Sheri Baer, Author at Punch Magazine

The Bravemaker

Words by Johanna Harlow / Cover photo: Courtesy of Erin Ashford

Actor, screenwriter and director Tony Gapastione doesn’t lob softball films out into the world. Whereas major film studios might play it safe with gratuitous action flicks and lightweight rom-coms, this Redwood City creative will always reach for meatier subject matter.

Take his feature-length film, Last Chance Charlene, the tale of a struggling screenwriter/actress who has recently lost her brother. The movie touches on hard-hitting subjects like the grieving process and the aftermath of suicide—but tough topics don’t scare Tony. “I’m passionate about that,” he says.

“Let’s get better at having hard conversations.” The mindset has paid off.
Tony managed to recruit Alley Mills, the well-known Wonder Years actress (and recent widow) as Charlene’s mother. Moreover, the film drew attention from Cinequest, earning it a debut in this year’s lineup.

The movie has also given Bay Area talent numerous opportunities to shine. “The big studios aren’t going to make these smaller films,” observes Tony. And because they prefer to play it safe with their investments… “They’re going to pass over and miss out on newer talent, newer voices.” But Tony is comfortable with risk. After all, pursuing a filmmaking career this far north of Hollywood isn’t for the faint of heart.

Photogrophay: Courtesy of Bravemaker

Perhaps another reason for the independent film’s success resides in how near to heart the storyline hits for its creator. Before screenwriting or directing, Tony concentrated purely on acting—but that changed after his grandmother took her life in 2012. “I was in a tailspin,” he says of the traumatic time. The following year, he dedicated some of the money she’d left him toward attending his first Sundance Film Festival. The experience was life-altering. “I was floored, inspired, weak in the knees,” he recalls. “I came back from Sundance 2013 going, ‘I can make a movie.’” That same year, he shot his first short film.

By 2018, Tony had formed BraveMaker, a nonprofit dedicated to elevating bold stories and underrepresented voices. “We curate and create original films in order to have community dialogues about life’s most meaningful topics,” he explains. With the aim “to ask questions that start good conversations,” he produced a number of memorable short films. Last Chance Charlene is the organization’s first feature-length project, with several more in the works. In July, the movie will also screen at BraveMaker’s annual Film Fest in Redwood City. Initially launched in 2019, this year’s event will feature Alley Mills, Jeffrey Lieber (co-creator of Lost) and Angela Harvey (a staff writer on Teen Wolf).

Beyond its entertainment value, Last Chance Charlene is meant to be a resource. Previously the pastor and creative director at Peninsula Covenant Church (a position he held for 20 years), Tony views filmmaking as another way to nurture souls. “Obviously, this is a different part of my story, but I believe this is my ministry,” Tony shares.

To that end, BraveMaker recruited grief consultants to shed light on the subject of loss and create companion guides for viewers of the film. “One of the things the grief counselor said is, ‘Charlene’s got way more levels of grief than just her brother,’” Tony points out. She’s also grieving relationship strains, the guilt of not being a present parent and rejections of her script. What’s more, the film shows the complex nature of grief with a sister, a wife and a mother all grappling with loss in their own individual ways. “There’s no right way to grieve,” Tony notes. “Charlene even says, ‘I don’t know how to do it.’”

Nowhere is this complexity more present than a scene in which Charlene overreacts to being duped by another character. “This is grief. It’s up, it’s down, she’s crying, she’s hitting her head,” Tony says. “It’s painful and it’s ridiculous all at the same time.” In this raw moment, Charlene’s friend Dino comes alongside her. He sees Charlene sprawled out on her back—and lays his head next to hers in a poignant act of solidarity. “I wrote him as a kind of symbolic brother,” Tony relays.

Photogrophay: Courtesy of Michael Dhanuwidjaja

That support system happened not only on-screen, but behind the camera as well. During filming, Tony recalls wrapping up a multiple-hour shoot—only to discover a glaring continuity error. Overwhelmed by the setback, he left the set to clear his head. “My assistant director Felipe Barandiaran was walking alongside me. And he’s like, ‘Okay, just breathe,’” Tony shares. “He said, ‘Okay. Let me tell you a story. In 1974, when Steven Spielberg was making Jaws, the mechanic shark wasn’t working, and this is what they had to do…’” It brought Tony’s stress levels right down. “We’re going to make it work,” he realized.

In turn, Tony supported his leading lady Allison Ewing as she tackled the emotionally-demanding role of Charlene. “Allison, as an actor, needed to find a way into Charlene,” Tony explains. As she grew in her understanding of the character, she brought depth to her portrayal. “I love watching what an actor does with my words. I like seeing how they take it beyond what I thought,” he shares. “In filmmaking, we often talk about how there’s so many different versions of the movie: the one you write, the one you shoot, the one you edit. There’s also the one that the actors bring to life and seeing how they bring nuance to the character and how they reinterpret lines.”

Photogrophay: Courtesy of Michael Dhanuwidjaja

So what makes it all worth it? Why keep plowing forward despite the challenges of indie filmmaking? Tony considers this, glancing around his studio/office, a love letter to the cinematic artform with decorative reels and film festival photos adorning the walls and a “make cool sh!t” mug flanking the Keurig machine. His bookshelves include The Subversive’s Guide to Independent Filmmaking, Creative Confidence, and The Reel Truth. “Stories change the world,” he replies. “And I think one of the ways they do it is through healing. Stories heal us.”

Catch A Wave

Words by Emily McNally

On a cool, sunny day at Surfer’s Beach in El Granada, Ella Catalano-Dockins, the owner of Blue Swell Surf School, gathers a group of beginners around her. “You have to believe you can stand up,” she encourages. “It takes confidence to make it happen.”

At just 20 years old, Ella is young to be heading up a business that teaches groups and individuals of any age to catch waves, but she has years of valuable experience behind her. A successful competitive surfer throughout her teen years, Ella started surfing for the Half Moon Bay school district when she was 11 and is a former instructor at Pillar Point Harbor Surf School.

Now, having launched Blue Swell Surf School with her sister Lily and her mother Cristina, she runs the only women-owned and -operated surf school on the San Mateo County coast. “I feel like that makes us special,” Ella states, adding that she is ready to share her deep love of surfing with a larger population. “I just start where people are comfortable and work from there. Surfing is for everyone.”

Ella’s coastal roots run both local and deep. “We grew up here. My grandparents still live in the house my dad was raised in. Montara Beach was our playground, and I remember my mom making me run up and down the dunes to wear me out when I was a kid,” she says. Ella adds that her mother is originally from Sarasota. “So I have beach people on both sides of my family,” she notes with a smile.

In spite of those early ties to beach life, Ella didn’t gravitate to surfing until she broke her arm when she was ten. “I couldn’t play softball anymore,” she recounts. “It was a year before I could hit a ball again, so I was bouncing off the walls.” Her dad sent her to the beach with Ion Banner, a longtime family friend and Mavericks legend whom she credits with helping shift her focus. “Anything new I’ve ever done on the water, from jet ski rescues to toe surfing, he’s been there to support me,” she says.

Ella grew her confidence in the water at Junior Lifeguards of Half Moon Bay, a demanding summer program where kids aged 9 to 15 learn the critical elements of water safety. “I learned all the important basics,” she summarizes. “How to rescue, doing CPR, what to pay attention to when you’re on the water, like swells and riptides.” As a young teenager, she critically put those skills to use: “I saved a guy’s life when I was 13. I still see him around all the time. I’m glad to know I can perform a rescue under real pressure.”

While attending Mercy Burlingame High School, Ella surfed for Half Moon Bay High under coaches Carrie Kemp and Mike Wallace. She was one of only two girls on a team of about 15. In her freshman year, she placed fifth in the state championship. “Everyone was a head or two taller than me. They were all seniors. The waves were huge and terrifying, but I would just go for it,” Ella recalls. “I’ll never give up that trophy.”

Ella compounded her success by winning first place in Pacifica’s Big Chill Out Longboard Contest in 2017 and in the Women on Waves Longboard Contest in Santa Cruz in 2018. But as she examined the life of professional surfing, she experienced doubts about her place in that world. “I just couldn’t figure out how to have enough money to stay in Portugal for two weeks waiting to surf,” she admits. “I’m a competitive person, but at the end of the day, I surf because it makes me happy.”

In the midst of juggling two jobs while attending Skyline Community College, Ella was alerted by the owner of The Mavericks Experience where she worked that he was ready to sell the surf school. He wondered if she’d be interested in purchasing it. Ella took the offer to her family. “My mom and dad have been in partnership running a construction company for years,” she shares. “They understood how to go about setting up a business.”

The basic elements came together quickly. Ella’s mother designed the website and suggested the name, and her sister created the logo and supports Ella in group lessons. She’s had the business up and running for private and group lessons since November and is planning a full roster of camps for the summer.

Though Ella pursued surfing ferociously, she has little interest in turning out professional athletes as an instructor. Instead, she hopes she can foster the same satisfaction she finds every day when she heads out with her board under her arm. “The most consistent thing in my life is that when I surf, I have a better day,” she explains. “When I see that joy in my students, it’s everything.”

Blue Swell Surf School’s lessons begin on the beach with basic stretches and a couple of practice attempts at ‘pop-ups’—a quick jump from belly to board to fully upright. Once in the water, Ella directs you into a wave and you get a shot at catching it. “You don’t realize how tiring it’s going to be until you’re in there,” she acknowledges. “The board is hard to control. You have to learn to work with it so you don’t lose your energy.” Under Ella’s expert guidance, over the course of an hour and half lesson, students start to feel that cresting a wave with the board still under them is within reach. “It takes time, but eventually, everyone will stand up,” Ella says. “And it’s the best when you give someone a chance at that thrill.”

According to Ella, aside from confidence, the most critical element for successful surfing is balance: “Moving a tiny smidge up or down your board can make a huge difference in your stability.” Now, as a student majoring in marine biology and a fledgling business owner, she recognizes the need to cultivate that same balance in her life. “I’m definitely juggling a lot of pieces right now,” she admits. But Ella keeps herself anchored to her deepest purpose. “When I surf, it makes me happy, and I leave my problems behind,” she reflects. “I have a love for the ocean that’s never going to end.”

Diary of a Dog: Worf

Blink all you like, but you’re seeing me clearly. I do indeed have two different-colored eyes—one haunting blue, the other warm brown. They are just one of my signature features, along with my impressive blue merle (multi-colored marbled) coat, fluffy tail and incessant, happy smile. By way of a more formal introduction, I’m Worf, a Cardigan Welsh Corgi, and I’m pleased to make your acquaintance. Don’t be fooled by my low-to-the-ground carriage. I’m actually quite agile and athletic, and in fact, my ancestors have been herding sheep in Wales for over 3,000 years. However, you can usually find me romping in Menlo Park with my beloved family Peter, Lava and August. Credit goes to August for giving me my name. He’s a Star Trek fan and was always impressed by Lieutenant Worf’s high sense of honor and strict warrior code on Star Trek: Next Generation. While there’s little chance of an alien invasion on the Peninsula, I’m always on alert for this long-handled aggressive broom that steals the delicious crumbs from the floor. It’s much taller than me, but I’ve learned I can slow it down by playfully attacking the bristles. I’m also quite serious about my role as official greeter at the park. Once I’ve completed my social duties, then I’m cleared to take off on rambunctious games of chase and roll with my buddies.

Perfect Shot: All Aglow at Martin’s Beach

“I have been immersed in photography since the age of 12 when my grandpa built a darkroom for me in our family basement,” shares Menlo Park’s Jennifer Fraser. The longtime Peninsula resident captured this Perfect Shot just south of Half Moon Bay. “I first visited Martin’s Beach as a teenager,” Jennifer continues. “My favorite time to visit is ‘the golden hour’—sunset—during a minus tide when all the sea flora is open to view.”

Image by Jennifer Fraser / jenniferfraser.zenfolio.com

Calling all shutterbugs: If you’ve captured a unique perspective of the Peninsula, we’d love to see your Perfect Shot. Email us at
hello@punchmonthly.com to be considered for publication.

Essay: Poof!

Words by Sloane Citron

The years of your children living at home slip by silently and stealthily like unopened bottles of champagne languishing in your pantry saved for special occasions that never happen.

It was a profound moment that is forever remembered when my oldest, Josh, was preparing to leave home for the first time. Josh was 10 and he was going to Camp Ramah in Ojai for four full weeks. It wasn’t just traumatic for me, either. All six of us gathered in the boys’ room, packing his large duffle bag, alternating tears and laughter as though he was being sent off to war instead of to sleep-away camp five hours from our home.

But still, there was meaning in that moment, the first time the six of us would be apart from each other for a significant period—not together celebrating Shabbat dinners, squabbling with each other in local restaurants or all sleeping under one roof, and we all felt the impact. It was, if you will, the first tear in the bubble that was our family.

We got in our Suburban the next day, a bright June morning, and made the drive south. Camp Ramah was a familiar place for us, since my wife and I met there during a college weekend some 17 years previously, and we’d all been there for one reason or another over the years. So, it was full circle for our children to make the trek back to the place of their origin. But dropping off our Josh was tough, and I vividly remember the first hour back on the road, the tears so dripping down my face that I could hardly see to drive. Blame some difficult childhood goodbyes.

The next year, the balloon leaked a bit more as both Josh and his sister Arielle headed to camp. Again, the tears flowing down my face made it hard to drive the first portion back north on Highway 101, but I understood that the four weeks would go by quickly until we were all reunited.

Eventually, all the children went to Camp Ramah, though Josh, not such a fan, went only for a few years and so there was never a time when all four were gone at once. By this time, though, I had grown accustomed to the short breaks in our family unity.

In the speed of a bull whip snap, though, came the big leave: college. Specifically (and he was always the front-runner), Josh leaving to go to UC Santa Barbara, his choice for higher learning. We drove our big Suburban down the coast again, this time, just west of Ojai, to the bright and beautiful campus. When we got Josh settled in his dorm room, I came to appreciate his choice. Below his room’s large glass window was a swimming pool with about two dozen students lounging, and in the near distance was the Pacific Ocean. Not too shabby.

Saying goodbye to Josh was another trying event for me, made harder still because this really was the end of the home life that once seemed as though it would last forever. But it very quickly did not last forever. I think all young parents can’t imagine the integrity of their family ending and yet, poof, it goes in a heartbeat, and leaves us wondering about the flash of time and what the hell happened.

The next year, dropping Arielle off at Berkeley was easier since we knew that she’d come home often, which she did. And eventually, Talia also headed over to Berkeley; though, because her high school love (and now husband) was at Stanford, it seemed as though she never left home, so frequent were her visits to this side of the Bay. My youngest, Coby, made the biggest leap, going to college—and then serving in the Israeli Air Force and staying in Israel.

Over the next decade or so, the children came and went, often without me even knowing when, where or why. I had the pleasure of having two of our married children spend months with us while looking for homes or going through home renovations, and that was a wonderful last gasp of the children sleeping nearby.

But now things are coming full-circle. The second oldest of my six grandchildren (soon to be seven), three-year-old Liav, now calls her mother’s (Talia’s) old bedroom, her room, and it is where she sleeps when she spends the night. There’s no putting back the genie, of course, but it’s pretty sweet when she sleeps over, and I get to read her the same books that I read to her mother, bless her, and say the Shema, just like I did with all the kids. There is a peace to it.

Time is fleeting and rigidly pushes against our hopeless attempts to contain it. We’re left to capture as much happiness and joy while our children are briefly settled under our roofs. In those years that feel as though they will last forever, it’s easy to be preoccupied with work, technology and outside interests. Better to put those aside and spend time with your kids. Poof. Trust me.

Interview with Anna Yen, author of Sophia of Silicon Valley

With all the speculation that goes into what actually happens behind closed doors at behemoth tech companies – from drone testing to #metoo moments and everything in between – it’s a treat to get a peek inside from someone whose actually been there. Enter Anna Yen.

Yen’s new novel, Sophia of Silicon Valley, is semi-autobiographical. The novel is fictionalized for a number of reasons, including the desire to have some creative license to weave into an entertaining yet impactful story. The characters and experiences are inspired by Anna’s real life at some of the largest companies in tech, investor relations and marketing.

Yen was born slightly south of the true Peninsula in Saratoga, but moved to Woodside as a teen and spent most of her life here since. Read on to see how Yen soaks up all the exciting energy for work and life she feels on the Peninsula. Read Sophia, on the other hand, to see how she substantively adds to the current social discussion about corporate ethics and responsibility at the same time she charms your pants off.

What has the local response been to the book?

If you read the Amazon or Goodreads reviews, the response overall has been quite positive. There are certainly some haters out there who claim that I couldn’t possibly live in Silicon Valley or criticize me for being insensitive to the Powell-Jobs family, but in fact part of the point of the book was to show the very human sides of these iconic people who changed the world. Many folks who inspired the book or know the characters who inspired the book have said I nailed it on the head and that it’s actually very accurate.

If the book does well, will you stop working in tech?

I currently work at an Investor Relations (IR) firm and I also just supported the Dropbox IPO.

No, I will not stop working in tech! I have always had a full-time job and love being in the midst of all the innovation that is happening. The buzz and energy of startup world fuels me – I suppose I am an adrenaline junkie! I wrote the book while I had a full-time job and it came out of me fairly quickly. Honestly, I wrote it as if I was just having drinks with a girlfriend.

What does YOUR Peninsula look like? What are your favorite things to do here? Go-to restaurants, activities?

I tried to move away from the Peninsula twice – once to Seattle (with Amazon) and another time all the way to Ireland (also for work). Both times, I came running home. I feel there is an energy on the Peninsula that is exhausting but in a good way. Silicon Valley is a place for vibrant people who are always brainstorming and moving forward.

I have so many favorite places but I have to say, Blue Line Pizza takes the cake…or should I say pie. It happens to be my sister’s restaurant, but I am not just biased… it is delicious!

I tend to be outside a lot – I love Lincoln Park in Los Altos – it’s at Foothill Expressway and Edith.

Ellen Pao became a household name after her landmark discrimination lawsuit against Kleiner Perkins and now running Project Include to help with diversity efforts in tech. You are a woman of color. Were you trying to make a social statement with Sophia’s character and/or were you cognizant of how you represented Sophia because she is a woman of color?

Traditional upbringing was an important part of the story because my culture was much of what shaped me and helped me not only professionally but through the challenges of life in general. I wasn’t trying to make a social statement but I do like to think that my representation of Sophia makes some contribution towards breaking down Asian stereotypes.

I grew up as a Chinese kid in a super white suburb. Growing up, I actually hated being Chinese but now I realize that all the things that I hated about that growing up are the same things that have made me successful now. (Things like lacking a real filter, being so hardworking, etc.)

What’s are the biggest similarities and differences between working as a writer and working in tech?

Well, the similarity is that in both jobs, my role is storytelling. My duty in investor relations is to talk about positioning.

The difference is being behind the scenes vs. being front and center. I have to say that I prefer the former. I actually considers myself very shy!

So many of the people and companies in your book seem to have real-life doppelgängers. Were you worried that readers would focus more on teasing out what’s fact and what’s fiction than on Sophia’s story?

I really didn’t try to hide the people that served as the inspiration behind these characters.

When I worked at Pixar, I described the character as wearing a black turtleneck. Same obvious description goes for my time at Tesla.

And look, I don’t bash these men. My goal was to show that there are many sides to these people – and all people.

Rapid Fire:

Name someone on the Peninsula who shaped you greatly:

Jane Ou – my accounting teacher at Santa Clara

No matter how busy you are, what do you always make time for?

My family (including my dog). Also, my hip hop classes at Groovitude in Palo Alto.

What’s your favorite TV show or movie?

Hard question! I could watch Thor: Ragnorok and Melissa McCarthy’s “Spy” anytime.

What’s the favorite piece in your closet?

A very old pair of Ralph Lauren black pumps that are sexy yet walkable.

What is the lesson you value the most:

Persistence!

50 Years of Fashion: Morning Glory

Words by Annie Barnett

In the windows of Morning Glory boutique, fashion-forward mannequins strike a pose, holding sway over Burlingame Avenue as they have for 50 years. Inside the store, creative energy reverberates from the artful displays and robust spring inventory. With a combination of hard work and business savvy, owner Paulette Munroe celebrates Morning Glory’s half-century reign on the Avenue—outlasting all other businesses as the oldest store along this popular Peninsula shopping street.

Morning Glory is the story of young entrepreneurs with big ambitions and an enduring community bonded over decades. “Often, half of our customers know one another,” observes Paulette. “It’s like getting together with your girlfriends every day.” She describes how patrons will come in to talk, see friends and find comfort in the camaraderie of the store. “If you’re having a tough day and you go in there, you end up feeling great,” shares longtime customer Judy O’Neal. “They are so supportive and treat you like family.”

In 1972, after graduating early from Burlingame High School, Paulette sold clothing she designed and sewed to the original owner of Morning Glory. Growing up as one of seven children each a year apart, Paulette’s industrious spirit found an outlet in sewing and she even made her own prom dresses. “We didn’t have a lot of money, but my mother taught us to sew and she would buy us all the fabric we wanted,” she recalls fondly.

When Paulette learned Morning Glory would soon be closing, she hatched a plan. “I talked with my father about buying Morning Glory with my sister,” she recounts. “I worked at a restaurant and my sister worked at a laundromat, and he agreed to match our savings with a loan at eight percent interest.” Before long, at just 18 and 19 years of age, Paulette and Maureen Monroe became the owners of Morning Glory, selling clothes by day while Paulette continued waitressing in the evenings as they built the business.

“People used to say we were a cross between Martha Stewart and U2,” laughs Paulette. ”I was one way and she was another, and it worked really well for a long time.” Maureen did the windows and books, and Paulette sewed all of the alterations, which she still does today as a complimentary service.

After 40 years, Maureen left Morning Glory to pursue other business interests and Wendy Thrasher, a longtime employee for four decades, stepped up to help with buying for the store. “It is like going shopping all day long and picking whatever you like,” Paulette smiles. “And you don’t have to wonder whether it fits or will look good on you.”

According to Paulette, one of the keys to Morning Glory’s longevity is loyal staff who have contributed to the business for decades: “They all stay a really long time and get relationships going with customers.” Adds Wendy, “I’m still helping one customer I’ve had since the ’70s.”

While many stores have cut back on inventory in recent years, Morning Glory has continued to maintain a large, carefully-curated collection, often with racks flowing out the front door. Whereas comfort has been the buzzword of late, this spring, Paulette sees a big shift away from athleisure to clothes for going out and even formal wear. “I think more people are trying to get out of their sweatpants because they’ve been living in them for the last two years,” notes Wendy. “They are trying to get a little more polished but still casual.”

Wendy recommends accessorizing with jewelry to help update an outfit. “The shipwreck look where you wear a ton of necklaces works,” she suggests. Another longtime employee Shannon Kane points out, “Florals are huge this season. People want bright, bold colors and something fun.” She also suggests pairing different jackets, such as a blazer or bomber, to dress up or down a dress.

Paulette and her sister Maureen celebrating Morning Glory’s 10th anniversary in 1982

Paulette’s 26-year-old daughter, Josefina Beto, is following the family clothing legacy with her own thrifting website that emphasizes reuse and repurposing. “She is part of the culture of not wasting,” explains Paulette. Josefina also helps out at Morning Glory and serves as a model for many of the store’s photo shoots. Meanwhile, Paulette is not slowing down and still revels in helping customers, even if that means alterations stretching into the evening. “Everybody is going to four weddings as they have been so backed up. Dressy dresses are huge for us right now,” she remarks.

Paulette says that one of her super powers is her ability to make decisions. “There is nothing in my life that I am indecisive about,” she says. Customers and friends will come into the store and rely on her sense of style when they need to find the best look for an occasion. In her spare time, she applies that same ability in making design decisions for renovations, which she has done for 11 different homes. “Wallpapering, sewing, building a house and decorating a store are the same thing—it’s all related,” Paulette sums up. “It’s all about being creative.”

Through changing fashion trends and economic cycles, Morning Glory continues to maintain its multi-generational appeal, catering to customers from 18 to 80. “Fashion isn’t like it used to be where you think one thing can be the look,” explains Paulette. “You have to have every look for everybody.” For over five decades, Morning Glory has done just that, drawing a steady stream of regulars along the historic avenue where Bing Crosby once strolled.

Exquisite Kitchens: Solmateo Tour Preview 2022

Words by Diane Eclan

If the kitchen is the heart of the home, then SolMateo’s Signature Kitchen Tour is a vital pulse supporting essential mental health services in San Mateo County. Commemorating its 40th tour on May 13, 2022, the annual self-guided 10AM-3PM event gives design enthusiasts the chance to tour five exceptional homes in Burlingame, Hillsborough and San Mateo Park.
SolMateo is a volunteer group committed to shining a light on mental health. “Our membership shares a passion to destigmatize mental health and support our neighbors,” explains co-president Jenny Smith. Since its inception in 1976, the nonprofit has raised over $2.7 million to help fill the funding gap for local mental health organizations including Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Center of StarVista and Mental Health Association of San Mateo County.

After two years of virtual improvisation, this year’s tour invites guests to step once again into beautifully designed kitchens and gardens. “With each tour, we strive to highlight new architectural trends in the industry,” says SolMateo member and event chair Sara Furrer. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to spark ideas for your own property, spend time with friends and family and support mental health in our community.”
Tickets can be puchased in advance at solmateo.org or Draeger’s San Mateo—or the day of the event. Here’s a PUNCH preview of the inspiring design talents and homes included in this year’s showcase.

