Movers and Shakers: Business news from around the Valley, Aug. 18

Sherpa empire expands: Pemba Sherpa, owner of La Casa and Sonoma Food Taxi, has just joined with four partners to open a new restaurant in Napa called the Yak and Yeti, which is open daily, for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. at 3150 Jefferson St. The Yak and Yeti serves both Nepalese and Indian foods.

Kenwood restaurant: A deal has been struck for a new restaurant to go into the old Kenwood Restaurant space on Highway 12. David and Dian LaMonica hope to open a rustic California restaurant called Salt & Stone sometime this fall in the spot. The LaMonicas previously owned Café Beujolais in Mendocino. The Kenwood Restaurant, owned most recently by Bill and Beck Foss, closed in 2016. Follow the progress of the opening of the new restaurant at Salt & Stone Kenwood on Facebook.

Latino leadership: La Luz Center is launching a Latino Leadership Program in September. It will be a six-month program conducted by a local professional training group. The goal is to develop skilled leaders who will strengthen the community and enhance their own abilities to lead businesses, government and nonprofits. For those interested in learning more about the program and how to sign up, there will be a 6 p.m. 'mixer' on Friday, Aug. 25, on the patio of Picazo Cafe, 19100 Arnold Drive. Beer, wine and appetizers will be hosted by La Luz. The Picazo food truck will be on hand for purchase of heartier fare. For more information, call Veronica Vences at 938-5131 or veronica@laluzcenter.org.

Epicurean news: Sheana Davis' Epicurean Connection has launched online registration for cheesemaking classes and events using Eventbrite. Cheese classes are hosted monthly at the General's Daughter, in Sonoma in addition to private and corporate classes. The company also has a newly rebuilt website. The Epicurean Connection has released a new cheese P-1, an imported Double Cream Brie, with 10 percent of the proceeds being donated to The Audubon Canyon Ranch to support the Mountain Lion Research Project and Last House of M.F.K. (egret.org)

Anniversary: Horatius, at 14301 Arnold Drive in Jack London Village, is celebrating its 1-year anniversary. Stop by for coffee, tea, sandwiches, soups, Portuguese wines and more.

Hiring: According to the Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce job board, several local businesses are hiring including Mangiantini Construction, Teen Services Sonoma, California Custom Hot Tubs, Eraldi's Menswear, Benziger Family Winery, Eileen Keister Ins Agency and Westamerica Bank, Visit the jobs board at sonomachamber.org/sonoma-job-board.html.

Carneros tasting room: Artesa Vineyards & Winery (artesawinery.com) has remodeled its tasting salon at its hilltop estate in Los Carneros. The atmosphere is described as 'relaxed luxury reminiscent of the Mediterranean waterfront.' There will be food and wine pairing experiences by appointment and classic tastings without appointment. The property at 1345 Henry Road is open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. artesawinery.com.

New hire: Joanne Martin Braun of Sonoma is the new membership and volunteer manager for Village Network of Petaluma. Previously, Martin Braun was executive director for Northern California Shambhala, she oversaw 10 centers and groups that were run with volunteer staff. The Village Network of Petaluma is a nonprofit membership organization created to empower adults ages 50-plus to continue living active, vibrant and connected lives in their own homes as we age.

Send business news to lorna.sheridan@sonomanews.com.