Page 948 – Bohemian | Sonoma & Napa Counties

Review: Reggae Legends Sister Carol & Mykal Rose In Santa Rosa

Jacquelynne Ocaña

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Mar 25, 2013

Review: Reggae Legends Sister Carol & Mykal Rose In Santa Rosa

Sister Carol took the stage ten minutes before midnight. In dark glasses and tall rasta head dress, the 54-year-old radiates reggae empress on stage. Born Carol East in Kingston, Jamaica, Sister Carol is celebrating three decades of bringing women up in a culture dominated by masculinity. Part roots singer part rhymer, her signature chatty dancehall style has crowed the “Black Cinderella” one of the most eloquent women in reggae music.
A fashionably late entrance is standard affair in reggae culture. The practice is a gesture of sorts, giving the crowd a chance to appreciate the DJs and fill the dance floor. In fact, a seasoned fan knows to arrive no earlier than 11pm so as not to wander aimlessly until someone gets on stage. Arriving just before show time, the venue had already filled with people who had seen Sister Carol or Mykal Rose several times before. Fans came down from Mendocino County, Lake Tahoe, and up from the City owing to the significance of having these two reggae legends play such a small venue with a live band.
Now in its second year as the only reggae genre night in Santa Rosa, Casa Rasta has garnered a steady following of local fans. Resident DJ Kieran “Sizzlak” Eagan is lead seleckta, building on experience as a late-night reggae music programmer with San Jose’s KKUP, 91.5FM. And now taking to the decks is DJ Dinga, better known for his MC techniques with the wildly popular mixed martial arts event, Cage Combat. With Bay Area sound system Jah Warrior Shelter dropping in on a regular basis, the dynamic duo are coming into their own, booking quality live talent and attracting a fan base four counties wide.
Sister Carol’s performance was memorable. Having seen her perform on festival stages for thousands of people, it was an entirely different experience to see her engage a small audience. She took care to give attention to those in the front row and was absolutely on point with the back-up band. Going into several free styles, even within songs, the clarity of her rhymes was beyond impressive. It was if she had played a thousand times yet this time’s rhymes had renewed potency. Flawless renditions of “Rasta Girl” and “Womb-Man” sounded like album recordings, and the classic anthem “Reggae Arena” was, as always, the highlight of her set. Not a minute of lagging, just pure concentration in the music and the vibe. To our dismay though, the crowd did not realize “Wild Thing” was her last song and failed to produce an applause worthy of an encore. When she did not come back on stage, a sense of somber awe filled the room. The crowd knew they were not ready to say goodbye.

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Watch the New York Times Talk About That “Stack of Free Newspapers” Called Alt-weeklies

BohoBlog

Rachel Dovey

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Mar 22, 2013

0

Watch the New York Times Talk About That “Stack of Free Newspapers” Called Alt-weeklies

Spurred by the sad death of the Boston Phoenix, the New York Times posted a video today of A.O. Scott talking to David Carr about those strange, supposed fossils called alt-weeklies. It takes a certain suspension of disbelief to watch two critics from a daily newspaper talk about how alt-weeklies are becoming outdated because they’ve been replaced by the Internet, but whatever. David Carr worked for Washington City Paper and thinks The Stranger is awesome, so we humored their New York Times-ness and watched it anyway.

What this video does—really what all the post-Phoenix coverage has done—is try to define exactly what alt-weeklies do, what purpose they serve, what void would be left if they all went away. The two go through it point-by-point. For those under 30, they say, alt-weeklies are those papers you can get for free. They have (or once had) epic journalism, that you couldn’t find anywhere else (which is pretty cool to hear on the Times‘ site). They’re insanely local—almost tribal. They’re crusaders. They’re cheap, smeary newsprint with pictures of naked people in the back and hard-hitting, investigative reporting up front.

It’s a decent summation, but let’s take it a step further. After all, we at the Bohemian know what alt-weeklies are, because we work for one. We know that our staff IS bizarrely passionate about local arts and politics, to the point that we wonder why the rest of the world doesn’t laugh at our incisive jokes about Assemblyman Jared Huffman’s guitar. We can recite City Council quotes off-hand. We know that there’s always at least one copy editor (only one, in our case) who dislikes social media and harbors some weird theories about the 30-year-old office robot’s sex life. Also, we have a 30-year-old office robot. (Contrary to what our copy editor says, he doesn’t have a sex life.) We’ve all, at one point or another, published pictures of our dogs. We love newspapers, and movies about newspapers, and books about newspapers with a fanatic, spiritual love, and sometimes, if we’ve had a strong beer, the mere thought of newspapers can make us cry.