Courtesy of Dennis Mayer

Classic Colonial

Don’t let the classic Colonial exterior fool you. The glossy blue front door cheerfully welcomes you in. Access the urban farmhouse kitchen via the formal living room to the right or the cozy family room to the left. Warm hardwood floors lead the way and show off the beautiful white cabinetry, large center island, beverage bar and dining table. With glazed painted cabinets matching the beverage bar, the island is topped with white Caesarstone and has deep drawers for handy storage. The beverage bar is clad in Calacatta marble, offset by a backsplash of white arabesque tiles. Installed in the reverse, the farmhouse sink reveals a fluted apron creating visual interest and the large paned window above lets in lots of natural light. Bespoke vintage-inspired and salvaged lighting fixtures hang from the tongue and groove ceiling. French doors open to the back deck, seamlessly extending the entertaining space.

Courtesy of Dennis Mayer

Historic Tudor

This beautifully remodeled galley kitchen has kept its 1921 footprint but is ready for its 2022 debut. The original leaded glass bay windows were removed and meticulously extended to allow more natural light to flood the sink side of the space. A brass double gooseneck regulator bridge faucet with metal wheel handles is the star of the kitchen and an art form in its own right. Driftwood lacquered cabinets and drawers are inset with hand-applied antique brass strappings with metal handles and knobs. The countertops and backsplash are Calacatta ondulato marble. The large dual fuel range is topped with a hand-patinaed steel hood banded in brass to emulate the cabinetry strappings. Warm metals continue from the kitchen, around the corner to the breakfast nook and are found on the unique chandeliers above, as well as the supports for the bar’s glass shelving. Floor-to-ceiling French doors open to the stately backyard, leading down to a creek.

Courtesy of Dennis Mayer

Petite Tudor

In keeping with its original Tudor architecture from 1929, this remodel is a mix of rugged sophistication with exposed brick, dark wood doors and flooring. Wood crown molding draws your eye up to the large distressed beams flanked by antique burnished brass plantation chandeliers. The wood detail continues on the hood border over the burner and griddle gas range. Warm white cabinets, with gold oversized pulls and knobs, echo the metal from the carriage-style light fixtures. Additional natural light fills the room from a row of narrow windows above the cabinets. A unique column refrigerator and separate freezer are concealed with custom panels and topped with illuminated glass-front cabinets. A chimney, original to the home, was discovered during the renovation and is now the backdrop for the bar.

Courtesy of Dennis Mayer

Ranch with Adu

Accessed through the formal dining room, replete with an outstanding collection of Asian wall art and artifacts displayed on mahogany floating shelves, this rancher’s large open kitchen and breakfast room offer a juxtaposition of old and present day. The kitchen’s tray ceiling adds depth and dimension, beautifully framing the large island topped with walnut. The white cabinetry and green Costa Esmeralda granite countertops pop against a lively tile backsplash in Kermit green and blue. The abundant counter space, built-in cookbook shelves and integrated appliances make this a perfect environment for a home chef and family that likes to entertain. This beautiful home is tucked on a quiet cul-de-sac with an expansive backyard terraced up a hillside. Emerging from the tree line is a two-story ADU, designed to perfectly integrate into the landscape.

Courtesy of Bernard Andre

Modern Farmhouse

The kitchen in this re-imagined A-frame modern farmhouse is a delight for the senses with colorful peacock-blue lacquered lower cabinets and playful lighting fixtures. The space is anchored with a family room on one side and a dining area on the other. A large waterfall island with an undermount stainless steel sink, topped with Calacatta Michelangelo marble, is perfect for meal prep and surrounded by appliances with integrated glazed American walnut panels in glossy white. The white Swiss cross backsplash behind the range complements the panels and upper cabinets. Brushed gold hardware and faucets echo the interior of the large pendant lights above the island. The sliding glass doors in the dining room lead out to another entertaining space, surrounded by a pool, built-in firepit and tennis court.

Artful Confection: Chocolatier

Words by Eva Barrows

Ruler-straight rows of 21 flavors of ganache and praline-filled chocolates line the glass display case of artisanal candy shop Shekoh Confections. Chef and chocolatier Shekoh Moossavi’s confectionery creations layer crisp chocolate shells over creamy, delectable fillings. The former research scientist experiments in visually appealing flavor pairings, going through vigorous R&D sessions until perfection is achieved on the shelf and the tip of the tongue.

Shekoh Confections is the culmination of a longtime dream. After Shekoh’s second time training in Paris, France, at the L’École Valrhona chocolatier program, she returned to the Peninsula with the desire to open her own chocolate shop. “I love the way Europeans approach chocolate,” she says. “I threw myself into the culinary world in France and I learned a lot, not just how to do things but also how to run a business.”

Finding a suitable storefront space turned out to be Shekoh’s biggest challenge. After two and a half years of searching, she opened in March of this year on El Camino Real in Palo Alto. Intrigued by the handwritten “We’re open” on a chalkboard street sign, eager neighbors from the Stanford University area lined up to try her chocolates. Before long, Shekoh had converted a steady stream of repeat customers.

Four days a week, Shekoh whips up fresh batches of candy. She makes praline nut fillings in-house, including peanut butter, almond butter and lemon almond, then encases them in dark chocolate. Most of the chocolates in the display case are ganache-filled with flavors ranging from citrusy bergamot (Earl Grey) and Grand Marnier to burnt caramel and Persian saffron.

“I love the classics. I don’t care for trends,” enthuses Shekoh. “Classics are forever. I don’t like to put chili powder or bacon in my chocolate. I don’t like to put wine in the chocolate. I love drinking wine with my chocolate but not inside my chocolate.”

Shekoh also conjures other delicious sweets like handmade marshmallows and nougats. Dunking fresh rosewater- or cardamom-flavored marshmallows into Shekoh’s hot chocolate, house-mixed tea or coffee tantalizes the taste buds. And so does roasting them for next-level s’mores.
Shekoh’s chewy, nut-filled French Nougat Montélimar makes another great tea accompaniment. “Nougat is really delicious,” notes Shekoh. “It doesn’t have so many calories, so eat a piece or two or three.”

As a discerning artisan chocolate maker, Shekoh uses the highest quality ingredients and sources locally when possible. Raw Valrhona French chocolate, which can go for $180 to $200 a pound, is the chocolate base for her candies. Shekoh praises Valrhona’s mouthfeel and its high percentage of cocoa butter, which is ideal for candy-making. “I don’t believe you can have mediocre raw products and then make really good products,” she asserts. “Your raw products have to be really good before you can make anything else.”

Tapping into her Persian heritage, Shekoh features Persian damask rose, a small, flavorful and aromatic rose sourced from Canada in marmalade filling. California almonds, honey and Straus Family Creamery organic butter and cream from Petaluma add local flavor to her creations.

Shekoh’s scientific background in glaucoma research at the University of Miami informs her chocolate-making process. When developing new flavors, she tests the candy’s texture, color and quality, monitoring them over a period of time. “One marshmallow I made, I’ve had for two years, and I’m still looking at it. It’s not edible anymore, but I want to see what happens to it. I’m curious,” she says. “I want to see why, when, where, how. The more you ask these questions, the better you get at your craft.”

Shekoh experiments in the back of the shop on a stone table top where only candy molds and chocolate are allowed. “I dream about flavors, and then I do it. I do a lot of tests,” she says. Through trial and error, she decides how the candy will look, what color to paint it, which chocolate (milk, dark or white) pairs best with the ganache without overpowering it. “With chocolate, you have to add the scientific part to it and make sure when you make it that if it’s shiny today, it will be shiny tomorrow, and shiny for the next three weeks and even more.”

Not satisfied with her first career in science, Shekoh enrolled in culinary school at the Florida Culinary Institute. She didn’t intend on becoming a professional chef but something hooked her during her time in the kitchen. “Even before I knew I was going to change my career,” she reflects, “I had mentally already changed my career. I’ve always loved to cook.” Dazzled by other students’ flashy kitchen techniques, she let her teachers know she wanted to learn those skills. After graduating, she worked at the Ritz Carlton in Florida, where she learned from accomplished chefs from all over the world.

After moving to San Francisco, she learned about Northern California cuisine through her work in the high-end restaurants Acquerello and Gary Danko. “I chose those kitchens based on what I needed to learn at that step of my life and career,” Shekoh explains. “Once I learned what I needed to learn, I went on to the next step.” For Shekoh, that meant opening her first restaurant, Gervais Restaurant in Saratoga, followed by another restaurant, which ultimately led to her pastry and chocolate endeavors.

Ultimately, becoming a chocolatier was the perfect choice for Shekoh. She sees it as a neverending opportunity to learn something new. When she and her chocolatier friends in France run into chocolate conundrums, they message each other to help troubleshoot. “Even though they are all experienced chocolate makers, they still run up against issues,” she observes. “You can never perfect making chocolate.”

The Beat on Your Eats: Mexican Food

Words by Johanna Harlow

Be it with Mexican chiles, chipotle or chicharron, get inspired for Cinco de Mayo.

san agus cocina

Palo Alto

Make the acquaintance of Chef Manuel Martinez through San Agus Cocina. Both the menu and space reflect the chef’s childhood in Mexico City’s San Agustin borough, including a mural with sights and flavors from his hometown. Meanwhile, the menu is a love letter to Mexican street bites (antojitos), which means an abundance of taco options with meat prepared in a variety of tasty ways. There’s carne asada and birria (for beef lovers); al pastor, carnitas and chorizo (for those who prefer pork); chicken tinga and, if you’re feeling adventurous, lengua (beef tongue). All are served on picture-perfect wooden boards. 115 Hamilton Avenue. Open Sunday to Monday from 12PM to 9PM; Tuesday to Thursday from 12PM to 9:30PM; Friday to Saturday from 12PM to 10:30PM.

Photography: Courtesy of Dahlia Mexican Grill

dahlia

San Mateo

Dahlia—a restaurant residing in a former 1920s bank—has exchanged bonds for burritos in downtown San Mateo. A bold take on contemporary Mexican cuisine, the menu blends Peruvian, Argentinian and Nicaraguan techniques and ingredients. Visit in the evening for the sinfully tasty Devil’s Shrimp (sauteed prawns with habanero peppers) alongside a prickly pear margarita—or swing by on a Sunday morning for huevos rancheros and a pot of cafe de olla (traditionally brewed Mexican coffee with cinnamon, cloves and piloncillo cane sugar). Within, the muraled walls display giant dahlia flowers (which are not only the restaurant’s namesake but also Mexico’s national flower). 164 South B Street. Monday to Thursday from 11AM to 9PM; Friday from 11AM to 10PM; Saturday from 10AM to 10PM; Sunday from 10AM to 9PM.

Photography: Johanna Harlow

cafe del sol

Menlo Park

¡Bienvenidos! Café Del Sol (“sol” translating to “sun”) lives up to its name, radiating mom-and-pop coziness with sunshine yellow walls and a warm waitstaff. With its fresh take on classic Mexican recipes, you’ll enjoy a host of authentic options—right down to the chips and salsa (the green salsa and mango salsa both have their devotees). In homage to its locale, the Menlo burrito is a combination of chicken and beef bolstered with chipotle sauce, salsa fresca, sour cream and guacamole. You might also consider the tantalizing enchilada de mariscos (grilled seafood blanketed in an earthy adobo sauce and a drizzling of chipotle tequila cream). 1010 Doyle Street. Open Monday to Saturday from 10:30AM to 2:30PM and 4:30PM to 9PM. Closed Sundays.

Fogbird Takes Off: Cocktails & More

Words by Christina Chahal

It’s official: the Peninsula has a hip new cocktail lounge that will tempt you out of your cozy nest and into theirs. Perched on a section of San Mateo’s B Street that’s permanently closed to cars, Fogbird emerged phoenix-like in early 2022 with a fresh look, menu and logo—a seabird aptly called Buzz.

“If you know us, you know we love to throw a party,” say Fogbird’s founders, David and Susan Hunsaker. “Our focus is people feeling welcomed and if you’re coming into my space, you are my guest.” In that spirit, the Hunsakers designed Fogbird to be a warm space where you can connect with your people and, according to Susan, “Feels like ahhhhh.”

That ahh feeling is abundant at Fogbird, where you’re immediately enveloped by the light and airy ambiance, a look imagined with the help of designers Je Anne Ettrick and Laura Sears. The duo transformed the space from a dark, dusty tiki bar into a comfortably elegant lounge. Fogbird’s interior features soaring ceilings, an original brick wall and a nine-foot-high bar flanked by fern wallpaper from House of Hackney. The lounge seating is surrounded by living trees and plants. The Hunsakers get so many compliments on the paint scheme that they have the color on the tips of their tongues—Benjamin Moore’s Galápagos Turquoise—a nod to both the Pacific Ocean and the Northern California coast where they found the inspiration for their business.

“We love sitting on the beach in Carmel and watching the mist, that feeling of La Dolce Vita we experienced in Italy,” waxes Susan. “Places where time stands still and there’s that sense of beauty, both romantic and inspiring.” Their goal was to capture the outdoor spaces they love and bring that feeling indoors to Fogbird. “The essence of what we’re trying to achieve is respite,” notes Susan, “the feeling that you have no cares in that moment, a Fogbird moment.”

Creating a Fogbird moment starts with one of their signature tongue-in-cheek cocktails, like the Oaxacan After Midnight or the Swan Song. “Of our top sellers, 8 out of 10 are signature drinks; it’s a really well-rounded list, including classics too with their own little twists,” notes David. “Ultimately, we wanted it to be fun and thoughtful without being overly pretentious.”

To create the perfect bar menu, they put together a list of small bites like their top-selling warm artichoke dip and warm pretzel sticks. They also have a mushroom flatbread, everything chosen to go well with their drinks.

Fogbird’s cocktail program, created under the direction of veteran Bay Area bartender Nikki Molinari, puts emphasis on the details. With a lot of prep done in advance, the execution is fast so you’re not waiting a long time for that first sip. Nikki also utilizes modern techniques to amp up the natural flavors, such as the sous vide grapefruit used in the Fogbird Paloma. “I like the way chemistry has come into the bar scene,” notes Nikki. “In order to pull out the flavors you’re looking for, like with berries, if you cook them it tastes like jam, but with sous vide you get the freshness and fresh taste.”

Nikki describes Fogbird’s clientele as a broad mix of professionals who’ve moved to the area and are now going back into the office. “We notice a lot of overflow from the offices, a return to let’s-grab-a-drink-after-work, getting back into that routine.” Nikki also teamed with the Hunsakers at their previous hospitality venture, the much-loved and now shuttered 31st and Union restaurant around the corner. It was a labor of love that attracted a loyal base of patrons for almost a decade, and when it closed, David and Susan knew they weren’t done just yet.

“We realized we don’t need a lot of space, but we do need to be connected to our community,” relates Susan. “Fogbird’s both a business and a passion project.” It’s also a natural extension for the pair, who deeply embrace their entrepreneurial roots. “David and I are each third-generation entrepreneurs,” shares Susan. “Both of our dads owned their own businesses—it’s who we are and what makes us tick.” They say they learned a lot about business sitting around the dinner table, including the importance of “hiring nice people and treating them like family.”

At Fogbird, that entrepreneurial spirit can now be purchased by the can—a line of ready-to-drink versions of its best cocktails rolling out this year. Fogbird also offers both in-person and virtual cocktail classes, which they describe as perfect for corporate team building or as a unique experience to mark a friend or family celebration.

At work, the Hunsakers divide and conquer with David acting as the “front of the house guy” and doing 70% of the operations while Susan executes the marketing. Observes Susan, “We’re both wired really differently. Give David a huge checklist and it’s done in hours; give it to me and it’ll take to the next day.”

In addition to hospitality, Susan’s background is in education, executive training and coaching, and David worked in sales. They’re both California natives—Susan grew up in Belmont while David’s from Orange County—who met while at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. The Hunsakers have been together 25 years, living first in San Francisco in their 20s before raising their kids in Burlingame. If they’re not with their children or working, they say they love to travel, play golf and are more than a little obsessed with pickleball.

And right now, they’re embracing Fogbird’s launch and the promise of a successful flight. “It’s the culmination of the things that we’ve been working on for so, so long,” emphasizes David. “We feel like this is it, like we’ve got something really special to share, right here, in our own little corner of the world.”

Day Trip: Alameda Adventure

Words by Linda Hubbard

Here’s a bold statement: Alameda may be one of the best—if not the best— destinations for a day trip from the Peninsula. The reason: You’ll visit attractions available nowhere else in the Bay Area.

The town of Alameda is itself distinct. One of 18 islands that dot San Francisco Bay, Alameda started out as a peninsula attached to Oakland. A dredging project that began in the early 20th century turned it into an island.

Alameda’s neighborhoods showcase a mix of 19th century Victorian and Queen Anne architecture along with Spanish stucco homes. You can see them up close by taking advantage of the town’s many biking and walking paths. Before heading out, make sure to download a map: bikewalkalameda.org

Courtesy of the USS Hornet Sea, Air, & Space Museum

Hit the Decks

Both a national and California historic landmark, the USS Hornet was built for the U.S. Navy during WWII and served vital roles before being decommissioned in 1970. Approaching the aircraft carrier, located on the southernmost pier of the former Naval Air Station, we’re struck by its enormous size—all the better to showcase aircraft spanning five decades (1940s-1980s).

Now known as the USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum, the attraction displays the majority of the aircraft on the hangar deck, but a few can be found on the flight deck. Thanks to a gigantic elevator at one end of the carrier, aircraft can be rotated up and down—and all can be viewed up close, as they aren’t roped off.

This was particularly impactful when peering into the window of the Apollo command module used for a non-manned, suborbital flight test prior to the Apollo 11 moon landing. It’s hard to imagine three grown men squeezed into the relatively tiny interior!

The USS Hornet was the prime recovery ship for the Apollo 11 and 12 moon missions after they splashed down in the Pacific Ocean.

We spent a good hour on the flight deck with docents Steve Leavell and Tom Krysiak, who were very knowledgeable about all aspects of the aircraft carrier. Their tales made the visit even more enjoyable. Walking the flight deck also provides great views of the San Francisco skyline.

The USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum is open Friday through Monday from 10AM to 5PM

Photography: Robb Most

Sip and Snack at Spirits Alley

A friend who’s lived in Alameda for 30 years tipped us off about Spirits Alley, also at the former Naval Air Station along Monarch Street at Alameda Point. Located in historic naval buildings and oversized hangars, this cluster of artisan distilleries and tasting rooms is a popular destination for sipping and viewing.

One way to visit—at least on Friday evenings and on Saturday and Sunday from 1-7PM—is to hop on the free trolley between the Alameda-Main Street and Seaplane Lagoon ferry terminals. Our Alameda insider says it’s quite the bustling scene on Fridays with partygoers coming over from San Francisco.

We visited in the afternoon, so many of the distilleries had yet to open, but we were lucky to stumble upon Almanac Beer Co. with its warm interior and welcoming staff. Housed in a 1942 former naval hangar, Almanac’s offerings include oak-aged lagers, barrel-aged sours and hazy IPAs.

Our luck doubled as the Copper Top Oven food truck was pulled up alongside Almanac, turning out delicious pizzas from its wood-fired oven with cooking temperatures at a sizzling 800 to 1,000 degrees. Owner Tom Gerstel says they are there the first and third Fridays of each month—and sometimes on Saturdays—with wife Kathy running the operation.

Photography: Robb Most

Play Like a Pinball Wizard

Walk into the Pacific Pinball Museum and you’ll get hit by a blaze of color from every direction. The admission price gets you all-day unlimited play to show off your pinball wizardry amid the pings, chimes and bells of 100 machines. According to executive director (and attraction mastermind) Michael Schiess, the mission is “to teach science, art and history through pinball and to preserve and promote this important part of American culture.”

The machines are arranged by decade, 1940s to the present. While you’re welcome to simply rack up points, there are some fun exhibits featuring aspects of the games that you’ve probably never thought of, such as the Pointy People exhibit. Pinball machines took on a new aesthetic in the mid-1960s, characterized by angular abstracted figures, ergo pointy people.

The newest exhibit is called Oddball—Experiments in Pinball Design, which focuses on games with strange, non-traditional features and designs. The Orbitor 1 Stern is an example. “In the early 1980s, video games were replacing pinball. After seeing an exhibit demonstrating Einstein’s theory on gravity and its effect on space/time, a pair of freelance NASA engineers became fascinated and convinced it could be made into an unusual game,” explains marketing manager Russell Moore. “A small team worked with sculptors and makers to develop a functional prototype of a space-themed pinball machine.” Apparently, only 889 units of this unusual game were produced, making it a rare find for public play.

Next on tap is the reopening of the Member’s Choice room featuring 12 games chosen by museum members from the museum’s collection of 1,500. The games will span five decades and bring the grand total of playable pinball machines to 102.

Top It Off With a Scoop

Tucker’s Ice Cream is an Alameda mainstay, having been a fixture on Park Street since 1941. With the motto, “Life is uncertain, eat dessert first,” the long-running shop is known for its creamy homestyle ice cream. Make sure to swing through the town’s business center for a scoop before heading off the island.

Forest Bathing: Nature Therapy

Words by Sheri Baer

“Shinrin-Yoku,” the description in the retreat schedule reads. “Bathe in the forest with all of your senses.”

Canyon Ranch Woodside, the wellness retreat tucked into 16 woodsy acres off Skyline Boulevard, offers a variety of fitness, renewal and self-care activities—and during a recent stay, this particular session catches my eye. For the novice forest bather, let it be known that water isn’t required.

“Shinrin-yoku directly translates to ‘forest bathing,’ and it is a funny term when you think of it,” remarks senior outdoor sports guide Tim Murray. “Often, people will come and say, ‘I brought my bathing suit,’ and I like that people are still willing to go for it. We had two guests just this weekend say, ‘Yeah, we’re ready to go into the waterfall.’”

According to Tim, the term shinrin-yoku was coined back in the 1980s, when Japan’s agricultural department studied the role of nature in offsetting the negative impact of industrialization. Too much pressure, stress, over-stimulation? Consider the eco-antidote of forest bathing. “It’s immersing yourself in nature,” explains Tim. “It’s letting it completely wash over you and envelop you like water.” Tim credits a fellow guide with summarizing the concept this way: “It’s a mix of being Henry David Thoreau and a four-year-old child.”

The idea that being outdoors is good for you sounds pretty obvious, so it’s not surprising that associated physical and mental health benefits range from reduced anxiety and blood pressure to increased immunity, energy and focus. Also on the plus side, there’s no prescribed formula or one way to do this and no required gear. If anything, it’s the opposite. To minimize distractions, turn off your phone—or leave it behind.

“I want you to be as present as possible,” Tim emphasizes as he greets our small group seeking shinrin-yoku enlightenment. Our starting point is a trailhead, so he clarifies how shinrin-yoku differs from hiking/physical exercise, where there’s a set destination and a focus on pushing forward.

“Hiking provides some of the benefits of nature, but it’s not going to be the full volume,” notes Tim. “You’re not really opening up all of your senses.”

How do you shift your mindset to fully see, smell, hear, taste and feel? Tim gathers us around a display table for a warm-up of sorts, a little show-and-tell to help jumpstart awareness. He plucks a heart-shaped leaf off a sprig of green. “This is redwood sorrel,” he tells us, before popping it into his mouth. Reassured by his robust chewing, we follow suit and discern a tangy, lemony flavor.

Next, Tim passes around a bay laurel leaf, and we take turns sniffing its pungent, peppery aroma. We compare how scratchy green lichen feels against a chunk of dense redwood bark. And we activate our ears by closing our eyes and sitting silently for a few minutes. “Tune in to the sounds around you,” guides Tim, “and start to hone in on the presence you want to bring into nature.” As I listen to a playful mix of bird song and rustling leaves, the top of my head starts to heat, and I know the sun has emerged from behind a cloud.

When it’s time to venture out, Tim directs us to follow the path of switchbacks to the forest floor. “Just go at your own pace, stop with things, study them. Look above you, feel the light, take in what’s going on around you,” he suggests. “If any thoughts of the outside world start to trickle in, try to release them and remember that this is the time for you to be out in nature.”

As my sneakers hit the trail, I reflexively start bounding down it. One foot, then the next, then the next—before stopping and catching myself. Why am I doing the same thing I always do? That’s not the point. I mindfully shift into s-l-o-o-o-w gear.

And everything shifts. I hear a woodpecker tap-tap-tapping on a tree and a creek burbling in the distance. I notice the way madrone trees stretch toward the sun and I pause to examine a cluster of mushrooms that look like a miniature fairy village. A redwood stump reveals a myriad of textures and tiny insects. I breathe in deeply, pondering the source of a sweet, musky scent. I feel how moss clings to a tree like carpet and can’t resist a zesty nibble of redwood sorrel when I spot a cluster. Indeed, as each step reveals new wonders, I find myself channeling my inner naturalist and preschooler.

Time slips away—along with the ever-persistent mind chatter of my overworked brain. When we eventually regroup, Tim asks if we’d like to share any thoughts or reflections. “I really don’t slow down and do this ever,” Molly confides. “It reminded me of my childhood—and what it felt like to be light and unburdened.” Nodding, I flash on a memory: sitting in my front yard, blissfully searching for four-leaf clovers for hours and hours.

