Yes, it’s true: there will be a hasty but spectacular reunion of Destiny’s Child crammed somewhere in the middle of Beyoncé’s Superbowl halftime show.
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Five Simple Questions for Aspiring Santa Rosa City Council Members
The Santa Rosa City Council announced yesterday that in addition to accepting open applications for a vacant council seat, it will offer city residents the opportunity to submit their own possible questions for city council interviews, scheduled to take place on Jan. 28.
In the spirit of civic participation, here are five possible questions for the Council’s consideration:
1. If the Sonoma County Economic Development Board weighs in favorably regarding the economic effect of Russian River Brewing Co.’s Pliny the Younger on downtown Santa Rosa, would you be willing to replace the water in every public fountain with beer?
2. If Guy Fieri offered the City of Santa Rosa $1 million to erect a 50-foot, blazing yellow statue of himself cooking up a batch of Rockin’ Lava Shrimp underneath a banner that says “WELCOME TO FLAVOR TOWN” in middle of Courtyard Square, would you vote “aye” faster than Fieri can chow down an order of PBR Pig Stix, or would you tell the man to go jump in a vat of Donkey Sauce?
3. When passing by the mall, what makes your sadder? That ill-sighted city planning allowed the creation of a brick behemoth cutting off one part of downtown from the other without an easy thoroughfare for pedestrians and bicyclists, or the fact that never again will you be able to pile food on your plate from the Fresh Choice buffet and wash it all down with an old-school Orange Julius?
4. If you had to choose to see one of these items blown up for the sake of raising city tax dollars, which would it be? a) Every Peanuts statue between Fourth Street and Steele Lane. b) The Cyclisk crushed bicycle obelisk on Santa Rosa Ave. c) The Measure O baseline funding levels. d) The hand statue in front of the mall.
5. Walmart Neighborhood Market—a terrific solution to the food desert issue on Santa Rosa Ave., or the worst idea to come along since the Press Democrat begin allowing unmoderated online comments?
Interested in submitting your own questions? The deadline to submit questions is 5:30pm on Tuesday, January 22, 2013. Questions may be submitted in person to the City Clerk’s Office located at 100 Santa Rosa Ave. Room 10, or by emailing them to ci*******@****ty.org.
For more information, contact the City Clerk’s office at 707.543.3015 or ci*******@****ty.org.
Jan. 12-14: Santa Rosa Symphony at the Green Music Center
Guest conductor Carl St. Clair, Pacific Symphony’s music director for 23 years, continues Santa Rosa Symphony’s transformation into the Green Music Center’s resident orchestra with the dawning of a new year. The program features work by Beethoven and Mendelssohn, in addition to Berlioz’s “Le Carnaval Romain” and Ottorino Respighi’s Symphonic Poem for Orchestra. For those with less cash in pocket, don’t despair—the symphony isn’t out of reach. On Saturday, Jan. 12, at 2pm, check out the Discovery Open Rehearsal for just $8—$12. The show might stop if, say, a cello sounds out of tune, but then again, it’s all about the journey and not the destination, right? The Santa Rosa Symphony performs Saturday—Monday, Jan. 12—14, at the Green Music Center. 1801 East Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. Saturday and Monday at 8pm; Sunday at 2pm. $20—$75. 866.955.6040.
Jan. 12: Wake the Dead at the Dance Palace in Point Reyes
Sir Tristram, friend of the devil, fr’over the black muddy river, had passencore rearrived from St. Stephen on this side the scraggy isthmus of Europe Minor to wielderfight his penisolate war: nor had topsawyer’s rocks by the stream Garcia exaggerated themselse to Uncle John’s band while they went doublin their mumper all the time: nor avoice from afire bellowsed Ripple Ripple to tauftauf thuartpeatrick: not yet, though venissoon after, had a kidscad buttened a bland old sugar magnolia: not yet, though all’s fair in vanessy, were sosie sesthers wroth with a touch of grey. Wake the Dead, a Celtic all-star Grateful Dead jam band, seinn mandolins and fiddles on Saturday, Jan. 12, at the Dance Palace. 503 B St., Pt. Reyes Station. 8pm. $10—$20. 415.663.1075.
