A region, a mindset or just a really nice place to drink wine? 6
SCENE & HEARD
Happenings in the North Bay. 8
TRAIL BLAZERS
Hiking: the socially acceptable way to wander aimlessly. 10
BEND, DON’T BREAK
Hot yoga, loud music and the art of sweating with purpose. 14
NO DRINK IS AN ISLAND
Tiki bars make a comeback in the North Bay. 22
CEO & EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Dan Pulcrano
PUBLISHER
Rosemary Olson
DIRECTOR OF
CREATIVE SERVICES
Cindy Couling
EDITOR
Daedalus Howell
COPY EDITOR
Suzanne Michel
CONTRIBUTORS
Amber Adrian
Isabella Cook
Charissa Dregsen
Kris Eff
Kary Hess
CREATIVE SERVICES
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Deb Fisher
445 Center Street, 4C Healdsburg, CA 95448
Phone: 707.527.1200 bohemian.com
THE PANTS HAVE SPOKEN
Kendrick Lamar, bellbottoms and the price of nostalgia. 26
WINE MEETS WISDOM
At Bouchaine Vineyards, patience and pinot go hand in hand. 36
STAGE PRESENCE
Sheri Lee Miller’s life in theater: drama, passion and plenty of standing ovations. 40
AGED TO PERFECTION
50 and fabulous, with a splash of pinot noir. 45
PRODUCTION OPERATIONS MANAGER
Zk Bradley
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Jennifer Meyer, Jackie Mujica, Elena Razganov, Rowdy Tomkins
EDITORIAL GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Phaedra Strecher Heinen
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
Lisa Marie Santos
OFFICE MANAGER
Liz Alber
ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGERS
Erin Hanson
Danielle McCoy
Lynda Rael
Dianna Stone
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San Rafael, CA 94901
Phone: 415.485.6700 pacificsun.com
COVER PHOTO by Scott Hess (scotthessphoto.com), featuring Kelly Collins Geiser.
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Liquidity: Maintain cash flow during good times and bad for more tax-free income.**
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Legacy: Leave your home for your heirs with a step-up basis.**
HERE The ongoing work on the ‘Narrows,’ along the stretch of Highway 101 shared by Sonoma and Marin counties, is part of the North Bay’s renaissance…or reckoning.
THE NORTH BAY WAY
Putting ourselves on the map
The North Bay—we know where it is but not necessarily what it is.
Is it a particular vibe? A state of mind? A swelling real estate bubble about to burst? Yes, yes, and you can afford real estate?
Unlike its geographic sibs, the North Bay has long endured something of an identity crisis. The South and East Bays are both major cultural hubs that boast world-class universities and have made a global impact on arts and technology.
Our local university just gutted a dozen programs, so don’t expect any impactful art or tech. But there’s enough wine and weed here to show you a better time than any on-campus amateur anyway.
What we need is our own set of “You know you’re in the North Bay when…” jokes. Humor has a way of getting to the heart of the matter. For example, you know
you’re in the North Bay when your glass of wine costs more than your entrée.
Remember when Sonoma County identified as the “Redwood Empire?” Trees. You’re going to base your brand on trees, SoCo? “Wine Country” has certainly been an upgrade, though nobody checked in with Napa about sharing the moniker. When finally asked, Napa replied, “Sonoma who?”
To this day, Marin County operates under the specter of being—as writer Duncan Campell wrote in the UK’s Guardian—“...A home for superannuated hippies, lying around in hot tubs listening to Grateful Dead tapes with a joint in one hand and a glass of Chardonnay in the other.”
For reasons I have yet to understand, there’s a “We don’t talk about Solano” vibe regarding that particular county, which crowd-sourced info hubs like Wikipedia claim is in the North Bay, whereas frenemy combatants on Reddit argue it’s not.
Whatever it is, there’s still room for another North Bay county, right? Here’s my radical secession plan: Novato and West Petaluma, which border each other on at least two sides of the compass—and share an outsider ethos to their respective counties—could secede and form a new county. We’ll call it Olompali (for the state park they also co-border, which likely means “Southern Village” in the Coast Miwok language). There, I fixed it.
But speaking to the totality of The Great N.B., it’s not that we need to define what’s within our tri-county borders; we just need to define ourselves. As Thor said after his planet was destroyed in the movie Ragnarok, ”Asgard is not a place; it’s a people.”
Ditto for the North Bay. We’re a people. And a lot of dogs. But mostly a people. And I’m happy to be a people with you.
— Daedalus Howell, Editor
Photo by Karen Pavone Photography
WOLF IN BALLERINA CLOTHING
Marin Ballet offers a fresh take on ‘Peter and the Wolf,’ a fairy tale ballet set to Sergei Prokofiev’s iconic score, this spring.
SPRING FLINGS
Happenings on the horizon
Spring in the North Bay means fresh art, bold performances and a lineup of can’t-miss cultural events.
Galleries, theaters and concert halls are buzzing with creativity, offering everything from cutting-edge exhibitions to stirring concerts and reimagined classics. Whether it’s visual storytelling, live music or an unexpectedly deep dive into the natural world, these upcoming happenings promise inspiration, connection and a reason to get out and experience something new.
ROOTED IN WONDER
This spring, a sweeping 40-year survey of Frances McCormack’s paintings and collages arrives at di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art.
Rooted in Wonder showcases the Bay Area artist’s abstract compositions, where botanical forms and painterly layers evoke themes of growth, energy and introspection. McCormack’s work has been widely acclaimed, with art critic Kenneth Baker praising her ability to craft “material poetic statements possible only in painting.”
The exhibition opens with a reception on March 29, featuring remarks from
McCormack and di Rosa’s executive director, Kate Eilertsen. A conversation with fellow painter Chester Arnold follows on April 12, offering insights into McCormack’s influences and artistic process. Accompanying the exhibition is a 160-page monograph chronicling her career.
March 29-June 29, at di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art, 5200 Sonoma Hwy., Napa. Opening reception: 5-7pm, Saturday, March 29. Artist’s Talk: 1:30pm, Saturday, April 12. General admission applies; members free. More details at dirosaart.org.
