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Kids’ Stuff

How to keep the kids busy this summer

SUMMER VACATION is heaven on earth for kids, a chance to shuck all the haste and toil of the school year. But for parents, hey, it’s time to get to work. Sure, you could just let the kiddies settle back into a regimen of sleeping in late, playing video games, and chatting on the phone with their friends. Or you could direct their activities with much-needed outdoor recreation and mental stimulation through field trips, classes, and workshops. But make it fun. Here are a few regional resources that can help:

Sonoma County

Amateur Boxing Ongoing classes for kids 8 and over, developing basic skills to compete in Golden and Silver Gloves. Sonoma County Martial Arts and Community Boxing Center, 5675 Redwood Drive, Rohnert Park. $25 yearly insurance. 707/584-3812.

Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve Wildlands cover 5,000 acres, including 1,000-year-old redwoods. Hiking, picnicking, camping. North of Guerneville on Armstrong Woods Road off Hwy. 116. 707/869-2015.

Crane Creek Regional Park Horseback riding, picnicking, and hiking for toddlers and young children. Pressley Road near end of Roberts Road, 2 miles east of Petaluma Hill Road near Rohnert Park. 707/527-2041.

Creation Conservatory Studio Be Theater offers a full schedule of spring and summer classes for youth in vocal improv, tumbling, modern dance, playwriting, solo performance, story theater, and other forms of creative expression. Studio Be Theater, 206 W Fifth St., Santa Rosa. Fees and course dates vary; call for schedule of classes. 707/569-8206.

Pacific Coast Air Museum Planes from various periods in U.S. history. Weekends, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sonoma County Airport, 6 miles northwest of Santa Rosa. $3 donation. 707/575-7900.

Pizza, Pop, & Paperbacks Teen book discussion groups for grades 7-12. Sonoma County Library, Third and E streets, Santa Rosa. Free. 707/545-0831.

Sonoma Depot Museum Historic site transports you back to early days of Northern California with Bear Flag revolt exhibit, historic library, and tours. Wednesdays-Sundays, 1 to 4:30 p.m. 270 First St. W., Sonoma. Free. 707/938-1762.

Summer Arts for Youth Intensive performing arts training in acting, dancing, and singing for ages 14-17. Through July 29, Mondays-Fridays, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. SSU, 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. Call for prices. 707/664-2474.

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Camping, horse trails, and 20 miles of trails along headwaters of Sonoma Creek. Public viewing at Ferguson Observatory. 2605 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood. 707/833-5712.

Train Town Scenic miniature railroad runs through 10 acres of trees, animals, bridges, waterfalls, and historic replicas. Trips take 20 minutes. Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 20264 Broadway, Sonoma (Hwy. 12, 1 mile south of plaza). $3.50 for adults; $2.50 for children and seniors. 707/939-3912.

Marin County

Bay Area Discovery Museum Events and activities intended to delight curious kids. Through Sept. 2, Summer of Oz commemorates 100th anniversay of children’s book The Wizard of Oz; kids will be able to reconstuct Emerald City, create rainbows, make lion, tiger, and bear masks, and blow Glinda’s magic bubbles. July 21, at noon and 1 p.m., Symphonic Musical World of Oz. Fort Baker, 557 McReynolds Road, Sausalito. $13/person includes museum admission and Summer of Oz events. 415/487-4398.

Point Reyes National Seashore State park offers lectures by nature experts. Pt. Reyes Station. 415/663-1155.

Shakespeare Classes Marin Shakespeare Company offers affordable fun summer classes for students of all ages who want to perform and study Shakespearean theater. Through August. Call for complete schedule, locations, and prices. 415/499-4487.

Napa County

Petrified Forest Giant trees turned to stone. Museum, gift shop, and picnic area. Daily, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 4100 Petrified Forest Road, Calistoga. 707/942-6667.

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From the July 19-25, 2001 issue of the Northern California Bohemian.