>Anyway, you can watch the video here. Be careful. It might start making you feel nostalgic for something that still isn’t gone.

March 24: Kermit Ruffins at Sweetwater Music Hall

Noted

Gabe Meline

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Mar 21, 2013

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March 24: Kermit Ruffins at Sweetwater Music Hall

When he steps up to play his trumpet, Kermit Ruffins spills passion from every pore. But he spills a little barbecue sauce, too. The New Orleans composer became obsessed with music after hearing a record of his idol Louis Armstrong playing from a jukebox, and since then, Ruffins and his band, the Barbecue Swingers, have become famous for cooking barbecue at their shows between sets. For Ruffins, it’s all about having a good time; as he says, “That’s really the only way I can do it anymore.” See him sport his trademark fedora and winning smile on Sunday, March 24, at the Sweetwater Music Hall. 19 Corte Madera Ave., Mill Valley. 8pm. $20. 415.388.3850.

March 23: Paul Reiser at the Napa Valley Opera House

Noted

Gabe Meline

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Mar 21, 2013

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March 23: Paul Reiser at the Napa Valley Opera House

Paul Reiser loves a good laugh. Starting out in standup, Reiser later moved on to film and television, known best for his roles in My Two Dads and Mad About You. Reiser has also written books and songs—he’s the guy you can thank for having the infinitely catchy Mad About You theme song stuck in your head for five years—but when it comes down to it, out of all of Reiser’s projects, standup comedy is still where he most excels. Hear his sidesplitting humor on Saturday, Mar. 23. Napa Valley Opera House. 1030 Main St., Napa. 8pm. $30—$35. 707.226.7372.

March 23: HeWhoCannotBeNamed at the Russian River Brewing Co.

Noted

Gabe Meline

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Mar 21, 2013

0

March 23: HeWhoCannotBeNamed at the Russian River Brewing Co.

At first glance it’s hard to tell if HeWhoCannotBeNamed is a hardcore wrestling fan or perhaps a power rangers enthusiast gone wild. After all, he’s the punk guitarist famous for playing in a Mexican wrestling mask and little (sometimes very little) else. As a founder of the Dwarves, known for their self-mutilation, onstage sex reenactments and glorification of hard drugs, HeWhoCannotBeNamed stepped his schtick up when he faked his own death with the help of his band mates—a legendary prank that got them thrown off their label at the time. Find out what other pranks HeWhoCannotBeNamed has up his sleeve with openers the Connies and the Rinds on Saturday, March 23, at the Russian River Brewing Co. 725 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 8pm. Free. 707.545.BEER.

March 23: Napa Valley Elvis Festival

Noted

Gabe Meline

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Mar 21, 2013

0

Provocative undulation was around long before Shakira’s hips decided not to lie—the hunka-hunka-burnin’-love king was the OG who launched generations of pelvic gyration to come. Celebrate the life the famous butterfly collared singer at the Napa Valley Elvis Festival. Along with a screening of Wild in the Country, which was largely filmed in Napa Valley, the program also includes a comedy set by Liz Grant, a teleconference with Elvis’ personal jeweler, talks by Elvis’ friends and Elvis songs preformed by Donny Edwards. See some jeweled jumpsuits up close on Saturday, March 23, at the Napa Valley Marriott Hotel. 3425 Solano Ave., Napa. 11:30am—6pm. $26. 707.253.8600.

Affordable Housing Forum Fizzles in Marin

BohoBlog

Kelly O'Mara

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Mar 21, 2013

0

Affordable Housing Forum Fizzles in Marin

The 100 people protesting on Wednesday night outside the Pickleweed Community Center—and the three cops patrolling the parking lot, with four more officers inside the meeting room—appeared prepared for a fight Wednesday night at Citizen Marin’s first-ever town hall meeting on Bay Area planning and affordable housing.

Instead, they got a nearly hour-long presentation from real estate financier, media activist and community organizer Bob Silvestri on the history of regional planning and housing development.

The Canal Alliance and Marin’s Action Coalition for Equity held up signs saying “I Just Look Illegal” and “End Apartheid in Marin,” protesting the neighborhood groups that have worked to stop affordable housing projects. Groups like Friends of Mill Valley and the Novato Community Alliance, both part of Citizen Marin, have come out against low-income developments in the past, citing concerns about high density. While many in the organizations have said they don’t associate with the extreme right, their rhetoric has often become nasty, and has divided communities.

