Is California the World’s Competitive Gaming Capital in 2024?

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California has become a major hub for competitive gaming in 2024, thriving on its esports scene, hosting various gaming events and being home to top gaming companies. With strong infrastructure and community support, California is now widely regarded as the global capital of competitive gaming.

California’s Rise in Competitive Gaming & its Relationship

The surge of competitive gaming in California has been impressive. It is driven by a strong tech industry, a diverse talent pool and a culture that values innovation. This growth is also supported by state-of-the-art esports arenas and a community that encourages both novice and professional gamers.

The connection between California’s technological advancements and its gaming industry is mutually beneficial. Technological improvements, including faster internet speeds and advanced gaming hardware, have enriched the gaming experience, drawing in more players and spectators. In response, the thriving esports sector fuels the need for more technological progress, establishing a cycle of advancement and growth that cements California’s role as a leader in competitive gaming.

The History of Competitive Gaming in California

California has played a major role in the development of competitive gaming. The journey began in the 1970s with the rise of arcade gaming, where players would compete for high scores on games like “Space Invaders” and “Pac-Man.” In the 1980s, home consoles emerged, and the first organized gaming tournaments, such as the Atari National Space Invaders Championship, took place. As technology advanced, the 1990s introduced online multiplayer games, significantly boosting the competitive gaming scene. Titles like “Quake” and “StarCraft” became staples of early esports competitions.

In the 2000s, California solidified its status as a gaming hub with the establishment of major gaming companies and the hosting of large-scale esports events. The state is home to iconic venues like the Staples Center, which has hosted numerous League of Legends World Championships. Additionally, the rise of online casinos has paralleled the growth of esports, offering another avenue for competitive gaming enthusiasts.

Gaming Events That Take Place in California

California hosts a wide range of gaming events throughout the year, attracting gamers from all over the world. Some of the most notable events include the E3 Expo in Los Angeles, one of the largest gaming conventions globally. This convention showcases the latest in video game technology and upcoming releases. However, it has been announced that this expo is shutting down permanently.

California is home to numerous esports venues and large-scale conventions. The Crypto.com Arena (formerly Staples Center) in Los Angeles has hosted many high-profile esports tournaments, including the League of Legends World Championship. The Esports Arena in Santa Ana is another important venue, renowned for its state-of-the-art facilities and regular competitive gaming events. The Blizzard Arena in Burbank and the OGN Super Arena in Manhattan Beach also play significant roles in the esports landscape, providing top-tier venues for both amateur and professional competitions.

Top Players & eSports Teams that are California-based

California is home to some of the most prominent esports teams and players in the world. Team Liquid, based in Los Angeles, is renowned for its success across multiple games, including League of Legends, Dota 2 and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. Another major team is FaZe Clan, also headquartered in Los Angeles, which has achieved significant success in first-person shooter games like Call of Duty and Counter-Strike.

Cloud9, based in Santa Monica, is another powerhouse in the esports scene, known for its strong performances in games like League of Legends and Valorant. Additionally, 100 Thieves, located in Culver City, has made a name for themselves with competitive teams in League of Legends, Call of Duty and Valorant.

Among the top players, Doublelift (Yiliang Peng) is a legendary League of Legends player who has been a key figure in North American esports, having played for teams like Team Liquid and TSM. Shroud (Michael Grzesiek), a former professional Counter-Strike player turned popular streamer, is also based in California and continues to influence the gaming community.

Comparison to Other Gaming Hubs

California is a major center for competitive gaming, but it is not the only one globally. Other regions, such as South Korea, China and Europe, also play important roles in esports and the gaming industry.

  • South Korea is well-known for its strong esports culture, especially in games like StarCraft and League of Legends. The country has dedicated esports stadiums and a solid infrastructure that supports professional gaming from a young age.
  • China has rapidly become a powerhouse in the gaming world, with a large player base and significant investments in esports. Cities like Shanghai host major international tournaments, and the country is home to some of the largest gaming companies, such as Tencent.
  • Europe is also a key player, with countries like Sweden and Germany leading the way. Sweden, in particular, has a rich history in game development and hosts major events like DreamHack, one of the world’s largest digital festivals.

While California is strong in the tech industry, has diverse talent and iconic venues, these other regions also make significant contributions to the global gaming landscape. Each has its own unique strengths and cultural influences.

Challenges in the Future

The future of competitive gaming in California and globally is facing several challenges. One significant issue is the increasing competition for attention. With the rise of various entertainment options, keeping audiences engaged in esports can be difficult. Additionally, the industry must navigate technological advancements that require constant updates and improvements to gaming infrastructure and platforms.

Another challenge is the volatility of the market. The gaming industry is highly dynamic, with trends and popular games changing rapidly. This can impact the stability of esports organizations and events. Labor issues also pose a threat as the demand for skilled professionals grows, leading to potential disputes over wages and working conditions.

California’s eSports Legacy

California’s ascent as a competitive gaming capital is a testament to its innovative spirit, robust infrastructure and vibrant community. While it faces challenges such as market volatility, technological demands and regulatory issues, the state’s commitment to fostering both amateur and professional gaming remains strong. As California continues to lead and adapt, it solidifies its position at the forefront of the global esports landscape, inspiring gamers and enthusiasts worldwide.