PHOTO BY SARA
DANCING WITH A WOLF
Marin Ballet presents a fresh take on Peter and the Wolf, a symphonic fairy tale ballet set to Sergei Prokofiev’s iconic score. Choreographed by assistant school manager Charlie Martin, the one-act production features 50 student dancers, bringing the classic tale to life with vibrant movement and imaginative storytelling. The 30-minute ballet showcases Peter’s journey alongside a colorful cast of characters, including a mischievous cat, an innocent duck and a cunning wolf.
Martin, who has performed and staged Peter and the Wolf in the past, emphasizes the ballet’s themes of bravery and teamwork, calling it an important opportunity for young dancers to explore character development and emotional expression. The production also features original set pieces by Marin Ballet’s technical director, Larry Klein, with costumes designed by Martin.
Performances take place at 6 and 7:30pm, on Thursday, March 27, at Marin Ballet’s theater, 100 Elm St., San Rafael. Tickets are $15. More information and ticket purchases are available at marinballet.org/events.
RIVER OTTERS IN WINE COUNTRY
Once thought to be in decline, river otters are making a remarkable comeback, signaling the health and resilience of local watersheds. Our Wild Watershed: River Otters is an upcoming talk hosted by the
YOU OTTER KNOW Critter-cam footage and photos chronicle the remarkable comeback of the North Bay’s river otters.
Laguna Environmental Center in Santa Rosa that explores this inspiring ecological success story. It will feature photos and critter cam footage capturing the playful behaviors of these charismatic predators. The talk will highlight their vital role in the ecosystem and the ongoing conservation efforts that support their return.
Guest speaker Mary Ellen King brings a wealth of experience from her work in media, wildlife management and conservation. A former documentary filmmaker and graduate of UCLA’s School of Film, Video, and Television, she later pursued studies in wildlife management at Humboldt State University. King has served on multiple conservation boards, including the River Otter Ecology Project, and remains passionate about sharing the wonders of these remarkable mammals.
5:30-6:30pm, Friday, April 4, at Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Rd., Santa Rosa. Sliding scale admission: $10$20. Registration required. More details at lagunafoundation.org.
HAIMOR TIME
The Marin Symphony presents Masterworks 3, featuring conductor
Fawzi Haimor. The program opens with Kareem Roustom’s “Ramal for Orchestra,” showcasing the composer’s SyrianAmerican heritage. Following this, principal flute MyungJu Yeo and principal harp Dan Levitan perform Mozart’s “Concerto for Flute and Harp in C Major, K.299,” highlighting the delicate interplay between the two instruments. The concert concludes with Dvorák’s “Symphony No. 9 in E minor, From the New World,” a work inspired by the composer’s experiences in America.
A post-concert Q&A with conductor Haimor will follow each performance. Donors in the Conductor’s Circle are invited to exclusive receptions after the Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon concerts.
Performances are scheduled at 3 and 7:30pm, on Saturday, April 12, and 3pm, on Sunday, April 13, at the James Dunn Theatre, College of Marin, 835 College Ave., Kentfield.
Tickets range from $43 to $83, with youth tickets priced at $20. Subscribers receive discounted rates. For more information and tickets, visit bit.ly/Haimor-Dvorak.
— North Bay Magazine Staff
LOOK ‘The Needle’s Eye,’ a 1993 oil on canvas by Frances McCormack, is part of the artist’s retrospective at di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art.
TAKE A HIKE
The perfect excuse to buy fancy boots
BY KRIS EFF
Hiking in one’s 50s is a lot like realizing that naps are amazing—something that should have been appreciated much earlier in life. It’s the perfect combination of exercise, mental escape and socially acceptable wandering, with a side of smug satisfaction for choosing an activity that’s both fun and beneficial.
For those who think the only way to stay fit in midlife is by suffering through gym memberships and grueling workouts, hiking offers a kinder alternative. No aggressive personal trainers yelling for “one more rep,” no confusing exercise machines designed by sadists—just fresh air, scenic trails and a built-in excuse to buy some unnecessarily high-tech hiking boots.
Beyond the pleasant aesthetic of pretending to be an intrepid explorer, hiking also has many health benefits. It strengthens the heart, keeps bones from turning into brittle twigs, builds muscle and—perhaps most importantly—provides an escape from work emails and family members who want something.
HIKING IS A CHEAT CODE FOR AGING
Keeping the Old Ticker Ticking
There’s no delicate way to put it: After 50, the body starts dropping hints that maintenance is required. The heart, ever faithful but increasingly dramatic, appreciates a little encouragement. Hiking provides just enough challenge to
keep things running smoothly—without requiring a full-blown cardiac negotiation every time a hill appears. Regular hiking improves circulation, lowers blood pressure and makes it easier to justify eating that extra snack afterward.
Osteoporosis Sucks
Once upon a time, bone health was something barely considered—unless someone broke an arm showing off a skateboard trick. Fast forward a few decades, and it turns out bones demand attention. Hiking, as a weight-bearing activity, gives bones the subtle stress they need to stay strong and avoid becoming fragile. It’s basically the body’s way of saying, “Keep using these, or else.”
Avoiding the “Help, I’ve Fallen” Moment
One of the sneaky benefits of hiking is how many muscles get recruited in the process. The legs, core and even arms (especially with trekking poles or dramatic hand gestures) all work together to maintain balance and stability. Stronger muscles mean fewer injuries and a reduced likelihood of accidentally making the sound of an old wooden door when standing up.
Outsmarting Stiff Knees
For those concerned that hiking will ruin the knees forever, the good news is that moderate hiking can actually help. Regular movement keeps joints lubricated, which is crucial for avoiding stiffness. Of course, picking the right trail helps—jumping straight into mountain climbing might be a bit much, unless the goal is to become one with nature by lying on the ground in exhaustion.
Escape Mode: Activated
Nothing clears the mind quite like walking through nature, taking in fresh air and
Nobody needs to prove anything by tackling the steepest, rockiest incline on day one. Picking beginner-friendly trails ensures an enjoyable experience that won’t require ice packs and regret later.