Siu chimes in. “When I hike, I often have my headphones on and I’m just ‘go, go, go,’” she shares. Lisa smiles in agreement. “It was so refreshing to focus on the journey,” she adds, “versus just getting from Point A to Point B.”

As we begin to wrap up, Tim underscores that nature surrounds us on the Peninsula—and that you can even practice shinrin-yoku in a neighborhood park or your own backyard. “Most of the U.S. and even a lot of other countries have nowhere near the diversity of wildlife and nature that we have—all within a short walk or drive,” he reminds us. “Wherever you are, it’s about being in the moment as much as possible.”

And if you do happen to see a waterfall? “Get wet if you want to,” he grins. “It can be an aspect of forest bathing but it doesn’t have to be.”

Tim’s Shinrin-yoku Tips

+ Find any place with nature. It can be a garden, trail or local
park, but be sure it’s a place you can linger without intrusion.

+ Take time away from technology. Leave your smart devices
behind or at least turn off your alerts and notifications.

+ Give yourself permission to be present in nature without
worrying about obligations or completing a task.

+ Bring water (and a day pack if you’re planning a trip longer
than a few hours).

+ Once in nature, close your eyes and take a deep breath.
Listen, smell and feel what’s around you. (Finding a place
to sit is recommended.)

+ Move slowly and pick up on whatever sparks your
curiosity along the way. Don’t be afraid to linger.

+ Be easy on yourself and don’t overthink it. Practicing
shinrin-yoku is a wonderful step towards mindfulness
and self-care.

Round Table Legend

Words by Johanna Harlow

Some people preserve memories through photo albums. Some through home videos. Bob Larson has a pizza parlour.

As son of Round Table Pizza’s founder, Bill Larson, Bob has served as franchisee of the original Round Table Pizza location, situated in Menlo Park’s downtown, for decades. He also acts as its unofficial museum curator.

The historical hints here are subtle but everywhere. A pair of engraved redwood posts salvaged from the building before its remodel. Two original tables. A hulking sign from the chain’s headquarters, now serving as the bar under eight gallons of epoxy. There’s something deeper than food service going on here.

Though Bill has passed away, in this place he lives on (and not just because an oil painting of him smiles benevolently over the entrance like the patron saint of pizza). Memories have been woven into its fabric and no amount of money can coax Bob to part with it (though people have tried, offering him as much as $20 million for the prime patch of real estate). But you can’t put a price on a memorial.

“I look at it now as complete preservation,” Bob remarks as he surveys the memorabilia he’s lugged out of storage to share today. These artifacts range from 60th anniversary champagne glasses to old restaurant napkins, a stuffed dragon named Montague (who, legend has it, stoked the pizza ovens) to binders stuffed with yellowed newspaper clippings and old photos. Each relic represents another page in the story of a father and son.

Bob slides over a cloth-bound notebook, its pages coated in his father’s old recipes, ingredient orders and restaurant-related doodles. “You can almost see his mind working,” Bob muses, tapping a sketch of a rounded dining table.

He describes his dad’s varied career path—first as a U.S. Navy sailor at 17, then a Safeway manager and a Coca-Cola delivery man. After a year at a local pizza parlor, Bill determined it was time to open his own place.

Strapped for cash, Bill needed a loan. For that he required collateral. “My dad took my grandparents’ furniture,” Bob says. “They were out of town, and he threw it on a truck.” This he ferried to the bank as a guarantee that he was good for the money. It earned him a $2,500 loan. Round Table officially opened in December 1959. In those early days, Bill couldn’t afford a 15-foot dough-rolling table employed by most parlors, so he improvised—taking the oak front door off its hinges and using that as a workstation.

As business boomed, Bill remodeled the original location on El Camino with a Dutch-style building similar to the structures in Solvang (California’s “Little Denmark”). He spruced up its interior with castle crest banners, mosaic tile artwork, trestle accents and stained glass skylights.

Bob, in turn, joined the family business at the age of 12. “I remember showing up on my bike, saying, ‘I’m here to work,’ and the guys being very skeptical,” he recounts. How did they handle the owner’s kid? “I was given the worst jobs,” he chuckles of his time scrubbing bathrooms and scraping chewed gum wads off the undersides of tables. “But I never complained.” From among his artifacts, he plucks a bow tie—part of the uniform back then. “This one even has sauce on it,” he observes, pointing out a faint speck of red.

As time passed, Bob worked positions as a prepper and roller. With pride, he recalls the good ol’ days when he regularly singed off arm hairs shoveling pizzas into ovens and showing up to parties with flour in his hair.
But it wasn’t all sunny days for Bob. His dad fired him at 19 for shirking his responsibilities. Even so, he didn’t hang up the apron. “I knew what I wanted to do,” Bob asserts. “I wanted to be a pizzaman.” He earned back that trust, proving himself at another pizza place, before being invited back into the Round Table fold. “It was on my terms,” he reflects, “and I had grown up.”

Bob shares that his dad underwent his own transformation as a high school dropout. “I felt a lot of people doubted me when I was younger… and my dad was pretty much the same,” he says. Though Bob didn’t know the details of his dad’s expulsion, a classmate of Bill’s revealed to the InMenlo.com blog that it was over a prank in which he let the air out of a police car’s tires.

“My dad wanted to prove to everybody that ‘I’m gonna make something of myself.’” And 400+ restaurants later, no one’s arguing. “I’m completely about redemption,” Bob affirms. “Kids go through stuff. It doesn’t make them bad people.”

After a stint as manager, Bob bought the original store from his dad in 1987. “I paid 15% interest,” he notes. “My dad was never about just giving anything away. I had to work for it.” For a time, he also swapped out his shirt and bow for a suit and tie, sitting on the board of directors and providing an insider’s perspective “from the front lines.”

Bob has continued marking milestones here, hosting countless Little League groups, birthday parties and even the Stanford band. And then there’s that time he supplied 500 pizzas for children performing in the Super Bowl halftime show. “I had to call all my buddies who had Broncos, El Caminos, station wagons,” he recalls. They crammed a small fleet of pizza boxes into back seats and trunks.

Bob’s Round Table also supported Menlo Park in the aftermath of the Loma Prieta earthquake. For several nights, the block was a solid stretch of black—except the pizza parlor, shining like a beacon. The restaurant was on the same circuit as the fire station, so people flocked to the store like moths, filling its tables and sitting in groups on its floor. “I looked over at the bar and there were people doing dishes and people serving coffee who didn’t work for me,” he marvels in retrospect. “Those are the things you don’t forget.”

Even today, Bob sometimes pops behind the counter to tend the oven. “I have a problem letting go,” he admits with a sheepish smile. That said, he will never cease taking pride in his pizzaman profession. “I can go around town with you and say, ‘See that guy over there? Pepperoni, green pepper, mushroom. That lady over there? Gourmet Veggie.’”

And, of course, Bob will continue to act as a keeper of memories. After all, if we can preserve the tales of a mythological king and his fellowship of knights, why not the legacy of a gallant pair of local restaurateurs?

The Cowboy Lawyer

Words by Johanna Harlow

When is a lawyer at home on the range? This isn’t the setup of a joke. It’s a day in the life of Paul Barulich.

As founder and trial lawyer of Burlingame’s Barulich Dugoni & Suttmann Law Group, ranch owner and competitive horse rider, Paul straddles both worlds. “It makes me a better lawyer. It makes me a better person,” Paul says of his time spent owning a cattle herd with partner Tyler Nielson and riding in American Quarter Horse competitions.

The San Mateo resident joined the equestrian world at 54, not long after making his son’s last college tuition payment. Soon after, he started noticing crossovers—and not merely from the cowboy hat he started donning at the firm or the M.L. Leddy’s western-cut suits he began ordering from Fort Worth, Texas. Paul discovered that lessons learned outdoors also applied to office life. “I think I grew up when I started my training in my fifties,” he reflects. “When I got started, I had to reassess how I act, how I hold myself, how I judge, how I receive.”

There’s certainly something enthralling about the cowboy lifestyle. Paul and his fellow ranch hands nearly stop traffic every time they gather their herd (on horseback) along a patch of land flanking the interstate. “They’re going 20 miles an hour,” Paul says of the gawking drivers. But ranching isn’t for every diehard fan of Bonanza and Yellowstone. “It’s a tough business to be in,” he notes. “Some of the smartest people I’ve ever met are ranchers. They have a high degree of common sense—and they have to be smart because the margins are so tight.”

Paul learned to ride at a childhood summer camp perched atop a gentle chestnut by the name of Big Red. (“My first love!” he says.) In those early years, he reverently watched wild west cowboys on TV and attended the occasional rodeo.

How did Paul migrate away from his desk and onto a horse? Paul met cow horse trainer Kathy Torres and rancher Danny Torres, who agreed to give him, as he calls it, “cowboy 101 lessons.” “They were gracious enough to let the cowboy wannabe into their world,” he recounts. “I said, ‘Give me a shovel. I’ll shovel dirt. I’ll do anything.’” They took him up on the offer.

Paul reminisces about the time he spent most of a sweltering 90-degree day digging a trench from the well pipe to the catch basin so the cows could drink. A far stretch from the air-conditioned law office to which he was accustomed, but a great chance to grow. “They didn’t ask me, ‘How’d it go? You doing okay?’ You’re asked exactly one question: ‘Did you get it done?’” After all, he points out, three-quarters of a trench still means dead cows.

It’s a lesson he shares with new associates at the firm. “These clients whom we’re privileged to serve don’t really care that it took you 4 hours or 40 hours. They want to know one thing: Did you get the job done?”
As Paul acclimated to this new sphere, he learned that establishing trust was paramount.

When Kathy Torres became Paul’s trainer, he learned to rely on her judgment. “You listen to your trainer,” he emphasizes. “In mere moments, Kathy can determine a horse’s suitability as a cow, ranch or trail horse, and judge its attitude. It’s like watching an artist at work.” He jokes, “I see four legs and a tail,” then adds (somewhat sheepishly), “I bought a horse once without Kathy and I almost got fileted by her!” In fact, under Kathy’s guidance, Paul connected with a handsome sorrel named Peps Command (PC). Paul teamed with the champion horse to place in a number of American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) competitions.

Paul also needed to build rapport with the ranch hands he worked alongside. Cowboys are astute judges of character—if they are observant enough to discern the distinct markings of each calf in an all-black Angus herd, certainly they can spot a phony. “They can tell if you’re the real deal within 30 seconds just by the way you throw your leg over a horse, just by the way you handle your horse,” Paul asserts. He’s also found that they value actions much more than words. “The worst thing you could do is start talking about yourself,” he chuckles. “They can talk about you. You can’t talk about yourself.” He adds, “A lot of people in the horse world, they do things you’ll never hear about.” It’s an attitude he tries to carry everywhere.

Perhaps most profoundly, Paul needed to cultivate trust with his horse. Think about it from the horse’s perspective, he suggests. “You’re saying ‘Hey, I’m going to climb on your back. And by the way, I’m going to throw the skin of a dead animal on your back. And then I’m going to put something in your mouth. Trust me. It’s okay.”

How does one clear this hurdle? “There is no substitute for time in saddle,” Paul counsels. It’s consistent actions and routine training. It’s maintaining a sense of calm and confidence so as not to spook your steed. It’s even giving the horse time to learn your physical cues. “I don’t have to rein a horse one way or the other. I can just look and the horse will go that way,” he continues. “A good horseman listens to the horse.”

That tight-knit bond is crucial for competition. “You’ve got to be in sync with another animal,” Paul explains. With a parent’s pride, he describes the rigorous way his horse must work a cow during competition—anticipating its moves, cutting it off with cat-like agility, turning it on a dime, overtaking it in a dramatic shower of flying dirt. “I’d be embarrassed to tell you how many times I’ve kissed and hugged my horse,” he laughs.

Paul has lived this dual lifestyle for over a decade now. He’s owned 10 horses, joined the San Mateo County Horseman’s Association, Los Rancheros Visitadores and San Mateo County Mounted Patrol, gone from ranch hand to ranch owner and served as a board member for National Center for Equine Facilitated Therapy (NCEFT). He’s also been a finalist at the AQHA Championship Show multiple years running. Despite this extensive list of accomplishments, Paul is hesitant to talk about them. After all, it’s not the cowboy way. “It’s less about me,” he concedes, “and more about the country way of living and appreciation for people of that culture, appreciation for horses.”

Paul’s trusty PC has retired to NCEFT where he supports those with physical and cognitive disabilities. Sometimes Paul gets updates about his faithful equine friend and the comfort he brings to others, including a breast cancer support group. “PC knows that they’re hurting,” Paul observes. “He’ll put his head right into their chest—and they’ll just start crying.”

After 30+ years as managing partner at his law group, Paul retires this year too—though he’ll keep plenty busy continuing on as counsel at the firm as well as serving as CEO of Peninsula Bay Trust Company.

In fact, Paul is applying one more ranch-learned lesson here. He sees his retirement as an opportunity to give the next generation of attorneys the space they need for hands-on progress—the same approach his friends on the ranch used with him. “I can watch my trainer and see what she does—but you’ve got to sit in the seat,” Paul says. “It’s time to let the younger folks manage. It’s time for them to throw their legs over and sit in the saddle themselves.”

Perfect Shot: Under the Oak

“Driving east on Sandhill Road near 280, one can see a particular oak tree under which the horses often gather,” writes photographer Robert David Siegel about the setting for this Perfect Shot. “Perhaps it is the shade, or some well-placed hay or maybe they have a special horse-sense as to what might be most picturesque. The yellow mustard of spring added the perfect flavor to the scene.”

Image by Robert David Siegel: web.stanford.edu/~siegelr/photo

Calling all shutterbugs: If you’ve captured a unique perspective of the Peninsula, we’d love to see your Perfect Shot. Email us at
hello@punchmonthly.com to be considered for publication.

Diary of a Dog: Wubbo

Goededag, my name is Wubbo and I’m a rare Dutch breed of Kooikerhondje. Given that Wubbo is pronounced ‘Fibbo,’ I’m seldom called the same way twice, but I come happily to any variation. Although my lineage is tied to the Old Country, I’m delighted to make my residence with Lynn and Rick in Palo Alto. Since Rick is an aerospace engineer, he named me after Wubbo Ockels, a brilliant Dutch physicist and shuttle astronaut. With my explorer’s soul, I think I’d make a great candidate for first dog on Mars (Elon Musk, are you listening?) and I dream of playing gravity-free fetch with the astronauts. I love everyone and wiggle exuberantly when I meet my favorite people. My feathery tail, which I wave in the air, is like the plumed hats in Rembrandt portraits. In fact, a few of my ancestors have posed for Dutch Golden Age paintings, including Pieter de Hooch’s Woman with Children (and Kooikerhondje!) in an Interior, which can be viewed at San Francisco’s Palace of the Legion of Honor. I do my best to live up to the family reputation by prancing proudly, dancing on my hind legs and launching onto laps. I also take great pride in my stunning black ‘earrings,’ a breed characteristic. Let it be known, I’m an AKC Canine Good Citizen, and much like the revelers in Dutch paintings, I always seem to be laughing.

The Lost Star

Words by Sloane Citron

When I was 15 years old, I was visiting my mother, who had recently moved from Chicago—where she played in the Chicago Symphony—to Houston, where she was recruited to play the third chair of the Houston Symphony, one of the highest positions attained by a woman in those days.

Her apartment was in a development called Yorktown, not far from the famous Galleria, a world-class shopping center where I was to spend many a day over the course of my visits with her. The huge mall sported a skating rink, a never-ending number of stores and a great magazine newsstand, where I could pore over and learn from the hundreds of titles there.

One cold December day, when I was visiting from my prep school, Andover, in Massachusetts, we drove over to the shopping center, as my mom wanted to look at clothes being held for her at Neiman Marcus, her favorite place to shop. I always dreaded these store visits, as my mom felt close to certain sales ladies and would introduce me with great flair, which made me terribly uncomfortable.

After our two-hour binge there, we walked through the center a bit and encountered a large cart where they were selling decidedly-not Neiman Marcus jewelry. We browsed for a moment and my mom picked up a sterling silver Magen David, or Star of David, a common necklace worn by Jews. The star itself was surrounded by a circle with the points of the star touching the border. Smooth, with a brushed look, it was unique. “Oh,” she exclaimed. “This is perfect for you, Sloane!” and she bought it and placed it around my neck.

I had never worn anything on my body (I wasn’t allowed to wear the Omega watch my grandmother had given to me for my bar mitzvah until I was in college—prudent move.) and so at first this felt unusual, but somewhat surprisingly to me, I liked the fact that, even hidden underneath my shirt, I was expressing my Jewish pride. And it also meant a great deal that it was a gift from my mother.

About four months later, after playing frisbee on a large quadrangle lawn at Andover, I discovered that my star was gone. I found this terribly distressing since the piece already felt so special to me. It was an act of unapologetic pride that I wore it in the common bathrooms that we had at school.

Since it was evening when I discovered the star missing, at first light the next day, I was out on the grassy field, scanning the green blades incessantly for the silver flash of the necklace. I searched methodically, walking carefully back and forth. After an hour, starting to give up hope that I would ever see the Magen David again, I spotted it, tucked neatly into an upturned piece of turf. I was surprised and elated that I had found it, since I really didn’t feel there was much of a chance.

I was hesitant to put the necklace back on my neck, afraid to once again lose something so precious. Instead, I hid it away.
Back in Houston during the summer vacation, one day while my mom was at a rehearsal, I walked over to the Galleria and tried to find the jewelry cart. It was not there. I went into a nearby store and asked about it and was told that it was now on a different level, closer to the skating rink.

And, indeed, there it was. I was hoping that they would have the exact same star, but they didn’t. They did have one with a more rugged look that I immediately liked. A brighter silver with no circle, it seemed more masculine. The woman behind the counter brought it out and I carefully examined it, wondering if I would really wear it. I decided that it was made just for me. The kind woman carefully unclasped it and placed it around my neck.

Many years later, even after becoming a more-cautious adult, I still didn’t want to take any chances and continued to wear the replacement star. And it has been around my neck for almost 50 years.

The treasured star that my mom gave me rests carefully in a small box with several other sentimental items such as my dad’s watch and my grandfather’s cufflinks. I look at it from time to time and remember its happy history and the love my mom showed when she bought it for me. One day, I’ll hand it off to one of my sons along with its story, but in the meantime, its stand-in is doing its job just fine.

Guild-ed Music Scene

Words by Johanna Harlow

Drew Dunlevie talks music like a car mechanic talks shop—with the fluid familiarity of someone who knows his area of expertise intimately. When asked about favorite concerts, he can rattle off a list of bands with the ease of a technician ticking off auto parts… Which is why it should come as no shock that Dunlevie’s efforts to transform Menlo Park’s old Guild Theatre (alongside project partners Pete Briger and Thomas Layton) have met with success.

The three board members of Peninsula Arts Guild (the nonprofit behind the renovation with Dunlevie serving as president) have executed a full transformation. Where a dated indie movie theatre once resided, a state-of-the-art live music and performance space has taken up residence. The newly reimagined Guild Theatre featured its first performer (four-time Grammy winner Robert Glasper) at the end of February—and it’s been demonstrating out-of-the-starting-gate enthusiasm ever since, dishing out concerts at breakneck speed.

Image Courtesy of Paige K. Parsons

“We’ve had seven back-to-back shows,” says Drew, his voice notably hoarse when we catch up with him during a quiet moment in the Guild’s lobby. How will he spend his day off? Giving PUNCH a behind-the-scenes tour, of course.

As Drew moves from the lobby to the nearest staircase—passing a dozen or so vintage band poster illustrations and photographs of rockers—he shares his hopes that this new venue will advance the music scene south of San Francisco.

“I love the Fillmore. I love the Greek Theatre… But I don’t want to have to go there every time to see a show,” Drew remarks over his shoulder as he hikes the stairs. “I’d like to be able to just pop over to my local place and see a good show and be in bed at 11:15.” Weeknight shows and long drives followed by early workday meetings can be a punishing combo, the veteran concertgoer notes.

Drew says The Guild’s intent is to embrace a medley of genres. “We want to bring a wide variety of artists here, make a lot of people happy.” Though he considers himself to be an alt-country/Americana kind of guy (and a dabbler in hip-hop and metal), The Guild’s lineup features a range of bands, from Jazz Mafia to The Mother Hips (rock), from Midnight North (folk) to Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives (country/bluegrass).

“Being able to expose people to new things is kind of fun too,” Drew smiles.
But despite its new incarnation, The Guild won’t forget its movie palace past. In fact, just out the window behind Drew, a glimpse of neon letters from the old theatre’s restored blade sign comes into view. “My first apartment was right down the street,” he notes with nostalgia. “I’ve probably seen 35 movies here.”

Reviving the Venue

Step into the theatre’s regal balcony for another reminder of The Guild’s storied past. With glamour befitting its 1920s origins, the area features rows of red velvet chairs and an upscale bar with marble countertops, above which hangs a pair of vintage pendant lights.

But retro must mingle with modern, and beyond the mezzanine’s gilded railing hangs an armada of stage lights (each the size and shape of a cannon) and arching columns of loudspeakers. “People talk about jewel boxes,” Drew says. “This theatre’s full of jewels: the sound system, the lighting, the acoustics, the design—all of it is one of a kind.”

As you might imagine, getting here hasn’t been easy. When asked about renovations mid-project, Drew would dryly reply, “Well, I’m trying to build a $35 million state-of-the-art live performance venue on a landlocked parcel on a state highway in the middle of a pandemic with a supply chain disruption.” Even now, they’re still ironing out a few details, he admits—touches like adding signature cocktails and installing a seven-motor theatrical curtain (which was delayed)—but, “We’re changing the oil in mid-flight!”

Fortunately, he’s working with a strong team of players. In addition to commending his fellow visionaries Pete and Thomas, Drew credits general manager Tom Bailey with playing a crucial role in day-to-day operations. Chris Wasney of CAW Architects designed the building, and celebrity chef Michael Mina serves as executive chef. And, at the very core of the initiative, there’s the 36 founding donors who contributed over $1 million apiece to realize The Guild’s potential.

In a humble expression of gratitude, Drew draws on a sports metaphor. “Quarterbacks get way too much credit and too much blame,” he says. “I’m the quarterback, but you don’t win if you don’t have an offensive line and a great running back and a good defense. These people are all incredibly talented and know far more about this than I do.”

Dazzling Design

Then there’s The Guild’s rock star designer: Ken Fulk. Known for his exuberant interiors (think bold statement pieces like snakeskin-patterned bars, walls covered with large faux turtle shells and zebra-print stair runners), the renowned San Francisco-based designer and friend of Pete’s generously took on the project for free.

Drew recounts the initial design consultation: “When we started, we said, ‘Ken, on a scale of 1 to 10, you’re a 15. And that’s brilliant. You’re a supernova. But we want your 8… give us slightly toned down.” For the front of house, Ken reined himself in. Not so much in the rooms away from public view.

Ken’s flamboyant touch catches the eye as soon as you enter the off-limits back stairwell. A light fixture presents itself like a marching band of trumpets, bent in all directions. The vintage flowers on the wall sconces match the old movie theatre’s original decor. (“Ken Fulk’s team cut out a huge swatch of the wallpaper and then used the pattern as the inspiration,” Drew reveals.)

In the private space set aside for performers, Ken pulled out all the stops. As Drew flicks on the lights to the downstairs green room, he illuminates a lounge and kitchenette with deep peacock-green walls. There’s a crushed velvet couch and a tiger print rug (with matching pillows). Snakes undulate along the wallpaper in one of the dressing rooms. Gold accents are everywhere—from the faucets to the electrical covers to the cabinet handles… even the fire extinguisher case is gilded.

Drew shares that their opening night singer couldn’t get enough of the space. “He said, ‘This place is crazy. I’m not going to my hotel. I’m going to stay here tonight!’”

Making Musical Moments

How does Drew make sure The Guild’s concerts hit the mark? “I mean, it’s a je ne sais quoi kind of thing. When you’re at a great show with one of your favorite bands, everything works. It’s easy to get a drink, you’re in a good spot or a comfortable chair, or you’re dancing on the floor in the front row—whatever it is, people have a different happy place at shows. We want everyone to find their happy place.”

Drew’s own happy place? “When you’re in a room with everybody who is there for the band, not chit-chatting in the back or whatever. They need this, they need that night.” This is a man who will always have bands on the brain (and not just because he’s wearing a Newport Folk Festival cap).

The conversation segues into one of Drew’s favorite music memories. It happened at Mezzanine SF when The Hold Steady started performing their song Constructive Summer. “It’s a blistering guitar riff and everybody’s singing along,” Drew recalls. And as front man Craig Finn belted the closing lines—“Every hand went up, every beer went up, every cocktail went up in unison as everybody’s singing that song. It’s like church. It’s a healing thing.”

Drew pauses, then adds, “I thought to myself, I have no musical talent other than consumption, but that’s how I could contribute one day. Maybe I could build a place and create moments like this.”
And so he has.

Forest Feast: California Culinary Road Trip

Words by Sheri Baer

Over a three-week stretch of summer in 2019, Woodside’s Erin Gleeson and her family ventured out on a 2,500-mile culinary adventure—without leaving the state. The New York Times bestselling author, illustrator and photographer behind the The Forest Feast cookbook series decided it was time to go wheels up. “My first couple of books draw from cooking from a cabin in the woods and feeling inspired by California produce in my area,” she notes, “and I wanted to take that idea on the road but still within California.”