Harvest Time for a Local Couple…and Their Duck

They live on a one-acre plot of land in Novato, but the bounty they bring in feels abundant beyond the square footage they occupy.

Inside the home of Donna and Gary Rich, the kitchen table is strewn with a variety of fresh, ripe tomatoes in shades of red, orange and yellow. Alongside the tomatoes are boxes of beans for eating and drying out as seeds. Front and center sits a pile of vibrant, green and unreasonably shiny poblano peppers, ready to be made into a delicious chile relleno dish for dinner.

In the kitchen, the smell of brine permeates the air, and mason jars filled with pickles, sauerkraut and other tasty tidbits fill the countertops. To the side, even more empty mason jars await their fate (i.e., to be filled up and to preserve whatever else the Rich garden produces throughout harvest season).

But the kitchen is only the beginning of this abundant single-acre home farm; the rest of the work and magic happens just outside the back door. Past the outside sitting area and its table piled high with perfectly orange pumpkins of the Cinderella variety is the Rich homestead.

Chickens free-range their way throughout the day, scratching at the dirt and eating whatever they can find: bugs, leftover bits from the kitchen, and, if they’re lucky, some fallen fruit from the multitude of trees lining the property. They get along surprisingly well with the two cats and two family dogs, all of whom intermingled amicably during a recent farm tour.

And then there’s the newest addition to the Rich family: Quackers, an all-black duck less than four months old. It’s easy to see that this animal has earned itself a special place in the farm and its farmers’ hearts. And, given this lucky duck’s origin story, it’s even easier to understand why that is.

Quacker’s tale started a few months ago when the Rich couple decided to give a nesting chicken of theirs some viable, fertilized eggs to sit on. This was apparently because the chicken had an attitude about its eggs always being stolen (understandable). So, the chicken was given two chicken eggs and one duck egg. Of the three eggs, two hatched. First came a baby chick, and then, a week later, an all-black duckling.

But the duckling was rejected by its chicken foster and almost lost its life very early on. When the Rich couple found their fledgling duckling nearly dead, they rushed it inside at the first sign of life and spent all day warming it up and nursing it back to health.

Now, Quackers is not only healthy but also full of personality and not at all people-shy. In fact, she seems to quite enjoy being a part of the immediate family. Her webbed feet slap out a beat as she waddles alongside her people, participating in the farm’s day-to-day goings on. She doesn’t do much more than quack, but Quackers is doing an objectively stellar job for a personality-hire and farm mascot. So much so, in fact, that the farm has recently been renamed in an obvious homage to its newest member and the inspiration behind Laughing Duck Farm.

Backing up a bit, it’s important to note that this acre wasn’t always so prolific. When the Rich couple moved into their home over a decade ago, their now cultivated land was more or less a bare plot. After wrangling and removing an old, gnarled plum tree and renovating the house enough to live in, they turned their sights to developing a garden.

“The backyard was a bit of a clean easel,” said Donna Rich. “I knew I wanted a garden, though. And, at first, we did that by building hay bale beds.”

She went on to explain that hay bale beds are a great, effective and fast method for building above-ground garden beds. All anyone has to do is buy the hay bales, place them where they want them and fill the center with soil. Of course, these are more temporary than other forms of garden beds, but they are fantastic for those who want to garden but do not yet have access to a full, built-in bed setup.

“People come to Donna ’cause she’s got a green thumb, but it’s the research she does, too,” explained Gary Rich. “She knows that a soggy-bottomed tomato, for instance, is because of low calcium…and it’s because of her experience she knows how to fix it.”

Of course, the Rich family has more than hay bale beds, including a greenhouse and a fence-enclosed garden area with a handy dandy drip system to help water everything. This space, which is surprisingly small in perspective to the rest of the property, is where much of the harvest grows. Gargantuan tomato plants tower over whatever expectation one has for what size a tomato plant can or should be able to reach. Then there’s the zucchini, trellises filled with beans and the last bits of an end-of-season cucumber plant.

On the far end of the property, corn stalks wave in the wind. And there’s the entirely unique raspberry patch, too. But listing out all of this farm’s produce, which includes around 40 fruit trees, would take quite a while. Then there wouldn’t be enough space to highlight Donna Rich’s countless-seeming, county fair award-winning collection of preserves, all of which line the shelves of a temperature-resistant shed on the far side of the property. Shelves upon shelves are piled high with the most delicious, homemade and homegrown preserves, spreads, jams, pickles, tomato sauces and much more.

Alongside gardening, cooking, preserving their crops and caring for the animals on their land, the Rich family also makes time to create via hands-on hobbies. Gary Rich, for instance, keeps himself busy in the colder months with his bonsai garden, passion for leatherworking and impressive miniature train setup. And Donna Rich is sewing slip-on coasters for wine glasses, though her entire craft room is piled high with fabrics and projects.