«« realizing that trees don’t demand reports, bills or small talk. Hiking has been scientifically proven to reduce stress, boost mood and improve cognitive function. Plus, there’s something deeply satisfying about leaving the chaos of daily life behind—especially if it means avoiding phone calls for a couple of hours.
Justify Dessert
Hiking burns calories at a respectable pace, which is useful for anyone looking to maintain or lose weight. The best part? Unlike gym workouts, where the passing of time is painfully noticeable, a scenic trail provides enough distractions to make the effort feel more like an adventure and less like punishment.
HOW TO HIKE WITHOUT ENDING UP ON A SEARCHAND-RESCUE SHOW
For those who haven’t exercised in a while, or who have existing health conditions, a quick check-up can prevent unpleasant surprises. The goal is a rewarding hike, not a dramatic medical episode halfway up a hill.
Nobody needs to prove anything by tackling the steepest, rockiest incline on
day one. Picking beginner-friendly trails ensures an enjoyable experience that won’t require ice packs and regret later.
A solid pair of hiking boots is a must. Fashion choices aside, good footwear prevents blisters, ankle rolls and spontaneous cursing when stepping on an unexpected rock.
Dehydration has a way of sneaking up on even the most experienced hikers. Bringing enough water (and actually drinking it) makes the difference between finishing a hike with energy or finishing it wondering if crawling to the car is an option.
Breaks aren’t signs of weakness; they’re part of the experience. Taking time to rest, admire the view and maybe question some life choices is entirely acceptable.
IT’S ABOUT THE JOURNEY
For those ready to step outside but not quite ready for a backcountry survival situation, the following beginner-friendly trails in Northern California offer the perfect balance of scenery and accessibility.
River
to Ridge Trail (Napa)
At about five miles, this moderate out-andback trail provides a mix of open fields
and rolling hills, perfect for getting the heart pumping without requiring a rescue helicopter. Plus, it’s in Napa—so there’s always the potential of rewarding oneself with a glass of wine afterward (hydration, right?).
Earthquake Trail (Marin)
This half-mile educational loop is short, easy and packed with fascinating information about the 1906 earthquake. For anyone who prefers their hikes with a side of learning (and minimal effort), this is a great option. Also, no actual earthquakes involved—always a plus.
Crane Creek Regional Park (Sonoma)
With about 3.5 miles of scenic trails, Crane Creek offers rolling meadows and a relatively gentle hike. Bonus points for the disc golf course, which can add a little extra fun—or frustration, depending on one’s throwing skills.
Whether it’s for health, sanity or just a break from responsibilities, the path is wide open. And if nothing else, hiking provides an unbeatable excuse to ignore those texts for a while—because, after all, reception is terrible out there.
There are many challenges that friend or family caregivers face every day, and the COVID-19 pandemic has created an especially complex situation. There is support— caregivers do not have to go on this journey alone!
Redwood Caregiver Resource Center offers free and low-cost support throughout Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Solano, Napa and Sonoma Counties, serving unpaid friend or family caregivers regardless of income.
• Information
• Uniform Caregiver Assessment
• Family Consultation & Care Navigation
• Respite Care
• Short-Term Counseling
• Support Groups
• Caregiver Training
• Legal & Financial Consultation
• Education
THE HEAT IS ONE
Hot Yoga Republic
BY ISABELLA COOK
Some like it hot, and those who do are probably sweating it out on the mat at Hot Yoga Republic.
This uniquely Californian yoga studio was created by Kathryn Keown and Jessica Smith, co-owners whose combined vision for hot yoga included the typical heat and training in mobility, strength and flexibility…along with some less-typical elements like classic rock, a comedic edge and plenty of room for socializing both on and off the mat.
STRETCH GOAL Hot Yoga Republic co-owners Kathryn Keown (right) and Jessica Smith bring a refreshing sensibility to the ancient yoga tradition.
Hot Yoga Republic has two Marin County locations—one in San Rafael and a newly opened location at Mill Valley’s Strawberry Village.
So, how did this atypical hot yoga studio come to be? Well, it all began in 1997 when Keown left her role as a DJ for a reggae radio station in the Caribbean and relocated to California to work at San Francisco’s KFOG station.
Keown took to California like a duck to water. But dipping her toes into the city’s
yoga scene wasn’t as smooth a transition as her move out to the Golden Coast.
“Shortly after moving to San Francisco, I went to my first yoga class and I hated it…I thought it was batshit crazy,” admitted Keown.
After a rather lukewarm first impression of Californian yoga, Keown avoided the practice for another six months. But when her body began to feel “a bit weird,” she returned to the studio and received a piece of advice that forever changed her life
««
COMMUNITY Members (from left) Stephany Helbig, Jonni Rae Graves, Jessica Smith, Araceli Santos Bieber, Mick Kane, Kathryn Keown, Summer Holladay, Kyla Dawn and Karen Murphy enjoy the community promoted by Hot Yoga Republic.
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Today, Hot Yoga Republic is thriving, as are its students, teachers and co-owners.
Those who call the studio their yoga home away from home enjoy the inviting atmosphere, colored by the undeniably Californian ambiance.
and set her down the path to one day opening a studio of her own.
“One hundred days of straight yoga was the suggestion they gave me,” said Keown. “If you want to transform your body, that’s what it will take.”
And so, Keown took the yoga studio’s suggestion and ran with it—literally.
“My whole life, my whole family, we’re runners,” Keown said. “But it was just so lonely. And when I began my journey into yoga, all of a sudden, this entire world opened up to me, and it rocked my world.”
“At the yoga studio, I realized there was this whole built-in group of friends, likeminded people of all ages and lifestyles,” Keown continued. “In hindsight, [yoga] made the city, makes every city, feel smaller.”
Keown eventually left the city and made the move to Marin 18 years ago after she became pregnant with her daughter. Although the move took place nearly two decades ago, she describes the time she’s spent living on the flip side of the Golden Gate as feeling as though it took place only five minutes ago.
In those figurative five minutes, Keown never stopped practicing yoga. That single suggestion to try a 100-day streak to
transform her body evolved into a passion that transformed her life. She attended classes and yoga retreats, which is where she met her now business partner.
