Scene Silicon Valley’s Guide to Style
Holiday Brights:
winter 2011
U.S. $5.95
Genius gift ideas Givers and doers
How to get a shapely backside Luxe urban living
high drama From great to glam—perfect party wear, hair and makeup Plus Winter fashion
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winter 2011 • Scene • 9
table of contents 112
74
98
features fashion 58 Unexpected Pleasures Mix this season’s trends for winter sparkle. By Donna Kato. Photos by Nikki Ritcher
68 We’re Into Spring Color, retro, sheer fabrics and more are coming soon. By Donna Kato
98 High Drama Sophisticated dressing for festive nights out. By Donna Kato. Photos by Paul Ferradas
107 Get the Look Pros tell you how to take your hair and makeup from great to glam. By Donna Kato. Photos by Paul Ferradas
10 • Scene • winter 2011
holiday gift guide 82 The Perfect Present Genius gifts for everyone on your list. By Erika Kittler Brown
Icons 74 The Road Home Leah Toeniskoetter traveled the world to make an impact. Now she’s helping her hometown thrive. By Julia Prodis Sulek. Photos by Patrick Tehan
Home & design 112 Luxe Urban Living New, luxury townhouses and condos make city living chic. By Julia Prodis Sulek. Photos by Desiree Northend
126 Slick Surfaces With a dazzling array of choices, today’s kitchen counters combine function and beauty for custom looks. By Mary MacVean
winter 2011 • Scene • 11
12 • Scene • winter 2011
table of contents 142 152
134
departments 25 The Insider
134 At the Table
Fashion’s former bad boy on display; oh my dog!; a midlife steamy read; Loved Twice for newborns; iCandy; hello to hammam. By Stephanie Simons
37 Indulge
A new cookbook by Aaron French highlights Bay Area farmer-chef connections – complete with savory recipes for holiday meals.
142 In the Garden
A penchant for pendants.
Putting on the glitz for holiday décor. By Joan Jackson. Photos by Holiday Foliage
42 Shop Talk The Butter Paddle in Los Gatos, Esqueleto in Oakland. By Crystal Chow and Stephanie Simons
47
53
Beauty Report Want a shapely backside? Here’s how to get it. By Crystal Chow Romance novel cover model Jason Baca reveals his secrets to looking good. By Katharine Fong
55 Body & Soul AntiGravity Yoga gives you a literal high. By Suzette Laboy
Getaways 146 Mendocino shares its charms on its
own terms. By Katharine Fong
152
The U.S. Virgin Islands’ warm, sandy beaches and stunning views beckon.
159 Seen Big fun around town.
162 The Back Page Scene’s new blogger, and introducing: The Bottom Line.
winter 2011 • Scene • 13
TheDoctorForYou.com 14 • Scene • winter 2011
We understand there’s no one quite like you. That’s why no other health network is quite like us.
When you choose Sutter Health, you’re choosing a network of some of the most respected hospitals and doctor groups in the region. Plus, you’ll get access to a wide array of specialists who provide advanced care when you need it. So during open enrollment, make sure you choose a health plan that gives you access to the Sutter Health network.
Find your Sutter Health network doctor today at thedoctorforyou.com
Medical Foundations:
Hospitals:
Palo Alto Medical Foundation Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center California Pacific Medical Center Eden Medical Center Mills-Peninsula Health Services
Novato Community Hospital Sutter Delta Medical Center Sutter Medical Center of Santa Rosa winter 2011 • Scene • 15
"Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish." ~Steve Jobs
5('(),1,1* 5($/ (67$7( 6,1&( : : : 6 ( 5 ( 1 2 * 5 2 8 3 & 2 0 3DOR $OWR /RV $OWRV 6DUDWRJD /RV *DWRV 6DQWD &UX] :LOORZ *OHQ &RPLQJ 6RRQ
16 • Scene • winter 2011
Katharine Fong Editor & Publisher
Rebecca Hall Lucero Art Director Donna Kato Contributing Fashion & Beauty Editor Crystal Chow Melinda Sacks Stephanie Simons Julia Prodis Sulek Contributing Writers Jose Carlos Fajardo Patrick Tehan Contributing Photographers Rebecca Parr Copy Editor Scene Magazine Vol. 3, No. 3, Copyright 2011 by the Bay Area News Group All rights reserved. Material herein may not be reprinted without expressed written consent of the publisher. Make contact: Scene@BayAreaNewsGroup.com Address: 750 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, CA 95190 Facebook.com/SceneBayArea Twitter: SceneBayArea
Josie Lepe
Scene
Givers and doers are in fashion
Want to change a life? You can do it for as little as $25. Bay Areabased Kiva pools microloans to grant larger loans that alleviate poverty by helping people grow small businesses. It’s been recognized for its work since it started in 2005, and is always worth mentioning – as we do in our holiday gift guide this issue (“The Perfect Present,” Page 82). Kiva success stories prove that a little can make a big difference, in all corners of the world. But you don’t have to look far to find ways to give and do closer to home. We check in with Loved Twice, for example, on Page 31. Started by Oakland mom Lisa Klein, the nonprofit collects new and gently used infant clothes and boxes up a year’s worth for babies in need. Loved Twice accepts donations of funds and time, even at work: Companies can host sorting parties that end with deliveries to local hospitals and shelters. Easy – and fun. This special issue of Scene also looks at a few other givers and doers. Raised in the South Bay, Leah Toesniskoetter (“The Road Home,” Page 74) left town and traveled the globe to make an impact, including a stint in the Peace Corps in Bolivia. Now, in addition to leading the Valley Medical Center Foundation and raising funds to buy bicycles for underprivileged kids, she has a new job helping revitalize San Jose civic and business life. Another doer: Jeff Stanford, proprietor with his wife Joan of Mendocino’s Stanford Inn (see our travel story on Page 146). Stanford has been reading the works of Krishnamurti since he was a teen, and notes that the writer/teacher urged action upon “realization.” Once Stanford realized that “eating plants is easier on the planet … than eating animals,” he became a vegetarian, started the inn’s organic garden that provides for its restaurant and founded a wellness center to serve guests and the larger community. Acting on our realizations, as these folks and many others have, often results in giving back and doing the right thing – marvelous goals this season and always. Happy holidays, and see you next year.
Subscribe!
Go to SceneBayArea.com, or contact Rick Raker at rraker@BayAreaNewsGroup.com or 925.945.4781.
Katharine Fong Editor & Publisher
winter 2011 • Scene • 17
18 • Scene • winter 2011
Peace on earth starts here .
‘Tis the season for Massage Envy Spa gift cards. Good for massages, facials and peace of mind. Ready to gift in any denomination at your local Massage Envy Spa. $
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contributors Stephanie Simons (“Oh My Dog!” Page 26) blogs for Scene at Beauty & the Beat, where she shares her inside scoop about the best salons, services, products and other news (see SceneBayArea.com). The East Bay native pens about lipstick, powder and paint for Benefit Cosmetics, InStyle, Daily Candy, C magazine, Sophisticate’s Hairstyle Guide and others.
Paul Ferradas (“Seductively Sophisticated,” Page 98) is a fashion photographer based in San Francisco. He’s been photographing fashion for six years and works closely with local talent agencies developing modeling portfolios. He is also a part-time wedding photographer when he’s not shooting fashion.
Crystal Chow (“The Rear View,” Page 47) has enjoyed a diverse career as an editor and writer, starting with indelible stints at Guns & Ammo and Playgirl magazines in Southern California. In Silicon Valley, she has worked at high-tech companies and the San Jose Mercury News.
20 • Scene • winter 2011
Scene Mac Tully President & Publisher Bay Area News Group
John Stoeser Director, Community Information & Targeted Delivery Bay Area News Group Jenny Kohler Director, Retail Advertising Stephanie McLoughlin Director, Major Advertising Steve Weimer Targeted Publications Director Cissi Holmgren-Kates Advertising Production Manager Timothy Tsun and Ad Services Advertising Design For advertising information,call 408.278.3448. Copyright 2011 Bay Area News Group
scene advisory board Karie Bennett Founder Atelier Aveda Salonspa and Atelier Studio at Santana Row
Kalpana Trivadi CEO World Information Network
Collette Navarrette West Coast Marketing Manager Federal Realty — Santana Row
Laura Vestal Marketing Director Westfield Valley Fair
Amanda Sinclair Strategic Account Manager Future Electronics
Nanci Williams Founder/CEO Orloff Williams
Dawn L. Thomas Broker Associate Intero Real Estate Services
Lily Yacobi CEO Sarah and David Interactive
Erika Brown Marketing Director Bay Area News Group
Donna Kato Contributing Fashion & Beauty Editor Scene Magazine
On Your Mark...
Get Set...
SHOP
BLACK FRIDAY November 25 Spend $400 on Black Friday at Santana Row and receive
two
tickets
to
Cats
performing at Broadway San Jose. Limit one per person. Visit SantanaRow.com for Black Friday sales and specials around The Row.
Anthropologie | Burberry | Diesel | Donald J. Pliner | Free People Gucci | H&M | Pink Stripes | Ted Baker | Urban Outfitters
Give the Gift That Fits Any Style The Santana Row Gift Card
70 Shops | 20 Restaurants | 9 Spas & Salons | 1 Hotel www.SantanaRow.com Redeemable at over 70 shops, 20 restaurants, 9 spas and salons, CineArts Theatre and Hotel Valencia. At The Corner of Stevens Creek And W inchester Boulevards in San Jose | Concierge 408.551.4611 | Follow us on:
Dec 27, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012 Buy Online: BroadwaySanJose.com Call: 408-792-45111 (groups of 10+ call 408-792-4131)
All performances held at the San Jose Center for the Performing Ar ts. winter 2011 • Scene • 21
Vanessa Zahorian and Vitor Luiz in Tomasson’s Trio (© Erik Tomasson)
A Full Season of Incomparable Beauty Awaits You!
The 2012 season starts in January! Buy tickets today at sfballet.org
Performances at the War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco.
22 • Scene • winter 2011
sfballet.org
415.865.2000
San Francisco Ballet in Tomasson’s Nutcracker (© Erik Tomasson)
NUTCRACKER LEAD SPONSORS:
NUTCRACKER SPONSORS:
The Herbert Family
Yurie and Carl Pascarella
The Swanson Foundation
Kathleen Scutchfield The Smelick Family
NUTCRACKER MEDIA SPONSORS:
winter 2011 • Scene • 23
L ey/CM © Disn
Give tickets and you give memories www.broadwaysanjose.com Call 408-792-4111 for tickets All shows held at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts.
24 • Scene • winter 2011
Groups Have More Fun! Groups of 10 more call 408-792-4131 or email groups@broadwaysanjose.com
the insider Iconoclastic designer’s work, life on view come spring
vision
Before Gaga there was Gaultier – creator of the man-skirt, cone bra and that bandage get-up worn by Milla Jovovich in “The Fifth Element.” The once-enfant terrible of fashion, now 59 and still a working, fiercely unconventional designer (who in fact has dressed Lady Gaga), is the subject of a muchanticipated exhibit coming to the de Young Museum in March. “The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier” includes some 120 couture and ready-to-wear designs created from the early ’70s to 2010, along with fashion photographs and video clips of Gaultier’s many collaborations with filmmakers (such as Pedro Almodóvar and Luc Besson), choreographers and musical artists, including, of course, Madonna. Gaultier has used his oft-outra-
Courtesy Dallas Museum of Art
a singular
geous but always superbly crafted designs to explore sexuality, gender, ethnicity and the definition of beauty. His inspirations have drawn from sartorial tradition and high art, pop culture and religious iconography, street fashion and tattoos. Organized by the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the exhibit features 30 animated mannequins, including one of Gaultier himself, that talk, sing and chant as playful accompaniment. Who can resist? Bring something to carry the 424page exhibition catalog home. “The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk,” at the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, March 24–Aug. 19, 2012. Information and tickets at deyoung.famsf.org – Katharine Fong
winter 2011 • Scene • 25
the insider
oh my dog! What to give to your best friend and life companion? No, not him. How to pamper the pup who has it all
Patrick Tehan
By Stephanie Simons
a paw-fect world
animal house
The spaw at Sunnyvale’s Pooch Hotel serves up a stellar poochberry facial, massage, aromatherapy bath, conditioning, blow-dry and pawdicure. Also on the menu? Color touch-ups for graying muzzles. Poochhotel.com
Oakland-based Sustainable Pet creates environmentally responsible dog houses from waterproof beeswax, zero-VOC paint and naturally flea-resistant wood. A roof covered in native plants filters the air and attracts butterflies and birds. From $925. Sustainablepet.com
furever yours Think your pooch ought to be in pictures? Call on photojournalist and “dogumentarian” Kendra Luck of Albany. She specializes in black and white documentary-style photography you can frame or give as holiday gifts. From $500. Dogumentarian.com
26 • Scene • winter 2011
dressed to the (K)nines
San Jose’s Gussied Up boutique, in the Willow Glen neighborhood, stocks sports jerseys by Sporty K9 and other labels. So purrfect for furry fans of the Giants, Sharks and Raiders. $37. Gussiedupdog.com
hair of the dog Inspired by the Wine Country lifestyle, Dogs Uncorked makes a luxuriant Belle Fifi bubbly shampoo ($14.50), as well as decadent morsels such as Bowluga caviar ($6.99) and Pâté de Paw Gras ($7.50). Dogsuncorked.com
strokes of genius Unleash Sparky’s creative side with a Pup-Casso Art Kit. A paint shield prevents the non-toxic acrylic paint from getting his paws — and your place — messy. Picture frame, canvas art paper (and surprise toy!) included. (Kits also available for kitties.) $19.99. Artcasso.com
ruff love Being carried like a baby in this breathable backpack will give your little one a new leash on life. And you’ll be able to travel in tandem with ease. $125. Puptogo.com
for treat’s sake! Walnut Creek’s Wags & Whiskers stocks a bevy of gourmet eats, including all-natural, human-grade Tiki Dog products by Petropics (think succulent chicken on brown rice with sweet potato, tiger prawns, egg, garlic and kale in lobster consommé). $1.79-$4.49. Wagsandwhiskerspetboutique.com
winter 2011 • Scene • 27
2 0 11 - 1 2 S E A S O N
.!+!-!435 0,!93 #(/0).
December 3rd at 8:00pm December 4th at 2:30pm
o JosĂŠ-Luis Nov
JOSÉ-LUIS NOVO, conductor JON NAKAMATSU, pianist
su Jon Nakamat
ZĂłltan Kodaly
SPECIAL EVENT s Friday December 2, 8:00pm
*/. .!+!-!435 •#/.#)4!,–
DANCES FROM GALANTA
Catch Jon Nakamatsu as you’ve never seen him before—with a full evening of virtuoso piano performances both solo and with the orchestra. What’s a concital? An exciting new concert format that explores the full range of an individual artist. In the first portion of the program, Nakamatsu will play solo recital repertoire. The second half adds the full orchestra, showcasing Nakamatsu as a concerto artist performing Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1. Not a recital and not a symphonic concert, but both: A Concital. Tickets: $39–75.
Darius Milhaud
LE BOEUF SUR LE TOIT
Arturo MĂĄrquez
DANZON NO. 2
FrĂŠdĂŠric Chopin
PIANO CONCERTO NO. 1
408 286-2600 ext 23 CALIFORNIA THEATRE 345 S. First St. SJ 95113
Supported in part by a Cultural Affairs grant from the City of San Jose. 28  •  Scene  •  winter 2011
WWW SYMPHONYSILICONVALLEY ORG
Over the river and through the woods, and to soccer practice too!
ALL NEW 7-PASSENGER
2013 INFINITI JX®
Available 1st quarter 2012
Frontier INFINITI 4355 Stevens Creek Blvd., Santa Clara, CA 95051 www.frontierinfiniti.com | 408.243.4355 winter 2011 • Scene • 29
the insider [Her husband] looked extra fabulous that night in a white turtleneck that hugged his taut stomach Courtesy Sue Warhaftig
and well-developed arms and shoulders. Rod worked out every weekday at a gym on the same block as his Sue Warhaftig, left, and Beverly Butler co-authored “Meant to Be.”
lit lite
Pals tell story of woman on midlife quest By Julia Prodis Sulek In “Meant to Be,” a self-published book released earlier this year but perfect holiday vacation reading, two Bay Area women in their 50s create the character of Judith McCoy. Judith is a 50-something housewife on a journey of self-destruction, sexual discovery and, ultimately, redemption. “We felt like Judith’s story was a little bit of most middle-aged women’s lives,” says co-author Sue Warhaftig. “You spend all your energy and time on your children, and life is rolling on without really concentrating on yourself. [Judith] wakes up one day and finds she’s drinking too much and is too heavy. Her relationship has been neglected, and she feels like life is marching on without her.” Warhaftig and co-author Beverly Butler admit they didn’t have to dig too deep to flesh out Judith’s character. “There’s a whole lot of me in Judith,” Butler says. Both Butler and Warhaftig are married with two teenage children each. Both live in Marin. Butler is a vice president for Wells Fargo’s Internet services group. Warhaftig is a massage therapist with a jewelry business she runs out of her home. Butler has been writing short stories and one-act plays in her spare time, and Warhaftig always had “stories rolling around in my head.” They met through a mutual friend in 2008, and the collaboration began, sending drafts back and forth to each other through email. The result (their first book) is a steamy page-turner – “chick-lit” for all those 50-somethings who still want to be considered “chicks.”
