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DENIM DRIVE BENEFITTING THE ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF DIABLO VALLEY Donate gently used or new denim at The Concierge at Broadway Plaza from July 26th – August 31st, and in return for your kindness you will receive special offers from Broadway Plaza retailers.
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A BILL IRWIN TOUR DE FORCE
SCAPIN
by MOLIÈRE
Adapted by BILL
Directed by BILL
IRWIN and MARK O’DONNELL IRWIN
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WORLD PREMIERE
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A HAROLD PINTER TRIBUTE
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by HAROLD
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Directed by CAREY
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table of contents
72
90
features fall beauty 72 Make an Entrance! Show-stopping looks for special occasions. By Donna Kato and Joanne Ho-Young Lee
81 Master of the Drape: Q&A with designer Tadashi Shoji By Donna Kato
98
105
icons: the arts 90 Carrie’s World An artist and curator balances careers – and a universe where nature and artifice co-exist. By Jack Fischer. Photos by Jose Carlos Fajardo
98 Lioness at Play Actress Stacy Ross brings truth to every role, and a fearless female point of view. By Karen D’Souza. Photo by Doug Duran
special report 105 Women of the Vine
85 Camera-Ready? Tips for evening hair and makeup, and where to get them done. By Donna Kato
Increasingly, women play big roles in local wineries – and it’s more than what goes in the bottle. It’s a way of life. We talk to the women of Crooked Vine/Stony Ridge, Darcie Kent and Rock Wall. By Bonnie Wach. Photos by Nikki Ritcher
113 Drink This With That Star sommelier Sarah Valor’s fave food and wine pairings. By Bonnie Wach 10 • SCENE • FALL 2010
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table of contents
departments
55 Beauty Report
23 The Insider
62 The Interview
Top trends, high-end consignment shopping, designer Liliana Castellanos. By Stephanie Simons
Is a tummy tuck for you? Plus, a look at noninvasive alternatives. By Donna Kato
Career coach Chris Melching on taking command of the room, your work – and your life. By Melinda Sacks. Photos by Nikki Ritcher
37 Indulge Charms: Talismans, tokens, trinkets – by any name, we fall under their spell. By Crystal Chow
116 Getaways The Ritz at Northstar in Tahoe takes luxury to a new level. By Bonnie Wach
42 Shop Talk Real gems: Filoli’s gift shop, Entrez! Open House. By Crystal Chow and Stephanie Simons
167 Seen Austin Powers in Livermore? The new Walnut Creek Library, and more.
47 Body & Soul Christine Carter on what it takes for kids – and the rest of us – to be happy. By Melinda Sacks
23
home & design 124 Haute Stuff Must-haves for outdoor living. By Kristine M. Carber
129 In the Garden We’re in the mood for blue. By Joan Jackson
133 At the Table Meritage at the Claremont’s Josh Thomsen; Baumé Restaurant’s Bruno Chemel. By Kristine M. Carber
170 All For You Our reader contests
62 42 141 The Tasting Room J Vineyards branches out, as planned. By Craig Summers Black
146 Interiors Garen and Shari Staglin’s family estate in the Rutherford wine region is both showplace and comfortable home. By Charles Neave
156 Solutions Storage has never looked so elegant. By Joan Chatfield-Taylor
160 Please Be Seated How to pick the perfect chair. By Mary Carol Garrity
12 • SCENE • FALL 2010
As you take responsibility for your
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Your Natural Food Store FALL 2010 • SCENE • 13
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A gift for you from Beauty 360.
Josie Lepe
Time to take a leap Though autumn is some weeks away, for many of us summer is over and it’s time to send kids off to school, update fall wardrobes – and get back to work. And at work, it’s also time to dream big, and think seriously about what we want. The biggest mistake women in the workplace make is not reaching high enough, says Chris Melching, a Bay Area executive coach who helps professional women effectively sell themselves and their ideas. “If you don’t put your hat in the ring, you won’t get a chance,” she says in our interview with her on Page 62. “You have to stand in your own essence, and take a leap.” It’s tough to focus on the big picture when we’re just trying to get the day’s work done and dinner on the table. But Melching and others like her make very clear that it’s critical for women to focus on what they want, go get it and stop apologizing for it. Some of this involves developing confidence and leadership skills and learning how to project them, and Melching suggests ways we can do this. The hard part, though, can be figuring out what we want in the first place, and sticking with our goal. This is where coaching can be useful, but what if we don’t have an executive coach? Cultivate your very own advisory board, says Melching. Not just gal pals who can answer “Does this make me look fat?” but a network of supporters who can listen to what we say we want, help us refine our message and communication styles, and challenge and push us. The women we profile in this issue likely have such a “board” – friends, family, mentors or a combination. Driven, strong and polished, women such as Carrie Lederer, Stacy Ross, Darcie Kent, Jaime McDowell and Shauna Rosenblum dream big and are tenacious in pursuit of their goals. I hope you enjoy their stories – and are as inspired as I was to reach a bit higher.
iStockphoto/Thinkstock
Katharine Fong Editor & Publisher
Join us! Holiday issue publishing November 19 Glamour, gifts and giving back FALL 2010 • SCENE • 15
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VOTED BEST MEDISPA in Contra Costa County for 2008/2009
WON Best of the Bay’s “VIEWER’S CHOICE AWARD” for Best MedSpa in Northern California
Scene Katharine Fong Editor & Publisher
Rebecca Hall-Lucero Art Director Donna Kato Contributing Fashion & Beauty Editor Crystal Chow, Julia Prodis Sulek Contributing Writers Joanne Ho-Young Lee, Patrick Tehan Contributing Photographers Rebecca Parr Copy Editor Scene Magazine Vol. 2, No. 2, copyright 2010 by the Bay Area News Group. All rights reserved. Material herein may not be reprinted without expressed written consent of the publisher. Make sure you receive every issue of Scene Magazine. Email scene@bayareanewsgroup.com, or write to Scene Magazine, 2640 Shadelands Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598. Visit us at SceneBayArea.com
contributors Jose Carlos Fajardo has been a photojournalist at the Contra Costa Times for 13 years. He loves to photograph sporting events, and when not taking pictures spends his time with his 6-year-old son JJ. Nikki Ritcher, a Colorado native, studied photography at Savannah College of Art and Design. She was sole photographer for various publications in the Southeast before moving to the Bay Area, where she pursues commercial work and wedding photography. Bonnie Wach is the former editor of Design for Living Magazine and Napa Sonoma, and is a regular contributor to the San Francisco Chronicle. Her writing has appeared in Travel + Leisure, Time Out and the New York Times Magazine, among others. FALL 2010 • SCENE • 17
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Scene David Rounds President & Publisher Bay Area News Group/East Bay
Michael Turpin Vice President, Advertising & Marketing Bay Area News Group John Stoeser Director, Community Information & Targeted Delivery Bay Area News Group Jenny Kohler Director, Retail Advertising Bay Area News Group/East Bay Steve Weimer Targeted Publications Director Monica Balistreri Product Manager Cissi Holmgren-Kates Advertising Production Manager Timothy Tsun & Ad Services Advertising Design For advertising information, call (925) 943-8259. Copyright 2010 Bay Area News Group.
scene advisory board Heidi Ashworth Author Kelly McKenzie Hanson Marketing Manager Wente Family Estates Marcie Hochhauser Vice President Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce Lisa Nevares Donna Lynn Rhodes Marketing Maven & Owner donnalynn Creative
Monica Balistreri Product Manager Scene Magazine
Susan Stafford New Business Development EMC Creative Ashleigh Tharp Blackhawk Plaza Marketing Director CenterCal Properties Carrie Williams Director of Marketing & Business Development Stoneridge Shopping Center
Karen Peterson Retail Advertising Sales Manager Bay Area News Group
Deborah Nordstrom Marketing/Promotional Manager Bay Area News Group
FALL 2010 • SCENE • 19
Quality construction and exclusively designed for comfort that lasts
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO 415 El Camino Real (One mile north of Tanforan Mall) SANTA CLARA 2550 El Camino Real (1/2 block north of San Tomas) PLEASANT HILL 626 Contra Costa Blvd. (1 block north of Sun Valley Mall) SAN JOSE 1030 Blossom Hill Rd. (87 to Santa Teresa or 85 to Almaden Expwy, south)
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the insider plush texture AP/Richard Drew
Especially in accessories such as furry shoes, hats and handbags. zac posen
from runway to east bay Key trends and cool pieces for fall. For evening looks, see Page 72.
zac posen
By Stephanie Simons
gap
denim on denim
sophisticated shapes
A trim jacket in an inky rinse necessitates distressed skinnies and sky-high heels.
Think tailored, ladylike silhouettes you can wear for a lifetime.
eclectic prints camel color
Go for bold in visually arresting prints, but be careful not to overembellish this fresh, feminine look.
banana republic
Classic camel returns in a full spectrum of shades perfect for an autumnal jaunt around Napa Valley. michael stars
FALL 2010 • SCENE • 23
the insider
Consignment shopping tip: Ignore sizes. Designer items run differently, and a little tailoring goes a long way to make a one-of-a-kind find flattering for your figure.
the way we wore A bevy of high-end consignment boutiques are forever changing the way women indulge in designer clothing and accessories. Here’s a rundown of our runway-centric favorites and their fashion-forward owners. Story by Stephanie Simons Photos by Kerry Hiroshi Paul
Consignment shopping tip: Ask to get on a wish list — this will give you the opportunity to buy the best pieces before they ever hit the rack.
24 • SCENE • FALL 2010
Lynn Brown and Joyce Suess have shops in both Walnut Creek and Oakland.
Main Street Rags BOUTIQUES Main Street Rags (Walnut Creek) and Rockridge Rags (Oakland) OWNERS Joyce Suess and Lynn Brown LABEL LOVE Kate Spade, Talbot’s, Ann Taylor, J. Crew, Etro and Chanel. HOT FINDS Vintage jewelry and premium denim ranging from 7 For All Mankind and True Religion to Gap. RÉSUMÉS Brown was a teacher; Suess worked in retail while earning her teaching credential, then was a sportswear buyer in San Francisco. The two teamed up to open Rockridge Rags 30 years ago, followed by Main Street Rags five years later. RETAIL RHAPSODY “Rita Moreno brought us several hundred items, including a sweater she’d worn on ‘The Bill Cosby Show’ and three Louis Vuitton travel bags.” NEW ARRIVALS Daily. Consignments accepted daily; no appointment necessary, but only 10-1. SHOP TO IT “Christian Louboutin shoes [with the famed red soles] fly out the door!” 1380 N. Main St., Walnut Creek, 925.943.1459; Rockridge Rags, 5711 College Ave., Oakland, 510.655.2289, www.rockridgerags.net
Shoppers can find premium denim at great prices.
FALL 2010 • SCENE • 25
the insider
Lynn Nice opened her Berkeley accessories shop earlier this year, and also expanded her Walnut Creek boutique.
Labels BOUTIQUES Labels (Walnut Creek) and Labels Luxury Accessories Consignment Boutique (Berkeley) OWNER Lynn Nice LABEL LOVE Gucci, Hermès, Chanel, YSL and Louis Vuitton. CLAIM TO FAME Margaret Lesher’s entire couture collection was consigned at Labels. HOT FINDS Limited-edition designer handbags and luggage in impeccable condition, vintage scores from Halston, Emilio Pucci, Elsa Scaparelli and Bob Mackie RÉSUMÉ Studied abroad in Paris before working in many fashion markets, including the East Coast, Dallas, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Managed two luxury consignment boutiques before opening Labels. RETAIL RHAPSODY “I’m enamored with the unique and eclectic, and I love the stories that come along with the consignment dropoffs.” NEW ARRIVALS Daily. Walk-in consignments accepted during business hours. EXTRAS Champagne and sweets on weekends, trunk shows, personal shopping and fitting sessions during non-business hours by special request. SHOP TO IT “It’s best to buy luxe items in person rather than online, where authenticity can be an issue.” Labels, 1367 N. Main St., Walnut Creek, 925.952.4566; Labels Luxury Accessories Consignment, 2629 Ashby Ave., Berkeley, 510.654.2966; www.labelsluxury.com.
Kostüm BOUTIQUE Kostüm OWNER Tamera Duckett LABEL LOVE Prada, Tod’s, Gucci, Furla, Isabelle Fiore, Longchamp, Brighton, Coach, Cole Haan, Kooba and Treesje. RÉSUMÉ UC Berkeley grad and “serial entrepreneur” with 20-plus years’ fashion experience. Honed her marketing, merchandising and buying skills at I. Magnin, Bloomingdale’s, Henri Bendel and Bebé. RETAIL RHAPSODY “I come from a family of entrepreneurs. I love the sensory experience of working around luxe clothing, shoes, accessories … and working with amazing people!” NEW ARRIVALS Daily. Consignments taken by appointment only. EXTRAS Personal shopping and special in-store events. SHOP TO IT “It’s all about the treasure hunt: Finding great items at affordable prices is always exhilarating — sometimes items are brand-new or have been gently used only once or twice. Plus, consignors earn money in the process. It’s win-win shopping!” 4020 Piedmont Ave., Oakland, 510.654.1718, www.kostumonpiedmont.com Tamera Duckett loves the “treasure hunt” aspect of consignment shopping.
26 • SCENE • FALL 2010
Loretta Knight helps pull together the perfect outfit.
Jaunty BOUTIQUE Jaunty MANAGER Loretta Knight LABEL LOVE Juicy Couture, I.N.C, Bebé, Coach, Chico’s, Coldwater Creek, Style & Co. HOT FINDS Handbags by Coach and Dooney & Bourke, brand-new threads by Cabi and plus sizes up to 3X. RÉSUMÉ 14 years’ experience working in retail. RETAIL RHAPSODY “It’s fun to have a great fashion sense that helps women of all ages piece together an outfit. I watch a lot of “What Not to Wear” — and I’ve met [host] Clinton Kelly.” NEW ARRIVALS Daily. Consignments taken by appointment only. EXTRAS Knight goes out of her way to pull together the perfect outfit for any occasion. SHOP TO IT “Gals will come in on the hunt for something to wear to a theme or costume party.” They always find a fitting item, whether it’s a strapless dress with an ‘80s vibe or clothes for a “Golden Girls” cheesecake soiree. NEWS On Sept. 1, Jaunty will add men’s upscale clothing and accessories. 2217 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon, 925.838.8211
Good stuff: Juicy Couture, Coach and more.
FALL 2010 • SCENE • 27
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The Subaru Impreza. Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive grips the road. The SUBARU BOXER® engine’s low center of gravity helps keep you balanced around turns. Add the confidence you get from driving a 2010 IIHS Top Safety Pick, and all you’ll want to do is go out and play. Love. It’s what makes a Subaru, a Subaru.
Diablo Subaru 2646 North Main Street | Walnut Creek CA 94597 | 925.937.6900 | www.diablosubaru.com 30 SCENE FALL 2010
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2WAYS 2SAVE
Handwoven Armchair
$669
CHOOSE 10% OFF YOUR TOTAL PURCHASE* OR NO INTEREST IF PAID IN FULL WITHIN 24 MONTHS** **On purchases made with your Ethan Allen Finance Plus Card. Minimum monthly payments are required. Interest will be charged to your account from the date of purchase if the promotional balance is not paid in full within 24 months.
2WAYS 2SAVE IS NOT REFLECTED IN PRICES SHOWN. Valid through September 6, 2010. Excludes prior purchase and pending deliveries. *Excludes sales tax, delivery charges, gift cards, and Gold Protection Plan. **If promotional balance is not paid, in full, within twenty-four months from the date it first appears on your billing statement, interest will be assessed from the date of purchase. If any balance on your account goes sixty days past due, the promotion will be terminated and accrued interest will be billed at standard account terms. As of 07/01/10, new account APR is 29.99%, existing account default penalty APR is 29.99%. Minimum finance charge is $2.00. Not valid on gift cards. Transactional purchase and application are subject to credit approval by GEMB. Valid for U.S. citizens at participating U.S retailers. ethanallen.com ©2010 Ethan Allen Global, Inc.
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the insider
get the look A worldly designer offers tips for fall
By Stephanie Simons
Liliana Castellanos Nothing sums up the season better than the classics: Silk blouses, tailored coats, vibrant color and dresses worthy of a Hitchcock heroine are de rigueur. Bolivian-born couturier Castellanos masters these staples to modern, exotic effect. An avid traveler and “interpreter of the world,” her eponymous collections reflect her South American heritage and are sold in her Walnut Creek boutique (owned by Rick and Irene Needoba) and in shops throughout the Bay Area. Shown on this page are items from her Fall Winter 2010-2011 collection. (More info at www.lilianacastellanos.com.)
What’s hot right now? “The perfect investment includes a coat in a vivid, unexpected color (like plum), a fluid blouse in natural silk and riding pants. These are timeless,” says Castellanos, who studied fashion in Buenos Aires and worked at the Nina Ricci fashion house.
Turn up the volume: texture, color, prints
Live by your own fashion rules
When you want to be circled and admired, reach for red; the same goes for a va-va-voom statement coat with a gorgeous neckline or collar. “I love a duality of fabrics and textures, such as a baby alpaca coat paired with a blouse in silk or organza. You can also mix fabrics with elaborate patterns.”
Update your wardrobe without spending a fortune — turn to fresh colors, sumptuous textures and novel accessories. Mix in strands of pearls, chains and gems. “I won’t leave the house without earrings and a great handbag. Wear what gives you selfconfidence and makes you feel exceptional.”
Shop and dress thoughtfully “Dressing should be about calm — it’s an art. When people live in a hurry, they don’t put as much thought into what they wear.” Look for quality pieces that are eternally feminine, practical and built to last a lifetime.
Choose flattering silhouettes “Thoughtful shapes are always in. Your closet should have at least one well-fitting dress (black is a sure bet), a throwon-and-go jacket that’s comfortable and jeans that cling to your curves just right.”
Courtesy Liliana Castellanos
FALL 2010 • SCENE • 35
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indulge
charming Talismans, tokens, trinkets. By any name, we fall under their spell No one knows who created the first charms to be used as jewelry. But as long as there’s been a record of female adornment, there have been examples of these little ornaments that intimately reflect a woman’s taste — and often her life story By Crystal Chow
Charms by Aaron Basha, starting at $1,600, at Heller Jewelers.
FALL 2010 • SCENE • 37
From left: airplane charm in diamonds, 18-karat yellow and white gold, $1,500; cupcake charm with blue and pink sapphires and tsavorites in 18-karat yellow and white gold, $1,500; boat charm with diamonds, sapphires, platinum and enamel, $1,200, at Tiffany & Co.
Platinum charm bracelet with diamonds, colored gemstones, carved turquoise and citrine, $65,000 at Tiffany & Co.
18-karat yellow gold Umi pendant with diamonds pavé, $1,929 at Tous.
18-karat white gold Fetiches teddy bear pendants with black diamonds pavé, $665; brown diamonds pavé, $629; and diamonds, $885, at Tous.
38 • SCENE • FALL 2010
Bead of black mother-of-pearl set in sterling silver, $50; dangle bead with fresh-water pearl with cubic zirconia top surrounded in 14-karat gold and sterling silver, $65; sterling silver dangle stiletto, $30; bead charm bracelet, $1,080, at Pandora.
indulge Charms by Aaron Basha, starting at $1,600, at Heller Jewelers.