“Jessica and I weren’t besties who just decided to open a yoga studio,” Keown explained. “We actually met on one of the yoga retreats. I liked how she moved in the world, and she liked how I moved, too. But we weren’t thick as thieves or even close friends when this began. But through the process, we’ve become very dear best friends and have each others’ backs all day long.”
“One day, we got to talking about hot yoga and decided to just go for it—I don’t know how we got that kind of confidence, really,” Keown added.
Six months after going all-in on a wellintuited whim, Keown and Smith found a place to put down their root chakras and make their vision for Hot Yoga Republic a reality.
Keown and Smith’s idea for their own yoga studio was unique, to say the least. Instead of creating yet another quiet, meditative space with zen decor and a shush sign on the front door, this creative duo wanted pure, unadulterated fun.
“There’s this kind of intimidation that a
lot of studios have where they’re really not grabbing you by the lapels and dragging you in,” Keown explained. “But to us, laughter is very spiritual, and we thought, why can’t we make it fun?”
With that, the duo set up to open a funfirst yoga studio right in the heart of Marin. Their vision took a classic, some might say common, form of Bay Area exercise and turned the concept (and its students) on its ear with a flexible Californian cultural twist that matched their energy, style and rather peerless joie de vivre.
“Both my business partner and I love humor, and I love standup comedy,” said Keown. “Really good standup comedy is when you get the joke because it’s so transparent and so honest and so relatable—that’s what we wanted for our studio, too.”
And so, the duo put their heads together and live, love, laughed their vision into reality…only to reach completion right in time for the grand opening of Hot Yoga Republic to coincide very inconveniently with the onset of the global pandemic.
“Jessica comes to me the day after Covid hit and told me, ‘We’re starting streaming,’” Keown explained. “She said, ‘We’re streaming classes starting now,’ and I »»
Lo Coco’s
Cucina Rustica
CULTURE Hot Yoga Republic fosters a high-energy community with a culture reminiscent of a cocktail party (without the alcohol).
«« was like, ‘You’re batshit crazy, and I’m still in my day clothes…’”
Three days after that exchange, Hot Yoga Republic went virtual and the studio’s weekly online classes commenced. Flexibility is important both on and off the yoga mat. The duo’s ability to think on their feet, stay grounded and keep moving even when the heat is turned way up and the environment is enough to make anyone sweat paid off. So did their humor-centric approach to life, yoga and business.
Today, Hot Yoga Republic is thriving, as are its students, teachers and co-owners. Those who call the studio their yoga home away from home enjoy the inviting atmosphere, colored by the undeniably Californian ambiance. The vibes are complete with hanging skateboard wall decor and speakers playing classic rock. And then there’s the heat, set at a temperature that’ll make the heart beat and the blood pump much like a workout done under the hot Californian summer sun.
“There’s this high-energy community feeling at Hot Yoga Republic. And our culture is a lot like a cocktail party [sans alcohol],” said Keown. “People here are super open. It’s not just padding around in our robes. Everyone’s there to have a great time.”
The students of Hot Yoga Republic are as diverse as they come—ages range between 10 and 85. And people from all walks of life, from plumbers to pilates princesses, hop on the mat together to move through yoga poses, sweat it out and nod along to a rock song.
“I’m truly on a mission to prove that you can feel great as long as you put the work in,” said Keown. “If, at the end of the day, I make a few people laugh and a few people less lonely, I feel like that’s a good life.”
“For me, now solidly in my 50s, yoga truly is the fountain of youth,” Keown concluded. “I love it so much. It’s the gift that keeps on giving—it gives me the joy of feeling great in my body, of being goofy and of this great confidence where I guess I’m supposed to be old and stiff and miserable, but I’m not. I’ll have women call who are younger than me, and they’ll want to try a class but say they’re 48 and had a baby, and they don’t know if they can. But if we’re going to live to 90 or 100, who told us that 50 is old?”
Visit hotyogarepublic.com to learn more.
PHOTO BY K.
TROPICAL ESCAPE This vibrant tiki cocktail, complete with dried fruit garnishes, brings island vibes to the North Bay.
ITIKI TIME
Kitsch cocktails arrive in North Bay
BY AMBER ADRIAN
f one would love to transport themself to a Polynesian beach instead of shaking the rain off an umbrella, tiki bars are the ideal spot to pretend to be drinking rum in a sun-soaked paradise without email access.
Historically, as a denizen of the North Bay, one would have been flat out of luck unless they fancy a drive over the red bridge to San Francisco, the birthplace of the cult of tiki. But thanks to a postpandemic tiki revival (or movement?) in the North Bay, there are now a few options that don’t involve bridges.
was built in 1970 with a—you guessed it—tiki bar. (Also, there’s a wine cave that’s an adventure in “wine or vinegar?” every time one opens a bottle.)
It wasn’t entirely clear what the wooden bar between the laundry and living room was for until we found a handmade book of tiki cocktail recipes, assembled when cocktails were $1.75. Since one can’t roll up to our front door and ask for a daiquiri (all we’d have to serve is some sketchy wine from 1982), here are better options:
KAPU BAR
offering to the tiki gods (and those who like to drink with them).
Black-painted windows give Kapu an almost speakeasy-like feel and make it hard to spot from the street. Once one enters, it feels like an eternal night under the thatched bar. Time bends and sways whether one has had one cocktail or six. The colored lights and puffer fish whisk one away to that island they’d rather be on right now. Featuring tiki standards and their own concoctions, one can soak up the rum with tasty on-theme bar bites.
The first option really only applies to me, my partner and our two cats. Our house »»
Boasting a menu long enough to stump even the most dedicated tropical cocktail drinker, Kapu is downtown Petaluma’s
One may cozy up in a private booth, or see if their pinball machine chops still exist. If it’s still raining when one reads this, a Dark and Stormy is only eight bucks on stormy days.
BY
PHOTO
MAX GRISS
PARADISE Masterfully crafted tiki drinks blend bold flavors and a touch of the exotic to capture true Polynesian style.
RED This colorful concoction proves one doesn’t need to travel far for a taste of the islands.
«« Napa Valley’s first and only tiki bar a slam dunk when one gets tired of wine. (Note: They also have wine.)
