A student-operated publication at Santa Rosa Junior College.

The Oak Leaf
A student-operated publication at Santa Rosa Junior College.

The Oak Leaf
A student-operated publication at Santa Rosa Junior College.

The Oak Leaf
Cristan Molinelli-Ruberto

Cristan Molinelli-Ruberto, Reporter

Cristan Molinelli-Ruberto (she/her) is returning for her second semester at The Oak Leaf. Her articles have appeared in The Healdsburg Tribune and her dedicated food Instagram (@cristans_corner). As an aspiring journalist, she looks forward to creating more content with the team this semester. She has become a jack of all trades with features, opinion pieces, food reviews and breaking news under her belt. She also looks forward to contributing to The Oak Leaf’s new investigative unit, “Under the Leaves.”

All content by Cristan Molinelli-Ruberto
Slow Co. Pizza, Cotati's latest pizzeria is located downtown near La Plaza Park and is open Tuesday through Saturday.

Slow Co. Pizza: A one-stop shop for your pizza needs in Cotati

Cristan Molinelli-Ruberto, Reporter
February 13, 2025
A group of picketers stand outside of Hotel E in protest of immigration crackdowns at Old Courthouse Square on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025.

SRJC student organizes “A Day Without Immigrants” protest, sees a wave of support in downtown Santa Rosa

Cristan Molinelli-Ruberto, Adair Alvarez Rodriguez, and Bryan Fructuoso-Zurita
February 7, 2025
Grossman’s Noshery and Bar offers a multitude of deli-inspired options for lunch in Historic Railroad Square, Santa Rosa.

Grossman’s Noshery and Bar: A Jewish deli-inspired hotspot for almost any craving

Cristan Molinelli-Ruberto, Reporter
February 4, 2025
A cutout in the wall connects Grossman's Noshery and Bar to Hotel La Rose in Historic Railroad Square, Santa Rosa.

Grossman’s Noshery and Bar in historic Railroad Square features a walk-up deli case where customers can purchase pre-packaged and housemade goods without having to sit down in the restaurant.

Grossman’s Noshery and Bar in historic Railroad Square features funky, art-deco inspired decor, giving the interior a fun and vibrant feel.

The Oak Leaf’s Reporter Cristan Molinelli-Ruberto’s lunch spread with a friend. The Falafel Pita, Half and Half sandwich, and spiced fries. Accompanied by two Arnold Palmer iced teas. On Wednesday, Jan. 8, at Grossman’s Noshery & Bar in the Historic Railroad Square Downtown Santa Rosa.

The Spiced Fries, dressed in minced garlic and Za’tar seasoning, sit at the picnic tables on the outdoor patio, on Wednesday, Jan. 8, in the Historic Railroad Square in Downtown Santa Rosa.

Grossman’s Falafel Pita served on a plate, on the outdoor patio, on Wednesday, Jan. 8, in the Historic Railroad Square in Downtown Santa Rosa.

Slow Co Pizza’s The Bird pizza up close and personal, with extra charred and bubbly crust, served at Slow Co’s flagship storefront in Cotati, California, On Tuesday, Jan 14, 2025.

A dessert option at Slow Co Pizza, a soft serve, made with Valley Ford ice cream base, topped with malt powder, chocolate sauce, and cocoa nibs, and served in a classic metal bowl at Slow Co’s flagship storefront in Cotati, California, On Tuesday, Jan 14th, 2025.

The Pep in Your Step pizza, showcasing pepperoni, green olives, Calabrian chilies, scallions, and spicy honey, sitting on top of a bed of red sauce, mozzarella, and Estero gold reserve cheeses; in Slow Co’s flagship storefront in Cotati, California. On Tuesday, Jan 14th, 2025.

The Pep in Your Step pizza, showcasing pepperoni, green olives, Calabrian chilies, scallions, and spicy honey, sitting on top of a bed of red sauce, mozzarella, and Estero gold reserve cheeses; in Slow Co’s flagship storefront in Cotati, California. On Tuesday, Jan 14th, 2025.

Slow Co Pizza’s “Pep in Your Step” and “The Bird” personal pizzas, served with two glasses of natural wine, in Slow Co’s flagship storefront in Cotati, California, on Tuesday, Jan 14th, 2025.

Slow Co Pizza’s “Pep in Your Step” and “The Bird” personal pizzas, served with two glasses of natural wine, in Slow Co’s flagship storefront in Cotati, California, on Tuesday, Jan 14th, 2025.

Group photo of SoCoGalsWalk nature walk on Sunday, Nov. 3 at Helen Putnam Regional Park in Petaluma, CA.

