12/31 LARRY LIPSON, SUSAN ZIRINSKY, 48 HOURS, CBS, STEVE EVANS

LARRY LIPSON – AFFORDABLE WINE REPORT

For fifty years Larry Lipson was the food critic for the Los Angeles Daily News and now reports from Florida weekly with his thoughts and favorite picks for Food & Wine.  His lovely Wife Lillian is also on hand at the Lipson Institute for advanced wine studies.



SUSAN ZIRINSKY – EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, 48 HOURS (CBS) 

"48 Hours" Live to Tell: A young girl plays dead to live through a shooting that destroyed her family. She describes her remarkable story of survival. Correspondent Erin Moriarty reportS Saturday, Jan. 3 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.

ABOUT SUSAN:
Susan Zirinsky, an award-winning journalist and producer, is the senior executive producer of "48 Hours".

In addition to leading the team behind the critically acclaimed "48 Hours", Zirinsky serves as the senior executive producer for breaking news specials for CBS News and specials for CBS Entertainment.

Zirinsky and her "48 Hours" team won an Emmy for their primetime special on the Boston Marathon Bombing in April 2013, "48 Hours": Caught". Zirinsky was the senior executive producer of two CBS prime time specials in December 2013: "Mandela: Father of a Nation" and in November 2013: "As it Happened: John F. Kennedy: 50 Years". In May of 2013, Zirinsky was the senior executive producer of a new six part documentary series for CBS, "Brooklyn DA", which followed the men and women of the Kings County District Attorney's Office. The series also won an Emmy for editing.

Zirinsky and her team's primetime special, "Tragedy in Newtown" were part of CBS' award winning coverage winning the prestigious Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia Award for excellence in broadcast journalism awarded in January 2014. She also produced two prime time specials for CBS on the movie theatre shootings in Aurora, Colorado.

Zirinsky was the co-executive producer of two "Person to Person" interview specials for CBS in 2012. In March 2013, she produced "The Grammys Will Go On: A Death in the Family", a documentary about the Grammys and the night Whitney Houston died, and "Vanity Fair's Hollywood", celebrating the 20th anniversary of the magazine's exclusive Oscar party.

She produced CBS's 2011 prime time special "The Royal Wedding: Modern Majesty". Zirinsky also produced the critically acclaimed documentary series in January for ID Discovery, "The Injustice Files," working with the FBI on cold cases from the civil rights era.

Zirinsky was the executive producer of a documentary with Oscar-nominated filmmakers Rachel Grady and Heidi Ewing, "The Lord's Boot Camp", in 2008. Also in 2008, she expanded the "48 Hours" brand with the launch of "Crimesider", a crime blog for CBSNews.com. Zirinsky was one of the executive producers of a documentary for CBS Entertainment with Emmy Award-winning filmmakers Jules and Gedeon Naudet, "In God's Name", in 2007.

Zirinsky was executive producer of the critically acclaimed documentary "Flashpoint", in May 2007, which told the story of one bomb, three journalists and the Army's 4th Infantry Division. In May 2006, Also in 2006, Zirinsky was executive producer of a new web series for CBS Entertainment called "Countdown", , an online companion to the CBS series "Jericho".

She was executive producer for a documentary for CBS Entertainment, "Elvis by the Presleys" in 2005, as well as executive producer of two specials for Tyra Banks' "America's Next Top Model."

Zirinsky was executive producer of the critically acclaimed Emmy nominated documentary, "Three Days in September", for Showtime in 2005, which told the story of a school taken hostage in Beslan, Russia. The film, narrated by Julia Roberts, was featured at the Tribeca Film Festival. Showtime reran the documentary the week of Sept. 6, 2014, on the 10-year anniversary of the tragedy.

Previously, she was an executive producer of CBS News' award-winning broadcast "9/11" - a documentary on the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks that included the only footage of the first plane going into the north tower of the World Trade Center and of activity inside the Trade Center before the towers fell. The documentary won an Emmy, a George Foster Peabody award, the Edward R. Murrow Award for Excellence, a Christopher Award and a Writers Guild of America award. The documentary was first broadcast in 2002, was updated for the fifth anniversary of the attacks was updated again to mark the 10th anniversary in 2011.

