“Sitting on the dock of the bay, watchin the tide roll away…” Otis Redding’s timeless lyrics, which he wrote while staying aboard a houseboat in Sausalito, captures a certain longing for the sea, and to be taken away by it, that many of us feel. We, like Otis, watch the ships come in and then roll away again as we live our lives here in the San Francisco Bay Area. Only a few of us enjoy our lovely Bay to the degree that we should and time slips away before we really can. We see the fishing, sailing and cruise ships sail around the Bay but few of us venture aboard as often as we would like … some never sailing across the Bay after a lifetime of living near it and driving over it. I myself would fit in the former category, but still, after having grown up in the Bay Area, a visitor might be shocked to learn that I have never sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge in my 44 years. It is just something that one says that they are going to do one day “when I have some time” and before you know it – you haven’t made the time to do it. Therefore, when I was given a chance to cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge, I jumped at the opportunity.
My family and I joined Captain Kevin and his crew aboard the “Neptune”, a fully restored 1958 motor cruiser, to enjoy a near perfect Saturday afternoon along the waters of San Francisco. We embarked between Pier 39 and 41, which no matter the time or date never seems devoid of throngs of visitors, and set sail on our adventure. The Neptune is a shallow draft river cruiser, for those that enjoy a more nautical description, so not designed for trips across the open ocean, but well suited for the relative calm of the Bay. What makes it even better suited is that it has both an indoor & outdoor sitting area, which is perfect for the unpredictable weather that we enjoy in the San Francisco area. It is also a smaller vessel, designed for 42, which makes it very cozy. What sold me on the trip though was that it is set up as both a Bay Cruise and a wine tasting excursion as well. What more of a perfect combination could there be than to enjoy the three W’s that make life here so enjoyable: water, weather and wine. In case you’re curious, or not quite the wine aficionado, the Neptune actually stocks a full bar which is ably manned by Captain Kevin’s wife, Melissa, so that whatever your tastes are, you are more than able to enjoy the day with your favorite inebriant.
We gently pulled away from the dock and the soothing hum of the engine helped to drown out the multinational voices of the tourists along the pier, as well as the barking of the ever-present sea lions that also like to sit by the dock of the bay. After a brief safety lecture, we cruised west to that iconic symbol of the west, the Golden Gate and the famous bridge that spans it so that I might make my maiden passage under its graceful arch. As we slid between the two towers that support that span, I could not help but look up to the southern tower and think of that Father’s Day trip my wife provided to me a few years back to the top of that tower. (Now that was fun, and another story altogether!) While my first trip under this famous tower did come late in life I have to think that not many could boast to having been both on top as well as below the famous bridge. I will have to plan a scuba trip to the bottom of the Bay near the towers so that I can truly say that I have visited the bridge from top to bottom … but that will be another story. Once we took in the view of the bridge from both the East and West we headed over to that other iconic symbol of San Francisco, Alcatraz.
I have to say that it was most excellent to explore some local red wines while enjoying the breath-taking views of the Bay and the city. Neptune glided through the gentle waves in the Bay and not a drop of red wine that I was enjoying in my glass was disturbed. It should be noted here that Neptune is fitted along its exterior with clever wine holders so that you can rest your glass while you take a few photos of your journey; it is those little things in life that make this trip special. As we glided by Alcatraz, through a small bevy of sailboats, we then headed farther east to the Bay Bridge and cruised under that as well. We glided into McCovey Cove at AT&T Park, but unfortunately, it was not a game day. I think it worked out better that the Giants were not in town, since I do not think we would have been able to compete with the host of kayakers that gather there to retrieve the “splash” hits that touch down there when our Giants take the ball long. We did see a small group of kayakers, though, as they practiced for game day, didn’t see Deanna though … (See our “Paddling Around” story for Deanna’s adventures in McCovey Cove, and much more, on a kayak!) As we left the Cove we then headed past the San Francisco waterfront again and back to the pier.
