Free Will Astrology: Week of Oct. 2

-
0
Free Will Astrology: Week of Oct. 2

ARIES (March 21-April 19): During some Wiccan rituals, participants are asked, “What binds you? And what will you do to free yourself from what binds you?” I recommend this exercise to you right now, Aries. Here’s a third question: Will you replace your shackles with a weaving that inspires and empowers you? In other words, will you shed what binds you and, in its stead, create a bond that links you to an influence you treasure?

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): If I had to name the zodiac sign that other signs are most likely to underestimate, I would say Taurus. Why? Well, many of you Bulls are rather modest and humble. You prefer to let your practical actions speak louder than fine words. Your well-grounded strength is diligent and poised, not flashy. People may misread your resilience and dependability as signs of passivity. But here’s good news, dear Taurus: In the coming weeks, you will be less likely to be undervalued and overlooked. Even those who have been ignorant of your appeal may tune in to the fullness of your tender power and earthy wisdom.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): In the coming days, I invite you to work on writing an essay called “People and Things I Never Knew I Liked and Loved Until Now.” To get the project started, visit places that have previously been off your radar. Wander around in uncharted territory, inviting life to surprise you. Call on every trick you know to stimulate your imagination and break out of habitual ruts of thinking. A key practice will be to experiment and improvise as you open your heart and your eyes wide. Here’s my prophecy: In the frontiers, you will encounter unruly delights that inspire you to grow wiser.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Now is an excellent time to search for new teachers, mentors and role models. Please cooperate with life’s intention to connect you with people and animals who can inspire your journey for the months and years ahead. A good way to prepare yourself for this onslaught of grace is to contemplate the history of your educational experiences. Who are the heroes, helpers and villains who have taught you crucial lessons? Another strategy to get ready is to think about what’s most vital for you to learn right now. What are the gaps in your understanding that need to be filled?

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): The English language has more synonyms than any other language. That’s in part because it’s like a magpie. It steals words from many tongues, including German, French, Old Norse, Latin and Greek, as well as from Algonquin, Chinese, Hindi, Basque and Tagalog. Japanese may be the next most magpie-like language. It borrows from English, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, French and German. In accordance with astrological possibilities, I invite you to adopt the spirit of the English and Japanese languages in the coming weeks. Freely borrow and steal influences. Be a collector of sundry inspirations, a scavenger of fun ideas, a gatherer of rich cultural diversity.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Here are my bold decrees: You are entitled to extra bonuses and special privileges in the coming weeks. The biggest piece of every cake and pie should go to you, as should the freshest wonders, the most provocative revelations and the wildest breakthroughs. I invite you to give and take extravagant amounts of everything you regard as sweet, rich and nourishing. I hope you will begin cultivating a skill you are destined to master. I trust you will receive clear and direct answers to at least two nagging questions.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): On those infrequent occasions when I buy a new gadget, I never read the instructions. I drop the booklet in the recycling bin immediately, despite the fact that I may not know all the fine points of using my new vacuum cleaner, air purifier or hairdryer. Research reveals that I am typical. Ninety-two percent of all instructions get thrown away. I don’t recommend this approach to you in the coming weeks, however, whether you’re dealing with gadgets or more intangible things. You really should call on guidance to help you navigate your way through introductory phases and new experiences.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): I knew a Scorpio performance artist who did a splashy public show about private matters. She stationed herself on the rooftop of an apartment building and for 12 hours loudly described everything she felt guilty about. (She was an ex-Catholic who had been raised to regard some normal behavior as sinful.) If you, dear Scorpio, have ever felt an urge to engage in a purge of remorse, now would be an excellent time. I suggest an alternate approach, though. Spend a half hour writing your regrets on paper, then burn the paper in the kitchen sink as you chant something like the following: “With love and compassion for myself, I apologize for my shortcomings and frailties. I declare myself free of shame and guilt. I forgive myself forever.”

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Be HEARTY, POTENT and DYNAMIC, Sagittarius. Don’t worry about decorum and propriety. Be in quest of lively twists that excite the adventurer in you. Avoid anyone who seems to like you best when you are anxious or tightly controlled. Don’t proceed as if you have nothing to lose; instead, act as if you have everything to win. Finally, my dear, ask life to bring you a steady stream of marvels that make you overjoyed to be alive. If you’re feeling extra bold—and I believe you will—request the delivery of a miracle or two.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Nineteenth-century Capricorn author Anne Brontë wrote The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, which many critics regard as the first feminist novel. It challenged contemporary social customs. The main character, Helen, leaves her husband because he’s a bad influence on their son. She goes into hiding, becoming a single mother who supports her family by creating art. Unfortunately, after the author’s death at a young age, her older sister Charlotte suppressed the publication of The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. It’s not well-known today. I bring this to your attention, Capricorn, so as to inspire you to action. I believe the coming months will be a favorable time to get the attention and recognition you’ve been denied but thoroughly deserve. Start now! Liberate, express and disseminate whatever has been suppressed.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): What is the most important question you want to find an answer for during the next year? The coming weeks will be an excellent time to formulate that inquiry clearly and concisely. I urge you to write it out in longhand and place it in a prominent place in your home. Ponder it lightly and lovingly for two minutes every morning upon awakening and each night before sleep. (Key descriptors: “lightly and lovingly.”) As new insights float into your awareness, jot them down. One further suggestion: Create or acquire a symbolic representation of the primal question.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Scientific research suggests that some foods are more addictive than cocaine. They include pizza, chocolate, potato chips and ice cream. The good news is that they are not as problematic for long-term health as cocaine. The bad news is that they are not exactly healthy. (The sugar in chocolate neutralizes its modest health benefits.) With these facts in mind, Pisces, I invite you to reorder your priorities about addictive things. Now is a favorable time to figure out what substances and activities might be tonifying, invigorating addictions—and then retrain yourself to focus your addictive energy on them. Maybe you could encourage an addiction to juices that blend spinach, cucumber, kale, celery and apple. Perhaps you could cultivate an addiction to doing a pleasurable form of exercise or reading books that thrill your imagination.

