Page 137 – Sonoma Magazine

Tickets on Sale, Bands Lined up for Sonoma’s Huichica Festival

April 2022

By Dan Taylor

Allah-Las, ESG, Turnover, W.I.T.C.H., Damien Jurado, La Luz and Woods are among the more than three dozen music acts lined up to play June 10-11 at the Huichica Music Festival at the Gundlach Bundschu Winery in Sonoma.

Two-day general admission passes go on sale at huichica.com at $295 each at 10 a.m. Friday, with single-day tickets to follow later. Children under 12 are free. A portion of the proceeds from Huichica will benefit the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation.

Presented in partnership between sixth-generation vintner Jeff Bundschu and Bay Area promoter and curator FolkYEAH Presents, the all-ages, family-friendly music festival takes place throughout Gundlach Bundschu’s winery estate in Sonoma, including its historic barn and outdoor amphitheater.

The Huichica 2022 lineup includes: Allah-Las, ESG, Turnover, W.I.T.C.H., Woods, La Luz, Damien Jurado, Midlake, Tamaryn, Avey Tare, Isobel Campbell, Bobby Oroza, Wand, Lilys, The Altons, Mega Bog, Mary Lattimore, Tropa Magica, Mystic Chords Of Memory, Dummy, Starcrawler, Tapers Choice, Spaceface, Jess Williamson, Oog Bogo, Brigid Dawson, Frank Locrasto, Thumpasuraus, Light Fantastic, Oliver Ray, Sylvie, Uni Boys, Madeline Kenney, The Shacks, Nico Georis, Matt Baldwin and Companion. The lineup may be subject to change.

Founded in 2009 by Jeff Bundschu, president of Gundlach Bundschu, and musician Eric D. Johnson, the festival joined forces with famed Northern California concert promoter and curator FolkYEAH in 2010.

“We created Huichica because we believe that music and wine is best shared in intimate and epic settings with our community, family (and) friends,” Bundschu said in a statement.

The festival was not held in 2020 due to coronavirus concerns.

“After a couple of tough years for live events and the music industry, it means the world to us to present this fun and diverse music experience at the oldest family-owned winery in California — it’s always one of my favorite music and family weekends of the year,” said Britt Govea, founder of FolkYEAH Presents, in a press release.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase from the winery and local food purveyors.

The Huichica Music Festival will comply with any laws and mandates recommended by the county and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For more information on attending Huichica or to buy tickets, visit huichica.com or connect through social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can reach Staff Writer Dan Taylor at dan.taylor@pressdemocrat.com or 707-521-5243. On Twitter @danarts. This article was originally published in The Press Democrat.

11 Best Burgers in Santa Rosa

April 2022

By Heather Irwin

The Western Burger featuring onion rings, cheddar cheese, applewood bacon, and barbecue sauce at the new Carmen’s Burger Bar location at 619 4th St in Santa Rosa on Wednesday, August 21, 2019. (BETH SCHLANKER/ The Press Democrat)

Burgers don’t have to be fancy to be incredible. And while we wouldn’t turn down a patty smothered with foie gras or brie, we’re usually perfectly content with some nice ground beef, American cheese and lettuce. Maybe a pickle if you want to get fancy. That’s precisely what we’ve found in Santa Rosa — terrific burgers that keep it simple (mostly) with only the best stuff between their buns.

Did we miss one of your favorites? Let us know in the comments below.

Pop-Up Burger Spot Finds Permanent Home in Sebastopol

April 2022

By Heather Irwin

Chuck/brisket blend, house-smoked bacon, crispy onion rings, American cheddar, garlic chili aioli and Kansas City BBQ sauce on a brioche bun from Lunch Box. (Courtesy of Lunch Box)

Lunch Box, a semi-frequent pop-up burger grill at Henhouse Brewing, Shady Oak and Bacchus Landing, has taken over the former East West Cafe spot in Sebastopol as a brick-and-mortar home.

Owner Derek Harn has been renovating the space over the last few weeks with plans for about 50 seats, including a chef’s counter with five bar seats facing the open kitchen. The menu will feature locally sourced ingredients, craft burgers, sandwiches, fries and salads. They’ll also prepare much of their own food in-house including bacon, special sauce and French fries and will cure their own pastrami and grind their own meat.

Lunch Box burgers are the kind of messy, smushy, everything-good-about-beef burgers paired with “dirty fries,” a pile of crispy fries, chevre ranch dressing, bacon, green onion, roasted garlic and pepperoncini. You’ll need a handful of napkins and a stout appetite.

Lunch Box had planned to be part of the forthcoming Livery on Main food hall but the owners decided to open the larger space instead. No word yet on an opening date, but you can follow their progress at lunchboxsonomacounty.com.

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A post shared by SANGSAN (@sangsanhealdsburg)

Speaking of pop-ups: Sangsan, a pop-up from chefs Ploypailin “Ploy” Sakornsin and Jeremy Kuo (both alums of the Michelin-starred SingleThread), is Thai and Korean cuisine like you’ve never tried.

After hosting dinners at Lioco winery and special take-out dinners at Quail & Condor, now they’re dishing up shrimp patties with plum sauce, rich shrimp and pork peanut sauce with rice cakes, grilled turmeric chicken thighs with tamarind sauce and a sweet-sour cold Thai pork salad on Saturday and Sunday nights at the Miracle Plum Kitchen in Santa Rosa (the menu changes and you need to order ahead, to get a pick-up time).