Jan. 12: Celebrity Autobiography at Wells Fargo Center
If you’ve ever read Motley Crüe’s The Dirt, you know the power of a properly awful autobiography. Writers Eugene Pack and Dayle Reyfel saw gold in these stories, and created Celebrity Autobiography, a monthly reading series that features comedians reading straight from tell-alls by Hollywood characters like Elizabeth Taylor, Madonna, Vanna White, Hedy Lamarr, Britney Spears and Zsa Zsa Gabor. The series has run for three years in New York City, receiving acclaim from the New Yorker and New York Times, and it now comes to Sonoma County for the first time. Featured readers include original SNL cast member Laraine Newman, Jonathan Silverman (Weekend at Bernie’s, anyone?) and Fred Willard, who we hope will be remembered more for his hilarious turn in Best in Show than for being arrested under suspicion of masturbating at Hollywood’s Tiki Adult Theater. Celebrity Autobiography spins words into laughs on Saturday, Jan. 12, at the Wells Fargo Center. 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa. 8pm. $40—$59. 707.546.3600.
Jan. 11: Kronos Quartet at Napa Valley Opera House
Known for their surprising, often genre-bending programs, the Kronos Quartet hit Napa this week opening with “Aheym (Homeward),” written specifically for the avant-garde classical quartet by Bryce Dessner, guitarist and songwriter for the National. What follows is a journey through the farthest bounds of tradition and experimentalism, with pieces by Laurie Anderson (“Flow”), Mexico’s Café Tacuba (“12/12”) and the Prelude from Tristan und Isolde by Wagner. After intermission, the group tackles “La Sidounak Sayyada, or I’ll Prevent the Hunters from Hunting You,” by Omar Souleyman, Syria’s premiere wedding singer. Not afraid of pairing like with unlike, Kronos follows Souleyman with “Flugufrelsarinn” by Icelandic masters-of-the-soaring-melody Sigur Rós. The Kronos Quartet play on Friday, Jan. 11, at the Napa Valley Opera House. 1030 Main Street, Napa. 8pm. $40-$45. 707.226.7372.
Mourning the Loss of Mr. Teeth, Pot-Guarding Gator
Mr. Teeth, a jovial caiman who worked as a security guard at a local residential marijuana distribution center died this morning. Though it is uncertain, Mr. Teeth is thought to have been 16 years old.
The caiman, often confused for an allligator, was found unresponsive on duty, leaving the 34 pounds of pot he was supposed to be protecting to be collected by authorities in Castro Valley. It’s owner said Mr. Teeth was hired to commemorate rapper Tupac Shakur’s death, which would have been about 16 years ago.
Mr. Teeth arrived at the Oakland Zoo in critical unresponsive and in critical condition. Cause of death is unknown at this point. No autopsy plans have been made public.
Funeral arrangements have not been released at this time.
Five Ways to Celebrate the Return of Downton Abbey
Have you missed the elaborate hair combs, the Maggie Smith zingers, the scenery chewing that is always oh-so-polite? Now that Season Three has officially premiered on this side of the salty pond, here are five ways to celebrate that wide assortment of spoons, that scandal in stiff brocade, that heart-stopping drama that is Downton Abbey.
1. Look at lamps!
Because, let’s not kid ourselves, looking at lamps is at least half of what this show is about.
2. Watch “Sh!t the Dowager Countess Says.”
Because you can’t go to pieces at the death of every foreigner.
3. Read this essay.
Because “ice berg” does sound alarmingly similar to “ice cube.”
4. Bake a fruitcake.
Because the recipe only calls for 1/3 cup of rum, but you’ll have to buy the whole bottle.
5. Buy paper dolls.
Because getting drunk on rum and playing with paper dolls is what adulthood is all about.