Since joining CBS News as a part-time production clerk in 1972, Zirinsky has worked for a variety of CBS News broadcasts and covered national and global news, several presidents, wars, international conflicts, the Olympics and the world of fashion.
Before joining "48 Hours" in 1996, she was executive producer of Campaign '96 (1995-96), managing the daily operations of CBS News' election-year political coverage, and of the primetime CBS News magazine, "Eye to Eye" (1994-95), after having served as the broadcast's senior broadcast producer and senior producer (1993-94).

Zirinsky was the director of CBS News' 1992 political reporting, responsible for coordinating coverage of candidates, issues and events for all CBS News broadcasts, including the presidential election. During that period, she was CBS News' senior producer at the 1992 Olympic Winter Games in Albertville, France, where she oversaw the CBS News and Sports news desk for the network.

Earlier, Zirinsky served in several capacities for the "CBS Evening News with Dan Rather" in New York and Washington, D.C. In New York, she was its senior broadcast producer (1991-92) and senior producer (1989-91). In Washington, she managed all feature stories and oversaw editorial content of daily hard-news events (1986-89). She first joined the "CBS Evening News" as a producer in 1979.

She also worked on other CBS News broadcasts, including the "CBS Morning News" and "CBS Evening News" weekend editions. Zirinsky worked the Democratic and Republican National Conventions from 1976 through 1988 as a floor producer for Dan Rather, Lesley Stahl, Ed Bradley and Mike Wallace. In 1992 she was senior producer for all coverage at both conventions.

Zirinsky's international news experience is extensive. She traveled overseas with presidents Carter and Reagan. Her assignments have taken her to Russia, China, Japan, Europe, Central and South America, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. In 1989, Zirinsky ran CBS News' operations out of Panama during the United States invasion of that country and was in charge of CBS News' operation in Beijing during the Tiananmen Square student uprising and military crackdown. Earlier that year, she was lead producer for CBS News' coverage from Japan of Emperor Hirohito's funeral. She was the senior producer responsible for setting up and overseeing the Network's news operation in Kuwait while covering the first Persian Gulf War, and it was under her stewardship that CBS News was the first network to enter Kuwait, just behind the Allied forces.

Zirinsky was technical advisor/associate producer for writer/director James L. Brooks on the film "Broadcast News," starring Holly Hunter as a Washington network news producer.

In 2013, she was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award by the New York Festivals International Television & Film Awards.

Zirinsky was graduated cum laude from American University in Washington, D.C. She is married to Joe Peyronnin and they have one daughter, Zoe Peyronnin.

STEVE EVANS - "THE MOVIE GUY"

GREAT MOVIES OPENING THIS WEEKEND AND BOX OFFICE PREDICTIONS AND HOPES. FIND OUT WHAT MOVIES ARE WORTH YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY. GET SET FOR THE WEEKEND.

12/30 CHEF GREG GASPAR, THE CHICAGO DOG, HANK'S HAUTE DOGS, SHERATON MAUI RESORT AND SPA, JIM AND ELIZABETH CARROLL, WE TV, MARRIAGE BOOTCAMP

EXECUTIVE CHEF GREG GASPAR - THE CHICAGO DOG COMES TO MAUI WITH HANK’S HAUTE DOGS AT SHERATON MAUI RESORT & SPA

What’s New for 2015? The Chicago Dog Comes to Maui with Hank’s Haute Dogs at Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa

2015 will mark many firsts but at the top of our list is visiting Hank’s Haute Dogs new Maui location at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa. Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa partners with innovative restauranteur Henry “Hank” Adaniya to bring nationally acclaimed Hank’s Haute Dogs to Black Rock on Ka‘anapali Beach, Maui.  The beachfront Maui location will feature some of Hank’s most popular ‘dogs’ including the Portuguese sausage Hawaiian dog as well as the Chicago dog and signature dipping sauces.

“Hank’s is about never tasting winter again, life on the beach, dog in hand”, explains Hank.  “It’s really gourmet fine dining infused in a quick grab and go concept,” continues Hank.  The Ka’anapali Beach location at Black Rock offers beachgoers a local favorite and an award winning gourmet dog.

“We are excited to be partners with Hank and opening up his first licensed Hank’s Haute Dogs location here on Maui,” explains Greg Gaspar, Executive Chef at Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa.

Hank’s Haute Dogs Maui celebrates its’ grand opening on Monday, December 22, 2014 at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa.  It will be open seven days a week.  For more information, call (808) 661-0031 or visit www.sheraton-maui.com/dining/hankshautedogs.