30 • Scene • winter 2011
office. He had the time, she thought bitterly, because she was at home making lunches, corralling missing AP Euro History assignments, and getting both girls off to school plus performing the housekeeping chores. ... He looked up at her just as a stunning young blonde with a mouthful of straight white teeth came through the door and stole his attention. He smiled at her and gave her a casual kiss on the cheek. ...“Tammi,” said Rod brightly, “Let me introduce you to my wife Judith.”
“Meant to Be” is available through Amazon.com, as well as the Nook, Kindle and iPad.
Courtesy Lisa Klein
the insider
At a party hosted by Google last month, 74 boxes for newborns were filled with more than 5,000 garments, Lisa Klein says.
Oakland’s Lisa Klein is hoping more people will take advantage of Loved Twice’s “buy one, give one” special. For every “ultimate philanthropic baby blanket” bought on LovedTwice.org, for example, one will be donated to a newborn in need. Of course, Loved Twice will happily take straight-up donations; it boxes and delivers a year’s worth of new and gently used essential clothing for newborns to 1-year-olds in need. Klein started Loved Twice in 2005 in response to Hurricane Katrina, collecting 200 pounds of onesies, blankets, bibs and hats from Bay Area moms like herself in just four days. “I thought, this is what I really want to do,” says the former advertising art director. “It was a project I could do at home with my children by my side. As they grow, they help me see the importance of giving back to others who are less fortunate.” Loved Twice has earned impressive media buzz (think People magazine and “The Today
baby love Nonprofit helps clothe infants in need By Stephanie Simons
donation drop-off Cool Tops Cuts for Kids, 5697 Miles Ave., Oakland; 3367 Mount Diablo Blvd., Lafayette; 3171 Crow Canyon Place, San Ramon Marin Kids Consignment, 814 Francisco Blvd. West, San Rafael The Dailey Method, 3528 Alameda De Las Pulgas, Menlo Park; 249 First St., Los Altos
Show”) for its efforts, which now reach across the United States. The boxes are distributed through licensed social workers in hospitals, shelters and clinics, including Children’s Hospital Oakland, San Francisco General, Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, Shelter Network on the Peninsula and Brighter Beginnings in the East Bay. Donation bins have been set up at retail locations (see sidebar). And excess inventory is picked up from countless clothing stores. Some companies have started hosting handme-down sorting events that end with deliveries to local hospitals. “I’ve collected more than 31,000 pounds of baby clothes that would otherwise end up in landfills,” Klein says. In fact, local communities have been so generous that the front yard of Klein’s home is cluttered with the spill-over. “It’s definitely time to start fundraising efforts so we can afford to have a warehouse,” she says. For more information, visit LovedTwice.org.
winter 2011 • Scene • 31
Brahms’s Violin Concerto with Gil Shaham Wed Nov 23 8pm Fri Nov 25 6:30pm Sat Nov 26 8pm Michael Tilson Thomas conductor Gil Shaham violin San Francisco Symphony Wagner Prelude to Act III of Lohengrin Brahms Violin Concerto Brahms (Orch. Schoenberg) Piano Quartet No. 1 Sponsored by Abbey Carpet of San Francisco
THE SAN FR ANCISCO SYMPHONY PRESENTS AMERICAN ORCHESTR AS
Boston Symphony Orchestra and Ludovic Morlot Tue Dec 6 8pm Ludovic Morlot conductor Richard Goode piano Elizabeth Rowe flute Boston Symphony Orchestra Berlioz Roman Carnival Overture Mozart Piano Concerto No. 25 Elliott Carter Flute Concerto (Boston Symphony Orchestra Commission) Bartók Suite from The Miraculous Mandarin Presenting Sponsor American Orchestra Series Supported by
THE SAN FR ANCISCO SYMPHONY PRESENTS AMERICAN ORCHESTR AS
Boston Symphony Orchestra and Ludovic Morlot Wed Dec 7 8pm Ludovic Morlot conductor Boston Symphony Orchestra John Harbison Symphony No. 4 Ravel Daphnis et Chloé Suite No. 2 Mahler Symphony No.1 Gil Shaham violin
Presenting Sponsor American Orchestra Series Supported by
sfsymphony.org (415) 864-6000 Box Office Hours Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat noon-6pm, Sun 2 hours prior to concerts Walk Up Grove St between Van Ness and Franklin Concerts at Davies Symphony Hall. Programs, artists, and prices subject to change.
Ce nte n n iaL partn e r S
32 • Scene • winter 2011
S e a SO n partn e rS Inaugural Partner
Official Airline
Official Wine
the insider
Courtesy iCandy
the big
clean
all about eyes Long, thick lashes – especially if you weren’t born with them – are big business. While celebs like Nicole Kidman and J.Lo enlist the expertise of renowned makeup artists to dote upon their fringe, the rest of us spend the greater part of our lives experimenting with the latest products (think Latisse and vibrating mascara wands) to increase our batting average. Hello iCandy Eye Salon. Opened this year by image consultant Shareen Malik — the mastermind of Stunners n Smashers Spalon in Brentwood and Antioch — this “all about eyes” destination serves up a veritable beauty buffet for the lashes. Mink and silk extensions. Tinting. Perming. While the latter treatment sounds extreme, the results speak for themselves, “opening up” the eyes for a doe-eyed Bambi effect and adding curl to pinstraight fringe. iCandy stylists give your lashes the same attention a hairstylist would give your mane or an esthetician would give the skin, in addition to doing eyebrow threading and airbrush makeup. Threading services start at $7 for chin and upper lip, and go to $150 for eyelash extensions. 1500 Sunnyvale Ave., Walnut Creek, and 5035 Lone Tree Way, Suite C, Antioch; icandysalon.com – Stephanie Simons
Hammams, the Turkish/Moroccan baths stemming back to ancient times, offer an exotic cleansing ritual that is both invigorating and relaxing (and can be a social event, too). Traditionally, hammams have three interconnected rooms: a warm room to prepare (and perspire), a steamy hot room for massage and washing, and a cool room to rest. It all sounded good to us, so we tried the Moroccan Hammam Mud Ritual ($135) at Spa Dhara in Fremont. Lying prone on a heated marble slab, we were scrubbed with coarse mitts, lathered in foamy bubbles, patted with oils using a spinning wet towel, covered in black mud and wrapped in a foil heat blanket. Between each step, we were showered down or doused with little bowls of warm water. It was a unique and occasionally uncomfortable experience, but there’s no denying that our skin felt softer and smoother at the end.
Spa Dhara, 43368 Boscell Road, Fremont, 510.256.5001, spadhara.com. Other area day spas with similar – though not authentically hammam – treatments include Watercourse Way, Palo Alto (watercourseway. com); Changes Salon & Day Spa, Walnut Creek (changessalon.com); and Imperial Spa, San Francisco (imperialdayspa.com).
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indulge
close to the heart Ah, the pendant, center of attention, worn close to the heart. We think of pendant necklaces as fine accessories, with their glints of precious metals, sparkles of gems and stones. ❦ Historically, however, pendant necklaces were worn to exLes Sous Bois “Mystere” large crystal necklace, Baccarat, $895. Baccarat boutiques; Baccarat.com
press identity and status. ❦ In some instances, they were thought to possess protective or spiritual attributes. ❦ The thought of such powers, combined with the variety of beautiful designs available today, makes a pendant a truly magical gift – even for yourself.
winter 2011 • Scene • 37
indulge
Multidimensional champagne sunset medallion with 18-karat yellow gold and diamond (0.55 total carat weight), Tacori, $5,870. Lustre Precious Gems
14-karat rose gold pink mother of pearl necklace, Kabana, $3,048. Fred Meyer Jewelers, Na Hoku, The Yellow Brick Road; kabana.net
“Fleurs de Psydelic” ruby crystal necklace, Baccarat, $430. Baccarat boutiques; baccarat.com 18-karat white and yellow gold organic pendant with 0.32 carats of brilliant white diamonds, Simon G, $1,940. Padis Gems
Emerald and diamond (12 carat total weight) 18-karat white gold pendant, $16,000. Cegielski Jewelers, cegielskijewelers.com
Chocolate and vanilla diamond swirl pendant in 14-karat strawberry gold (0.466 total carat weight), Le Vian, $3,147. Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s; levian.com
Rare, natural Burmese green jadeite dragon pendant in 18-karat white gold and diamonds (1.13 total carat weight), David Lin, $130,000. Lustre Precious Gems
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where to buy Cegielski Jewelers 5354 Clayton Road, Concord, cegielskijewelers.com Fred Meyer Jewelers Sunvalley Shopping Center in Concord, Stoneridge Shopping Center in Pleasanton, fredmeyerjewelers.com
Lustre Precious Gems Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, lustrepreciousgems.com Mansoor & Gore Jewelers 530 Ramona St., Palo Alto, mansoorgore.com
"Beads of Paradise" black rhodium and green diamond necklace, Sethi Couture, $700. Mansoor & Gore; sethicouture.com
Long ancient flower pendant with semiprecious stones, M.C.L by Matthew Campbell Laurenza, $775. Neiman Marcus; mcldesign.net
18-karat white and yellow gold rosette pendant with 0.47 carats of brilliant white diamonds, Simon G, $3,300. Padis Gems Free-form pendant with swirling, ribbon-like bands of chocolate and vanilla diamonds and 14-karat strawberry gold (0.65 total carat weight), Le Vian, $2,547. Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s; levian.com
Na Hoku Westfield Valley Fair, Stoneridge Shopping Center, nahoku.com
Plumage peacock pendant, Isharya, $140. isharya.com
The Yellow Brick Road 17 N. Santa Cruz St., Los Gatos; yellowbrickroadjewelers.com
Moon Bali Comet pendant, Isharya, $525. Isharya.com
Padis Gems 101 Utah St., Suite 201, San Francisco; guest pass can be printed out at padisgems.com (under “Our Stores”). 888 Brannan St., Suite 126, San Francisco
winter 2011 • Scene • 39
Inspiring Dreams Beyond Expectations
Dining • Bedrooms • Custom Wall Units • TV Concoles • Home Office
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40 • Scene • winter 2011
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the butter paddle Shopping to help others The Butter Paddle in Los Gatos is filled with delightful gift items. Inventory changes daily, so each visit yields new finds. And the best part: All proceeds go to the nonprofit EMQ FamiliesFirst, serving children and families in need.
33 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos 408.395.1678, butterpaddle.com
Take a trove of distinctive gift items, add dozens of enthusiastic volunteers, throw in an excellent cause and what do you have? The Butter Paddle in downtown Los Gatos, that’s what. Come here to find quality merchandise fit for bestowing on family and friends, from jewelry, ceramics and homewares to handbags, toys for babies and gourmet foods. Marquee names include Waterford and Vietri (pottery), as well as area stars such as Annie Morhauser of Annieglass and jewelry/ accessory designer Ofelia Cisneros of OC. As attractive as the offerings are, the best thing about this boutique is that all sales proceeds go directly to the nonprofit EMQ FamiliesFirst (emqff.org), which aids area children and families in crisis. The Butter Paddle celebrated its first anniversary at this address just weeks ago, having moved last October from its original home in Saratoga. (The name comes from when one of the EMQ Auxiliary ladies found a vintage butter paddle while walking around Saratoga.) From Day One in 1967, it has raised funds for EMQ, with 70-plus current volunteers assuming the roles of everything from buyers to gift wrappers. The relocation has proved to be a boon for business: “We now have unbelievable foot traffic, and sales are up substantially,” says Eden Nesse, who has worked at the store seven years. Since seasonal goods are popular, shoppers can expect a jolly abundance of holiday fare such as ornaments and special Waterford crystal. Prices range from $2.50 for greeting cards to $500 for oneof-a-kind art pieces. As for jewelry, baubles can be had for less than $20, with nothing over $150. Other reasons to pop into the Butter Paddle, besides the exceptional customer care: trunk shows, book signings and elegant complimentary wrapping for every purchase. Also ask about arranging a free private party, where you and your guests get exclusive run of the store in addition to wine and hors d’oeuvres. —Crystal Chow
42 • Scene • winter 2011
Edwin Suarez
shop talk
Lauren Wolf
esqueleto
Boutique with good bones
Esqueleto (Spanish for “skeleton” ) feels like a darling desert bungalow, with its whitewashed interiors, cacti and skeletal accoutrements. The stable-turned-store, nestled in Oakland’s up-and-coming Temescal Alley, opened in August at the helm of jewelry designer Lauren Wolf, a Brooklyn transplant and avid world traveler. Wolf’s forte is cast-silver skeletal forms such as anaconda bones, sea urchin shells, sand dollars and other rarities. The armor-like accents (ranging from under $100 to $2,000) have an urban-organic feel – as do the store’s other offerings, such as pen-and-ink drawings and custom engagement rings. Wolf started silversmithing while living in San Miguel, Mexico, after studying advertising and anthropology in college. “At the time, I had no idea it would be a career defining moment,” she recalls. She moved to New York to study jewelry design at Fashion Institute of Technology and work with established designers, and now lives in Temescal, a few blocks from the boutique. As a testament to her excellent curatorial skills, Wolf also stocks a coterie of pieces from local and indie designers, such as Rebecca Obermann, Melissa Joy Manning and Sarah Swell. And don’t miss artwork from local artists Patrick Dunaway, Ally Maser and Bella Bigsby. —Stephanie Simons
Thu Ly
Esqueleto, with its urban-organic accents, features one-ofa-kind jewelry, art and accessories in Oakland’s Temescal Alley.
482-A 49th St. Oakland 212.920.5666 shopesqueleto@gmail.com
winter 2011 • Scene • 43
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44 • Scene • winter 2011
Valley Fair Mall • 2855 Stevens Creek Boulevard, Suite 1099,Santa Clara, CA 95050 408.296.3686 • www.lustrepreciousgems.com winter 2011 • Scene • 45
MONTALVO ARTS CENTER 2011/2012 VILLA CHAMBER MUSIC SERIES
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Montalvo Box Office: (408) 961-5858, M-F, 10am-4pm Also available online at: montalvoarts.org or ticketmaster.com 15400 Saratoga, CA 95070 | montalvoarts.org 46 • Montalvo Scene Road, • winter 2011
Presented by
beauty report
the rear vıew Want a shapely backside? Here’s how to get it
By Crystal Chow
The bottom line: Not only do women want to look fabulous from the front, we also want to appear fine from behind. We long for a divine derrière, one that makes men’s – and women’s – necks do a sharp swivel. Blame it all on Jennifer Lopez. When Jenny from the block first bounced into our consciousness, she impressed not just with her talent, but with a bodacious bootay besides. Since then, society has put a shapely rear at the front of the line when it comes to beauty ideals. We look down (as in up) at Beyoncé’s bootyliciousness (a word the singer just happened to coin). But we don’t all aspire to copy Kim Kardashian’s va-va-voom profile. In fact, the current “it” butt belongs to Pippa Middleton, younger sister of Kate, the wife of Britain’s Prince William. Pippa’s pert posterior, by its very normalness, seems enticingly within reach for most of us. So here’s how you can boost your backside and get those heads turning:
Digital Vision/Thinkstock
winter 2011 • Scene • 47
beauty report
Charles Sykes/Associated Press
reduce, shape and lift that area. Pippa Middleton credits Pilates for her firm fanny, the one so universally admired someone created a Facebook page in its honor. The gorgeous satin dress she wore at the royal wedding in April showed off her slim body to perfection (although some allege that padding was involved). The upshot: “The Pippa’’ is now what women clamor for, according to celebrity plastic surgeon Dr. Constantino Mendieta. Patients want to emulate her “natural and sexy’’ look, he says. To that point, Sonia Lopez, co-owner of Body Evolutions in Campbell, says her establishment provides “endless ways to work the glutes and hips.’’ In addition to teaching Pilates, Lopez is an instructor of Gyrotonic, a system emphasizing circular movements for increased coordination and strength. And it won’t take forever to achieve tangible results, she promises. “Within the first 10 sessions, you’re going to feel and see the difference,’’ Lopez maintains, “although you won’t get a ‘J.Lo.’ We work with what you have.’’
padding the account
Kim Kardashian says her much-discussed rear end is natural.