On Tuesdays through May 24, find them at Lo & Behold in Healdsburg, 214 Healdsburg Ave. Find details and ordering info at sangsanhealdsburg.com.

Tisza Bistro to Reopen in Former Singletree Location in Healdsburg

April 2022

By Heather Irwin

Hungarian pancake with walnut cream at Tisza Bistro in Windsor. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)

Chef Krisztian Karkus of the former Tisza Bistro in Windsor is planning a second act, to open sometime this year, at the one-time location of Singletree diner in Healdsburg.

Karkus closed Tisza, his Eastern European restaurant, in August 2020 after a three-year stint complicated by multiple fires including the 2017 wildfires that closed the restaurant just days after it opened.

When I first met Karkus, he was trying to feed wildfire evacuees, cooking with a waffle iron he bought a Kohl’s. Since then, Karkus has been popping up at the Windsor Certified Farmers Market serving schnitzel and holding over his grateful fans. Rumor has it Karkus may be making his own beer at his new location, also to be named Tisza Bistro.

Singletree Cafe closed in February after more than 20 years in business. It arrived in Healdsburg long before the many high-end restaurants now in the area created the current Beverly Hills vibe. A major struggle for Singletree, at 165 Healdsburg Ave., was ongoing construction of the Mill District just across the street. Ongoing road closures made it difficult to turn left into the restaurant’s parking lot.

Taste Rare, Small-Production Wines at Sonoma’s Garagiste Festival

April 2022

By Sarah Doyle

The Garagiste Festival returns to the Sonoma Veterans Memorial Hall on April 30, with wines from more than 40 small-production, commercial wineries. (The Garagiste Festival)

Depending on which winemaker you ask, 1,500 cases of wine may seem like a lot — or a little. For the major wineries that make upward of 500,000 cases per year, it’s merely a drop in the wine barrel.

For others, like winemaker Bart Hansen, 1,500 cases is more than double what he makes. That’s why his wines are perfect for the upcoming Garagiste Festival on April 30 at the Sonoma Veterans Memorial Hall.

Launched in Paso Robles in 2011, with satellite events in Sonoma County since 2018, the Garagiste Festival invites winemakers who produce 1,500 cases of wine or fewer per year to share their wines with consumers at the one-day event. Hansen, who previously made medium- to large-production wines for Kenwood Vineyards and Benziger Family Winery, now makes just 625 cases under his own label, Dane Cellars.

“When you work at a large winery, you understand the importance of producing a consistent product for consumers every year,” Hansen said. “You’re always looking at previous vintages to see where you need to go. With small-production wines, I can fully embrace the diversity of each vintage and make the wines I truly want to make.”

Coined in Bordeaux, France, in the early 1990s, the term garagiste was given to rebellious winemakers who were fed up with the region’s strict, centuries-old rules for winemaking. Rather than adhere to tradition, these adventurous men and women made small lots of uncharacteristically robust wines in garages, warehouses and anywhere else they wanted. Threatened by this novel way of making wine, the traditionalists called these turncoat winemakers garagistes. While the term was intended to insult, it was eventually a badge of honor to those who took pride in going rogue.

The Garagiste Festival was inspired by the pluck of these independent French winemakers and their determination to forge a new, creative path. While American winemakers don’t face the same stylistic limitations many French winemakers do, they do share the burden of needing a cash flow.

Winemaker Perri Haughwout, who produces about 100 cases of wine for her micro-winery, Perri Jaye Vineyards, funds the small label by selling the pinot noir grapes she grows in her 2.6-acre vineyard. Winemaking is a passion project she took up later in life, and she only reserves a small lot of the fruit for herself.

“I am not driven by aspirations of fame and fortune. I just want to showcase my beautiful vineyard and the special wine it produces,” Haughwout said.

“When you are as tiny as I am and you don’t have access to a tasting room, the Garagiste Festival is a great opportunity to connect with consumers who are looking for small wine gems. I feel like I fit right in.”

At the Garagiste Festival, the wines are poured by the winemakers themselves, which lends an air of intimacy to the wine tastings and encourages dialogue among the winemakers and attendees. Great varietal diversity is nearly always present, so there is plenty of opportunity to expand your palate and try something new.

The red wines average no more than $45 a bottle, and there is nary a limo or bachelorette party in sight. What you will find, however, are limited-production wines you can’t taste anywhere else.

“There is a real sense of community at the Garagiste Festival, “ said Hansen, who also hosts the popular wine-centric podcast, The Winemakers. “I’ve had people who listen to my podcast come up to me and introduce themselves. For me, that builds connection.”

You can reach Staff Writer Sarah Doyle at 707-521-5478 or sarah.doyle@pressdemocrat.com.

This Tiny Sonoma Town Serves Up Great Food

April 2022

By Carey Sweet

Downtown Forestville spans only three blocks along Front Street and the town’s population is a tiny 3,761. But lately, chefs have been taking note of the quaint burg, setting up exciting new restaurants next to the classic favorites. Here are five to visit. (Click through the above gallery to see some favorite dishes.)

A La Heart Kitchen

Deborah Rodgers opened her catering business in Duncans Mills in 1982 and moved to Santa Rosa’s Railroad Square in 1991. This spring, her daughter, Mariana Krambs Belew, relocated the shop to downtown Forestville and expanded it into a café.