But Silvestri, who called his politics “far to the left of President Obama,” gave a speech arguing that the “top-down, one-size-fits-all planning” of the One Bay Area Plan, which allocates housing requirements, isn’t going to solve Marin’s problems. Instead, he argued—to increasing applause and heckles from the audience as the night went on—that what Marin needs is senior housing, infill housing, second units and the ability for young, working-class families to buy into the community.

Worse, he said, forcing large developments into Marin would ruin small-town communities and do nothing but put money in the pockets of developers.

“We already have everything they’re trying to sell,” he said.

Instead of building more high-density, low-income projects next to freeways, he argued, the minimum wage should be raised, healthcare should be provided for free, and ground-up community priorities should be created for Marin’s towns. He posited further that Marin should opt out of the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and create, with Napa and Sonoma, its own council of governments—an idea supported by Corte Madera’s withdrawal from ABAG last year.

While some in the audience cheered at the ideas, others Silvestri’s speech as nothing but a smokescreen.

“A lot of what you said makes sense, but a lot of your solutions are way down the road,” said Steve Bingham, of San Rafael.

As the night went on, the town hall forum became a public space for people to decry mortgage payments, question the existence of global warming, and yell at Silvestri that some of his proposals sounded like communist socialism. Toni Shroyer and Susan Kirsh, supporters of the anti-ABAG movement and moderators of the forum, battled with speakers for control of the microphone and encouraged hostile forum-goers to wrap it up.

But, while there was talk of lawsuits to fight ABAG and more forums in the future to discuss alternatives, many who came hoping to learn about affordable housing options felt discouraged. Few solutions or changes were tangible—and that wasn’t good enough, said a number of activists.

“Business as usual,” said Kiki LaPorte of Sustainable Fairfax, “is how we got to where we are now.”

Best Of 2013: Everyday

Best of Services

Bohemian.com

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Mar 20, 2013

0

Best Antique Shop

Marin

Antiques Legacy

204 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Anselmo.415.457.7166.

Napa

Alice’s Vintage Shop

810 Randolph St., Napa.707.927.3224.

Sonoma

Whistlestop Antiques

130 Fourth St., Santa Rosa.707.542.9474.

Honorable Mention

Antique Society

2661 Gravenstein Hwy. S., Sebastopol.707.829.1733.

Best Resale Store

Marin

Yeah Baby!

1830 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Fairfax.415.459.4493.

Napa

LoLo’s Consignment

1120 Main St., St. Helena.707.963.7972.

Sonoma

Launch

971 Gravenstein Ave., Sebastopol.707.829.3312.

Honorable Mention

Marin

Book Passage

51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera.415.927.0960.

Napa

Copperfield’s Books

3740 Bel Aire Plaza, Napa.707.252.8002.

1330 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga.707.942.1616.

Sonoma

Copperfield’s Books

138 N. Main St., Sebastopol.707.823.2618.

140 Kentucky St., Petaluma.707.762.0563.

775 Village Court, Santa Rosa.707.578.8938.

106 Matheson St., Healdsburg.707.433.9270.

Honorable Mention

Levin & Company

306 Center St., Healdsburg.707.433.1118.

Best Bookstore—Used

Marin

Rebound Bookstore

1611 Fourth St., San Rafael.415.482.0550.

Napa

Main Street Books

1315 Main St., St. Helena.707.963.1338.

Sonoma

Copperfield’s Underground Used & Rare Books

140 Kentucky St., Petaluma.707.782.0228.

Honorable Mention

Mockingbird Used Books

6932 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol.707.824.0389.

Best Musical Instruments Store

Marin

Bananas at Large

1504 Fourth St., San Rafael.415.457.7600.

Napa

All Star Guitars

2522 Jefferson St., Napa.707.224.6577.

Sonoma

People’s Music

122 N. Main St., Sebastopol.707.823.7664.

Honorable Mention

Marin

Junction Shoes

324 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Anselmo.415.256.9290.

Napa

Shoes on First

1209 First St., Napa.707.252.7280.

Sonoma

Sole Desire

710 Farmers Lane, Santa Rosa.707.571.8643.

2411 Magowan Drive, Santa Rosa.707.542.1690.

11 E. Napa St., Sonoma.707.931.0357.

500 W. Napa St., Sonoma.707.933.1702.

151 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma.707.778.6967.

