Southern Sonoma Country Life

Step into A Victorian Christmas Card Come to Life - Bay Area's Beloved Great Dickens Christmas Fair

A beloved Bay Area tradition and one of the most elaborate, inventive and authentically-Victorian Christmas events anywhere in the world, the Great Dickens Christmas Fair & Victorian Holiday Party presents a brilliant facsimile of London circa the 1840s-1860s - a Victorian Christmas Card Come to Life!

While you and I were busy baking pies and setting the Thanksgiving table, an army of talented staff, crew, performers, vendors and volunteers of the Dickens Christmas Fair were celebrating having put the finishing touches on this years event for a pre-Turkey Day opening.

More than three acres of old-world exhibition halls at San Francisco's legendary Cow Palace have once again magically transformed into a Victorian holiday world of dancing, feasting, entertainments and shopping for one-of-a-kind treasures. 

An ever-changing, recreated slice of Charles Dickens' London, warmly lit and lovingly decorated, with winding lanes, shops, pubs, tea rooms, lecture halls, a grand music hall and the London dockside is brought to life by more than 750 authentically dressed actors.

FIVE WEEKENDS 
Nov. 23 ~ Dec. 22 from 10am to 7pm, 
including the Friday after Thanksgiving!

 

Make way for the Queen! Smartly uniformed soldiers lead young Queen Victoria and her Royal Consort Prince Albert through the streets of the Great Dickens Christmas Fair.
Photo credit: Rich Yee

  

Four authentic English pubs - and the Bohemian Absinthe Bar - serve up hearty Christmas cheer at the Great Dickens Christmas Fair.
Photo credit: Rich Yee

click here to order print at home tickets 

Baking Flour Flurries and Giving Thanks

"Grandma, he had often wanted to say, Is this where the world began? For surely it had begun in no other than a place like this. The kitchen, without doubt, was the center of creation, all things revolved about it; it was the pediment than sustained the temple." - Ray Bradbury, Dandelion Wine.

For me, as reader, I consider this scene in Bradbury's grandmother's kitchen not just as an American moment, but one that translates to all cultures in which the younger members of the family are, for now, so little aware of how the way we're introduced to cooking and communing serves to permeate the soul for a lifetime.

"Eyes shut to let his nose wander, he snuffed deeply. He moved to the hell-fire steams and sudden baking flour flurries of snow in this miraculous climate......Grandma of the thousand arms, shook, basted, whipped, beat, minced, diced, peeled, wrapped, salted and stirred."

A few more thoughts for the road: 

"Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude."

–A.A. Milne

 

"Small cheer and great welcome makes a merry feast."

- William Shakespeare 

 

 

"At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us."

–Albert Schweitzer

 

Wishing you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving. 

 

 

 

Healdsburg's Shed - A Sonoma County (Light) Take on Eataly, NY

It has been seven months since the launch of Healdsburg's ambitious, new, state-of-the-art grange, grocery, farm store, cafe, bar and event space,  SHED. And it took me the entire summer and now most of the fall to finally find a free afternoon for a foray up the 101 to check it out. 

I'd been hearing mixed reports from friends and fellow bloggers, one of which stated, to the point (as he is wont to do), that he just: "didn't get it". Still, it sounded like something that I'd appreciate, what with its enticing line up of coffee and fermentation bars, larder and pantries, housewares for the seasonal cook, cafe, farm and garden store, workshops, Sunday suppers, event and tastings space. And unlike Sebastopol's ambitious and extensive Barlow District roll-out for the passing foodie's delight, the Shed is all under one beautifully styled, lofty, well lit and convenient roof. 

Ironically, I'd actually made a (jaw-dropping) first visit to the ultimate emporium of all things Italian-foodie focused, New York's Eataly,  before a visit to the Shed finally topped my SoCo to-do list and I just can't help but compare the ambitiousness of the projects, despite the wildly different demographic of foot traffic in keeping such major enterprises bouyant. 

Whereas with Eately, there is sheer magnitude of choice and sumptuous selection, you just want to dive right in and order a slice of pizza, or an espresso, initial reaction to the Shed is considerably more of a mixed bag of wondering what to focus on first while figuring out how it all quite works.

