If you're not familiar with bocce, think of it as outdoor bowling. (Don't tell the die-hard players I said that.) Yes, there is a fun, physical activity in there somewhere. But, the real point is to hang out with other folks, talk, have a few drinks, roll a ball, hang out and talk some more. And the kicker is that you get to do it outside instead of inside some noisy building. Considering how beautiful the weather is around here, it's little wonder that bocce ball is so popular in Wine Country.

On Sunday, March 1, Four Shillings Short (the band the Hansens were watching when their house caught on fire) will play a benefit concert. The show is from 7 to 11pm at The Orchard Spotlight, 515 Orchard St., Santa Rosa. (707) 542-7745

See Walter Hansen’s blog for more information.

My tattooed buddy said the Flaming Resort Hotel, which hosts the event, was full of top tattoo artists from around the world. You can wander from booth to booth and watch them work, or, if you you're so inspired, you can get inked right there and then. And my wanderlust-friend had a blast learning about a whole new world. She's always full of great stories about her escapades traveling around the planet. And these days, she'll throw in a story about the Tattoos and Blues festival into the mix.

They both plan on going to the Festival this weekend when it returns to the Flamingo. One is getting a new tattoo. (A small starfish by her ankle.) And the other, I'm sure, will collect a new adventure.

• See photos of Tattoos and Blues.

Three days of the finest tattooing by artists local and from around the world. Live Blues music, tattoo contests, circus acts, seminars, unique gifts.

Like a lot of locals, I'm curious about GG's Earth and Surf, set to open in Santa Rosa tomorrow.

The new restaurant features all organic produce and seafood from farms within a 150 mile radius, as well as local, organic wines (20 of the wines are under $25 a bottle) and spirits. Granted, it's not 100 percent local--there are some ingredients that are simply just not made or grown around here. But, the restaurant is buying about 85 percent of their items from the area. Not only does their localvore philosophy help area farmers and reduce the carbon footprint, but GG's might also turn out to be a be a very cool place to take out-of-town visitors to show off our local bounty.

I'll write more after I eat there. Or, if you beat me to it, email me at santarosa.guide@about.com and let me know what you thought of it.

GG's Earth and Surf
630 Third Street
Santa Rosa, CA
(707) 528-1445
ggsearthandsurf.com

You can read up on the localvore movement in The Mindful Times, which is based in Santa Rosa.

• Read the story in the Press Democrat.
• Check out his bio.
• See pictures of the 2007 "Levi Leipheimer Day" in Santa Rosa.

Whoa--did all of you see that hail storm yesterday? Within a few deafening seconds the ground was completely white. My 4-year-old ran out into it barefoot, squealing and laughing. "Mom, you know what? It tastes like icy!" Then after a few more minutes she tells me: "Ok, I'm done. Let's go to Hawaii." Ah, that's my smart girl.

We went to Hawaii several years ago when she was just tiny, but Aria swears she remembers it. And whenever she can't quite recall the name, she says, "You, know that place," as she attempts the hula. (She's very good!) In her mind, as in so many of our minds, everything warm and sweet-smelling and relaxing means Hawaii, and Hawaii means the hula.

So, I'm thrilled that the warm beauty of Faith Ako's music will fill the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts on February 21. In 2007, the Hawaiian-born, Rohnert Park resident’s first album, Ku Kahi, won in the “Traditional Hawaiian Music” category of the 11th Annual Hawaii Music Awards. Plus, she was voted “New Artist of the Year.” And I'm also thrilled that the music will be accompanied by hula performed by Kumu Hula Shawna Alapa’i and Halau Na Pua O Ka La’akea. I've heard of this group (and teacher) before because the dancers are from the North Bay, including Sonoma County. And from what I've seen, the devoted treat hula not just as a dance form, but as a spiritual practice--and in this group, they're all devoted dancers. Expect both wonderful music and dance in this show.

So even though I'm relieved that the days are filled with rain (even when it comes in the form of hail), the thought of listening to traditional Hawaiian music and watching the hula in just a few days brings a warm smile to my face... I'm done with gray, dreary weather. Let's go to Hawaii.

Photo: My Future Hula Dancer
© Maja Wood, licensed to About.com

If you have cable or satellite service, or already have a newer TV with a built in digital tuner, then you won't be affected. But, if you have an analog TV and you get over-the-air television broadcasts (usually through a rooftop antenna or rabbit ears) then you will need a converter box to display the new digital signals.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration is providing each U.S. household with two $40 coupons good toward the purchase of up to two converter boxes. Get more information about the coupons at www.dtv2009.gov.

Or you can purchase a digital television. Keep in mind, don't toss you're old TV in the garbage. In California, it’s illegal to throw electronic items, including televisions, in the trash. They contain hazardous materials which can be harmful to the environment and human health if not properly recycled. Luckily, there are several locations throughout Sonoma County where unwanted electronics can be dropped off. One such place in Santa Rosa is the Computer Recycling Center, 3227 Santa Rosa Ave., Mondays through Fridays, 9am to 4pm, and Saturdays 10am to 2pm. It's free to drop off your old TV there. (707) 570-1600. For further information about recycling electronics, visit www.recyclenow.org.

As usual, there's going to be a big celebration at Courthouse Square, by the finish line. And, this year, there's a new festival in Railroad Square that's aimed more at adults. (Meaning you can watch the Jumbotron while enjoying a brewski in the beer garden.) Also new this year are the races and parties scheduled for Saturday, the day before the big event. (See the full schedule of events.)

If you don't want to brave the downtown crowds, head over to Rincon Valley and just watch the racers as they make their way from Calistoga Road to the downtown circuit. They'll be turning from Calistoga right onto Badger and passing Rincon Valley Park, then passing Rincon Valley Middle School, turning left on Brush Creek and passing Brush Creek Park; and then turning right on Fourth Street. Then they'll pass the mini-festival at the Safeway/Longs Drugs shopping center in front of the Flamingo as they head toward downtown.

Speaking of the racing bug...If you've caught the fever, this is a great time to dust off your bike and keep those New Year's Resolutions about getting outside and getting into shape. Not sure where to go cycling? Here are some of the best rides in the area... And heck, if you just like that cycling lifestyle without the cycling part of it, we got you covered there too...

The volunteer who answered my call happened to be John Askew whose picture ran in yesterday’s Press Democrat article about 2-1-1. (He said he’d send me an autographed glossy!) According to John, most of the calls he’s been fielding have been about health services and housing. "With the way the economy is these days, I'm sure we'll be busy," he said.

For more details about the new service, see this article.

The 2-1-1 website is at www.211wc.org. (By the way, the "wc" stands for "wine country.")

I can’t think of a better way to mark Friday the 13th than by going to the cemetery and witnessing a murder. Yep, the Santa Rosa Recreation and Parks Department is putting on a Dark Side Tour at the Rural Cemetery. Hear the tales of horror, murder, suicides and tragedies. Meet the graveyard’s social ghost and witness a “murder” all while supporting preservation efforts at the cemetery.

After a night of death and darkness, thank your lucky stars you’re alive, and spend the day basking in the romantic glow of Valentine’s Day in Sonoma County.