Bond Plays On

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Bond Plays On

the spy who everyone loves In the latest Bond movie, Daniel Craig picks up where he left off in ‘Skyfall.’

For long-time fans of the world of James Bond, watching Spectre is like seeing one of those 50-year anniversary shows by a band you love, proof that the inspiration and resiliency are still there, well matched by the familiarity and gravity that come from the weight of decades.

This is not the first Daniel Craig Bond to see. This is a sequel to Skyfall, as Skyfall followed Quantum of Solace and Casino Royale. In Spectre, it finally becomes clear that everything is connected to the notorious criminal organization of the same name, established in the first Bond film, 1963’s Dr. No.

Starting with a superbly lavish assassination during a Day of the Dead parade in Mexico City, and ending in the haunted ruins of the MI-6 building in London, Spectre traffics in the kind of coolness that you imagined death would have when you were 15.

In search of the mysterious organization, Bond travels from Rome to Tangier to the edge of the Sahara, eventually encountering the nicely mannered maniac (Christoph Waltz) and his unstoppable muscle Mr. Hinx (wrestler Dave Bautista, inconceivably huge). Along the way, our hero endures a torture sequence that has uncredited scripting from Kingsley Amis’ 007 novel Colonel Sun.

Because Spectre is as gorgeous and noble as an adventure movie gets, viewers might overlook the downsides. The third act, for instance, could have used more rewrites, with Bond’s marksmanship too often transcending the size of his gun. The tempo, as well, is too restless, despite the film’s length, which didn’t seem excessive.

But in Spectre, Craig holds the screen like few film stars around, and he animates the stoic mask of James Bond like no other actor before him.

‘Spectre’ is playing in wide release in the North Bay.

Secret’s Out

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Secret’s Out

This summer, a funny local food story made headlines in the East Bay. East Bay Express food critic Luke Tsai got creatively duped by fabricated Yelp reviews of a “secret underground” Chinese restaurant.

Tsai went as far as looking for the place on the outskirts of El Cerrito only to find out it didn’t exist. Whether the prank’s intention was to make fun of Yelp’s authority or to conduct a social experiment, one thing was clear: we all love an exclusive, elusive food establishment, especially if a select group of people is raving about it.

It’s easy to understand, then, the motivation behind calling a place the Secret Kitchen and locating it in the middle of nowhere, relatively speaking, on the rural, cloud-shrouded Bodega Highway. Owner Brenda Anderson cooked in Paris, Germany and Thailand before feeding hoards of office workers at the now-closed Life Long Cafe on Mountain View’s Google campus. The Secret Kitchen is her current project, and, as the name and location hint, it’s an ambitious one.

The restaurant feels like a road-trip pit stop with its window service and umbrella-topped outdoor tables, but the food aims higher. Attempting to marry Mexican and Asian cuisines, the menu mobilizes familiar ethnic forms—tacos, burritos, noodle and rice bowls—and fills them with creative ingredients. The idea is hardly innovative, but managing the tricky fusion lies largely in the execution, not the gimmick itself.

Classics from both cuisines are mostly well executed, and the crossover dishes benefit from the ethnic twist. The tacos, on the smaller side ($3.50 each), are a big success. The chicken tinga features chicken braised with chipotle chiles, cilantro crema, salty cotija cheese and pickled onion, my favorite ingredient these days. The tacos are juicy, flavorful and light. The Korean barbecue taco is even better. Mixing barbecued chicken with kimchi proves that anything is possible when you balance the quantities right.

This can’t be said, however, of the green Thai curry noodle bowl ($7.75, small; $12.50, large). The fried shallots, peanuts, hardboiled egg and Thai basil on top are the best part, but the curry that covers the noodles and tofu underneath is soupy and bland.

The crunchy banh mi ($9.75), ordered with tofu, is better. Substituting mayo for Sriracha and creamy, Indonesian-style peanut sauce makes it a winner that might as well become the norm. Topping the sandwich with Dr. Peppahead’s mango lime hot sauce, available in a squeeze bottle, is highly recommended. To finish the unlikely roadside lunch in style, we were offered a sticky, indulgent rum caramel cake ($3), served hot.

Unlike the dessert, a straightforward, ultra-sweet crowd pleaser, the Secret Kitchen is somewhat of a riddle. It’s off the beaten path, for sure, and isn’t your average lunch grub, but it’s also not as sophisticated as its website’s lingo would have customers think. Everything is served in takeaway containers and paper trays. It’s fun and creative, but is it a destination? That depends on how much you like to brag about “secret” lunch spots on Yelp or elsewhere.

2015 Bohemian Holiday Arts

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2015 Bohemian Holiday Arts

The weather outside is delightful and, except for the drought, not at all frightful, but believe it or not the holiday season is upon us. And that means nearly two months of holiday fun and cheer are coming your way. To help you navigate the season and keep your spirits bright, we present our select guide to holiday fun inside and out from Thanksgiving to Christmas.

EVENTS

Lighting of Sonoma Plaza The Sonoma Plaza will light up with over 100,000 bulbs, a performance from Transcendence Theatre Company, hot chocolate and cider and plenty of holiday cheer. Nov. 14. 453 First St. E., Sonoma. 4–8pm. Free. holidaysinsonoma.com.

Winterblast Ninth annual holiday art party takes over the South of A arts district in downtown Santa Rosa. Open studios showcase dozens of
artists in their element while
live music from Black Water
Gold and the Hubbub Club
kick the holiday spirit into gear. Magic, belly dancing, food from Spinster Sisters and others,
drinks from Atlas Coffee Company. Nov. 14. 312 South A St., Santa Rosa. 5–8pm. Free entry. sofasantarosa.com.

Napa on Ice Napa’s outdoor skating rink, located on the grounds of the Napa Expo, is back for another year of holiday fun. Recreational ice skating is open daily with lessons, parties, private ice time and special events offered. Nov. 20–Jan. 10. $13 admission. 707.227.7141. napaonice.com.

Holidays in Carneros Nearly 20 wineries in the Carneros region of the Sonoma and Napa valleys will offer a variety of activities including food and wine pairings, live music, art or craft shows and special tastings.
Nov. 21–22, various locations. 11am to 4pm. $50; $15, designated drivers. Contact the Carneros Winery Collective for info. 707.256.0693.

Napa Valley Wine Train Thanksgiving Thanksgiving on the Napa Valley Wine Train is a traditional gourmet feast with all the fixings in a nontraditional but memorable setting. Nov. 26. Lunch, 10:30am–3pm; dinner 4–8:30pm. $134–$209. winetrain.com/package/thanksgiving.