After browsing around for about 20 minutes, Lesley and I each bought a copy of Angela Boggiano's appealing British Pie Book, as well as my impulse buy of a beautiful, made-in-Sonoma-County, big, white pie dish. If there had been a basket of Gravenstein apples I'd have come home with the makings for my holiday pie, but I found the fresh food refrigerators and counter offerings to be a bit sparse and austere looking. 

Price varied from super expensive, rustic-luxe kitchen items to reasonable deals such as jars of pickled red Fresno peppers and old-fashioned molasses. 

Despite the plethora of choices for lunch in Healdsburg, we decided to give the Shed a whirl, at a table for two in its indoor/outdoor chic cafe.

Staffing seems to be a bit of a hard commodity to come by in Healdsburg, with so many competing eateries (tasting rooms & stores) in town, and though polite and friendly, our server forgot to mention that our modest salads selection had reached the kitchen at the wrong end of a large group order. Better late than never, our fresh sardine and smoked salmon salads were, though 40 minutes in the making, beautifully presented and delicious. 

 As a community resource for learning, I wish the Shed were in Petaluma. The South County could do with a facility that offers an event space of this caliber as well as a center dedicated to talks featuring noted thinkers, artists and authors with workshops on food crafts, gardening, farming and sustainable living.

Though Petaluma has a great Arts Center and stores such as The Seed Bank and Copperfields for some of these activities, the draw from San Francisco and the East Bay would be so much more feasible than driving all the way up to the northern reaches of Sonoma County.

The 9,700 square foot building is two stories high. According to media reports, the Shed has, at the seven-month stage, undergone considerable growth and change as it settles into wine country's wider community awareness.

For those who are in the vacinity and have their calendars organized to follow the Shed's event calendar, I'd say its wonderful addition to Healdsburg's offerings. Though somewhat envious we don't have one on our doorstep, I'd imagine it would take on more of a practical farmer's market atmosphere if it were located in the South County. 

Renoir - A Cinematic Escape to the South of France, Circa Summer 1915

Michael O'Sullivan of the Washington Post described the recently released on DVD, French movie 'Renoir' as :"A seemingly desultory yet methodical meditation on art, war, love, life and death that takes place on the painter’s country estate in 1915, four years before his death."

For my many artistic readers out there in Southern Sonoma Country land, I'm recommending this sumptously slow (I thought, in all the best ways) movie for a spot of well-earned downtown viewing during the otherwise manic holiday season. 

History, scenery, cinematography, World War I era french clothing, al fresco painting, and a strong cast, not to mention losing oneself in the language even while keeping one eye on the sub-titles. 

 

One of a Kind Handmade Candies, Handcrafts, Breads, Jams, Pickles - Soup & Cornbread, Too!

Explore the World of Natural (Local) Dyes in a Fiber Color Workshop this January

Spend the day on January 25th, 2014 (10 am to 4 pm) at the Valley Ford Wool Mill exploring the world of natural dyes, both wild and cultivated locally. In this hands-on workshop you will learn how to dye with a variety of leaves, petals, hulls, fungi and roots, giving you an introduction to some of the many sources of natural dye pigment.

Also learn how to prepare wool and silk fibers to best receive the dyes using mordants, which are minerals that increase the intensity of color and colorfastness. Students will take home samples of dyed wool yarn and silk fabric. Materials and catered lunch included.

Instructor: Dustin Kahn is an avid gardener and natural dye enthusiast. She has studied mushroom dyes with Dorothy Beebee of Sonoma County Mycological Association (SOMA) and plant dyes with Rebecca Burgess of Fibershed, as well as spending many hours experimenting with natural dyes on her own. She has taught mushroom dye classes for both SOMA and Fibershed. When she’s not in the garden tending her dye plants or the in woods searching for dye mushrooms, Dustin is the graphic designer and administrator for Fibershed. Visit her blog about natural dyes here.

To register: contact Ariana Strozzi at Ariana@ValleyFordWoolMill.com or call Kathleen McCauley at 707-287-0546.  $125 incl. materials & catered lunch

Red Barn Studios Holiday Sale 2013 - Dec 7th and 8th

Another quality art and crafts show to take a drive out to in the Petaluma area, this holiday season. Last year my friend Lara and I had a lot of fun selecting from Leslie Dickinson's beautiful, handcrafted bag selection. And who can resist one of Teri Drobnick's adorable TEEsox cuddly toys, or a Marta Shannon scarf? Great handmade treasures from good people.