Harvest is all about reaping what one sows, and the Rich family’s Laughing Duck Farm serves as a heartwarming reminder to remember what makes life feel abundant and rich—being outdoors, playing in the dirt, planting some seeds/ideas and seeing what sort of growth one can nurture, harvest and process, given hard work and time. After all that, one can bask in the abundance of their efforts and share their bounty with those they love. Such is the spirit of harvest and maybe even a seasonal lesson in living a fulfilling, joyful life. Just like Quackers.

Laughing Duck Farm’s business card describes the Rich family as, “purveyors of jams, jellies, pickles, relishes, fruits, vegetables, handicrafts and leather goods.” To learn more, call the couple at 415.250.8525.

‘Nunsense’ in Novato

Novato Theater Company opened its 104th season with Dan Goggin’s 1988 award-winning comedy, Nunsense.

The show, directed by Lisa Morse, with choreography by Marilyn Izdebski and musical direction by Nick Brown, runs through Oct. 6.

The plot is pretty straightforward if one hasn’t seen this show or one of its six(!) spin-offs. The Little Sisters of Hoboken need to raise money to bury 52 of their number who were accidentally killed by soup. They start a greeting card company that did well until an ill-timed purchase by Mother Superior Sister Mary Regina (Jane Harrington) left them short of funds to bury the final four. They are stored in their freezer, making the ice cream taste funny. 

So the sisters, who used to be missionaries to a leper colony until they started literally falling apart, decide to do a variety show! Sister Mary Regina is joined by her second-in-command Sister Mary Hubert (Kristine Ann Lowry), initiate Sister Mary Leo (Lauren Sutton-Beattie), amnesiac Sister Mary Amnesia (Nicole Thordsen) and street-smart Sister Robert Anne (Tina Smith). Things do not go according to plan.

Nick Brown is very good, syncing music to actors several times to cover a missed line. The sound mixer, Simon Eves, and stage manager, Dianne Harrison, were on top of things, meaning that a local show happened for the first time in a long time with no unfortunate sound issues. Judging when a live performer will be louder or softer than expected is an art form and should be recognized. 

The set design by Tom O’Brien was whimsically appropriate. The basketball hoop is a nice touch to ground the set in a middle school gym. Props by Cindy Morris were well designed, with special notes for the specificity of the stuffed animals and the silly cookbook cover. 

The play is supposed to feel like five amateurs putting on a scattered variety show, and it does feel that way. All five women are talented performers, impressive singers and good dancers. When all five are onstage together, the equality of their talent keeps the show moving and funny.  But things are less uniform during the solos. It was sometimes hard to decide when a character was awkward and when the actor was off. For example, Harrington’s scene after accidentally inhaling a narcotic goes on too long and has too much air in it to keep it on the funny side of cringe.

Many of the issues the production encounters are due to the hopelessly dated script. Soon, the audience members who tittered at references to Sally Field won’t be the people filling theaters. The backstory of the leper colony is rife with references that, in the 40 years since it was written, we have learned are not funny.

It’s easy to see the appeal of choosing this show. A small-cast comedic musical with an all-female cast without anything overtly controversial about it is like a magic bullet for community theaters. But maybe it’s time we put the sisters in the freezer and move on to shows with less-dated comedy. 

‘Nunsense’ runs through Oct. 6 at the Novato Theater Company, 5420 Nave Dr., Ste. C. Fri & Sat, 7:30pm; Sun, 2pm. $25–$35. 415.883.4498. novatotheatercompany.org.

Free Will Astrology: Week of Sept. 18

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ARIES (March 21-April 19): Few of the vegetables grown in the 21st century are in their original wild form. Many are the result of crossbreeding carried out by humans. The intention is to increase the nutritional value of the food, boost its yield, improve its resistance to insect predators and help it survive weather extremes. I invite you to apply the metaphor of crossbreeding to your life in the coming months. You will place yourself in maximum alignment with cosmic rhythms if you conjure up new blends. So be a mix master, Aries. Favor amalgamations and collaborations. Transform jumbles and hodgepodges into graceful composites. Make “alloy” and “hybrid” your words of power.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): “All I ask is the chance to prove that money can’t make me happy,” quipped comedian Spike Milligan. I propose we make that your running joke for the next eight months. If there was ever a time when you could get rich more quickly, it would be between now and mid-2025. And the chances of that happening may be enhanced considerably if you optimize your relationship with work. What can you do now to help ensure you will be working at a well-paying job you like for years to come?

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): The World Health Organization says that 3.5 billion people in the world don’t have access to safe toilets; 2.2 billion live without safe drinking water; 2 billion don’t have facilities in their homes to wash their hands with soap and water. But it’s almost certain that you don’t suffer from these basic privations. Most likely, you get all the water you require to be secure and healthy. You have what you need to cook food and make drinks. You can take baths or showers whenever you want. You wash your clothes easily. Maybe you water a garden. I bring this to your attention because now is an excellent time to celebrate the water in your life. It’s also a favorable time to be extra fluid and flowing and juicy. Here’s a fun riddle for you: What could you do to make your inner life wetter and better lubricated?