Zable charms, $16.99 to $39.99 each, and sterling silver bracelet, $49, at Garden of Gems.
18-karat yellow/rose gold Mimi So chain link bracelet, $4,850; charms $480 to $1,380 each, all at Lustre Pearls & Gems.
Happy diamond bracelet with floating diamonds set in 18-karat gold by Chopard, $11,400 at CH Premier Jewelers.
Happy fish charm bracelet with rubies, blue and yellow sapphires set in 18-karat white gold by Chopard, $8,740 at CH Premier Jewelers.
FALL 2010 • SCENE • 39
indulge Where to buy Zable charms, $16.99 to $39.99 each, with sterling silver bracelets, $49 each; sterling silver lariat with handblown Venetian beads, $219, at Garden of Gems.
Caratti Jewelers (carries Pandora) 1883 Second St., Livermore 925.447.2381, www.carattijewelers.com CH Premier Jewelers Westfield Valley Fair, 2855 Stevens Creek Blvd., Suite 1235, Santa Clara 408.983.2688, www.chpremier.com Flying Lizard Design 356 Santana Row, San Jose 408.244.8950, www.flyinglizard.com Garden of Gems 2235 San Pablo Ave., Pinole 510.741.5400 Heller Jewelers 2005 Crow Canyon Place, Suite 168, San Ramon, 925.904.0200, www.hellerjewelers.com Lustre Pearls & Gems Westfield Valley Fair, 2855 Stevens Creek Blvd., Suite 1099, Santa Clara 408.296.3686, www.lustrepearls.com Pandora Westfield Valley Fair, 2855 Stevens Creek Blvd., Suite 1040, Santa Clara 408.615.1417, www.pandora.net
18-karat gold vermeil, pearl and blue chalcedony bracelet, $189 at Flying Lizard Design.
Tiffany & Co. 1119 S. Main St., Walnut Creek 925.939.6300, www.tiffany.com Also: 149 Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto, 650.328.2552 Westfield Valley Fair, 2855 Stevens Creek Blvd., Suite 1247, Santa Clara 408.243.7771 Tous Westfield Valley Fair, 2855 Stevens Creek Blvd., Suite 2550, Santa Clara 408.247.7671, https://tous-shop.com
One-of-a-kind, high-end charms often can be found at shops that sell antique or estate jewelry. Look online for shops near you and call or stop by to browse their inventory. One place to try: Estates Consignment, 1500 Contra Costa Blvd., Pleasant Hill, 925.682.6800.
40 • SCENE • FALL 2010
Designer Prototypes • Antiques • Sculptures Bronzes • Lighting • Estate & Model Home Furnishings • One-of-a-Kind Items • Florals Decorating Services • Fine Jewelry & Watches Staging Rentals & Sales
1500 Contra Costa Blvd., Pleasant Hill, CA
925-682-6800
www.estatesconsignments.com FALL 2010 • SCENE • 41
filoli garden shop A seasonal treasure From left: The gardens and mansion are the draw, but don’t miss the garden shop. Of particular note: tabletop treasures; Filoli-sourced honey, vinegars and dip and soup mix; and plants galore.
86 Cañada Road, Woodside 650.364.8300 www.filoli.org
With its acres of formal gardens and a stately mansion built almost 100 years ago, Filoli in Woodside on the Peninsula represents the epitome of privileged living. TV viewers, in fact, saw Filoli in “Dynasty’s” opening credits. The estate is accessible to the public during the months when flowers, shrubs and trees are abloom (this year through Oct. 24), and a visit must include a stop at the garden shop. Located in the carriage house next to the main home, it is a charming “mini everything store,’’ according to manager Cat Bishop. That means housewares, tabletop treasures, clothing, gifts and foodstuffs — all reflective of the season. Filoli-sourced items such as honey, vinegars and dip and soup mixes are especially popular, Bishop says. Straw hats and pretty scarves are also perennial favorites. Speaking of perennials, most of the plants for sale in the courtyard represent varieties growing here. So if, say, you happen to fall in love with the pots of brilliant-yellow pocketbook plants lined up outside the visitors center, pick up a Calceolaria herbeohybrida to add to your home version of Filoli. —Crystal Chow
42 • SCENE • FALL 2010
shop talk
Kerry Hiroshi Paul
entrez! open house Style meets hospitality Paris transplant Marie Deleris packs every little inch of Entrez! Open House with exuberant and expressive personality. Savvy hunters come for the inspired mix of post-modern European novelties: Euro brands such as Alessi, Littala and Marimekko capture Deleris’ globetrotting spirit. The clean lines, bold colors and whimsical prints of the housewares, decorative items, furniture and assorted gifts pack a mood-lifting punch, as does the Walnut Creek boutique’s pimento-colored statement wall — the perfect backdrop for curvilinear show pieces such as Kartell table lamps and Lucite chairs. Also be on the lookout for natural, handmade soaps by Pacifica and locally made Jenny Hurth bags fashioned from discarded vinyl signs and banners.
From left to right: The clean lines and bold colors of the housewares and furnishings are moodboosters, and complement both Euro and local novelty and decorative items.
1517 Cypress St. Walnut Creek 925.906.0177 1645 Telegraph Ave. Oakland 510.268.9101
—Stephanie Simons
FALL 2010 • SCENE • 43
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FROSTING BAKE SHOP
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MAIN STREET RAGS
Main Street Rags has been at the same location for over 25 years. A steady, loyal clientele promises a wonderful eclectic mix of everyday to high end - from “Gap to Gucci”! Consignment hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 AM to 1:00 pm Store hours: Monday - Saturday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, Sunday 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm 1380 North Main Street Walnut Creek 925.943.1459
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WALKABOUT FOOTWEAR
Welcome to the shoe store of your dreams! Walkabout features casual, dress shoes, walking shoes and sandals which are both comfortable and fashionable. Trained professional staff help customers select footwear for their special needs and are particularly skilled at making tired feet able to walk in comfort. Hours: Monday – Friday 9:00 to 6:00, Saturday, 10:00 to 6:00, Sunday 11:00 to 4:00 1815-C Ygnacio Valley Road Walnut Creek 925.937.9255
FALL 2010 • SCENE • 45
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Jerry Neuman, formerly of Alamo Yardbirds, has resurfaced in downtown Walnut Creek and has created a new and enticing nursery environment. Offering a wide variety of unique and high quality plants and trees, you can now find him at Downtown Walnut Creek Ace. 2044 Mt. Diablo Blvd. 925 705-7500 www.walnutcreekhardware.com
BACHELORETTE PARTY SUPERSTORE
Hot Stuff carries Hundreds of Bachelorette Goodies to ignite your Girl’s Night Out. The delicious Tangerine & Cream Treasure Trove (pictured above) is now available as a Complimentary Bridal Gift with minimum purchase. Visit us today and play tonight! Hot Stuff 56 North Saratoga Avenue at Stevens Creek Santa Clara 408.241.9971
FRAMEWORKS
With thirty years in the custom framing business, Craig Andersen owns and operates Clayton Valley Frameworks. Focusing on custom design, Craig provides top quality service, attention to detail and uncompromising craftsmanship. Frameworks specializes in both retail and wholesale volume projects. 5420 Ygnacio Valley Rd. Ste 50 Clayton Valley Shopping Center Concord 925.672.6066 www.claytonvalleyframeworks.com
46 • SCENE • FALL 2010
PACIFIC FINE ARTS FESTIVAL
An open-air gallery. Over 175 quality fine art and crafts booths. Handcrafted, unique items. In downtown Walnut Creek along North Main and Locust Streets. September 24-26 10am-6pm Fri./Sat. 10am-5pm Sun. www.pacificfinearts.com
Artist • Jenny Floravita
JAPANTOWN SAN JOSE
120 years and counting! It’s one of the last three remaining authentic Japantowns in the USA. Restaurants, specialty shops, traditional foods and contemporary arts can be found here all year long. 408.298.4303 sanjosejtown@sbcglobal.net www.japantownsanjose.org www.jtown.org
body & soul
iStockphoto/Thinkstock
Learning joy Christine Carter on what it takes for kids — and their parents — to get happy, and why we should By Melinda Sacks
Learning to be happy is like learning a foreign language, says UC Berkeley sociologist Christine Carter. Anyone can learn the skill set. Some just need more practice than others. A self-described anxious and overly emotional child, Carter says she wasn’t naturally happy. In fact, she remembers in great detail the painful morning rides on the school bus where she was taunted for her frizzy hair and buck teeth. Often she was the target of mean kids who would pelt her with berries during the interminably long ride to the last bus stop where she grew up in Orinda. Today at 38, she is a nationally renowned expert on what it takes to raise happy children. And yes, she says, she has learned to be happy. The author of “Raising Happiness: 10 Simple Steps
for More Joyful Kids and Happier Parents,” Carter holds a doctorate in sociology. She is the executive director of UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, which sponsors research into social and emotional well-being. Her popular blog, “Raising Happiness,” melds science and her own experiences with parenting advice, practical suggestions and empathy for 21st-century parents struggling with issues from bullying to chores to teenage moods. She is a regular on morning news shows and “Oprah” and on the Huffington Post. The divorced mother of two daughters, 7 and 9, Carter has wrestled with many of the demons that can make mothers (and fathers, too) and their children unhappy, including financial pressures and divorce. Happiness is not about having a perfect life, or being a perfect parent,
FALL 2010 • SCENE • 47
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she explains, adding, “It is never too late to become a happier person, even if you had an unhappy childhood yourself.” From her home in the East Bay, Carter took time out from her hectic schedule to talk about what science proves all of us can do to live a happier life, and raise happy children. How did you become a happiness expert? I started my career in marketing, really specializing in innovation and creativity. I went to get my degree in sociology, and I was still interested in that line of inquiry. Then I had children, and it moved my whole focus from how can companies be more innovative to the important question for me: How do social structures like the family elicit happiness? I started looking at the sociology, psychology and neuroscience of happiness. Then my oldest started kindergarten, and I would meet other parents picking up their children. What happened was this great mom-to-mom dialogue, where I would arrive every day, and they would have questions, and I would go back and do the research on what was affecting us as moms. That is how it went from academic inquiry to discussion between parents.
body & soul
Christina Koci Hernandez
What is the primary thing you have discovered is their developmental tactic to reject what their parents parents do that causes an obstacle to their own are doing. They will still be watching you, though. You can model the skills they are going to need later in life. If you go and their children’s happiness? They try to be perfect. They worry too much about shopping when you feel sad, they will learn to go shopping how they are parenting and whether they are giving when they feel sad, which is not a behavior you want to their children all the right things. It is a mistake to think promote. It is really important to model the 10 steps outlined (in the book) yourwe can raise our children self. They will do what free from pain, and that you do, eventually. structured activities are Second, teenagers what they need. We think have a lot of powerful if we just structure every emotions, and they can minute of every day with drown a family in their lessons and classes, they emotions. It is very imwill be successful, and if portant for parents to they are successful they take care of their own will be happy. Children emotions — exercise, have what they need to be eat well, and that will happy within them if they spread to the teens and can just let it out. If we they will see that. Even protect them from childSociologist Christine Carter says that just like a foreign if kids are not participathood, they become very language, happiness can be taught and needs to be practiced. ing or are openly objectbrittle. Then they think if ing, if you go on talking they fall down, they can’t about what makes you feel grateful, it makes them feel get up. happier and they are learning from it. They are learnTell us about “Raising Happiness” and what you ing to express gratitude in a specific, meaningful way, not in a global sense of, “I am grateful for clean air to hope readers will gain from it. The meta theme is that happiness is much better breathe.” thought of as a skill or set of skills we have a huge amount of influence over. We can teach it and practice it and get Psychologist Judith Wallerstein has written exinto patterns of thought and behavior that will influence tensively on the devastating impact of divorce our happiness for a lifetime. We think our children are on children. How did you decide to get a divorce born with the capacity to be cheerful or happy, and it’s knowing how it might affect your kids, and how not that this isn’t true, but happiness can also be taught did you minimize the damage? I looked at all the research very carefully. ... Judith like a foreign language, and just like a foreign language, Wallerstein’s research is a lot of hooey. Her population it needs to be practiced. is made up mostly of families who have someone already You suggest that every night at the dinner table in therapy for a mental illness. This is not transferable each family member names three things they to the rest of the population. We do have great research are grateful for (“the three Gs”). What do you on marriage and divorce, and conflict seems to be the advise families who don’t have the luxury of sit- linchpin. For kids in high-conflict relationships, it is very damaging. If you get divorced and the conflict in your ting down together? This book is full of ideas, and no one needs to imple- family goes up, the divorce will be very difficult, but if ment them all. The suggestions are based on science you get divorced and the conflict goes down, the chilthat shows if you do any of them, you will be happier. If dren will come out ahead. Divorce is very, very difficult for children any way you the three Gs don’t work, you can do mindfulness while driving your kids to school (see related story). You have look at it, but I was in the fortunate position where I could stabilize a lot of factors — the conflict went way to implement what works for your family. down, we didn’t have to move, they stayed in the same Often teens are resistant to things like the three schools. I felt I was able to manage. gratitudes exercise. What can parents of teens do to practice some of your suggestions and Deciding to get divorced is a huge decision, but every day we make smaller decisions that not start World War III in the process? I call some teenagers gratitude resisters. For teens, it involve doing or not doing what is best for the
FALL 2010 • SCENE • 49
Fiv ew ine s! Fiv em ed al s!
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body & soul kids. How should parents weigh their own wants and needs against those of their kids? I always say my children have a voice, but they don’t have a choice. My kids are constantly telling me what it is they would prefer. We are moving now, and they don’t want to move, and my reasons for wanting to move are irrelevant to them. It is the parent’s responsibility to take the long view for the family. You have to be careful not to take too many hits for the team. A depressed or anxious parent is not the best parent. The best thing for the kids is to have a parent who is happy and engaged and able to be the best parent.
than positive things. It plays out in big and small ways every day. Last week, my daughter’s soccer team had a special practice that was a 40-minute drive, and it was during dinnertime. I said, “I know you would really like to go, but Mommy will hurl herself off a cliff if we have to go. It is not worth the craziness-making that will ruin our evening. For that reason I am not taking you to that practice.” Sometimes it is really small things; sometimes it is really big, like, “I think the best thing is to move and change schools, and I am asking you to do hard things.” It is not always about the momentary pleasure.
So you would advise parents to do what is going to make them happiest? Parents and kids’ happiness are totally related. I am not fostering a selfish view of parenting. It is that as parents, we make loads of sacrifices for our kids, but we need to be careful not to tip the scales too much. If we are miserable, we are putting them at risk for the same. Negative emotions are more contagious than positive ones, and we are hardwired to remember negative rather
Do your suggestions apply to people who don’t have kids, or who don’t have kids in their lives? Research shows people who have kids are less happy than their peers who don’t. I wrote the book for parents because they needed one. The first chapter is about the individual, the second chapter is about social relationships and the third is about relationships and research about adults. You don’t have to have children to apply what is in the book, or to be happy. All the same things apply. S
How to be happier From Carter: Teach kids the skills to be happy, and become happier yourself. Ways to get started: 1. Put on your own oxygen mask first: Don’t let the balance shift so far toward taking care of your children that you don’t meet your own needs. 2. Build a village: Very happy people have stronger social relationships than less happy people. Learn to appreciate and embrace others: remind arguing kids to stop and breathe, and do it yourself; model kindness and practice mindfulness. 3. Expect effort and enjoyment. Not perfection: Help kids see that mistakes are fertile ground for growth. Always preventing your children’s failures keeps them from learning to deal with challenges and mistakes themselves. 4. Choose gratitude, forgiveness and optimism: Keep lists of specific things you and your kids are grateful for, such as “I am grateful for … my time with Grandma and the toy she gave me.” Practice forgiveness by providing different perspectives about hurt feelings — “Maybe she wasn’t feeling well today” or “Maybe she didn’t see you.” Retell stories of when you were forgiven, or write a forgiveness letter to someone you may have hurt. 5. Raise their emotional intelligence: Teach children to read and understand the emotions of others. All kids need to learn how to express and cope with their own and others’ emotions, positive and negative.
6. Form happiness habits: Make these small, attainable tasks, such as sitting through dinner nicely. Use a worksheet (see “Happiness Habit Tracker” at www.cristinecarter.com). Break down the task into steps, such as “Don’t interrupt your brother,” “Use your fork.” Practice encouragement, empathy and non-controlling language. 7. Teach self-discipline: Pick your battles, use a light touch, and when your kids are old enough, appeal to their reason. Remember the difference between punishment — which involves pain and suffering — and discipline — which contains the Latin root for “the process of learning.” 8. Enjoy the present moment: Tune in to what is happening now, rather than living in the past or the future. Teach kids (and practice with them) the same. 9. Rig their environment for happiness: Respect the importance of play, as it builds social skills, school success and happiness. Try to pick a preschool/day care that is warm and uses positive approaches to problem solving. Reduce TV time. 10. Eat dinner together: Use such times to model healthy eating, and to practice any of the above.
FALL 2010 • SCENE • 51
DIRECT FROM BROADWAY
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“In my practice, I’ve seen a significant rise in non-surgical options for facial rejuvenation. I caution patients who shop around for the best price for Botox®. When searching for the best value, do not be misled by the cheapest cost. Clinics that have little or no patient base may need to move their stock of Botox® and their “per unit” discount may result in a lower price, not necessarily a better outcome. In our practice, we price Botox® “per area” which includes as many units that the area needs to get your desired result. Since Botox® has been available for cosmetic use for seven years, make sure the medical professional you choose has experience working with hundreds of cases in that time, rather than a few.”
restore your youth Our most popular non-surgical way to take years off the face is with our four favorite fillers: Restylane® in the under eye area (tear troughs), Juvéderm® in the lips, Radiesse® in the cheeks, and Sculptra® for the temples, mid-face and jaw line. These four fillers work so well together, we have been known to make women cry…tears of joy, of course. Seriously, though, treating the tear troughs can camoflauge under-eye bags and dark circles. Plumping the lips or lip line gives a youthful pout. Highlighting the apples of the cheeks restores lost volume. Finally, we use Sculptra® to gradually restore overall facial volume that has been lost due to aging. No overdone, overfilled look, just a fresh, young, vibrant face with restored volume. For women in their 30’s and beyond, nothing beats Botox®, fillers, and a great skin care program to combat the signs of aging without surgery. BEFORE
holiday ready We suggest you start Botox®, fillers, or skincare about two months before any event. This 8-week time-frame allows for your initial treatment and any tweaks that may be needed along the way. For your own dramatic holiday transformation, get started now.
AFTER
Actual patient received Restylane® in her under-eye area (tear troughs) to eliminate her dark circles and “bags.”
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“Use caution when shopping for Botox® by price alone. Clinics may lower their price per unit to increase sales, resulting in a lower price, not necessarily a better outcome.”