Honorable Mention

Rainsong Shoes

117 Plaza St., Healdsburg.707.433.8058.

2410 Magowan Drive, Santa Rosa.707.576.8919.

Best Appliance / Kitchen Design

Napa

Harbison Appliance

333 Third St., Napa.707.253.2141.

Sonoma

Tee Vax Home Appliance & Kitchen Center

422 Wilson St., Santa Rosa.707.545.1195.

Honorable Mention

Asien’s Appliance

1801 Piner Road, Santa Rosa.707.546.3749.

Best Furniture / Home Furnishings

Marin

Sunrise Home

831 B St., San Rafael.415.456.3939.

Napa

Poor House

1046 McKinstry St., Napa.707.294.2066.

Sonoma

Pedersen’s Furniture

707 Fifth St., Santa Rosa.707.542.1855.

Honorable Mention

Cokas Diko

529 Fourth St., Santa Rosa.707.568.4044.

Best Home Improvement

Marin

Pini Ace Hardware

1535 S. Novato Blvd., Novato.415.892.1577.

Napa

Steves Hardware

1370 Main St., St. Helena. 707.963.3423.

Sonoma

Friedman’s Home Improvement

4055 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa.707.584.7811.

1360 Broadway Ave., Sonoma.707.939.8811.

Honorable Mention

Rex Ace Hardware & Country Store

313 B St., Petaluma.707.762.7355.

Best Solar Retail

Marin

Summit Electric Technology

www.summittechnologygrp.com

Napa

Real Goods

www.realgoodssolar.com

Sonoma

Solar Works

400 Morris St., Ste. C, Sebastopol.707.829.8282.

Honorable Mention

Gaia Energy Systems

716 College Ave., Santa Rosa.707.272.8136.

Best Wi-Fi Hot Spot

Marin

Blackbird Inverness

12781 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Inverness.415.669.7195.

Napa

Yo el Rey Roasting

1217 Washington St., Calistoga.707.942.1180.

Sonoma

Infusions Teahouse

6988 McKinley Ave., Sebastopol.707.829.1181.

Honorable Mention

A’Roma Roasters Coffee & Tea

95 Fifth St., Santa Rosa.707.576.7765.

Best Auto Dealer–New

Marin

Novato Toyota

115 Vintage Way, Novato.415.897.3191.

Napa

Jimmy Vasser Toyato & Cheverolet

466 & 583 Soscol Ave., Napa.707.927.4466.

Sonoma

Hansel Auto Group

2800 Corby Ave., Santa Rosa.866.272.1397.

1125 Auto Center Drive, Petaluma.877.398.1892.

2951 Corby Ave., Santa Rosa.707.578.1320.

Honorable Mention

Freeman Toyota

2875 Corby Ave., Santa Rosa.707.542.1791.

Best Auto Dealer-Used

Marin

Jack L. Hunt, Automotive Sales & Service

1714 Fourth St., San Rafael.415.453.1611.

Napa

Greenbergs Quality Motors

784 Soscol Ave., Napa. 707.257.1565.

Sonoma

Hansel Auto Group

1125 Auto Center Drive, Petaluma.707.769.2333.

2800 Corby Ave., Santa Rosa.866.272.1397.

2951 Corby Ave., Santa Rosa.707.578.1320.

Honorable Mention

Manly Automotive Group

2701 Corby Ave., Santa Rosa.707.578.0443.

Best Motorcycle Shop

Napa

Nieman’s Motorcycle Rentals

1132 Main St., St. Helena.707.963.4618.

Sonoma

Sonoma

Hydro Depot

13 W. Third St., Santa Rosa.707.542.3866.

5655 Redwood Drive, Rohnert Park.707.584.2384.

6731 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol.707.829.1576.

Honorable Mention

Santa Rosa Hydroponics

4880 Sonoma Hwy., Santa Rosa.707.595.1340.

4130 S. Moorland Ave., Santa Rosa. 707.584.9370.

Best Grocery Store

Marin

Good Earth Natural & Organic Foods

720 Center Blvd., Fairfax.415.454.0123.

Napa

Vallergas Market

3385 Solono Ave., Napa.707.253.2621.

Sonoma

Oliver’s Market

546 E. Cotati Ave., Cotati.707.950.9501.

560 Montecito Center, Santa Rosa.707.537.7123.

461 Stony Point Road, Santa Rosa.707.284.3530.

Honorable Mention

Community Market

1899 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa.707.546.1806.