© Metro Publishing Inc.

[ Insider’s Guide Index ]

Out & About

Where to get help with your outdoor recreational needs

WE’VE GOT SUN. We’ve got surf. And you can’t swing a fanny pack around here without hitting a climbing wall or a bike path. Yep, the North Bay just might be the best place in America for people who like to spend their free time zipping up a trail in hiking boots, rolling down a mountain on a bike, or floating over a great white shark in a flimsy little kayak. Are you looking to jump into the action? Want to meet other folks who have a similar interest in the outdoors? Get started by hooking up with one of the North Bay organizations listed below.

Sonoma County

Burke’s Russian River Canoe Trips
Spend a lazy day paddling along the Russian River. 707/887-1222

Madrone Audubon Society
Knowledgeable birdwatchers take you on tour. 707/795-7547 or 707/578-8835.

Lokahi Outrigger Canoe Club
This outrigger canoe club is based out of the Petaluma Marina. http://lokahi.iwarp.com/

Just Add Water, Sonoma (JAWS)
Low-key Santa Rosa-based dive club holds regular meetings and monthly club dives. www.svn.net/jaws

North Bay Rowing Club
Petaluma-based club offers lessons, guidance, equipment sharing, and boat partners. 707/769-2003

Empire Runners
Runners of all skill levels can hook up with partners. www.empirerunners.org

Landpaths
Organization offers guided hikes and bike trips through local open-space areas. 707/524-9318 or www.landpaths.org.

Santa Rosa Cycling Club
Discover the joys of group rides and cycling advocacy. 707/544-4803

Sequoia Paddling Club
Take to the water with other boaters. 707/887-0303

Marin County

Sierra Club Marin
Regional club takes on hikes of all skill levels. 415/472-2532.

Marin Cyclists
Club organizes group rides and other activities. 415/721-4337 or www.marincyclists.com

Tamalpa Running Club
All ages and skill levels are welcome. (415) 721-3791 or www.tamalparunners.org

Women’s Mountain Bike & Tea Society (WOMBATS)
Fairfax-based network of women who ride in the dirt. 415/459-0980 or www.wombats.org

Napa County

Land Trust of Napa County
This 25-year-old organization organizes hikes and other outdoor activities. 707/252-3270 or Napalandtrust.org

Napa County Landmarks
History buffs host walking tour through Napa Valley’s scenic landmarks. 707/255-1836

North Bay & Beyond

Bay Area Orienteering Club
Learn the art and science of navigating through the woods. 415/383-4429.

Greenbelt Outings
The Greenbelt Alliance organizes outings to Bay Area natural treasures. 415/255-3233.

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From the July 19-25, 2001 issue of the Northern California Bohemian.

© Metro Publishing Inc.

[ Insider’s Guide Index ]

Mystery Spot

Where to get free physics lessons and good country drive

THERE’S no telling how many thousands of people have been seriously freaked out while driving the back roads of Cotati. And we’re not talking about the ’60s, when chemically altered individuals would go watch the Technicolor sunsets melt over the Petaluma hills.

We’re talking about Gravity Hill.

An eerie optical illusion masquerading as a supernatural anomaly, Gravity Hill is found along Lichau Road, just east of Rohnert Park. Put simply, its a place where cars, balls, and other spherical objects roll . . . or at least appear to roll . . . uphill. “We used to go up there in high school,” recalls my brilliant and insightful wife, Susan Panttaja. Now a highly educated geologist, Susan grew up in Rohnert Park, where, face it, back in the ’70s there just wasn’t much else to do on a long summer night, unless folksinger Kate Wolf happened to be playing at the Inn of the Beginning. “So my friends and I would all drive up to Lichau Road in Brian’s Datsun 2000 roadster,” Susan says. “When we got there, we’d play Dan Fogelberg tapes.” Say, that is eerie.

