Page 379 – Sonoma Magazine

10 Local Host and Hostess Gift Ideas for Fall

November 2016

By Adrienne Shubin

Have you been invited to a dinner party, open house, or family celebration this fall and are stumped for what to bring as a host or hostess gift? I have 10 gift ideas that will make any host or hostess happy you were put on the guest list!

Blooming Teas
Tea lovers will be delighted with this gift: a heat resistant wine glass and three blooming teas, each enclosed in a colorful silk fortune cookie, from The Taste of Tea in Healdsburg. This gift comes wrapped in silk!

Blooming Teas Gift Set, The Taste of Tea, $42.
The Taste of Tea, 109 North Street, Healdsburg, CA 95448, (707) 431-1995, thetasteoftea.com

A Hand Crafted Scented Candle
This hand-crafted soy candle from Chateau Sonoma will add ambiance, charm and a lovely scent to your hosts’ home. Called “Eau de Chateau”, the scent is based on what people experience when they enter the shop, which is located at Cornerstone in Sonoma.

Hand-Crafted Soy Candle in Eau de Chateau Scent, Chateau Sonoma, $36
Chateau Sonoma, 23588 Arnold Dr, Sonoma, CA 95476, (707) 935-8553, chateausonoma.com

pumpkin soap and towels — Photo Credit: Sur la Table

Pumpkin Spice Hand Soap and Autumn Kitchen Towels
Bring the fragrance of autumn into your hosts’ kitchen with this Pumpkin Spice natural hand soap with cinnamon and nutmeg scents. Add a pair of these darling cotton-linen blend towels featuring a pumpkin design. Both products are exclusive to Sur la Table and available at their Montgomery Village location.

Pumpkin Spice Hand Soap, $12.95, Pumpkin Kitchen Towels, $10 each
Sur La Table, 2323 Magowan Dr, Santa Rosa, CA 95405, (707) 566-9820, surlatable.com

A Tin Full of Cookies
Who doesn’t love a delicious cookie? This “Premium Variety Tin,” filled with 30 delectable cookies from Cookie…take a bite!, is a sure-to-please gift for your hosts. Cookie…take a bite! is a boutique bakery based in Sonoma County. Their “Premium Variety Tin” includes the bakery’s award-winning “Sonoma Trekker” cookie with cashews and cranberries. Sounds like the perfect cookie for fall!

Premium Variety Tin with 30 Cookies, Cookie…take a bite!, $35
Cookie …take a bite! products are available for purchase online, and at Oliver’s Market in Cotati and Santa Rosa. You can taste these Sonoma County-made cookies at a variety of local cafés, community markets and movie theaters.

A Box of Chocolate Truffles
Chocolate lovers may try to bypass the main course and skip right to dessert when this box of fruity Harvest Blend truffles is presented. This assortment of 12 creamy truffles includes raspberry, orange, apricot and dark chocolate flavors. Wine Country Chocolates’ Truffles are formed, hand-pressed and carefully covered in a generous amount of dark chocolate, making them irresistibly delicious. Hopefully your hosts will want to share!

Wine Country Chocolates, Harvest Blend, 12-pieces, $23
Wine Country Chocolates, 14301 Arnold Dr, Glen Ellen, CA 95442, (707) 996-1010, winecountrychocolates.com

Bring a Pie, Gift the Dish
Bake a pumpkin pie for your hosts in this festive ceramic pie dish from The Martha Stewart Collection at Macy’s – and let them keep the dish. Include your own pumpkin pie recipe or use Martha’s, which is printed inside the plate!

Martha Stewart Pumpkin Pie Dish, Macy’s, $19.99
Macy’s Santa Rosa Plaza, 800 Santa Rosa Plaza, Santa Rosa, CA 95401, (707) 523-3333
Macy’s Coddingtown Mall, 555 Coddingtown Center, Santa Rosa, CA 95401, (707) 579-3333

A DIY Succulent Arrangement
Most of us would agree that a handmade gift can be the most meaningful present. This DIY Pumpkin succulent arrangement is not only a beautiful addition to any fall table but it’s fun to make too. Follow the detailed, and easy, instructions for making your own here.