As an added bonus, you can watch this Eddie Izzard classic and contemplate whether we have, in fact, arrived at Room with a View of Hell.
Bonobo Plays Juke Joint at Hopmonk, Sebastopol
It is a talented artist who can transport listeners from sitting poolside under a warm Barcelona sky to wandering a mystical forest in northern England, all in span of one album. Welcome to the auditory intricacies of Bonobo.
Simon Green, better known as Bonobo, is steadily perfecting his aptitude for transference. Emerging from Britain in the early 2000’s, the trip hop DJ, producer and composer is known as one of UK’s downtempo pioneers, melding ambient electronica with hyper modified instrumentals and beautifully soulful vocalists.
Building on an early digital background, Bonobo has embraced the electronica live-band movement. He is creating a personalized style that is both experimental and selected with care. At times, his band consists of up to 9 members, bringing studio-quality tracks to life on stage. While some of the instrumentation is easily recognizable, other parts are harder to pick out. Harp and bells on “Noctuary” from the album Dial ‘M’ for Monkey build an ambient, almost ethereal soundscape. Though one might be hard-pressed to notice the nylon guitar and ukulele on Black Sands’ “Stay the Same”. Speaking to NPR about his methods, Bonobo says: “I want to try and be as representative of the process as I can. Rather than just playing back samples and sounds from a laptop, I try and break it down to the original parts that went into the process.”
Bonobo’s sophomore record, Dial ‘M’ for Monkey (2003), is a full-bodied journey into electronic soul music. Upbeat tempos keep pace on funky dance tracks like “D-Song”, adding in keys and heavy snare. “Change Down” comes across with a jazzier flavor. All this sauce lasts about a third of the way into the tracks, changing up in linear fashion towards a more liquid flow as the song progresses. “Nothing Owed” is the real gem of the album, a sonic assemblage of Latin beats and graceful horns; it is a mellow serenade with a feel that’s Pink Floyd meets Federico Aubele. If you appreciate complex, overlapping genres spun into “chill out”, you’ll love the entire album.
Bonobo released Black Sands in the spring of 2010. It is a tighter, more break-beat driving project, and heavy on samples from the different world music traditions. Mixing Asian string melodies with synth keys on “Kiara”, he switches up with undeniable American soul on “The Keeper”. Bonobo has a strong talent for blending house beats, complex bass lines, and classic rhythms. His selection of vocalists is equally brilliant, namely Andreya Triana a London-born gospel funktress who adds sexy sophistication to the live band. A favorite is the hip hop remix of “Eyesdown” with Andreya and DELS off 2012’s Black Sands Remixed album. The downbeat, lounge nature of this album is closer to drum and bass, looped and layered, abstract and emotional.
Delve into Bonobo’s visionary soundscapes at Juke Joint, this Thursday, January 10th @ 9pm, $5-$25 at Hopmonk, 230 Petaluma Avenue, Sebastopol, (707) 829-7300
Ever Dream of Being on Santa Rosa City Council? Now’s Your Chance!
As Susan Gorin exits stage left for her new position on the Board of Supervisors, the Santa Rosa City Council is looking to fill her council appointment (it runs through December 2014) as quickly as possible. Tuesday’s council meeting saw the six current members deciding against a potentially expensive special election, or doing what might seem to be the sensible thing of filling the vacant seat with the November election’s fifth-place finisher (Omelette Express owner Don Taylor, who came ahead of Caroline Bañuelos in the final tally by only 17 votes). Man, the council really does not want Don Taylor behind the dais, do they?
Instead, the council has opened applications to all residents who are registered voters in Santa Rosa. This means you! For anyone who’s ever dreamed of having a little power in their hometown, or maybe yearns to become Santa Rosa’s answer to Leslie Knope, now’s the time. Applicants are required to fill out a nine-part questionnaire, which will be used as part of an interview process to take place on Jan. 28 and possibly Jan. 29, depending on the number of applicants.
Questions include: Why are you interested in this position? What particular skills do you bring to the Council? What are the top two pressing issues facing the City of Santa Rosa? How have you remained current and informed on City issues?
