Merry Music: Holiday Album Guide

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Merry Music: Holiday Album Guide

As the temperatures begin to drop, holiday albums start landing, and 2023 has brought its share of these releases. Here are some choices from this year’s arrivals.

Cher: Christmas – Cher’s first-ever holiday album, not surprisingly, touches plenty of stylistic bases. There’s modern dance-pop (“Angels In The Snow”); Motown/soul/pop on “Christmas, Baby Please Come Home (with Darlene Love, who sang the original Phil Spector-produced version); acoustic balladry (with Michael Buble joining Cher on “Home”); modern R&B/hip-hop (with Tyga adding a forced-sounding rap on “Drop Top Sleigh Ride”); rock (“Run Rudolph Run”); and a touch of blues on “I Like Christmas.” Depending on one’s perspective, Cher has something for everyone here, or Christmas is stylistically scattered. Either way, it’s unmistakably Cher.

Jon Pardi: Merry Christmas From Jon Pardi – The country star’s first holiday album is highlighted by its originals, including the rocking “Beer For Santa” and the swinging “400 Horsepower Sleigh.” Pardi also does a few standards on a fun effort that’s more adventurous than the usual holiday album.

Halley Neal & Sam Robbins: You and Me on Christmas Eve – These two solo artists harmonize nicely on one of the season’s best albums. It features several strong originals, including “Christmas is Coming Soon,” an easy-going melodic folk-rock tune, and the pretty pop-leaning title track.

Michelle Malone & the Hot Toddies: Toddie Time – Malone finds a sweet spot between bluegrass-tinged roots rock and swinging jazz on this refreshing acoustic-centric set of Christmas covers.

The Burrito Brothers: Christmas – The current lineup of the band that began in 1971 as the Flying Burrito Brothers brings their familiar ’70s-rooted country sound to a set made up almost entirely of original holiday songs. It’s a pleasant, if a bit uneven, effort.

Gregory Porter: Christmas Wish – The Grammy-winning jazz singer brings together some inspired song choices (Stevie Wonder’s “Someday at Christmas” and Marvin Gaye’s “Purple Snowflakes”), a few standards and three solid originals, “Everything’s Not Lost,” “Christmas Wish” and “Heart For Christmas,” on this classy effort.

Johnny Mathis: Christmas Time Is Here – The singing legend remains in good voice on this tasteful 10-song set consisting mostly of seasonal standards. It should become a perennial favorite for fans of classic Christmas albums.

Mark Tremonti: Christmas Classics New & Old – Tremonti is best known as the guitarist for hard rockers Alter Bridge and Creed, but he’s also carving out a niche as a Frank Sinatra-styled singer. That’s the Tremonti we hear on this set of familiar holiday fare. His smooth baritone can stand alongside the likes of Michael Buble, and Tremonti’s versions of these classics—with full orchestral arrangements—make for a timeless Christmas album.

Amber Lawrence: A Very Aussie Aussie Christmas – This family Christmas album comes with a down-under twist, courtesy of Lawrence, a popular country artist in Australia. Originally released in her home country in 2017, its songs (mostly originals) blend sprightly pop and country and will appeal to kids and adults alike.

Nils Landgren: Christmas with My Friends VIII – The veteran trombonist and jazz artist returns with his eighth seasonal set. Mixing familiar holiday standards and lesser-known selections, it’s another tasteful effort that unites jazz and pop.

Tarja: Dark Christmas – This selection of gothy, classical-leaning versions of Christmas standards is plenty unique. But including tunes with light lyrics (“Jingle Bells,” “Jingle Bell Rock” and “Frosty The Snowman”) is a misstep on an otherwise intriguing album.

Matt Rogers: Have You Heard of Christmas – This comedian/singer brings together his skewed sense of humor and a taste for modern pop/R&B on this album. “Every Christmas Eve (Mrs. Claus’ Theme)” finds the jolly guy’s wife getting suspicious of her hubby’s Christmas Eve adventures, while the silky ballad “Have You Heard of Christmas” has some sneaky commentary and thoughtful observations.

Brandy: Christmas with Brandy – The popular R&B singer returns with her first holiday outing. The original material (including the sexy, silky ballad “Christmas Party For Two” and the bouncy “Christmas Gift”) makes Christmas with Brandy an album worth noticing.

Adam Blackstone: A Legacy Christmas – This multifaceted artist successfully crafts a jazzy set that also weaves in touches of R&B, hip-hop, gospel and pop over a selection of originals and freshly reinterpreted holiday favorites.

Seth MacFarlane: We Wish You The Merriest Christmas – Best known for his animated series, Family Guy and American Dad, McFarlane has also been making music rooted in the Great American Songbook. This collection of familiar holiday standards, also featuring his frequent singing partner, Liz Gillies, works well for MacFarlane and his rich baritone.

Kings Return: We Four Kings – The genre-spanning a cappella group gets plenty of vocal and sonic variety out of having just four vocalists, and the accomplished performances on “Jingle Bell Rock,” “The Kings’ Nutcracker Suite,” “Jesus Is The Reason For the Season” and others suggest Kings Return are among the best in their genre.

Philly Special: A Philly Special Christmas Special – Yes, Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata shouldn’t quit their day jobs playing for the Philadelphia Eagles, but this trio’s second charity album is another credible effort, with a few surprise song choices (“Dominick The Donkey” and “Pretty Paper”) and notable guests (including Patti LaBelle and Amos Lee).

Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers: Because It’s Christmas Time – The bluegrass-rooted string band led by acclaimed banjo player Mullins gifts us a fine album of originals and not-obvious covers that are at turns frisky (“Reindeer Boogie,” “Christmas At the Old Home Place”) and gentle and melodic (“From My Broken Heart To You,” “There Once Was A Time On Earth”).

A Winter Union: Sooner After Solstice: A Transatlantic Folk Christmas – This UK folk supergroup convenes for a set of melodic originals and covers that lean toward easy-going ballads, but occasionally kick up the energy (“Boxing Day” and “Ring Out, Solstice Bells”).

George Perris: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year! – The PBS favorite makes a typical orchestral holiday album, repeating some tunes in different languages.

The Browns: Christmas in Prague – Here’s a holiday album for fans of Lawrence Welk.

A Few Other Worthy Holiday Albums

Straight No Chaser: Stocking Stuffer (an a cappella treat with humor); Michael Bolton: Christmas Time (holiday favorites with booming vocals, epic arrangements); George Gee Swing Orchestra: Winter Wonderland (a jazzy big-band-styled take on 10 standards); Christian Sands: Christmas Stories (the pianist brings jazzy accents to five classics and five original tunes); Hauser: Christmas (the Croatian cellist takes the lead on an orchestral set of Christmas classics); and The Gothard Sisters: A Celtic Christmas (the guitar/violin/flute trio puts an Irish folk accent on a dozen tunes).

Your Letters, Nov. 22

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Your Letters, Nov. 22

Congress Mess

Until recently, Congress was the laughing stock of American democracy. That honor has been transferred to the Supreme Court, which has recently chosen to rebuild its image of corruption and favoritism with a new internally developed code of ethics and conduct.

Sorry, boys and girls, it will take a generation or more to overcome such a monumental lack of trust in a single branch of government, with or without full disclosure on the parts of all justices of exactly what “benefits” they have received and from whom, since their respective appointments to the Supreme Court.

It is an immeasurable loss of respect, integrity and dignity for our country, an international embarrassment on a massive scale.

Craig J. Corsini

San Rafael

News Nod

Pro-peace and responsible journalism are two ideals this world needs!

Yes, it’s tragic and yes, we’re heartbroken—so many of us for both cultures and all innocent people who have been killed in the war in Israel/Palestine.

Dan Pulcrano did an excellent job of summarizing the story (“Pro-Peace Piece,” Nov. 15 Bohemian and Pacific Sun). I so appreciate when journalists do not lead me into their bias, but present a full and complete picture and allow me, as a reader, to come to my own conclusion.

This is also sorely missing, by the way, in mainstream media whenever the former president is interviewed or covered by the press.

Research. Fact check. Find a credible counterpoint. News coverage is not ranting.

Jodi Selene

Sebastopol

Olio Nuovo: Gold Ridge Organic Farms

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Olio Nuovo: Gold Ridge Organic Farms

Each year, olive oil lovers worldwide eagerly await that special first taste of olio nuovo, or new olive oil, from the new harvest.

What’s so special about olio nuovo?

Immediately after harvest, new oils are at their absolute freshest, spiciest, highest polyphenol levels and even more brilliantly hued. The sediments in olio nuovo—fresh from the press—haven’t yet had the time to settle, nor the flavors to mellow in the bottle.

There is just a short window during which these oils can be tasted and enjoyed at their most potent, raw and unfiltered finest. This window is within a couple to a few months of harvest—depending on several factors, including the climate in the region where the olives are harvested and how an oil is stored after being pressed/before being bottled.

Wellness enthusiasts prize olio nuovo for its health benefits, as antioxidants and polyphenols are highest in olive oils immediately after harvest.

In Italy, olio nuovo is revered for its potency and is poured liberally on simple dishes and foods to highlight its flavor and character best. The release of the harvest’s first new oils is also considered to signal late fall and the many events surrounding the harvest in agriculturally focused regions.

But North Bay olive oil lovers don’t need to travel to Italy to taste stunningly fresh, quality olio nuovo made from organic olives grown in their own backyard. They only need to travel the short distance to Sebastopol in west Sonoma County, where Gold Ridge Organic Farms releases their much-awaited olio nuovo blends every fall between mid to late November and early to late December.

Due to the cooler temperatures in the hills of west Sonoma County, harvest occurs later in the year than in warmer climate areas such as Tuscany or California’s Central Valley. This means that Gold Ridge Organic Farms’ olio nuovo release is usually during the holiday season.

Upcoming Events

The farm is opening its gates for the olive harvest season in November and December on Fridays and Saturdays. On two upcoming Saturdays, Nov. 25 and Dec. 9, the farm is hosting tastings of their freshly pressed olio nuovo, along with complimentary hot mulled cider, seasonal focaccia and apple cider donuts (for purchase) made especially for the holiday season by chef Bruce Hill, featuring the farm’s Honeycrisp-Fuji Apple Cider Syrup and Tuscan Blend Olive Oil.

Guests visiting the farm on days they are pressing olives can view the olive oil pressing cycle from the Farm Shop just feet from the state-of-the-art Rapanelli Oil Mill and smell the green, fresh olives in the air.