Yountville 27th Annual Festival of Lights Skip the shopping malls and join the people of Yountville for a food and wine festival in the holiday spirit. Santa, his elves and local celebrities will all be there to transform the town into a magical winter wonderland with thousands of sparkling lights, live entertainment and carriage rides. Nov. 27. Yountville Community Center, 6516 Washington St., Yountville. 2–6pm. Free ($15–$25 for tasting bracelets). 707.944.0904.

Healdsburg Downtown Holiday Party The chic stores downtown light up their windows with holiday lights and cheer. Live entertainment, caroling, carriage rides, pictures with Santa and merriment galore are all part of this annual small town holiday tradition. Nov. 27. Healdsburg Plaza. 4–8pm. Free. 707.433.6935.

Heart of Sonoma Valley 32nd Annual Holiday Open House Toast the holiday season on a tour of over 20 wineries including Benziger Family Winery, Imagery Estate Winery and Paradise Ridge. Includes access to wineries and winemakers, holiday gifts and souvenir wine glass. Nov. 27–28. 11am–4pm. $45 per person; designated driver, $10. 866.794.9463. heartofsonomavalley.com.

Santa’s Riverboat Arrival Santa and Mrs. Claus give the season its start when they arrive by tugboat into the Petaluma River Turning Basin and disembark to hand out candy and take holiday photos with kids while live entertainment entertains the crowd. Nov. 28. River Plaza Shopping Center,
72 E. Washington St., Petaluma. 11am to 2pm. Free. 707.762.9348.

Napa’s 53rd Annual Christmas Parade This family-friendly evening parade features floats built by Napans themselves, decked out in lights and focusing on the theme “Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas.” Nov. 28. First and Second streets between Franklin and Main streets. 5pm. Free.

Windsor Holiday Celebration on the Green Open the holiday season and bring the kids to send letters to Santa, make crafts, decorate gingerbread and ride the Polar Express before the annual tree lighting ceremony. Dec. 3. Windsor Town Green,
701 McClelland Drive, Windsor. 5–8pm. Free admission; $1–$8
for various activities. olddowntownwindsor.com.

Light Up A Life St. Joseph Hospice honors lives lost with annual candle- and tree-lighting ceremonies. Dec. 3. Montgomery Village Terrace, 911 Village Court, Santa Rosa. 5pm. Free. mvshops.com.

Lighting of the Vines Second annual event offers new surprises as well as the usual favorites including snacks, crafts, desserts and, of course, wine. Join the community in celebrating holiday cheer with the formal lighting of the vines taking place after dark. Proceeds go to the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation. Dec. 5. Hamel Family Wines,
15401 Sonoma Hwy., Sonoma. 4pm. $25; kids are free. 707.996.5800.

Holidaypalooza “Wine club members only” holiday party takes you into wine caves and lets you meet the merry winemakers at Gun Bun, with food pairings, games, prizes and more. Bring a new, unwrapped gift to donate to Toys for Tots. Dec. 5. Gundlach Bundschu Winery, 2000 Denmark St., Sonoma. Sign up to join the wine club at 707.938.5277.

Napa B&B Holiday Tour & Taste Event The bed and breakfasts of Napa invite you inside their historical inns, decked out in festive decorations, to savor select wines and tasty holiday treats. Transportation and entertainment included. Proceeds benefit local charities. Dec. 5. 3–7pm. $75 per person. napaholidaytour.com.

Petaluma Holiday Lighted Boat Parade A parade of sparkling boats shine on the Petaluma River to ring in the season while downtown shops stay open late for holiday strolling. Dec. 5. Petaluma River Turning Basin, Petaluma. 6pm. Free. visitpetaluma.com.

20th Annual Calistoga Lighted Tractor Parade A small-town celebration of the holiday season and Calistoga’s agricultural heritage boasts vintage tractors, antique trucks and other rustic autos lit up in dazzling displays in this perfect family event. Dec. 5. Lincoln Avenue between Cedar and Stevenson, Calistoga. 7pm. Free. visitcalistoga.com.

Luther Burbank Holiday Open House A popular holiday tradition in its 36th year, this open house features Victorian-era finery and a charming tour of the home and gardens, with free parking at First and D streets and free rides on Rosie the Trolley to and from the Handmade Holiday Crafts Fair held at the Finley Community Center. Dec. 5–6. 10am to 4pm. $2 (12 and older). 707.524.5445.

ICB’s 47th Annual Winter Open Studios More than a hundred painters, sculptors, fabric artists, jewelers, photographers and other artists open their doors to let you discover new and unique works of art where they are created. Dec. 5–6. Industrial Center Building, 480 Gate Five Road, Sausalito. 11am–6pm. Free admission and parking. icbbuilding.com.

Calistoga Sixth Annual Winter in the Wineries Visit up to 15 wineries and meet the winemakers in and around the Calistoga area in relaxed tasting tours that you schedule at your convenience. Dec. 5–Feb. 7. $50. visitcalistoga.com.

Osher Marin Festival of Lights Marin’s biggest Hanukkah party includes latkes, sufganiyot (doughnuts) and other festive food with the jazzy sounds of Brandeis Marin, an artisan crafts marketplace and kids’ activities. All are welcome.
Dec. 6. Osher Marin JCC,
200 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. 11:30am. Free entry. 415.444.8000.

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10th Annual Hanukkah Hootenanny Enjoy a Hanukkah bash featuring wine, brisket sliders, latke bar and traditional jelly doughnuts. Guests encouraged to bring unwrapped new toys and canned (nonperishable) food items for donation to local Napa charities. Dec. 6, Judd’s Hill Winery,
2332 Silverado Trail, Napa. Noon. $55; free for Wine Club members. juddshill.com.

Guerneville Holiday Book & Bake Sale Find something great to read this holiday season when River Friends of the Library host their annual homemade baked goods sale and used book drive. Dec. 9–12. Guerneville Library, 14107 Armstrong Woods Road, Guerneville. Wednesday, 4pm–7; Thursday–Friday, 10am–5pm; Saturday, 10am–3pm. riverfriendsofthelibrary.org.

Holly Jolly Holiday Fundraiser Dress in your holiday attire and bring family and friends for a day of Christmas films, live entertainment, food and more. The Will Ferrell comedy Elf begins the festive double feature, followed by the classic White Christmas. Dec. 12. Spreckels Performing Arts Center, 5409 Snyder Lane, Rohnert Park. 5pm. $6–$8. 707.588.3400.

SHOPPING

Holiday Arts & Seconds Sale

Local Marin artists offer holiday shoppers a chance to pick up unique and unusual gifts and one-of-a-kind handcrafted items, including ceramics, jewelry, paintings and greeting cards. Refreshments included. Nov. 14. Terra Linda Community Center, 670 Del Granado Road, San Rafael. 11am–4pm. Free admission.