SoCoGalsWalk: Building Community in Sonoma County

Cristan Molinelli-Ruberto, Reporter
December 14, 2024
The Journey of a Quilter

The Journey of a Quilter

Jessica Guzman Larios and Cristan Molinelli-Ruberto
December 12, 2024
A board among a holiday spread with locally sourced cheeses, salami, blackberries, and rosemary. The produce is sourced from the Marin French Cheese Company and Oliver's Market in Cotati, CA on Dec. 25, 2023.

Cristan’s Christmas Culinary Classics

Cristan Molinelli-Ruberto, Reporter
December 9, 2024
Sisters Cristan Molinelli-Ruberto (left) and Kathryn Molinelli-Ruberto (right) at Yellowstone National Park on Aug. 6, 2024.

Opinion: Women of America, now is the time to change your birth control plan

Cristan Molinelli-Ruberto, Reporter
November 22, 2024
Sisters Kathryn Molinelli-Ruberto (left) and Cristan Molinelli-Ruberto (right) at Yellowstone National Park on Aug. 5, 2024.

Sonoma County Sheriff deputies, Petaluma Police, Petaluma Fire and EMTs surrounding the suspect in the middle of the Petaluma River near Lakeville Highway on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Man arrested after fleeing traffic stop and driving into Petaluma River

Cristan Molinelli-Ruberto, Reporter
November 6, 2024
Deborah Virgen leads the procession through Emeritus Hall for the Dia De Muertos event on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024.

Santa Rosa Junior College hosts Día de Muertos event on Oct. 23

Cristan Molinelli-Ruberto and Kevin Terlizzi-Bowes
November 3, 2024
Rosco’s Grill is open Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Friday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.in the Bertolini Student Center on the Santa Rosa campus in October 2024.

Pacific Dining impresses early on the Santa Rosa campus with new dining options, but students see room for improvement.

Cristan Molinelli-Ruberto, Reporter
October 31, 2024
Drip's Pumpkin iced coffee in a to-go cup on a sunny fall afternoon at the Lindley Center for STEM Education on Tuesday, Oct. 15.

If It’s Not Pumpkin Flavored, I Don’t Want It

Cristan Molinelli-Ruberto, Reporter
October 20, 2024
Retrograde's Black Cat Mocha in a to-go cup, topped with a sprinkle of black cocoa. Oak Leaf Reporter Cristan Molinelli-Ruberto enjoyed the overcast early morning at the outdoor patio in Sebastopol on Friday, Oct. 11.

Retrograde's Black Cat Mocha in a to-go cup, topped with a sprinkle of black cocoa. Oak Leaf Reporter Cristan Molinelli-Ruberto enjoyed the overcast early morning at the outdoor patio in Sebastopol on Friday, Oct. 11.

Retrograde's Black Cat Mocha in a to-go cup, topped with a sprinkle of black cocoa. Oak Leaf Reporter Cristan Molinelli-Ruberto enjoyed the overcast early morning at the outdoor patio in Sebastopol on Friday, Oct. 11.

Retrograde's Black Cat Mocha in a to-go cup, topped with a sprinkle of black cocoa. Oak Leaf Reporter Cristan Molinelli-Ruberto enjoyed the overcast early morning at the outdoor patio in Sebastopol on Friday, Oct. 11.

On the left, a to-go coffee cup holds a dirty vanilla almond chai next to a to-go honey lavender latte. Both coffees are on the coffee counter, which has seasonal pumpkin decorations in the background. Red Bird Bakery, Friday, Oct. 11, in Cotati.

LadyBlumeCajeta

Two hands holding Lady Blume's fall creations in La Plaza Park on a crisp, sunny Fall day! On the left, a hot Cajeta latte is topped with a mini chocolate chip cookie. Next to it is a hot Wildflower latte with the lid off. Wednesday, Oct. 9, in Cotati.

The Black Oak's Pumpkin Latte in a to-go cup was perfect for a rainy afternoon in Healdsburg on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024.

The Autumn Dream (left), a nitro cold brew with pumpkin pie syrup and cold foam and a hot pumpkin latte (right) are served in city-specific recyclable and reusable cups in front of the Petaluma Historical Library and Museum on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024.

Thalia Fuentes (left), Mary Carmen Olivares (center) and Alyannah Meza (right) on their way into the Call Child Development Center on October 18, 2024. The group was unaware an SRJC alert was issued earlier that morning, stating the building was evacuated, but had since been declared safe to return.

Old Hand Grenade Found, Child Development Center Evacuates

Hana Seals and Cristan Molinelli-Ruberto
October 18, 2024
The Shadowfax rocks with the current in the middle of the Pacific Ocean on Aug. 13, 2024.

The One Boat Crew To Rule Them All

Cristan Molinelli-Ruberto, Reporter
October 5, 2024