Find Mini Pumpkins at most grocery stores this time of year or visit your favorite Sonoma County pumpkin patch. Buy succulents at Prickett’s Nursery (prices vary). Find the other materials at Village Art Supply or Michael’s on Santa Rosa Avenue.

A Bottle of Wine and a Handy Wine Accessory
Heading to a dinner party at the home of your favorite wine lovers? Pick out a great wine for fall – perhaps an earthy Pinot Noir or a jammy Zinfandel – and include a pack of Harvest Colors Wine Glass Writers from Marin County. These handy pens are made with non-toxic ink that stays on for the life of the party, then washes off with soapy water. Your hosts will not only appreciate guests keeping track of their wine glasses, saving wine and time re-washing wine glasses, but they can add more entertainment to your evening. Encourage your fellow guests to get creative with their Wine Glass Writers!

Wine Glass Writer, Harvest Fall Colors, $9.95

A Cookbook
To say that local TV personality and self-proclaimed “Cook-A-Holic” Laurie Figone loves to cook is an understatement. Laurie regularly competes in cooking and recipe competitions for which she has won several national and international awards. Her cookbook is the ideal host or hostess gift for the home cook or aspiring chef and includes 30 of Laurie’s most loved recipes.

Cooking With Laurie Figone, $25

Premium Artisan Coffee
If your hosts are coffee aficionados, they will love sipping on Carta Coffee Merchants 100% Kona coffee. Carta Coffee, based in Kona, has its roots in Sonoma County. Founder Scott Burr purchased a coffee farm last year after spending two decades in Sonoma County as a wine expert and consultant. Scott has applied the knowledge and skills he gained from his career in the wine industry to Kona coffee growing and roasting. He sustainably produces handcrafted 100% Kona Coffee that is sold online, right from the farm, lowering the cost of this premium, small batch coffee.

Carta Coffee Merchants, $22- $47

Our Favorite Holiday Hike in Sonoma County

November 2016

By Sonoma Magazine Staff

Helen Putnam Regional Park. (Photo Courtesy shiftingthebalance.com)

Hiking Helen Putnam Regional Park near Petaluma is an antidote to a gluttonous Thanksgiving meal and a month of sweet December indulgences.

A looped trail system lets hikers create walks of varying lengths and difficulty, making Putnam an excellent choice for beginning hikers looking for an opportunity to burn some calories. The six miles of trails are also open to cyclists and horseback riders. A large fishing pond is stocked with feisty bluegill, and a gazebo, picnic area and playground are near the parking lot. The energetic, and the not-so-much, will be happy here; even bring the dog (licensed and leashed, of course).

The 216-acre park has eight well-marked trails that weave through grassy hillsides and groves of heritage oaks. Ridgetop trails provide panoramic views of Petaluma, the southern Sonoma countryside and Chileno Valley in Marin County.

All this beauty and fitness potential costs just $7 per vehicle in the parking lot. 411 Chileno Valley Road, Petaluma, 707-539-8092, parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov

Looking for more holiday hiking? On Friday, November 25, you can hike all Sonoma County state parks for free.

Don’t Miss: Get Into 116 California State Parks for Free

November 2016

By Derek Moore

Explore the hiking trails in Annadel State Park. — Explore the hiking trails in Annadel State Park in Santa Rosa.

Sonoma County’s coast, redwood forests, stunning mountain vistas and historic homes and barracks will be free to visit the day after Thanksgiving — but only for those who act fast to take advantage of the inaugural Green Friday promotion.

California State Parks has teamed up with two advocacy groups to offer 13,000 passes good for free admission and parking at 116 of the state’s 279 state parks on Nov. 25. Nearly every state park in Sonoma County is on the list, including the Sonoma Coast State Park, Trione-Annadel State Park in Santa Rosa, Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve near Guerneville, Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen and Sonoma State Historic Park.

Commemorate Jack London on the 100th centennial of his death by visiting Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen.

The event is the perfect antidote to Thanksgiving gluttony, officials said, and maybe a way to steer the family conversation away from controversial subjects, such as the recent presidential election.

A full list of participating parks is at www.greenfriday.org, which is also the site where people can download and print out passes.

Online distribution began at noon Wednesday and will continue on a first-come, first-served basis based on each park’s capacity. Only one pass is needed per vehicle.

