Monica Turner

Contributor to Stark Insider for tech, the arts and All Things West Coast for over 10 years.

Je ne sais quoi: French wine market struggling too, consumption down 10%

Mes amis, across the Atlantic, France is not exactly enjoying this Web 2.0-based economy, where no one makes money, and almost everything is free. You know times are tough when even the French cut back on their wine consumption, 10% according to a report out of Buffalo News. Yes, Buffalo,...

Peju Province Winery pick-up party June 7th in Napa

Mark your calendars, big Napa Cab lovers. June 7. Peju will be inviting wine club members to their pick-up party in Napa.  Details below. Clint & Loni I hear will be there. If anyone else plans to attend please let them know so they can meet up with you and...

Update on our Mexico house

Just thought we’d give you an update on how our casa is coming along in Loreto, Mexico. Loreto Bay customer services says we’re 70% finished and sent these photos about a week ago. I would guess it will be finished this fall. It looks like they’re almost done with...

Wine trivia: Big steel things that hold wine

1 minute of the most riveting and informative wine video content anywhere on the Web, free of charge from Stark Insider. https://vimeo.com/4652633

Celebri! Italian food in Loreto at Restaurante Il Campanile

Italian food now in Loreto! Sure you can find plenty of tacos, burritos, sushi and fresh fish. But how about some pasta, ravioli, pizza and fresh home made deserts like apple pie? Loni caught up with the owner, Manuel O Cota, to discuss the new restaurant, doing business in Loreto,...

Domaine Ott, Les Domaniers Rose wine review and food pairing

Discovered during the week at Costco for slightly under $16.00 Having lived in France on and off for eleven years and experienced many lazy Saturday terrace lunches I was happy to rekindle the memories after a few sips of the wonderful rose. Great with charcuterie, light cheese and tomato/mozzarella salads. You may...

Aviso de Terminacion de Obra: What is it and when do you need one?

Editor's note: When building a home in Baja Mexico, there are many issues to consider and be aware of which are different from building anywhere else because of the local regulations, desert climate, conditions of the infrastructure and the environment. Marco, an attorney at law in Mexico practicing in...

StarkSilverCreek now available on Kindle

Good news if you enjoy reading newspapers, blogs and web sites on your Kindle. Do you have one? If so, StarkSilverCreek is now available on it via the Amazon store. All the posts, photos, stories updates on travel, Loreto, wine and SF Bay Area arts. In glorious black &...

Top ten reasons to shop at Trader Joe’s

I had to laugh when I read the latest TJ's "Fearless Flyer". It looks like marketing out of the 1800s. Interesting style! In the May 2009 issue on page 8 you can read the "Top Ten Reasons to Shop at Trader Joe's"... here we go: 10. Our Legendary Parking Lots 9....

Villa Group talks about Loreto and Baja resort developments on Loreto Live

Villa Group has a large presence in Baja, dating back 25 years. Loni spent some time with Mario Cortes, project director, to get a first hand update on what's happening in Loreto resort development. It's an informative conversation that covers everything from the roots of Villa Group's beginning in Puerto...