Page 960 | Bohemian | Sonoma & Napa Counties

Full Circle

Music

Rachel Dovey

-

Mar 20, 2013

When Forestville guitarist Bill Horvitz decided to compose an ode to his deceased brother, the result was The Long Walk, an album that pairs bright, big-band jazz and playful improvisation with somber cello strains in a complex meditation on loss to be performed this weekend.

Nowhere is the tension between past memories and present grief more evident than the album’s sixth track, “Child Star.” Horvitz recalls that as young as age four, his younger brother Phillip used to choreograph Broadway-themed dances, working on them for months, memorizing them and then making tickets and programs for his family members. The eight-minute piece builds on a flurry of bright drum and brass lines that, at one point, give way to a rat-tat-tat reminiscent of a marching band.

Toward the end of the track, the mood completely changes, with a quiet, echoing guitar line played against a sparse backdrop of piano and cello. “To me, that’s kind of an acknowledgment of what happened,” Horvitz says.

What happened is that Philip boarded a plane in 2006, at the age of 44. He died of heart failure during the flight.

“He fell asleep and never woke up,” Horvitz says.

After this shocking event, the guitarist says he immediately knew he wanted to memorialize his brother, who had become a writer, dancer and choreographer in New York. For a year, he didn’t know exactly how. Finally, while developing an old roll of film, he found a picture of Phillip with a sock monkey on his shoulder.

“This song ‘Where Did the Monkey Go?’ just came to me, and after that I started working on the album,” he says.

The brass, drums and strings whirl in controlled spiral on that piece, the album’s fifth track, giving way to series of solos. This is reflective of The Long Walk as a whole, which Horvitz planned as a combination of tightly arranged musical sections and open-ended improvisation, overseen by conductor Omid Zoufonoun.

“Almost everyone improvises,” Horvitz says of the collection of 17 veteran players known as the Bill Horvitz Expanded Band. Though most of the ensemble members are from the Bay Area, the group also features Horvitz’s other brother, Wayne, a pianist famed for his work in traditional jazz circles, as well as John Zorn’s experimental group Naked City.

While the album draws largely on the local Horvitz’s dual background in jazz and folk—past collaborations have included Zorn, Elliott Sharp and George Cartwright—there are places where memories of his brother sparked arrangements that Horvitz hadn’t set out to create.

“Things would appear that didn’t seem to be so much me, as him,” he says. “I can’t really explain it, but I worked with those. I left them in.”

Best Of 2013: Everyday

Best of Services

Bohemian.com

-

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

Pine Grove of Sebastopol

149 N. Main St., Sebastopol.707.829.1138.

Best Pawn Shop

Marin

Pawn Advantage

846 Fourth St., San Rafael.415.721.7296.

Sonoma

Santa Rosa Pawn Shop

1831 Guerneville Road, Santa Rosa.707.872.7296.

Honorable Mention

Liberal Loan Pawn

611 Fifth St., Santa Rosa.707.528.1380.

Best Art Supply Store

Marin

Rileystreet Art Supply

1138 Fourth St., San Rafael.415.457.2787.

Napa

Napa Valley Art Suppplies

3250 California Blvd., Napa.707.224.2775.

Sonoma

Rileystreet Art Supply

103 Maxwell Court, Santa Rosa.707.526.2416.

Honorable Mention

Art & Soul of Sebastopol

156 N. Main St., Sebastopol.707.824.4837.

Best Framing Shop

Marin

Cheap Pete’s

221 Third St., San Rafael.415.455.8055.

Napa

Ferrini Custom Framing & Design

2007 Main St., Napa.707.255.7511.

Sonoma

My Daughter the Framer

637 Fourth St. (inside Corrick’s), Santa Rosa. 707.542.3599.

Honorable Mention

Frame of Mind, Forestville

6671 Front St., Forrestville.707.887.8530.

Best Gift Shop

Marin

Sage Gallery

828 Grant Ave., Novato.415.895.1913.

Napa

Inti

1139 First St., Napa.707.258.8034.

Sonoma

Milk & Honey

123 N. Main St., Sebastopol.707.824.1155.

Honorable Mention

Heebe Jeebe

46 Kentucky St., Petaluma.707.773.3222.

Best Bookstore—New

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

Tall Toad Music

43 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma.707.765.6807.

Best Record / CD Store

Marin

Red Devil Records

894 Fourth St., San Rafael.415.457.7144.

Sonoma

Last Record Store

1899-A Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa.707.525.1963.

Honorable Mention

Vinyl Planet

112 E. Washington St., Petaluma.707.765.0975.

Best Jewelry Store

Marin

Reflections

425 San Anselmo Ave., San Anselmo.415.454.8233.

Napa

Silver Sensations

1146 First St., Napa.707.252.8953.

Sonoma

E.R. Sawyer Jewelers

638 Fourth St., Santa Rosa.707.546.0372.

Honorable Mention

Artisana

146 N. Main St., Sebastopol.707.829.3036.

Best Knitting / Craft Shop

Marin

Dharma Trading Co.

1604 Fourth St., San Rafael.415.456.1211.

Napa

Muse Napa Valley

1309 Main St., St Helena.707.967.9500.

Sonoma

Cast Away

111 Fourth St., Santa Rosa.707.927.9276.

Honorable Mention

Knitterly

1 Fourth St., Petaluma.707.762.9276.

Best Clothing Store–Men’s

Marin

Louis Thomas

211 Corte Madera Town Center, Corte Madera. 415.924.1715.

Napa

Mario’s Napa Valley

1223 Main St., St Helena.707.963.1603.

Sonoma

Louis Thomas

150 Kentucky St., Petaluma.707.765.1715.

Honorable Mention

Funk & Flash

228 S. Main St., Sebastopol. 707.829.1142.

Best Clothing Store–Women’s

Marin

Carolina Boutique

76 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley.415.381.2554.

Napa

Miyamo

1128 First St., Napa. 707.251.9058.

Sonoma

Liv Fashion Boutique

620 Fourth St., Santa Rosa.707.528.6198.

Honorable Mention

Punch

711 Fourth St., Santa Rosa.707.526.4766.

Best Vintage Clothing Store

Marin

Magpie Consignment

1822 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Fairfax.415.258.0200.

Napa

Wildcat Vintage Clothing

1210 First St., Napa.707.224.3162.

Sonoma

Aubergine

755 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol.707.827.3460.

Honorable Mention

Skirt Chaser

208 Davis St., Santa Rosa.707.546.4021.

Best Shoe Store

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

Michael’s Harley Davidson

7601 Redwood Drive, Cotati.707.793.9180.

Honorable Mention

The Motorcycle Shop

3383 Airway Drive, Santa Rosa.707.578.6686.

Best Scooter Shop

Napa

Big Kid Toys

467 Soscol Ave., Napa.707.256.3300.

Sonoma

Revolution Moto

518 College Ave., Santa Rosa.707.523.2371.

Best Auto Detailing

Marin

Hollywood Details

7435 Redwood Blvd., Novato.415.898.1172.

Napa

New Life Auto Salon

684 Lincoln Ave., Napa.707.254.0223.

Sonoma

Advanced Auto Detailing

2549 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa.707.526.2200.