I have to say it was a great time on the water. The weather was perfect which, as you know, can be a challenge at times here in the Bay and Kevin, Melissa and PJ, their deckhands, took care of the rest. We had a diverse crowd with us, from my 81-year-old father to my 3-year-old daughter and all of them had a wonderful day. The wine was great and we had the chance to try some that we have never had before and it was just a great way to spend the afternoon. We would highly recommend it if you are an old salt of the sea as my father claims or fresh as the sea foam as my little daughter is. Explore the Bay on the Neptune with her crew and a little wine too.
website: www.sanfranciscobayboatcruise.com
e-mail: melissa@sanfranciscobayboatcruise.com
Phone: 415-859-7052
Robert Briseño – When he is not cruising the bay he is cruising the Bay Area in search of things to do to keep his three young children occupied and so he can share them with you, his readers.
Dec 2013 – Jan 2014
“Any child with the commitment and desire to sing can be in VOENA,” says Annabelle Marie, the director of one of the most accomplished children’s choirs in the country. In 1994, the energetic musician founded VOENA in Benicia, California.
About 150 singers and musicians who range in age from 6 to 18 participate in VOENA. Rehearsals take place in Benicia, Yountville and Santa Rosa. The children perform wearing unique costumes that add splashes of color to their angelic voices. Multiple percussion instruments, dance and theatrical elements add to the sound and drama, as their songs embrace cultural differences and similarities.
VOENA has performed for Pope John Paul II at the Vatican, and for Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush at the White House. The choir has appeared on stage at the Mondavi Music Festival, San Francisco’s Davies Hall, New York City’s Carnegie Hall, the London Olympics, and venues in China, Mexico, Italy, Greece and Japan.
Looking back at 2013, Annabelle and the VOENA choir members remember their performance at the Crossroads Music Festival in Nashville. The highlight of the adventure was performing on stage at the iconic Grand Ole Opry.
Also, VOENA members will travel to Italy’s Amalfi Coast to perform at the Ravello Music Festival in the last weeks of July 2014. The choir will help open the festival, and will sing at three ancient churches.
Annabelle’s success in leading VOENA has not come from selecting only the most naturally gifted singers. Instead, the truth is that no one is ever denied a chance to sing in this choir. While maintaining a strict policy of no auditions, VOENA has gained the admiration and applause of audiences worldwide.
Her mantra is simple. “Every child can be taught to sing,” says Annabelle, “Especially when they have the desire.” She explains, “If you can talk, you can sing.” In keeping with her philosophy that she can teach anyone to sing, all interested children may join VOENA for the spring and fall sessions without an audition.
She says, “If the ear is properly educated, anyone can sing.” The tuition for one year is $800.00. Scholarships are available. “Singing is our birthright,” says Annabelle.
Children have so much competition in their lives says Annabelle. She prefers not to have them compete to join VOENA. However, there are competitions within the choir for performing solo. “That’s one of the carrots,” says Annabelle. Trying out for solo spots motivates some children to muster self-discipline and helps them hone their craft.
The next open enrollment period for youth interested in VOENA will take place before the February start of the spring semester. Prospective choir members are welcome to attend a rehearsal in February to see if they’re interested in joining VOENA.
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis once named three keys to success. She recommended having a quest for the best, wisdom, and a plan to get there. Similar to the former first lady, Annabelle teaches members of the VOENA children’s choir to practice three ideals. Anyone attending a rehearsal might hear the choir members echoing the “Big Three” ideas in this manner:
Annabelle calls out, “Number one.”
They call out, “Accept the challenge.”
She says, “Number two.”
The choir members say, “Have self-motivation.”
Annabelle challenges, “Number three.”
The children say, “Have a hard work ethic.”
She advises the choir members, “If you apply all three principles to anything you do in life, you will be able to accomplish your dreams.”
VOENA receives grants from SYAR Corporation, the Sato Foundation, Valero, and the City of Benicia Arts and Culture Commission. Grant funds help pay for scholarships and fund music programs at two Benicia elementary schools.
Currently, the program called VOENA in the Schools brings singing lessons to children at Robert Semple and Mary Farmar Elementary Schools. Annabelle says she works at getting children excited about music. Through music of many countries and cultures, she helps children take pride in the ethnicity or ancestry they bring to our common culture. “People talk about tolerating cultural differences. I’m about celebrating them.”
