A few years ago, native New Yorker, Susan Noll, ready for a change, left the firm where she managed the graphic design department, packed up her art supplies and moved to Vallejo. After she had settled into this waterfront community, she spent the next few years founding Noll Design and, perhaps more importantly, searching for fellow artists and art venues.
Susan found that Vallejo had a burgeoning community of talented artists, but a dearth of events large enough to attract the size of audience that many artists of Vallejo deserved, so she created one. Susan herself would be quick to point out that she didn’t do this on her own, but she certainly got the ball rolling and continues to keep it rolling along with web designer Gretchen Zimmermann and local photographer donnio, who helped put the event on the map its first year. Last year they were joined by art consultant and therapist James Orlando and local artist Kemper Stone.
Just over two years ago a group of artists representing various studios, galleries and organizations began meeting in Susan’s home and created Vallejo Open Studios-2010 (“VOS”), a successful, city-wide event that was followed by an even more successful VOS 2011.
This year, the group is holding its 3rd annual art event and VOS-2012 is already shaping up to be another winner for both the artists and the city of Vallejo.
Although Vallejo Open Studios is the event title, it is also the name of the group coordinating and producing it. In its third year, the VOS group has already announced a major new development. {WHAT NEW DEVELOPMENT?} The Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum has become a partner in this event and will host a month-long show featuring works from the many VOS participants.
Jim Kern, director of the museum said, “The Museum is glad to have established a partnership with the Vallejo Open Studios group. Having work from such a diverse group of artists on exhibit every year at the Museum will really give visitors a sense of the depth of talent in our community.”
Additionally, the museum broadens the scope of the entire art-filled event. The work that will be featured in the museum’s Hall of History will be open to the public two weeks before the weekend Open Studio event takes place. The opening gala at the museum will allow the public to meet the participating artists, preview and sample their artwork and pick up the popular VOS brochures, which are printed in full color and contain self-guided tour maps as well as photographs of the official participants’ artwork. The free brochures are produced as full-sized yearly calendars and have already become quite collectible.
Although the Vallejo Open Studios group is a recent development, the event participation has been strong from the start. Boasting a participant count of more than 50 artists in 2010 as well as 2011, VOS has never turned away an artist wishing to show his or her art work during this studios weekend. The “official participant” fee is $50 which pays for a photograph of their work in the VOS brochure, their weekend location address which coordinates with the map, a place in the month-long show hanging at the museum, event postcards and publicity. This fee has not been increased since the first year, therefore efforts to find advertisers and sponsors are very important.
One of the attractions of this city-wide event, which is free to the public, is the diversity of the participants. Some artists, like long-time Vallejo resident MaryJane Etchegaray-Szalan, maintain studios on their own property and open it to the public during this weekend event. When asked why she was participating in this event for the third time, MaryJane explained, “I have a very small studio out of sight of the public eye and during Vallejo Open Studios, I love to share it with fellow artists who have none of their own. This event is very important if our work is to be seen and appreciated. Oh and of course, selling it is so rewarding on many levels.”
Other artists rent space in “working studios”. Carl Theodorski is one of the many members of Coal Shed Studios on Mare Island. He, like many of his fellow “Coal Shedders”, does not live at his studio address, though he does spend as much time there as possible working in this creative group space. As one of the senior members of this prestigious studio, Carl shared one of his reasons for participating in the city-wide event: “Having organized our own shows, we at the Coal Sheds appreciate the benefits of a larger organization.”
For artists who do not have a studio they can open to the public, the Open Studios group has found shared space for their use each year, and some of our participants invite other artists to share their space as well. Linda Staib, who designs and creates her own line of unique jewelry, has been one of the artists showing in a shared space. Linda commented, “This is my second time to participate in Open Studios and last year I found it to be an uplifting experience. The visitors and my fellow artists provided me with a lot of valuable input.”
Forming a partnership with the museum wasn’t the only shift in structure this year. In order to share the responsibility more evenly, the VOS is now being run under the leadership of its five directors. Each director oversees one or more areas of responsibility on their own or with the help of volunteers, some of whom are participating artists and some whom are community minded art lovers.
Kemper Stone, who calls himself “a recreational art evangelist”, has participated and helped plan this event for the past two years now. “The unique nature of Vallejo seems to attract many artists and inspire many residents to get involved in art,” he said. “The inclusiveness that characterizes VOS has not dampened the enthusiasm of our more sophisticated guests and, although I have degrees in art and years of formal training, I much prefer the assortment of what I see at VOS than in many elite university art departments.” You will be able to see the results of Kemper’s efforts in publicizing our event with unique hand-painted signs sometime in October and November.
James Orlando has a proven track record of helping art organizations determine the direction in which they want to grow and map out a plan to achieve that. He is hoping to encourage participating artists to share their skills with the youth of the community and is actively seeking funding for this endeavor. “This year we will have a special Family Day at the museum where children are given the opportunity to participate in Vallejo Open Studios and discover art from our community,” he said. “Docent-led tours of the exhibition, engaging in guided discussions of artwork, interactive questioning and fun art-making activities will deepen the experience for our young community members.”
Gretchen Zimmerman donates a good deal of her time to maintaining the website, keeping the accounting in good order and generally keeping up with tasks that keep everything running smoothly. This year Gretchen added the ability to apply and pay online, a great option for participants and a nice addition for our tracking efforts.
“As Director of Sales and Marketing, I spend a good deal of my time seeking funding and publicity for our cause,” Zimmerman says. “This enables us to keep the participation fee very low for our artists. Many groups charge more than $300 for participation in Open Studios in other cities as compared to our $50 fee.”
And Susan is the backbone of the group. Arranging meetings, writing and sending out announcements, answering a myriad of questions from the public and her fellow directors, she gets even busier when it is time to design and assemble the event brochure.
I think Susan sums it up best: “Vallejo Open Studios serves our artists and our community in a number of ways. The obvious: it provides artists with an opportunity to show and sell their work, and it provides the community with an opportunity to purchase original work by local artists. The not so obvious: we are strengthened individually and as a community when we come together for a common, positive purpose while sending the message out that there are great things happening in Vallejo, and it is a city full of talented people and a destination worth visiting.”
Artwork you will find represented at this event: painting, drawing, photography, greeting cards, ceramics, pottery, jewelry, self-published books, quilts, printmaking, metal work, sculpture, wearable art, furniture, screen printing, collage, stained glass, assemblage, mosaics, Art Cars and more!
The opening night gala at the Naval and Historical Museum will be Friday, October 26th. The Open Studios weekend will run from Saturday, November 10th until Sunday, November 11th, both days opening at 11:00 a.m. and closing at 5:00 p.m.
donnio – A daughter, mother, grandmother and artist; donnio is a photographer, graphic artist, Reiki master and laughter devotee.
