Page 36 - Sonoma County Gazette January 2017

Winter is de nitely upon us with chilly nighttime temperatures lingering in the 30s as I write this. The clear skies contribute to the cold, but at least provide us with sparkling stars above to distract us from the low temperature
When reading this you have nished all the fun of the holidays and may be getting ready either to party in the New Year or start the rst of the resolutions... which usually begin with shedding all that holiday weight. Motion Fitness on North Street is a good place to
readings. We’ve continued to weather proof here at Isis Oasis Sanctuary, adding new roll-down plastic for our tropical bird enclosures and upgrading our heating system for them. Our cats come already equipped with deluxe fur but we’ve also enhanced the coziness of their dens and, as always, we provide extra food during the cold days.
start. At a reasonable $50 a month, the gym is relaxed and open 24 hours a day for those 4am treadmill runs. Love their classes, too, and training with Thoma!
Cold weather may also be encouraging
our ambassador alpacas in our front
pasture to cozy up together on these cool
mornings. Here our young female Bambi
goes cheek-to-cheek with our elderly
male, Paca. Bambi and a young neutered
male alpaca were given to us by a breeder
seeking to reduce their herd. Beautiful
Bambi is unfortunately infertile, and
Blackie allegedly has a few white hairs which make him unsuitable in the eyes of the breeders, which is why they were considered “overstock”. Come by to see our alpacas, birds, reptiles, cats and other animals on a free tour Sundays at 2pm, or other times by arrangement.
Winter WINEland tickets for the entire weekend at multiple participating wineries are $52.38. Sunday-only tickets are available for $40.95, and designated driver registrations are just $6.70. The event takes place over the weekend of January 14-15, 2017 Tickets are available at WineRoad.com.
The holidays kept me busy, but I did manage a quick return visit to Werowocomoco at Virginia Dare and reacquainted myself with the joys of “The Dictator” pizza at Diavola.
Have more Geyserville information to share here? Let me know about it at the email address above.
In other news: the much-anticipated Singlethread restaurant opened
in mid-December to excellent reviews by those lucky enough to be invited to soft opening weeks or those able to a ord the minimal menu price of $295 per person before wine. Kyle Connaughton’s elevation of cuisine in the Japanese kaiseki fashion is unique and incredibly memorable in addition to being beautiful. The Connaughtons grow what they need for the restaurant at their ve-acre Russian River farm and the rooftop farm on top of the building at North and Center streets (the former post o ce location). Singlethread also had luxurious accommodations where they anticipate guests’ needs in the Japanese tradition of Omotenashi hospitality.
Winter WINEland
The best thing you can do in January is to explore the wineries of the Russian River Wine Road at my favorite event of the year, Winter WINEland, over
the weekend of January 14-15, 2017. At only $45 for the weekend, the food
and wines and values these wineries o er makes Winter WINEland one of the few remaining bargains in our corner of wine country. Sometimes we forget to look in our own backyard to discover new wineries or rediscover the classics. Hats o to Winter WINEland for their 25th Anniversary and Beth Costa who has been helming the Wine Road activities for as long as I can remember. Buy tickets before it sells out at www.wineroad.com.
Foodie Moment of the Month
Tourism remains strong in Healdsburg but I will be interested in seeing how the new 16% TOT tax will a ect hotel and bed-n-breakfast stays. Healdbsurg’s TOT is now one of the highest in the nation, even surpassing New York City’s. Say you have a two night stay at a hotel for a rate of $700...you will now spend an additional $112 for TOT and the support of ongoing tourism. That is enough for two pizzas and a bottle of wine moderate wine at Scopa.
LOCAL Election: As the entire country deals with the results of an election that has created a true love-hate-fear-victory emotional roller coaster, here in Healdsburg we had our own recount for city council. Incumbent Gary Plass was not re-elected and newcomer Joe Najoukas was, in reality, elected to this rst term. I have to give it to him that he was tireless in his outreach to local voters with daily meet-n-greets which appear to have paid o .
Growing pains: And the continuing expansion of Healdsburg is a ecting businesses that have thrived and given back to this town for decades. The roundabout construction has meant a very negative turn for businesses in the area like Singletree Inn which is now practically unreachable on foot without sidewalks and a continuously confused tra c pattern. Please patronize these businesses and keep them in our town.
Singletree is the ultimate locals’ breakfast but other favorites with locals includes the hour long dollar oyster hour every weekday at Café Lucia. Order all you need because they sell out fast! Spoonbar is continuing their $6 Encanto Pisco (shout-out to local Walter Moore) cocktails with some yummy bites
while Chalkboard has an Italian happy hour menu now from 4:30-6:30. Love the pasta and Italian Mule for a $12 dinner! And Bravas Tapas continues their 420 hours when selected items are $4.20 including a special cocktail and the daily atbread. Yes, it has a cannabis signi cance but 420 is also the restaurant’s address on Center Street.
Phil McDonel - Urban Sketchers - facebook.com/groups/urbansketchers/
36 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 1/17
Other highlights of the local holiday o erings was the annual Open House for Brush Studio (go by and meet new owner Emma) in collaboration with Elements on the Plaza Salon and several stunning art galleries including Andy Katz whose son, Jessie Katz, made the spectacular wine being served, Aperture. Jessie is winemaker at Lancaster and imagery runs
in the family. Photo attached is my delight at winning an array of great products from the Elements drawing. A great night.