VOENA annually performs a series of concerts during the holiday season. The concerts feature traditional spiritual favorites such as “O’ Holy Night” and secular numbers such as “Jingle Bells”.
The VOENA Performance at the Raymond Vineyard includes three concerts on Saturday, December 7th scheduled at 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m., and 2:00 p.m.
The choir has four divisions: preparatory, intermediate, concert, and concert ensemble. At the holiday performances, all levels perform. The Voena Voices of the Seasons Concert series offers performances in the Napa Valley and San Francisco.
The first Napa Valley concert is set for Sunday, December 8th at 4:00 p.m. at the Lincoln Theater on the grounds of the Yountville Veterans Home in Yountville. The venue phone number is 707-944-9900. Tickets may be obtained for the Yountville performance at www.lincolntheater.com or by visiting www.voena.org.
The other Napa Valley performance will be held at the Napa Valley Opera House at 7:30 p.m. on December 21st. Tickets may be purchased at the Opera House (info@nvoh.org) or through the VOENA website.
The San Francisco concert is scheduled for 7 p.m. on December 18th, at Yoshi’s at 1330 Fillmore Street. The box office phone number is 415-655-5600. Tickets may be purchased for the San Francisco concert through the box office or via the VOENA website at voena.org.
Attending a VOENA performance is a holiday tradition for many families and individuals. Benicia resident Nan Chandler attended a holiday concert last year with a group of friends as a birthday celebration. She said, “They have angelic voices and lovely costumers. Attending a VOENA concert is certainly a memorable and uplifting experience.”
Annabelle is a past recipient of KPIX Television’s Jefferson Award for community service.
Kristine Mietzner is a writer who lives in northern California.
It’s just one more super busy day in the typical “never-rest-on-your-laurels” existence for Vallejo-based Inventor’s Lab Director Reyna Hamilton. Gathering all the various materials for her next presentation from her unique grab bag of everyday found-at-home objects, this unstoppably positive dynamo appears more than ready to launch the morning’s latest educational journey.
And as Local Happenings settles in to watch the gifted Lawrence Hall of Science field agent make mental and manipulative magic once again, it isn’t long before her Loma Vista Elementary School center comes alive.
Arriving now with her animated group of 24 fifth graders, teacher Sarah Hall soon directs them to their places at six large tables where critical thinking and literally out-of-the-box reasoning will hopefully soon be in full bloom.
“What does an engineer do?” Reyna first asks the assembled anticipating bunch of youngsters. A volley of hands shoot up and various answers are heard, most helping to set the definition.
After more logical probing, today’s plan is laid out for these obviously engaged youngsters.
“We will be building wind turbines and then testing them to see how much power they will be generating.”
Soon summarizing the group’s consensus-based decision that wind power makes electricity in a cheaper and cleaner form, she sets out to explain the specific challenge that lies ahead.
“You can choose from several sets of materials to design, build and then test your blades. Remember to make them the same shape, size and thickness and put them on sticks of the same length.” She then points out box fans that will function as wind generators, stands on which to place their spinning creations and electrical meters to determine just how much power they are generating.
Immediately you can sense those mental wheels begin to turn, just as the hoped for final creations will also, as the youngsters excitedly exhibit real collaborative skills with minimum need to rein in their hyper-enthusiasm. Before long the first products are put to the test.
Still just as with many real-world inventions, there is often initial disappointing failure followed by new adjustments and retrials leading to (in varying degrees of success) rewardingly improved results.
But for Hamilton, her constant work to make science real to receptive minds must continue unabated, as she begins now to set up for the second afternoon bunch of youngsters who will, before too long, arrive at her doorstep.
Just two short days ago, Hamilton was equally occupied over at Fairfield Library, showing one of her “open to the public” sessions how to build balloon-powered cars. Tomorrow it will be a first Saturday of the month, family event held right here in her classroom. Back in October, they used cardboard to make a variety of moving and non-moving objects from costumes to pin-ball machines and tomorrow it will involve constructing small operational roller coasters.