Best Ethnic Market

Marin

Asian Market

5 Mary St., San Rafael.415.459.7133.

Napa

La Morenita Market

2434 Jefferson St., Napa.707.255.9068.

Sonoma

Lola’s Market

1680 Petaluma Hill Road, Santa Rosa. 707.757.7579.

440 Dutton Ave., Santa Rosa.707.577.8846.

102 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg.707.433.1978.

2750 Old Sonoma Road, Napa.707.251.5682.

Honorable Mention

Asia Mart

2481 Guerneville Road, Santa Rosa. 707.542.3513.

Best Natural Foods Store

Marin

Good Earth Natural & Organic Foods

720 Center Blvd., Fairfax.415.454.0123.

Napa

Tie

Golden Carrot Natural Foods

1621 W. Imola Ave., Napa.707.224.3117.

Nature Select Foods

1080 Main St., St. Helena.707.967.8545.

Sonoma

Community Market

1899 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa.707.546.1806.

Honorable Mention

Andy’s Produce

1691 N. Gravenstein Hwy., Sebastopol.707.823.8661.

Best Culinary Store

Marin

Tyler Florence Shop

59 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley.415.380.9200.

Napa

Shackford’s Kitchen Store

1350 Main St., Napa.707.226.2132.

Sonoma

Cultivate

186 N. Main St., Sebastopol.707.824.1400.

Honorable Mention

Hardisty’s Homewares

1513 Farmers Lane, Santa Rosa.707.545.0534.

Best Locally Made Retail Product

Marin

Cowgirl Creamery

80 Fourth St., Point Reyes.866.433.7834.

Napa

Made in Napa Valley

www.madeinnapavalley.com

Sonoma

Amy’s Organic Foods

www.amys.com

Honorable Mention

Lagunitas Brewing Co.

1280 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma.707.769.4495.

Best Cigar Shop

Marin

Telford’s Pipe & Cigar

664 Redwood Hwy., Mill Valley.415.388.0440.

Napa

V Wine Cellar

6525 Washington St., Yountville.707.531.7053.

Sonoma

Squire Cigars

1305 Cleveland Ave., Ste. G, Santa Rosa.707.573.8544.

Honorable Mention

The Humidor

342 Coddingtown Mall, Santa Rosa.707.579.9069.

2048 Santa Rosa Plaza, Santa Rosa.707.579.4441.

Best Pipe Shop

Marin

The Mighty Quinn

1099 Fourth St., Ste. G, San Rafael.415.457.2420.

Napa

Calistoga Smoke Shop

1430 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga.707.942.3937.

Sonoma

Tie

Peacepipe

622 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa.707.541.7016.

8492 Gravenstein Hwy., Cotati.707.795.3420.

Homeblown Glass

207 N. Main St., Sebastopol.707.824.8242.

705 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 707.591.0420.

Honorable Mention

The Mighty Quinn

3372 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa.707.545.4975.

Best Hair Salon

Marin

Cooper Alley

2215 Larkspur Landing, Larkspur.415.461.1146.

Napa

Bloom Creative Hair Design

1146 Main St., Napa. 707.251.8468.

Sonoma

Brush Salon

105-C Plaza St., Healdsburg.707.431.1400.

