Page 23 - Sonoma County Gazette July 2017

How too Get Away by Staying Put!
Each year, more Americans enjoy a low-cost, hassle-free, eye-opening “staycation” bene ting from all the beauty, adventure, history and fun available right where they live. Recently, just in time for adults’ and kids’ 2017 staycations (and for the theme of this column), our Chamber of Commerce invited us all, residents and visitors alike, to “eXperience Cloverdale”.
We soon realized that, with the live theater, lm-related events, free Friday night concerts, museums, gallery, diverse restaurants, and unique shops, there are far more things to see and do than we can list so we’re suggesting just a few easily reachable by car, boat, foot, bike or...parachute!
Love to swim? Play by a calm lake? Or just daydream? For a full day of relaxation, Yorty Creek Recreation Area is only a 20-minute drive out scenic Hot Springs Road. Slip your kayak or row boat into this “no-wake zone” of Lake Sonoma and relish the quiet as you paddle into little coves during a day of taking in the splendor of the surrounding hills. Enjoy passing egrets, eagles, hawks, ducks or a rare peregrine falcon as they sit on stumps or oat on the lake surface awaiting an unsuspecting sh. Plan a BBQ in the picnic area, too.
Whether you’re a licensed parachutist or taking your rst thrilling tandem jump at Cloverdale Airport with an expert Norcal Skydiving instructor, nothing can give you such glorious views of our region’s natural beauty while few activities can provide such a feeling of accomplishment. A “Classic Tandem” jump starts at 12,000 ft. and then has you oating throughout your gentle descent into the Alexander Valley. As you look about, the views are spectacular, including: Mt. Tam; the Russian River: the wine country, and even the Paci c Ocean. All of this and more brings a whole new perspective. You see the world as you have never seen it before. Just ask Carol who took her rst tandem jump in 2010. (norcalskydiving.com; 1-888-667-2259).
A leisurely stroll along Cloverdale Boulevard is great exercise and a stress reliever. As you walk along the special small town feeling builds because people, but not crowds, mean friendly hellos and welcoming smiles both received and returned. You might start your stroll by fueling up with a cuppa’ and some treats at Plank Co ee, then head south. Along the way you’ll see
a lovely Victorian home and museum, the Gould-Shaw House built in 1868, plus a second historic building between Plank and the Historical Society, built in 1880, which has housed the original mercantile business plus a post o ce, restaurant, jewelry store, co ee shop and more including the rst home of the 130+ year-old Cloverdale Reveille. Continuing southward you’ll come to the famous Pick’s Drive-In, originally a 1920s root beer stand. Next door is a brown building, built in 1923 by the Women’s Improvement Society with the help of
a Carnegie grant, that housed the Cloverdale Free Public Library, established in 1884, and now located at the north end of town. And you can’t miss the grand yet very approachable sculpture named Iron Feathers, just one of the many art works comprising the enthralling ‘Sculpture Trail” from Cloverdale to Geyserville. FYI: Otocast app features the artists talking about each work.
For more historic things to enjoy, pick up a brochure on the walking tour of Cloverdale (you can bike most of it, too) either at the nearby Historical Society or the Chamber of Commerce. For an amazing diversion from daily routines, especially for adults and kids interested in science and the environment, travel north a short while on 101 to Hopland and catch 175 over to Bottle Rock Road. Turn south to Middletown and to The Geysers Peak Visitors Center in the lovely Mayacamas Mountains. Exhibits of “the world’s largest geothermal eld” explain how steam/water are used to create electricity for our county and four neighboring ones and the Geysers’ 12,000 year old Native Tribes origins that make our 21st century lives for the better. Catch the tour out into the elds to learn even more! Be sure to take your picnic lunch with you and eat at the Center as this is an all day trip. (geysers.com & click on Visitor’s Center to reserve your tour; 1-866-GEYSERS.
P.S. For a perfect staycation: Turn o all email & cell phones!
Angus, Chickens and Fish, Oh My!