Take a "forest bath" in Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Preserve. (Photo by Kent Porter) — Take a “forest bath” in Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Preserve.

Most state parks in Sonoma County charge between $7 and $8 for parking. Sonoma State Historic Park is the only park included in the Green Friday promotion that charges admission fees of $3 for adults and $2 for children.

The first-ever Green Friday promotion grew out of similar events aimed at getting people outdoors after Thanksgiving. For the second year in a row, retailer REI will be closed Nov. 25 to give 12,000 employees a paid day off. The company has encouraged others to jump on board the #OptOutside campaign.

Popularly known as the Islands in the Sky, The serenity of Ithe Willow Creek addition to Sonoma Coast State Park is not lost to a snoozing hiker.

For Green Friday, Save the Redwoods League and the California State Parks Foundation are splitting the $130,000 cost representing the amount of lost revenue in parking and day-use fees for that day.

The Redwoods League last year doled out 5,000 passes to 48 parks where the majestic trees are a prominent feature. The group is now hoping to make Green Friday an annual event.

“Most importantly, we want to inspire people to reconsider how they spend that special family day,” said Sam Hodder, president and CEO of the Redwoods League.

Of the 279 sites in the state park system, 171 charge fees. Admission to the others is free. Jack London and Armstrong Redwoods will be offering special events and activities Nov. 25 in addition to the free access for pass-holders.

Organizers are asking the public to share their experiences on social media using the hashtags #GreenFriday and #CAStateParks.

Nature-Inspired Jewelry From Michelle Hoting in Santa Rosa

November 2016

By Adrienne Shubin

Fern Necklace by MIchelle Hoting. Photo Credit: Michelle Hoting

Few objects symbolize the beauty of autumn better than fall leaves. Rarely do we examine a leaf’s intricacies – its veins, curves, ridges and imperfections. But study a fallen leaf up close and you may agree that they are nature’s works of art. That is how Santa Rosa jewelry artist and organic metal sculptor, Michelle Hoting, views leaves, petals, acorns and other flora found here in Sonoma County and in her travels.

michelle-hoting-autumn-oak-necklace-3 — Autumn Oak Necklace by Michelle Hoting. (Photo courtesy of Michelle Hoting)

Eucalyptus Lariat Necklace by Michelle Hoting. (Photo courtesy of Michelle Hoting)

Michelle Hoting designs distinctive wearable art – for every season – in her Santa Rosa studio and is among the artists selected to participate in Sonoma County Art Trails 2016 Open Studios, beginning October 8th.

Natural leaves are one of Hoting’s favorite subjects when creating her one-of-a-kind pieces, inspired by her love for nature and the outdoors.

Michelle Hoting Grape Leaf Bracelet — Grape Leaf Cuff by Michelle Hoting. (Photo courtesy of Michelle Hoting)

Using leaves from oak and ginkgo trees, grapevines, sage leaves and other flora that catches her eye, Hoting carefully and meticulously casts these delicate items in her studio with a special technique she developed.

Michelle Hoting Gingko Neckpiece — Gingko Neckpiece. (Photo by Adrienne Shubin)

Grape Leaf and tendril chain Necklace. Recycled Fine Silver, Sterling. (Photo courtesy of Michelle Hoting) — Grape Leaf and Tendril Chain Necklace. Recycled Fine Silver, Sterling. (Photo courtesy of Michelle Hoting)

Hoting calls her techinique “Lost Leaf Casting” which uses pure silver Hoting sources from recycled electronics. This technique brings out even the subtlest of details in the leaves. Hoting describes this technique as similar to nature’s way of creating a fossil, only in Hoting’s case it doesn’t take 10,000 years to create, thankfully.

Fern Leaf Necklace by Michelle Hoting. Recycled Fine Silver. (Photo courtesy of Michelle Hoting)

No two pieces of Hoting’s are alike, including her sets of earrings. While they may compliment each other and appear symmetrical on the wearer, they are separate pieces cast from individual leaves.

Oak Earrings by Michelle Hoting. (Photo courtesy of Michelle Hoting)

The day I visited her studio, she was working on casts of two similar ivy leaves that would soon be a pair of earrings. Nearly identical yet with their own characteristics, Hoting has an eye for finding just the right leaves to compliment one another and more importantly, the fortunate wearer.

