http://www.pressdemocrat.com Local News from The Press Democrat en-us Copyright, http://www.pressdemocrat.com Editorial http://www.pressdemocrat.com http://www.pressdemocrat.com/images/logo2.gif http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100209/lifestyle/100209527
]]> Growing grapes on the slopes of Sonoma Mountain, Kimberly Pfendler sees the Petaluma Gap's cool breezes and ocean fog as secrets to creating fine pinot noirs and chardonnays. Mon, 8 Feb 2010 16:47:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100209/lifestyle/100209527 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100207/lifestyle/2071014
]]> If you've never made soup from scratch, it can seem a daunting task. It's a ruse. Few things are simpler than throwing together a rich, golden homemade stock. Plus, there's the thrifty thrill of using up all those old chicken bones and carrot peelings. A perfect Sunday afternoon activity, all it requires is some sporadic babysitting to get a week,... Sun, 7 Feb 2010 04:08:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100207/lifestyle/2071014 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100207/lifestyle/100209669
]]> You have precisely seven days to plan how to woo your valentine. By virtue of living in Wine Country, you have countless highbrow options, but there are plenty of inexpensive choices, and we have lots of suggestions. Fri, 5 Feb 2010 17:40:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100207/lifestyle/100209669 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100206/lifestyle/2061005
]]> Valentines that we send today can be printed on heavy paper, homemade using paper lace and trim or e-mailed via a digital greeting-card service. Sat, 6 Feb 2010 04:05:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100206/lifestyle/2061005 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100206/lifestyle/100209755
]]> Here's a handful of winter hikes that are worth braving the elements and checking the traction on the bottom of your boots Thu, 4 Feb 2010 16:53:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100206/lifestyle/100209755 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100205/lifestyle/100209759
]]> Fruit-tree enthusiasts maximize their harvest and their space by grafting multiple varieties onto one tree. Thu, 4 Feb 2010 15:55:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100205/lifestyle/100209759 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100205/lifestyle/100209761
]]> If you've ever driven through the heart of the San Joaquin Valley during peach blossom time, you've seen an enchanting sea of pink stretching for miles. The winter chill there combined with dry days in spring and hot summers before harvest make this one of the prime regions in the world for growing peaches. Thu, 4 Feb 2010 15:45:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100205/lifestyle/100209761 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100205/lifestyle/100209764
]]> Brighten a gloomy winter Saturday with thoughts of scented sweet peas. This is the time to get started if you want to enjoy these frilly garden pleasers by late spring and early summer. Thu, 4 Feb 2010 15:33:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100205/lifestyle/100209764 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100204/lifestyle/100209861
]]> Try chowder in Bodega Bay, chocolate in Sebastopol, or watch romance unfold at Safari West. Wed, 3 Feb 2010 14:39:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100204/lifestyle/100209861 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100203/lifestyle/100209928
]]> As wintry weather lingers, curl up with a good book or a fine film, and a bowl of flavorful warmth: sorrel soup. Tue, 2 Feb 2010 12:35:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100203/lifestyle/100209928 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100202/lifestyle/100129342
]]> Gumbo is the quintessential dish of New Orleans, an emblem of the melting-pot city that has grown, like its Mardi Gras party, almost larger than life. Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:37:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100202/lifestyle/100129342 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100201/lifestyle/100129348
]]> Press Democrat wine writer Peg Melnik scopes out restaurant wine lists around the North Bay, looking for good value and the occasional splurge. Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:45:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100201/lifestyle/100129348 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100131/lifestyle/100129349
]]> Series at Petaluma's Cinnabar Theater features five comic actors honing the craft of telling stories Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:31:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100131/lifestyle/100129349 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100130/lifestyle/100129419
]]> How to change your sedentary lifestyle without hurting yourself. Sat, 30 Jan 2010 14:56:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100130/lifestyle/100129419 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100130/lifestyle/1301007
]]> FORT WORTH, Texas - This is the year to dream about escaping that daily grind and trading it in for a tropical adventure. The counselors of color at Pantone, who consult with those in the home, fashion, beauty and advertising industries, once again have announced their "color of the year." In 2010, Americans are all about "15-5519... Sat, 30 Jan 2010 04:02:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100130/lifestyle/1301007 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100130/lifestyle/1301002
