Podcasts about Calistoga

Derek does the California Mille – California's take on the 1000-mile Italian road rally, the Mille Miglia. Behind the wheel of a 1956 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Veloce, Derek (and OTS & Co. cofounder, Tazio Ottis), experienced some of central California's best driving roads between Half Moon Bay and Calistoga alongside over 80 of the finest automobiles to exist by the mid-20th century. === This episode is sponsored by Vyper Industrial — America's #1 rated shop chair, tool carts, and creepers, proudly made here in the US. Visit vyperindustrial.com and use code CARMUDGEON for $50 off. === Initially dreamt up by local driving legend and passionate car enthusiast, Martin Swig, the California Mille hopes to recreate some of the legendary driving experiences of Italy's Mille Miglia. After Martin's passing, his wife and two sons (specialists at Broad Arrow and Bring-a-Trailer ) carried on the tradition until the event was purchased by Hagerty in late 2020. It's a swanky affair with spas, fancy lunches, drive-thru oyster bars, and open regular bars, with specialist mechanics and flatbed tow trucks at your beck and call. Naturally with 70-year-old (or older) cars, many breakdowns ensued. A Mercedes 300SL needed a tow, and a Ferrari 250 TdF required assistance from Patrick Ottis Company after several transmission components welded themselves together. A bolt came dislodged on the shift linkage of a Citroën ID promptly stranding it, but Derek's stash of spare bolts saved the day. Differentials were grenaded, and problematic torpedo fuses were replaced while still in motion. A woman in a Honda Accord even PIT-maneuvered a pre-war Bentley on the Golden Gate Bridge. The Carmudgeons discuss past rally experiences in a W201 190E in Europe, Jason's 5000-mile trek to Ohio in his Scirocco, the Orange Blossom Rally in a Mazda Cosmo, and the BABE Rally in a $400 Cadillac stretch limo. Derek touches on the Colorado Grand Rally and Copper State Rally, and the boys discuss possibly starting the Curmudgeon Mille e Uno Rally. Derek points out that Miles Collier, cofounder of the precursor to the SCCA, posited that there are 2 types of enthusiasts: contemplative and experiential. Rallies are definitely for the latter. Plus Jason wears an un-tailored button-down, we dive headfirst into porta potties, and we wonder if the 1988 Honda Accord is too reliable to rally. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joe Norelli started his first venture in 1992 which brought him from New York to Florida for the second time and he hasn't looked back. He is the founder of 35 Technologies Group, a manufacturing company that specializes in defense and aeronautical systems. Joe currently owns 17 separate ventures, including manufacturing companies, real estate, a winery in Calistoga, CA and stock in a vodka company. Beyond his professional endeavours, Joe has committed his resources of time and money to philanthropic efforts through the Norelli Family Foundation (founded in 2013) with its primary focus “All About Kids.” Joe recently teamed up with rock legend Alice Cooper in support of his philanthropic passion – Solid Rock Teen Centres. Together with other rock icons they have produced and released a children's album, Solid Rock Revival. On this episode of The Everyday Millionaire Joe and Patrick get into purpose, identity, resilience and recovery, leadership, golf, and cars to name a few! Joe shares two main turning points in his early life that drove him to pursue his own ventures and quickly realized his own solution-based action was the key to fulfilling his vision and purpose. He simply isn't built, like many are, to live within structures. Joe's hard work and commitment to accountability have provided a legacy for his core team and his family, and he shows no signs of scaling back. Joe concludes with the philosophy he lives by and encourages others toward.

This week, we're on location at the Vancouver Convention Centre, broadcasting from the floor of the 46th Annual Vancouver International Wine Festival. We'll be speaking with numerous local and international wine personalities. Today, our guests include: Wayne Donaldson, a winemaker at Josh Cellars in Calistoga, California. Chris Benziger, VP/Brand Ambassador Benziger Family Winery, in Sonoma County; Olivia Wright, an up and coming winemaker working at Rodney Strong Vineyards in Sonoma County; and Todd Graff, GM & Winemaker of Frank Family Vineyards Napa Valley.

Napa Valley is unquestionably one of the great wine regions of the world. Located about 50 mi/80 km north of San Francisco, Napa is renowned for its decadent Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay and its glamourous, fancy and expensive tasting rooms. Napa only represents 4% of California's wine grape harvest, but it holds the highest reputation among all US regions.   But the region isn't all show – it has excellent terroir to make world class wines. Photo: Napa Valley Vineyard. Source: Pixabay Napa Valley stretches southeast to northwest for approximately 35 miles (60 km) from just north of the San Pablo Bay to the northern reaches of Calistoga. Nestled between the Vaca and Mayacamas mountain ranges, the Valley is about 4 miles wide at its widest point. It contains half the soil types in the world and its mountains, benchlands, and valleys have so much diversity that each wine made here reflects a different character.   In this show I go over the history, the geology and terroir, the main grapes and wine styles, and then I go into detail on the 16 American Viticultural Areas in Napa and what to expect from each.     This is a comprehensive look at this great wine region of the world that made the reputation of American wine as we know it today.     Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. Become a member today! www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople _______________________________________________________________   Check out my exclusive sponsor, Wine Access.  They have an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the Wine Access-Wine For Normal People wine club for wines I select delivered to you four times a year!    To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes    

Matthew J. Prieb, CPA, is reaching out to wineries in the Calistoga area to share his winning tax preparation and financial planning strategies. Read his full 2025 guide at https://mpriebcpa.com/blog/f/2025-bookkeeping-tips-boost-napa-winery-profits-cut-costs Matthew J. Prieb, CPA City: Clovis Address: 3114 Willow Ave. Website: https://mpriebcpa.com/

Mike Shirinian and Dave Fansler are talking football, Tequilas & world travel with Fresno State Legend, Kevin Sweeney.    On the plate: Elbow Room Chef's Eric Rodriguez and Nick McCoy plate up a delicious King Crab and a Ponzu Chilean Seabass. The meal was paired with a bottle of Frizzante from David Arthur Vineyards alongside Mike & Dave's favorite Sauvignon Blanc from Peter Michael Winery in Calistoga.   Email the show: EAT@KMJNOW.COM  Please Like, Comment and Follow 'The Restaurateurs' on all platforms:    ---  The Restaurateurs Podcast is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever else you listen to podcasts.  --  The Restaurateurs  | Website |   -  Everything KMJ   KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

KCBS Radio's Foodie Chap Liam Mayclem speaks with Chef Rogelio Garcia of Auro at Four Seasons.

Calistoga AVA, a terraced vineyard, the SF Chronicle and interview w Nick Bleecher, winemaker, Jericho Canyon Vineyard in the Napa Valley. ON THE ROAD with MR CA WINE is about CA's cool aspirational lifestyle, and its awesome wines. Hosted by Chuck Cramer, a CA native, living in London and is the Director of European sales & marketing, Terlato Wines. This is a wine journey covering the hottest topics in the world of California wine, chatting along the way with key influencers who make it all happen. This weeks' episode includes an interview with Nick Bleecher.

Prehistoric pips point to possible birthplace of grapes. You can now walk from St. Helena to Calistoga. An unrealized real estate empire implodes. Cocoons are for caterpillars and cabernet. These are the four wine news stories we're following this week on The Four Top.

KCBS Radio's Foodie Chap Liam Mayclem speaks with Auro's Chef Rogelio García. 

This is the weekly columnThere is panic and turmoil in high dollar wines you and I do not buy.This is not about big dollar wines we could buy—Caymus, Jordan, Daou. You can purchase them at higher-end grocery stores. The turmoil is with wines you only can buy from an allocation list or very high-end wine stores. Covid and an influx of wines competing at pompous price points upended everything.A lot goes into wines in that rarified price category. Millions invested—in Napa vineyards, in famous winemakers, in famous architects for the winery and tasting rooms. All goes into the bottle price.And then there is trophy wine branding. People buy such wines not just for silky tannins and layers of bing cherry, ripe raspberry, and blackcurrant backbone. People buy so they can say to themselves, and especially to others, they can buy the wine.When a winery decides to play in that bedazzling arena, it must protect its brand. And that is when flop sweat starts dripping. Recent years have not been kind. Demand down. People pinching purses purchase product from lower shelves. Purveyors panicked when pricey vintages went unsold. Then—horror of horrors—they did the unthinkable. They discounted.When you sell your wine for $750 a bottle, the play is “if you won't pay this much, there is someone else who will, and when this sells, there aren't any more.” But rarity and exclusiveness are evanescent qualities. When the first merchant decides to clear his shelf and sells the wine discounted to $500, the shift hits the fans. Why pay high when you can wait and buy low. People who can afford such luxuries figured this out long ago.When a Calistoga high end winery discovered a shop was going out of business and offered their wine at clearance prices, the winery immediately sent a distributor to buy the entire inventory to protect the price point.“The moment people feel the product is easy to get at a discounted price, all of a sudden the rarity has evaporated,” Dave Parker, CEO of rare-wine retailer Benchmark Wine Group in Napa, told Wine Spectator.If you are like me, you are not going to buy a $750 bottle of wine even at $500. But it is nice to note that as wine over-supply and clearance pricing trickles down, we may be in line for some sweet deals.Last roundAn orangutan in the zoo has two books: The Bible and Darwin's Origin Of Species. The orangutan is trying to figure out if he is his brother's keeper—or his keeper's brother. Wine time.Thank you for reading Gus Clemens on Wine. This post is public so feel free to share it.Email: wine@cwadv.comNewsletter: gusclemens.substack.comWebsite:  gusclemensonwine.comFacebook:  facebook.com/GusClemensOnWine/posts/Twitter (X): @gusclemensLong form wine stories on Vocal: Gus Clemens on VocalLinks worth exploringDiary of a Serial Hostess Ins and outs of entertaining; witty anecdotes of life in the stylish lane.As We Eat Multi-platform storytelling explores how food connects, defines, inspires.Balanced Diet Original recipes, curated links about food systems, recipe reviews. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gusclemens.substack.com/subscribe

Knights Valley is found just above the town of Calistoga as you enter Sonoma County and it is simply a slice of heaven. Most of the traffic you see is local. While there are plenty of tasting rooms in this valley, tourism does not clutter the roads. Brandon Muller and Gregory Roberts are the Founders [...]

Tune into the long awaited Episode 50 with  Maayan Koschitzky, Bridget and Gan Dunnington discussing all things DOGFARM. The group enjoyed a DOGFARM 2020 Chardonnay, 2018 and 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon while reviewing the October 2023 St. Helena police log. The group also laughed through the bonus crime of a low speed police pursuit with a naked man through Calistoga. Episode highlights include the tree witches of Hunt ave, a stolen street sweeper, Maayans journey as a winemaker, and an instigating bartender. Tune into another heart warming episode where listeners are reminded that DOGFARM is not just a place but a way of life. 

In this episode of "Understanding Wine with Austin Beeman," Austin is at Tank Garage Winery's brand-new filling station in Paso Robles, California, tasting a lineup of unique wines with general manager Ed Feuchuk. From their bold blends to innovative rosés and pét-nat sparklers, Tank Garage Winery embraces an unconventional winemaking style. Their tasting room, a blend of retro and modern, captures the spirit of California's wine culture, perfectly pairing with their rebellious, experimental ethos. https://www.tankgaragewinery.com  Ed takes us through the history of this groundbreaking winery, which began in a restored 1930s gas station in Calistoga. He explains how their team reinvents winemaking, often drawing inspiration from California's Prohibition-era to '80s counterculture and beyond, producing one-of-a-kind one-and-done wines. Their labels, crafted like album covers, tell a unique story and capture the imagination. With an ever-evolving selection, Tank Garage Winery stays fresh and thrilling for experimental wine enthusiasts. THIS IS EPISODE 103 OF UNDERSTANDING WINE WITH AUSTIN BEEMAN http://www.austinbeeman.com/podcast  SPECIAL THANKS: Rustle Bedwell Ed Feuchuk James Harder https://www.tankgaragewinery.com  Chris Kern https://pasosecco.com  https://forgottengrapes.com  Thank you for helping with the coordination and planning of my enter Trip to Paso Robles and the Central Coast, California. EQUIPMENT: Main Camera: Canon R8 https://amzn.to/486cHQf  2nd Camera: DJi Pocket 2 https://amzn.to/3GEwqL3   Mic:  Audio Technica AT875R https://amzn.to/3TaIfAn  Travel Bag: Peak Design Travel Line Backpack 45L. https://amzn.to/41b6FvA  Camera Bag:  Peak Design Everyday Messenger Bag. https://amzn.to/481yGaU  FOLLOW AUSTIN BEEMAN'S WINE ADVENTURE Website: http://www.austinbeeman.com  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austinbeeman/   TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@austincbeeman  WORK WITH AUSTIN:  http://www.austinbeeman.com/about-me  or acbwine@gmail.com  --- AUSTIN BEEMAN… is a veteran of the wine business with nearly a quarter century's experience in Marketing and Sales (wholesale, retail, & DTC.)  Austin has a deep knowledge of the global wine business with expertise in Wholesale Distribution, Brand Management, B2B & B2C Fine Wine Sales, and Wine Marketing with Quantifiable ROI. Austin Beeman most recently executed on that expertise for Cutting Edge Selections as Vice President of Marketing / Brand Manager Emerging Regions.  While Director of Marketing for Bonny Doon Vineyard, he managed one of the most successful crowdfunding campaigns in the wine industry.  His video podcast “Understanding Wine with Austin Beeman” has been praised in USA Today and has reached nearly one million wine lovers around the world. Austin holds the prestigious MBA in Wine & Spirits Management from Kedge Business School in Bordeaux.

