If Grapes Could Talk

12/12/2023

Don’t stop talking about Sylvia!

12/06/2023

Up bright and early to attend the latest court hearing in cases related to the murder of Sylvia Bracamonte. Stay tuned for updates!

12/04/2023

Looking to procrastinate this Monday morning? Make sure to watch JUSTICE FOR SYLVIA before her court cases pick up December 6.

Also — thank you all so much for the shares! If you can please, please also like and comment “justice for Sylvia” to show support for her friends and family!

12/04/2023

Make sure to watch the video JUSTICE FOR SYLVIA before her court cases pick pack up December 6! Link in comments of this post!

12/02/2023

Keep sharing and spreading the word about Sylvia!

12/01/2023

Some of what I have learned thus far in my investigation into the murder of 33-year-old Sylvia Bracamonte on March 20, 2020 in Cotati, Sonoma County, California.

12/01/2023

Sylvia video is uploading!

11/30/2023

My deep dive into the murder of Sylvia Bracamonte drops tomorrow (probably). Stay tuned!

11/28/2023

10/26/2023

When Haley invited me to a Voices of a People’s History performance in honor of National Nurses United, I didn’t know accepting gave me the opportunity to meet Wally Shawn. I’m so glad I overdressed!

The performance, celebrating activists throughout history, came at a perfect time. I’m not at a crossroads: I know what I want to do. I want to undermine corrupt institutions, and I don’t just mean the ones in wine country. My other hobby is programming software that could serve as a free alternative to Pearson and McGraw Hill. But more on that later.

The challenge lies in the how. When they bothered to teach about activists in school, the moral of the story was “and so that’s fixed now,” glossing over the all-important question of: “what would they say about today’s political climate?”

Not to mention, the disdain some folks have for activists, unless they are dead. Sometimes it feels like, in order to be an effective activist, I should pretend I’m something less threatening, like a “YouTuber” or “Non-Profit President,” though I hold both of those positions.

Experiencing Voices of a People’s History made me proud to call myself an activist. But it wasn’t just the speeches – it was the setting. That evening, the performance honored a nurse’s union. Nurses, who have been at the frontlines of the global pandemic. Who have marched in solidarity with other unions on strike. They weren’t afraid to be called activists.

And yes, I attended the after party. I learned that the performances were so moving in part because the actors had chosen the speeches themselves. They connected with the activists they embodied. Knowing the actors, some I am genuinely a “fan” of, cared so deeply about the work made the evening all the more magical.

So, thank you Haley for the invite, thank you to the actors and musicians for their impeccable performances, and thank you to the nurses of National Nurses United for all you do!

09/13/2023

In case anyone needs a refresher on why Amy Holter, a woman who tirelessly defended Foppoli from consequences, is a disgusting choice for Community Foundation Sonoma County to hire as VP for Community Impact…

Here is my “Great Women Behind the Great Monster” video.

And yes, because the Foundation is a major donor to Community Support Network, this does tie into the video I’m working on about the tragic death of Sylvia Bracamonte.

In some ways, this hire actually makes the corruption that much easier for me to point out.

In this video, I will discuss the multiple times Windsor leaders failed to protect their community from Dominic Foppoli -- including when I went to Windsor "...

07/28/2023

Over the past year, it has been an honor to get to know Stormie, pictured here with me. Her daughter, Sylvia Bracamonte, was tragically and brutally taken from us in 2020 at the age of 33. She was working for Community Support Network, a local nonprofit, and I believe the many people who say her employer knew Sylvia was in danger.

Despite the fact she died over 3 years ago, and an arrest was made almost immediately, the accused has yet to stand trial. In the meantime, a civil suit against Community Support Network has also been stalled. I do not think it is a coincidence that legal cases shedding a negative light on a celebrated local nonprofit are not moving forward.

Through all this hardship, Sylvia’s family and friends have been committed to keeping Sylvia’s legacy alive. Sylvia was a committed social worker whose clients say she went above and beyond for them. She has served as an inspiration to many, so much so that UC Berkeley offers a scholarship in her honor.

After learning more about her and seeing the love she still inspired in the community, I have made the commitment to give her death the proper investigation neither law enforcement or local media have given her. Quite frankly, I am disgusted about the way the county has treated the many people who love Sylvia.

Stay tuned.

05/31/2023

I’ve just received word that the fight for justice for the beloved Sylvia Bracomente has been further delayed by the Sonoma County “justice” system — and it is already more than 3 years after her death.

Press Democrat are you going to cover this?