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Cancerian rapper and actor Jaden Smith has won a few mid-level awards and has been nominated for a Grammy. But I was surprised that he said, “I don’t think I’m as revolutionary as Galileo, but I don’t think I’m not as revolutionary as Galileo.” If I’m interpreting his sly brag correctly, Smith is suggesting that maybe he is indeed pretty damn revolutionary. I’m thrilled he said it because I love to see you Cancerians overcome your natural inclination to be overly humble and self-effacing. It’s OK with me if you sometimes push too far. In the coming weeks, I am giving you a license to wander into the frontiers of braggadocio.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Research by psychologists at Queen’s University in Canada concluded that the average human has about 6,200 thoughts every day. Other studies suggest that 75% of our thoughts are negative, and 95% are repetitive. But here’s the good news, Leo: My astrological analysis suggests that the amount of your negative and repetitive thoughts could diminish in the coming weeks. You might even get those percentages down to 35% and 50%, respectively. Just imagine how refreshed you will feel. With all that rejuvenating energy coursing through your brain, you may generate positive, unique thoughts at an astounding rate. Take maximum advantage, please!

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You have probably heard the platitude, “Be cautious about what you wish for. You might get it.” The implied warning is that if your big desires are fulfilled, your life may change in unpredictable ways that require major adjustments. That’s useful advice. However, I have often found that the “major adjustments” necessary are often interesting and healing—strenuous, perhaps, but ultimately enlivening. In my vision of your future, Virgo, the consequences of your completed goal will fit that description. You will be mostly pleased with the adaptations you must undertake in response to your success.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): The bird known as the gray-headed albatross makes long, continuous flights without touching down on the ground. I propose we nominate this robust traveler to be one of your inspirational animals in the coming months. I suspect that you, too, will be capable of prolonged, vigorous quests that unleash interesting changes in your life. I don’t necessarily mean your quests will involve literal long-distance travel. They may, but they might also take the form of vast and deep explorations of your inner terrain. Or maybe you will engage in bold efforts to investigate mysteries that will dramatically open your mind and heart.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You are in a good position and frame of mind to go hunting for a novel problem or two. I’m half-joking, but I’m also very serious. I believe you are primed to track down interesting dilemmas that will bring out the best in you and attract the educational experiences you need. These provocative riddles will ensure that boring old riddles and paltry hassles won’t bother you. Bonus prediction: You are also likely to dream up an original new “sin” that will stir up lucky fun.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Your spinning and weaving abilities will be strong in the coming weeks. I predict that your knack for creating sturdy, beautiful webs will catch the resources and influences you require. Like a spider, you must simply prepare the scenarios to attract what you need, then patiently relax while it all comes to you. Refining the metaphor further, I will tell you that you have symbolic resemblances to the spiders known as cross orbweavers. They produce seven different kinds of silk, each useful in its own way—and in a sense, so can you. Your versatility will help you succeed in interesting ways.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Capricorn basketball player JamesOn Curry had the briefest career of anyone who ever played in America’s top professional league. Around his birthday in 2010, while a member of the Los Angeles Clippers, he appeared on the court for 3.9 seconds and never returned. Such a short-lived effort is unusual for the Capricorn tribe and will not characterize your destiny in the coming months. I predict you will generate an intense outpouring of your sign’s more typical expressions: durability, diligence, persistence, tenacity, resilience, determination, resolve and steadfastness. Ready to get underway in earnest?

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): It’s a good time for you to embrace the serpent, metaphorically speaking. You may even enjoy riding and playing with and learning from the serpent. The coming weeks will also be a favorable phase for you to kiss the wind and consult with the ancestors and wrestle with the most fascinating questions you know. So get a wild look in your eyes, dear Aquarius. Dare to shed mediocre pleasures so you can better pursue spectacular pleasures. Experiment only with smart gambles and high-integrity temptations, and flee the other kinds. P.S.: If you challenge the past to a duel (a prospect I approve of), be well-armed with the future.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Panda bears don’t seem to enjoy having sex. The typical length of their mating encounters is from 30 seconds to two minutes. There was a dramatic exception to the rule in 2015, however. Lu Lu and Zhen Zhen, pandas living at the Sichuan Giant Panda Research Center in China, snuggled and embraced for 18 minutes. It was unprecedented. I encourage you, too, to break your previous records for tender cuddling and erotic play in the coming weeks. The longer and slower you go, the more likely it is you will generate spiritual epiphanies and awakenings.

Humpback Haven: Whales Overtaking Local Shorelines

Humpback whales have begun to make the Bay Area their home this fall, and their spouts are a daily sight across the area and even into the bay itself. 

Stretching from Monterey to Bodega Bay, videos and images have been going viral with whales breaching beside whale watching boats and surfers. A video, shown on the West Marin Feed Instagram, even showed a humpback whale breaching some 40 feet from a whale watching ship just south of Stinson Beach. If one is looking to see whales in Sonoma, the best spot to see them is Bodega Head. In Marin County, one can see whales best off the Marin Headlands coast and at Stinson Beach.

However, much of the attention toward the whales has been on Pacifica in the south bay, where photographers have been flocking to docks and shorelines to view the consistent sights of spouting humpbacks very close to shore. Even the local Facebook group has become overrun with people not local to the area, excited to learn and share their photographs, according to the Mercury News

While the main concentration and marvel have been in the south bay, where the whales have come very close to shore, there have been many near shore sightings. Many we have spoken with in Pacifica, San Francisco Bay and near our homes in Marin and Sonoma, have noted that the whales are much more near shore than most years.

