The scoop on ethical business: Why Ben of Ben & Jerry’s thinks American corporations must do better

Ahead of his upcoming talk at Kepler’s, the long-time social activist & ice cream entrepreneur gives us the scoop on how business (and government) could be doing more for our communities. (Original 650 illustration by Kaz Palladino/Awkward Affections; photo courtesy of Ben & Jerry’s) When Ben & Jerry’s sold to Unilever in 1994, co-founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield walked away as millionaires. And yet Cohen, who subsequently took a step back ...

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The unlikely rise of Saltwater Bakery

How one mom’s search to help her daughter grew into a sweet new gluten-free bakery in Pacifica Coffee on the Coast: Saltwater Bakery owner Tawnya Marsh. (Photo by Charles Russo) What do sweat, tears, the ocean and a gluten-free bakery have in common? Salt and water. Tawnya Marsh, founder of Pacifica’s Saltwater Bakery, says the name is no coincidence— she’s poured a lot of sweat and tears into opening the bakery, which, on clear days, offers ...

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Bubbles on the rise: Silicon Valley vintners open up to sparkling wine

Peninsula wineries are tapping into California’s forgotten knack for producing quality bubbly By Carol Maskus “Sparkling wines are pretty versatile with food, are great aperitifs and generally make people happy — what’s not to like?” (Image courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons) Most of us need a little nudge to open up a bottle of sparkling wine—celebratory occasions like a birthday or anniversary—but otherwise tend to dismiss it the rest of the year. In this regard, Valentine’s Day not ...

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Meet Silicon Valley’s French Master Chef

Talking bouillon, black truffles and Bay Area cuisine with Executive Chef Xavier Salomon of the Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay Executive Chef Xavier Salomon pictured in the kitchen at Navio, in the Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay. (Photo by Charles Russo) It’s not every day that you get to meet an esteemed French Master Chef, but a day when you can meet half a dozen of them stands out like a civet of duck leg with ...

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Presents for Procrastinators: our local guide to last-minute holiday gifts

Running behind? Out of ideas? Peninsula artists and artisans have a lot to offer. By Laura Ness The third week in December can have the holiday clock looming over you like sugar plum fairies with a disapproving gaze. Yes, it is crunch time for gift buying this holiday season, but fear not, we have compiled an eclectic guide to last-minute presents, which will not only meet the difficult standards of your mother-in-law, but support ...

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Plastic droids and evil Care Bears: the (less nostalgic) story of Kenner’s Star Wars toys.

Stanford Design Professor Bill Burnett recounts his time at Kenner (and how Star Wars ruined the toy industry) By Charles Russo Partial disintegration: a couple bounty hunters short of a collection. (Photo by Charles Russo) I still have my childhood Star Wars lunchbox. It’s the same one I took to my first day of pre-school…a long time ago, in a galaxy far far away (which is to say — about 40 years ago in northern New Jersey). My lunchbox ...

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The unknown varietals and exquisite oddities produced by Silicon Valley wineries

Moving beyond the obvious with the obscure offerings of Peninsula vintners By Carol Maskus Rows of grapes ready for harvest at Ridge Winery’s Monto Bello vineyard. (Courtesy of Ridge Winery) Wine tastings can often be a case study in the usual suspects: list after list of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay — typical varietals that have long-thrived throughout California. In the highly competitive world of wine, it can be a risk for vineyards to invest in more unusual varietals. ...

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