Honorable Mention

Elle Lui Salon

205 Fifth St., Santa Rosa.707.575.1474.

Best Nail Salon

Marin

Polish Nail Spa

1520 Fourth St., San Rafael.415.258.9218.

Napa

Contempo Nails

2969 Jefferson St., Napa.707.251.9765.

Sonoma

Red Nails

2547 Guerneville Road, Santa Rosa.707.545.7110.

Honorable Mention

Modern Nails

2700 Yulupa Ave., Ste. 16, Santa Rosa.707.545.6580.

Best Skin Care Services

Marin

Evo Spa

800 Redwood Hwy., Ste. 216, Mill Valley.415.383.3223.

Napa

Greenhaus European Day Spa

1300 Pearl St., Napa.707.257.8837.

Sonoma

Florencia Spa

718 E. Washington Blvd., Petaluma.707.526.7453.

Honorable Mention

Bliss Organic Day Spa

186 N. Main St. #230, Sebastopol.707.861.3434.

Best Body-Art Place

Marin

The Blue Lotus

1295 Second St., Ste. 100, San Rafael.415.455.8367.

Napa

Garage Ink

1525 Lincoln Ave., Napa.707.254.7125.

Sonoma

Buddha’s Palm Tattoo

313 N. Main St., Sebastopol.707.829.7256.

Honorable Mention

Monkey Wrench Tattoo

1066 Fourth St., Santa Rosa.707.575.0610.

Best Day Spa

Marin

Evo Spa

800 Redwood Hwy., Ste. 216, Mill Valley.415.383.3223.

Napa

Spa Solage

755 Silverado Trail, Calistoga.707.226.0820.

Sonoma

Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary

209 Bohemian Hwy., Freestone.707.823.8231.

Honorable Mention

Mermaids Spa

115 S. Main St., Sebastopol.707.823.3535.

Best Resort & Spa

Marin

Cavallo Point

601 Murray Circle, Sausalito.415.339.4700.

Napa

Indian Springs Resort & Spa

1712 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga.707.942.4913.

Sonoma

Kenwood Inn & Spa

10400 Sonoma Hwy., Kenwood.707.833.1293.

Honorable Mention

Flamingo Conference Resort & Spa

2777 Fourth St., Santa Rosa.707.545.8530.

Best Acupuncturist

Marin

Ronit Gesundheit, Community Acupuncture of Marin

7075 Redwood Blvd., Ste. H, Novato.415.250.4009.

Sonoma

Ian McCullough, Sebastopol Family Acupuncture

490 Pitt Ave., Sebastopol.707.823.4300.

Napa

Lauren Sugarman, LAc, Inner Healing Wisdom

2436 Foothill Blvd., Ste. C, Calistoga.707.942.3927.

Sonoma

Lorelle Saxena, the Saxena Clinic

633 Fourth St., Santa Rosa.707.575.4826.

Honorable Mention

Sebastopol Family Acuuncture

490 Pitt Ave, Sebastopol.707.634.1762.

Best Herbal Clinic

Marin

Community Acupuncture of Marin

7075 Redwood Blvd., Ste. H, Novato.415.250.4009.

Napa

Ann Irnish, 360 Health & Wellness

1119A Hunt Ave., St. Helena.707.967.9567.

Sonoma

Farmacopia

95 Montgomery Drive, Ste. 90, Santa Rosa.707.528.4372.

Honorable Mention

Dhyana Center

Marin

Bank of Marin

1101 Fourth St., San Rafael.415.485.2265.

Sonoma

Exchange Bank

www.exchangebank.com

Honorable Mention

Summit State Bank

www.summitstatebank.com

Best Credit Union

Marin

Redwood Credit Union

www.redwoodcu.org

Napa

Redwood Credit Union

www.redwoodcu.org

Sonoma

Redwood Credit Union

www.redwoodcu.org

Honorable Mention

Community First Credit Union

www.comfirstcu.org

Best Real Estate Agent / Company

Marin

Kathleen Emrey, Frank Howard Allen

511 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Greenbrae.415.925.3278.

Napa

Carolyn Roberts, Coldwell Banker

1775 Lincoln Ave., Napa. 707.258.1042.

Sonoma

Debbie Hegardt, Century 21 Alliance

1057 College Ave., Santa Rosa.707.577.7777.

Honorable Mention

Jeffrey Seligson, Wine Country Group

7300 Healdsburg Ave., Ste. B, Sebastopol. 707.824.4543.

Best Attorney

Marin

Charlotte H. Huggins

950 Northgate Drive, San Rafael.415.457.4497.

Napa

Robert E. Blevans, Blevans & Blevans

1831 First St., Napa.707.251.5500.

Sonoma

Bush & Chaput

755 Baywood Drive, Petaluma.707.658.4444.

Honorable Mention

Chris Andrian, Andrian & Gallenson

1100 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa.707.527.9381.

Best Nonprofit

Marin

Homeward Bound of Marin

1835 N. Hamilton Pkwy., Novato.415.382.3363.

Napa

Community Action Napa Valley

2310 Laurel St. #1, Napa.707.253.6100..

Sonoma

Ceres Community Project

7351 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol.707.829.5833.

Honorable Mention

Food for Thought, Sonoma County AIDS Food Bank

PO Box 1608, Forestville.707.887.1647.

Best Of 2013: Culture

Best of Arts and Culture

Nicolas Grizzle

-

Mar 20, 2013

0

Best Art Gallery

Marin

Tie

Gallery Route One

11101 Hwy. 1, Ste. 101., Point Reyes Station.415.663.1347.

Art Works Downtown

1337 Fourth St., San Rafael.415.451.8119.

Napa

di Rosa

5200 Carneros Hwy., Napa.707.226.5991.

Sonoma

Riverfront Art Gallery

132 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma.707.775.4278.