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Drinking Sunshine
As grapes grow on the vine they both ripen and sweeten with each day under the gentle rays of the sun. Each winemaker fusses over the brix (the measure of the sugar content in the grapes) to determine the precise time they should be harvested to create their particular blend. Some are looking to harvest earlier so the residual sugars are not as high (the lower the sugar content the “drier” the wine) and some are looking to create a sweeter wine.
There are, of course, many factors that control how sweet a particular wine is when it is bottled—from the type of grape, the level of alcohol, the fermentation process, the aging method, etc. The sun, though, is critical. To make a truly delicious sweet wine, the grapes must ripen in the sun. The sugars need to build up in the grape and the water also has to leave it. The less water the greater concentration of sugars. The grapes then must sit on the vine as long as possible to achieve the highest level of sugars and sweetness. You can’t just add sugar at the end as you would a glass of Kool-Aid or tea. The sugars must develop naturally. Depending on the type of sweet wine you are making, a particular fungus, Botrytis Cinerea—which results from just the right amount of moisture from either rain or humidity—must also be present. If the weather is too rainy and/or humid the grapes will simply rot on the vine and be lost. The yellow jackets then become a problem as well, drawn by the sweet smell. If the conditions are perfect though and the sun warms them just right over the season and just the right amount of rain falls the grapes will achieve what is known as a “noble rot” and they will become incredibly sweet to the taste. Therein is the challenge: everything “must be just right” just as Goldilocks had professed.
One could say that winemaking is simply a science experiment and you would be right. Making wine is a science experiment and a tremendous amount of science goes into making a great wine. Making great wine though is also an art. Making a late harvest dessert wine takes a blend of science, art and a touch of luck. Making an awarding winning, late harvest wine year in and year out – now that is something akin to sorcery or black magic. How else could one explain making a superior late harvest wine year in and year out with all the variables that one must manage and be subjected to? Just as the classic song the “Candy Man” asks, “Who can make the sunshine?” That, my friend, is exactly what the late harvest wine maker is doing. He is not only making the sunshine but he is capturing it in a bottle and serving it up as a sumptuous treat – just like the fictional Candy Man.
So, I asked the question who then does that? Who makes a great late harvest wine year in and year out? Who is the “Candy Man” of the wine world? Who can make the sunshine with just a sprinkling of rain? Well, Dolce Winery, it seems, can. That was the answer I received back from my friends and family in the wine world. So, I paid them a visit to see if I could ascertain the secrets of their dark arts and how they are able to capture the sun in a bottle.
Dolce winery is part of Far Niente Winery and their sister winery Nickel & Nickel. I sat down with Greg Allen, their winemaker to learn how he uses a mere 20 acres of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes to produce this magical elixir each year. Ironically, Greg did not grow up yearning to be a wine maker. He was raised in San Diego and has a degree in mechanical engineering. He came to Northern California to work, not on grape harvesting equipment, but rather submarines at the Mare Island Naval Base in Vallejo. His small exposure to wine was nurtured there just south of one of the greatest wine growing regions in the world. As Mare Island wound down operation, Greg saw the writing on the wall about his life in Northern California and submarines. He started looking around for a new gig and he found one – in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Yes, as you might expect, he went back to school to earn a PhD in the well known field of biomechanical orthopedics – he started studying human cartilage. Well, as Greg puts it; “After awhile I just found that I was not really dreaming about a life in biomechanical orthopedics, I was dreaming about one in wine”. In a sudden about face he found himself in a short internship at Far Niente and I would like to say that the rest was history, but it wasn’t. Time in Australia working at a small family winery and in Switzerland again with the cartilage interceded for a bit before he confirmed to himself that wine was his true calling – though his mother and family were a bit dismayed at his overall decision making process. He started far down stem, so to speak, in the hierarchy of Far Niente upon his return but his background of science and clinical study served him well and he rose quickly to the position of Assistant Winemaker for Dolce and then the official “Winemaker”. Greg, of course, brought the science to winemaking but his love of wine showed that he was also a natural artist in the process.
On to the grapes and how they grow them “just right” year in and year out. If you have ever been to a vineyard you know a tremendous amount of time and care is taken in how the vines are planted, trimmed and watered. They are protected from birds, bees and the frost. Lots and lots of time and energy goes into protecting and nurturing them. A lot of thought and science goes into improving quality and yield. At Dolce they have taken that science and reverse engineered it so they can consistently produce the Botrytis fungus, which all other vineyard managers are trying to avoid. They created special “T” trellis as an example so they would encourage overhang and shade on the grapes. They planted them where the evening fog would be particularly heavy and stay on the grapes later in the day. They also found that if the grape cluster hung too close together once the fungus started to form those grapes would rub against each other and it causes the skin to rupture and the grapes to develop a vinegar taste to them. They combat that by cutting a surprising 50% of their grape clusters off so they do not rub and the plant can focus its energy on fewer grapes – helping to make them even sweeter. This, of course, means they also have 50% fewer grapes to work with, further reducing their yields.
Typically most grape growers will harvest shortly after the grapes have fully ripened. Greg and his team wait until a few weeks after the first rain of the season – whenever that may be – to harvest so that the Botrytis fungus can take hold. This also means more time for the yellow jackets to find them. The yellow jackets will also rupture the skin when they bite into them as they steal the grapes’ sweet sugars. This, of course, has the same effect as rubbing and the grapes take on the same vinegar qualities. So they have to work on keeping those pesky yellow jackets at bay from the sweet smelling grapes which are calling to them like the mythical sirens called out to the ancient mariners. It’s no easy task to keep thousands of hungry predators away from their dinner.
The rain – when does that first sprinkle occur so that the Botrytis can take hold? You can often find Greg out in the vineyards come mid-September working on his Native American Rain Dance though, to date, he has not yet perfected it. So they wait and wait and sometimes wait some more. They watch the skies and the humidity, which can in some cases help to bring forth the Botrytis. They have harvested in mid-September and as late as early December. The biggest sin here is to harvest too early. If the brix is not high enough when the grapes are harvested there is not much they can do to make the grapes or the wine sweeter. So they wait and they test and they test again. As a carpenter would say; “measure twice and cut once.” They measure far more than twice and when they measure they take large samples from throughout the vineyard, further reducing their yield.