Ivy Earrings by Michelle Hoting. (Photo by Adrienne Shubin)

Along with her Lost Leaf Casting, Hoting works with gem stones, rocks, antique pieces, and wood. Her career in jewelry has spanned 25 years and includes positions as jeweler for Cartier, manager at Bulgari, and manager of the jewelry repair department of a well-known jewelry firm.

Hoting majored in Geology and Fine Art at The University of Texas at Austin before attending the Gemological Institute of America where she focused her studies on diamond grading and colored stone identification. She also studied metalsmithing at the Glassell School of Art.

Michelle Hoting Peony Brooch — Peony Brooch by Michelle Hoting. (Photo courtesy of Michelle Hoting)

Originally from Texas, Hoting moved to Santa Rosa with her husband four years ago. It was then that she decided to pursue a career that unites her love for nature and the outdoors, her finely honed jewelry making skills and her passion for art.

Michelle Hoting moth necklace — Moth Necklace by Michelle Hoting. (Photo courtesy of Michelle Hoting)

Today Hoting is an accomplished and much sought after artist with a thriving business and many returning customers who collect her pieces.

Agate Drop Earrings by Michelle Hoting. (Photo by Adrienne Shubin)

Stop by Michelle Hoting’s studio-boutique during Sonoma County Art Trails Open Studio event at 321 Buena Vista Dr. Santa Rosa, CA, October 8-9 and 15-16, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hoting’s Art Trails location is #124

Visit the Sonoma County Art Trails website for maps and more information about the artists participating in this free self-guided artists tour.

You can also visit Michelle’s workshop by appointment by calling 707-791-4680 or shop pieces from her collection at Corrick’s on Fourth Street in downtown Santa Rosa. michellehoting.com

8 Fun Things to Do This Thanksgiving Weekend

November 2016

By Sonoma Magazine Staff

In case you’d like to put down the fork and TV remote for a while this Thanksgiving weekend, and get yourself (or your relatives) out of the house, here are a few fun things to do in Sonoma County:

Take a Hike

Walk off that extra helping of pumpkin pie (or the heated political discussion with your ultra-conservative uncle) while enjoying the natural beauty of Sonoma County. Popular local parks with panoramic views include Annadel State Park (also a mountain bike destination), Taylor Mountain Regional Park (which features disc golf), Hood Mountain Regional Park, Sugarloaf Ridge State Park and Sonoma Coast State Park. Or take a contemplative walk in real Japanese Shinrin-Yoku (forest bathing) style at Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve. Just make sure you arrive here early — the un-silenced smartphone selfie and segway crowd tends to have a disruptive influence on zen.

Catch a Concert

What better way to get in the holiday spirit than with some festive music? The world renowned Vienna Boys Choir will perform classical Christmastime pieces, including Schubert’s Ave Maria and Wade’s O Come, All Ye Faithful, at Weill Hall on Sunday, November 27.

The Vienna Boys Choir will perform classical Christmastime pieces at Weill Hall, Green Music Center, on Sunday, November 27. (Photo courtesy of the Green Music Center)

Also on November 27, the acclaimed San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus will return to the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts for the third year with their popular show “Home For The Holidays,” featuring classic holiday favorites and a lot of humor.

The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus performs "Home for the Holidays" at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts on November 27. — The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus performs “Home for the Holidays” at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts on November 27. (Photo courtesy of San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus)

See a Stage Performance

If you didn’t already get your dose of drama at the Thanksgiving table, you can enjoy a real “holiday circus spectacle” at Le Cirque de Bohème at Cornerstone Sonoma, November 25-27, watch a bitter hateful man transform into a kinder gentler version in “A Christmas Carol” at 6th Street Playhouse, November 25-27, or see a savage comedy about a family in feud following a funeral in Joshua Harmon’s critically acclaimed play “Bad Jews” at Left Edge Center, Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, November 25-27.