Homework: Interested in my inside thoughts about astrology? Read my book ‘Astrology Is Real.’ Free excerpts: tinyurl.com/BraveBliss

Film review: ‘Megalopolis’ is Satyricon 2024

-
0
Film review: ‘Megalopolis’ is Satyricon 2024

A curious experience, this Megalopolis. Francis Ford Coppola’s 40th directorial effort has the antiqued flavor of a valedictory mega-production—especially given its opening night live-action streaming introduction featuring Coppola, Robert De Niro and Spike Lee on the big screen, from the New York Film Festival. But the 138-minute costumed extravaganza, written by Coppola and produced under the banner of his American Zoetrope, has more than just “farewell” on its mind. 

There’s so much happening onscreen it would take a three-hour “making of” to examine it all. 

Megalopolis may appear sloppy at first glance, but “ferociously busy” better describes the hectic allegorical tale of the fictional city of New Rome and its jousting, utterly ingrown ruling class. 

The movie has one or two problems. Argentine composer Osvaldo Golijov’s bombastic musical score often gets in its own way, as influential architect/fashion designer Cesar Catilina (Adam Driver) contends with corrupt Mayor Franklyn Cicero (Giancarlo Esposito) and decadent billionaire Hamilton Crassus III (Jon Voight), all struggling for power in a framework borrowed from several far-fetched sources.

In tone and narrative thrust, their urban clash echoes Ancient Rome in the days when Julius Caesar’s republic gave way to the imperial cupidity that eventually turned that civilization into a Gothic Nowheresville. Combine that historical thread with Fellini-esque situations and characters—Satyricon, anyone?—mouthing their forced-sounding proto-Shakespearean lines in a lobcockled “futuristic” setting.

Megalopolis flutters through its Western Civ refresher course in a restless flurry. Unfortunately the hurry-up makes better story sense in retrospect than it does in the hot moment. When the characters go into voiceover narration it only reinforces the artificiality. Pinnacles of visual virtuosity, courtesy of Romanian cinematographer Mihai Malaimare Jr., occur every few minutes as the camera investigates the sinister carnival of thievery and murder. After a while we don’t even notice. The future has never looked so outdated.

Driver’s Catilina is in love with Julia Cicero (British actor Nathalie Emmanuel), daughter of the mayor. When they’re together, nuzzling in bed or posing together precariously on top of a skyscraper, Julia exudes a warm, sensuous fragility. By comparison, her boyfriend looks as if he’d rather be somewhere else. It is Driver’s misfortune to wear the movie’s most outlandish hairstyle, although Dustin Hoffman, in a cameo as somebody called Nush “The Fixer” Berman, runs a close second.

As often happens in this type of saga, the subplot is more entertaining than the main event. Jon Voight’s super-rich Crassus is named after the original “crass” mogul of ancient Rome, General Marcus Licinius Crassus. He and his family provide the greed and sleaze that make New Rome instantly relatable.

The plutocrat’s grandson, Clodio Pulcher (Shia LaBeouf), a power-seeking rich kid of the type familiar to 21st-century audiences, is fond of showing up at large public gatherings in drag. Otherwise he sneaks around with his grandfather’s mistress, Wow Platinum (played by Hollywood’s current “It Girl,” Aubrey Plaza). Clodio and Wow make a game of deceiving the old man, but Crassus is craftier than he looks. Unfortunately the film never delves as deeply into the sins of Esposito’s Mayor Cicero.

The send-up of celebrity worship gets thrown into the satirical blender along with lengthy montages of street crime, political riots and a few sexy musical numbers. A song performed by Vesta Sweetwater (Grace VanderWaal), one of the movie’s unexpected highlights, is much too attractive to be wasted in the shuffle. As if Coppola’s barbed portrait of New Rome’s unhappy residents weren’t obvious enough, the movie climaxes with its own humanistic Pledge of Allegiance.

Coppola reportedly financed the production of Megalopolis himself, by selling some of his winery properties. That can-do spirit identifies him with his generation of independent-minded filmmakers from the 1960s. Megalopolis never quite finds the right rhythm for its laborious critique of timeless immorality, but 52 years after The Godfather, Coppola still finds meaning in social commentary. And Coppola’s throwaway scenes are more worth seeing than most directors’ best.

* * *

In theaters

Humpback Haven: Whales Overtaking Local Shorelines

-
0
Humpback Haven: Whales Overtaking Local Shorelines

Humpback whales have begun to make the Bay Area their home this fall, and their spouts are a daily sight across the area and even into the bay itself. 