Most significantly, whales have been consistently seen from Marin in the San Francisco Bay itself, which has not been historically common. 

“This is something new as of 2016, so it’s very exciting from a personal perspective,” said Kathi George, whale conservationist at the Marine Mammal Center, located in Sausalito. “Like how awesome is it that you can go stand on the Golden Gate Bridge and see a whale, or be in San Rafael or San Francisco and be able to see whales? That’s amazing.”

George was quick to point out that it is not all great news for the whales.

“It’s also a cause for concern, because these are very busy urban waterways with recreational boaters, commercial vessels, ferries and a lot of fishing. These activities will increase the risk for both people and the whales,” George said.

Due to the high number of whales in the bay, crossing over busy and vital shipping lines for international container ships, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA)  requested in August that vessels must slow down when around the Bay Area

“When encountering marine mammals, slow down and operate at no-wake speed. Put your engine in neutral when whales approach to pass,” said a NOAA press release in August. This is out of concern for the humpback whales’ safety and numbers, which are still returning to their old counts after being listed as endangered in 1973. 

The new protocol for vessels will last through November, when the whales typically leave our shores.

“This slowdown would give the whale potentially time to get away, or if there was a strike, it would be a likely, not a lethal strike on that whale,” George said. 

Ship strikes are far from the only concern for the whales. Whales are often entangled in fishing nets, which can trap them, leading to an untimely end. According to the International Whaling Commission, around 300,000 whales and dolphins are killed annually due to entanglement. Seeing that fishing nets and lines are such a threat to whales around the world, NOAA has begun and ended different fishing seasons whenever a significant number of whales are present. 

Each year, more whales arrive on the California coast, raising increased concern about ship strikes and entanglements. Yet, this is also a sign of significant hope for humpback and gray whale populations making their steady comeback after a close call with extinction. 

Ever since 1971, when the last whaling operation on the west coast, out of Richmond, was forced to close, the numbers of whales in the eastern Pacific Ocean have increased greatly. Some specific populations of humpback whales have even been removed from the endangered species list.

However, other groups of humpbacks, such as ones that breed off the coast of Mexico and another group that breeds in Central America, are still making their way back to their historically high numbers. These two populations are the whales we see today on our coastlines.  

Tim Markowitz, UC Berkeley professor and field research associate for the Marine Mammal Center, says the possible reason these populations have had a slower return to their high numbers is due to these shipstrikes and entanglements with fishing equipment, pointing out why NOAA has implemented a slowdown of ships in and around the San Francisco Bay Area.

As for why they are here now, Markowitz points mostly toward their food. Since humpbacks often hunt krill and northern anchovies, Markowitz, along with George, has pointed to a high number of anchovies being the greatest “driver” of the whales being so close to shore. 

Their presence also is an indication of the overall health of the marine ecosystem.

“These are flexible foragers who go where the food is,” Markowitz said. “As such, they are indicators of environmental health. Whales inshore likely mean either less food offshore, more food inshore or both.”

Climate change could also likely be a factor. However, with the growing length of time whales spend in the area, there is no significant evidence at this time pointing to it as a major influence. Markowitz did note that other marine mammals, such as California bottlenose dolphins, have moved their range more northward as water temperatures have increased, and climate change appears to be a factor.

All of this points to a golden future for the whales that have now found feeding under the Golden Gate, yet shipping companies may find it a slight annoyance. With these humpbacks listed as threatened and endangered, these slowdowns, which NOAA has implemented, will likely become a more common occurrence, slowing down an incredibly busy international shipping lane.

However, whales dying in fishing nets will have a greater impact on  our local communities. 

For the past few years, whales have begun to strain the Bay Area Dungeness crabbers. Humpback and gray whales are spending more time in the Bay Area, leaving in December rather than early November, as they have historically done. So the California Department of Fish and Wildlife has for the past couple of years started the crabbing season in the latter part of December, cutting into the peak holiday season for crabs in the area.

But all of this, ultimately, shows that conservation efforts are working. With the end of all whaling on the west coast in 1971, and the increased conservation efforts of the 1970s, along with the creation of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, whales, and many other species, have been saved from human-caused extinction. If the trend continues, humpbacks may become a Bay Area mainstay.

Your Letters, Sept. 18

Guillotined Guilicos

The transitional housing community Los Guilicos Village, 2 km east of Oakmont, housing 60 homeless people in 60 tiny homes, will be torn down soon. 

This facility is operated by the County of Sonoma. I read a bulletin stating that St. Vincent de Paul is the new entity taking over the “dilapidated” buildings and moving all residents who have not found housing into dormitories just behind Los Guilicos. The reason given for demolishing these perfectly adequate dwellings is that they are temporary, and “Eliza’s Village” is a group of permanent buildings. 

And, the County of Sonoma is going to turn the cleared area into a parking lot! 

Why pave paradise to put up a parking lot?