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery 2222 East Street, Suite 310 Concord, CA 94520
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beauty report
iStockphoto/Thinkstock
The fastest way to a taut tummy may be through surgery – though there are now multiple alternatives
is a tummy tuck for you? The taut tummies taunt us from magazine covers, movies and television shows. We can’t help but zero in on the midsections, envious of the tight abs and wasp waists on Victoria Secret models, hot-tubbing reality show contestants and starlets frolicking on a beach. They make it seem as though a flat stomach is the norm, when the truth is that it’s one of the most difficult parts of the body to tone and maintain. It becomes even more problematic after childbirth and with aging, as extra layers of fat and deteriorating muscles pad the area. “We see lots of patients coming in for body contour-
ing,” says Dr. Rohit Khosla, assistant professor of plastic surgery at Stanford University Hospital who is a certified surgeon with the American Board of Plastic Surgery. “They are all looking to improve their shape, and a tummy tuck is the best way to get rid of extra skin from having kids, the fullness in the lower abs, and the laxity under the skin that comes from aging.” Abdominoplasty, commonly called a “tummy tuck,” is an extensive surgery that tightens loose skin, removes excess fat and firms the abdominal walls. The procedure has become more commonplace recently as our obses-
By Donna Kato FALL 2010 • SCENE • 55
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sion with body perfection and celebrity culture has grown. Actresses Patricia Heaton and Shar Jackson; reality television star and mom of eight Kate Gosselin; and entertainment reporter Dayna Devon have been public about their tummy tucks. Tabloids also have speculated that surgery has helped with the amazingly smooth stomachs of Heidi Klum, Brooke Burke, Angelina Jolie and Bethenny Frankel soon after they delivered children. The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery reports the biggest growth in invasive procedures in the past five years has been in the number of women getting abdominoplasty. Last year, 152,769 tummy tucks were done by physicians offering cosmetic procedures in the U.S. – 144,075 on women. The best candidates are those who are within 30 percent of their ideal body weight and are troubled by areas resistant to diet and exercise, such as the midsection. Age and skin tone also determine results. “It is not a weight-reduction surgery,” Khosla says. “You won’t lose weight; it just changes your shape.” For fit women, a bulging belly may seem all the more pronounced, which may be why tummy tucks are the second-most requested procedure after breast augmentations at his office, says Dr. Stephen Ronan of Blackhawk Plastic Surgery in the East Bay. “Some plastic surgery textbooks will say ‘get to the ideal weight first,’ but that’s not realistic,” says Ronan, a board certified surgeon. “The whole point is to make a patient happy as long as it’s safe.” Still, he advises overweight patients to reduce as much as possible first and tells women to schedule surgery only after they’re done having children. In fact, plastic surgeons note that they’ve seen an increase in the number of women seeking abdominoplasty after having children. “I hate the term ‘Mommy Make-
beauty report tummy tuck tips Physicians recommend finding a board certified plastic surgeon and checking the American Academy of Plastic Surgeons website (www.plasticsurgery.org) for information on procedures. For a full tummy tuck, you should be within 30 percent of your ideal body weight. You should not be planning future pregnancies.
Courtesy Canoun Plastic Surgery
You should be realistic considering your size, body shape, age, skin and muscle tone. Your medical history will determine whether you’re a candidate for the surgery, which is major and requires a long healing period.
Above: photos before a tummy tuck on the left, and after the surgery on the right. The best candidates are those within 30 percent of their ideal body weight, but whose midsections are resistant to diet and exercise.
over,’ but I do see lots of mothers coming in after having their children,” says Dr. Cary Canoun, a board certified plastic surgeon with offices in Brentwood, Walnut Creek and San Francisco. “They want to restore their body to what it was before having kids.” The makeovers usually include breast lifts and liposuction in addition to the abdominoplasty, he says. Landscape architect Stacy Wons is still recovering from her March abdominoplasty, nearly two-and-a-half years after giving birth to her twins. “I had to come to terms with the fact that no amount of exercise was going to get rid of the extra skin or the pooch from having the boys,” said Wons of San Francisco, who has always been fit and trim at a petite size 2. “The worst was people still thought I was pregnant and it was going on two years!” After interviewing four doctors over several months, she decided on San Francisco plastic surgeon James P. Anthony, who seemed to have the best understanding of what she wanted to achieve with the surgery. He suggested a small amount of lipo on her lower back to add shape to an area that had flattened and widened with pregnancy. In midsummer, Wons was just getting back to a normal routine that included exercise and lifting her sons, Trevor and Jasper. The incision is sometimes uncomfortable or itchy, she says, and her stomach feels numb.
A mini tummy tuck is sometimes recommended for patients who are within 10 percent of their ideal body weight or whose fat is distributed mostly below the navel.
Still, she’s thrilled with the results. “I am so much happier now. I feel terrific and confident,” Wons says. “Shopping is a pleasure again. It’s made a huge difference in my life.” Dr. Ernest N. Kaplan, a board certified surgeon based in Palo Alto, often repairs the rectus abdominis muscle, a paired muscle that runs from the ribcage down to the pubic bone, when doing a full tummy tuck. He says these muscles can separate after pregnancy, contributing to a flabby belly, and can only be repaired through surgery (and not through sit-ups, unfortunately). In fact, Kaplan says, post-pregnancy back pain can often be alleviated by repairing the separated muscle, which sometimes allows the surgery to be covered by medical insurance. Although tabloid headlines have celebrities secretly getting tummy tucks soon after giving birth, most surgeons discourage this because of the high risk of infection, hernias and other dangers. “The body changes a great deal in the weeks after having a child, and the walls of the abdomen do recoil back to a normal state,” Khosla says. “I would say it’s surgically possible, but rarely done.” If you’ve considered the surgery, you’re probably aware of its faint-inducing details. A curved incision is made from hip to hip just above the pelvic region and another above the belly button. The skin is separated from the
FALL 2010 • SCENE • 57
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abdominal wall, fat is removed, muscles are repositioned and tightened, and excess skin is stretched and cut off. The remaining skin is redraped and sutured, and the belly button is replaced in a new location. There have been some advances in deflating abdominal areas without extensive surgery, but physicians say most people will not get the optimum smoothing nor will they be fully satisfied with the results. The so-called “mini” tummy tuck, which leaves a smaller scar and is recommended for those within 10 percent of their ideal body weight or with excess skin mainly below the navel, does not remove as much fat as the full tummy tuck. And the myriad noninvasive procedures that use lasers, injections and devices to dissolve and reduce fat don’t work as well because they are not as precise as surgery, doctors say. Thomas Vamvouris is an East Bay chiropractor who uses Zerona, a noninvasive, nonsurgical procedure that painlessly uses cold laser technology to stimulate and emulsify the fat
beauty report Nonsurgical tummy tighteners Noninvasive procedures designed to improve the appearance of abdominal areas include: LifeSculpt – a treatment that uses laser wavelength technology. Through a few tiny incisions, the laser gently melts fat for removal from the body. LipoDissolve or Mesotherapy – experimental fatmelting injections billed as a nonsurgical alternative to liposuction.
Courtesy Thomas Vamvouris
Titan – a device that uses infrared light to go beneath the skin to stimulate collagen and tighten sagging areas, including the stomach. Zerona – a low-level or “cold output” laser that dissolves fat within a fat cell and helps the body absorb and eliminate it.
Before Zerona treatments on the left, and after, right.
within a fat cell. Patients are screened to make sure they are metabolically suitable, says Vamvouris, who has offices in San Leandro and San Ramon. That means blood sugar levels are considered as well as the stresses to the lymphatic system and pre-existing heart conditions. “We don’t believe everyone is a good candidate for Zerona, but it is a cutting-edge technology and a device that can significantly reduce the abdominal and love handle area,” he says. It takes about six sessions, performed every other day at a total cost of about $2,500. A big advantage is that there’s no down time or pain, but the results will not be as dramatic as going under the knife. “The media tend to fixate on nonsurgical methods, but the bottom line is that the (abdominoplasty) surgery is very safe for the most part, and the results are big life changers,” says Ronan, the Blackhawk surgeon. (According to a 2004 American Society of Plastic Surgeons study, serious complications occur in one out of 298 cosmetic surgery procedures, and one death occurs in 51,429 cases in the U.S. A follow up in 2007 revealed nearly identical results.) Ronan says he has pioneered a method he calls the “short scar tummy tuck.” Incisions are made in a way that allows the top line to be pulled down “like a curtain so that it pleats” as it is tucked into the lower incision, creating more of an hourglass effect on the waistline. Patients who undergo full abdominoplasty face a
Zeltiq – a procedure that uses cryolipolysis, a cooling technology, that induces fat cells to undergo a process that gradually reduces the thickness of the fat layer.
downtime of seven to 10 days, and it could take up to six weeks to get back to a normal routine. The cost ranges from about $5,000 to $9,000 and usually is not covered by insurance. Plastic surgeons say the best results also incorporate liposuction, which can increase the total cost by several thousand dollars. Although there haven’t been any major breakthroughs in how tummy tucks are performed, doctors say advances in anesthesia, better tools and honed surgical skills help patients recover quicker. Abdominoplasty has the same risks associated with major surgery. They include infection, bleeding or a bad reaction to anesthesia. Also, incision sites could leave major scarring, particularly for those with darker skin or from ethnic/racial groups prone to keloids (Asian, African, Hispanic). Tummy tucks aren’t done as often on men because unlike most women, they tend to collect fat internally within muscles and intestines, making fat removal with abdominoplasty and liposuction nearly impossible. “It’s fat build-up that we can’t treat,” says Khosla, describing the typical “beer belly” on overweight men. The economic downturn has meant a slowdown in the number of people seeking elective surgeries, doctors say, but it hasn’t been a big drop-off. “Patients want what they wanted five years ago,” Ronan says. “They want to look better, and when they do, their self-image improves significantly and so does their self-esteem.” S
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P A I D
A D V E R T I S I N G
This technology, known as the Acrysof ReSTOR lens, is one of the biggest breakthroughs in cataract surgery in the last decade.
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s the space shuttle Discovery carried the rotor that he helped design and develop to the space station Ben Murach had his mind on another type of space: his immediate environment. For more than 30 years Ben Murach had been wearing glasses or contact lenses to see objects at near and far distances. A recent advance in eye surgery allowed him to eliminate glasses and contact lenses permanently. This technology, known as the Acrysof ReSTOR lens, is one of the biggest breakthroughs in cataract surgery in the last decade. “I don’t need my glasses or contact lenses for reading, working at my computer or driving,” said Ben Murach. He was convinced to have cataract surgery performed by Dr. Randal Pham, founder of Aesthetic & Refractive Surgery Medical Center, after meeting Odine Wiens, who wore glasses since she was 5 years old. Odine Wiens who just retired from her 20-year job as a child nutrition assistant at Evergreen school district, had the procedure done by Dr. Pham more than one year ago. “My grandson asked me why I don’t wear glasses anymore?” said Odine Wiens. “I told him ‘grandma had eye surgery and doesn’t need to wear glasses’ and he said ‘but grandma always wear glasses; if she doesn’t wear
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order to place a man-made lens inside the capsule. If the capsule is broken during the procedure and there is a large tear in the capsule the substance that normally stays behind the capsule moves forward. This substance is called vitreous. When this happens, the surgeon cannot place the man-made lens inside the capsule where the natural lens normally sits; the surgeon may place a different type of lens either in the corner between the iris and the capsule or in front of the iris. These lenses are called sulcus-fixated if they are placed in the corner between the iris and the capsule. If they are placed in front of the iris they are called anterior chamber lenses. When sulcus-fixated or anterior chamber lenses are used because their locations are not where the natural lens sits, the resulted power of the eye may differ from the calculated power which was measured before the surgery with the natural lens sitting inside the capsule. This difference in the calculated power and the resulted power may cause patients to require glasses or contact lenses after surgery. Ashley Stice, representative of Alcon Inc., the manufacturer of the Acrysof ReSTOR lens, confirms that of more than 150 Acrysof ReSTOR lenses implanted by Dr. Randal Pham, there has been no conversion to sulcus-fixated lens or anterior chamber lens implanted. “It is of utmost importance that you choose the right surgeon for this procedure,” said Odine Wiens. Ben Murach agreed: “You only have two eyes; for a procedure that requires exceptional skills and knowledge of refractive surgery I did extensive research to find a surgeon who is competent in both lasik and cataract surgeries.”
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glasses she can’t be grandma’,” laughed Odine Wiens. The human lens is like a camera lens. It helps focus light onto the retina, which is like the film of the camera. The human lens is made up of mostly water and protein. The protein lets light pass through and focus on the retina. As the eye ages the protein clumps together and starts to cloud a small area of the lens. The clumps also make the lens hardened; this hardening of the human lens causes people to have difficulty seeing up close. This loss of ability to see up close is called presbyopia. The cloudy area in the human lens is called a cataract. For years surgeons across the U.S. removed cataracts and implanted manmade lens to replace the natural lens. This procedure is called cataract surgery. “This is one of the safest procedures performed in the U.S. today,” said Dr. Pham. Each year millions of Americans undergo cataract surgeries across the U.S. Patients who undergo conventional cataract surgery still need to wear reading glasses after surgery. Because the Acrysof ReSTOR lens works like progressive glasses patients who have this lens can perform most daily activities without any glasses. “To implant the Acrysof ReSTOR lens, however, requires very precise and skillful work,” said Dr. Pham. Because patients who undergo implantation of the Acrysof ReSTOR lens have high expectations-they expect to be less dependent on glasses after the procedure, measurements made before the surgery and the surgery itself must be extremely accurate. The natural lens of a normal eye stays in a clear sac called the capsule. To remove the cataract, the surgeon first makes an opening in the capsule. The surgeon then removes the cataract from the capsule using ultrasound. The surgeon must save the capsule in
*An independent study found 85% of patients who received the Acrysof ReSTOR intraocular lens never had to wear glasses. Mrs. Odine Wiens and Mr. Ben Murach are actual patients of Dr. Randal Pham. Neither of them receives any monetary compensation for their testimonials. This ad was reviewed and approved by the Medical Board of California.
FALL 2010 • SCENE • 61
the interview
Nikki Ritcher Photography LLC
dream big, command the room, change your life Executive coach Chris Melching shares her secrets of gaining power in the workplace, and the world By Melinda Sacks
Be aware of your presence when you walk into a room. Hold yourself as if you are confident (even if you are a train wreck on the inside). Don’t let your hands touch when you are talking. These are just a few of the pointers offered up by veteran executive coach Chris Melching. If you want to know what works to get you noticed, and appreciated, in the ever-increasing noise of a multimedia, ultra-competitive workplace, Melching has the answers. A development and executive coach for San Jose-based Center Stage Group, she has helped Silicon Valley leaders from
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companies such as Cisco Systems, Genentech, Sand Hill Capital and Oracle learn how to sell themselves and their ideas by teaching them skills not often covered in business school. Melching came to work as an executive coach in 1998, after her own experiences in the corporate world at Oracle and Xerox. Her dual degrees from San Jose State University in music performance and computer science have served her well, she says, in helping people to effectively present their ideas, and be their very best. Over a bowl of strawberries and ginger tea at Palo Alto’s University Café, Melching shared some of the
Natalie Bering
Melching, upper left, helps women learn to support and challenge each other at a two-day development retreat.
wisdom she says women, in particular, can apply to their everyday lives to take command, whether it is in the boardroom or the living room.
The Melching Files
What are the biggest mistakes women make in the way they present themselves? We don’t dream big enough, and we tend to apologize. If you don’t put your hat in the ring, you won’t get a chance. You have to stand in your own essence, and take a leap. It’s about getting clarity about what you want, and what would make you happy.
Residence: Willow Glen, San Jose; shares her home with her partner of 15 years and their Havanese dog, Annie.
How can you get clarity if you aren’t sure or are conflicted about what you really want to do? Playing “what if” games is a great trick I use. You have to go silent, and ask, “What if I were happy, what would that look like?” We do this in Power Camp (a two-day development retreat for women). The magic of that is all the women coming together and supporting and challenging one another. But you can still do this with your own support system. There is something about talking out loud and having someone in your support system asking, “What do you want to do?”
Age: 52
Spare time: Yoga, running, spinning, hiking, gardening; she has high hopes for her tomatoes this summer. For more information about Power Camp for women, see www.power-camp.com.
You talk about “shaping your message,” but what does that mean for the working woman who doesn’t have a degree in marketing, or time to attend a two-day retreat? Your message is your elevator pitch. Most people, when they tell you their message, they give you the whole salt shaker, when all we can handle is a few shakes of salt. It’s about sharing a few nuggets and then hushing.
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the interview Don’t say too much. One way to do this is to make a laundry list of your talents, and then another list of what you want. Then come up with two or three sentences of what you want and why you want it. Tell the world, and become contagious. Mine is: I want every woman to experience something like Power Camp, to get away from family and pressure and just be in the support of other women.
What are the most important basic communication skills that every woman needs to hone to assure her the best chance of accomplishing her goals? Be aware of your presence when you walk into a room. Concentrate on the first four minutes. Hold yourself as if you are confident. Never let your hands touch. If you have your arms crossed or your hands clenched, you look closed off and you don’t look as approachable. Play with your face as if you had a dimmer switch. You want to have a range of expressions. I use a Flip camera to show people what they look like when they are listening. Smiling is good if you don’t overdo it. If it is genuine, a small smile is good.
Karen Barr
How can women with some life and career experience under their belts stay competitive in an overcrowded and recession-weary workplace? In difficult times more than ever, we have to do what it takes to help the company be successful. It means get out of your cube. Volunteer. Find an area that is messed up and help turn it around. Be a mentor, start a mentor program or another group that addresses a company need and meet every week. Find something that is going to help the company, and help you stand out. Most significantly, identify what value you bring to your organization that is specifically related to your boss and your boss’s boss. Ask what are the two top priorities the boss cares about and be sure the majority of your activity is centered around that. It’s about finding what they are measured against, what has the most value to them and what do they not know that would have value. Then you learn it and teach them.
What if you either don’t like your job, or are looking to jump-start a new career? You have to continue to expand your network. If you have a job, do that inside your own department, in your company and outside the company. Invest time in what matters to someone in a position of power. Do they have kids, a hobby – find a common link and continue to bring value to them while you look for another position or opportunity. Another thing you can do is to be proactive about going to an event. Have a purpose and get out there. Challenge yourself – say, “I’m going to give out five business cards today, and I’m going to get five.”
Melching gives tips on projecting strength and confidence.
