In the latest New Yorker, staff writer George Packer asks why the huge profits made in Silicon Valley’s tech world have grown as big as the massive gap between America’s rich and poor. He uses a wider lens his new book, The Unwinding: An Inner History of the New America, taking on the last 35 years of U.S. history in a nation that’s in steady economic decline. Hear Packer read on Monday, June 3, at Book Passage. 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera. 7pm. 415.927.0960.
Matt Costa is everything you’d expect from an artist on Brushfire Records, the label run by ambassador of chill Jack Johnson. His catchy, toned-down songs provide the perfect background for an afternoon of wine tasting and sunbathing in the Napa Valley. This weekend, Costa plays the opening concert of the Long Meadow Ranch Summer series, with upcoming performances by Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers, Langhorne Slim, Mother Hips and Sean Hayes. See him on Sunday, June 2, at Long Meadow Ranch. 738 Main St., St. Helena. 2pm. $30. 707.963.4555.
Cheryl Strayed’s fame is well deserved; she happened to write Wild, a memoir about her cathartic, months-long solo hike along the Pacific Crest Trail, and one of the best-selling books of 2012. She’s also the force behind the fabulous Dear Sugar columns over at The Rumpus. See the Oprah Book Club alumni for a writing workshop, craft talk and reading on Saturday, June 1, at the Petaluma Sheraton. 745 Baywood Drive, Petaluma. 9am-5pm. $197-$245, includes lunch and workshop materials. www.cherylstrayedevent.com.
Along with Kendrick Lamar, 26-year-old Big K.R.I.T. is one of the freshest voices in the game right now. Hailing from Mississippi, the young rapper draws on old-school rap and touches of funk for the bedrock of his latest album Live from the Underground, out on Def Jam Recordings. Big K.R.I.T’s West Coast Tour hits town on Thursday, May 30, at the Phoenix Theater. 201 Washington St., Petaluma. 8pm. $22. 707.762.3565.
There’s nothing like spending a warm summer night boot-stepping by the gazebo in the main square, friends and neighbors all around, music in the air. Cloverdale’s Friday Night Live concert series makes this sweet fantasy into reality every Friday Night, starting May 31 with a performance by Roy Rogers and the Delta Rhythm Kings. Get there early to load up on snacks at the Cloverdale Farmers Market when Friday Night Live kicks off on Friday, May 31, at the Cloverdale Downtown Plaza. N. Cloverdale Blvd. 7pm. Free. 707.894.4410.
Healthcare, and everything associated with it, is arguably one of the more important issues facing the American people today. It is a social and an economic issue—the fewer people who have coverage the more the cost to the “system” as a whole. Whether you are in support of so-called “Obamacare,” or want things to change in a different way, it’s pretty clear there are many flaws in the current system.
And constantly, every day, it seems, there is a law that changes or hospital consolidation which changes the way healthcare is delivered.
The North Bay Business Journal recently published a story on Covered California, the “state’s online health exchange established under the Affordable Care Act,” written by Dan Verel, health care reporter at the Business Journal.
Verel’s story includes information about the local impact of this rollout of the Affordable Care Act. The Press Democrat also published a story by Judy Lin of the Associated Press which didn’t include any localized information or analysis on the topic.
Also in healthcare news, and related to the Affordable Care Act, last month Alexander Valley Regional Medical Center applied to become a federally qualified health center, which, according to a Business Journal story, “if approved, would allow Sonoma County’s only certified rural health clinic to receive significantly better reimbursement rates and more operating revenue.”
Also of note, Verihealth, Petaluma-based ambulance company, was recently acquired by Falck, a global ambulance company based in Denmark. Falk USA CEO Boo Heffner was quoted as saying of Verihealth: “We view them as a springboard, if you will, into larger markets in Northern California.”
It’s also yet another sign of the consolidation taking place in the health care sector, spurred largely by the Affordable Care Act and the economic realities that are impacting companies — from physician groups to blood banks to ambulance companies — large and small, wrote Verel./blockquote>
To me, these stories reek of relevancy to the local community. The Associated Press wire service is certainly a fine place to pick up news, but with something as big as a roll-out of healthcare reform, it seems logical and apt to get a local angle on the story. The Business Journal’s audience is comprised mostly of business leaders. I am sure the rest of the community would benefit from broader coverage by the other guys in town.