About the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa
Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa is where the legend of Ka‘anapali began. Situated on Ka‘anapali Beach at historic Pu‘u Keka‘a, Black Rock, the oceanfront resort is nestled among 23 acres of tropical landscaping with 83 percent of the resort’s 508 rooms and suites facing the ocean.

Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa was named the Starwood Hotels & Resorts 2007 “Hotel of the Year” for the Sheraton brand, and recognized in Conde Nast Travelers’ 2012 Top 25 Hawaiian Resorts. Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa has also appeared in TRAVEL + LEISURE magazine’s World’s Best Awards “Top Resorts in Hawaii” in 2007, 2008 and 2013. For more information about Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa please visit http://www.sheraton-maui.com.

About Hank’s Haute Dogs
The Hank's Concept is built around the company's principal, Henry Adaniya. As a prominent restauranteur he has promoted some of the highest profile chefs in the country. It is a venture founded on his entrepreneurial spirit and love for food. Trio, his world-renowned restaurant, garnered hundreds of accolades and awards over the past twelve years. Now, in a bold move from the fine dining to a fast food arena, Henry focuses on his family roots here in developing Hank's Haute Dogs. The hot dog is an edible icon of this story that everyone can savor both in flavor and success. For more information about Hank’s Haute Dogs please visit www.hankshautedogs.com.

WWW.SHERATON-MAUI.COM
WWW.HANKSHAUTEDOGS.COM


JIM AND ELIZABETH CARROLL - BOOT CAMP DIRECTORS, WE TV’S MARRIAGE BOOT CAMP – PUTS REALITY STARS TO THE TEST

Marriage Boot Camp Directors Jim and Elizabeth Carroll will take Your Questions on How to Give Your Love Life a Tune Up in the New Year.

Find Out How they are Helping Famous TV Couples Shape Up Their Marriages In Season Two of WE tv’s Marriage Boot Camp Reality Stars

Marriage Boot Camp founders Jim and Elizabeth Carroll have been working with couples across the country whose relationships are on the verge of falling apart for more than 20 years. They can offer their tried and true tips and take your questions, whether your relationship needs rejuvenating or you’re a single looking for lasting love - even on New Year's Eve.

This season, the husband and wife duo are back for WE tv’s Marriage Boot Camp and ready to put reality stars to the test. Among the couples taking part are Heidi Montag & Spencer Pratt (The Hills); NYC socialites, Aviva & Reid Drescher (The Real Housewives of New York); Tyson Apostol & Rachel Foulger (Survivor: Blood vs. Water) and musical diva Syleena Johnson and former pro-basketball player Kiwane Garris (R&B Divas).

The couples will work out their issues during intense concentrated therapy. The Carrolls will push these reality star couples to their limits, physically and emotionally, using tough love tactics that will peel back the layers of what makes these reality stars tic, and what is driving their relationships apart.

WWW.WETV.COM

12/29 PHIL LEMPERT, 2015 FOOD TRENDS, AVERYL DUNN, WASHINGTON STATE WINE

PHIL LEMPERT – 2015 FOOD TRENDS 

LEMPERT’S TOP FOOD TRENDS FOR 2015 INCLUDE:

1.       Grazing Golden-Agers: Ninety-one percent of people say they snack daily, according to Nielsen. While snacking is on the rise among all ages and genders, research shows that snacking among consumers over the age of 65 could contribute to additional years with a higher quality of life. We’ll see more boomers – those raised in the “three square meals a day” era – employ a “grazing” approach to eating next year.   When boomers snack, they’ll focus on foods rich in nutrients like protein, fiber and Omega3s that can help promote bone health. Other popular snack choices include plant-based proteins and whole grains, like DAVID® Sunflowers Seeds and Orville Redenbacher’s® Gourmet Naturals made with with 100% whole grain popcorn.

2.       Same-Day Delivery Not Just for City Clickers: Grocery Shopping Goes 24/7: Online grocery shopping and delivery has become a crowded space, with a host of services competing for consumer attention. This trend allows everyone who sells food and beverages to be in the same-day delivery business without having to add additional operational infrastructure. Once considered a luxury for those living in metropolitan areas, revenue gains among food and beverage e-commerce/delivery service indicate the trend will expand to mainstream consumers living in both urban and rural areas next year. Previously, major e-commerce players like Amazon would only deliver non-perishable items, but Peapod, Fresh Direct, Amazon Fresh and Instacart make it possible to have perishables like Healthy Choice® Café Steamers delivered to your door in less than two hours. With this in mind, products will evolve and become catered to online shoppers. More brands will bundle multiple SKUs to create meal kits or offer pre-packaged sets of multiple products.