West County Craft Faire Ramp up to the holidays with West County vendors selling handmade crafts, jewelry, clothing, quilts, body care products, art and much more with live music, food and refreshments and a raffle to benefit ECO2 School. Nov. 14. Sebastopol Grange Hall, 6000 Hwy. 12, Sebastopol. 11am–4pm. Free admission. sebastopolgrange.org.

Petaluma Arts Association Holiday Arts & Crafts Show Local artists and artisans show off their handmade wares at an art and crafts show perfect for gift giving, benefiting Mentor Me. Nov. 15, Cavanagh Center,
426 Eighth St., Petaluma. 11am–5pm. petalumaarts.org.

Gifts ‘n’ Thyme Holiday Faire Forty-three years and counting, the fair highlights more than 85 local and regional artists and makers of fine crafts, holiday pieces and food. Live music. Nov. 20–23. Napa Valley Expo, Chardonnay Hall, 575 Third St., Napa. 10am–6pm; 10am–4pm, Nov. 23. Free entry. 925.372.8691.

The Holiday Boutique A tradition in the town of Ross for over 25 years, the boutique offers homemade jams, jellies and baked goods, as well as holiday gifts and items such as wrapping paper and holiday cards. Proceeds benefit charitable causes, including supporting the community needs at St. John’s sister parish in Malawi, Africa. Nov. 27–28.
St. John’s Episcopal Church,
14 Lagunitas Road, Ross. Friday, noon–6:30pm; Saturday,
10am–5pm. Free admission. 415.456.1102

Rohnert Park Holiday Arts & Crafts Faire 36th annual Faire features holiday decorations, live music and jolly entertainment, festive treats and cheerful holiday crafts and jewelry. Nov. 27–28. Rohnert Park Community Center, 5401 Snyder Lane, Rohnert Park. 10am–4pm. Free admission. 707.588.3456.

45th Annual Dance Palace Holiday Crafts Fair The Community & Cultural Center rings in the holiday season with winter holiday sights, sounds and fun. Shop locally and find handmade artisan crafts, clothing, woodwork art and more. Dec. 4–7. Dance Palace, 503 B St., Point Reyes Station. Friday, 4–9pm; Saturday–Sunday, 10am–5pm. Free admission. dancepalace.org.

Landmarks Holiday Arts & Craft Sale The Belvedere Tiburon Landmarks Society and local artists bring a wide range of gifts and holiday items to the farm-cottage setting of the Landmarks Art Center. There will be jewelry, glass work, knitted items, paintings, spices and rubs and even vintage books and baked goods on hand from North Bay artisans. Dec. 5, Landmarks Art & Garden Center, 841 Tiburon Blvd, Tiburon. 10am to 4pm. Free. 415.435.1853.

Handmade Holiday Crafts Fair Event features over 70 local artists, holiday goodies, entertainment, a prize drawing and trolley rides to the Luther Burbank Holiday Open House. Dec. 5–6, Finley Community Center, 2060 West College Ave., Santa Rosa. Saturday, 9am–5pm; Sunday, 10am–4pm. $2; 12 and under are free. srcity.org.

Freya Lodge Holiday Arts & Craft Fair The Norwegian cultural center hosts this classic fair. Enjoy a variety of high-quality handmade items made by Sonoma County artists. There will also be Scandinavian baked goods, Norwegian waffles, coffee and light lunch available to purchase, and a cozy holiday atmosphere. Proceeds from food sales go to children’s charities. Dec. 12, Freya Lodge Sons of Norway Hall, 67 W. Ninth St., Santa Rosa. 11am–5pm. 707.953.2258.

21st Annual Goddess Crafts Faire Women’s art, music, dance and handmade gifts by local and regional women are all part of this winter season and holiday fair. Dec. 12–13, Sebastopol Community Center, 390 Morris St., Sebastopol. 11am–7pm. $5–$13 suggested donation, kids free. goddesscraftsfaire.com.

30th Annual Occidental Holiday Crafts Faire Work by more than 35 local and regional artists and baked goods by Salmon Creek School students delight the senses this season. Dec. 13–14, Occidental Community Center, 3920 Bohemian Hwy., Occidental. Saturday, 10am–5pm; Sunday, 10am–4pm. Free. occidental-ca.org.

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PERFORMANCE

The Holiday Gift Ballet Original, full-length ballet for the whole family takes place at the 1878 World’s Fair in Paris, and features 50 classically trained ballet dancers and lively fun. Opening night includes VIP wine reception. French boutique gifts, flowers and other ticklers are available. Nov. 13–14, 5409 Snyder Lane, Rohnert Park. Friday: 6pm reception, 7pm show; $40. Saturday: 1:30pm and 5:30pm; $27 ($22 for seniors and youth). 707.588.3400.

A Christmas Carol / Santaland Diaries 6th Street Playhouse puts on a pair of holiday classics. First, the Dickens’ story about Ebenezer Scrooge, played by veteran television actor Charles Siebert, experiencing an unforgettable night is performed in the Hardt Theatre. Next, the hilarious and heartwarming comedy from David Sedaris, about a down-on-his-luck slacker working as an elf in Macy’s, is presented in the smaller Studio Theatre. Nov.
20–Dec. 20. 6th Street Playhouse, 52 W. Sixth St., Santa Rosa. $10–$37. 707.523.3544.

Marin Center Just Dance Academy Winter Performance. Nov. 22. 2pm. Adults, $22; seniors and kids $20. TEN Tenors: Home for the Holidays. Nov. 27. 8pm. $30–$100. Stapleton Ballet Nutcracker. Dec. 5–6. 1pm and 5pm both days. $35; $22, seniors and youth. Marin Dance Theatre: Sophie and the Enchanted Toyshop. Dec. 19. 1pm and 5:30pm. $40, adults; $30, students and seniors; Teddy Bear Tea Party, $7. Mayflower Chorus: This Shining Night. Dec. 11–12. 8pm. $18, general; $15, seniors (60 and over); students, 13–18, $5; Children 12 and under $5. Marin Ballet Nutcracker. Dec. 12–13. 1pm and 5pm. $42; $26, seniors and youth; $10, Candy Cane Party. Marin Symphony Holiday Pops. Dec. 15. 7pm. $45–$85; $20, youth. SingersMarin: ‘Tis the Season . . . Candlelight Magic. Dec. 20. 4pm. $20–$35. 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. 415.473.6800.

‘A Christmas Memory’ For the seventh year, Truman Capote’s holiday masterpiece “A Christmas Memory” comes to life with an intimate candlelit reading by pro actors in a beautiful setting. The tender story recounts Capote’s frank and funny memories of Christmas and his family. A reception with refreshments follows; proceeds benefit charitable causes. Nov. 27–28.
St. John’s Episcopal Church,
14 Lagunitas Road, Ross. Friday, 7pm; Saturday, 2pm. $20. 707.762.8872.