One may sample Gold Ridge Organic Farms’ four award-winning estate-grown olive oils, house-made popcorn with olive oil toppings, an array of edible goods from local makers and collaborative partners, and seasonal heirloom apples and citrus from the organic orchards for sale.

A range of gift baskets, locally produced artisan goods and curated products produced by the farm, such as olive oils, vinegars, citrus shrubs and apple cider syrup, are available for purchase.

The farm will acknowledge Small Business Saturday (10am to 4pm, Saturday, Nov. 25) by serving complimentary hot mulled cider and offering apple cider donuts (for purchase), baked fresh by chef Bruce Hill.

Two weeks later, the farm hosts its Open House at the Farm Shop (10am to 4pm, Saturday, Dec. 9), which will see much of the above plus seasonal focaccia made on the farm, with a selection of olive oils and herbs from the farm. Donuts are available while supplies last. And, of course, Holidays Along the Farm Trails runs Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 23.

Gold Ridge Organic Farms, 3387 Canfield Rd., Sebastopol. 707.823.3110. goldridgeorganicfarms.com.

Raven Players present ‘Betty and Edith and Sue’

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Raven Players present ‘Betty and Edith and Sue’

Shepherding a play from an idea to a fully-staged production is a long and sometimes arduous process. It’s also a bit of a financial risk for theaters because audiences tend to want to see things they know. Any theater that’s willing to stage new works should be commended and supported.

The Raven Players’ effort to bring resident playwright Tony Sciullo’s Betty and Edith and Sue from their ScriptTease New Works series to a fully staged production is no exception. The show, directed by Neva Hutchinson, runs in Healdsburg through Nov. 19.

The script is an enjoyable, if somewhat predictable, story about three Italian-American godsisters and lifelong friends. Set in Pittsburgh, PA, it centers around the women’s relationship with their godmother and how that relationship influences their lives and the lives of their daughters. The action alternates between the early 1960s and modern times. Think of it as the Italian-American version of The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood.

What the set by Jenny Brazell lacks in storytelling ability is made up for in the use of projections designed by artistic director Steven David Martin. It is rare to see projections used effectively and appropriately, and Martin has done both with this show.

The costumes by Jeanine Gray were somewhat handicapped by required quick character changes. When allowed to costume a character fully, such as Crystal Wilson’s “Young Betty,” the costumes were stunning. But quick change-induced oddities like an E.R. doctor in a pair of heels somewhat lessened Gray’s effective contribution.

A good script, a talented technical team and actors who can do a role justice are not always enough to mount a successful production. Sciullo’s script deserved better direction. After casting, timing is arguably a director’s most important job. Timing, as they say, is everything, and this show lacks it. Poor timing can lead to many issues, such as an inability to build chemistry, make consistent character choices or be fully present in the moment. Compounding the issue of timing was the inability to hear half the cast.

Directing is hard, stressful and exhausting. One must always be focused on the big picture and the nuances. Directing oneself, as Hutchinson does here, creates a conflict of interest which rarely works and, disappointingly, in this case it does not.

Like all new works, this script deserves a fighting chance, and it’s hard to win a fight without a dedicated leader.

‘Betty and Edith and Sue’ runs through Nov. 19 at the Raven Performing Arts Theater, 115 North St., Healdsburg. Thursday–Saturday, 7:30 pm; Sunday, 2 pm. $10–$25. 707.433.6335. raventheater.org.

Well Framed: Visiting the Napa Valley’s Setting Inn

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Well Framed: Visiting the Napa Valley’s Setting Inn

I am a sucker for conceptual art. Draw a mustache on the Mona Lisa or sign a pseudonym onto a men’s room fixture (looking at you, Duchamp), and I’m there for it.

This is why Napa Valley’s The Setting Inn made such an immediate (and joyfully abstract) impression on me. It starts with a frame—an empty picture frame, to be precise, which is the leitmotif of the venture’s branding.

From wine labels to the Instagrammable outside edifice—a massive picture frame where one can frame oneself in a selfie—the frame, by virtue of its emptiness, contains everything.

And yes, I read like an art school dropout who drank too much wine—you caught me. But I’m also someone who appreciates understated luxury, clean lines and thoughtful design. If you do as well, this historic boutique hotel is the place for you.

It starts with the location. Though technically Yountville, the inn is situated off Highway 29 (the valley’s main drag), equidistant from most local attractions. That is to say, guests feel like they’re visiting the platonic ideal of Napa Valley, in addition to being in one of the finest burgs that makes up the area.

Realized from a rebuilt 1901 farmhouse, The Setting Inn reopened in June 2019 after renovating and rebranding. The main building has spacious Signature Queen and Deluxe guest rooms, all with private terraces and views of the vineyards and the Mayacamas Mountains. Likewise, a two-bedroom, two-bathroom cottage is also available.

REST The rooms boast private terraces with vineyard views. Photos courtesy of The Setting Inn

Each accommodation is well-appointed with fireplaces and handsome soaking tubs, heated bathroom floors, Nespresso coffee makers (or Napa Valley Roasting Company custom blend coffee if you prefer), LATHER Bath amenities, and robes and slippers. Did I mention the Bouchon Bakery pastries that are delivered to your door each morning? And, of course, the interior decor boasts at least one wall with a signature empty frame.