Once it is determined that the majority of the grapes have reached the pinnacle of sweetness and the order has been given to start the harvest, even then they must be careful. Each cluster is quickly scrutinized by the trained harvesters and only the best grapes are deposited into the crates. The rest fall back into the soil. The harvest therefore is far slower than with other grapes and far fewer make it to be processed. Once the first day’s grapes are brought back to the winery they are quickly squeezed and cooled. They are also tested once again to ensure the level of sugar is high enough. If the sugar level is not high enough the clusters must be scrutinized even more to get only the absolute sweetest grapes. If the sugars are higher than desired they can keep a few more of the grapes to balance out the sweeter ones. Each day of the harvest, juice is kept separate from the preceding days and will remain so until they perform the final blending prior to bottling. They keep them carefully separated not only so they can use them in varying quantities in the final product but just in case something goes wrong during fermentation or any other step and that batch might not be able to be used. This harvesting can take as long as six weeks to accomplish. Once harvested, juice then begins its fermentation process to produce alcohol and become wine. During the fermentation process (and this is true for all wines) yeast eats the sugars and produces alcohol as a byproduct. This is why the level of sugars the grapes have at the start is so critical. Too little sugar means the yeast will consume too much and the result will be a drier wine (dryness in wine means a lack of residual sugars) not the sweeter wine which, they are trying to create
Once the fermentation is stopped it enters new French oak which the wine will call home for the next five years. Each day’s harvest remains separated and carefully cataloged. The wine then is aged in the oak, taking on both flavor and color. The taste and sugars are measured, monitored and cataloged carefully so Greg can contemplate how much of each batch should be combined to achieve the flavor, aroma and taste he wants. As the time grows near for bottling, Greg carefully creates and tastes varying blends of each batch. As I sampled his 2006 creation I can fully attest that their careful steps have yielded a fabulous wine. It is not a heavy or syrupy concoction that one might expect from a “sweet” wine but rather one that is sweet but with a clean finish. I found wonderful flavors of fruits within the wine that I would describe as apricot with a touch of citrus. Flavors of honey and vanilla were also present in the wine. The wine coated my tongue and mouth with flavors without feeling heavy. It would be the perfect pair with créme brûlée, as the flavor of the wine does not have a heavy sweetness but rather a refreshing one. Dolce has been working on pairing wine with desserts and savory dishes as well. I definitely can see this working throughout the meal and not just at the end.
There then are “dark arts” that Dolce and Greg are practicing – hard work, patience and a whole lot of science. They hope that their incredible, uninterrupted streak of successful bottlings will continue unabated but Greg concedes there may be a year in which they do not have enough usable grapes to produce a vintage. In the interim he will continue to work on his rain dance and his careful process. Greg is also working on bringing two more acres online and, while I was there visiting with him, he received his newest toy – giant cement eggs. The eggs are actually hollow inside and will be used during the fermentation process this year for one or two batches to see if they improve the quality or flavor of the wine. I will have to make an appointment to check that out in 2017 when this year’s grapes go into the bottle and get back to you on that. In the meantime, cheers! Enjoy a little Dolce tonight for dessert and let Greg know what you think.
Robert Briseño – When not chasing after his three little children he enjoys taking a moment to savor a nice glass of wine with his lovely wife.
Yikes!! How did it become the fall already? The fourth quarter, Halloween, Election Day, Thanksgiving, then the holiday season and all of its shopping!! Then the end of the year!! How did 2012 slip away? Come to think of it, it seems like just yesterday that it was 2005!! Every year seems to speed by faster than the last. Such is life I guess. Hopefully you have been getting out this year and checking out all the great events and things to do around us. We know that we have been busy doing just that. If you have not seen the new video section on the website you should stop by and see some of the adventures we have had over the past few months. There are more to come so be sure to check the website every now and then to see what’s new. We, along with our video crew, will be stopping by some local festivals and events in the coming months so read about that here and look for the upcoming videos.
The voting for the 2nd annual “Local’s Choice Awards” is in full swing. If you have not been nominating and voting for your favorite businesses in the area please do so!! We want to hear from you and so do the rest of our readers. The rules are fairly simple: You can nominate any business or person via our web site that falls into our 11 categories who are in Napa, Contra Costa or Solano counties. (The business would have to have been in operation since January 1st 2009.) Once nominated and approved you can vote for them. (You and your friends can vote daily if you would like). Voting concludes on Sunday, December 9th and the winners will be announced in our February-March edition. So let us (and everyone else) know who has your vote for “Local’s Choice”!!
Local Happenings Magazine is also rolling out a new “Rewards Program” for our readers where you can get discounts with merchants around the Bay Area, the state and the country. We have partnered with Rainbow Rewards to bring you these wonderful deals with merchants such as Barnes and Noble, United Airlines, Cabela’s as well as local businesses down the street from you. To get signed up you just need to tour our website and click on “Rewards” and follow the instructions. Merchants are being added daily so check the website often to see where you can save!! It is FREE, easy to do and a great way to save some money for you and your family!!
In addition to those big news items we once again have a cavalcade of stories in this issue for your reading pleasure. Make sure to read about all the great events that will be happening all around you in the calendar section as well. Please remember that the events in our magazine represent just a fraction of all the events we have listed on our website – we just can’t seem to fit them all in!!
We would also like to extend a Happy Birthday wish to some of our friends and family that are celebrating this month and next – So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY Christopher, Clara, Rory, Caroline H., Lori N., Michelle B., Jeannie H., Connie K., Lissa R. and Ben the Australian Shepherd Wonder Dog! Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad! We love you. We’re hoping that your coming year will be filled with fun events, good friends and family!!
Cheers to all of you until next time . . .
Robert (with his daughter)
& Deanna (with Ben)
34th Annual Great Dickens Christmas Fair
Charles Dickens’ enduring tale, A Christmas Carol, paints a compelling portrait of the holiday season in Victorian-era London. By the time you reach the happy ending of the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim, you can almost smell the aromas of roasted chestnuts and fresh-baked scones in the air and hear the shouts of vendors hawking their wares. Dickens’ evocative prose makes you want to join the bustle of holiday shoppers crowding the streets and then dive into the local pub to share a few laughs and a pint of pale ale with the revelers.
You can experience Charles Dickens’ London at the holidays without a trip across the Atlantic or back in time. You don’t even have to reread the Dickens’ classic. If you have never been, The Great Dickens Christmas Fair in San Francisco is a holiday tradition to get started in 2012—it’s a Victorian holiday party for the entire family.
Now in its 34th year, the Christmas Fair celebrates Dickens’ bicentennial birthday in style. (C. Dickens was born in 1812.) The cobblestone lanes of 19th-century London are recreated on three-acres of exhibit space in the Cow Palace, and hundreds of costumed players perform on six stages and throughout the streets. The festival kicks off on Friday, November 23rd and runs five consecutive weekends, Saturdays and Sundays, through December 23rd.
Grab a map of The Fair at the entrance gates (or take a look now at www.dickensfair.com) to guide you through the myriad of shops, restaurants and entertainment venues as you stroll along the Grand Concourse and up and down London’s thoroughfares like Fish Street, Petticoat Lane, Nickelby Road and Alehouse Alley. With so much ground to cover, here are some things you won’t want to miss.
Delights and Diversions
As you enter the Fair, the dance party is just to your left at Fezziwig’s Warehouse—a lively ballroom with English tunes played by the band Bangers & Mash. Dancers perform jigs, reels, polkas and waltzes, and some of Dickens’ most memorable characters make appearances too.
