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EVERYDAY
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never so affordable. The next time you need a doorknob, a new toilet bowl or some grout, why not make good use of re-use? 24 10th St., Santa Rosa. 707.568.3228.—J.D.
BEST PLACE TO
GET YOUR ROOSTER SOME LOVIN’
Want to buy an emu? A longhaired rabbit? A couple tons of horse manure? The remarkably entertaining and surprise-packed chalkboard in front of Sebastopol’s Frizelle-Enos Co. store is where sellers and buyers of all kinds of domestic and barnyard animals can scribble their desires for various expendable creatures. A free community service provided by Frizelle-Enos for over 15 years, the enormous board is like a low-tech personal ad for critters. Asked to name the strangest thing recently posted on the board, one employee mentioned a handwritten ad requesting healthy hens so someone’s rooster “could have sex.” Most commonly, the board offers homes for dogs, cats, parrots and horses, or desperate pleas for the return of lost pets. Not everyone who drops in to study the board is looking for an animal, however. With a simple installation as occasionally weird as this one, most people just stop by to be entertained. 265 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. 707.823.6404.—D.T.
BEST PLACE TO
ACCIDENTALLY SPEND ON YOURSELF Fleurtique is crammed between a pizza shack and the Swiss Hotel on the Sonoma Plaza, but it might as well be in Paris. Owner Sara Coble has an eye for trend pieces that fuse Euro chic sophistication with bohemian California casual, purveying the sort of gift items I always have trouble actually parting with. This sliver of a boutique houses an impressive selection of clothing and accessories, despite its size. There’s a diverse range of pajama choices, from matching flannel to silky slips to cotton boy shorts, and the sparkling chandelier
earrings, delicate charm necklaces, jersey dresses and funky rain boots mean that the only thing easier than finding a gift for a friend is finding a gift for oneself. Coble also stocks work by local artists, including her own range of playful T-shirts and tank tops that say things like “Eiffel Cute” and “Olive You.” 14 W. Spain St., Sonoma. 707.933.1430.—R.M.
Thank You Bohemian Readers!
Woman Owned Family Friendly
BEST PLACE TO
GET CARE AFTER YOUR COBRA FREAKIN’ EXPIRES
The Santa Rosa Free Clinic began as an attempt to provide no-cost, accessible healthcare for the homeless population gathered at the Catholic Charities Family Support Center. Struggling to increase hours of operation from one day to two days with a staff composed almost entirely of volunteer nurses, doctors, mental-health professionals and eligibility workers, Santa Rosa Free Clinic’s clientele now includes housed, underinsured and even employed patients. With funding from the California Mental Health Services Act and Southwest Community Health Center, the drop-in clinic serves as the only primary care and psychiatric support for a growing number of North Bay residents, regardless of the residency and income requirements that so many clinics enforce. The clinic, though usually filled to capacity most days, maintains an atmosphere of professionalism and compassion and is now accepting Medi-Cal and other government-funded healthcare programs. Open Mondays and Wednesdays at 9am. And if you don’t need it, make a donation! 465 A St., Santa Rosa. 707.546.6479.—D.B.
BESTCLEAN, WELL-
LIGHTED PLACE FOR (USED) BOOKS
Off the beaten path sits the oldest bookstore in Sonoma County. Family-owned since 1972,
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HONDA | TOYOTA | MAZDA | NISSAN | SUBARU
Smooches and Lugs, Maria & the Gang! Tues-Fri 7:30-6:00
707.769.0162 321 Second St. Petaluma THE BOHEMIAN
03.17.10-03.23.10
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