05/10/2023

Rob Bonta he’s making a fool of the Attorney General’s office. Do you really want this haunting you when you make that presidential run Gavin Newsom?

Side note: I didn’t cross out the IG handle of his gf/business partner bc she is actively promoting their relationship and business. I would not have posted this were it not such blatant PROMOTION of Foppoli’s businesses and international image.

If you’re looking to keep tabs on Foppoli, her IG is a great way since all his social media went private.

05/01/2023

Every morning, I carefully select a novelty mug that captures the energy I hope to bring to the day. Today, I’m trying to settle into a routine where I can support both my work at Education Without Limits and If Grapes Could Talk, two projects that feed my soul. They are also deeply intertwined for me, even if that isn’t clear to the general public. Stay tuned for a video where I will merge those parts of myself — the activist and the educator — but as I’m still recovering from jaw surgery (I’m ok! Just tired!) I don’t have a release date yet 💜

05/01/2023

Happy birthday to Sylvia Bracamonte, you deserve to be celebrating with friends and family. It is a testament to your beautiful soul that your legacy continues to uplift and empower your community. My thoughts are with you and your family today 💜

04/11/2023

This morning I noticed The Press Democrat released an article about The Bohemian Grove. Of course I had to see how they were discussing the Grove, but I had to laugh when I discovered that, yet again, piggy-backed on another publication’s work.

If you’re not, consider following ProPublica as a source of hard hitting journalism with a backbone — because they are a nonprofit.

Think about it. A nonprofit paper is distributing a better article for free, and Press Democrat is profiting off regurgitating the information. They should donate a portion of their profits, but we know they don’t have the integrity to even consider it.

Island-hopping on a superyacht. Private jet rides around the world. The undisclosed gifts to Thomas have no known precedent in the modern history of the Supreme Court. “It’s incomprehensible to me that someone would do this,” says one former judge.

03/30/2023

This left me wondering if similar charges may be coming for Sonoma Academy personnel

03/28/2023

Holy forking shirtballs…this certainly has implications for the corruption wall

03/27/2023

Someone correct me if I’m wrong but 2 rich white people hobby* farming to make tequila/mezcal for profit is something we were leaving behind, especially when playing up the “industrious” (read: violent and racist) history of CA…right???

*hobby bc if you read the article, it sounds like they didn’t come from a professional or relevant cultural background

A husband-and-wife team are the first in Wine Country to attempt large-scale agave farming, with the intent of making their own tequila and mezcal.

03/26/2023

This disgusting man (John Jordan) is on the corruption wall, but not because he’s as important as he likes to pretend he is.

Don’t be fooled by the Press Democrat PR machine and remember this is a man who looks up to the Koch brothers aka political operatives who have funded many anti democratic (Democracy the concept, not the Democratic Party) causes https://www.latimes.com/nation/politics/la-na-politics-john-jordan-gop-donor-20151118-story.html

03/23/2023

Hey all,

My next video has been further delayed because it contained now out of date information about the story of Sylvia Bracamonte, a beloved member of the community who was taken from us far too soon.

Her story is one followers of the allegations against former Windsor mayor Dominic Foppoli and/or Sonoma Academy founding humanities instructor Marco Morrone know all too well: injustice.

It has been 3 years since her death, and her family is still waiting for justice. That is 3 years too many.

My major project for 2023 is visually mapping the institutions of wine country to show how their very design promotes these unjust outcomes and *hopefully* illuminate paths to justice. To me, the stories of Sylvia and the many people who have come forward to accuse Foppoli and Marrone of violence are all part of a bigger pattern. We should be just as invested in justice for her, and any other member of the community who has experienced systemic injustice, as we rightfully have been for the plaintiffs in the Foppoli and Sonoma Academy civil suits.

To help me with that project, please please please reach out with any stories you may have relevant to theme of injustice. What did you tell the Press Democrat that they never printed? How has law enforcement not been helpful in your life? I want to know! Even if you don’t want me to share the information, it could be helpful in filling in the gaps.

It will be at least a week before I can re-record, as I am recovering from oral surgery. But I’m looking forward to finally sharing it!

Until then, take care of yourselves
Xoxo

03/11/2023

KEY QUOTES:

“Kendra Kawala, the co-founder of Maker, a Bay Area canned wine company, called the news “jarring” as Silicon Valley Bank has been “the gold standard within the wine industry.” When she started Maker four years ago, “it was almost a no-brainer who the right banking partner was.”