Kapu is a birthday favorite in our household, both as a first choice and a backup, when the stated preference for traveling to a Caribbean island for “a pirate battle with his friends and a hog roast on the beach afterward” doesn’t pan out. (It never does.)
132 Keller St., Petaluma kapubar.com
WILFRED’S LOUNGE
Flaming drinks, coconut shrimp and a river view from the upper balcony make
The upstairs makes one feel like they’re on that pirate ship—minus the plank—and pairs well with grog or a rum flight. One can also get a meant-tobe-shared Scorpion Bowl and drink the entire thing oneself when their friends have already ordered.
We stumbled across Wilfred’s a few weeks before they opened during the pandemic and finally made it back there just a few months ago. We were
delighted by the orchids blooming from the craft cocktails and the treasure maps on the walls.
967 1st St., Napa wilfredslounge.com
Pro Tip: More a resort experience than a strict tiki bar, another option exists in the North Bay for those seeking tiki tipples. Head to the Flamingo Lazeaway Club in Santa Rosa for ahi poke and a guava punch by the pool.
ISLAND IN A GLASS With its rich layers of rum, citrus and spice, this tiki classic is a refreshing getaway in every sip.
JEAN SCENE Though some called them ‘Hannah Montana pants,’ Kendrick Lamar’s flares are enjoying a fashion moment.
FASHION STATEMENT
What Kendrick’s pants really said
BY CHARISSA DRENGSEN
During his Super Bowl halftime show, Kendrick Lamar was singing about me.
Okay—it’s a stretch. By all appearances, Lamar and I are about as different as humans can get: He’s a young Black dude from Compton, and I’m a lily-white middleaged ginger woman from hippy town. And, yes, his Grammy-winning songs are
crafted from the sensibilities that arise from growing up Black in a white culture, first and foremost. But his pants—his pants—gave it away. And in the end, they compelled me.
Lamar was singing about me. Okay, give me a minute—just listen:
It’s 1976 on the mean streets of Glen Ellen. I’m a 10-year-old freckle-face redheaded tomboy with braids, wandering
past the charred dirt where the infamous Rustic Inn had been burned to the ground two years prior.
Gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson had said of the Rustic in his 1967 article about his time there, “The 1890s atmosphere is badly addled by 1960-style hoodlums who long for trouble. On most weekend nights, the place fills up with one of the sleaziest mobs in all Christendom. »»
PHOTOS
It’s 1976 on the mean streets of Glen Ellen. I’m a 10-year-old freckle-face red-headed tomboy with braids, wandering past the charred dirt where the infamous Rustic Inn had been burned to the ground two years prior.
««
The kind of drinking that goes on here would not be out of place in most of the bars in east Los Angeles…”
My memories of the Rustic Inn were as a shack in the dirt with a falling-down porch that was most often crowded with Hell’s Angels bikers, drinking, smoking, brawling and talking shit. But when my younger sister and I walked past in the dusk to go play pinball in the Three Nations bar across the street and beg the patrons for quarters to buy cigarettes from the dispenser, the bikers always waved at us and smiled.
One would never guess that was my childhood experience growing up there if they visited Glen Ellen now. It’s so bougie and expensive now, with a gourmet market where the Rustic used to be, a French patisserie across the way, a Michelin star restaurant around the corner and $3 million McMansions up and down the street where I grew up, having replaced all the crappy little hippy shacks that burnt down in the 2017 Nuns Fire. My sisters and I can’t afford to live in the town where we were raised. »»
BURNED The 2017 Nuns Fire broke out in Glen Ellen when high winds forced a tree into a power line conductor.
Left: Jason, Manager – Right: Mark, Owner
The life of a hippy chick isn’t so different. I escaped because I’m a nerd. I spent enough time reading the dictionary that nobody bothered to shank me.
In his Super Bowl performance, Lamar was singing about that gap:
“Started with nothin’ but government cheese But now I can cease, the government do ’Member the food stamp color was tan and brown, but now the hunnid in blue Ayy, I remember syrup sandwiches and crime allowances
Finessin’ on ’em with some counterfeit, now I’m countin’ this”
In Glen Ellen, we grew up poor, too. Raised by a single mom and an alcoholic, absentee dad, the middle-class lifestyle was always just out of reach. We shopped off the rack or, even more commonly, at local thrift stores. Hand-me-downs were the norm. I didn’t even have the sense to lie to people about where my clothes were from. So uncool.
Although we had a sewing machine, our mom worked the evening shift full-time. When she was home, she didn’t have the time or bandwidth to do things like hem our jeans. We were all short girls. When one shops off the rack in the ’70s, doesn’t get their flares custom hemmed and they’re a short girl, their jeans drag on the ground under their sneaker heels. It’s a whole look.
That’s the look Lamar was sporting on the Super Bowl field on his big night. He was rocking Northern California
That price
tag is higher than my rent this month. But then again, I live in a converted grain silo in downtown Petaluma with only
one (north-facing)
window to let in natural light.
white hippie girl poverty with his bell bottoms. And the most hilarious of all is the price tag on them. According to The New York Times, “Kendrick Lamar’s Bell Bottoms [Stole] the Halftime Show.”
“…The pièce de resistance… were those jeans, which came from the French fashion house Celine… The Japanese-made jeans were slender at the top but flared at the hem, pooling around Mr. Lamar’s blackand-white sneakers... Their official product name is the ‘flared surf jean in summer dazed wash.’ At $1,300 they do not come cheap.”
That price tag is higher than my rent this month. But then again, I live in a converted grain silo in downtown Petaluma with only one (north-facing) window to let in natural light. I’m rocking the slum lord shanty urban lifestyle at midlife. It’s also a whole look.
Of course, in between, I had a whole other experience that has put this life into perspective. I am reasonably content here in my humble hermit tower. I lived the life of the 1%, and the price was too steep for me.
In my early 20s, in the late ’80s, I met a millionaire musician in the backwoods of a California folk festival, and he offered to
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take me away from the shabby life of a grubby little hippy chick. He made me a clean, well-heeled hippy chick who got to fly in private jets, rub elbows with elite DC Republicans who ran the world, schmooze with Hollywood stars, eat the finest cuts off fine porcelain in fancy schmancy restaurants, order caviar by mail.