A few steps beyond lies the Victoria and Albert Music Hall which hosts a variety of shows throughout the day including a classic Christmas pantomime, a hilarious English satire, an amazing illusion act and the Royal English Opera. In the evenings (starting at 5:00 p.m.), the scene turns to “Dickens after Dark” when grown-ups will appreciate the more adult fare of the artistic and provocative Saucy French Postcard Tableaux Revue (for visitors 18 years and over only). A stop at the London docks leads to the Paddy West School of Seamanship where you can easily coax the carousing sailors into singing a rowdy ditty. And further down the Thames at Mad Sal’s Dockside Ale House, you can again join the sailors as the ladies in the pub take the stage in a high-kicking can-can.
For the younger set, The Picolo Playhouse presents a charming puppet show starring Mr. Punch and his lovely wife Judy, and the Odyssey Theater boasts rousing sword fights and juggling acts. Both young and old can meet Mr. Dickens and many of his characters in the Dickens Family Parlour and play games like Boot the Cat (just like it sounds, you throw a boot at a stuffed cat). And out on the streets of the Great Fair, you are bound to run into just about any of Dickens’ characters including Scrooge and Jacob Marley (A Christmas Carol), Fagin and Bill Sykes (Oliver Twist), Pip and Miss Havisham (Great Expectations) and many more.
Looking for that perfect holiday gift? There are dozens of shops and over 100 costumed vendors at The Fair that carry an array of fine art, clothing, drink ware, ceramics, baskets, candles, jewelry, antiquarian books and more.
Fine Fare
The Great Dickens’ Christmas Fair offers visitors a variety of foods from throughout the British Empire and beyond. You can enjoy the Brits best lip-smacking, comfort foods like fish and chips (crispy, batter-fried white fish and thick, salty French fries), bangers and mash (grilled sausage and potatoes), meat pies (think chicken-pot-pie with steak and sausage) and Cornish pastries (warm, savory, meat filled pastry pockets). Or, stop in at the Roasting Beef Inne for French-dipped roast beef with potatoes and gravy and bread pudding, go Mediterranean at Acropolis Greek Food with some spanakopita, moussaka or baklava, or enjoy a complete holiday meal of turkey, duck or chicken plus all the sides and the pumpkin pie at The Tippling Toad.
If you are looking for an afternoon pick-me-up, Cuthbert’s Tea Shoppe serves exquisite scones and tasty tea sandwiches along with a “cuppa” of black tea in a quaint, lamp-lit setting. High tea is served at 4:00 p.m. daily with a set menu and includes a teapot to take home. Advance reservations are highly recommended and can be made online, go to www.cuthbertsteashoppe.com. You can also enjoy a warm drink like homemade chai or a special blend Turkish coffee along with baked treats at Mr. Brown’s Fine Coffee and Teasor or take the kids for ice-cold milk and warm, fresh-baked cookies at Maclaren’s Cookies & Milk.
It would not be London if there wasn’t a pub and the Great Dickens Christmas Fair has four traditional pubs, plus the Bohemian Absinthe Bar. You can relax and top off your day with a draft ale, wine and Champagne, or warm your hands around a Hot Buttered Rum, Irish coffee, or Hot Toddy.
“There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor,” writes Dickens in his holiday classic A Christmas Carol.
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair offers lots of laughter and good humor and a fun-filled day for the whole family. It might just become part of your annual holiday “to do” list.
When to go
The 34th Annual Dickens Christmas Fair opens Friday, November 23rd, the day after Thanksgiving, and continues for five consecutive weekends, Saturdays and Sundays, through December 23rd from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. each day.
Where to go
Cow Palace Exhibition Halls at 2600 Geneva Avenue in San Francisco.
Getting There
Ride BART to London—The Fair operates a free, courtesy shuttle to and from the Glen Park BART station every 20 minutes from 10:15 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. each day of The Fair. BART riders can present their tickets at The Fair gates for $5 off one adult admission. If you opt to drive, parking is available at Cow Palace for $10 a day.
Gaining Entry
Tickets are available now online at www.dickensfair.com. General admission is $25 for adults; $21 for students, military, and seniors; $12 for children ages 5 to 11 years; and kids under 5 years of age are free. Groups of 15 or more can organize tickets for $17 each.
Dress the Part
Visitors are encouraged to get into the spirit of Victorian England and come in costume, but patrons are welcome to “come as they are” to enjoy Dickens’ London too. If you choose to dress the part, The Fair operators request that you do not come dressed specifically as Father Christmas, Ebeneezer Scrooge, or any of the main characters from Dickens’ works.
Not To Be Missed
There are lots of things to do and try at The Fair, here are few traditional English favorites:
Take the kids to see the Christmas pantomime at the Victoria and Albert Music Hall and Punch and Judy at the Picolo Playhouse—this is timeless English holiday entertainment.
Visit Pirates Cove down by the docks and try your hand at a game of darts at the Cat n’ Bull Dart & Gaming Parlour.
Stop in at Fezziwig’s Warehouse—dancing, parlour games, it’s the most cheerful spot in London.
Experience High Tea at Cuthbert’s Tea Shoppe at 4:00 p.m. daily. Reservations recommended, visit http://www.cuthbertsteashoppe.com.
Enjoy a traditional English holiday meal at The Tippling Toad. Seatings daily at 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Advance reservations are recommended, email thetipplingtoad@gmail.com
Andrea Firth is a freelance writer based in Moraga with her husband, two teens, and a dog named Pepsi.
A Good Day for a Smile
Anyone in Vallejo knows that the Good Day Café has as much history as Vallejo itself. It’s Vallejo’s breakfast and lunch version of Cheers – where everyone knows your name.
You can expect a warm greeting and a friendly smile at the café. Cindy Balanesi always welcomes everyone as if she has known them since birth. She is a treasure of Vallejo and longtime entity. Cindy’s beginnings started as a server in the Joy of Eating on Springs Road, not as the restaurant owner that she is today. She fully understands what it takes to be successful. She treats her employees with dignity and makes sure they know they are part of her family. She expects high quality from her servers and cooks to ensure the warm, pleasant atmosphere that the Good Day Café possesses. And as a result, all her employees are as loyal as her customers. From the early beginnings, when Cindy was a server at a few local restaurants and then ultimately at the Joy of Eating, she learned the ups and downs of the restaurant industry. While serving at Joy of Eating, she decided to try and take a path of her own. She was approached by Hamid and Elaine to purchase the Iris’ Café. They saw in her what everyone around her could see too – success. They knew if Cindy took the reins of the Good Day Café, she would make it something special. The first restaurant was located on Admiral Callaghan Lane attached to the Quality Inn Hotel. The restaurant started on a minimal budget, but with her energy and knowledge of the restaurant business, she and her husband, Jim, were able to make it a go. She had several servers from the Joy of Eating come with her because they also believed in the way she ran a business. The Café was an immediate success. Soon, there were lines out the door and people waiting to be served. She decorated the restaurant with pictures of her customers and drawings the children made for her. The café was just short of being home. They had a little gift shop where you could buy a gift or something special for someone.