Honorable Mention

Autosport Detailing

1945 Cleveland Ave., Santa Rosa.707.579.3710.

Best Auto Repair

Marin

Hans’ Foreign Car Repair

815 Olive Ave., Novato.415.892.6016.

Napa

Byron’s Auto Body

906 Enterprise Way, Napa.707.253.8615.

Sonoma

Out West Garage

321 Second St., Petaluma.707.769.0162.

Honorable Mention

All Around Auto Repair

930 Shiloh Road, Windsor.707.837.0646.

Best Nursery

Marin

Armstrong Gardens

1430 S. Novato Blvd., Novato.415.878.0493.

Napa

Van Winden’s Garden Center

1805 Pueblo Ave., Napa.707.255.8400.

Sonoma

Harmony Farm Supply

3244 Gravenstein Hwy. N., Sebastopol.707.823.9125.

Honorable Mention

King’s Nursery

1212 13th St., Santa Rosa.707.542.4782.

Best Hydroponic Supply Store

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

186 N. Main St., Ste. 220, Sebastopol.707.823.8818.

Best Medical Dispensary

Marin

Delta 11

www.delta11.org

Sonoma

Peace in Medicine

6771 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol.707.823.4206.

1061 N. Dutton Ave., Santa Rosa.707.843.3227.

Honorable Mention

OrganiCann

301 E. Todd Road, Santa Rosa.707.588.8811.

Best Holistic Practitioner

Marin

Ronit Gesundheit, Community Acupuncture of Marin

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

Napa

Wendy Pomerantz, MHP, LAc, PA-C

935 Trancas St., Ste. 4A, Napa.707.224.1000.

Sonoma

Lily Mazzarella, Farmacopia

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

Honorable Mention

DeAnna Batdorff, dhyana Center

186 N. Main St., Ste. 220, Sebastopol.707.823.8818.

Best Chiropractor

Marin

James Whittlesey, Whittlesey Natural Health Center

7075 Redwood Blvd., Ste. E, Novato.415.898.0889.

Napa

Rhea Zimmerman, DC

1834 First St., Ste. 3, Napa.707.257.1011.

Sonoma

Michael Bernd, DC

3651 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa.707.544.6975.

Honorable Mention

Megan Mordecai

817 Second St., Santa Rosa.707.575.8929.

Best Orthodontist

Marin

Don Wilson

7250 Redwood Blvd. Ste. 107, Novato.415.878.0240.

Sonoma

Bernstein Orthodontics

2245 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa.707.575.0600.

8741 Brooks Road S., Windsor.707.836.8360.

3835 Cypress Drive #210, Petaluma.707.559.2166.

Honorable Mention

Charles Wear

1880 Sonoma Ave., Santa Rosa.707.546.8600.

8911 Lakewood Drive, Ste. 12, Windsor.707.546.8600.

Best Esthetic Dentist

Marin

Luisa Ambrosiano, DDS

770 Tamalpais Drive, Corte Madera.415.924.2022.

Napa

Nancy Azizi, DDS

1103 Trancas St., Ste. A, Napa.707.255.1172.

Sonoma

Sean Wilson, DDS

98 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa.707.579.1555.

Honorable Mention

Lorraine Gock, DDS

3910 Princeton Drive, Santa Rosa.707.546.9882.

Best Hospital / Healthcare Clinic

Marin

Marin Community Clinics

www.marinclinic.org

Napa

Queen of the Valley Hospital

1000 Trancas St., Napa.707.252.4411.

Sonoma

Kaiser Permanente

401 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa.707.393.4000.

Honorable Mention

Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, St. Joseph Health

1110 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa.707.547.4682.

Best Optical Store

Marin

E. Craig McCurdy, OD

1730 Novato Blvd., Novato.415.897.1161.

Napa

The Eye Works

1328 Pearl St., Napa.707.254.2020.

Sonoma

Sonoma Eyeworks

534 Larkfield Center, Santa Rosa.707.578.2020.

Honorable Mention

Empire Optical

720 Fourth St., Santa Rosa.707.575.3800.

Best Laser Surgery Center

Marin

Robert G. Aycock, MD

575 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Greenbrae.415.460.7995.

Napa

Walter Tom, Aesthetic Laser & Vein Centers

1635 First St., Napa.707.224.5347.

Sonoma

Walter Tom, Aesthetic Laser & Vein Centers

70 Stony Point Road, Ste. G, Santa Rosa.707.542.8346.

Honorable Mention

David E. Marcus, MD, Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center

1128 Sonoma Ave., Santa Rosa.707.575.1626.

Best Plastic Surgeon

Marin

Robert G. Aycock, MD

575 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Greenbrae.415.460.7995.

Napa

John P. Zimmermann, Aesthetic Institute of Napa Valley

3443 Villa Lane, Ste. 10, Napa.707.258.6077.

Sonoma

David E. Marcus, M.D. Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center

1128 Sonoma Ave., Santa Rosa.707.575.1626.

Honorable Mention

Francisco Canales, Plastic Surgery Associates

4625 Quigg Drive, Santa Rosa.707.537.2111.

Best Bank

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.

Mangum Opus

Music

Gabe Meline

-

Mar 20, 2013

0

The April 9 show at the Phoenix Theater with Jeff Mangum from Neutral Milk Hotel is nearly sold-out, but we here at the Bohemian have two spare tickets—and they can be yours for a song.

No, literally. A song.

All you have to do is record your version of a song by Neutral Milk Hotel (or Jeff Mangum solo), and send it to us in mp3 form at ed****@******an.com. We’ll sort through the entries, listening intently to each one, and our panel of Neutral Milk Hotel experts (i.e., almost everyone who works here) will choose the winning cover song.

As with past cover-song contests with Built to Spill and Animal Collective, entries will be judged not on technical merit but on enthusiasm, creativity and uniqueness. If you can’t play an instrument but can bang on a vacuum cleaner with a wisk while yodeling “Two-Headed Boy,” we want to hear from you.

Entries must be received by Monday, April 1, at ed****@******an.com. We’ll announce the winners in the April 3 issue of the Bohemian, and will post the top three entries online at www.bohemian.com. Now get recording, and good luck!

Letters to the Editor: March 20, 2013

Letters to the Editor

Bohemian.com

-

Mar 20, 2013

0

This Modern Defense

Thank you for defending Tom Tomorrow from the likes of Jonathan Zwart and, especially, Drew Lewis (Letters to the Editor, March 13). Personally, I don’t often read This Modern World, but I respect the right of readers who do. I just don’t respect the cranky, censorious ones who don’t and who wish that Tomorrow’s strip had no tomorrow. Besides being truly annoying, selfish and unpleasant people, the Looney Tunes–ish ones who seem to think the Second Amendment was written by God Himself are truly scary. It was a pleasure to read Mr. Lewis being put in his place so powerfully.

Fitting, wasn’t it, that his little hissy kvetch ran on the very day the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to ban 150 different kinds of assault weapons? Sen. Dianne Feinstein also had to put up with shit from Sen. Ted Cruz, a GOP freshman, but she too masterfully put the little pischer in his place. Thankfully, not a gun was fired in either case.