The charming enterprise offers premium picnic groceries and grab-and-go meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. “You come in, check out the fridge and see what looks good today,” Belew says. That might be everything, since the daily changing menu tempts with mouthwatering specialties like bacon and shrimp hush puppies, biscuits and sausage gravy, chile cheese cornbread, chicken and tofu satay with peanut sauce and Tuscan chicken with sour cream mashed potatoes and cauliflower gratin. Save room for cheesecake with pecan praline sauce.

6490 Mirabel Road, Forestville, 707-527-7555, alaheart.com

Sonoma Pizza Co.

So close, we can taste it… The former pizza pop-up has landed a brick-and-mortar setup in the former Jigar’s wine tasting room space and is hiring pizzaiolos, prep cooks and service experts. That means we’ll soon be devouring lots of great, wood-fired stuff, like a Pizza Margherita loaded with creamy fior de latte and mozzarella; a Nirvana pie topped with Ezzo Supreme pepperoni, Grana Padano, basil, ricotta and hot honey; and a Bianca Fun Guy smothered in local mushrooms, housemade roasted garlic crema, charred kale, mozzarella and Grana Padano.

For an edible adventure, try the Bora Bora piled with organic pulled pork, charred pineapple, beer battered onions, Bachan’s Japanese ginger-mirin barbecue sauce, mozzarella and Grana Padano. You can get gluten-free dough and/or vegan cheeses and plant-based meats, too.

6615 Front St., Forestville, sonomapizzaco.com

Pizza Margherita from Sonoma Pizza Co. in Forestville. (Courtesy of Sonoma Pizza Co.)

Pizza with Alba clamshell mushrooms, caramelized onion, mozzarella and goat cheese from Sonoma Pizza Co. in Forestville. (Courtesy of Sonoma Pizza Co.) — Pizza with Alba clamshell mushrooms, caramelized onion, mozzarella and goat cheese. (Courtesy of Sonoma Pizza Co.)

Gerard’s Paella Catering

Chef Gerard Nebesky famously beat star chef Bobby Flay in a Food Network paella throwdown in 2008. He also turned his successful catering business into a Santa Rosa restaurant, shuttering it after COVID-19 set in. Now he’s back, working on a new bistro in the former Twist location. He called in with this report: “I’m setting up for the first Coachella since the pandemic and I said I feel a little rusty…..then someone yells … ‘we’re all rusty together.’ Ugh, so true.”

After fixing up the Forestville space, Nebesky’s been doing tastings there for weddings and other events. On periodic Fridays, he has been offering take-and-bake paella. “As the season calendar fills in and stabilizes, we will have more announcements on how to get paella to the people,” he promises.

6536 Front St., Forestville, 707-874-2711, gerardspaella.com

Canneti Roadhouse Italiana

Francesso Torre learned to cook in his grandmother’s kitchen, while growing up in the Tuscan coastal town of Massa, Italy. One of his favorite feasts was – and still is – tordelli, large raviolis stuffed with meat and a touch of cinnamon. As a teenager, one of his first jobs was working with chef Giuseppina Moscaat at her Michelin two-star Il Bottaccio in Montignoso.

Since opening Canneti in 2013, Torre puts his own California accents on his Italian cuisine. It takes a full day of slow simmering to make his Bolognese, he makes his own fennel salame, focaccia and even olive oil, and wows with signature dishes like steamed savoy cabbage rolls stuffed with handmade whole milk ricotta over San Marzano tomato cream and crispy capers.

6675 Front St., Forestville, 707-887-2232, cannetiroadhouse.com

Cannoli from Canneti Roadhouse Italiana in Forestville. (Courtesy of Canneti Roadhouse Italiana)

La Rosa Market and Taqueria

Founded by Rosa and Pedro Lepehernandez nearly two decades ago, this cozy gem delights with sturdy, savory staples like chile rellenos stuffed with tons of gooey Jack under a mantle of more cheese; a pork chile verde burrito plump with veggies, beans, rice, cheese, sour cream, guacamole and salsa; and delectable shrimp sautéed in butter, garlic, onion and bell pepper, served with rice, black beans and warm tortillas.

Go for the street tacos, as well – an order of four lets you choose two types of meat (we love the carnitas and the tender lengua). Bonus: you can sip wine and beer with your meal.

6555 Front St., Forestville, 707-887-8741, la-rosa-market.com

A Photo Stylist Remakes a Historic Petaluma Victorian

April 2022

By Meg McConahey

Santa Rosa natives and high school sweethearts Brad Villeggiante and Caroline Hall were happy in the snug 1,200-square-foot West Petaluma cottage that they had renovated top to bottom. But when their daughter, Cecily, arrived six years ago, the couple was prompted to dream bigger.

As in, really big. What they found was an eight-bedroom, 3,800-square-foot Queen Anne in Petaluma’s historic Brewster-Oak Hill neighborhood. The home was founded as a private hospital and later was put to work as a group home for youth and a bed and breakfast inn.

But Hall, a freelance art director, stylist, and producer, could tell the house had potential, both for a new chapter as a single-family dwelling, and also as a new income stream as a location for filmmaking and photo shoots.

“We went to an open house and looked at it and just loved it so much more than we thought she would,” Hall says. “Initially, my husband took some convincing, mostly because it was so big.”

The Hall home in Petaluma. (Eileen Roche/for Sonoma Magazine)

Daylight streams through gauzy curtains into the main living area, where Hall’s love of botanicals is on full display, with feathers, antlers, and a large fiddleleaf fig tree. (Eileen Roche/for Sonoma Magazine)

Hall’s love of botanicals is on full display. (Eileen Roche/for Sonoma Magazine)

Hall immediately noticed that the home, built in 1905 and graced with large windows throughout, was much brighter than other Victorian-style homes, and it still had highly sought-after original features, including wood floors, crown molding, antique chandeliers, and stained-glass windows.