A weekly magazine-style radio show featuring the voices and stories of Asians and Pacific Islanders from all corners of our community. The show is produced by a collective of media makers, deejays, and activists. Join Powerleegirl hosts Miko Lee, Jalena Keane-Lee and Ayame Keane-Lee, a mother daughters team. They are celebrating Asian American Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Heritage month.They talk with artists and activists who are telling their stories in so many different ways. Artists from the annual United States of Asian America festival, including artistic director, Melanie Elvena, storyteller Nancy Wang, and musician, Scott Oshiro. Jalena learns about the POC Food and Wine festival from Director Gina Mariko Rosalis and talks with Thuy Tran about CAAMfest, Asian American film festival. Miko speaks with Cyn Choi from Stop AAPI Hate.   Events Covered in this APEX Episode May 2-5, 2024  POC Food & Wine Festival @cielcreativespace, Berkeley & @fouroneninesf, San Francisco, CA April 25-June 23, 2024 United States of Asian American Festival various locations throughout SF. Including performers such as Eth-Noh-Tec and Scott Oshiro May 9-19, 2024 CAAMfest various locations throughout the Bay Area. May 10-12th, 2024 After The War Blues Z Space May 16-June 1, 2024, DARKHEART – A Concert Narrative by Golda Sargento at Bindlestiff Studio Stop AAPI Hate campaign Spread AAPI Love   Additional Events: May 10-12, 2024 After The War Blues at Z Space May 31, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Sacramento AAPI NIGHT MARKET   SHOW Transcripts Opening: [00:00:00] Apex Express. Asian Pacific Expression Community and cultural coverage. Music and calendar. New visions and voices. Coming to you with an Asian Pacific Islander point of view. It's time to get on board the Apex Express.   Miko Lee: [00:00:34] Good evening. You're tuned into apex express. We're bringing you an Asian American Pacific Islander view from the Bay and around the world. We are your hosts, Miko Lee and Jalena Keane-Lee, the PowerLeeGirls, a mother-daughter team. Tonight we are talking about Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month and all of the amazing events that you can experience. We meet with artists and activists who are telling their stories in so many different ways. We hear from the artists from the annual United States of Asian America festival, including artistic director, Melanie Elvena storyteller, Nancy Wang, and musician Scott Oshiro. Jalena learns about the POC food and wine festival from director Gina Mariko Rosales and talks with Thúy Trần about CAAMFest an Asian American film festival. And I hear from Cinci from StopAAPIHate. First up, we're going to hear about all the amazing artists behind the 27th annual United States of Asian America festival.   Hello, Artistic Director Melanie Elvena from Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center. We're so glad to have you on Apex Express.   Melanie Elvena: [00:01:44] Hello, everyone. Thank you so much, Miko, for having me here today and letting me talk about our festival.   Miko Lee: [00:01:49] This is the 27th year of the United States of Asian America Festival, which is stunning to me, already 27 years. Tell us about the theme this year, Be(long)ing Here.   Melanie Elvena: [00:02:02] Yeah, it's crazy to believe that it's 27 years. It's also my 10th year with APIC. And our theme this year is Be(long)ing Here which asks us what it means to be, Here, what it means to belong here, but also what are we longing here? Actually, I created this theme with our previous festival coordinator who unfortunately passed away in October, but he came here from San Diego and was just blown away by the richness of the AAPI arts community and our culture and our history. We just wanted together to reflect on where we have been, where we are now, And just what our collective future holds while acknowledging our backgrounds as immigrants, as refugees, mixed race descendants, and just really wanting to dive into what it means to belong. I think a lot of us as AAPI community members are folks who immigrated here, we're always looking for our home and our place where we can feel safe and belong, especially with everything going on right now in the world politically, the war in Gaza, a lot of us have even just in our own AAPI community, have lost a lot of community members. We're going through this moment of grief and reflecting upon our time in the pandemic, where we also just lost a lot of there was just so much death, right? What does that mean now in this current moment? Every year we try to come up with a theme that, you know, reflects upon us. What we're experiencing as Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders. And also what do we see for ourselves in the future?   Miko Lee: [00:03:21] Thank you for sharing Melanie. I'm so sorry to hear about your colleague. That's heartbreaking and you're right. We are living in such a time of immense grief. It is powerful how we can use arts and cultural events to enrich us and bring our spirits back to ourselves. Can you talk about the breadth of the festival and what people can expect?   Melanie Elvena: [00:03:40] Of course. So every year we have multiple events. , this year I believe we have 22 different events. It showcases all disciplines, theater, music, dance, film, literature, visual arts, many, many more. There's even culinary events and we have artists of all different disciplines, AAPI backgrounds, represented and, it goes from May through June. There's a little bit of something for everyone but I just want to talk a little bit about our featured events. Our first event is a kickoff celebration for the festival, but it's also an opening reception for our annual arts exhibition. This year, I worked with Independent curator Delaney Chieyen Holton, and they curated this exhibition called Where is Your Body and for them they are exploring how the body is the lowest common denominator for solidarity and thinking about the body and our vulnerabilities. What does it mean to have a body, especially as someone who identifies as AAPI, a person of color, queer, for us, we're always negotiating what the body means, for ourselves out in the world. There's a handful of artists and that's going to open on April 25th. Then the exhibition will run through May 24th at SOMArts cultural center. So we would love for everyone to come and see the show. Another event that we're highlighting. We have two featured. the first one is Megan Lowe Dances from May 31st through June 9 at The Joe Goode Annex called Just a Shadow. Megan is bringing together seven artists to make six different duets. It's about pretty much celebrating life, but also acknowledging grief and the memory of loved ones and resilience. For Megan, who personally has experienced a lot of loss in the last handful of years, she's using this piece to reflect upon everyone's collective grief that we've all been experiencing. Our next featured artist is Ramon Abad, who's doing an immersive theater experience for children and families at Bindlestiff Studios called Duck Soup. He has shows from June 8th through June 15th. I really love about Ramon's work is, he works with puppets and brings in children and youth to tell their own stories. There's going to be multiple stories with different youth, and they're going to be able to tell them to an audience and to have families involved, especially in San Francisco, where there's not as many programming for children. We wanted to highlight Ramon and be like, San Francisco is a place where families can thrive and have a space and with his art with his theater his puppetry. It brings to life, the humor, the joy, but also some of the hard things that we have to go through, especially through the perspective of youth and of children.   Miko Lee: [00:05:58] What is a collaborative event that you're doing this year that you're excited about?   Melanie Elvena: [00:06:02] Yeah, so We're collaborating with Sunday Streets Tenderloin to do an outdoor showcase from 1 to 4pm on June 23rd It's a street fair, two blocks on Golden Gate Avenue in the Tenderloin between Jones and Hyde Streets. We're so excited to have this partnership again with Sunday Streets and Livable City. We're going to have a whole afternoon of performances from both artists, as well as Tenderloin artists and local artists. Our Artists we're featuring is dNaga Dance Co., Johnny Huy Nguyễn & Tim Kim, Sun Park, as well as Swetha Prabakaran Productions with Nirmathi. We're just so excited for this day because last year we had such a good time. We brought the stage to this street fair and people from all walks of life came to enjoy as well as a lot of families and youth. It was just like a beautiful day where folks could just come and enjoy as well as take advantage of the free services that they had. The street fair offered, especially when we talk about the tenderloin and all the issues and problems you think of homelessness substance abuse and all those things. But, for one day, there was just like this beautiful time where everybody was just enjoying and being each other's company. That's the real San Francisco. I think that's the real beauty that we have here. The real richness and what it means to experience art together. It really brings people together and it brings some healing. I'm super excited to have this again and can't wait to be out there.   Miko Lee: [00:07:20] Thank you so much APICC, for continuing to show up and provide us with a varied experience of what it means to be Asian American for curating such an amazing event. We really appreciate your work. People can have access to all of these amazing adventures with APICC and a greater understanding of belonging here by looking at the website, which we will link to on our apex express site at KPFA. Next up, listen to elements of freedom from Scott Oshiro Part of Afro Asian futures playing Saturday, May 18th. As part of the United States of Asian America Festival.   MUSIC   That was Scott Oshiro from Afro Asian Futures playing the song Elements of Freedom. This will also be part of the United States of Asian America Festival.   Welcome Nancy Wang from Eth-Noh-Tec to Apex Express.   Nancy Wang: [00:10:18] Thank you. Thank you, Miko. Miko Lee: [00:10:20] We are so happy to have you, and I understand that Ethnotech is going to be part of APICC United States of Asian America Festival. Can you tell me about what work you're going to be presenting in APICC Festival?   Nancy Wang: [00:10:34] Yes, my piece is called Shadows & Secrets, and it's about my grandfather's death in 1924. We had all been brought up to think it was an accident, although my grandmother accused her own brother of murdering him, so no one took her really seriously, but I began to notice inconsistencies around what was going on at the time of his death. And so I've been doing a lot of research and I've come up with too many suspicious circumstances around his death. I agree with her. I think it was murder. And so my piece is about trying to find in this cold case, uh, Who could have been the murder. There are four suspects I have found, and maybe they all did it together, or maybe they all wanted to do it, but this is what this piece is about and it's multidisciplinary. So there's going to be media behind it with different photos of this restaurant. He was a very famous restaurateur in Chicago. I have six other actors who are going to do the parts. It's going to be a stage radio play genre. So it's kind of exciting with all the Foley sounds. It's going to be at the Mission Cultural Center on May 4th and 5th. May 4th at 6:30pm. and May 5th at 2pm. In addition to that, we're doing an art exhibit at 447 Minna, because there's an artist in New York, Chee Wang Ng, who has been collecting various memorabilia of Chinese restaurants in that era of the early 1900s. It is going to be really interesting to see the lavishness of the restaurants at that time, east of the Mississippi river, because both. non Chinese and Chinese were very, very much in love with Chau Sui. If they could afford it, they went to these lavish restaurants.   Miko Lee: [00:12:20] And how is the exhibit connected to your work?   Nancy Wang:[00:12:24]  Because my grandfather had one of those lavish restaurants in Chicago. He was known as the, Prince of Merchandom or the wealthiest Chinaman in the Midwest. Because of his fame and his ability to draw in like the upper crust of the lo fan or the European Americans who came to his restaurant and were loyal to him. He had more than one restaurant and they were all very lavish. You'd have opera singers and violinists from Russia. And he had a 10, 000 organ in his restaurant and he had, uh, organ player every night besides bringing in special guests. So it was really very lavish, but very suspect as to what else was going on. Everyone's dead. So I can say what I need to say. [Laughs].   Miko Lee: [00:13:14] This feels like a new genre for Eth-Noh-Tec in terms of doing a radio play and an art gallery. How, what does it feel like to expand into a new kind of medium?   Nancy Wang: [00:13:24] We saw the Ross Valley players put on a stage radio play and it was so interesting. I just love the idea of it. And it also saves the actors from having to memorize because they get to use their scripts since it's supposed to be a radio show. They all get to play different characters, so they have to find different stances and different voices, so it's a challenge for them. so it really simplifies and at the same time is really interesting and exciting.   Miko Lee: [00:13:50] I'm excited to see it because mostly your work is movement oriented. Many different forms of Asian, traditional dance forms that are moved in this storytelling style, so it will be very fun to see a new kind of work. Can you talk a little bit about how your show fits into the festival's theme of belonging here?   Nancy Wang: [00:14:09] I think, everything that happens whether they're part of the Tong Wars or they're part of, just trying to make a living, survive, it's all about trying to belong here. Even if the Tongs are at war, it's about territory. It's about saying, no, this is where I live. This is my territory. I belong here. So it's always about trying to make sure that your own way of life is going to be grounded in some kind of permanency, trying to make sure that you get to stay in this country. So, whether you have to, you end up doing it illegally, It's still about trying to stake out where you belong. That's how I see it.   Miko Lee: [00:14:51] And lastly, Nancy, talk to me about what Asian American Pacific Islander Native Hawaiian Heritage Month means to you.   Nancy Wang: [00:14:59] Well, you know, it should be our heritage all year round, but in this time that the federal government has put aside for us, , it's a way to really hone in on here we are. This is who we are. This is what we're capable of doing. This is how we think. This is how we express ourselves. We belong. Please understand. We're not foreigners forever. We have been here for seven to eight generations already. So how can you say we don't belong? This is our world. This is our country too. It's really important for us to use this time to celebrate who we are. And hopefully that the rest of the country, who are not Asian, Get to understand that and somehow create the bridge that will connect us all in some way so that diversity is celebrated rather than something to fear.   Miko Lee: [00:15:52] Nancy Wang, thank you so much. Looking forward to seeing your show as part of APICCFestival. Thank you.   Nancy Wang: [00:15:58] Thank you, Miko, for having me on your show.   Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:16:00] I am here with Gina Mariko Rosales and so excited to talk about the POC Food and Wine Festival. Thank you so much for joining us on Apex Express.   Gina Mariko Rosales: [00:16:10] Yeah, I'm so excited to be here. Thank you for having me.   Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:16:14] Can you tell us a little bit about the festival and what listeners can expect if they are to attend?   Gina Mariko Rosales: [00:16:20] Been a long time event planner, producer. We've been doing a ton of work in the Filipino community in San Francisco for over seven years. So one of our biggest festivals has been Undiscovered SF, this Filipino night market. And it's been so beautiful for us to be producing that event. But I've really had this desire to build with more multicultural communities. And so that's how this idea of POC Food and Wine was born, was really wanting to bring together multicultural communities in food, beverage, art, music and how do we bring all these folks together to build something that's bigger than any one of us? How do we share knowledge resources across our communities? So POC Food and Wine Festival is launching. It's a four day festival and we're featuring all kinds of different events, but our main event is happening on saturday May 4th. So it's the main dish where we're featuring pairings so like tastings from amazing award winning chefs. It's paired with POC winemakers, spirits, non alcoholic drinks, and beverage brands. And then of course, Make it Mariko, we always do music really big in everything we do. So of course there's going to be tons of amazing DJs and live music performers. But there's really something for everyone. You want that festival vibe, you want our after party vibe, you can come to that or we have these really amazing family meals where it's like more of the traditional sit down, coursed out, dinner service.   Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:17:45] So exciting. And for people who don't know, why is it particularly important to highlight POC winemakers and food creators? What is it about those fields that makes it difficult for people to rake into?   Gina Mariko Rosales: [00:17:57] In the mainstream spaces and all of those industries so many of these festivals, a lot of the smaller batch winemakers or just folks who don't maybe have PR agencies, they don't really get access to a lot of these festivals. And even when POC folks do get access. A lot of the time it costs a ton of money for these chefs to come and present at some of these festivals. And so that's not accessible to a lot of people who may be really amazing chefs but don't have the budget for that. So our whole goal with our festival was to create a space that was highlighting folks who don't necessarily typically get access to these big festival spaces and how do we do it accessibly for them so they can really come and be a part of it.   Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:18:41] And speaking of accessibility, I feel like wine sometimes can be something that it feels like, you know, there's a lot of clout around it or maybe some studying or something that's needed. Can you talk a little bit about the space around wine and inclusion in that field?   Gina Mariko Rosales: [00:18:57] Totally. I mean, so I'm a wine lover. I love drinking wine. I love going to wine bars. I just got back from Calistoga last week. , but sometimes the reality is a lot of these wine spaces for people of color may not feel accessible or safe or welcoming. A lot of them are, but I've definitely been to a lot of spaces where I've kind of been ignored. Or maybe I'm the only person of color in the room. Maybe you've even had the experience of feeling, getting shushed at a winery or a wine event. And that just, to me, doesn't feel comfortable. It doesn't feel like home. So we really wanted to create a wine studio. space that feels more comfortable and accessible. Even just playing music that we like, little things like that make people feel comfortable in a space like I can come as my authentic self.   Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:19:42] That's so true. I think a lot of times the culture around wine can feel a bit stuffy and exclusionary. For someone who's not sure about wine, what would you say to them about reduced barriers to entry to be a connoisseur or an appreciator of wine?   Gina Mariko Rosales: [00:19:58] This festival is a perfect way to get introduced to that culture and start to feel comfortable there people who love drinking wine But maybe don't they don't consider themselves like a wine person because they don't have knowledge about it Because we're creating these pairings for you So we're gonna be telling you like here's this bite this amazing tasting from this chef and we paired it with this drink for these Reasons, so why don't you try it out and see how you feel how you like it and if you don't then that's fine like at least you're learning something and you're getting your, foot in the door and, learning how to even do a wine tasting. So we'll be sharing some tips like that for people before they go to the festival like, all right, here's some things that you might want to know about and here's how you can taste at a wine festival. Here's how you can spit at a wine festival. Here's what these buckets are for. So we're going to help try to introduce people to that culture and make it, you know, less scary.   Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:20:51] How did you first connect with wine and what was that experience like?   Gina Mariko Rosales: [00:20:56] My dad loves drinking wine and he would always drink like the darkest, richest red wines. And so when I would taste it, I was like, I do not like this. This is gross. I started drinking my first foray into wine was like really sweet wines, like Gewürztraminer and the more I got into it, my palate started developing and I was like, okay, I'm starting to like this now and now I like this. And it changed. So I actually took a sabbatical from my company after like a really bad burnout after COVID and I got a received a wine scholarship to this program that gave me an introduction to wine that I could actually now learn and study it and that gave me so much inspiration to be like, Oh, this is something that I can do. This is accessible to me and now I'm just educating myself. And there's so many of these kinds of scholarships available for people who are. excited or curious about wine and just want to get into it and make it more of a passion. So we really want to introduce those to folks too.   Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:21:57] Wow. That's so incredible. When you're talking about who you want to come to the event, can you talk a little bit more about that of who would be the ideal audience for this event and who, or what are you hoping that they bring with them?   Gina Mariko Rosales: [00:22:11] Yeah, that's a great question. Of course, we really want those like wine lovers, wine connoisseurs, folks who are, even studying wine, going up for the WCET, or, even like high class sommeliers who are really lovers of wine and understand it really deeply because some of the winemakers we are featuring are just wine Amazing, amazing winemakers with very delicious wine. So the wine pro is welcome here and we'll have an amazing time, especially with the pairings. But The like, entry, I'm just curious about wine, and really I just like, love music and festivals in general, like you are absolutely welcome here, because who doesn't love food, first of all? People all love really delicious food and drinks, so that's gonna be there for you. Some of the other people that we'd love to come or even people who just love music. I love music. I love culture. I love dancing. That is going to be on display throughout the week. So we have some of the best DJs, not even just in the Bay Area, but in the world that are going to be showcasing and spinning at the events. There'll be line dancing galore. So even if that's more of your jam, you're going to have an amazing time too. Another group that might be really excited about coming and that we really want to come to the festival are industry people. So if you are a person who's actively working in the food, beverage, hospitality events or entertainment industry, like we want you to come. Friday night we're hosting a special event. special sip and scratch industry night reception just for the people who are working in the industry. And we're going to be hosting like a really amazing industry roundtable discussion where we want to like get people's thoughts and ideas. How do we help improve diversity in these industries? Who's out there doing it really well? What are some ideas of what we could do better? And how can we come together as the industry? Fellow folks in the industries and, you know, work together to improve that. So that's something that I'm really excited about too. We really just want to have a community conversation. Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:24:12] That's great. And you know, this is a mother-daughter radio show. And you know, my mom thought that this was more my lane, but I'm curious what you think about the parents and older generations coming through too.   Gina Mariko Rosales: [00:24:23] Oh my gosh, absolutely. Mother's Day is coming up. And we really love the idea of people buying tickets for their moms or chosen moms or aunties or dads or whoever, and bring your family to this event. It's really going to be a super family friendly. Festival where you can come, bring your parents, do all the tastings together, dance a little. I invited my parents to the after party last year Brown is Beautiful and they had an amazing time and we're just like dancing up a storm. So I definitely encourage people like make this a family friendly day and invite them.   Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:24:57] I love that. And I'm so glad that you're bringing this event to the Bay and that, you know, all of these world renowned people are going to be here in our hometown. And of course, there's so much wine production that happens nearby us as well. What is special about the Bay Area informing the idea of the event and your own worldview?   Gina Mariko Rosales: [00:25:17] I mean, I am a Bay girl born and raised. So I was born in Pacifica and raised in Daly City, San Francisco, Berkeley, you know, so I've been around the Bay and I probably will be for the rest of my life. So I just. Love it here so much. I love the creativity of people, the diversity of people and diversity of thought out here. So of course, like the festival is really highlighting the best of the Bay and we're really focusing on What are some of the amazing diverse creatives that are building here currently? What is it that makes the Bay the amazing place that it is? And highlighting some of those key businesses throughout. So they're going to come and give you tastings at the festival, but some of them have beautiful brick and mortars that really do need support outside of that. So that's one of our big goals too, is like, how do we just introduce people to new spaces that they never knew of before? Because we all know that we get stuck in our little pockets of places, even me, sometimes it's hard to get even out of like Excelsior and Soma in San Francisco, but how do we challenge ourselves to find new spaces outside of our comfort zones and then become part of a bigger community and expand our community.   Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:26:28] Yeah, I'm so glad, and that definitely happens to me too. I'll get this idea that nothing happens here, and then I'm like, girl, you're the one that's been inside, like, all this time.   Gina Mariko Rosales: [00:26:38] The thing, too, is like ever since COVID, the pandemic, we got so comfortable in these little niche spaces. And that's okay. You know, we went through trauma together, but now it's time for us to really explore and expand. And I think that doing this multicultural festival really challenges us to meet new people, meet new restaurants, meet new small businesses that we can support, and connecting people is one of the biggest goals of our festival.   Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:27:02] Yeah, and what have been some of the unique challenges that you have faced and overcome when it comes to making a multicultural festival in this place and time?   Gina Mariko Rosales: [00:27:11] Oh, man, it's definitely, it's definitely been a journey, but one I'm really, honored to be on. First off, we're long time festival producers, but new to the wine industry. And so that was really a big hump and I had to kind of get over was figuring out my way. Who's the who's who of the industry? Who's already doing diversity work? Who are some of the big players? And who can I also reach out to for help? You know, so that's been definitely a challenge. But one I'm really have been excited about because I've been meeting all these amazing new people. Secondly, we're self funding this festival. We do have some sponsors, which I'm really excited about, but the majority of the festival is self funded by our agency and we are really small startup women of color owned agency. So that alone is a lot of investment, but we feel so passionate about the space that we're trying to build and highlighting the people that we are. So we're very excited about that and really excited for the community to turn out and show their support for something like this.   Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:28:10] That's so great. Can you talk a little bit more about your agency and being a woman run business? And I know that, some of the events are at CL Space, which is also a woman owned, great studio in Berkeley. So yeah, how does that impact the festival?   Gina Mariko Rosales: [00:28:23] One of the hardest things I was like, daughters, sons of immigrants, you know, I'm a second generation. My parents came from Japan and the Philippines and immigrated here. We often deal with so much scarcity mentality, like we're just trying our best to make it. Maybe we have imposter syndrome. Maybe we're the only woman or person of color in a room. So there's a lot of challenges already from us just taking up space. So that alone has been a real mental challenge for me to even just Say like, Hey, we deserve to be in this space. The space is necessary and we want you to hear us loud and proud. You know, we say it so confidently, but there's a lot of mental work that comes behind just getting to that place of confidence to say that out loud.   Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:29:08] Absolutely. And it feels to me like the festival is really an example too of, staking a claim in the fact that we deserve joy too, and we deserve rest and play and luxury, and that as important as it is, of course, to come together across, you know, lines of difference when it comes to like urgent actions and organizing. It's also so important to be able to have that kind of space in our joy and in our leisure too.   Gina Mariko Rosales: [00:29:34] Yes. Oh my gosh. I'm so glad that you did have that takeaway because we try so hard to really just constantly put this message of, Hey folks, we know you're tired. We're tired too. And we've been doing a lot. We've been pushing a lot. We all have. And yes, we deserve nice things. We deserve joyful experiences. We deserve spaces where it's centered on us being taken care of. And that's really the kind of environment that we want to create here at this festival, a place of. You know, wellness and healing and joy, because food is healing. Food is also connection, food is culture. So by creating this space, also like, you know, we have, we're featuring a CBD wine sound bath. You know, there's all kinds of other activities. So come be fed in your, in your belly, but also of your heart and your mind, you know, take care of that too. So it's this holistic approach to joy and healing.   Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:30:30] I love that. And how does your own cultural background impact, why you wanted to create this event and how you organize?   Gina Mariko Rosales: [00:30:37] Oh, yes. So I'm Filipino Japanese, and there's not many Filipino Japanese people around my age, mainly because of, like, that was like World War II time, that our grandparents were kind of coming together. So, I take a lot from both of my cultural backgrounds that kind of helped me determine like, what I do and how I curate, you know, Japanese people are so beautiful at creation and curation and really just like honing a craft and becoming well at it. I take a lot of inspiration from that and try to really do that for myself. But when it comes time to party time, Filipinos. know what is up. And so a lot of my curation of how I plan parties and festivals comes from my Filipino upbringing and what a Filipino family party looked like. You know, tons of food, karaoke, singing, drinking, you know, laughing. Like that is my background and what I want to bring to every festival we produce.   Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:31:40] I love that. And you know, as someone born and raised in the Bay Area who did a lot of theater growing up, I have been to many a Filipino party. They're always amazing. Great, great food, great, uh, singing. Although some content is a bit competitive, but [Laughs].   Gina Mariko Rosales: [00:32:00] Absolutely. You might even see my mom there and then, you know, it's like a big party. She'll just be welcoming everyone at the front.   Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:32:06] That's so sweet. Um, what are three of your like highlights of the festival? Like things that you're really, really looking forward to? Gina Mariko Rosales: [00:32:17] First is basically our Main Dish Palate Pass Experience. That's what we're calling it. And that's basically the 14 to 15 chef pairings with beverage that you're going to get to experience at the main dish. We're really excited because we've paired these amazing chefs. With the multicultural beverage providers creating these collaborations that never existed before. I'm really excited about our opening family meal that is going to be, hosted by Chef Reem Assil of Reem's California. So we're really highlighting the Palestinian family meal experience, which is going to be served family style. So I'm really excited because Chef Reem is just, just a joy that cooks straight from her soul onto the plate. So I'm excited to experience that intimate dinner. And I'm really excited about our Brown is Beautiful after party. So that's the one that's sponsored by like Bacardi and Doucet and Case Tea. So this whole mix of like spirits and also non alcoholic Asian tea and putting together this fashion forward after party experience where people just get to come and enjoy and get down.   Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:33:26] That sounds great. We've talked about the wine and the food and a little bit about the music too and how important that is. I know that there's also a marketplace. What can people look forward to from the marketplace?   Gina Mariko Rosales: [00:33:38] Yeah, we're so excited about featuring about 15 retail vendors who are going to be selling some amazing array of goods. So like jewelry, cookbooks, we're even going to have a vendor doing like massages and chiropractic services. So there's going to be this huge mix of vendors. selling their goods as well, selling some art, selling pastries too. If you can't get enough from the tastings, you can buy extras on the side. So there'll be so much stuff for you to explore in this 40, 000 square foot space at CL.   Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:34:12] Beautiful. Is there anything else that you'd like to share?   Gina Mariko Rosales: [00:34:15] I think the last thing is I just really want people to come as themselves in whatever capacity that is and really just to be ready and open to meet whoever comes along. I know it sometimes can be hard for folks to get out nowadays, can feel really introverted, and we really just want people to feel like they're coming to a giant family party where we're all welcome.   Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:34:38] Amazing. And yeah, I'm sure it is going to feel just like that and so much joy and how important it is in this time to have a space that is centered on joy and, building up our resilience and resistance through just things that are fun and pleasurable and full of culture.   Gina Mariko Rosales: [00:34:57] Absolutely. Yes, absolutely. And centering our cultures and our stories center stage.   Miko Lee: [00:35:03] Next up listen to StayGo from DARKHEART,  A Concert Narrative by singer, & songwriter Golda Sargento playing at Bindlestiff through May   MUSIC   That was the voice of Golda Sargento from the new Filipina|x|o Futurism Punk Rock Sci-Fi  DARKHEART at Bindlestiff thru May.   Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:39:04] Hi, everyone. I'm so happy to be joined by Thuy Trần, the Festival and Exhibitions Director of CAAM, or Center for Asian American Media. Thanks so much for joining me, Thúy.   Thúy Trần: [00:39:15] Thank you for having me. I'm so excited.   Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:39:18] We're so excited too. We're such big fans of CAAM and, you know, long time participants and audience members, what do we have in store for CAAM 2024 this year?   Thúy Trần: [00:39:29] Yes. So CAAMFest is May 9th through the 19th is the leading showcase for Asian American talent and film, food, and music. And we're probably the only festival where you can see this large concentration of Asian American media. So the last few years we've expanded to having multidisciplinary programs with food and music. And what's really important for us is, you know, curating, A holistic and experiential experience for a guest, whether you're a filmmaker, artist or audience member. and so I guess a couple of things that, I feel really excited about this coming year. Of course, we have our opening night this is going to be at a brand new venue, new to Camp Fest, we'll be at the Palace of Fine Arts up in the Presidio and our opening night film is Admissions Granted, by Hao Wu and Miao Wang. and it follows the events leading up to the overturning of affirmative action and all the players that are involved. And, afterwards, there will be the opening night gala at the Asian art museum. We have some amazing chefs. And food vendors confirmed there, including Audrey Tang of Batik and Baker, their Malaysian pastry pop up, Sita's Kamai Kitchen. We also have Patty Liu from Gear of the Snake, another Asian American pop up in Berkeley, and Melissa Chu, who's the pastry chef of Grand Opening. And she used to work at Mr. Ju's. and of course you have music by DJ Dree Lee, who's the resident DJ and organizer of Honey's and Hot Sauce, and you'll frequently see them DJing at Jolene's and, you know, other venues across the Bay Area.   Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:40:59] Incredible. Well, that sounds really exciting. what are some upcoming dates that people need to keep in mind? Are the tickets available already, or what's kind of upcoming?   Thúy Trần: [00:41:07] Dates are available. You can get them online at camfest.Com. and, the dates are May 9th through the 19th, with most of our programming concentrated during the two weekends.   Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:41:17] Perfect. And what's an event or a screening that you personally are really looking forward to?   Thúy Trần: [00:41:22] I'm looking forward to a lot. I mean, of course, our centerpieces are pretty amazing. You know, we have our centerpiece documentary called Q by Jude Chehab. and that one is on May 11th at the SFMOMA, Jude made this film to save her mother, who's been deeply indoctrinated into a mysterious religious order that has has woven through three generations of their matriarchal lineage. Another film that I'm really looking forward to is, Ashima by Kenji Tsukamoto and this is about 13-year-old rock climbing prodigy Ashima. It follows her trying to solve a, I think it was like a grade 14 boulder problem, something really advanced. and she does this with her coach, who's an eccentric retired avant garde dancer who has zero professional climbing experience and also happens to be her father. So it's a really touching, tender documentary. and of course we also have our food programs as well. One of the programs this year highlights, Chef Tracy Koh from Damansara, as well Chef Emily Lim from Davao, Singapore. So they are coming together for a really specially curated menu, celebrating Malaysian and Singaporean cuisine and this will take place on May 14th at Damansara. We also have our Directions in Sound, music concert that's a collaboration with the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, and we are highlighting Tao formerly of Tao in the Get Down, Stay Down, she's a local, Bay Area musician, and she had a CAAM funded documentary called Nobody Dies back in 2017. So we're all really excited about these programs.   Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:42:53] Beautiful. So many fun and exciting things coming up. So many things to do in the Bay. And we'll link to the tickets and all the other information in our show notes, too, for anyone listening who wants to figure out how to get tickets. When you were kind of building up the program for this year and going over all of the submissions, were there any themes or anything that stood out that's kind of maybe unique to this year?   Thúy Trần: [00:43:15] Definitely. This is, in election year. We want folks to go out and vote and also thinking about the social issues that are important to us. So we do have a couple of films that talk a lot about, just empowerment through community building. And so many of our stories come from their personal stories from our chefs. And we're also looking at CAAMFest as, we're shining a light on truth tellers. and thinking how we're lifting the truth of our stories, how these stories are brave and beautiful, bizarre, and they're all true of something, right? They're ours, and they're generous expressions of what impacts us, what matters, and what we long for and imagine. So those two themes were really resonant for us throughout this entire curatorial process.   Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:44:02] That makes so much sense. And I love the films that you highlighted. Jude is one of my really close friends and I can't wait to see her screening here in that year. You're bringing her to the Bay Area. I'm so excited for that. And I saw Ashima in the fall and I love that one too.   Thúy Trần: [00:44:15] Oh, that's so amazing. I know we're flying Jude in from out of the country. So it's going to be really special. We're actually, you know what, her mom is going to be with us as well. I know. So it's going to be really special. Jude was saying that her mom, I think she was only able to make it out for their world premiere at Tribeca. Right. And so we're, yeah, it's going to be, it's going to be really incredible to have both of them on stage.   Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:44:41] Wow, that's gonna be, that is an event that you cannot miss, everyone listening. It's gonna be so phenomenal, and Q is truly breathtaking, as is Ashima, and I'm sure all of the other films that were programmed, and it's just so beautiful to see how diverse and unique and, you know, everything you're talking about our community is, and so much breadth and depth, so thank you so much for hosting this event and bringing us all together.   Thúy Trần: [00:45:06] Awesome. And thank you, Jalena, for again, having me and of course, like all the wonderful work and art that you create.   Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:45:13] Thank you. Is there anything else that you'd like to share before we wrap up?   Thúy Trần: [00:45:16] I just want to say that, you know, everyone is, of course, invited, and I just want folks to know that, yes, lifts Asian American storytellers, but ultimately it's for everyone, it's for the community as a whole, and we really encourage you to bring all of your friends, your family, tell everyone. We really rely on our community bringing folks in. It's a really special time to get folks together too. This is a great way to celebrate Asian American Heritage Month.   Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:45:44] Exactly. And you know, you don't have to be Asian American to celebrate the month and learning about Asian American stories from Asian American storytellers is a great way to do that.   Thúy Trần: [00:45:56] Yes, a hundred percent.   Jalena Keane-Lee: [00:45:58] All right. Thank you so much. Hope you have a great rest of your day.   Thúy Trần: [00:46:01] Thank you.   Miko Lee: [00:46:02] Welcome Cyn Choi to Apex express. We are so happy to have one of the co-founders of Stop AAPI Hate on Apex express.   Cyn Choi: [00:46:12] Thank you so much, Miko, for having me.   Miko Lee: [00:46:14] Can you tell us where Stop AAPI Hate comes from?   Cyn Choi: [00:46:19] Stop AAPI Hate was born out of a crisis moment for our community nearly four years ago when COVID was being racialized we decided to create a reporting center. So we can have everyday people share with us what was happening to them. With that data and those stories, we have been able to establish number one, that this was a pervasive issue that we needed to have a robust response to the different forms of hate and discrimination and harassment that our communities were experiencing. We've used that to advocate for meaningful change and we've done that in a myriad of ways at the grassroots level, policy, local, state, and national level.   Miko Lee: [00:47:04] And you have grown with your collaborators Stop AAPI Hate from a conversation around a table about what was going on in the world into a national movement. What does that feel like for you to be a founder of this?   Cyn Choi: [00:47:17] It's really humbling, and I think what's really important to note is that, of course we have experienced racism, discrimination, ,and violence throughout our history, and it defines our experience in many ways, and that our movement Is robust and diverse, and it's both about we are shaping this country the ideals of a multiracial democracy. And obviously, we have contributed in ways that I think are really important to lift up and to celebrate. And unfortunately, that's not really taught within our public education system. It's not what we talk about within our families. And that is something that I think is really important to note, especially in light of AAPI Heritage Month.   Miko Lee: [00:48:13] Can you tell me a little bit about what AAPINH Heritage Month means to you personally?   Cyn Choi: [00:48:19] I think Heritage Month becomes a time where we get to focus on our history which includes our history of resilience, resistance and solidarity, where we get to in our own words and share with our own stories what that means. It allows. others to have exposure. And so we think that focusing on our heritage and what that all means within the month of May is really just our opportunity to share what that means for us.   Miko Lee: [00:48:49] Thank you for sharing that. I wanna step back and ask a question about you, and I am wondering who you are, who your people are, and what is the legacy that you carry with you from your people?   Cyn Choi: [00:49:03] First and foremost I have to name that I am a daughter of immigrants. My parents came to the United States, to California specifically in the early sixties. And they benefited from the lifting up of really severe restrictions. quotas that allowed my family and so many others so I think that's incredibly important and the legacy of the civil rights movement that really pushed for and advocated for these kinds of changes. It continues to define who I am in terms of how I see the world. And it really does inspire me in terms of my advocacy work. It makes sense that I have been concerned about removing barriers and opening up opportunities for immigrants, for refugees, for women and girls and people who have been traditionally locked out. And so I know that my inspiration and my grounding comes from that. My people, that's an interesting one for me to answer because I'm a part of so many different communities, a community of activists, a community of mothers who wants to raise their children so that they are compassionate I am a part of a community of organizational leaders that is really trying to make sure that whatever we do, we are Thinking seven generations ahead, what are we trying to build? What are we trying to nurture? And for me, that's not just a privilege, but it certainly is a feeling of responsibility. So I'm a part of a lot of communities that make me feel grounded and accountable to.   Miko Lee: [00:50:42] Thank you, Cyn. Can you share with us this new campaign that Stop AAPI Hate is showcasing during our Heritage Month?   Cyn Choi: [00:50:50] We have been working on a new campaign called Spread AAPI Love. It's a project of Stop AAPI Hate, and it's specifically for AAPI Heritage Month. It's a storytelling campaign that amplifies the voices of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. It's about stories of resilience, it's celebration, solidarity, resistance. It's from everyday people, it's from community members. We want to hear from our communities. It's also about highlighting those in our community who represent many of the values that we uphold around solidarity, around unity around justice. and equality and it's about harnessing our joy and power and our cultural pride.   Miko Lee: [00:51:35] What inspired this campaign?   Cyn Choi: [00:51:37] After four years of emphasizing and highlighting the rise of hate and structural racism against our communities, we really wanted to center more affirmative narratives. Of who we are and the power that we have to create change. We are not victims of hate. We are more than a series of tragic headlines. We are a richly diverse group of people. And again that is about joy. It's about our power. It's about our collective power and a celebration of our diversity and with that it is pride and the sense that we have come from somewhere. That we have journeyed, we are still on this journey of establishing belonging, in a sense that we have collective fate and shared fate, not just amongst and within our AAPI communities, but with other communities as well.   Miko Lee: [00:52:31] And what do you hope that the community will understand or walk away with after hearing some of these stories?   Cyn Choi: [00:52:37] One of the things that we're really trying to uplift is, that we have to focus beyond acts of hate, that it is about, as I said, our power and joy, but also that We need to tend to healing from this trauma. We need to be able to sustain ourselves because this work is long term and we also need to uplift the fact that. It's not just visibility. But it's about what do we do in these moments. So it's about mobilizing community members to take action. There's aspects of it where it's about representation. We want to amplify the voices, the many voices and perspectives and experiences. So that our community members feel seen. and heard and represented. Again, it's about healing. So we want to really promote this idea that we can heal, that we can overcome moving from a place of anger to really be anchored in love. from a place of love. And that needs to be our driving motivation. It's about the narrative change. What are the stories that we're able to tell? From our own voice. It's about being affirmative about the richness and diversity of our communities and that we have never been a monolith and that it's important that we also uplift those that tend to be underrepresented within our communities.   Miko Lee: [00:53:59] And how can people get involved in this campaign?   Cyn Choi: [00:54:02] One of the fundamental ways that we're hoping to engage with people is we're going to invite people to share their stories. And so we have a campaign microsite. It's spreadaapilove.org. This is where we're going to feature stories. People can submit stories, video, audio, art, photography. We're going to highlight some amazing people who have turned. A tragedy or an experience of racism into something positive. We also want to just hear everyday stories about what makes you feel proud. What makes you, what do you want to lift up about your experience, your family's history? And it could be something as simple as cooking together. It could be as simple as understanding your family's contribution, whether it's in your local community or in the schools, in your neighborhoods.   Miko Lee: [00:54:53] Cyn, I understand that there has been some research that's been recently released around some of the work of Stop AAPI Hate. Can you share with us about that research and what it says?   Cyn Choi: [00:55:02] Another aspect of our research and data collection is we also do nationally representative surveys. And one of the things that we wanted to learn more about is what really motivates people when it comes to taking action against racial injustice, and our research shows that APS are actually more motivated By positive factors like hope acts of solidarity and cultural pride and some of the statistics that I want to share with you, which was really enlightening to me is when we asked them about if this is motivating 81 percent said that hope for a better future for younger generations was really motivating. It was one of the top 72 percent said that seeing the collective efforts of AAPIs to combat racism, that was number two. And then 69 percent said that feeling strongly connected to their ethnic and racial identity. And so that could take many different forms. And then finally what was a motivating factor? To get involved to take action was, of course, their own direct experiences with hate, and that was roughly a little over 60 percent. And so what that really tells us is that we need to share more affirmative stories about how everyday people are choosing to be grounded in love, to take affirmative steps, to do acts of care, of solidarity to feel that they are doing this as part of a larger movement. And that is really driving in large part our spread API love campaign and the work that we're doing every day.   Miko Lee: [00:56:40] Thank you. It's so important to hear positive stories and hear about the work that's going on in the community. Thank you so much for joining us today. We will put a link to the campaign on our website so people can access this and share their own stories. Thank you so much, Cyn, for joining us today.   Cyn Choi: [00:56:57] Thank you, Miko.   Miko Lee: [00:56:59] Please check out our website, kpfa.org to find out more . We thank all of you listeners out there. Keep resisting, keep organizing, keep creating and sharing your visions with the world because your voices are important. Apex express is produced by Ayame Keane-Lee, Anuj Vaidya, Cheryl Truong, Hien Nguyen, Jalena Keane-Lee, Miko Lee, Nate Tan, Paige Chung, Preti Mangala-Shekar, and Swati Rayasam. Tonight's show was produced by Miko Lee and edited by Ayame Keane-Lee. Have a great night.     The post APEX Express – 5.2.24 – Celebrating AAPINH Month! appeared first on KPFA.

