1. Petaluma Green Taxi Offering hybrid and low-emission vehicles, the Petaluma Green Taxi Company is one of the first services of its kind in the North Bay. Founded by eco-entrepreneur Dion Reif last January, the company drives three new Scion XBs and a Ford Escape hybrid, which are not only fuel-efficient but extremely comfortable. In [...]
2. Bodega Bay Surf Shack You don’t think of Bodega Bay as a surfing hotspot in the North Bay, but owner and instructor Bob Miller has built an avid following centered around the Surf Shack. It’s stocked with boards, wet suits and equipment, all of which can be rented for daytrippers. But the real draw [...]
3. Sonoma County Hot Air Balloon Classic After last year’s event was cancelled due to smoky skies caused by wildfires in the Sierras, the Balloon Classic is back to celebrate its 20th anniversary. You have to be an early riser to catch the action – lift-off is scheduled for 5 a.m. June 13 and 14 [...]
4. Frais Hand Sanitizer You managed to avoid the swine flu but you’ve now adopted some new hygienic habits that you’re continuing to practice … and simply washing your hands with hot, soapy water is so, well, passé. Frais, a new product from Australia, might be just for you. Composed of eight essential oils and [...]
5. Sonoma Valley Portworks This small, intimate winery at Foundry Wharf is a dessert wine lovers’ dream come true. If you’re partial to sweet wines like ports and after-dinner spirits, you’ll find Sonoma Valley Portworks’ selections enticing; they’re fruitier and lighter than most ports and unlike others are pressed by hand (not foot). In fact, [...]
6. Endangered Species Chocolates They’re for a good cause, they’re ethically traded, and 10 percent of their net profits are donated to support “species, habitat and humanity.” But the real reason to buy these chocolate bars is the taste. The Supreme Dark Chocolate bar, for instance, has a lovely bittersweet essence that lingers delightfully on [...]
7. Plantronics Voyager Pro Headset The Voyager Pro not only has excellent fidelity but at $100 it’s one of the most inexpensive of the latest generation of Bluetooth headsets. CNet claimed it has the “best wind noise handling of any Bluetooth headset we’ve tried.” It’s also easy to use, its control design is readily accessible, [...]
8. Wine Country Greyhound Adoption This non-profit group helps find homes for rescued and retired racing dogs in the North Bay. The prospects aren’t good for ex-racing greyhounds: while some are given away to good homes, many are let loose, euthanized, or used to train fighting dogs. Since it was founded in 2004, the organization [...]
9. Tritoni Triwa Watch Modeled on the Rolex Submariner – but thousands of dollars less expensive – the Tritoni Triwa is this generation’s version of the Swatch. It’s plastic, comes in several eye-popping colors, and looks like a toy – but you can’t deny its post-couture appeal. The Swedish company also produces a metallic version, [...]
10. Redwood Empire Ice Arena Earlier this year, Snoopy’s Home Ice – home of the Senior World Hockey Tournament – officially turned 40. This summer, the arena (built by “Peanuts” cartoonist Charles Schulz, who grew up ice skating in St. Paul, MN) will feature special skating sessions with music from each of the decades it [...]