Stretching from Monterey to Bodega Bay, videos and images have been going viral with whales breaching beside whale watching boats and surfers. A video, shown on the West Marin Feed Instagram, even showed a humpback whale breaching some 40 feet from a whale watching ship just south of Stinson Beach. If one is looking to see whales in Sonoma, the best spot to see them is Bodega Head. In Marin County, one can see whales best off the Marin Headlands coast and at Stinson Beach.

However, much of the attention toward the whales has been on Pacifica in the south bay, where photographers have been flocking to docks and shorelines to view the consistent sights of spouting humpbacks very close to shore. Even the local Facebook group has become overrun with people not local to the area, excited to learn and share their photographs, according to the Mercury News. 

While the main concentration and marvel have been in the south bay, where the whales have come very close to shore, there have been many near shore sightings. Many we have spoken with in Pacifica, San Francisco Bay and near our homes in Marin and Sonoma, have noted that the whales are much more near shore than most years.

Most significantly, whales have been consistently seen from Marin in the San Francisco Bay itself, which has not been historically common. 

“This is something new as of 2016, so it’s very exciting from a personal perspective,” said Kathi George, whale conservationist at the Marine Mammal Center, located in Sausalito. “Like how awesome is it that you can go stand on the Golden Gate Bridge and see a whale, or be in San Rafael or San Francisco and be able to see whales? That’s amazing.”

George was quick to point out that it is not all great news for the whales.

“It’s also a cause for concern, because these are very busy urban waterways with recreational boaters, commercial vessels, ferries and a lot of fishing. These activities will increase the risk for both people and the whales,” George said.

Due to the high number of whales in the bay, crossing over busy and vital shipping lines for international container ships, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA)  requested in August that vessels must slow down when around the Bay Area

“When encountering marine mammals, slow down and operate at no-wake speed. Put your engine in neutral when whales approach to pass,” said a NOAA press release in August. This is out of concern for the humpback whales’ safety and numbers, which are still returning to their old counts after being listed as endangered in 1973. 

The new protocol for vessels will last through November, when the whales typically leave our shores.

“This slowdown would give the whale potentially time to get away, or if there was a strike, it would be a likely, not a lethal strike on that whale,” George said. 

Ship strikes are far from the only concern for the whales. Whales are often entangled in fishing nets, which can trap them, leading to an untimely end. According to the International Whaling Commission, around 300,000 whales and dolphins are killed annually due to entanglement. Seeing that fishing nets and lines are such a threat to whales around the world, NOAA has begun and ended different fishing seasons whenever a significant number of whales are present. 

Each year, more whales arrive on the California coast, raising increased concern about ship strikes and entanglements. Yet, this is also a sign of significant hope for humpback and gray whale populations making their steady comeback after a close call with extinction. 

Ever since 1971, when the last whaling operation on the west coast, out of Richmond, was forced to close, the numbers of whales in the eastern Pacific Ocean have increased greatly. Some specific populations of humpback whales have even been removed from the endangered species list.

However, other groups of humpbacks, such as ones that breed off the coast of Mexico and another group that breeds in Central America, are still making their way back to their historically high numbers. These two populations are the whales we see today on our coastlines.  

Tim Markowitz, UC Berkeley professor and field research associate for the Marine Mammal Center, says the possible reason these populations have had a slower return to their high numbers is due to these shipstrikes and entanglements with fishing equipment, pointing out why NOAA has implemented a slowdown of ships in and around the San Francisco Bay Area.

As for why they are here now, Markowitz points mostly toward their food. Since humpbacks often hunt krill and northern anchovies, Markowitz, along with George, has pointed to a high number of anchovies being the greatest “driver” of the whales being so close to shore. 

Their presence also is an indication of the overall health of the marine ecosystem.

“These are flexible foragers who go where the food is,” Markowitz said. “As such, they are indicators of environmental health. Whales inshore likely mean either less food offshore, more food inshore or both.”

Climate change could also likely be a factor. However, with the growing length of time whales spend in the area, there is no significant evidence at this time pointing to it as a major influence. Markowitz did note that other marine mammals, such as California bottlenose dolphins, have moved their range more northward as water temperatures have increased, and climate change appears to be a factor.

All of this points to a golden future for the whales that have now found feeding under the Golden Gate, yet shipping companies may find it a slight annoyance. With these humpbacks listed as threatened and endangered, these slowdowns, which NOAA has implemented, will likely become a more common occurrence, slowing down an incredibly busy international shipping lane.

However, whales dying in fishing nets will have a greater impact on  our local communities. 

For the past few years, whales have begun to strain the Bay Area Dungeness crabbers. Humpback and gray whales are spending more time in the Bay Area, leaving in December rather than early November, as they have historically done. So the California Department of Fish and Wildlife has for the past couple of years started the crabbing season in the latter part of December, cutting into the peak holiday season for crabs in the area.

But all of this, ultimately, shows that conservation efforts are working. With the end of all whaling on the west coast in 1971, and the increased conservation efforts of the 1970s, along with the creation of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, whales, and many other species, have been saved from human-caused extinction. If the trend continues, humpbacks may become a Bay Area mainstay.