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I have people practice walking the hall with a small smile and a walk that is purposeful, but not hurried. If you walk too fast, people think something is wrong and they might assume pink slips are coming. You also want to vary what comes out of your mouth. If you are agreeing with someone, find a variety of ways to say “right.â€? You can use “I agree, exactly, yes, that’s true,â€? don’t just say “rightâ€? over and over. Today we are bombarded with new media – everyone has a blog, uses Twitter and Foursquare. Which new media and social networking tools are critical in helping one’s career path? From a business perspective I think LinkedIn is the new rĂŠsumĂŠ. Take bullet points from your rĂŠsumĂŠ and put them onto LinkedIn. Add your current projects and keep it up to date. Recruiters are using LinkedIn. I know a number of people who have gotten calls about new jobs just because they put up their information. I also encourage clients to use video blogs (to promote their ideas and abilities). You can do a minute or two that will give you an edge and not take that much time. More and more people and companies are using video to communicate, so it’s a good skill to develop. Just remember to always be careful what you post online. It is there forever. How can we stay focused on our goals if we don’t have our own personal executive coach? I believe it is important to build your own inner circle, your own advisory board. CEOs have a board of advisers; you need your own. You don’t have to officially ask people to be on your advisory board, but find people who will not just support you, but will challenge you and push you. I always tell people to be careful what they tell me about what they want, because I will be relentless, and I will push you to follow your dream.
the interview 10 to remember Chris Melching’s tips on how to get what you want, at work and in your career Paddle your own canoe • Remember the total impact of your message: 7 percent is what you say, 38 percent is how you say it and 55 percent is how you look when you say it. Build up your online presence • Think about what you want others to see, think or feel about you. Remember that what you put online stays online. Act as if … [you’re in control] • Be conscious of your physical pace and presence. • Smile; don’t nod or grin too much. • Ask questions and stay focused. • Project strength: remember to breathe; avoid fidgeting, and rushing to speak. Build selling into everyday conversations • Answer “How are you?” by offering something you’ve accomplished, i.e., “I’m well. This past two weeks, my team
members have really stepped up to the plate, and we are ahead of schedule.” Be succinct • Be aware of the first few words you say; avoid saying “um.” • Share your passion so it – and you – become contagious. • Observe the other person’s reaction. • Stay focused on your purpose. • Talk in small bites: What did you do, who benefited, what were the results? Know what you want – then ask for it • Identify what you want: more responsibility, more visibility, a different job title, more time off. • Ask for it: “I’m looking for ways to demonstrate more leadership and gain more visibility. How can you support me in that area?” Encourage objections • “Help me understand why you think …”
• “Tell me more about …” • “Who else should I speak to about this …” Clarify next steps • Create short-term deadlines, “in two days, in two weeks …” • Be specific, i.e., “I will present my ideas to the team,” or “I agree to another meeting.” Get frequent reality checks from others • Find out what is working, what your boss would like to see more of, what your boss would like to see less of. • Take risks, experiment with new skills and be accountable. Grow and sustain your network • Strategize your networking and be proactive. • Check in with current contacts. • Attend at least one event every quarter. S
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fashion
Show-stopping looks for special occasions
Make an Entrance California casual may define our sartorial choices, but when the Bay Area’s gala season starts, we easily shift into black tie and formal gowns. Fall’s dreamy dresses are defined by jewel tones, twinkling embellishments and sculpted sophistication. There’s movement and flow and an uncomplicated ease, features we love when making a grand entrance.
Story by Donna Kato Photos by Joanne Ho-Young Lee
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Carmen Marc Valvo Collection amethyst one-shoulder gown, $845, label available at Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus. Jimmy Choo “Evita” metallic suede cage sandals with crystal embellishment, $975, Footcandy, Walnut Creek. Bangles of 18-karat gold over vermeil with rose-cut diamonds, $275 each; Flying Lizard Design, Santana Row, San Jose. Eliot Danori earrings, $40, Macy’s.
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JS Boutique goddess gown with pleated bodice and gold beading, $209, Macy’s. Earrings of 24-karat gold over 14-karat gold, $499, Beau Bijou, Santana Row.
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Tadashi Shoji sequined ombre gown, $488, label available at Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s and Neiman Marcus. Givenchy earrings, $55, Macy’s.
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Carmen Marc Valvo ruched silk charmeuse dress, $525, label available at Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus. Sterling silver pendant on double leather cord, $329, and sterling cuff, $299, both Beau Bijou, Santana Row.
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Shoshanna taffeta bustier dress, $295, label available at Nordstrom, Samantha Lee (Walnut Creek), Flaunt (Danville), Bella Rosa (Los Gatos), Bloomingdale’s and Neiman Marcus. Blue topaz and freshwater pearl earrings, $124, Flying Lizard Design, Santana Row. Silver cuff bracelet, $299, Beau Bijou, Santana Row.
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Pamella Roland silk chiffon dress, $1,760, label available at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Wilkes Bashford. Christian Louboutin fishnet pumps, $945, Footcandy, Walnut Creek. Eliot Danori earrings, $50, Macy’s. Black pearl necklace wrapped around wrist, $182, Flying Lizard Design, Santana Row
Hair: Franc Gutierrez, Luxe Salon Makeup: Clifford Hashimoto Styling assistance: Janet Kim Paik Models: Kyla and Malia, Look Agency, San Francisco
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fashion
Center: Shoji walks the runway at the end of a show; dresses from his Fall 2010 runway collection.
Photos by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week
Master of the Drape
Designer Tadashi Shoji on giving every woman her Hollywood moment
By Donna Kato
There are two kinds of evening gowns. There’s the imposing entrance-maker, drawing every eye in the room to its wow factor. Then there’s there’s the subtle elegance of a Tadashi Shoji gown, beautifully appropriate and designed to make every woman – whether she’s a Hollywood movie star, beauty queen or suburban fundraiser – feel confident and look gorgeous. Shoji’s evening and cocktail dresses have been worn by Gabourey Sidebe, Rachel McAdams, Eva Longoria, Oprah, Beyoncé, Selena Gomez and dozens of other stars for their red carpet moment. He was the official designer for several Miss Universe pageants. And, his gowns are an ubiquitous presence at gala parties and
benefit events around the world. His special-occasion dresses are sold widely in stores such as Macy’s, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue in sizes that range from petite to plus, and most are priced in the $300 to $1,000 range. He talked to Scene magazine about his philosophy for designing special-event dresses and how every woman can have her Hollywood moment. Why do you think your dresses appeal to such a mix of women? It is simple: You can make the most beautiful dress, but if a woman puts it on and is not comfortable in it,
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fashion The Skinny on Shoji
Photos courtesy of Tadashi Shoji & Associates
Los Angeles-based Tadashi Shoji, 62, started his company in 1982. He manufactures his clothing in Shanghai and has a showroom in New York, where he also presents his higherend runway collection during Fashion Week twice a year. Born in Sendai, Japan, Shoji’s first passion was fine arts. He studied and apprenticed with one of Japan’s leading contemporary artists in the 1960s before moving to New York, then Los Angeles in the 1970s. He started his fashion-designing career with Bill Whitten, who created stage costumes for Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Neil Diamond and the Jacksons.
Entertainer Beyoncé wore a satin Tadashi Shoji dress for a “Today Show” appearance last year.
Today, in addition to his labels Tadashi and Tadashi Shoji, Shoji’s name is on a line of home items that includes bedding, bath accessories and candles.
she will not wear it and it will not sell. Even with celebrities, feeling good in a dress gives them confidence, and you see it in the way they are standing and smiling. And if a woman at a party doesn’t get a compliment on how she looks, she can’t help thinking, “Why am I wearing this? Did I choose the wrong dress?” How is it that your designs fit both curvy, plussize figures and petite frames that are equally hard to fit? I pay attention to the style lines, the preciseness of the fitting and the cut. I use fabrics like stretch jersey, chiffon and silk, and drape them in a way that is most flattering to emphasize curves and slim parts of the body that women tend to be concerned about, especially as they age. My dresses also drape around the body and lift bust lines, very good for small women. When a customer tells me, “I can’t wear a bodyhugging dress” and then is surprised that she can, that makes me happy. A gala means everyone is dressed in their best. How does a woman stand out in a sea of glamour gowns? Don’t wear a too-tight dress. Women get obsessed about the number on the label and think that squeezing into a small size means she is that smaller size. A too-tight dress makes you look fat. Look at yourself in profile, check for bulges. [If] you see them, you need a bigger size. Wearing a size bigger might make you look
Mo’Nique attended the 2010 Oscars in a ruched Tadashi Shoji gown.
10 pounds thinner. The most flattering dresses incorporate silk jersey, chiffon and stretch jersey, because the fabrics drape beautifully on the body. Pay attention to the style lines. Your inspiration board for Fall 2010 includes photos of tree branches in silhouette, rocky formations, windblown terrain, dunes. How did that translate to your collection? Nature inspires me always. I travel often, and I was looking through the airplane window at landscape and started to think about the beauty of Mother Earth and how important ecology has become for everyone. That is how I started to work this season with my design team. How important is technology to your creative process, your business? It’s definitely important, from designing to selling. I gather inspiration and information on the Internet and with an office in Shanghai and showroom in New York, I Skype meetings and connect in a way that I could not do before. Designers can now create fabrics and patterns using a computer, and we get exactly what we envision, from start to finish. Do you have favorite cities where you recharge, people watch, gather ideas? My favorite cities used to be in warm climates in Europe, like Spain. But now, I would say I like to go to Southeast Asia. It is fresh, always changing, surprising. S
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beauty
Cameraready?
Makeup and hair tips for that special night
Story by Donna Kato Photos by Joanne Ho-Young Lee
The makeup A night out means putting more than a fresh face forward, says San Francisco-based stylist and makeup artist Clifford Hashimoto, who did the makeup for models Kyla and Malia in this issue of Scene. “So many women don’t wear anything or enough makeup because they just aren’t sure,” he says. “You can’t get dressed up without makeup. If you’re not sure how to apply it, go for a lesson or get it done professionally.” Always start with clean skin, prepped with moisturizers and eye creams that match your skin type. The ba-
sics for glam-cam makeup: a good foundation, color on the cheeks, black mascara and eyeliner. “False eyelashes are a must,” for dramatic eyes, a key trend this fall, he says. His tips: • Cut strip-type of lashes in half for easier application. • Wait for the glue to be almost dry before putting lashes on lids. • Use a liquid liner to hide the application line of the false lashes. Hashimoto likes airbrushed foundation for a flawless complexion. Airbrushing tools are available at stores such as Sephora. “It takes less than a minute and goes
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For evening looks, false eyelashes are a must, as are smokey eyes, says Clifford Hashimoto.
on so light,” he says. Finish with a shimmery blush to make cheekbones more prominent and add a hint of dewy shine that flatters under lights. Eyeshadow should add depth and drama, not just color to eyelids. For fall, smokey eyes are achieved with purples, deep pewters and grays that have a slight shine. They’re meant to contrast nicely with nude lips. “I always use just a pencil in a blue-ish pink or rose to outline the lips, then go over it with a gloss,” he says. To get the look, consider these products, available at Sephora, Ulta, Beauty 360 in select CVS stores and department stores: • Christian Dior Air Flash spray foundation in a can, $60 • Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, $59 • Jurlique Rose Silk Finishing Powder, $36 • MAC Cosmetics mineralize duo eye shadows, $19.50 • MAC Cosmetics brush cleaner for fresh application, $11 • Makeup Forever eyelashes, $15 • Nars pressed powder shimmer blush, $26 • Nars Sheer Glow Foundation, $42 • Shu Uemura eyelashes, $15 to $50 • Temptu Air Pod air brush foundation, $55
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The hair “Start with a simple pony tail as the foundation, and from there you can do many things, from a chignon to curling and pinning it in place,” says Franc Gutierrez, hair stylist and owner of newly opened Luxe Salon in San Jose, who gave Scene’s models varying up-dos during the shoot. “Women get nervous about wearing their hair up, but it really is the finishing touch to looking elegant.” While hot rollers may have gone out with stirrup pants, Gutierrez says they are the surest way to get body, control and hold. “Just put six rollers in, and you can just shake it out and spray it in place,” he says. Be wary of Big Hair – no one wants to look like a longago Miss America contestant. Desired volume means hair should look natural and fall gracefully with natural waves, not overdone curls. “Come fall, we’ll see a lot more volume,” he predicts. Women with short hair, too, can glamorize locks by slicking hair back with a gel product or working with bobby pins to generate finger waves. “Just changing the part to the other side will give you more lift,” he says.
beauty
Hair stylist Franc Gutierrez says hot rollers are the surest way to get body, control and hold.
Products to try, available at salons, specialty stores and online: • Aveda Pure Abundance Hair Potion, thickens hair for volume, texture and workability, $23 • Frederic Fekkai Au Naturel Sheer Styling Gelée, enhances hair’s natural texture and provides weightless definition, $23 • Kerastase Nutritive Mousse Nutri-Sculpt Protective Brushing and Blow-Dry, helps prevent stressing overworked hair, $33 • Kiehl’s Superbly Smoothing Argan Hair Pak with Argan oil, to repair hair, reduce frizz and create a smooth look, $25 • Redken Forceful 23 Super Strength Finishing Hair Spray, for lasting lift and hold, $18 • Redken Hot Sets 22 Thermal Setting Mist, locks in heat styles, protects hair from damage and won’t build up on hair, $18
Franc Gutierrez, Luxe Salon, 361 Meridian Ave., San Jose, 408.216.0325, www.luxesalonsj.com Clifford Hashimoto, 415.391.7735, www.clifford style.com S
Where to go Want to go pro with your hair or makeup application? These salons and studios may meet your needs: Changes Salon & Day Spa 1475 N. Broadway, Walnut Creek 925.947.1814, www.changessalon.com Le Jardin at the Spa 1603 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill 925.935.4247, www.lejardinatthespa. com Salon Epiffani 2230 Salvio St., Concord 925.363.5431, www.salonepiffani.biz Seven Salon 5358 College Ave., Oakland 510.601.7776, www.seven7salon.com Trenell Leshelle Hair & Makeup 4125 Piedmont Ave., Piedmont 510.220.1447 www.hairextensionsbayarea.com
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icons: the arts Left: Lederer’s “Tuesday at Dawn,” (acrylic on canvas, 2009). Right: Lederer, photographed at the Bedford Gallery in Walnut Creek, where she is curator. The painting behind her is “Landscape Under Cloudy Sky,” by Marius Johannes Ricjters (oil on canvas, 1937). It was part of the Dutch Impressionist exhibit earlier this year.
carrie’s world An artist and curator balances careers — and a universe where nature and artifice co-exist By Jack Fischer
Outside of Carrie Lederer’s studio in the Oakland Hills, a late-season rainstorm is raging. But it is inside the studio that seems to have bloomed with life. Along one long wall, painted tendrils proliferate wildly, jostling for space with other plant-like forms. The highly stylized greenery, seemingly unable to be contained in two dimensions, spills from the hanging canvases and onto the floor, where velveteen bunnies (also greenish) hide amid still more kitschy, biomorphic shapes of wood and plastic. The work, like Lederer’s life, seems a fine balance. The balance is evident in her two complementary careers. In the case of the art, it’s the balance between the natural and the artificial, the abstract and representational, between genuine life and the artificial things that supplant it in our increasingly mediated world. Even the dabs of orange – about the only other color in Lederer’s hermetic, slightly wacky universe – ex-
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Jose Carlos Fajardo
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Lens on Lederer Lives: In the Oakland Hills Married: To Steve Pon, also a painter Children: Tommy, age 16 Favorite Artists: Eva Hesse, Louise Bourgeois and Kiki Smith Recently read: Little Bee, by Chris Cleave, The Book Thief, by Markus Zuzak, and People of the Book, by Geraldine Brooks If she were a tree she’d be: “Gosh, it’s a toss-up: I love Japanese maples — so lacy and graceful, but how interesting to be an oak and live for 300 years!” www.carrielederer.com
Left: Lederer’s “Land of Bird” (acrylic on canvas, 2010).
ist largely to balance their complement. Study her art, and dichotomies proliferate like kudzu in the Kentucky summer. “I realized how much constructed nature we buy and put in our homes,” she says, from reproductions of paintings to plastic flowers. “I have an interest in the hybrid of these two worlds. It’s both a critique and reconciliation.” In addition to being an artist of growing recognition, Lederer is curator of exhibitions and programs at the Bedford Gallery in Walnut Creek. The 3,500-squarefoot exhibition space in the Lesher Center for the Arts is run by the city’s Department of Arts, Recreation, and Community Services. Under Lederer’s guiding eye and knowledge, the gallery exhibits the work of historic, modern and contemporary artists, with an emphasis on contemporary California art. The eclectic program, which she has directed since 1993, has ranged from “Full Deck: A Short History of Skateboard Art” to this summer’s exhibit of Dutch Impressionist art from a local collection. The current show, “Unbound: A National Exhibition of Book Art,” celebrates the book as art-form and includes work by Andy Warhol and Ed Rushcha, among others. Lederer, 55, has navigated her twin careers almost since she arrived in the Bay Area in the 1970s from her
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native Michigan, where she had just earned a bachelor’s degree of fine arts degree in sculpture from Michigan State University. The daughter of a civil engineer for the city of Detroit and a mother who was a docent at the Detroit Art Institute, she says art was a part of her life almost as long as she can remember. Today, Lederer, who radiates warmth and intelligence, is more than happy to discuss the implications of her art as well as her goals in presenting the work of others. Lederer says her aim as a curator at Bedford is to offer a broad cultural perspective of what’s happening in the arts with an emphasis on the contemporary. “It’s a very broad brush stroke,” she says, adding that one of the five shows each year is historical. Others center on a theme, such as working in a certain medium, or art that tells stories. “We have a very diverse audience,” she says. “Some do want more traditional shows. Fortunately, my vision is very elastic, and we try to provide a bit of everything.” Her vision as an artist, however, has been more tightly focused. While living in the industrial neighborhoods of Oakland, Lederer no longer had access to the foundries and torches that she used to make sculpture in school, so she taught herself to paint. “Twenty-five years selftaught,” is how she describes herself. The earlier work was predominantly figurative, with some of the shapes and symbols that characterize her mature paintings then
Jose Carlos Fajardo
icons: the arts
As the Bedford’s curator, Lederer aims to offer a broad cultural perspective of what’s happening in the arts, with a particular emphasis on the contemporary.
more or less lurking in the wings. It wasn’t until she moved to the Oakland Hills that the mature imagery sprouted, as it were. “Living here,” she says, gesturing to the unruly gardens outside her backyard studio, “I could immerse myself in nature and watch things live and die, the natural evolution of things. It lit a spark for me.” Since then, she’s shown widely in both group and solo shows at galleries and museums throughout the Bay Area and beyond. In 2006, she won a public art commission to create a sitespecific installation in the lobby of 101 California St. in San Francisco, and 2010 finds her shipping work to more galleries in other parts of the country. “She seems to have been ahead of everyone in her emphasis on ‘green’ and people’s relationship with the natural world,” says Ruth Braunstein, owner of the venerable Braunstein/Quay Gallery in San Francisco, who showed Lederer’s work in 2004. Indeed, Lederer is no traditional landscape or stilllife painter. What fascinates her is the degree to which people have grown apart from nature and surrounded themselves by artificial substitutes. And how the chaos in the natural world provides endless inspiration. “I’m continually ‘captured’ by nature’s sheer lunatic exuberance — a spectacle of complexity — beautiful, simple, and seemingly haphazard.” she says in an artist’s statement on her website. In recent years, the urge to create sculpture has reasserted itself, hence the installations below the paintings. “Artists,” she says, “are always looping back and grabbing something from their past and bringing it forward.” For Lederer, in her own unique way, it’s all a part of tending her garden. S
At the Bedford Gallery Through Sept. 19: “Unbound: A National Exhibition of Book Art.” Oct. 3-Dec. 19: “The American Scene: New Deal Art, 1935-43,” a show of art drawn from, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and the Oakland Museum of California and others. www.bedfordgallery.org
Big night at the Lesher Center It’s the best reason to dress up this fall: The Lesher Center for the Arts, home to the Bedford Gallery, is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a spectacular party on Saturday, Oct. 9. The “On Broadway” gala includes a cocktail auction, gourmet tented dinner on the streets adjacent to the center and a headliner performance at the Hofmann Theatre, followed by dessert and dancing. The Lesher Center has long been a hub of worldclass arts and entertainment, bringing theater, dance, music, speakers and visual arts to audiences throughout the East Bay. Supported by the Diablo Regional Arts Association, it also is known for educational and family programming. Funds raised by “On Broadway” benefit center programming and events. See you at the party! More info at www.draa.org.