If you’re not inclined to overexert yourself in pursuit of beautiful buns, the answer may be a padded panty, the backside version of the Wonderbra and its competitors. Exactly as it is for breasts, garments like the Booty Pop lift and amplify so you can fill out clingy garments. They’re especially effective with jeans, since denim
shake it up
Working your butt off might seem counterintuitive if you’re hankering for a standout tush. However, any regular exercise that strengthens the gluteal muscles will help keep them toned and shapely. Squats, kick backs (standing or kneeling and kicking back alternate legs as far as possible) and lunges are all beneficial, as are jogging, hiking and biking. If you don’t have a personal trainer, online assistance is easy to find: At livestrong.com, the Lance Armstrong Foundation site, for instance, you will discover “Pilates Rounded Butt Exercises.” Or consider DVDs such as the popular Leandro Carvalho’s “Brazil Butt-Lift Workout.” Carvalho, whose clients include Victoria’s Secret models, delivers “booty-busting moves’’ plus techniques to
48 • Scene • winter 2011
The Bubbles Bodywear padded panty features pockets with rounded silicone pads. Leandro Carvalho’s “Brazil Butt-Lift Workout” emphasizes exercise and toning to firm up the derriere.
beauty report firm buttock and leg muscles. MBT and Reebok also offer glute-strengthening models. Not to be outdone, jeans manufacturers have found success with designs that smooth lumps while emphasizing certain bumps. Not Your Daughter’s Jeans (NYDJ), for example, features “Lift Tuck Technology” that “subtly reshapes your curves so you look good in jeans…again.’’ One thing to look for in any pair of jeans is embellishment in the back, like flap pockets or fancy contrast stitching. These will help give the illusion of junk in the trunk.
kind cuts
WunderTape uses tape to temporarily lift your rear end. The one-time product is not designed for long-term wear.
hides the dreaded panty and padding lines that may be visible if fabric is too sheer or tight. Choices for bum-boosting undergarments, online at least, are so ubiquitous that you might select them based on a site’s tagline alone. Bubbles Bodywear is “Your One Stop Booty Shop!” while for Silicone Body it’s “Our Duty Is Your Booty!’’ At Beauty Lies Beneath, it’s all about “Transforming Your Desires Into a Reality.’’ Feel Foxy, though, might hold the ultimate trump card with “As featured on the Dr. Oz Show.’’ And take note, guys: Strategic padding is also available for you.
tape it, stride it, wear it
For occasions when you need to amp the rear but a padded panty won’t work, there are ingenious products such as WunderTape to do the trick. WunderTape comprises two big waterproof tapes that allow you to determine the amount of lift as you affix one under each cheek. The tapes’ adhesive is super sticky, so they shouldn’t be worn too long because then they’re difficult to peel off. Another way to make your butt jut is by wearing high heels. Even a couple of inches will bolster your fundament. Speaking of footwear, manufacturers such as Skechers tout certain products — in this case, the Shape-Up walking shoe — specifically designed to
Buttock implants are available, but many plastic surgeons elect not to perform the procedure. Besides the expense — up to $20,000 — the solid silicone implants (different from the fluid-filled sacs used for breast augmentation) can be uncomfortable or even slip out of place. And many women just wouldn’t look right with a full-on “Brazilian butt,’’ the shorthand for an outsize bubble booty. Instead, physicians such as Dr. Usha Rajagopal do a fat transfer from one or more locations, such as the waist or trunk, to the rear end for a more realistic appearance. That means a patient has to have enough excess fat to work with. The fat is processed and washed before it’s injected into the muscle and deep subcutaneous tissue. There it’s expected to “take’’ and begin a new life in an area of the body where it’s welcomed. “If the patient is healthy and keeps her weight stable compared to Not Your before surgery, [the Daughter’s procedure] is longJeans promise lasting/permanent,’’ to reshape curves says Rajagopal, who and flatten practices at the tummies. Plastic Surgery & Laser Center in San Francisco. “In my opinion, most of the time patients are looking for a better shape of the buttocks, not necessarily a larger butt,’’ says Dr. Eric Mariotti, whose Concord office serves
winter 2011 • Scene • 49
Austin & Co. We are buying!
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beauty report resources Beauty Lies Beneath beautyliesbeneath.com (includes shapewear for men) Body Evolutions 2250 S. Bascom Ave., Campbell, bodyevolutionspilates.com Booty Pop bootypop.com Bubbles Bodywear www.lovemybubbles.com (includes shapewear for men)
Martin Meissner/Associated Press
Leandro Carvalho’s Brazilian Butt-Lift Workout, brazilianbuttliftworkout.net Feel Foxy feelfoxy.com Silicone Body siliconebody.com (includes shapewear for men) Pippa Middleton's backside caused a stir after her appearance at her sister Kate's wedding to Prince William.
patients throughout the East Bay. “In the vast majority of patients who have asked me about a Brazilian butt lift, what they really want are more feminine curves. This can usually be accomplished quite nicely with standard liposuction of the upper outer hips and outer thighs.’’ Dr. Joel Beck of San Mateo’s Bay Area Aesthetic Surgery often restores curves that get lost because of bariatric or weight-loss surgery. “I save a significant amount of the lower back fat and create flaps that simulate and increase the fullness of the buttock area,’’ he says. Beck points out that buttock augmentation by itself isn’t inexpensive; count on paying from $12,000 to $15,000. Moreover, for those who go the liposuction route, where fat is harvested and then injected into the rear end, post-op recovery means weeks of not being able to sit down directly on the glutes or lie on their back. Clearly, a shapely derriere gained this way isn’t cheap, but for those who would consider surgery, worth the discomfort. And the self-esteem gained, whether through this method or any other? Priceless. S
WunderTape wundertape.com Dr. Joel Beck Bay Area Aesthetic Surgery, 66 Bovet Road, Suite 101, San Mateo, bayareaaestheticsurgery.com Dr. Eric Mariotti 2222 East St., Suite 310, Concord, drmariotti.com Dr. Usha Rajagopal Plastic Surgery & Laser Center, 490 Post St., Suite 430, San Francisco, sfcosmeticsurgery.com
winter 2011 • Scene • 51
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beauty report
model behavior
By Katharine Fong
Exercise, diet, vigilant skincare keep him camera-ready
Portia Shao
We caught up with romance novel cover model and Bay Area native Jason Baca to find out his secrets to staying young- and healthy-looking. The 37-year-old Baca lives in Los Gatos with his wife and cat. I do a little something each day. I put in one solid hour in the gym six days a week. I eat plenty of avocado, orange and mango, which are all excellent for skin. I also have a celery stick every couple of days, which helps reduce stress. Stress can age the skin and also hinder workouts. I live on a high-protein diet most of the time. When a shoot is approaching, I apply a facial mask a few times a week. I shower with Dove’s cucumber and green tea body wash, then apply Maca Root Energetic Face Protector for men by The Body Shop, and Nivea’s anti-aging eye balm for men, which removes dark circles. It is important that I look my absolute best the day of the shoot. Weeks before a big shoot, my workouts become more rigorous. I concentrate on my stomach crunches, I do them in the morning and again at night. I do weightlifting 6:30-7:30 in the morning and cardio 6-7 in the evening, and in between replenish my muscles by eating egg whites, tuna in water, salmon. I am a big fan of Burke Williams Spa in San Jose, where I often go for a hydrating facial. It keeps my face young. I also use Merlot Natural Grape Seed Extract Purifying Peel-Off Mask, which helps with pores and blackheads. I apply this upon awakening in the morning, and while it dries, I do stomach crunches. Hey, some guys may be reading this laughing right now, but when they get premature aging around their eyes, they probably will wish they read this a little closer. Another secret: I use Oil of Olay Quench Plus Firming Body Lotion – it’s a 2-in-1 creation that I live by. S winter 2011 • Scene • 53
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body & soul
Crunch Fitness (crunch.com) offers AntiGravity Yoga classes at its Blackhawk, Daly City and San Francisco locations.
Candace West/Miami Herald
The latest yoga trend defies gravity. AntiGravity Yoga is a fitness practice that uses a silk hammock as a soft trapeze for resistance and support as participants hang upside-down and are suspended in the air. They say it makes them feel airy and light while helping to relieve compressed joints and align the body from head to toe. Trainers say it provides the benefits of yoga without straining muscles. Crunch Fitness gyms actually launched AntiGravity Yoga several years ago, but now with the spike in popularity is adding even more classes around the country and globally. The workouts promise to “restore and renew your mind, body and spirit. … Restorative postures, set low to the ground, will realign the body from head to toe, all while calming and quieting the mind.” Founder Christopher Harrison, a Broadway aerial choreographer and former world-class gymnastics specialist, began incorporating the aerial technique in 1999 during his own training. “Let’s take it up into the air,” he recalled saying the first time he hung the material from the ceiling. “Thus the silk hammock was born.” The hammock, which is lowered to waist height, is connected from two overhead points. It acts like a swing or trapeze, and can hold up to 2,000 pounds. It is manipulated several ways during a class, as participants hold onto the fab-
ric to move into a sitting position and the hammock wraps around the body to form a cocoon. Legs are stretched out to a restful position. Feet are looped around the hammock for support before participants turn upside-down, allowing their hands to drop and softly graze the floor. Workouts in the hammock blend traditional yoga poses and principles with elements from aerial arts, dance, gymnastics, Pilates and calisthenics. Harrison says that in addition to the physical aspects, being inside the hammock cocoon can also lead to a meditative state similar to yoga. “It’s almost this thing that happens when you’re inside and it lets you close out the rest of the world and be still,” Harrison says, adding that some participants report leaving class with “an antigravity high.” The AntiGravity hammock is trademarked — though a few other companies now offer similar programs and products — and trainers must go through a certification process to ensure safety for participants. “I would call it a revolution more than a trend,” says Aileen Febles, one of the 265 instructors certified to teach it. Mardeene Mitchell, 69, is a fan. “It’s the kind of thing you look forward to instead of some workouts you dread …. this is just fun,” she says. “It really makes you feel like a kid again.” S – Associated Press
up in the air AntiGravity Yoga gives you a high, literally By Suzette Laboy winter 2011 • Scene • 55
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56 • Scene • winter 2011
winter 2011 • Scene • 57
The season's most influential look: the 1970s. Mix it up with confidence.
vest Vince Coyote vest, $1,795, Bloomingdale’s
shades blouse
Marc by Marc Jacobs aviator sunglasses, $98, Bloomingdale’s
Marc by Marc Jacobs silk tie front blouse, $278, Bloomingdale’s
hat Aqua felt floppy hat, $58, Bloomingdale’s
pants Mother high-waisted cords, $200, Flaunt Boutique, Danville
belt Private label chain belt, $40, Bloomingdale’s
bag Marc Jacobs two-tone saddle bag, $895, Bloomingdale’s
shoes Dolce Vita nubuck chunky heeled desert boots, $198, Bloomingdale’s
58 • Scene • winter 2011
winter fashion
unexpected pleasures Mix this season’s trends for the essence of chic A smidge of mod, a scattering of '70s and equal parts of boyish and bombshell add up to a season of extremes and contradictions. Consider the mood evoked by delicate lace, and then do the unexpected: Wear it with a menswear-tailored suit. Together, the look that’s created is provocatively powerful. Mix it up. The smooth gloss of a satin blouse and the tactile impact of a furry vest feels deliciously decadent. There’s a renewed appreciation for the versatility of outerwear after a few seasons on the sidelines. Cocooning ponchos and
capes define this winter on equal terms with long, lean coats, belted to cinch a waist. Summon the season’s most influential moment, the 1970s, by wearing your hemlines just below the calf. Throw on a floppy hat or slip on a pair of grown-up desert boots with a stacked heel. Picture the style icons of the time – Faye Dunaway, Bianca Jagger, Mary Tyler Moore – and take the essence of what made them super chic. On the following pages we show you what’s essential for stepping out with stylish confidence.
By Donna Kato Photos by Nikki Ritcher
winter 2011 • Scene • 59
Casual luxury is a pair of easy trousers and jeweltone top. top necklace Aqua sparkle ball crystal encrusted necklace, $40, Bloomingdale’s
3.1 Phillip Lim layered hem top in satin and transparent silk, $395, Crimson Mim, Palo Alto and Los Altos
dress Tory Burch Dorrance dress, $550, Nordstrom
earrings Michael Michael Kors hoop earrings, $65, Bloomingdale’s
pants 3.1 Phillip Lim cuffed textured trousers, $475, Crimson Mim, Palo Alto and Los Altos
Transparency and delicate pleats quietly shoes Chie Mihara “Yayimar” add interest grape suede booties, to a simple $475, Crimson Mim, Palo Alto and Los Altos silhouette. shoes Bettye Muller “Redford” suede ankle boots, $325, Crimson Mim, Palo Alto and Los Altos
60 • Scene • winter 2011
winter fashion Coordinate pieces with a little 1970s vibe and stylish simplicity in mind.
necklace chain and tassel necklace used as belt, $135, Alina b., Walnut Creek
dress Rebecca Taylor nailhead dress, $395, Bloomingdale’s
top Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent tunic dress, $275, Plum Boutique, Danville
pants Pier Antonio Gaspari pleather pants, $369, Alina b., Walnut Creek
boots Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent “Goodwin” pull-on boots, $365, Plum Boutique, Danville
A hemline that hovers around the calves is the season’s new, easy-towear length. boots Born side-button scrunch boots, $190, Macy’s
winter 2011 • Scene • 61
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Animal prints are classic, and an easy update is to wear them with a bright color and texture. shirt
winter fashion
Rebecca Minkoff leopard print shirt, $278, Flaunt Boutique, Danville
camisole Intimately Free People stretch camisole slip under leopard shirt, $58, Bloomingdale’s
belt Rapsodia in Nero quilted sash belt, $198, Alina b., Walnut Creek
dress Nanette Lepore Astral frock with flutter bell sleeves, $398, Nordstrom
Ease into vintage-inspired looks without going retro. shoes Bettye Muller python print leather and suede shoes, $395, Crimson Mim, Palo Alto and Los Altos
coat Rapsodia in Nero silk petals coat, $498, Alina b., Walnut Creek
boots Boutique 9 buckled boots, $250, Bloomingdale's
pants Current Elliott electric blue skinny jeans, $168, Flaunt Boutique, Danville
winter 2011 • Scene • 63
Ethereal crystal pleating and a touch of metallic combines the best of winter trends. dress Sacai wool and nylon back pleated dress, $640, Cielo, Palo Alto
necklace Marni Vari Bijou necklace with ribbon tie, $590, Cielo, Palo Alto
shoes Marni patent and felt ballerina flats with crystal embellishments, $520, Cielo, Palo Alto
bag Marni wool crepe pouchette with chain handle, $460, Cielo, Palo Alto
64 • Scene • winter 2011
winter fashion
Color blocking is a bold choice, toned down with polished accessories.
dress BCBG colorblocked dress, $248, Macy’s
bag Ferragamo structured shoulder bag, $1,190, Bloomingdale’s
bracelet Michael Michael Kors leather python and chain double wrap bracelet, $95, Bloomingdale’s
shoes Stuart Weitzman “First Lady” patent Mary Janes, $345, Bloomingdale’s
winter 2011 • Scene • 65
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we’re into
spring Michael Kors
Lela Rose
Derek Lam
Ralph Lauren
Carolina Herrera
By Donna Kato
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Peter Michael Dills/Getty Images
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
technicolor dreams
thoroughly modern ’20s
i see through you
getting physical
throw it on
Vivid brights and fruit-bowl flavors include cobalt and emerald green, oranges and yellows.
A nod to the flapper era with lean, drop waist dresses, cloche hats and Art Deco prints.
Transparency achieved with fluttery, tissue-light fabrics and layers.
Athletic touches such as drawstrings, zip-up jackets and sporty details where you least expect them.
68 • Scene • winter 2011
Ponchos, the breezy sister of cold weather capes and cloaks.
fashion
Color, retro, sheer fabrics, oh my!
Peter Michael Dills/Getty Images
Peter Michael Dills/Getty Images
betty grable’s blue plus closet green From swimsuits to ladylike suits with nipped in waistlines, a touch of the 1940s.
A fresh approach to the season, mixing blues and greens.
Derek Lam
Prada
Emilio Pucci
Ralph Lauren
Marc By Marc Jacobs
Spring is the thing for us California girls. While we love our coats and cozy sweaters, what we want most are mood-lifting colors and uncomplicated silhouettes that fit active lifestyles. Here, from the recent runway showings, a forecast of what’s to come for 2012.
Filippo Monteforte/AFP/Getty Images
Luca Bruno/Associated Press
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
float away
high-tech florals
graphic prints
Fabrics with movement add lightness to longer lengths.
Flower power viewed through a kaleidoscope.