—Chris Lucas

Cotati

I love Tom Tomorrow. The strip is one of the reasons I pick up the Bohemian. Can the county add a sense of irony with the fluoride?

—Dwight Cary

Guerneville

Down the Pipe

I am writing to urge readers to take action against the Keystone Pipeline. If this pipeline is installed, the environment will be seriously harmed. The pipeline would disrupt habits throughout America and Canada, as well as transporting the dirtiest fossil fuel on the planet, tar sands.

Our president needs to know that we oppose this pipeline. Add your voice to hundreds of others at action.sierraclub.org/LastBestChance. Thank you, and let’s make our voices heard.

—Sophia Leveque-Eichhorn

Healdsburg

No-Star Review

Regarding the article about Mackenzie Bezos, the wife of Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, appearing at Copperfield’s Books (“Goliath Meets David,” March 13): the name Amazon was stolen from Amazon Bookstore, a feminist bookstore founded in 1970 in Minneapolis, Minn. In 1999, the Amazon Bookstore for-profit collective sued Jeff Bezos for trademark infringement, plus staff time and money lost due to customers and suppliers mistaking their store for the web retailer.

Jeff Bezos stole the Amazon name and encouraged his lawyers to interrogate a store co-owner, while she was under oath, about her sexual orientation and that of her staff! Mackenzie Bezos typed a trite book about four women. I want to know how she feels about the women whose lives and livelihood she helped trample. I also want to know how Paul Jaffe and Barney Brown would feel about a corporation selling books using Copperfield’s. I think these are important musings for small independent bookstore owners and their customers, wouldn’t you agree?

—Larysa Tanya Shmorhay

Sebastopol

Margaret’s Morality

I am thankful for Richard von Busack’s review of Margaret, which turned me on to this thought-provoking film. However, I disagree with the writer’s interpretation of the story. This film is not about the protagonist’s moral awakening. Rather, it is about her discovery of the lack of morality all around her. From the bus driver who doesn’t take responsibility for running over a pedestrian; to the distant relative of the deceased who eagerly profits from the death; to the protagonist’s young lover who doesn’t use a condom when she asks him to; to her teacher who fails to resist her advances, and then doesn’t bat an eyelash when she says she has had an abortion; to her father who lacks any backbone and fails to take a part in the lives of his children . . .

All around her, the teenage protoganist discovers a vacuum where morality should be. Her mother knew about the reigning absence of morality all along and rarely dated, and, when someone expressed an interest in her, she was very slow to trust. Finally, the daughter finds herself at her mother’s side, ultimately realizing that there may only be one or two people in her world truly deserving of her faith.

—Sophia Leveque-Eichhorn

Healdsburg

Write to us at le*****@******an.com.

Best of 2013!

Best Of

Bohemian.com

-

Mar 20, 2013

0

Best Of Winners! Claim your awards by clicking here!

Order high-quality plaques of your awards by clicking here!

Best Of 2013: Magic & Illusion

From Harry Houdini to David Blaine, the enduring appeal of magic subsides on disbelief, innocence and wonder. It doesn’t take any sleight of hand to realize that here in the North Bay, we’ve got those qualities in spades. We’d estimate that even among those of us born and raised here, it’s a weekly experience to find ourselves in awe.

For this year’s Best Of issue, we extend the theme of magic beyond the upturned top hat and deck of cards. Contained herein are people, places and things in the North Bay that pique our sense of astonishment, and, in some cases, tweak our sense of reality. Be they sites of natural beauty, captivating individuals, puzzling places of mystery or incubators of energy, they all conjure an effect so strong, we wonder, “What’s the secret?”

In the print edition of this issue, we also toy with the idea of illusion, and you’re in on the act, too. Found at the entrance to each section are pages that you, the reader, will have to manipulate in order to read. Sometimes you’ll hold the paper up to a mirror. Other times you’ll flip it upside down or spin it in a circle or fold it over upon itself. When the text isn’t flying at you like a fireball, you might even discover hidden messages and reappearing in-jokes.

The prestidigitators and sorcerers contributing to this grand illusion include Rachel Dovey, Jessica Dur Taylor, Estefany Maria Gonzalez, Nicolas Grizzle, Elise Guillot, Christina Julian, James Knight, Gabe Meline, Jonah Raskin, Bruce Robinson and David Templeton.

As is our policy, the businesses represented throughout are all locally owned. In fact, it was a small, local downtown Santa Rosa business that instilled a love of magic in many of us: the Mostly Magic Shop. Hence, this issue is dedicated to the memory of Jon E. King—magician, proprietor, friend.

—Gabe Meline, Editor

Reader’s Poll Results

Writers’ Picks: Legends

Best of 2013: Food & Drink

Best of Restaurants

Jonah Raskin

-

Mar 20, 2013

0

Best Farmers Market

Marin

Farmers Market at Marin Civic Center

Civic Center Drive, San Rafael. 415.472.6100.

Napa

Oxbow Public Market

644 First St., Napa. 707.226.6529.

Sonoma

Santa Rosa Original Certified Farmers Market

50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa.707.522.8629.

Honorable Mention

Sebastopol Farm Market

132 Weeks Way., Sebastopol.707.522.9305.

Best Organic Farm

Marin

Marin Roots Farm

marinrootsfarm.wordpress.com

Napa

BOCA Farm

www.bocafarm.org

Sonoma

Laguna Farms

1764 Cooper Road, Sebastopol. 707.823.0823.

Honorable Mention

Tierra Vegetables

651 Airport Blvd., Santa Rosa 707.544.6141.

Best Bakery

Marin

Ponsford’s Place

www.ponsfordsplace.com

Napa

Model Bakery

644 First St., Napa. 707.259.1128.

Sonoma

Village Bakery

1445 Town and Country Drive, Santa Rosa.707.527.7654.

Honorable Mention

Wild Flour Bread

140 Bohemian Hwy., Freestone.707.874.2938.

Best Barbecue

Marin

Roadside BBQ

5000 Northgate Mall #135, San Rafael.415.479.7200.

Napa

Buster’s Southern BBQ

1207 Foothill Blvd., Calistoga.707.942.5605.

Sonoma

BBQ Smokehouse

6811 Laguna Park Way, Sebastopol.707.575.3277.

Honorable Mention

The BBQ Spot

3448 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa.707.585.2616.

Best Burger

Marin

Phyllis’ Giant Burgers

924 Diablo Ave., Novato. 415.898.8294.

Napa

Carpe Diem Wine Bar

1001 Second St., Napa. 707.224.0800.

Sonoma

Superburger

1501 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 707.546.4016.

10070 Main St., Penngrove. 707.665.9790.

Honorable Mention

Carmen’s Burger Bar

1612 Terrace Way, Santa Rosa.707.579.3663.

90 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa.707.526.1575.

Best Pizza

Marin

Mulberry Street Pizzeria

101 Smith Ranch Road, San Rafael.415.472.7272.

Napa

Ca’ Momi Enoteca

610 First St., Napa. 707.257.4992.

Sonoma

Mombo’s Pizza

1880 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa.707.528.3278.

