Business Beat
Brookfarm Alpaca Farm Festival
In conjunction with National Alpaca Farm Days, Glen Ellen's Brookfarm will be hosting its Annual Alpaca Farm & Fiber Festival on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 25 and 26,10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
There will be lots to do, including touching and learning all about the beautiful, peaceful alpaca, and their lovely fiber. Brookfarm has alpacas of all colors and sizes of alpacas, including babies.
Alpacas will be for sale, as well as a number of products, including fiber, roving, yarn, socks, apparel, and rugs. There will be fiber demonstrations (knitting, spinning, weaving, skirting a fleece). Spinning wheels and looms from Schacht Spindle Company will be available to demo and purchase.
Beverages and snacks will be available. This event is free. Please, no dogs.
Brookfarm Alpacas is located at 8150 Sonoma Mountain Road in Glen Ellen. For more information, call 996-0350, or go to www.brookfarmalpaca.com, or email 8.
Chamber names Benziger Business of the Year
The Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce recently named Benziger Family Winery and its Imagery Estate Winery Business of the Year.
The award is given to businesses located in Sonoma Valley that meet the highest standards for leadership and community service. Contributions can include financial support, goods and services, and volunteerism.
The Chamber is will recognize Benziger Family Winery & Imagery Estate Winery at the 2010 Business of the Year luncheon on Friday, Oct. 15, at the Sonoma Golf Club.
“The Benziger Family has supported Sonoma Valley since the business took root here more than 30 years ago,” said Chamber executive director Jennifer Yankovich. “The contributions of the Benziger Family's collective commitment to giving has been felt throughout community youth and service organizations for decades.”
To make a reservation for the recognition luncheon, call 996-1033, or email kathy@sonomachamber.com to reserve your seat at the celebration luncheon. Cost is $50 for Chamber members and $65 for the general public.
Doo-Dahs pick early for verjus
Calling themselves the Doo-Dahs, three locals from Kenwood and Glen Ellen were the first in the vineyards this summer, picking grapes to make verjus, an unfermented green grape juice that can be used in many cooking recipes.
Dave Crockett, Dale McCoy, and Dan Delaney, all retired, had two and a half tons of grapes picked on Aug. 11, field blends of cabernet and montepulciano grapes and other varietals. The grapes are picked at half the desired sugar of wine grapes and immediately processed after picking, with the juice being put in cold storage at 34 to 38 degrees. The result is unfermented juice, akin to apple juice, and will be bottled in mid-September. Crockett estimates that the group will produce about 400-450 cases.
The verjus will be marketed under the D&D Cellars label, with the Doo-Dahs currently looking at prospects for local distribution. D&D Cellars verjus will be available at G&G Markets, as well as the Kenwood Farmhouse in Kenwood. Chefs at G&G will be conducting cooking demonstrations using the verjus.
Crockett said the bottles will have tags hanging on them suggesting possible recipes. Verjus is also often used in salad dressings as a substitute for vinegar. D&D Cellars is in good company in the verjus-making world, as Kendall-Jackson and Terra Sonoma Food Company make it as well.
Vintners & Growers name executive director
The Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Alliance (SVVGA) Board of Directors recently appointed long-time Marketing and Events Director and recent interim Executive Director Maureen Lamb Cottingham to the position of Executive Director of the Alliance.
Cottingham was appointed interim executive director in June.
Michael Muscardini, President of SVVGA said, “The search committee, as well as the whole board was thrilled to offer Maureen the position as our Executive Director. Maureen has consistently demonstrated [her] passion and commitment to over 500 members of SVVGA as well as the whole Sonoma Valley community.”
Muscardini added, “The search committee took its time to do an extensive search. With over 50 applicants considered and personal interviews with six candidates, it was clear that Maureen was the top choice. The Board and I couldn't be more pleased and wish Maureen continued success.”
Cottingham has been with the SVVGA for five years. Her leadership, especially as Executive Producer of the Sonoma Wine Country Weekend is well established by both the success of the event and by her peers. As interim director she managed the day-to-day operations, interacted with the Board and Membership and kept the Alliance on course and growing.
The SVVGA is a non-profit trade organization serving over 500 vintners, growers and associates who share a mission to promote awareness of Sonoma Valley's grapes, wine, terroir and history as the birthplace of the California wine industry. The Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Foundation (SVVGF) is a non-profit organization that has raised over $8,000,000 for local Sonoma Valley charities through the Sonoma Wine Country Weekend and Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine Auction. To learn more about the SVVGA and SVVGF, visit www.sonomavalleywine.com, or call 935-0803.
Oakmont businesses hold Hot Dog Day
The Oakmont Hot Dog Day held on Aug. 12 was a big success, put on by five local businesses: Anderson, Zeigler, Disharoon, Gallagher & Gray Law Firm, CPS Realty, New York Life, Sonoma Bank, and WeCare Home Assistants. The free lunch was a hit with many Oakmont residents as they mingled and got to know their neighbors. A number of door prizes were awarded.
“The weather was perfect and we had a great turnout,” said Duane Margreiter of CPS Realty. “Everyone seemed to appreciate the hot dogs and other goodies, and they seemed to enjoy the social aspect as well. We'll definitely do it again.”
Join Curves, help fight breast cancer
All through September, Curves on Oakmont Drive is going PINK to help fight breast cancer. Curves is offering a Fall Special of a $30 enrollment fee with a 12-month commitment.