Opera, Drama, Music & Wine

-
0
Opera, Drama, Music & Wine

Larkspur

Opera Glasses in Fashion 

Marin’s own Lark Theater just released a stellar lineup of entertainment for the coming year, including performances live from the stages of New York and London. Upcoming theatrical highlights include the Live from the MET HD experience, offering theater guests the opportunity to stream eight operatic performances throughout the season. Each opera will screen twice—the first screening of each show will take place at 10am on Saturdays, which allows guests to experience the performance live from the Metropolitan Opera. The second, recorded showing of each operatic performance will take place at 6:30pm on Wednesdays. The lineup begins with the Oct. 5 and 9 showing Les Contes de Hoffman (The Tales of Hoffman), followed Oct. 19 and 23 with Grounded, Nov. 23 and 27 with an encore performance of Tosca, and Dec. 7 and 11 showings of The Magic Flute encore performance. The Lark is one of a few select theaters in the nation to offer these viewing experiences. Tickets to the Met series and others, like the National Theatre Live from London series, are selling out fast. Buy tickets by visiting the website at larktheater.net. The Lark is located at 549 Magnolia Ave. in Larkspur.

Guerneville

Play Time

The much-anticipated Tapas Short Play Festival is perfect for those who enjoy typical human pleasures like entertainment, laughter and commiserating/celebrating together in the true human condition. This year marks the 16th (almost) annual rendition of the festival, which is put on by the Pegasus Theater Company. Guests who attend this nearly month-long event can watch any/all of the seven short plays as written by seven different Bay Area playwrights. Opening night will begin with The Last Drop, a short play opening the entire series themed around marriage, family and finding one’s heart’s desire in a world with dwindling resources. Time is finite and may be spent on entertainment and pleasure, starting with the Tapas Short Play Festival. The Pegasus Theater Company’s short play festival will run from Sept. 27 through Oct. 20. Showtimes are 7pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 2pm on Sundays. Tickets may be bought for $25 online or at the door for cash only and with limited seating. To learn more or purchase tickets online, visit pegasustheater.com. The festival is located at the Russian River Masonic Lodge at 14040 Church St. in Guerneville.

San Rafael

Jazz It Up

Marin Jazz is the new nonprofit putting some soul back into the community…one jazz show at a time. This week opens the season with Latin Jazz virtuoso Tito Puente Jr. A second-generation musician, he, and the seven-piece band that plays alongside him, are promising to bring a taste of Cuba right into California. A portion of the show’s box office proceeds will, in accordance with the Marin Jazz mission, go toward supporting local children in afterschool performance arts programs. So, it’s time to come out and support children’s access to the arts by enjoying performances showcasing and preserving food for the soul (i.e., jazz, soul, blues, cabaret, R&B and more). Tito Puente Jr. will play from 8 to 10pm on Friday, Oct. 4 at the Marin Center Showcase Theatre at 20 Ave. of the Flags in San Rafael. To purchase a ticket for $65 or to learn more about Marin Jazz, visit marinjazz.com.

Santa Rosa

Wine About It

Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens is hosting a special farm-to-table dinner. This fall al-fresco foodie event will be complete with free-flowing wine and not one, not two but three celebrity guests cooking gourmet dishes. The special culinary stars include chef Casey Thompson of Folktable Restaurant, executive chef Tracey Shepos Cenami and master culinary gardener Tucker Taylor. To make this evening even more tempting, the dishes cooked by the celebrity guest chefs will be prepared from ingredients harvested directly from the estate’s four-acre culinary gardens. Guests are invited to dress up for the occasion and enjoy an evening of seasonal food and wine and an ambiance of autumnal abundance and celebratory spirit. The Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens is set to host this special harvest dinner starting with a garden reception at 5:30pm and ending around 9pm on the evening of Saturday, Oct. 5. Tickets are available for online purchase at $300 per person or $3000 per six-person table. Visit kj.com/events to purchase a ticket or learn more about the winery and its events.

Your Letters, 9/25

-
0

Faux Show

Regarding the “linear reasoning” of Joseph Brooke in response to the assessment by Libby Hicks that the assassination attempt of Donald Trump was fake (“Info Wars,” Sept. 11): Everything is not a WAR, Mr. Brooke. Ms. Hicks’ “experience” with gunfire and bullets whizzing past her at “2,000 feet per second” is irrelevant. The “rest of the world” knows the attempt was fake if they simply watch the replay. 

Let’s look at the facts presented in the video of the event. Forget the attached narrative or the follow-up assessment by media “experts.” Our sharpshooter, a young fellow with an agenda, somehow managed to place himself on the most obvious perch for a crazed assassin to carry out his deed. How he got there without notice from the “Secret Service” overwhelmingly suggests it was staged.

Not only did he “just miss” his target, but he managed to hit the “only body part” that is easy to conceal with “fake blood.”

If anyone has zero experience with gunfire or being grazed by a bullet, it is Trump, who avoided military service as one of his first deceptions. Who knew he was just getting started. Certainly, he would not have been standing up full-face in the direction of the “gunfire” if the experience you had described, Mr. Brooke, had actually occurred. 

The fact that the whole ruse was played out “just prior” to the Republican National Convention and never before in the myriad of Trump rallies preceding it suggests that unmitigated political deception runs deep. Our Donald had no problem speaking freely in public shortly after that.

I invite everyone to reexamine the event and their stance on the state of this nation.

Truth stands alone, Mr. Brooke. It does not require rules.