Little Women: The Musical The heartwarming classic novel about four sisters in Civil War–era Massachusetts gets a new interpretation with a lively musical that is a perfect treat for the whole family. Nov. 27–Dec. 20, Spreckels Performing Arts Center, 5409 Snyder Lane, Rohnert Park. $26. 707.588.3400.

Le Cirque de Boheme Annual winter circus wonderland is based on the wondrous French tradition. This year, a brand-new original production, “Stolen Moonlight,” tells enchanting tales with an amazing cast of performers who achieve world-class heights. Nov. 27–29, Dec. 19–20, Dec. 26–27. Cornerstone Sonoma, 23570 Arnold Drive, Sonoma. Times vary. $28–$55; $18, kids. 707.933.3856.

Wells Fargo Center for the Arts Mannheim Steamroller Christmas. Nov. 30. 7:30pm. $45–$75. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. Dec. 3. 8pm. $35–$45. San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. Dec. 6. 3pm. $19–$50. LeAnn Rimes. Dec. 8. 7:30pm. $49–$59. Posada Navidena. Dec. 11. 7pm. $5 for children; $10 for adults. Symphony Pops. Dec. 13. 3pm. $37–$80. The Great Russian Nutcracker with the Moscow Ballet. Dec. 19. 3pm and 7pm. $34–$181. Dave Koz. Dec. 22. 8pm. $39–$169. The Brian Setzer Orchestra. Dec. 23. 8pm. $65–$85. 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa. 707.546.3600.

Michelle Schmitt’s Holiday Benefit Concert Acclaimed singer and her band present “Another Christmas Story,” blending holiday classics with rock and roll soul, and benefiting ExtraFood.org, which helps
feed the hungry in Marin. VIP tickets include a reception by Heidi Krahling / Insalatas,
special seating, and Schmitt’s upcoming new record. Dec. 3.
142 Throckmorton Ave.,
Mill Valley. 8pm; reception, 6:30pm. $25–$100. 415.383.9600.

Rock the Season Holiday Concert Napa Valley Community Chorus presents their third annual concert with special guests, performances by the Napa Valley Ballet, Napa Valley Children’s Chorus, and Ballet Folklorico of Napa. Dec. 3. Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater,
100 California Drive, Yountville. 7:30pm. $20. 707.944.9900.

Jazzin’ Up Joys of the Season Deborah Winters and the Peter Welker All Star Band headline a holiday party that brings big band jazz to holiday favorites and boasts many spirited surprises. Dec. 4. 142 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley. 8pm. $28–$45. 415.383.9600.

The Sound of Christmas The four great-grandchildren of the famous von Trapp family, depicted in The Sound of Music, are themselves vocalists and musical ambassadors. They come to the North Bay for a celebratory Christmas concert alongside the Justin-Siena Choir on the 50th anniversary of the film’s release. Dec. 4. Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater.
100 California Drive, Yountville. 8pm. $25–$45. 707.944.9900.

‘Miracle on 34th Street’ The classic holiday story of the People vs. Kris Kringle warms hearts and spreads seasonal joy for the whole family in this musical adaptation. Dec. 4–13, Cloverdale Performing Arts Center, 209 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale. Friday–Saturday, 7:30pm; Sunday, 2pm. $12–$18. 707.894.2214.

Raven Theater It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play. Dec. 4–20. $10–$25. The Night Before Christmas. Dec. 5–6. Saturday, 7pm; Sunday, 2pm. Adults, $20; seniors, $18; 12 and under, $15. At the door, prices add $2. A Winnie the Pooh Christmas Tail. Dec. 11–20. $10–$15. 115 North St., Healdsburg, and 195 Windsor River Road, Windsor. 707.433.6335. raventheater.org.

Joy to the World The Santa Rosa Symphony begins with a fiery performance of a folk song cycle by late 20th century composer Luciano Berio; after, a majestic rendition of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony boasts a full choir and several celebrated soloists. Dec. 5–7. Weill Hall, Green Music Center, 1801 East Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. Saturday and Monday, 8pm; Sunday, 3pm. Subscription packages, $76 and up. 866.955.6040.

Occidental Community Choir: Got Nog? In its 37th year, the choir brings together beloved carols, traditional pieces, a Nigerian Christmas song and original works with special artist-in-residence Teresa Tudury sharing her talents. The first night’s performance features an audience sing-along and seasonal refreshments. Dec. 5, 11–12 at Occidental Center for the Arts; Dec. 6 at Sebastopol Center for the Arts; Dec. 13 at Glaser Center in Santa Rosa. $15; kids 12 and under are free. occidentalchoir.org.

The Healdsburg Chorus presents ‘A Christmas Collage’ A musical institution, the Healdsburg Chorus presents its annual holiday show featuring a medley of Christmas favorites and other songs of the season. Dec. 6, Glaser Center in Santa Rosa; Dec. 13–14. Healdsburg Community Church. healdsburgchorus.com.

VOENA: ‘Voices of the Season’ Concerts The angelic voices of the beloved children’s
a cappella choir, magical musical arrangements and Victorian-inspired scenes and costumes come together to create a lively holiday celebration that always sells out. Dec. 6, Lincoln Theater in Yountville; Dec. 13, City Winery in Napa; Dec. 19, Glaser Center in Santa Rosa. $25–$40. voena.org.

USAF Band of the Golden West Holiday Concert The United States Air Force’s Band of the Golden West brings the sounds of the season to the stage with a stunning 50-piece ensemble decking the hall with classic and memorable holiday melodies. Dec. 7. Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater, 100 California Drive, Yountville. 7pm. Free. 707.944.9900.

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Early Music Christmas:
In Sweetest Joy Led by Robert Worth, chamber choir Circa 1600 and organist Charles Russ illuminate an array of Italian, German and English compositions that embody the joyful spirit of the season. Includes a “BachGrounders”
pre-concert talk. Dec. 11–12. Schroeder Hall, Green Music Center, 1801 East Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. 8pm. $15–$25. sonomabach.org. 866.955.6040.

Kitka: ‘Wintersongs’ The Oakland-based women’s vocal ensemble channels Eastern European melodies with traditional vocal styling. Kitka perform a program of critically acclaimed, winter-inspired music ranging from Slavic folk carols to Eastern Orthodox choral works. Dec. 12, the Kanbar Center for the Performing Arts, Osher Marin JCC, 200 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. 8pm. $10–$28. 415.444.8000.