Once up there, of course, they would perform complicated experiments, testing the gravitational forces that would cause something like Brian’s Datsun 2000 Roadster to coast uphill backwards. Actually, not. “Once you do Gravity Hill a few times, there’s no reason to do it again unless you’re a guy trying to impress girls,” she says. “We went up there because it’s really beautiful and open and you get a good view of the lights of Petaluma.”

But seriously now, what causes the quirkiness of a gravity hill?

“Well, it is an optical illusion,” she says. “An accident of topography. The lines of the hills–and the fact that you have been driving uphill–give you the impression, once the grade becomes gentler, that you are now on a downhill grade. If you put your car in neutral and take off the brake, you will appear to be rolling back up the hill. Basically, a gravity hill is an uphill grade that looks like a downhill grade.”

Test-drive it yourself. Take Petaluma Hill Road to Roberts Road, turn right, proceed to Lichau Road, and turn right again. Travel 2.4 miles. The stone gate on your right, with the wrought-iron sign proclaiming Gracias Santonio, marks the spot. Just past the cattle grate on Lichau, you’ll see what appears to be a slight decline; drive to the middle of it, watch for oncoming traffic, and let the good times roll. Dan Fogelberg tapes are optional.–D.T.

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From the July 19-25, 2001 issue of the Northern California Bohemian.

© Metro Publishing Inc.

[ Insider’s Guide Index ]

Good Morning, Sunshine

Where to find a great breakfast

PULL UP a cracked red vinyl topped stool at the well-worn counter, unfurl that paper napkin twirled round the (slightly) greasy spoons, sip a steaming cuppa joe, and listen up. Nothing is more all-American than those breakfast dinettes of years past. You know, the type of cozy, sunny place where they flip a short stack of fresh blueberry pancakes and dish out sizzlin’ chicken-apple sausages and warm homemade biscuits, with lashings of strong, hot coffee to wash it all down. Where they bring it all to you in a plastic booth, or slide it over the silvery counter. Whether it’s gourmet-inspired fare like pan-fried trout glistening fresh from Idaho, or crab-cake Benedict with herb-flecked hash browns, or simply two over-easy eggs fresh from the barnyard, followed by a slice of homemade apple cobbler, breakfast is big. Everyone goes for it. From the frenzied folks kick-starting their day with a power breakfast to the drowsy-eyed mellow ones kicking back to linger over the morning newspaper. Homey neighborhood breakfast rooms continue to pack ’em in. And no wonder–just look at some of the goods on offer: puffy French toast drenched in warm maple syrup, steaming bowls of love (a.k.a. oatmeal with brown sugar, cinnamon, and raisins), short stacks of pancakes and crispy bacon, and egg yolks and orange juice as bright and cheerful as morning sunlight.

Let’s face it, a good breakfast can make the even the most pessimistic become a little more upbeat. Hey, the coffee mug is never allowed to get more than half empty. Below is a partial list of informal, North Bay best breakfasts bets.–P.H.