J.D. Moore

San Rafael

Grown-Up Gratitude: Remembrance of things past

-
0

For me, humor has long been a tool of survival. I recall a specific moment when I was four years old, standing in our living room on Baker Street in the Marina, looking at my parents and my older sister, and thinking, “These people are crazy, and I do not belong in this house.”

It’s been 69 years since that moment, but it’s as clear in my mind as if it happened this morning. Our house was an IED before anybody knew what that meant (improvised explosive device). It could blow at any time. I was raised by people who should never have formed a couplehood and for whom stable parenthood was an impossibility. They were poster children for the Parental Peter Principle: They rose, or descended, to their proper level of incompetence. I forgave them a long time ago for being humans with flaws. Experience, as they say, comes along shortly after you need it.

The combination of a Jesuit accountant with a rage problem and a beatnik artist with an alcohol problem was never going to work. That they never divorced was more a product of the times, the post-war boom, than any conscious decision they would have made together simply because they wouldn’t have had the skills or courage to discuss it.

The irony of it all is that along with the powder keg waiting to blow was the almost constant presence of real, hard laughter. In observing how my parents interacted with their parents and the whole pack of aunts, uncles and cousins, while it was clear that nobody liked anybody else, all they did when they got together was LAUGH HARD WITH AND AT EACH OTHER. It was actually a pretty good show, and I paid attention to every word and nuance.

It was confusing for a shy and fearful little boy. I can tell you that. So, as a young person, I went looking for sane people who might show me the way, and they ended up being teachers, coaches, cops, priests and the parents of my friends, who knew a troubled child when they saw one.

They all saved me from, if not a life of crime and punishment, a life of unimaginable emotional torment. This is the first step toward a full expression of profound gratitude to those people.

Craig Corsini is a writer in San Rafael.

‘Legally Blonde’ at Lucky Penny

-
0
‘Legally Blonde’ at Lucky Penny

Legally Blonde has had an immense cultural impact. So it was no surprise that “The Musical” was added to its title.

It’s rare for such an adaptation to bring a distinct voice and insight. Legally Blonde the Musical (music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin, book by Heather Hatch, based on Amanda Brown’s novel and the movie), now playing at Lucky Penny Community Arts Center in Napa through Sept. 29, is one of the rare ones that’s also a joy to watch.

Elle Woods (Kirstin Pieschke) is dumped by Warner Huntington III (Ethan Bell) because she doesn’t fit his plans. To show Warner she can fit into his world, Elle applies to Harvard Law.  Getting accepted to Harvard, she is made a laughing stock by the Ivy League hoi polloi, most notably by Warner’s new girlfriend, Vivienne (Morgan Bartoe).

Then, teaching assistant Emmett (David Aragon) decides to help after she gets kicked out of Professor Callahan’s (Scott Schwerdtfeger) class. With help from Emmett, her new bestie Paulette (Dae Spering) and the Greek chorus of Omega Nu sisters Margo (Charlotte Borlek), Serena (Macey Cook) and Pilar (Zakiya Ruff), Elle rises to the challenge, turns the ivory tower on its head and learns that she is worth more than Warner.

Director Dae Spering has pulled together a strong ensemble, metaphorically and literally. The song “Whipped into Shape,” led by Brooke (Tracey Freeman-Shaw), displays aerobic fitness that left the audience gasping! Also, the chorus (Borlek, Cook and Ruff) has a palpable unspoken bond that keeps their scenes funny without becoming cringy. 

Despite all that is good here, the show’s production elements were less cohesive. It suffered from open static, dropped mics and uneven sound. In a show this good, the audio issues are even more noticeable and disrespectful to their artists.

Similarly, the costumes on this show were a mixed bag. Barbara McFadden did a fabulous job except for the wigs. It’s hard to do wigs in a show with such a large cast and so many quick changes. But Vivienne’s wig was so obviously a wig that it drew attention away from Bartoe’s performance. Brooke’s wig had two inches of unsecured lace visible on her forehead, fully at odds with the character’s careful appearance. 

Despite the hiccups, the chemistry and talent Pieschke and Aragon share are amazing. Both fully embody the iconic characters in a believable way that makes everything else seem inconsequential. Only Rufus (Mattingly) and Bruiser (Scrappy Doo Clark) were charismatic enough to steal the spotlight from Pieschke and Aragon consistently. Then again, how can anyone pay attention to anything except these two good boys wagging their way through the performance?

They can’t. And one shouldn’t miss the opportunity to see them and their talented castmates either.

‘Legally Blonde the Musical’ runs through Sept. 29 at the Lucky Penny Community Arts Center, 1758 Industrial Way, Napa. Thurs-Sat, 7:30pm; Sun, 2pm. $24-$47. 707.266.6305. luckypennynapa.com.

Family Farm Fracas: Sebastopol Opposes Measure J

-
3
Family Farm Fracas: Sebastopol Opposes Measure J

On Tuesday, Sept. 17, Sebastopol joined the cities of Cloverdale, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa and Sonoma by having their City Council pass a resolution opposing Measure J, a measure on the Nov. 5 ballot that would phase out or scale down an estimated 21 animal farms in Sonoma County.

The city of Cotati decided to take no position, and the council in the town of Windsor will consider it soon.

Measure J targets large and medium-sized concentrated animal feeding operations or CAFOs. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency defines a CAFO as any farm that keeps animals stabled or confined for 45 days or more during a 12-month period in an area where no significant vegetation can grow.

