Rainy Day Weekend, March 16-18

Seems to me it was like this last year: the ’s annual Spring Sidewalk Sale was all wet. Not cancelled, but certainly dampened by rain. With weather projections calling for more, we advise an umbrella – but don’t miss the shop-local deals on the street Friday through Sunday in the Downtown Business District, 9 to 6 daily.

Continuing through Saturday, with every title you can imagine in hardback or paperback, even some audio books, CDs and DVDs. Come one, come all, support .

Saturday, March 17: Check out our , from pre-sunup at B&B for Irish Coffee and the “Green Hair Day” parade around the Plaza to the St. John’s.

At 4 p.m., there’s a St. Patrick’s Day reception for at the on the west side of the Plaza. Assemblymember Huffman will be there, along with numerous other politicos including Chesbro, McGwire, Fudge and Wood.

Sunday, March 18: Competing events at 2 p.m. today: a poetry reading at , from the Healdsburg Literary Guild's Third Sunday Salon. Foust has, since she turned 50 five years ago, carved out a remarkable accomplishment as a writer, with two full length books of poetry and one with accompanying art. It's at , and it's free.

The alternative is enjoying some music with C&W singer at . Cline was one of the greats, and Morris has assembled a top-notch band of musicians including Bobby Black (formerly of Commander Cody) to deliver the music. Show time is 2 p.m., tickets just $20 at the door.

At 5 p.m. you can participate in at the former (now Brahma Kamal) next to Café Gratitude.  It’s a musical guided meditation for spring equinox, with crystal singing bowls and live music. Wow.

This Week at the Raven Film Center:  Catch the area premiere of the movie version of 21 Jump Street (R), the popular late 1980s TV show. The movie features a slimmed-down Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum and a cameo from the TV show’s biggest star, Johnny Depp. Continuing will be The Artist (PG-13), Albert Nobbs (R), Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax (PG) and John Carter (PG-13).