Be prepared to list personal involvement in community activities and potential economic conflicts of interest.
The new council member will tentatively be appointed at the Feb. 5 council meeting.
Along with the questionnaire, applicants must turn in a nomination form with the signatures of 20 registered voters.
For an application packet and more information contact:
Santa Rosa City Clerk
Santa Rosa City Hall, Room 10
100 Santa Rosa Avenue, Santa Rosa CA
(707) 543-3010
www.srcity.org
Applicants must be residents and registered voters of Santa Rosa and must file a Statement of Economic Interests, among other requirements.
Applications will be available starting Thursday, January 10.
The application deadline is Tuesday, January 22, 2013, at 5:30 p.m.
Here Is Basically Every Text Being Sent Right Now
Yes, it's true: there will be a hasty but spectacular reunion of Destiny's Child crammed somewhere in the middle of Beyoncé's Superbowl halftime show.
Five Simple Questions for Aspiring Santa Rosa City Council Members
The Santa Rosa City Council announced yesterday that in addition to accepting open applications for a vacant council seat, it will offer city residents the opportunity to submit their own possible questions for city council interviews, scheduled to take place on Jan. 28.
In the spirit of civic participation, here are five possible questions for the Council's consideration:
1....
Jan. 12-14: Santa Rosa Symphony at the Green Music Center
Guest conductor Carl St. Clair, Pacific Symphony’s music director for 23 years, continues Santa Rosa Symphony’s transformation into the Green Music Center’s resident orchestra with the dawning of a new year. The program features work by Beethoven and Mendelssohn, in addition to Berlioz’s “Le Carnaval Romain” and Ottorino Respighi’s Symphonic Poem for Orchestra. For those with less cash in...
Jan. 12: Wake the Dead at the Dance Palace in Point Reyes
Sir Tristram, friend of the devil, fr’over the black muddy river, had passencore rearrived from St. Stephen on this side the scraggy isthmus of Europe Minor to wielderfight his penisolate war: nor had topsawyer’s rocks by the stream Garcia exaggerated themselse to Uncle John’s band while they went doublin their mumper all the time: nor avoice from afire...
Jan. 12: Celebrity Autobiography at Wells Fargo Center
If you’ve ever read Motley Crüe’s The Dirt, you know the power of a properly awful autobiography. Writers Eugene Pack and Dayle Reyfel saw gold in these stories, and created Celebrity Autobiography, a monthly reading series that features comedians reading straight from tell-alls by Hollywood characters like Elizabeth Taylor, Madonna, Vanna White, Hedy Lamarr, Britney Spears and Zsa Zsa...
Jan. 11: Kronos Quartet at Napa Valley Opera House
Known for their surprising, often genre-bending programs, the Kronos Quartet hit Napa this week opening with “Aheym (Homeward),” written specifically for the avant-garde classical quartet by Bryce Dessner, guitarist and songwriter for the National. What follows is a journey through the farthest bounds of tradition and experimentalism, with pieces by Laurie Anderson (“Flow”), Mexico’s Café Tacuba (“12/12”) and the...
Mourning the Loss of Mr. Teeth, Pot-Guarding Gator
Mr. Teeth, pot-guarding gator, is dead.
Five Ways to Celebrate the Return of Downton Abbey
An assortment of amusements from the finer side of the Web
Bonobo Plays Juke Joint at Hopmonk, Sebastopol
It is a talented artist who can transport listeners from sitting poolside under a warm Barcelona sky to wandering a mystical forest in northern England, all in span of one album. Welcome to the auditory intricacies of Bonobo.
Simon Green, better known as Bonobo, is steadily perfecting his aptitude for transference. Emerging from Britain in the early 2000’s, the trip...
Ever Dream of Being on Santa Rosa City Council? Now’s Your Chance!
Because anyone is better than Don Taylor, evidently, the Santa Rosa City Council is holding an open application process for Susan Gorin's seat.