The measure’s opponents in Sebastopol argued in defense of legacy farm families. Several farmers spoke at the City Council meeting and said most of the county’s farms are certified organic and subject to strict regulations regarding the treatment of animals and waste. They also said it would impact farmworker housing and result in import truck traffic.

Measure J’s supporters said the ordinance would prevent the growth of more CAFOs. They pleaded with the council to remain neutral, saying the city had no business making a decision intended for the voters.

They argued that an analysis of Measure J presented to the county’s Board of Supervisors in May overestimated its economic impact.

In an email before the meeting, Cassie King of the campaign in support of Measure J said the measure’s opponents have deep pockets.

“They’ve raised over a million dollars,” King said. “The trade group Western United Dairies donated $300,000 to the opposition. The opposition also got $50,000 from Perdue’s Petaluma Poultry and $50,000 from the National Pork Producers Council in Iowa.”

The Democratic and Republican Parties of Sonoma County have also stated their opposition to Measure J.

The city of Petaluma published an online statement saying that the measure’s 45 days per year limit on confinement would make dairy and poultry farming at any scale impossible because ranchers must house their animals against the elements in the winter months. Measure J includes an exception for animals that are moved to a temporary evacuation area in the case of natural disasters, which adds nuance to compliance.

Measure J also includes directives to the Sonoma County Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures to enforce the new law and retrain factory farm workers. Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner Andrew Smith said the measure would only add expenses.

“If Measure J were to pass, then we would need the county to use general fund dollars to pay for the development of a system for receiving, investigating, and retaining complaints related to CAFOs as defined in the ballot initiative’s language,” he said in an email, adding that job training is not historically the responsibility of agricultural commissioners’ offices.

Smith also said that reducing the number of livestock operations in the county might impact agricultural support services and supply chain businesses.

The Measure J campaign literature says CAFOs generate environmental waste and greenhouse gasses. Methane emitted from cows and manure is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide emissions. 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says researchers have found that 36% of methane pollution from human activity comes from livestock and agriculture. Still, the research does not say how much methane is produced from animal agriculture in Sonoma County.

Proponents also point to concerns about the density of animals conveying disease. Last year, an avian flu outbreak triggered the county Board of Supervisors to declare an emergency. Supervisor David Rabbitt said in December he was concerned because there were a million farm birds within five miles of one of the infected facilities.

The Coalition to End Factory Farming, which collected signatures to put Measure J on the ballot, is a coalition of small farm advocates and various animal rights groups, including Direct Action Everywhere, whose activism involves trespassing to obtain video footage inside farms and rescuing animals.

Their co-founder, Wayne Hsiung, was arrested last November on suspicion of felony trespassing at chicken and duck farms in 2018 and 2019. The coalition’s website highlights Sunrise Farms in Petaluma, which houses half a million chickens; Mertens Dairy in Sonoma, which has 900 cows in a dirt lot; Reichardt Duck Farm in Petaluma, which has 200,000 ducks on wire flooring; and various suppliers for Perdue chicken.

One of the public commenters at the Sebastopol meeting said the coalition just wants people to become vegetarians. Although plant-based meat alternatives are appearing in more grocery stores and on menus, the mass move away from meat is not substantial. A recent Gallup poll shows just 4% of Americans identify as vegetarian. A similar percentage was found by the Baltimore nonprofit the Vegetarian Resource Group, which also found that three-fifths of U.S. households now eat vegetarian at least on occasion.

Legacy, Business and Generational Change  

-
0
Legacy, Business and Generational Change  

In Sonoma County, where the vines run deep, and the family ties run even deeper, wineries aren’t just businesses—they’re legacies, passed down like cherished heirlooms. But it’s not just about wine. 

Across industries, family-owned businesses face the same challenges and rewards: keeping the family name alive while navigating the tricky waters of succession, growth and modern industry demands. Many of the region’s most storied vineyards have resisted the corporate buyout trends, choosing instead to remain family-run. These wineries are models for any family-owned business looking to thrive through generations.

Take Pedroncelli Winery in Geyserville, for instance. Established in 1927, this landmark vineyard has weathered Prohibition, economic upheavals and seismic shifts in the wine industry—all while staying firmly in the hands of the Pedroncelli family. Now in its fourth generation of ownership, Pedroncelli continues to produce wines that reflect a steadfast connection to the land and commitment to the values that shaped the business from the start. 

For the Pedroncellis, longevity is no accident—it’s the result of generations working together, passing down not just a vineyard but a philosophy of hard work, collaboration and a deep respect for tradition.

And it’s not just wine. Across industries, family businesses like Pedroncelli face similar challenges. Succession planning, generational shifts in vision and external pressures from competitors or the economy can make ensuring a business survives through the years difficult. However, for those who do, success lies in keeping the family involved and the lines of communication open.

Drs. Lucia Albino Gilbert and John Gilbert, writing for the wine trade publication Grape Collective, explored the generational-transition stories of family-owned wineries in Napa and Sonoma County.

“Our Sonoma County and Napa Valley conversations were characterized by remarkable similarities. Wine quality, sustainable agriculture and organic farming practices informed financial planning, and passion for continuing their legacy as a family-owned winery were all paramount,” wrote the Gilberts in a recent email exchange.