Originally from Sebastopol, Erin was living the life of a New York freelance food photographer when a new chapter prompted a move back to California in 2011. After settling with her husband into a little cabin on Skyline Boulevard, she started The Forest Feast, a blog showcasing simple, produce-based recipes influenced by her weekly farm box delivery. A collection of vegetarian cookbooks followed: The Forest Feast, The Forest Feast for Kids, The Forest Feast Gatherings and The Forest Feast Mediterranean. Erin’s newest entry, The Forest Feast California Road Trip, made its debut in April 2022.

With two young boys, Ezra and Max, in tow (and a baby on the way), Erin partnered with her husband Jonathan Prosnit to successfully pull off the ambitious excursion. “He’s really the mastermind behind the route and plans for strategic hikes and stops along the way,” she says. Erin focused on their accommodations, arranging a series of vacation rentals and overnights with family and friends. “I was looking for cabin-ish places, cabin-inspired dwellings. And architecturally, I was looking for some diversity.”

In Big Bear, it was an A-frame. In Big Sur, a Craftsman cabin. In all, Erin features 10 stops with backdrops ranging from the desert of Joshua Tree and the giant redwoods of the Mendocino Coast to the serene beaches of Santa Barbara, the mountains of Lake Tahoe and the stunning peaks of Yosemite National Park. With only culinary wanderlust as a guide, the point was to taste different things and capture flavors from restaurants, farms, wineries and ranches along the way. “It’s very much a personal journey of California,” Erin emphasizes. “It’s not meant to be all-encompassing, rather what we happened upon. And what we tasted informed the recipes that I made.”

For example, at a friend’s ranch near Santa Barbara, Erin’s family helped with the apricot harvest, which led to the creation of an apricot salsa. Visiting friends at Fly Girl Farm in Pescadero presented the opportunity for strawberry picking, and readers will find a strawberry caprese salad among the book’s 100 recipes.

Erin followed up that initial 2019 long-haul trip with a series of shorter side trips, adding in newborn daughter Winnie. And then, between juggling homeschooling and an infant, Erin wove together her signature mix of atmospheric photography, watercolor illustrations and enticing (and easy) recipes. “I pretty much did my work at nap time and after the kids went to bed, between 8 and 11PM,” Erin recounts. “I’m just grateful that I get to do what I love—that I get to blend art and food in a way that feels meaningful for me.”

What’s next for The Forest Feast? Erin shares that she’s pitching a vegetarian cooking show and developing a line of branded products, including mugs, art prints and table linens. “I see it all as an extension of my books,” she explains. “I hope it will inspire people to be creative at home—and not only in the way that they cook.”

Plus, there’s so much more of California that Erin wants to explore. “It’s just so geographically and culturally diverse,” she observes, “and what I present is only the tip of the iceberg.” Keep reading for a sampling of Erin’s California road trip-inspired recipes.

Landmark: Lou Henry Hoover Girl Scout House

Words by Johanna Harlow

To mark the 110th anniversary of the Girl Scouts in 2022, stop by the Lou Henry Hoover Girl Scout House, a cabin-like headquarters just a stone’s throw from the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo. Named for the same luminary who established the West Coast’s first troop in Palo Alto, this meeting house is the oldest in continuous use nationally. Lou Henry Hoover might be best known as first lady to our 31st president Herbert Hoover, but she was also a Girl Scout troop leader, an ardent camper and hiker, president of the National Council of Girl Scouts, a physical fitness advocate for women and, in her early years, a Stanford student (the only female studying geology on campus at the time). After donating $500 for the construction of the Scout house, Lou dedicated it in 1926. Renowned Palo Alto architect Birge Clark drew the plans for the structure, but with a mind for design, Lou often collaborated with the architects she hired, also bringing her vision to the Hoover family home on the Stanford campus. Within the headquarters, stonemasons crafted a prominent fireplace using sandstone salvaged from one of Stanford’s Palm Drive arches after its collapse in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. In the entry hall, a display case exhibits a few of Lou’s personal notebooks and early photographs. If Lou were around today, she’d take pride in knowing that the Girl Scouts of Palo Alto have grown 64 troops strong—many of which still meet in Lou’s house.

Getaway: An Insider’s Santa Fe

Words by Jennifer Jory

Stepping off the plane into the high-desert landscape of Santa Fe, I am greeted by lights from pueblo-style homes dotting the distant landscape. The faint smell of New Mexican piñon (pine nut) wood fires hangs in the air as I set a course for the heart of town, Santa Fe Plaza. For travelers coming from the Peninsula (fly direct to Albuquerque followed by an hour drive or book connecting flights from San Francisco or San Jose), Santa Fe offers adventurers a centuries-old culture that celebrates art, architecture and food.

To get the inside scoop, I connected with Hillsborough transplant and art history buff Heather Weir, who traveled to Santa Fe for years until she and her husband eventually made it home. “Santa Fe isn’t like the Southwest. It feels like an international city,” describes Heather. “It has 400 years of Spanish influence and 1,000 years of indigenous culture. People come from all over the world for the art and art festivals.”

Courtesy of La Fonda on the Plaza

Where to Stay

Located right on Santa Fe Plaza, La Fonda on the Plaza is the perfect jumping-off place to explore the city on foot with easy access to museums, galleries and restaurants. As I wander the hotel halls that are chock-full of museum-quality art, I feel as though I have stepped back in time. The hotel marks its 100th anniversary this year, but an inn has been located on this site for 400 years throughout Santa Fe’s storied past as a Spanish and Mexican territory. “La Fonda is the heart of the city,” emphasizes Heather. “Locals and visitors love to meet here.” Accented with authentic carved timber-beamed ceilings, the hotel spans a block in the center of town and includes a rooftop bar.

The ambience of Santa Fe’s pueblo-style accommodations adds to the charm of the city, and rooms often include wood fireplaces with authentic Spanish furnishings. “Since the early 1900s, city code dictates that buildings can’t be taller than four stories,” adds Heather. “They also must be the color of the earth.” Just around the corner, the Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi offers close proximity to the center of Santa Fe. Nearby, The Inn of the Five Graces also provides high-end accommodations designed in a bold fiesta of color throughout. Visitors who prefer a resort experience can stay five minutes from town at the landmark 300-acre Auberge Bishops Ranch, where guests can take in a sunset view by the fire on the patio.

What to Do

From the Plaza in the center of town, we walk a block to the Cathedral Basilica to experience a free concert by the Santa Fe Symphony Chorus. Built in 1869, the Cathedral’s hand-painted arches and walls graced with oil paintings from the 1700s create a sublime setting to take in a concert. “An important part of the culture in Santa Fe is music,” explains Heather. “In August, locals and visitors congregate for free concerts in the square several nights a week.” In addition, the Santa Fe Opera’s summer performances draw people from all over the country to its venue outside of town set in an iconic New Mexican landscape.

After the concert, we stroll a few blocks to the Palace of the Governors, where we connect with local Native Americans selling their jewelry and pottery under the portal. “Jewelry sold here must be real silver and local turquoise,” notes Heather. “Artisans are chosen through a lottery system and vetted by the New Mexico History Museum.” In the summer, one of the most celebrated and renowned events for Native American art enthusiasts is the annual Indian Market, drawing artisans from all over the West to showcase and sell their work. The Folk Art and Spanish Markets are also popular summer festivals for fans of these traditions.

Art (Including Culinary)

Recently ranked the sixth largest art capital in the world, Santa Fe is a mecca for art lovers. More than 80 galleries lining picturesque Canyon Road provide visitors a chance to stroll for days through exhibits and meet the artists. While local studios represent art of all genres from ancient to modern, the Native American collections in museums and galleries are unrivaled worldwide. “What makes it interesting from an art and history viewpoint is that the majority of the Native American population surrounding Santa Fe is on their original land,” says Heather. “They were not nomadic and are known for their weaving and pottery. They contribute a lot to the experience because their art has been here before anyone else got here.”

To view a variety of Native American Art, we drive five minutes to Museum Hill and tour the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture and the Wheelwright Museum, showcasing one of the largest collections of Native American jewelry in the world. Here, visitors can take in several other museums and a botanical garden as well. The views from Museum Hill provide sweeping vistas of Santa Fe with its surrounding snow-capped peaks and a chance to photograph a dazzling New Mexican sunset.

Next on our list, a few blocks from the Plaza, we redeem our tickets at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and step into this art enclave. Art enthusiasts can visualize the New Mexican terrain through the eyes of one of the Southwest’s premier artists. “Georgia O’Keeffe developed a style of painting that really reflects America,” Heather points out. “She is part of the lore here.” Afterwards, we head to The Shed, where we dine on authentic New Mexican enchiladas and signature margaritas. Don’t let the humble name of this renowned family establishment fool you—advance reservations are needed.

To get a sense of the local culinary scene, a trip to the sprawling Santa Fe Farmers Market on Saturday morning is a must. In the fall, the smell of green chilies roasting onsite adds a distinct aroma to the market. “Some of the crops such as chilies were brought here by the Spanish and still grow here 400 years later,” Heather shares. Chefs dream up everything from green chili cheese burgers and stews to green chili milkshakes and lattes. Cafe Pasqual’s breakfast of huevos rancheros with green chili sauce and the chorizo burrito provide quintessential Santa Fe flavors.

Excursions Outside Santa Fe

To gain perspective on the surrounding landscape, we make an overnight escape to Taos Ski Valley, just a two-hour drive from Santa Fe. Our trip takes us through the artist colony of Taos where Ansel Adams and D.H. Lawrence once lived. Traveling the “low road,” as locals refer to it, we pass a herd of elk and stop on the red-cliffed banks of the Rio Grande River, where we encounter a bighorn sheep just 10 feet from our car.

For a shorter day trip, spa devotees can travel an hour outside of town to historic Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs, one of the oldest natural health resorts in the country. Here, on lands first settled by the Pueblo Indians 1,000 years ago, geothermal mineral waters flow from a subterranean volcanic aquifer. A day pass allows guests to sample various healing pools of different minerals as well as a swimming pool set in the high-desert scenery. For those who prefer to stay closer to town, Ten Thousand Waves spa is known for its natural mineral springs and Izanami restaurant.

For outdoor enthusiasts, one of the premier adventures is Bandelier National Monument, with over 70 miles of trails less than an hour from Santa Fe. Hikers can explore the ancestral Pueblo Tribe cave dwellings carved into the canyon walls and adventure up ladders to peek inside and discover petroglyphs from as early as the mid-12th century. Closer to town, the hills surrounding the city offer immediate access to open space through a network of hiking and mountain biking trails.

Steeped in Spanish, Mexican and Native American life, Santa Fe will leave you feeling as though you have been immersed in another culture. “Santa Fe is not a one-trick pony,” smiles Heather. “It’s the package deal of art, music, history, food and the outdoors, unlike any other place.”

Nature Photography: Hop, Skip, & Jump

Words & nature photography by Robert David Siegel

In addition to those creatures that can actually fly—birds, bats, insects—there are a number of animals that leap in the air to momentarily defy gravity. These airborne aspirants launch themselves for a variety of reasons: to hunt, get over barriers, escape prey, efficiently get from place to place or perhaps, simply, for the joy of it. These momentary bursts are difficult to capture photographically, requiring a combination of a ready camera, a fast shutter speed, patience, preparation, stealth and a fair bit of luck. Check out these spring-loaded Peninsula critters capable of catching air and consider pulling out your camera for your own leap of faith.

It is hard to imagine a charismatic spider until you meet jumping spiders in the family Salticidae. With their large eyes, expressive faces and distinctive personalities, these small predators have acquired a sizable fan club. Add in diverse and distinctive coloration and fabulous mating dances, and I always jump at the opportunity to snap their portrait.

The Sierran tree frog (Pseudacris sierra) is much more frequently heard than seen. Not only can it detect when someone is approaching and become silent, but it is also a bit of a ventriloquist. However, if you imagine where frogs might want to be, you may find them near ponds or under logs. I encountered this specimen near Alpine Road in Portola Valley.

The desert or Audubon’s cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii) is a member of the Leporidae family of mammals including rabbits and hares. This charming bunny is found in Peninsula Open Space parks along with its close relative, the brush rabbit (Sylvilagus bachmani.). Cottontails use their jumping skills primarily as a way to escape predators and they seem to have a great many—including snakes, raptors and coyotes.

This Mediterranean katydid or bush cricket (Phaneroptera nana) can be found in local gardens and parks. This specimen was spotted in Eleanor Pardee Park in Palo Alto. The incredibly long hind legs are adapted to leaping, although it also has wings that may resemble a butterfly in flight. Unfortunately, it is an invasive species and can be an agricultural pest.

Fences and barriers seem to be relatively ineffective in stopping mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus). In addition to running and jumping, they are capable of a behavior called pronking or stotting, which seems more like a bounce than anything else—with all four legs landing at the same time.

The black-tailed jackrabbit or American desert hare (Lepus californicus) is another member of the Leporidae family. They are remarkable for their big eyes, big ears and big jumps. They are found in great numbers in Byxbee Park and in other Peninsula Bayland areas. They have also adapted remarkably well to life on the Stanford campus.

To me, jumping is an expression of exuberance. Certainly, being out in nature is a significant source of that exuberance. I am extremely fortunate to have accumulated jumping photos from all seven continents. This shot shows me aloft over the East Bay Hills. A combination of appropriate camera angle, good timing and strong propulsion from my hind limbs allow my sense of levity to overcome the force of gravity.

Perfect Shot: Happy Hummer

Back in spring 2020, Menlo Park’s Rick Morris pulled his old Nikon out of the closet and applied his focus to birds. A camera and lens upgrade and many adventures later, he captured this Perfect Shot of a female Anna’s hummingbird in Palo Alto’s Gamble Garden. “The hummers were being super shy that day but this one came down to feed on the Peruvian lilies a few times,” he recalls. “I love being able to freeze the action and zoom in on all the beautiful details and colors that you can’t see with the naked eye.”

Image by Rick Morris / linktr.ee/rickwmorrisphotography

Calling all shutterbugs: If you’ve captured a unique perspective of the Peninsula, we’d love to see your Perfect Shot. Email us at
hello@punchmonthly.com to be considered for publication.

Partners in Art

words by Eva Barrows

Paintings Courtesy of Kerwin Galleries

Artworks in gold frames hang floor to ceiling in harmony. Painted canvases fill the seats of repurposed church pews and stacks 20 pieces deep line the walkways. At Kerwin Galleries on California Drive in Burlingame, coastal California landscapes are on display next to non-objective abstract art, exploring shapes, angles and colors. Glass cases reveal jewelry, antique books and a Whistler etching, The Little Rag Gatherers, which depicts two youths in a rustic workshop.

This massive collection of early California (1880-1950) art and 19th- and 20th-century American and European art is the life’s work of husband and wife art dealers Richard and Mercedes Kerwin. The couple has been buying, selling and custom-framing art for 61 years. Richard first opened Kerwin Galleries in 1961 on Taraval Street in San Francisco, with Mercedes joining him soon after. The couple moved to Millbrae, relocating the gallery to Burlingame near Mills-Peninsula Medical Center in the mid-1960s, before settling into the current location in 1982. Just a block away from the foot traffic of Broadway, the blue two-story building with red awnings grabs the attention of passing drivers.

Originally from New Mexico, Richard came out to California as a young man and took San Jose State University business courses. While going to school, he worked at art galleries in San Jose and San Francisco, picking up art dealing and framing skills in the late 1950s and early ’60s. He decided to open a gallery so he could be his own boss. “It was not easy getting started,” Richard recalls, “but I had enough experience from the place in San Jose to start on my own with a little bit of money and hard work.”

Meanwhile, Mercedes worked at a San Francisco insurance company using the secretarial skills she learned in her home country, Nicaragua. While hanging out at what’s now Sabella & La Torre restaurant at Fisherman’s Wharf with friends, Mercedes was approached by two handsome men, Richard and his visiting brother. They asked to join her table. Richard and Mercedes discovered that they both lived in the Sunset district, and she accompanied the brothers for a sightseeing tour of the city.

The chance meeting marked the beginning of an art-filled life’s journey together. Mercedes left her typing job to help Richard run the gallery. They trained their eye for art, developing a sense for quality by frequenting the Oakland Museum of California and de Young Museum and visiting art galleries. “Weekends were spent looking at other galleries and shows in the parks and different places,” remembers Richard. “Anywhere I could see another show, I would go, not necessarily to accomplish anything, but to learn.”

Over time, the Kerwins amassed an impressive collection of traditional artwork evoking familiar locales and emotions, along with a select group of contemporary pieces. Richard ventured out on art buying sprees in the Midwest and Southwest. The couple handled the sale of artists’ estates, bought from other dealers and partnered directly with artists themselves. “When I got my shop started, there were a lot of artists in my area who walked in and said, ‘Can I leave my paintings here on consignment?’” recounts Richard. “Artists are really eager to show their work.”

Mercedes clarifies that they didn’t accept all of the artwork that walked in the door. “I have to see good quality, and I ask where they have studied, where they have shown their work and different questions to get a little more background,” she explains. Mercedes advises that it’s helpful for an artist to have a brochure or website detailing where they have previously sold or shown paintings when seeking representation in an art gallery.

Not artists themselves, the Kerwins have a deep appreciation for what artists do. Mercedes took a few art classes but quickly grew frustrated when comparing her art to the paintings in the gallery. “You say, ‘Why can’t I do this the way the artist does this?’ This is because the artist has so many years of experience,” she observes, “and you want to do it just like they do. It is impossible.” She decided to stop trying to paint and focus on showcasing beautiful works of art instead.

Major holdings include paintings by Frank Myers, Nancy Martin and John A. Dominique as well as etchings by Joseph Eidenberger and the Kasimir family of Austria. As their collection grew, the Kerwins became friends with some of the artists they represented. One was John A. Dominique. Known for his landscapes of the West Coast, Dominique was a plein air painter who captured the beauty of California with loose brushstrokes.

The Kerwins admired Dominique’s artwork so much that they bought everything he would sell them. After talking with him about his art and watching him work, their appreciation for Dominique’s versatility as a painter inspired them to commission a book on his art, John A. Dominique, Poet of Landscape. Former managing editor of Antiques & Fine Art magazine Charlotte Berney wrote the book, and the Kerwins supplied the photos. Dominique lived to be 100 years old, his painting style evolving throughout his long career.

Walking into the gallery for the first time, customers might feel overwhelmed by the enormity of choices before them in price points ranging from a few hundred dollars to many thousands. Mary Matsunaga, Kerwin Galleries operations manager of 36 years, loves to help people discover the perfect piece to bring home. “We’re pretty relaxed here, so we like to chat while looking at the paintings,” she says. “When I get a sense of the person’s taste and start to see similarities in the pieces they are drawn to, I will show them work I think may be to their liking.” Working with customers is also one of Mercedes’s favorite things about being a gallery owner.

Six decades into the endeavor, the Kerwins relish being around the artwork they’ve collected. “There’s not another gallery in the whole Peninsula with the selection we have here,” reflects Mercedes. “It’s amazing the quality of work that we have.” And while Richard isn’t able to frequent the gallery as often, the couple has plenty of art at home for him to contemplate and enjoy. “There is happiness in owning art that I like to sell,” he affirms. “It’s a lot of pleasure to be around art.”

The Writing of Wonder

Words by Sophia Markoulakis

Menlo Park’s Kate Jerome sits on both sides of the desk: She’s a successful publishing executive and an award-winning children’s book author. With a body of work (including more than 200 published books) that’s already influenced millions of kids, she’s showing no signs of shifting into lower gear. In fact, Kate recently launched an intergenerational activity kit company (Little Bridges) and is writing an upcoming middle school science series. For Kate, success is clearly measured by the journey, not the destination.

Kate’s journey began in a small town in northeastern Ohio, where she spent childhood summers tagging along with her three brothers, exploring the area’s forests and creeks. “I was quite the science nerd,” Kate says of days spent building forts and watching tadpoles morph into frogs.

“Back then, my idea of a good time was to munch on a peanut butter sandwich and watch the chrysalis of a monarch butterfly hatch. I would go to the same spot in the field with the milkweed plants every day and wait with fascination,” she reminisces. “Those childhood experiences really laid the groundwork for my love of science.”

As a young college graduate, Kate set out to teach high school science in Chicago but found it difficult to land a job mid-year. Instead, she took a job with a federal tutoring program where she worked independently with kids who couldn’t attend school in person. This one-on-one instruction experience was a powerful teaching moment for Kate. “These kids would normally not be considered good students in a classroom setting, but working with them individually, I was so impressed with the progress they made,” she recounts.

Not long after, Kate saw an ad for an entry-level science editor at Scott Foresman and Company. She applied, interviewed and was hired on the spot. Her program successes led to multiple promotions, and in a meteoric rise, at the age of 35, she became president of the education publishing powerhouse. “The day I read that entry-level ad was one of the luckiest days of my corporate career,” she says. During her tenure there, Kate oversaw the development of kindergarten through college educational materials used by millions of students.

Kate’s career took an interesting pivot when she made the decision to leave her corporate position to spend more time with her children. At the same time, National Geographic was starting a new supplemental publishing division. Knowing of Kate’s reputation, they asked her to create an elementary science reading series. The collaboration grew from 15 books to more than 75 and validated Kate’s switch from corporate to creative. As an author and program developer who could work anywhere with internet access, she made the decision to relocate to the warmer climes of Charleston, South Carolina, where her parents and two brothers lived.

Additional titles (and awards) followed, and working with publishers like Penguin Random House and Acadia Publishing, Kate maintains a prolific career in writing children’s books. She is currently authoring a new series of middle-grade science books with Insight Editions in partnership with OceanX, a global initiative started by Ray and Mark Dalio to encourage ocean exploration. “I really love working with organizations that have a strong vision for the future,” Kate says, “because that allows me to create materials for kids that will have the most impact.”

When an article on Stanford University’s Distinguished Career Institute (DCI) caught Kate’s eye, her daughter encouraged her to apply. She was accepted into the prestigious program’s inaugural class, and in 2015, Kate put her Charleston life and career on hold and moved cross-country to live in Palo Alto for the year-long fellowship. “Imagine taking a professional timeout to just think and immerse yourself in research and classes,” she marvels. “It was an incredible experience.” During her year of academic exploration, Kate worked with Stanford’s Center on Longevity and became energized with the idea of intergenerational connections. “Strong intergenerational connections benefit both ends of the spectrum,” notes Kate. “Older adults give kids emotional support and self-worth while kids provide a sense of purpose and relevance to adults. It creates a lovely, virtuous cycle.”

After her Stanford Fellowship, Kate made the decision to permanently relocate to the West Coast to live nearer her son (in San Diego) and daughter (in Santa Cruz). She accepted a position as president of Insight Editions, a publishing company located in San Rafael. The founder and CEO of the company, Raoul Goff, shares Kate’s commitment to creating quality environmental books, and he and Kate wanted to do more of that kind of publishing for kids. But when the pandemic hit, she and Raoul decided to partner on a new entrepreneurial venture called Little Bridges, which represents a mantra close to Kate’s heart. “I really believe that reading opens many doors for children, but meaningful conversations give them the courage to go through them,” she explains. “So the activities we develop at Little Bridges are designed to get kids, parents and grandparents laughing and talking. That’s when the magic happens.”

According to Kate, Little Bridges is a culmination of many things—spanning the valuable lessons learned in early childhood from her now-deceased parents to the most strategic and successful boardroom conversations. “Even back when I was developing textbooks for teachers,” she reflects, “I could see that given the right tools and situations, important conversations had the opportunity to emerge—sometimes with life-changing consequences.”

Now that Kate has established roots in Menlo Park, not far from her daughter in nearby Santa Cruz, she’s able to test her kits on her youngest grandchild, and they continue to work together to develop the activities. There are currently three activity kits available—focusing on outdoor exploring, cooking and family activity time. “Meaningful conversations can’t be forced,” she says, “so we focus on the fun first and that creates the opportunities for natural dialogue to emerge.”

As the oldest generation in the family, along with her brothers, Kate recognizes that time is fleeting and that there’s immense value in the relaying of stories and family history. “When we have family gatherings, it’s strange to think that we are now the keepers of the family wisdom,” she observes. Drawing from her own experiences, she’s committed to fostering vibrant exchanges and memorable intergenerational moments.

“I’ll never forget having lunch with my father, not realizing that soon after he would leave us,” she recalls. “Just out of the blue, he placed his hand on mine and said, ‘I just want you to know that I’ve had such a good life, and it’s because of you and your brothers and your mother.’” Kate says it’s a memory she will always cherish. “I was so glad he said that,” she reflects, “and I try to tell everyone what a gift it is to let the people you love know how important they are to you.”

