Last November, I needed a video editor to produce lecture videos for an online course. So I did what one does these days. I posted the job on a global hiring platform and found Sofia, who had the visual sophistication and technical skill I needed. I gave no thought whatsoever to her location: Kyiv, Ukraine.
In January, as the headlines began to blare, I thought I’d better acknowledge the situation there. I lightly asked how the mood was. “It can’t be easy having 150,000 Russian troops staring down at you,” I wrote. She responded that people are indeed tense, but she just tries not to think about it. I didn’t mention it further, not wanting to make her think about it.
Then, on the Monday before the invasion, it seemed time to check in again. This time, she wrote of good days and bad days and trying not to panic. She had taken a survival skills course and was stocking up on food and medicine.
The next morning, I wanted to do something to cheer her up. I had just been to a screening of Charlie Chaplin’s City Lights accompanied by the Oakland Symphony, so I found a clip on YouTube of the boxing scene and sent it to her, hoping it was an appropriate choice. She wrote back an enthusiastic “Thank you! Just what I needed! Hilarious!” I commented that Chaplin was way ahead of his time with his lampooning of hyper-masculinity. “Exactly!” she replied.
On Wednesday, I saw the U.S. intelligence reports predicting a 4am invasion, 6pm Pacific time. I posted a message to Sofia saying, “I imagine it’s not easy to concentrate on work at this point. But then I think maybe work affords you needed distraction. Just let me know how you’re doing.” I kept an eye on the news while Sofia slept, and at 7pm, the first reports appeared. Before I went to bed, I messaged again, “I’m so sorry this is happening. Please know that many people around the world are feeling anguish on your behalf.” In the morning, I found her reply, “Woke up at the sound of explosion today… ” I asked if she had time for a Zoom call. She said yes.
“Is it quiet where you are now?” I asked. “Yes,” she said, “we haven’t heard any explosions since about noon.” It was 7pm her time. A couple of days earlier, she, her sister and her husband had gone to her parents’ just outside of Kyiv. I told her we are seeing images of explosions and tanks crossing the border, but we aren’t seeing anything about the Ukrainian military yet. How are they doing? “They are excited,” she said. “They’ve been waiting for months. But our government already reported that a Russian unit surrendered. They don’t want this war.”
I asked if she wanted to try to keep working. She said yes. “Except it’s hard because so often you forget what you’re doing.” I told her I understand. I was living in New York when 9/11 happened. I remember well the inability to concentrate. I let her know that whatever she can manage is fine. We agreed we would keep communicating on Telegram, her preferred messaging app.
Since then, I have messaged her every morning and evening, sending tranquil or upbeat photos and saying encouraging words. She responds with deep appreciation, giving updates and sharing memes going around.
The second day, she reported that she and her husband went back to their apartment in the southern part of Kyiv to get some things but decided to stay to volunteer with making first aid kits and giving blood. Then they discovered the advantage of having air raid sirens to warn them and an underground parking garage in which to go. “In suburbs,” she wrote, “you’re always worried that something will fly in your house at any moment.”
I sent her a photo of my front deck, with blue and yellow balloons tied to the railing. She sent me back an animated gif of a cuddly dinosaur with hearts shooting out of it.
Then she reported a day of looking for food for the volunteer center and spending two and a half hours on line at the grocery store. She apologized for not finishing the edit revision. I said, “Please don’t apologize for not doing work! I will assume nothing is getting done until you tell me you have the bandwidth to focus again.”
She sent me a photo of a two-person tent on the concrete floor of a brightly lit parking garage. “This is our sleeping arrangement for tonight,” she wrote. I sent a photo of a California beach. “Beautiful!” she replied. Then she teased me about how cold it is in San Francisco, because I had told her earlier that people here start complaining when it hits 50 degrees. I checked the temperature in Kyiv that night: 35 degrees.
I told her I had seen so many stories of people saying, “Go fuck yourself!” I had the feeling that had become Ukraine’s rallying cry. She sent me the YouTube video of the radio communication between the Russian warship and the Snake Island border guards that started it all. I couldn’t stop laughing at the in-your-face audaciousness of the Ukrainians.
I told her I watched the documentary, “Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom,” and was amazed at the bravery, dignity and integrity of the Ukrainian people. She wrote back that her sister is in the film. I told her I stopped it at one point because I thought I saw someone who looked like her. She sent me a gif of Dwight from “The Office” saying, “It’s true.”
I expressed my frustration that the Russian people aren’t out in force enough yet to protest this war. She wrote me back a long explanation of Russia’s oppression of Ukraine, going back to the Soviets making them second class citizens, calling them Nazis, killing their intellectuals and making Ukrainian the language of rural and illiterate people, when in fact Kyiv is 665 years older than Moscow. I said, “Oh, I see, Putin is exploiting that history of prejudice.” “Exactly!” she replied.