These non-curricular happenings, often ranging far and wide in subject, have included building motorized, computerized Lego objects, constructing catapults to demonstrate fulcrums and levers, creating hand-cranked robotic automatons, designing and building bridges out of popsicle sticks, hot glue and skewers, making solar powered jiggle-bots and even homemade rockets with launchers attached to bicycle pumps.
“I often raid my neighbors recycling bin to find stuff like wine corks, bottle tops and cardboard to add to my collection of usable everyday items,” she muses.
All Reyna’s efforts are part of a long-running outreach that the Hall has been conducting throughout the Bay Area for some time now. According to Erica Barrueto, LHS’s Director of School and Family Programs, the goal is to “provide kids and their families the chance to step right into the shoes of a scientist or engineer” and hopefully continue those inquisitive science activities right at home using similar easy-to-find objects.
A major research study had previously revealed that of all the region’s nine counties, Solano and Sonoma kids were the least serviced by popular science-themed museums, which are somewhat to easily access. That’s why the folks at Lawrence Hall decided it was time to step in and work closely with local teachers, administrators, youngsters and their parents to provide such mind-expanding opportunities right here in Vallejo neighborhoods.
The pilot project, in operation for three years, first at the South Vallejo Community Center and since last summer at its new home behind the main campus at Loma Vista, places much of the focus on engineering. Hamilton finds this concentration providing a natural way for kids to do some real world critical thinking and hands-on problem solving so helpful to them in achieving later life success. In many ways, her project is patterned after the Hall’s similar Ingenuity Lab, which functions as a popular weekend on-site attraction.
And to accomplish her lofty goals, Hamilton regularly holds weekday workshops in the Lab for Loma Vista classes and also at other Vallejo schools wishing to make use of her unique scientific enrichment exploratory presentations.
Offered on her visits are a choice of six workshops for early primary, later primary and middle school grades. Two of these focus on electrical circuitry, with two more on producing actual chemical reactions. There is also another that sees kids building water-powered machines and the final option being today’s wind turbine endeavor.
Says Reyna: “We give the kids the basic materials and brief instructions and let them go. It’s really amazing to me, given the right encouragement and environment, what they can create using their untapped problem-solving skills. And they’re so proud of what results. They then go back to share with their friends and teach their families, and that cycle of learning just continues and continues.”
(To bring Reyna Hamilton’s exciting cycle of learning activities right to your own classroom, check out http://www.lawrencehallofscience.org/science_out_of_school/invent/group_programs for all the details.)
Les Honig is a features freelancer and former journalism teacher from back East who relocated to the OC before landing in Benicia to savor the joys of Northern California living.
I remember growing up and my parents would speak Spanish when they did not want us know what they were saying. Well, you know what … it worked. There was a joke I remember from that time, where I would be asked, “how do you say taco or tamale in Spanish?” I have looked up both words in a few Spanish/English dictionaries and you know what, these words have no translation. That is because they are the same in both English and Spanish, but when you’re 5 or 7 years old, it can be quite confusing. I now ask my two nephews (who are both learning Spanish) the same question and they are equally perplexed.
Food-wise, I have never fully embraced my Hispanic heritage, I am sorry to say. So, I now find myself in my 50’s thinking maybe it is time to learn how to cook all the great Hispanic dishes. Tamales are something I really never tackled, because let’s face it, it’s easier and cheaper to go buy the 1 or 2 dozen we need for our holiday celebration. Plus, you can get 1 or 2 flavors, not to mention the delicious sweet ones. The one time I really worked on tamales, I was about 10 or 12, working in my mother’s best friend Darlene’s kitchen, and we assembled the tamales. There were 5 of us—2 adults, my younger sister, and our best friend Michelle helping. It was work, basically an assembly line, and it took us pretty much all day to finish. I love cooking and baking, I do it for a living now, but do I want to spend all day doing it? That would be, NO, but spending all day with friends and family—those are memories that will make it worth it. I remember that day very clearly and it was a fun day with little masa here and a little masa there and a little mess everywhere, but good times.