But just like K-Dot (Lamar), I learned that it wasn’t all that.
“Oh, you thought the money, the power or fame would make you?
Have you ever played have-you-ever?”
I won’t bother explaining why. If one knows, they know. If one hasn’t walked that road, no words on this planet will convince them. Money ain’t nothin’. And it’s all tainted with blood. The more one has, the worse they are haunted. I promise that.
I relate to much more beyond K-Dot’s jeans. Those $1,300 unhemmed, raggedyedge flares are just the gateway for this hippy chick to his talent and wisdom:
“Power, poison, pain, and joy inside my DNA… …Burners, boosters, burglars, ballers, dead (Yeah, oh, oh)
Scholars, fathers dead with kids and (Yeah, oh, oh)…
…I hate those that feel entitled Look at me crazy ’cause I ain’t invite you…”
Oh, sing it, K-Dot. He’s talking about coming from a place where a lot of peers and family members have died young from “The Life.” For me, that has been the life of alcoholism and drug addiction that has taken so many of my family members, including my father, young. So many cousins of my generation are dead from drunk driving, alcohol poisoning, suicide, drug overdose, or killed doing crime.
The life of a hippy chick isn’t so different. I escaped because I’m a nerd. I spent enough time reading the dictionary that nobody bothered to shank me.
In the rest of his lyrics, and the symbolism of the choreography and costuming, Lamar’s talking about how the 1% wants to keep us
I’m inspired by the jeans, by his swag, by his genius, by it all. I’m back to unhemmed flares, for real, for real.
divided, make us feel like it’s us against each other, keep us scrapping in the yard while they compete for whom will be the first trillionaire, and how we’re enthralled to it all through media, propaganda, social constructs, greed. But it’s a wake-up call. “The revolution ’bout to be televised.”
At the end of his televised rant, like Howard Beale in the 1976 movie Network, who was mad as hell and not going to take it anymore, Lamar encourages us to “turn off [our] TV.”
I’m inspired by the jeans, by his swag, by his genius, by it all. I’m back to unhemmed flares, for real, for real. I’m on board with the Fifth Precept of Engaged Buddhism (which I think is what K-Dot is getting at):
“Do not accumulate wealth while millions are hungry. Do not take as the aim of your life fame, profit, wealth, or sensual pleasure. Live simply and share time, energy, and material resources with those who are in need.”
COLLABORATION IN A BOTTLE
Bouchaine Vineyards’ winemaker & grower
BY KARY HESS
Carneros is a land of contrasts—cool breezes from the San Pablo Bay meet sun-soaked rolling vineyards, shaping wines that tell stories of place, persistence and passion.
At Bouchaine Vineyards, two figures stand at the intersection of art and science, soil and soul: winemaker Chris Kajani and grape grower Dr. Paul Gee. Their partnership represents a merging of deeprooted tradition and persistent innovation, shaping Bouchaine’s legacy, one vintage at a time.
FROM MICROBES TO MICROCLIMATES
Kajani’s journey to Bouchaine wasn’t a straight path—it was a winding road that led from science labs to vineyard rows. A Napa native, she spent her formative years trekking through vineyards on horseback and, perhaps more fatefully, being the family’s designated driver on wine-tasting excursions. Her scientific mind initially led her to biotech, but a single harvest at Testarossa flipped the switch. The call of pinot noir was too strong to resist, and she returned to UC Davis to earn her M.S. in viticulture and enology.
She refined her craft at Pahlmeyer, where she was instantly captivated by their new pinot noir project. “I put my nose in the tank, and the layers of wild strawberry, succulent cherry, cardamom, sandalwood, roses and cinnamon hit me like a wave,” she says. “After my first harvest of pinot noir, I was hooked.”
Next, as associate winemaker and then winemaker at Saintsbury, she immersed herself in the nuanced soils and microclimates of Carneros, where she continued to build relationships with the community.
MAKER To Bouchaine Vineyards’ president and winemaker, Chris Kajani, winemaking is as much intuition as chemistry.
GROWER Dr. Paul Gee’s approach to farming blends philosophy with practice.
“We live and breathe grapes and wine—but also live on this dirt, breathe this air and drink this water,” she says. “To work with people who are not only committed to world class wine growing, but also sustainability and the preservation of this land for generations, is such an honor.”
By 2015, she was leading Bouchaine as winemaker and general manager, and in 2023, she ascended to the role of president. She is the first woman to hold the position, a milestone that marks not just personal triumph but a broader evolution in Napa Valley’s wine industry.
For Kajani, winemaking is as much intuition as it is chemistry. She walks the vineyards multiple times a week, tasting berries, evaluating canopy health and making the critical decision of when to pick. “It takes a village to craft a memorable bottle of wine,” she says, emphasizing the hands-on, no-compromises approach that defines Bouchaine.
CULTIVATING LEGACY, ONE VINE AT A TIME
While Kajani orchestrates the alchemy in the cellar, Dr. Paul Gee ensures that every grape tells a story of resilience and meticulous farming. The Gee Vineyard, located just across the road from Bouchaine, is a 17-acre site that has been farmed by the Gee family since the early 1980s. With deep roots, both literal and metaphorical, the vineyard has been dry-farmed for decades, meaning zero irrigation; the vines relied initially on hand-watering to establish their roots, then entirely on natural rainfall, digging deep into the soil to extract character and complexity.
Gee’s approach to farming is about both philosophy and practice. The vineyard’s old vines are un-trellised, a method that challenges conventional viticulture but yields fruit with remarkable intensity. From the vineyard’s beginning, Bouchaine has sourced the Gee family’s grapes, cementing a decades-long relationship that transcends business and enters the realm of mutual respect and shared vision.
The vineyard’s evolution is a testament to the grit of a family committed to the land. Stephanie Gee, Dr. Paul Gee’s daughter, recalls growing up alongside the vines, watering the rootstocks by hand and bottling wine with her father.
“He drove the tractor with the large water tank, and I watered each rootstock or placed the milk cartons and the rootstocks after he dug a fresh hole,” says Stephanie Gee. “We spent quality father-daughter time, just the
two of us chatting across the vines.” She reflects on how her father’s story is woven into the broader tapestry of Chinese-American history in Napa, highlighting his role in establishing the first Chinese-owned vineyard in the region.