Meanwhile, the edit revisions kept coming, despite my insistence that I don’t expect anything from her. When she finished part 7, I said, “Now please stop working!” I sent her a $300 advance and told her she can work it off when peace is restored. She wrote that it brought tears to her eyes, but she’d already started part 8, so she’ll just finish it first. Then she wrote, “Again air raid sirens. Have to go.”
I have been careful not to ask questions, not wanting to make even the slightest demand of her. But I had little sense of her daily life, and my anguish was growing. Friday, I asked for another Zoom call. She came on barely visible and apologized for having no light on. They hadn’t covered their windows yet. Only her face could be seen by the glow of her computer screen. I was glad I had a white wall behind me to help light her up. It was 6pm, her time.
She told me she and her husband are still in Kyiv, but they are mostly staying with her sister, whose apartment is in the same building but on a lower floor. They feel safer there, closer to the parking garage when the sirens blare. Her mother is with them, too. Her father has gone to join the citizen defense forces. Her husband is a developer, so has been working with the cyber forces.
Sofia has been volunteering for the Creative Forces of Ukraine, making anti-disinformation videos aimed at Russian citizens, to expose the truth of the war. But the work requires sorting through endless footage of violence and destruction. She can only do so much at one time. And it’s hard not to get distracted by scrolling the news. I told her I understand, I’m having the same problem.
I asked if she’s still sleeping in the parking garage. “Yes! Of course!” she said. I said it must be cold. “Oh yes, it’s very cold.” Do you have a good sleeping bag? “Yes, but I sent it to the military forces. We have another that we sleep on top of and then put blankets over us.” “Really, it’s not so bad,” she said. “We have hot water, heat and electricity.”
I joked that I want her to teach me how to say, “Go fuck yourself!” in Ukrainian. “Oh no, no, no,” she said. “These are very bad words. These are Russian words. Very aggressive. Ukrainian swear words are not like that. They are lighter and a bit funny.” I imagined Ukrainians, in a fit of pique, yelling Shakespearian insults at each other.
I told her I keep thinking Ukraine has such a beautiful flag, so bright and cheery and with an elegant simplicity. She told me it represents wheat fields and blue sky.
I am awed by the visual poetry. And I can’t help noticing a pattern: a bright, cheery flag; light, funny swear words; a comedian-as-president.
As we prepared to part, she said the call had cheered her. We had a long silence. I said, “God bless,” and felt tears welling up. She said, “Thank you.” Another long silence. Finally, we parted. The bubble we briefly shared, giving her an illusion of relief and me a hint of war, was split, sending us back to our respective realities.
I follow the news closely, then carefully word each message to avoid any unintentional display of American cluelessness. Even still, on Friday night I had a slip when I was in Oakland and saw a Ukrainian art piece projected on the side of a building, captioned with the words, “Art bombed by Putin” and “Boycott Russia.” I sent her a photo of it and said, “Maybe you’re familiar with this artist?”
The next morning, I found her reply, “This is Maria Prymachenko!” She pointed out that the name appears in the lower right corner (duh!) and included a link to the Wikipedia page. I wrote, “Please excuse my ignorance about Ukrainian art!” and dutifully studied up on this 20th century artist, of whom Picasso once said, “I bow down before the artistic miracle of this brilliant Ukrainian.”
Looking for a Bay Area rally to lend my presence to, I read that at the Ferry Building in San Francisco on Sunday, a group of artists would be replicating one of Prymachenko’s most famous works, “A Dove Has Spread Her Wings and Asks for Peace.” I worried that it might be hard to find, feeling slightly desperate to get a photo for Sofia, perhaps to amend for my ignorance. But coming onto the plaza, the rally was easily apparent.
Walking closer, I came around the tower and made my way through the crowd. Suddenly, stretching in front of me on the concrete was a burst of flowers framing the white and blue spread of a serene and pleading dove.
At 10pm that night (8am Monday in Kyiv) I sent the photos off to Sofia. I woke up the next morning to a dancing cherry with this message: “This is so cool! [smiley face] This amazing support really gives hope. [smiley face with hearts] Thank you for sharing this!”
As of the last census, 23% of Marinites were 65 or older, and in that bastion of youth, Sonoma County, it’s about 21%.
If you find yourself in that count, read on.
I came up with this better mousetrap because it is my nature to get the most payoff from the least effort; i.e., I’m lazy.
We’re old, or at least old-ish, and we’d all like to feel younger. We live here, so we accept the conventional Marinoma path to the fountain. We exercise, we do yoga, we try to get enough sleep, maybe close our iPads before 8 p.m. We’re quasi vegans, seafood eating (except for octopus, after we saw that “Teacher” movie), locavores (except for Fiji water) and we just downloaded the Kindle version of “Meditate While Driving.” That’s a lot of effort, and I know I’m risking deportation here, but does the morning backache, never seeing “SNL” live and that unfulfilled craving for a T-bone actually make you feel younger?
Well, I have a faster, cheaper, eat all the ice cream you want, answer. Talk younger. Here’s what I mean.
