Local Wineries Make Their Own Histories—by Preserving Their Past

NorthBay biz-8 March 2023

Brion, Three Sticks and Scribe meld the historic with the modern…

There are over 800 wineries in Sonoma County and Napa Valley, many with a rich history that reflects the area’s culture. Sonoma’s winemaking dates back to the early 19th century when Spanish missionaries planted grape vines at San Francisco de Solano, California’s northernmost mission, located in what is now the City of Sonoma. Napa Valley followed when Prussian immigrant Charles Krug established a winery in St. Helena in 1861. Vineyards on lands farmed for generations surround the old wineries. READ MORE

The Call of the Wild

NorthBay biz-4 January 2023

Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue is protecting local fauna one cool critter at a time

Wildlife and humans have coexisted for eons. With much open space to share it worked, until there became more of us and fewer of them. Wildlife face many obstacles—cars, loss of habitats, wildfires and toxins to name a few. Wild creatures need our help. The innovative nonprofit Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue (SWRC) provides that, and so much more. READ ON

Charles Schulz: The Man Behind Charlie Brown

NorthBay biz-15 November 2022

“Charlie Brown is the ultimate loser. That is both his magic and his destiny.”—Charles Schulz, creator, Peanuts.

November 26, 2022 marks the centennial of the birth of Charles M. Schulz, creator of the beloved Peanuts comic strip. It seems his role as a cartoonist was preordained. Two days following Schulz birth in Minneapolis, Minn., an uncle nicknamed him “Sparky” after Spark Plug the racehorse in the comic strip Barney Google. READ MORE.

A Revolutionary Approach

NorthBay biz-12 October 2022

What if there was a fire inhibitor that could stop the advance of a wildfire? What if that inhibitor was non-toxic for the environment? And what if it used less water? That would be revolutionary. READ MORE

For the Love of Goats

NorthBay biz- 14 July 2022

Goat milk is the most widely consumed milk in the world. Interest in the U.S. is relatively new, yet the trend seems to be catching on. Dairy goats showed the largest increase in livestock numbers, growing 61% from 2007 to 2017, according to the latest data available from the U.S. Dairy Association. So what’s driving the surge? READ MORE

Fifty Years of Making Memories

Northbay biz - 1 June 2022

In the mid-1960s, Ellis and Katherine Alden moved from the East Coast to begin new lives in California. Ellis started a law practice in Menlo Park; Katherine programmed mainframe computers. In 1972, they set their careers aside and invested their life savings in a small motor lodge in Bodega Bay. From that humble beginning, the family business grew. The Woodside Hotel Group with 1,000 employees is now the largest manager of independent hotels in Northern California. The business transitioned to the next generation in 2005 when their middle son, Greg Alden, became CEO.

“I remember my parents loading me, my brother and sister in our Volvo station wagon for treks to Bodega Bay. My dad would buy a mattress for one of the rooms and strap it on top of the car,” Alden says. “The lodge was a fun place to hang out. Fishermen would stop by to clean their fish. In front, there was a funky, spinning sign to attract motorists.” READ MORE.

Steward of Salvage

NorthBay biz 31 March 2022

The mural painted by Amandalynn and Lady Mags on the old sheds at the entry to Heritage Salvage is titled, “Harmony in Transformation.” The theme sets the stage for what lies within. Stacks of reclaimed lumber, timber, slabs and architectural elements in the 3-acre yard sit waiting to be reborn. Planks and beams come from an array of sources—Midwest barns, Petaluma chicken coops, Washington State grain elevators and bleachers from a Kansas City school gymnasium. Tags identify the type—cedar, cypress, redwood, fir, pine and hand-hewn. Each piece exhibits the character of wear, the fine grain of old-growth and a rich patina that comes with age. “Our business is all about sustainability and preserving a heritage,” says Michael Bug Deakin, founder of Heritage Salvage. “Using reclaimed wood keeps trees in the ground and history alive.” READ MORE.

The Pairing of Art & Wine

NorthBay biz-March 2022

The “Crouching Spider” sculpture by artist Louise Bourgeois (photo courtesy of Donum Estates)

There are more than 800 wineries in Sonoma and Napa counties. Small family-run businesses and international conglomerates compete to carve out a niche in the crowded field. Scattered throughout the countryside, wineries can be found in farmhouses, caves, castles and faux French chateaus. Others incorporate contemporary architecture with breathtaking views of the hills and vineyards. Some offer gourmet food pairings with a wine tasting experience. Others cater to families with bocce ball courts and picnic tables. Those with limited production take pride in their exclusivity. A few have curated art collections reflective of their owner’s passion. READ MORE.