Scrooge (Charles Siebert) with Tiny Tim (James Coté) — Scrooge (Charles Siebert) and Tiny Tim (James Coté) will take the stage at 6th Street Playhouse in Santa Rosa, November 25-27. (Photo courtesy of 6th Street Playhouse)

Watch Trees and Tractors Being Lit

If you’re dreaming of a white California Christmas, you can watch bright lights being lit during a number of local tree lighting celebrations, including Winter Lights – Downtown Santa Rosa Tree Lighting on November 25, the Geyserville Tree Lighting and Tractor Parade on November 26 (5-8 p.m.), and the Forestville Holiday Tree Lighting on November 27 (4 p.m. to dusk). Or see the 100,000 sparkling lights at the Historic Sonoma Plaza.

Antlers were added, Saturday Nov. 24, 2012, to a gravel truck prior to the Geyserville tractor parade . The parade included farm equipment, fire trucks and tractor trailer rigs. (Kent Porter / Press Democrat) 2012 Kent Porter — Antlers on a gravel truck at the Geyserville Tree Lighting and Tractor Parade. (Photo by Kent Porter)

Experience the Peanut Version of Family Fun

Get ready for a real whimsical weekend in the company of Charlie Brown, Snoopy and Co as cartoonist and storyteller Joe Wos performs “Once Upon a Toon” skits and cartoon workshops for kids of all ages at the Charles M. Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa, November 25-26. And don’t forget to get your skates on, and pose for a selfie with Snoopy, at the Redwood Empire Ice Arena.

Chisa Tatsumi, left, and Sakiko Yazawa, tourists from Japan, pose as their friend, Yuka Shimada, takes their photo with Snoopy at the Redwood Empire Ice Arena in Santa Rosa, on Wednesday, November 4, 2015. (BETH SCHLANKER — Chisa Tatsumi, left, and Sakiko Yazawa, tourists from Japan, pose as their friend, Yuka Shimada, takes their photo with Snoopy at the Redwood Empire Ice Arena in Santa Rosa. (Photo by Beth Schlanker)

How to Create a Stunning Thanksgiving Table Setting

November 2016

By Adrienne Shubin

For most of us, Thanksgiving is about gathering around the table with family and friends, enjoying food and each other’s company while giving thanks. Why not make the day – and the meal – even more special and create a stunning fall table-scape your guests will adore?

ThanksgivingStyledShoot-170 — Photo Credit: Sarah Deragon

Brittany Bijan, owner of Sonoma-based Harlin & Sparrow Design, shares her expert tips, accompanied by photos taken by Sonoma photographer Sarah Deragon, for how to turn ordinary table decor into a table scape your guests will swoon over!

ThanksgivingStyledShoot-79 — Photo Credit: Sarah Deragon

Simplicity: “First,” Brittany tell us, “keep things simple. Thanksgiving is about being with your loved ones, so don’t stress too much over the table decor.”

ThanksgivingStyledShoot-15 — Photo Credit: Sarah Deragon

Add Color: Brittany suggests using fall colors throughout the table decor and says, “Use various shades of browns, yellows and burgundies for an autumn table. These colors make for a rich looking table scape. ”

ThanksgivingStyledShoot-136 — Photo Credit: Sarah Deragon

Borrow from nature: Like floral designer Jaclyn of Jaclyn K. Nesbitt Designs in the previous post, Brittany also suggests using elements from nature in fall table scapes, “I like to use leaves and wood, and even fall fruit in my table designs.”

ThanksgivingStyledShoot-103 — Photo Credit: Sarah Deragon

DON’T FORGET THE NECESSITIES

Brittany reminds us to not forget the essentials and says, “Think about what you will be serving and make sure you have all the necessary stemware, flatware and plate ware.”

ThanksgivingStyledShoot-198 — Photo Credit: Sarah Deragon

PIECE IT ALL TOGETHER

“Once you have your design in mind, start piecing your items together,” Brittany advises. “You will be pleasantly surprised by what you can pull from your shelves and incorporate into your table scape,” she adds.

FINAL TOUCHES

“Don’t forget the final touches,” Brittany says. She recommends adding candles and floral arrangements to the table, remarking “they are always the way to go!”

ThanksgivingStyledShoot-148 — Photo Credit: Sarah Deragon

MENUS & PLACE CARDS

Brittany teamed up with Sarah Davis of S. Davis Prints, who created beautiful menus and place cards for the table.