Sonoma County

Mac’s Delicatessen
630 Fourth St.
Santa Rosa
707/545-3785

Center City Diner
107 Petaluma Blvd. N.
Petaluma
707/766-9232

Eggs & Company
108 Calistoga Road
Santa Rosa
707/538-7937

Hallie’s Diner
125 Keller St.
Petaluma
707/733-1143

Hank’s Creekside
2800 Fourth St.
Santa Rosa
707/575-8839

Howard Station Cafe
3611 Bohemian Hwy.
Occidental
707/874-2838

Marvin’s on the Boulevard
317 Petaluma Blvd. S.
Petaluma
707/765-2808

New Marvin’s Restaurant
145 Kentucky St.
Petaluma
707/765-2371

Omelette Express
112 Fourth St.
Santa Rosa
707/525-1690

Owl Cafe
465 S. Cloverdale Blvd.
Cloverdale
707/894-8967

Pearl’s Homestyle Cooking
561 Fifth St.
Sonoma
707/996-1783

Tea Room Cafe
316 Western Ave.
Petaluma
707/765-0199

Three Cook’s Cafe
841 Petaluma Blvd. N.
Petaluma
707/762-9886

Two Niner Diner
Petaluma Airport,
561-Sky Ranch Drive
Petaluma
707/765-2900

Marin County
Bridgeway Cafe
633 Bridgeway
Sausalito
415/332-3426

Bubba’s Diner
566 San Anselmo Ave.
San Anselmo
415/459-6862

Golden Egg
Omelet House
807 Grant Ave.
Novato
415/897-7707

Mama’s Royal Cafe
393 Miller Ave.
Mill Valley
415/388-3261

Pine Cone Diner
60 Fourth St.
Point Reyes Station
415/663-1536

Station House Cafe
11180 State Route 1
Point Reyes Station
415/663-1515

Napa County

The Diner
6476 Washington St.,
Yountville
707/944-2626

Gail’s Cafe
1347 Main St.
St. Helena
707/963-3332

The Spot Restaurant
587 S. St. Helena Hwy.
St. Helena
707/963-2844

[ Insider’s Guide Index | ]

From the July 19-25, 2001 issue of the Northern California Bohemian.

© Metro Publishing Inc.

[ Insider’s Guide Index ]

Where to turn for pet-care help

WHEN IT COMES to animals, Americans are a strange and schizophrenic bunch. On the one hand, we spend many millions of hard-earned bucks on pet food and chew toys. We buy raincoats for our dogs, put horses in our wills, and own cats instead of having children. On the other hand, sometimes we’re downright beastly to the poor critters. For instance, some 15 million unwanted dogs and cats are euthanized at animal shelters around the country every year.

But let’s be fair: taking good care of animals ain’t always easy. What if you want to spay or neuter your dog, but your bank account doesn’t measure up to your good intentions? What if your beloved Bowser won’t stop barking? Where should you turn if Garfield suddenly goes missing? And the situation gets only more complicated when wild animals enter our lives: what the hell can you do if raccoons invade your yard?

If these questions have your leash in a tangle, you can relax. North Bay residents have an almost unmatched set of resources to help them with animal-care issues. Low-cost spay-neuter programs, lost-pet websites, full-service humane organizations: we’ve got them all.–P.S.

Sonoma County

Humane Society of Sonoma County
5345 Hwy. 12 W., Santa Rosa
Main number: 707/542-0882
Spay/Neuter Assistance Program: 707/526-5312
www.sonomahumane.org
In addition to sheltering homeless animals, this nonprofit organization offers a low-cost spay/neuter program and free veterinary support for animals whose owners have AIDS.

Sonoma County Animal Shelter
1247 Century Court, Santa Rosa
Main number: 707/565-7100
Lost and found: 707/565-7104
www.theanimalshelter.org
This county-run animal shelter provides online photos of adoptable animals and some limited help with veterinary care.

Pets Lifeline Animal Shelter
19686 Eighth St. E., Sonoma
707/996-4577
A private, nonprofit animal shelter, it offers everything from free ID tags and low-cost microchipping identification services to free pet food for low-income families.

Petaluma Animal Services
840 Hopper St., Petaluma
Main number: 707/778-4396
Spay/neuter coupon program: 707/776-4994
www.petalumaanimalshelter.org
This city-run animal shelter offers spay-neuter discount coupons, as well as online tips on animal behavior and a list of local dog parks.

Mylostpet.com
Charging only a small fee for Sonoma County residents, this website posts pictures and descriptions of their wayward animals. Postings are sorted by city.

Marin County

Marin Humane Society
171 Bel Marin Keys Blvd., Novato
Main number: 415/883-4621
Spay-neuter program: 415/883-4621, ext. 372
www.marin-humane.org
One of the best-funded humane societies in the known universe, the MHS offers a wide range of services, from a low-cost spay-neuter program (male cats can be fixed for a mere $10!) to an online list of local dog parks. Have a dog with some problem behaviors? The MHS animal behavior and training department offers 14 dog-training classes each week, as well as a drop-in clinic (415/883-0116). The organization’s website also offers tips on dealing humanely with problem wildlife, from raccoons to deer.