The list of potential impacts for wineries, which represented 2% of the bank’s total loan business, according to an internal report, is extensive. One of the most pressing issues is making payroll, said Jasmine Hirsch, winemaker and general manager at Hirsch Vineyards in Sonoma County, who has worked with Silicon Valley Bank for about 20 years. Hirsch said she’s not personally worried about payroll for her winery. But if some others don’t have enough cash to pay employees, it could be especially devastating to farmworkers, many of whom live paycheck-to-paycheck.

“Tech and venture are well-capitalized, but this could be a really serious reckoning for independent wineries,” Kawala said.”

****

Sending love and well wishes to all those harmed by the mismanagement of Silicon Valley Bank. It is more important than ever that we look out for one another.

This story will DEFINITELY be discussed upon completion of the corruption wall! And in a related note, anyone know anything about Garen Staglin? He’s on the board of SVB and already on my sh*tlist for being a genocidal colonizer apologist.

The wine industry is facing an unprecedented financial crisis amid the fallout.

03/09/2023

Hey all.

First of all, I want to say that I am so grateful to everyone who not only shared “The Case Against Maureen Merrill,” but everyone who talked about it with their friends, who watched it (ESPECIALLY those of you who made it to the end), and to those who have reached out publicly and/or privately to support me. I can’t believe I already have my first video over 1,000 views! I can’t believe my video got more views than she got votes! Huzzah!

If you’re a Windsor local, let me know…how is the town doing after the election?

I’ve sat down many times to record a ”thank you + now what?” video, but none of them have felt “right” enough to post.

I want to be grateful and hopeful, but it’s just impossible with the attack on trans rights that we’re seeing across the country. As the non-binary, bis*xual child of le***an parents, I am more aware than most how truly regressive the political climate is today. How can I muster hope when things aren’t even stagnate — they’re moving backward.

And the biggest targets right now are trans CHILDREN. It’s disgusting, but the silence from the American public is what stings the most.

Usually this platform makes me feel powerful — powerful like a cockroach who survived a nuclear apocalypse, but powerful nonetheless.

But I feel powerless to help trans kids. It’s a national problem, and I’m still figuring out how to be effective locally.

I will release a new video late this week or early next week, but it’s mostly just an update and pointing out Rich Carnation Serving on the Windsor School Board won re-election despite the fact he’s very similar to Maureen.

Seeing an otherwise generic old white dude I know because of his ties to a man referred to locally as “the r*pist mayor,” not to mention his history of alleged fraud/slander, elected to the school board when I’m constantly reading about school boards targeting trans kids has soured my feelings of success. I don’t trust him to step up.

Don’t get me wrong — I’m mostly thrilled. 85% thrilled, but still very worried about LGBTQ youth in Windsor.

So…what next?

I’m not putting out a new scripted, researched video until I finish the corruption wall video. Working on anything else would just be a distraction that makes the corruption wall video take even longer to release!

I may not finish that until summer. This is risky — will anyone still care?

One thing I can say to keep you here: every tip I have received is being considered in making the corruption wall video. So, if I haven’t used something you told me, this will probably be your moment.

And if you’re sitting on something you haven’t told me: TELL ME in the comments below or via DM. Everything helps!

Some topics/names to get you thinking*:James Gore, David Rabbitt, Sonoma County Conservation Action, Bill Gallagher & associates, Chris Gabrill, The Duttons, Triones, Gallos et al, nonprofits that serve the unsheltered/fire victims

*inclusion on this list should not be construed as an accusation of corruption

Also interested in information about The Bohemian Grove that isn’t a bunch of satanic panic BS.

Also also looking for more contacts in Napa and local history buffs!

Until then…What would you like to see from me on social media? Should I still post updates on Foppoli and Sonoma Academy stories? Do you want some joyful q***r fashion? I’m very open to ideas!

Thank you again for all your support!

Until next time
XOXO
Rhi

02/22/2023

I was sick when this news came out, but I can tell you my jaw dropped.

Gloria Allred is an icon, and not just for her cameo in the cult classic comedy Rat Race and red power suits. She has been a champion for gender equality throughout her career, and her willingness to take on an institution with such powerful backers as Sonoma Academy is admirable.

It also makes national coverage of Sonoma Academy's alleged crimes all the more plausible. Unfortunately, during the modern resurgence of moral panics, that coverage could be fear-mongering by Conservatives about the dangers of a "liberal arts" high school where hippie teachers go by their first names. I hold out hope a national outlet will provide the mindful assessment of distributions of power the public is clamoring for -- that has made my work so successful despite the tiny size of this platform.

Needless to say, I will be following this lawsuit closely.

The 81-page civil suit accuses campus officials of negligence and a long-running cover-up of reported staff harassment and abuse of students.