My friend Dave came over from Santa Rosa and we enjoyed a full day of live acoustic music, crafts, food and spirits of all kinds at Strings Fest 2006 in El Verano. This was held at my niece Mary and her partner Lane's place Saturday on the outdoor roofed stage that Lane built on their property here last summer. It was the stage's inaugural event, from noon to midnight, and several fabulous groups, duos, and individuals played, including the Black Point String Band that Mary and Lane started with three friends last year, my nephew J.M. Berry singing and putting in some great guitar licks, and highlighting two exquisite sets by the extraordinary group Hobo Jungle, expert young musicians, one from EX'PRESSION college for digital arts in Emeryville <www.expression.edu> and featuring special guests from the '60s, singer and harmonica magician Will Scarlet and guitarist and vocalist Steve Mann. What a blast the six dozen or so of us had, Thanks too to the grace of Mother Nature, putting off the rain until the next early morning!