3.       Everything Smoked: Just when you thought the bacon trend had cooled off, restaurateurs and at-home cooks are continuing to turn up the heat. The demand for smoked foods has risen as chefs begin to apply smoking and grilling to add some sizzle and impart new flavor to other proteins and alternatives like vegetables, butters, and even cocktails. And, with smokers gaining in popularity in backyards across America, at-home cooks are also experimenting with smoking non-traditional foods.  The increase in smoked foods is sparking an increase in enjoying that smoky flavor year-round. For example, tomatoes are one of the most popular non-meat items, and that fresh-from-the-grill smoked flavor can now be found in Hunt’s®Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes. In 2015, look for even more smoked flavors to emerge into your favorite foods found in the grocery aisles, menus and recipes.

4.       The Rise of Fermented Foods: 2015 will be the year fermented foods – foods like yogurt, tempeh and sauerkraut take center stage. These foods contain live cultures, or are preserved in liquid so their sugars and starches can become bacteria-boosting agents. After multi-year growth of gluten-free foods and probiotics, many consumers have found their digestive health improved. In fact, a survey from ConAgra Foods found that nearly 50 percent of Americans have changed their diet to help improve digestion, with nearly 20 percent doing so in the past year.   In 2014, we saw an expansion of gluten-free beyond the one percent of the population that has Celiac Disease. This will continue but also evolve into an increased focus on the consumption of fermented foods as people continue to look for ways to aid digestion. Increased knowledge about the impact foods have on our digestive health will lead to significant changes in the way consumers prepare food in 2015. Once toppings or side items, fermented foods will become commonplace in meals throughout the day.

5.       Gen Z: Chefs Everyday: Millennials’ passion for food-related adventures is undeniable, but Gen Z, the demographic group born after Millennials (1995 to present day), brings an entire new set of food values to the kitchen table. Exposed at a young age to more flavors and variety than previous generations, Gen Z’s collective attitude toward food is simplicity and health. They tend to use stove tops rather than microwaves for cooking meals and fresh ingredients to prepared foods. Research by NPD Group indicates some of their favorite foods to cook include eggs/omelets, hot dogs, potatoes and chicken, which they can “dress up” with their own unique touch.  In 2015, look for even more brands to offer simple ideas to elevate everyday foods. For example, breakfast goes up a notch when replacing basic eggs with frittatas and quiche made with EggBeaters® and fresh herbs and produce.

6.       Craft Foods Make its Way into Kitchens Everywhere: Typically associated with foods made in small batches with specialized, local ingredients, major companies are finding ways to produce craft foods in larger quantities. The phenomenon of craft beer brought new excitement, flavors and sales to the struggling beer industry: MillerCoors® and Anheuser-Busch InBev are two examples of major companies that have made the jump to more locally produced, limited distribution and sub-brands.
In 2015, look for this trend to extend to other beverages and food, as Millennials in particular continue to seek unique tastes and foods with authentic origin stories. Marie Callender’s® Razzleberry Pie, made with whole Oregon Marionberries and North American red raspberries, is an example of a food that looks and tastes homemade but is found in freezer aisles nationwide.

7.       Nutrition Labels: No Longer Just on Packaged Foods: As consumers want more information about their foods, innovative devices like Prep Pad will soon offer this information instantaneously. The Prep Pad pairs with an iPad app to calculate the exact nutritional content of your meals, including the carbs, fats, protein and calories by scanning the bar code of food packages used as ingredients or the items on your plate. Information about a food’s ingredients, chemical makeup or nutritional values will become more readily available and commonplace in the supermarket and our kitchens.

8.      Supermarkets Convert into Socializing Spaces: Supermarkets have evolved from straightforward centers where consumers could buy groceries to purveyors of lifestyle. Present day supermarkets are developing a variety of services that help set them apart and establish each outlet as an ambassador of niche lifestyle trends.  In the near future, we can expect supermarkets to further specialize in order to present their customers with a unique experience that showcases their personality and philosophy toward foods – instead of presenting themselves solely as vendors of goods.