]]> A recent auction sold a 19th-century carved and painted wooden "raven rattle" made by Northwest Coast Indians. Sat, 30 Jan 2010 04:02:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100130/lifestyle/1301002 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100130/lifestyle/1301003
]]> Of the many household tasks, doing the laundry seems to be a no-brainer: Put clothes in the washer, add detergent and press start. But regular washing can take a toll on your garments. Sat, 30 Jan 2010 04:02:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100130/lifestyle/1301003 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100130/lifestyle/1301000
]]> I have a question about the newer Anderson windows with double-pane glass. Should one still hang a storm window to prevent further insulation? My husband and I have a home that was built in 2003 and we would like to lower our utilities bills any way we can. Sat, 30 Jan 2010 04:02:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100130/lifestyle/1301000 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100129/lifestyle/100129378
]]> Five comic actors, including Dave Pokorny (shown), Johnny Steele, Clark Taylor, Fred Curchack and Will Durst, give one-man shows at the Solo Mio festival. Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:34:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100129/lifestyle/100129378 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100129/lifestyle/100129421
]]> Seed exchanges are popular ways for gardeners to collect interesting new plants and maintain biodiversity. Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:03:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100129/lifestyle/100129421 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100129/lifestyle/100129592
]]> Late January thru February finds gardeners betwixt and between, eager for spring, tempted by spates of warm weather, frustrated by lingering winter days. We’d like more of those years when spring begins early and never lets up until July, but neither can we forget when February seemed to stretch longer than the promise of its short days, and... Tue, 26 Jan 2010 15:57:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100129/lifestyle/100129592 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100128/lifestyle09/100129506
]]> This weekend, don't miss the kickoff to the Napa Valley Mustard Festival, all the crab you can eat in Santa Rosa or the new feel at a Sebastopol favorite. Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:49:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100128/lifestyle09/100129506 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100128/lifestyle/100129594
]]> SONOMA The Dutch creator of a new invention to help trees grow under harsh conditions with low rainfall is the honored guest at a reception on Tuesday at Cornerstone Sonoma. Tue, 26 Jan 2010 15:51:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100128/lifestyle/100129594 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100127/lifestyle/100129557
]]> Enjoy seasonal eating with the beautiful sweetness of Cara Cara oranges, available in markets until the end of March. Tue, 26 Jan 2010 23:11:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100127/lifestyle/100129557 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100127/lifestyle/100129529
]]> The final day of Hardy Wallace's “Really Goode Job” at Healdsburg's Murphy-Goode Winery is February 15th, but his future in Wine Country looks bright. Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:33:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100127/lifestyle/100129529 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100127/lifestyle/100129531
]]> This month's Winter Wineland sold a record number of tickets - 5,000-plus - over the weekend of January 16-17 and the crowd was by all reports excited but not out of line. Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:08:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100127/lifestyle/100129531 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100126/lifestyle/100129623
]]> After 30 years in Carneros vineyards, Anna Moller-Racke feels she finally has true perspective on wine growing. Tue, 26 Jan 2010 10:36:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100126/lifestyle/100129623 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100126/lifestyle/100129598
]]> With 300-plus bottles entered in Saturday's ZAP event om San Francisco, wine writer Peg Melnik had countless flights, determined to taste one bottle from every winery. While there were many impressive zins, the wine of the week winner is the Ridge, 2007 Geyserville, California, $35. Tue, 26 Jan 2010 15:33:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100126/lifestyle/100129598 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100126/lifestyle/100129599
]]> Some years ago, Joe Montana acquired land above Calistoga in the Napa Valley, where he established Villa Montana. The goal was for the former San Francisco 49er quarterback and his wife, Jennifer, to make a bit of wine, and live the good life. Tue, 26 Jan 2010 15:29:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100126/lifestyle/100129599 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100125/lifestyle/100129780
]]> Press Democrat wine writer Peg Melnik scopes out restaurant wine lists around the North Bay, looking for good value and the occasional splurge. This week's picks (prices are retail; restaurant markup varies): Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:16:00 -0500 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100125/lifestyle/100129780