Southern Sonoma Country Life

Structural Landscape Designer Suzanne Biaggi's Ecology of Place Public Art Project Funded

Over 60 art lovers have stepped up to fully fund Sonoma-County-based Sculptural Landscape Designer, Suzanne Biaggi's Kickstarter campaign to complete an innovative new public garden at Cornerstone, in Sonoma.

In partnership with Sonoma Ecology Center, considerable work was already underway over at Cornerstone when the internationally recognized artist began to seek funding for the project's structural elements.

Biaggi, whose Ecology of Place for Phil Biaggi, celebrates her late brother, represents what she is most passionate about and what inspires her: "It highlights the importance of ecological balance to the future of our planet; honors the memory of my brother Phil; provides a place for discovery and contemplation; educates, by example, local restoration of native habitats; and employs universal design allowing the wheel chair experience to be same as the walking one."

The project is also about restoring what was originally there – wetlands, sometimes covered by shells washed up during high tide."We have already excavated for the wetlands, roughed out the path and have created the runnel (ribbon of water) that will border and cross the path as it meanders through the garden," says Biaggi.

It's also about what is here now –vineyards, symbolized by sculptural vines created from aluminum and steel wire. "The ever present wind can be seen in the patterns it creates as it passes over sculptural vineyards and activates a sound element – the abstracted voices of my brother Phil overlaid with Neil young -his favorite musician," says Biaggi.

Inspired by Kickstarter support for Sonoma County artist Ricky Watts' highly successful recent Phoenix Theater mural project, Biaggi set about her own campaign to complete her intricate vision for the latest installation at Cornerstone gardens.  

Backers will be invited to meet the artist at the Garden's preview party in July. Other incentives included private consultation time with Cornerstone Head Horticulturalist, Dawn Smith and the artist; limited edition 14x21 glicee signed and numbered print of Biaggi’s conceptual collage/drawing of the project. 

 

Historic Budweiser Clydesdale Barnwood - Old Growth Redwood Heads For Sonoma County's Heritage Salvage

Photos: Heritage Salvage 

Petaluma-based Heritage Salvage has recently scored all of the framing materials from the original Budweiser Clydesdale Barn, framed with old growth redwood from original water tanks .

In the process of being loaded on a semi along with the original metal storefront columns from the Brecht Butcher Supply buildings built in 1890-1917 (see photos below), the St. Louis Budwieser Clysedale Barn wood will arrive in Petaluma this May. 

Back in 1933, August A. Busch, Jr. and Adolphus Busch III surprised their dear Dad, August A. Busch, Sr., with the gift of a six-horse Clydesdale hitch to commemorate the repeal of Prohibition.

"Realizing the marketing potential of a horse-drawn beer wagon, the company also arranged to have a second six-horse Clydesdale hitch sent to New York on April 7 to mark the event. The Clydesdales, driven by Billy Wales, drew a crowd of thousands as they clattered down the streets of New York City to the Empire State Building," writes the intrepid king of U.S. reclaimation, Bug Deakin on his Heritage Salvage site. "After a small ceremony, a case of Budweiser was presented to former Governor Alfred E. Smith in appreciation of his years of service in the fight against Prohibition."

Delighting thousands of Americans on its way, the hitch apparently continued on a tour of New England and the Middle Atlantic States, making a stop in Washington D.C. in April 1933 to reenact the delivery of one of the first cases of Budweiser to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

"The St. Louis hitch, driven by Art Zerr, also toured in celebration, stopping in Chicago and other Midwestern cities," reports Bug.

Soon after the hitch was introduced, the six-horse Clydesdale team increased to a team of eight.

A Dalmatian dog travels with each of the Clydesdale hitches, a tradition started in 1950 when a Dalmation was first introduced as the Budweiser Clydesdales’ mascot at the opening of a Newark Brewery.  These days, Anheuser-Busch owns around 250 Clydesdales - an enduring symbol of the brewer’s heritage, tradition and commitment to quality.

Restaurants and brew pubs throughout California and beyond have been clammoring for Heritage Salvage makeovers over the past few years. If you're in the market for something special in the custon-build department that would warrant the repurposing of some of this wonderful, historic old redwood haul, you'd best not wait too long. Contact Heritage Salvage for pricing.

Next to arrive will be  a bunch of materials from the 1869 Evans Grain Mill that Bug bought in Crestline, Ohio a couple of years ago. Stop by the shop at 1473 Petaluma Boulevard South or call 707 762-6277.