Nick Lowe’s Quality Holiday Revue Songwriter Nick Lowe and his backing band Los Straitjackets sprinkle the holiday cheer with Christmas classics from their 2013 album Quality Street, as well as careful selections from Lowe’s extensive catalogue. Dec. 12. City Winery, 1030 Main St., Napa. 707260.1600. 8pm. $55–$65.

Sing Napa Valley’s ‘Messiah’ The holiday tradition returns with talented professional vocalists singing Handel’s stirring “Messiah” compositions, accompanied by Symphony Napa Valley. Dec. 13. Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater, 100 California Drive, Yountville. 3pm. $30–$50. 707.944.9900.

Hard Working Americans Holiday Toy Drive Special four-night concert engagement brings rock and folk super group, made up of Todd Snider, Dave Schools, Neal Casal, Chad Staehly and others, to Mill Valley for a rocking week of music. Attendees are encouraged to bring unused toys, books and other gifts that will be collected and donated to less fortunate children. Dec. 15–18. Sweetwater Music Hall, 19 Corte Madera Ave., Mill Valley. 8pm. $42–$45. 415.388.1100.

Soweto Gospel Choir South African choir steeped in continental rhythms and soulful gospel power presents a program that celebrates the holiday season. Dec. 18, Weill Hall, Green Music Center, 1801 East Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. 7:30pm. $35 and up. 866.955.6040.

Narada Michael Walden Foundation’s 19th Annual Holiday Jam This year’s honored guest is Martha Reeves & the Vandellas, appearing with Neal Schon of Journey and many special guests in a “Dancing in the Street Christmas Party.” The benefit supports music programs for
Bay Area youth. Dec. 19.
142 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley. 415.383.9600. 8pm. $125–$175.

Napa Regional Dance Company’s ‘Nutcracker’ The 15th annual production is fun for all ages and features live music by the Symphony Orchestra of Northern California. Dec. 19–20. Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater, 100 California Drive, Yountville. Saturday, 2pm and 7pm; Sunday, 2pm. $25–$35. 707.944.9900.

A Chanticleer Christmas Holiday favorite from the vocal orchestra tells the Christmas story in Gregorian chant, Renaissance polyphony, traditional carols and a medley of spirituals. Dec. 20, St. Vincent’s Church, 35 Liberty St., Petaluma. 6pm and 8:30pm. $35–$75. chanticleer.org.

‘Holiday Lights’ The New Century Chamber Orchestra highlights an international “Chrismukkah” celebration with performances by the San Francisco Girls Chorus and klezmer clarinetist David Krakauer and selections from classical holiday music. Dec. 20. The Kanbar Center for the Performing Arts, Osher Marin JCC, 200 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. 5pm. 415.357.1111.

Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra: Handel’s ‘Messiah’ The popular traveling ensemble, led by renowned conductor Nicholas McGegan and featuring award-winning soprano Amanda Forsythe, breathes life to Handel’s choral masterpiece. Dec. 20. Weill Hall, Green Music Center, 1801 East Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. 3pm. $55 and up. 866.955.6040.

Christmas Jug Band Annual appearance from the longstanding group of friendly Marin musicians brings a bluesy rock aesthetic to Christmas classics for two skewered and merry concerts of folksy scuffle swing. Dec. 20–21, Sweetwater Music Hall, 19 Corte Madera Ave., Mill Valley. Sunday, 7pm; Monday, 8pm. Discounted tickets for seniors and kids on Sunday.
$24–$27. 415.388.1100.

Traditions New & Old First, classic film “The Snowman” shows on the big screen as the California Symphony and Pacific Boychoir perform the soundtrack live. Then classic selections and audience sing-alongs get the whole family ready for Christmas morning. Dec. 21. Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater, 100 California Drive, Yountville. 7:30pm. $35–$70. 707.944.9900.

Straight Stuff

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Straight Stuff

Spirit Works made a splash two years ago with its fresh and zesty take on gin, following up with a barrel-aged gin and a traditionally crafted sloe gin. Meanwhile, they’ve been quietly stashing away dozens of batches of whiskey, aging it on oak for two years. Time’s up: this whiskey is going to market.

Gin is hot, but whiskey is on fire. Their first whiskey release may well set the Sebastopol craft distillery in a new direction, co-founder Timo Marshall concedes. He and his wife, head distiller Ashby Marshall, will always run a gin house—the clear gin and the sloe gin have proved popular with bartenders—but today, he’s clearly enjoying the whiskey, neat or mixed. “I’ve had a lot of whiskey sours in the past few weeks,” he says.

Like their gin and vodka products, Spirit Works’ straight wheat whiskey is made entirely from organic winter wheat that’s sourced from the Sacramento area. The rye contains 30 percent malted barley from Scotland. Thus far, there’s no corn in the grain bill, but they’ve just secured a source of California corn for future projects.

Distiller Lauren Patz, who apprenticed with Ashby, explains their ongoing “by the book” project: each month, they make a two-barrel batch that conforms to each of the federal Tax and Trade Bureau’s 20-plus official categories of whiskey. It’s a great way to educate themselves, says Timo, and ultimately their customers as well.

Thanks to the Craft Distiller’s Act of 2015, they’ll soon be able to test-market these experiments, selling to customers directly out of the tasting room next year.

All you need to know about the aging regime of the straight wheat whiskey ($65) is already in the name: according to TTB rules, it must be aged two years in new American oak barrels. Reminiscent of Spirit Works’ barrel-aged gin, it’s softer and sweeter, and all the spice and vanilla is coming from just the wood and the spirit.

The straight rye whiskey ($65) shows darker aromas of autumnal spices, nutmeg, allspice and cinnamon. Bottled at a “sweet spot” of 45 percent alcohol that the team arrived at through trial tastings, it’s spicy on the tongue but gentle on the nose. This spirit works for me.

The whiskies will be available from about Nov. 20 in local retail locations including Sebastopol Liquor and Deli, just down the street from the tasting room, Oliver’s Market and Bottle Barn.

Spirit Works Distillery, 6790 McKinley St., Ste. 100, Sebastopol. Thursday–Sunday, 11am–4pm. Tours, Friday–Sunday at 4pm, $20; tasting fee, $8–$18. 707.634.4793.

The Road Ahead

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The Road Ahead

The North Bay’s relatively cheap commercial real estate market— especially in relation to what’s available in San Francisco and Silicon Valley—has boosters talking boom.

But amid a generally cheery post-recession outlook across Marin and Sonoma counties, there are warning signs. Traffic is worsening on Highway 101, air quality is still great in Sonoma County but not every day, there’s scant affordable housing for working people in Marin and Sonoma counties, and there’s built-in pressure on two key North Bay resources: water and open space.