At Eliza’s, all residents’ bags will be searched coming and going, as well as their pockets! The gates will be locked at midnight. One worker I spoke with compared the dorms to a prison or a concentration camp.

Since the uncompassionate, extreme right wing Supreme Corpse ruled June 28 on Grants Pass v. Johnson that cities can punish unhoused people for sleeping in public, even if they have nowhere else to go, “our” Gov. Nab’em Gruesome, I mean Gavin Newsom, has directed California cities to deal with the homeless in the most heartless ways.

The ACLU and activists across the nation are organizing and mobilizing to resist and overturn Grants Pass v. Johnson, to succor the homeless, and to petition cities in California and other states not to throw out unhoused poor people from their sleeping spots and encampments. You can find numerous organizations online to organize with.

Barry Barnett 

Santa Rosa

Pickle Vendors, Railroad Crossings and More

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Ross

Love & Other Pickles

Being in love can feel like being in a bit of a pickle, or so says the Ross Valley Players’ upcoming performance of Crossing Delancey. This show has it all: a young woman doing her best to make it as a bookseller, with her grandmother, Bubbie, as company. But then enters Sam, a Lower East Side pickle vendor—and, well, the rest is packed away in the storyline like brine. The best part: Some VIPPs (Very Important Pickle-tasting People) will be able to enjoy not only a show but also a thematically appropriate and downright delicious snack. They’re pickles that come from Donna Rich, a multi-time county fair award-winning local who loves the art of pickle-making. The Sept. 22 matinee is sold out, but tickets are still available for the pre-show tasting. And VIPP tickets are still available for Sept. 21 for both the play and the pickle tasting. To buy tickets to any/all events, visit the website at rossvalleyplayers.com/tickets. ‘Crossing Delancey’ runs through Oct. 13 at the Barn Theatre, located at the Marin Art and Garden Center on 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. in Ross.

Santa Rosa

Railroad Crossings

This month welcomes the eighth annual Railroad Square Music Festival, presented by local nonprofit The Lost Church. Music lovers and anyone who enjoys free happenings with good vibes should mentally RSVP themselves as a yes to this all-day local musical event. The Railroad Square Music Festival will have a total of five stages playing host to 39 artists—this includes Maria Carillo Mariachi, Princess Boutique Fashion Show, Stella & Bandjango, Ellie James, Rico Pobre, Sonoma County Pomo Dancers, Rock-a-Doodle-Doo, Under a New Sun, J.Lately, Erica Ambrin, N8 and Tha G, Eric Long Band, Foxes in the Henhouse, Coffin Hunters, Cardboard People, Grapefruit Moon, Retro P, Yuka Yu, MAC, Tecni, Dyops, Tommy Echelon, Izzy Lilly, Gabe Duran, From, Jacob, Cam JC & Friends, Silas Fermoy, The Portal Authority, Sky Palace, Taylin Archini, Victoria Bratton and Unconventional Loui. To learn more about this free-to-attend festival, visit the website at railroadsquaremusicfestival.com. The Railroad Square Music Festival is on Sunday, Sept. 22, from noon to 7pm. The festival venue is located at 135 4th St., Santa Rosa.

Napa

M.F.K. Fisher on Film

The Art of Eating: The Life of M.F.K. Fisher is a feature documentary exploring the dramatic life and lasting impact of California food writer M.F.K. Fisher, who transformed cooking from a domestic task into a profound reflection on what it means to be human. Directed by Gregory Bezat, the film screens at 4 and 7pm on Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Jarvis Conservatory, 1711 Main St., Napa. Described by W.H. Auden as “the best prose writer in America,” Fisher introduced continental sensibilities to America’s culinary scene. She lived in Glen Ellen for the last 20 years of her life and in St. Helena for two decades during the 1950s and ’60s. Tickets are $15, including a glass of wine, available at jarvisconservatory.com/artfilms.html.

Healdsburg

Lights, Camera, Shorts!

The Healdsburg International Short Film Festival returns in full force, beginning at 6pm Friday, Sept. 27, at the Raven Performing Arts Theater, Healdsburg. The event pops-off with a sparkling Champagne Kickoff Party, followed by an opening night screening hosted by Karin Demarest. This year’s judges include musician and actor Tom Waits, actor Ed Begley Jr. and the editor of this paper, author-auteur Daedalus Howell. Attendees are invited to dive into a whirlwind of global cinema, with screenings ranging from hard-hitting documentaries and captivating French films to bold youth perspectives (ages 13+). Audiences can mingle with filmmakers and cheer on their favorites at an awards ceremony on Sunday, Sept. 29. The Raven Performing Arts Theater is located at 115 North St., Healdsburg. For more information and tickets, visit healdsburgfilm.com.

Lucy Stark and Fabien Cappello at Blunk Space

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Soft serve always seemed essential in summers, growing up in the North Bay. 

I remember asking my mom to take us to the McDonald’s drive-thru for soft-serve ice cream, which she rarely did. It was so hot outside, my four siblings and I in the back of the Volkswagen Vanagon, burning up in the dry North Bay heat. 