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Doug Duran
Stacy Ross as Mrs. Warren in California Shakespeare Theater’s production of “Mrs. Warren’s Profession” this summer.
icons: the arts
Dean Coppola
lioness at play Actress Stacy Ross brings truth to every role, and a fearless female point of view By Karen D’Souza
For years, Stacy Ross never wore a skirt on stage. With her androgynous good looks, lanky 5-foot-9-inch frame and short-cropped locks, the East Bay actress was typecast in tomboyish parts such as the “pants” roles in Shakespeare (ingenues who don doublets and hose to pass as boys). Only recently has she broken out of that gender-bending box to make her mark in a series of leading lady parts such as Hedda Gabler and Lady Macbeth. “It’s happened my whole life. When I was small, people always asked me ‘Are you lost, little boy?’ ” recalls the down-to-earth 40-something actress with a chuckle. “Even now, every once in a while, someone calls me sir.” Fortunately, Ross eventually learned to turn her innate strength and stature into an advantage by forging her way into the realm of indomitable women’s parts. Possessing a deep-velvet voice, a Cheshire cat grin and a razor-sharp wit, the actress brings a depth of intelligence and an edge of fearlessness to every part she plays that give her performances gravitas. Driven by a keen understanding of gender and power on stage, Ross is a natural scene-stealer who has recently become a pillar of the local acting community. She has racked up nu-
merous nominations for Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle awards, winning once, and graced the stages of all the major companies, from San Francisco’s American Conservatory Theater and Berkeley Repertory Theatre to the California Shakespeare Theater (staged in Orinda). “She’s the Stacinator, She Who Is. She imbues all her roles with her lion’s heart,” says veteran Bay Area actor James Carpenter, who has appeared with her in “Tranced” and “Hamlet.” “She’s passionate about her work every time and attacks the roles she inhabits with a focus and intensity which is always a pleasure to see and is always surprising.” As a young actress, Ross struggled with being typecast as mannish, and she had a moment of crisis when she feared she would outgrow the tomboy parts and never work again. It was a difficult time for her. “On the cusp of my 30s, I really started to panic. What if I never got to play a girl? Nobody looked at me in that girly way, and you can only play girls pretending to be boys for so long. It’s not like I was going to age into Lear. I was going to become unemployable.” The turning point came in 1999 when she was cast in Tennessee Williams “Spring Storm” playing the dainty and vulnerable Hertha.
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Photo credits from left: Courtesy Aurora Theatre Company/Jay Yamada/Pat Kirk/David Allen/Zabrina Tipton/Kevin Berne
Stacy Ross portrayed Hedda Gabler in a 1991 adaptation at the Aurora Theatre Company.
Ross in California Shakespeare’s 2007 production of “Triumph of Love.”
“That character was so fragile and sweet, very much like Laura in ‘Glass Menagerie,’ so I really got to show another side of me, and that changed everything. Suddenly I got to play the ingénue.” In the past few years, Ross has become a go-to actor capable of handling any challenge, from Sharla, the frequently naked trailer-home diva in “Killer Joe” to the intellectual icon Hannah Arendt in “Hannah and Martin.” Versatility is one of her strong suits. No matter if she’s playing a sex farce (“First Day of School” at SF Playhouse, where she played a sex-starved soccer mom) or a domestic tragedy (“The Rabbit Hole” at San Jose Rep, where she played a grief-stricken woman), she always feels intensely rooted in the universe of the play. In her hands, dialogue always seems candid and true, as if she were sharing a confidence with a friend. “Stacy is one of those striking individuals,” says Cal Shakes artistic director Jonathan Moscone. “She exudes energy unlike any other actor I know. She is always, always compelling, because she grabs onto a character and never lets go, riding a very taut line that keeps you on the edge of the seat, wondering what she’s going to do next.” She shines in fierce women’s parts, women who throw morals out the window to grab what they can in a man’s world. Given the inequities that still face women today, she has no trouble feeling sympathetic for period heroines. “Hedda [Gabler] is simply too awake and aware of how much she is not allowed to do because she’s a woman,” Ross says. “If she were just a little dumber, she’d be OK. At some point, you have to embrace the bitchiness of her. “Sometimes I think not as much has changed about the world as we think. Women are still treated differently,” continues Ross, who lives in El Cerrito with her
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Ross and Jessa Watson in the “The Rabbit Hole” at San Jose Repertory Theatre in 2007.
husband. “If you don’t get married and have children, people think something must be wrong with you. You are expected to do certain things, and if you don’t, people look at you differently.” She firmly believes that women in the arts, even in a progressive bastion such as the Bay Area, have to fight for every last ounce of clout. “I don’t think there’s much parity or power, especially in film or stage,” Ross says wistfully, “and it’s not just a matter of age. The gender divide is huge at any age.” Driven by her desire to expand the boundaries of gender politics on stage, she asked director Joel Sass if she could play the gallant Lord Macduff in “Macbeth,” which she cheekily refers to as “Forever Plaid,” at Cal Shakes. The Scottish play runs Aug. 18–Sept. 12. “Sometimes I feel the need to be heroic, you know? I want to be the one who swaggers onstage swinging a broadsword in one hand and the head of my enemy in another,” Ross says. “Why can’t Mr. Macduff stay home with the kids while Mrs. Macduff goes off to war?” Casting against gender didn’t fit Sass’ vision of the play, so instead, she’ll be playing the ultimate villainess, Lady Macbeth, a cold-blooded woman who bullies her husband to murder the king and usurp the throne. “She doesn’t seem bashful about exploring human impulses, whether they originate from a place of grace or of darkness,” Sass says of Ross. “That sort of courage is what leads to memorable performances that provoke, surprise and create electricity for an audience.” “[Lady Macbeth is] confounding,” Ross says. “She’s frighteningly strong, and if not entirely evil, then definitely tinged with it. It almost seems impossible to figure her out. But one thing that changes after you have done this for a while is you learn to trust your instincts.
icons: the arts
In TheatreWorks’ 2003 production “Book of Days,” Ross played a Missouri bookkeeper.
Ross in the 2009 comedy “The First Day of School” at the SF Playhouse.
You don’t get neurotic about trying to find the character. You just tear into it.” Ross grew up in Torrance, where her mother was a kindergarten teacher and her father was a salesman. As a little girl, she dreamt of being on “The Partridge Family.” She went on to study acting at Chico State University and got her master’s degree at UC Irvine, where she studied with the legendary Jerzy Grotowski. Still, she had serious doubts that anyone could make a living on stage. She struggled with that uncertainty until she performed at the Bay Area Playwrights Festival in 1985 and had an epiphany. “It was a magical time there, with people like Oskar Eustis (now with the famed Public Theater of New York) and Tony Taccone (Berkeley Rep), and seeing that caliber of artist working together made me realize you could make a life in theater. You didn’t have to move to Hollywood. It was possible to make a living on stage.” Bravery, choosing what’s right for you instead of what’s easy, is something she very much admires in people, especially playwrights. Two of her favorites are Caryl Churchill (“Cloud Nine”) and Sarah Ruhl (“The Clean House,” “Eurydice”). “They have distinct voices, incredible brains, compassion for their characters that does not reside along gender lines, and they both write brilliantly for women as well as men.” As it happens, Ross has never been drawn to the commercial nature of movies and television. “I must admit that I wouldn’t mind being rich and famous, but when you really take a hard look at acting in movies and television, it’s really just a business, it’s not as much about the art.” Off stage, Ross is no diva. She works as a freelance
Robert Krakovski and Ross (as Hannah Arendt) in San Jose Rep’s 2005 “Hannah and Martin.”
picture-framer to make ends meet, which means she regularly works all day before heading to the theater to work all night. She’s also a fan of underdog chanteuse Susan Boyle, and her Facebook page showcases this pithy Dolly Parton quote: “Honey, get off the cross, somebody else needs the wood.” But she isn’t one to put on airs about how she chooses parts. The economic reality is that she takes whatever gig comes down the pike, because money is always tight. “It’s really tough. I’m an actor. My husband is a piano player. One of us really ought to have been an investment banker,” Ross says wryly. “I’m lucky to be able to work a lot.” “You have to hustle to get work in this business, especially women. Once you hit 40, the roles can start to dry up.” Given her eloquence on the role of women in the arts and her commitment to the craft, would she ever give up the spotlight to take on a leadership role at a theater company? “I don’t have a desire to direct or write, which is a choice a lot of women make when you hit a certain age. I know what I am. I’m an actor.” Asked what gives her the strength to persevere in a profession where uncertainty is everywhere and survival is always an issue, the usually no-nonsense Ross gives a surprisingly mushy response. “Love. I have an amazingly supportive and understanding, as well as kind, spouse and friends and family as well. It’s not just blind love, and sucking up that love, it’s that, in the end, they help remind me, by the very fact that they are in my life, that I’m worthy, you know? That makes me want to be worthy, and so I keep trying. Love works that way. It can really grow you if you’re willing.” S
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DO N MoHENL nda EY
y-S JUS eptem T A ber 2 DDE 0 D
SOLD
E S TAT E G R OW N W I N E S
C E L E B R AT E D R E S TAU R A N T
U N F O R G E T TA B L E W E D D I N G S
OUT
CHAMPIONSHIP G OLF
HEADLINER CONCERTS
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Saturday, September 18th 10-7 PM Sunday, September 19th 10-6 PM Downtown Lafayette 3 Live Stages – 2 Full Days David Martin’s House Party • The Refugees • Zebob Evolution – The Ultimate Tribute to Journey • The Sun Kings Annie Sampson • Juke Joint • Bob Athayde • Aja Vu • Cover2Cover The Spazmatics • Chubby’s Allstars • Red House • Delta Dawgs
Presenting Sponsor
Festival Sponsor
Festival Green Sponsor
FREE Parking at BART FREE Shuttle to the Event For further information, please visit our Website: www.lafayettechamber.org
Fourth Annual
M o n d a y,S ep tem b er 6th 9a m -3p m ,Do w n to w n Da n ville in the three Ra ilro a d Aven u e p a rkin g lo ts
Thu rsd a y,Au g u st19th 6p m -9p m ,Do w n to w n Da n ville
Wine tasting in Downtown Danville, The Livery, & The Rose Garden. Includes free trolly rides between all locations – $25.
Labor Day
Featuring over 80 artisans and antique merchants. Enjoy the timeless beauty of authentic antiques, vintage crafts & fine art while strolling through historic downtown Danville. Downtown appraisal clinic at Museum on Railroad Avenue.
Spirit of Danville Holiday Shopping Extravaganza coming on Dec. 3rd & 4th.
www.danvilleinstyle.com
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www.discoverdanvilleca.com
special report
Darcie Kent
Jaime Dowell
Shauna Rosenblum
womenof thevine The growing numbers of local female winemakers have a more inclusive, holistic way with the grape — and it’s winning them both fans and awards
Twenty years ago, a discussion about women in the wine business might have conjured visions of Lucy and Ethel wearing headscarves and stomping grapes in a giant barrel. In the male-dominated world of wine, only a short-fingered handful of women had risen to the ranks of managers — even fewer dared venture into the wine-making arena. Two decades later, the cork ceiling has crumbled. From the Santa Cruz Mountains to the Livermore Valley, the barrel room to the boardroom, women are increasingly planting their feet on terroir firma. And they’re do-
ing it in a uniquely feminine way. Moreover, they’re confident, smart, stylish — and often intent on bringing even more women, including their own daughters, into the business. For the women profiled in these pages, wine is not just about grapes and chemistry. It’s also about food, family, beauty, artistic expression, entertaining — and perhaps most importantly — creating a place where all of these things come together. As winemaker Darcie Kent put it: Wine is a way of life.
Story by Bonnie Wach Photos by Nikki Ritcher
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special report
the new generation
Jaime Dowell Crooked Vine/Stony Ridge
Working in the male-dominated field of wine-making, 32-year-old Jaime Dowell understands first-hand the power of strong women and of collaboration. In 2002, she came to Livermore’s Crooked Vine/Stony Ridge Winery to work as assistant winemaker to Dale VaughnBowen, whose family had bought Stony Ridge and created the premium boutique Crooked Vine label. “Women winemaking icons like Dale (who passed away earlier this year) paved the way for my generation,” says the feisty redhead, who grew up in Lafayette and earned a degree in viticulture and enology from UC Davis. “Even 10 years ago, you couldn’t walk into a cellar as a woman and be taken seriously. But now, and especially here in Livermore, I feel as if there’s little or no gender bias. We have people like Dale to thank for that.” Dowell left the winery in 2003 to run her family’s art gallery in Pleasanton, but her passion for wine never waned, and so in 2008 she returned to her first love, Crooked Vine/Stony Ridge, this time as head winemaker. And she brought the collaborative spirit with her. Today, together with manager Eric Corbett, whose family bought Crooked Vine in 2007, cellar leader Roberto Castillo, and events manager Carole Wigren, Dowell helps oversee a 5,000-case production facility
and dozens of weddings, tastings, open houses, concerts and club releases each year. Most events are held on the Garden Terrace, a lush flower- and tree-filled courtyard with a gazebo and a dining pavilion that can host up to 200 people. Creating a beautiful setting and interacting with guests, Dowell insists, is as much part of the experience as making the wine. “Wine is a collective, a collaborative effort. How you treat your team and your community shows up in the wine,” she says. “Talking to people, answering questions over a glass of wine, entertaining and creating a special atmosphere, offering good food — it’s all part of what makes great wine.” Dowell, who spent several years training in Napa and Sonoma before returning to the East Bay, also is quick to credit Livermore Valley’s loyal and enthusiastic winedrinking residents for the winery’s success. “Livermore is very friendly and easygoing, very accessible. It’s still building its reputation and finding its identity as a wine destination. The great thing is that visitors get to be part of that journey. In Napa and Sonoma, there’s lots of pressure to be the best. Here, there’s only pressure to get better. To be the best you can be.”
Crooked Vine Winery/Stony Ridge Winery 4948 Tesla Road, Livermore, 925.449.0458, www.crookedvine.com
“Wine is a collective, a collaborative effort,” says Jaime Dowell, right, with Crooked Vine/Stony Ridge’s Carole Wigren.
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special report
family connections Darcie Kent Darcie Kent Vineyards For vintner Darcie Kent, creating wine and art was likely never a question of if, but of when. In 1875, her great-great-grandfather started Alpine Winery in St. Joseph, Mo., crafting wines with grapes from his own vineyards and harnessing his talents as an artist to design the wine labels. A family operation, the winery thrived well into the 1940s before folding, but for Darcie, the seed was firmly planted. So when her husband, David, was hired by Gallo to market its line of high-end wines, the couple moved out west and never looked back. (David is now CEO of The Wine Group, which owns Darcie Kent Vineyards, Concannon Vineyard and other brands.) In 1996, they established Darcie Kent Vineyards in the Crane Ridge foothills above Livermore and began producing merlot, soon expanding to neighboring vineyards for chardonnay and petite sirah. A talented painter whose work now hangs in a number of public and private collections around the country, Kent also took up the family tradition of designing her own labels. “It was like winning the lottery,” she recalls. “Wine and art have always been my passions. I believe that wine is first of all art, and being able to combine all my loves in one place was a dream come true.” Livermore, Kent says, proved to be the third love, not only providing ideal growing conditions for her single-
vineyard designated wines, but also affording her the chance to get in on the ground level and become a part of a community of winemakers who shared her vision. “It was the beginning of a renaissance in Livermore,” Kent says. “Everyone cooperated and shared expertise. Today, we still meet regularly to barrel taste, eat dinner, socialize and learn from each other. Truly, it’s the most cohesive wine community I’ve ever seen.” In June, Kent realized another dream with the opening of Underdog Wine Bar, a sleek, modern lounge next to the Concannon tasting room that showcases her label, along with some 50 other small, underappreciated local and international wineries. Outfitted with leather club chairs, a long concrete bar, floors made from reclaimed redwood barrels and a small-plates menu created by Oakland chef Barbara Llewellyn, Underdog has a decidedly urban-chic feel. Kent hopes the atmosphere, along with live entertainment, and winemakers like herself regularly pouring behind the bar will encourage more young people to expand their palates and incorporate wine into their everyday lives. “The beauty of wine for me is that it’s part of a meal, part of time spent together — even if it’s just a celebration at the end of a day,” she says. “Whether you’re cooking dinner for two or 200, every time you crack a bottle of wine it’s a celebration of life.”
Darcie Kent Vineyards 7639 Cedar Mountain Drive, Livermore Valley, 925.443.5368 www.darciekentvineyards.com. Underdog Wine Bar 4590 Tesla Road, Livermore, 925.583.1581, www.underdogwinebar.com.
Darcie Kent’s daughter Amanda, a student at Vanderbilt University, is interning at the winery this summer. Above right, the sleek new Underdog Wine Bar.
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Kent is involved in every aspect of her wine business— picking, sorting, barrel selection, vineyards selection, when to crush, how to market. She is the final word on Darcie Kent wines.
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special report
the artist and winemaker Shauna Rosenblum Rock Wall Wines “Dulce de leche and Fuji apples,” announces Shauna Rosenblum as she savors a glass of Rock Wall 2008 Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay. If the spunky 27-year-old winemaker sounds like an old veteran of the wine business, it’s because she is. At 2 years old, her father taught her to use a refractometer to measure sugar levels. At 3, she was asking for tank samples from winemakers. At age 10, she started working on the bottling line. And at 15, she was helping her dad in the blending process. By the time her father, Kent Rosenblum, sold his multiple award-winning Rosenblum Cellars in 2008, Shauna was an old winemaking hand. “I’m 27, and I joke that I already had 25 years under my belt by the time my dad and I started Rock Wall,” says Rosenblum, who serves as chief winemaker at the 2-year-old winery located in a former Alameda Naval Air Station hangar. “I have a very sensitive sense of smell, and my dad trained me from an early age, so I understood the broad variety of characteristics a good wine should have.” A trained ceramics artist and sculptor who attended the California College of the Arts and the San Francisco Art Institute, Rosenblum says going from sculpting to winemaking felt like a natural step. “Wine is a blend of art and science. It offers a big canvas to experiment on. As a ceramicist, I became obsessed with glaze-making. And once I understood the chemistry of that, winemak-
ing became so fascinating.” So far, her instincts have proved spot-on. Rock Wall’s 2007 debut zinfandel and 2008 Russian River chardonnay both garnered gold medals at the 2010 National Women’s Wine Competition; the chardonnay also hit gold at the Monterey Wine Competition. And the justreleased 100 cases of 2008 Montepulciano sold out in 29 hours. Rosenblum’s bar, however, is set much higher. “I want to be the best winemaker the world has ever seen,” she laughs. “I want to be the first person to break the 100-point scale with [wine critic] Robert Parker.” While an old naval base may seem like a less-thanideal setting for a premium winery, Rosenblum insists that Rock Wall (which takes its name from a defensive rock wall used to protect the island from torpedo attacks during World War II) is an ideal venue both for winemaking and entertaining. The warehouse, adjacent geodesic dome and just-opened tasting room are booked year-round with events ranging from weddings and open houses to corporate parties and concerts — all of which take full advantage of the island’s showstopping views of the bay and the San Francisco skyline. “Chateaus in Napa and Sonoma may have beautiful vineyards, but no one’s got the views of San Francisco that we do,” Rosenblum says. “Plus, we’ve got parking for 3,000 or 4,000 people. Who else can say that?”