Tragedy struck on January 8, 2007 when a fire broke out and burned the restaurant to the ground. Cindy had been awakened by Rose, one of her employees, telling her to come over quickly because she was watching the flames consume the café. By the time Cindy arrived, several of her employees had gathered and they all stood together, arm in arm, and watched the end of the Good Day Café. Many tears were shed that evening and the following day, not only for Cindy, but all her customers too. The community came together to show support for Cindy and her staff and we, as a community, reminded them why they loved Vallejo. There were fundraisers held at the Elks Lodge to raise money for the now out-of-work employees. This fundraiser included silent auctions to raise money for them. Afterwards, the Vallejo Firefighters and the Vallejo Suburban Kiwanis followed with a fabulous Pancake Breakfast at Dan Foley Park. A sense of love and commitment overwhelmed the Good Day Café staff. I asked Cindy what was the biggest tragedy of the fire, she simply said the loss of the pictures and drawings that she had collected over the years. These were the things that could never be replaced. Spoken like a true Mom who cared for everyone.
Cindy and Jim decided they were not done yet and Vallejo surely showed her that. They needed to find a new location to open the café. They decided on the old Georgia Street Grill location. The new Café was partly set-up including all the tables from the Rojas’, the owners of Georgia Street Grill. The tables have all local pictures of residents embedded on them. Where Cindy misses all the old photos and drawings she had lost in the fire, she is always happy to see one of her customers come into the café and look at the table and say “That’s me.” It brings a smile to her face.
The Good Day Café is all about family – blood related and not. She has three sons who assist with the Café. One of her sons, Nick, is the chef. Cindy holds high standards to not only her food, but to her son who cooks it. She will inspect dishes as they leave the kitchen to ensure they are ready to be served to her customers. Cindy watches over all the small details – one of her secrets to success.
The Good Day Café serves breakfast and lunch and both are available anytime during the day. The Café offers a menu with a variety of different foods. I have eaten at the Café many times. I think I have tasted most dishes and have never had a bad meal. The omelets are served with great care. They are never over or under cooked – just perfect. While I was there interviewing Cindy, one of the specials was an enchilada omelet. They made it fresh with seasoned ground beef, enchilada sauce, shredded mixed cheese along with fresh avocado, tomato, green onions, olives, sour cream, tortillas and refried beans – a totally fabulous combination. They use their creativity while cooking that allows the food to be the best it can be. If you see something on the menu, that’s not quite what you want, just ask them to make it perfect. The Good Day Café is all about a great dining experience.
Recently, I had the turkey sandwich named Tori’s Turkey. The sandwich was filed with fresh turkey meat, sprouts, tomato and avocado on the bread of your choice. I, of course, choose wheat toast. Everything was fresh and the combination perfect and, as always, it was awesome.
Good Day Café offers hamburgers in all different varieties. If you are craving a hamburger – you can definitely find one that will suit your craving. They have a list of six hamburgers, but if one of those doesn’t quite fit your needs, they will custom make your order. All of the freshest ingredients go into everything the Café serves. Don’t you worry, salad lovers (which I am as well), there is one ready for you. The salads range from completely vegetarian to the traditional chef or spinach salads.
Also served at Good Day Café is of one of Cindy’s secret potato recipes; Gino Fries. These are the best. They are red potatoes which are deep fried and can be served with sour cream, ranch dressing or whatever you want to dip them in. Either way, they are delicious.
The end to all meals, including breakfast, should be something sweet. The Good Day Café ensures that this tradition is accredited. They offer pies, ice cream and other specials. Their dessert specialty is bread pudding. It can be served with a choice of three sauces; Kahlua, Grand Marnier or a Jack Daniels sauce. The Jack Daniels sauce is new so stop by and try it. It is totally awesome.
My children love to go to the Good Day Café for a few simple reasons; Cindy doesn’t forget the kids and tries to keep them entertained while everyone is eating. She offers not only the staples of crayons and paper, but a bin of toys to play with while you are there, watercolors and, at the end of a meal, kids can choose from a basket of toys as a free gift to go home. Now when we ask the kids where they want to go to breakfast, they want to go to Cindy’s place.
Cindy and Jim are also changing their coffee at the Good Day Café to make your experience even more pleasurable. They are changing to the local Moschetti Coffee. They have chosen the Brazilian roast that will be delivered to them fresh each day. Again, Cindy never forgets about the community in which she serves – she chose a local coffee distributor to better enhance your dining experience.
The Good Day Café is open seven days a week from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Stop in and enjoy not only the warm, friendly atmosphere, but the fantastic food.
Regina Briseño – Recognized for her work with her family and talent for seeking out good food and wine. She also invites everyone to come and enjoy the adventurous ride with her!
Cancer
1. A disease caused by an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in a part of the body.
2. A phenomenon perceived to be evil or destructive and difficult to eradicate.
Beyond raging at the misfortune, what can be done for our friends and loved ones with cancer? One answer is raising money and channeling energy toward easing the pain of the illness for cancer victims. Rare is the individual unaffected by breast cancer, who does not know one or more women with breast cancer: mothers, daughters, aunts, nieces, cousins and friends.
Sisters Boutique holds its third annual “Crush” Breast Cancer Fundraiser on October 20, 2012, in Yountville. The gala takes place throughout the second floor of the Marketplace at 6525 Washington Street in Yountville. In support of women battling the disease, the public is invited to this gala event that puts fun into fundraising and shopping.
Yes, the event is named for the fall grape harvest and crush underway in the Napa Valley. No, it’s not called the “Crush” because women’s breasts are squeezed during breast cancer screening via mammograms.
The goal of the event is raising awareness and money in support of breast cancer patients in this area. Store owners Rayellen Jordan and daughters, Michelle, Jenn and Kim, along with business consultant Thomas Willows, started the event three years ago to honor a mutual friend. Sarah Kerwood Joseph was diagnosed at age 25 and fought breast cancer for ten years. “Sarah was our inspiration for this event, which we dedicate to all who fight the disease,” says Thomas.
The women’s and men’s fashion boutique will offer gift or swag bags with an array of special items and coupons for customers who purchase $250 or more of the boutique’s spectacular array of clothing, jewelry, and accessories. Attendees will be treated to trunk shows from unique jewelry and accessories vendors such as Vanna Valentine, Hairloom Blooms by Molly Guridi, April Martin Designs Earthy-Luxe Jewelry, Laurie McCray Designs, Unique One-of-a-Kind Jewels, and Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics.
Guests will enjoy appetizers, beverages and, best of all, the camaraderie of joining together with others who care about cancer patients. A silent auction will feature fabulous contributions from many Napa Valley businesses. For ten dollars a pop, visitors may poke a pin in a pink balloon and get a gift certificate to another local business.
Rayellen says, “We have so many people to thank. We appreciate everyone who listened to our ideas, gave their time, support, goods and hearts in an effort to raise funds for all those affected in one way or another by breast cancer.”