BOLD COLOR

Sarah suggests using a bold paper color for your menus and says, “it will add to the richness of the fall colors on the table, and make a great accent on a white table setting.”

ThanksgivingStyledShoot-7 — Photo Credit: Sarah Deragon

ELEVATE YOUR HAND WRITING

Sarah recommends using a calligraphy pen and says, “it’s a nice way to dress up your hand writing for special occasions.”

ThanksgivingStyledShoot-109 — Photo Credit: Sarah Deragon

ADD GREENERY

Sarah suggests adding some greenery or flowers to your place cards and says, “I attached dried florals to these place cards by cutting two slits into the paper to hold the stem. This a fun and simple way to dress up your paper items and each guests place card will be unique! You can add herbs that you might be using in your dishes, or florals and greenery that you’re using on the rest of the table.”

ThanksgivingStyledShoot-25 — Photo Credit: Sarah Deragon

ThanksgivingStyledShoot-174 — Photo Credit: Sarah Deragon

Use these recommendations to take your Thanksgiving table, or any dinner celebration, to the next level. Your guests will be impressed and delighted!

ThanksgivingStyledShoot-73 — Photo Credit: Sarah Deragon

For more tips for designing your Thanksgiving table, check out How to Create a Beautiful Flower Arrangement for Thanksgiving

Flavor Bistro Closes

November 2016

By biteclub

Breaking: Flavor Bistro in downtown Santa Rosa has closed.

A sign on the cafe’s door simply reads:

“To Our Flavor Family
It is our joy to live life together celebrating the good things of Sonoma County.

We are closed.

Let us look forward to gathering at the table and continuing the celebration.

All love and goodness to your hearts,

Your Flavor Family”

A phone call to the restaurant had the same message.
The restaurant was located at 96 Old Courthouse Square.

The restaurant is the second eatery on Courthouse Square to go out of business as the construction to unify the square continues. The first was Seed to Leaf.

(Thanks Gabe Meline)

Guerneville’s Revival Will Be Revived As Pop-Ups

November 2016

By biteclub

Interior of Revival Restaurant in Guerneville. Photo Kelly Puleio

Instead of celebrating a three star review this Sunday, Guerneville’s Revival Restaurant is throwing a pop-up going away party.

Just four months after opening, the critically acclaimed restaurant inside the historic Applewood Inn was unexpectedly shuttered for the winter by the property’s Silicon Valley investors. Restaurateur and managing consultant Crista Luedtke said she got the sad news Wednesday as staff were preparing for Thursday service.

The closure comes as the property undergoes a $1 million renovation and hospitality management change, to be renamed “The Belden” in 2017. But whether that will include Revival “is up in the air,” said Luedtke.

“It’s a really special project. I am incredibly proud of what we created,” said Luedtke. She remains hopeful that “something good will come from this”, and looks forward to the revival of Revival in the spring if new owners want to continue the restaurant concept.

Luedtke hopes to continue the Revival concept as a series of pop-up dinners throughout the winter at various locations throughout the county. “Chef Ben Spiegel absolutely has what it takes to really change the way people experience food. We were doing that at Revival,” she said.

“It’s a tough industry, we choose it because we are passionate about sharing food with people and sharing our story about this community through our food,” she said.

Chef Spiegel echoed the sentiment, saying, “As executive chef, I had the role of building the restaurant, our concept, supplier networks and personnel team with Crista over the last six months. I am totally gutted to hear of the closure. It came as a surprise to me and my staff after months of hard work and positive feedback.”

Adding salt to the already painful wound of the closure, the restaurant was poised to receive a three-star review by San Francisco restaurant critic Michael Bauer this week. The review was pulled, but Bauer wrote an opinion piece lauding the restaurant’s vision and the cuisine of Chef Ben Spiegel, despite the closure.

In a recent profile of the restaurant, The Press Democrat called the cuisine, “A love letter to the fish, fowl and fields of West County, Revival has the potential to redefine farm-to-table and sea-to-table dining in a very real way, not only by serving the food from this unique part of Sonoma County but by weaving a story into every bite.”