Pet Prevent-A-Care
800-3DOG-CAT
A mobile vaccination unit that comes to Marin County on a regular basis, it also offers heartworm and leukemia testing.

Napa County

Humane Society of Napa County
942 W. Imola Ave., Napa
Main phone: 707/255-8118
Spay-Neuter Clinic: 707/252-7442
http://www.napahumanesociety.org/
This organization offers low-cost spaying and neutering (just $15 to fix a cat), low-cost vaccinations, and an online photo gallery of animals in the shelter.

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From the July 19-25, 2001 issue of the Northern California Bohemian.

© Metro Publishing Inc.

[ Insider’s Guide Index ]

The Tour

Where to get a gander at great public art

ELEVEN YEARS AGO, artist Dennis Patton was unveiling his newest sculpture: an enormous iron statue of Sir Francis Drake, emaciated and grimacing, that still stands beside Sir Francis Drake Boulevard across from the Larkspur Landing Ferry Terminal. At the public celebration to honor the new installation, Patton was basking in the applause of the assembled crowd when a passing car suddenly slammed on its brakes. Leaning through the window, a man gaped incredulously at the towering 30-foot structure, yelled, “It’s ugly!” and then went screeching off into the afternoon.

“That,” exclaimed Patton, beaming with delight, “is what public art is supposed to do. You may like it or hate it. You may think it’s beautiful, or you may think it’s ugly. But art should always stop you in your tracks and force you to express your feelings about it.”

Well said. And whether we like it or not, there happens to be plenty of stop-’em-in-their-tracks art on public display throughout the North Bay. The following driving-and-walking tour includes only a smattering of these works, but it’s enough to give you a taste of what’s out there.

You might as well start with Sir Francis himself. Located in Remillard Park on East Sir Francis Drake Boulevard at Larkspur Landing, right across the street from old brick kiln that houses the Bolero Restaurant, the rust-covered Drake is a monumental monument to the famous visiting pirate. It’s very tall.

When you follow Sir Francis Drake Boulevard back under and beyond the freeway, you’ll come to the Bon Air Shopping Center in Greenbrae. There at the entrance to the parking lot is another Patton masterpiece, the Sleeping Lady. In the form of a well-endowed, very nude, metal woman, lying comfortably on her back, the controversial statue–which originally provoked cries of objection from offended passersby–is meant to represent none other than Tamalpa, the slumbering princess whose name graces Mount Tamalpais.

If you then travel north on Highway 101, you can wave at Big Pink, the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Marin Civic Center, as you pass through San Rafael on your way to the Marin Humane Society (171 Bel Marin Keys Blvd., Novato). There in the courtyard is a big stone bear. One of the North Bay’s least-disliked artworks, the Bufano-designed bear is about as cuddly as carved rock can get.

Next stop, Sonoma State University (1801 E. Cotati Blvd., Rohnert Park), where you’ll find the infamous and alarming Bacon and Eggs sculpture, a curvy, towering metallic thingamajig that resembles . . . well, bacon and eggs. Only bigger. A fiendish project of the SSU engineering department, the sculpture is much loved but equally despised and is located between Darwin and Stevenson halls.

Conclude your tour in Santa Rosa at the entrance to the Santa Rosa Mall, where you will come face to face with the Hand. The white marble sculpture is carved in the form of a massive, gently cupped hand, resting pinky-side down on the concrete, looking like the amputated extremity of some clumsy, howling giant.

People frequently pose for pictures beside the Hand, while others stop in their tracks to vociferously hurl names at it.

And that, as Dennis Patton so cleverly remarked, is exactly what public art is for.–D.T.

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From the July 19-25, 2001 issue of the Northern California Bohemian.

© Metro Publishing Inc.