Laura Ness

November 1, 2024 – Morgan Hill doesn’t look much like it used to. There’s a real sense of citification to downtown lately, with its huge new parking garage, farm-to-table eateries, Alara wine tasting room and many more retail shops. The town boasts some really good restaurants, among them Odeum, Noah’s, Rosy’s at the Beach, Maurizio’s, ... Read more

November 5, 2024 – Big Sur has a way of making the rest of the world look pretty routine. When you watch guys descending the sheared-off side of the Rocky Creek Bridge to make repairs on the damaged roadway, it restores your faith in the engineering abilities of mankind, and also renews your respect for the only person in charge around here, and that's Mother Nature. We don't get to vote on that one.

November 8, 2024 – In 2022, the SLO Coast AVA was approved, giving 70-some producers who source fruit from this narrow strip of feckless opportunity that runs from San Simeon north of Cambria down to Arroyo Grande, a name to hang on their labels. Instead of San Luis Obispo County, they could now point to the ocean's unrelenting influence as the key differentiator for their wines.

The Discovery Shop in Los Gatos is now open at their new location, 150 W. Main Street, in the former Joseph A. Banks space, adjacent to Breaking Dawn. It's a far cry from their smaller former location on East Main Street near the Garden Hotel, which they simply outgrew. More elaborate and inviting window displays are now possible, and the separation of items makes for easier shopping.

Morgan Hill Wine Trolley crew members Linda Figone and Alejandro Flores are pictured on board. Contributed photo

November 15, 2024 – Carneros is a winegrowing region that became known for two things early in the development of California's 20th century post-prohibition wine history: Martini clone Pinot Noir and sparkling wine. Today, both can be had at Bouchaine, a 100-acre oasis at the northern tip of San Pablo Bay.

Boutique Hub’s event on Nov. 22 highlights local retailers.

November 19, 2024 – It's no secret that the wine industry is going through a tough period. Vineyards still sit unsold that would have been snapped up just three years ago, had they gone on the market then. There's a lot of optimism among hot new brands seeing their first sales this year, and cautious faith among those who are relatively established in the game. But there is also a sense of dread among those who've passed the 20-year mark, as they see a dramatic shift from the old model of people buying cases every visit, to buying next to nothing.

Santa arrived prematurely at many large retailers, and despite the economy being cited as the reason for voting preferences, consumer spending is at an all-time high. Oscar Wilde said “living well is the best revenge,” but perhaps in today's parlance it's more like shopping well . And lucky us, as Los Gatos is truly a mom-and-pop commerce mecca. Were parking less of a hassle, this town's businesses might see even more foot traffic during the holiday season.

November 22, 2024 – Views of sunrise coming up over the marsh flooded the windows with pink gold, lighting up the eastern side of the magnificent 2 Bed/2 Bath rental unit over the Haute Enchilada restaurant. To the west, nothing but serenity hung in the chill air of a near frosty morning, as the world of Moss Landing shook itself awake.