The latter issue, open space, has emerged as a hot-button issue in busting-at-the-seams Petaluma, but Ben Stone, executive director of the Sonoma County Economic Board, says the county and city of Petaluma have enacted highly restrictive open space rules that will serve to honor the agricultural character of the area—and aren’t likely to go anywhere anytime soon.

“We’re kind of lucky to have these urban-rural boundaries to prevent development outside the agreed-upon urban-growth boundaries,” Stone says. “That space should be locked up.”

Petaluma officials confirm the urban-rural growth boundaries are staying put.

Yet the jobs are coming and so are the people. The Association of Bay Area Governments issued a report a few years ago that predicted Marin County would see 18,400 new jobs between 2010 and 2040; over that same time, Sonoma County is expected to see 65,450 new jobs. The counties’ populations over that stretch are expected to rise by 33,000 in Marin and 115,000 in Sonoma County. But there are dwindling options as to where to put everybody.

South of Petaluma, when it comes to development and jobs, “You can go up [Highway 101], or you can redevelop parcels that are dilapidated, says Dr. Robert Eyler, chief economist for the Marin Economic Forum. “You can have that construction, great, but people don’t like that either. It’s a classic First World pickle where there are lots of high-end incomes here, and the people don’t like the density.” (Sonoma County’s population hovers around a half-million; Marin’s is about half that.)

All of this is going on in the midst of a big housing crunch in Sonoma and Marin counties, as the just-released “2015 Sonoma Indicators” report notes.

The report, issued by the Sonoma County Economic Development Board, found that residential development in the North Bay has not rebounded to pre-recession levels, as would-be buyers watched the median price for a Marin County house eclipse $1 million this year, and reach the $540,000 level in Sonoma County.

The report’s major takeaway is a rosy one: the county has a “high level of economic activity and a healthy business environment.”

But the report also notes that wages haven’t caught up with the recovery and that there are other unhealthy signs in the air. Residential rents have reached new levels of unaffordability, even as commercial lease rates in Marin and Sonoma counties are lower than in comparable counties such as Santa Clara. The economic development board report found that office space in Santa Clara County is $2.26 per square foot; in Sonoma County, it’s $1.57. Sonoma’s average is 50 cents per square foot less than Marin County. Weekly wages in Sonoma County are below the state and national average at $913 and median home prices in the county are creeping near the all time, pre-recession high of $619,000, set in 2005.

The median-home spike is also true in Marin County; neither Sonoma nor Marin counties has seen its construction industries rebound to pre-recession levels. According to an Association of Bay Area Governments report from late 2014, Marin County issued building permits for 1,000 new housing units in 2005, compared to just 302 in 2013. Sonoma County issued permits for about 3,000 new houses in 2005, compared with 1,000 in 2013.

In Marin County, there’s just not a whole lot of available space left, says Eyler—only about 2 percent of vacant land is developable, he says, and observes that developers have the choice to “eat up whatever available space is left along the Highway 101 corridor, or head north.”

“How far north is too far for commuters?” he asks, invoking the late-to-arrive SMART system and its potential benefit to San Francisco commuters headed north. The answer to the hypothetical question may well be: Anywhere north of Petaluma.

“Certainly Petaluma is going through an amazing renaissance right now,” Eyler says. He ascribes the influx of new businesses and young people to Petaluma’s relative proximity to San Francisco, good planning by city leaders and by the fact that the word has gotten out.

“The word of mouth about Petaluma has spread very well,” he says.

As boomtown Petaluma comes into its own, the city and county have done a good job protecting open space. In 2002, there were 125,196 acres of protected space in the county. A flurry of open-space protection efforts shot that number to 218,267 acres by 2013.

Meanwhile, in Marin County, forecasters at the Marin Economic Forum released a report on Oct. 29, which summed up the economic development conundrum for the Bay Area as a whole: “Available office space in San Francisco has now become smaller in volume and choice,” the report noted. “Office space remains plentiful in the region overall. . . . The placement of both new commercial and residential units in Marin County has continued to be a controversial subject for the county elected officials and local residents and employers.”

The report highlighted drought, traffic and potential environmental impacts to the North Bay as the Bay Area may see its population grow from 7 million to 9 million within 25 years.

How to accommodate growth yet retain the open space and quality of life that the North Bay is known for?

Good question. Enter 2013’s “Plan Bay Area” report from the regional Association of Bay Area Governments. The plan advises North Bay leaders to focus development along the Highway 101 corridor in Marin County, and in the downtowns of cities strung along Highway 101 in Sonoma and Marin counties: San Rafael, Santa Rosa and Petaluma.

Wither Novato in all this? “Novato is where you go when you want to stay in Marin but don’t want to pay the rents in Mill Valley and Sausalito,” Eyler says.

And it’s also home to its own growing industry of life-sciences research. Chris Stewart, Novato’s city manager for economic development, says Petaluma and Novato both have a lot going for them these days. Novato, he says, has lots of built-in opportunity for future development, but unlike the roaring boom underway in Petaluma, “fully seizing [the opportunity] is the issue in Novato,” Stewart says.

The departure of a reported 650 jobs from the Fireman’s Fund building earlier this year didn’t help promote Novato as a go-to destination for corporations tired of the San Francisco rents, Stewart says. The mostly vacant building is essentially a white elephant. It’s unclear who might occupy the space deserted by Fireman’s Fund, but it’s not going to be Google, as rumors would have it.

The property’s debt load
($300 million) and vast amounts of square footage, Stewart says, add up to rent that is comparable to what you’d pay in San Francisco. “It’s not the most cost-attractive alternative for the high-tech industry,” Stewart says.

The departure of Fireman’s Fund this year cost Marin County numerous jobs, as the insurance firm’s German owners, Allianz, said it would send the workers to an office space on North McDowell Boulevard in Petaluma beginning this month. Business boosters in that town exalted with news of 500 Allianz workers shopping in town.

Down the congested highway a few miles, Novato’s future is pegged to an emergent life-sciences industry that Google is already hooked into. And so it’s kind of ironic when a Novato-based life insurance company pulls up stakes for Petaluma and leaves a county where the economic driver is now geared toward living forever.

A partnership with Google helped set Marin County on a possible boom footing of its own. Back in April, the geroscientists at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging announced a partnership with Calico, a Google-created business devoted to life-extension research and development. Google wants to end death as we know it, quipped Time in 2013. The Marin Economic Forum’s Eyler notes that the irony is even richer when you consider Marin’s aging but generally sprightly demographic—the county is home to the oldest average population in the state.

KOWS Almost Home

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KOWS Almost Home

We recently wrote about radio station KOWS and its move to a classroom at the United Methodist Church in Sebastopol (“Coming Home”, Oct. 28).