Delete any words or phrases that capitulate to your biological age, such as:
Starting a sentence with “At my age…” or ending a sentence with “if I live that long.”
The term “organ recital” to describe your latest symptoms.
Jokes like; “A colonoscopy is just a prostate exam that commits.”
Words like replacement, memory, great-grandchildren, Eisenhower or better mousetrap.
Add in words and phrases that will make your teenage relatives cringe and give you that look. This admittedly takes a little practice. Try this:
At the dinner table, casually mention that there’s this guy at the gym that’s straight up fire and you might have caught feelings for him. What would people say if they thought we were shipping, you wonder. All you know is that if he ever ghosts you, it’ll be, like, the 13th reason.
Try it. Nothing to lose, but a decade or two.
David Bickart lives in Marin County. To have your topical essay considered for publication, write to us at op*****@******an.com.
With Sheriff Mark Essick declining to run for a second term, Sonoma County voters will go to the polls June 7 to choose one of three candidates for the post.
If none of the candidates receives more than 50% of the vote, there will be a runoff during the November election. The winner will take office Jan. 2, 2023.
The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office is the largest law enforcement agency in the county, policing all of the unincorporated areas, the towns of Windsor and Sonoma, and managing the county jails. The sheriff’s office also provides courtroom security at the Sonoma County Superior Court and operates the county’s search and rescue program.
The agency employs 728 full and part-time staff. Among the 424 full-time sworn deputies and detention officers, only 66 are female. This year, the agency’s budget is $211 million. Since 2014, the county has paid $10.4 million to settle lawsuits brought against the sheriff’s department, plus millions more in attorney’s fees.
Dave Edmonds, the first candidate alphabetically, retired from the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office in 2013 as the senior captain after 32 years in the agency. In retirement, Edmonds founded, and currently directs, two law enforcement teaching nonprofits. He is also the contributing editor and content director for the national magazine, American Police Beat.
Edmond’s most prominent endorsements come from Sonoma County Supervisor Susan Gorin, Windsor Town Councilmember Debora Fudge and former Petaluma City Councilmember Matt Maguire.
Eddie Engram began his law enforcement career as a correctional officer with the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Department. He joined Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office in 2002, where he currently oversees the county jail as assistant sheriff.
Engram has been endorsed by two retired Sonoma County sheriffs, current Sheriff Mark Essick, several local law enforcement unions, the Sonoma County Farm Bureau and a variety of politicians, including Sonoma County Supervisors James Gore and David Rabbitt.
Carl Tennenbaum retired from the San Francisco Police Department as a sergeant after 32 years of service. In retirement, Tennenbaum has volunteered with Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP) and worked to create community responder (mental health professionals) programs nationwide.
Sonoma County Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, Rohnert Park Mayor Jackie Elward and Santa Rosa Vice Mayor Natalie Rogers are among those supporting Tennenbaum’s campaign.
Kevin Burke, a fourth candidate who received the endorsement of the Sonoma County Democratic Party, dropped out of the race in mid-March, citing health issues.
With the June primary quickly approaching, the Bohemian asked each candidate the same six questions to get an understanding of where they stand on the issues which Sonoma County’s next sheriff will face. Their answers have been edited for length and clarity.
Scott Davidson/Flickr
Why do you want to be sheriff?
Edmonds:
I believe that I can turn the sheriff’s department around and make it a model agency, not only for the county or the state, but beyond. Under Essick, I saw the sheriff’s office’s performance and reputation getting worse. Then my friend, John Mutz (who ran for sheriff in 2016), contacted me and asked me to run for sheriff. John introduced me to people who have a real interest in change at the sheriff’s office.
Engram:
I think that right now is a critical time for the sheriff’s department. First in terms of our relationship with the community and second because our agency is going through a transition where it is important that the next generation of leaders is the right generation of leaders. I think I am the person best suited to determine who those leaders are. Also, we are at a unique turning point in law enforcement. Several new laws have been passed in the last couple of years, and it is important that the next leader be well-versed in those changes.
Tennenbaum:
I want to bring change to Sonoma County law enforcement. I have been a resident for 10 years, and I have seen some problems with the sheriff’s office, and a little bit of division between the sheriff’s office and the community they serve. I want to bring my common sense community-based law enforcement sensibilities to Sonoma County, improve those relationships and make the sheriff’s office more community oriented.
How would you deal with a deputy who uses excessive force?
Edmonds:
I am concerned about what I have been reading, that the sheriff’s office has a bit of a cowboy culture. The public would be surprised at how little force-on-force training the officers receive. I want to bring in more law enforcement training so situations don’t escalate. I want to create a countywide peace officer training facility, where all of our officers fulfill their annual state mandated training together. Through merging our training budgets and resources, every one of the officers will get more and better training to make all of them optimally fit, optimally well and optimally ready to safely handle our county’s most dangerous encounters.
This will include a lot of force-on-force training that they do not get now. Doing this actually inoculates our peace officers to this type of stress so they don’t get fight or flight responses. This allows them much better chances to de-escalate, remain calm and peaceably solve volatile situations.