Lisa Marie Smith holds two Master's Degrees in Education from Touro University California, one completed in 2016 and another in 2019 through the Graduate School of Education. She is a special education teacher in the St. Helena Unified School District, where she has served for 15 years. Smith co-owns a pair of businesses in Calistoga with her husband – and is not afraid to clown around when the time is right.

This is the second half of Justine & Jillian's conversation with Jeff Smith, owner of Hourglass Winery in Calistoga, California.  After part of his winery was destroyed by a wildfire, he discusses the importance of storytelling for every business owner. 

Justine & Jillian speak with Jeff Smith, owner of Hourglass Winery in Calistoga, California. Not only was his winery decimated by pandemic shutdowns, in September of 2020 the Glass fire devastated his winery.  About 4 years later, the rebuild is still happening.  His story was changed forever. And he has advice for business owners about how powerful storytelling really is. 

For this episode we are joined by Cody Bova! He is the driver of the #20B | 410 winged sprint car out of Struthers, Ohio. Discussed: Knocking off a win in 2023 with the FAST series Making an appearance at the Eldora Million and Kings Royal What is his schedule for 2024? Ohio tracks and venturing to Pennsylvania, again. A frequent flyer for Italian & Mexican cuisine. And roller dogs!! (Ends around 35:00 minute mark) Stoking the Fire Logan Seavey going for the USAC Triple Crown again. Abacus Racing jumps in the USAC National Sprint Car game. Kokomo and Ocean Speedway schedule release High Limit announces "Fan Fest." Our thoughts on that. A big meeting in Calistoga regarding Calistoga Speedway on Feb. 6th Racing in Florida is getting fired up Attica Raceway Park purse increase Our 2024 schedule (Ends around 1:08:00 minute mark) Feature Finish 25th Annual Modified Winternationals @ East Bay Raceway Park High Desert Hustle (Outlaw carts) @ The Reno Livestock Events Center Central Arizona Raceway USCS sprint cars - Winter Heat rounds 4 & 5 at Hendry County Motorsports Park (Ends around 1:16:00 minute mark) The Smoke More of Charlie's cravings A G.D. Ritzy's revisit Martini night A late night McDonalds run Dave's Hot Chicken Nick's English Hut Two Farmers Burgers - Sunday Funday

Up for episode #127 we have Dillan Baldwin join us! He is the driver of the #67B Race Saver sprint car out of Taylorsville, Kentucky. Discussed: Picking up a win in 2023, and Rookie of the Year for the Indiana Race Saver Sprint Car series 2024 race plans Some of his favorite tracks to race at during his rookie year Turns out, he's a BBQ fan! (Ends around (29:00 minute mark) Stoking the Fire USAC Silver Crown Series makes a debut at a Kansas track USAC National Midget driver announcements Some movement in Calistoga, California for the speedway? Virtual flagman at Lincoln Speedway (PA.) And our thoughts on that. MMSA mini sprint schedule released for 2024 DD results, or lack thereof. (Ends around 52:00 minute mark) Feature Finish 2nd Annual Germfree Southern Sprint Car Showdown @ Volusia Speedway Park (USCS sprints) Lucas Oil Late Model series @ Golden Isles Speedway for the Super Bowl of racing Chowchilla Barnburner (CA) - Saturday 1/27 results The Smoke Naan bread pizzas, and Charlie's frozen dinner of the week Moist. A return to Rounders Too Pizza Steak night Crunch wraps Chicken & Shrimp baskets Longhorn Steakhouse - Outlaw ribeye

Meet Chris Kenefick, the CEO and Second Generation Proprietor of Kenefick Ranch Vineyard & Winery. The Kenefick family has owned the property in Calistoga since 1980. Chris's journey led him from a Napa upbringing to a career in hospitality in Denver. In 2016, he returned to Napa to follow his passion for wine. Over the next five years, Chris delved into national wine sales, gaining comprehensive experience in the vineyard and winery operations. In 2021, he took on the role of CEO after his father's passing, carrying on the family legacy. Chris's unique perspective and passion continue to shape the exceptional wines produced in the Calistoga region, blending tradition with innovation.   Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:  Chris shares the rich history of Kenefick Ranch, dating back to 1980, and his role in leading the family legacy Chris shares insights in the evolution of sales distribution and the transition to direct-to-consumer sales Chris talks about transitioning from selling grapes to producing wine in-house, focusing on small-batch winemaking The discussion includes how contracts with other wineries work in terms of vineyard management and production Discover the dynamics of working with grape growers and the relationships with vineyard partners PR and marketing and strategies used to market Kenefick Ranch Chris introduces their unique virtual tastings and addresses the challenges of not having a physical tasting room while expanding their wine club Chris highlights the vineyard's certifications in Fish Friendly Farming and Napa Green Chris shares his vision for the winery's future and how he envisions the evolution of Calistoga and Napa Chris provides valuable advice for those considering returning to their family wineries   In this episode with Chris Kenefick Join us on an exciting journey through the vineyards of Calistoga as we sit down with Chris Kenefick of Kenefick Ranch Vineyard & Winery. Take a trip down memory lane as Chris shares the rich history of his family's vineyard since 1980. Discover the evolution of Kenefick Ranch's distribution strategies, their foray into small-batch winemaking, and the intricate management of vineyard contracts.  In today's episode of the Legends Behind the Craft podcast, Drew Thomas Hendricks and Bianca Harmon are joined by Chris Kenefick, CEO and Second Generation Proprietor of Kenefick Ranch. Chris sheds light on the family legacy, the challenges of marketing a boutique winery, and the innovative approach of virtual tastings to bring the Napa experience straight to your home. Tune in for insights on sustainable certifications, future winemaking endeavors, and valuable advice for those considering a return to their family's winery roots.   Sponsor for this episode… This episode is brought to you by Barrels Ahead. Barrels Ahead is a wine and craft marketing agency that propels organic growth by using a powerful combination of content development, Search Engine Optimization, and paid search. At Barrels Ahead, we know that your business is unique. That's why we work with you to create a one-of-a-kind marketing strategy that highlights your authenticity, tells your story, and makes your business stand out from your competitors. Our team at Barrels Ahead helps you leverage your knowledge so you can enjoy the results and revenue your business deserves. So, what are you waiting for? Unlock your results today! To learn more, visit barrelsahead.com or email us at hello@barrelsahead.com to schedule a strategy call.

Dan Berger and Jordan Kunde Jason Kunde from Kunde Family Winery joins Steve Jaxon and Dan Berger in the studio today on California Wine Country. Jason's father Jeff was a guest on California Wine Country on this episode back on May 31, 2017. Dan Berger has brought another bottle from his gigantic collection, but this time not from the cellar, because he has just bought it. It is a 2022 Riesling, from Donnhoff in Germany that has some residual sugar, but the wine is not sweet. It has that slate aroma with dried pear and other fruits that Dan likes in this wine. Riesling doesn't take a lot of time in the bottle, necessarily, but if you lose some bottles in your cellar and let it age, Riesling can reward you with magnificent flavors. It comes from the Nahe region, which is a new Riesling production zone. It is available at Bottle Barn at a very favorable price. One of the oldest vineyards in California There have been grapes on the property since the mid 1800s. The first vines that were identified were probably around 1850 and the first Cabernet produced anywhere in the United States that was recognized from a single property dates from 1877, says Dan. The Drummond family was the wealthiest family in the region and they produced the Dunfillan Cabernet. The movie Bottle Shock, about the 1976 Judgement of Paris, was filmed on the Dunfillan property, although the story takes place in France. Click the logo to visit our sponsor Bottle Barn online for the coolest bargains on wine, beer and spirits. Jason has brought a Chardonnay, which they all agree is "bright." He also brought a reserve Chardonnay. The first is a 2021 Sonoma Valley Chardonnay. Served at room temperature this wine shows a beautiful expansive mid-palette. If chilled, it would have a different flavor. The Kunde Estate The Kunde property is a beautiful estate and Jason knows he is fortunate. He is happy now that his parents made him work all the time and learn each aspect of the operation. His house was 100 yards from the vineyard. He and his brother would play roller hockey in the wine cave. To play they would turn off all the power and the game was flashlight tag. The game was also to elude the staff who came to get them for making trouble. Click the logo to visit our sponsor Rodney Strong for up-to-date info on concerts and other events. They did want each sibling to get some experience outside the family company. He worked for two wineries in Calistoga. When he came back, he had some experience to offer. Dan describes the Kunde property, 750 contiguous acres of great looking vineyards, beautifully farmed. Dan notes that it is consistent from block to block. Dan's compliment is that they are a family of farmers who later got into wine. They sell about 70% of their grapes on contract and they keep about 30% to make their own wine. Many of their wines are made in small lots and are only available in the tasting room. The black label 2021 Reserve Chardonnay that they are tasting is a good example of that.