Tamales date back to pre-Columbian times. No matter what you are filling them with, you first start with ‘masa para tamales,” (corn dough for tamales). The masa harina, which is a corn flour made from dried masa, can be found in most Mexican groceries. The second ingredient is fresh lard (I know, trans fat), but it is soft enough to trap air when beaten, which causes the dough to expand when it’s steamed. Vegetable shorting or butter can be used in substitution. In my research for this article, I am finding “air” is the 3rd most important ingredient for keeping the tamales light. Airy dough produces fluffy tamales; so beat the dough for at least 20 minutes using a paddle, not a whisk. This traps the air in the dough, which forces the tamales to expand as they steam, making them light and tender. You could add a little complexity to your dough by adding fresh herbs, (oregano, cilantro or basil). Puréed pumpkin or sweet potato could be added for flavor.
The majority of us have had tamales using cornhusks, but there are some regions in Mexico (the Gulf Coast) that use banana leaves. The nacatamale is a tamale found in both Nicaragua and Guatemala and made of masa and flavorings that are wrapped in banana leaves and boiled. The hallaca is found in Venezuela and Colombia and made using a similar technique. The humita is a tamale from South America made from fresh corn. The native Indians of Mexico regarded corn as a gift from the gods. The belief was: how else could they have come by such a versatile food if not from the gods? It is so hardy, adaptable and able to flourish in all the different climates and soils of the country. Every part of an ear of corn is used in the Mexican culture, the husks for wrapping tamales, the silk in medicines, the kernels for food and the stalks for animal feed.
When you buy the cornhusks, make sure they have an even coloring and no holes. They should be 5-6” across and 7-8” long. You can use smaller ones to cut strips to tie your tamales. If you just have small ones you can overlap them to make wider ones. It’s going to take about 20 to 30 minutes to rehydrate the cornhusks, pat dry and then you are ready to fill (the fun begins).
Filling possibilities are endless, you can use chicken, black beans, pinto beans, cheese, pork, red meats (smoked, grilled, braised), vegetables, and dried or candied fruit. The experts agree that your tamales should be able to stand on their own with flavor, but adding sauces and salsas are good to have for adding complexity to the flavor, or for increasing the spiciness.
There are different methods to assembling tamales. I think the easiest way is to have a flat workspace, a measuring scoop (about 1/4 cup) and either a soupspoon or flat spatula (the kind you use for cake decoration with no handle). It will take a few attempts to figure out the perfect amount for yours, but once you have that:
Spread the dough over the broadest portion for the husk, leaving about 1 ½ inches of space between the dough and the long sides of the husk.
Fold the long side of the husk firmly, over the dough, up to enclose the filling. Overlap the sides of the husk a little, so the dough is completely enclosed in the husk.
Fold the narrow tapered end of the husk over the lengthwise fold, and then fold the broader end up to overlap the tapered end.
With a piece of string or strip of the cornhusk, firmly tie the tamale closed around the overlapping end.
So now you’re ready to steam and eat or freeze them if making ahead for your big day. When you do steam, stack the tamales upright, making sure no steam escapes. This will ensure tender tamales. Don’t pack them too tightly, allow them space to expand and with about 6 to 10 tamales, you will need about half an hour.
Sounds like a lot of work, but fun if you do it with a group. Remember, good homemade food is love and this is the season we all look forward to, so we can spend time with our friends and family.
¡Feliz Ano Nuevo!
By Chef K. Marie Paulk
Suisun Valley has long since been considered a sleepy Napa neighbor. Some liked it that way, and others wanted to rise above that quiet, sleepy image and promote their Valley and their wines with gusto! Now with partnerships within the community and the addition of new wines to the region, Suisun Valley is not so sleepy anymore.
Suisun Valley neighbors Napa (County and wine region) to the south. Most would argue that although the county line separates us, Mother Nature does not see the county line therefore yielding similar and sometimes superior grapes than our neighbor. Although Suisun Valley wines have been around for many years, coordinated marketing efforts in the last 10 years have raised some interest in the region. Many visitors stay in Fairfield and make their way up to Napa to wine taste, but now hotels and area attractions have been aggressively promoting their own wine region as a great option without the drive. “Uniquely funded to sustain agriculture in Suisun Valley the Suisun Valley Fund provided the capacity for wineries and farm stands throughout the valley to develop solid visitor information and directional signage programs that assist visitors to make their way from one place to the next. Farm direct sales of wines, fruits, vegetable offerings and even extra virgin olive oil products delight visitors and sustain the ag economy” explains Roger King, owner of King Andrews Vineyard and also Chairman of the Suisun Valley Vintners’ and Growers’ Association. Wineries in the region have started tracking referrals from area hotels and attractions such as Jelly Belly, and are seeing significant impact to the traffic in their tasting rooms.