Turns out all those people who put money into pork futures were right, after all. Today it was announced that Chinese company Shuanghui will buy Smithfield, one of America’s largest pork producers, for $34 per share, about 30 percent above its closing share price yesterday. Reports on the value of the deal vary; some report it as $4.7 billion, some say it’s $7.1 billion. Either way, this is the largest takeover of an American company by a Chinese company.
There are concerns on this deal, naturally. Shuanghui was embroiled in a tainted meat scandal two years ago in China, but the companies say this deal will primarily focus on exporting American pork to China. Shuangui says it also hopes to learn more about the United States food safety processes. China is the world’s biggest pork market.
So, it seems the only thing we don’t get from China these days is pork, retaining it as a part of our American heritage. And now they’re taking our pork. It’s easy to say this is a win for the overall health of Americans, a blow to the “obesity epidemic,” as it were. But bacon isn’t to blame, it’s the maple coating on the bacon, the chocolate bar in which the bacon is mixed, the 1,400-calorie burger on which it sits that is the real culprit. Only time will tell how this deal plays out.
Smithfield says it’s keeping its operations in the U.S., which is good for its 46,000 employees. The headquarters will remain in Virginia and no facilities will close, says Smithfield. For now, at least, it’s only the profits that will be leaving.
On a recent Saturday, I headed down to Camp Rose Beach on the Russian River just outside of Healdsburg. I observed a large sign posted on the gate that claimed the beach was now a “Private Beach,” and no access was allowed. Interesting, to say the least, since the National River Law states otherwise. Any navigable river (that means by kayak, inner tube or any other floating device that carries a human) is public domain up to the high water mark of the river. Certainly the entirety of Camp Rose Beach falls into those parameters.
I explored other signs that were posted. One said that only residents of “Camp Rose” (which is a public street) could use the beach, and claimed that anyone else was trespassing.
Doing further research, I found out who claims to be the “new owners” of Camp Rose Beach, a couple by the name of Don and Jeannie Dana. I emailed them at an address they left attached to the sign asking “QUESTIONS?” (ca***********@***il.com), but have gotten no reply so far.
The sheriff’s department assured me that Camp Rose is a public beach, so I think people need to know that Mr. Dana’s signing of public land is indeed illegal. Anyone is welcome to use the beach.
Healdsburg
Yes, many questions remain to be answered about Sonoma Clean Power’s program, but that is not a sufficient reason to stop cities from voting to join. By participating, cities gain representation in the Sonoma Clean Power Authority to shape the program moving forward. That gives citizens a direct conduit and a voice in those important decisions, something we don’t have now.
More importantly, by voting yes, cities enable their constituents to choose. Those who care most about the cheapest possible electricity regardless of the source can choose to opt out.
City leaders will also get to choose who provides their municipal electricity needs. But their choice should not be imposed on you. By saying no to Sonoma Clean Power, however, that is exactly what they would be doing: imposing their choice to remain with PG&E on everyone within city limits.
Tell your city council you expect them to vote yes on Sonoma Clean Power so that you can choose based on your own values, not theirs.
Santa Rosa
With respect to Lynn Hamilton’s letter about Drakes Bay Oyster Company and Pt. Reyes Seashore: While I would ordinarily share her opinion about a pure approach toward preserving our national parks, I guess I would say that there is something compelling about saving a small family business that has been part of the Pt. Reyes landscape for decades and that supports people in the community in a manner that is essentially kind and conscientious. When I weigh and balance what little impact these few families and the oyster farm have on the seashore, when I take into account the longevity of their tenure and the fact that there are several other working farms within the park, I would have to disagree with Lynn on this one. The positives of Drakes Bay’s ongoing residency in the park far outweigh the negatives.
There are plenty of hideous, horrendous, agonizing violations to the environment perpetrated by destructive corporate (and government) interests. Let’s work against them and work with the people in our community to survive together.
Sebastopol
In our story on the “Out of Order” art exhibit, we incorrectly identified the words “we must carry each other” as lyrics from the rock band U2. They are not. We regret the error.
Also, in our preview on “Max Wade” rappers Brilliant & Timbalias, we surmised that the beat and rhyming cadence of “Max Wade” was lifted from a Lupe Fiasco freestyle. In fact, the true source is more likely “B.M.F.” by Rick Ross.