Then, getting older, still loving soft serve, oysters became a thing for me to eat. At first I hated them. They just seemed so odd, like pieces of snot trapped in rocks. Why would you want to eat that? But, I thankfully did, and now they’re a mainstay of my summer, just like soft serve. And this month, these ideals of summer are perfectly represented for the public to see at the new show, “Tabletop,” by Oakland-based painter Lucy Stark and Guadalajara-based artist and designer Fabien Cappello.

The show, which opened on Sept. 7, is on display at Blunk Space in Point Reyes Station and was curated by gallery owner and Blunk Estate director Mariah Nielson. It will close on Saturday, Oct. 19.

Featuring largely new works by Stark and newly designed pots and candle holders by Cappello, the show has the appearance of a simple picnic party. At the center of the room, a table is set, draped by a hand screen-printed tablecloth by Stark, along with a Cappello vase full of flowers. Lining the room is the occasional ceramic sconce made and painted by Stark, nestled between new and brightly colored paintings and Cappello’s playful objects. 

The works presented by Cappello and Stark were created from inspiration gathered at the Blunk House, the home of the local sculptor and father of Mariah Nielson, JB Blunk. Blunk’s home, much like his work, was made of found wood and materials in and around West Marin during the 1950s and looked out from a ridgeline down to Tomales Bay. 

Both Cappello and Stark, at different times, were invited to stay there and work, gathering insight and inspiration from the home itself. The intention was to find avenues in which these artists could mesh their work with the story of Blunk himself, and the creative impact he has had in the area. From the freeformed and redefined perspectives of Stark’s paintings, to the playful shapes of Cappello’s candle holders, some mimicking Blunk’s full-mast stools, the through line is clear without the artists sacrificing any of their own style. 

Stark’s paintings over the years have always been captivating, with thoughtful compositions and intricacies. Yet, her work is always willing to let the lines and edges of a brushstroke flow. 

From her depictions of cakes made by her sister, Nellie Stark, to the picnic displays on red tablecloths, Stark’s paintings seem perfectly choreographed. Although the shapes are not perfect, they somehow convey an other-worldly, almost dreamlike, state. They are bright paintings full of joy for simple days out—perfect little worlds to escape from our own for a brief moment. A picnic blanket with oysters turns into a recollection of a beautiful and quiet moment with friends. In some ways, they have a slight playfulness which can at times appear like the free-flowing gouache portraits of the author and painter Mairah Kalman. 

The colors of Stark’s works as well are almost surreal in how brightly they depict the moments and still-lifes she paints. And while none of these colors truly grasps the drab grays and browns of the Marin coastline or the heavy fog that banks Tomales Bay throughout the year, these colors and these simple images seem to capture so well the ideal of this place. They are depictions of what the Bay Area, what all this place on the best of days, truly feels to us who live here—idyllic. 

Cappello’s work, vases, pots and candle holders made of tin and painted in toned-down blues, salmon reds and earthy greens, is in direct conversation with these paintings. Their simple shapes seem to evoke that same reverie as Stark’s for simplicity and the joy of a good moment. Some of the objects are just the forms, the tin left unpainted, Cappello showcasing the beauty of this often underappreciated material. Frequently, his other work is very brightly-colored, inspired by his home in Guadalajara, Mexico, but always his work focuses on the joys of these simple useful objects. 

The artists together appear ideally matched. Their love and appreciation for simple tools and moments, joined together, are a perfect pairing and reminder that the everyday can and does hold its own beauty. While they put this work not in contrast with any of the greater happenings and tragedies currently occurring, it’s hard not to feel that the show itself is a pleasant reprieve from all the challenges and struggles that exist just outside the gallery walls, making the Blunk Space gallery an inviting place to visit for quiet days. 

It’s fitting the show will be taken down Oct. 19, just when fall will be completely settled into our homes. For it’s hard to look at any of this work, from the soft light fixture of Cappello’s, to the colorful cakes and picnic scenes of Stark’s, and not think of summer. They are all works made for a perfect and simple day out. 

From my view, they are the ideal West Marin summer portraits, occasions centered on good food, especially oysters, and simple pleasures. This sort of show in the fall wouldn’t make sense. Staring at these paintings in the middle of fall or winter would only make one  wish for the clouds to disappear. These works, I guess I’m trying to say, live in an endless summer, not outside of our world, but within it. 

They are not overly idealized either—they are depictions of small moments, the ones each of us have experienced in our lives, but even for their joys, are the hardest to hold onto. Outside of the frame of the canvas, it’s hard to be certain of what might occur. But inside the canvas, it’s clear this is something to be cherished, like a day getting soft serve, staring out at water on a hot day. Just like good summer days growing up in the North Bay.

Deleted Dignity, Another ‘Teachable Moment’

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Perhaps one has heard the term “teachable moment” in recent years. It is a way of framing or reframing a mistake or misfortune into a learning opportunity or chance for growth. 

I recently watched vice presidential candidate Tim Walz speak at the Democratic National Convention. And I got emotional when I saw the show of support he received from his family. I teared up vicariously when I saw his son overflowing with pride for his father—“That’s my dad.” It reminded me of the last conversation I ever had with my own father, and I cried when I told him how proud of him I was.