A DIALOGUE BETWEEN VINEYARD AND WINEMAKER
Each vintage of Bouchaine’s Gee Vineyard Pinot Noir is a reflection of its growing season and the careful interplay between farmer and winemaker. The 2017 vintage, marked by a cool, foggy summer, delivered a pinot noir with tangy cherry, blood orange and earthy complexity. In contrast, the 2019 vintage—what Bouchaine calls a “Goldilocks” year, meaning the weather wasn’t too hot or too cold—produced balanced wines with notes of candied orange peel, sweet and sour cherry, lavender and sage.
Then came 2021, a drought year that resulted in smaller berries with intensified flavors. The wine from this vintage is rich with Morello cherry, blood orange, spices and chanterelles, built for aging and layered with remarkable depth. And 2022, a year defined by an early September heat wave, brought out a vibrant, almost electric quality in the fruit—deep cherry flavors punctuated by Chinese five spice and wild herbs.
SUSTAINABILITY AND INNOVATION
Sustainability is more than a buzzword at Bouchaine; it’s a commitment embedded in every aspect of the vineyard. The estate is Napa’s first Fish Friendly Certified vineyard and holds Napa Green Certifications. Cover crops and integrated pest management both play a role in ensuring the land remains viable for generations.
Kajani has been a driving force behind Bouchaine’s sustainability efforts. Under her leadership, the vineyard has implemented composting, natural waterways and cutting-edge sensor technology to track vineyard conditions in real time. These innovations allow for precision viticulture, ensuring that every decision, from irrigation to harvest timing, is data-driven while still honoring the instincts of those who know the land best.
Gee’s vineyard, with its reliance on dry farming, complements this approach by demonstrating that low-intervention agriculture can coexist with world-class
WINE The Gee
Vineyard Pinot Noir is one of Bouchaine’s most sought-after offerings.
winemaking. The result is a partnership that not only yields exquisite wines but also serves as a model for sustainable farming in Napa Valley.
A LEGACY IN THE MAKING
Gee and Kajani share a passion for the land, and their collaboration is a compelling example of craftsmanship, science and artistry harmonizing—one shaping the fruit through meticulous farming, the other coaxing its full expression into the bottle.
As the fog rolls in over Carneros, cooling the vines for yet another season, their partnership continues to evolve, shaping the future of Bouchaine and leaving an indelible mark on Napa Valley’s ongoing wine story. Theirs is a collaboration rooted in tradition and vision, a reminder that good things are the result of many hands, many perspectives and many seasons.
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WELL PLAYED
Sheri Lee Miller: a life in theater
BY KARY HESS
Sheri Lee Miller has spent her life immersed in theater, a passion she has nurtured since childhood.
As an actor, director and mentor, Miller has evolved her career over the years while staying true to her personal artistic vision. Now, as the manager of the Spreckels Performing Arts Center in Rohnert Park
and artistic director of the Spreckels Theatre Company, Miller continues to bring compelling productions to life, champion new voices and ensure that the local theater scene remains vibrant and relevant.
“I can’t recall a time when I didn’t want a career in theater,” she says. “I never wanted to go to New York or L.A. I just wanted to make a living in the theater and have the respect of my peers.”
ONSTAGE
Miller’s passion for acting runs deep. Recently, she took on the demanding role of Mary Shelley in local playwright David Templeton’s play, Mary Shelley’s Body, a one-woman production that required her to memorize more than 10,000 words. It was a challenge she embraced wholeheartedly. “I have a tremendous amount of respect for »»
PHOTO BY LAUREN HENEY
STAR TURN Sheri Lee Miller starred as the titular character in ‘Mary Shelley’s Body.’
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«« Her directing process is rooted in flexibility and trust in her actors. While she conducts thorough research, she avoids rigid planning.
other artists,” she says. “Working with David has been just such a joy.”
She has played innumerable roles, including Eleanor of Aquitaine in The Lion in Winter, Amanda Wingfield in Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie and Lady Macbeth in Macbeth. She thrives on complex, psychological roles, citing Stones in His Pockets, a tragicomedy by Irish playwright Marie Jones, as an example of the kind of work that excites her. “My approach to acting hasn’t really changed. I work from the inside out and see where it takes me,” says Miller.
BACKSTAGE
As the artistic director at Spreckels, Miller is deeply invested in selecting productions that spark conversation and evoke emotion from audiences, and she takes her time choosing the right shows. “I am far and away the slowest artistic director at that,” she admits. “Everybody else always has their season long before me.”
She reads countless scripts yearly, searching for stories that will move audiences and challenge her actors. “I want something that I genuinely think will either open a discussion, be exceptionally entertaining or move people. Because why wouldn’t you do that? It’s the minutes of our lives, right?”
Miller also values the transformative power of theater for those involved in the production. “It might change audiences, and it might change the people who work on it,” she says. “Because they matter. And that’s a big thing in choosing a season—choosing shows that have something for people I know and respect.” »»
SOUTHERN SENSIBILITY Sheri Lee Miller (left) portrayed ‘Amanda,’ the proud but pitiable mother to ‘Tom’ (Keith Baker), in Tennessee Williams’ ‘The Glass Menagerie.’
PHOTO BY LAUREN HENEY
Beyond selecting productions, Miller has dreams of expanding Spreckels’ offerings. She envisions launching a oneact playwriting competition and increasing readings of new works. But she knows those aspirations may take some time. “Spreckels is just so packed every minute of every day that we can’t fit it all in. I am greedy. I want more,” she says with a laugh.
SHOWTIME
Miller brings a unique approach to directing, shaped by her years as an actor. “My talent is in improving on what somebody else has done,” she says, underscoring her ability to elevate performances by helping actors tap into their full potential.
Her directing process is rooted in flexibility and trust in her actors. While she conducts thorough research, she avoids rigid planning. “I am more relaxed…I definitely don’t plan everything out in advance. For me, that’s a waste of time. I need to see what the actors are bringing and build on that.”