Brazen and bold, some with an Art Deco feel.
winter 2011 • Scene • 69
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winter 2011 • Scene • 71
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winter 2011 • Scene • 73
Patrick Tehan
74 • Scene • winter 2011
icons home & design
the road
home
Leah Toeniskoetter has traveled the world, cycled hill and valley, raised money for good. Now, she’s helping her hometown thrive By Julia Prodis Sulek “I really wanted to put my Leah Toeniskoetter was feet down. I had moved six training for the Death Ride bitimes in two years,” Toeniscycle race, flying at full speed koetter says. “I hadn’t been down Calaveras Road, when able to grab onto a commushe spotted the doe and fawn nity like I had in the Peace ahead. What she didn’t see Corps, and I wanted that. that day three years ago, nor That’s what brought me back had the chance to avoid, was to California.” the second fawn that leaped When she returned, not out in front of her. In a terrifyonly did she discover someing blur of asphalt and twisted thing about herself (unearthmetal, she landed hard on her ing a high school relic from right side, tumbling to a stop. George Sakkestad/Los Gatos Weekly Times her childhood bedroom played The deer scampered off, but Toeniskoetter was left a crumpled wreck. Her helmet and a significant role), but she also came to appreciate her bicycle seat were cracked, and her wounds were so severe, parents in a whole new way. And just last month, she began a new job that ties especially to her right arm, that the pain endures today. What it took to overcome her injuries and her fears, her even more closely to her home. She is director of and where she found inspiration to do so, says a lot SPUR San Jose, an offshoot of the century-old, nonabout the values and fortitude of this 34-year-old wom- profit SPUR San Francisco that is focused on urban rean. The daughter of a well-known developer in Silicon newal. Working with civic leaders, one focus of her job Valley, she already had made her mark as a Peace Corps is to help influence the transformation of downtown San worker in a small village halfway around the world. Now, Jose into a thriving business and cultural center. Connie Martinez, executive director of 1stACT Siliafter a circuitous route that took her to Brazil, New York, Detroit and Bear Valley, she’s back at home with a new con Valley, which is partnering with SPUR San Jose, is job outside her family’s business, focusing her interests, confident Toeniskoetter will make a difference. “She’s smart and filled with enthusiasm,” Martinez talents and philanthropy locally.
winter 2011 • Scene • 75
Patrick Tehan
Leah Toeniskoetter at a San Jose-Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce event in October, when she was recognized as the 2011 Community Award-winner. Her new job at SPUR San Jose focuses on promoting smart growth in the city.
says. “I see her as an emerging leader. I love her spirit.” Toeniskoetter also chairs the board of directors for the Valley Medical Center Foundation, a position her father once held, which raises money for the very hospital that helped her heal.
Taught to help others
Toeniskoetter grew up in the Santa Cruz Mountains, off Summit Road some seven miles from Highway 17. One of four children of Chuck and Linda Toeniskoetter, she attended public schools and stayed close to home, venturing into downtown San Jose mostly for Christmas in the Park and other special outings. Her mother, an artist, and her father, chairman of Toeniskoetter Development, set expectations for their children to help others, including volunteering at homeless shelters and joining school service clubs. After graduating from Los Gatos High School, she was accepted to the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, where 10 percent of its graduates spend a year or more in community service. Toeniskoetter was one of them, joining the Peace Corps in the Bolivian village of Camargo after earning a science-business degree. She had studied Italian for four years, and quickly adapted to Spanish. It was here that Toeniskoetter learned the importance of respect, humility and collaboration. Her job was to help local women sell their woven shawls in the marketplace. She taught them the basics of business, quality control, inventory and marketing. What was more fun-
76 • Scene • winter 2011
damental, she realized, was teaching them self-confidence and independence in a culture that didn’t encourage women to earn their own money or step out on their own. It was a far cry from her privileged upbringing. “It look a long time for women to understand me and to know I understood them,” she says. When her year in the Peace Corps was over, Toeniskoetter was still itching for adventure. Ready to start a business career, but still wanting to indulge her love of language, culture and living abroad, she moved to Sao Paolo, Brazil. She hoped to find work with an international company, but her timing was off. Foreign investment had all but stopped in the early 2000s, and her visa was expiring. Having immersed herself in the local language, Toeniskoetter worked as a Portuguese-to-English translator, then moved to New York for a job with the Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce. Still hoping to return to Sao Paolo, she began an analyst training program with Comerica Bank in Detroit, which was considering expanding its Brazil office. When it didn’t, Toeniskoetter transferred with Comerica in 2004 to San Jose. “Not that I was putting a dream away,” she says, “but I had to reassess what I wanted to be doing.”
Giving back to community
When Toeniskoetter came home, her father introduced her to the civic world of San Jose. She joined the Rotaract for young professionals and the Chamber of
Courtesy Leah Toeniskoetter
icons
Earlier this year, Toeniskoetter rode through the French Pyrenees to raise funds for Turning Wheels for Kids.
Commerce’s yearlong community leadership program. Out of state since she was a teenager, Toeniskoetter now saw as an adult just how generous her parents were in the community. Her mother recently served on the board of the San Jose Museum of Art. Her father was a founding member of the Children’s Discovery Museum and served on the boards of numerous nonprofits, including Symphony Silicon Valley. He was honored in 2004 with the Boy Scouts Distinguished Citizen Award. After suffering a stroke in 2000 that paralyzed half his body, he co-founded the Stroke Awareness Foundation, Toeniskoetter says, to help ensure “everyone had the same care he did.” He has fully recovered. “When I moved back to San Jose and saw the things [my father] had done personally and what he had done with his company to give back to San Jose,” she says, “that inspired me.” And Toeniskoetter realized she didn’t want a career in banking. Her father renewed his invitation for her to join the family development business and spearhead a project in Bear Valley. She had declined before but, “I got past my stubbornness.” Plus, as in her Peace Corps days, she had the chance to make a big impact on a small place. But first, as her mother put it, Toeniskoetter had to “clean out her room.” And that’s when she found her “bucket list” that she started in high school after students were encouraged to write down their goals. The contents startled her.
Turning Wheels for Kids Leah Toeniskoetter is a cycling team founder for Turning Wheels for Kids, which provides underprivileged children with new bikes to encourage lifelong exercise and outdoor activity. San Josebased TWFK has distributed thousands of bikes since it was established in 2005, and continues to seek volunteers and donations. For more info, see TurningWheelsforKids.org.
“Oh, my gosh, I’ve done half the things on this list without thinking about it,” she says. She had already lived in a foreign culture and spoke not one, but three other languages fluently. One item in particular jumped out at her: Compete in a demanding athletic event. She chose the Death Ride. As a kid spending summers on her family’s property in Bear Valley, she had watched the race whiz by. What she didn’t realize until she looked into it was this: The event covers 129 miles, ascends 15,000 feet and includes five mountain passes. Toeniskoetter had done some mountain biking, but never considered herself much of an athlete. Still, she bought a road bike that weekend. “I’m crazy,” she said to herself. “I’m going to need some help in achieving that goal.” What was the best way to motivate people to support her? Donate to a cause, she thought. ICONS Continues on Page 156 winter 2011 • Scene • 77
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• We Sell Complete Estate or Single Items for CASH or AT AUCTION • Direct Access to National & International Markets with LIVE & ONLINE AUCTIONS • Consign Now - Auctions Every Two Weeks • Payment Made Within Ten Days of Completed Sale
Q: What Do We Sell?
Do We Sell?
A:A: What DoDo YouYou Have? What Have? VEHICLES
OLD 850
BOATS MOTORCYCLES
Winchester Model 1886
SOLD $15,500
EQUIPMENT
Coin
VALUE n tific eras
2006 Chrysler 300C SRT-8
FFL LICENSED
ian et d'Art ussian
omics
ts rican
Model Trains
Automatons
Die cast Soldiers
Rocking Horses
• Firearms • Swords • Militaria 1982 Chateau Mounton Rothschild Pauillac, 7 bottles
SOLD $6,900
ABC LICENSED TO SELL FINE WINES & COLLECTIONS
ANTIQUES FURNITURE COLLECTIBLES
Wind-up
Tin Litho
Mechanical
Banks Izannah Walker Doll Circa 1870
Pedal Cars
SOLD $6,135
Bicycles
German Steiff Teddy Bear
SOLD $1,590
JEWELRY
STERLING SILVER
WATCHES
From Flatware to Holloware
Space Whale Ship Clock-work Tin toy Japan, Circa 1957
SOLD $1,300
FINE ART PAINTINGS
• VASES • TRAYS D.G.W. • VANITY ITEMS • CANDELABRA FINE & COSTUME • STATUARY • TABLEWARE Auctioneers & Appraisers From DIAMONDS • COINS • JEWELRY
PRECIOUS METALS
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PRINTS SCULPTURE
to RHINESTONES • WATCHES 760 Kifer Rd., Sunnyvale, CA 94086
• BOXES • WHATEVER !
PHOTOGRAPHY • We Sell Complete Estate or Single Items for CASH or AT AUCTION • Direct Access to National & International Markets with LIVE & ONLINE AUCTIONS POSTERS • Consign Now - Auctions Every Two Weeks ART GLASS • Payment Made Within Ten Days of Completed Sale
xtiles
ERY a
& ms
SOLD $14,950
BEST PRICES FOR VINTAGE TOYS & COLLECTIONS
quipment
E?
1969 Chevy Chevelle SS 396
Vintage – Classic - Estate
SOLD $21,250
Est. 1985 Roger Sprunger-DUNBAR Rosewood Desk
Q:SOLD What Do We SOLD Sell?14,500 4,945
Gorham “Versailles” 106 pieces
$
SOLD $4,800
$
Sydney Laurence (Amer. 1895-1940)
MIXED MEDIA A: What Do You Have? SOLD 26,500
Diamond & Platinum Ring, 2.8 ct
$
Gold & Silver What ElsE? ghborhood Auction: www.DGWAUCTIONEERS.COM • Coins • Currency • Collections
ESTATES
VEHICLES
Vintage • Modern Electronic & Scientific Winchester Model 1886 $ Equipment & SOLD 15,500 Mid 20” C. Cameras McIntosh Audio
SOLD $ 1,850
Asian • Asian • Asian
BOATS Oriental Rugs & Textiles
Porcelain • Glass • Object d’Art MOTORCYCLES TOOLS & MACHINERY Russian • Russian • Russian Paper Ephemera EQUIPMENT Books • Stamps • Comics Memorabilia 2006 Chrysler 300C SRT-8 1969 Chevy Chevelle SS 396 Musical Instruments Vintage – Classic - Estate Other Rare & Interesting Items $ SOLD $14,950 SOLD 21,250 Ethnic • Native American
APPRAISAL SERVICES AVAILABLE
1908 $20 St. Gaudens Gold Coin
SOLD $2,950
w@dgwauctioneers.com • TEL: (408)BEST 245-1863 • FAX: (408) 245-1283 PRICES FOR VINTAGE TOYS & COLLECTIONS SELLING FOR BEST VALUE Vintage - Modern Electronic & Scientific Equipment & Cameras
Equipment
FFL LICENSED
D.G.W. Auctioneers & Appraisers • Firearms • Swords • Militaria
1982 Chateau Mounton Rothschild Pauillac, 7 bottles
Model Trains
Automatons
Die cast Soldiers
Rocking Horses
• We sell complete ABC estate or single items for Cash or at Auction Wind-up Tin Litho SOLD 6,900 LICENSED TO • Direct access to national & international markets with Live & Online Auctions Mechanical Banks FINE Space Whale Ship • Consign now –SELL auctions every two weeks Bicycles Pedal Cars WINES & Izannah Walker Doll German Steiff Clock-work Tin toy 1870 Teddy Bear Japan, Circa 1957 • Payment made within ten days Circa of completed sales COLLECTIONS $
Mid 20th C. McIntosh Audio Equipment
Est. 1985 SOLD $2,950
WHAT ELSE?
SOLD $6,135
SOLD $1,590
ANTIQUES JEWELRY STERLING SILVER Your Neighborhood Auction: www.DGWAUCTIONEERS.COM FURNITURE We Buy COLLECTIBLES
SOLD $1,300
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From Flatware to Holloware PAINTINGS Estates • Appraisal Services Available PRECIOUS METALS • VASES • TRAYS • Mid 20 C – Moderne • VANITY• ITEMS Email: dgw@dgwauctioneers.com 245-1863 760• CANDELABRA Kifer Road • SunnyvalePRINTS • Designer – Decorative FINE•&(408) COSTUME
Asian • Asian • Asian Porcelain • Glass • Objet d'Art Russian • Russian • Russian
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80 • Scene • winter 2011 Oriental Rugs & Textiles
0004204174V01 1 TOOLS & MACHINERY
th
• Asian Continental English American Middle Eastern
From DIAMONDS to RHINESTONES
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SCULPTURE PHOTOGRAPHY 10/31/11 4:47 PM
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Call Today! CHASE & RELIEF SPINE CENTER 15055 Los Gatos Blvd. #310 Los Gatos 408.358.7900 winter 2011 • Scene • 81
holiday gift guide
Custom bobblehead Yes! You can actually customize a bobblehead with a photo of your man at custombobbleheads.com. Send them a photo, and they’ll send you a one-ofa-kind toy with themes that include super hero, golfer and suit. Starts at $90.
the perfect present Genius ideas for everyone on your list Don’t find yourself wandering a drugstore or warehouse aisle the night before a big holiday, wondering what to buy for Aunt Helen or your kid’s teacher or – worse – that special someone who makes your heart flutter. Plan ahead with our super suggestions for just about anyone. By Erika Kittler Brown
82 • Scene • winter 2011
epicurian delights Cupcakes from Kara’s Who doesn’t smile when they see a cupcake? These locally sourced, frequently organic concoctions are a recipe for happiness. Flavors include Sweet S’mores, Java, and Peanut Butter Milk Chocolate Ganache. $3.25 each; a dozen for $36. 1388 N. Main St., Walnut Creek; Santana Row, San Jose; Town & Country Village, Palo Alto. karascupcakes.com
Draeger’s gift baskets Don’t go with the same old summer sausage and cheese basket; instead, find one with items you would eat yourself. Draeger’s has a mouthwatering selection, from gourmet cheeses and Belgian chocolates to smoked salmon and fine wines. $80-$300 at your local Draeger’s Markets or at draegers.com. (Delivery available for nonperishable food items.)
Fat Brain Toys
terrific toys
Why give boring when you could entertain and educate with “What’s In Ned’s Head?” ($27) – a game for preschool and kindergarten boys that asks them to reach inside a stuffed cartoonish head and find a specific item. Fat Brain Toys recommends and sells quality toys with educational value that are age and gender appropriate. Have an 11-year-old girl? Try “Spa Science” ($20) – a kit that allows her to mix fragrances in the bathtub and conduct experiments about how scents affect moods and alertness. fatbraintoys.com
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holiday gift guide
all man Indoor/outdoor adventure With Sonoma Canopy Tours, you can send him soaring through the redwoods on zip lines that are made for both leisurely glides and zippy flights up to 25 miles per hour, all in one tour. Weekend flights $89 per adult. 888.494.7868. Sonomacanopytours.com. … Or, dive in: iFLY’s indoor vertical wind tunnel in Union City simulates a complete skydiving experience – without the planes or fear of heights. Beginner packages start at $54.95; gift certificates available. iFLY SF Bay, 510.489.iFLY (4359). iflysfbay.com.
Spotify account
Reserve your beer-lover a spot for two (and join him or suggest he take a buddy along) on the Anchor Steam Brewery Tour at the Anchor Brewing Company in San Francisco. The tour is free, but reservations are required, and spots fill up fast. Tour and tasting last about two hours. 1705 Mariposa St., San Francisco, 415.863.8350, anchorbrewing.com.
Exotic beer! Visit a local shop such as Artisan Wine Depot in Mountain View and put together a selection of exotic brews – from Australian to Vietnamese, they have dozens of hard-to-find imports as well as a wide variety of local brews. (For a real treat, pair this with the Anchor Steam tour.) From $30 plus, depending on how many brews you decide to include.
Larissa Mueller/Santa Cruz Sentinel
Guys who love gadgets and accessories for them will love a Spotify account. Unlike iTunes or other platforms, this new app allows users to listen to music instantly and share with friends. The premium account at $9.99 per month allows him to play local files, share with friends, access millions of tracks, spotify on his mobile, and use offline mode for playlists. No advertisements and unlimited streaming.
Beer!
Elevate his ride Want to knock his socks off? Land him a Lambo or Lotus for the day through Club Sportiva. The exotic and luxury car group offers day rentals of some of the hottest rides around. $400$1,500, depending on the model. Clubsportiva.com or Club Auto Sport Silicon Valley Headquarters, 521 Charcot Ave., Suite 203, San Jose.
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fashionista fever Custom jeans InStyle, Glamour and Elle all rave about the custom fit and selection of cuts and washes at indiDenim. We admit, however, that it would be hard to finagle your friend’s measurements – so take advantage of the shop’s gift cards. Beginning at $155. 5515 Doyle St., Suite 15 (between 55th Street and Stanford Avenue), Emeryville, indicustom.com.
Versace for H&M
Johan Sandberg
Just released as Scene hit the newsstand, this anticipated collection promises reasonably priced pieces for all your favorite girlfriends. We’re talking colorful and artful dresses that express the spirit of the season. Accessories include heels and jewelry. H&M stores in Pleasanton, San Jose, San Francisco; hm.com/us.
stocking stuffers Sweets
Kate Spade iPhone cover in polka dot: Give in to this season’s big trend. $40. Katespade.com (free ground shipping).
Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Thinkstock
Voted No. 1 in “Best in Silicon Valley,” Powell’s Sweet Shoppe is a must stop for your gifting needs. Everything from chocolate-covered bacon to nostalgic old-fashioned candies of all kinds. Locations in Los Gatos, Lafayette, Berkeley and San Jose, powells.com.
Fashion phone
Clay McLachlan/Claypix.com
Specialty coffee A local fave of the hip kids, Blue Bottle Coffee is unique because it is sold within 48 hours of roasting. Started by an Oakland coffee enthusiast, Blue Bottle can be ordered online or fresh from the Berkeley or Oakland farmers markets. $16-$30 per pound, Bluebottlecoffee.net.
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5% O
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www.windowworldsiliconvalley.com winter 2011 • Scene • 87 0004204164V01 1
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holiday gift guide
just their type Shop local, such as at Kepler’s Books, at left, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, and Rakestraw Books, 522 Hartz Ave., Danville. Prices are generally higher than on Amazon.com, but you’ll be doing your part to support the endangered independent bookstore.
Kirstina Sangsahachart
Fashion lover
History buff “In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler’s Berlin” by Erik Larson, Crown, 2011, $26. The latest by Larson chronicles a real-life American father and daughter who go to Berlin during Hitler’s first year in power. The city and its denizens at first excite and enthrall the pair, but then. ... Larson is an expert at examining historical events from the perspectives of those who lived through them; his nonfiction works often look at good versus evil by juxtaposing true tales of innocent and darkly cruel characters in history.
“Chanel and Her World: Friends, Fashion, and Fame,” Edmonde CharlesRoux, Vendome Press, 2005, $60. Popularly accepted as the best biography of style icon Coco Chanel, this was first published in 1980 and for a time was out of print. Chanel invented modern fashion for women, liberating them from corsets, bobbing their hair, and introducing slacks and exquisite suits. Charles-Roux, her official biographer, includes multiple photographs and many of her early designs, and gives readers a glimpse into the woman behind the empire.
Guys who eat and rock out “Mosh Potatoes: Recipes, Anecdotes, and Mayhem from the Heavyweights of Heavy Metal,” Steve Seabury, Atria Books, 2010, $15. Critics rave about the recipes and anecdotes from rock ’n’ roll heavy hitters such as Guns N’ Roses, Megadeth and Anthrax. Recipes range from chilis to cookies, and feedback says they are actually delicious!
Kids There’s something about a face-to-face with veteran, knowledgeable staffers who can help you figure out and then find the perfect book for your child’s interests and age group. The online experience just can’t compete – when it comes to kids, these places know what they’re talking about. Find classics such as “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” as well as new titles like “I Need My Monster” at Linden Tree Books, 170 State St., Los Altos; The Storyteller, 30 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette; and Hicklebee’s, 1378 Lincoln Ave., San Jose.
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holiday gift guide
giving back Kiva is a Bay Area-based nonprofit that connects people through lending to alleviate poverty. For as little as $25, you can make a difference: Kiva aggregates donations and uses financial partners around the world to grant meaningful loans to people with no other means to receive such funds. One hundred percent of your contribution goes toward the loan you choose; the borrower later repays the loan and a credit is applied to your account, which you can put toward another loan request. kiva.org.
Carol Pucci/Seattle Times
Make a loan
Some Kiva loans go to cooperatives, such as this one in Central Cambodia, where villagers support each other in starting small businesses.
Gift of time One of my favorite things I do with my sister every Christmas is set dates when we will treat each other to our gifts. One year, we went to “Phantom of the Opera.” Another year, we went to a fancy restaurant followed by a teen fave “Twilight” movie. In this hectic world, sometimes the thing you want most from those you love is time with them.
Charity and shopping – a match made in heaven for most of us. Buy a girlfriend a pair of Toms’ fun slip-ons this winter, and Toms will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. Classic Toms are $54. Available at most department stores, many local boutiques and at toms.com.
90 • Scene • winter 2011
Photodisc/Thinkstock
Shop for good
Gift Guide A Scene advertising resource
Zeppelin Flights
Forget the Gizmos. Give Him a Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience. This year, surprise that someone special in your life with an experience he’ll never forget and major bragging rights for years to come. For less than the cost of an entry-level Apple iPad®, give him the gift of flight aboard the world’s largest airship — the Zeppelin NT Eureka. One of only two passenger airships like it flying anywhere in the world today, Eureka offers passenger flights from two convenient locations in the Bay Area. Imagine him crossing a private airfield and being one of only 12 passengers to board the gondola of the 246 foot airship (15 feet longer than a Boeing 747) to begin his aerial adventure. From the modern and comfortable gondola, he and up to 11 of his friends will be treated to a 360-degree, unobstructed view, where every seat is a window seat. The well-appointed cabin is equipped with huge panoramic windows, onboard restroom with window, and a 180-degree rear observation window with a “love seat.” The whisper-quiet, but powerful engines gently lift the airship off the ground as the journey begins with a nearly vertical takeoff. As the airship breaks through 1,000 feet, passengers are encouraged to unbuckle and stroll around the cabin to take pictures and absorb the vistas that surround them. Some will enjoy the unique experience of feeling the rush of 30-knot winds as they poke their heads out the open window, while others sit back, relax and quickly recognize that an airship flight is unlike any other experience. Flights from 45 minutes to two-hours in length depart from Moffett Field in Mountain View, cruising over the hillside hamlets, vineyards, mansions, and sprawling urban sections of Silicon Valley. Flights also head up the Bay to view the skyline of San Francisco, bridges and the central Bay.
One-hour flights from Oakland circle the Bay’s most iconic landmarks, providing unparalleled close-up views of San Francisco, Sausalito, Tiburon, Berkeley and Oakland, the famous bridges and landmarks around the Bay. Flight tours operate on most days (weather permitting) and start at $375 per person. Flightseeing experiences make thoughtful gifts for flight enthusiasts, adventure-seekers or the “hard to please” individual — whether they have everything or not. Since the airship flies throughout the year, gifting isn’t restricted to the holidays. Airship flights make great birthday, anniversary, or “just because…” gifts. Gift certificates can be purchased, attractively boxed and packaged with an engraved souvenir frame and map of airship routes throughout California. Here’s a tip: a picture of the veteran airship passenger taken during their flight experience placed in the gift frame makes a wonderful keepsake and conversation piece for the mantel or hearth. For more information about the airship, including details on the flight experiences, tour descriptions, flight schedules and how to purchase tickets for individuals or groups (family, friends or business associates), visit the Airship Ventures website. For answers to questions or to arrange for group flights, call to speak with an Airship Ventures representative. Airship Ventures NASA Research Park PO Box 345 Moffett Field, CA 94035 www.airshipventures.com | (650) 969-8100 x340
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Gift Guide A Scene advertising resource THE SHOP THE SHOP
Art & Design Products from Around the World Art & Design Products from Around the World www. fibreartsdesign.com | Hours: 10-5pm Daily www. fibreartsdesign.com | Hours: 10-5pm Daily
THE SHOP at Fibre Arts Design Studio
Art & Design Products from Around the World
The Shop is the place for premium gifts for both men and women: Handcrafted wooden pens, distinctive watches, natural wool and silk scarves, Danish Pixies, fun and functional European ornaments, eco-friendly handbags and hand knits. Our earth-friendly gift options make gift giving a treat for friends and the planet. A perfect store for the art collector, design lover, and gift giver. Our knowledgeable sales people will introduce you to artisanal gifts: • San Francisco-made soy candles and body moisturizers • Delicate and fragrant handmade soaps from Santa Cruz • Classic art and design gifts, perfect for the design connoisseur • Organic artisanal creations for your home • Housewares from local artisans • Eco-friendly wearables like scarves, hand bags, and gloves • Free eco-friendly gift-wrapping through the Holidays!
In January, we proudly celebrate our 10 year anniversary as a design studio. Come by and share the excitement!
The Shop at Fibre Arts Design is conveniently located off the 101 freeway at the San Antonio exit, near the corner of Charleston and San Antonio in Palo Alto.
Opened in 2011, The Shop is the perfect stop for the holidays. A warm space filled with art and taste. The Shop features an array of art and design products from around the world. We’ve collected our favorite gifts, art, home-wares and wearables. Purchase works crafted by individual artisans and major design icons.
OPEN DAILY from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. 935 Industrial Ave | Palo Alto, 94303 | T: 650-646-9227 www.fibreartsdesign.com
Keep your news fresh & hot with Bay Area News for iPad.
Now available at iTunes. 92 • Scene • winter 2011
Gift Guide A Scene advertising resource
Firehouse Arts Center
Firehouse Arts Center 4444 Railroad Avenue, Pleasanton, CA 94566 Box Office (925) 931-4848 | Information (925) 931-4850
Tam’s Wholesale Jewelry
Tam’s Wholesale Jewelry Quality Jewelry At Prices You Can Afford! 7280 San Ramon Road, Dublin, Ca 94568 925.828.6898
The Christmas Revels
Setting the Arts on Fire
This Holiday Season During this season the Firehouse Arts Center heats up with some stellar holiday entertainment. After a day of shopping and sightseeing, get into the holiday spirit as we present two very special programs of entertainment. Saturday, December 10, 2011, 8pm. Jeff Bordes & Friends with Zakiya Hooker present A Jazzy Soulful Christmas. Merging the sounds of New Orleans, the swing of big band, and soul of the blues, all with the spirit of Christmas, jazz trumpeter Jeff Bordes brings us a holiday show which will leave everyone tapping their feet to favorite holiday songs. Saturday, December 17, 2011, 8pm. James Garner’s Holiday Tribute to Johnny Cash. In this special holiday program he and his band will perform many of Johnny Cash’s memorable recorded versions of holiday classics bringing to the stage the style of Cash’s unique and distinctive arrangements. Tickets and Gift Certificates may be purchased online at FirehouseArts. org, by phone at (925) 931-4848, or in person at the Firehouse Arts Center Box Office. The entrance to free parking is on Spring Street near First Street in Pleasanton. Come experience what the Firehouse has to offer every season.
Ring In The Holidays! Tam’s Wholesale Jewelry is an established Fine Jewelry Store & Boutique, since 1985. Everything you need from diamonds, rings, pendants and rings... a perfect place to shop for the Holidays for that Special Gift! Specializing in Wedding Sets, Buying & Selling Gold, New & Estate Jewelry, Loose Diamonds, Jewelry Repair, Custom Designing and Boutique Items. Jewelry repair is done on the premises.We buy scrap,unwanted jewelry & gold,and we pay cash on the spot! “Tam’s is the best place in the Bay Area to buy Quality Fine Jewelry & Boutique Items at Great Prices. Their estate pieces are a great bargain and the selection is amazing! I had 2 rings made and both are exquisite with brilliant stones. Truly the place to shop for the most amazing gifts!” When you need a Great Jewelry Store in Dublin, call on Tam’s Wholesale Jewelry.
Holiday Magic Delights Families
at King Arthur’s Court Join us for an evening of holiday magic. Celebrate the winter solstice and the spirit of Christmas with storytelling, song and dance. Merlin the Sorcerer, tales of knights’ great adventures and music from the fabulous Revels chorus are sure to enchant kids of every age. December 9-11 & 16-18 with Weekend Matinees Oakland Scottish Rite Center on Lake Merritt Theatre parking available (three blocks away) at ALCO Parking Garage, 1220 Jackson Street at a flat rate of $5.00 Tickets & info at CaliforniaRevels.org/family or 510-452-8800 Group discounts for 10 or more winter 2011 • Scene • 93
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94 • Scene • winter 2011
Don’t let its elegant good looks fool you.
The All-New Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
Beneath that handsome, sleek exterior you’ll find a Crossover SUV with more technology, design and performance than ever before. It’s the all-new 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport CUV, now ready to take on all comers. Are you ready to be the leader of your pack? 31 EPA EST MPG HWY
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Burberry peak lapel sateen tuxedo jacket, $1,595, and trousers, $750; St. John statement necklace, $795; Valentino feather-print platform pumps, $1,075, all Nordstrom. Elsa Peretti cabochon 18-karat gold ring with hand-carved black jade, $2,400, Tiffany & Co.
98 • Scene • winter 2011
home holiday & design style
seductively
Sophisticated effortless dressing for festive nights out
Glamour without fuss is what we want for the holidays. Subversively sexy and extravagant, but not overdone. While we’re seduced this season by details we loved from bygone eras, we’re not about to fuss and fret when it comes to dressing up. Effortless sophistication with a dose of playfulness or drama is what we’re after. Posh jewels and an attitude to match are just the right finish. Here, the best of Big Night Out looks for festive evenings ahead.
by donna Kato
Photos by Paul ferradas
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Dries Van Noten dress, $1,575, Cielo, Palo Alto. Christian Louboutin gold pebbled leather Mary Janes, $945, Footcandy, Walnut Creek. Elsa Peretti blue lacquer over Japanese hardwood bangle, $425, and Sparklers 18-karat gold and cushion-cut citrine stud earrings, $1,200, both Tiffany & Co.
100 • Scene • winter 2011
holiday style Theia teal silk strapless dress with floral applique hemline, $650, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. Manolo Blahnik embellished “Carolyne” slingbacks, $715, Footcandy, Walnut Creek. Alexis Bittar “Alexandria” cuff bracelet, $375, and “Periwinkle Dust” earrings, $275, both Nordstrom.
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Trina Turk lace-overblush dress, $298, Dolce Vita fuchsia suede wedges, $175, both Bloomingdale’s; Alexis Bittar “Periwinkle Dust” teardrop earrings, $275, Nordstrom. Elsa Peretti “Sprinkles Diamonds by the Yard” platinum and diamond necklace, $9,400, Tiffany & Co.
102 • Scene • winter 2011
holiday style
Donna Karan draped jersey dress, $2,695, Nordstrom. Jimmy Choo rainbow hologram bootie, $1,395, Footcandy, Walnut Creek. Gioielli by Nikki Baker amethyst stalactite necklace, $445, Gump’s San Francisco. Alexis Bittar “Sepia Dust” hinged bangles, $195 each, Nordstrom. Jean Schlumberger “Mulitipication” 18-karat gold and diamond ear clips, $17,500, “Sparklers” 18-karat gold and amethyst cocktail ring, $1,700, both Tiffany & Co.
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104 • Scene • winter 2011
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*Not combinable with any other offers or discounts. This promotional card must be presented at time of in-store purchase, or coupon code must be used for phone orders. Receive $50 off your purchase of a Sleep Number™ bed or bedding items of $100 or more. Limit one $50 offer per customer and valid one time only. Excludes tax, Comfort ServiceSM Home Delivery and shipping charges. Not valid on previous purchases, at retail partners or online. May not be used for the purchase of a gift card. This card is non-transferable and not valid on returns or exchanges. No cash back or credit will be issued. This card has not cash value. We are not responsible for lost or stolen cards. Valid only in the United States. See store for details.
winter 2011 • Scene • 105
Strenesse Blue formfitting wool and lycra dress with slip, $270, and Cut 25 printed rabbit fur vest, $529, both Crimson Mim, Palo Alto and Los Altos. Jimmy Choo “Cosmic” silver platform pumps, Nordstrom. Jean Schlumberger 18-karat gold and citrine “Nest” earrings, $8,000, Tiffany & Co.; RUSH by Denis & Charles leather and crystal studded wrap bracelet, $30, Toss Boutiques, San Francisco, San Anselmo, St. Helena and soon in Palo Alto. Mikal Winn brass cuff with druzy stone, $185, Crimson Mim.
Shot on location at Vbar, Hotel Valencia, Santana Row. Models: Allie, LOOK; Joyce Hu, creative director, Wildlife Works, a Bay Area-based brand that empowers consumers to be agents for wildlife conservation. 106 • Scene • winter 2011
Makeup: Joli de Jackie; jolidejackie.weebly.com Hair: James Griffiths, Salon Blu; salonblu.biz Styling assistance: Sofia di Leva Photo assistance: Viet Mac
holiday style
Holiday beauty tips from the pros
get the look By Donna Kato Photos by Paul Ferradas Makeup artist
Joli de Jackie Joli de Jackie, jolidejackie.com, jolidejackie.weebly.com Go from day to night with confidence by simply intensifying your eyes and making sure your complexion glows, says Jackie.