Engram:
I would make it clear that the use of excessive force is not accepted. The next thing is the recognition that force is not always the first option. I would implement training in de-escalation, not only every couple of years, but on a continuing quarterly basis. I would set the expectation that excessive force is not to be tolerated and discipline officers when they violate the use of force policy. Additionally, I would not hire individuals from other departments with a history of excessive force or other problematic behaviors.
Tennenbaum:
I would start with looking at the type of individuals we hire. How we hire now does not truly reflect the community we serve in diversity or gender equity. The training would de-emphasize the use of force and emphasize verbal skills. The current department policies come from a national corporation. They are vague and ambiguous and leave room for deputies to misbehave. I would implement policies that are clear and concise and leave no doubt.
Measure P, a ballot measure meant to expand and strengthen the Independent Office of Law Enforcement Review and Outreach (IOLERO), was approved by voters in November 2020. It is currently in the courts, following a legal challenge from local law enforcement unions questioning the way the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors added Measure P to the ballot. If elected, how would you manage the implementation of Measure P?
Edmonds:
Yes, I support the provisions of Measure P. Once it is ready to be implemented, I will implement it fully. The director of IOLERO will be a department head at the same level as me. I would welcome the director of IOLERO to sit in on interviews with staff. I think their assessment of the sheriff’s internal affairs investigations are right on. I ran internal affairs for a couple of years and I fired deputies who didn’t deserve the job.
Engram:
I don’t think the sheriff can pick and choose what to implement from Measure P. It is the law. However, when everything is said and done, what the court determines to be legal will be implemented in its entirety. It is the law, and there is an expectation that the sheriff would follow the law.
Tennenbaum:
I am the only candidate for sheriff who worked actively to support the Measure P campaign. If I am elected sheriff, the tenets and the perimeters of Measure P will be part of the organization’s philosophy.
How would you bring more diversity into the department?
Edmonds:
I would have us go into minority communities and share with them the employment opportunities they might not be considering right now. And I would make the sheriff’s department a place where good people of diversity want to be. There is a nation-wide initiative called 30 by 30 intended to bring more female officers into law enforcement. That means hiring 30% female officers by 2030. Santa Rosa Police Chief Ray Navarro has signed onto that. The day I’m sworn in, I would sign that commitment and pursue achieving it.
Engram:
My plan is to address it in several ways. One is to recruit more heavily from our detention division, which is more diverse. The second is to recruit entry-level deputies, focusing on qualified diverse applicants. The third is to recruit from outside the county, where it is more diverse. Historically, we have relied on lateral recruitment from other departments. As a result, we have taken the existing demographic, and we use that demographic to fill our ranks. I am also looking at the possibility of creating a police athletic league to engage with youth. Also important is the willingness of top-level staff to be engaged in the community, both at community events and in a day-to-day way, even when we’re not invited.
Tennenbaum:
I would implement a very proactive and aggressive recruitment ambassador program. I would have female deputies and employees go out and recruit. What are the standards for hiring? Nationally there is an old-fashioned, maybe outdated, militaristic model of the ideal police. It narrows down the pool. We need to update the standards. I will look for people from the community who have the experience, and who represent the diversity of the community, to fill high-level positions.
How could deputies better connect with the public, given the enormous size of the unincorporated county?
Edmonds:
The Russian River zone is 400 square miles with a minimum staffing of two deputies. I have worked that zone. The rural deputies need to get out of their cars and walk the areas that have some population and say hi to the people. I did it out there. I would institute a “Walk your Neighborhood” program. You put door hangers on the homes in the neighborhoods announcing the dates and times deputies will be walking around the neighborhood. Then you fill out a report on how it went and whom you met. You walk the neighborhoods with community members. I would read all the reports.
Engram:
We can put on or attend events that are being held. The pandemic has shown us that technology has given us greater ability to engage with people, to meet with people and hear their concerns. We’ve seen that using technology is effective.
Tennenbaum:
Deputies need to take an active role in community activities and attend meetings. It is not practical to walk some areas, but, where it is practical, deputies should walk those neighborhoods and let people know, “this is your deputy.” In other areas, we could use social media. Either way, the deputies assigned to those areas need to make themselves known. They need to be accessible. To make sure their information is out there. To make sure everybody in those zones knows how to get in touch with the deputies. To become part of the community.
Is there anything else you want to tell our readers?
Edmonds:
I have a big bold vision to make the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office into all that it can be and all that it should be. It needs somebody who knows it from the inside. Somebody not beholding to the present way of doing things there.
Engram:
My qualifications stand out. I have worked in the sheriff’s department for 20 years, in both the law enforcement division and the detention division. Also, there is the historic nature of my campaign. I am the first African American to run for sheriff in Sonoma County. If I am elected, I would be the second African American sheriff in the state. It’s important, but it doesn’t define me.
