Archive for Hiking
Authors Around the Bay: Patricia Volonakis Davis
Posted by: | CommentsMany authors live in the Bay Area and thanks to all the wonderful local book stores we often get to see authors speak and to meet them in person. Sally Around The Bay is going to start a series of local author interviews to find out their favorite spots in the Bay Area. Our first interview is with Patricia Volonakis Davis (whose book I just finished reading). Patricia wrote the memoir Harlot’s Sauce. It’s a great book about her life in Greece. I got nostalgic while reading the book and pulled out my photo album from my trip to Greece 10 years ago. Greece is such an amazing and beautiful country.
Thanks Patricia for taking the time to answer my questions!
Author Name: Patricia Volonakis Davis
Book: Harlot’s Sauce: A Memoir of Food, Family, Love, Loss, and Greece
What is your favorite restaurant in the Bay Area?
Well, since my background is Italian, I’m always looking for good Italian restaurants, and I have to say that there are two that I really love- one is Arriverderci’s in San Rafael, though it’s more Italian-American food than strictly Italian. Nonetheless, every item I’ve ever tried on their menu is excellent, they cook everything as you like, even let me trade my potato side for an extra vegetable side. I also LOVE the waitstaff, (Hello, Glenn, Hello, Danny!) because they are all in some way involved in the arts, and they come over to our table and chat with me about my writing, and so we feel like we’re going to see close friends whenever we eat there. But if you want genuine Italian pizza, the kind with the really thin crust, and all the fresh ingredients on top, you need to go to Benissimo’s in Corte Madera. My husband calls it “Benny and Mo’s”, but he’s a poker player, not an Italian.
Where is your favorite place to shop for clothing?
That is the easiest question to answer- hands down it’s Gioia in downtown San Anselmo. The prices are reasonable, the clothes are different, but trendy/chic, not too way out there, and I love all the shoes!
What do you love most about the Bay Area?
Another easy question. The people. The people make the Bay Area. I think it’s because they genuinely appreciate how stunningly beautiful the area is. And they feel blessed to live here and show it, by hiking in the area, bicycling here, eating here, shopping in the area, and most of all, doing their best to keep it ‘eco-friendly’
Favorite independent bookstores in the Bay Area?
Naturally, I’ll say Book Passage first. That’s because they have been so supportive of me and my writing. They have asked me to do workshops there and they went out of their way to make my book launch wildly successful. I love that they have great conferences and all kinds of artistic events, too. In fact, I’m organizing one really fabulous event for the California Writers Club Marin Branch that’s being held there in October. Some amazing literary names are taking part in that! They are truly a local landmark. I also love Book Depot in Mill Valley, And Booksmith in San Anselmo. In fact, Book Depot in Mill Valley was the first local bookshop I discovered when I moved here. They’ve got a great selection of books for such a small shop. Booksmith’s is one I pass almost every time I’m in downtown San Anselmo, and the owner is so gracious and accommodating.
Do you belong to any local clubs?
I belong to the California Writers Club, both the Marin Branch and the Redwood Branch, and I also belong to the Fairfax Health Club. I get my best writing inspiration from all my friends there, and the trainers are great, too!
Do you have any upcoming events related to Harlot’s Sauce?
Yes- lots! I’m speaking in front of the San Diego Feminist Book Group on July 7, for an event called “Harlots and Feminists”, there is the Instock Conference on July 18, in the Hotel Monaco in San Francisco, where I’ll be hosting a panel, The CWC Marin Centennial Event at Book Passage, The Redwood Writers Conference, and lots more appearances at independent bookshops throughout the state. You can check for updates on my Harlot’s Sauce Fan Page on Facebook, www.booktour.com or on my website at: www.patriciaVdavis.com.
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If you are a local author and would like to be featured on Sally Around The Bay please contact me.
This is not an example of peace on the trails
Posted by: | CommentsPlacing nails pointy side up on the trails is not okay. This nail was found in the bike tire of a friend. The nail got in the tire on a trail that is legal for bikes. We have been finding these nails on various trails in Marin County. Finding one in a bike tire is bad enough. I’m so glad I have not found one in my dog’s paw. Seriously people can we try get along? Peace is possible.
