Kathleen Hill: Arnold the Tree growing again, 3 Fat Guys events and more
Arnold, Jr. growing mightily?
Apparently the charges should be modified to “attempted murder” of a beloved tree.
On Monday a passerby called me from their car to say Arnold the Tree was sprouting green growth, just a few short weeks after vandals severed the well-known Arnold Drive tree that is frequently decorated for various holidays. And the person even whipped around and sent me their photo from their phone.
But apparently what we are seeing is Arnold, Jr., offspring of the big daddy “murdered” tree.
In Sonoma Valley we have an interesting phenomenon of nature going on. Roses are popping out more and more beautiful flowers than ever, pollen is more abundant than ever, and grape vines are sprouting more leaves and tentacles than ever. And Arnold is putting out new green growth from the ground up.
The accepted theory is that all of these plants think they might be dying due to lack of water and are attempting to “self-propagate” in order to survive.
3 Fat Guys events restart
“Fat Guy” Tony Moll and winemaker Jim McMahon will tell stories and pour wine to the tunes of DJ Dusty Tannin’s newest playlist, with artisan meats, cheese, crackers and caviar available for purchase while you sample their 2019 chardonnay on Saturday, June 5. 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. $30 plus food charges.
A week later they introduce Brunch with Belfare prepared by chef Erik Lowe and served with their newest release of the Champion Brut Rosé. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 13. $30 if you purchase a wine tasting. Bottles of their Brut Rosé are $45. 20816 Broadway, Sonoma. Book your spot at tfgwines.com.
New management company for MacArthur Place
Suzanne Brangham and Managing Partner Bill Blum sold their MacArthur Place to IMH Financial Corporation in October, 2017, and their investors celebrated the profits at The General’s Daughter, another property she developed next to the rammed earth Ramekins Culinary School and Inn that she built.
When they sold MacArthur Place to IMH Financial, IMH boasted $1.4 Billion in properties in California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Minnesota, New Mexico and Texas. When they announced their purchase, IMH said they owned L’Auberge de Sedona and the Orchards in Sedona, Arizona. They tried renaming the hotel L’Auberge de Sonoma, until they heard the local outcry.
On July 23, 2020 IMH filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy with JP Morgan Chase as “an equity holder.”
Now IMH had changed its name to Lat33 Capital.
Chad Parson, president and CEO of Lat33, said in an email, “Initially IMH Financial emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy as IMH Financial, and then decided to change its name to Lat33 Capital last month.” Latitude 33 is where Phoenix, Arizona is located. Lat33 is now owned by JP Morgan, which now owns MacArthur Place. The hotel never was part of the bankruptcy case and the hotel investors were all paid back 100 percent of their principal plus all dividends, Parson said.
Management of the whole place has been taken over by Urgo Hotels & Resorts of Bethesda, Maryland, which manages at least 48 hotels in the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean including many hotels for Hilton, Marriott, Intercontinental and Choice hotels. Parson said they expect Urgo to streamline and help them improve everything the hotel has to offer.
Former MacArthur Place manager Ruben Cambero has moved to Wisconsin to become manager of a high end luxury Kohler Hotel in Kohler, Wisconsin.
Kevin Virgo continues to serve as director of operations for the hotel, and Spencer Wolff, and alum of Charlie Palmer’s, is food and beverage manager.
MacArthur Place-Three Sticks rare tour June 3
MacArthur Place and Three Sticks Winery guests can buy into a tour of Durell Vineyard, with a three-course al fresco Mediterranean luncheon in the vineyard on Thursday, June 3. Bill Price owns both Three Sticks and Durell. A ride around on a tractor looking down on Sonoma Valley and vast vineyards precedes a tasting of six estate wines. Many of the dishes will be vegan and nearly all are gluten free. Only six people are allowed on the tour. $175 for hotel guests, $300 for guests of Three Sticks’ Director of Operations Robb Harris.
Kivelstadt adds new creations to menu
While several Sonoma restaurants have shortened or abbreviated their menus while they try to ramp up kitchen and serving staff, Jordan Kivelstadt and chef Oscar Bendeck are adding to their menu at Kivelstadt Cellars at 22900 Broadway.
They have now blessed their new wood-fired oven and are ready to make it roar. Check out the smoked street corn, using Brentwood corn with Cotija cheese, tajin, lime and mayonnaise. Try the Watmaugh strawberry salad made with kale, arugula, spinach, frisée, walnuts, quinoa, Laura Chenel goat cheese and champagne vinaigrette.
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