Tennenbaum:
In the 1990s and early 2000s, I was the administrative assistant to the chief of police in San Francisco. I never crafted a budget, but I know how it works. I know how to relate to deputies because I did the work. I know what they’re facing. There should be no secrets in law enforcement. What are you afraid people are going to see? Policies are written to address liability after the fact. They don’t prevent bad conduct. I am the outsider. I’m the guy with the fresh pair of eyes, who sees the low morale at the sheriff’s office. I have no allegiance to the current sheriff or his underlings or his designated heir.
Find more information, visit the candidates’ websites:
Good morning, my aesthetic-lovelies! How was everyone’s weekend? Thoughts on the Will Smith Oscar interaction? Never a quiet moment anymore, is there?
I’m back from my stint on the East Coast, and though I miss Brooklyn already, I’m thrilled to report that I have moved into a new apartment in Oakland! The fashion outlets are endless here, and I cannot wait to hunt for new fits. Just walking down the street is enough to start the creative gears turning.
To that end, this week’s Look is exceptionally city-inspired, as I spent a good portion of my trip in the city shopping. But, don’t fear, I neither broke the bank nor compromised my style—I thrifted.
We went to Beacon, Buffalo Exchange, L Train — I found Filas, Dickies and Everlane for reasonable prices and I’m thrilled to say I left with two entirely new outfits for under $40. Good with me.
The thing about thrifting I so love, aside from the clear financial benefit, is the guilt-free feeling when purchasing clothing for the sake of fashion. As an aesthetically-oriented person who feels clothing is an artform, and the ultimate mode of personal expression, it’s challenging to buy from big stores, knowing how much waste comes from fast fashion trends. Thrifting is a way to both dress playfully and feel ethically in tune. Thanks for getting me back on track New York.
Now that I’m back in the Bay, I want to keep the thrift energy alive! Here’s a comprehensive list for my Marin and Sonoma County readers. Get into it!
Sonoma County
Salvation Army
Brookwood, Santa Rosa
So many finds! Dresses and bags are especially good here.
Goodwill
4th St, Santa Rosa
Once bought a denim vest here for $4; wore it for almost a decade.
Welfare League Thrift Shop
Railroad Square, Santa Rosa
Amazing vintage selection and the sweetest staff.
Goodwill
Highway 12, Sebastopol
Great finds and right next to The Barlow! Thrift + dinner.
Marin County
Bloom Marin
4th St, San Rafael
Amazingly curated and body positive. Bloom is blooming!
Salvation Army
4th St, San Rafael
Amazing selection of brand name pieces in great condition.
Alphabet Soup Thrift Stores
Western Ave., Petaluma
Great jewelry and accessory selection. A must visit!
Thrift for the planet and the budget. As Macklemore once said, “This is f**cking awesome.”
Looking phenomenal, everyone.
Love,
Jane
Jane Vick is an artist and writer currently based in Oakland, California. She splits her time between Europe, New York and New Mexico. View her work and contact her at janevick.com.
Welcome to Almost, Maine. You won’t find it on a map, as its citizens were never organized enough to get it declared an official town. The almost-town has a mill, a bar, a snowmobiling club and a couple of dozen residents whose main activity is falling in (or out) of love.
That’s the premise behind John Cariani’s Almost, Maine. It’s a series of short two-handers on the subject of love that run from the whimsical to the bittersweet. Rohnert Park’s Spreckels Performing Arts Center has a production directed by Anderson Templeton running now through April 10.
Each member of an ensemble cast of six (John Browning, Skylar Evans, Serena Elize Flores, Molly Larsen-Shine, Allie Nordby, Brandon Wilson) takes on multiple roles as we meet the various denizens of the frigid burg.
Pete (Evans) and Ginnette (Nordby) attempt to redefine what closeness means to a relationship. Glory (Flores) is camped out on the property of East (Wilson) with the hopes of witnessing the Northern Lights and perhaps mending her broken heart, which she carries in a paper sack. Randy (Browning) and Chad (Wilson) are surprised to find themselves literally falling for each other. Hope (Nordby) arrives at the house of an old beau seeking to rekindle the relationship, but finds a stranger (Evans) living there now. Dave (Wilson) has gifted Rhonda (Larsen-Shine) with a piece of artwork with a hidden meaning. Will she see it?
Cariani doesn’t avoid the painful part of love, but doesn’t lean heavily into it. The play’s best gag comes at the conclusion of the darkest vignette.
Templeton’s cast members have good chemistry and are given ample opportunities to display their versatility. Wilson in particular demonstrates why he is one of the area’s best comedic character actors.
Andrew Patton’s set design (a snow bank, a bench, two door frames) is beautiful in its simplicity. Chris Schloemp’s projections bring the Northern Lights to the North Bay.
Almost, Maine is the theatrical equivalent of comfort food. It’s nothing fancy, but you’ll feel better after a good helping.