Rock Wall Wines 2301 Monarch St., Suite 300, Alameda, 510.522.5700, www.rockwallwines.com
Shauna Rosenblum, above, and at right with staff Chelsea Blackburn, Brianna Ayer and Melanie Matzorkis. The facility in Alameda, which produces only 5,000 cases a year, also offers an incubator for many small winemaking operations.
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special report
Photo credits from left: Doug Duran/Courtesy Wente Vineyards
and the list goes on...
From left: Rhonda Wood, Christine Wente, Carolyn Wente.
Authentic Greek cuisine made from the freshest local ingredients. At Evvia the will make you feel
staff instantly were arriving at welcome, as if you an old friend’s home for dinner; an age-old Greek tradition.
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The East Bay boasts a plethora of wineries where women run the show. Carolyn Wente is part of the fifth generation of her family to head up the 3,000acre Wente Vineyards in Livermore; her niece Christine Wente is in charge of Wente’s famed hospitality that includes fine dining, a concert series and more. Other notable women from Livermore wine country include Rhonda Wood, winemaker at Wood Family Vineyards, Linda Ault, owner of Cedar Mountain Winery, and Annie Andre, director of operations at GarrÊ Vineyard & Winery. In Walnut Creek, award-winning Shadowbrook Winery is headed by Courtney Jochner (and husband Tim). Jennifer Telford (and husband Jim) run innovative new wine bar Residual Sugar. And a special toast to Dale Vaughn-Bowen, former owner and winemaker at Stony Ridge Winery and founder of Crooked Vine. Vaughn-Bowen, who died of cancer in March of this year, was a passionate and gifted woman of wine.
320 Emerson Street Palo Alto, CA 94301 p: 650.326.0983 fx: 650.326.9552 CONTEMPORARY HELLENIC CUISINE
Welcome to Kokkari. Immerse yourself in another world. 200 Jackson Street (at Front) Watch today’s roast turning in our fireplace. Have a seat and
San Francisco, CA 94111 enjoy Greek cuisine was meant to be; made as it
from the ! " ! ! carefully p: 415.981.0983 fx: 415.982.0983 freshest local ingredients, accompanied by excellent, CONTEMPORARY HELLENIC CUISINE selected wines, and served with traditional Greek hospitality. #$$ % & ' ( )! & ( ! *+ ,-... -./ ,0. $,01 " -./ ,0# $,01
special report: entertaining From Commis: Cool Carrot Soup – Carrot thinnings glazed with tarweed honey and chicory root, flowering herbs Pairing: 2006 Nigl Riesling Senftenberger Piri Privat. “Floral aromatics of the Riesling grape complement the natural sweetness of the carrots. Varietally correct, with exacting acidity and minerality.”
Kerry Hiroshi Paul
Slow Roast Loin of Dixon Lamb – Braised shoulder with fermented Eastern spices and brown rice Pairing: 2004 Chateau Rayas Chateauneuf Du Pape. “The warmth and potential for ripening in the Rhone Valley gives way to powerful and structured wines with enough tannin to keep you wanting more red meat, but not too much so as to overwhelm the nuances of the dish. With spice notes and black tea on the palate, the silken texture and incredible length on the finish keeps you going back for more.”
drink this with that
iStockphoto/Thinkstock
Star sommelier Sarah Valor’s favorite wine and food pairings With an arsenal of rave reviews and a Michelin star under its belt in its first year of operation, Oakland’s Commis was the one of the hottest restaurants to debut on the Bay Area dining scene in 2009. Part of the buzz is undoubtedly due to 29-year-old “it” girl sommelier Sarah Valor, who recently received a Rising Star Award from online culinary magazine StarChefs.com. Valor brings a unique social and food-centric sensibility to her wine selections. “I think of every meal as a collection of different flavor profiles,” Valor explains. “By default I eat in pairings, whether it’s yogurt and sweet fruit, or pasta with ragout and parmesan cheese. At a dinner, when the wine’s gone, I’m done with the meal. For me, they are so intertwined. Wine is not the centerpiece, but a shadow that dances around the food.” What follows are a few pairings that worked at Commis on Piedmont Avenue, where the menu always changes, and a few suggestions for the home cook. – Bonnie Wach
Milk Chocolate Tile – Valhrona Jivara ganache, cocoa crumb, burnt vanilla ice cream Pairing: Lustau East India Solera Sherry. “With this dessert, the nutty overtones and the sweet viscosity mirror some of the nutty rich characteristics of the chocolate and charred vanilla. This is one of those pairings where you can’t exactly tell where the food flavors stop and the wine flavors begin. They are so harmonious and integrated that they almost seem like one.”
For home cooks: 1. On a mandeline, shave No. 1 (top grade) local Porcini mushrooms and then dress with fresh lemon juice and olive oil. Shave or grate Parmesan or Pecorino cheese over the top. Add a couple of cracks of fresh pepper. Sprinkle on some toasted pine nuts (toast ahead of time to allow time to cool; be careful not to burn the nuts, as they cook very quickly). Pairing: Marco Porello Roero Arneis, 2009. “Arneis means “little rascal” in the Piemontese dialect. In my opinion, that translation says it all. The wine, with its zesty undertones and lively acidity, is perfect with all of the elements of this dish.” 2. Whip in a mixer strawberries with sugar, sea salt and whipped cream (use good quality cream, preferably organic). The strawberries should be smaller varietals like Seascapes, with intense, concentrated flavor. Sprinkle sugar and salt to taste over the strawberries about a half hour before serving. Pairing: Patrick Bottex Vin de Bugey-Cerdon “La Cueille” Rosé NV from the Savoie region of France. “The wine is off dry, aromatic, bubbly and delightful. Light enough not to weigh down the dessert, it lifts the flavors and enhances.” S
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View our entire season at www.bankheadtheater.org
2010-11 Season SPENCER DAY
Singer, Songwriter, Sensation Sep 10 Fri 8pm “A twenty-nine-year-old on n the edge of full-fledged stardom.” –C –Cabaret Scenes
CALEDON
The “Three Tenors” of Scotland Sep 23 Thu 7:30p pm “…the three exquisite te voices…a powerful sspectr tru of rich harmonies…tempered …tempered with honey swe weetne –Edinburgh Evening Neews
DIAVOLO
Jacques Heim, Artistic Director or A Cinematic Experience of Dance and Gymnastics Jan 14 4 & 15 Fri – Satt 8 8pm m “Diavolo o may well be the da dance ancee bridge to the 21st Century.” –Los Angeles es Times
THE FOUR BITCHIN’ BABES BA
LVPAC Giirlfriends Galaa A Musical Review That Stirs the Heart and Funny Bone Feb 14 Mon 7:30pm pm m
“They They tell humorously observant ob bservant tal tales of mo modern urban n life and harmonizee like a heav heavenly chorus..” –Chicago o Tribune T
TAYLO OR 2
Paul Taylor’s Dances in a Delightfully Intimate Package Mar 22 Tue 7:30pm “The American spirit soarss whenever Taylor’s dancers dance.” –San Francisco Chronicle
FLYING KARAMA AZOV BROTHERS
A Marvelous Mix of the Marx Brothers and Monty Python Apr 15 Fri 8pm “They made me laugh – literally ‘til it hur urt.” –Village Voice
For Tickets | 2400 First Street, Livermore | 925 925.373.6800 373 6800
www.bankheadtheater.org 114 • SCENE • FALL 2010
Join us for our Holiday issue, publishing November 19. Scene will highlight the season’s glamour, great gift ideas and the spirit of giving back.
Be sure to receive your copy. Email scene@bayareanewsgroup.com, or write to Scene Magazine, 2640 Shadelands Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598
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mountain’s
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getaways
majesty
The Ritz-Carlton Highlands takes Tahoe luxury to a new level
Courtesy of Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe
By Bonnie Wach
Everyone’s got a favorite season in Lake Tahoe. Summer, when the lake shimmers like an indigo sapphire. Fall, when the air is so crisp you can almost take a bite out of it. But around this time, I start longing for Tahoe in the snow, and it has nothing to do with the air, the trees or the water. It’s because I have fallen for the boot concierge at the new Ritz-Carlton. Now, I’m as hardy as the next veteran Sierra skier. I have marched miles through resort parking lots laden with more gear than a Sherpa on Everest, endured bouts with chronic frozen buckle fingers and elbowed kids in line for storage lockers. But when the boot concierge at the Lake Tahoe Ritz kneeled at my feet and slipped me into a pre-warmed pair of ski boots, snapped them shut with the deftness of a Tupperware salesman and escorted me out to where my skis lay waiting in the fresh powder—my icy core melted as fast as snow in July. Chocolates on your pillow are one thing. A guy whose sole job it is to put on and pull off ski boots takes you to a whole other level of mountain resort experience, which is likely why, despite rooms that go
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Above, left: The Manzanita restaurant is a showcase for Traci Des Jardin’s FrenchCalifornia cuisine. Above, right: Massage with a view.
for upward of $400 a night, the Ritz-Carlton Highlands has been doing brisk business since it opened on the slopes above Northstar village last winter. In the Sierra, where many lodges still specialize in the chili-in-a-bread-bowl brand of hospitality, the Ritz feels like the dawn of a new era. The $300 million property, which includes 170 guest rooms, 23 private residences and 25 fractional ownership units (where owners buy into the resort property), is Lake Tahoe’s first fivestar resort, the first from-scratch luxury hotel to be built in the area in decades and the first in the Ritz-Carlton chain to incorporate eco-conscious LEED-designed features. Here, the wild boar and white bean chili is served on an expansive stone sundeck with panoramic views of the mountains and a side of live acoustic guitar. If the breeze is too brisk, you can opt for a leather armchair in the comfort of the enormous tree trunk-shaped “living room,”
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anchored by a six-story four-sided granite fireplace and flanked by 25-foot-high windows that look out to the forest. Or if you have something a little more formal in mind, there’s Manzanita restaurant, where red wine-braised short ribs and house-made gnocchi with foraged mushrooms
if you go The Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe 13031 Ritz-Carlton Highlands Court Truckee, CA 96161 www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/ LakeTahoe 530.562.3000 Rates from $349 per night, depending on the season For Tahoe activities, weather, info and more, see www.visitinglaketahoe.com
getaways
Courtesy of Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe
put a hearty mountain-resort spin on celeb-chef Traci Des Jardin’s French-California cuisine. After a day of skiing, hiking, biking or golfing (guests get preferred tee-times at the Jack Nicklaus-designed course in nearby Truckee), you can soothe your tired torso in the spa, a 17,000-square-foot palace of pampering featuring three pools, hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, a fitness center and 16 treatment rooms offering everything from massage and manicures to a hydrating therapy involving organic espresso and wild orchid extract. The opulence continues upstairs in the guestrooms, where gas fireplaces, plush terry robes, deep soaking tubs, 400-thread count linens and flat-screen TVs are all standard issue. Splurge for accommodations on the exclusive club floor and you may never venture farther than your hallway—five different food-and-beverage presentations are offered daily in the club-level lounge, which comes with its own concierge
and snacks ranging from goat cheese frittatas to dark-chocolate fondue. Over-the-top amenities aside, it’s the attention to detail and service that truly separates the Ritz from the rest — the thick wool blankets in the private gondolas that ferry guests between the hotel and the European-style ski village at Northstar below; the separate spa elevator so that you don’t have to parade through the lobby in your bathrobe after your pinyon pine nut warm-stone massage; the kids’ arcade loaded with free PlayStation video games so that adults can enjoy a grown-up cocktail at the bar; the regiment of valets who magically whisk away your bags, your skis, your golf clubs and your car, and then instantly reappear with them at the appropriate time and place. And of course, let’s not forget the boot concierge. Call me a Sierra sissy, but I think I’ve just discovered a new Tahoe luxury I can’t live without. S
Above, left: At night, cozy up to the fireplace in the resort’s lobby. Above, right: Guestrooms feature soaking tubs, 400-thread count linens and flatscreen TVs.
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SCOTT’S SEAFOOD GRILL & BAR Located in the heart of beautiful downtown Walnut Creek, Scott’s offers the perfect setting for your upcoming wedding, corporate or social event. With more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, our Catering Sales staff is ready to assist with every detail of your event -- helping to ensure that your special occasion is truly a memorable one. Complete event planning, audiovisual arrangements, complimentary valet parking and an in-house florist are just a few of the unique services that Scott’s Catering can provide to help add that special touch to your event. Our Walnut Creek location offers a wide array of private dining rooms for you to enjoy. Choose from our beautifully appointed Contra Costa, Shell Ridge and John Muir banquet rooms, the glass-enclosed Terrace, a romantic Waterfall patio or Scott’s Garden for your special event.
1333 North California Blvd., Walnut Creek Catering Services: (925) 934-0598 Restaurant: (925) 934-1300 www.scottswc.com
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THE BLACKHAWK MUSEUM CARS & EVENTS! For groups of 25 to 1,000 The Blackhawk Museum is the perfect place for your next event! One call can do it all! Our exclusive event hospitality staff can handle the menus, décor, flowers, lighting, sound and every detail of your event. The Blackhawk Museum is the largest museum of its kind with one of a kind automobiles from all decades. A true car lover’s dream with elegance for all occasions.
3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle • Danville • (925) 934-0598 www.blackhawkmuseum.org • www.scottswc.com FALL 2010 • SCENE • 121
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These glass mosaic accent tables are available with motifs of grapes, tulips or hummingbirds. Designs are set in solid concrete, with metal frames and stands. $69.99 at www.windandweather.com.
When the mood calls for old world, Pottery Barn’s Malta Lanterns are just the touch. Built of steel with a bronze finish, the lanterns can rest on a flat surface or hang from above. $29 to $99 at www. potterybarn.com.
There’s no end to uses for this outdoor sideboard from Plow & Hearth. Put it next to the grill for extra cook space, or on the patio as a sideboard when entertaining. $99.95 at www.plowhearth.com.
Finally, a glass for all seasons. West Elm’s stylish hammered-acrylic drinkware is ideal for libations of all kinds, from fruit juice and lemonade to burgundy and Beaujolais. Use for indoor or outdoor entertaining. $14 to $18 at www. westelm.com.
Tray chic is the only way to describe Pottery Barn’s all-weather galvanized metal servers. The dual-purpose design allows them to convert to stylish organizers when not in use. $49 at www. potterybarn.com.
Take an exotic adventure without leaving your chair. The lush tropical blooms of West Elm’s larger-than-life Jungle Flower Outdoor Pillows set the mood for a backyard safari. $29 at www.westelm.com.
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haute stuff Charms by Aaron Basha, starting at $1,600, at Heller Jewelers.
Don’t get strung out on lighting when decorating the yard. West Elm’s festive paper lanterns hang easily over the patio or porch. $29 at www. westelm.com.
savoring summer’s end There’s still more than a month of summer left, plenty of time for late-season pool parties, barbecues, dining alfresco. The right accessories will enhance your outdoor festivities. By Kristine M. Carber
Take shelter from harmful UV rays under Crate and Barrel’s 9-foot round umbrella in Mediterranean stripes of riviera blue, palm green, lavender and cayenne. Frame and stand sold separately. $199 at www. crateandbarrel. com.
Candela Glow rechargeable lights are just the trick to light up the night. Portable and cordless, the warm, ambient LED fixtures can be left unattended and won’t blow out in the wind. $69.99 for a set of four at www.oxo.com.
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Join us for our Holiday issue, publishing November 19. Scene will highlight the season’s glamour, great gift ideas and the spirit of giving back.
www.goodmanlandscape.com
510.528.8950
Be sure to receive your copy. Email scene@bayareanewsgroup.com, or write to Scene Magazine, 2640 Shadelands Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598
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* Three (3) gallons or more of Arborcoat® Waterborne Exterior Stain must be purchased at MSRP to qualify. Standard messaging and data rates may apply. Coupon code request by text expires September 30, 2010. Limit one (1) text request per phone number. Limit one (1) coupon code redemption per phone number. Limit one (1) preparation product per coupon code. Each coupon code may only be used once. Purchase of three (3) or more Arborcoat® products must be made in one transaction to qualify and receive one (1) preparation product at that transaction. Qualifying products: Arborcoat® Waterborne Exterior Stain Deck & Siding Protective Clear Coat, Transparent, Semi Transparent, Semi Solid and Solid. Coupon code can be used for one (1) Benjamin Moore® Deck Preparation REMOVE 315, RESTORE 316, CLEAN 318 or BRIGHTEN 317. Offer open to residents of the United States (including the District of Columbia) and Canada. Coupon code must be shown to retailer by September 30, 2010. Customers must pay any sales tax. Coupon is nontransferable, nonassignable and nonreproducible. Reproduction, sale or purchase of this coupon is prohibited. Void wherever prohibited, taxed or restricted by law. For help, text HELP to 72466. To end, text STOP to 72466. © 2010 Benjamin Moore & Co. Arborcoat, Benjamin Moore and the triangle “M” symbol are registered trademarks licensed to Benjamin Moore & Co.
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SpringLoaf Catering for
weddings.corporate events.anniversary luncheons. memorials.birthday and cocktail parties
SpringLoaf Catering is an innovative catering company serving the East Bay and Greater San Francisco Bay Area. We specialize in full-service catering for all events and celebrations, SpringLoaf Catering is an innovative catering company serving the greater San Francisco Bay Area. where good, flavorful food really matters. We specialize in full-service catering for all events and celebrations, where good, flavorful food really matters. Our team of event specialists can help plan your next event. Our Chefs can create customized menus featuring flavors from all types of cuisines to suit your taste, heritage For each our chefs create customized menus fromfriendly all around the world andevent, the nature of your event. We’re known as featuring much for flavors our warm, professionalism designed to match taste, and theculinary nature of yourContact event. us for your next event. as our fresh, your elegant andheritage, contemporarty style. We’re known as much for our warm, friendly professionalism as our fresh and elegant culinary style. East Bay (925) 962 9369 San Francisco (415) 699 1816 info@springloaf.com East Bay (925) 962 9369 www.springloaf.com San Francisco/ Marin (415) 699-1816 www.facebook.com/springloaf
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Catering & Event Planning www.springloaf.com 128 • SCENE • FALL 2010 info@springloaf.com
SpringLoaf
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iStockphoto/Thinkstock
in the garden
The blue marguerite blooms in late winter and spring.