Windsor Certi ed Farmers Market is now proud to o er a locally raised selection of natural pasture farmed proteins including longtime Fish Monger, Santa Rosa Seafood, and Angus Beef and Chicken from new Farmers; Heather’s Custom Meats, A4 Farms and seasonally Will at Blue Leg Farm.
The Market is very excited to add these new farmers with fresh organic meats. “These are local choices not only good for the economy, but good for our bodies and the avor is real”, says Market Manager.
Santa Rosa Seafood was one of the rst full time vendors at the Windsor Market back in 2003. Owned by the Svedise Family, led by Dad, “Mike the Fish Guy”, they have o ered the highest quality fresh sh, shell sh, fresh tuna salad, chowder, cioppino and their famous “Smoasted Salmon” to Sonoma County
for almost 15 years. They now operate a full sh market and a fabulous Fish Restaurant & Raw Bar in South Santa Rosa on the corner of Santa Rosa Ave. and Petaluma Hill Rd. You will nd Sal and his wife Rachael selling the fresh sh selection every Sunday at the Windsor Market. The Smoasted Salmon is smoked and roasted daily so that it stays moist and aky, stop by and get a taste and you will be back for a salmon steak, weekly. Learn more about Santa Rosa Seafood and the Svedise Family at santarosaseafood.com
The story of Heather’s Custom Meats begins with Heather and her partner Gene. They will have 150 head of grass fed Angus Beef this year at 50 acres
on Stony Pt. Road in Penngrove and another 44 acres at their home ranch on Sanford Road in Santa Rosa. Gene has been operating his herd for over ten years but it was only recently that Heather had the idea to create a sustainable meat business from their ranch. In 2016 Heather began selling to friends and family and growing clients by word of mouth. In November of 2016 after receiving all her permits she began selling at local farmers markets. Heather’s Custom Meats currently o ers a variety of steaks, roasts, ground beef and ‘special cuts’ such as organs, and bones. “We graze our grass fed cattle on natural Sonoma County grasses and grow organic hay to get through the months that grazing is di cult. My vision is to grow my meat business to include pasture raised hogs and chickens for meat and eggs. I am comforted by the knowledge that the animals in our care receive easy and protected lives, free from stress with humane practices.”, said Heather. Heather and Gene use USDA certi ed slaughter and butcher partners to provide the nished cuts of meat that folks love to serve. Heather feels good about knowing it is a local, grass
fed, natural and humane product. She is especially proud of the sophisticated avor of her meat which she believes is a stark contrast to most store bought meats. Be sure to like Heather’s Custom Meats on Facebook and visit their online store at Heatherscustommeats.com
The Ascoop family has farmed and ranched in Sonoma County since the late 1800’s. New generation farmer Jessica Ascoop is the 5th generation farmer on her families land in Fulton and new owner of A4 Farms. Originally the farm raised hops, prunes, apples, hay, cattle and egg laying chickens. Currently with her parents, her husband and her children they raise beef cattle and have a small ock of sheep and pigs. Jessica wanted to diversify the family farm and found a need for local, fresh, farm raised meat chickens. This is where Jessica started with new farming operations just last year. She raises the Cornish
Cross birds from 2-3 days of age to 6.5-7 weeks old. She then takes them to the processor for harvesting, processing and packaging. The chicks are raised in
a warm brooder for 3-4 weeks and then are turned out on the pasture for the remainder of their growth period. The chickens are feed a properly rationed diet milled from a local feed mill. Jessica said she is proud to produce a local, pasture raised meat chicken with NO hormones or antibiotics. Our chicken is processed in either a CDFA Inspected (California Department of Food and Agriculture) or USDA Inspected (United States Department of Agriculture) processing facility. The chicken is individually packaged in Cry-o/Vacuum sealed packages as whole chickens ranging in weight from 2.5lbs -4lbs.
The Windsor Certi ed Farmers Market is very happy to welcome these new local farmers to our Market family. We hope you visit the Market every Sunday from 10-1 and support these farmers and remember to feed your families natural locally raised foods. “It’s Good for You.”
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