‘Almost, Maine’ runs through April 10 at Spreckels Performing Arts Center, 5409 Snyder Lane, Rohnert Park. Thursday–Saturday, 7:30 pm; Sunday, 2 pm; $12–$26. 707.588.3400. Proof of vaccination is not required to attend. Masking is optional. Spreckelsonline.com
The North Bay Sinfonietta takes the stage April 8 at the Santa Rosa Junior College’s Newman Auditorium. This chamber orchestra, which was founded by conductor Cynthia Weichel in 2014, features over 30 amateur, professional and student musicians from Sonoma County. At the upcoming concert, the orchestra’s string section will play pieces including Edward Elgar’s 1909 Elegy, Op. 59, described as wonderful in its unheroic devotional expression of grief; John Rutter’s 1973 Suite for String Orchestra, with each of the four movements named after popular English folk songs; and Giacomo Puccini’s I Crisantemi, written in a single night on Feb. 6, 1890 and dedicated to the memory of Prince Amadeo di Savoia, Duca d’Aosta and the King of Spain. The Sinfonietta plays Friday, April 8, in the Newman Auditorium on the Santa Rosa Junior College campus, 1501 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa. 7:30pm. Suggested donation $10. Classicalsonoma.org/calendar.
Petaluma
Jazz Trio
This Friday, April 1, the Joel Kruzic Trio will bring its brand of smooth and jammable jazz to The Big Easy, the underground nightclub and restaurant in Petaluma’s historic American Alley. The venue offers an inclusive and eclectic vibe, where all are welcome to enjoy music five nights a week, and a full restaurant menu for the dancing-induced hunger. Joel Kruzic is a Sonoma County local who grew up in a musical household. He began playing the guitar at the age of eight, by 14 had started playing the upright bass, and later decided to pursue music as a career, attending the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York City. After five years in New York, he relocated to the Bay Area with his inimitable sound. Kruzic’s prodigious, East Coast-influenced tones come through in his technique and rhythm. Friday, April 1, at The Big Easy, 128 American Alley, Petaluma. 7pm. Free. Bigeasypetaluma.com
Calistoga
Napa Valley Beauty
Sofie Contemporary Arts Gallery in Calistoga is pleased to announce the opening of ThePersistence of Beauty, the gallery’s first show of 2022. Curated by gallery director Jan Sofie, the show features a diverse representation of Bay Area artists and is inspired by the sustaining power of grace and simple beauty throughout tumultuous and unpredictable times. Through myriad different mediums and styles, each artist represents resilience and joy through the courageous channel of art. Artists include Will Ashford, Don Bishop, Beka Brayer, Monica Bryant, Arminee Chahbazian, Terry Holleman, Anne Pentland, Todd Pickering, Susan Proehl, Inez Storer, Susan Stover and Jonah Ward. The Persistence of Beauty is on view now through June 12. Sofie Contemporary Arts Gallery, 1407 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga. Open Wednesday through Sunday, from noon to 6pm. Gallery.sofiegallery.com
Novato
MOCA Meltdown
In his latest show, Marin-based artist Bill Russell uses icebergs as a metaphor for global warming’s unfolding effects. Running at Marin MOCA from April 2 through June 5, Russel’s Ice Show is based on his research into climate science and a recent trip to Iceland. The artist intends, through his depiction of melting icebergs in relationship to cultural icons like Noah’s Ark and the Titanic, to create an accessible and informative show on one of the most pressing issues facing humanity. On April 22, Marin MOCA will host a conversation between Russell and art therapist Ariella Cook-Shonkoff, MFT, ATR on the role of art in understanding the climate crisis and the therapeutic benefits of art-making when dealing with climate anxiety. Marin MOCA, 500 Palm Drive, Novato. General admission is free to the public. Marinmoca.org.
There was a time when, for the price of a nickel, diners could participate in a uniquely American food phenom.
The Automat anticipated both the worlds of fast food and “self-serve,” became a social institution, then vanished into obscurity.
Founded by entrepreneurs Joseph Horn and Frank Hardart in the late 1880s, their restaurant concept was novel in more ways than one. Patrons at Horn & Hardart literally inserted nickels into slots and small windows opened, revealing their selection. But more significantly, the chain enabled an egalitarianism that defied the mores of its time. When many restaurateurs were racist, sexist and xenophobic, Horn and Hardart’s venture fed millions of New Yorkers and Philadelphians of all backgrounds, eventually in 100 different locations and for more than a century—one nickel at a time.
Filmmaker Lisa Hurwitz admirably captures this forgotten cultural moment in her whimsical and edifying documentary, The Automat, which serves up an extra helping of talking heads whose lives were touched by this nutritious nickelodeon. Throughout, anecdotes and analyses come in tasty, bite-sized portions from such luminaries as filmmaker Mel Brooks, Starbucks founder Howard Schultz and the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Hurwitz’s deep dive into the history of the Automat was inspired, in part, by a Ph.D. dissertation she read while in college. Entitled “Trapped Behind the Automat: Technological Systems and the American Restaurant, 1902-1991,” the work was written by Dr. Alec Shuldiner, who now lives in Fairfax and is co-producer of the film and one of its key interviewees.