West of West Wine Festival - Discover the Best of Sonoma Coast August 2nd, 3rd and 4th, 2013

Journey to the edge of the world - without having to leave the county! West Sonoma Coast Vintners like to say that the end is their beginning. It certainly is a spectacular region within which to get lost in the cool climate wonders of Sonoma coastal wines for a few days. Especially if you are a wine connoisseur.

The 3rd annual West of West Wine Festival is certainly one to put on your summer to-do calendar. Centered in Sebastopol, the Festival kicks off with Welcome Dinners at wineries and homes around the county, hosted by member wineries on Friday night, August 2nd.

These dinners, ranging in price from $140 to $200 per person offer a rare and exclusive opportunity to dine with winemakers in their home or winery.

Saturday offers morning seminars, interviews and flight tastings, following by the first of two Grand Tastings on Saturday afternoon and the Whole Hog Feast Celebration in the evening.

After vineyards tours, the Grand Tasting tent reprises on Sunday afternoon for a second opportunity to taste through more than 40 outstanding coastal wines. 

Guests are able to select from the Welcome Dinners line-up: 

BANSHEE: An intimate dinner in the winery's new tasting room in downtown Healdsburg featuring one of area’s top restaurants and an array of Pinots and Chardonnay from its collection.

FAILLA: Join the Failla team for an “Al Fresco” Dinner located in the middle of its Olivet Road vineyard. Sit amongst the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines with friends while enjoying current releases and library wines of Failla, paired with a feast prepared by Chef Gary Penir.

FREEMAN: A global exploration of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. For the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay aficionado, enjoy with an intimate dinner for 16 guests at the beautiful and architecturally acclaimed vineyard home of Ken and Akiko Freeman. This special dinner catered by Chef Christopher Greenwald will be paired with wines from the Freeman portfolio as well as a special sampling of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from world’s best known producers and famed regions.

HALLECK VINEYARD: Sip wines on the deck while gazing across Sonoma County to Mt. St. Helena in distant Napa County. The five-course gourmet dinner will be paired with a selection of Halleck Vineyard wines. The menu will be lovingly prepared and served by the Halleck sons.

JOSEPH PHELPS: Enjoy an intimate celebration of Joseph Phelps 40th Anniversary and the winery's second decade of Sonoma Coast winegrowing at its charming Guest Center in Freestone. Join host Bill Phelps for a multi-course dinner paired with a selection of Phelps finest bottlings.

LITTORAI: An intimate, elegant yet casual dinner and tasting at the Littorai estate winery property with proprietors Heidi and Ted Lemon.

Saturday evening's Whole Hog Feast Dinner at the Barlow Events Center in Sebastopol starts with a pre-dinner reception featuring white and rose wines from the West Sonoma Coast and oysters from Hog Island Oyster Company. 

Afterwards, seating for dinner highlights the best of Sonoma bounty prepared by James Beard finalist Steven Satterfield from Miller Union in Atlanta. Dinner wines will consist of magnums of Pinot noir and Chardonnay supplied by each of the members of the West Sonoma Coast Vintners. Feel free to bring something from your cellar to share if you're attending this memorable dinner. Tickets for this lavish dinner - $275 per person. 

Mix and match which events you'd like to attend at various ticket price costs or treat yourself to an all access Saturday/Sunday pass for $450 (excluding cost of Friday night dinner choice).  Grand Tasting only attendees pay $125 for Saturday's event and $100 on Sunday. 

Broadway Under the Stars - 2013 Season at Jack London State Park

Photo By Candy Glass Productions

Cast members from the "Broadway Under The Stars in Jack London State Park" 2012 season.  The concert series returns this summer for 14 nights of performances from June 28th through August 31st, 2013.

Photos By Ryan Daffurn

Each evening begins with pre-show picnicking on the great lawn, alongside the vineyards of the park (with multiple wineries pouring and food and wine available for purchase), and concludes with an evening of inspirational entertainment. Concerts start at 7.30 pm. 

Transcendence Theatre’s “Broadway Under The Stars” in Jack London State Park is a series of award winning concerts featuring professional Broadway and Hollywood performers in the majestic open-air winery ruins in Sonoma's Jack London State Historic Park.

Last year’s season won the award for Best Special Theater Event from Broadway World San Francisco and included Broadway performers from Wicked, Mamma Mia, Les Miserables, Chicago, Gypsy, Hairspray, White Christmas, Mary Poppins and more. 

A portion of every ticket is given to benefit Jack London State Park and the success of these concerts plays a vital role in the sustaining of the threatened park for generations to come.  