Other amenities include complimentary on-site parking, WiFi, a boutique-sized fitness center replete with Peloton bike, lawn games and electric bicycles for cruising the bike paths that run parallel to the frontage roads lining the highway and transverse the valley.

The highlight of a recent stay was an evening experiencing pure Napa Valley hospitality—a private tasting in “The Barn,” a hip, on-site tasting room that trades pretense for casual comfort.

Naturally, The Setting Wines portfolio is superb—a pantheon of beautifully crafted Bordeaux-style wines by acclaimed winemaker Jesse Katz, including high-scoring cabernet sauvignons (as one might expect from Napa), as well as finely-hewn pinot noir and chardonnay and sauvignon blanc offerings.

In short, The Setting Inn is serene, pastoral and private. It invites visitors to experience Napa Valley on their terms without the crowds, lines or pressure, which makes for a restful and refreshing stay sure to improve your frame of mind.

The Setting Inn, 1205 Hillview Lane, Napa. thesettinginn.com. 707.927.3909.

Native American Heritage Month in the North Bay

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Native American Heritage Month in the North Bay

Every year, the nation spends the month of November acknowledging and honoring the Native American heritage and history intrinsically tied to the land that every United States citizen calls home.

But very few who live in modern America can trace their family roots any further back than a few centuries. And though centuries might sound like a lot of time to some, consider this context: Scientific evidence places the existence of early human settlements in what we now call California as far back as 130,000 years ago.

For further context and to help frame the timeline of Native American civilization, consider Christopher Columbus, who infamously sailed the ocean blue in 1492…only 531 years ago. That math implies that, for nearly 129,500 years, through ice ages and evolution and the discovery of agriculture itself, the original inhabitants of the Americas lived (almost entirely) uninterrupted.

Until, of course, (audacious and entitled) European explorers brought disease and genocide to the shores of these United States.

In the North Bay, all across the sweeping hills and valleys, along the riverbanks and up and down every part of the abundant California coast, it is impossible to take a step in any direction without following in the footsteps of those who lived here long before Europeans even knew of the concept of a “new world.” Which was actually an old, nigh ancient and already well-established landscape of complex, ever-changing and evolving civilizations.

The counties of Marin, Napa and Sonoma boast a rich history of Native American heritage. And, in that, the North Bay bears the burden of having played a critical role in the events that led up to the cruel eradication of an entire group of people. And it all began when privateer, Sir Francis Drake, first landed in Point Reyes in 1579 at the behest of Queen Elizabeth I—there he was met with the Coastal Miwok, and the rest is history.

But in recent years, small changes to incrementally improve the circumstances of Indigenous Americans have come, especially since the establishment of November as Native American Heritage Month, as well as the reparative efforts for and of the remaining representatives of the first people of this place north of the Golden Gate. But these changes are slow to come and can never truly encompass or compensate for the effects of European exploration and colonization.

This November, the North Bay has some opportunities in store for those who want to learn about and experience what life looked like as a Native American, both throughout history and through the lens of the remaining few true Indigenous individuals from this area.

One such opportunity is none other than the grand reopening of Marin’s Museum of the American Indian, which temporarily closed its doors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The president and chair of the board of directors for the Museum of the American Indian, Dean Hoaglin, Tamal’ko Coast Miwok, wrote in the press release for the museum’s grand re-opening:

“We are committed to revitalizing our cultural space, restoring it to its full glory, and bringing back the heart and soul of our institution. And we invite you to play a pivotal role in this inspiring journey. Your donations will directly fund exciting enhancements, such as interactive exhibits, captivating displays, and educational programs that will leave a lasting impact on our visitors. Your commitment to our cause will enable us to preserve and celebrate history, culture, and art in an even more remarkable way.”

In honor of November being Native American Heritage month, the Museum of the American Indian in Marin has officially announced its impending re-opening, which is set to take place in early 2024. There, curious individuals can come alone or with family, friends or fellow classmates to experience carefully curated, rotating exhibits showcasing collections of artistic works, highlighting the culture and creative skillset of Novato’s early Native American inhabitants.

Alongside art exhibits, the Museum of the American Indian also provides opportunities for education through programs that include lessons about local tribes’ history, identity and knowledge of the ecological systems around them. The museum also hosts events all year round, with opportunities to attend lectures, readings, workshops and cultural events.

The Museum of the American Indian is an excellent venue to visit for those who want to know more about not only the Native American heritage and history of the North Bay, but also for those who wish to join in celebrating the preservation of creativity, tradition and a continued spirit of community support that can still be found in the North Bay to this day.

Although it is located in Novato at 2200 Novato Blvd., it is asked that all mail be sent to their PO Box 864, also in Novato. For more information about the Museum of the American Indian and its mission or to provide support in the form of a donation, visit the website at marinindian.com or call 415.897.4064.

Alongside the news of Marin’s museum re-opening, the North Bay’s Native American Heritage Month has equally exciting events across the culturally diverse cities that comprise Sonoma and Napa as well. The Sonoma County Library, for instance, has excellent resources to learn more about Native American Heritage Month. Visit the library website at sonomalibrary.org/index.php/stayinformed/librarynews/nativeamerican to learn more.