560 Gravenstein Hwy., Sebastopol.707.823.7492.

Honorable Mention

Rosso Pizzeria

53 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa.707.544.3221.

151 Petaluma Blvd. S., Petaluma.707.772.5177.

Best Frozen Desert Shop

Marin

Double Rainbow

860 Fourth St., San Rafael. 415.457.0803.

Napa

Yo’Belle

3900 Bel Aire Plaza, Napa. 707.189.1899.

Sonoma

Screamin’ Mimi’s

6902 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol.707.823.5902.

Honorable Mention

Yogurt Time

755 Farmers Lane, Santa Rosa.707.542.7876.

531 Summerfield Road #100, Santa Rosa.707.539.7876.

90 Mark West Springs Road , Santa Rosa.707.544.7876.

1099 Vine St., Healdsburg. 707.431.2777.

Best Cupcakes

Marin

SusieCakes

310 Bon Air Center, Greenbrae. 415.461.2253.

Sonoma

Sift

404-A Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa.707.703.4228.

7582 Commerce Blvd., Cotati. 707.792.1681.

Honorable Mention

Moustache Baked Goods

381 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg.707.395.4111.

Best Candy / Chocolate Shop

Marin

Powell’s Sweet Shoppe

879 Grant Ave., Novato. 415.898.6160.

Napa

Anette’s Chocolate Factory

1321 First St., Napa. 707.252.4228.

Sonoma

Viva Cocolat

110 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma.707.778.9888.

Honorable Mention

Powell’s Sweet Shoppe

720 McClelland Drive, Windsor.707.836.0808.

Best Chocolatier

Marin

Sacred Chocolate

24 Digital Drive, Novato. 415.883.1311.

Napa

Kollar Chocolates

6525 Washington St., Yountville.707.738.6750.

Sonoma

Sonoma Chocolatiers

6988 McKinley St., Sebastopol.707.829.1181.

Honorable Mention

Recherche Du Plaisir

3401 Cleveland Ave., Ste. 9, Santa Rosa.707.843.3551.

Best Cafe / Coffeehouse

Marin

Aroma Cafe

1122 Fourth St., San Rafael. 415.459.4340.

Napa

Napa Valley Coffee Roasting Company

1400 Oak Ave., St. Helena. 707.963.4491.

948 Main St., Napa. 707.224.2233.

Sonoma

Flying Goat Coffee

324 Center St., Healdsburg. 707.433.8003.

10 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 707.575.1202.

Honorable Mention

A’Roma Roasters Coffee & Tea

95 Fifth St., Santa Rosa. 707.576.7765.

Best Breakfast

Marin

Toast

31 Sunnyside Ave., Mill Valley.415.388.2500.

Napa

Boon Fly Cafe

4048 Sonoma Hwy., Napa. 707.299.4870.

Sonoma

Howard Station Cafe

3611 Bohemian Hwy., Occidental.707.874.2838.

Honorable Mention

Dierk’s Parkside Cafe

404 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa.707.573.5955.

Best Brunch

Marin

Crepevine

908 Fourth St., San Rafael. 415.257.8822.

Napa

JoLe

1457 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga. 707.942.5938.

Sonoma

Willowwood Market Cafe

9020 Graton Road, Graton.707.823.0233.

Honorable Mention

Flamingo Conference Resort & Spa

2777 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 707.545.8530.

Best Diner

Marin

Bubba’s Fine Diner

566 San Anselmo Ave., San Anselmo.415.459.6862.

Napa

Butter Cream Bakery & Diner

2297 Jefferson St., Napa. 707.255.6700.

Sonoma

D’s Diner

7260 Healdsburg Ave., Sebastopol.707.829.8080.

Honorable Mention

Mac’s Kosher Style Delicatessen

630 Fourth St., Santa Rosa.707.545.3785.

Best Sandwich Shop

Marin

Michael’s Sourdough

3095 Kerner Blvd., Ste. H, San Rafael.415.485.0964.

42 Digital Drive #8, Novato. 415.883.5110.

1320 Industrial Drive, Petaluma.707.789.9711.

5440 State Farm Drive, Rohnert Park.707.585.9711.

Napa

Giugni’s Deli

1227 Main St., St. Helena. 707.963.3421.

Sonoma

Ike’s Place

1780 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa.707.293.9814.

Honorable Mention

Mac’s Kosher Style Delicatessen

640 Fourth St., Santa Rosa.707.545.3785.

Best Outdoor Dining

Marin

Sol Food

811 Fourth St., San Rafael.415.451.4765.

Napa

Angèle

540 Main St., Napa. 707.252.8115.

Sonoma

Hopmonk

230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol.707.829.7300.

691 Broadway, Sonoma. 707.935.9100.

224 Vintage Way, Novato. 415.892.6200.

Honorable Mention

Dempsey’s

50 E. Washington St., Petaluma.707.765.9694.

Best Dining After 10pm

Marin

Sol Food

901 & 903 Lincoln Ave., San Rafael.415.451.4765.

Napa

Bouchon Bistro

6534 Washington St., Yountville.707.944.8037.

Sonoma

Underwood Bar & Bistro

9113 Graton Road, Graton.707.823.7023.

Honorable Mention

Jackson’s Bar & Oven

135 Fourth St., Santa Rosa.707.545.6900.

Best Spot to Dine Solo

Marin

Sol Food

901 & 903 Lincoln Ave., San Rafael.415.451.4765.

Napa

Oxbow Public Market

644 First St. Ste. D, Napa.707.251.6529.

Sonoma

Peter Lowell’s

7385 Healdsburg Ave., Sebastopol.707.829.1077.

Honorable Mention

Willow Wood Market Cafe

9020 Graton Road, Graton. 707.823.0233.

Best Caterer

Marin

Alta Cuisine

1555 S. Novato Blvd., Novato. 415.898.3231.

Napa

Piper Johnson Catering

2450 Foot Hill Blvd., Ste. G, Calistoga.707.942.5432.

Sonoma

Park Avenue Catering

591 Mercantile Drive, Cotati. 707.793.9645.

Honorable Mention

Preferred Sonoma Caterers

416 East D St., Petaluma. 707.769.7208.

Best Server

Marin

Elizabeth Berkowitz, Sleeping Lady Cafe

23 Broadway, Fairfax. 415.485.1182.

Napa

Allison McDow, Carpe Diem Wine Bar

1001 Second St., Napa. 707.224.0800.

Sonoma

Alan Luzmoor, John Ash & Co.

