The Bay Area is California’s new wine country
The average mileage from downtown San Francisco to one of the Bay Area's urban wineries is a little over 10 miles.
The average mileage from downtown San Francisco to one of California's tradtional wineries is a little over 125 miles.
When people think of wine country they often picture quiet and rural areas, rolling hills, vineyards as far as the eye can see. Who would have thought there was a wine country of its own located in right in the midst of the busy streets of the San Francisco Bay Area. Unlike traditional wineries located in places like Napa and Sonoma counties “urban wineries” are not found near any sort vineyard. Instead they ship the grapes in from all parts of California and then make the wine in cities, a convenient location for urban wine lovers.
Instead of bringing the people to the wine, urban wineries bring the wine to the people. This new trend in wineries found in cities all over the Bay Area including San Francisco, Oakland, and Berkley. Grapes are brought by the truck load to warehouses that have been transformed into wine making facilities. There the grapes under go the same process that they would at the more traditional wineries, juicing, fermentation and barrel storage. Most of the wineries have tasting rooms as well, which provide a space for wine makers to promote their products and for wine lovers to indulge. Because urban wineries are less traditional they often offer unique blends and more experimental wine.
Treasure Island winery is an urban winery with a one of a kind location on the man made island off of the bay bridge. Brothers James and Paul Mirowski and are the owners along with their chocolate lab Buck. They opened their business about two years ago, James said they just happened to be at the right place at the right time. Along with their own brand of wine, TI wines, which offers a Sonoma pinot noir, there are four other brands who use their facilities as well to make their wine: Morningwood, Sol Rouge, Vie, and Blue Cellars.
James explained that besides the great view of the city, the location Treasure Island offers other benefits. The temperature on the island which remains between 55 and 64 degrees fahrenheit because of the bay which creates the ideal environment for storing wine. This eliminates the need for a pricy cooling system which uses up lots of energy. TI winery prides itself on being green conscious. Not only do they use a lot less energy then most wineries but there is a garden across the street from them who uses all of the left over skins and seed from the wine left over after fermentation for compost.
When asked how the economy has effected this young company, James said that the economic state has actually improved business. He explains that less people are planning trips to places like Napa because the price of traveling and wine tasting is just out of the question. Instead wine lovers are turning to places that are closer and less expensive. The bottles sold here range from 19 to 48 dollars. James believes that the days of bottles of wines that cost 100 plus dollars are over, people are watching how they spend their money these days.
The atmosphere at TI wines is informal some people come in to sample a few wines while others just buy and bottle and then head out for a picnic by the bay. This is one of many urban wineries in the Bay Area. A group of 15 urban wineries from the East Bay, banned together in order to better their businesses and promote the relatively new concept of wineries located in Bay Area cities. East Bay Vintner’s Alliance includes Rosenblum Cellars who was alone in its venture when it opened in 1978. Today this urban winery is considered a pioneer in this Bay Area business and is also known for its expertise in Zinfandels. Another member of the group is Periscope Cellars whose facility is an old World War II submarine repair facility located in Emeryville. Like other urban wineries Periscopes owner, Brendan Eliason, does not believe in charging for wine tasting.
Crushpad is a San Francisco Winery with a twist. Unlike other urban wineries located in the Bay Area, any one can make their own wine at Crushpad. This place offers its wine making facilities to both people who wish to make a profession out of it and to people who just want to pick up a hobby on the weekend. They offer their client a freedom to get only as involved as they wish to, people can make wine here without ever stepping foot in the building. Their online tools provide are convenient so that no matter where you are you can take care of your wine. Professional staff members provide guidance and take care of most of the dirty work.
Wine tasting is a hobby that anyone (over 21) can enjoy. But why take a long drive and pay for a hotel when there are a wide range of wineries here in the Bay Area? Urban wineries are more than just a trend they are the new way of looking at wine making and tasting. Urban Wineries can be found all over the country, I predict that these businesses will continue to grow and increase in popularity as people start to change their perceptions from the idea of wine country to urban wine country.
An audio slide show tour of Treasure Island Winery
This audio slide show takes you on a tour of the urban winery found on treasure island.
An Ice Skating Rink in Down Town San Francisco
Figure skating has always been my favorite event in the Winter Olympics, I’m looking forward to watching the competition in 2010 in Vancouver. Ice Skating can be a fun activity for everyone; the beginner, the expert, the romantic couple, and the adventurous family, and what better setting than down town San Francisco. I was nervous about falling down in front of everyone but I soon realized that everyone falls down. For quick tips and tutorials check out Skatelog.com.
San Francisco goes green with compost trash cans
On October, 21, 2009, San Francisco, one of the most environmentally forward cities in the country, put a law into effect with requires its citizens to not only own a green compost can but to use it properly. According to an article by SFGate.com about the new law residences and businesses could be fined $100-$1000 after continually neglecting to dispose their waste according to San Francisco standards.