Another example can be found in Petaluma, which made historical waves on Veteran’s Day weekend by combining the annual Veteran’s Day Parade with the inclusion of Native American representatives in a tradition that has held firm since 1991. In order to show support of America’s veterans as well as represent the Native American veterans, the American Indian Preservation Fund (AIPF) annually joins the Petaluma parade and marches with a ceremonial redwood dugout canoe (or two).

“Native American veterans from Oregon and Nevada are joining us,” said chairperson of the AIPF and U.S. Marine, Terrance “Chitcus” Brown, in his press release. “From California, they’re coming in from Susanville, Sacramento, and San Jose to march in honor of those that served and those that are serving today. God Bless our Veterans. Blessings for ALL that have lost loved ones. We march to Honor those that have fallen on foreign soil. We Pray for those MIA, POWs, and Agent Orange Veterans who have been abandoned,” Brown continued.

So, whether or not it is the month of November, remember to consider the impact of the Native American heritage all along the idyllic coastal landscape of today’s North Bay. And, when possible, make it a priority to learn about, support and preserve the legacy of California’s first people.

Flavorful Finds at Falafel Hut

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Flavorful Finds at Falafel Hut

But what a beginning. One bite and I knew it was probably the best falafel I had ever eaten. Perfectly crispy on the outside and light as the proverbial feather on the inside, laced with green from an abundance of herbs.

Of course I dunked it in the accompanying tahini and hot sauce, but it would have been flavorful and delicious on its own.

Fresh bright flavor is the keynote of the food at the Falafel Hut on Santa Rosa’s Fourth Street. After eating the falafel, and then discovering the owners of the restaurant were from Gaza, I had to return to taste everything and talk with them about their homeland.

As I approached the restaurant for my return trip a few days later, I saw a friend lunching on the outdoor patio. We exchanged greetings and she commented, “This mint lemonade is just like in Palestine.” And her companion said, “You’ve only eaten the falafel? An adventure awaits you.”

And he was right. When I announced to the young man waiting on tables, Mohammed al Shawwa, he brought an assortment of little dishes filled with appetizers—hummus, baba ganoush, dolmas, olives, little pickles and bits of fuchsia-colored turnip, yogurt with mint, cucumber and garlic, falafel and tabbouleh.

The baba ganoush is a standout, so smokey wonderful that I wanted to lick the plate clean.

“We make 95% of the food here, fresh every day,” al Shawwa said, noting that he and his father, Asem, begin their prep at 7am. “Even the baklava and other desserts. We only purchase the nut and chocolate-covered halvah,” he added.

While I ate my way through the appetizers, al Shawwa waited on dining-in and take-out customers with lightning speed. When I asked for more things to sample, he brought me an assortment of kebabs on yellow rice, the most delicious of which was kefta kebab, ground lamb and beef, tender and permeated with spices. There was also a large salad, full of various vegetables, chickpeas, olives and mint, and dressed simply with olive oil and lemon juice.

Once the lunch rush was over, al Shawwa sat down with me and we talked over little cups of Turkish coffee. I learned that his father, Asem, had immigrated to the U.S. in 2016 and began working at the original Falafel Hut in San Rafael, which is owned by Mohammed al Shawwa’s uncle. Two years ago, Asem al Shawwa opened the Santa Rosa spin-off. And then Mohammed al Shawwa, his mother and his four sisters and brothers were able to leave Gaza just weeks before the war erupted.

“It was the hardest thing I ever tried in my life,” he said.

First the family had to get permits to enter Israel, where they could possibly obtain visas to leave Gaza for America. Things went smoothly for all of them except Mohammed al Shawwa, who wasn’t able to get his Jerusalem permit until the morning they were scheduled to leave. Finally, at about 5am, he got a text saying he could enter Jerusalem, where he received a visa.

That day, they left Palestine through the Egyptian border crossing, traveled from there to Turkey and eventually reached Sonoma County. Although their entire family is now safely back together, they left behind many relatives—uncles, aunts and cousins. For 10 days, they lost contact with family back in Gaza, during which time his uncle’s apartment in an upscale neighborhood of Gaza City was reduced to rubble. Now that they are once again able to communicate, they have learned that their displaced relatives are still alive in southern Gaza.

So life goes on, and Mohammed al Shawwa cheerfully greets a stream of customers who appear to return again and again. The menu is extensive and varied—lamb or chicken shawarma served in pita bread or as entrees, house-made beverages, soft drinks, a small selection of wines by the glass or bottle and much more. As my friend’s dining partner said, “An adventure awaits you.”

Falafel Hut is located at 701 4th St., Santa Rosa, and 1115 4th St., San Rafael. For more information, visit falafel hut.co.

M.F.K. Fisher Doc at Rialto

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M.F.K. Fisher Doc at Rialto
Sebastopol

Celebrate Living

“There might be one lamb chop left. It would not be good by noon. I would eat it cold for a secret breakfast, with a glass of red wine, after the family had scattered.” So was the world of venerated 20th century food writer M.F.K. Fisher. The new documentary film, The Art of Eating: The Life of M.F.K. Fisher, explores the thrilling life of the California native who elevated food writing to fine art. Special event screens at 4pm and 6:30pm, Wednesday, Nov. 15. Rialto Cinemas Sebastopol, 6868 McKinley St. Post film discussion with Sonoma County food writer Michelle Anna Jordan, director Greg Bezat and producer Gary Meyer. $15.