“The Automat may have served via a machine, but the experience of dining in one was very social,” Shuldiner said in a recent email.
Given our contemporary era’s advances in AI and automation (not to mention a pandemic-born wariness of other people handling our food), it seems the Automat is primed to return (the last one shuttered in the early ‘90s). Shuldiner disagrees.
“Recent attempts to use the Automat technology to vend food… hardly even offer dining space and are focused on limiting all forms of human interaction,” said Shuldiner. “This reduces the Automat to really just another vending machine.”
He points out that elements of the Automat live on in chains like Starbucks, “where social mixing is common.” This reminds that “social mixing” is also key to the theatrical movie-going experience, which, for now, is the only way to see The Automat, and one of the best ways you could spend your nickels in the Bay Area.
‘The Automat’ plays at Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center, San Rafael; Summerfield Cinemas, Santa Rosa; Landmark’s Albany Twin, Albany; Vogue Theatre, San Francisco. Check theater listings for times and tickets.
Be careful what you wish for when wishing for local ownership of local media. The Press Democrat (PD) is a case in point. If the owners are part of the good old boy network and have committed fraud, violated the Glass-Steagall Act or engaged in shenanigans that the Bohemian’s Will Carruthers has covered, be prepared for some pretty nasty and biased reporting.
I keep thinking that they can’t go any lower, but they manage! Three recent examples:
First, the PD played up a Facebook post by Jerry Threet, former director of IOLERO, which questioned whether Eddie Engram, the status quo’s choice for sheriff, would really represent the Black community. After all, Engram doesn’t believe that the SCSO has exhibited any bias against people of color. Sheriff Essick was allowed to expound at length on the subject. Then the PD’s editorial staff got in on the act and actually likened Threet’s speech to that of Trump’s. The local NAACP wrote a rebuttal in defense of Threet. The PD refused to print it. People wrote letters defending Threet. Refused again. And now Engram has been allowed to level the charge in his own editorial.
Second, the community advisory council of IOLERO voted to censure Sheriff Essick for using government social media to support a candidate, the aforementioned Engram. The PD has refused to report on it.
Third, carrying water for the “business community” it serves, the PD has had multiple long articles about Dr. Sundari Mase and her DUI’s. The executive editor, Rick Green, has even gone so far as to defend, both in the paper and on radio, putting three reporters on the issue and blowing it all out of proportion. It is no secret that said “business community” would like to see an end to Mase, who dared to put human lives over money. I’m sure that it was with a heavy heart that Mase caved to pressure from the board of supervisors to loosen the rules that resulted in a surge and more deaths.
It should be noted that Mase told her supervisor, Barbie Robinson, and the county’s legal department about the DUI and no one chose to make an issue of it, but the rich guys want blood and the county usually does what the rich guys want.
Thank heavens for the Bohemian and its investigative reporters. The Press Democrat should be ashamed, but we live in The Age of Shamelessness.
Rather than let the Covid-19 pandemic slow them down in 2020, the three founders of Sebastopol’s popular fine dining restaurant Gravenstein Grill pivoted dramatically.
Pandemic-related shut-downs forced them to put their farm-to-table restaurant on hold. So the three partners — Brandon Parkhurst, Owen Barrett, and executive chef Bob Simontacchi — introduced two fast-casual pop-up concepts: Pleasant Hills Pies and Sonoma Burger.
The first featured artisanal pizzas, and the latter put quality burgers and hot dogs front and center. Sonoma Burger proved so popular that it became a permanent brick-and-mortar dine-in and carry-out eatery in September 2021, in the space formerly occupied by Giovanni’s Deli in Sebastopol. The 2,000-square-foot eatery has counter seating for 10 people, table seating for 20 and outdoor seating for 16.
The founders haven’t looked back ever since, and now are planning additional family-friendly Sonoma Burger outlets throughout the county.
“We knew that Gravenstein Grill’s brand of fine dining cuisine didn’t translate very well to everyday takeout,” Brandon said, reflecting on the inception of the Sonoma Burger. “But we didn’t want to lay off all our staff, and we wanted to keep cooking.”
They chose a business model that would allow take-out and delivery of food that Brandon characterized as “something we love to eat every day” — comfort food that was minimally processed.
They wanted to offer approachable, everyday food that traveled well, in contrast to the aesthetic of the precisely plated and upscale offerings at Gravenstein Grill. They created a simple menu of smash burgers and griddle dogs, sourced, cooked and delivered with the same level of attention to detail and culinary technique that are the hallmarks of the five-year-old Gravenstein Grill, a special occasion and date-night favorite.
Of course, the real selling point of this venture is how the food tastes, which is where chef Simontacchi’s 25-plus years’ of experience came into play. Sonoma Burger cooks weighted burgers and dogs (“smashed”) on griddles rather than grills. This produces a flavorful crust on the meat for extra and enhanced umami flavor, Brandon explained. Sonoma Burgers sandwiches are smaller than the restaurant “pub style” burgers they serve at Gravenstein Grill — “something you could have for lunch,” Brandon said, pointing out an entry-level Classic Smash Burger is in the $6 range.
