After a few years on hiatus, the Two Gallants have broken their silence with a new album, The Bloom and the Blight. Recovering from a serious van accident, band member Adam Stephens picked up the pen and began to write emotionally poignant lyrics and harmonies; in many ways, the album reflects the duo’s separate journeys during their passage to adulthood in the years apart. The Two Gallants’ guitar and drums fuse together to create roaring and sweeping sounds on Friday, Dec. 6, at Sweetwater Music Hall. 19 Corte Madera Ave., Corte Madera. 9pm. $20—$22. 415.388.1100.
They may not be the biggest names, but, hey—they’re super chill. The Super Chill Showcase kicks off a chilly winter with local artists SimonSez, Odd Fella, OZ, Juan and Beano, Unit, Legacy9, D.O., 3rd Degree, the Sandchild and Exacto, whose underground works are worthy of the same stage as artists like Snoop Dog or Mac Dre. If you’re in the mood to check out new, untapped hip-hop talent, kick back and enjoy the bumpin’ beats on Friday, Dec. 6, at the Phoenix Theater. 201 E. Washington St., Petaluma. 8pm. $10—$12. 707.762.3565.
Each year, when I head to my parent’s for the holidays, I like to arrive at their home in Southern California with a can or two of coffee beans straight out of Sonoma County. That’s the benefit of living in a foodie capital, and anyone who has family out-of-town should exploit this fact by bringing savory, local treats to lucky relatives.
Since my parents drink coffee like there’s no tomorrow, fresh-roasted beans make the perfect gift. Last year, it was a can of my favorite Taylor Maid Coffee – a delicious Goat Rock Blend. This year, I’m going to add a can of Bella Rosa Coffee to the mix because they’ve got some darn tasty beans. Smooth, with low acidity, these are coffees for most any palate. The family-owned, Santa Rosa based company’s all organic and fair trade blends include Italian Espresso, Four Seasons, and my favorite, Roaster’s Reserve.
You can find the custom-roasted beans at stores at Oliver’s Market, Community Market, Fircrest in Sebastopol, Share Exchange, Redwood Empire Farmer’s Market, or at the Bella Rosa Café, which opened in September 2013.
The café sells canned and bulk coffees, “at a steep discount off regular in-store prices” according the company’s website. Bella Rosa Café. 5491 Skylane Boulevard, Suite 140, Santa Rosa. 707. 542. 6220.
It might be tempting to get the beer enthusiast in your life one of those goofy “Beers of the World” 12 packs at Cost Plus, but here’s a way better idea; Head over to BeerCraft in Rohnert Park and let the knowledgeable staff help you put together a hand-selected case of some of the finest American craft beers in existence. Run by true blue beer lovers, the shop has a vast selection of beers from craft breweries all over the nation. They regularly carry selections from Knee Deep Brewing, Stone Brewing Co., The Bruery, Allagash, Ballast Point, Heretic, Clown Shoes, Firestone, Prairie Artisan Ales, Evil Twin, Lagunitas, Drakes, Green Flash, Caldera, Deschutes, Crooked Stave, and, well this list goes on and on. The owner’s actually travel “out of market” to find beers that aren’t available through normal distribution channels, so you’ll find stock here unavailable at Whole Foods or other stores. If you’re worried about picking out the wrong beer (does that even exist?) pIck up a gift certificate and your beloved beer lover can go crazy with the amazing selection.
If you really want to make a big impression, spring for a gift membership in BeerCraft’s Craft Beer of the Month Club. For $162.95, they’ll receive, by mail, 3 bombers (22oz or 750ml) of hand-selected, high quality craft beers delivered right to their doorstep. Check out the store’s website for more information. Now that’s one thirst-quenching gift idea.
BeerCraft also hosts free tasting nights on Thursdays from 6pm-8pm.This month’s featured brewery is Speakeasy Ales and Lagers on Dec. 12. Beer Craft is located at 5704 Commerce Blvd., Rohnert Park. 707. 206. 9440.
“Whoa, I think that was Nick Offerman,” said my friend. I didn’t see the guy, so I asked who that was, because I thought it might be a friend of a friend that I had maybe met once or something. I didn’t recognize the name because I’m used to hearing a different name in reference to the mustachioed man’s man: Ron Swanson, the character on TV’s Parks and Recreation. I don’t watch the show but am familiar with the character because I’m a young person with Internet access. But I didn’t believe my friend, anyway, because why would such a big star be getting a cup of coffee at Acre in Petaluma?
So, we did what any reasonable people would do: waited outside the shop, drinking our coffee, trying to decide if it was him or not. In our five minute not-stalking-just-enjoying-coffee sit down, I asked my friend what he would do if it turned out to be the actor. A photo would be too much to ask, and he didn’t want to be “that guy” anyway. Maybe just say “hi” or something. We didn’t come to a conclusion when he exited the shop, so we did what any reasonable people would do: waited a minute then followed him downtown.
Turns out it was him, which we confirmed inside Chick-a-Boom Vintage Clothing when the clerk was even more excited to see Mr. Offerman than my friend was. Apparently he was in town promoting his book, and his wife wanted to do a bit of shopping (of course, this is third-hand store clerk knowledge, not an official news source like TMZ or anything). So I did what any reasonable person would do: tried on a tuxedo jacket and walked around the store, giving Mr. Offerman a respectful nod I caught his eye. My friend and I then left and walked around town some more, talking about how cool it was that we just “met” Nick Offerman. We are dorks.
This week’s cover story on supporting local businesses kicks off a whole month of holiday shopping. We here at the Bohemian aim to inspire your shopping to happen locally, for a variety of reasons. One, it helps the local economy. Two, it sends a message to the big-box chains who think they can get away with paying employees terribly. Three, chain stores are totally boring, and shopping online is lonely.
