Grocers and Lifestyles
Now the big boys are vying for your natural food dollar
Cover Story
Grocers and lifestyles
H umboldt County is a “natural” sort of place. And we’re not just talking forests, rivers, seashores and mountains — when it comes to food, we’re ahead of the curve on the suddenly hip natural trend. We have fruit and vegetable farmers who have been completely organic for decades, dairies and cattle ranchers producing grass-fed…
‘Nancy Drew’ bland, but ‘Valet’ delicious
Previews Opening Friday, June 22, is the next film that is no doubt destined to top the weekend box office: Evan Almighty . A sort of sequel to 2003’s Bruce Almighty , Morgan Freeman is back as God, but Jim Carrey has been replaced by Steve Carell as God’s lackey — uh, Earthly representative, or…
Drunk and stoned
In case you missed it, there’s been a fascinating little war of words over marijuana, prohibition and murder playing itself out in the pages of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat over the last few days. On June 10, the Press Democrat carried a long feature by Ukiah-based reporter Glenda Anderson about a region-wide upswing in…
Cheap and green?
In more than two dozen California communities, city and county governments are seeking to take control of their local electricity systems under a new state public power law. Could it happen here? This weekend, Paul Fenn, the chief architect of the new public power strategy, will share his vision at a conference and open meeting.…
Castles in the Sand
I had no idea how far sand sculpture had come until Carol Vander Meer contacted me about the Friends of the Dunes annual Sand Sculpture Festival. She suggested googling "sand sculpture" to see what kinds of things people are creating with this earthy medium. Warning: These are not the plastic bucket sandcastles you made when…
Being prepared
"What’s the worst that could happen?" Alarm bells ring whenever I hear these words uttered. Yes, there are times when you find yourself in situations while exploring the wilds that you have no choice. Go for it! Do or die time! It’s a good day to die! I wouldn’t say I seek these moments out…
Dirty, dog-eared — A tour through time-tested recipe books
Quick. What recipe is on the dirtiest, most dog-eared page of your favorite cookbook? And how old is that book? I’ve been thinking recently about cookbooks, old and new. A few weeks ago the San Francisco Chronicle published an article on the 25th anniversary of The Silver Palate Cookbook , a collection of recipes, menus…
Surf’s Up
Dennis Wilson once said, “Brian Wilson is the Beach Boys. We are his messengers.” Brian Douglas Wilson, the principal songwriter, producer, arranger, composer, architect and mastermind behind the Beach Boys , turned 65 on Tuesday, June 20, just two days after the birthday of one of his primary musical rivals and equals — Sir Paul…