“The families’ respect and care for the land and their embrace and love for the lifestyle were unmistakable, despite the hard work involved and the on-going challenges they faced. Most notable was each family’s deep passion for caring for the land and farming, and modeling this passion to their children early on,” they continued.

Another phenomenon the Gilberts observed was that successful intergenerational ventures generally had an “open door” policy for offspring—meaning they could enter when they were ready rather than being pushed into a business in which they hadn’t yet cultivated an interest.

“Indeed, a clear theme was not pushing their children to be interested in farming and joining the family business, but instead allowing their children the freedom to find their own way, including a college education and time away, and giving them the space and tools to find their own path back home,” wrote the Gilberts.

This begs the question, however, about the specific challenges family-owned wineries face when passing the intergenerational reigns.

“Perhaps not surprisingly, significant challenges are associated with the influx of outside money, corporate and private, where the goal is profit rather than caring for the land and crafting quality wine,” the Gilberts suggested. “A related concern is providing small family wineries with a level playing field given the myriad of new regulations.”

Moreover, corporate enterprises’ acquisition of once-family-owned wineries has led to issues for brands bearing family monikers. B.R. Cohn and Kunde Family Winery were among the trove of local name brands subject to auction when Vintage Wine Estates, their owners, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in July.  Adair Winery Inc., owned by A. Jayson “Jay” Adair, a top executive at Copart, a national automobile salvage yard venture, purchased the storied holdings.  

Running a family business—a vineyard, a restaurant or a manufacturing company—comes with its own unique set of challenges. If the business remains in the family, succession planning, in particular, can be tricky. Without careful preparation, even the most successful family operations can stumble when it comes time to pass the torch. Family dynamics, generational differences in vision and external pressures all add complexity to an already delicate process.

Successful family businesses align around a few key principles. McKinsey & Company, a global management consulting firm with offices in San Francisco, points out that smooth generational transitions are built on five critical elements: strong family relations, sufficient capital for growth, sound governance, professional wealth management and a commitment to preserving family values. The core message is clear: It’s not just about handing over the keys to the business; it’s about ensuring the next generation is prepared, motivated and equipped to take it forward.

But there is a different path for family-owned businesses that aren’t pursuing a traditional legacy plan or even a corporate buyout. Wm Cofield Cheesemakers in Sebastopol has another idea for its long-term succession plan.

“Co-workers are the key to the whole thing; we do our best to treat and pay them well,” says owner Keith Adams. “Ultimately, if it works out, I’d sell the company to the workers.”

Wm Cofield’s approach offers a refreshing alternative to the conventional family legacy model. By considering a worker-owned future, they’re fostering a sense of shared ownership and responsibility, ensuring the business remains in the hands of those who know it best. It’s a strategy that reflects the values of many family-run enterprises in Sonoma County—a deep respect for tradition paired with an openness to new ideas that ensure long-term sustainability.

Whether it’s passing the reins to the next generation or finding innovative ways to secure the company’s future, the key is balancing continuity with adaptability. Family businesses like Pedroncelli and Wm Cofield serve as reminders that legacies aren’t just about maintaining the status quo—they’re about evolving while staying true to the values that built the foundation. 

After all, the future of these businesses depends on honoring the past while embracing change.

Art on Wheels with Fernando Hermosillo, Rosetown Connection

-
0
Art on Wheels with Fernando Hermosillo, Rosetown Connection

One may have seen more lowriders on the cruise lately. This Jan. 1, State Bill AB 436 became law, legalizing lowriders and striking down all local ordinances against car cruising. 

In celebration, The Museum of Sonoma County has organized a major art show and calendar of fiestas celebrating the lowrider and the culture from which it rose up, dropped down and bounced, bounced. Most of our 20-odd local clubs have chosen to participate, offering stories and memorabilia about this history of the cruise. 

For this interview, I spoke to the president of Rosetown Connection, Fernando Hermosillo, and the crew whose club contributed a cherry ’63 Impala to the art gallery.

Before continuing into the interview, I wanted to make a note on this museum show’s rich subtext. Art museums have traditionally and conventionally been given the power of defining what art is (i.e., “art is whatever is displayed in an art gallery”), so there is an element  of this institution declaring that lowriders are fine art with this show (hurray/duh). 

And, as institutional art museums are part of the power structure, there is also an element of an apology for the ban, which had confused these artists and all-American car nuts with gangsters and brought in a 30 year period of official harassment.

CH: How do y’all feel as you walk around this art show?

FH: We love it. The highlight is having our car participating in this museum show. Something we thought never was going to happen. It’s very welcoming. We’re being embraced; our culture is being embraced.

CH: Your club member, Alberto Chavez, put a lot of love into this Impala. Can you tell us a bit about the building of a low rider, using his ride ?

FH: He basically bought it as a junkyard car. Some features he added to it were two-tone trim, engraved chromium parts, wire wheels, new chromed engine, LED lights, massive sound system, and an air ride system to raise and lower it. He’s put maybe six years into it, but the work is never really finished.

CH: You told me it also costs between 20 and 70 K to trick-out. Not something you would want to risk in some jack-fool gangsterism.

FH: Exactly.

See this historic show. It continues at The Museum of Sonoma County until the end of November with a big block party Oct.19. Also peep at the Rosetown Connection IG. This link and QR code will take you there : linktr.ee/CruisinLINKS.