Not everyone had the same reaction. I know people who were not blessed with good relationships with their fathers, and others whose fathers embarrassed them. We can all learn from each other by sharing our experiences, even when we sometimes disagree.

Ann Coulter provided a teachable moment by tweeting (and subsequently deleting) the following about Walz’s son: “talk about weird…” 

It has opened conversations about when—if at all—it is acceptable to mock children. Many people observe Gus Walz’s neurodiversity; he has a nonverbal learning disorder and ADHD. These are important conversations, because (like with so many issues) it is not clear when “just joking” pushes limits into harmful or cruel behavior. 

Dirty Deleting is when a person makes a post or comment on social media that provokes outrage. In that discomfort and embarrassment (possibly even guilt or shame), the poster chooses to delete—if it is not there, it did not happen—rather than acknowledge, apologize or make a correction.

Deleting without comment is an avoidant behavior that limits the potential for growth and learning. 

In my field, there is significant evidence that shame is not an effective mechanism for conflict management or behavioral change. When we pretend it did not happen or ignore our role, we become stuck. When we take accountability, we listen to others, actively address issues and take corrective action. People of all age groups benefit when we acknowledge conflicts, communicate and collaborate to find solutions. 

Wim Laven, Ph.D., teaches courses in political science and conflict resolution.  

Tommy Castro Brings the Blues to Marin

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When he first hit upon the idea of writing and recording a blues opera—or, as he puts it, “sort of a blues opera”—Tommy Castro was surprised that no one had thought to do it before. 

Soon, the six-time Blues Music Award winner was in the studio with Nashville producer Tom Hambridge, co-writing and recording tracks like “Child Don’t Go,” “Women, Drugs and Alcohol” and “I Want to Go Back Home” for a concept album about an aspiring guitarist who leaves the family farm in search of success, gives in to the temptations of life on the road and realizes that there is, in fact, no place like home.

Tommy Castro Presents A Bluesman Came to Town—which came out in September 2021 on Alligator Records and debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard magazine Blues Chart—may not have the most original plotline, but that wasn’t really the point, says Castro, who appears with his touring band, the Painkillers, at Novato’s Hopmonk on Sunday, Sept. 22.

“I knew it wasn’t going to be as epic as, you know, the Who’s Tommy or The Wall (by Pink Floyd) or American Idiot (by Green Day), where people had giant recording budgets and all kinds of amazing creativity,” said the soulful singer and guitarist in a recent phone interview. “But the idea of telling a story from the beginning to the end—that appealed to me.”

A Bluesman Came to Town is also a departure for Castro because his band, the Painkillers, doesn’t play on it. “I usually prefer to use my own band—I’ve done that on 18 out of 19 records—because they’re out on the road with me doing all the hard work,” said Castro. 

“But Tom Hambridge wanted to use his studio guys, and he’s kind of a big deal. He’s got a few Grammys under his belt, and he’s worked on the last few Buddy Guy albums, as well as with ZZ Top, George Thorogood, Johnny Winter and Joe Bonamassa; you know, a lot of people. So I kind of followed his lead on this album,” he continued.

Since the album’s release, Castro and the Painkillers have returned to the more than 150 shows per year schedule that the San Jose native has maintained for most of the past four decades.

“Where I grew up was a notch or two below a working-class neighborhood, and nobody there was going to college or getting music lessons or any of that stuff,” said the self-taught guitarist, who spent his early years playing along to records by his favorite blues artists. 

As time went on, Castro realized he was going to be making his living playing music. He tried taking guitar lessons and studied music theory. “But it was too late,” he said. “I’d already learned to play the way I did, and I couldn’t really switch over to the proper way of doing it.

“I still work on my guitar technique every day, trying to learn something new, even if it’s just some new licks,” Castro said. “But I’m no virtuoso. I’m no Bonamassa. I’m not that kind of guitarist. I’m more of a cross between John Lee Hooker and, I don’t know, Michael Bloomfield, maybe. Somewhere in there. I kind of just play the way I play, and it works for me, you know?” 

Tommy Castro & the Painkillers perform as part of the Cookout Concert Series at 6pm, Sunday, Sept. 22 at HopMonk Tavern Novato, 224 Vintage Way. Tickets are $38.50 in advance and $45 day of show, available at bit.ly/castro-hopmonk.

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Soft serve always seemed essential in summers, growing up in the North Bay.  I remember asking my mom to take us to the McDonald’s drive-thru for soft-serve ice cream, which she rarely did. It was so hot outside, my four siblings and I in the back of the Volkswagen Vanagon, burning up in the dry North Bay heat.  Then, getting older,...

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Perhaps one has heard the term “teachable moment” in recent years. It is a way of framing or reframing a mistake or misfortune into a learning opportunity or chance for growth.  I recently watched vice presidential candidate Tim Walz speak at the Democratic National Convention. And I got emotional when I saw the show of support he received from his...

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When he first hit upon the idea of writing and recording a blues opera—or, as he puts it, “sort of a blues opera”—Tommy Castro was surprised that no one had thought to do it before.  Soon, the six-time Blues Music Award winner was in the studio with Nashville producer Tom Hambridge, co-writing and recording tracks like “Child Don’t Go,” “Women,...
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