Hi, this is Vanessa, your ENLIGHTENMENT salon host.

While the first quarter of 2025 has been a wild ride, spring is nearing full bloom, so we should really make some time to stop and smell the roses. It could do us a lot of good mentally.

That is what April’s Philosophy Café is about: How to better appreciate nature and the lovely surroundings we live in. How to make more use of the great outdoors to calm and soothe our bodies, minds and souls during these turbulent times. And how we can better protect the nature habitats so they can stick around and thrive for others.

Join me for a discussion with naturalists, nature writers and leaders of nature-restoration efforts in Northern California. How can writings from nature lovers like Rousseau, Thoreau and Emerson make you better appreciate and understand your surroundings? When you’re standing in nature, how can you best use your senses to get a total immersion? What info about the birds, bees, flora and fauna could be most useful for you? And what can you do as a California citizen, and a citizen scientist, to keep our region’s natural gems blooming and blossoming?

OUR GUESTS:

* Greg Dewey, president of the American River Natural History Association, which runs the Effie Yeaw Nature Center
* Gregory Ira, director of the UC Environmental Stewards Statewide Program, which offers California Naturalist and Climate Stewards programs to adults* Janice Kelley, nature writer, interpretive naturalist and founder of the Nature Detectives afterschool program

Sign up to attend by registering at our Eventbrite link here.

Combine the Café with the “Spring Awakening” cello recital happening beforehand, at 2 pm, for an afternoon of music, stories and philosophy to give you cheer and calm.

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Ruhstaller’s BSMT has a variety of beers on tap, as well as wine, kombucha and sparkling water. Please feel free to BYO food and nonalcoholic beverages.

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Photo by Bruce Davidson/Magnum Photos