In 2020, Napa Valley experienced its most destructive wildfire ever. Vineyards burned, leaving not only direct damage, but more long lasting impact with wine affected by smoke taint. We hear how the perennial presence of wildfires means local businesses face a harsh reality of living with the risk of fire. Sophie Long visits wine makers who are using inflammable materials to build new wineries, changing growing techniques and using technology to deal with tainted wine. And she meets local residents learning firefighting techniques - all to keep smoke out of your wine glass and the billion dollar industry thriving. Presenter: Sophie Long Producer: Samantha Granville (Image: Burned grapes hang on a damaged vine at a vineyard as the Glass fire continues to burn in Calistoga, California on October 1, 2020. Credit: Getty Images)

Today, we hear the story of San Francisco's twin windmills from our podcst, The Golden Gate Parkcast. Then, we learn about a former cop who bought a castle in the city. And, a reading from Calistoga author Claudia Hagadus Long. And, our local music segment features Berkeley band, Jones Carwash. They are playing at Bottom Of The hill on August 11.

Claudia Hagadus Long lives in Calistoga. Her book, Our Lying Kin, is about stolen artifacts, some insurance fraud, a family scandal, and maybe a murder. It came out on February 28th, 2023.

Episode 56 marks the unofficial start of summer with Pray For Surf 2021 rose from Tank Garage in Calistoga, California. This mourvedre-based blend is the perfect example of the free spirited philosophy behind Tank Garage's brilliance - and emblematic of summer vibes. Pairings include our prayers for warm weather, diced avocado, and some summer facts about berries.

Dan and Tom Tom Eliott, wine merchant and founder of Northwest Wines, joins Steve Jaxon and Dan Berger on California Wine Country. Dan Berger has brought his house white wine for the moment. It comes from Claire Valley, just north of Adelaide in Australia. The brand is JB, Jim Berry Wines. It sells for $11.99 at Bottle Barn. It's called Jim Berry W Riesling. Dan has brought this wine to compare it to Tom Eliott's wines. Tom brings wines in from three regions which are all cool climates. Tom started Northwest Wines in 1985 in Calistoga. Back in 1979 he had a red burgundy which he describes as his first Nirvana moment. “It was transcendental, I had never had a wine like that before.” In 1980 he was a wine buyer at Café Lido in North Beach and he tasted a lot of wine there. André Tchelistcheff used to come in to buy wine in All Seasons market in Calistoga, where he was the buyer. He was a pioneer in bringing the cool climate wines that emphasize acidity and longevity. Click the logo to visit our sponsor Bottle Barn online for the coolest bargains on wine, beer and spirits. In the 80s and 90s he found other similar cool climate wines and built his business on cool climate wines from Oregon, Washington and Germany. When Tom got into the business, there was nobody distributing these wines. The problem was that these wines needed explanation. Dan Berger has known Tom Eliott for close to 40 years. Silvaner in a Bocksbeutel Silvaner in a Bocksbeutel The Silvaner comes in the Bocksbeutel-style bottle. It's a traditional bottle for German wines, and is known in the US as the old Mateus Rosé bottle. German wine country mostly the south west but this Silvaner comes from Franconia, in central Germany. The bottle shape is protected for that region. The best Silvaners in the world are grown here, although it is grown in many countries around Europe. The next tasting is a 2020 Chardonnay, from Cooper Mountain in Willamette Valley. Dan describes it as very delicate and needs some more time in the bottle. It's a wine oriented toward food. It comes from a second-generation family owned vineyard. They were the first winery to be certified organic by Oregon Tilth in 1995, and the first certified biodynamic by Demeter in 1999. Half stainless steel, half neutral oak aged, no yeast added, unfiltered. Dan would decant it and not drink it too chilled. Moving along, they taste the Washington Rosé, Gramercy Cellars 2022 vintage. “Amazing,” says Dan. It's all from a single vineyard in Columbia Valley. They farm the coolest blocks for Rosé, with more shading and a lower brix, so it comes out 13% alcohol. The blend is 50% Cinsault, 25% Grenache and 25% Syrah. Oregon Pinot Noir The final tasting is an Oregon Pinot Noir, Elk Cove 2021 from Willamette Valley. Dan says it has a little bit of black cherry, but not only that. It also has vibrancy. It was planted in 1973 and since then the son and daughter of the original owners are running the winery. They have added vineyards and got certified sustainable. The nose is bright and vibrant.

Our guest this episode of the Cork & Taylor Wine Podcast was born with a wineglass in his hand, and that is the truth you could say as Hugh was born in 1965, the same year that his parents, Jack and Jamie Davies, purchased the abandoned Schramsberg Estate in Calistoga. Hugh grew up among the vines, caves, tanks and barrels that make Schramsberg Vineyards what it is today: the premier producer of American sparkling wines. We had a great time sitting down talking wine with Hugh Davies and tasting the some Schramberg sparkling wines too.Thanks to Silvadore Brands for partnering with the Cork & Taylor Wine Podcast and being the official wine preserver or gas (Argon) provider.Go the link below to get your Silvadore Argon Gas Wine Preserver. Make sure you click FOR YOUR HOME and enter CODE corkandtaylor to receive 10% off your  orderhttps://www.silvadorebrands.com/Also, Welcome Fly With Wine as a new partner of the Cork & Taylor Wine Podcast.Solve the single biggest problem faced by wine country travelers as they follow their dreams of visiting their favorite wineries around the world. How to bring their favorite wines back home with them safely and securely on an airplane so they can be enjoyed while reliving memories with every sip. And so was borne the idea for FlyWithWine. Enter CODE corkandtaylor to receive 10% off your orderhttps://www.flywithwine.com/Don't forget to Subscribe, Rate and Review! Please please It only takes a few minutes and helps me/the show grow. The more subscribers, reviews and rates helps us to get discovered! Also, follow us on our Facebook @corkandtaylor and Instagram accounts @corkandtaylorpodcast.Also, Please consider supporting the show as it would be appreciated. This helps me offset  expenses to continue to run and grow the Cork & Taylor Wine Podcast. Thanks! Lukewww.patreon.com/corkandtaylor

Joel Gott was definitely raised in a wine family. The fourth-generation California vintner, and wine and food entrepreneur was born in Napa Valley and raised in the Sierra Foothills where his parents started Montevina Winery. Joel later moved to Carmel and upon graduating high school went to work for Kenwood Winery in Sonoma County. But his first dive into business wasn't just to start making wine, in fact he and his brother Duncan purchased a small market in Calistoga called Palisades Market. It was there that Joel started to discover what part of the wine business he wanted to make his presence known. Joel and his wife Sarah, (Phelps & Quintessa) started Joel Gott wines in 1996 focused on wines of quality and value. Last year with the purchase of the historic Edge Hill Winery in St. Helena you can expect to see Gott Wines enter the fine wine market. I think you will see that it's done thoughtfully, well planned and something that will make an impact in the future. gottwines.com instagram.com/joelgottwines gotts.com instagram.com/gottsroadside

Glenn Hugo Glenn Hugo, the winemaker at Girard Winery in Calistoga visits California Wine Country with Steve Jaxon and Dan Berger today. Tom Simoneau is also here today. Before working in wine production, Glenn worked in the restaurant industry. He travelled around the country to open restaurants and one of his jobs was to write wine lists. He married and moved to Napa 20 years ago where he learned winemaking from many mentors in the business. Carneros First, they taste the 2021 Girard Chardonnay from Carneros. They decided to use the term “Los Carneros” so as not to favor Napa or Sonoma since they have estate vineyards in both counties. The family grew grapes for a long time and sold them to other winemakers. When they saw those wines win awards, they decided to start making wine themselves. They are located in Calistoga, in a place that Tom Simoneau describes as beautiful and stunning. They are open for tastings by appointment. Click the logo to visit our sponsor Bottle Barn online for the coolest bargains on wine, beer and spirits. Dan Berger got to know Steve Girard very well when he founded the property in the 1980s. It was a very rugged place at first. They used to make dry Chenin Blanc. The brand was off the market for a few years before they started rebuilding it after 2000. Two Ways to Make Zinfandel Next they taste a Zinfandel, blended from various vineyards. The two main ones are in Southeast Napa, about 50 year old vines, and Calistoga vines are about 100 years old. He likes the combination of those two. They each bring something. They use a combination of American, French and Hungarian oak. Dan says Zinfandel does not need a lot of aging and the higher alcohol ones don't age well. Tom says you lose the warm blackberry fruit flavors of Zinfandel which it will lose if it ages too long. There is a difference between wines made for the cellar versus wines made to be opened after 3-4 years. Glenn started working at Provenance Winery for Tom Rinaldi, an influential winemaker in the Rutherford AVA of Napa Valley. He describes a mocha powder note in the fruit that comes from there. Glenn also brought a field blend to taste. They are not sure exactly which varieties are in it.

1st interview to my Napa soiree and had to interview the man himself who almost got me divorced (not really but I hope not right!!)...Jeff Smith from Hourglass Winery in Calistoga joins me in an airstream, first time for this. Great wines and really insightful interview filled with some great stories and only a few laughs.Thanks to Silvadore Brands for partnering with the Cork & Taylor Wine PodcastGo the link below to get your Silvadore Argon Gas Wine Preserver. Make sure you click FOR YOUR HOME and enter code corkandtaylor to receive 10% off your orderhttps://www.silvadorebrands.com/Don't forget to Subscribe, Rate and Review! Please please It only takes a few minutes and helps me/the show grow. The more subscribers, reviews and rates helps us to get discovered! Also, follow us on our Facebook @corkandtaylor and Instagram accounts @corkandtaylorpodcast.Also, Please consider supporting the show as it would be appreciated. This helps me offset  expenses to continue to run and grow the Cork & Taylor Wine Podcast. Thanks! Lukewww.patreon.com/corkandtaylor

We initially decided to visit Oak Ridge Angus to pursue an angle in regard to Bull Sales... it's a fascinating process and not something we'd covered before on this podcast. After some research and my interview with 3rd generation rancher Cheryl LaFranchi, there was a whole lot more to unpack. This episode will be split in two. In the first we'll learn the history of Oak Ridge Angus, how and why they have over a decade long partnership with the Bear Republic Brewery and about the Range to Table Program where they partner with the Redwood Empire Food Bank to provide beef to Northern Californian's who are food insecure. Lastly, we'll talk about their experience with 2019's Kincade Fire which decimated their ranch.In 2 weeks we'll hear about how their 4 Angus bulls did at the Red Bluff Bull and Gelding sale.

Preserved on a glass microscope slide at Michigan State University's Forensic Science department is a small sample of skin, the key piece of evidence, from an infamous 20th century homicide. Whose tissue is it...and who was responsible for their murder? In the archives of California's San Diego Natural History Museum is a collection of 52 birds, all victims of a mysterious epidemic. What killed these creatures? The Sharpsteen Museum in Calistoga, California houses a simple black cooking pot carried by intrepid pioneers on a long and desperate journey. What grisly stew was prepared in this kettle?For even more Mysteries at the Museum, head to discovery+. Go to discoveryplus.com/mystery to start your 7-day free trial today. Terms apply.

Claire Ducrocq Weinkauf is the CEO of Picayune Cellars. She started the business with her good friend Jennifer Roberts because they shared the same love for drinking quality wines and the drive to search for a great value. The two started rescuing distinctive lots from prestigious wineries to make their blend in 2011.  Inspired by the power of a Mouton Rothschild, Claire earned a wine degree in Chile and then traveled to France to work harvest in St. Emilion and the Côte du Rhône. She also owns Claire de Lune Consulting, which focuses on helping fantastic producers, including Matthiasson Wines, Anomaly Vineyards, Morlet Family Estate, Cowhorn Winery, and more, to grow their businesses. In this episode with Claire Ducrocq Weinkauf What power can wine bring to the table? How can it be a medium to eliminate the gap between people and lead them to share their experiences? Wine evokes emotions in people, just like music and art do. It works as the perfect conversation starter, bringing people together. Claire Ducrocq Weinkauf used this theory while setting up her store. In today's episode of the Legends Behind the Craft podcast, Drew Thomas Hendricks and Bianca Harmon sit down with Claire Ducrocq Weinkauf, CEO of Picayune Cellars, as she talks about her journey in winemaking. Claire also shares her profound appreciation of wines. She explains how she managed to bring the winery to its current position and how doing business in Calistoga differs from other states.

