Bridge and Moon — San Francisco, California

[Submitted from Stephen Boyle -- Stephen Boyle Photography]

I took this photograph on the night of a full moon in February 2006.

I started the evening up on the Marin headlands with a group of fellow photographers. Afterwards, we headed into The City, and later parted ways. After
midnight, as I was driving north over the Golden Gate bridge,heading back to Sonoma county,
I decided to go back up onto the headlands by myself. That’s when I took this photograph of
the bridge, city, and full moon.

As it turns out, I was not the only photographer taking pictures
well after midnight. If you look closely at the ridge to the left of the bridge, you’ll see another
photographer with his camera and tripod aimed towards the city.

This photograph was taken as 2 separate exposures. The exposure of the moon required a
shutter speed of 1/125th of a second. The exposure of the bridge required a shutter speed
of almost 3 minutes.

Feet at Window — Provence, France

[Submitted from Stephen Boyle -- Stephen Boyle Photography]

In the summer of 2000, I spent some time in Provence, France. One of the towns that I visited was Arles - I wanted to see the cafe depicted in Van Goch’s famous painting “Cafe La Nuit”.

The atmosphere in Arles, as in most of the towns is that area, was perfect for relaxing. There are so many wonderful outdoor spaces between all the narrow streets and alleyways. I spent most of my morning wandering from one sidewalk cafe to the next, reading, sipping coffee, and people-watching. Just relaxing in general.

I finally decided that it was time to pick up my camera and go in search of some inspiring images. As I headed down a long narrow street, I looked to the very end of the street, and two stories up I saw this open window. The only things I could see in the window were two feet and what looked like a newspaper. I thought, “Ah. Another person relaxing in Provence”. I took this picture, returned to the cafe that I’d just left, and went back about my business of reading, sipping coffee, and people-watching.

Healdsburg Arts

Healdsburg has a burgeoning arts culture. Every building (including the local post office) displays art from local artists. I’d like to start a series of interviews with local artists and profile them on this site.

Are you an artist? Are you a writer? Do you already publish a newsletter on the arts scene in Healdsburg?

Submit an article. It’s an opportunity.

I was at the art opening : A Body of Work - Drawings and Sculpture by Alissa Polan and Dana Hawley. I was lucky enough to talk to the artists themselves.

It would be great if they submitted a digital sample of their current work with a story on what it was about…or how it came about.

That makes life interesting. The story.

Thai Food, Zin, and Blues on Tuesday

Almost every other Tuesday, my friend Amy who works at Papapietro Perry Winery and I have a routine of stuffing ourselves silly on Thai food from Thai Orchid Cuisine and then heading over to enjoy the music on the plaza. We meet up after work and devour tofu yellow curry, vegan pad Thai, fried tofu in basil sauce. Afterwards we find our blankets in the plaza and await the rest of the Papapietro Perry crowd to join us (including winemakers and owners Ben Papapietro and Bruce Perry).

Shortly after we arrived, Councilmember, Mike Maguire announced the new HealdsBAG promotion that the Healdsburg Chamber was doing to reduce the amount of plastic bags that are wasted each year. Pretty exciting!! As for me, I already use my own canvas bag (my over sized purse) when I walk to Anstead’s or Safeway. The Chamber was selling canvas bags for $3 and green mesh bags for $1, but they quickly sold out, so I didn’t get one.

Then the music started. The Volker Strifler Band playing their bluesy rock was good distraction from the one hundred degree weather. Many forgot about the heat and managed to dance in the crowd. Another friend mentioned that she saw them at the Last Day Saloon a few weeks ago and they have “some great rhythms to dance to.”

I drank Zinfandel in the shade, laughed with good people and celebrated the halfway mark of the Tuesdays on the Plaza. I look forward to more Thai food and watching Johnny Rawls next week.

The Situation Opened for Langhorne Slim

Shana asks me last Wednesday evening if I’m going over to the Ravenous to hear local KC Mosso’s band play. I look at her sideways and ask how does she know something is happening at the Ravenous tonight? She grins and tells me, “It was advertised all over town.”

“The Situation is opening for another guy who’s been getting a LOT of attention lately. You should go on over. It’ll be great!”

When I get home, I try to find out who’s playing at the Ravenous that night (so I can add it to the What’s Happening Calendar). Langhorne Slim.

I don’t know KC Mosso. I don’t know The Situation. I don’t know Langhorne Slim, but I do know I like live music. And, I’m excited that there’s actually some action in town.

Ravenous is crowded. Shana looks over at me and says: “Wow. It’s never usually like this. It’s Wednesday night!”

It’s hot. And crowded. We sit outside until the music starts. I meet some new people and we talk about this magazine and I’m encouraged people think it’s a good idea.

The music starts and we all make our way back inside. I remember why I like live music. I like the energy in a small venue: the anticipation of being up-close-and-personal with the musicians themselves. Every person in the crowd has that energy and expectation of the evening. I realize it’s the energy that makes small venues and live music so awesome.

Langhorne Slim’s performance blew me away. I could hear something in his voice. Another reviewer called it: soul, grit, hard work, and passion. I like that. I would never have figured out what to call it. I think I’ll just stick with that. His voice had soul, grit, hard work, and passion.

Here’s a video of Longhorne Slim’s YouTube video: “In the Midnight”

The best part of the night was when he was finished his set and went outside but somebody convinced him to come back in. He played a few songs for us solo. How can you get more up-close-and-personal than that?

Here are some more pictures from this fabulous, rather memorable evening.

Here is a link to Langhorne Slim’s MySpace page. I’m lovin’ it…

Chuck Prophet in the Town Square

Last Tuesday, Chuck Prophet played as part of the Music in the Square summer series. It was the first concert of the season and I think the whole town came out.

I don’t think I’m qualified for a review or anything, but I liked him well enough to look him up online. I found a video I could post on the magazine home page–check him out.

During the concert, he mentioned that his latest gig was broadcast from Live at Daryl’s House. I made a mental note to look the next time I logged on. I liked that version of Summertime Thing even better than the YouTube video.

Tuesdays in the Plaza

During the summer, the City of Healdsburg organizes a public concert every Tuesday evening from 6h00 pm to 8h00 pm in the Healdsburg Park Plaza. Chuck Prophet played the first concert of the season last Tuesday. It may have been Chuck Prophet, or it may have been because it was the first concert of the season, but it looked like the whole town came out.

How could live music in the open air get better? Each Tuesday, the concert is deemed a special event and you can bring a wine country picnic to enjoy or share with your friends. Some local businesses like the Oakville Grocery or the Palette Art Cafe cater boxed picnics or you can just pack one yourself. Not to mention if you arrive earlier, you can shop the Farmer’s Market for some tasty delectables.

Regardless, whatever you decide to eat, stop by and say hello. I’ll be on the northwest corner of the square with the crowd from Jordan Winery.

Photographer Stephen Boyle Debuts on the Internet

Stephen Boyle began taking pictures when he was 11 years old. He’s originally from Glasgow, but spent 12 years in Ottawa, Canada and now lives locally in Sonoma County, California.

He’s been working on his photographs for his online gallery at: FitchMountainLookout.com and has also been preparing a photo exhibit in July.

Backyard dinners

I’m a foodie. That is, I really like good food. However, I like food even more when I’m enjoying it with my friends. Last summer, I had a series of backyard dinners. The idea was bring something to eat. Bring something to drink. Come, create, and enjoy.

The dinners turned out to be fabulous. I probably have a few stories about those dinners I could post. Maybe this year, I’ll just announce here when I’m having another one. This could be fun. This could definitely could be fun.