Honorable Mention

Sebastopol Gallery

150 N. Main St., Sebastopol.707.829.7200.

Best Museum

Marin

Bay Area Discovery Museum

557 McReynolds Road, Sausalito.415.339.3900.

Napa

Napa Valley Museum

55 President’s Circle, Yountville.707.944.0500.

Sonoma

Charles M. Schulz Museum

2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa.707.579.4452.

Honorable Mention

Sonoma County Museum

425 Seventh St., Santa Rosa.707.579.1500.

Best Outdoor Art Event

Marin

Sausalito Art Festival

www.sausalitoartfestival.org

Napa

Art on First

www.artscouncilnapavalley.org

Sonoma

Petaluma Art & Garden Festival

www.petalumadowntown.com

Honorable Mention

Bodega Seafood Art & Wine Festival

www.winecountryfestivals.com

Best Movie Theater

Marin

Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center

1118 Fourth St., San Rafael.415.454.1222.

Napa

Cameo Cinema

1340 Main St., St. Helena.707.963.3946.

Sonoma

Rialto Cinemas

6868 McKinley St., Sebastopol.707.525.4840.

Honorable Mention Tie

Roxy Stadium 14

85 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa.707.522.0330.

Summerfield Cinemas

551 Summerfield Road, Santa Rosa.707.533.0719.

Best Film Festival

Marin

Mill Valley Film Festival

www.mvff.com

Napa

Napa Valley Film Festival

www.napavalleyfilmfest.org

Sonoma

Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival

www.sebastopolfilmfestival.org

Honorable Mention

Sonoma International Film Festival

www.sonomafilmfest.org

Best Ballet Company

Marin

Marin Ballet

100 Elm St., San Rafael.415.453.6705.

Napa

Napa Valley Ballet Company

1755 Industrial Way #25, Napa.707.294.8820.

Sonoma

Petaluma City Ballet

110 Howard St., Petaluma.707.765.2660.

Honorable Mention

Sebastopol Ballet

390 Morris St., Sebastopol.707.824.8006.

Best Performing Dance Company

Marin

Roco Dance & Fitness

237 Shoreline Hwy., Mill Valley.415.388.6786.

Napa

Napa Valley Ballet Folklorico

PO Box 2344, Yountville.707.480.7436.

Sonoma

Wild Card Belly Dance

www.wildcardbellydance.com

Honorable Mention Tie

Petaluma City Ballet

110 Howard St., Petaluma.707.765.2660.

Sebastopol Ballet

390 Morris St., Sebastopol.707.824.8006.

Best Dance Studio

Marin

Roco Dance & Fitness

237 Shoreline Hwy., Mill Valley.415.388.6786.

Napa

Napa Valley Dance Center

950 Pearl St., Napa.707.255.2701.

Sonoma

Annadel Dance & Fitness

4283 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa.707.292.7127.

Honorable Mention

The Dance Center

56 W. Sixth St., Santa Rosa.707.575.8277.

Best Place to Dance

Marin

George’s Nightclub

842 Fourth St., San Rafael.415.226.0262.

Napa

Bistro Sabor

1126 First St., Napa.707.252.0555.

Sonoma

Hopmonk

230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol.707.829.7300.

691 Broadway, Sonoma.707.935.9100.

224 Vintage Way, Novato.415.892.6200.

Honorable Mention

The Last Day Saloon

120 Fifth St., Santa Rosa.707.545.5876.

Best Media Personality

Marin

Liberacha, KWMR 90.5-FM

11431 State Route 1, Ste. 8, Point Reyes Station.415.663.8068.

Napa

Bob St. Laurant, KVYN 99.3-FM

1124 Foster Road, Napa.707.257.8463.

Sonoma

Bill Bowker, KRSH 95.9-FM

3565 Standish Ave., Santa Rosa.707.588.0707.

Honorable Mention

Brent Farris, KZST 100.1-FM

3392 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa.707.528.4434.

Best Festival

Marin

Marin Art Festival

www.marinartfestival.com.