Always There for the Children

NorthBay biz- January 2022

There are nearly 437,000 children in the foster care system in the United States, and 60,000 of those reside in California. On any given day in Sonoma County, there are 50 to 75 abandoned, neglected, or abused children and teens in need of a safe place to live. Many will transition into adulthood without the tools and support they need.

The Valley of the Moon Children’s Foundation—a private, nonprofit organization—was formed in 1996 to address the need. Over the years, the foundation has raised $6 million for the construction of a new emergency foster care center, awarded more than $1million in scholarships, supported costs of operating a foster care dental clinic, established a critical needs fund and helped other nonprofits working with youth. READ MORE.

Celebrating Asian-American Business in Sonoma County

NorthBay biz- November 2021

The United States has more immigrants than any other place in the world. In fact, more than 40 million people living in the U.S. were born in another country. That population is diverse with almost every country represented. According to a recent Pew Research Study, approximately two-thirds of Americans say immigrants strengthen the country with their hard work and their talents. Yet over the past few years, portions of that population have been subjected to discrimination and racial prejudice—Asian Americans in particular.

Sonoma County is indebted to its Asian American immigrants. The county’s agricultural roots can be traced back to their arrival in the late 1800s. Their skills in farming, grape growing, pruning and winemaking led to the modern-day wine industry. And they continue to contribute to the local economy and community in many ways. READ MORE.

Where Are The Workers?

NorthBay biz- August 2021

The COVID-19 induced recession centered on the services sector, leisure and hospitality in particular. With approximately 25% of local economies tied to tourism, businesses shuttered and thousands of workers were laid off. Now those companies are struggling to reopen, as positions remain unfilled and businesses are operating at less than full capacity. Though the national unemployment rate dropped from a peak of 14.8% in May 2020 to 6.1% in April of this year, the workforce is still 8.1 million below pre-pandemic levels. This corresponds to local trends. California Employment Development Department (EDD) data shows unemployment in Northern California peaked in May last year at 13.4% and now down to 5.3% as of May. And yet there are thousands of job openings. So what happened to all the workers? READ MORE

Gearing Up for the Outdoors

NorthBay biz-Special Edition-April 2021

The pandemic has driven more people than ever to seek the benefits of the great outdoors.

As restaurants, movie theaters and malls shuttered, many sought refuge in nature and the great outdoors. Long mistreated with polluted air, deforestation and oceans of plastic, Mother Nature was there when humankind needed her most. With the pandemic lasting longer than many anticipated, thousands flocked to the solace and safety of campsites, hiking trails and deserted beaches. Will this renewed discovery and appreciation of nature last post-pandemic? Many think it will. READ MORE.

Jack London: Man & Myth

NorthBay biz February 2021

An internationally-acclaimed American author, Jack London was also an adventurer and passionate sustainable farmer

Born in 1876, Jan. 12, marks the 145th anniversary of Jack London’s birth—an event that almost didn’t happen. His mother, Flora Wellman, pregnant and unwed, twice attempted suicide. The father, William Chaney, denied the baby was his and left town. Unable to provide nourishment, Wellman gave the baby to Jenny Prentiss, an ex-slave from Tennessee, to wet nurse. The child lived with Prentiss and her family in Oakland for three years, and off and on between homes for several years thereafter. An active infant, he reminded Prentiss of a jack-in-the-box. She called him “Jackie.” According to Jack, she was like a second mother, the only one who showed him love and affection. Their bond lasted a lifetime. Copies of his books he gave her are inscribed from “your son.”

Eight months following the baby’s birth, Wellman married John London, a Civil War veteran, carpenter and widower with two young daughters. He provided Jack with a new surname. Until age 20, Jack believed John London was his biological father. He tracked down Chaney and they exchanged letters. Chaney continued to deny paternity.

From this fragile beginning, Jack would go on to become a famous writer, an adventurer and a sustainable farmer. The pursuits often overlapped, one influencing the other. London’s successes came amidst hardship and challenges that would have deterred any ordinary man. READ MORE

A Woman on a Mission

NorthBay Biz- December 2020

“Ready for Whatever” is the mantra of the The HALTER Project. The Glen Ellen, CA based program is all about awareness and being prepared. It’s about saving pets, equines, livestock and ourselves. Rampant wildfires have become the norm in California. More than 4 million acres of land burned in the state in 2020.making that the worst year on record. Name like Atlas Peak, Tubbs, Nuns, KIncade and Glass, and scenes of homes ablaze are forever etched in our minds. There will be more. And residents need to be ready. HALTER can help with that. READ MORE.