Monies raised will be donated to three charities: Caring Bridge, the Breast Cancer Emergency Fund and Guardians of the Ribbon Pink Heals/Napa Valley Chapter.
Caring Bridge is a social website that facilitates online connections among families and friends of persons suffering major illnesses.
The Breast Cancer Emergency Fund, based in San Francisco, offers financial assistance to women and men with breast cancer.
Jon Lovie founded the Napa Valley Chapter of Guardians of the Ribbon Pink Heals after his wife Jennie’s first anniversary as a breast cancer survivor. Lovie’s pink fire truck is the centerpiece of the Napa Valley Chapter. The restored truck, painted bright as bubblegum, is named Jennie Mae, for his wife. Lovie lends a helping hand to women with cancer through “Pink Fire Truck” fundraisers.
Friends and family of a woman with cancer organize these gatherings for a loved one and invite guests. Lovie arrives in the pink truck. Typically these festive events are held in front of the person’s home but may be at another location. “I show up like eye candy,” says Lovie who sells tee shirts at these events. Funds raised go toward paying the patient’s medical bills or other needs such as groceries, rent and utilities.
“Whatever the patient needs most, with the exception of direct cash,” he says. Lovie’s time and the events themselves, he says, are not only about raising money.
“The most important part of this work,” says Lovie, “is showing up for the cancer patient. My core mission is being there, human to human, showing that we care. Sometimes just being there to give a hug is all the person needs. Our events allow them just a few hours to take their mind off of the reality that they are battling cancer.”
“Letting the person know that I care, that people care. The women in our lives should come first. Men should be there for our sisters, mothers, daughters.” Lovie’s fundraising has allowed Pink Heals to provide six iPads to an area cancer center for use by patients during the long hours spent receiving chemotherapy treatments.
All of us are sisters and brothers in the fight against breast cancer. Just over four months ago, this writer’s sister, Kathleen Clayton, discovered a lump and sought medical treatment. On her second visit to the doctor, she learned she had breast cancer.
“I sat there in a paper cape when the doctor examined my swollen breast; the lump had doubled in size since the last time she saw me. The doctor told me the pathology reports showed a malignancy. She said, ‘Get dressed,’ and left the room.”
“The worst part for me was the initial diagnosis. It was the lowest point I reached. I raged silently; I walked around the lake by my home, sat on a tree stump and cried for a long time.”
“Later that day, my husband saw my tears and said, ‘They’re doing this to save your life and that’s very important to me.’ Those 13 words have kept me going with strength and dignity. I have someone who cares enough about me to really want me to live.”
Without question, the diagnosis is less difficult to bear when one has a loved one’s shoulder and friends for support. Support groups as well as individual volunteers can be important in creating a safe environment for patients to come to terms with their diagnosis, treatment and recovery.
Kathleen is currently undergoing chemotherapy; she finds the encouragement and kindness of friends and family helpful. “At the doctor’s request, two volunteers have called me, women who survived cancers that were similar to mine. The medical staff is caring. A volunteer brought me wigs to try on while I was getting chemo.”
“My friends and family members care and ask me how I’m doing. At first the phone didn’t stop ringing and I longed for some peace and quiet, but I knew that time would come. Now it seems I get two calls a day from just the right person, someone who I hoped to hear from.”
What can you do to help someone with cancer? Eleanor Roosevelt was famously remembered as someone who would rather “light a candle than curse the darkness.”
We can be shining lights by participating in events that help cancer patients. You’ll brighten someone else’s day and your own by visiting in the Sisters Crush Breast Cancer Fundraiser on October 20, 2012 in Yountville.
Kristine Mietzner lives in Benicia with her golden retriever Max. She serves on the board of Benicia Literary Arts and works as a field supervisor for the Touro University Graduate School of Education. Her work has appeared in the Contra Costa Times, the Benicia Herald, and the online travel magazine, Your Life is a Trip. Her previously published work is posted at www.redroom.com/member/kristine-mietzner. She can be reached at kristine2770@yahoo.com.
Property Management 101
The Advantages of Hiring a Property Manager
Landlords – Tired of midnight phone calls? Or let me guess, the recurring statement from your tenant that, “The check is in the mail?” Not sure what your legal obligations are regarding repair requests or what services you should be including?
Tenants – Are you frustrated with multiple maintenance requests being ignored? Unannounced visits from your landlord? Wish you could pay your rent 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?
The answer to all of the questions above is simple. A property manager is a convenient point of contact for owners and tenants alike to alleviate these common headaches and act as a catalyst to achieve win-win solutions.
Calling All LANDLORDS
Wish you had more time to focus on your life and less on your rental property? You would be amazed at the benefits you could reap by going through a professional property management company. Do you know the most common and significant mistake that self- managing landlords make is rushing to fill a vacancy with the first interested applicant? A professional property management company will provide the initial tenant screening which helps to lower tenant turnover and improve tenant quality. Krystle Property Management has and uses the tools to conduct comprehensive background checks as a part of the tenant screening process. Our application fee is charged to prospective tenants and includes credit, eviction and criminal background checks along with thorough rental and job references. First month’s rent and security deposit are due upon lease sign up which must be paid in guaranteed funds – NO EXCEPTIONS!
Another advantage of hiring a professional management company is the advertising and branding that a management company provides. Krystle Property Management’s extensive advertising campaign reaches out to thousands of potential renters in order to help keep vacancy rates at a minimum. Maintaining positive realtor and tenant relationships helps to generate referrals, creating an extensive network of qualified renters. Advertising through means of traditional print advertising as well as keeping up with the trends of communication for the Y-generation, by means of internet advertising and social media, help to connect with the greater public.
Property management companies should be knowledgeable on current market rents and whether the rental market is stagnant or fluctuating. Did you know that as of July 1, 2011, all single-family residences had to be fitted with carbon monoxide detectors whether tenant or owner occupied? Owners of multi-family leased rental dwellings, such as apartment buildings, have until January 1, 2013, to comply with the carbon monoxide law. Due to ever-changing laws (like these), as well as the increase of tenant-landlord lawsuits, not hiring a property manager could result in a devastating lawsuit. Consequently, it is of utmost importance to hire a property manager who stays current with applicable municipal, state, county and Federal Fair Housing laws and practices pertaining to real estate.
Good property managers provide tenants with a 24-hour emergency maintenance phone number. They also have a pool of vendors to choose from that also are on call 24/7. If self managing, it could be headache to receive a late night emergency phone call such as a break-in or fire. Would you know who to call or have the desire to drive to your rental property at 2 a.m. on a Sunday morning? Emergencies happen at all hours of the day. If you had a property manager, maintenance repairs often come at a reduced rate and the property managers would facilitate all maintenance and turn keys from beginning to end. Periodic inspections of your rental investment are done to ensure tenants are adhering to their lease agreement. During the inspections, Krystle Property Management personnel also check for any necessary repairs which protect your precious investment.
