For the uninitiated, urban homesteading is a rapidly growing movement comprised of urbanites looking to reduce their impact on the environment. And this book is a comprehensive, back-to-the-land guide filled with tips, practical info and stories from people already living the urban homesteading lifestyle. It embraces the core concepts of localization (providing our basic needs close to where we live), self-reliance (re-learning that food comes from the ground, not the grocery store), and sustainability (giving back at least as much as we take). Readers will find concise how-to information that they can immediately set into practice, from making solar cookers to growing tomatoes in a pot to raising chickens on a tiny plot and maintaining the mental serenity of country life in the fast-paced city environment.

Sounds great, right? We thought you’d think so.

Rachel Kaplan will be on hand this weekend to discuss the book, and we hope you’ll be around to hear it.

If not, buy the book anyway. Read it and reap.

Urban Homesteading Author Event. Saturday, 12/7, 3-4 pm. h2 Green Room.

Cost? FREE!

Spoonbar’s Scott Beattie, as you probably know, is one of the country’s very best barmen. Famous for his fresh, seasonal cocktails, he’s graced the pages of just about every glossy magazine and periodical you can think of. Gourmet, Food & Wine, GQ, Esquire, Wall St. Journal, New York Times, you name it. And he’s written The Book on artisanal cocktails. In fact, according to the NYT, “Artisanal Cocktails is shaping up to become the indispensable cookbook for farm-to-glass cocktails.” So you could say that Scott Beattie has more or less found his “superpower.” And lucky for us, he’s happy to share his secrets.

The Cucumber Collins looks good, right? Learn how to make it!

Join Scott Beattie on Saturday, September 11th, (2-4pm) for the first of his monthly COCKTAIL CLASSES! The first class is all about summer fruits and vegetables. After a welcome drink, Scott will present his critically acclaimed book and discuss the basics of seasonal cocktail creation. Then you’ll break into groups and have a go at making your own. You’ll learn to make:

• Bloody Marys with ripe heirloom tomatoes.
• Cucumber Collins’ with fresh and pickled cucumbers.
• Spicy and delicious Sangritas
• The Perfect Summertime Margarita with certified organic tequila.

And while learning his secrets isn’t quite the same as having a real, actual Superpower, I promise that when you shake up one of these cocktails at your next party, your friends will be impressed all the same.

Cocktail classes include all produce, spirits, materials, and snacks (provided by Spoonbar’s Chef Rudy). The class size is limited to 30 lucky guests and costs only $50.  Call Spoonbar now to book your reservation. (707-433-7222)

Here’s a list of forthcoming classes.

And here’s a sneak preview…

Well, forget what you think you know about Machiavelli. Because after centuries of controversy and misinterpretation, his progeny will be in Healdsburg, at h2hotel, to set the record straight. Or at least try to. Count Capponi has written a compelling new biography titled: “An Unlikely Prince: The Life and Times Machiavelli.” And he will be here, in the flesh, signing books and discussing his outrageously famous and deeply influential ancestor.

Oh, and if meeting a Count isn’t enough of a draw, there will also be a complimentary Tuscan wine tasting. Delicious Tuscan wines that said Count made on his family’s estate. Yes, in addition to being a critically acclaimed author, historian and a Florentine Noble, he’s also a winemaker.  Now that’s what you call a true Renaissance man.

We bet you’re dying for the details. So here they are:

• Friday, August 27th
• Book Signing & Tuscan Wine Tasting (4-6pm in the h2 lobby)
• Conversations w/ Author and more Wine Tasting (6-8pm in Spoonbar)

Oh, and all night at Spoonbar, wine flights made by Count Capponi will also be served by Ross in the dining room.  Highlight include: Comitale bianco Toscano 2009 (Vernaccia/Grechetto); Chianti Classico 2004; Chianti Classico 2006; “Casarsa” super Tuscan 2004 (100% Merlot)

We hope to see you here.

A Healdsburg Institution

When I first moved to Healdsburg a handful of years ago, there were two coffee shops in town. One always had a line out the door while the other, well, let’s just say it would’ve made a very nice echo chamber. It looked like a scene pulled from the McCarthy Era, and I remember thinking, how bizarre! At the time, I didn’t drink coffee and couldn’t understand why anyone would wait 20 minutes when there was absolutely no line just a few doors down.  

The coffee, obviously had much to do with it. Flying Goat Coffee, or “the Goat” for short, is one of the country’s premier roasters, offering microlot coffee from around the world. Microlots that co-founder, Phil Anacker, personally visits each year. But the other draw is the scene. Locals don’t mind waiting in line because this is, arguably, the town’s epicenter slash meet-up spot. (In fact, if I had a nickle for every time someone said “let’s meet at the Goat,” I might be able to buy the place.) And so naturally, while the Goat has become the place to caffeinate, that other coffee shop has become something entirely different. Like the place to buy amazing frozen yogurt.

Of course, not all of our guests will want to deal with the social swirl of the Goat in the morning. Which is why we’ve partnered up with them to offer French Press single origin coffee… delivered right to your door. You get that and house-made pastries for only $6 per person. And down at our Receptobar, we offer Flying Goat espresso drinks. Though, we still suggest you check out the Goat for yourself.

Artist Ray Degischer. (Feeling it.)

Especially on the nights when they have art openings. Like this Friday, August 6th. (8-10pm).  Local artist, Ray Degischer of Country Industrial, will be exhibiting new pieces. Ray rummages scrap yards and breathes new life into found objects – transforming old pipes into vases, machine parts into chandeliers. He was recently spotlighted in California Home & Design for his unique metal works. BUT… that’s not what he’s showing at the Goat. He’s also a talented painter, and will be exhibiting his stuff for the first time. As you can tell from this pic, he’s a pretty quirky guy. And we’re really excited to check out his new works.

Oh, and if you need just one more reason to be there, rumor has it that Ray will be providing a keg of PBR “for the PEOPLE.” The people being me and you and whomever shows up on Friday night.

We’ll spare you the “BIG” reasons why people should bike more and drive less.  With each passing news cycle, they become more and more obvious.  But all that aside, on the most basic, intrinsic level… biking is fun.  And beyond that, it connects people to their community in a way that a car simply cannot.  This from PUBLIC’s website: “Our vision is that more of our urban streets and sidewalks get reclaimed for walking and biking, and that our public spaces are developed for better human interaction and conversation.  We’d like to see a closer personal connection between residences with shops, parks, cafes and libraries.”  Sounds like a company after our own heart.

We can’t think of a more exciting way to experience Healdsburg than by bike.   And this is precisely why we’ve secured eight PUBLIC bikes for our guests to enjoy.  You can tool around town by day, and lock up it in our secure bike storage room by night.  And for all you gearheads, we even have a tuning station so you can work on your bike.  Bikes are first come first serve, so you might want to BYOB.  And if you do BYOB,  we might just offer you a free drink at Spoonbar.  Whatever it takes to help folks reconsider the way we get around.

To steal PUBLIC’s slogan, “Come roll with us.”

Oh, and here’s something that should stir your imagination.  Rush hour in the Netherlands.