“What I loved about it was all the amazing light,” Hall says. The couple didn’t want to change any of the good stuff. Their mission was to freshen up the interior and make it more appealing for commercial photography work as well as their own family life.

Hall and Villegiante ripped out dated wallpaper, restored the floors, and repainted the entire home.

“We were scraping paint for a year,” laughs Hall. “We kind of just took it one room at a time.”

Decorating such a large space was an adventure— one that was no problem at all for Hall, who had a large collection of accessories and furniture she’d used at work and on photo shoots over the years.

The family took on a major kitchen remodel during the pandemic. They preserved a beautiful, original stained-glass window, but added a large new range, a honeycomb tile backsplash, and IKEA cabinets. On weekends, Hall usually has an all-day cooking project simmering away — often soup or homemade bread. (Eileen Roche/for Sonoma Magazine)

Overall, Hall and Villeggiante created an eclectic blend of ornate Victorian and contemporary industrial, like metal airplane chairs from Restoration Hardware paired with a tufted sofa. Hall leaned into her love of botanicals with terrariums, bell jars, indoor plants, and scientific posters. “The house was amazing, like a sponge,” she explains. “We found a way to fill the space really quickly.”

“The nice thing about Victorians like this is that they embrace a lot of different styles,” Hall says.

“You get a midcentury modern house, and you feel like you have to put midcentury furniture in there. With Victorian you can get away with many different kinds of styles.”

The family has found uses for the multitude of rooms. Downstairs is a formal living room, a playroom for Cecily, a family room, a formal dining room, a kitchen, and a guest bedroom. Upstairs, in addition to the family’s bedrooms, Villeggiante and Hall each have a home office. Villeggiante went for a midcentury modern look with abstract wallpaper, sleek Scandinavian furniture, and a restored console stereo. Hall chose a mod British urban loft look with a teapot lamp and a vintage World War II flag.
Now that much of the restoration work is finished, the family can relax and simply enjoy being in the space. “Usually there’s something cooking or being prepped all day that we’re working on for dinner. We both really like to cook, so he’ll often smoke something, and I like to make bread or sourdough pizza,” says Hall.

“And we do actually use the dining room every night.”

A small dining area, above, started with a mid-century table and chairs. (Eileen Roche/for Sonoma Magazine)

Collections of ceramics and plants form carefully considered displays. (Eileen Roche/for Sonoma Magazine)

Weekend days revolve around the garden: feeding the birds, collecting eggs from the chickens, and peeking into the palm tree out front, where a barn owl — which Cecily has named Owl-bus Dumbledore — is nesting. This time of year, the backyard is filled with tulips and daffodils they’ve planted as a family.

Cecily creates mud projects in her outdoor play kitchen while Hall works nearby. “She’ll hang out with me while I garden all day,” says Hall. “Everything gets kind of overgrown and wild for a little bit with all the bulbs in bloom, but I kind of love it. I don’t like it when things are too manicured.”

The couple sees themselves staying in the home for the long term, bonding with their neighbors and fellow parents. “We’ve met a lot of people who are similar to us, creatively—and it seems like so many people we’ve met here have kids our kid’s age,” says Hall. “I don’t really know what it is specifically, but it’s special here. It just feels like home.”

The Hall family outside their home. (Eileen Roche/for Sonoma Magazine)

What’s it like to rent out your house for photo shoots?

Freelance stylist and art director Caroline Hall once worked as a photo director for a large housewares company, working with location companies to find interesting homes for product photo shoots. “That was my job — to look at locations and book them. I initially thought I would book this house,” she says.

Renting out your home for a photo or film shoot can mean $1,500 to $5,000 a day of extra income. Crews take over the home for the day, though, requiring the homeowner to find somewhere else to stay during filming.

What are location scouts looking for when they book a home? It’s not just the architecture or design.

It’s also about beautiful light and plenty of space for camerapeople to move around. There’s also the issue of ease of access and convenient parking. It’s nice to have neighbors on board who won’t complain about shortterm disruptions. And access to gardens and outdoor space is helpful. “It’s great especially if they’re doing outdoors stuff, to have a nice yard you can shoot in.” Interestingly, a home’s décor isn’t usually as important; most crews bring in their own stuff, explains Hall.

Hall lists her Petaluma Victorian with two area companies: Scout Napa Valley and Mint Locations in Marin.

To learn more, check out carolineavhall.com.

Renowned Architects Create a Forever Home Outside Healdsburg

April 2022

By Abigail Peterson

When Jan O’Brien and Craig Hartman first set foot on an undeveloped rural plot of land along Chalk Hill Road southeast of Healdsburg, they were initially a bit unsure, though that quickly changed. “There was just a little truck path to the top of the hill, and we came up it and looked back out and thought, ‘Oh my gosh, this is just unbelievable,’” says Hartman. “Whatever the site had in mind, the house was always going to be bold.”

As architects, O’Brien and Hartman could parse both the promise and the particular challenges of the site. Both have been with the firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill for decades. O’Brien focuses on interior architecture and residential design, while Hartman serves as a senior consulting partner for projects such as Oakland’s Cathedral of Christ the Light, the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, the U.S. Courthouse in Los Angeles, and the International Terminal at San Francisco International Airport. The couple raised two children in Marin while overseeing large-scale projects in San Francisco and China, work that connected with themes of social justice and environmental sustainability.