Revealing your Character with Dean KarnazesDean Karnazes is an American Ultramarathon Runner and author of:- Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an all night runner- A Runner's High- 50/50- RUN!- The Road to SpartaKarnazes has completed a number of endurance events, mostly running events, but also a swimming event. His most notable achievements include: Ran 350 miles (560 km) in 80 hours and 44 minutes without sleep in 2005.Completed "The Relay", a 199-mile (320 km) run from Calistoga to Santa Cruz, eleven times.Ran a marathon to the South Pole in −13 °F (−25 °C) temperatures without snowshoes in 2002.Ran a marathon in each of the 50 states in 50 consecutive days in 2006.Dean speaks about his passion for running, what it has taught him about both himself and life, and why he believes everyone should give running a marathon a go. Check out Dean's website here - https://ultramarathonman.com Purchase Dean's books here - https://ultramarathonman.com/books ----Full Transcript, Quote Cards, and a Show Summary are available here:https://www.jjlaughlin.com/blog

Revealing your Character with Dean KarnazesDean Karnazes is an American Ultramarathon Runner and author of:- Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an all night runner- A Runner's High- 50/50- RUN!- The Road to SpartaKarnazes has completed a number of endurance events, mostly running events, but also a swimming event. His most notable achievements include: Ran 350 miles (560 km) in 80 hours and 44 minutes without sleep in 2005.Completed "The Relay", a 199-mile (320 km) run from Calistoga to Santa Cruz, eleven times.Ran a marathon to the South Pole in −13 °F (−25 °C) temperatures without snowshoes in 2002.Ran a marathon in each of the 50 states in 50 consecutive days in 2006.Dean speaks about his passion for running, what it has taught him about both himself and life, and why he believes everyone should give running a marathon a go. Check out Dean's website here - https://ultramarathonman.com Purchase Dean's books here - https://ultramarathonman.com/books ----Full Transcript, Quote Cards, and a Show Summary are available here:https://www.jjlaughlin.com/blog

Well known within the school district and Rotary Club, Kevin and his spouse Mary have attended and supported almost all Calistoga civic organizations, fundraisers and events over the years.  His dog Cosmo, often seen with Kevin in town, is almost as well known and ... respected...  Stepping out of those well traveled grooves Kevin is now running for Calistoga City Council at a time when many significant debates, events, and decisions will come before the city.  Here, we hopefully learn more about Kevin and what motivates him.

Ed McGrath from Ace Cider and Adam Ray, founder of Beer City are both guests on Brew Ha Ha with Harry Duke and Herlinda Heras. We have had Ed McGrath on Brew Ha Ha most recently on this July 2020 episode. Brew's News with Herlinda is sponsored by the Beer City Festival, which was going to be in Calistoga in November this year but instead will be held Easter weekend, April 16th, 2023. Also, Santa Rosa will have a Beer City festival on February 25th, 2023, downtown in Old Courthouse Square. They begin the show by christening the new KSRO studio with an heirloom cider. It's a dry cider that tastes a bit different every year. It is 9% ABV, Herlinda calls it "sneaky." Gravensteins! This is an heirloom cider made from local Gravenstein apples. The French ciders have less alcohol and uses more traditional cider apples. During Prohibition all the American cider apples were chopped down because they're not for eating. Today there is a west coast style cider, called Blackjack, made from west coast apples. There are also distinctive ciders coming from New York and Michigan. Ace Cider founder Jeffery House has been a guest on Brew Ha Ha before. Visit our sponsor Victory House online for their latest viewing and menu options. They have another cider called Ace High, a card playing reference. It is semi dry and has subtle fruit flavors. Ace doesn't add food coloring or sugars so the colors are all natural. Blueberry doesn't give color, so the other berries do. Beer City is less than a year old. Adam Ray tells about how the idea started in Santa Rosa, about how to create an attraction. Ed McGrath is happy to have introduced cider to more people than anybody. Cider is gluten free, since there is no grain. Russian River Brewing Co. is open in Santa Rosa on 4th St. and at their big Windsor location. Visit their website for up-to-date hours, menus, beers and more info. Cider for Thanksgiving Cider is the perfect pairing for a lot of Thanksgiving foods; not the sugary non-alcoholic kind, but the real fermented cider. Ace has also made a seasonal pumpkin cider (although the pumpkin is nearly flavorless and what we are actually tasting in all of these things is the spices, not the pumpkin). Hendrick Verspecht Brew Ha Ha gets a visit from Hendrick Verspecht from cuVer Brewing. He has been on Brew Ha Ha before. Today he brought some beer to the studio. He brought their three Belgians. Pepperwood Saison, a Belgian Saison with meyer lemon peel and bay leaf, and two types of Belgian abbey ales, a golden one and a dark one.

Napa Chardonnay, a game changer, 50 vintages, Bo knows wine, Labor Day Massacre and interview with Bo Barrett, owner & CEO of Chateau Montelena in the Calistoga AVA of Napa. ON THE ROAD with MR CA WINE is about California's cool, aspirational lifestyle and awesome wines hosted by Chuck Cramer, a California native, living in London and is the Director of European sales & marketing, Terlato Wines. This is a wine journey covering the hottest topics in CA wine, chatting along the way with the experts who make it all happen. This week's episode includes an interview with Bo Barrett, owner & CEO of Chateau Montelena in Napa. 

Welcome back to another episode of The Everyday Wine Aficionado Podcast! Today let me introduce you to Jesse and Aaron Inman, Owners and Winemakers at Lucky Rock Wine Co. Jesse Inman had what one might euphemistically refer to as humble beginnings. After wandering around California and Europe in search of inspiration outside of art and drinking, he joined August Briggs Winery in 2006. After nearly 16 years of making wine for several different brands, including a few of his own. Aaron Inman was introduced to Sonoma County when he visited his winemaker uncle in Calistoga, Napa Valley. During his visits, he realized he would move to Santa Rosa and attend the Junior College there during his teenage years.He became passionate about winemaking and considered pursuing an enology degree at UC Davis or Fresno State. Instead, he enrolled at Santa Rosa Junior College. Jesse and Aaron have decided to make great wines with an emphasis on inclusivity rather than exclusivity. In other words, making wine less intimidating while providing a product that people can support is the driving force behind Lucky Rock Wine Co. Let's dive into their wine story!   [00:01 – 7:22] Opening Segment Aaron and Jesse shares their wine origin story Catching the winemaking bug and starting a winemaking company   [7:23– 17:13] The Origins of Lucky Rock Wine Co. Creating a specialized brand that caters to high-end wine enthusiasts Rebranding the business to reflect what personal mission and goals Knowing why you are different and what make you unique    [17:14 – 40:18] Our Wines Show Our Uniqueness Maintaining quantity of sales without sacrificing the quality of the wine  Discovering vineyards that are the gems in the rough Customers might feel more connected to what they're buying if they know the vineyard and wine's history Wine is supposed to make people happy as they drink it  Be clear in your marketing and message so customers understand why they should buy your product   [40:19 – 42:59] Closing Segment Learn everything you need to grow your wine, business, or brand with Wine Business Bootcamp where I help other wine producers master the fundamentals of digital marketing, nail their customer experience, and convert more wine tasters into their wine clubs and other offers. Just send me a dm or email at kris@krislevy.comwith the subject: Wine Business Bootcamp Favorite Wine Sauvignon blanc Edmunds St. John Bone-Jolly Gamay  Favorite go-to pairing Gumbo with a good Pinot Napa with steak and ribeye Wine Resource Wine Seminars Self learning through wine magazines and other resources  Connect with Jesse and Aaron Instagram: @luckyrockwineco, @messybob Youtube: Lucky Rock Wine Lounge Website: https://luckyrockwineco.com/   Let's continue the Everyday Wine Conversations and connect with me through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or feel free to shoot me an email at kris@krislevy.co. You can also check out my website at ​www.​klevywineco.com. TELL US WHAT YOU THINK! LEAVE A REVIEW + help us get the word out there! Share this podcast to someone who wants to join the wine conversations. Go ahead and take a screenshot, share this to your stories, and tag me on Instagram!  JOIN THE CLUB through this link and handpick wines every month, from up and coming wineries, winemaker owned brands and wineries with unique stories while supporting those wineries directly. You can also join our Facebook Group to connect with other wine lovers, get special tips and tricks, and take your wine knowledge to a whole new level.   Tweetable Quotes: “My advice to people is make sure you know why you're different.” - Aaron Inman “It's not supposed to be the most sophisticated wine in the world. it's meant to make people happy while they're enjoying it.” - Jesse Inman      

Greg's broadcasting from Myrtle Beach! Chris clears his throat! MI6 agents in parrot suits! Heat signatures! ALSO: Lacrosse Corner™️ PLUS: Cold brew makes Greg says "Calistoga," a youtube guy talks about pipes, and a beautiful song of the week by Chris Whitley.Chris Whitley - Mountain Side: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MSjBmmZ6TA

On today's episode Ashley and Josh are live from Calistoga with Celia Anaya - Licensed Aesthetician, Waxing Specialist and Business Owner in San Francisco all about becoming laser focused on the things that matter, and letting the rest go. Also discussed in this episode:Dr. Oz's Anti-Aging TheoryHow Rejection = Healthy RedirectionCelia's 11 Year Relationship SecretsModern Society's Social Media PressureHandling Family Pressure with GraceHow Being Selective About Your F*ucks Equals Being Centered and Grounded Instagram Ad TipsKnowing Your AudienceAttracting Ideal Clients How Instagram Can Be a Creative ExpressionPlaying the Long Game in BusinessPrioritizing Your F*cksTangible Tips from Celia to Effortlessly Let GoGiving Yourself a RaiseHonorable Mentions:@indianspringsresort@dr_oz@markmanson@drsusandavid@reneerouleau@brenebrown@luxuryskinscottsdale@ocwaxing@samssocialclub@regiisovaloungeFind Celia: @waxaddict on InstagramBook with her in San Francisco: https://www.vagaro.com/waxaddictCelia's first Guest Feature Episode - https://www.buzzsprout.com/1745482/8766068-setting-yourself-apart-charging-your-worthEmotional Agility Book by Susan David -https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B016JPTPDW&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_7C5NE2PVM89G68SMDK0MOprah's Master Class w/ Usher - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oprahs-master-class-the-podcast/id1401057414?i=1000429836329&mt=2Golden Experience Guide(Rock Your Retail)(Schedule Your Success)https://goldenexperienceguide.mykajabi.com

Most people know Calistoga has a famous Fourth of July parade, and another December Tractor Parade.  But "The Horrible Parade" used to characterize the town, and is remembered now for its irreverent, politically incorrect and often raunchy humour.  Paul Ingalls, born in Calistoga, recites for us many of the stories of this seminal period in Calistoga's history, and which even today is woven into the fabric of the town.

After ten long, momentous and often difficult years, Mayor Canning has chosen to not run for re-election.  As he enters the last quarter of his term as mayor, he reflects on the Calistoga of then, and now, the highs and lows of his leadership, and perhaps indirectly what it was that had him regularly re-elected by Calistogans during such turbulent times.

After a Pandemic Podcast hiatus, Season Two begins : Gary Kraus, sitting Calistoga City Council member, is the first to declare candidacy to succeed current Mayor Chris Canning who will not run in the November election.  Gary has been serving the city since 1999 when he arrived in Calistoga, and is widely known across the city.  Here, he addresses what motivates him and why he is running for mayor.

Vann Duke is a celebrated fitness trainer, life coach, and commercial actor (check out his latest Jeep commercial).  He trains and coaches people in the "Second Half of Life." Once voted “top trainer in the Bay Area” by the Guardian, Vann's committed to his clients looking and feeling their best —whether that's Oscar-winning superstars, like Viola Davis, or the less famous but equally hardworking second half'ers.Vann splits his time between France and Calistoga, California. This juxtaposition of cultures has informed his view on everything. Vann has led international workshops (even a few with Dr. Jim) that have been described as transformative and life changing. He is currently offering a special program called “Jump Start” that involves a fitness assessment, customized training, coaching, and tools for “ageless aging” (a salient termed coined by Maddy Dychtwald). Though at first blush Vann and Dr. Jim may appear at odds— with Vann focused on getting people off the couch and Dr. Jim inviting them back on — they both strive to maximize their clients' true potential, and share some insider tips on how to make that happen.WCMI networking group A networking group for mindfulness-focused clinicians dedicated to learning together & collaborating for more information click here

Recorded in May 2020, this episode is the last of Season 1.  Mitch Celaya has  (even now in 2022) headed our Police Department for many years and has provided clear leadership through interesting times.  He speaks of his background, which enables him to view the many constituencies of Calistoga with understanding and empathy.