But don’t sweat it, officials say that tickets will not be not be given out the first few months and then in the beginning, only to those who have still yet to own a green compost bin. Green bins are free and will be delivered to your front door step with no charge. This gives San Franciscan’s plenty of time to familiarize themselves with a new and green way to throw things away.
I started using the compost about three months ago when I moved to the city, and I’ll admit it can be a little confusing at first trying to figure out what goes which can. I found the SF Recycling website to a great resource, it lists all items acceptable and not in each can, it even tells you what to do with large bulky items such as furniture and toxic materials such as batteries, paint and pesticides.
So why compost? There are several benefits for both the environment and the city by simply disposing of your food scraps and other compost-able products in the green bin. Sfenvironment.org lists some of the pros and includes two Youtube clips about composting. Using your green bin eliminates unnecessary waste in our landfills while creating nutrient rich soil for growing organic food and wine.
It is important that everyone educates themselves on this issue. Once you get the hang of it you will find that you are putting very few items in the trash to be taken to landfills that harm our planet earth, instead your waste will be recycled and reused the way it should be.
The life of a SFSU journalsim student
The life of a student is not an easy one. This is my first semester at San Francisco State University (SFSU) as a journalism major. I transferred here from Ohlone Community College in Fremont (East Bay). The first thing that struck me about the program is how crowded it is. I was told that SFSU had one of the top journalism programs so I wasn’t too surprised, but getting into classes was difficult. Only two of my five classes are related to my major, which can be a big set back when trying to graduate in two years time. The journalism department recently announced that it is impacted. In a flier concerning this issue released by the department it says ” The department has more than 600 majors and too few resources to meet the demand of all its majors…[T]he department is beginning an admission process that caps the number of new majors.”. Between working downtown, going to class and keeping up with homework I feel like it is hard to have a life outside of being a journalism student. The program is intense and it really gets you out there doing the work hands on. Despite my busy schedule I appreciate the hard work from my teachers who are giving me an education and preparing me for the life of a journalist.
Film and Script: Devery Sheffer
Voice over: Sean Gordon Butterfield
Journalism student: Devery Sheffer
Music: Devery Sheffer (used garage band)
A Walk Down Ocean Avenue
This street in the city is located in the Ingleside neighborhood in southern San Francisco. Photo Credit: Devery Sheffer
My neighborhood may be small and located in a more remote part of the city but you can still find those fun and one of a kind spots that make San Francisco the city that’s known all over the world. Ocean Street is the heart of my neighborhood and where I do almost all my shopping. Out of the many little stops and shops I chose four of them to explore using my favorite tool, my camera. From the local coffee shop to the store where I bought my newest pet, this virtual tour visits four very different places that I hope would entice anyone to come see what’s on Ocean.
This slide show contains over 20 photos and a friendly tour guide
For more places to visit on Ocean check out Yelp.com where users rate and review several locations.
A Sunset To Never Forget at Ocean Beach
The golden sun sets at Ocean Beach in San Francisco. Photo Credit: Devery Sheffer
The beach was calling my name this past Saturday, the warm weather and clear skies. So I packed up the essentials (food, blankets, and a few 40 ounces) for a few friends. We headed to Ocean Beach, San Francisco where we sat out and enjoyed ourselves. As I watched the sun begin to fall in the sky the overwhelming beauty of the clouds and colors in the sky inspired me to begin taking pictures. So I documented the progression of the setting sun and those around who were enjoying it as well.
An old school arcade tucked away in Fisherman’s Warf
"Laughing Sal" is the iconic piece of this unique and entertaining collection. Photo Credit: Devery Sheffer
If you ever find yourself at Fisherman’s Warf in San Francisco resist your urge to indulge in a bread bowl of warm clam chowder at the seafood stands (they’re open late). In the back corner, so obscure you might never even notice it, is the Musee Mecanique. Step in and get ready for good old fashioned fun.
This museum has over 200 antique and classic mechanical games, toys and shows. Ok, so maybe it sounds kind of lame, but don’t let the word antique scare you away. Trust me, I spent hours at this place with out even noticing. You will forget all about your Wii and your Playstation 3 at home. Admission is free but make sure bring your spare quarters or some five dollar bills to get changed (the machines also accept $10 and $20 bills). Almost everything in the museum will cost you one or two quarters.
Walk down the aisles of this place and you will see a wide variety of quirky, hilarious, and some times down right creepy (see “Laughing Sal” Laugh on Youtube) forms of entertainment. Some of the collection are games that you can play by your self or with a friend. Test out your strength and arm wrestle a machine or challenge someone to an old fashioned game of air hockey. Take your memories with you by stepping into one of the classic black and white photo booth. The Musee Mecanique’s website provides pictures and descriptions for some of their most popular attractions.