4330 Barnes Road, Santa Rosa.707.527.7687.

Honorable Mention

Stephanie Monteleone, La Rosa Tequileria & Grille

500 Fourth St., Santa Rosa.707.523.3663.

Best Chef

Marin

David Haydon, Il Davide

901 A St., San Rafael. 415.454.8080.

Napa

Thomas Keller

6640 Washington St., Yountville.707.944.2380.

Sonoma

Duskie Estes & John Stewart, Zazu

3535 Guerneville Road, Santa Rosa.707.523.4814.

Honorable mention

Josh Silvers, Jackson’s Bar, Three Squares Café

135 Fourth St., Santa Rosa.707.545.6900.

205 Fifth St., Santa Rosa. 707.545.4300.

Best Restaurant

Marin

Terrapin Crossroads

100 Yacht Club Drive, San Rafael.415.524.2773.

Napa

La Toque

1314 McKinstry St., Napa. 707.257.5157.

Sonoma

Stark’s Steakhouse

521 Adams St., Santa Rosa. 707.546.5100.

Honorable Mention

Underwood Bar & Grill

9113 Graton Road, Graton. 707.823.7023.

Best New Restaurant

Marin

Hopmonk

224 Vintage Way, Novato. 415.892.6200.

Napa

The Thomas

813 Main St., Napa. 707.226.7821.

Sonoma

The Spinster Sisters

401 South A St., Santa Rosa. 707.528.7100.

Honorable Mention

Backyard

6566 Front St., Forestville. 707.820.8445.

Best Chinese

Marin

Yet Wah Classic Chinese Cuisine

1238 Fourth St., San Rafael. 415.460.9883.

Napa

China Light

1012 First St., Napa. 707.226.2809.

Sonoma

Gary Chu’s Gourmet Chinese Cuisine

611 Fifth St., Santa Rosa.707.526.5840.

Honorable Mention

Kirin Restaurant

2700 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa.707.525.1957.

Best French

Marin

La Garage

85 Liberty Ship Way, Sausalito.415.332.5625.

Napa

Bistro Jeanty

6510 Washington St., Yountville.707.944.0103.

Sonoma

La Gare

208 Wilson St., Santa Rosa.707.528.4355.

Honorable Mention

Chloe’s French Cafe

3883 Airway Drive, Ste. 145, Santa Rosa.707.528.3095.

Best Indian

Marin

Lotus Cuisine of India

704 Fourth St., San Rafael.415.456.5808.

Napa

Taste of the Himalayas

376 Soscol Ave., Napa. 707.251.3840.

Sonoma

Sizzling Tandoor

409 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa.707.579.5999.

Honorable Mention

Himalayan Tandoori & Curry House

969 Gravenstein Hwy. S., Sebastopol.707.824.1800.

Best Italian

Marin

La Toscana

3751 Redwood Hwy., San Rafael.415.492.9100.

Napa

Oenotri

1425 First St., Napa. 707.252.1022.

Sonoma

LoCoco’s Cucina Rustica

117 Fourth St., Santa Rosa.707.523.2227.

Honorable Mention

Cucina Paradiso

114 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma.707.782.1130.

Best Japanese / Sushi Restaurant

Marin

Sushi to Dai For

816 Fourth St., San Rafael. 415.721.0392.

Napa

Morimoto Napa

610 Main St., Napa. 707.252.1600.

Sonoma

Hana Japanese Restaurant

101 Golf Course Drive, Rohnert Park.707.586.0270.

Honorable Mention

Sushi Tozai

7531 Healdsburg Ave., Sebastopol.707.824.9886.

Best Mediterranean

Marin

Insalata’s

120 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Anselmo.415.457.7700.

Napa

Tarla Mediterranean Grill

1480 First St., Napa. 707.255.5599.

Sonoma

East West Cafe

128 N. Main St., Sebastopol. 707.829.2822.

Honorable Mention

East West Restaurant

557 Summerfield Road, Santa Rosa.707.546.6142.

Best Mexican

Marin

Taqueria Mi Pueblo

905 Grant Ave., Novato. 415.878.0122.

208 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Anselmo.415.460.1027.

Napa

Villa Corona

3614 Bel Aire Place, Napa. 707.257.8685.

Sonoma

Mi Pueblo

108 Kentucky St., Petaluma.707.769.9066.

800 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma.707.762.8192.

7384 Commerce Blvd., Cotati. 707.792.4380.

Honorable Mention

Martha’s Old Mexico

305 N. Main St., Sebastopol. 707.823.4458.

Best Seafood

Marin

Fish

350 Harbor Drive, Sausalito.415.331.3474.

Napa

Fish Story

790 Main St., Napa. 707.251.5600.

Sonoma

Willi’s Seafood & Raw Bar

403 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg.707.433.9191.

Honorable Mention

The Tides Wharf

800 Hwy. 1, Bodega Bay. 707.875.3652.

Best Thai

Marin

My Thai Restaurant

1230 Fourth St., San Rafael. 415.456.4455.

Napa

Mini Mango Thai Bistro

1408 Clay St., Napa. 707.226.8884.

Sonoma

Sea Thai Bistro

2323 Sonoma Ave., Santa Rosa. 707.528.8333.

500 Petaluma Blvd. S., Petaluma.707.766.6633.

Honorable Mention

Jhanthong Banbua

2400 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa.707.528.8048.

Best Vietnamese

Marin

Pho Viet Harbor

555 Francisco Blvd. E., San Rafael.415.455.8063.

Napa

Bui Bistro

976 Pearl St., Napa. 707.255.5417.

Sonoma

Simply Vietnam

966 N. Dutton Ave., Santa Rosa.707.566.8910.

Honorable Mention

Pho Vietnam

711 Stony Point Road, Santa Rosa.707.571.7687.

Best Vegetarian

Marin

Radiance Cuisine

923 C St., San Rafael. 415.686.3442.

Napa

Pica Pica Maize Kitchen

610 First St., Napa. 707.251.3757.

Sonoma

Gaia’s Garden

1899 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa.707.544.2491.

Honorable Mention

Slice of Life

6970 McKinley St., Sebastopol.707.829.6627.

Best Bartender

Marin

Steven Schaefer, George’s Nightclub

842 Fourth St., San Rafael. 415.226.0262.

Napa

Nick Hammond, Carpe Diem Wine Bar

1001 Second St., Napa. 707.224.0800.

Sonoma

Frank Dice, Underwood Bar & Bistro

9113 Graton Road, Graton. 707.823.7023.

Honorable Mention

Armand Jabbar, Equus Restaurant & Loungebar

101 Fountaingrove Pkwy., Santa Rosa.707.566.3177.

Best Bar

Marin

George’s Nightclub

842 Fourth St., San Rafael. 415.226.0262.

Napa

Redd Wood

6755 Washington St., Yountville.707.299.5030.

Sonoma

Underwood Bar & Bistro

9113 Graton Road, Graton.707.823.7023.

Honorable Mention

Stark’s Steakhouse

521 Adams St., Santa Rosa.707.546.5100.

Best Dive Bar

Marin

Silver Peso

450 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur. 415.924.3448.

Napa

Pancha’s of Yountville

6764 Washington St., Yountville.707.944.2125.

Sonoma

440 Club

434 College Ave., Santa Rosa. 707.542.2550.

Honorable Mention

Gary’s at the Belvedere

727 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa.707.542.1890.

Best Happy Hour

Marin

Ricky’s

250 Entrada Drive, Novato. 415.883.9477.

Napa

Carpe Diem Wine Bar

1001 Second St., Napa. 707.224.0800.

Sonoma

Stark’s Steakhouse

521 Adams St., Santa Rosa. 707.546.5100.

Honorable Mention

Forchetta / Bastoni

6948 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol.707.829.9500.