Architects Jan O’Brien and Craig Hartman with their dog Gryffin. (Kim Brown Photography)

Given the couple’s grounding in green design, it was fitting that Hartman and O’Brien connected so deeply with the rural, rolling landscape of Chalk Hill. “It feels rooted in old Sonoma County,” says O’Brien. “It’s one of the reasons we wanted to be here. This area has agrarian roots; there’s cattle around. Not everything being vineyards is kind of nice.”

The 840-square-foot home the pair designed is nestled tightly in a stand of valley oaks and consists of two separate rectangular pavilions that are connected by an open-air walkway. The decision to split the spaces with a breezeway was meant to engage the couple in their natural surroundings — even on a rainy day, one has to go outside to get from one portion of the home to the other. “We spent a lot of time thinking about that and not leaving too much to chance,” says Hartman. “Though in the end,” adds O’Brien, “the serendipitous things are the things we love — such as when a branch breaks, and it completely changes the view.”

A picture window just off the kitchen centers on an old-growth valley oak. O’Brien, who studied ornithology, follows a family of woodpeckers that makes its home there. (Cesar Rubio)

Kitchen in the day pavilion. (Cesar Rubio)

The slightly larger pavilion, dubbed the daytime pavilion, has the kitchen, dining area, and living room, along with a front deck that spans the width of the space. From here, Hartman and O’Brien take in a broad sweep of open space, including the actual Chalk Hill, with its light-colored soils, a stand of redwoods, a few neighbors’ homes, and a small slice of vineyards in the distance, part of Warnecke Ranch. It’s an ever-changing view as layers of morning fog burn away, gradually revealing the land and its wildlife. “We seem to be on a migratory path through here,” says Hartman. “You see ducks and geese flying through, almost at eye level sometimes. We’ve had pigs, lots of deer, obviously, and foxes.”

The smaller nighttime pavilion has the primary bedroom, the home’s only bathroom, and an office/guest room, where Hartman often works, and where the couple’s daughter spent time during the pandemic. Both pavilions were designed to sit gently in the landscape. “We did a lot of 3D mock-ups before committing to anything.

For the most part, it worked out,” says Hartman.

The overall effect is an airy simplicity — essential, elemental spaces, pared back to the furniture, books, and art the couple loves the best.

Constructing a home on a hilly, rural lot meant thinking about issues that neither architect had addressed before. “We quickly had to learn about the infrastructure of building in a place like this,” explains Hartman. “Number one was the well, and number two was the septic field. We did some backof- the-envelope analysis of what it was going to cost.”

They also had to factor in road access, rainwater storage tanks, and the home’s electricity needs, which they’ve addressed with a solar array and batteries.

“I think part of it is, it’s always going to be a leap of faith,” says O’Brien. “At some point, you do fall in love, and you go, ‘Well, we’ll make it work.’”

In the summer of 2019, Hartman and O’Brien were about launch a project to build a second dwelling further up the hill. But a few days before they were to head to the permit office, the Kincade fire turned those plans upside down. As the blaze moved through the property, O’Brien and Hartman evacuated to Marin, hosting their Chalk Hill neighbors, who were also fleeing the flames. Their home fared well — its concrete foundation and metal cladding offered strong protection. But they decided to abandon plans for another building at the top of the ridge. After what they’d witnessed, that site felt too exposed.

The experience with the Kincade fire did help the couple understand the resilience of the land. Though the fire consumed dry grass and a few trees, the land rebounded and animals returned. “It is amazing how quickly the property recovered from the fire. The next year, it was almost invisible,” says Hartman.

The couple and their dog, Gryffin, have embraced the rhythms of a life centered around the land. Gryffin loves to follow the deer and hawks, bounding off into the hills to sniff out exciting things. Hartman and O’Brien keep fit with outdoor projects, planting native toyon trees to sustain wildlife and cultivating a patch of valley oak seedlings near the house.

Weedwacking is their new exercise, jokes O’Brien, who once had to go to urgent care to get a foxtail removed from her ear after an afternoon working on the hill. They have a few tomato plants, but they get eggs and most of their vegetables from their closest neighbor just down the hill. “Having really good neighbors is important,” says O’Brien.

Spring is especially beautiful here, when the hills are an intense green that reminds the couple of Ireland, and lupines and other wildflowers are all around. There’s water in the creeks and balmy temperatures—not the intense heat of the summer, but warm breezes that carry a freshness and sense of growth. O’Brien, who also has a degree in divinity, says the intensity of springtime has reminded her of the need to embrace meaning in the everyday. “Like so many things, you know that it’s not going to last forever, so you appreciate it more,” she explains.

“When I grew up in the Midwest, I thought I could never live without winter sports and without snow,” says Hartman. “But this place has such distinct, seasonal changes, though they’re more subtle. With the wildflowers, you see some places that are just spectacular, and other places where you happen to come across tiny flowers—purple tidy tips and blue-eyed grasses—that reveal themselves in the landscape in much more subtle ways. And I think that’s what’s so beautiful about this place. It’s a beautiful subtlety.”