Free Will Astrology: Week of Oct. 2

Free Will Astrology: Week of Oct. 2
ARIES (March 21-April 19): During some Wiccan rituals, participants are asked, “What binds you? And what will you do to free yourself from what binds you?” I recommend this exercise to you right now, Aries. Here’s a third question: Will you replace your shackles with a weaving that inspires and empowers you? In other words, will you shed what...
Read more

Film review: ‘Megalopolis’ is Satyricon 2024

Film review: ‘Megalopolis’ is Satyricon 2024
A curious experience, this Megalopolis. Francis Ford Coppola’s 40th directorial effort has the antiqued flavor of a valedictory mega-production—especially given its opening night live-action streaming introduction featuring Coppola, Robert De Niro and Spike Lee on the big screen, from the New York Film Festival. But the 138-minute costumed extravaganza, written by Coppola and produced under the banner of his...
Read more

Humpback Haven: Whales Overtaking Local Shorelines

Humpback whales have begun to make the Bay Area their home this fall, and their spouts are a daily sight across the area and even into the bay itself.  Stretching from Monterey to Bodega Bay, videos and images have been going viral with whales breaching beside whale watching boats and surfers. A video, shown on the West Marin Feed Instagram,...
Read more

Opera, Drama, Music & Wine

Larkspur Opera Glasses in Fashion  Marin’s own Lark Theater just released a stellar lineup of entertainment for the coming year, including performances live from the stages of New York and London. Upcoming theatrical highlights include the Live from the MET HD experience, offering theater guests the opportunity to stream eight operatic performances throughout the season. Each opera will screen twice—the first...
Read more

Your Letters, 9/25

Faux Show Regarding the “linear reasoning” of Joseph Brooke in response to the assessment by Libby Hicks that the assassination attempt of Donald Trump was fake (“Info Wars,” Sept. 11): Everything is not a WAR, Mr. Brooke. Ms. Hicks’ “experience” with gunfire and bullets whizzing past her at “2,000 feet per second” is irrelevant. The “rest of the world” knows...
Read more

Grown-Up Gratitude: Remembrance of things past

For me, humor has long been a tool of survival. I recall a specific moment when I was four years old, standing in our living room on Baker Street in the Marina, looking at my parents and my older sister, and thinking, “These people are crazy, and I do not belong in this house.” It’s been 69 years since that...
Read more

‘Legally Blonde’ at Lucky Penny

Legally Blonde has had an immense cultural impact. So it was no surprise that “The Musical” was added to its title. It’s rare for such an adaptation to bring a distinct voice and insight. Legally Blonde the Musical (music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin, book by Heather Hatch, based on Amanda Brown’s novel and the movie), now...
Read more

Family Farm Fracas: Sebastopol Opposes Measure J

On Tuesday, Sept. 17, Sebastopol joined the cities of Cloverdale, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa and Sonoma by having their City Council pass a resolution opposing Measure J, a measure on the Nov. 5 ballot that would phase out or scale down an estimated 21 animal farms in Sonoma County. The city of Cotati decided to take no position, and the...
Read more

Legacy, Business and Generational Change  

In Sonoma County, where the vines run deep, and the family ties run even deeper, wineries aren’t just businesses—they’re legacies, passed down like cherished heirlooms. But it’s not just about wine.  Across industries, family-owned businesses face the same challenges and rewards: keeping the family name alive while navigating the tricky waters of succession, growth and modern industry demands. Many of...
Read more

Art on Wheels with Fernando Hermosillo, Rosetown Connection

One may have seen more lowriders on the cruise lately. This Jan. 1, State Bill AB 436 became law, legalizing lowriders and striking down all local ordinances against car cruising.  In celebration, The Museum of Sonoma County has organized a major art show and calendar of fiestas celebrating the lowrider and the culture from which it rose up, dropped down...
Read more
1...969798...1,000Page 97 of 1,000
11,084FansLike
4,606FollowersFollow
6,928FollowersFollow
north bay bohemian newspaper sonoma napa county logo
CURRENT ISSUE & ARCHIVES
East Bay Express cover
East Bay Express cover
CURRENT ISSUE & ARCHIVES
Newsletters Subscribe Advertise About Us Contact Us Letter to the Editor Press Release Obituaries Writing an Obituary Archives Find a Paper Distribute Bohemian Vote for Best Of Plaques & Banners
win free stuff
Features Local News News
Arts Books & Literature Crush Culture Movies Music Spotlight Theater
Astrology Look Media Opinion Letters To The Editor Open Mic Press Pass Rolling Papers
Dining Restaurants Small Bites
Readers' Picks 2025 Arts & Culture Beer, Wine & Spirits Beauty, Health & Wellness Cannabis Everyday Services Family & Pets Home Improvement Recreation Restaurants Romance Shopping
All Upcoming Events Today's Events Submit an Event Promote Your Event
weeklys california local media group logo

FOLLOW US

Copyright © Weeklys All rights reserved.

Our Publications

ADVERTISING Advertise Legal Submit an Obituary Legal NoticesFictitious Business Name (FBN) StatementsDoing Business As (DBA) NoticesTrustee Sale Notices

COMPANY INFO Job Opportunities Journalism Awards Privacy Policy Terms of Service

Support Local Journalism