Diary of a Dog: Momo

Isn’t that fresh Bay air just delightful? I can never get enough sniffs of it, which is why I’m so happy that I found my home on the Peninsula. I actually started out as a stray in Fresno but a shelter there turned me over to Humane Society Silicon Valley, and that’s how I came into Susan’s life as a foster pup. At first, I was nervous and fearful, but once I moved in with Susan and Rosie (a parrot!) in Menlo Park, my confidence really skyrocketed. I began to reveal my happy and energetic true self, and Susan knew I needed to permanently join the family. I love to take walks and my favorite outing is Westpoint Harbor in Redwood City. Susan puts me on a 75-foot leash so I have plenty of freedom to roam—and I’m learning to always come back when she calls me. I like to dig and there are lots of rocks and holes to explore. I also have a nifty trick I’ll share with you. When I find an enticing smell, I drop and roll on it so I can carry it away with me. (Try it sometime!) Susan thinks I’m a Terrier mix, but you can always recognize me by the distinguishing stripe on my nose. I don’t think it enhances my sense of smell, but whenever I catch a whiff of something good, it makes me want to fly like the wind

Calling All Dogs: If you’ve got quirky habits or a funny tale (or tail) to share,
email your story to hello@punchmonthly.com for a chance
to share a page from your Diary of a Dog in PUNCH.

Landmark: James Johnston House

Words by Johanna Harlow

James Johnston House, a New England farmhouse just a short stroll from Half Moon Bay’s Main Street, is an enduring structure dating back to 1853. Ever since Ohio pioneer James Johnston completed its construction for his Californio bride, this historic coastal landmark has prevailed through nearly 170 years of high winds, vandalism and stringent coastside conditions. Perhaps it’s not ready to give up the view. From its vantage, the two-story building enjoys the area’s rippling hills and rolling Pacific waves, and watches the hillside shift from gold to green and back again in its seasonal ebb and flow. But Johnston House didn’t become the oldest-standing American home along the San Mateo County coastline without a little help. Thanks to the advocacy of a pair of honeymooners who stumbled across the bedraggled building back in the ’60s and the intervention of the San Mateo County Historical Association, the Johnston House Foundation was formed. Now marking its 50th year, the Foundation put in considerable effort to replace timbers, restore redwood floors and stairways and refurbish the interior. The building’s paint-stripped exterior was given a fresh coat of white paint, restoring its former reputation as “The White House of Half Moon Bay.” Perhaps the most noticeable feature of the farmhouse is its asymmetrically-angled roof—somewhat reminiscent of a ski jump. “Saltbox-style” homes were a classic American colonial staple and get their name from the boxes people used for salt storage back in the day. If you linger long enough outside Johnston House, you might spot a bird using this ramp-like roof to launch itself into a crisp blue sky. For a tour, stop by Johnston House on the third Saturday of every month (January through September) between 11AM and 3PM. For more details, visit johnstonhouse.org.

Essay: Lucky to be at Denny’s

words by Sloane Citron

I’ve been watching a lot of Norm MacDonald on YouTube lately. I like the guy—his unique wit and unapologetic jokes. Of course, Norm’s dead now; he died too young for such a gifted comedian. He brought such life to the world. In a video I was watching the other night, he said, “We are so lucky to be alive. It’s the greatest gig in the world. You get to eat at Denny’s…”
It’s as though he read my mind.

When my children were young, our Sunday night ritual was to go out to dinner with our good friends the Gessows—Jody and Rhonda and their kids Jeremy, Danielle and Julie. Our children were friends from birth. For years, we’d head over to Ken’s Pancake House in Menlo Park before they changed it to a fish restaurant and then to another fish restaurant and then to something else and now it’s Jeffrey’s Hamburgers.

I’m not sure Ken’s was especially pleased to see us with our seven rambunctious kids, though Sunday nights were slow, and we’d always leave a good tip. It was the type of place with Formica tables, a “pie of the day” and paper menus for the kids to draw on.

Our children were sweet-tempered but, well, they were still kids, and they would have a time at the place, throwing crayons across the table, spilling water and tearing open and eating the sugar and jelly packets. Inevitably, the boys would start chasing each other through the restaurant, and we’d have to tell them to quiet down so that we wouldn’t seem like degenerate parents.

When we learned that Ken’s was closing to make room for the first fish restaurant, we had to pivot and that took us to the Denny’s in Redwood City at the corner of Woodside Road and Highway 101. The kids continued where they left off, being high-spirited and loud with no one seeming to mind too much.

Eventually, our Sunday nights went the course of youths growing up and lives changing. But it was a good run. The children remain tight friends today since pancake-bonding lasts a lifetime.

Recently, the one day I dread each year, my birthday, was approaching. I’m not sure why I dislike it so much, whether it means another year of my life flying by or because I don’t like attention, but I much prefer the day after my birthday.

Each year, one of my kids will ask, “Where do you want to go for your birthday?” meaning which restaurant. I never have an answer. When they asked this year, given our plethora of grandchildren, I think the kids thought I’d probably want them to get babysitters, put on nice clothes and head out for an adult dinner. But I couldn’t imagine having my birthday celebration without the little guys.

Instantly, I knew where we were going. I told my youngest daughter, “Denny’s, with all the kids.” We made a plan: a non-reservation at 5:30PM (which is when you eat when you have six kids three and under).
My children kept asking me if I really wanted to go to Denny’s. “Heck, yeah,” I said, already salivating for the Grand Slam breakfast.

We arrived on my birthday night, and the host promptly put a half-dozen tables together in the middle of the room with eat-in booths on either side of us. There weren’t many people there: a couple of older folks enjoying the special senior menu and a few families. We pretty much had the place to ourselves.
Within minutes of sitting down, the grandkids were up and about, climbing in the booths, using them for trampolines and reaching for those familiar sugar packets and tubs of jelly. The waitress was incredibly good-natured, and we tried our best to keep things under control.

The Denny’s menu is amazingly broad—from eggs to steaks to anything in between. But we all had a good idea of what we wanted, so it didn’t take us long to decide. Soon, what the kids had been waiting for all day arrived: strawberry milkshakes. And then our sweet waitress, who referred to each of us as “Dear,” brought out the chocolate chip pancakes, macaroni and cheese, French fries and other good stuff. I had a perfectly tasty eggs Benedict with crispy hash browns.

It was a perfect night at the perfect place and, of course, reminded me of our wonderful Sunday nights with the Gessows. Walking out of the restaurant—with a lift in my heart—I realized that I’m not happy when I’m supposed to be happy. I’m happy when those whom I love are happy. And Norm was right. Boy, am I lucky to be alive.

Switch It Up

Words by Sophia Markoulakis

Marketing pioneer Philip Kotler once said, “A good company offers excellent products and services. A great company offers excellent products and services but also strives to make the world a better place.” Redwood Shores-based Penny Chin, who began her interior design career in 1982, applies this sentiment every day. She helps her clients transform their homes with the knowledge and patience of someone who has executed hundreds of projects.

Penny’s firm, Elements in Design, has a grasp on the numbers, expectations and realistic time frames of a project—whether it’s Bing Crosby’s Hillsborough estate, former Oakland As player Rickey Henderson’s homes in Hillsborough and Las Vegas or a first-time homebuyer.

Penny’s holistic path to design began as a young girl in New York where she would accompany her parents to open house tours and then doodle floor plans for fun. Years (and many doodles later), Penny had intentions to study architecture, but she married and decided to focus on her growing family instead. In 1972, she and her family moved to San Bruno and rented a home. Not long after, Hillsborough became their permanent residency.

One day, while sitting in her kitchen, reflecting that her children were in school all day, Penny asked herself what she wanted to do with her life. She had used an interior designer for her own home and recalls thinking, “Well, maybe now is the time to explore this interest.” Especially drawn to kitchen design, she quickly realized it could be a timely pursuit. “Come to find out,” she says, “no one in the early ’80s was doing it.”

After Penny earned a degree in interior design, she specialized in kitchens, but after a while, she learned about commercial design and realized that it was a better fit for her lifestyle. “Residential clients wanted me to be available on nights and weekends, but commercial clients needed availability during the weekdays, which worked better for raising five children,” she recounts. Some of her larger clients (like IBM and Disneyland) required spatial design plans and Penny excelled at them. She also dabbled in restaurant design, a niche that she describes as a “puppet show,” where the audience is the diner and anything is possible. Yet, she continued to keep one foot in the residential world, believing that it was where she could make the biggest impact.

“Every skill I gleaned from my commercial and restaurant clients is used with my residential clients,” she came to realize. “I’ve installed slat walls, where retailers hang hooks to display merchandise, in the kitchen for clients to hang their prized pots and in the pantry for modular storage.” Such functional approaches are key to Penny’s portfolio and design philosophy. “Function always comes first for me. Let’s design for function first, style after,” she says. “Interior designers are more than just color-pickers…we’re spatial problem-solvers.”

With an average of 30 projects a year for 40 years, Penny has seen a wide swath of design quandaries. The firm’s website is filled with examples of transformations, and the Elements in Design team thrives on these projects. “Once we have the vision down,” she notes, “we ask clients to be flexible as we take them on a journey with us.”

Penny is very transparent about budgets and will balk when figures don’t align with the work. One way she works around a client’s budget constraints is to map out a project in phases, tackling design dilemmas that are most critical first. With four different teams of licensed carpenters, plumbers and electricians, she can also match up the best fit and skill sets for each project.

Transformation is a familiar theme for Penny, who’s progressed through three Hillsborough homes with her family before ultimately downsizing to her current residence in Redwood Shores. She enjoys living in a beautiful setting without the maintenance and says she’s not ready for the next transition—retirement—yet. “I can retire at any time,” she reflects. “I’d rather retire while my practice is busy, and I’m still happy working and making the world a better place.”

Stepping Out: Shoe Designer

Words by Christina Chahal

Erika Carrero didn’t set out to become a luxury shoe designer, but it happened the same way the Los Altos resident does everything in life: with a vision for the future and a lot of hard work. While a student in her home country of Peru, Erika held a full-time job as a full-time university student and she cheerfully calls herself a nerd.

“I was one of those kids who was always happy doing homework,” remembers Erika. “I really like studying. It’s good for your brain.”
Erika’s determination led her to Santa Clara University, where she earned her MBA. That degree opened the doors to Silicon Valley and her career took off. She landed in software and SaaS doing operations and finance, working her way up and doing a lot of business travel. She found herself flying at least once per quarter to far-flung destinations such as London, Stockholm, Argentina and Mexico, where her position required a high degree of skill and even higher heels.

“I needed to wear heels constantly,” recalls Erika. “We’d be in meetings all day and then on to dinner, drinks and dancing, and then start the next day with 8AM meetings. I was always in pain.”

Later, as the CFO for a startup, she was traversing the U.S. searching out companies to acquire, all while still wearing excruciatingly painful high heels. When her own company was sold, Erika finally had the time and the financial foundation to explore a business idea she’d been playing with: Why not create a line of both comfortable and luxurious high-heeled shoes? It was an idea growing more insistent with every painful blister and bunion—and one she’d been preparing for for several years.

Once again, Erika had been educating herself. After her MBA, she earned her CPA and completed a certificate in finance from UC Berkeley and a Stanford executive leadership course, all while working full-time and starting her family.

“To me, education is such an important part of life,” espouses Erika. “Every stage of my career has been about education. It pushes you forward.”
Forward indeed. It was at the Stanford leadership course where she met someone who worked in the luxury accessories sector. Now Erika had someone to give her guidance and answer her myriad of questions about the footwear business. She gave Erika good advice, telling her to “concentrate on the product and the shoes will sell themselves.”

Erika had already been taking online classes to learn shoe design from the esteemed Arsutoria School in Milan. After attending Arsutoria’s in-person course in Los Angeles, she was hooked. Erika headed to Italy where she immersed herself in every aspect of shoemaking. And she appreciated that the hands-on program extended Arsutoria’s network of suppliers and factories to its students.

“That’s how I met my team, through school and also by knocking on doors,” explains Erika. “No one was answering my emails, so I went out knocking, thinking, ‘I don’t have anything to lose if they say no.’”
She ended up choosing a factory in Vigevano in the Lombardy region outside Milan. It’s known for its 1492-era Piazza Ducale, the Castle Sforzesco and centuries of shoemaking, highlighted at the Museo della Calzatura. The town also holds an annual shoe fair and market. Erika says Vigevano is a small town that used to be the center of shoemaking in Italy and continues to be a style capital. The proof? According to Erika, Manolo Blahnik uses the same factory she does and if that weren’t enough cred, she’s also expanding to have her shoes crafted in a Tuscan factory used by Gucci.

With her manufacturing in place, Erika focused on function, style and branding. She decided to name her business Elizée and incorporated in 2019.

“Elizée means the tradewinds in French, joyful in Hebrew and Elizabeth is my middle name,” says Erika of her Los Altos-based business. “It was inspired by my passion for travel.”

Already seeing steady customer growth, Erika’s luxury shoe collection is an assortment of pumps, sandals and booties, all handcrafted in Italian nappa leather—a top-quality leather that undergoes a unique tanning process which creates softer, more pliable hides—and all featuring 3- to 4-inch heels. With influencer sightings including Kathy Ireland, Access Daily and The Real Housewives of Orange County, the high-glamour, comfortable shoe line is also creating buzz with fashion editors, celebrities and stylists.
Erika designs each shoe herself. She looks at the trends and her team in Italy gathers leathers for her to approve based on mood boards she creates. Functionally, she avoids placing seams in sensitive areas like ankles or big-toe bunions, resulting in a shoe interior that feels soft and doesn’t cause discomfort.

“I really study and I don’t want to do anything that I don’t understand really well,” notes Erika. She even traveled to London to meet the shoemakers to the Queen as part of her research.

The defining feature of Erika’s shoes is the product innovation. To achieve her goal of making a luxury high heel with all-day comfort, Erika created an insole called Plush Contour. She did it by analyzing what makes shoes comfortable: They need to be made from the best traditional and high-tech materials and approved by podiatrists.

Unlike most heels with just a piece of cardboard between the outsole and insole, Elizée’s high-density poron memory foam combines with a layer of responsive gel that molds to your foot and absorbs the impact of your footsteps.

“Traditional luxury shoes are slim and very narrow, and to achieve that look they use thin padding—and sometimes just cardboard or thin foam—which leaves very little between your foot and the street. Using materials typically found in sneakers goes against the grain,” explains Erika, adding, “Louboutin red bottoms wouldn’t work with an insole like mine.”

But that’s okay with Erika, whose target customer is not just the Louboutin girl but also the woman who hasn’t worn high heels in a while and would like to try it again.

Erika is proud to say, “People are surprised at just how comfortable they are.”

Pan-Asian Passion

Words by Anni Golding

Nee Lau, owner of The Mandarin, is passionate about good food. He can describe favorite dishes in exquisite detail—from a tender, herb-stuffed rotisserie chicken from a market in Avignon, France, to “the best venison” at Wild Hare, a long-since-closed Menlo Park eatery that once resided in the same spot that now houses Nee’s own restaurant. Although The Mandarin is his first solo venture as a restaurateur, he’s more than ready for the role.

Nee’s introduction to the food and beverage industry came at age 14, just shortly after he emigrated to Redwood City from China’s Guangdong province with his mother and three siblings. “I could barely speak English,” he says. “I didn’t even know A-B-C.” Nee enrolled at Sequoia High School and took on a part-time dishwashing job at nearby Give Pizza Chance.

By age 16, he was managing the pizza spot and learning about the food business from owners Rusty Epps and Bill Abney, whom he still affectionately refers to as “my bosses.” The two men became mentors and role models to the teenage Nee. They taught him to drive, helped him with his citizenship test and introduced him to a variety of dining experiences. More importantly, he says, “They also taught me about right and wrong, to enjoy life and to have fun while you’re doing what you do.”

Respecting his mother’s wishes that he pursue a financially lucrative career path, Nee earned a computer science degree from San Jose State University. “I hated it,” he says plainly of his field of study. Even so, he built a tech career at Excite@Home and then moved on to Lucent Technologies, where he rose to the role of senior network engineer, eventually leaving the tech industry when a reorganization at Lucent relocated his job to the East Coast. Nee took a severance package and traveled for six months.

He returned home with a desire for work that incorporated his love of restaurants and good food and suggested to his mother that the family go in together on an eatery. They opened their first restaurant in Vallejo in 2003 and followed with five more over a six-year period, all in the North Bay and Sacramento. (The family has since closed all but two of the properties.) During that time, Nee also earned his MBA from San Francisco State.

A long-held love of wine led Nee to create Amourvino Winery in Napa in 2013. Since its inception, the winery has been his primary business. As 90% of Amourvino’s wines are sold in China through direct partnerships, Nee spent much of his time before the pandemic traveling to his homeland on behalf of the business.

When pandemic restrictions halted travel to China, Nee was stuck at home. “I was bored out of my mind, and my wife wanted me to get out of the house,” he recounts. Although he wasn’t looking for another restaurant project, the opportunity arose when he learned from a friend that Menlo Park eatery Black Pepper had closed, and the building’s owners were looking for someone to take over the lease.

Nee considered the possibility of another family restaurant and consulted with his brother, “a professional restaurateur,” who cautioned him that the space was too big. Nee, familiar with Peninsula demographics and having faith in local diners, decided to pursue the project on his own. He didn’t have a concept in mind, but he knew that whatever he did, the food would have to be top-notch. “I had a vision to run good quality food that I’d be proud of,” he states.

Keeping the space’s interior modifications to a minimum, Nee instead focused on staffing and menu development. With a small team in place, and Nee jumping in where needed—”I was not afraid to get my hands dirty,” he says—The Mandarin opened in July 2021. The name, suggested by one of Nee’s sisters, is an homage to the restaurant opened by Cecilia Chiang in San Francisco in 1961. “Cecilia Chiang always promoted Chinese cuisine, and I’ve always had a sense of pride about that,” Nee says. “She’s a woman I admire, who did something amazing.”

Chinese flavors and cooking techniques are the foundation of the restaurant’s pan-Asian menu, which comprises equal amounts of American-Chinese and traditional Chinese dishes, along with a few fusion creations, like the Singaporean-style Golden Crab dish. “I’m very straightforward: I think food is food. There is no prejudice against American-Chinese or Chinese-American,” he emphasizes. “Traditionalism and fusion can cross over—as long as the food is good, and the ingredients are fresh and local.”

In developing the menu with his chef, Nee opted for quality over quantity. “A typical Chinese menu is usually about 300 items,” he notes. “I didn’t want that many. I wanted the chef to pick out the best.” Topping his list of traditional must-have “chef’s specials” is the tea-smoked duck. Also on the list: eight treasure duck, a labor-intensive dish that must be ordered two days in advance. A deboned, skin-on duck is stuffed with sticky rice, dried shrimp, dried scallops, cured daikon, heritage pork belly, Chinese sausage, salty egg and peanuts and then (in a nod to Give Pizza Chance), wrapped in dough before being steamed and baked. The crispy, thin outer layer of bread isn’t part of the traditional recipe. Nee taught himself to make this dish at home several years ago from watching a YouTube video and added the dough layer on a whim.

Familiar American-Chinese dishes populate the appetizers section of the menu, including pot stickers, moo shu variations, and the ubiquitous Chinese chicken salad. Diners will find familiar dishes like honey walnut prawns and General Tso’s chicken among the family-style entrées. Kung pao chicken is available in two varieties: an American-Chinese version, which includes vegetables, and the traditional Chinese version, which Nee says is vegetable-free. Offering two takes on the dish is a way to bridge the gap between traditional and American-style Chinese dishes. Customers in the know can request either, and the staff has been trained to offer the traditional option to Chinese customers who might prefer it.

Despite pandemic-related dining restrictions, business has been good. “When we opened, we were very lucky, very busy,” Nee says. With a solid menu in place and a growing clientele, he wants to add to The Mandarin’s offerings. An avowed lover of sushi, Nee is planning to include some traditional Japanese dishes later this year. And, of course, there will be a comprehensive wine list, which will include “about 100 wines.”

Through his Menlo Park dining venture, Nee is sharing his passion for good food, welcoming the opportunity to educate customers about the restaurant’s menu and traditional dishes. It seems that he’s taken the sage advice of his mentors to heart, enjoying life and having fun while doing what he loves.

What’s a Pikklepuss?

Words by Anni Golding

“It was love at first sip,” says pikklepuss owner Juli Alderson, of her introduction to shrubs during a friend’s socially-distanced get-together in 2020. She was so smitten with the fruity-tart blueberry beverage, that she got the recipe from her friend, bought a book on shrubs and kicked off a quarantine kitchen project that evolved into an eco-conscious small business with award-winning products.

Shrubs (also known as drinking vinegars or drinking shrubs) are made from fruit macerated in sugar and combined with vinegar to create a sweet-tart syrup that can then be mixed with water, alcohol or both. The history of shrubs in the U.S. goes back to the Colonial period, during which two variations of the beverage evolved: an alcoholic version that paired a syrup of citrus, sugar and aromatics with brandy or rum and a non-alcoholic fruit vinegar that was popular as a summer thirst-quencher. In recent years, shrubs have seen a resurgence, both as a healthy beverage and as a darling ingredient of craft cocktail makers.

“I’ve always loved a flavor profile that’s slightly sweet and slightly tart, and so I think that really struck a chord with me,” notes Juli. An enthusiastic cook with a penchant for reverse-engineering restaurant meals at home, she credits her upbringing in rural Alberta, Canada, with providing a foundation for creativity in the kitchen. “My family did a lot of preserving when I was growing up,” she recalls, “and we had a huge, acre-sized garden.

A country kid with city dreams, Juli moved to Toronto to attend Ryerson University and later began a career in sales with Cintas. But she had a long-held goal to land in Manhattan. “That was the pinnacle,” she says—until she made a visit to San Francisco. Juli arranged a stateside job transfer, first to San Diego, where she met her husband-to-be, and finally to Redwood City in the early 2000s, where they settled and started a family. “I love it here; we’re in a really great community,” she shares.

Working from home during the early months of the pandemic gave Juli an opportunity to develop her shrub-making skills while holding down her day job as a global sales manager for Cintas. Once she had a few solid recipes, Juli assembled a portable cocktail kit and began sharing her shrubs with friends during outdoor gatherings. The feedback was positive and encouraging, and the idea for a viable business began to coalesce. “I wanted to make it easier for people to spend more time socializing,” she says, “and less time doing mixology.” Her idea was to create a concentrated mixer that needed nothing more than the addition of alcohol and/or soda water.

Having what she calls “an entrepreneurial mindset,” Juli has always kept a running list of business ideas throughout the years and had written the word “pikklepuss” on her whiteboard sometime in 2015 or 2016—a callback to her mom chastening, “Don’t be such a picklepuss,” meaning sour face, when anyone woke up in a grouchy mood. “I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be a fun name for a company?’” In the midst of perfecting her shrub recipes, Juli looked at the whiteboard one day and had a lightbulb moment. “I just said ‘This is pikklepuss.’” The name in search of a company had found one

In early 2021, Juli had what she calls a listen-to-the-universe moment. On the same day that she was assembling her minimum viable product (rough packaging containing shrubs and a cocktail kit) to mail to friends for their feedback, she was also having a conversation with her longtime employer about her future and decided she was ready for a new path. “I was burnt out and looking for a change,” she explains. Parting ways with Cintas on the last Friday in February, she officially launched pikklepuss as a full-time venture the following Monday.

A one-woman show, Juli does everything herself—from making the shrubs at Kitchentown in San Mateo to bottling them and fulfilling orders that come through the pikklepuss website. Her farm-to-glass approach includes using locally sourced, organic and non-GMO ingredients and composting or upcycling fruit solids to reduce waste.

The pikklepuss product line consists of four shrub-based mixers for cocktails or mocktails: Citrus Tonic, Razzle-B Lime, Pear Ginger and Strawberry Pepper. “I just felt as though those flavors came together the best, and they didn’t need any more tinkering,” she states. Pear Ginger and Strawberry Pepper each earned a Good Food Award in February 2022 for their balanced, elegant flavors.

Juli also created a curated cocktail kit around each mixer, with names like “The Ultimate Gin and Tonic” and “The Ultimate Raspberry Daiquiri.” Each kit, packaged in a colorful box, includes a mixer, selected bar tools and a snack. The Gin and Tonic and Raspberry Daiquiri kits also contain an upcycled food product—candied citrus peel and raspberry fruit leather, respectively. Think of each collection as a cocktail party in a box: just add friends and your libation of choice.

The universe again brought unexpected opportunity Juli’s way in November 2021, when Redwood City-based Balsam Brands reached out with an offer she couldn’t refuse. “It was so perfectly aligned with my interests,” she shares. Taking on a full-time role has meant transitioning to part-time with pikklepuss for the time being.

Long-term, her goal “is to be the Fever-Tree of shrub mixers,” she adds, name-checking the premium mixer business. But for now, next steps include focusing on distribution and sales so that she can get pikklepuss mixers into more glasses. And as a shrub evangelist, she’s ready to spread the word about the beverage she fell for at first sip. “The saddest thing is that a lot of people don’t know what a shrub is,” she points out. “And I would just love to share them with the world, because they’re so delicious.”