Occidental

Write Bravely

Sonoma County poet laureate Elizabeth C. Herron will be hosting a poetry workshop called “Being Brave” in Occidental. The workshop pays special “attention to acceptance and affirmation” as Herron facilitates community through a series of exercises in the rawest of creative acts, putting one’s own words out into the world. The workshop is inspired by—and a vital part of—the current era’s growing awareness of poetry and its power. Two and a half hours, the workshop is ideal for those who have written little or no poetry before. 1pm, Sunday, Nov. 19. Occidental Center for the Arts, 3850 Doris Murphy Ct. Advance reservations required. occidentalcenterforthearts.org/upcoming-events.

 
Petaluma

Scrumptious Holidays

First dreamed up as a way to support local producers after the fires of 2017 by the community-minded Barber Cellars, the Petaluma Holiday Food Fair has become a new tradition anchored the way all beloved traditions are, in food. There is no shortage of it in Sonoma County. Vendors will be offering food and beverages for purchase in the courtyard of the Hotel Petaluma. Required free tickets in half-hour increments to reduce lines. Kids do not require tickets, and Santa will be on site for photos. 3:30 to 7:30pm, Tuesday, Nov. 21. Hotel Petaluma, 205 Kentucky St. Reserve spot at holidayfoodfair.com.

 
Point Reyes

Opening to Art

Every year on Thanksgiving weekend, local artists in Point Reyes Station, Inverness Park, Inverness, Olema and Marshall open their studios to the public. The featured artists include ceramicists, photographers, sculptors in stone and wood, painters, printmakers, fiber artists, glass artists, jewelry-makers and more. Created by the Point Reyes Open Studios Group as a way to feature the distinct art of west Marin, the biannual Point Reyes Open Studios is bound to surprise visitors with its wide range of styles and themes. 11am to 5pm, Friday to Sunday on Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 24-26. Find studios at pointreyesart.com/map.

‘May December’

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‘May December’

In director Todd Haynes’ difficult-to-admire May December, the characters inhabit the upscale surroundings of Savannah, Georgia. And yet the dramatic atmosphere is so brittle, the personalities might as well be acting out their frustrations in a rehearsal diagram, or even on a giant chessboard.

Actor Elizabeth Berry (played by Natalie Portman) visits the comfortable home of the woman she’s scheduled to portray in a TV drama, Gracie Atherton-Yoo (Julianne Moore), with the task of preparing for the upcoming role by living with Gracie for a few days; getting to know her subject and prying into her story. It is established that Gracie is a scandalous figure. She’s the matron who, a few years earlier, dumped her husband and children after falling in love with Joe Yoo (Charles Melton), a seventh-grade schoolboy she met in a pet shop. Their ill-starred romance and ultimate marriage triggered criminal charges, plus instant froth on the covers of supermarket gossip magazines.

And now, as the hasty-looking screenplay—by writers Samy Burch (The Hunger Games) and Alex Mechanik (Ant-Man)—would have it, the nervous, easily distracted Gracie is seemingly basking in the sort of gaudy, middle-aged notoriety that pretty much guarantees a future of heartbreak and court appearances.

In other words, veteran filmmaker Haynes (Carol, Mildred Pierce, I’m Not There, The Karen Carpenter Story) is back in the dumpster again, sorting through the “celebrity” trash in search of vicarious cheap thrills with unreliable protagonists. In that respect, May December stirs up a witches’ cauldron of prurient possibilities salted with ironic laughs. But there’s not quite enough of the latter.

Haynes and his cast don’t seem to enjoy the experience. Gracie and Elizabeth’s slo-mo, would-be catfight might be better served with a more generous sprinkling of humor to decorate its grim discoveries. Instead, the two women circle each other warily, walking on eggshells while preening themselves in the nearest mirror.

Gracie attends a gardening workshop and talks endlessly about herself. Elizabeth essentially follows suit, and her wandering eye temporarily settles on poor Joe—at this stage an insecure young man who appears to have been relegated to hired-help status in Gracie’s pecking order, misplaced amid her loony entourage and content to spend his time raising Monarch butterflies. The prevailing tone is one of artificial conviviality and manufactured cable TV-style family togetherness. The net effect is airless and suffocating.

Actors Moore and Portman play types they’re very familiar with—from previous work in more inspired projects—but here with no special spark of enthusiasm, aside from Elizabeth’s subdued sexuality and Gracie’s frantic quest for emotional reinforcement. In their tight little sphere of operations, makeup qualifies as a character trait.

Meanwhile the bedraggled members of Gracie’s extended family pass in review: her horrid son Georgie (Cory Michael Smith), disappointed daughter Honor Atherton-Yoo (Piper Curda), the reticent adopted immigrant twins (Gabriel Chung, Elizabeth Yu) and Joe’s taciturn father (Kelvin Han Yee), quietly holding onto his meal ticket. Nobody at all to either cheer or feel sorry for, just a standard-brand collection of entitled hangers-on in a pathetic, ingrown environment. The added-on wrinkle concerning rumors that Gracie has had incestuous longings for family members is thankfully glossed over in a short bit of dialogue.