Jelly Belly has embraced this emergence by partnering directly with some of the Suisun Valley wineries. The experience they offer is quite inviting and is proving to be very successful. Picture this…quiet and relaxing jazz music plays in the background as you sip a glass of wine, nibble premium chocolates and converse with friends. You wouldn’t guess it, but this scene can be found at the Jelly Belly Visitor Center. Tucked away in the upstairs Very Cherry Room, guests 21 and older are invited to try five flights of locally produced Suisun Valley wines paired with handmade chocolates from the Jelly Belly Store and Chocolate Shoppe all complete with a special edition wine glass.
The experience starts with a Sauvignon Blanc from Wooden Valley, crisp and fragrant, it’s paired with a Milk Chocolate Almond Cluster for a perfectly balanced sensation. Then the Three Clone Chardonnay from Ledgewood Creek paired with a Sunkist Dark Chocolate Orange Stick, the orange brings out the hints of honey in the Chardonnay while the dark chocolate complements the flavor. Next a Cabernet Sauvignon from Wooden Valley is paired with a creamy Dark Chocolate Truffle, the warm richness of the chocolate balances the Cabernet. Then move to a classic and smooth Merlot paired with a Dark Chocolate Caramel Truffle that brings out the hints of sweetness and warmth in the wine. End with a Riesling and a decadent Sunkist Dark Chocolate Raspberry Stick for a dessert-like finish to the tasting.
“The Chocolate and Wine Experience has been a huge success because it gives adults something fun to do when they visit Jelly Belly. We’re introducing them not only to the delicious chocolates that we make in our Chocolate Shoppe and inside the Jelly Belly factory, but also to wines from the Suisun Valley. There are a lot of wonderful wines in this region, and we’ve selected the ones that pair well with the gourmet chocolates we create right here at Jelly Belly.” States John Jamison, Vice President of Retail Operations at Jelly Belly Candy Company.
With so many exciting things buzzing around the Suisun Valley, it’s no surprise others want to come join the fun. Napa Valley’s world famous Caymus Vineyards recently announced they have acquired 178 acres in Fairfield located in the Suisun Valley to build a winery and distillery complete with tasting room and event center where they will be able to host weddings, corporate gatherings and other industry events. This new facility, once complete, will be Suisun Valley’s largest winery.
Caymus is not the only new winemaker in town…Suisun Valley also welcomes a new Suisun Valley winery named GrapeHeary Vineyards. Ramzi and Isabel Deeik, residents of Napa, were interested in winemaking and drove between Napa and Suisun Valley when they came across a 40 acre lot on Suisun Valley Road that they later purchased and planted. The name GrapeHeart was chosen because it gets to the “heart” of the matter for them. Ramzi Deeik is a heart surgeon and brought that interest in the heart to winemaking efforts. GrapeHeart donates part of its proceeds to the Sister to Sister Foundation, a nonprofit group that works to prevent heart disease in women. So how are the wines? Their first year of wine production was in 2010 and was release this year and has already won several awards. The Cabernet based blend, The Beat, won Best of Solano award at the North Coast Wine Challenge and Best of Class and Gold at the International Women’s Wine Competition. The Cabernet Sauvignon won Silver at the U.S. National Wine Competition.
“We chose Rustic Wine Country as our position to best express the unique character the valley still holds as one of the least impacted agricultural wine valley’s in the North Coast. A place where winemakers and grape growers can be found in their own tasting rooms, with little pretense – just some pretty darn good wine,” states Roger King. Darn good wine, enough said. Come explore…Rustic Suisun Valley.