A desire to be “all things food” to their customers, especially singles, is positioning them as head to head competitors with chain and local restaurants. Retailers today will build full-service high quality restaurants as part of their brick and mortar operations. Experienced culinarians, usually CIA trained chefs with many years of experience, are offering unique dishes, local foods and beverages. Cooking classes, events and seminars are giving consumers reasons beyond a grocery list to step inside their neighborhood store. Sampling is no longer a cracker or potato chip on a napkin; stores have advanced and now have chefs like George Duran cooking up Hunt’s® signature recipes for shoppers.

ABOUT PHIL LEMPERT
Known as The Supermarket Guru®, Phil Lempert is a distinguished author and speaker who alerts customers and business leaders to impending corporate and consumer trends and empowers them to make educated purchasing and marketing decisions. He is one of America's leading consumer trend-watchers and analysts, serving as a spokesperson for ConAgra Foods and making regular appearances on NBC News' Today show and ABC's The View. Lempert offers thorough food ratings, analyzes trends in food marketing and retail and features health advice, unique recipes, nutrition analysis, allergy alerts and many other resources for consumers. Learn more about Phil Lempert at supermarketguru.com.

ABOUT CONAGRA FOODS
ConAgra Foods, Inc., (NYSE: CAG) is one of North America's largest packaged food companies with branded and private branded food found in 99 percent of America's households, as well as a strong commercial foods business serving restaurants and foodservice operations globally.
Consumers can find recognized brands such as Banquet®, Chef Boyardee®, Egg Beaters®, Healthy Choice®, Hebrew National®, Hunt's®, Marie Callender's®, Orville Redenbacher's®, PAM®, Peter Pan®, Reddi-wip®, Slim Jim®, Snack Pack® and many other ConAgra Foods brands, along with food sold by ConAgra Foods under private brand labels, in grocery, convenience, mass merchandise, club and drug stores. Additionally, ConAgra Foods supplies frozen potato and sweet potato products as well as other vegetable, spice, bakery and grain products to commercial and foodservice customers. ConAgra Foods operates ReadySetEat.com, an interactive recipe website that provides consumers with easy dinner recipes and more.

WWW.CONAGRAFOODS.COM
WWW.FORKFUL.COM


AVERYL DUNN COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER,  WASHINGTON STATE WINE - RECOGNIZED ON TOP WINE LISTS OF 2014 & TASTE WASHINGTON TICKETS NOW ON SALE

WASHINGTON STATE WINE RECOGNIZED ON TOP WINE LISTS OF 2014 - WINE PUBLICATIONS ACKNOWLEDGE 37 WASHINGTON STATE WINERIES ON THE TOP LISTS OF THE YEAR

Three of the nation’s most influential wine magazines have awarded Washington State with top accolades for 2014. Wine Enthusiast, Wine Spectator and Wine & Spirits have recently released their “Top of 2014” lists which include 37 wineries and 35 different wines from Washington State. These recognitions further cement Washington State’s reputation for crafting wines that rank among the world’s best.

Throughout the year, these publications each score and review approximately 18,000 submissions from around the world and then name their most celebrated wines in the following categories: Top 100 Best Buys, Top 100 Cellar Selections, Top 100 Values, Top 100 Most Exciting Wines, Top 100 Wines of the Year and the Top 100 Wineries of the Year.

“Washington achieves consistency across a range of varieties, with value opportunities encompassing styles from crisp, juicy Rieslings to bold, fruit-forward Merlots,” said Wine Spectator Copy Editor Keith Newton in the magazine’s December 31, 2014 issue. “Top producers hit the sweet spot of quality and price."

Wine Enthusiast named Washington State 27 times to its three Top 100 lists: Top 100 Best Buys, Top 100 Cellar Selections and its most acclaimed, Top 100 Wines of the World. Of the named 27 wines, Washington State landed in the top 10 of each list.

Two Washington State wines made Wine Spectator’s Year’s Most Exciting Wines, and seven additional wines were listed on Top 100 Values. In a collection of producers from around the world with the most exceptional track records in the magazine’s blind tastings this year, Wine & Spirits nodded to six Washington State wineries on its Top 100 Wineries of Year.

“It is an honor, and no surprise, to see our wines listed among the best from around the world,” said Steve Warner, president of Washington State Wine, the organization which represents all wineries and growers in Washington State. “2014 has been an exciting year for us, both as a vintage and now with this recognition. Look for more great things to come from Washington wine.”