 

A Taste of Latest SoCo Farm to Table Offerings at Petaluma's New Wishbone, American Eaterie

As is so often the case within the first 10 days (in this case 11) of a new eaterie opening in the South County, chefs and restaurant owners from around the area are many of the first customers, not just keen to scope out the competition but to see who's adding to the vibrant food scene in these parts.

The more (ought to be) the merrier when it comes to culinary offerings and options for eating out and not leaving the immediate area in search of flavors fresh.

And, after all, the whole point of the current farm-to-table flurry is to savor the taste of the region from the perspective of each individual chef's select choice.

With this in mind, I was keen to take an early pew in Petaluma's newly opened Wishbone in the former (three-decade old) Three Cooks breakfast joint, on the Boulevard heading north. The last owner of this old-time eaterie, fry-up fixture Bobby Mangano held court behind the counter for some 27 years. Before Bobby, the locale apparently housed a bbq joint. (The Three Cooks sign that has remained in place alongside a new, giant, Wishbone configeration, is said to date back to eating establishments of up to half a century past.)

In short, there is a bit of history to the place. And I do love a slice of the history pie when it comes to local lore. 

Coined for the region's chicken heritage, in the style of contemporaries Henhouse Ales and the like, I found the place to be fairly hopping for a rainy weeknight, despite the fact that parking posed a bit of a problem, especially in the rain. 

Restaurateurs from around town were, as predicted, also sampling Wishbone's American home-cooking-style menu, hearty and heavy on local meats and cheese.

Considering its grand old age of 11 days, an atmosphere of casual calm kept one or two kinks in the service system fairly well under control. 

Owners of Penngrove's former Humble Pie and Santa Rosa's Blue Label eateries, Miriam Donaldson and Josh Norwitt are, when not otherwise busy raising Scottish Highland Cattle, the creative folk behind Wishbone.

They've done an impressive job in what I'd guess was a relatively low-budget transformation of an old-school breakfast joint with no frills and fancies into a quirky, cool, neighborhood diner of appeal to the visiting Portland foodie just as much as the Petaluma locavore crowd. Lighting is rustic, with fairy-lit tree branches overhead and mis-matched plates. A little red record player adds to the overall element of vintage appeal, though its scratchy sound doesn't really translate in a busy restaurant environment as far as acoustics.  

I opted for apple/pumpkin soup, which made for a delicious starter, followed by a bacon-wrapped trout main course. I'm not one to miss out on a well cooked trout and though the fish was delish, I'd ask for it without the bacon next time. Not that there was anything wrong with the bacon, but for my taste, it inteferred a bit with the finish of an otherwise fine fish. 

My dining partner for the evening enjoyed a tasty and well presented Petaluma brined pork chop and a zippy little blue cheese meatball starter. 

Friends who joined us for their second pit-stop at Wishbone since it opened, enjoyed apple pie desserts, for which the former Humble Pie duo are well known for.

Though the menu's on the pricey side for a restaurant that feels like (and is supposed to feel like) eating a good homemade dinner at a friend's house, in retrospect, I think it's fair to say I'd calculate it wouldn't cost all that much less to cook a locally sourced, organic meal at home, once you've shopped for all the little extras. 

As with most eating-out experiences, its the booze that puts the price up and Wishbone's wine selection isn't cheap. There are lots of other options for something to drink, including some well priced and pleasant beers. 

With at least six Petaluma eateries specializing in a locally-sourced menu, Wishbone is going to have to stay on top of going the extra mile in its service and substance to keep up with competition, given its out-of-downtown location. If it's an eclectic personality, a commitment to quality ingredients and originality that you're looking for, then Wishbone has a one-of-a-kind appeal.  

Located at 841 Petaluma Boulevard North, Wishbone is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Currently serving:

Lunch:  11am-2:30pm 

Dinner:  5pm-9pm weeknights / 5pm-10pm weekends

Brunch:  9am-2:30pm Saturday & Sunday

Call 1(707) 763-2663.

McEvoy's 2013 Olio Nuovo and an Important Note to Backyard Olive Growers in the Region

McEvoy Ranch released its much sought after 2013 Olio Nuovo this week. Available only for a very short time after harvest, this oil is bottled immediately, without filtration and has an intense, fresh flavor.