Is your tenant delinquent in rent and you’re not quite sure what to do? A good property manager has a routine protocol when dealing with delinquent tenants. They should include service of legal notices and arrange for evictions if necessary. Property managers represent you in most legal tenant-landlord conflicts, including court appearances, and facilitate you in avoiding legal encounters.
Say Goodbye to End of Year Tax Blues
How would you like your year-end statements conveniently packaged in one envelope, mailed to you, ready to hand over to your tax preparer? No need to search for receipts from January of last year. All debits and credits are accounted for on one convenient report along with a 1099-MISC and any other pertinent tax forms.
Accounting, bill pay, and rent collection are some daily tasks that should also be included in your management agreement. There is no longer a need for you to remember if you paid the sanitation bill or monthly HOA payment for your rental property; a property manager can do that for you! Krystle Property Management can also make your mortgage payment once the monthly rental income is received from the tenant.
Do you live out of state? At Krystle Property Management, all owners have the option to receive owner disbursements via direct deposit at no additional cost. Direct deposit offers many advantages including zero chance of the check getting lost in transit, receiving funds faster directly into your specified bank account, and one less trip to your bank for deposit! So save your gas, time and anticipation. Did you know that if you are not a resident of California with a leased rental property you must adhere to the California Franchise Tax Board non-resident withholding tax law?
What to Expect
There are many things to look for when choosing your Property Manager and it is important to thoroughly interview your prospective property management company. Do not be afraid to ask for references. You should look for clear communication, excellent people skills, an orientation toward customer service, clerical and managerial abilities, involvement in the community and flexibility. But remember, while you are interviewing them, they are also interviewing you!
Before deciding on which company to engage, it is important to understand what services are required since not all property managers provide the same level of support. Make sure there are no hidden costs and that your management fee is inclusive of all services. You should be prepared to give up some control, as good property managers need authority to act on your behalf on certain instances.
RENTERS: Check This Out
Have you ever had a maintenance issue with no response from your landlord? Busted pipe at 2 a.m.? Had a plumbing backup or a kitchen fire? Fully functioning property management companies have staff on call 24/7 to address maintenance emergencies. With most companies, maintenance requests can be emailed, faxed, phoned in, or done face to face during normal business hours. But keep in mind there is a difference between emergency maintenance that must be handled urgently versus cosmetic maintenance. Your property manager has the authority to ensure your home is habitable and free from safety hazards at all times. Professional management also has the experience and knowledge necessary to successfully handle noise, conflict and safety issues in order to enforce the right to quiet enjoyment.
Property managers can be much easier to get a hold of than renting from a private party that has other jobs and responsibilities to take care of. Especially, when working a fully departmentalized corporation such as Krystle Property Management. Prompt communication plus the ability to walk into an office to receive personal customer service are features of a professional management company.
Another benefit of working with a property manager is the variety of properties available. Many property management companies offer websites that include video streaming and detailed photos of the available properties. These features can save you time, gas and frustration should the property not meet your demands.
Often times, going through the rental process can be confusing or overwhelming, especially for first time renters. A property management company can guide you through the rental process from start to finish, leaving you more time to enjoy your new accommodations. There is no additional fee to renters for going through a property manager, their fee is already accounted for in the listed rent you see.
First Time Renter or Relocating? Don’t Fret!
Leasing agents have a wide range of knowledge on the local area and housing options available. Krystle Property Management has four full-time, licensed real estate agents and brokers who are accessible by phone and e-mail for your convenience.
Many renters relocate for school or work and are unable to visit the property or city they’re moving to. The online tools available allow renters to view virtual tours, apply securely online, pay their application fee, rent and security deposit as well as sign their lease without even having to leave their house! Private landlords aren’t capable of being able to meet these needs as well as professional management company can.
So whether you are a new landlord, an experienced investor or venturing into the rental market to find that perfect place to call home, just remember … Property Management doesn’t cost—it pays!
This article was written with the help of Elisa Brosius, Kathy Gillin, Julie Jackson and Renee McCrary
Krystle Property Management is a second generation, family ran and owned business with over 150 years of experience. They service Vallejo, Benicia & American Canyon.
Krystle Murphy is a business owner, but first and foremost a wife and a mother.
This article was written with the help of Elisa Brosius, Kathy Gillin, Julie Jackson and Renee McCrary
The V Marketplace in Yountville isn’t really a shopping mall. It’s a bit more eclectic and unique than that. It’s a destination. Originally, the property was owned by German immigrant Gottleib Groezinger, who started a winery there in 1870. One of the first wineries in the valley, it grew to include a creamery, a brandy distillery, a mansion (now across the street) and a large brick winery building which now houses the shops of the V Marketplace. Groezinger sold the winery a few years after a fire consumed the brandy distillery. The winery continued operating until the mid fifties, eventually falling into abandonment and disrepair. When the historic winery buildings were in line for demolition (their antique bricks to be sold for re-use) a group of investors saw the historic value of the buildings and their ideal location. The property was bought and structures remodeled, opening as a retail location in 1968.
When you pass through the arched entry to V Marketplace, the columns are emblazoned with the names of celebrity chef Michael Chiarello’s rustic Italian-style restaurant Bottega and his NapaStyle boutique which includes a wine bar, café and a considerable selection of goods for the kitchen. Chiarello, known for his television appearances in addition to his command of the kitchen, provides world-class cuisine at Bottega. The restaurant, well reviewed and recently nominated as a semi-finalist for a James Beard Award as “best new restaurant”, is sure to please. And the selection of goods and kitchen gadgets available at NapaStyle is expansive, plus the place has a wine bar and serves Panini. And while the influence of Chiarello provides something of an anchor for the marketplace, it is the numerous independent vendors that complete a varied mosaic of unique and charming commerce. Small galleries, independently operated vendors of fine goods and wine and confectionary treats make V Marketplace a unique and playful representation of Yountville and the wine country. A lot of the shops undoubtedly carry high end merchandise, and can certainly cater to a clientele with disposable income, but the casual purchase is equally welcome. Exclusive but without excluding. So, here is a sampling of just a few of the twenty-some-odd shops you can visit.
V Wine Cellars
“We seek to make ourselves different from other wine shops in the Napa area,” says V Wine Cellars Proprietor Scott Lewis and Manager Carlos Falla. While they are right in the heart of the Napa Valley, Lewis, Falla and sommelier staff Christina Wehry choose to carry a selection of wines from Napa producers as well as other regions of California and the globe. “For me, local means California, really,” says Falla, explaining that he features a wide selection of Napa wines as well as Pinots from Sonoma Coves, Russian River and Santa Barbara, and Zinfandels from small producers in Dry Creek and Andersen Valley.
One can find a very drinkable $20 Zinfandel from Australia or drop a thousand or more dollars on a bottle of Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon at V Wine Cellars.