During September, 50 percent of the enrollment fee ($15) will be donated to the Susan B. Komen For the Cure fundraiser. If you have never tried the Curves workout and you're not ready to make the commitment, now's a great time to check them out. For $10, you'll get a complimentary figure analysis, a great introductory workout and your entire payment will be donated to the fight against breast cancer. Current members will also have the opportunity to participate in fundraising - for each new member you bring Curves in September, 50 percent of your September dues will be donated to the cause!
Stop in anytime, but appointments are recommended for first time workouts.
Curves is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mon. and Wed., 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tue. and Thur., and on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Curves in Oakmont is located at 6572 Oakmont Drive (behind Playa Azul Restaurant and First Community Bank). Call 537-3030.
Caton/Muscardini anniversary celebration
In September, 2007, Ty Caton and Michael Muscardini joined forces and opened a tasting room in Kenwood - a partnership between two winemakers who are as different as their wines, but who shared a dream of having a casual space where people could enjoy award winning wines and have a great time. The result was a unique tasting room that became an instant favorite with locals and visitors alike.
Everyone is invited to join in a very special anniversary evening on Saturday, Sept. 18, 5-8 p.m.
Celebrate in style with an after hours party that is not to be missed. There will be live music, knockout wines, delectable food and unbelievable discounts.
For Wine Club Members, the event is complimentary for you and up to two guests. Additional Wine Club Guests are $10. Cost to the general public is $15. RSVP to Info@TyCaton.com by Sept. 10.
The Ty Caton Vineyards & Muscardini Cellars Tasting Room is located in the Kenwood Village Plaza, 8910 Sonoma Hwy.
Pawz Fur Beauty offers mobile pet grooming
Pawz Fur Beauty is a mobile pet grooming salon which offers the same amenities as a grooming shop, but with less hassle. Pawz Fur Beauty comes right to your home, saving you time and energy, and your pet will feel at ease knowing they're in their own familiar surroundings. There aren't any barking dogs or other loud noises causing your pet to become stressed and uneasy. Your dog gets 100 percent special one-on-one attention.
Appointments aren't overbooked, so your pet is never left in a cage to wait its turn. When finished, your pet is delivered right to your door, looking wonderful and feeling great!
Large and senior dogs are welcome, as the facility is fully capable of handling all sizes, ages and breeds. The salon is equipped with 50 gallons of fresh water, so there's plenty of water to get your pet “squeaky” clean. Pawz Fur Beauty is also equipped with an “On-Demand” warm water system, which is especially important to older and arthritic dogs.
To learn more about Pawz Fur Beauty or to schedule an appointment, call 849-4311, or visit www.pawzfurbeauty.com.
Fall classes at Wildwood
Wildwood Farm in Kenwood is offering a variety of classes this fall:
Oct. 10 - Design and selection of proper plant material for sunny gardens.
Oct. 17 - Garden design and plantings with a focus on shade gardens. Joining participants for this workshop will be ceramic artist Todd Reed. Reed, who will be bringing new sculpture to the gardens, is also an avid gardener.
Oct. 24 - Incorporating edible trees, shrubs and vines into your landscape.
Each class will run from 2 p.m. to around 4 p.m.
After an introduction to the topic, the class will break into small groups. Work stations will be set up for sketching out concept ideas. Samples of appropriate plant material will be on hand. An important part of the class will be discussions in the form of critique. This supportive exchange allows all participants to benefit from the ideas of each small group. Class size will be limited to 18.
The instructors are Sara, Ricardo and Joe Monte. Sara has participated in Wildwood from its inception to the early 1980's returning full time in 1996.
The Montes own and operate Wildwood Farm.
Ricardo is an artist and plants man. While developing the nursery at Wildwood Farm, Ricardo also maintained a garden design business. Since 2000 he has devoted his talents full time to Wildwood Farm. He has created the park-like setting at Wildwood.
Joe is a LEED Accredited Professional who also follows the development of the Sustainable Sites Initiative, a rating system for landscapes. He designs gardens in Marin and Sonoma counties. Inspirations for his gardens come from visits to national parks, botanical gardens, and private and public gardens in the U.S. and abroad.
The fee is $15 per class. This includes a one-gallon fall blooming perennial to take home with you.
There is an early registration discount of $5. Early registration (paid in full) deadline dates are: Oct. 1, 8 and 15.
Wildwood Farm is located at 10300 Sonoma Highway in Kenwood.
For further information, call 833-1161.
Music Arts School launches after-school program
Building on its successful private music lessons, the Sonoma Music Arts School, located at 901 Broadway across from Sonoma Valley High School, is now launching an after-school program in music, audio and video production. The program is designed to bring children together in a supervised instructional environment to learn more about music, foster self-esteem, camaraderie, and creativity. Participants in this friendly, low-pressure, peer-supported environment learn to play instruments, write songs and form bands. Kids are assigned to groups according to age, experience and preferences.
The program helps achieve independence and self-empowerment through education. Each 10-week session is very affordably priced at $150. The school is offering these 10-week sessions during the fall, winter and spring quarters, starting the first week of September. At the end of each 10-week period, there will be a concert for the participants and faculty.
Program sessions include Band Workshop, Band Workshop for Girls, String Ensemble, Sound Recording, and Videography.
For more information or to sign up, contact Aldo Mosca, School Director, at 996-7661, info@sonomamusicarts.com, or www.sonomamusicarts.com.