Medium-bodied with a strong character, this year's Olio Nuovo is as close to a true Tuscan olive oil as you're going to get in this part of the world. The folks at McEvoy describe it as exhibiting a temporary bitterness and savory saltiness on the sides of the tongue. Available at McEvoy's San Francisco Ferry Building shop now and online. 

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In my South County Notebook column in the Petaluma Argus Courier this week, summarized here, I focused on the unprecedented problem caused by this year's Olive Fruit Fly infestation throughout the region.

While McEvoy Ranch and premium growers in California have managed to protect their olive orchards from this mass-infestation through meticulous care and maintainance, most small-scale growers saw their 2013 crops wiped out.

"This year has seen the worst olive fruit fly infestation in Bay Area, if not entire California coastal history," said Samantha Dorsey, Farming Manager for McEvoy Ranch. Dorsey, who oversees the care and organic management of 80 acres of olive orchard (as well as 25 acres of vineyards) at the ranch, is an expert in quality olive care and production, upholding the McEvoy family's philosophy towards its diverse and sustainable form of farming.

Hundreds of small scale olive growers (including several wineries) from as far away as Santa Barbara in the south to Booneville in the north have reported 2013 crop infestation and decimation. Many of these growers would otherwise have been making their annual pilgrimage up to Petaluma for McEvoy's annual community milling days. 

According to the University of California's Agriculture and Natural Resources department, the Olive Fruit Fly (Bactrocera oleae) poses not only a severe economic threat for the State's cutting edge olive oil industry, but any one, individual fruit bearing ornamental olive tree, untreated on a private property is at risk of exacerbating the problem. 

"A number of extraordinarily detrimental factors have led to this year's scenario," explained Dorsey. "This year's very mild summer failed to shut down Olive Fruit Fly production. Without extreme heat, they keep on reproducing."

Thousands of untended trees throughout the region served to provide ideal reproductive conditions. 

A simple method for controlling the Olive Fruit Fly if a property owner has olive trees that are not harvested each fall is to prevent fruit formation in the Spring, with a plant growth regulator or high-pressure water sprays during bloom. Anyone planning to harvest olive fruit, is urged by neighboring growers to research basic sanitation practices for olive trees and consider using traps, bait sprays, or barrier films.

In short, the more unprotected olive trees there are in our region, the greater the problem will escalate. Unharvested fruit left to hang tends to cause even more trouble each consecutive Spring. One West Petaluma neighbor told me he is considering removing his backyard, fruit-bearing olive tree in light of this news.

My trusted source for all-things-olive, Teela Bihn (known locally as 'The Olive Lady' for her years of experience in tending a medium-scale olive orchard, closer to town)is in discussions with Samantha at McEvoy to develop an action plan for the provision of a Do-It-Yourself kit and instructions for ridding the immediate area of further Olive Fruit Fly invasions. These two experts are hoping to connect with a garden center in the area with whom to collaborate so that Petalumans are able to access the correct materials to tackle this major problem.

I'll keep you posted on this story as it develops. If you have olives on your property and would like to have more information in the meantime, reply to this post and I'll put you in touch with the Olive Lady. 

 

Three Nights to Make Wishes Come True - Festival of Trees Charity Auction Calls for an Extra Special Collection

Not only has Petaluma's Fabulous Women Festival of Trees evolved over the past handful of years into one of the South County's biggest holiday events, it raises thousands and thousands of dollars for specially selected non-profits, each December, once the trees are auctioned off.

This year, attendees for the tree lighting ceremony, that takes place at 6pm on Saturday November 30th, one week before the first, official tree auction night, are encouraged to dip into their pockets with as little or large a donation as they are able to give for a special community fundraising collection in support of a Petaluma family in critical need.

Five-year-old Jazzlin Mejia and her father were in a serious head-on collision while driving on the evening of October 29th. Their car was stuck by a drunk driver. Jazzlin remains in Oakland Children's Hospital, where medical staff are still unsure if she will ever be able to walk again.

Her family, while entirely focused on her recovery, is also facing the tremendous burden of paying for her medical expenses. 

Santa Claus and Petaluma Pete will be the ambassadors for the evening on November 30th and The Fabulous Women will be there in Theatre Square to collect donations to help with Jazzlin's medical bills. If you're not able to attend the event on the 30th, please consider dropping off donations care of Patty Norman, at Copperfield's Book Store, 140 Kentucky Street. Gift cards, food cards, or cash donations will be gratefully received.