Category: Towns

Discover Sonoma County destinations

A collection of gloves from a century ago. Fran Fleet, 'The Glove Lady,' has been repairing baseball gloves out of her tiny Cotati shop for over 40 years. (JOHN BURGESS / The Press Democrat)

Fran Fleet of Cotati Revives Old Baseball Gloves

Written by Bob Padecky for the Press Democrat. The smell of leather and wood fills the room, which is not exactly an atmospheric miracle, considering the room is 10 feet by 10 feet with a 10-foot ceiling. Abner Doubleday would approve, for this is what baseball smelled like and looked like 150 years ago. Intimate, […]

Sonoma Cheese Factory Celebrates 85th Anniversary

Written by Kathleen Hill for the Sonoma Index-Tribune. Sonoma Cheese Factory celebrated 85 years in business on Wednesday, Feb. 17, with members of the founding Viviani family present. New decals decorate the windows, saying Sonoma Cheese Factory was started in 1931. Tom Vella and Celso Viviani used to make cheese together, with Vella’s brother Joseph, […]

Malia Anderson: Santa Rosa Stylist Says to Love Your Curves

Written by Meg McConahey for the Press Democrat. Personal stylist Malia Anderson has one message for her clients: you’re awesome just the way you are. And the more awesome you feel the more awesome you will look. Anderson professionally dresses people. The owner of “Style by Malia,” she helps people find their own personal styles. […]
Stephanie Holmes, left, Emmett Hanlon and Judy Holmes walk along a trail in Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, in Guerneville, on Tuesday, August 13, 2013. (Christopher Chung/ The Press Democrat)

Trail of the Week: Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve

Wintertime visitors to Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve in Guerneville are as likely to spot colorful galoshes as hiking boots as they trek along the family-friendly trails that wind among the towering redwoods within this majestic state park. Although several moderate and strenuous trails can challenge more advanced hikers within the 805-acre reserve, families with toddlers […]
Russian River Brewing Company's Vinnie Cilurzo, with wife Natalie, is a semifinalist for Outstanding Wine, Spirits or Beer Professional in the James Beard Foundation Awards.

2016 James Beard Award Semifinalists Announced

Two Sonoma County men were among semifinalists announced Wednesday for the James Beard Foundation’s 2016 restaurant and chef awards. Russian River Brewing Co.’s Vinnie Cilurzo of Santa Rosa and Littorai Wines’ Ted Lemon of Sebastopol were among the 20 making the cut for Outstanding Wine, Spirits or Beer Professional. About two dozen Bay Area restaurants […]
The 50's are back in style at the Santa Rosa Barber Shop. Owner Eric Gardea runs pomade through the hair of Cody Garzini. (JOHN BURGESS / The Press Democrat)

The Barber is Back in Sonoma County

Men are flooding back to barbershops, lured by the prospect of a clipper cut and beard trim in the company of other men. Changing hairstyles have provided some of the fuel. Salon-driven ‘70s feathered hair styles and ‘80s mullets have been replaced by the fades and pompadours that are the specialty of old-school barbers, delivered […]
Jaclyn K. Nesbitt Designs, Santa Rosa. 415-948-1626.

Sonoma Florists Create Drought-Friendly Arrangements

Written for the Sonoma Weddings Issue by Abigail Peterson Photographs by Emily Hagopian Styling by Abigail Peterson and Tamara Apple Shot on location at Annadel Estate Winery California’s weather challenges have proved to be a creative gift for our region’s top wedding florists. While the classic look of peonies and other water-demanding blooms never goes […]

Eye Candy: Sonoma Doctor Seeing Vision of Chocolate

Written by Heather Irwin for BiteClubEats. Eye Candy Chocolatiers: Chocolate is Dr. Sonja Schluter’s happy place.  The Sonoma ophthalmologist spends her days working with patients facing serious vision problems, primarily glaucoma. So her off-time passion for making beautiful chocolate truffles has become an outlet of beauty, precision and, of course, deliciousness. But after 20 years practice […]
Photography by Rebecca Chotkowski.

Petaluma Painter Roberta Ahrens: The Wall is Her Canvas

Whether Roberta Ahrens creates a panoramic mural or an 8-by-8-foot painted canvas, her work is never diminutive. Nature speaks to her in a loud voice, and she translates that inspiration into paintings that are lifelike yet unique. She paints cherubs on ceilings, and lilies, poppies and peonies on cracked linen, bringing vibrancy and boldness to […]