Girls of the golden west gathered last week for lunch on the wharf. Not only did the weather cooperate for an outing with my mom and aunts — Boulder Creek girls all — but we found ourselves joined for a schmoozefest by surfer/philanthropist George Ow Jr (George and I were both born in the stately building now known as Branciforte Plaza) and historian/filmmaker Geoff Dunn (one of the Stagnaro clan).
Turns out my aunt Virlyne (more…)
Oyster scene @ Soif – We checked it out last Monday, and especially loved the kumomotos and the sensuous, briny kusshis – accompanied by a light, crisp and lively Muscadet, 2008 Domaine de la Pepiere from the Loire Valley. Yes, the ultra-fresh oysters – served with a Cava mignonette as well as spicy cocktail sauce – are steep, ranging from $1 for the plump Evening Coves, to $2.50 each for the coveted Kusshis.
BUT, with bread you could make a decent light dinner of (more…)
Through April 30 catch the vibrant coastal landscapes on exhibition at the new Davenport Gallery.
Works by Ray Ginghofer, Peter Loftus (shown here), Brian Rounds, Frank Galuszka and Claire Thorson help to create technical expressionist synergy. The rich colorwork of the landscapes played lively counterpoint to large-scale experimental black and white images by photographer Steve Laufer.
After the opening reception last week, we went next door to the Roadhouse (still haunted by the sweet ghost of the New Davenport Cash Store) and enjoyed some excellent salmon.
Curated by bronze sculptor Steve Rudzinski, the current Davenport Gallery show provides a great excuse to cruise up Highway One and savor the mustard in bloom along the north coast.
Rare salmon on polenta made
the perfect finish to a day in Davenport.
Shiva Paintstiks are the designer version of largescale crayons for professional artists. Think of oil paints in stick form and you’re there. Thing is, they require some practice to really achieve a good result. That’s where Andy Lenz comes in. Longtime local artist and paintstik maestro, Lenz will provide a free, in-store demo of these intriguing art tools, this Saturday, April 24, from 1-3pm, at (I think you probably already know where) – at Lenz Arts, 142 River Street.
Here’s an example (l.) of how compelling paintstick artwork can look from the hand of a master. This is part of the on-going oeuvre of Philadelphia artist Susan Moore, most of whose output for the past decade has been created using oil stick techniques.
A book of sensory adventure: The rituals, passions and discoveries of an engaged life.