Anand Patel is the President/CEO of the Fairfield Conference & Visitors Bureau, the official destination marketing organization for Fairfield, California.–
Most of us (I guess over 50) can remember the long-time favorite TV show, My Three Sons. Here is Vallejo’s version of that show. The cast members: Steve Griggs, and owner of The Relay Club in Vallejo. Moe Griggs, Steve’s son and owner of Ashorn Construction. Randy Larson, Moe’s best friend and Steve’s “second son” and owner of Transport Products Unlimited. Curtis Lafferty, Moe and Randy’s best friend and Steve’s “third son” and also the owner of Century 21 Schutjer Realty.
About 40 years ago, (protecting the innocent of their actual ages!) Moe Griggs, Randy Larson and Curtis Stocking all met in junior high. From that moment on they have stayed together through thick and thin and Moe’s dad, Steve, inherited two more sons that he had to keep an eye on. Today, they are all still best friends and continue to be at each other’s side for personal ups and downs, as well as business.
I had a chance to sit down with these four amigos recently and asked them to tell me a little something about the other ones, so that my readers could get an up close and personal view of these four businesses and owners through a different light.
I asked Steve to tell me something about Curtis. “Curtis is VERY family oriented and will go above and beyond for his customers. The BEST realtor you could ask for! Oh and by the way he’s my favorite son!
Well Curtis with that said, what do you have to say about Moe? “Ashorn Construction does all of our maintenance and rehab work. I couldn’t ask for a better job, on time and always within budget. That is huge in my business. Moe is always trying to make sure he can give his customers the best price on their remodels by coming up with ideas that you might not have thought of before.
As we came around the circle, I had Moe give me the “411” on Randy. “For over 40 years this guy has been my best friend, he’s as loyal as they come and will do anything for anybody. He is always helping the community, if there’s a fundraiser going on it’s a pretty good guess that Randy is at the center of it. Randy is always knee deep in giving 24/7. I guess I should say something about his company, but his community side is so strong that it just seems right that his business always seems to going strong.
Wow, how do you top that?! I guess by asking Randy to tell me something about Steve. “I’ve known Steve since I was in junior high and my one image of him always is red, white and blue. He’s the most patriotic guy I know! He’s got flags at his house, he’s got flags at The Relay and look, he even wears a flag! (He points to Steve who is wearing a “Flag” shirt.) The best thing about The Relay Club is that this is where you come to meet your friends and family and you can feel safe. Everyone here is like family.
Here’s a little peak at each of these friends businesses:
The Relay Club – Steve Griggs. A local’s bar in Vallejo, long known as a “cop” bar, since it is across the street from the Vallejo Police Department. This is Vallejo’s version of “Cheers,” where everyone knows your name and they’re always glad you came! Steve has long been a proponent of patriotic camaraderie so when you visit The Relay Club wear your “Flag” shirt!
Ashorn Construction – Moe Griggs. No job is too small is this construction company’s motto. Kitchens, baths, or whole house/office remodels are the order of the day when you call Ashorn Construction. This could make an excellent Christmas present!
Transport Products Unlimited – Randy Larson. Transport Products Unlimited brings excellent service right to your door. Their 10 to 53 foot and custom storage containers are wind and water tight, secured, rodent-proof, and can be delivered directly to your business, job site, or residence. With their excellent design team, they can customize their containers to meet your requirements. TPU brings to you containers that provide dry storage, refrigerated storage along with their blast resistant containers. These containers are offered in many configurations; contact the sales staff at (888) 399-8930 to learn more or to get help with your storage needs.
Century 21 Real Estate – Curtis Stocking. For more than 30 years, this real estate office has been serving Solano and Napa Counties with excellent customer service and professional sales team that has their clients coming back and giving them great referrals. They specialize in residential commercial sales, as well as property management. If you need help with a short sale, give them a call for their guidance!
These four can’t help but be successful with all of them pulling for each other like they do. Give them a call and see how they can help you along, and if nothing else, join them for a beer at The Relay! I must admit whenever I head in there they always know my name!
Deanna Baillie and Ben, her Australian Shepherd, love following the road less traveled. “Like” them on the Local Happenings Magazine Facebook Page.
Robert Briseño – When he is not cruising the bay he is cruising the Bay Area in search of things to do to keep his three young children occupied and so he can share them with you, his readers. 