My favorites are the animatronic fortune tellers. After you deposit your fifty cents the magician behind the glass waves his robot hand (think Zoltar in the Tom Hanks movie Big) then out pops a little card with your future written on it.
Back in the day, when our grandparents were young there was a couple of amusement parks in San Francisco; Playland at the Beach and Playland Carousel. A majority of the pieces came from these two former San Francisco kid havens. Other pieces on display at the museum are more familiar like a two player Pac-Man game or Ski Ball.
Edward Galland Zelinski (1922-2004) is the man behind the machines. He was a 50th generation San Franciscan who bought his first penny skill game at age 11. He used the pennies he made from his game to further collection. His passion for fun and entertainment turned into on of the worlds largest mechanically operated collections.
You may have seen this collection before in the Cliff House on Ocean Beach but it was moved to its new location in Fisherman’s Warf in 2002 due to renovation.
The Musee Mecanique is fun for people of all ages and it’s inexpensive. I would recommend anyone who lives in, around or who is just visiting San Francisco to spend an afternoon here. The Museum is open until seven, and don’t forget to get a bread bowl of clam chowder on your way out.
This isn’t the sing along you did in Pre-school
Two pianos go head to head to see who can collect the most tips and get their side of the room to sing louder. This isn’t the place to be shy, this nightly event is located is a Bar in Downtown San Francisco, brings some friends and drink some booze and get ready to stomp your feet, clap your hands and sing along to a wide variety of songs. SF Weekly named MicX the Best Dueling Piano Bar. The two pianist mix in improve, interactive activities and fowl language in this a laugh out loud (LOL) performance.
Outside Johnny Foley's Pub in Downtown San Francisco. Photo Credit: Devery Sheffer
From Baby Got Back by Sir Mix-A-Lot to Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond, the two pianist on stage will play almost any song you can think of, as long as you are the highest bidder. So this is how it works, on the piano are little pieces of paper, you take a piece of paper and write down the name and artist of the song you want played, similar to karaoke. Give the paper to the pianist on your side of the room along with some cash, the more you give the more likely your song will play. Some songs played for $20, and one person even payed $11 dollars to stop Johnny Cash’s Burning Ring of Fire because they hated country. If your on a budget like me, save your money for the drinks because they are more on the pricy side. Let others do the song bidding, I knew at least the chorus to almost every song that was played so I just sang along to the other’s choices.
The two pianos back to back, the flat screen above them gives the audience a view at the nimble fingers of the pianists. Photo Credit: Devery Sheffer
The show occurs Monday-Sunday 9PM and Friday and Saturday at 9:30 PM at MicX in the basement of Johnny Foley’s Irish Pub and Restaurant in down town San Francisco.
Holy Guacamole; A simple and fun experiment with delicious results
Photo credit: Devery Sheffer (Photo 1, 2, 3) & Jeffrey Schwartz (Photo 4)
Did you know that a single avocado tree is capable of producing 500 avocados a year*? These healthy green fruits happen to be one of my favorites, they are good in sandwiches, or just plain with a little salt and in Brazil they are even used in ice cream. Growing your own avocado tree is simple but you must be patient. It typically takes about seven to ten years for a tree grown from the pit to produce fruit*. Avocado.org offers more detailed instructions, along with tips and information for growing your own tree from the pit.
95% of these creamy green fruits are grown in California*, one of my favorite recipes containing avocado is guacamole. This mexican dip originated in the Aztec civilization. It is easy to whip up for your next potluck or tailgating party and you’ll never have to worry about leftovers. Homemade is way better than the stuff you buy at the store, so take the time to make it yourself. Allrecipes.com has one of my favorite recipes, feel free to change up the ingredients to your liking, add jalapenos for a spicy version or cut the avocado into chunks for a pico de gallo. Keep the dip cold before served with tortilla chips.
*Facts found on Avocado.org
How much do you pay on the first of the month?
Living in San Francisco, I thought my rent was high. CNBC reported The World’s Most Expensive Places to Live 2009, including 15 cities from New York to Bejing. For each city is a list of the average cost for various items such as a cup of coffee and a daily newspaper. In the chart below is a comparison of monthly rent for a Luxury two bedroom. From top to bottom the cities are listed in order from least expensive; Caracas, Venezuela, to most; Tokyo, Japan.
Even though Tokyo, Japan may be an expensive place to live, it may not be as expensive to visit. Ben Brazil wrote an article for the Washington Post about his vacation spent there in 2006, costing him less than a grand for a week including air fare.
The numbers represent the amount in US dollars
