Hot tips and assorted quips

Marty Bennett, a member of North Bay Jobs with Justice and a Sonoma resident, is all for the minimum wage hike, with no ‘tip credit.’ “Most restaurants can adjust to the wage hike by raising prices by less than two percent and absorb higher wage costs due to increased worker retention, training, and productivity,” he says. He notes other ways to modernize: “include a ‘kitchen surcharge’ of 3–5 percent for back-of-the-house employees; or create a separate ‘kitchen service’ tip line on the bill, so that customers may tip both front and back of the house.”… Several Sonoma restaurant owners are on record as fearing that higher prices will hurt business. Meanwhile the hotel room tax goes up and up. Maybe if it was a tip, and not a mandatory line item on the hotel bill, those poor tourists would get some sympathy. 

While it’s better than “Stuck in the Dark Without WiFi” or “We Told You to Buy Bottled Water,” PG&E’s new corporate-y term for power outages — “Power De-energization” — fails to suggest the inherent danger and drama of the increasingly-likely scenario. “Based on certain conditions, which include Red Flag Warnings, winds, low humidity, fuel loads, and observable conditions, power de-energization may occur anywhere in Sonoma County,” goes the warning. “Power could be out for a number of days depending on conditions… conditions that cause PG&E to turn off the power also mean we have a high risk of wildfire during this time.” Oh, and your bill is overdue.

In her years in fundraising and development, consultant Sandy Drew mastered the art of the sharp, concise pitch known as the elevator speech — the quick but charming meta-sell that lasts as long as an elevator ride. It’s still a challenge, she admits. “The tallest building in Sonoma is only three stories tall.”

The Oakmont Golf Club is a tap-in away from selling its two 18-hole courses and restaurant facility. The leader in the clubhouse for the $4.8 million deal is the Oakmont Village homeowners association, which has signed a letter of intent on the 225-acre property. But that’s contingent on a majority vote of the 3,200 association members, who would see a related $23 boost in their monthly dues, up to $98. Proponents say the deal will preserve home values; opponents don’t like the idea of being forced to ‘buy’ a business they’ll have no say in running. A hot topic at patio parties, to be sure. The election ends August 8. Until then, fore!

While on the subject, it’s nearly time for a certain group of hackers to head to Tahoe for their annual (19 years and running) golf weekend. Not saying they’re getting old, but at least one is concerned about the host’s old cabin, specifically the electrical wiring. “I hope it can handle all the CPAP machines.”

— Val Robichaud, [email protected]