Local Business Love from Our Bay Area Writers

Erin Feher (mom to two kids, ages 6 and 2) has been cooking up a storm with stellar ingredients from Other Avenues Co-Op in the Outer Sunset and weekly fresh, local fish deliveries from Sea Forager CSF, every once in a while treating everyone (herself, really) to take out from favorites Emmy's Spaghetti Shack and Hook Fish Co. Kids are kept very busy thanks to dad, who also happens to be the founder of The Butterfly Joint, a woodworking studio for kids that is offering at-home woodworking projects via local kit delivery and online instruction. Also, ALL the puzzles from Mapamundi Kids. 

Kathleen Mikulis and her 10-year-old twins are enjoying the Los Altos scene, starting with amazing New York quality pies from State of Mind Pizza (with curbside pick-up). She also likes Linden Tree Books, a kid-friendly bookstore offering online story times and book clubs as well as free shipping for orders over $25. Tuesday, or better yet—Teasday—is the highlight of everyone's week with an afternoon boba tea delivery from Teaspoon.

Nella DuBon-Koch, mother of two daughters ages 10 and 6, has been taking mommy chef breaks by supporting Wok King in San Rafael, Sol Food, Rocco’s and High Tech Burrito in Mill Valley. Her minis have been staying busy with daily classes by Youth in Arts and West America Tae Kwon Do. She is looking forward to becoming an emergency foster to a pet in need through stayhomeandfoster.org and is thankful she can count on her local-family owned pet store, Critterland, for all her pet supply needs. Meanwhile, she continues to “howl” with her community in SIP solidarity and gratitude for all the essential workers keeping us afloat during our current times. 

Kate Loweth (mom of three kids ages 12, 11 and 8) is coping with quarantine by reconnecting with long-lost friends via Zoom. Her kids are enjoying learning new skills like stop motion with Trisha Zemp and meditation with Charity Kahn (because who doesn't need a little more zen right now?). Easter basket and birthday shopping has been done with pick up from Affordable Treasures in Los Gatos. Sunday nights have been reserved for take out from local spots like Brown Chicken Brown Cow and Blue Sky Chinese. 

Mae Respicio (mom of two kids, ages 10 and 12) has been guzzling ice cream while perusing beautiful pieces by local artisan Sarah Richardson of Sarah Richardson Jewelry, to figure out grandmother presents for Mother’s Day. Up next on her family’s reading list is The Fabled Life of Aesop by local kids’ author Ian Lendler, and the book that Mae is recommending to her mom friends over Zoom and wine (and possibly more ice cream) is Kept Animals, by local novelist Kate Milliken.