Hair stylist
James Griffiths Salon Blu, Santa Clara, salonblu.biz, jamesgriffiths.net
It’s important that you start with healthy hair, says stylist James Griffiths, who calls it “seasonal maintenance.” For James' tips, see Page 157
Eyes: Go-to products for evening: eyeshadow, liner, false lashes. • Always go with two eyeshadow colors that are complementary, whether plums, browns or grays. Brush the lighter color below the brow line, then place strokes of the darker shade on the outer corner of each eye with a flat brush. (Use a light touch; you can always apply more.) Next, grab a circular eyeshadow blending brush and stroke upward and toward the middle of the face. Make sure the line between the light and darker shades meld. • It’s perfectly fine to go heavy with the eyeliner for a night out. Be sure to line the
bottom lid as near to the lash line as possible to widen and emphasize eyes. • For real glam, apply false lashes. It takes a practiced hand, so don’t attempt for the first time before a big event. Lips: Dark, smoky eyes look best with lips that give the illusion of no color. Choose a matte lipstick that is close to the shade of your natural lips or slightly darker. Dab a little gloss just in the middle for fullness. Face: Be wary of concealers, especially below the eye. Rather than conceal dark circles and flaws, the wrong shade actually draws attention to the area you’re trying to hide. Instead, focus on applying a dewy foundation. Jackie’s favorite: Makeup Forever’s HD Foundation.
winter 2011 • Scene • 107
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11/2/11 12:10 PM
SAN JOSE CAMERA & VIDEO Locally owned and operated since 1929. Celebrating our 82nd anniversary.
1600 S. Winchester Blvd., Campbell • 408.374.1880 www.sanjosecamera.com
The next in a long line of phenomenal compact DSLRs, the EOS Rebel T3i continues the Rebel tradition of easy operation, compact design and no-compromise performance. Photographers looking for an easy-to-use camera that will help them create their next masterpiece need look no further than the Canon EOS Rebel T3i. Featuring Canon’s newest DIGIC 4 Image Processor and an 18.0 Megapixel CMOS Image Sensor - plus cutting-edge technologies like Full HD video recording, Live View shooting, Wireless flash photography and even a Vari-angle 3.0-inch LCD monitor the EOS Rebel T3i offers the best of EOS photography in a compact package.
The new Canon PowerShot HS System digital cameras deliver exceptional image quality even under difficult shooting conditions. Stop by to see Canon’s latest PowerShot Digital Cameras.
We offer a large selection and competitive pricing on major brands including Canon, Nikon, Panasonic, Pentax and Sony with a knowledgeable sales staff to help you find that perfect camera. winter 2011 • Scene • 109
You can now shop at MELCOTTONS.COM
Gearing up for the Holidays One Regular 20% Off Priced Item
Discount off Mel’s Regular marked price. Not valid on sale or Package pricing. Some items not included. Excludes firearms, ammunition, boats, cartop boxes, gift certificates, licenses, recreation passes, and some brands. Limited to stock on hand. Not valid with any other offer. One coupon per person. Valid in store only. Valid 11/18/11-12/2/11. MrcM
Free Lift Ticket to
Bear Valley w/$50 Purchase Make a $50 purchase at Mel Cotton’s & receive one (1) free lift ticket to Bear Valley Mt. Resort. Ticket is valid 7 days a week however some dates are blacked out. Can not be applied to past purchases. Limited to stock on hand. This is valid with some other offers. See customer service for details. One ticket per person per coupon. Valid in store only. Valid 11/18/11-12/2/11. Merc. Mag.
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www.airportappliance.com winter 2011 • Scene • 111
New upscale developments lure sophisticates with granite countertops, fitness centers, concierge services, nearby transit and shopping – and views. What’s not to like?
LUXEURBAN By Julia Prodis Sulek Photos by Desiree Northend
112 • Scene • winter 2011
home & design
LIVING winter 2011 • Scene • 113
The Ellington in the Jack London Square area offers spectacular views of the Oakland Estuary.
There was a time when the Jack London Square area was just for the urban pioneers – the ones bold enough to venture into the gritty waterfront neighborhood to renovate a loft, or in the case of Gov. Jerry Brown, not only live in a loft here before he was governor the second time, but also set up his campaign headquarters in one. Now, though, in Oakland’s waterfront neighborhood where nightclubs stay open past midnight and warehouses open before dawn, something sleek and modern rises. A new condo tower, The Ellington, is beckoning a new kind of dweller – mainstream sophisticates who expect granite countertops, fitness centers, ready public transportation, concierge services – and the occasional cocktail socials. From Oakland and Walnut Creek, to downtown San Jose, Santana Row and Los Gatos, developers are selling new condominiums and renting luxury apartments in the heart of commercial areas for young professionals on the way up as well as established couples and singles ready to downsize. Buyers are taken in by the street-scene below – including trendy restaurants, clubs and farmers markets – as well as something available only from above – views, views and more views. While developers are struggling through the economic downturn, and several properties have changed hands
114 • Scene • winter 2011
The Ellington towers above Oakland's thriving produce district. Nightclubs, restaurants and shops are mere blocks away.
more than once over the past few years, buyers are taking advantage. “The value aspect is the hottest thing going on now,” says Paul Zeger, president of Pacific Marketing Associates in San Francisco, which represents numerous high-
home & design
Courtesy Santana Row
At Leváre in San Jose’s Santana Row, fine dining, shops and nightlife beckon just outside the lobby.
It’s the “cheapest time to own a house in 25 years,” Zeger says. And a number of properties built within the past five years are “selling for less than it costs to build it today.” Paul Groth believes he timed it just right. The UC Berkeley architecture and urban geography professor had been looking for a new home for the past 10 years before moving from his San Francisco rental to a two-bedroom condo he bought on the 11th floor at The Ellington. For him, “going to an open house is part research, part cultural anthropology and part looking for a house.” So, what, exactly, was he looking for? Turns out he wanted what many of these hip residential buildings – including Leváre at Santana Row, 555YVR in Walnut Creek, and El Gato Penthouse apartments in Los Gatos – have to offer: a dynamic neighborhood scene, easy access to public transportation, and chic and modern floor plans, with views. Leváre's urban feel is reflected in its sleek, modern kitchens, with stainless steel appliances and clean lines.
rise developments, including The Ellington. “Not only have prices gone down 20 to 30 percent across the market – what used to cost $700,000 in Oakland now costs $400,000 to $500,000 – but interest rates have gone from 5, 6 and 7 percent to 4.”
Neighborhood vibe The Jack London Square area wakes up early. At the base of The Ellington, the buzz of forklifts and the rumble of delivery trucks fill Third Street, as pallets of produce – bananas and broccoli, sweet corn and mangoes – load up and and head out to restaurants and groceries across Northern California. It’s an image you might ex-
winter 2011 • Scene • 115
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home & design
The rooftop lounge at 555YVR is perfect for entertaining, with the East Bay hills serving as a gorgeous backdrop.
pect from footage of an old New York street scene – and Groth fell in love with it. “It just seems real, a real part of urban life, and I like that,” Groth says. “I’m keeping track of where the trucks come from – Colusa, Fresno – and how rural California comes to town.” Except for the occasional clang, he says, the noisedeadening windows have kept his apartment quiet. Groth, who doesn’t like to cook much, has 11 restaurants within a few blocks of his front door to choose from, including Miss Pearl’s Jam House and Duke’s BBQ. Jazz mecca Yoshi’s is just down the street. Where Jack London Square is historic and has evolved over time, Santana Row is a preplanned residential and shopping area designed to look like a European streetscape. It’s almost always packed with people shopping at the upscale boutiques, playing chess on a larger-than-life board and dining al fresco. This is where Leváre, the newest residential building at Santana Row, just opened for renters. Tenants pay from $2,400 a month for a one-bedroom apartment up to $7,000 for a three-bedroom townhouse. John Lehner, 32, a software engineer at Apple, is leasing a two-bedroom apartment on the fourth – and top – floor. “There’s an energy that comes from having so many people from so many places concentrated in one spot,”
118 • Scene • winter 2011
Lehner says. “It’s a very stylish place. I think it’s an energy-vibe thing.” At 555YVR (the building’s address on Ygnacio Valley Road), a four-block stroll takes you to Walnut Creek’s Main Street, a charming downtown filled with boutiques and gourmet restaurants. It’s a great spot for Krista Payton, 33, a night owl who loves to go out with friends – then bring them back to 555YVR’s rooftop lounge, complete with a fireplace, lounge chairs and an outdoor kitchen. “We had a party pretty late last night,” says Payton, “and nobody complained.”
Take BART – or the ferry! When morning comes, Payton is within a 10-minute walk of seven Starbucks. Latte in hand, she can head to a BART station just a few blocks away for an easy trip into San Francisco. In Jack London Square, Groth also takes advantage of public transportation. When he lived in San Francisco, his daily 90-minute commute to the Berkeley campus “was killing me.” Groth, 61, got rid of his $140 monthly central campus parking pass and now walks to the 12th Street BART station in Oakland that takes him to campus. Walking the equivalent of an hour a day, “my medi-
555YVR condos feature floor-to-ceiling windows, giving a light, airy ambience to rooms.
cal team is thrilled,” he says. And “I feel better.” For an evening in his old stamping grounds across the bay, a ferry boat is at the ready just a couple of blocks away. Sometimes, though, he just walks to the edge of the channel to watch the activity. “I go to the foot of Broadway to see what ships are loading or unloading,” he says. “I’ve seen them 40 or 50 times, but every time I’m like a 4-year-old. I have to watch everything.”
On a clear day, with cocktails Whether on the 11th floor or on the fourth, these urban dwellers crave the view. And the buildings don’t disappoint, with floor-to-ceiling windows to take advantage of Walnut Creek’s Mount Diablo, Oakland’s panorama of city and bay, or Silicon Valley’s foothills. At Santana Row, Lehner loves the light. In his corner unit with a patio on the top floor, “the window wraps around, the light comes in,” he says. “I wanted to have something that connected me to the outside, and not staring out at neighbors.” Not that he doesn’t appreciate neighbors. Leváre’s developer hosts socials to help connect new tenants and introduce them to the eateries and nightlife below. “It’s a great place to network with Silicon Valley,” Lehner says.
From the 11th floor of The Ellington, Groth has a commanding view over the produce markets and the Oakland Estuary. But being an architecture professor, the building’s design, inside and out, were critical as well. For starters, the wide, eight-foot hallways said “luxury” to him. And like many new buildings appealing to the sophisticated set, the floor plans are open for entertaining, the appliances are top of the line, and the cabinetry and counters are elegant. “It’s handsome, simple and modern,” Groth says. Gov. Brown, while he was state attorney general, called Oakland “a city with edge, elegance and a fabulous waterfront.” Groth has found all of that here. He is so enthusiastic about his new digs, he’s even taken his students through the neighborhood and into his building on a field trip. “I’m thrilled,” he says. “I think most of us are.” S
for more information 555YVR, 555 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek, 555yvr.com Leváre, Santana Row, 3003 Olin Ave., San Jose, levareliving.com The Ellington, 222 Broadway, Oakland, the-ellington.com
winter 2011 • Scene • 119
BLOSSOM HILL/SAN JOSE Here are a few (408) 224-2399 other Showrooms CONCORD near you. (925) 246-1199 120 • Scene • winter 2011
EMERYVILLE (510) 428-4279 ROSEVILLE (916) 791-6899
REDWOOD CITY (650) 381-7199 SAN FRANCISCO (415) 558-1439
PACIFIC SALES has been a source for superior, famous brand name products for the home for over 50 years. Our exceptionally low prices and unsurpassed selection has made us a source for builders, contractors and designers, as well as a one-stop shopping solution for consumers looking to save both time and money. mone At PACIFIC SALES shop in a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere where the customer is of the utmost importance. Our expert non commissioned staff will help you to create the Kitchen, Bath and Home Theater room of your dreams. We invite you to visit one of our showrooms and see for yourself why PACIFIC SALES is the place for your remodeling and custom home project needs.
Visit www.pacificsales.com or call (800) 540-7227 for all 57 locations nearest you.
SAN RAFAEL (415) 482-6439
COLMA (650) 756-8711
DUBLIN (925) 829-7041
ELK GROVE (916) 691-9784
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UNION CITY (510) 441-2130
PLEASANT HILL (925) 988-0256
FRESNO (559)446-0195
These store does not carry Sub-Zero, Wolf, Viking & select other brands of Kitchen,winter Bath & Electronics. 2011 • Scene • 121
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home & design Kitchen counters made of glass, engineered stone and much more are ready for their closeup
slick surfaces By Mary MacVean Photos by Ken Hively
Whether the kitchen counter is just a spot to toss the keys and mail, the place for breakfast or the lab for a chili cook-off entry, it is inevitably a focal point of what’s become the center of many homes. And until recently, granite was king when it came to the kitchen counter. But many designers and homeowners are turning to glass, manufactured stone, metal and other materials to create counters that work for people who actually cook as well for those who see the kitchen as a decorative accessory. For example, manufacturers are producing dozens of colors of engineered quartz, a durable product made from more than 90 percent crushed quartz mixed with a resin. These products can replicate the look of other stones or concrete, at prices comparable to those of midlevel granites. Both a virtue and a drawback is engineered quartz’s consistency — no fossils or natural quirks, though that could change as companies work to mimic the natural variations of marble or add a leathery surface texture. Glass counters too are shining. Lighted from below, they can add an appealing glow to a kitchen. Buyers also like the hygienic qualities of glass in these days of the hand sanitizer. Many companies are working to make their products — natural and manufactured — as eco-friendly as possible. Manufacturer Cosentino reports that its Eco line is made of 75 percent postconsumer or post-industrial materials, including mirrors, glass, stone scraps and porcelain. Other counters are being made from
winter 2011 • Scene • 127
home & design
Enameled lava stone is durable and resistant to stains and scratching, but it can be expensive.
recycled glass or recycled paper sealed with wax. The upper end is served by unique materials. Interior designer Troy Adams likes to use lava stone, which is quarried from a volcano in France, enameled and then fired at high temperatures. It’s stain-, heat- and scratchresistant, and it has a sort of crackly surface that can be made in intense colors. It’s also three to four times as costly as many granites, Adams says. The old standbys, including solid surfaces such as
128 • Scene • winter 2011
Corian, are still around, as is wood. And granite isn’t exactly disappearing. “Granite is going to stay as long as they keep on digging,” says Oren Osovski, a contractor and interior designer in Southern California, noting that the range in appearance can provide a look that feels unique. “If you want something beautiful that only you have, you have to have granite or marble.” S – Los Angeles Times
choosing a material that works for you Here’s a look at some of the most common options for kitchen counters, with an assessment of their quality from designers, manufacturers and Kitchen.com.
Marble Pros: Classic looks. Sometimes has translucent quality. Great for making and rolling pastry dough because it’s cool to the touch. Cons: Can stain.
Other natural stone
Tom Ralston
Pros: Slate, soapstone, quartzite, lava stone and others can provide a variety of looks. Soapstone gives a traditional farmhouse appeal, while lava stone is super modern. Some can be made into sinks as well. Cons: Depending on the rarity, it can be expensive. Satin-finished countertops that radiate warmth dispel the notion of concrete being cold, gray and rough.
Concrete Pros: Modern, industrial look. Can be made in any shape and in a variety of colors. Cons: Can stain and crack, though that also may be an appeal. Relatively expensive. May need a protective sealer and wax applied periodically.
Engineered quartz Pros: Extremely tough. Dozens of colors and patterns. Easy to clean. Consistent color and detail. Many manufacturers, including CaesarStone, Silestone, Cambria. Considered more sustainable, as remnants often can be recycled. Cons: Lacks unique colorations and details found in marble or granite.
Glass Pros: Looks new and modern. Can be made in many colors, patterns and shapes. Translucent qualities enable natural light to pass through. Nonporous, heatresistant, easy to clean. Can be made from recycled glass. Cons: Shows fingerprints. Can crack or break.
Granite Pros: Huge range of colors and prices. Durable. Stainand heat-resistant, though some sealers commonly used to combat its porous qualities can be damaged by excessive heat. Cons: Overused?
Laminates Pros: Huge range of colors, patterns and finishes. Budget-friendly. Easy to maintain. Cons: Chips can be difficult to repair.
Contemporary-looking stainless steel countertops are durable, but they do show fingerprints and scratches.
Solid surfaces
Pros: Products such as Corian come in a variety of shapes, colors and finishes. Non-porous, low-maintenance. Can be made into a seamless piece. Cons: Can be stained or scratched, though marks can be repaired, sometimes with just an abrasive cleaner.
Stainless steel Pros: Durable. Stain-resistant. Looks like a professional kitchen. Other metals, such as zinc and copper, lend an unusual appearance that will change over time. Cons: Can show fingerprints and scratch.
Tile Pros: Budget-friendly. Unlimited color and pattern choices. Durable, heat- and stain-resistant. Cons: Grout can stain and be tough to clean. Not a smooth surface for some cooking tasks.
Wood Pros: Can be used as a chopping board. Cons: Shows knife marks. Susceptible to water damage. Requires periodic reoiling. winter 2011 • Scene • 129
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Thomas Northcut/Digital Vision/Thinkstock
the farmer-chef connection A new cookbook highlights how the two groups bring out the best in each other Celebrate local chefs and the farmers who grow their favorite ingredients? That’s the idea behind “The Bay Area Homegrown Cookbook” by Aaron French, executive chef at Sunny Side Cafe in the East Bay (with two locations in Albany and Berkeley) and longtime student and practitioner of green living and cooking. The book is out this month from Voyageur Press (VoyageurPress.com). French profiles some 50-plus chefs and the farmers, and in some cases, ranchers, who supply them, noting that “this connection is somehow both primal and new.” Indeed, restaurants and diners are attuned to the fact that locally farmed food is good for our health, communities, farmers and farmland. It’s also economical, convenient and fun to source. Finally – and here’s where “primal” might apply – it tastes great. Cooking up recipes from the “Homegrown” cookbook results in truly farmto-table dishes and meals that are sure to delight both committed locavores and anyone who likes good food. French’s book is an inspiration to learn about and cook some of the best from the Bay Area’s restaurants. Following are a few of the chef/farmer recipes, perfect for the upcoming holidays. 134 • Scene • winter 2011
“The Bay Area Homegrown Cookbook” by Aaron French, below, includes stories on local farmers and chefs.