Best Cocktails

Marin

Buckeye Roadhouse

15 Shoreline Hwy., Mill Valley.415.331.2600.

Napa

Goose & Gander

1245 Spring St., St. Helena. 707.967.8779.

Sonoma

Underwood Bar & Bistro

9113 Graton Road, Graton. 707.823.7023.

Honorable Mention

Spoonbar

219 Healdsburg. Ave., Healdsburg.707.433.7222.

Best Brewpub

Marin

Marin Brewing Co.

1809 Larkspur Landing Circle, Larkspur.415.461.4677.

Napa

Downtown Joe’s Brewery & Restaurant

902 Main St., Napa. 707.258.2337.

Sonoma

Russian River Brewing Co.

725 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 707.545.2337.

Honorable Mention

Hopmonk

230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol.707.829.7300.

691 Broadway, Sonoma. 707.935.9100.

224 Vintage Way, Novato. 415.892.6200.

Best Microbrew

Napa

Napa Smith Brewery

1 Executive Way, Napa. 707.254.7167.

Sonoma

Russian River Brewing Co.

725 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 707.545.2337.

Honorable Mention

Lagunitas Brewing Co.

1280 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma.707.769.4495.

Best Microdistillery

Napa

Charbay Winery & Distillery

4001 Spring Mountain Road, St. Helena.707.963.9327.

Sonoma

Stillwater Spirits

611 Second St., Petaluma. 707.778.6041.

Best Wine List

Marin

123 Bolinas

123 Bolinas St., Fairfax. 415.488.5123.

Napa

1313 Main

1313 Main St., Napa. 707.258.1313.

Sonoma

Willi’s Wine Bar

4404 Old Redwood Hwy., Santa Rosa.707.526.3096.

Honorable Mention

John Ash & Co.

4330 Barnes Road, Santa Rosa.707.527.7687.

Best Winetasting Room

Marin

Rick’s Wine Cellar

207 Corte Madera Ave., Corte Madera.415.927.9466.

Napa

Regusci Winery

5584 Silverado Trail, Napa. 707.254.0403.

Sonoma

Korbel Champagne Cellars

13250 River Road, Guerneville.707.824.7000.

Honorable Mention

Bella Vineyards & Wine Caves

9711 W. Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg.707.473.9171.

Best Sauvignon Blanc

Napa

Honig

850 Rutherford Road, Rutherford.707.963.5618.

Sonoma

Hanna Winery

5353 Occidental Road, Santa Rosa.707.575.3371.

Honorable Mention

Merry Edwards Wines

2959 Gravenstein Hwy. N., Sebastopol.707.823.7466.

Best Chardonnay

Napa

Shafer Vineyards

6154 Silverado Trail, Napa.707.944.2877.

Sonoma

La Crema

235 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg.707.525.6244.

Honorable Mention

Balletto Vineyards

5700 Occidental Road, Sebastopol.707.568.2455.

Best Sparkling Wine

Marin

Point Reyes Vineyards

12700 Hwy. 1, Pt. Reyes Station.415.663.1011.

Napa

Schramsberg Vineyards

1400 Schramsberg Road, Calistoga.707.942.4558.

Sonoma

J Vineyards & Winery

11447 Old Redwood Hwy., Healdsburg.707.431.5410.

Honorable Mention

Korbel Champagne Cellars

13250 River Road, Guerneville.707.824.7316.

Best Cabernet

Marin

Point Reyes Vineyards

12700 Hwy. 1, Pt. Reyes Station.415.663.1552.

Napa

Del Dotto Vineyards

1055 Atlas Peak Road, Napa. 707.963.2134.

Sonoma

Silver Oak

24625 Chianti Road, Geyserville.707.857.3562.

Honorable Mention

A. Rafanelli Winery

4685 W. Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg.707.433.1385.

Best Syrah

Napa

Hess Collection

4411 Redwood Road, Napa. 707.255.1144.

Sonoma

Longboard Winery

5 Fitch St., Healdsburg. 707.433.3473.

Honorable Mention

Kobler Estate

1275 Fourth St., Ste. 732, Santa Rosa.707.595.5354.

Best Pinot Noir

Marin

Peay Vineyards

www.peayvineyards.com

Napa

Rosalynd Winery

901 Enterprise Way, Napa. 707.337.3348.

Sonoma

La Crema

235 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg.707.525.6244.

Honorable Mention

Kosta Browne Winery

www.kostabrowne.com

Best Zinfandel

Marin

Point Reyes Vineyards

12700 Hwy. 1, Pt. Reyes Station.415.663.1011.

Napa

Ca’ Momi

610 First St., Napa. 707.257.4992.

Sonoma

Seghesio Vineyards & Winery

14730 Grove St., Healdsburg.707.433.7764.

Honorable Mention

Wilson Winery

1960 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg.707.433.4355.

Best Of 2013: Family

Best of Family and Pets

Rachel Dovey

-

Mar 20, 2013

0

Best Baby Gift Store

Marin

A Child’s Delight

105 Corte Madera Town Center, Corte Madera.415.945.9221.

190 Northgate One Shopping Center, San Rafael.415.499.0736.

3320 Northgate Mall, San Rafael.415.499.0739

Napa

Freckles Children’s Boutique

1309 Main St., St. Helena.707.963.1201.

Sonoma

My Baby News

3011-A Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa.707.546.2229.

921 Lakeville St., Petaluma.707.773.2229.

Honorable Mention

Cupcake

641 Fourth St., Santa Rosa.707.579.2165.

Best Toy Store

Marin

Five Little Monkeys

852 Grant Ave., Novato.415.898.4411.

Napa

Toy B Ville

1343 Main St., Napa.707.253.1024.

Sonoma

The Toyworks

531 College Ave., Santa Rosa.707.526.2099.

6940 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol.707.829.2003.

Honorable Mention

Kaleidoscope Toys

2421 Magowan Drive, Santa Rosa.707.545.8697.

9078 Windsor Road, Windsor.707.836.8697.

Best Kids Clothing Store

Marin

Poppy Store

2413 Larkspur Landing Circle, Larkspur.415.464.0222.

Napa

Freckles Children’s Boutique

1309 Main St., St. Helena.707.963.1201.

Sonoma

Cupcake

641 Fourth St., Santa Rosa.707.579.2165.

107 Plaza St., Healdsburg.707.433.3800.

Honorable Mention

Wee Three Children’s Store

1007 W. College Ave., Santa Rosa.707.525.9333.

Best Kids Consignment Store

Marin

Outgrown

1417 Fourth St., San Rafael.415.457.2219.

Napa

Anew Beginning

4086 Byway E., Napa.707.226.3979.

Sonoma

Wee Three Children’s Store

1007 W. College Ave., Santa Rosa.707.525.9333.

Honorable Mention

Pixie Stix

200 S. Main St., Ste. 120, Sebastopol.707.824.1048.

Best Birthday Party Place

Marin

Bay Area Discovery Museum

557 McReynolds Road, Sausalito.415.339.3900.

Napa

Scientopia Discovery Center

1785 Tanen St., Ste. B, Napa.707.259.1559.

Sonoma

Pump It Up

3360 Coffey Lane, Santa Rosa.707.545.3140.

Honorable Mention

Redwood Empire Ice Arena

1667 W. Steele Lane, Santa Rosa.707.546.7147.

Best Imagination Center

Marin

Discovery Museum

557 McReynolds Road, Sausalito.415.339.3900.

Napa

Scientopia Discovery Center

1785 Tanen St., Ste. B, Napa.707.259.1559.

Sonoma

Children’s Museum of Sonoma County

www.cmosc.org

Honorable Mention

Environmental Discovery Center

5930 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa.707.539.2865.