She credits Joan-Lee Woehler-LaSalle, her mentor at Santa Rosa Junior College, for first encouraging her to step into directing. Now, she finds herself in the role of mentor, eager to nurture new directors and provide opportunities for others. “I like championing people,” she says. “I wish I had room to do more shows, so I could give people more directing opportunities and nurture new directors.”
Her approach has not always felt comfortable. “I said to David [Templeton] before directing one of his plays, ‘I have no idea what I’m doing. I don’t know what made me think I could do this. I’ve never
felt this way before.’ And he said to me, ‘Sheri, you always feel this way. And you always say you’ve never felt this way before.’” She laughs. “And then once I’m in the room, I’m fine. Yeah, no worries.”
QUICK CHANGE
Theater has evolved significantly over Miller’s career. She notes that audiences now expect more transparency, such as trigger warnings for sensitive content. The rise of intimacy coordinators has also changed the industry. “Before intimacy coordinators, the director told me, ‘You know, get on his lap, straddle him, and you guys are just gonna go at it.’ Now for even a kiss, you bring in an intimacy coach. It’s good that it exists now because it was a very thoughtless way to do theater before, but most of us didn’t really think about it.”
Diversity in theater has also grown. “There’s just so much more to say, and do—so many more viewpoints and so many more points of relating to the world,” she says. “So in general, I would say things have greatly changed for the better.”
SECOND ACT
Miller’s journey has taken her from Seattle, where she lived and worked for 13 years, back to the Bay Area, where she reimmersed herself in the theater here. On moving from Seattle, she says, “I hit what I call the gray wall. I couldn’t take the gray sky anymore. I didn’t mind the rain. But nine months out of the year, it’s gray.”
Balancing career and family was important to her. When she and her husband, Clark Miller, had children, she stepped away from theater for about eight years. “It wasn’t a conscious decision. I just
was so into being a mom,” she recalls.
As she’s grown older, Miller has embraced the shifting roles available to her as an actor. “The roles have to change for an actor because we age,” she says. She’s played everything from what she jokingly calls “hot tamale” to “ballbuster” roles but recognizes that new opportunities emerge with time. “Don’t yearn for roles you can no longer play; embrace the ones you are finally ready for. One of the great things about theater is that you can do it for most of your life. That is not true of all arts,” notes Miller.
Looking ahead, Miller envisions a future where she continues to uplift others in the theater world. “My dream job after retirement is to be a ‘play doctor,’” she says. Given her talent for refining performances and nurturing creative voices, it seems like a role perfectly suited for her next act.
ROLE PLAYING Miller has played many roles, including Eleanor of Aquitaine in ‘The Lion in Winter’ and Lady Macbeth in ‘Macbeth.’
PHOTO BY LAUREN HENEY
BLUE ROSES Ivy Rose Miller (left) and Sheri Lee Miller starred in a production of ‘The Glass Menagerie.’
AGING LIKE A FINE WINE
50-up is a ‘vintage’ to savor
Aging isn’t what it used to be. Once upon a time, hitting 50 meant quietly slipping into sensible shoes and discussing the merits of fiber supplements. But here in the North Bay, 50 is less about slowing down and more about picking up steam—whether that’s trekking through sun-dappled vineyards, sweating it out in a yoga studio or discovering that tiki bars are the perfect antidote to a lifetime of wine tastings.
NUMBERS GAME Being 50, or thereabouts, is different than in decades past.
PHOTO BY PRISCILLA DU PREEZ
By 50, we’ve earned the right to choose our indulgences wisely. For some, that’s a deep, well-structured pinot noir. For others, it’s a flaming tiki cocktail served in a bar that feels like an eternal night in paradise.
There’s a lesson in the vineyards of Bouchaine, where winemaker Chris Kajani and grape grower Dr. Paul Gee prove that patience, care and a touch of innovation yield the best results. Their approach to winemaking mirrors the art of aging well: staying rooted in tradition while embracing change. Sustainability, both in the vines and in ourselves, ensures longevity—whether it’s tending to the soil or tending to our own well-being. Like a good vintage, we improve with time, complexity deepening, character sharpening and appreciation growing.
BENDING WITHOUT BREAKING
In midlife, flexibility isn’t just a metaphor—it’s a survival skill. Kathryn Keown and Jessica Smith, co-founders of Hot Yoga Republic, embody this philosophy in more ways than one. They ditched the hushed reverence of traditional yoga spaces in favor of humor, camaraderie and Led Zeppelinfueled sweat sessions. Adaptability isn’t
just about touching one’s toes; it’s about laughing through change, rolling with the unexpected and proving that reinvention is always an option.
To that end, Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime bell-bottoms may have seemed like a sartorial throwback. But for those of us who lived through the original flared era, they were a reminder: Nothing is truly left behind. Trends cycle back, just like memories, lessons, and—if we’re lucky—our own sense of self. If we’re willing to embrace the past without being trapped by it, we can claim the best of both worlds: wisdom with a dash of youthful rebellion. By 50, we’ve earned the right to choose our indulgences wisely. For some, that’s a deep, well-structured pinot noir. For others, it’s a flaming tiki cocktail served in a bar that feels like an eternal night in paradise. The post-pandemic resurgence of tiki bars in the North Bay is proof that joy, escapism and a little kitsch never go out of style. Whether one is sipping a Scorpion Bowl or making a toast to their own next adventure, there’s something to be said
for embracing the fun side of midlife. Because aging well isn’t about dodging the inevitable; it’s about meeting it head-on with a solid pair of hiking boots and a good sense of humor. The trails of the North Bay offer the perfect balance of exertion and reflection—reminders that we’re still in motion, still discovering, still justifying dessert after a long walk. It’s not about proving anything to anyone but oneself. Movement is its own reward, and every step forward is a step toward something worth savoring.
So here’s to 50 and beyond—a chapter where one gets to rewrite the rules, swap stress for scenery and trade the idea of “acting your age” for just acting like oneself. Whether one is raising a glass of pinot, mastering the art of downward dog to “Dazed and Confused” or hiking with the smug satisfaction of someone who absolutely earned their post-trail wine, the North Bay is proof that some vintages—people included—only get better with age.