Easy-to-grow plants add color and pop to landscape By Joan Jackson
we’re in the mood for
blue
Despite sad songs about “singing the blues,” the color blue is a happy shade that includes blue skies, blue eyes and Picasso’s Blue Period. For flower lovers lusting after the color blue, there is much from which to choose. Cornflower and bachelor’s button, for instance, are two of the easiest blues. Members of the same plant family, these flowers can be started from seed or purchased as transplants, and are so easy to grow they are considered weeds in some areas. Plant in low-growing drifts for true blue blooms in spring and summer. Love-in-a-mist is as romantic-looking as its name suggests. This blue papery flower develops on the tip of each branch during spring, then dries in summer for use in dried flower arrangements. The seeds can self-sow. Use in mass plantings or as accent plants in containers.
Names can be misleading — blue marguerite is a good example. It’s not a true marguerite. But, never mind! This one blooms as a yellowcentered, sky-blue daisy. A woody perennial, blue marguerite blooms in late winter and spring, then forms a nice green shrub until ready to bloom again next season. Among the most famous blues is the wonderfully scented English lavender (“Lavender’s blue, dilly dilly ...”). Bright, violet-blue flower spikes decorate a rounded shrub of silvery-green leaves. Use as an accent plant or create a low hedge of scented plants. It’s not always easy to find true blues, since plant breeders have fudged with purplish-blue shades. So read the labels, buy carefully and then enjoy a blue mood. S
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In Today’s Real Estate Market, Results Count! The Khrista Jarvis Team consistently sells an average of 1.3 homes a week! • Top 1% Nationwide • Top 1% in Contra Costa County • Over 200 Homes Sold 2007-2010 • $363 Million Sold 2004-2010 Khrista Jarvis-Diebner Nicole Jung J. Rockcliff Realtors 925.855.4065 kjarvis@rockcliff.com or njung@rockcliff.com www.khristajarvisteam.com
Putting people and properties together is my joy. Let me show you how I can best represent you in your next Real Estate transaction. Specializing in Fine Homes & Residential Investments with Experience & Integrity. 925.487.0524 Sandee@SandeeU.com Prudential California Realty Broker Associate DRE#00855150 www.winecountryagent.com
Homes featured on these two pages may be pending or sold.
FALL 2010 • SCENE • 131
132 • SCENE • FALL 2010
at the table
Josh Thomsen Executive chef, Meritage The Claremont Hotel Club & Spa, Berkeley From left: The dining room at Meritage at the Claremont in Berkeley offers spectacular views of the bay; chef Josh Thomsen; Meritage features contemporary California cuisine using regionally sourced fresh ingredients.
Story by Kristine M. Carber Photos by Kerry Hiroshi Paul
Age: 38 Hometown: Park Ridge, New Jersey Experience: Earlier this year, Thomsen was named a San Francisco Bay Area Rising Star by online industry magazine StarChefs, whose judges noted how he “transformed the [Claremont’s] food and beverage program into something fresh, elegant, and delectable.” Thomsen’s first job was at Friendly’s (an East Coast chain of restaurants) making milkshakes and burgers, where he learned how to cook quickly. He attended the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y., and interned at the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles, which offered him a job upon graduation. When the Bel-Air’s head chef moved to the Little Nell in Aspen, Colo., he asked Thomsen to come along. Thomsen spent four years at the Little Nell, and was also the personal chef to model/entertainer Barbi Benton during that time. He then went to Napa to work with Thomas Keller at the French Laundry for two years. After another stint at the Bel-Air, he headed to Las Vegas to work at the
FALL 2010 • SCENE • 133
at the table Mansion at the MGM Grand, then as executive sous chef at Michael Mina’s Nobhill Tavern. He jumped back to California to the Lodge at Pebble Beach, but still held jobs in Vegas, eventually opening Tao restaurant at the Venetian. In 2009, a former colleague invited him to work at the Claremont, and two months later he took over the relaunch of the restaurant as Meritage. Early inspiration: His father, Jerry Thomsen, who was a “closet chef” and taught him about good food. Mentors: Thomas Keller. “He taught me how to do everything.” And Jeff Jake (executive chef at the Carneros Inn; previously at the Lodge at Pebble Beach). “He wouldn’t have us do anything he wouldn’t do himself.” Culinary philosophy: “Hire great people. You can have the best ingredients, but you need the right people to cook them.” Favorite foods: Chinese and Italian Biggest challenge: Balancing work and personal life Leisure time: Anything outside. Going to Napa or Sonoma. Golfing. Stretching out on the sofa and watching the New York Yankees. If you weren’t a chef, what would you be: A New York Yankee Most proud of: My staff. And being listed as one of Thomas Keller’s protégés in Wine Spectator.
Josh Thomsen’s sautéed diver scallops with English peas, heirloom carrots and black trumpet mushrooms.
Beautiful Available Affordable Customer Service 866.602.7033
www.americanslate.com 134 • SCENE • FALL 2010
Adding Natural Beauty to Your World
Josh Thomsen’s sautéed diver scallops with English peas, heirloom carrots and black trumpet mushrooms 1/2 cup vegetable stock (cold) 1 cup English peas, cleaned and purée blanched in salted water 6 each or 3-6 ounces of fresh scallops (day boat, if possible) kosher salt freshly ground black pepper 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, divided use 1/2 cup leeks, cut into rounds and blanched 1 cup black trumpet mushrooms (washed and dried) 4 baby carrots, peeled and blanched 1 tablespoon chopped chives parsley-infused oil for garnish 1/2 tablespoon of fresh chives, chopped 6 springs of pea shoots for garnish
WINE EDUCATION EVENTS
WINE & SUMMER DESSERT PAIRING Friday, August 27th 7:30 p.m., $40.00 per person Chef Jaimie Casey will guide you through six bite-sized summer desserts paired with five savory J. Lohr wines and one dessert wine.
DESCRIPTOR SEMINAR Saturday, August 28th 7:00 p.m., $20.00 per person Develop your wine vocabulary. Includes: Enhanced component tasting (acid, sugar, tannin) Evaluation of enhanced descriptors (apple, grapefruit, curry) Practice by tasting six J. Lohr wines. Learn the difference between aroma and bouquet.
Serves 2 In a blender, combine stock and peas (reserve 2 tablespoons of peas). Puree till smooth. Season scallops with salt and pepper. Heat a sauté pan with medium heat and add olive oil. Add scallops to pan when it just starts to smoke. Cook about 1 minute on each side (depending on thickness of scallop). Then sauté till golden brown and delicious. Keep warm. In a small pot, warm up pea puree mixture with 1/2 tablespoon of butter. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Reserve warm. In a sauté pan over medium heat, add the other 1/2 tablespoon of butter, then add the leeks, mushrooms and carrots. Saute for 1-1/2 minutes (they should not take on any color.) Season to taste with salt and pepper. Keep warm. Plate on warm plates: Put a small circle of English pea purée in the middle of the plate. Add a small pile of the vegetables in the center of the purée. Then top with the scallops. Drizzle parsley-infused oil around the plate and sprinkle with chopped chives and pea shoots.
WINE & APPETIZER PAIRING Friday, September 10th 7:00 p.m., $45.00 per person Chef Jaimie Casey will guide you through an evaluation of six bite-sized appetizers paired with six world-class J. Lohr wines. Learn basic strategies for pairing food and wine.
J. Lohr San Jose Wine Center 1000 Lenzen Avenue, San Jose, CA 95126 For tickets, call Lisa at (408) 918-2176 or visit the tasting room from 10am to 5pm daily. Please note that ticket sales are non-refundable.
jlohr.com FALL 2010 • SCENE • 135
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136 • SCENE • FALL 2010
(8” and 10” frying pans not shown)
at the table
Bruno Chemel Chef/owner Baumé, Palo Alto From left: The relaxing dining rooms at Baumé feature black, slate and tangerine color schemes and minimalist décor; chef Bruno Chemel; each dining room can seat 14 people.
Story by Kristine M. Carber Photos by Kerry Hiroshi Paul
Age: 41 Hometown: Born in Moulins, France; now lives in Sunnyvale Experience: Chemel is a practitioner of molecular gastronomy, which applies scientific techniques and tools to cooking. He opened Baumé in January of this year; he aims, he says, to dynamically prepare a menu for each table based on the best ingredients currently available to the restaurant. So instead of dishes, diners choose prix-fixe meals with featured ingredients, such as asparagus, vermouth, liquid nitrogen and pineapple. They are given no clue as to how the ingredients will be presented, and leave it to Chemel to surprise and tantalize. A recent review of Baumé noted how “vermouth foam floats atop a vegetable puree; pearls of passion fruit adorn both a pre-dinner and pre-dessert amuse bouche; an emulsifier turns balsamic vinegar and olive oil into a butter-like spread.” But foams, gels and flavor pearls are the flashier side of a larger body of culinary philosophy and science that aims to improve the taste of food and how we experience it. Baumé is named after French chemist Antoine Baumé (inventor of the Baumé density meter), and reflects Chemel’s understanding of cooking techniques and flavors, and also his willingness and ability to do things differently.
FALL 2010 • SCENE • 137
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138 • SCENE • FALL 2010
at the table
Chemel graduated top in his class in culinary school while also working at Michelin two-star restaurant Jean Pierre Billoux in Dijon, France. He worked at several other highly regarded restaurants in Paris before moving to New York to work as executive chef at Le Chantilly. He spent four years in Japan studying macrobiotic cooking with Japanese master chefs and became executive chef at Tokyo’s Ambrosia. Then he opened the four-star Cliquo in Honolulu in 1995. After relocating to California, he worked as executive chef at Aqua (Southern California), La Suite (San Francisco) and Chez TJ in Mountain View before striking out on his own. Early inspiration: “My dad loved to go to two- and three-star Michelin restaurants, so I learned early about good food.” Easiest and hardest part of owning a restaurant: “The best part is the freedom, and the most challenging part is the ups and downs of the business.” Favorite food: Japanese Favorite restaurant: Red Crane in Cupertino Culinary philosophy: “What I do well now, I will do better tomorrow.” If not a chef, what would you be: “A motorcycle or race-car driver.”
asparagus salad Chef Bruno has adapted this dish for the home cook – no egg-yolk pearls, but still fresh and delicious. 9 jumbo green asparagus spears 1 shallot 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 bunch fresh rosemary, chopped fleur de sel (sea salt) to taste black pepper to taste 2 ounces aged Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese mizuna and mustard leaves for decoration Serves 4 Wash and peel 8 asparagus spears and set aside in cool water. Peel and shave the last spear and keep the shavings in iced water. Set aside. Finely dice the shallot and macerate in sherry vinegar for 5 minutes. Then drain, and add the olive oil with the chopped rosemary to the shallots to make the vinaigrette. Add sea salt and pepper. Blanche the asparagus in salted boiling water for 3 minutes. Remove and drain on a dry towel. Align the asparagus and top with vinaigrette. Finish with fleur de sel, black pepper and asparagus shavings. Decorate with small salad leaves and aged Parmigiano-Reggiano shavings.
Bon appétit!
FALL 2010 • SCENE • 139
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SUNRISE BISTRO & CATERING
A local favorite, we offer healthy and delicious food that combines fresh ingredients with creative recipes. Noted for our fresh baked breads and pastries, Sunrise is open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Banquet room to 35. Excellent Catering service. 1559 Botelho Drive (1 block from Broadway Plaza) Walnut Creek 925.930.0122; Catering Office 925.930.6323 www.sunrisebistrocatering.com
BOMBAY INDIAN RESTAURANT Experience the tradition of hospitality and heritage as we recreate the magic of Indian cuisine. We offer a variety of vegetarian dishes and non-vegetarian dishes. We welcome you to enjoy our lunch buffet where you will have plenty of delicious food to taste. 1512 N. Main Street Walnut Creek P 925.932.5777 F 925.932.6777 www.bombayindianwc.com www.bombayindianwalnutcreek.com
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140 • SCENE • FALL 2010
COCINA POBLANA
Experience the art of Mexican cooking at Cocina Poblana. Serving refined Mexican cuisine with a modern flair. The Tequila Bar has a selection of over 200 tequilas with Happy Hour specials daily. Serving Lunch, Dinner, and Weekend Brunch. Jack London Square 499 Embarcadero West Oakland 510.451.4700 Emeryville 1320 65th Street Emeryville 510.923.0497 www.cocinapoblana.com
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Where friends go to unwind and stay for the unexpected... Featuring Japanese influenced dishes consisting of an eclectic mix of local and seasonal meat, noodle, sashimi, and traditional sushi specialties. Unique variety of fresh seafood. Extensive sake selection. 1432 North Main Street (at corner of Bonanza) Walnut Creek 925.210.0188 www.sasawc.com
BLUE AGAVE CLUB
Serving “high-end Mexican” cuisine with a distinctive flair. Text BLUEAGAVE to 234411 for Special Offers! Std msg&data rates apply. Send STOP to 234411 to stop. Send HELP to 234411 for help. www.bayareanewsgroup.com 625 Main Street (Downtown) Pleasanton 925.417.1224 www.blueagaveclub.com
CONTRA COSTA GREEK FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL
ERAWAN THAI RESTAURANT
We have the best artisan chefs in the world – our Greek Grandmothers who prepare delicious Greek Food from authentic recipes. Pair our excellent Greek wines with your favorite Greek dishes and dance like Zorba! Opa! 1955 Kirker Pass Road Concord (Across from the Pavilion) 925.676.6967 www.ccgreekfest.com
Savor a multipicity of flavors and textures and Erawan’s creative use of food combinations. Lunch • Dinner • Catering • Take Out, Delivery in Walnut Creek and Martinez 1414 North Main Street Walnut Creek, CA 94596 925.937.7887 414 Ferry Street Martinez, CA 94553 925.313.9185
FALL 2010 • SCENE • 141
Whether detoxing after work, or socializing with friends, Saunas and Spas are a Healthy Escape to Sooth
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142 • SCENE • FALL 2010
the tasting room
Michael Sugrue
Nicole’s Vineyard is one of eight vineyards at Judy Jordan’s winery. It is named after her daughter.
beyond bubbles For Judy Jordan, the ‘J’ stands for pinot
Standing in Nicole’s Vineyard high above the Russian River – and taking in the 360-degree view and a glass of J Vineyard’s Pinot Noir from that very site – you figure it out. This is what Judy Jordan had in mind all along: to branch out from J’s sparkling wines, leverage their 10 estate vineyards and start producing a host of varietals. In fact, Jordan’s J Vineyards & Winery has now developed a positively burgundian program, with a chardonnay and six distinct pinots from their cool-climate vineyards, totaling 274 acres. Nicole is one of them, named
after her daughter. “J’s inception in 1986 was based on a groundbreaking mission to produce methode champenoise sparkling wines,” Jordan says. “It has been 15 years since we started making pinot noir, and our knowledge and understanding of the intricacies of the Russian River Valley has grown exponentially. We now know that our vineyards have more soil types than those found in all of France.” A wine-and-food pairing back at the Bubble Room
By Craig Summers Black
FALL 2010 • SCENE • 143
Nothing to see. Everything to hear. A hearing aid that no one else knows about but you.
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As members of the exclusive NuEar network of hearing providers, we are excited to help you choose Miniscopic, the hearing aid that’s designed to suit your lifestyle. We have over 20 years of experience, and we can comprehensively evaluate and test your hearing loss. We will take the time to get to know you and your hearing needs. We will also help you pick the hearing aid that will provide you the most comfortable fit and level of technology for your life. Your hearing loss is entirely your business. And no one else needs to know.
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the tasting room new and recommended Tangley Oaks Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County, 2007 ($15): A bold pear-nutmeg-vanilla style, nicely balanced. Grade: B+ Joseph Phelps Vineyards Insignia, 2006 ($200): As lovely as this iconic cab blend is, it makes me all wistful for the ’03. Grade: B+ Quivira Wine Creek Ranch, Dry Creek Valley Grenache, 2008 ($26): More character than the usual Cali-G. Pairs nicely with that salmon/ cedar plank on-the-grill ritual. Grade: B+
Michael Sugrue
Shea Wine Cellars Willamette Valley Estate Pinot Noir 2007 ($49): A superb example of what Oregon pinot can be. Focused, black cherry, a wisp of smoke. Grade: A.
Judy Jordan and J Vineyard’s winemaker George Bursick.
(the old tasting room of Piper Sonoma, which Jordan bought in 1996) more than confirms her mission. In situ, the Nicole’s was surely impressive, tasting of dark berries with a velvety hint of mocha. But paired with Devil’s Gulch Ranch pork belly Char Siu and Guinness tempura Chinese long beans, the pinot was positively transcendent – fuller, earthier, spicier. It took on a whole other dimension. “There are but a handful of places on Earth where fine wine grapes flourish and the resulting wine is exceptional,” Jordan says. “Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley is brimming with such magic.” Jordan has wine in her blood, being a second-generation winemaker, the daughter of Tom Jordan. His Jordan Vineyard & Winery is renowned for its built-for-thelong-haul cabernets. But Judy Jordan is also an athlete – a former championship tennis player and competitive swimmer. A Stanford University graduate with a degree in earth sciences and geology, Jordan worked in geophysics before joining her family’s winemaking business. She also traveled the world – she’s conversational in French and Spanish, has lived in a Chinese commune, trekked through the
Clos LaChance Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay, 2008 ($35): Big but not brawny, with a touch of both caramel and minerality. Impressive. Grade: A-.
Himalayas, worked on a station ranch in the Australian outback and bunked with cliff dwellers in West Africa. She still competes in triathlons, swims 100 laps a day, plays tennis with her teenage kids Nicole and Robert and jogs through her beloved vineyards. With the support of her father and others, Jordan started J Vineyards in 1986, and started to craft the varietal and sparkling wines that have since become the essence of Russian River Valley expression. Her diverse portfolio of pinots range from $38 for the Russian River Valley to $70 for the Sonoma Coast, Nonny’s Vineyard and Barrel 16 bottling. The Nicole’s is offered at $65, and the Russian River Valley Chardonnay – with its seamless custard/apple tones – is $40. As J winemaker George Bursick says, “It’s unique for such an established winery to still have that drive for taking it further, constantly evaluating and elevating. Judy said to us, ‘Here are the tools. Whatever you need to be the best, you’ve got it.’” S J Vineyards & Winery 11447 Old Redwood Highway, Healdsburg, 707.431.3646, www.jwine.com
FALL 2010 • SCENE • 145
rustic
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interiors The Staglin family estate in Rutherford wine country is both a showplace and a comfortable home Story by Charles Neave Photos by Rick Bolen
elegance When Garen and Shari Staglin decided in 1982 to buy vineyard property, start a winery, build a house and move full time to the Napa Valley, they had very firm ideas as to what it was they wanted. It took them three years. First, it had to be in an exceptional area. They found a property in Rutherford, home of what viticulturists reverentially call “Rutherford Dust.” With 62 acres and a knoll above the vineyards on which to build their home, it was ideal. Second, they knew they wanted to make limited amounts of the best wine possible. Today, with their organic farming methods, production is just 7,000 cases a year. Most importantly, they wanted a place that would be a home for family, and a house to welcome their legion of friends from the Bay Area and around the world. “We designed it for entertaining and for living, and it has worked out beautifully,” both of them agree. After two years of planning, construction began. Every detail of
Garen and Shari Staglin, with son Brandon, enjoy a meal at their home. At left, high ceilings and walls of windows make for light-filled, airy rooms. On the wall is the painting “Fischmarkt” by Thomas Schindler (1989), part of the Staglins’ notable art collection.