Peace is Possible – even on the Trails of Marin County
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I live in “peaceful, politically correct, Marin County”. However after reading the comment section of this article in the Marin IJ, I started to doubt that Marin County is actually a peaceful place. The name calling and mean spirited comments coming from all sides of the trail use debate disappointed me. Marin is known for being a peace loving place but sometimes I wonder if it is all just talk. Because many of those “peace loving” people become mean, entitled and rude when they are on the trails. I believe in full transparency so before I go on I will tell you my belief on trail use. I believe in multi-use trails. I believe the open space should be open to (polite and respectful) hikers, runners, dog walkers, mountain bikers and equestrians. I believe we can all co-exist peacefully and respectfully. I’ve seen it in other states and other countries so I know it is possible. For some reason, here in Marin County people do not always want to share the trails. Hikers and equestrians don’t like bikers, bikers don’t like equestrians, bikers and hikers don’t like walking through horse poop, equestrians don’t like dogs, walkers with their dogs on leash get annoyed with the dogs off leash, the list goes on in every possible direction. The trails of Marin County are not always peaceful. People can be down right mean and unpleasant. And when I say people I mean all people on the trails (hikers, bikers, dog walkers, equestrians, runners, etc). But, this blog is not a place for negative trail politics. The reason I am writing this post is to tell you about the fabulous experience I had on the trails today!
As I was walking across a single track trail today with my dog, a woman on a mountain bike was riding toward us. When she saw us she got off her bike and stepped to the side so there was room for Poncho and I to walk by. She said good morning to me and hello to my dog. I told her to enjoy this beautiful day, she said likewise and rode off her way and I continued walking my way. Then when I was on the fire road we came upon a neighbor with her dog off leash and we started walking peacefully with her. When we came around a curve we were surprised to happen upon an equestrian. Before we could do anything our dogs and her horse were already face to face. Well face (dog) to knee (horse). My heart starting racing (because of previous experiences with equestrians not being very nice to me and Poncho) when the woman said good morning and said hello to our dogs telling them they were nice doggies. She told us to have a great walk and continued on her way and we continued on our way. After that we got passed by a few runners that said good morning to our dogs and kept on their merry way. Poncho then pooped, I scooped it up and deposited it in the nearest trash can as we headed home. It was a wonderfully beautiful peaceful day on the trails of Marin. I believe everyday can be this way if each person takes responsibility for the energy they put out. It was wonderful to witness the hikers, bikers, equestrians and dog walkers all coexisting and sharing our wonderful trails peacefully.
“Can’t we all just get along?” – Rodney King
Hiking Around The Bay
Posted by: | CommentsWelcome to Sally Around The Bay! I have to admit, I launched this blog way before I was ready but that is because I got so excited about WordCampSF 2009! So, please bear with me as this blog is a work in progress. I am in the process of customizing the layout and pretty soon it is going to have a whole new (super cool) look. Although, I must say I do like this theme quite a bit.
I just couldn’t wait any longer to start posting. Instead of being a perfectionist I decided to just go for it because that is what this blog is all about: adventure, excursions, getting out of your comfort zone, and just going for it! Carpe Diem!
Besides only talking about the things that cost money in the Bay Area I also plan to share my low to no cost excursions with you. Here is my first, favorite and most affordable thing to do in the Bay Area: Hiking!
I am so lucky to be living in Marin County! I go for a hike almost everyday with my neighbor Amy, her one eyed dog Annie and my dog Poncho. We are in walking distance to a trail head that leads us into the GGNRA. We get to see views of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, Muir Beach, Tennessee Valley Beach, and basically the whole San Francisco Bay Area. The views are absolutely breath taking. This time a year is especially beautiful as the wild flowers are just starting to bloom.
PS. Poncho actually has a fan club on Facebook: Poncho – Is The Greatest Dog Alive. This was created by a young lady who baby sits Poncho and is the president of his fan club. Please feel free to join. It makes Poncho happy to see all his fans. 