Napa

Mustard, Mud & Music Festival

www.calistogavisitors.com

Sonoma

Sebastopol Apple Blossom Festival

www.sebastopol.org

Honorable Mention

Rivertown Revival

www.rivertownrevival.com

Best Music Festival

Marin

KWMR Far West Fest

11431 State Route 1, Ste. 8, Point Reyes Station. 415.663.8068.

Napa

Napa Porchfest

www.napaporchfest.org

Sonoma

Russian River Jazz & Blues Festival

www.omegaevents.com

Honorable Mention

Petaluma Music Festival

www.petalumamusicfestival.org

Best Charity Event

Marin

Marin Human Race

www.marinhumanrace.org

Napa

Auction Napa Valley

www.auctionnapavalley.org

Sonoma

Calabash! (Food for Thought)

PO Box 1608, Forestville.707.887.1647.

Honorable Mention Tie

Lunafest Wine Country

www.lunafest.org

Levi’s GranFondo

www.levisgranfondo.com

Best performing Arts Center

Marin

Marin Center

10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael.415.473.6800.

Napa

Napa Valley Opera House

1030 Main St., Napa.707.226.7372.

Sonoma

Wells Fargo Center for the Arts

50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa.707.546.3600.

Honorable Mention

Green Music Center

1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park.866.955.6040.

Best Theater Troupe

Marin

Marin Theatre Company

397 Miller Ave., Mill Valley.415.388.5200.

Napa

Napa Valley Playhouse

167 Imola Ave., Napa.707.255.5483.

Sonoma

Sixth Street Playhouse

52 W. Sixth St., Santa Rosa.707.523.4185.

Honorable Mention

The Imaginists

461 Sebastopol Ave., Santa Rosa.707.528.7554.

Best Band

Marin

Petty Theft

www.pettytheftrocks.com

Napa

Deluna

www.delunamusic.com

Sonoma

WonderBread 5

www.wonderbread5.com

Honorable Mention

Pat Jordan Band

www.patjordanband.com

Best Music Venue

Marin

Sweetwater Music Hall

19 Corte Madera Ave., Mill Valley.415.388.1100.

Napa

Uptown Theatre

1350 Third St., Napa.707.259.0123.

Sonoma

Hopmonk

230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol.707.829.7300.

691 Broadway, Sonoma.707.935.9100.

224 Vintage Way, Novato.415.892.6200.

Honorable Mention

Mystic Theatre

23 N. Petaluma Blvd., Petaluma.707.765.9211.

Très Cinema

Movies

Richard von Busack

-

Mar 20, 2013

0

The person next to you on the bus can tell you that German films are depressing, British films are unintelligible and French films are, on some level, trifling, nonsensical or too sexy. Am I oversimplifying? I recently saw a would-be sophisticated website going on about Jean Vigo’s sublime L’Atalante (predating Beasts of the Southern Wild by some 80 years). Baffled by incidents of magical realism, the two master debaters came back to a mantra: “You know, it’s French.”

And that settled that. Yet the series “Rendez-vous with French Cinema,” continuing this week at Summerfield Cinemas, offers a glimmer of what Petaluma’s own Pauline Kael meant when she said that even the best American movies aren’t good enough.

Patrice LeConte, whose light attitude toward mortality goes at least as far back as The Hairdresser’s Husband (1990), takes that attitude all the way to The Suicide Shop (March 21, 7pm), a lovable, witty and macabre animated musical. On a gray Parisian side street, Maison Tuvache (established 1854) has been selling potential suicides ropes, poisons, razors and even samurai swords. (They’re not cheap, “but there are no pockets in a shroud . . . or a kimono.”) Their motto: “Life a failure? Make death a success!”

The lady of the place (voiced by Isabelle Spade) is one of those chirpy Parisienne shopkeepers Karin Viard does so well. Her husband, Mishima, is a debonair Gomez Addams look-alike, but tragedy strikes when they have a child whose disgusting zest for life interferes with the family business. Highly recommended to goths, fans of Sweeney Todd and Tim Burton fanciers. Alas, this movie in need of a cult does end on a positive note. What can you do? Dead people don’t buy movie tickets.

The series also includes Alice Winocour’s Augustine (March 20, 7pm), which comes from the casebook of Sigmund Freud’s most important predecessor, Professor Jean-Martin Charcot (Vincent Lindon). And the experimental Rich Is the Wolf (March 24, 1pm) traces the disappearance of a husband and the clues left behind via VHS tapes. A woman watching hours of videotape, struggling to understand what it all means? Sounds like French cinema in a nutshell.

‘Rendez-vous with French Cinemas’ runs through March 24 at Summerfield Cinemas, 551 Summerfield Road, Santa Rosa. 707.522.0719. www.summerfieldcinemas.com.

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