Audiences with an established taste for campy female-centric entertainment may be faintly reminded of Valley of the Dolls, The Big Cube or even the far reaches of Rainer Werner Fassbinder (The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant) or Fassbinder’s avatar Douglas Sirk (particularly All that Heaven Allows and Written on the Wind).

But as May December peters out, it’s inescapable that filmmaker Haynes, ordinarily a competent stylist with a flair for stressed-out heroines, went shopping for the wrong story in the wrong place. It’s hard to imagine how an audience could develop even the most casual interest in Gracie and Elizabeth’s nervous little dance. Skip May December and catch up on the John Waters catalog instead—particularly Female Trouble. 

In theaters and on Netflix.

Free Will Astrology: Week of November 15

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Free Will Astrology: Week of November 15

ARIES (March 21-April 19): In accordance with astrological omens, I would love you to experiment with blending the sacred and mundane. Bring your deep self into the daily routine and imbue ordinary rhythms with tender care. Here are a few fun rituals to get you in the groove: 1. Say prayers or chant ecstatic poems while you’re shopping. 2. Build a shrine in a parking lot. 3. Stir up an inspired epiphany while doing housework. 4. If you find yourself in a confusing or awkward situation, dance like a holy person to conjure a blessing. 5. Commune with the Divine Creator during crazy-good sex.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): I’ve met many people who feel their love lives are jinxed. Often, they believe this nonsense because a creepy fortune-teller declared they will forever be denied a satisfying intimate relationship. I hate that! Any astrologer who delivers such crippling bewitchments should be outed as a charlatan. The good news for you, Taurus, is that you are in a grace period for all matters regarding romance, intimacy and togetherness. If you have ever worried there is a curse, obstruction or bad habit inhibiting your love life, the coming weeks will be a favorable time to free yourself from it.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Gemini comedian Drew Carey says, “If I didn’t run from my fears, I wouldn’t get any exercise at all.” Let’s discuss his approach in relation to you. After analyzing the astrological omens, I believe that as 2023 draws to a close and 2024 unfolds, you will feel less and less motivated to run from your fears. In part, that’s because you will face them with more courage and poise; they won’t have the same power over you. In addition, I suspect your fears will become objectively less scary. They will be less likely to come to pass. More and more, your fine mind will see how they trick you into imagining they’re more threatening than they truly are. Congratulations in advance, Gemini!

CANCER (June 21-July 22): I would love to see you intensify your devotion to your masterpiece—however you understand “masterpiece.” It could be a work of art or an innovation in your job or business. It could be a new baby, an adopted pet, a redefinition of what family means or an invigorated community. Might even be a beautiful alliance or enhanced connection with the divine or a refinement of the best gift you give the world. Life will conspire to help you in unexpected ways during the coming months if you rededicate yourself to this treasure.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Dear Sun, our one and only star: We love you and appreciate you! It’s amazing that you consume five million tons of yourself every second to generate the colossal energy you send in our direction. Thank you, beloved Sun! Is it OK with you if we think of you as a god? You are a superpowered genius of nourishment! And by the way, do you know who adores you the best? I’ll tell you: the Leo people here on Earth. They comprehend your grandeur and majesty better than anyone else. Would you consider giving them extra rewards in the coming weeks? They need and deserve a massive delivery of your bounty. Please fill them up with even more charisma, personal magnetism, vitality and generosity of spirit than usual. I promise they will use it wisely.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Virgo musician and actor Shirley Manson has a message for you. She testifies, “I say embrace the total geek in yourself and just enjoy it. Life is too short to be cool.” This will be especially helpful and inspirational counsel for you in the coming months, dear Virgo. The wish to appear chic or trendy or hip should be so far down on your list of priorities that it drops off the list entirely. Your assignment is to be passionately devoted to your deepest truths, unique desires and imaginative experiments. 

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): If you’re given a choice to advocate for either a dull, mediocre truth or a beautiful, invigorating truth, give your love to the latter. If you wonder whether you should ask a polite question that engenders harmony or a provocative question that pries loose agendas that have been half hidden, opt for the latter. If you feel nostalgic about an old tradition that stirs up little passion or fresh insight, let it go. Instead, dream up a new tradition that moves you emotionally and excites your mind.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Icelandic singer Bjork is a triple Scorpio, with sun, moon and ascendant in your sign. Neptune is there, too, giving her even more Scorpionic intensity. It’s not surprising that she describes her daily practice like this: “I have to re-create the universe every morning when I wake up and kill it in the evening.” In another quote, she places greater emphasis on the rebirth: “To wake up in the morning and actually find the day exciting is the biggest victory you can have.” In accordance with current astrological omens, I invite you to exalt and celebrate the post-resurrection aspects of your life’s work. It’s time for you to shine and sparkle and shimmer and bedazzle.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): At the risk of sounding melodramatic, I prophesy that what has been lost will be found. What was last may not catapult all the way into the first spot, but it might—and will at least be close to the first. Here are more zingers for you as you move into the climactic stages of the Season of Turnarounds and Switcheroos: A difficult test will boost your intelligence; a rut will be disrupted, freeing you to find a smooth new groove; an unsettling twist will ultimately bring you delightful support. To get the best out of the upcoming challenges, Sagittarius, welcome them as opportunities to expand your understanding of how the world works.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Many cultures throughout history have staged rites of passage to mark the transformation from childhood to puberty. In ancient Greece, for example, kids formally relinquished their toys, symbolizing the intention to move into a new phase of their destinies. In accordance with astrological omens, I want to tweak this custom for your use, Capricorn. I propose that you embrace your second childhood. Fantasize about how you might refurbish your innocence, curiosity, playfulness and spontaneous joy. Then select an object that embodies a burdensome or unpleasant aspect of adulthood. Discard it. Find an object that signifies the fresh young spirit you’d like to awaken within you. Kiss it, sing to it and keep it in a prominent place.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): For advice about money, I talk with a banker who sometimes analyzes financial trends using Tarot cards. To keep abreast of politics on the ground level, I consult with a courtesan who has a Ph.D. in political science and cultivates intimate relations with governmental leaders. For guidance about rowdy ethics and etiquette, I seek input from an activist singer in an all-women punk band. How about you, Aquarius? Now is a favorable time to take an inventory of your posse of teachers, helpers and counselors. Make sure it’s serving you well and providing maximum inspiration and support. Hot tip: It may be time to add a new facilitator or two to your entourage.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Now and then, you glide through a phase I describe as Freedom from Cosmic Compulsion. During these grace periods, fate has a reduced role in shaping your destiny. Your past doesn’t have its typical power to limit you or entrance you. According to my astrological analysis, you are now enjoying such a chapter. That’s why I predict that an infertile status quo will soon crumble. A boring, inflexible rule will become irrelevant. These and other breakthrough developments will give you extra leeway to innovate and invent. You will have a big, bright emptiness to work and play around in.