The other trappings include the Willie Bird turkey burger, a crispy chicken sandwich, and a house-smoked tempeh burger with vegan barbecue sauce. The sides are equally impressive, with French fries, fried pickles, crispy onion rings as well as a wealth of other pickled goods and house-made sauces, which customers can now buy as standalones, not to mention amazing add-ons like pimento cheese and pickle relish. Check out the rotating selection of seasonally influenced shakes and the locally selected wines from Hook & Ladder Vineyards & Winery, plus brews from the likes of HenHouse Brewing Company and others.
Gravenstein Grill has developed a connection with local farmers and ranchers and makes everything in-house, from pastas and breads to sauces. Likewise, Sonoma Burger follows the same from-scratch cooking philosophy, which includes its buns — their own take on fluffy Parker House rolls. Sonoma Burger procures meat from Jamie Mickelson’s Sonoma Mountain Beef Co., obtains produce from Andy’s Produce Market, uses Strauss Family Creamery for its soft-serve ice cream and gets dry goods locally from Cotati Food Service. There is no mass-sourced procurement here, Brandon said.
The tagline for Sonoma Burgers is “A Mindful Burger.” Brandon explained that the restaurant puts mindfulness into every aspect of the business, right down to the compostable carry-out containers. The restaurateurs give back to the community, too, sponsoring sports leagues; contributing to charities; hiring locals (including high schoolers); and donating to Food for Thought, the nonprofit food bank in Forestville. In fact, because of a direct partnership in which they give the profits of all Willie Bird Turkey Burgers sold at Sonoma Burger directly to Food for Thought, they were able to expand programs like Full Belly, which provides food and nutrition support to pregnant women (and their families) at risk of malnutrition.
Brandon, who lives in Sebastopol, and his fellow founders, who are Petaluma residents, are proud of the bounty of Sonoma County and their connections to area purveyors. In fact, that’s why they decided to put “Sonoma” in the name of their burger venture. “We are really proud to be here in Sonoma County,” he said. “The products all come from Sonoma County, and we treat them with care. We like to showcase the amazing produce, meat and dairy we have available to us by creating a product that everyone from top to bottom is proud of. We’d like Sonoma County to be as proud of having us here as we are to be a part of the amazing community.”
While Sonoma Burger was voted best carry out in Sonoma County, it’s also got a loyal local dine-in crowd. Some diners are popping in on the way home from little league games while others have claimed a corner for a little hanging out.
“We feel like we’re friends with everyone in the neighborhood,” Brandon said.
Look for the expansion of Sonoma Burger to a handful of other Sonoma County outposts, such as Windsor, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Cotati, Kenwood or Sonoma beginning later this year.
Last November, I needed a video editor to produce lecture videos for an online course. So I did what one does these days. I posted the job on a global hiring platform and found Sofia, who had the visual sophistication and technical skill I needed. I gave no thought whatsoever to her location: Kyiv, Ukraine.
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As of the last census, 23% of Marinites were 65 or older, and in that bastion of youth, Sonoma County, it’s about 21%.
If you find yourself in that count, read on.
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With Sheriff Mark Essick declining to run for a second term, Sonoma County voters will go to the polls June 7 to choose one of three candidates for the post.
If none of the candidates receives more than 50% of the vote, there will be a runoff during the November election. The winner will take office Jan. 2, 2023.
The Sonoma...
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Santa Rosa
Sinfonietta Strings
The North Bay Sinfonietta takes the stage April 8 at the Santa Rosa Junior College’s Newman Auditorium. This chamber orchestra, which was founded by conductor Cynthia Weichel in 2014, features over 30 amateur, professional and student musicians from Sonoma County. At the upcoming concert, the orchestra’s string section will play pieces including Edward Elgar’s 1909 Elegy, Op....
There was a time when, for the price of a nickel, diners could participate in a uniquely American food phenom.
The Automat anticipated both the worlds of fast food and "self-serve," became a social institution, then vanished into obscurity.
Founded by entrepreneurs Joseph Horn and Frank Hardart in the late 1880s, their restaurant concept was novel in more ways than one....
Be careful what you wish for when wishing for local ownership of local media. The Press Democrat (PD) is a case in point. If the owners are part of the good old boy network and have committed fraud, violated the Glass-Steagall Act or engaged in shenanigans that the Bohemian’s Will Carruthers has covered, be prepared for some pretty nasty...
Rather than let the Covid-19 pandemic slow them down in 2020, the three founders of Sebastopol’s popular fine dining restaurant Gravenstein Grill pivoted dramatically.
Pandemic-related shut-downs forced them to put their farm-to-table restaurant on hold. So the three partners — Brandon Parkhurst, Owen Barrett, and executive chef Bob Simontacchi — introduced two fast-casual pop-up concepts: Pleasant Hills Pies and Sonoma...