“You just try to grow the best stuff you can, and restaurants will gravitate to you once they see that.”
– Joe Schirmer
“This is my favorite salad to serve at Thanksgiving — it makes good use of Dirty Girl’s dandelion greens.”
– Sarah Henkin
dandelion green and delicata squash salad Chef: Sarah Henkin, Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture (CUESA), which runs the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market in San Francisco. Farmer: Joe Schirmer, Dirty Girl Produce, Santa Cruz 6 servings (Note: A “glug” of olive oil is 2-3 tablespoons.) washed and dried 2 pounds delicata squash ¼ pound salty, tangy extra-virgin olive oil cheese (feta or ricotta kosher salt and freshly salata both work well) ground black pepper ½ cup pistachios, shelled, ¼ pound guanciale toasted and roughly (or bacon or pancetta), chopped medium to small dice ¼ pound dandelion greens, splash red wine vinegar Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut squash in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and slice the squash into thin half moons. Toss with olive oil, salt and pepper and bake on a baking sheet until tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Heat a sauté pan over a medium-high flame. Add a glug of olive oil, heat until it starts to shimmer and circulate in the pan, then add guanciale. Sauté until crisp, then set aside to drain on a paper towel. Remove squash from the oven and let cool slightly. In a serving bowl, mix together the dandelion greens, half of the cheese and half of the pistachios. Toss the squash in with the greens, add a splash of vinegar and a glug of olive oil over the top just to coat the leaves and gently toss to combine. Taste for seasoning and adjust, keeping in mind you will be adding more salty cheese. Garnish with the guanciale, remaining cheese and nuts to serve.
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leg of lamb roasted with grapes, figs, honey and rosemary Chef: Peter Chastain, Prima Ristorante, Walnut Creek. Farmers: Jeanne McCormack and Al Medvitz, McCormack Ranch, Rio Vista 8 servings
“As cooks, our job is to rediscover the sources and to try to awaken people’s interest in and consciousness around sustainability. I’ve seen how quickly our environment can be lost, and how quickly something we love can be destroyed if we’re not watchful.”
– Peter Chastain
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1 leg of lamb, thigh and round bone “corkscrewed out,” shank on (not butterflied) kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 cup fresh rosemary leaves ½ cup flower honey
3-4 lemons extra-virgin olive oil 1 pound green seedless grapes 1 pound red seedless grapes 18 large ripe figs
Trim out the gland often found on the inside of the leg. Trim any excess fat, but leave a nice clean layer on the top. Season the leg well with salt, pepper, rosemary and honey mixed with a little lemon juice. (Be liberal with the salt and pepper — it will make all the difference.) Coat well with oil. Place the leg on top of the grapes and figs in a heavy roasting pan and roast in an oven at 400 degrees until medium rare—about 30 minutes. You may need to turn the roast once or twice during cooking to prevent the honey from burning. Remove the leg to a platter and spoon over the “melted” grapes and figs. Allow to rest for 10 minutes or so, then carve it straight crosswise, from the thigh up toward the shank, into thin pieces. Serve with roasted potatoes or soft polenta.
at the table pole bean salad with dungeness crab, black olives and red pepper aioli Chef: Rick Hackett, Bocanova, Oakland. Farmers: Marty Jacobson and Janet Brown, Allstar Organics, Marin County 4-6 servings
At his restaurant Bocanova in Oakland's Jack London Square area, Rick Hackett, center, features fresh produce from Allstar Organics in Marin County, run by Janet Brown and Marty Jacobson, seen here.
1½ pounds pole beans, trimmed and blanched 1 pound Dungeness crab meat 1 cup Peruvian black olives, pitted salt and black pepper lemon vinaigrette to taste 1 cup Red Pepper Aioli (recipe below) chives, chopped Toss the pole beans, crab, olives, salt, pepper and lemon vinaigrette in a mixing bowl. Spread aioli on the bottom of plate and mound the salad on top. Garnish with chives. Red Pepper Aioli 6 ounces rice oil 6 ounces extra-virgin olive oil 2 egg yolks, room temperature 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon lemon juice salt 1 red pepper, roasted, cleaned and chopped In a mixing bowl slowly whisk the oils into the yolks. Add the mustard, lemon juice and salt to taste (add room temperature water if needed to maintain the emulsion). Fold in the red pepper.
Photos of the chefs, farmers and dishes were shot by Elizabeth Tichenor and Aaron French for "The Bay Area Homegrown Cookbook."
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in the garden
putting glitz on the
Mix up real and faux for memorable holiday décor
Ron Bauer, creative A few showstopping director for Holiday Folipieces, whether on the age, focused on tabletop table, in an entryway or décor when he pulled holding court in a room, together the beauties on can amp up a holiday these pages. His advice: gathering in a big way. Enhance your décor with The trend of late in layered textures, don’t be festive eye candy is takBy Joan Jackson Photos by Holiday Foliage afraid to scale up and go ing nature and gussying bold: Mix your colors in a it up with silver or gold, or bright ornaments. Or mixing up real and faux, as in uniform way, tweak traditions. “And, when in doubt,” he says, “stick with the classic.” high-quality silk flowers and ribbons. Results can be Our tips: spectacular.
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Real branches in their natural state combined with ornaments and artificial branches are, well, a natural. Because these are often large arrangements, use them to dress up entryways and empty corners, not the middle of the dining room table. Check out your local florist for unique items, such as exotic grasses.
Take your pruning shears and go on the hunt in your garden for interestinglooking branches, twigs, berries, pine cones and whatever else catches your eye. Add a little glue, a lot of glitter, beads, crystals and sequins. Display it all in a handsome container for a fantastic combination of natural and glitz.
Jewel-bright colors set a happy mood, no surprise. Metallic finishes combined with textures such as satin and velvet liven up an all-white table setting. Choose unexpected color combinations such as burgundy, pink, orange and fuchsia.
Can’t ignore red and green? If so, go beyond safe, Christmas-y tones. Pick the deepest forest green shades coupled with deep red tones of burgundy or wine, all colors readily found in faux flowers at high-end craft shops. Then punch up these colors with lime green or hot pink for a contemporary look.
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getaways
MENDOCINO revealed Mysterious and magical, the village shares its charms on its own terms By Katharine Fong
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Window-shopping on Main Street, where there is an abundance of artful displays.
It’s tempting when thinking of weekend getaways to skip Mendocino – a little too far, a little too cold, not as sexy or celebrity-chef-laden as Napa and Sonoma. But that would be a mistake. Not that Mendocino makes it easy. One late summer morning the village, perched on headlands above the Pacific, was enveloped in fog so thick that driving slowed to a crawl and road signs were impossible to make out. The place was forlorn and quiet, its New Englandstyle saltbox cottages less quaint than dreary. Still, as we strolled, there were the usual things that captivate: the quirky collection of shops and galleries along Main Street; the one-off artworks, from a carved wood bench to a whimsical mosaic armchair; the riotous blooms in private gardens but in full public view. The leisurely pace became quite agreeable. An espresso at Thanksgiving Coffee Cafe, a stop at the Mendocino Art Center, a run at Harvest Market with the locals to stock up on evening victuals, and life in Mendo didn’t seem bad at all. And then, in early evening, enlightenment – literally. The gray cloud cover finally lifted at the horizon where ocean met sky, and brilliant shafts of sunlight shot through, casting a lovely warm glow on town, shoreline and hillsides. Couples and friends milled onto the windswept bluffs above the water, which had turned magical: Weedy grasses became a tawny, undulating blanket; the odd fishing boat rocked gently in the cove; patches of cerulean blue were visible above. The scene was thrilling and painterly. Mendocino weather packs its share of clear, sunny days, of course, and late fall and winter are a perfect time to sample the town’s many charms. But the magic of the place is perhaps best appreciated when least expected. 148 • Scene • winter 2011
Green Mendo Mendocino is rightly known for being green ahead of just about anywhere else. In 2004, the county became the first in the U.S. to prohibit the growth of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Sustainable agriculture, particularly in vineyards, is widespread, and the raw food movement is centered here. A few green places to stay and visit: The Stanford Inn is a must, both for its comfortably outfitted rooms (wood paneling, wood-burning fireplaces, decks overlooking the grounds and Big River and Mendocino Bay), solarium pool and spa, and the highend vegetarian and vegan Ravens’ Restaurant. The ecoresort’s organic gardens provide much of Ravens’ bounty. Innkeeper Jeff Stanford has been reading Krishnamurti since he was a teen, and through the writer/ teacher’s works came to realize that if it’s “less disruptive to plants and animals, then it’s better for you.” Stanford became a vegetarian in 1985, five years after he and his wife, Joan, purchased the 10-acre property and converted to organic gardening. The couple rebuilt both land and structures less as a “hotel” and more as a haven for relaxation and well-being. (They also run the Mendocino Center for Well Being on the inn’s grounds.) The Mendocino Hotel, whose main building dates to 1878, asserts its eco-sensitivity by using original, restored antiques and fixtures, including a 200-year-old Dutch fireplace and vintage curtains turned into throw pillows. The hotel uses water from seven wells that draw from aquifers under the property. Keeping up with the times, it has nine electric charging stations for guests with those Fisker Karmas, and all accommodations have startlingly contemporary bathrooms with low-flow fixtures. Want a little lodging price relief but still sleep green?
getaways
From left, the view from the deck of a room at The Stanford Inn, the Mendocino Hotel on Main Street, a room at The Stanford Inn.
Try spending a night at the Super 8 in Ukiah, 60 miles away from Mendo. Yes, it’s a chain, but owner Raakesh Patel is appealing to customers’ eco-wants with an electric vehicle charging station, energy-efficient lighting and appliances, environmentally friendly pest control and more. Ukiah and its neighboring town of Hopland, in fact, have made their mark in the eco-world in a number of ways, including the Fetzer, Parducci and Paul Dolan vineyards and wineries, which are leaders in sustainable winemaking. (Lolonis Winery and Frey Vineyard, also organic, are eight and 14 miles north of Ukiah, respectively.) The Ukiah Brewing Company, with both organic beer and food, is a convivial spot in the middle of town. The quirky Solar Living Institute in Hopland offers workshops in renewable energy and sustainable living, a Real Goods store and installations such as a “modern-day Stonehenge solar calendar.” Outdoor enthusiasts, of course, will be in their element in Mendocino; try Catch a Canoe & Bicycles, Too! at the Stanford Inn for good equipment and starting points. Food at pubs and casual restaurants is generally organic, locally sourced and very good; those hankering for fine dining can turn to 955 Ukiah and Cafe Beaujolais, among others. The natural beauty of Fort Bragg makes the 10 mile-trip north well worth it: Check out MacKerricher State Park’s amazing tide pools and Ten Mile Beach Trail, nice for hikers and bikers. S
Good time to go: Dec. 3-4, for Fort Bragg’s Holiday Lights Parades; Dec. 8-12, for the Mendocino Coast Candlelight Inn Tour. Mendocino’s Crab & Wine festival takes place throughout January. Whale-watching season runs December through April.
for more information 955 Ukiah, 955 Ukiah St., 955restaurant.com Café Beaujolais, 961 Ukiah St., cafebeaujolais.com Harvest Market 10501 Lansing St., harvestmarket.com Mendocino Art Center 45200 Little Lake St., mendocinoartcenter.org; six galleries and open studios Mendocino Hotel, 45080 Main St., 707.937.0511, mendocinohotel.com. Rooms in the main hotel $95-$180; 25 suites in cottages nearby $225-$345 The Stanford Inn, 44850 Comptche Ukiah Road, 800.331.8884, stanfordinn.com. Rooms and suites from $211; yoga, massage and other classes/treatments; complimentary breakfast at Ravens and bikes from Catch a Canoe & Bicycles, Too!, catchacanoe.com Super 8 Ukiah, 693 S. Orchard Ave., Ukiah, 707.468.8181, super8ukiah.com Thanksgiving Coffee Cafe 10485 Lansing St., thanksgivingcoffeecafe.com
Super 8 Ukiah’s electric vehicle charging station.
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Scene
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Christmas Tree Elegance 2011, the annual Valle Monte League fundraiser for area mental health agencies, comes up December 1 and 2. Known for beautifully decorated Christmas trees designed by pros (and the fab gifts that accompany each of this year’s 14 trees), it takes place at the Doubletree in San Jose. Tickets range from $75 to $175; proceeds go to Family & Children Services, John XXIII Multi-Service Center, The Healing Heart Program, The Centre for Living with Dying, Alzheimer’s Activity Center and Services for Brain Injury. 408.278.8001 or vallemonte.org. The San Francisco Ballet Auxiliary’s Opening Night Gala, on January 19, features the romantic theme “Bella Notte”, inspired by the classical ballet “Romeo & Juliet.” The gala kicks off the company’s repertory season, which includes “Romeo & Juliet”; festivities include an elegant reception and dinner at S.F.'s City Hall and performance at the War Memorial Opera House, followed by an after-party. Tickets and info at 415.865.2000 or sfballet.org. winter 2011 • Scene • 151
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home getaways & design
stay for a spell The U.S. Virgin Islands enchant, and welcome Story and Photos by Ellen Creager Those who choose to stay a spell will find the islands Many travelers, particularly from the West Coast, know St. Thomas only from a cruise ship stop. Its fellow enchanting. Want traffic, stores, lots of people and dining? Choose St. Thomas. Want to see virtually no one? islands St. John and St. Croix are even lesser known. This is just wrong. The U.S. Virgin Islands are well Choose a remote beach on St. John. Want a combination of the two? Try St. Croix. worth visiting, and not just There is also a lot of history from a ship. on the former Danish islands St. Thomas looks better that gives them a cultural now than it has in about 15 richness beyond palm trees years. It struggled for a deand pirates. cade to recover from HurAnd it’s relatively easy to ricane Marilyn in 1995 and island-hop: St. Thomas and the downturn after 9/11. St. John are only 15 minutes Now, it seems buoyant and apart by ferry. in better shape than some St. Thomas, the most deplaces in the U.S. St. John veloped of the three, is one of remains pristine, most of it the only places in the world a national park. St. Croix, 40 where you drive Americanmiles to the south, was flatThe waters of the U.S. Virgin Islands are warm and style cars but with British tened by Hurricane Hugo amazingly clear, which makes for great snorkeling. rules of the road – on the left. some 22 years ago, but has Drivers are warned to “keep your shoulder to the shoulcome back and is even more vibrant than before. The islands, of course, welcome the cruise ships. The der” to prevent crashes. The island’s tiny local newspaper, the Virgin Islands USVI, as it is sometimes called, is the Caribbean’s third most-popular cruise stop after the Bahamas and the Daily Press, won the Pulitzer Prize for public service in Cayman Islands. The islands host some 2 million visi- 1995 for its series on police corruption, an amazing jourtors each year, dwarfing their population, which accord- nalism achievement for such a small paper. Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas’ largest city and the seat ing to the 2010 census is just under 110,000.
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The appropriately named Sapphire Beach on St. Thomas, left. St. Thomas’ Charlotte Amalie, right, is a popular shopping spot.