The Beat on your Eats: Yakitori

Words by Elaine Wu

Yakitori is the Japanese style of charcoal grilled and skewered meats . . . here’s a mix of choices.

izakaya ginji

San Mateo

This casual spot is as close to a Japanese pub as you’ll find on the Peninsula. Izakaya Ginji offers a wide variety of items on their menu including sushi rolls, donburi (rice bowls), Japanese curry dishes and “Japanese Tapas” such as Garlic Teriyaki Tontoro (pork cheek) and Ika Stick Karaage (dry fried seasoned squid). But it’s their yakitori menu that shines. Served from 5PM-8:30PM, preparations include soy-marinated, salt-seasoned or “tare” sauce-basted veggies and meats with offerings like chicken gizzard and quail eggs for the more adventurous foodies in your party. 301 East 4th Avenue. Open Thursday from 11:30AM-1:30PM; Monday through Wednesday and Friday through Saturday from 11:30AM-2PM; Monday through Saturday from 4:30PM-9PM. Closed Sunday.

sumika grill

Los Altos

If you’re looking for an authentic Japanese experience, this no-nonsense yakitori restaurant delivers. The moment you walk in, you’ll smell tantalizing aromas emanating from the kitchen’s charcoal grill. Yakitori items on the menu span a range of chicken, pork, seafood, veggie and beef selections, including American Wagyu beef with apple onion steak sauce and asparagus roll wrapped in black pork slice. Seasonings vary from ponzu and miso to plum sauce. Lunch offers additional items such as donburi and bento boxes. 236 Central Plaza. Open daily from 11:30AM-1:30PM; Monday through Thursday from 5:30PM-7:30PM; Friday through Sunday from 5:30PM-8PM.

hikari sushi & grill

Redwood City

Hikari offers a wide variety of different Japanese items to please just about everyone, from noodle dishes to nabe (hot pot) and plenty of sushi rolls. As an extra bonus, they have a selection of grilled skewers perfect for the yakitori beginner. Highlights include the kamo (duck breast), hotate (scallops) and shishito peppers topped with bonito flakes. It’s the perfect place for those who want to try yakitori without being intimidated by an overwhelmingly large menu or too many offal offerings. The setting is clean, modern and comfortable. 490 El Camino Real, Suite 140. Open daily from 11:30AM-2:30PM and 4:30PM-8:30PM.

A Bias for Art: Finding Inspiration in a Creative Collective

Words by words by Sheryl Nonnenberg

There is a stereotype about artists working alone in cold, drafty studios, miserable in their poverty and isolation. It might make for good drama but in reality, contemporary artists want and need all the usual creature comforts as well as the camaraderie of fellow creative spirits. That is why places like Art Bias, an artist collective in San Carlos, are so vital both to the individual artist and the community.

Located in the busy industrial area of San Carlos, Art Bias has been in existence for five years, but its inception goes back much further. In 1993, a group of artists joined forces to create the Redwood City Art Center in the downtown area. As often happens, the group was displaced when the building was bought by a developer. Fortunately, a former office building at 1700 Industrial Road became vacant and the artists took the lease on the second floor. Gradually, the first floor area opened up and soon the building filled to its current capacity of 50 studios.

Artists working in a wide variety of media—ranging from painting, drawing and assemblage to photography and jewelry design—occupy the studio spaces, which vary in size from 100 to 800 square feet. Artists are charged according to studio size and are welcome to design and decorate their spaces as they wish. Doors can be closed for privacy and common areas, perfect for conferring with fellow artists, can be found on both floors.
A walk through the collective reveals an amazing array of inspiring spaces, each reflecting the artist’s chosen craft as well as the ability to create cozy yet efficient ateliers.

Open to the public weekdays from 9AM to 4PM, this unique setting exudes a feeling of warmth and welcome, where visitors are invited to enjoy art on display, talk to the artists and, perhaps, make a purchase.

Visit Art Bias on any given day, and you’ll likely find a contingent of artists on-site, since tenants can access their studios 24/7. “This is what is so appealing about a place like this,” observes board president Jeanette Karthaus. “It’s not a static gallery experience.”

Neither Jeanette nor fellow board member Alistair Jeffs are artists but, like the other six members of the board, they bring business and high-tech acumen to the nonprofit. Alistair serves as liaison to the Industrial Arts District, a five-block area designated by the City of San Carlos to support and encourage the arts in the city. “San Carlos has said that arts and crafts are important and has identified this as the area for it,” explains Alistair. He cites a need for artists to have more professional development and business skills—like software knowledge and working with QR codes—and summarizes his goal succinctly: “How can I help the artist thrive and be successful?”

Jeanette is tasked with tenant relations and promoting Art Bias to the community. She also had the difficult job of keeping the organization going through the ups and downs of the pandemic. Closed during the early lockdown phase, the studios reopened for artists as soon as it was feasible. According to Jeanette, tenants were given a discount on rent and Art Bias saw very little attrition during the past two years.

The board is also responsible for the fiscal health of the collective and Jeanette explains that the main income sources are rents and jury fees. Tom Chapman, an artist and the only staff member (he serves as facility manager), has overseen the jurying process for a number of years. Tom shares that five of the resident artists meet to consider applications, which include a portfolio. A four out of five vote is necessary to be accepted and criteria varies but, explains Tom, “The most important thing is that the work is good.”

“We are looking for working artists who are serious enough that they want to invest in a studio,” adds Jeanette. And with such a variety of needs, personalities and media, how does it all mesh? Tom laughs, “It’s like living in an apartment house. Everyone here gets along really well.”

In addition to the individual studios, there is ample space for the display of art. Hallways on both floors serve as galleries, and a large community room features both two- and three-dimensional pieces. Two tenants, Zdenka Bleile and Lindsay Hogue, have stepped into the role of curators, overseeing the quarterly exhibitions throughout the building. “To be honest, we stumbled into it because we have been here since the art center moved to this location,” says Zdenka. “We ask artists to submit paintings and select groupings that work well together. We have a hanging system so we hang all the paintings ourselves.” All of the art on display is available for purchase with 100% of sales revenue going directly to the artists. Artists are also allowed to teach in their spaces.

These displays and Art Bias’s involvement with outside events like Silicon Valley Open Studios promote the artists’ work to the public. Jeanette says that the entire community comes together for the Open Studios and their own holiday events. “That’s when you really get to understand how magical this place is,” she notes.

Each artist has the opportunity to show their work and to interact with visitors, explaining their background and process. “There are artists in studios working,” notes Jeanette. “It’s not just a showcase.” The board deemed these events important enough to embark on a new program, First Sunday Open Studios, which began in March 2022.

Jeanette speaks with justifiable pride about the continued success of Art Bias and how the tenants reflect the community at large. “In terms of diversity, race, age and media, it’s all here,” she says.

Jeanette is also quick to point out that it is not the physical plant that makes this venture work so well. “The building is not the draw here,” she reflects. “This is an older building in an industrial part of town—it really is the community.”

Studio #101 – Natalie Ciccoricco

Natalie was a freelance translator looking for a creative outlet. In 2015, she began making collages using embroidery thread, fiber, paper and wood. “Since I started renting my art studio, I have seen an increase in my production and sales. I have been able to take on more custom art projects for hotels and corporate clients, which has accelerated my shift towards becoming a full-time professional artist. Being part of an art community has also been a benefit to my art career, as we can learn so much from each other.” Natalie credits Art Bias with being just the boost she needed to progress. “It gave me confidence to take things to the next level,” she notes. “Renting an art studio has truly been one of the best decisions I’ve made as an artist.”

Studio #113 – Deborah Shea

Deborah studied with Wayne Thiebaud at UC Davis and also attended a summer arts program with Ruth Asawa. “They were both wonderful artists,” she says, “and definitely influenced my work.” Deborah cites pastels as her favorite medium (“You are working with almost pure pigment.”) and is currently focused on large-scale florals: “I am constantly amazed by all the beautiful gardens I see in the neighborhoods. I love to capture all the beauty in florals—exploring the abstract shapes, finding the path of light, creating transparency and building the luminous color of the flower centers and petals.” She considers having a studio space as a critical step in defining yourself as an artist. “I come to my studio every day and revel in a creative space I can call my own,” she says. “To be able to focus, spread out and dedicate yourself to your art is magic.”

Studio #212 – Zdenka Bleile

Zdenka is a native of Prague who began making art via drawing, painting and cut linoleum as far back as she can remember. Although she had a successful career as a freelance graphic designer, she felt the call of more creative work. She began painting with oils, working in an impressionistic manner. “Abstract art was always something I admired, but I didn’t know how to tap into that side of me,” she shares. “I was fortunate to discover a new medium: oil and cold wax. It immediately resonated with me and allowed me to move further away from descriptive reality. It is a joy to let go and immerse myself in a flow of imagination.” Zdenka considers her Art Bias studio as much more than a physical space. “It is my refuge from distractions, my connection to the art world and art community and my inspiration.”

Studio #103 – Jil Coolidge

Jil is a painter whose history with the collective dates back to the Redwood City Art Center. “I have been an artist since I was 15 when I asked my mom to show me how to draw a horse,” she recalls. “I was forever after obsessed with sketching and drawing.” After a career in the airlines, Jil set up a studio to paint and teach workshops for both kids and adults. “I started with watercolor and still lifes, then used my travel photos to work with destinations, always focusing on principles and methods.” Jil enjoys painting familiar spots on virtually any beach she visits and is fortunate enough to have studios on both coasts (here and Nantucket). She says about Art Bias, “It’s an incredible mix of artists, and I am very happy to have such an inspiring group of like-minded creatives.”

Art Bias: Open to the public Monday to Friday, 9AM-4PM
For a tour of the facility: jeanette@artbias.org
1700 Industrial Road, San Carlos • artbias.org

Sneak Peek: Gamble Garden Spring Tour

Words by Sheri Baer & Ana Picazo

As Peninsula gardens come alive with a splash of spring colors, don’t be concerned if you see a silver Prius casing the neighborhoods of Palo Alto.
“I drive up and down every street looking right and left,” says Dee Gibson about her seasonal ritual. An avid gardener herself, Dee has a clearly-defined mission: Identify five beautiful, show-stopping gardens to spotlight in Gamble Garden Spring Tour, the primary fundraiser for the historic two-and-a-half-acre property.

Free and open daily during daylight hours, Gamble is a go-to spot for relaxation, inspiration and education as well as a spectacular photography backdrop for every imaginable milestone.

However, back in 1981, when Elizabeth F. Gamble, the granddaughter of the co-founder of Procter & Gamble, bequeathed her house and garden to the City of Palo Alto, the local landmark’s future was rooted in uncertainty. The gift came with minimal guidance and no plan for how to fund its upkeep. In 1985, after lengthy debate, the decision was made to turn Gamble Garden into a nonprofit public garden, with restoration and maintenance to be entirely supported by private donations. The idea for the Spring Tour germinated that very same year.

Closing in on four decades now, the ticketed event includes access to five private Palo Alto gardens, along with a host of free community, shopping and horticultural activities at Gamble Garden. “The stewardship of the property is taken very seriously by this group—we’re committed to keeping our garden thriving as a place where people can go 365 days a year,” says Spring Tour co-chair Debbie Bensen. Debbie’s Spring Tour counterpart, Robin Allen, echoes the sentiment: “We think of ourselves as a hidden gem in Palo Alto.”

Representing the Spring Tour selection committee, Dee explains what happens when she spots a potential candidate. “I knock on the door, and I say, ‘You have a lovely front yard. Now may I see your backyard?’” Partnering with homeowners eager to support Gamble’s cause, the highly-curated result reflects a mix of styles—traditional to contemporary to drought-tolerant—and a diverse selection of plants, many available for purchase back at Gamble Garden. “If you see something you like and think, ‘I wonder where they got that?’ you’ll be able to buy it,” shares Dee, who will be hitting the road again soon, with an eye out for 2023.

“I’ll be looking as soon as the tour’s over,” she confirms. “Since the tour is in the spring, it’s very important to see what gardens look like in the spring.” For a sampling of what to expect, enjoy this PUNCH preview.

A Sense of Place

Arterra Landscape Architects

This sophisticated garden was designed to complement a historic 1930s Spanish home while reflecting the homeowner’s modern lifestyle. The updated landscape preserves its park-like beauty through a sequence of outdoor spaces that progress from formal to informal, moving outward from the house. Highlights include a courtyard garden with a central reflecting pool, a meadow of native no-mow grasses and a woodland garden with a heated bench under the shade of a 100-foot-tall coast redwood. A cool, neutral palette extends throughout the garden, which features California native plants and Mediterranean plants suitable for our climate. Low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plants emphasize form and texture over floral display. The lush, natural landscape offers a strong sense of place and a calm refuge for family and friends.

Entertaining Haven

Thomas Klope, Thomas Klope Associates

This historic home features a majestic deodar cedar, gnarled old oak, manicured front lawn and allée lined with agapanthus and boxwood. Despite the home’s formal lines, relaxed family living is celebrated and cherished, as evidenced by the tree swing and mini-obstacle course hanging from the branches of the giant cedar, and the treehouse with a fireman pole and pulley system nestled in the branches of the oak. Magnolias and pittosporum shield a side yard from the din of busy neighboring streets, creating an oasis that invites recreation and enjoyment. Within the yard, a solar-heated pool and pool house provide all the amenities for adult gatherings and teen hangouts. French doors connect the main house to an outdoor terrace and nearby fire pit, allowing for seamless indoor/outdoor living and entertaining.

Palo Alto Classic

Catherine Garber, Fergus Garber Architects, Katsy Swan Landscaping

A sense of sanctuary, a love of nature and an appreciation for classic style are reflected throughout this recently remodeled 1920s Birge Clark home. English laurels and stucco walls, softened by Virginia creeper vines, surround the property and give it the feel of a secluded private getaway. A custom-built gate at one corner reveals a cozy seating area featuring cushioned chairs and a stone fire pit. An old flowering cherry tree serves as a picturesque backdrop to this enchanting space. A pool and fountain serve as focal points for the backyard, drawing friends and family outdoors to gather and relax. New plantings blend in perfectly with existing landscaping, giving the property a refreshed atmosphere while maintaining its original character. An abundance of flowers including roses, camellias, azaleas, lavender, winter daphne and star jasmine provide heavenly scents all year round.

Whimsical Cottage:

John Black, Verdance Landscape Architecture

A winding path makes its way throughout this garden, connecting multiple gathering areas with playful touches and eye-catching gems at every turn. A terra cotta path and Provence lavender at the front of the property pay homage to the family’s Gallic heritage. Style meets function in curving planter boxes, a grape stake fence and bicycle rack sculpture. Points of interest include a repurposed Talavera tile birdbath, a back wall filled with driftwood sculptures and graffiti art and a custom-built steel pergola with cutout designs that cast gorgeous patterns of sunlight. Natural elements—ranging from columnar apple trees and creeping fig vine to giant ferns and giant redwood trees—offer an abundance of beauty. It all adds up to a garden that’s as pleasing to look at as it is to spend time in.

Zen Palette:

Sutro Architects, Ground Studio Landscape Architecture, Fox Landscaping

Sleek, modern simplicity, a monochromatic palette and free-flowing spaces characterize this garden designed for family living. The homeowner’s modern aesthetic is reflected in the home’s custom-made steel gates, open floor plan and clean, simple lines. Plant variety is kept to a minimum but repeated in abundance to maintain a consistent look and feel. This repetition of elements is evident in the paved pathways that traverse the property and in the undulating kurapia grass that anchors the front and backyards. A contoured hillside with a dramatic slice-through defines the property and provides separation for a tranquil retreat amidst the hustle and bustle of Silicon Valley. An in-ground trampoline and zip line are seamlessly incorporated into the landscape, making this a place where children can truly play, while still staying true to the homeowner’s minimalist style.

Website: www.gamblegarden.org/springtour

Pop Goes the Salt Lands

Words by Silas Valentino

The line between a practice shot and the money shot began to blur when photographer Colin McRae returned home and started developing his camera rolls.

Sometime in 2006, the Berkeley-based photographer was working a commercial job that began with a helicopter liftoff from Hayward followed by a half-hour flight to shoots in the South Bay. Peering out from the chopper and passing time, Colin started snapping 35-millimeter images to warm up. His lens soon gravitated towards the peculiar topography below where vibrant colors flashed like pop art beside lines that zig-zagged through the Bay.

Pink Salt Pond with Winding Road — Image by Colin McRae

The explanation for the spectacular aerial views: miles of ever-changing salt ponds abutting the Peninsula’s bayside—from Redwood City to the southern point of the Bay. With portions formerly used by Cargill Corporation for salt production, the ponds continually shift in shades and tones with ephemeral cycles caused by salinity.

By way of an illuminating biology lesson, microorganisms thrive as salinity levels increase, and three in particular—
Dunaliella, Halobacteria and Synechococcus—create the colors seen in the water. When brine is concentrated, the algae impart a green hue whereas increased salinity causes an uptick in the population of brine shrimp that darkens the water to produce a deep-red pigment.

Green Orange Salt Ponds — Image by Colin McRae

“The colors change all the time,” Colin observes. “I’d fly over areas that were brown and the next time they’re red.”

Over years of assignments, Colin amassed some 95 unique images for a series he’s titled The Abstract Art of the San Francisco Bay Tidelands, which he’s shown at the McLoughlin Gallery in San Francisco. It’s an ongoing act of observation that he’s continuously adding to—that is, whenever a helicopter ride presents itself.

PUNCH offers a sampling of Colin’s chopper’s-eye view of the Bay, a selection of his work that reconsiders the borderlines of beauty.

“I love the abstract nature of it. When you’re looking down from a distance, it is beautiful,” Colin says. “It’s striking. It’s something that you’d never see anywhere else.”

Landmark: Dumbarton Rail Bridge

Here’s a quiz: What was the first bridge to span the San Francisco Bay? As you’re crossing the Dumbarton Bridge, just look to the south and you’ll see the answer. Opened in 1910 after three years of construction, the Dumbarton Rail Bridge carried rail traffic between Newark and Redwood City, replacing the need for less efficient freight ferries. Declared “a great engineering feat” in its day, the steel bridge shaved the rail route between San Francisco and Oakland by 26 miles. At a cost of $3.5 million, the structure was the most expensive bridge built in California at the time. Southern Pacific Railroad engineers used 6,000 carloads of rock to stabilize the sludgy marshland sufficiently to support the massive crossing on concrete pilings. When the Dumbarton Rail Bridge was functional, boats needing to pass through the Bay would signal the bridge operator, who relied on a diesel engine to swing the bridge open—a process that required about two minutes. The last freight train crossed the Dumbarton Rail Bridge in 1982. After it fell out of use, the bridge was permanently welded open to allow for unimpeded traffic flow on the water. The San Mateo County Transportation Authority purchased the bridge in 1994, but the future of the abandoned span remains undetermined, with no immediate plans to refurbish it or remove it.

Exuberant Art

Words by Sheryl Nonnenberg

In 1996, Jill Andre was working at her dream job as a designer at Tenth Planet, an educational software firm that focused on children’s literacy projects. But 2000 brought an economic downturn and she was laid off. “It was a great job because I got to draw all the time,” she reflects, “and if the dot-com bust had not happened, I would still be there.” As one door closed, however, another opened and allowed her to pursue her ultimate goal: to become a fine artist.

A Bay Area native who eventually settled in Menlo Park, Jill also acknowledges that her career path was never in doubt. “I always knew I was an artist,” she says. Her father owned a lumber yard, so Jill grew up around construction. She started making scale models of furniture as a child, and it seemed natural that she would pursue a degree in interior architectural design. Since this was before the widespread use of computer aided design (CAD) software, Jill had to use all of her drawing abilities. “I used drawing as a form of problem-solving,” she recalls. After completing her degree, she began to seek out ways to expand her skills.

Mary Mosman - Andre Sheltering Sun — Courtesy of Jill Andre

Jill found an outlet close to home, thanks to Stanford University’s Continuing Studies Program. She enrolled in Edward Stanton’s Master Artist Class in 1999 and returned each year for the next 15 years. The reason for her adherence to the program was Stanton’s unique teaching method. The class, intended for people with art expertise who wanted to draw, used live models but in a rather unorthodox manner. Instead of the model remaining still, Stanton would encourage them to move, dance, perform and take non-traditional poses. “Sometimes there would be props, music or smoke from a smoke machine,” explains Jill. The objective was not to make a realistic rendition but an expression of what they were seeing: “When the model is moving, you make a drawing that is informed by that, but isn’t that. As a result, none of our work looked alike.”

Jill found that the welcoming environment of the class helped her to find her own style.

She works quickly and most of her figures have “tiny heads, elongated torsos and stylized, generalized facial features.” The off-beat life drawing course, which got the nickname “The Drawing Circus,” was more about process than product, although Jill often completed 10 to 15 drawings per class. “What it did was develop a language in each of us, our own language,” she now realizes.

Those Drawing Circus sketchbooks, all of which Jill kept, would come in handy as she began to pursue a career as a painter. Jill’s work always encompasses the figure and architecture and she still prefers to work with models who move. Using Open Acrylics and clay board (2-inch-deep panels), her figures dance, jump and take yoga poses. She cites David Hockney, Pierre Bonnard, Wayne Thiebaud and Henri Matisse as some of her inspirations and that is evident in her color palette. Jill refers to those sketchbooks, as well as iPad drawings, as a basis for her exuberant canvases. Lately, she has been creating works in a modular fashion, with small panels that fit together, somewhat like a jigsaw puzzle. She pulls up an example in which figures dance and drink champagne. “It’s a picture of a party because I wish I could do that,” she laments, referencing our pandemic isolation.

Essential to every artist is a suitable place to work. Jill brightens when describing her live/work studio in the Mission District of San Francisco. It is a large space with copious amounts of natural light. She is able to hang a lot of her paintings on the walls surrounding her work area, creating a ready-made gallery. This has allowed her to participate in both SF and Silicon Valley open studio programs. She finds, however, that she prefers Instagram as a way to get her work in the public eye.

It is fortunate that Jill’s studio is also a living space because she has, for several years, been overseeing the new build of her family home in the Willows area of Menlo Park. She laughingly describes how she has worked with an architect on the project, “using all of my rendering skills.” She uses rapid visualization to hash out details in a room with her free-hand drawings superimposed, so the architect can understand her suggestions. How does he feel about these revisions? “He loves them!,” she exclaims. “He’ll say, ‘I wish I could draw like that.’” She is hopeful that the project will be completed by summer, in time for her son Beau’s 21st birthday.

When she is not painting or overseeing a construction project, Jill also teaches art at Palo Alto’s Athena Academy, a private school for dyslexic children. She started out instructing just a few days a week but is now there every day and clearly enjoys it. When she was hired, Jill warned the administrators that she would be a non-traditional instructor. “I don’t teach to a syllabus,” she explains. “Art is my area of expertise. I let the kids make things and then I offer them additional techniques and materials—I am like their assistant.” Although the students are dealing with the challenges of dyslexia, Jill recognizes that they are also natural creators. “The most important thing is that they have some kind of happy moment in their day,” she says.

When asked how she manages to juggle so many roles, Jill is quick to acknowledge that she has help with tasks like accounting and social media, as well as a studio assistant. “I let them do what they do best and I do what I do best,” she says. It’s obviously a wise course of action for the artist, who describes herself as extremely focused: “Once I am in the pool of creativity, I can’t get out.”

That original 2000 setback was, perhaps, a blessing in disguise for Jill Andre. She has achieved her goal of being a working artist with an energizing city studio, and she has also found fulfillment as an art teacher. When asked what the best thing about being an artist is, Jill quickly responds, “Wherever I go I am happy, because when I look at things that interest me I’m off to one of the most fun places I know to go—my imagination.”

Trend Free

Words by Sophia Markoulakis

Pragmatism and efficiency aren’t commonly associated with creative fields like design; but for Menlo Park-based interior designer Stephanie Zaharias, these attributes complement her creativity and fuel her drive to satisfy her customers. “I embrace my pragmatism,” she says. “I got into this business because I hired an interior designer for our home. She charged us an exorbitant amount of money for throw pillows. That ordeal resulted in our first argument as a married couple—we named it ‘the pillow fight.’”

That pillow fight was a major impetus for Stephanie leaving her busy tech-sales career to pursue a career in design. The career change also provided more flexibility for raising her growing family: “I said to my husband, ‘I’m going to go back to school and learn about landscape architecture and interior design, and even if I don’t end up working in the field, I’ll be able to apply what I’ve learned in our own home.’”

Stephanie is on a mission to make Zaharias Design the antithesis of firms that resort to superfluous billing, and she is sought-after for her streamlined and efficient project management method. Looking back at her 20 years in the design business, she reflects on the consistent growth of her firm, attributing it to her transparency about costs and expectations and service-first approach. “It’s always been a steady stream of projects, each increasing in scope,” she explains.

Stephanie says what distinguishes her from interior designers and home decor influencers who utilize the buzz of social media and press is her approach to obtaining clients. “I don’t put a sign on my job sites with my name. I don’t love self-promotion,” she shares. “I prefer to have a small practice and be selective but not in a pretentious way. Rather, if I’m working with nice people, nice people tend to congregate, so I get referrals that way.”

Looking at Stephanie’s projects, it’s clear that design subtleties like joinery, meticulous seams and uninterrupted lines are some of her trademarks. “My design aesthetic is thoughtful, unexpected and sophisticated but not in a stuffy way. By sophisticated, I mean that the fine details have been studied, so they are cohesive and complementary,” she says. “I don’t like loud bling and abrupt transitions, and I’m not one to follow a trend.”

Stephanie leverages virtual design support such as draftspeople, which allows her to keep her overhead low. Even during uncertain times like 2020 and 2021, she’s been able to manage her various projects and address their needs simultaneously. “Thanks to technology, I’ve had great luck with a talented pool of creatives, distributed all over the country,” she says.

