and Copart.

Tickets for both the dinner and the theatre presentation go on sale to the general public on January 14th at noon. SCT subscribers can begin buying tickets to the event on January 7th at noon. Tickets can be purchased by calling (707) 864-7100 or in person at the Harbor Theatre Box Office at 720 Main Street in the Suisun City Waterfront District. Box Office hours are Tuesday-Saturday from noon to 5 p.m.

All proceeds from the event will go to support the Tom Hanks/Rita Wilson Endowment Fund which was established by the actor and director earlier this year. The fund is a living legacy from Mr. Hanks and honors students as well as his long friendship with SCT Artistic Director George Maguire. The endowment will support the programs and students in the Solano Community College Theatre Arts department.

Mr. Maguire met Mr. Hanks at Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival in Cleveland, OH, 32 years ago and the two have maintained a close friendship ever since. Mr. Hanks is a strong supporter of the arts and arts education. The Theatre Arts Department at Solano Community College is one of the few schools Mr. Hanks is kind enough to support.

For further information, contact Amy Lenahan, Marketing Associate, at (707) 864-7000, ext. 4541 or amy.lenahan@solano.edu. Press passes are available to the stage presentation only, but are extremely limited and offered on a first come, first served basis.

Celebrate the Holidays with Suisun Valley Wine Country

The holiday season is a great time for family, celebration, relaxation and wine. Particularly, Suisun Valley wine.

Our own Wine Country is getting quite a bit of attention across the region leading up to the annual Suisun Valley AVA Anniversary Celebrations! Suisun Valley not only shares a distinct name with Suisun City, it is also a great place to take family and friends who want to try a great selection of wines, without having to deal with the headaches of Napa Valley. Plus, we have a local hotel special!

COMSTOCK'S ARTICLE

In it's December issue, Comstock's Magazine - the Sacramento region's leading business publication - asked a number of wine and food gurus to sample Suisun Valley wines and make their recommendations about wine and food pairings. This is a great little piece for wine novices and experienced enthusiasts alike!
>> See that full article here >>

SUISUN VALLEY WINE CELEBRATION

Right after Christmas, the Suisun Valley celebrates it's anniversary as an established appellation with a weekend of winery events, including two days of special tastings on Dec. 26 & 27 at

• Ledgewood Creek
• Suisun Valley Wine Cooperative
• Tenbrink Vineyards
• Winterhawk Winery
• Wooden Valley Winery

Plus there's the Special Winemaker Reception & Dinner on Dec. 29!
>>Get all the celebration details!>>

INSIDERS' TIP

The brand new Hampton Inn & Suites Suisun City Waterfront has a terrific Wine Lovers Package! Overnight stay, limo to The Valley, plus wine discounts!

Make sure to ask about this package! >>Get all the details!>>

>>Learn more about Hampton Inn & Suites holiday special>>