Moral of the story: grow huge man boobs and grunt “uuunnngh” like Rick Ross, and kids in Marin will one day flip your beats to rap about Guy Fieri.
Heel up, wheel up, bring it back, come rewind
Write to us at le*****@******an.com.
Few American stage musicals are as well known and beloved as Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Sound of Music. So it’s funny that so few of its fans have ever actually seen the show onstage.
Compared to the 1964 film starring Julie Andrews—one of the best film adaptations ever made of any play—few stage versions stand a chance at delivering a matching emotional impact. But every once in a while, a theatrical production manages to bring something to The Sound of Music that no other production, including the film, quite manages to achieve.
In the case of the Mountain Play, what director Jay Manley brings to The Sound of Music is sheer, dazzling, unlimited size. Expanding to fill the massive stage area of the 3,000-seat amphitheater, set designer Ken Rowland has erected a gorgeous, sprawling Nonnberg Abbey for the stirring chorus of opening Hallellujahs, sung by a crack team of 24 Benedictine nuns and monks.
When we first see Maria, played well by Heather Buck (seen at Spreckels in last year’s Camelot), she is stationed at the center of the amphitheater, belting the soaring title song from a large boulder beside a wind-twisted tree. A few moments later, when she’s assigned to the household of Captain von Trapp (Ryan Drummond) and his seven children, the Abbey splits into two, each piece pivoting around to create the family’s mountainside mansion. And when the Nazis take over Austria, the sight of massive swastikas fluttering over the stage is impressively jarring and effective.
Even the musical score has expanded, and now features all the songs from the original stage production, including some cut from the film, along with two songs written specifically for the movie.
With this Sound of Music, Manley and his cast and crew certainly deliver the spectacle while managing to stay true to the intimacy of the story, the simple tale of people in love, struggling to do the right thing in difficult times.
Rating (out of 5): ★★★★
Stylistically, Anderson Valley wines seem much closer to Oregon than, say, the Russian River Valley. The drive there certainly makes it feel that way. The road climbs, twists and dives, then repeats.
The virtue of this long, winding road is that there isn’t likely any driver in front or behind you for a long time. Until there is, and you know that you are not in Oregon. Fortunately, there are plenty of opportunities to pull out—unfortunately, just not enough for impatient drivers.
Anyhow, on to a friendly little Pinot Noir tasting put on by Anderson Valley Winegrowers. The 16th such festival, it’s hosted by Goldeneye Winery in a big tent in the middle of their manicured vineyards. By the warm greetings and banter, it’s clear that many of the attendees are in the business in one way or another, too. With over 2,200 acres of vineyard—compare to over 9,000 in Dry Creek Valley—the Anderson Valley wine scene is like a backyard party.
Angel Camp Vineyards’ winemaker knows something about driving Highway 128. During harvest, he commutes daily from Napa Valley—once a week during slow months. The couple who run Frati Horn (“wine glass” in Boontling) truck their grapes all the way down to Inspiration Vineyards’ warehouse joint in Santa Rosa to make their 2011 Pinot Noir—a cool, juicy rhubarb-flavored refreshment.
Joe Webb, the young general manager at Londer, explains that he does the footwork for a host of satellite clients—four or so who are pouring Londer Vineyard designates at the event. Gadgetry helps him out; he shoots a photo, uploads his stats and lines up some pick dates. His 2009 Swan Clone Pinot Noir has a nose like a wild raspberry dreaming it’s cotton candy.
Sonoma’s Williams Selyem has its Ferrington Vineyard, Napa’s Saintsbury has its Cerise—a bit fatter than many others here, and more like the most recent lineup of their Carneros that I tasted—with a hint of Christmas candle spice. As with every wine festival, the longest lines are for wineries approved by Wine Spectator. Black Kite Cellars fills that role up here, and, yes, the 2010 Kite’s Rest Vineyard Pinot Noir ($45) is not particularly disappointing.
These nice people and their good Pinot Noir have put me in such a fine mood that, even though I’ve assiduously spit out every taste, as I amble back up the hill, munching on a plate of local smoked salmon, a Goldeneye terrace lounger turns to her partner and remarks, “People get so hammered at these events.”
Goldeneye Winery, 9200 Hwy. 128, Philo. Anderson Valley Winegrowers, 707.895.WINE.
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