Stephanie Zaharias - Dining into Kitchen — Courtesy of Bernard Andre

Last year’s supply chain issues, which Stephanie sees continuing through 2022, inspired a more robust use of the secondary (consigned or auction items) market. For instance, she filled a recently completed 3,500-square-foot project in Sonoma with approximately 40 percent of the lighting and furnishings sourced from online outfits such as Chairish and 1stDibs. “Because of the pandemic and supply-chain issues and because this project came about very quickly, I had to get even more creative with sourcing,” she says of these sites that offer items that have been gently used or were samples or returns. “Lots of furnishings that can be had on the secondary market aren’t necessarily ‘used’ items. Many are design firm returns or custom items that ended up not suitable for a project.”

The secondary market not only relieves some of the strain from supply-chain issues but it’s also a more sustainable way to furnish a home. Stephanie takes it a step further, saying that using this market is a way to counter what she calls the “copycat effect” of today’s aesthetic in homes. “What’s happened is that because everyone has access to the same key influencers, there’s a copycat effect happening,” she notes. “This buy-it-now approach has fostered a complete imitator aesthetic and deadens the pursuit for individuality.”

Stephanie explains that people are losing interest in “the hunt” for a special interior piece and instead opting for the “one-click” shopping approach without leaving their homes. “It’s a big problem,” she stresses. “Are we all going to live in these identical spaces?” She finds Europe to be trending in the opposite direction, holding firm on the sacrament of individuality within one’s interior space. “I worry that one day only the elite will be interested or have the ability to source bespoke items, creating a wider divide that already exists for design and the services we provide,” she says.

Growing up in the diverse Hollywood Hills area of Los Angeles and living in Europe for a year broadened Stephanie’s view and appreciation for modern architecture. “I follow architects as much as interior designers,” she says of the synergy needed to build and design a cohesive, liveable space.

Stephanie Zaharias - Guest Main — Courtesy of Paul Dyer

Living on the Peninsula and coming from the world of tech, she understands the need for quiet spaces: “Because of the intense pace of this area, a lot of my clients need calm when they get home. I work really hard to tailor a home to my client’s needs, often an escape from Silicon Valley’s dynamic atmosphere.” Stephanie likes to keep technology out of sight unless otherwise advised and employs techinques like installing outlets in drawers. “I hide as many things as I can,” she says. “My clients love not seeing cords.”

Even as Stephanie designs ways to unplug from technology, she also encourages connection. “When I interview a prospective client,” she notes, “I’ll ask things like how long they linger at the table or whether they like to snuggle on a sectional.”

Using space wisely, regardless of a home’s square footage, is another trademark of Zaharias Design, and one Stephanie personally embraces. “Our family of six has lived in the same smaller home in Menlo Park for 22 years by choice,” she says, “and I make sure that when clients expand, their ability to preserve family intimacy is still there.”

The Neighborhood Zoo

Words by Sheri Baer

When you ask her about Edward, Lee Harper’s eyes get misty as she reflects on the tight connection they share. “Edward and I are just madly in love. We are so simpatico,” she confides.

“Could he be any more handsome?” Lee asks rhetorically, as she affectionately regards Edward’s scaly yellowish-brown skin, hard protective shell and stubby legs, while hand-feeding his darting tongue a red bell pepper chunk. “When the sun is setting and the sky turns pink,” she continues, “I take Edward out and we go on these long, romantic walks.”

That Edward happens to be a 22-year-old, 180-pound African spurred tortoise seems apropos in this magical setting that goes by the name of Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo (JMZ). With her braided thick golden tresses, Lee, a senior zookeeper, looks like she herself has stepped out of the pages of a fairy tale, and indeed, much like Snow White, she’s on a first-name basis with every living creature around her.

“That’s Thor,” she says, introducing us to a hamerkop perched on a railing. “He’s an architect extraordinaire.”

“And that’s Manusela,” she adds, pointing to a clearly extroverted (and screeching) white Moluccan cockatoo. “He’s our stand-up comic until our lemurs arrive.”

Tucked into a corner of Rinconada Park in Palo Alto, the fully reimagined and recently reopened attraction is home to more than 50 species—many allowed to roam freely with visitors. “We call the concept ‘Loose in the Zoo,’” explains John Aikin, JMZ’s executive director who worked his own brand of wizardry to transform the outdated facility. “What I’ve heard from people as they’re looking all around with ibises flying overhead is, ‘I feel so immersed, I feel immersed in their world,’ and I think that makes a big difference. Instead of feeling separate, they are in it.”

Flamingos at Palo Alto Zoo — Courtesy of Artem Mazarov

The Origin of the Animals

Backing up, the first question that begs to be answered is how did a zoo find its way into a residential Peninsula neighborhood? It all started with the museum, originally founded in 1934 as the first dedicated children’s museum west of the Mississippi—if not in the country. “There was a wave going on that was trying to solve the ills of urbanus by providing activities for children,” supplies John Aikin. “And so this community jumped on that bandwagon and were able to get Works Progress Administration funds to operate the museum for a while.” The museum’s previous structure opened in 1941, and the desire for animals for teaching then led to the creation of a companion zoo in the late 1960s. Per the prevailing style, the facility was built as a “typical 1960s bathtub zoo,” as John describes it. “They wanted everything to go down a drain, so the animals were put in cages and sterile environments.”

Although a beloved community fixture, the museum and zoo clearly lagged behind as needs and cultural norms shifted to embrace accessibility, natural habitats and living landscapes. A former director of conservation at San Francisco Zoo, John joined JMZ in 2008 with a mandate to take the Palo Alto facility to the next level. “It had a connection to the community like nothing I’ve ever experienced before, and I fell in love with the place,” John recalls. “When I was hired, the head of community services and the city manager both looked at me and said, ‘This place needs to be rebuilt, it needs to be accredited and it’s got to be funded by the private sector and you’re the guy to do it.’”

Reimagining a Zoo

When the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo reopened on November 12, 2021, it marked the culmination of an exhaustive community initiative that took more than a decade. Ultimately designed by CAW Architects in Palo Alto and s

Palo Alto Zoo Racoon Loki — Courtesy of Artem Mazarov

pread across three acres, the $33 million project nearly doubled the facility’s footprint—made possible by $25 million in funding raised by Friends of the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo and another $8 million contributed by the City of Palo Alto. At 15,200 square feet, the main museum building features interactive exhibits that invite exploration of natural phenomena like gravity, motion, force, electricity and balance. “What the exhibit designers try to do is to get kids to use all of their senses,” John explains. “Kids learn more when their curiosity is engaged.”

From the indoor exhibit space, a vibrant passage, designed as an homage to the great zoo gates of Europe, beckons visitors to step outside. Under a lofty outdoor netted enclosure lies the 18,800-square-foot aviary-style zoo, with eight distinctive exhibit areas: Big Treehouse, Meerkat Canyon, Raccoon Creek, Underwater Tunnel, What Lives in that Hole, Rabbit Meadow, Tortoise Hill, Macaw Tree, Water Bird Pond and Wildlife Circle. That first element, the Big Treehouse, effectively ties the space together through a sprawling, whimsical network of ladders, rope bridges, crawling tubes and viewing platforms. “It’s about kids relating to the animals, having empathy for the animals, trying to understand them from their point of view,” John relays. “What we’re trying to do is help them frame questions up here. What does it take to be a canopy animal? You have to be brave, you have to be able to grasp, you’ve got to be able to climb, you’ve got to balance. And so they’re doing all of that up here.”

As for the facility’s central theme, what exactly does it mean to be “Loose in the Zoo?” With the exception of a few species, the birds and animals—whether they’re pet and wildlife rescues or brought in from accredited zoos—move about freely. Walking down a pathway, you’ll see fulvous whistling ducks tucked in for an afternoon nap near the water’s edge, nod to a brilliantly-plumaged peacock in passing and look skyward at the sound of scarlet ibises soaring immediately overhead.

Which, um, triggers another question: Isn’t there a risk factor walking under all these birds? John is quick to provide reassurance. “As a person who has taken care of birds and worked with birds all his life, I know about bird poop—when they poop, how they poop and where they poop,” he says. “Most birds won’t poop when they’re flying, so there are actually only a few birds that do poop on people.”

With that in mind, John strategically positioned the zoo’s tree branches away from pathways to ensure safe passage for visitors and staff below. “This place is so perfectly orchestrated,” confirms longtime zookeeper Lee Harper. “I have never ever been pooped on, nor have I ever seen any guests get pooped on.”

Palo Alto Zoo Treehouse Play Structure — Courtesy of Artem Mazarov

Come and Get It!

One of nature’s other basic instincts—the need to eat—helps foster an even closer connection between the wild and human species here. In the exhibit area known as Wildlife Circle, through a progressive series of sounds, zookeepers formally announce meal time and make it an interactive experience. “Wildlife Circle is the place that we have trained all the birds to come for food,” John explains. “They’re each trained to a different percussion instrument so we can call them in by species.”

The meerkats wait for the bell. For Thor, the hamerkop, it’s a click, click, click. Violet, the African spoonbill, responds to a honk, and Apu, the peacock, starts salivating at the reverberation of cymbals. Beyond the visual spectacle, it’s an intimate educational opportunity, as visitors who volunteer to help at feeding time quickly discover. “Flamingos are filter feeders, so they use pumping action,” observes John. “When you’re feeding them, you can feel them using their tongues to pump water through their bill systems.”

When an African spoonbill is gently nibbling a piece of tasty fish out of your palm, it’s easy to romanticize the role of a zookeeper, but Lee thinks it’s important to provide a realistic perspective. Originally starting as a volunteer (she estimates 4,000 hours), Lee chased her passion when transitioning into a part-time zookeeping role 11 years ago. “Zookeeping is not for the faint of heart,” she discloses. “To the public, it looks like you get to be Dr. Doolittle, but there’s a lot involved behind the scenes.” Preparing meals. Cleaning enclosures. Landscaping. Repairing exhibits. Monitoring animal health. Demonstrations. “You’re always hustling,” she says. “It is heavy-duty, hard, hard, work.”

That being said, Lee never tires of the staff’s camaraderie and the countless inspirational moments that punctuate each day—heightened by the facility’s commitment to being the most accessible zoo possible. She continues to volunteer in her off-hours and relishes the magic that happens after the doors close each night. “Even though you’d think I would take it for granted, every time I enter, I feel transported. The guests have left, the sun is setting, the moon is rising and all the animals are out,” she describes. “There are flamingos walking around, and I become so emotional because it feels like I’m in a dream. I’ll take Edward out, and we’ll go watch the fish together. It’s exactly like Night at the Museum—it does have that magic.”

Girl Feeding Flamingos at the Zoo — Courtesy of Artem Mazarov

All in the Neighborhood

When JMZ reopened in late 2021 after two years of construction, John admits to holding his breath—wondering if the vision they worked tirelessly toward would fully be realized. He recalls the relief he felt after leading Dick Peery, one of the zoo’s major donors, on a walk through the “Loose in the Zoo” exhibit experience: “At the end of the tour, he said, ‘John, I’ve seen flamingos before but I have never seen flamingos before.’ When they look you in the eye, it really changes the way you think about flamingos.”

For Lee, witnessing and helping foster the multi-generational engagement with this landmark facility is especially rewarding. “Not only have people grown up in the zoo, their kids have grown up here and now, they’re bringing their grandkids and great-grandkids,” she says. Lee also emphasizes that when it comes to visiting the zoo, inclusivity extends to everyone—regardless of age. “With older adults, it could be very simple to say, ‘Oh, feeding the flamingos is only for children,’ but that’s not what’s happening,” she smiles. “We’re a children’s museum and a neighborhood zoo.”

The Beat on Your Eats: Artsy Eateries

If meals begin with the eyes, then feast upon the artwork displayed inside these eateries.

quail + crane

San Francisco International Airport

Dangling above the dining area inside the Grand Hyatt at SFO’s restaurant is the installation The Infinite Gateway of Time and Circumstances by Jacob Hashimoto. The interwoven canopy creates an impression of drifting in and out of visibility through clouds, much like an airplane, and is representative of the hotel’s extensive public art collection of paintings, sculptures and mosaics. With a combination of Eastern and Western influences, choose from dishes that range from ramen and dumplings to oven-roasted fish and meats. Suddenly, picking your friend up from the airport doesn’t sound like such a chore. 55 South McDonnell Road. Open daily from 6AM to 11AM; 5PM to 10:30PM

flea street

Menlo Park

It’s only fitting that a staple of Menlo Park’s dining scene should have walls adorned with the town’s most celebrated contemporary painter—one who lives merely a mile from the restaurant. Jesse Cool’s Flea Street and artist Mitchell Johnson team up yet again to display his works of colorful Americana on the restaurant’s walls in an exhibit running through mid-April. As the winter season begins to thaw, allow a thoughtful menu of fresh, organic and local ingredient-driven selections from chef de cuisine Bryan Thuerk to accompany the views of Mitchell’s brilliant landscapes and abstractions. 3607 Alameda de las Pulgas. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 5PM to 8PM. Closed Sunday and Monday.

roger

Mountain View

Before you even lift your glass, you’re treated to a new angle of our solar system. On the wall of The Ameswell Hotel’s Roger Bar and Restaurant is a series of mosaic astral images from Palo Alto’s Ala Ebtekar that uses negatives from the Hubble telescope. The hotel’s eclectic art collection, which is augmented by a virtual QR code tour, is curated by owner Philip (Flip) Maritz to reflect the region’s creative genius and natural beauty. Paired with the art is a menu cultivated from local partnerships with The Midwife and The Baker’s bread, Mary’s Chicken and Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch to emphasize marinated proteins and seasonal vegetables with bright salads. 800 Moffett Boulevard. Open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday from 5PM to 10PM; for the bar from 4PM to 12AM; and for brunch on the weekends from 10AM to 2:30PM. Closed Monday.

Red, White & Uncork

Owner Harry Johal carefully selects a Pinot Noir and pours a crimson colored glass for customers at his tasting bar at The Wine Stop in Burlingame. He relays how the independent wine shop evolved over decades to become a local fixture. “Some customers have dealt with all three generations of our family,” explains Harry. “They still call once a month to see what’s new even though they have moved to the East coast.” As a third generation manager of the family-owned business, Harry cites lessons from his grandfather and father who steered the store through the changing wine and spirits industry for over 35 years.

One of just a handful of businesses to survive in downtown Burlingame since the mid-1980s, The Wine Stop offers Peninsula residents a place to discuss wine pairing, learn about different varieties and taste. “While we carry wines from around the world, our focus is on Napa and Sonoma wines,” he underscores. “We are very fortunate that they are right in our backyard and making some of the finest wines in the world right now. From a price to value ratio, I would put them up against French or Italian wine anytime.”

Wine tasting — Image by Paulette Phlipot

While Napa Cabernet remains one of Harry’s favorites, he sees a trend in Cabernet Franc and Petit Syrah making a comeback with wine lovers. He also notes an uptick in interest in sparkling wine and champagne. In terms of value, Harry points to Argentina and Spain for pallet-pleasing wines at competitive prices.

Over the years, Harry and his father knew they needed to expand the business to keep pace with the fast growing California wine industry. “My grandfather started the business in 1985 on Burlingame Avenue and it was heavily spirits driven. That’s just how the clientele was back then,” notes Harry. “When my father came into the business he split the store and put a wall in between the spirits and the fine wines and that is when we got into California wines.”

Their story reveals a longstanding relationship with wineries and wine makers that’s allowed The Wine Stop to attract a large following: their newsletter now reaches over 100,000 subscribers across the U.S. “My dad recalls the time during a recession when the owner of Caymus winery Chuck Wagner sold 600 cases of wine to us at a great price,” says Harry. “Chuck went back and forth from Napa in his jeep making deliveries to The Wine Stop for days. He is now one of the top winemakers in the world.”

Raised on the Peninsula, Harry attended local schools including Burlingame High School. In college, he remained local, developing a strong knowledge of wine, while earning a business degree at Menlo College. “I started tasting wine when I was nine years old,” he remembers. “My dad said just make sure you spit it out.” While attending Menlo College, Harry put his skills to the test and joined the college wine club, which competed internationally: “I have a bit of a knack for tasting. When I first joined, I participated in a blind tasting with six whites and three reds and I nailed every wine to the varietal. After I got all of the wine right they said I could join the team.” Shortly after college, he started helping his father and really applied himself to buying for the store and meeting the winemakers on many trips to Napa and Sonoma.

Wine selection — Image by Paulette Phlipot

To say The Wine Stop is a family affair is an understatement. Harry with the help of his brother, Indy, runs the business along with Harry’s wife Sarina who plays a major role. “Sarina helps quite a bit with setting up events, working with distributors and managing all of the emails and newsletter.” The parents of three children with the youngest only nine months old, Harry and Sarina still find time to sample wines in the evening. “The children are always interested and they hear my dad, my brother and me discussing wine.” Although retired, Harry’s father gives his input often in a morning email. “My father comes in and looks at the shelves,” he smiles, “and asks me why I am not carrying certain wines.”

Wine tasting with a laugh — Image by Paulette Phlipot

With a reputation for a keen knowledge of wines locally and abroad, Harry enjoys offering pairing suggestions to customers. “I pride myself in picking the right wine for a customer who asks what to serve with short ribs for instance. Then I like hearing how it works out,” he emphasizes. “We will tell you the story of every label including the winemaker and the vineyard sourcing. We can get into details about it.”

The spirits side of the business continues to grow as well with many handcrafted brands available. “The bourbon craze is a huge trend and we can’t keep it in stock,” underscores Harry. “We have to limit sales of certain brands to one bottle per household. Rum is another area we expect to grow in 2022. There are a lot of rum aficionados around.”

The Wine Stop offers tastings Monday through Saturday from noon to 6PM. In addition, throughout the year, they host wine tasting events featuring representatives from local wineries. “Our tastings are usually complementary and we want to do more educational tastings in 2022 for our customers to learn about wines in different regions,” adds Harry. “One of the things I love about the wine business is that it is always changing. I am glad we have stayed in downtown Burlingame and that we feel a part of the community.”

Paris on the Peninsula

Words by Anni Golding

Had things turned out differently, Mademoiselle Colette patisserie would be wowing customers with their flaky, buttery croissants and elegant entremets in central Texas, instead of here on the Peninsula.

“I almost opened Mademoiselle Colette in Austin,” recalls founder and proprietor, Débora Ferrand. “Everything was ready to go: I had the space, the permits, my business plan.” But at the eleventh hour—after two years of intense research and business planning—her husband was offered a worth-moving-for career opportunity in the Bay Area.

While some people might have given up or stowed their dreams for a later date, Débora was determined to open her business sooner than later. After she and her husband and their four boys settled into their new home on the Peninsula in 2014, she started the arduous process of finding a home for Mademoiselle Colette as well.

French cafe owner of Mademoiselle Colette — Image by Paulette Phlipot

The time-consuming search took her from San Mateo to Mountain View with no luck. And then: a ray of light. Literally. “When I entered the space in Menlo Park,” she recalls, “it was early in the morning—and the sun, you know, just invaded. Everything was sparkling inside.” Friends and colleagues suggested she consider looking elsewhere, but “I really felt it was a good choice,” says Débora.

Determination seems to be in the Brazilian native’s DNA. From childhood, she dreamed of moving to France, and at age 18 put her university studies on pause and relocated to Paris. She began working in the fashion industry as a model and completed her university education in psychology. Despite the perks of modeling, she found the work itself boring; a career in food had piqued her interest.

A decade into her fashion career, “I started to work in parallel in the food business,” she says, gaining front-of-the-house experience in restaurants. She also pursued a culinary education, taking classes at the famed École Lenôtre and completing Le Cordon Bleu’s professional patisserie diploma program. The transition from fashion to pastry made sense. “For me, it’s the beauty,” she notes. “And after that, you have an amazing experience.”

Visual details are part of the Mademoiselle Colette experience, including the shop’s décor, which Débora designed herself. The result combines the elegance of an old-school Parisian patisserie with the comfortable feel of a neighborhood bistro. Dominating the space is a glass-fronted marble counter, displaying the exquisite selection of pastries. Small tables with café chairs invite customers to sit and enjoy a croissant or croque madame for breakfast or linger over a salad or slice of quiche and a glass of wine for lunch. Decorative accessories that Débora acquired from antique fairs over the years add a personal touch.

While some customers assume the shop is named eponymously—“everyone calls me Colette now, it’s so funny,” she remarks—Débora named the shop for two Colettes: her late mother-in-law and the author Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette. Of the latter, Débora says, “She represents a lot of things that speak to me. She was a very free woman and very modern for her time.”

When Mademoiselle Colette opened in Menlo Park in 2015, customers were lined up outside the door, and everything sold out before noon. “It was magic,” Débora shares. “At the same time, I was very worried to see how we would handle this from now on. We were not expecting this at all.”

Realizing that her small kitchen would not be able to meet the demands of the growing clientele, Débora sought a larger commercial kitchen that could accommodate production. In 2016 she found a 6,000-square-foot space in Newark—much bigger than she had envisioned. But a space that size invited possibilities. “I said, ‘Okay, I have a kitchen like this; we need to open other locations,’” she recalls.

Fancy breakfast at Mademoiselle Colette — Image by Paulette Phlipot

In 2017, she opened Mademoiselle Colette Palo Alto and in 2019, Mademoiselle Colette Redwood City. The look and feel is the same across all three locations, but each has its own personality. “I kept the same color, same kind of counter,” she says. “But all the rest is unique, because at each shop everything was picked by hand.”

Regardless of the location, pastry is front and center. Almond croissants are among the bestsellers, as is Débora’s favorite, chausson aux pommes, a buttery, flaky puff pastry turnover that encases a not-too-sweet apple filling. For a teatime indulgence or special occasion, choose one of the pretty, petite entremets—like the light, tropical Le Voyage, an assemblage of lemon sponge, mango cream and passion fruit coulis. A must-have for chocoholics is the aptly-named Entremet Chocolat, a compact study in chocolate with a surprising caramel center.

The attention to detail that is evident in the products starts with their ingredients. Local, organic and seasonal choices are the priority as much as possible, with farms like San Martin’s Spade & Plow providing produce. One of the few imported ingredients is French butter (beurre d’Isigny), essential for croissants and puff pastry and chosen specifically for its flavor and butterfat.

Coming into 2020, Débora was on track to open more Mademoiselle Colettes, but pandemic closures forced a revision of that plan. Within two weeks of the shutdown, Débora and her team had pivoted to takeout and delivery options and have maintained both, even after reopening to dine-in customers.

She is now working on the next evolution of Mademoiselle Colette, which includes hiring, training and team-building. In October 2021 Débora hired Simon Pacary, award-winning former pastry chef of Michelin-starred Le Parc Franck Putelat in France, to fill the executive chef role at the Newark location, where he will manage the kitchen team and oversee pastry production.

Crescent and tea — Image by Paulette Phlipot

“I would like to bring Colette to another level of pastry,” says Débora. “And I was looking for a special chef that has the same vision as me. When I met Simon it was crazy—it was a good connection.” Recipe testing is in the works, with the goal of introducing more classic French pastries and featuring a monthly special creation from Simon.

The past seven years have been a whirlwind of successes, challenges and adaptations. “I’ve learned a lot of things, and it’s been a very enriching experience. I’m proud of what we did; I have an amazing management team, and I’m very lucky,” says Débora. For the foreseeable future, she’ll focus on catering, online retail and high-end wholesale to restaurants and hotels. And another Mademoiselle Colette location isn’t out of the question. “Maybe one more,” she says with a laugh, “because I love the projects.”

Getaway: Due South, Big Sur

Words by Silas Valentino

The 90 miles of coastline that cradles Big Sur is an assembly of the elements. One side has vast forestation sprung from craggy peaks that tumble westward for the inevitable cascade into the Pacific. At this crux lies the iconic roadway offering up continuous vistas for beholding the splendor.

No surprise that Big Sur is still considered “the greatest meeting of land and water in the world” more than 100 years after watercolorist Francis McComas first coined the enduring description. Some beauty is untethered to age.

An afternoon of absorbing fresh perspectives demands a sunset of internal contemplation and no other venue on the Big Sur coastline is better suited for this activity than the natural baths formed by hot springs found along the cliffs within the Esalen Institute. Eye to eye with a setting sun, I’m floating in tranquility while engrossed in the elements.

Pretty soon I’m met with a startling juxtaposition. I hover in a heavenly pose as thunderous waves crash far beneath me—amplified by a clever design in acoustics created by the cement structure to reverberate the ocean waves—all the while inhaling a foul stench emitted by the all-natural, sulfuric hot springs.

Even in heaven, I muse quietly to myself, is the smell of hell. The odor is minor and fleeting against the wind as a weekend in Big Sur presents itself with the new light of an inbound day.

Owl and Falconer — Courtesy of Aila Ventana Big Sur

A Bed of California Stars

You wouldn’t visit New York City to then sleep on Staten Island, so why limit your evenings in Big Sur to anything short of excellence?

The Alila Ventana Big Sur takes center stage along the coast and sits perched above its cliff-hugging neighbor, the Post Ranch Inn.

The Ventana is an intimate retreat that reveals an ambiance of relaxation as you climb the winding road from Highway 1 onto its 160-acre property. Complementing the region’s diverse natural offerings, there are rolling meadows, groves of redwoods and a constant oceanic view. Two dining options, the Big Sur Smokehouse and The Sur House, sit within the property to create a holistic experience with no need to wander far.