Visit the website for more information and tickets www.BroadwayJackLondon.com

Transcendence Theatre’s “Broadway Under The Stars” Concert Series:  June 28 - August 31 2013.

"Fly Me To The Moon" June 28, 29, 30, July 5,6  "Fantastical Family Night" July 19, 20 "Dancing Through Life" August 9,10,15, 16, 17  "Gala Celebration" August 30, 31.

Jack London State Park is located at Sonoma County 2400 London Ranch Road Glen Ellen, CA 95442,  1 877 424-1414.

Tickets - $29 - $117.

 

Oyster Farm Battles On - Drakes Bay Oyster Company Back in Court

Embattled Drakes Bay Oyster Company of West Marin County is back in court Tuesday, May 14th, 2013 following the appellate court having granted an injunction pending appeal of the National Park Service's decision to shut down this historic operation.

In short, the oyster farm will stay open until the court makes a decision on the appeal. Three judges from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals are set to hear some 40 minutes of arguments from attorneys for the oyster farm's operator Kevin Lunny as well as from the man who ordered the farm's closure last fall, former Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.

A third-generation ranching family in the Point Reyes area, the Lunny family purchased the threatened (now 80-year-old) oyster farm in 2004 with a commitment to both protecting the health of Drakes estero and abundant wildlife, and reviving a significant business entrenched within the coastal community.

Providing 30 plus jobs for locals and a sustainable food product that supports local businesses, the Lunny's stewardship of the oyster farm produces award-winning oysters.

According to Drakes Bay Oyster Company: "In the course of this decision, NPS misrepresented the law, our contracts with the State of California, and the results of scientific studies. The fight is not over. We are in court to protest this. We need your help to continue." If you would like to add your name to the farm's growing ranks of supporters, click here.

At least two of the three judges in San Francisco must agree for the appeal to continue otherwise the farm's stay of execution will likely be over. An estimated 18 million oysters will have to be taken out of the water and destroyed. The National Parks and Service other critics remain steadfastly intent on closing operations in order to restore the area to pure wilderness, devoid of commercial activity.

Celebrating the Fiftieth Birthday of the Renaissance Pleasure Faire

On May 11th and 12th, 1963, Pacifica Radio in Los Angeles presented the first Renaissance Pleasure Faire and May Market.

Culled from nearly six hours of live broadcasting, in celebration of the 50 years since the founding of this iconic Californian cultural event, forty minutes of the pageantry and revelry from the Pleasure Faire has been lovingly edited down from the original reel tape into a commemorative soundscape and generously shared by one of the radio host's and co-founder of the Firesign Theatre, David Ossman.

Phyllis Patterson, a high school history and English teacher, home on maternity leave and her husband, Ron Patterson, a theatrical and whimsical art director at a Hollywood graphics firm were on the forefront of inventive new theater.

The couple invited neighborhood schoolchildren, many the offspring of Hollywood writers, directors and musicians to sign up for innovative new drama and art classes called "Into the Woods." To quote the Renaissance Pleasure Faire history page, there, in the Hills of Hollywood: "they gathered around them a band of merry artists, actors and musicians, and a thrilling concept was conceived."

Curated by the Patterson Family, the Renaissance Pleasure Faire online history page records a rich and significant cultural experience enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of participants and time traveling visitors since that first weekend in May 1963.

Two commemorative books also provide an illuminating insight into this much loved American phenomenon. Though there have been many spin-off events around the United States over the past many decades, there was and will always be only one authentic Renaissance Pleasure Faire. Happy Half Century RPF.

So You Think You Want to Be a Master Sommelier?

Are you completely obsessed with wine? Madly gifted with the ability to remember every single vintage made in every nook and cranny of the world's most remote of vineyards? Ready to drive yourself and everyone in your life absolutely crazy with your lengthy quest for obtaining the rock star Master Sommelier's Diploma? 

Apparently you are not alone For this is the subject of the most popular film trailer currently airing on iTunes. 

Mark your calendar for June 21st and sit yourself down for a screening, either at a cinema in the area (to be announced) or on itunes of what looks to be an incredibly revealing and fascinating new film, shot over the period of two years, in six countries, following four would-be Master Sommeliers intent on joining the rarified ranks of less than 200 diploma holders, worldwide.

Petaluma resident and Chief operating officer of the Guild of Sommeliers, Geoff Kruth (of the Farmhouse Inn, Forestville), found himself in the role as advisor to the team behind the documentary movie, SOMM. Though mostly behind the scenes, Kruth, whose students were the four main characters filmed, is featured on camera on the subject of blind tasting - his area of expertise.  In setting up interviews with sommeliers and wine producers in Europe, Kruth traveled with the film to shoot scenic b-roll in some of the world's most beautiful wine regions. 