“The focus was on sustainability featuring the most local and special products from many of Sonoma County’s small artisan farmers. It was a way for us to showcase the bounty of what this county has to offer, while paying fair prices to farmers for their commitment to the craft and our community as well,” said Luedtke.

In keeping with that dedication to local farmers and producers, Sunday’s pop-up dinner will utilizing all of the restaurants remaining inventory.

“The chefs are committed to what we have built, which is all about a sustainable restaurant. They are not willing to let all the food on hand spoil as it would be irresponsible to our mission,” she said.

That’s still cold comfort to a restaurant staff facing the prospect of being out of work during Sonoma County’s slow tourist season.

“It is coming at a bad time as we approach the winter season in the Greater Russian river community when things naturally slow,” she said. “The business was really strong and numbers were outperforming the prior restaurant in only 4 short months. Bauer’s review would have been perfectly tied for the winter months,” said Luedtke.

She is working to find seasonal or permanent work for employees within her own businesses, which include Boon Hotel + Spa, Boon Eat + Drink, El Barrio and Big Bottom Market in Guerneville, and leveraging relationships with fellow restaurateurs in the area.

“There are so many opportunities to do good things in our community, and I am constantly inspired by the people I get to work with, and those working for me. A revival means to take something new and improve upon it, and we did just that. Good things are already coming out of this, its all in how you look at it,” said Luedtke, whose Big Bottom Market, ironically, recently got a nod from Oprah Winfrey, rocketing their biscuit mix to celebrity status.

“I don’t give up on anything,” she added.

The Revival Pop-Up happens Sunday, with a reservation only pre-fixe tasting menu with 2 seatings: at 5pm and 7:30pm, $75 per person. The dinner will showcase local farmers and purveyors, with staff working for gratuities. Details and reservations here.

5 Beers to Serve at Thanksgiving

November 2016

By Jess Poshepny Vallery

The 5 beers that Matt Fenn, of Beercraft recommends with Thanksgiving dinner.

On the hunt for new beers to enjoy with my classic Thanksgiving dinner, I asked Matt Fenn, local beer expert and co-owner of Beercraft bottle shop and taproom in Rohnert Park, what beers he recommends for Thanksgiving.

Matt and his brother, J.T. Fenn, founded Beercraft over four years ago and opened a new location in Novato earlier this year. Beercraft stocks hundreds of beers in bottle, always refrigerated, and 15 beers on tap. Their stock is constantly rotating and they are always in search of new hard to find beers to bring to their customers – beer lovers can expect to see 20-30 new bottles and 8-10 new beers on tap each week.

Matt Fenn (Left) and J.T. Fenn, owners of Beercraft Rohnert Park and Novato. (Photo from Bite Club Eats) — Matt Fenn (left) and J.T. Fenn, owners of Beercraft Rohnert Park and Novato. (Photo from BiteClub Eats)

Here are Matt’s beer recommendations for Thanksgiving:

“For me, Thanksgiving beers should be big beers and sour beers because I’m hanging out with the family, I’m relaxed, and have a lot of time to enjoy them,” says Matt.

Deschutes Brewery – Collage 2 Conflux Series: A collaboration with Hair of the Dog Brewery, this beer is a blend of The Abyss, The Stoic, Fred, and Doggie Claws beers. It’s aged in American Oak, Rye Whiskey, Pinot, and Cognac barrels. The palate delivers layers of vanilla and caramel with roasted accents.

“This one is kind of fun because it’s not all in spirit barrels, it’s a blend of different wine barrels too. It has a ton going on, it’s warming and will pair nicely with Thanksgiving dishes.”

Allagash Brewing Company – 2016 Interlude Ale: A Belgian-style ale brewed with Saison and (house strain) Brettanomyces yeasts, aged in Pinot Noir barrels. Flavors include white raspberry, grapefruit, and toasted malts.

“Sour beers for me are really great with food. Allagash has a really nice clean, subtle approach, it will enhance the palate instead of crush it”

Modern Times Beer – Haunted Stars: A Rye Imperial Porter with a rich creamy chocolate and spicy malt character.

“This is a great, nice dark beer, not overly strong, and has a nice pop of rye that will go really well with that meal.”

Cascade Brewing Barrel House – Framblanc: A blend of sour Blond and Triple ales that are aged in wine barrels for 15 months with local (Portland) white raspberries.