Homework: My new book, Astrology Is Real, is available: https://bit.ly/AstrologyReal.

Merry Music: Holiday Album Guide

As the temperatures begin to drop, holiday albums start landing, and 2023 has brought its share of these releases. Here are some choices from this year’s arrivals. Cher: Christmas – Cher’s first-ever holiday album, not surprisingly, touches plenty of stylistic bases. There’s modern dance-pop (“Angels In The Snow”); Motown/soul/pop on “Christmas, Baby Please Come Home (with Darlene Love, who sang...
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Your Letters, Nov. 22

Congress Mess Until recently, Congress was the laughing stock of American democracy. That honor has been transferred to the Supreme Court, which has recently chosen to rebuild its image of corruption and favoritism with a new internally developed code of ethics and conduct. Sorry, boys and girls, it will take a generation or more to overcome such a monumental lack of...
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Olio Nuovo: Gold Ridge Organic Farms

Each year, olive oil lovers worldwide eagerly await that special first taste of olio nuovo, or new olive oil, from the new harvest. What’s so special about olio nuovo? Immediately after harvest, new oils are at their absolute freshest, spiciest, highest polyphenol levels and even more brilliantly hued. The sediments in olio nuovo—fresh from the press—haven’t yet had the time...
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Raven Players present ‘Betty and Edith and Sue’

Shepherding a play from an idea to a fully-staged production is a long and sometimes arduous process. It’s also a bit of a financial risk for theaters because audiences tend to want to see things they know. Any theater that’s willing to stage new works should be commended and supported. The Raven Players’ effort to bring resident playwright Tony Sciullo’s...
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Well Framed: Visiting the Napa Valley’s Setting Inn

I am a sucker for conceptual art. Draw a mustache on the Mona Lisa or sign a pseudonym onto a men’s room fixture (looking at you, Duchamp), and I'm there for it. This is why Napa Valley’s The Setting Inn made such an immediate (and joyfully abstract) impression on me. It starts with a frame—an empty picture frame, to be...
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Native American Heritage Month in the North Bay

Every year, the nation spends the month of November acknowledging and honoring the Native American heritage and history intrinsically tied to the land that every United States citizen calls home. But very few who live in modern America can trace their family roots any further back than a few centuries. And though centuries might sound like a lot of time...
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Flavorful Finds at Falafel Hut

But what a beginning. One bite and I knew it was probably the best falafel I had ever eaten. Perfectly crispy on the outside and light as the proverbial feather on the inside, laced with green from an abundance of herbs. Of course I dunked it in the accompanying tahini and hot sauce, but it would have been flavorful and...
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M.F.K. Fisher Doc at Rialto

Sebastopol Celebrate Living “There might be one lamb chop left. It would not be good by noon. I would eat it cold for a secret breakfast, with a glass of red wine, after the family had scattered.” So was the world of venerated 20th century food writer M.F.K. Fisher. The new documentary film, The Art of Eating: The Life of M.F.K....
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‘May December’

'May December'
In director Todd Haynes’ difficult-to-admire May December, the characters inhabit the upscale surroundings of Savannah, Georgia. And yet the dramatic atmosphere is so brittle, the personalities might as well be acting out their frustrations in a rehearsal diagram, or even on a giant chessboard. Actor Elizabeth Berry (played by Natalie Portman) visits the comfortable home of the woman she’s scheduled...
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Free Will Astrology: Week of November 15

Free Will Astrology: Week of November 15
ARIES (March 21-April 19): In accordance with astrological omens, I would love you to experiment with blending the sacred and mundane. Bring your deep self into the daily routine and imbue ordinary rhythms with tender care. Here are a few fun rituals to get you in the groove: 1. Say prayers or chant ecstatic poems while you’re shopping. 2....
Read more
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