All through the month of December leading up to Christmas Day, we’ll be posting testimonials to North Bay businesses we love in Sonoma, Napa and Marin Counties, the types of places that come immediately to mind when someone says “Name a local business you can’t live without.” Think of them as positive reviews by people you know you can trust—people who’ve lived and worked here for years.
Just as we did last year with our 25 Days of Shopping Locally project, we’ll feature different businesses on our homepage every day. These are absolutely not paid advertisements; they’re simply the types of places that come immediately to our writers’ minds when someone says, “Name a local business you can’t live without.”
When small businesses thrive, we all benefit. This December, get out there and shop locally.
The golden age of rock ’n’ roll may be over if you’re looking at the Billboard charts, but the Bay Area remains a hub for icons that keep the timeless vibe alive. Phil Lesh created Phil Lesh and Friends for this very purpose: to pay homage to the Grateful Dead’s music by playing originals, common covers and songs from the members of his band. Back from their tour in New York and performing again at home in Lesh’s own spot, Lesh, Warren Haynes, Jimmy Herring, John Molo, Jeff Chimenti and Neal Casal perform Wednesday—Saturday, Dec 4—7, at Terrapin Crossroads. 100 Yacht Club Drive, San Rafael. 8pm. $79. 415.524.2773.
Renowned for The Joy Luck Club, author Amy Tan has a new novel, The Valley of Amazement. Following the lives of an American mother and her half-Chinese daughter who are separated when the Qing Dynasty is overturned, the novel spans the collapse of China’s last dynasty to the beginning of the republic, and recaptures the lost world of Shanghai through the inner workings of courtesan houses. Tan reads from her story of trauma, desire, deception and the power of love on Monday, Dec. 2, at Copperfield’s Books. 140 Kentucky St., Petaluma. 7pm. Free.
Comedy Central Tosh 2.0 host Daniel Tosh has the type of crude humor that makes it impossible not to laugh—no matter how obscene his material may be. Local fans of Tosh’s show noted last month his pick for “unfortunate high school name of the week”: Analy High School, which led into an onslaught of ass jokes. (“Located up your butt and around the corner, just off of the Hershey Highway in NorCal.”) Tosh brings his annual “Tosh Saves the World” comedy show to town on Saturday, Nov 30, at the Wells Fargo Center. 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa. 8pm. $65—$75. 707.546.3600.
In an age of disposable downloads, you can now hear kids asking, “Mommy, what’s a record store?” ‘Village Music: The Last of The Great Record Stores’ tells the story of Mill Valley’s own—John Goddard’s Village Music. Chronicling the final nine months of the store’s existence, the film documents Goddard through the evolution of American music and his building of a musical community. Featuring interviews and performances with Elvis Costello, Bonnie Raitt, Ry Cooder, Sammy Hagar, Bob Weir and Jerry Garcia, the film screens Friday, Nov. 29, at Sweetwater Music Hall. 19 Corte Madera Ave., Mill Valley. 2pm. Free.
After a few years on hiatus, the Two Gallants have broken their silence with a new album, The Bloom and the Blight. Recovering from a serious van accident, band member Adam Stephens picked up the pen and began to write emotionally poignant lyrics and harmonies; in many ways, the album reflects the duo’s separate journeys during their passage to...
They may not be the biggest names, but, hey—they’re super chill. The Super Chill Showcase kicks off a chilly winter with local artists SimonSez, Odd Fella, OZ, Juan and Beano, Unit, Legacy9, D.O., 3rd Degree, the Sandchild and Exacto, whose underground works are worthy of the same stage as artists like Snoop Dog or Mac Dre. If you’re in...
Each year, when I head to my parent’s for the holidays, I like to arrive at their home in Southern California with a can or two of coffee beans straight out of Sonoma County. That’s the benefit of living in a foodie capital, and anyone who has family out-of-town should exploit this fact by bringing savory, local treats to...
It might be tempting to get the beer enthusiast in your life one of those goofy “Beers of the World” 12 packs at Cost Plus, but here’s a way better idea; Head over to BeerCraft in Rohnert Park and let the knowledgeable staff help you put together a hand-selected case of some of the finest American craft beers in...
This week's cover story on supporting local businesses kicks off a whole month of holiday shopping. We here at the Bohemian aim to inspire your shopping to happen locally, for a variety of reasons. One, it helps the local economy. Two, it sends a message to the big-box chains who think they can get away with paying employees terribly....
The golden age of rock ’n’ roll may be over if you’re looking at the Billboard charts, but the Bay Area remains a hub for icons that keep the timeless vibe alive. Phil Lesh created Phil Lesh and Friends for this very purpose: to pay homage to the Grateful Dead’s music by playing originals, common covers and songs from...
Renowned for The Joy Luck Club, author Amy Tan has a new novel, The Valley of Amazement. Following the lives of an American mother and her half-Chinese daughter who are separated when the Qing Dynasty is overturned, the novel spans the collapse of China’s last dynasty to the beginning of the republic, and recaptures the lost world of Shanghai...
Comedy Central Tosh 2.0 host Daniel Tosh has the type of crude humor that makes it impossible not to laugh—no matter how obscene his material may be. Local fans of Tosh’s show noted last month his pick for “unfortunate high school name of the week”: Analy High School, which led into an onslaught of ass jokes. (“Located up your...
In an age of disposable downloads, you can now hear kids asking, “Mommy, what’s a record store?” ‘Village Music: The Last of The Great Record Stores’ tells the story of Mill Valley’s own—John Goddard’s Village Music. Chronicling the final nine months of the store’s existence, the film documents Goddard through the evolution of American music and his building of...