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Above, from left: The house offers multiple areas for indoor/outdoor living; hallway wall space displays paintings; the grounds feature sculptural pieces, such as “Winged Woman Walking” by Stephen de Staebler (1987). The Staglins found the work so inspirational that they use it on one of their wine labels.
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the Italianate design that could be provided for was, even though Garen is the first to admit that “a 22-foot ceiling on paper is a whole different thing than standing in the middle of a room with a 22-foot ceiling.” In all, the five-bedroom, seven-bath house covers just under 10,000 square feet. Early on, they had given San Francisco architect Bob Arrigoni of BAR Architects a list of specific requirements: The house had to have lots of light, it would be designed for indoor/outdoor living and there had to be lots of wall space for their art collection, which is extensive and continues to grow. “Garen and I collect the art together,” Shari says. “When we were first married, we knew next to nothing about art. I dragged him around to galleries, and now he loves it. It took us a while before we agreed on anything; now we agree on everything.” The art, which is both indoors and out, is an eclectic but stunning mix – primarily figurative work by Bay Area artists. Around each turn a visitor never knows what might appear. There is a long gallery on the west side that runs from the front of the house past the living and dining rooms, kitchen and family room and almost to the back of the house. There is ample room for large pieces in the living room, and plenty of outdoor space for large sculptures. Even the paint on the exterior has an artistic aspect. “We took a box of the ‘Rutherford Dust’ and had the paint mixed to match. No one else in the world has that,” Shari says. The symmetry they asked for means that on the east (vineyard) and west (pool and
interiors
lawn) side of the house, 12 sets of French doors mirror each other, taking advantage of the views and the light no matter the time of day or the season. “Inside, we put in light wood floors, which is unusual perhaps, but [the effect] is very soft,” Garen says. Pavers and plaster are the other predominate materials. A loggia stretches almost the length of the vineyard side of the structure. The property has appealed to others: Much of the 1998 movie “The Parent Trap” (with Dennis Quaid, Natasha Richardson and Lindsay Lohan) was filmed here, and pop singer Christina Aguilera used the grounds for her wedding and reception. Those grounds are a mixture of wild and manicured, with a tile-lined pool that can be covered over for larger parties; plenty of manicured, multi-tiered lawn; and a massive sculptured stone table with a self-draining trough that runs its length. The trough can be filled with flowers, or often is filled with chipped ice and seafood for an alfresco raw bar. Wine is never a problem, since in addition to the multiple wine coolers in the house, the Staglins’ extensive caves are only a few minutes’ walk away. The kitchens, both indoors and out, are set up to handle anything from a dinner for family – Shari, Garen and their two grown children, Shannon and Brandon – or for much larger groups, as often happens when friends, and friends of friends, converge. “The inside and the outside blend seamlessly. That is what we asked for and that, we are happy to say, is what we have.”
Above, from left: A stone table has a trough that can be filled with flowers, or chipped ice and seafood; the pool can be covered over for large parties; the spacious dining room.
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On the wall: The large painting is “Each Way,” by Naomie Kremer (2005); at left is “Desert Gas Station,” by John Register (1994); at right is “The Counter,” by John Register (1988).
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From left: Rick Bolen/Courtesy Staglin Music Festival for Mental Health 2010
interiors
The party place: The 24,000-square-foot barrel cave at the Staglin winery is the perfect setting for gourmet dining and winetasting. The annual music festival is underwritten by the sale of the Staglins’ Salus-labeled wines.
When Brandon Staglin was diagnosed with schizophrenia in the summer of 1990 after his freshman year at Dartmouth, Garen and Shari Staglin first wanted to make sure their son got better. But they also wanted to raise money for research into curing and helping others, and educate people along the way. They found a novel way to do it all. Now in its 16th year, the Staglin Music Festival for Mental Health brings together musicians, food and wine, and scientists to raise funds and awareness for the cause. Guests at the festival have enjoyed famous wines – some of them the rare cult bottlings that are seldom seen – and hors d’oeuvres from renowned chefs, all served in the 24,000-square-foot barrel cave at the winery. Music and dancing takes place in a pavilion a hundred yards away. Past performers have included Gladys Knight, the Pointer Sisters, Brian Wilson and Roberta Flack. This year’s event, on Sept. 11, will feature country singer Dwight Yoakam and chefs Richard Reddington of Yountville’s acclaimed Redd Restaurant and Jon Bonnell of Bonnell’s Restaurant in Fort Worth, Texas. The festival is underwritten by the sale of the Staglins’ two premium Salus-labeled wines. All proceeds from the event go directly to supporting mental health research and treatment across the country. Since 1985, the Staglins have donated and raised some $710 million for multiple charities, of which almost $100 million has been raised by the music festival. For more information, go to www.staglinfamily.com. S
Courtesy Staglin Music Festival for Mental Health 2010
The Staglin Music Festival for Mental Health 2010
Dwight Yoakam is this year’s headliner on Sept. 11.
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store it in style Double-duty furnishings by three famed designers By Joan Chatfield-Taylor
Even if enthusiasm to acquire things has been tamped down recently by economic uncertainty, our stuff still seems to accumulate. Skis and suitcases lurk behind the coats in the closet, Legos pebble the children’s rooms, unworn clothes are kept because they just might come back in style – and we just might fit them. Worse, we often run out of places to store stuff. Fortunately, a few designers have come up with storage elements you won’t need — or want — to hide. These are great-looking pieces of furniture, each with unexpected storage areas.
Patricia Urquiola When East Bay interior designer Michelle Wempe recently furnished a family room to accommodate three young children, she chose some unusual low tables from B&B Italia. The tables look like overgrown beanbag chairs with flat metal tops, but Milan-based furniture designer Patricia Urquiola actually based her creation on another classic: the beanbag ashtray. The table tops lift off, revealing a spacious storage
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compartment. Children can spread out their Playmobil pirates on the top, then toss everything inside when company arrives. Adults can use them in the TV room, to hide snacks or a warm shawl. The squishy tables, sturdily upholstered in leather, wool or other soft materials, are whimsically named Fat Fat-Lady Fat, and can be found at B&B Italia, 2211 Alameda St., San Francisco, 415.565.0900, www.bebitalia.com.
solutions Dakota Jackson New York furniture designer and manufacturer Dakota Jackson is the son and grandson of professional magicians and had a career as a magician himself, often conjuring up and making accessories for his tricks. It’s not surprising, then, that he’s a master of the art of hidden drawers and secret compartments. One of his earliest commissions came from Yoko Ono, who had him create a writing desk based on a Chinese puzzle, which she gave to husband John Lennon on his birthday. Other celebrity orders followed, from the likes of Jerry Seinfeld and Michael Jordan. He has described his work as a marriage of illusion and functionality. One example is his ReWind cocktail table. No one looking at this circular table, constructed in layers of glass, brass and pale wood, would guess that it was anything but a handsome piece of furniture. But touch it gently and the layers begin to turn, smoothly and silently, revealing hidden compartments in the wooden base. It’s the epitome of perfect storage — accessible and invisible at the same time. The table is at De Sousa Hughes, 2 Henry Adams St., Showroom 220, San Francisco, 415.626.6883, www.dakotajackson.com.
Berman-Rosetti Tansu furniture – the stacked wooden boxes and cabinets that have for centuries provided flexible solutions in the small spaces of Japanese homes – gets a sleek modern twist with the Tansu collection by Los Angeles manufacturer Berman-Rosetti. “We developed it 2 ½ years ago in response to thinner (plasma television) screens, when the large entertainment cabinet became obsolete,” says designer Nick Berman. “It started with media frames, went on to beds and then became a whole modular system.” Although there have been endless updates of the original tansu, Berman-Rosetti’s collection is notably contemporary and versatile, with dozens of mix-andmatch elements meticulously crafted of woods from basic maple and oak to exotics like Wenge and zebrawood, often wirebrushed and treated to accent the grain.
Most of the elements are designed to be stacked on a platform, their weight holding them in place without attachments. A few can be reconfigured as the base for a desk, a support for a cushion or the traditional Japanese step chest. See the collection at DeSousa Hughes, Two Henry Adams St., Showroom 220, San Francisco, 415.626.6883, www. bermanrosetti.com.
FALL 2010 • SCENE • 157
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From left: Hemera/Thinkstock; Hemera/Thinkstock; iStockphoto/ Thinkstock; iStockphoto/Thinkstock
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please be seated Picking the perfect chair
By Mary Carol Garrity Scripps Howard News Service
The value of a well-made, comfortable chair is not to be underestimated. One could argue that a good chair, with morning coffee or a evening glass of wine, can start and end the day right. And book-reading, of course, calls for a chair where you can sit or curl up for hours. Ideally, a chair should also be stylish and work well with the rest of the room’s decór. With all these demands, picking the right chair can be challenging. Our tips: • Determine what role the chair will play in your home and in your life. Where will it be located, and how will it be used? For instance, will this chair be a statement piece in your formal living room or will it be in your casual family room, hosting popcorn-eating TV watchers? If the chair is mostly decorative, then your selection should be based on looks. If it’s in a family room, you want comfort and function. • Determine who will be using the chair most. Who
will be sitting in it on a regular basis? Rarely does a chair fit all household members perfectly, so the most sensible approach is to select one that fits the primary user just right. This includes children! • Pay attention to scale. Your new chair should be proportionate to the other furnishings in the room. • Don’t settle for anything less than a high-quality piece. Poorly made furnishings may look great on the showroom floor, flashing their seductively low price tags, but after going 10 rounds with your family, pets and guests, their beauty will quickly fade and you’ll be left with a “bargain” that creaks and sags, is split and warped. But when you invest in a high-quality piece, your chair will look brand-new for years. Before you buy, make sure the chair seat deck has eight-way, hand-tied steel coils that are supported by polypropylene and steel strapping. Double-check to see that the frames are made of kilndried hardwoods and that the joints are double-doweled, with every corner blocked, screwed and glued.
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at home
Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Thinkstock
The chances of finding the chair of your dreams dramatically increase if you know exactly what features you want. Here are a few questions to consider that will help you focus your search: • What type of cushions do you want? Seat cushions are a lot like mattresses — some people like them firm and others want them sink-into soft. • Do you want a chair with a tight back or cushion back? • How high do you want the back of the chair to reach? High enough to rest your head against — or low enough to see over? • How wide and deep should the seat be? Some people like wider chairs so they can tuck their legs under them. • How high do you want the arms to be? A lot of folks love English-club chairs with arms perfectly positioned to allow you to read the newspaper. • Skirt or exposed legs? Keep in mind that fabric skirts get dirty very easily. Finally, take a test drive. How do you sit in your chair at home? Assume the same position at the furniture store. Throw your legs over the arm, tuck them under you or snuggle into your favorite nap position. If you don’t feel so comfortable that you hate to get up, the chair is probably not the one for you. S
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Make the Scene! Join us for our Holiday issue, publishing November 19. Scene will highlight the season’s glamour, great gift ideas and the spirit of giving back. Be sure to receive your copy. Email scene@bayareanewsgroup.com, or write to Scene Magazine, 2640 Shadelands Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598
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all for you
a win-win Going green leads to beauty bonanza
Sue Fox of Danville is the lucky winner of Scene’s Earth Day contest. Her “poem” on how she is living green was fun to read and showed how ecoconscious she is every moment of the day. She enjoyed a fantastic makeover session at Le Jardin at the Spa in Pleasant Hill, which included a haircut and color, and makeup application. Go, Sue!
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Anandi Martinez of Moraga earned an honorable mention for her “journey”: She used to buy her family cases of plastic water bottles. Then she moved on to giant jugs with spouts. Finally, she installed a filter in the faucet and avoids plastic altogether. Anandi was also treated to a little pampering at Le Jardin at the Spa. Contest winner Sue Fox, left, radiant after her session at Le Jardin at the Spa, with owner/founder Nancy Robinson.
Congratulations to our winners!
Scene magazine reader contests Contest details and rules continued from Page 170:
Enter our contests and win tickets to local arts events Contest #1: In 250 words or less, or in a drawing, explain what you would wear to the Lesher Center gala that reflects our area’s sophisticated elegance, is environmentally conscious or inspired by the East Bay’s natural wonders, and is cutting-edge fashion. Email scene@ bayareanewsgroup.com by Sept. 24.
Contest #2: In 250 words or less, tell us who we could include in another story on women winemakers, and why. Email scene@ bayareanewsgroup.com by Sept. 8.
Nikki Ritcher Photography
166 • SCENE • FALL 2010
Contest #3: Read our interview with Christine Carter on Page 47. In 250 words or less, tell us how you practice – or teach your kids or others to practice – being happy. Email scene@ bayareanewsgroup.com by Oct. 8. For all contests: You must be 18 years old and a legal California resident to enter. Employees of the Bay Area News Group and their families are ineligible. Limit one entry per person, per household. Entries judged by Scene magazine staff. The winner may be photographed by Scene magazine and featured in the November issue.
seen
Walnut Creek Mayor Sue Rainey
Incoming WCLF President Jim Moore, Kristin Anderson, Ed DelBaccaro. (Anderson is giving them presonalized first edition library cards.)
Toasting the new library at the gala event presented by the Walnut Creek Library Foundation
out and about in the east bay Movers and shakers who helped get the new Walnut Creek Library built celebrated at the gala event “Our Star is Born,” on June 26. The 260 guests admired the art; architecture; state-of-the-art kids’, teens’ and business areas; and of course, the books.
Jennifer Glover-Croghan of jenniferJphoto.com
WCLF board member Tom Donahoe and Nancy Donahoe
Center REP artistic director Michael Butler, event emcee, and Carole Wynstra, event chair, WCLF board member
WCLF board member Howard Geifman and Susan Geifman
WCLF executive director WCLF board member Ed DelBaccaro Kristin Anderson and and the Lesher Foundation’s Walnut Creek Assistant City MacKenzie Lesher and Steve Lesher Manager Lorie Tinfow
Walnut Creek City Attorney Paul ValleRiestra and Alice Valle-Riestra
Michael Butler, Martha Ross, Denise DelBaccaro and Nan SIegel
John Muir Health Systems CEO Ken Anderson and Tamara Anderson
WCLF board member and former city mayor Kathy Hicks and Jerry Hicks
Carole Wynstra, Lesher Foundation executive director Kathleen Odne and Beverly Loder
FALL 2010 • SCENE • 167
Garden Development Director Rebecca Ines, Joe Bologna
Ted and Mary Bayer, garden board member Gretchen Bartzen, Dick Hansen
Guests had the chance to buy unique local artwork for their own backyards at the Ruth Bancroft Garden’s 16th annual “Sculpture in the Garden” exhibit on June 18 in Walnut Creek. More than 60 artists participated in the fundraiser for the garden; many of them mingled with prospective buyers while listening to live music by Shabang.
Gwen Darling, Michelle Gregor, Leroy Parker, Marie Dreyer
Kerry Hiroshi Paul
Kristin Anderson, Cindy Silva, Tom Silva
Steel drum band Shabang entertains the crowd.
Left to right: Administrative Director Katie Marcel with Opening Night Benefit Committee Chris Mohammed, Trish Munro and Elizabeth Trutner
168 • SCENE • FALL 2010
Jose Carlos Fajardo
Livermore Shakespeare Festival kicked off opening night of “Romeo and Juliet” with a benefit dinner and auction on July 9 at Concannon Vineyard.
seen
Donna Blevins, Judy Fenton, Barbara Flores, Joyce Rocha
Carol Edwards, Teri Tith, Ann Rice
Yeah, baby! The Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center held an Austin Powers movie & ’60s-era costume party in June, and the crowd was all Sonny & Cher or Woodstock, in groovy tie-dye and mini’s, pushing love, peace and flower power. The event was a benefit for the center’s Bankhead Theater and Bothwell Arts Center. Oh, behave! Durk, Andrew and Carol Edwards
Eli Pitta
Will McMahan and Wendy Celeste
The Fray’s Isaac Slade, Wente’s Kelly Hansen, the Fray’s Joe King, Wente’s Diane Stanton and Robert Gundrey, the Fray’s Ben Wysocki and Dave Welsh.
The one and only Liza Minnelli did her thing on June 24.
Music, wine, a bucolic setting: yes, it’s a summer concert at Wente Vineyards. This year’s series kicked off on June 17 with the Fray, followed by Liza Minnelli; there’s still time to catch Don Henley, Willie Nelson, and more. See www. wentevineyards.com for info.
FALL 2010 • SCENE • 169
all for you
a win-win! Enter Scene’s contests and savor the arts
‘On Broadway’: What will YOU wear?
Just tell us, in 250 words or less (or draw a picture!), what you would wear that
The Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek celebrates its 20th birthday with an extra special “On Broadway,” its annual gala fundraiser, on Saturday, Oct. 9. The black-tie event includes a cocktail, auction, gourmet tented dinner, headliner performance at the Hofmann Theatre, and after-party with desserts and dancing. Funds raised support the arts and entertainment, educational programming and community events at the center throughout the year.
• reflects our area’s sophisticated elegance • is environmentally conscious, or inspired by the East Bay’s natural wonders • is cutting-edge fashion. Deadline is Sept. 24. Details and rules are on Page 166. Scene will also talk to gala organizers and others in the coming months about what they plan to wear – and will show you the results on SceneBayArea.com and in our November issue.
But let’s get to the nitty-gritty: What will YOU wear to the gala? Scene magazine and the Diablo Regional Arts Association are offering you a chance to win tickets to the Hofmann Theatre performance and after-party.
170 • SCENE • FALL 2010
Jeremy Portje/Telegraph Herald
Willie at Wente! Our story “Women of the Vine” (Page 105) gives a snapshot of female winemakers who are making inroads in the industry. Tell us who we could include next time, and why, in 250 words or less. The winner receives two Premium Dining tickets to see Willie Nelson at Wente Vineyards on Sept. 13. Deadline is Sept. 8. Details and rules are on Page 166. Gabriel Marin
Did you read our interview with happiness expert Christine Carter on Page 47? In 250 words or less, tell us how you practice – or teach your kids or others to practice – being happy. The winner receives two tickets to “Becoming Britney,” the West Coast premiere of the “snarky musical adventure” presented by Center REP, at the Lesher Center on Oct. 28-Nov. 14. Deadline is Oct. 8. Details and rules are on Page 166.
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Get Happy
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Reengineered from the ground up. Whether it’s paved or not. 360 degrees of pure improvement. The new 2011 Cayenne is here, and it brings complete and utter fulfillment. From it sleeker design and equally impressive performance,to its roomier interior, the new Cayenne has been reengineered to meet your every demand. And all while consuming less fuel. The only downside is that occasionally you’ll have to get out. So visit us for a test drive, and experience all the utility you need, with all the Porsche you could ever hope for. Porsche. There is no substitute.
The new Cayenne. Experience a new level of utility and performance.
Michael Stead Porsche 2555 N. Main St Walnut Creek, CA 94597 (925) 280-4900 Showroom hours M-F 8AM-8PM Sat 9AM-6PM, Sun 11AM-6PM
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Mercedes-Benz of Walnut Creek
1301 Parkside Drive | Walnut Creek 925.937.1655 | MBofWalnutCreek.com New Look. Great Attitude.