Leaving nothing else to be desired, my room provided numerous avenues for serenity, from the egg-shaped bathtub to a personal three-foot hot tub. The suites are thoughtfully decorated to reflect the arboreal presence outdoors and a repetitive symbol of circles creates a consistent sense of unity. The plush bathrobes provide a hooded covering to promote privacy when passing through the grounds, suggesting that guests of the Ventana may be of certain celebrity stature. (Rumors of a recent visit by a world-famous country-pop star were swiftly confirmed.)

Poolside in Big Sur — Courtesy of Alila Ventana Big Sur

Tapping into the experiential travel market, the Ventana has begun offering a variety of excursions that range from guided tours of Jack Kerouac’s former stomping grounds to mushroom foraging in the nearby undergrowth. I opted for an afternoon in the surrounding oak tree forest with Master Falconer Antonio, who introduced me to his roster of raptors.
The Falconry experience began with an engaging biology lesson to understand how these birds of prey hunt to feed. Antonio explained the traps of anthropomorphism—or the attribution of human qualities onto an animal—advocating to maintain a sense of separation between us and them.

However, the falconer’s enthusiasm suggested otherwise as he released his Harris hawk named Aerial into the thicket. Antonio positioned me in front of his black glove and summoned the hawk towards us. He told me to maintain eye contact and imagine how this visual, of the hawk suddenly appearing through the brush with outreached claws, is the final sight for unfortunate prey.

I was bedazzled by the perspective and smiled as Antonio admitted how he imagines flying vicariously through his birds. Some anthropomorphism, it would appear, is undeniable.

The magnificence of Big Sur is not shrouded in the dark for that’s when the minimal light pollution provides an opportunity for expansive stargazing. I joined Tara after dinner for a stroll through the countryside in an illuminating Starbathing experience.

Although it was winter, she identified the Summer Triangle with Vega shining the brightest and answered my stream of inquiries about the timeless narratives built around the shapes in the constellations.

Tara is a Big Sur lifer and spoke to how living here forces you to embrace all the elements. See a busted water pipe? Fix it now because each property has its own water system as there’s no municipal network or governance. Or if you come upon an accident on Highway 1, stop to help because the closest ambulance might be 45 minutes away.

The spirit of connectivity isn’t a marketing ploy for the residents of Big Sur, rather, a necessity for their longevity.

Big Sur Balcony with Ocean View — Courtesy of Alila Ventana Big Sur

Chews with Views

Just about every eatery along Big Sur comes with a panorama but only one has the outlook seen from the terrace encircling Nepenthe. The historic restaurant (even Kerouac sang its praises in print) offers classic American grub such as their Ambrosia Burger, a ground steak sandwich served on a French roll with their notable ambrosia sauce. Add a pint of the Mai Tai IPA from Alvarado Street Brewery (from just outside the region in Monterey) to earn all the local points.

While staying at the Ventana, the dinners and breakfasts at The Sur House are delicious with a mushroom risotto entrée that hits the perfect umami notes while a scrumptious French toast initiates the day with a rich brioche bread from the Lafayette Bakery in Carmel.

Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn is often considered the oldest business still in operation and part of this success is due to the charming, dimly-lit restaurant located inside a former barn. Relics from generations past adorn the walls and the tables are neatly set with an interior designer’s touch. The menu adapts with the bounty of the day’s produce and I opted for the mouthwatering chicken dish accompanied by a bottle of red wine to wind down my evening.

Big Sur Hotel — Courtesy of Alila Ventana Big Sur

Lace Up

I followed a local’s recommendation to Andrew Molera State Beach for a hike to the ocean. Just minutes from embarking, a rushing river overtook the trail. I hiked up my pants and with socks and shoes in hand, trekked through the cold waters towards the riparian edge. The hike was mostly flat and weaved through a meadowed landscape and I kept Antonio’s advice for spotting raptors in mind while peering over the treetops.

The path leads to a remote beach where the Big Sur River feeds into the sea. Along the beach were man-made structures formed of driftwood to offer respite from the howling winds.

Further south along the highway reveals a short hike to the McWay Falls, a waterfall that flows out of the forest onto the beach. It’s a minimal jaunt that’s ideal for anyone seeking views without the price of a hill climb or time constraints.

The abundance of nature encourages a macro perspective; however, for more introspective thinking or a chance to work on your personal development, the schedule at Esalen is updated weekly and replete with yoga and classes for mindfulness. The nonprofit is a Zen-friendly retreat center with a rich past of visitors and faculty.

I took the Saturday afternoon “Your Big Breakthrough Session” with Justin Michael Williams, who gently guided us through exercises to pursue our personal goals. He promoted a “yes-and” approach to life rather than stymieing ourselves with insecurities or doubt.

We ended with a singalong and a group of strangers began feeling strangely familiar. I headed for the door and with the Pacific by my side, ventured northbound again, but at a meandering pace.

Q&A: Running with the Ultra Couple

Words by Silas Valentino

Elite athletes may attempt to tune out the noise to focus on the hustle but for ultra-runners Leor Pantilat and Erica Namba, every sensory in-take contributes to the run.

The married couple are elite backcountry endurance runners who have finished first in multiple local races and set speed records on some of the most gorgeous trails in the state. They’ve run over 50-mile distances in competition and have gone even farther just for the fun and a chance to test their athletic limits.

By day, Erica works as a physical therapist for the County of San Mateo and Leor is a corporate counsel for Robert Half. For 15 years, Leor has been an ambassador with the outdoor brand La Sportiva, which has helped sponsor his endless endurance. The couple reside in San Carlos and have just welcomed their
first child, a baby daughter
who’s already earning her miles on the trail—swaddled inside a baby carrier.

On their runs, the two aspire to a headspace enveloped by the elements. Erica would never think to plug in music when the symphony of the chirping birds is more than enough. Meanwhile, Leor can become so enthralled by the outdoors that time seems to melt away.
“Sometimes it’s just, wow, I just did an 18-hour adventure—what did I think about? Not much,” he admits, laughing.

The two met in 2012 via OK Cupid (“I tell people I ordered him off the Internet,” Erica quips.) and married in 2017. Their weekends often include remote trails, a symphony of foot strikes and if they’re lucky, charting a path towards an outlying alpine lake to float atop the icy waters, becoming utterly engulfed in the natural world.

PUNCH caught up with the two ultra-runners (and their newborn) for a chat about the runner’s high, how to promote the best trail etiquettes and why the Peninsula is the ideal region for their tireless endeavors.

Runner Couple in the Woods — Courtesy of Leor Pantilat and Erica Namba

I read that one of your favorite running spots is Woodside’s Huddart Park—is that still a favorite and what strikes you about it?

Leor: How peaceful it is. It’s almost entirely forested there, a mix of redwoods and Douglas fir. There are creeks, it’s rarely ever busy and there are miles of trails. You can connect into other parks from there and it’s near where we live so we don’t have to travel far. And we both love Edgewood. Erica is a volunteer there.

Erica: Edgewood is my favorite park around here because of the biodiversity and all the native plants. Every evening when we go out there, you never know what you’ll see. A lot of times you’ll see hares, bobcats and tons of deer. It’s just such a gem. It really showcases what the Peninsula was like before development—and it’s a really important piece of land for us to preserve.

You promote recreating responsibly. Of course, we always hear ‘pack it in, pack it out’ and ‘leave no trace behind,’ but what does this mean to you?

Erica: I worked at Philmont Scout Ranch in 2005, and that was my first wilderness experience. It was kind of a crash course and the gold standard of how you should behave in the wilderness. Eventually moving on and being an outdoor enthusiast, you witness so many infringements. Like, can we just throw orange peels? It’s like, ‘Oh yeah, it’s biodegradable.’ But then you read about it more and how it takes two years for that to biodegrade. We live in a densely populated area and if we all just did what we wanted, then we wouldn’t have these pristine lands to enjoy for everyone.

Leor: In Russian Ridge, we see people cutting the switchbacks and part of recreating responsibly is to stay on the trail because otherwise a used path becomes an actual path before you know it.

Erica: I think it takes 17 people to pass through one pristine area for it to become a path. Oh, I hear the baby crying. [Erica leaves to retrieve their daughter.] We are addicted to our lifestyle so it was really hard to transition to having a baby, but we kind of see it as a new beginning to explore things that we’ve already done with new eyes.

Leor: We try and do a hike with her every single day, seriously. And right now it’s in a carrier, but soon she’ll graduate to a stroller or backpack. Hopefully she’ll love nature as much as we do.

Forest Runner — Courtesy of Leor Pantilat and Erica Namba

If she’s out hiking daily, is that even a question?

Erica: That’s why we live on the Peninsula. You know, we don’t need to live on the Peninsula. Leor can work remotely and I’m a physical therapist at the San Mateo Medical Center. I can find work anywhere. But we love the nature here and the ease of getting to these beautiful, world-class trails on a daily basis. And then being able to hit the mountains on the weekends.

Is a runner’s high something that you feel each time you go out or is this something that you’re searching for?

Erica: I don’t get it every run but I’m coming back from having this baby. When you hit that runner’s high, usually it’s a combination of all your muscles and joints being in this perfect length/tension relationship. And you’ve probably got this beautiful scenery that looks extra beautiful and the sky just opens up. That’s the feeling that’s just priceless. I think we both go out into every run that we embark on with the hopes that we hit that. There are plenty of runner’s highs to be had in these Peninsula hills.

Runner on a Grass Hillside — Courtesy of Leor Pantilat and Erica Namba

What’s a fresh goal that you’re currently working on?

Leor: Public access to public lands is a huge priority for me. I joined the Ventana Wilderness Alliance board and there are a lot of issues down in the Big Sur area with public access, whether it be unreasonable post-fire closures or locals wanting to just cut off access to public beaches or lands.

Erica: And he’s gotten really into learning about all the species in all these places that we visit. He’s just totally engrossed in it all.

Leor: I enjoy meteorology and ecology, especially conifers, they’re my favorites: endemic conifers to California. When you visit these places, at some point you want to learn more about them—peel back a layer. Not just run with your head down, you want to learn the beautiful trees that I’m seeing along the trail or when can I expect the thunderstorm to avoid putting myself in an unsafe situation? You start to want to know more about meteorology, the plant communities and the animals and their characteristics.

Erica: How it all fits together, you know?

Diary of a Dog: Teddy

A source of inspiration. That’s what it means to be a muse, and it’s a role I take quite seriously. I come from the streets of Los Angeles, but luckily, I was placed in a shelter and then rescued by Wags and Walks, which led to my “exhibition” on petfinder.com. How did I end up in Palo Alto? It’s important to understand that long-time figurative art collectors Pamela and David are drawn to interesting people and complex faces. As Pamela explains, “One reason I am drawn to the figure is that each one tells a story.” When she looked at my whiskered, hopeful face, Pamela felt a zing of connection and decided to transform my bleak beginnings into a bright new chapter. In 2013, Pamela and David brought me home to the Peninsula, forever intertwining my life with theirs and the stimulating world of art acquisition. They’ve given me so much, but I’ve brought them equal measures of happiness—to the point that I’ve inspired them to explore the dog-human bond in art. “I never imagined that I could become so obsessed with collecting the art of dogs,” Pamela says, “but I also never would have imagined how much this tiny little rescue dog would change our lives.” That’s how I became a muse for artists—with works ranging from commissions to cameos—and I frequent galleries, art shows and Instagram (@pamelahornik). In an expression of gratitude, my image can even be found on the wall at the Wags and Walks Adoption Center in Los Angeles. Pamela and David now have dozens of pieces—by artists like David Hockney, Alex Katz and Jordan Casteel—and hope to stage a show some day so they can share what they’ve discovered: “Dog art brings people joy.”

Perfect Shot

Image by Gino De Grandis / luiphotography.com

Photographer Gino De Grandis captured this Perfect Shot while teaching a night photography class by the Shoreline Trail in Burlingame. “The idea was to capture the aircraft’s takeoff lights perfectly passing behind the control tower,” he notes. “The image is so sharp that you can even see the monitors inside the control tower.” Gino adds that the camera was set on a tripod: 400mm lens, 8 seconds exposure, aperture 5/6 ISO 100.

A Learning Journey

Words by Sophia Markoulakis

Growing up in East Los Angeles, as one of four children of Vietnamese refugees, Rosy Cohen knew that though her opportunities seemed limited, she would achieve her aspirations to become a lifelong learner and educator. “My mom worked her butt off with resilience and grit, taking two buses to work and back each day,” she recalls. “She taught me to be resourceful and optimistic—and education was always deeply valued in my childhood home.”

At 14, Rosy worked as the bookkeeper for her family’s nail salon, drawing further inspiration when her older sister attended Harvard University. Coming from a background of under-resourced schools, Rosy credits enrichment programs and inspiring teachers and mentors with helping her cross from East to West L.A., where she became a first-generation graduate of UCLA. Along the way, Rosy recognized that learning was more than just standardized tests. To be a “thinker, doer and maker,” as she likes to say, requires immersing yourself in creative endeavors that not only teach skills but also build confidence, team-building and community.

However, after graduation, Rosy put her love of education on the back burner to take a position in business, making it possible to pay off her student loans and secure financial stability. Over the next 20 years, she built a successful career in finance, married her husband Josh and began to raise a family—initially in San Francisco before moving to Burlingame in 2010. “Even though I was comfortable on the corporate track,” she recalls, “a nagging voice kept calling me to pause, reevaluate and explore.” In 2019, Rosy gave herself permission to do just that.

She found herself thinking back on her early love of education—and how profoundly she had benefited from enrichment programs in her community. Beyond school and home, Rosy envisioned creating a “third place” where students could find stimulation, challenge and support. From that vision, Grupology was born. Initially teaching classes out of her garage, Rosy began to partner with local schools to teach enrichment classes like entrepreneurship on campuses. When the pandemic hit and schools shut down, Rosy quickly pivoted her approach. “I wanted to do online learning at some point—I just didn’t realize I’d be doing it so quickly,” she says of the switch. “I love human connection and doing things hands-on, but we had to shift.”

During the height of the pandemic in February 2021, Rosy took another chance by opening a brick and mortar while growing Grupology’s online presence. “I’m an optimist,” she says, “and I knew, at some point, we were going to get out of this.” It became clear that both learning platforms were warranted. “Everyone’s child learns differently, so having online and in-person instruction has been ideal,” she adds. “Parents appreciate the flexibility to be remote. I get a lot of positive feedback from parents, saying, ‘Rosy, we just want our kids to love learning again.’”

Grupology’s physical space on Chapin Avenue, tucked away behind Burlingame Avenue businesses like Delfina, presents a distinctly different K-8 learning environment. There’s a calmness when you enter, with unadorned white walls that serve as a blank canvas for emerging creators. “I don’t like sensory overload for the children,” explains Rosy.

Boy and Bookcase — Image by Annie Barnett

Large picture windows bring in natural light, and two window benches, full of cozy pillows, entice young readers and journalers. In Grupology’s curated bookstore, students can explore titles and read them at their leisure before or after class. A maker lab is filled with thousands of KEVA blocks, and there’s a variety of spaces designated for teaching core and elective classes. Similar to a tech company’s conference room, at the head of a large modular table is a 55” flatscreen. This is where Grupology’s hybrid (remote and in-person) classes take place. “Offering hybrid learning has been great. Students can take classes with a cousin or friend in another part of the world,” Rosy says of the connections that shared learning can build.

The majority of students who take in-person classes come from local public schools with the company’s virtual programming drawing students from San Jose to Marin. Conceptualizing a creative, interactive curriculum around basic skills like math and writing is not easy, but it’s what Rosy sees as her company’s differentiator from other learning centers or tutoring sites. “We are the anti-Kumon,” she emphasizes. “We don’t do rote memorization. Learning is not a linear process.”

For instance, International Spy School, a class that Rosy teaches, incorporates geography, math, critical thinking and collaboration as the kids act like spies and travel around the world solving top-secret missions. After a 15-year career in derivatives trading, Rosy’s husband, Josh, also pivoted to become Grupology’s full-time math teacher and curriculum developer, and leads Grupology’s math department. A lemonade stand is used to learn about budgets—and math is applied to the real world through subjects like financial literacy, sports analysis and election math.

Rosy is also proud of Grupology’s writing curriculum, saying, “You hear a lot about STEM, but there aren’t a lot of places where kids can explore writing. The poetry that kids are producing from our Poetry & Perspective class is amazing!” Grupology emphasizes the full writing process, meaning that editing and revising are integral steps to finishing. “As we build out our writing program, we realize that we have to get these kids to write and then sit down and provide feedback on voice or construction,” she says. “It’s not just about seeing that red ink—we’re very thoughtful about how we provide feedback.”

Living on the Peninsula, Rosy feels fortunate to have access to a rich pool of teachers, mathematicians, technologists and business leaders. Applying real-world expertise from her business career, she’s been successful at assembling a team of subject matter experts from a wide range of backgrounds. “It’s the chance to be a professor for a few hours without a full-time commitment,” she points out, “so it’s an enriching opportunity for them as well.”

Rosy views her own growth as an educator as an integral part of Grupology’s growth, gleaning insights through Nueva’s Innovative Learning Conferences, along with other intensive training programs.

Rosy and Josh’s children (now in fifth and sixth grades) are also entrenched in Grupology’s campus. “We are lucky that our boys are not embarrassed by us,” Rosy shares, “so they take classes with mom and dad too.” Advanced chess players, their sons also participate as junior coaches in training. Two years after Grupology’s launch, Rosy is gratified by the progress she sees kids making every day. “We love helping students understand the ‘why’ in learning,” she says, “and I will always be on a journey to spark joy in learners.”

The Heart of Hospitality

Words by Sheri Baer

Growing up on the Peninsula, Greg Alden noticed that his day-to-day life carried a noticeably different flavor than steeped-in-tech Silicon Valley. “Some of my earliest memories are of sneaking the Andes chocolate mints from the housekeeping carts when no one was looking,” he recalls with a smile. “I remember driving to a hotel with a new mattress on the roof of our Volvo station wagon because Room 13 needed a new bed and wondering why someone would take the time to fold the end of the toilet paper roll into such a nice triangle shape.”

That Greg was born into the hospitality business is a truism—and one that resonates even more deeply in 2022, as he continues to steer through tumultuous (and yes, ‘unprecedented’) times in the hotel industry. The milestone 50th birthday that Greg’s been anticipating perfectly coincides with the 50th anniversary of Woodside Hotel Group, the collection of independent hotels boldly started by his parents in 1972.

“I was born the year the company was founded,” Greg affirms. “My formative years of growing up were the formative years of my parents building this business and they just kind of went in lockstep.”

As Woodside Hotel Group’s origin story goes, Greg’s parents, Ellis and Katherine, were East Coasters who shared a dream of coming west. “California was literally the golden land to them,” Greg explains, “the land of opportunity.” In 1966, the couple settled in Menlo Park and began to raise a family; Ellis pursued a law career and Katherine programmed computer simulations for Stanford Research Institute. The California dream they envisioned crystallized just after Greg was born: An opportunity came up to buy a 36-room bluff-facing motel on the Sonoma coast. As Greg recounts, “That started the sight-unseen-no-experience-whatsoever transition from being a lawyer and a super computer programmer into learning the hotel business.”

With an eye to renovate and expand what is now The Lodge at Bodega Bay, the entrepreneurial hoteliers bought adjacent land—and grew organically from there. Working with a bootstrapping, family-run mindset, they built and opened the Napa Valley Lodge in Yountville in 1979, The Stanford Park Hotel in Menlo Park in 1986, the East Bay’s Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa in 1987, followed by the purchase of the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa in 1993.

“The commonality of all our properties is their unique sense of place and welcoming spirit,” notes Greg. “The iconic locations and experiences are distinctly California—whether it’s smelling the fresh Pacific breeze in Monterey or sipping wine in Yountville.”

The Alden family resettled in Woodside, which is where Greg, along with his older brother and younger sister, came of age. “Woodside back then felt like a casual, country town with lots of memories of riding my BMX bike, meeting friends at Roberts and just sitting out at the town center and watching cars and horses go by,” he reminisces. “I feel like it was a pretty free-rein childhood.”

Hotelier with Picture Frame Wall — Image by Annie Barnett

Throughout his youth, Greg’s parents always referred to the company as a family business. Still, he says, he never felt unduly pressured, and indeed, his siblings pursued different paths. After graduating from Menlo School, Greg attended Dartmouth College as an art history major followed by post-graduate studies in architecture in Florence. He initially joined Woodside Hotel Group to help with redevelopment and renovations but left to pursue his MBA and explore the world of real estate investment. The turning point came in 2005, when his parents announced their plans to step down. “They built the business bigger than their dreams had ever been,” he reflects, “really, from being a sole innkeeper to running an organization competing with top-tier hotel companies.”

For Greg, it was decision time: In or out?

He followed his gut and went all-in. “At the core, I’m a people pleaser. I’m a middle child. I just love hospitality and the joy that comes from uplifting others,” he reasons. “And I grew up watching my parents create special places, and that was really where my heart was.”

Assuming the role of president and CEO, Greg learned by doing, grateful that his parents prioritized hiring seasoned hospitality veterans at the property level and visionaries in the corporate office—the perfect blend of mentorship. Under his oversight, the company cemented its stake as the largest operator of independent luxury hotels in Northern California, with five owned and managed hotels, nine restaurant/café/bar venues and three spas. With the addition of San Francisco’s Hotel Driscoll in Pacific Heights and the Harvest Inn in St. Helena, Greg also brought third-party management into the fold.

Now residing with his wife and three children on a neighbor-friendly Menlo Park cul-de-sac, Greg views one professional task as absolutely vital in his mix of responsibilities: “Every day, I read every guest comment—Yelp, Google, TripAdvisor, you name it, for every hotel and every restaurant. I read every single one of them because our core principle is to enrich people’s lives and I care so much about delivering that experience.”

The Lodge at Bodega Bay — Courtesy of Caitlin Atkinson

With Woodside’s hotels consistently ranked top in their markets, Greg is energized by the feedback: “‘We got engaged there,’ ‘We come every year on our anniversary,’ ‘We had a lovely meal’—sometimes, it’s just a great cup of coffee being proactively topped off or having a s’mores kit unexpectedly offered at a fire pit.” When a ball does get dropped, he views it as an opportunity. “We can take that suboptimal experience, circle back with the guest and write a last chapter that’s even better,” he says. “We can deepen our connection with that individual by showing empathy, by apologizing and by offering to make it right.”

In a reflection of the current times, an appreciative review recently caught his eye. “We hadn’t been away for two years because of COVID,” shared the guest in her post, “and we went to the Sonoma Coast and were able to just relax and inhale deeply and feel good about things again.”
“You read that,” beams Greg, “and you say, ‘Wow, we did it!’”

For Greg, “We did it!” can also be construed more broadly, given the pandemic’s shadow that’s fallen over the entire hospitality industry. “On March 19, 2020, we were forced to shut down every hotel, every restaurant, every spa,” he recounts, clearly still shaken by the memory. “We had to make a lot of gut-wrenching calls on what to do to downsize the organization, to be able to ride out the uncertainty of the storm and to ensure that we could survive to hire people back and continue to be an employer.”

Two years later, Greg sees the bounce-back happening, as Woodside Hotel Group’s scenic locations offer respite and escape—along with a unique ability to blend business and leisure. “People can go to Monterey Plaza and they can work and have a meeting,” he notes, “and then they can go play a round of golf or go to the aquarium with their kids.”

Seaside Views at Monterey Plaza Hotel — Courtesy of Paul Dyer

Positioned as an “Oasis in Silicon Valley,” even The Stanford Park Hotel in Menlo Park carries that unique sense of place with artwork tied to Stanford University and the Peninsula. The walls and hallways are full of local lore: An aerial view of The Dish. Crystal Springs Reservoir. Original Big Game programs. Portraits of Stanford luminaries including U.S. Presidents, Supreme Court Justices, Olympians and Nobel Prize winners. “By being regional and family-run, we can make sure that our hotels really feel like they’re a part of the fabric of the community,” observes Greg as he passes through the property’s cozy Menlo Tavern, which serves as a gathering spot for both Peninsula locals and guests.

In conjunction with Woodside Hotel Group’s 50th anniversary, the company is rebranding its properties as the Woodside Collection, to reflect the common thread of “West Coast hospitality” that ties the independent hotels together. And although Greg hasn’t had time to fully process this milestone year, his sense of purpose is unwavering: “I feel resiliency and a desire to double down—I think about my parents who came here with this unbridled optimism and energy and love for Northern California and that’s what we want to share.”

Classic Colonial

Historic Tudor

Petite Tudor

Ranch with Adu

Modern Farmhouse

san agus cocina

dahlia

cafe del sol

Hit the Decks

Sip and Snack at Spirits Alley

Play Like a Pinball Wizard

Top It Off With a Scoop

Tim’s Shinrin-yoku Tips

Reviving the Venue

Dazzling Design

Making Musical Moments

Where to Stay

What to Do

Art (Including Culinary)

Excursions Outside Santa Fe

izakaya ginji

sumika grill

hikari sushi & grill

Studio #101 – Natalie Ciccoricco

Studio #113 – Deborah Shea

Studio #212 – Zdenka Bleile

Studio #103 – Jil Coolidge

A Sense of Place

Entertaining Haven

Palo Alto Classic

Whimsical Cottage:

Zen Palette:

The Origin of the Animals

Reimagining a Zoo

Come and Get It!

All in the Neighborhood

quail + crane

flea street

roger

A Bed of California Stars

Chews with Views

Lace Up

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