The lease has been signed, and KOWS moved on to resolve another key piece of its relocation plan: a Sebastopol-based station antenna, now that the community radio station is leaving Occidental, where it utilized space for its current antenna up a hill outside of town on the Coleman Valley Road.

Station representatives appeared before the Sebastopol City Council to see if KOWS could lease city-owned land at the Pleasant Hill Reservoir and put a new antenna there. The council approved the plan Nov. 3.

“It was a unanimous decision by the council to go forward with our proposal into the permitting stage,” says station programmer Arnold Levine. But the radio station had to assure the council that it wouldn’t let anyone else’s antennae onto the mast—a concern, says Levine, because of a previous and failed attempt by a cell-phone service provider to use the tower.

“It was not something we had considered,” Levine says, “as it would cost us more to beef up the mast and the foundation, which we can barely afford now. We assured them it was just for us.”

The KOWS crew is now asking for a set of three fee waivers from Sebastopol so it can fast-track the permitting process to set up the antenna, and make sure the new setup is aligned with Federal Communication Commission (FCC) requirements. “All the costs for the new mast, antenna, transmitter shed, wiring and cabling will be paid by KOWS,” Levine says, and adds that the station will also boost its signal from 25 to 35–50 watts.
—Tom Gogola

Unrestricted Art

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Unrestricted Art

Abstract painter and conceptual portrait artist Tyler Steele earned a degree in industrial design from the Los Angeles’ OTIS College of Art and Design, and works with metropolitan environments to achieve a gritty realism with fantasy-like elements. A gallery artist at Petaluma’s Prince Gallery, Steele emerges with a solo show opening Nov. 14.

Steele has titled the new exhibit “Hidebound,” which could reference the fur and leather his portrait subject are clad in, seemingly lost in a wild, perhaps post-apocalyptic world—one that requires lots of warm clothing and rusty bandoliers, evidently. Or could the artist be riffing on the word’s other meaning: narrow-minded, confined to tradition? Are these lone, mysterious figures the result of a world decimated by conservative thinking?

Decide for yourself, when “Hidebound” opens in conjunction with Petaluma’s Second Saturday Art Walk. “Hidebound” runs through Dec. 6, with a reception
on Saturday, Nov. 14, at Prince Gallery,
122 American Alley, Petaluma. 6pm.
Free and open to the public. 707.889.0371.

Letters to the Editor: Nov. 11, 2015

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Letters to the Editor: Nov. 11, 2015

Vote Yes and No

I moved to Sonoma County in 1977 to attend Sonoma State University. Driving north on 101 on a Sunday, there were just a few other cars on the road. I recall the prune and apple orchards, the primroses covering the fences in quiet, rural neighborhoods. My adult life has been lived here, and I care deeply for the land and the progressive lifestyle. I have also enjoyed the wine country lifestyle. My daughter and friends work in the wine industry, but now I am in a moral quandary. In your Sept. 2 issue (“Coho vs. Pinot”), I read that in April of 2008, winegrape growers diverted 30 percent of the Russian River’s flow in Mendocino county alone and 25,782 steelhead trout died—fish that are our bounty, that feed animals and people, that are an essential part of the food chain. Is every glass of wine I drink a death sentence for something?

I vote no to a wine event center in Sebastopol. I vote no to wine event centers on coastal Highway 1. I vote no to using water for frost prevention. I vote yes to a county mandate that wineries must use sustainable practices.

—Patricia Hulsey

Cotati

Here’s to Sarcasm

Props to one John Hudson (Letters, Nov. 4) who, like the many who came before, reminded me it is the letters to the Bohemian which make me want to rise and shine each morning and keep on going in this ridiculous thing called life. Here’s to you, Johnny Boy, for keeping a sharp eye out for the rest of us, although I was under the impression that it was the act of fornicating that accounted for the growth of our population. But perhaps it is I who is the misinformed one. Oh, well.

—David Dale

Sonoma

You’re Out

If corporations are considered people and many people are in jail for life under “three strikes” legislation, then why aren’t corporations that have committed multiple crimes not subject to the same “three strikes” laws? They seem to be “people” only when it’s convenient for them, as in the Citizens United decision, which allows corporations to give huge amounts of money to candidates because the Supreme Court has declared that “money giving” is the right of free speech. Now it’s one dollar, one vote, and no longer one person, one vote.

It’s similar to those who oppose big government unless it serves to restrict abortions, amass/use weaponry or provide money for bailouts.

—Tui Wilschinsky

Sebastopol

Lock Him Up

Enough! Why is only state law, rather than local regulations, mentioned (“Busted Again,” Nov. 4)? Here in Sonoma County, we are limited to a total of 30 plants per prescription, not to exceed 100 square feet of canopy. State law is irrelevant to this discussion.

As someone who has been in this industry since long before Proposition 215, from what I know of the current state of the industry, I hope Joe Munson gets a felony conviction and is banned from the industry for good. I’m tired of the greedy cloaking themselves as do-gooders.

—Oldtymer

Via Bohemian.com

Write to us at [email protected].

Having a Blast

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Having a Blast

Electric sofas, stilt walkers and nighttime marching bands are a taste of what’s to come at the 11th annual Santa Rosa Winterblast. The event, in Santa Rosa’s SOFA district near Juilliard Park, is really a big block party—with a parade of rolling sofas thrown in. Best of all, it’s free and family-friendly.

Atlas Coffee owner James Podchernikoff is back for his third year as lead organizer of Winterblast. What’s he looking forward to? Big puppets on parade. Teachers from Sonoma Academy and Roseland University Prep are creating massive street puppets, some of which will require several people to operate. Winterblast is very much a collaborative effort.

“Over the years, the event organizing has been tossed around by whoever arrives to volunteer,” says SOFA artist and designer Michele Bottaro. “SOFA is a group of creative friends who have shops or studios and help to pitch in to make the event happen.”

Gallery 300, Chroma Gallery, Backstreet Gallery, the Free Art Friday group and the Imaginists will all display artwork in the deceptively extensive one-block radius surrounded by South A Street, Sonoma Avenue and Santa Rosa Avenue. Many galleries connect to each other, enabling patrons to walk through a labyrinthine collection of mixed media.

To go along with the SOFA acronym, parade-goers are invited to decorate their own sofas, add wheels and bring them no later than 5:45pm for the parades at 6pm and 8pm. Fire dancers from Aries Fire Arts Collective take to the streets at 7pm, the “Winter Queen of Faeries” drops in to grant wishes and the “whiskey-drome” will feature daredevil bikers riding near-vertical walls on wooden slats, like the inside of a barrel.

Jessica Rasmussen, one of the artists showcasing work in the Imaginists space, plans to display art made out of found objects and papier-mâché. She is also part of the Free Art Friday group, which is celebrating its first Winterblast inside Criminal Baking Company and Undercover Noshery. They are expecting 20 to 30 artists.