Resources

Architects: Craig Hartman, with Jan O’Brien and Anesta Kothari

Structural Engineer: David Shook, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, San Francisco / som.com

Mechanical Engineer: Paul McGrath, Meyers+, San Francisco / meyersplus.com

Civil Engineer: Cort Munselle, Munselle Civil Engineering, Healdsburg / munsellecivil.com

Landscape Architect: Tom Leader, TLS Landscape Architecture, Berkeley / tlslandarch.com

Builder: Simon Fairweather, Randy Straub, Fairweather & Associates, Santa Rosa / fairweather-assoc.com

Tiny Home in Windsor Listed for $85,000. Take a Look Inside

April 2022

By Karen Kizer

The tiny home movement is one response to soaring real estate and energy prices. Living “tiny” (in a dwelling that is less than 400 square feet) is not for the faint of heart in today’s stuff-happy world, but it can encourage a lifestyle change that includes less consumption and greater simplicity.

If you’d like to give tiny living a try, a one-bed, one-bath, 192 square-foot home in Windsor is currently on the market for $85,000. The small dwelling was previously the home of a family of four; a chef, his wife and their two children.

A loft with windows on either side offers increased ventilation and a sense of openness. There’s room for a sizable mattress, although the space must be accessed via a ladder.

The kitchen has a large fridge, a decent amount of prep area and a hot plate. A washer/dryer hybrid fits into the adjacent utility closet which has a spot above for folding and hanging clothes. There are solid-wood shelves and cabinets throughout the house.

The entry space on one side of the kitchen has a built-in L-shaped bench. The living room on the other side of the kitchen has room for a small pull-out couch.

An A-frame roof and multiple windows let in lots of light in. In fact, light is this home’s secret weapon against its small size. All four sides of the home have windows; there’s even a window in the front door. Views of trees at the all-age mobile park, where the home is currently parked, enhance the feeling of openness.

Interior cedar-wood paneling creates a rustic and homey vibe and gives them home a pleasant scent, points out realtor Marisa Rosas. She adds that plants would contrast nicely with the paneled walls, which don’t require painting (another bonus).

The small lot in this mobile home park allows for barbecuing — the previous owner cooked plenty of smoked meals. There are raised beds for herbs, vegetables and other plants. These amenities shouldn’t discourage taking this tiny home on the road. A wood skirting on the structure conceals the fact that this home is in fact on wheels and can be taken to a new destination.

Click through the above gallery to see photos of this tiny home.

This tiny home at 129 Katherine Place is listed by Marisa Rosas with W Real Estate, 9420 Old Redwood Highway, Suite 114, Windsor. For more information, please call 707-636-3800.

How to Celebrate Earth Day in Sonoma County

April 2022

By Maci Martell

Peri Olsson of Santa Rosa takes her dog Teddy on a walk at Taylor Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve in Santa Rosa. (Alvin Jornada/The Press Democrat)

Founded in 1970 to spread awareness about environmental issues, Earth Day is a great opportunity to learn about nature and local ecosystems and get involved in protecting them.

There are many ways to show your appreciation for the bountiful land in and around Sonoma County, whether it’s hiking in your favorite park, learning about local flora and fauna at a museum or volunteering your time to clean up the waterways. For those looking for learning opportunities or inspiration to get outside this Earth Day, April 22, check out these upcoming events around the county.

Want to simply appreciate the local land on a great hike this Earth Day, or any day of the year? Here are some of our favorite hikes in Sonoma County.

Want a farm-forward, plant-based meal in honor of Earth Day? Visit Healdsburg’s hotly-anticipated new restaurant Little Saint, which will open on Earth Day. Find more plant-based meals here.

Events

Earth Day Street Mural at SRJC, April 22

Santa Rosa Junior College is inviting students and community members to help create an Earth Day street mural near the campus from 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, April 22. The environmental-themed mural will run along Elliot Avenue between Salem Avenue and Albany Drive in Santa Rosa. Painting materials will be provided and there will be free coffee and pizza courtesy of the Student Government Assembly and Student Life. There will also be an open mic and music throughout the day. Learn more here.

1501 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-527-4011, santarosa.edu

Earth Day in the City of Sonoma, April 22

The City of Sonoma is going all out for this year’s Earth Day celebration. The city is sponsoring a nature photography contest and co-sponsoring a Green Business of the Year Award, in addition to having environmental information tables at the Friday Farmers’ Market from 9 a.m. to noon on April 22 in Depot Park. Other events and learning activities from organizations around the city are listed on the City of Sonoma website here.

Sugarloaf Wildflower Walks, April 22

As part of a “wildflower walks” series, Sugarloaf Ridge State Park will hold an event from 10 a.m. to noon on April 22 where docents take guests on a hike through grasslands and redwood forests to identify dozens of native plants. Tickets are $10, plus parking fee. Participants on this day will meet at the White Barn parking lot and hike along the Meadow-Hillside loop. Hikers should wear comfortable shoes and bring sun protection, water and snacks. Learn more and buy tickets here.

2605 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood, 707-833-5712, sugarloafpark.org

Earth Day Rally for Transit Justice, April 22

The Sunrise Movement of Sonoma County, North Bay Organizing Project and Sonoma County Climate Mobilization will be hosting a transit justice march from 2-4 p.m. on April 22. The march will start at the Santa Rosa Junior College campus and head to the Board of Supervisors offices to demand investment in the local transit system to support increased bus frequency, service hours and more free fare access.

1501 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-933-6837

Earth Day on South A Street, April 22

Ecology-focused artist Mary Vaughan will coordinate a second annual Earth Day celebration composed of art, poems and music on the evening of April 22 on South A Street in Santa Rosa. The event will begin at Cafe Frida with open mic readings from 5-6 p.m., followed by an Earth Day art stroll through galleries, studios and shops on South A Street from 6-8 p.m. Learn more about the event here.

