Publisher's Note
by Torrey Douglass
The science fiction writer, Octavia Butler, is buried in a Pasadena graveyard under a gravestone displaying her quote, “The only lasting truth is Change.” Her words echo those of the Ancient Greek philosopher, Heraclitus, who famously declared “There is nothing permanent except change.” And I have to agree. It seems like as soon as I begin to move fluidly through life’s dance the tempo shifts, and I am, again, stumbling over my feet. Maybe the trick is to learn to stumble with grace and humor, and to forgive each other for trodden toes even as we seek balance.
Just like everywhere else, Mendocino County sees its fair share of change, and sometimes those changes paradoxically preserve what we value. In this issue you’ll find stories about local businesses under new leadership, like Roundman’s Smokehouse (p18). As of 2021, this popular butcher shop in Fort Bragg is continuing its legacy of high quality meat processing under Steve Rasmussen and Greg Braden. Wickson Restaurant at The Madrones in Philo (p42) is now in the capable hands of local girl Claudia Almeida, making mouth-watering pinsas (a lighter but equally delicious cousin of pizza), among other wood-fired dishes and handmade pasta. Over in Hopland, Topel Winery was purchased by Roger Peng in 2018 and renamed Alta Orsa to evoke both the rugged mountainside location of its vineyard and the team’s commitment to craftsmanship (p37). This small winery is currently producing and sourcing sustainably farmed fruit for all of its wines, including what one wine industry friend claims to be “the best cabernet in Mendocino County.”
It’s important to remember that, even as we are affected by change, we can be agents of it as well. Researchers at the Steinhart Aquarium are working on a sea star breeding program (p15) to restore this essential species that has largely been eradicated in the underwater wilds off our coast. Today’s economic challeges have resulted in a spike in pet surrenders to local animal shelters, prompting the Humane Society of Sonoma—with the help of Anderson Valley-raised Celestino Jimenez—to start the Community Action Team (or C.A.T.) program with his work colleague, Jorge Delgado (p39). The program integrates pet food donations into existing food banks so pets can remain in the homes where they are loved.
That quote on Octavia Butler’s gravestone begins with the words, “All that you touch, you change. All that you change, changes you.” We are not powerless. Take a break from the dance floor from time to time if you need to—particularly if the current song is not your jam. But the dance floor is where life happens, it’s where your friends and neighbors are. You might not always pick the track, but you can always pick your moves. So once you’ve caught your breath, step back into the fray, choose your partners wisely, listen for the beat, and boogie down with whatever choreography is most true to you.
Torrey Douglass
Co-Publisher & Art Director