I ask Falla and Wehry to pose for a snap with a bottle each wants to highlight. He picks up a bottle with a burgundy label sporting the name Balius and a horse’s head in gold. A local example produced right in Yountville ($24). “Oh my God, are you serious?” quips Wehry. “You hold that. I’m going to hold something else!” she says, reaching for a magnum of Grands Echezeaux from France (worth hundreds).
“Christina, you forget. There’s a reason for everything. This is a good example of a label that nobody knows anything about. We’re talking about small production. Price friendly. Quality fruit. And that’s what we carry a lot of in the store.”
“I know. I know,” says Wehry, cocking her head slightly, posing and holding the expensive Grands Echezeaux playfully towards Falla who raises an eyebrow sternly. At first I laugh at the exchange, but then the slightly discordant notes of jazz playing in the background make me think that the wispy blond Wehry and the stocky bald Falla make a perfect duo. One seeking to unearth hidden values, and the other embracing the more expensive and celebrated producers. Either way, V Wine Cellars is certain to provide a bottle you will enjoy at a price that suits your budget.
Soluna Boutique Salon
This small specialty shop is our editor, Deanna’s, favorite place to hang her hat since she just loves the owner, Aurelia Villegas. Her warm personality and quick wit make this a favorite place of many of the shopkeepers. Here you can get your hair styled, cut and colored in the latest trends. Waxing, make-up, eyelash extensions and esthetic services are also on site to make sure that you are ready for any special event you might have.
The fun doesn’t stop there; she offers an eclectic assortment of fashions for your entire local and travel needs. Her prices are great and almost everything is suited for a “real” woman’s body.
Contact Aurelia and her team of professionals at (707) 944-8589 or Solunaspa@vpweb.com
Kollar Chocolates
For a tasty and unusual bite, or an edible gift that’s sure to please Kollar Chocolates is a winner. Their goods are crafted right on the premises in small batches right behind a glass enclosure. Kollar sources various fresh herbs and lets the flavors steep for twenty-four hours in fresh cream before mixing into Valrhona chocolate produced in France.
One of the more unusual chocolates offered contains fennel pollen. A rich chocolate drop with a mild floral anise dash at the end. And a competition gold medal winner! Yum!
Gallery 1870
This family owned gallery offers fine art from the heart of the Napa Valley. They have the largest collection of wine-related art in the Napa and Sonoma valleys. Original compositions and private commissions are also available by master artists, something that is not often seen in a small gallery such as this. Limited edition by world recognized artists is also something that this customer service oriented gallery offers.
Special events and shows are also something that you will want to make sure that you are on the guest list for since they definitely know how to feature their artists. Contact the Gallery 1870 at (707) 944-9670, www.gallery1870.com.
Sisters Boutique
This small boutique offers much more than what meets the eye. Yes, you might see that they have contemporary apparel for women and men, unique jewelry and gifts but they have much more on their menu of services. Waxing, hair and makeup for special occasion and bridal, eyebrow design, facials (including chemical peels and microdermabrasion). If you need a unique service don’t be shy, ask them since you might be surprised that they offer it!
Contact Michelle and her competent staff at (707) 944-8400 or sistersnapavalley.com.
Montecristi Panama Hats
So it turns out Panama hats are not from Panama. According to Montecristi proprietors Mercedes Anda and her husband Fabian, the whole Panama Hat naming chaos is the fault of President Teddy The Rough Rider Roosevelt. Aside from leading his Rough Riders in the battle of San Juan Hill, Roosevelt was a big proponent of the construction of the Panama Canal which is located in a temperate and sunny region. During inspections of the project, the President wore a form of headwear unexcelled for both durability and protection: The Ecuadorian Hat.
However, some member of the press corps took the liberty of re-christening the President’s hat after the canal and the Panama Hat was born. Ironically, the traditional straws used to make the iconic hats only grow in Ecuador. Boy…they sure drew the short…nevermind.
Montecristi Panama Hats have traditional and more modern-styled hats ranging in price from $80 to $1,600. “It takes eight months to make this one,” says Mercedes Anda, holding forth one example on the high end. Amazingly, the better Ecuadorian Hats (just go with it) have remarkable properties of flexibility and shape memory. They are shipped rolled up in rectangular wood boxes and spring into perfect shape almost instantly. This is one reason they have been traditionally favored by explorers and adventurers.
Whether you’re up for an adventure, or just a hat fit for an adventure, Mercedes and Fabian likely have something for you.
Dennis Rae Fine Art
Featuring the Art of Dr. Seuss
Casey Brown is enthusiastic about Dr. Seuss. He practically bubbles over with enthusiasm as he explains that the small gallery on the second floor of the marketplace carries the work of Dr. Seuss and only Dr. Seuss. “We have a lot of really talented stereograph and lithograph artists that hand screen these to look exactly like the one-of-a-kind originals that are hanging in museums all around the world,” explains Brown shortly after I introduce myself.
The reproductions are made in limited quantities and are sanctioned by the estate of the late Dr. Seuss aka Theodor Geisel. The gallery features a number of works not from Geisel’s renowned children’s books but are just as charming and whimsical. Casey Brown himself reminds me a little of The Cat in the Hat – sort of charming and whimsical himself and a bit over the top. “They’re all really cool,” he says beaming, “and no paintings of wine bottles!” We both laugh.
Lemondrops Children’s Boutique and Toys
Got kids? This is your next stop then. Lemondrops offers a unique selection of infant and children’s clothes, toys, bedding and fabulous accessories that any person with a pulse would find enchanting. If you don’t have children, this is the store where you will find the perfect gift for your niece, nephew, or friends’ baby shower. I have to admit I even found myself looking at the colorful selections that I am sure were not available when I was just a wee one.
You can reach the customer service oriented staff of Lemondrops at (707) 947-7057 or lemondropsboutique.com.
The V Marketplace reminds me of a small village filled with unique and somewhat quirky residents. There are a lot more shops and services that they offer than I can possibly cover in this article, but whether you are looking for upscale cuisine at Bottega, a cup of Java and a crepe at the Coffee Caboose or “Maverick” American cuisine at Pacific Blues; a wine to suit your budget from V Wine Cellars, or a chocolate treat from Kollar Chocolates, there are plenty of indulgences for all.
Be sure to visit these other shops at V Marketplace:
A Little Romance-gifts and linens, California and Vine-wine country themed gifts, Domain Home and Garden-decorative accessories, i.elle-womens’ clothing, Kāne-resort wear, Tay & Grace-womens’ novelty clothing, Vianett-bridal and evening wear, Blue Heron Gallery-wine country art, North Bay Gallery-handcrafted art and Adventures Aloft-hot air ballooning.
The V Marketplace is located at 6525 Washington St., Yountville CA 94599. You may contact them by phone at (707) 944-2451or online www.vmarketplace.com
Marc Garman is a watch repairer and videographer who lives in Vallejo, CA. He grew up crewing on and racing sailboats in upstate New York, mostly on the Hudson River.