300 South A St., Santa Rosa, 707-508-9196

Earth Day Vintage Clothing Popup, April 22-23

Healdsburg vintage store One Hundred Chapters Vintage Clothing is teaming up with the eco-friendly h2hotel for a vintage clothing popup in honor of Earth Day from 1-5 p.m. April 22-23. There will be a unique selection of beautiful garments from all eras for guests to browse and purchase. The popup will be held in the h2hotel lobby.

219 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-431-2202, h2hotel.com

Earth Days in Sonoma Valley with the Sonoma Ecology Center, April 22-24

The nonprofit Sonoma Ecology Center will host and sponsor a number of events throughout Earth Day weekend, April 22-24, including plant walks at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, a star party at Robert Ferguson Observatory and volunteer opportunities at Sonoma Garden Park. Find the times and dates of these events here.

Creek Cleanups in Sonoma, April 23

There will be two Sonoma County Regional Parks-sponsored creek cleanups on April 23 for those interested in helping to remove litter and other debris from important watersheds. Creek cleanups will be held at Maxwell Farms Regional Park and Larson Park in Sonoma, both from 9 a.m. to noon. Tools, gloves, materials, snacks and drinks will be provided, though volunteers are encouraged to bring their own water and snacks. It’s also recommended that participants dress in layers and bring a hat and/or sunscreen. Participants will be required to meet in the parking lot of either park for a brief safety talk and to pick up supplies. Registration is required.

Earth Day Creek Clean Up: Maxwell Farms

To volunteer for creek cleanup at Maxwell Farms Regional Park, register here.

100 Verano Ave., Sonoma

Earth Day Creek Clean Up: Larson Park

To volunteer for creek cleanup at Larson Park, register here.

329 DeChene Ave., Sonoma

Earth Day with Laguna Stewards at Colgan Creek, April 23

The Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation will host a community cleanup and restoration event for Earth Day from 9 a.m. to noon on April 23 at Colgan Creek in Santa Rosa. Participants will help weed, water, remove debris and nurture new native plants. The event is free to attend but registration is required. Register on EventBrite.

2920 Dutton Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-527-9277, lagunafoundation.org

Earth Day at Safari West, April 23

An Earth Day adventure awaits at our local Sonoma Serengeti as Safari West prepares fun excursions and a host of special guests from organizations that are working to conserve animal species around the world. Visitors to the Santa Rosa wildlife preserve can meet and learn about the special guests on the Safari West lawn from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 23. Check out the list of participating organizations here.

3115 Porter Creek Road, Santa Rosa, 707-579-2551, safariwest.com

Earth Day in Downtown Santa Rosa, April 23

The city of Santa Rosa will celebrate Earth Day with eco-friendly activities and live performances from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 23, at Old Courthouse Square. Activities will highlight zero waste, green energy, water conservation and other environmentally focused themes. Santa Rosa Recreation & Parks will host games and crafts for kids, Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition will provide free valet bicycle parking and performing arts group ZunZun will provide musical entertainment. Learn more about the Earth Day celebration in Santa Rosa here.

Before the celebration, there will be a creek cleanup from 9-11 a.m. on the Greenway in Santa Rosa. Volunteers will meet at the Olive Park footbridge, near 105 Orange Street, and are encouraged to bring water, snacks and weather-appropriate clothing. Contact Kellen Johnston at 543-3947 or kjohnston@srcity.org to learn more and get involved.

Earth Day at Charles M. Schulz Museum, April 23

The Charles M. Schulz Museum will celebrate Earth Day with recycled arts and crafts from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 23. Participants can create bird feeders, bracelets, pet toys and more from recycled materials, and Native Californian basket weaver Corine Pearce will teach how her work celebrates the earth.

2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa, 707-579-4452, schulzmuseum.org

Earth Day Tasting Flights at Buena Vista Winery, April 23-24

Buena Vista Winery will celebrate Earth Day with special tasting flights from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. April 23-24. Guests can explore the vineyard while learning about the estate’s organic vineyard practices and enjoying sustainably grown wines. Bar tasting is $25, seated tasting is $35 and both tastings are free for club members. Reserve Earth Day tastings on Tock.

18000 Old Winery Road, Sonoma, 800-926-1266, buenavistawinery.com

Earth Day Trash Cleanup in Windsor, April 24

In honor of Earth Day, the Town of Windsor’s Storm Water Program team will host a community trash cleanup event from 1-3 p.m. on April 24. Volunteers will meet at the corner of Hembree and Victory lanes in Windsor to pick up litter along sidewalks, streets and creeks. Safety vests, trash pickers, gloves and bags will be provided, but participants are encouraged to wear comfortable, closed-toed shoes and sun protection. Volunteers will receive refreshments and a free T-shirt. Register for this free event on EventBrite.

Hembree Lane and Victory Lane, Windsor, 707-838-5385

Volunteer

There are a wealth of parks, preserves and environmental organizations to volunteer at in Sonoma County, with work duties ranging from trail restoration to litter and invasive plant species removal. Here’s where you can volunteer your time this upcoming Earth Day, and any other day of the year, across the county.

