Only the Brave
Locals brave enough to watch this bio-pic of the Arizona “Hot Shots” firefighting crew can learn a great deal about how we puny little humans fight a monstrous firestorm. One thing that stands out, is the contrast between those who fight rural wild-land fires and those who confront urban structural fires. The tactics, skills, techniques and equipment are quite different. Which is part of the reason the response to our local “once in 150 years catastrophe” is so unique.
The Ramble finds its place on the local calendar
The first weekend in June is becoming unofficially known as Ramble Weekend, as BloodRoot Wines continues its quixotic effort to make Healdsburg a waystation on the alt-rock circuit. Scheduled just two weeks after “the other BR,” Bottle Rock, the one-day-plus music festival will again take over the extensive lawn at Abel de Luna Community Center on Saturday, June 6.
New Year Happenings, January 1-8, 2026
Ease into the new year with the “NOT King Cole” trio, playing without a drummer and featuring tunes from the golden age of jazz. At the Spirit Bar, 6-9pm Saturdays.
Think Small
For those of us in Northern California, some days it seems the world is going to hell in an organic, fair trade, artisanally-woven handbasket. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be fixed.
Here’s a thought: Our accumulated, collective actions are meaningful on both a micro...
Screenings: Our critic liked “Stronger”
In Stronger, Jeff Bauman goes to see the Boston Marathon to impress a girl named Erin, and loses his legs to a terrorist’s bomb. His obnoxious family rushes to the hospital and continues to scream at each other throughout the film. In contrast, Erin’s demeanor is reserved. She dumped Jeff before the race, was wary of meeting him at the finish line, and is challenged by his injury and subsequent double amputation. But she still shows up to be at his bedside and takes a slew of undisguised verbal abuse from Jeff’s alcoholic mother. In addition, two other issues take center stage: the unflinchingly realistic portrayal of Jeff’s recuperation, and the constant pressure exerted by the Boston community to have Jeff be their “poster boy” for the “Boston Strong” mantra.