TASTE WASHINGTON TICKETS NOW ON SALE - NATION’S LARGEST SINGLE-REGION WINE AND FOOD EVENT EXPANDS AND ADDS NEW EVENTS 

Tickets to the 18th annual Taste Washington, the nation’s largest single-region wine and food event, are now on sale. This four-day extravaganza takes place March 26-29, 2015, at various venues throughout Seattle. Activities include the signature Grand Tasting featuring more than 225 Washington State wineries and food from more than 70 top Pacific Northwest restaurants; a series of educational seminars on wine and cider led by the country’s top sommeliers and beverage writers; and the Red & White Party, an elegant, upscale evening with Washington State’s celebrated wineries pouring special selections from large-format bottles.

Ticket prices for the Grand Tasting at CenturyLink Field start at $90 for a one-day general admission pass. Seminars, to be held at the Four Seasons Hotel Seattle, are $38 to $89. Topics range from “Washington vs. the World,” a blind tasting of the state’s finest Bordeaux-blends against some of the best the world has to offer; to in-depth explorations of the exciting wine-growing regions of the Columbia Gorge and Red Mountain. Tickets to the exclusive Red & White Party, which will be at AQUA by El Gaucho, are $175 per person.

To buy tickets or for more details on winery participation, featured chefs and seminar topics, visit www.tastewashington.org. Taste Washington is produced by Visit Seattle in partnership with Washington State Wine.

About Taste Washington:
 Taste Washington is the largest single-region wine and food event in the United States, featuring more than 225 Washington State wineries and more than 70 Pacific Northwest restaurants. The 2015 Taste Washington welcoming sponsor is Alaska Airlines; the premier sponsors are Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card, Muckleshoot Casino, Seattle Met and Total Wine & More; and the event feature is Stella Artois. Taste Washington attracts more than 5,000 wine and food enthusiasts to the Seattle area. The Washington State Wine Commission launched Taste Washington in 1998 and is now produced by Visit Seattle. For more information, visit www.tastewashington.org.

About Visit Seattle :
Visit Seattle, a private, nonprofit marketing organization, has served as Seattle/King County’s official destination marketing organization (DMO) for more than 50 years. The goal of these marketing efforts is to enhance the employment opportunities and economic prosperity of the region. For more information, visit www.visitseattle.org.

About Washington State Wine:                                                                                  
Washington State Wine represents every licensed winery and wine grape grower in Washington State. Guided by an appointed board, WSW provides a marketing platform to raise positive awareness of the Washington State wine industry and generate greater demand for its wines. Funded almost entirely by the industry through assessments based on grape and wine sales, WSW is a state government agency, established by the legislature in 1987. To learn more, visit www.washingtonwine.org.

WWW.WASHINGTONWINE.ORG
WWW.VISITSEATTLE.ORG
WWW.WASHINGTONWINE.ORG

12/26 DAWN WELLS, A GUIDE TO LIFE: WHAT WOULD MARY ANN DO?, DICK CAVETT, BRIEF ENCOUNTERS, STEVE EVANS

DAWN WELLS - ACTRESS & AUTHOR - A GUIDE TO LIFE: WHAT WOULD MARY ANN DO?

In connection with the 50th anniversary of the unexpected hit series "Gilligan's Island," Dawn (who portrayed the lovable farm girl next door, Mary Ann Sommers), has released "A Guide To Life: What Would Mary Ann Do?" through Taylor Trade Publishing and Rowman and Littlefield Publishing Group, Inc.

Book Tour Schedule: New York, Denver, Chicago, Reno, Palm Springs, as well as dates in Las Vegas (TBA) and appearances at Vromans (Dec 9th), The Santa Monica Library (Nov 22nd) as well as the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Authors program (Dec 6th) in Los Angeles and more..

Wells, who was a former Miss Nevada, auditioned for the role of Mary Ann Summers opposite such noted competition as Raquel Welch, Patricia Ann Priest and the actress, Nancy McCarthy, who shot the pilot episode under the character name of "Bunny." The role of Mary Ann became a simple farm-girl from Winfield, Kansas and spawned one of the most popular questions of all time "Ginger or Mary Ann?"