Jason Wise, a young, Los Angeles based  film director was inspired to embark on this ambitious film project by one of the main characters, a friend of his who had been preparing for what is widely considered one of the most challenging exams in the world. 

Mary Orlin of the Huffington Post writes: "SOMM tells the story of four master somm candidates, Brian, Ian, Dustin and D'Lynn.  We see them studying with each other and also with mentors who are Master Sommeliers.  You might think it would be fun to get together with friends and taste lots of wine every night, but it becomes a chore that the guys have to be up for.  Having a camera around doesn't help.  We see how little sleep they get and how relationships with their significant others come second to wine.  As Ian put it in after the movie, "You have to become a little obsessed and if you're not, you're probably not going to pass."

In a film review from last year's Napa Valley Film Festival, Decanter.com reported: "Sommeliers are a misunderstood species, derided by winemakers and critics who do not share their sensibilities and heralded as ‘gatekeepers’ by those that do. In America, the ‘somm’ may be poised as the next celebrity du jour of the restaurant world—although one cannot imagine the sommelier’s lasting fame (or pride) will ever rival that of the chef’s—and SOMM could plunge headlong into that puffery. But it doesn’t: Wise lets the players’ ambitions (and failures) speak, and crafts a satisfying, personal story about cracked, flawed, interesting people who happen to sell wine in Italian cut suits, and minus the tastevin."

Meet the star sommeliers from SOMM (Sabato Sagaria and Ian Cauble)  and test your own palate to match the wine sensory evaluation notes from winemakers and somms—at a screening party and open house to celebrate the first Cinema in the Vineyard event at The Madrones in Anderson Valley, on Sunday, June 2nd, 2013. 

Located in the Anderson Valley, The Madrones is the vision of designer and lifestyle entrepreneur Jim Roberts. The Mediterranean compound serves as a community outpost for local artisans; home to four vintners (Bink Wines, Drew Family Cellars, Knez Winery, and Signal Ridge), a rural lifestyle shop, a wood fired Pizzeria (Stone & Embers) opening in July 2013, several estate guest quarters, a culinary kitchen garden for local produce, serene courtyards and carefully manicured English gardens. The Madrones are partnering with Mendocino Film Festival to screen the film during open house from 11.30 am to 4.30 pm. Mingle with the filmmakers during a post-screening party at the Madrones from 5.00pm. 

Tickets will be $25 for the post-screening party or bundle it with the Open House for $40. Call 707-895-2955 for more info.

 

 

 

Small Steps, Big Impact - 2013 350 Home and Garden Challenge

 

Sonoma County Daily Acts group is gearing up for celebrating community May 18th and 19th, aiming for a whopping 3,500 actions over the two-day, annual 350 home garden challenge.

Here's how you can boost numbers and green our county:

• Grow Food - Plant a few backyard veggies or start a community garden

• Save Water - Transform your lawn with native plants or install a greywater system

• Conserve Energy - Hang a clothes line, reduce your use of gas and electricity

• Green Your Ride - Go car free, organize a car pool

• Live Local - Move your money, eat, drink and shop local 

What will you do? Click here to register your green actions. 

Set in a Sprawling English Country House Tom Stoppard's Masterpiece 'Arcadia' - A.C.T' 's New SF Production

According to to a reviewer from The Daily Telegraph, Czech-born British playwright, Sir Tom Stoppard's masterpiece Arcadia is nothing short of 'a masterpiece'. 

The Independent considered it might be "the greatest play of its time."

Right up my gravel driveway, so to speak, the play is set in a sprawling English country house. Arcadia moves between the 19th century and the present through a series of love stories, while characters from both eras apparently discover connections, unearth mysteries and unravel hidden truths.

Artistic Director Carey Perloff helms the American Conservatory Theater's reportedly dazzling new production.

If you're a Stoppard fan and enjoyed his most recent silver screen take on Anna Karenina, the British television series Parade's End, that recently aired on PBS, movies The Golden Compass and Shakespeare in Love (to name a mere few of his masterly works), then I suggest you score some tickets now for this San Francisco performance, May 16th through June 9th.   

Fast (Then Feast) for Rivertown Revival

Being a Rivertown Revival Fan and a frequent Wholefoods Shopper, I've marked my calendar for Wednesday May 15th for a grocery-shop-athon to boost the coffers of one of my favorite Sonoma County annual events. Now, in which aisle will we bump carts?