Best Summer Day Camp

Marin

Steve & Kate’s Camp

28 Liberty Ship Way, Ste. 2815, Sausalito.415.389.5437.

Napa

Connolly Ranch

3141 Browns Valley Road, Napa.707.224.1894.

Sonoma

Camp Wa-Tam

630 Summerfield Road, Santa Rosa.707.888.5267.

Honorable Mention

YMCA of Sonoma County

1111 College Ave., Santa Rosa.707.962.9622.

Best Dog Obedience School

Marin

Marin Humane Society

171 Bel Marin Keys Blvd., Novato.415.883.4621.

Sonoma

Olivet Kennel & Dog Training Resort

2404 Olivet Road, Santa Rosa.707.542.2066.

Honorable Mention

Sonoma Humane Society

5345 Hwy. 12, Santa Rosa.707.542.0880.

Best Doggie Day Care

Marin

Fit ‘N’ Furry

www.fitnfurry.com

Napa

Ruff Dog Daycare & Hotel

49 Enterprise Court, Napa.707.258.2020.

Sonoma

Four Paws Pet Ranch

3410 Guerneville Road, Santa Rosa.707.542.3766.

Honorable Mention

Paradise Pet Resort

2120 Bluebell Drive, Santa Rosa.707.595.3834.

5800 Commerce Blvd., Rohnert Park.707.206.9000.

Best Pet Groomer

Marin

Fit ‘N’ Furry

www.fitnfurry.com

Napa

Scoobi-Doo’s Pet Wash

2742 Jefferson St., Napa.707.226.2727.

Sonoma

Soggy Doggy

452 10th St., Santa Rosa.707.542.0244.

Honorable Mention

Four Paws Pet Ranch

3410 Guerneville Road, Santa Rosa.707.542.3766.

Best Pet Boutique

Marin

For Paws

69 Bolinas Road, Fairfax.415.456.4685.

Napa

Fideaux

1312 Main St., St. Helena.707.967.9935.

Sonoma

Fideaux

43 North St., Healdsburg.707.433.9935.

Honorable Mention

Pawsarotti’s

4040 Hwy. 12, Santa Rosa.707.539.7297.

Best Animal Shelter

Marin

Marin Humane Society

171 Bel Marin Keys Blvd., Novato.415.883.4621.

Napa

Napa County Animal Shelter

942 Hartle Court, Napa.707.253.4382.

Sonoma

Sonoma Humane Society

5345 Hwy. 12, Santa Rosa.707.542.0882.

Honorable Mention

Sonoma County Animal Shelter

1247 Century Court, Santa Rosa.707.565.7100.

Best Kennel

Marin

Postmore Kennels

753 McClay Road, Novato.415.897.5892.

Napa

Ruff Dog Daycare & Hotel

49 Enterprise Court, Napa.707.258.2020.

Sonoma

Four Paws Pet Ranch

3410 Guerneville Road, Santa Rosa.707.542.3766.

Honorable Mention

Olivet Kennel & Dog Training Resort

2404 Olivet Road, Santa Rosa.707.542.2066.

Best Veterinarian

Marin

George Walters, DVM

4140 Redwood Hwy., San Rafael.415.499.8387.

Napa

Silverado Veterinary Hospital

2035 Silverado Trail, Napa.707.224.7953.

Sonoma

Animal Hospital of Sebastopol

1010 Gravenstein Hwy. S., Sebastopol.707.542.3250.

Honorable Mention

Brandner Veterinary Hospital

347 Lakeville St., Petaluma. 707.762.3549.

Best Dog Park

Sonoma

Ragle Ranch Dog Park

500 Ragle Road, Sebastopol.707.823.7262.

Honorable Mention

Rincon Valley Community Dog Park

5108 Badger Road, Santa Rosa.707.543.3292.

Best Dog Beach

Marin

Stinson Beach

Highway 1, Stinson Beach. 415.868.0734.

Sonoma

Doran Beach

201 Doran Beach Road, Bodega Bay.702.875.3540.

Best Feed Store

Marin

Toby’s Feed Barn

11250 Hwy. 1, Pt. Reyes Station. 415.663.1223.

Napa

Wilson’s Feed & Supply

1700 Yajome St., Napa. 707.252.0316.

Sonoma

Western Farm Center

21 W. Seventh St., Santa Rosa.707.545.0721.

Honorable Mention

Frizelle Enos Feeds

265 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol.707.823.6404.

10035 Main St., Penngrove. 707.992.0144.

Best Of 2013: Recreation

Best of Recreation

Rachel Dovey

-

Mar 20, 2013

0

Best Bike Shop

Marin

Mike’s Bikes

836 Fourth St., San Rafael.415.454.3747.

1 Gate 6 Road, Sausalito.415.332.3200.

Napa

Calistoga Bike Shop

1318 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga.707.942.9687.

Sonoma

The Bike Peddler

605 College Ave., Santa Rosa.707.571.2428.

Honorable Mention

Mike’s Bikes

264 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma.707.776.0606.

Best Independent Bike-Frame Builder

Marin

Black Mountain Cycles

11101 Shoreline Hwy. #B, Pt. Reyes Station.415.663.8125.

Napa

Curtis Inglis, Retrotec

www.ingliscycles.com

Sonoma

Sycip Bicycles

111 Fifth St., Santa Rosa.707.542.6359.

Honorable Mention

Soulcraft

www.soulcraftbikes.com

Best Gym

Marin

Marin YMCA

1500 Los Gamos Drive, San Rafael.415.492.9622.

Napa

Exertec Health & Fitness Center

1500 First St., Napa.707.226.1842.

Sonoma

Coaches Corner

420 Morris St., Sebastopol.707.518.5180.

Honorable Mention

Powerhouse Gym

515 Fifth St., Santa Rosa.707.284.4664.

Best Health Club

Marin

Rolling Hill Club

351 San Andreas Drive, Novato.415.897.2185.

Napa

Synergy Medical Fitness Center

3421 Villa Lane, Napa.707.251.1395.

Sonoma

Airport Health Club

432 Aviation Blvd., Santa Rosa.707.528.2582.

Honorable Mention

Parkpoint Health Club

1200 N. Dutton Ave., Santa Rosa.707.578.1640.

19111 Sonoma Hwy., Sonoma.707.996.3111.

195 Foss Creek Circle, Healdsburg.707.385.2500.

Best Pilates Studio

Marin

Novato Pilates & Gyrotonic

1769-B Grant Ave., Novato.415.898.3499.