In Episode #83, Sarah interviews winemaker Claire Ducrocq Weinkauf to learn more about being a negociant in northern California. Claire lives in Calistoga, California and makes a wide array of incredible wines. She focuses on old world styles but adds her own flare to build a unique flavor profile. In addition to winemaking, she owns a retail merchantile where she sells her wines and an odd assortment of other gifts and specialties. It's a great episode and you don't want to miss hearing Claire's incredible passion for winemaking and her unique journey that landed her in California! Listen now on Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Podcasts and don't forget to subscribe to the show to give your support! Sign up for my newsletter here and get a free guide to Food & Wine Pairing! >> thewineceo.com Email: Sarah@thewineceo.com  Instagram: @thewineceo Facebook: @sarahthewineceo ---- Today's Guest: Claire Ducrocq Weinkauf Picayune Cellars Website Picayune Cellars Instagram Picayune Cellars Facebook

Sterling Vineyards: Spotlight on Napa Valley's Premier WineryNapa Valley is world-renowned for its wine, and Sterling Vineyards is one of the most iconic wineries in the area. I had the opportunity to interview Lauren Kopit, winemaker at Sterling Vineyards, for the Obsessed with Wine podcast this week. In this post, I want to share some of the insights she shared with me about the winery and Napa Valley's wine industry. Stay tuned for my podcast episode featuring Lauren which is available Saturday, July 9th!Sterling Vineyards - Napa ValleyPanoramic ViewsSterling Vineyards is a historic hilltop winery in the town of Calistoga, CA. Sterling separates itself from wineries on the valley floor with its brilliant white stucco and aerial tram.  The aerial tram carries visitors from the parking lot to the entrance of the winery that sits atop a volcanic hill 300 feet above the Napa Valley.  This elevation offers visitors stunning panoramic views of the Napa Valley making it one of the most visited wineries in the Napa Valley wine country.  Change of ownershipSterling founder Peter Newton produced the first vintage in 1969 after establishing the winery in 1964.  Peter Newton designed the winery to resemble a place originating from the Greek island Mykonos.  The winery's towers house eight bells that came from London's church where Perter Newton was born.  The winery was eventually purchased in 1977 by The Coca-Cola Company and then it was sold again in 1982 to Seagram before it was purchased by Diageo in 2001.  Finally, Sterling Vineyards was purchased by the Australian wine giant Treasury Wine Estates in 2016.  The Glass Fire Unfortunately, the aerial tram and parts of the winery were damaged in the Glass fire.  The Glass Fire started on September 27, 2020, and damaged many wineries in the Napa/Sonoma area including the Sterling Vineyards winemaking facilities.  Sterling is currently undergoing needed renovations including a new state-of-the-art winery that will be one of the most technologically advanced and sustainable wineries in California once it is completed. The new winery will use 50% less water than traditional winemaking practices and will generate its own energy using solar panels.   Construction has been slow due to the availability of materials as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic but the winery plans to re-open by the Summer of 2023.  In the meantime, the wine is being made at Berringer, another winery owned by Treasury.  Lauren Kopit - WinemakerSterling Vineyards' winemaking is in the capable hands of Senior Winemaker Harry Hansen and winemaker Lauren Kopit.  I had the opportunity to interview Lauren for my podcast Obsessed with Wine and she was very complimentary of her time at Sterling Vineyards where she has worked for over seven years.  Lauren was quoted as saying “I was at Sterling one week and I knew I wanted to work here forever”.  I asked her about that comment and she noted that she gets to work with some of the smartest minds in wine and she really feels like the winemaking team is a family.  Right now she can't imagine working anywhere else.   Like many people working in wine in the Napa Valley, Lauren went to college at UC Davis where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in microbiology before returning for her master's degree in Viticulture & Enology.  She says her first wine job was as a Harvest Lab Intern at Franciscan Estates where she worked with V. Sattui winemaker Jason Moravec when they were both interns.  Lauren's wine journey took her to Matchbook Wine Company as a Lab Technician and then to Turkovich Family Wines as a tasting room associate while she finished college.  She then moved

I moved from San Francisco to New York, in February 2019, back before it was cool to turn tail on the tech mecca. Truth be told, I’ll always have a special place in my heart for San Francisco, but my girlfriend beckoned from Brooklyn.I’m writing this from my flight back to New York after over a week in SF. I spent much of it in an Airbnb next to Mr. Pickle’s on Van Ness Avenue and then a few days crashing at a fellow tech reporter’s apartment in the Outer Richmond. I ate Mission Chinese and La Taqueria, drank at Brass Tacks and The Monk’s Kettle, and made it up to Calistoga for a picturesque vineyard wedding.But did I spend any time working for you, dear reader? Yes, not to worry. I spent my days shuttling from South Park to the Presidio, catching up with venture capitalists, founders, tech media insiders, and senior tech executives. And I spent my nights getting drunk with them, eager for looser lips.Here are my key immediate takeaways:One source told me that even Insight Partners — which announced a $20 billion fund in February — has decided to seriously slow down big late stage private investments. Until recently, Insight looked like one of the last holdouts when it came to doing late stage deals even as the market unraveled. But now, like pretty much everyone else, it’s mostly focused on its existing portfolio.VC advice on the downturn — even Sequoia Capital’s presentation to founders — has felt too much like content marketing. For some startup CEOs it can feel a bit like you’re the goody two-shoes, “A” student in the classroom, when the teacher reprimands everyone. You think the rebuke applies to you, but really the message is meant for the troublemakers. But it’s the most diligent among us that take these admonitions personally. Founders need advice specific to their company. There’s a sense that there have been many software engineers who have been overpromoted in the bull cycle and that this downturn could force some coders to reset their expectations about their appropriate rank and pay.I spent much of my time asking sources what the overarching, thematic story of the downturn would be. One venture capitalist gave me my favorite answer: He argued that we’d look back on this downturn as a story of the perfect storm between retail and professional investor excesses. On the retail side, we saw the rise of Robinhood and Coinbase, and r/wallstreetbets trades on Kodak and GameStop. On the professional side, we saw firms like SoftBank and Tiger go so, so long without enough diligence to back it up.If I had to name a couple companies/firms that I think are most likely to represent this downturn, right now I’d name Instacart, Coinbase, Robinhood, GoPuff, Bird, Tesla, Tiger, and SoftBank. Though, right now, I think increasingly crypto is looking like it will be the category most associated with this cycle’s excesses.There’s been a lot of envy in traditional startup world of people who went over to the the crypto dark side. Now there’s all sorts of schadenfreude going on as crypto prices plummet. Some VCs are starting to admit (mostly in private) that they never really believed in crypto. Still, there’s so much money. Just as I was leaving the city, Coinbase announced that it was brutally laying off 18% of its staff, locking them out of their emails before they even had time to say goodbye.We’re overdue for a reckoning over who screwed over credulous investors with implausible SPAC deals. ~cough~ Chamath ~ cough ~ At least, Brad Gerstner’s Altimeter led the PIPE on its own terrible Grab SPAC deal. Andreessen Horowitz still remains, probably, the biggest nemesis of many firms in Silicon Valley. Sure, Tiger blew up the startup world. But what Tiger did was so unlike anything venture capital firms were doing, so there’s less professional jealousy. There are whispers that things aren’t as copacetic internally at a16z as might appear from their highly choreographed public communications. It would seem that part of the explanation for the explosion of funds at the firm has been the explosion of egos. Instead of resolving interpersonal conflicts on the consumer fund, let’s just create a gaming fund. In that light, it’s pretty amazing that the firm couldn’t figure out a way to keep Katie Haun. Consumer investing across the board seems challenged. What’s going on over at Popshop, Lunchclub, Cameo, and Clubhouse just to name a few? I guess investors simply wishing consumer investing into being without a strong new thesis wasn’t exactly an omen for the sector’s inevitable success. (I will say that Whatnot and BeReal remain two consumer plays that I’m still following.) What will it mean for this generation of consumer investors? Benchmark’s next generation consumer investor, Sarah Tavel, seems to have made her best investment in business-to-business company Chainalysis, last valued at $8.6 billion. Speaking of Benchmark, the firm deserves some credit for holding firm on its strategy as other venture firms’ fund sizes got crazy. Sure, Benchmark probably could have made way more money if it topped up its own investments — but then it might be taking the heat that Benchmark favorite Altimeter is getting right now over its overexuberance. There’s money and reputation to manage. Benchmark has always made enough money to value its reputation. (That’s something Travis Kalanick, Adam Neumann, Nirav Tolia, etc. surely gripe about.)Last year’s hype around venture capital firms indefinitely holding onto private companies long after they go public is looking like pure bubble thinking. Sequoia’s timing on its all-in-one, hold indefinitely “The Sequoia Capital Fund” looks a little more like one of the excesses from the bull market. But limited partners seem too afraid to do anything to unwind the strategy shift that seems designed to enrich the firm’s general partners. (Reach out to me if you have off-the-record intel on this.)Investors are dramatically slowing the pace of their investments. These funds are going to last years longer than they would have in bull times. Multi-stage investors seem more inclined to double-down on their existing portfolio companies than to make new bets. Bridge rounds are on everyone’s lips. Still, I heard from investors who had made secret Series B and C investments in companies this year. It’s a good time to make a bet on a company that got away for a hype-y Series A round.Startup founders think prospective employees want assurances that their company is really worth what the company says it is. Good private unicorns are in a bit of a bind. Prospective employees are now automatically giving their equity offers a mental haircut based on the market downturn. So good companies have an incentive to reaffirm their valuations with funding rounds during the downturn — even if it otherwise might be smarter to keep their valuations artificially low so as to maintain room to grow should conditions worsen. (I wish employees would get better at assessing companies based on fundamentals, rather than the last tick fundraising round. Employees are basically begging founders to maximize for valuation, which then minimizes employee upside.)Some small-to-medium sized companies are shopping themselves to their rival startups but it’s not always clear why the competitor would want to buy. Why take on additional burn and headcount when all you might end up getting is leads on some new customers? Sure, you might do some venture capital firm a favor, but what’s that really worth?There are some cracks in up-start media world. The most obvious tremor is at BuzzFeed where the stock has sunk 54% in a month. Reporters have been leaving in droves. Meanwhile, The Information lost one of its top editors — Martin Peers. He’s long been a central figure over there. The Information’s up-and-coming venture capital reporter Berber Jin departed to the Wall Street Journal, as did Sarah Krouse who will be covering Netflix for the Journal. Stephen Nellis returned to Reuters. Meanwhile spirits seem strong at my former employer, Bloomberg. The ascendance of the player-coach editor seems to have people upbeat. Sarah Frier is leading big tech coverage and Lucas Shaw (who has been a guest on Dead Cat) is running the show on Hollywood coverage. And somehow Bloomberg just lured back a former star reporter who had left to join the startup ranks: Alex Barinka — who left Bloomberg as a deals reporter to help launch Imran Khan’s Verishop before going over to Stitch Fix — is joining Frier’s team as a social media reporter based in LA. Next week I’m in Toronto for Collision where I’ll be interviewing Uncork Capital’s Andy McLoughlin, Real Ventures’ Janet Bannister, and Left Lane Capital’s Vinny Pujji on a panel Wednesday called “Survival of the leanest: The importance of being capital efficient.” Then, less than an hour later I’ll interview General Catalyst’s Hemant Taneja about responsible innovation. On Thursday, I’ll ask “Has the tech bubble burst... again?!” in a panel with FirstMark’s Matt Turck, Lux’s Deena Shakir, and Neo Financial’s Andrew Chau. Expect the most interesting tidbits in this newsletter late next week.Talking about Chesa Boudin on Dead CatMy first meeting in San Francisco started with a tour of The San Francisco Standard, the Michael Moritz-funded local news enterprise. My old editor Jonathan Weber — once the editor of tech media dot-com icon The Industry Standard — is the editor-in-chief over at the SF Standard. Weber, Dead Cat co-host Tom Dotan, and I met up for a nice dinner at The Morris in the Mission. After spending the evening discussing San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin’s recall, Tom and I convinced Weber to come on the Dead Cat podcast and talk about the Standard and San Francisco politics.Tom thinks I’m going to get eviscerated by San Franciscans for my politics. This is something we’ve never seen before: a New Yorker opining on San Francisco local affairs. I did my best to offend conservatives and liberals alike, maligning the police while rooting for tech’s ascendant influence on San Francisco politics. Weber makes the case for objective, follow-the-reporting local news and outlines the real issues underpinning the recall. He explains how money is simultaneously to blame and not to blame for Boudin’s recall. And he defends the Standard against its critics for its influential story on Boudin’s refusal to make drug arrests. We interrogate what Boudin’s defeat means for the future of progressive politics and the city of San Francisco.Give it a listen.Read the automated transcript. Get full access to Newcomer at www.newcomer.co/subscribe