As for music, the FogDub band will play dub and horn tracks in the courtyard of Atlas Coffee. At a different corner of the festival, the Bad Apple String Band will play Americana and bluegrass for free behind Chroma Gallery from 6pm to 9pm. Meanwhile, roving entertainers JD Limelight, Krysta Hodson and Frosty the Snowman will be there to dance, play accordion and perform around the festivities. Jeremiah’s Photo Corner will offer tintype photography to document the good times.

For something to eat, look for the Seed on the Go vegan truck, Canevari’s Deli ravioli, Parkside Cafe and Criminal Baking Co.

Between the light-up sofas, costumes and fire poi-swingers, it will be hard to miss this little section of Santa Rosa spirit.


Winterblast takes place on Saturday, Nov 14, 312 South A St, Santa Rosa. 5pm. Free.

Rhythm and Words

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Rhythm and Words

The Last Poets are rightly called the godfathers of hip-hop. Formed in Harlem in the late 1960s, the group was the first to join percussion with politically charged poetry, inspiring a generation to use their voices and words as tools of social justice.

This weekend, the Last Poets appear in a daylong event that includes a spoken-word workshop and performance at the Phoenix Theater in Petaluma as a benefit for local radio station KWTF.

Founding member Abiodun Oyewole got into poetry when Martin Luther King Jr. was killed. “When Dr. King was killed, I really kind of lost my mind,” he says by phone. “I felt it was such an insult to black people.”

Oyewole’s friend and fellow poet David Nelson made mention of starting a group of poets to act as a unifying force of expression for African Americans. “We all have the same foot on our necks, and we need to unify to get that foot off,” says Oyewole.

A month after King’s death, the Last Poets made their debut, on May 19, 1968 (Malcolm X’s birthday), at Marcus Garvey Park in East Harlem.

The drums came early. “When we first performed, there was a drummer dismantling as we were coming onstage. I motioned to him and said, ‘Stay,'” Oyewole remembers. “I felt having some rhythm, some percussion in the background would enhance what we were doing.”

It worked. The Last Poets brought in a conga player and performed extensively around New York and the East Coast. When they released their self-titled debut album in 1970, it sold a million copies by word of mouth.

“It told me that we had the pulse of the people, that they appreciated what we had to say,” says Oyewole.

A decade later, the foundation laid by the Last Poets blossomed with the advent of hip-hop. “I’ve spoken with KRS-One, I’ve spoken with Kool Herc,” says Oyewole. “They tell me that back in the day the only thing they listened to was the Last Poets. We were definitely the prototype; they just took it to another place.”

For their appearance in Petaluma, the Last Poets will lead a “Collective Feeling” workshop, screen the documentary film,

The Last Poets: Made in Amerikkka, host a youth poetry showcase and perform works of their own.

A new album due next year proves that the Last Poets’ legacy is still being written. “I just hope I can continue, because this is the greatest thing I think I can really achieve,” says Oyewole.

The Last Poets appear Nov. 14, at the Phoenix Theater, 201 Washington St., Petaluma. Workshop, 1:30pm; Youth Showcase, 6:30pm. film, 3:55pm; performance, 9pm. $10–$20. 707.762.3565.

Bond Plays On

the spy who everyone loves In the latest Bond movie, Daniel Craig picks up where he left off in 'Skyfall.' For long-time fans of the world of James Bond, watching Spectre is like seeing one of those 50-year anniversary shows by a band you love, proof that the inspiration and resiliency are still there, well matched by the familiarity and...
Read more

Secret’s Out

This summer, a funny local food story made headlines in the East Bay. East Bay Express food critic Luke Tsai got creatively duped by fabricated Yelp reviews of a "secret underground" Chinese restaurant. Tsai went as far as looking for the place on the outskirts of El Cerrito only to find out it didn't exist. Whether the prank's intention was...
Read more

2015 Bohemian Holiday Arts

The weather outside is delightful and, except for the drought, not at all frightful, but believe it or not the holiday season is upon us. And that means nearly two months of holiday fun and cheer are coming your way. To help you navigate the season and keep your spirits bright, we present our select guide to holiday fun...
Read more

Straight Stuff

Spirit Works made a splash two years ago with its fresh and zesty take on gin, following up with a barrel-aged gin and a traditionally crafted sloe gin. Meanwhile, they've been quietly stashing away dozens of batches of whiskey, aging it on oak for two years. Time's up: this whiskey is going to market. Gin is hot, but whiskey is...
Read more

The Road Ahead

The North Bay's relatively cheap commercial real estate market— especially in relation to what's available in San Francisco and Silicon Valley—has boosters talking boom. But amid a generally cheery post-recession outlook across Marin and Sonoma counties, there are warning signs. Traffic is worsening on Highway 101, air quality is still great in Sonoma County but not every day, there's scant...
Read more

KOWS Almost Home

We recently wrote about radio station KOWS and its move to a classroom at the United Methodist Church in Sebastopol ("Coming Home", Oct. 28). The lease has been signed, and KOWS moved on to resolve another key piece of its relocation plan: a Sebastopol-based station antenna, now that the community radio station is leaving Occidental, where it utilized space for...
Read more

Unrestricted Art

Abstract painter and conceptual portrait artist Tyler Steele earned a degree in industrial design from the Los Angeles' OTIS College of Art and Design, and works with metropolitan environments to achieve a gritty realism with fantasy-like elements. A gallery artist at Petaluma's Prince Gallery, Steele emerges with a solo show opening Nov. 14. Steele has titled the new exhibit "Hidebound,"...
Read more

Letters to the Editor: Nov. 11, 2015

Vote Yes and No I moved to Sonoma County in 1977 to attend Sonoma State University. Driving north on 101 on a Sunday, there were just a few other cars on the road. I recall the prune and apple orchards, the primroses covering the fences in quiet, rural neighborhoods. My adult life has been lived here, and I care deeply...
Read more

Having a Blast

Electric sofas, stilt walkers and nighttime marching bands are a taste of what's to come at the 11th annual Santa Rosa Winterblast. The event, in Santa Rosa's SOFA district near Juilliard Park, is really a big block party—with a parade of rolling sofas thrown in. Best of all, it's free and family-friendly. Atlas Coffee owner James Podchernikoff is back for...
Read more

Rhythm and Words

The Last Poets are rightly called the godfathers of hip-hop. Formed in Harlem in the late 1960s, the group was the first to join percussion with politically charged poetry, inspiring a generation to use their voices and words as tools of social justice. This weekend, the Last Poets appear in a daylong event that includes a spoken-word workshop and performance...
Read more
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