“Part of this one for me, (it was a toss up between that and Cascade’s Figaro), is that I love white raspberries and I want them with my Thanksgiving dinner.”

AleSmith Brewing – 394 Pale Ale: A golden Pale Ale with American hop flavor and aroma, a subdued bitterness, and a malty sweet finish.

“I love this beer. It’s delicious, it’s light, it’s refreshing. It’s a good hanging out on the couch beer before dinner’s ready, and it comes in a 6-pack so you can share.”

Cheers and Happy Thanksgiving!

Beercrafts Gorilla logo, which you can see from highway 101 in Rohnert Park. (Photo courtesy of Beercraft)

Beercraft, 5704 Commerce Blvd., Rohnert Park, CA 94928, Phone: (707) 206-9440, beercraft.com, @Beercraft

Beercraft, 7388 Redwood Blvd., Novato, CA 94945, Phone: (415) 895-5402, beercraft.com, @BeercraftNovato

How to Create a Beautiful Flower Arrangement for Thanksgiving

November 2016

By Adrienne Shubin

Looking to add a generous pop of color to your Thanksgiving table? I asked Sonoma County floral designer Jaclyn K. Nesbitt, owner of Jaclyn K. Nesbitt Designs, a boutique floral design studio, to share some of her tips for creating a beautiful autumn floral arrangement. Jaclyn’s pointers, along with photos taken by Sonoma photographer Sarah Deragon, are sure to inspire you to make your own floral arrangement.

ThanksgivingStyledShoot-51 — Photo Credit: Sarah Deragon

FORAGE

Jaclyn encourages us to look around us for material and creative inspriation. She tells us, “Use your backyard (or your neighbor’s if they’ll let you!). All of the materials you see in these photos were grown right here in Sonoma County and all of the foliage can be foraged locally. This time of year is all about fall foliage in rusty reds, copper, bronze, gold and deep plum. Here I used maple, smoke bush, and nandina.”

ThanksgivingStyledShoot-208 — Photo Credit: Sarah Deragon

She adds, “For floral, stick with what’s still hanging on locally before winter takes over. This means the last of the dahlias, garden roses, mums, strawflower, and celosia.”

ThanksgivingStyledShoot-56 — Photo Credit: Sarah Deragon

“Chocolate cosmos are at their peak right now, ” she tells us, “and add a velvety richness to the palette.”

ThanksgivingStyledShoot-29 — Photo Credit: Sarah Deragon

ThanksgivingStyledShoot-30 — Photo Credit: Sarah Deragon

DRY

“Throughout the year, consider what might dry well before you toss your old floral arrangements,” Jaclyn suggests. “Here I used dried celosia, strawflower, and poppy pods that I saved throughout the year to add interest and texture to my fall and winter arrangements. Hang your materials upside down to dry, and with our Sonoma County heat, they’ll be perfectly dried in no time. Bonus: dried flowers look beautiful hanging in the kitchen or barn!”

ThanksgivingStyledShoot-1 — Photo Credit: Sarah Deragon

COLOR

“For me,” says Jaclyn, “the fall evokes rich jewel tones that are so decadent I want to eat them up!”

ThanksgivingStyledShoot-204 — Photo Credit: Sarah Deragon

Of her floral designs on this stunning Thanksgiving table, Jaclyn says, “I added just the smallest splash of light with the ivory garden roses to tie into the linens and plates, but overall I kept to a rich, saturated palette. Orange and yellow tend to feel more traditionally ‘Thanksgiving’, so I opted for more berry and chocolate tones: Two of my favorite things to eat.”

ThanksgivingStyledShoot-107 — Photo Credit: Sarah Deragon

ENJOY

Jaclyn reminds us that design and decorating can truly be a joy. “Have fun! Flowers and food go hand in hand,” she tells us. “Let loose, get your hands dirty, and see what happens!”

ThanksgivingStyledShoot-83 — Photo Credit: Sarah Deragon

Thank you to both Jaclyn for her helpful tips and creative inspiration, and to Sarah for the gorgeous photos.

In my next post, I will share even more table decor and entertaining tips for Thanksgiving. Stay tuned!