U.S. Virgin Islands history The first inhabitants, the Ciboneys, arrived during what is considered the Pre-Ceramic Culture. Arawaks came around A.D. 100, followed by Caribs and Tainos. Christopher Columbus claimed the islands for Spain in the late 1500s; the battle between the Indians and Columbus is considered the first insurgence in the New World. The island were ruled by the Spanish, French, English, the Knights of Malta and longest by the Danes. In 1694, Denmark established the first settlement on St. Thomas, expanding to St. John in 1694 and St. Croix in 1733. In 1685, St. Thomas became a slave-trading post. More than 200,000 slaves, primarily from Africa’s west coast, were forcibly shipped to the islands to harvest cane, cotton and indigo. In 1733, slaves attacked St. John’s Fort Frederiksvaern, crippling operations for six months. Denmark halted the slave trade in 1792, but freedom was not granted to slaves until 1848. In World War I, the United States realized the islands’ strategic position and bought them in 1917 for $25 million. It wasn’t until 1927, however, that citizenship was granted to Virgin Islanders. The Organic Act of 1936 allowed for creation of a senate; in 1970, the residents elected their first governor. Today, the islands are a thriving vacation destination. Adapted from information provided by the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism 154 • Scene • winter 2011
for government and courts, was named after a Dutch queen from the late 1600s. People argue whether it is pronounced Charlotte “a-MAL-ye-a” or “a-ma-LEE,” but the MerriamWebster Dictionary lists both as correct. The Virgin Islanders themselves are talkative, opinionated and direct, and they also represent a place where manners and “Good mornings” still count. You will also find the sailing crowd and the quirky wrinkly skinned U.S. transplants, who for their own mysterious reasons have gone native. Herewith, the top reasons to visit the Virgin Islands this winter: The water and vistas. Did you ever buy Navajo turquoise jewelry? That’s the color of the water here. And the water temperature is 80 degrees in February. That’s not going to happen anywhere else in the U.S. except Hawaii. In the Virgin Islands, the hilly vistas rising out of the sea are what you dream about in winter. It’s your screensaver back home. The weather. Virgin Islands temperatures rarely vary from the 80s during the day and the 70s at night. The air is clear. Your hair suddenly feels moist, and your skin looks good. Steady trade winds from the east keep temperatures from sweltering. If it rains, it generally yields quickly to blue skies. No passport. It’s a U.S. territory, which means you need only a driver’s license and a birth certificate to enter. The beaches, snorkeling, sailing and scuba. It’s not an exaggeration to say that you can walk off the beach and snorkel amid schools of tropical fish. The diving is good, too. Beaches? The St. Thomas beaches of Coki and Sapphire are so pretty they seem as if you have walked into a photograph. On St. John, Trunk Bay is shaped like a giant smile. Busy or empty, beaches are everywhere, all with fine white sand and velvety water – and no jellyfish.
getaways
The Sapphire Beach resort on St. Thomas, left. The famed beach at Trunk Bay on St. John, right.
Interesting side trips. Side trips? From an island? The islands are ferry-distance from the stunning British Virgin Islands, though you will need a passport. (Tortola is an hour from St. Thomas, Jost Van Dyke 45 minutes.) You can actually drive around. At many Caribbean and Mexican resorts, tourists are warned not to leave their resorts or drive. While the Virgin Islands have their share of crime (mostly drug-related), it is relatively safe to drive around on your own on the islands, taking the same precautions you would at home. That gives you more freedom. The tricky part? Driving an American-style car on the left-hand side of the narrow winding roads. The exotic yet familiar atmosphere. Folks in the Virgin Islands speak English, and the dollar is the currency used. You will find American TV stations in your hotel, and your cellphone will get a good signal. There’s even a Kmart on St. Thomas. Still, this is the Caribbean, and efficiency is a relative term. “If you require speed and order, stick with Florida,” says David Bello, owner of Fair Wind Sailing School in Red Hook, St. Thomas. “This is the U.S., but it’s not the U.S.” The shopping. St. Thomas is famed as the biggest tax-free, duty-free shopping hub in the Caribbean. The islands are also known for their arts, as they’re home to many painters, potters and other artists. Visitors are allowed to exit St. Thomas with $1,600 in duty-free goods — double that of most destinations. Bragging rights. The Virgin Islands are simply more glamorous than Hawaii or Florida. It’s just a sexier vacation. S – McClatchy Tribune
if you go Look for travel packages that include airfare and lodging. Check out hotel/resort sites for deals. Better yet, rent a condo or villa. Lodging: On St. Thomas, check hotel booking sites for deals on larger resorts such as Wyndham Sugar Bay, Marriott Frenchman’s Reef, Bolongo Bay or the Ritz-Carlton. Try a rental with a kitchen so you can cook some of your meals. Many resorts have privately owned condo units, so you can often find better deals on the resorts’ own websites, or vrbo.com or vacationtimesharerentals.com to get better deals. On St. Thomas, look for deals at Sapphire Village, Crystal Cove, Point Pleasant, Secret Harbor or Elysian. Follow the same advice for St. John and St. Croix. St. John lodging is the costliest of the three islands. Transportation: In St. Thomas, rent a car at the airport or on the island’s east end — if you are nervous about driving, taxis are plentiful and reasonable. ID: You need a driver’s license and birth certificate for entry from the United States. (A passport will work, too.) You must clear U.S. customs before leaving St. Thomas. Shopping: Watches, jewels, cigarettes, liquor are duty-free and inexpensive; bring back $1,600 in merchandise duty-free. For more info: U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism: usvitourism.vi, 800.372.8784 or vinow.com winter 2011 • Scene • 155
Lora Schraft
Chris A. Johnson
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Above left, Toeniskoetter with Chris Wilder of the Valley Medical Center Foundation. Above right, Toeniskoetter is flanked by former Assemblyman Ira Ruskin and Norman Kline, VMC Foundation board chair, at the foundation’s fifth-annual gala in 2010.
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But which one? Turning Wheels for Kids, a VMC Foundation-supported charity that buys new bikes for underprivileged children, was the perfect fit. “It wasn’t enough for her to do something on her bucket list,” says Chris Wilder, the VMC Foundation’s executive director. “She had to turn it into a massive fundraiser.” Toeniskoetter raised $4,000 her first year, in 2006, and completed the grueling ride. “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” she says. “I didn’t want to look at that bike for a month, but I told myself, ‘Next year, I’m going to do it again.’ ” And each year, Toeniskoetter raised more money and recruited more people to ride and raise money with her. Then, in 2008, she was derailed by the collision with the deer. She suffered deep gashes in her right arm. Her hips were so bruised, she couldn’t walk for two weeks. Unable to ascend the stairs in her Japantown townhouse, she moved in temporarily with her parents. Toeniskoetter spent two years in physical therapy, and still can’t rest her elbow on the table without some pain. But she willed herself to be ready for 2009's Death Ride. “It was my fourth year training for Death Ride. I really wanted to come back,” Toeniskoetter says. “It was a really helpful, therapeutic way to get back there and overcome fear and injury.” Plus, she told herself, “Let’s just make this about someone else, about the charity and the kids we give back to.” “That became a driving force,” she says. Toeniskoetter competed for a fifth year, then relegated the race to the motivated team of 20 riders she had helped build. “She didn’t ride last year, but she had a huge team that rode,” Wilder says. “So she built something to last, and building something to last is one of the hardest things to do as a fundraiser.” She’s still “addicted” to riding, she says, and this year rode
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Leah’s list Current reading: “The Rational Optimist” by Matt Ridley Thanksgiving Day: “I’ll either bike Mount Hamilton or participate in the Silicon Valley Turkey Trot. Then I’ll head to my parents’ to share the day with family. More often than not I'm in charge of the wine or the salad.” Reasons she lives in Japantown: “I looked for a neighborhood with its own character, with close-knit, active neighbors, one that was close to work, within walking distance of its ‘downtown’ (restaurants, retail, local coffee shop, groceries) and one I could ride from with less than 15 minutes of traffic lights to good riding. Japantown met and exceeded all of the above.” Home décor: “My walls are covered with art from local artists (including my mom) and pieces or photos from foreign travel. The biggest living piece is a large wall full of over two dozen mirrors, gifted by friends and family, each representing the individual who provided it to remind me of our friendship. My mom suggested a mirror would help make a small room seem larger, so I expanded upon that with ‘the mirror wall.’ ”
through the Pyrenees ahead of the Tour de France racers, raising $9,500 for Turning Wheels for Kids. For the past two years, Toeniskoetter has been named by the San Jose Business Journal as a “woman of influence,” and this year was honored as the “outstanding volunteer fundraiser” by the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Every New Year’s Eve, she updates her list of goals. She still wants to explore Africa on a “musical safari,” and find the right man to marry and start a family. As she embarks on her latest goal – to make a positive impact on downtown San Jose – those who know her best are confident she will deliver. “I think her potential is anywhere she wants to go,” Wilder says. “I think she’s just getting started.” S
holiday style Hair stylist James Griffiths' tips: • Trim off sun-parched ends. If you color your hair, warm up the shade with a demi-color glaze of gold, copper or a warm brown over existing color. The demi-color is ammonia-free and gently adds shine and color. • When styling your hair, consider what you’re wearing. A pantsuit, for instance, calls for softly pulled-back hair or a chignon. A flirty cocktail dress might be enhanced with bouncy curls or a half-updo that isn’t perfectly done. The less you fuss with it, the better it usually looks. • If a night out is special enough for a professional touch, visit your stylist with a photo of the hairstyle you want. To save time and money, shampoo your hair before you arrive and don’t put any products in it. • If you do your own hair, give it a trial run or start early so it’s not a stress point before your event. Set your hair on rollers or curl with an iron and clip each section for a couple of hours before you leave. This will give your hair body and keep the style in place much longer. • If you want to look festive and fabulous, do something more than your "everyday hairstyle" and go for something
Paul Ferradas
GET THE LOOK Continued from Page 107
special that will stand out in photos and in peoples' memories...in a good way. • Choose hair accessories carefully. It's better to go without one than add something that distracts, clashes with your other jewelry or is wrong for the outfit. S
Make a Scene! • Coming up in our Spring 2012 issue: Get ready for fashion’s high-wattage colors, tools to improve body and mind, and the people in your town making news. Publishing April 2012. • Don’t miss our e-newsletter, packed with info and reviews of the latest beauty products and local style buzz.
nutcracker
Subscribe to both at Scene@BayAreaNewsGroup.com. Find out where Scene is sold at SceneBayArea. com. Follow us on Twitter at SceneBayArea. And join us at Facebook.com/ SceneBayArea. winter 2011 • Scene • 157
Introducing the 2012
TOYOTA CAMRY
Stevens Creek Toyota Scan this QR code to visit our website www.sctoyota.com
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IT’S READY. ARE YOU?
158 • Scene • winter 2011
JRSD Photography
seen Palo Alto designer (and former biotech entrepreneur) Camilla Olson, at right, showed off her fall collection at the Four Seasons Hotel in late October. Olson's work is eco-friendly and highly artistic, while hewing to sophisticated shapes and silhouettes. She famously designed the dress Betsy Franco (James' mom) wore to the 2011 Oscars.
out &about Journalism Students, The Harker School
in Silicon Valley
21st YWCA Annual Luncheon Committee: (top) Pam Dickinson, Lesa Pascali, Spring Myers, Barbara Wakefield, Kelly Ramirez, Deborah Huff, Elaine Baldwin (bottom) Mary Morris, Sharon Winston, Dee Dee Myers, Keri Procunier McLain, Susie Wilson
YWCA Silicon Valley held its 21st annual fundraising luncheon last month, with Dee Dee Myers as keynote. The former White House press secretary, media pundit, author and Santa Clara University alum spoke to the crowd of 1,300 about how empowering women was what would change the world. We heartily agree.
Keri Procunier Wendy Matthews, McLain, CEO, Marvell YWCA Silicon Valley Semiconductor
Carmen Stone, Dee Dee Myers, Larry Stone, YWCA board member and Santa Clara County tax assessor
YWCA supporter Susie Wilson
California State Assemblyman Paul Fong
winter 2011 • Scene • 159
seen
Liza Jane MacNaughton, Nappy MacNaughton
Sarah Bryan Maroney, Susan Martin, Betsy Glikbarg, Nicole Buttitta, Steve Goldenberg, Peri Suzanne Rischman Soyugenc
Ed Begun (board member), Gari Merendino (executive director)
Woodside’s National Center for Equine Facilitated Therapy celebrated its 40th anniversary with its annual “Heroes & Horses – A Jewels & Jeans Gala” in early fall. NCEFT helps children and adults with special needs through the healing powers of horses and caring NCEFT staff. Proceeds from this year’s event will go toward building a new barn roof for therapy horses and to pay for therapy for disabled veterans and others in the community. Drew Altizer Photography
Jenny Smith, John Boone, Barbara Ralston, Bill Ralston
Jenny Blackburn, Ted Estes, Susan Estes, Paul Blackburn
Holly Nash, Larry Pelzner, David Pelzner, Sandra Westin
Courtesy Westfield Valley Fair
Amir Kashfia, Hasti Kashfia of Mode Bay Area, Chelsea Jackson, Hooman Khalili, Lale Welsh
An appreciative crowd lined the runway at Project Pink.
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Asal Fard, Laura Kathleen Planck, Hooman Khalili
The second annual Project Pink fashion show strutted the runway last month, hosted by Westfield Valley Fair and MODE Bay Area. The event raised funds to help find a cure for cancer, and celebrated the survivors. Special guest: designer Laura Kathleen Planck, from this season’s “Project Runway.”
Custom design dress by Angelina Haole of Franco Uomo.
Ben Flajnik (ABC's 2012 “Bachelor”), Jayme Sire
San Francisco Giants players Steve Edelfsen, Jeff Keppinger, Pablo Sandoval
San Jose Sharks Jason Demers, Ryan Clowe, Logan Couture
Rusty Phillips, Dave Benzer
Stephanie Simons
The 2011 Logan's Freedom Ride party at Broadway Studios in San Francisco drew a big crowd, including lots of San Francisco Giants and San Jose Sharks players. The fundraiser, held annually since 2007, has helped Logan Severance, a boy with spinal muscular atrophy, as well as the Foundation for Spinal Muscular Atrophy and other individuals in need.
Tessa Krukow, Adam Elston
Kate Cathey, Brianna Cardea, Camille Bustos
Becca Jenson, Cole Kuiper, Rachel Jenson
Chris Hencinski, Hannah Bacher
Chung Li
Karla Randolph, aka The Card Lady, is pictured at left with PJ Rude of Milk Glass Vintage Rentals, far left, at their Happy Hour earlier this fall. Held at Santana Row’s Left Bank Brasserie, it showcased Randolph’s custom invitations and stationery as well as her candy and treat buffet services (including cupcakes with sea salt and bacon toppings – yum!).
Larisa Karvon and Kristy Meinhardt of Kristy Meinhardt Events
Hair/makeup artist Therese of That Girl Beautique, and assistant Anna
Emilene Belen, Lyndale Ruanto, Karla Randolph, hair/makeup artist Kat Paule
winter 2011 • Scene • 161
the back page New Gal on the Scene Join blogger and contributing writer Stephanie Simons at SceneBayArea.com as she shares her inside scoop about the area’s best salons, services, products and other news. Her blog "Beauty-and-the-Beat" deftly chronicles the local pursuit of the glam life, while offering tips and trends you need to amp up your beauty quotient. Simons, in fact, has practically donated her body to beauty. The East Bay native pens about lipstick, powder and paint for Benefit Cosmetics, InStyle, Daily Candy, C magazine, Sophisticate's Hairstyle Guide and others.
the bottom line beauty reviews you’ll want to read
Skyn Iceland Pure Cloud Cream with Biospheric Complex $65 for 1.7 ounces, Sephora Tester: "I'm 54 and have generally good, normal skin, perhaps thanks to my Asian genes. I was in New York recently without a moisturizer. The change in weather, no sleep, not enough water and super stress meant finding a cream was a priority." Why try: "I've been using a skin-drying, dermatologistprescribed cream to lighten sun spots acquired over the summer. I wanted something soothing, hydrating and nonirritating. This product felt like whipped cream going on, and I could see wrinkles around my mouth and eyes instantly disappearing." Bottom line: "It's been about six weeks, and I've continued to like the feel of this cream and the fact that it's made without dyes and scary chemicals. It absorbs quickly and works under makeup as well as before bedtime. I'm still looking for that miracle cream, though!" 162 • Scene • winter 2011
We're all worried about the bottom line, and that bottom line for cosmetics is no exception. With so many new products hatching weekly, the Scene staff is doing some unscientific testing of beauty and makeup items that catch our fancy, from the hot new shade of plum eyeshadow to the best organic face cream. We want to know as much as you do: Is it just hype or a real find? What works about it, and does it work for our skin type, age group, lifestyle? Is it worth the money? On this page, on our website SceneBayArea.com and in our e-newsletter (launching soon), we'll give you the bottom line on beauty. Sometimes it will be just one product, sometimes we'll give you a comparison of three similar products. We welcome suggestions and feedback. And, if you're a beauty brand looking for us, send an email to Scene@BayAreaNewsGroup.com. Include product details, price and where-to-buy information.
YBF Eyebrow Pencil universal taupe, $12, ybfgirlfriends.com Tester: “Like many of us, I have sparse spots in my brow lines. I like the look I get when my brows are uniformly filled in.” Why try: “This pencil, formerly known under the brand Models Prefer, has received raves over the years (it claims to be the ‘#1 brow pencil in the world!’). It never needs sharpening and – remarkably – promises to change shades to adapt to all skin tones and colorings depending on the pressure you use to apply it.” Bottom line: “I’ve used it several times, and while the taupe color is fine (my brows are black), the pencil lead seems too hard and ‘drags’ on my skin, even with a deliberately lighter, feathery touch. The attached micro-brush does help the pencil lines soften and blend, but I still prefer powder brow color.”
Tip for a baby face Scene staffer B. says, “I ran out of face cleanser, so I tried my baby’s Aveeno Wash & Shampoo instead. The best cleanser ever! It removed all traces of makeup and left my skin super soft.” A hypoallergenic formula with natural oat extract, Wash & Shampoo was shown in a consumer study to clean without drying. $6, in drugstores.
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