Napa

Downtown Pilates

1338 Pearl St., Napa.707.257.7382.

Sonoma

Tone

850 Fourth St., Santa Rosa.707.526.3100.

Honorable Mention

Pilates Collective

132 Weeks Way, Sebastopol.707.829.8746.

Best Yoga Studio

Marin

Red Dragon Yoga

438 Miller Ave., Mill Valley.415.381.3724.

1701 Fourth St., San Rafael.415.306.7904.

Napa

Ubuntu Yoga Studio

1140 Main St., Napa.707.251.5656.

Sonoma

Bikram Yoga of Santa Rosa

522 Wilson St., Santa Rosa.707.545.9642.

Honorable Mention

Three Dog Yoga

2097 Stagecoach Road, Ste. 110, Santa Rosa.707.528.1071.

Best Martial Arts School

Marin

Z-Ultimate Self Defense Studio

4460 Redwood Hwy., San Rafael.415.444.0872.

Napa

Napa Taekwondo

497 Walnut St., Ste. C, Napa.707.226.5869.

Sonoma

New School Aikido

880 Piner Road, Santa Rosa.707.571.2013.

Honorable Mention

PHAS3 Training Center

575 Summerfield Road, Santa Rosa.707.538.2950.

Best Outdoor Gear Shop

Marin

Marin Running Company

722 San Anselmo Ave., San Anselmo.415.258.8190.

Napa

Sweeney’s Sports Store

1537 W. Imola Ave., Napa.707.255.5544.

Sonoma

Sonoma Outfitters

145 Third St., Santa Rosa.707.528.1920.

Honorable Mention

Clavey Paddlesports

409 Petaluma Blvd. S., Petaluma.707.766.8070.

Best Park

Marin

McInnis Park

310 Smith Ranch Road, San Rafael.415.473.6387.

Napa

Fuller Park

www.cityofnapa.org

Sonoma

Howarth Park

630 Summerfield Road, Santa Rosa.707.543.3753.

Honorable Mention

Spring Lake Park

5585 Newanga Ave., Santa Rosa.707.539.8092.

Best Public Golf Course

Marin

McInnis Park Golf Center

310 Smith Ranch Road, San Rafael.415.492.1800.

Napa

Napa Golf Course at Kennedy Park

2295 Streblow Drive, Napa.707.255.4333.

Sonoma

Bennett Valley Golf Course

3330 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa.707.528.3673.

Honorable Mention

Windsor Golf Club

1340 19th Hole Drive, Windsor.707.838.7888.

Best Snow / Skate / Board Shop

Marin

Demo Sport

1101 Francisco Blvd., San Rafael.415.454.3500.

Napa

Board Garden

2740 Jefferson St., Napa.707.253.7949.

Sonoma

Brotherhood

1240 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa.707.546.0660.

Honorable Mention

Santa Rosa Ski & Sport

1125 W. Steele Lane, Santa Rosa.707.578.4754.

Best Surf Shop

Marin

Bolinas Surf Shop

52 Wharf Road, Bolinas.415.868.1935.

Napa

Snowdrift

3090 Jefferson St., Napa.707.255.3509.

Sonoma

Northern Light Surf Shop

17191 Bodega Hwy., Bodega.707.876.3032.

Honorable Mention

Brotherhood

1240 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa.707.546.0660.

The Beauty of Nature

Open Mic

Molly Zhou

-

Mar 20, 2013

0

Today, I shall walk to school, I think to myself, as I put my food onto our welcome mat. I slowly walk down the stone steps of my house, not really like beginning another day of school work. I look up, and the tree stands in front of me, the tree with its branches reaching toward the heavens while its limbs hold up the clouds. I turn and stride along the sidewalk. Light fog lingers around me, with its tiny droplets of moisture clinging to my hair. I can see through the fog, but thicker fog hides the end of the street, where I know the yellow tulips grow, vibrant and full of life, next to the pavement.

I keep walking, my footprints trailing behind me after a step in a shallow pool. The thick fog at the end of the street starts retreating, slowly revealing what it had hidden before. I now see the beautiful tulips and the meadow next to it, the meadow with its big trees holding up bunches of green leaves above the fresh, dew-covered grass. I continue walking, knowing that if I linger too long, I’ll be late for school.

After a while, the fog lifts, and suddenly the brilliant sun breaks out from behind a cloud, shining its rays on its beloved earth. I look around, and it seems as if a huge paintbrush had painted a layer of happiness over the gloomy landscape that was just before. The dew on the grass sparkles like a million small pieces of diamonds, and the frost on the rooftops looks like a glittering blanket of new fallen snow.

I see a small ladybug crawl out from under the dripping leaves of a scarlet rose, waving its antennae, ready to explore this new world. All of this nature brightens my spirits, and I find myself smiling, ready for a new day. How wonderful it is to walk to school and spend some time with nature—to notice it and to appreciate it.

Molly Zhou is a sixth-grade student at Meadow School in Petaluma. This is her winning entry in the Safe Routes to School essay contest.

Open Mic is a weekly op/ed feature in the Bohemian. We welcome your contribution. To have your topical essay of 350 words considered for publication, write op*****@******an.com.

North Bay BohemianNorth Bay Bohemian

North Bay BohemianNorth Bay Bohemian

Best Antique Shop

Best Resale Store

Best Pawn Shop

Best Art Supply Store

Best Framing Shop

Best Gift Shop

Best Bookstore—New

Best Bookstore—Used

Best Musical Instruments Store

Best Record / CD Store

Best Jewelry Store

Best Knitting / Craft Shop

Best Clothing Store–Men’s

Best Clothing Store–Women’s

Best Vintage Clothing Store

Best Shoe Store

Best Appliance / Kitchen Design

Best Furniture / Home Furnishings

Best Home Improvement

Best Solar Retail

Best Wi-Fi Hot Spot

Best Auto Dealer–New

Best Auto Dealer-Used

Best Motorcycle Shop

Best Scooter Shop

Best Auto Detailing

Best Auto Repair

Best Nursery

Best Hydroponic Supply Store

Best Grocery Store

Best Ethnic Market

Best Natural Foods Store

Best Culinary Store

Best Locally Made Retail Product

Best Cigar Shop

Best Pipe Shop

Best Hair Salon

Best Nail Salon

Best Skin Care Services

Best Body-Art Place

Best Day Spa

Best Resort & Spa

Best Acupuncturist

Best Herbal Clinic

Best Medical Dispensary

Best Holistic Practitioner

Best Chiropractor

Best Orthodontist

Best Esthetic Dentist

Best Hospital / Healthcare Clinic

Best Optical Store

Best Laser Surgery Center

Best Plastic Surgeon

Best Bank

Best Credit Union

Best Real Estate Agent / Company

Best Attorney

Best Nonprofit

Best Art Gallery

Best Museum

Best Outdoor Art Event

Best Movie Theater

Best Film Festival

Best Ballet Company

Best Performing Dance Company

Best Dance Studio

Best Place to Dance

Best Media Personality

Best Festival

Best Music Festival

Best Charity Event

Best performing Arts Center

Best Theater Troupe

Best Band

Best Music Venue

This Modern Defense

Down the Pipe

No-Star Review