How to Save a Park Broadway Style

NorthBay Biz-26 December 2019

As the sun sets behind Sonoma Mountain, a talented group of professional singers and dancers perform on a stage set within the old winery ruins at Glen Ellen’s Jack London Historic State Park. Transcendence Theatre Company’s production of Broadway Under the Stars includes hits from legacy musicals such as Mamma Mia!, Mary Poppins and Les Misérables to name a few. Similar to the writings of Jack London, their performances resonate and inspire.

Eight years ago, Transcendence shows would have been hard to imagine. To address a budget deficit during the 2011-2012 fiscal year, California listed Jack London as one of 70 state parks to close. Concerned that historic sites would be damaged if left unattended, locals hastily searched scrambled for ways to keep the park open.That opportunity presented itself when Congressman Jared Huffman, then a state assemblyman, subsequently signed by Gov. Jerry Brown, allowing qualified nonprofits to manage state parks designated for closure. Valley of the Moon Natural History Association (VMNHA), a nonprofit with experience in supporting three area state parks, jumped at the chance.

In a serendipitous moment, Transcendence Theatre Company (TTC) appeared on the scene wanting to save the park, too. READ MORE

G&C Autobody—The Crozat Family Business

NorthBay biz November 2019

The auto body repair business has history that extends back more than a century. Horseless carriages were initially reserved for the wealthy, and chauffeurs doubled as mechanics. After the introduction of the Ford Model-T in 1913, parts became accessible, and car owners started to perform repairs themselves. Eventually, auto centers opened in blacksmith shops and liveries. In the 1920s, trade schools formed to educate workers, and independent shops became more common. The rise of the middle class in the 1950s prompted an increase in demand for automobiles, and a greater need for all kinds of service followed. READ MORE

Hubs for Hops

NorthBay biz September 2019

The number of breweries that opened in the U.S. in the past 20 years has skyrocketed as the popularity of craft beer has grown. As 0f 2018 therefore were 7,450, and another 2,500 are expected to open in the next two years. Before the National Prohibition Act of 1919, breweries dotted the landscape, but the tradition of making speciality beers faded and verged on extinction. Today, there’s a renaissance, and it began in Sonoma.

In 1976, Jack McAuliffe started New Albion Brewing Co. on the outskirts of town. Six years later the brewery closed for lack of funding. Ahead of his time, McAuliffe is known as the father of craft beer in the U.S. He influenced many of the beer-brewing pioneers that followed, particularly those in Northern California. READ MORE.

Living with Lions

NorthBay Biz Special Issue-Game Changers-July 2019

A ghostly, black and white image of a mountain lion appears on the computer screen. It moves gracefully through the grass. Its eyes glow in the dark surroundings. A trail camera on Hood Mountain captured the image just days before. Dr. Quintin Martins’ face brightens. “What a magnificent animal,” he says. Over the years Martins, director and principal investigator for the Living with Lions project at Audubon Canyon Ranch. has seen many big cats, yet his passion for these special creatures never wanes. READ MORE.

Leading the Way

NorthBay biz May 2019

Workplace mental health issues cost the global economy a staggering $3 trillion annually. It’s the most significant employee health-related expense, and double that of cardiovascular disease and diabetes combined. Yet this crisis of high cost and human suffering has largely gone unrecognized—though this is changing. What’s not so surprising, California is taking the lead. The private sector and the state government have rallied, and measures are being implemented to address this crisis. READ MORE

Cannabis As Medicine

NorthBay biz-1 February 2019

In the pop culture of the ’60s, tie-dye attired hippies gathered in San Francisco’s Haight-Asbury district to smoke pot, protest the war in Viet Nam and advocate for civil rights. And though activism continued, attire evolved to faded denims, the preppy J. Crew look and Mad Men suits. Over the next two decades or so, cannabis, though still illegal, became socially acceptable replacing the martini at cocktail parties.     

In 1996, California passed Proposition 215—the Compassionate Use Act—legalizing cannabis for medical purposes. For the next 32 years not much happened legally. Then, on January 1, 2018, California legalized cannabis for recreational use with Proposition 64. Demand skyrocketed—though not in the way most expected. Aging Baby Boomers, seeking natural, non-toxic, non-addictive medicinal cannabis relief for a range of ailments, drove the market. Passionate users claimed that cannabis worked better than over-the-counter or prescription medications—and without the side effects. So is all the excitement just more “fake news”—or is it for real? READ MORE