Daily Acts: Petaluma-based nonprofit with a holistic approach toward environmental health with a mission to inspire transformative action to create climate resilient communities. 707-789-9664, dailyacts.org/volunteer

Forest Unlimited: Forestville organization aiming to protect, enhance and restore the forests and watersheds of Sonoma County. 707-632-6070, forestunlimited.org/take-action/volunteer-for-forest-unlimited

Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation: Santa Rosa nonprofit focused on restoring and conserving the Laguna de Santa Rosa and surrounding wetlands. 707-527-9277, lagunafoundation.org/volunteer.html

LandPaths: Santa Rosa-based organization dedicated to fostering a love of the land in Sonoma County through stewardship and outdoor experiences. 707-544-7284, landpaths.org/participate

Pepperwood Preserve: Santa Rosa biological preserve with a mission to inspire conservation and care of the earth through science. 707-591-9310, pepperwoodpreserve.org/volunteer

Russian Riverkeeper: Healdsburg-based nonprofit dedicated to protecting the Russian River. 707-433-1958, russianriverkeeper.org/volunteer

Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District: Ag + Open Space works to protect the county’s open spaces, agricultural lands and natural resources. 707-565-7360, sonomaopenspace.org/get-involved/volunteer-patrol

Sonoma County Conservation Action: Grassroots political organizing group working to ensure there’s environmental representation in Sonoma County government. 707-571-8566, conservationaction.org/get-involved

Sonoma County Regional Parks: More than 50 parks and beaches across the county offering camping, hiking and biking trails, bird watching, horseback riding, swimming and fishing to the public. 707-565-2041, parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/learn/support/volunteer

Sonoma Land Trust: Santa Rosa-based nonprofit organization working to conserve scenic, natural, agricultural and open landscapes for the future generations of Sonoma County. 707-526-6930, sonomalandtrust.org/outings.

Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods: Nonprofit environmental organization working with California State Parks in the Russian River District to cultivate land stewardship, establish environmental education programs and restore local natural habitats. 707-869-9177, stewardscr.org/volunteer-opportunities

Find more local organizations and nonprofits to volunteer with or donate to on the Sonoma County Conservation Council’s directory of environmental groups.

Places to buy plants, produce and garden supplies

Celebrate Earth Day in your own backyard by planting native plants to feel one with nature and aid pollinators. There’s an abundance of farms and nurseries in Sonoma County where you can get plants and seeds, gardening supplies, boxes of sustainably sourced produce and more.

MIX Garden
1531 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-433-4327, mixgarden.com

Prickett’s Nursery
Locations in Healdsburg and Santa Rosa, prickettsnursery.com

King’s Nursery
1212 13th St., Santa Rosa, 707-542-4782, kingsflowernursery.com

Bennett Valley Gardens
2780 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-569-8624, bennettvalleygardens.com

Swede’s Feeds
9140 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, 707-833-5050, swedesfeeds.com

Flatbed Farm
13450 Sonoma Highway 12, Glen Ellen, flatbedfarm.com

Sonoma Mission Gardens
851 Craig Ave., Sonoma, 707-938-5775, sonomamissiongardens.com

Wine Country Garden Center
21095 Broadway, Sonoma, 707-938-2727, winecountrygardencenter.com

Sonoma Valley Wholesale Nursery
19655 Arnold Dr., Sonoma, 707-732-8019, sonomavalleynursery.com

Petaluma Bounty
1500 Petaluma Blvd. South, Petaluma, 707-775-3663, petalumabounty.org

Petaluma Seed Bank
110 Petaluma Blvd. North, Petaluma, 707-773-1336, rareseeds.com/petaluma-seed-bank

Cottage Gardens of Petaluma
3995 Emerald Drive, Petaluma, 707-781-9365, cottagegardensofpet.com

Harmony Farm Supply & Nursery
Locations in Petaluma and Sebastopol, 707-823-9125, harmonyfarm.com

Check out more specialty nurseries in Sonoma County.

Beyond Sonoma County

For those wishing to explore the bountiful lands beyond Sonoma County this Earth Day, here’s where to celebrate and volunteer in neighboring counties.

Napa County

Earth Day Napa Community Cleanup

The Napa County Resource Conservation District will host a community cleanup across the county from 9-11 a.m. on Sunday, April 24. Participants should wear sturdy shoes, dress in layers and bring a full water bottle. Volunteers are also encouraged to bring their own bucket, gloves and trash grabber, though some tools and materials will be available to share. See the list of cleanup sites and register to volunteer here.

Earth Day Napa 2020 Festival

The Environmental Education Coalition of Napa County will hold its annual Earth Day celebration featuring music, dancing and dozens of environmentally focused exhibitors from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 24, at the Oxbow Commons in Napa. All proceeds benefit the coalition’s Field Trip Bus Grant Program and the Darcy Aston Scholarship. A water bottle refilling station will be provided and the Napa Bike Coalition will host a free bike valet. Learn more here.

Mendocino County

Earth Day Celebration at Mendocino Headlands

The Mendocino Area Parks Association and the Mendocino Mermaids will host a “Park Prescription” Earth Day celebration at the Mendocino Headlands State Park from 1-4 p.m. on April 22. There will be a park clean-up, open-air paint class, dance party, face painting booth, Ayurveda talk and breathing class. Guests will meet at the Ford House Visitor Center and Museum. Learn more here.

707-937-4700, 45035 Main St., Mendocino

Earth Day at BARRA of Mendocino

Barra of Mendocino Organic Wines is celebrating Earth Day with a weekend of giveaways, wine tastings and furry friends. There will be a “Wags and Wines” fundraiser and pet adoption event with the Humane Society for Inland Mendocino County in addition to Earth Day giveaways and treats from Slam Dunk Food Truck from noon to 3 p.m. on April 23 in the tasting room.

7051 North State St., Redwood Valley, 707-485-0322, barraofmendocino.com