Dawn writes about the meaning of the Mary Ann character and observes the cultural shifts that have occurred since she was on the island.  From the get-go, the Mary Ann character was different. She wasn't a Hollywood creation. She was molded by Dawn, from Dawn.  The Character that was originally listed as "And the rest" on the credits became the fan favorite, garnering more fan mail that even the title character.  With over 150,000 fans on her FaceBook page and fan clubs across the U.S., her following has remained faithful.

Dawn says that Mary Ann fits today just as she fit two generations ago, because she is timeless. In a world where the industry and society has been celebrating their "Bad girls," Mary Ann continues to be, for many, the breathe of fresh air as the “Good Girl.” Pop culture is too powerful and too pervasive to be controlled by parents, siblings or colleagues. It can be confused with reality. This leaves young people in a vulnerable position - they have to make decisions that are normally beyond their maturity. Dawn discusses decisions we make in life and even goes straight to the BIG DECISION and delivers her concept of the meaning of sex.  In a world of participation trophies, easy praise, and entitlement attitudes, how do you define achievement? Dawn describes it as a journey of failure and learning and tenacity that requires a constant personal re-examination of what success really means.

A song highlighting Dawn's famous role was performed by a group, named "The Southern Gentlemen," for the TV icon entitled "There will always be a place in my heart for Mary Ann". Miss Wells remarked "I embraced the publics love or Mary Ann years ago.  In fact, she seems to have grown more popular every year."  Why? she explains "I think there are fewer Mary Ann's today than there used to be.  There are many Gingers, both on TV and in real life, but far fewer Mary Ann's ... and I think the public remembers her fondly and misses her terribly."

When asked about the most memorable Mary Ann moment, she responded, "There are too many. However, recently I was brought in to surprise Sandra Bullock with a coconut creme pie as celebrity interviewer, Gino Salomone, was speaking to her about the film "Gravity. We had great fun. I am such a fan!"  The video has been released and can be seen at here!

Since the show ended on September 4, 1967, Wells has continued to work on both screen and stage.  She published Mary Ann's Gilligan's Island Cookbook with co-writers Ken Beck & Jim Clark, which included a foreword by castaway cast mate Bob Denver, and even starred as Lovey Howell in Gilligan's Island: The Musical, a musical stage adaptation of the TV show.  Wells most recently starred along with fan favorites such as Rip Taylor, Lee Merriwether, Bruce Vilanch and others in "Silent, But Deadly" and the stage production of "Lion In Winter" as Queen Eleanor.

Dawn has just completed three stage productions in 2013 including "Love Letters," "Steel Magnolias" and off Broadway in "Love, Loss & What I Wore."  She is currently working on the idea of a new reality show "Hunter History" as well as a new book entitled "A Guide To Life: Why We Love Mary" to be released this year (Sept).

DICK CAVETT – LEGENDARY TALK SHOW HOST - NEW BOOK BRIEF ENCOUNTERS: CONVERSATIONS, MAGIC MOMENTS, AND ASSORTED HIJINKS

Dick Cavett, the legendary talk show host, NYTimes.com columnist, and raconteur, is back with a new collection of provocative essays—his reflections and reminiscences about Hollywood legends, American cultural icons, and the absurdities of everyday life—in BRIEF ENCOUNTERS: Conversations, Magic Moments, and Assorted Hijinks (Henry Holt; on sale: October 28, 2014).

In his signature charming prose, Cavett introduces readers to the fascinating characters that have crossed his path. He recounts meeting John Lennon and Yoko Ono in bed at the St. Regis; sparring with Muhammad Ali; being wooed by Steve Jobs to be Apple’s first celebrity pitchman; and flirting with the ultimate Hollywood star, Elizabeth Taylor. Other notable figures that cross Cavett’s path in these pages include James Gandolfini, Mel Brooks, Nora Ephron, Tony Curtis, and Groucho Marx. Delightfully, Cavett also shares his youthful – and not so youthful – escapades, including his first violent hangover and a few instances when he almost found himself in the county jail.

Jimmy Fallon, the host of The Tonight Show, has called Dick Cavett “a legend and an inspiration” and has written a foreword to BRIEF ENCOUNTERS that makes clear Cavett’s sizable footprint on today’s talk show hosts. Fallon writes, “Funny and poignant stories and essays about his life, his career, family, politics – it’s all here. So intelligent and witty and charming and innocent. Kind of like Dick Cavett himself. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this book. I know I did.”

Offering piquant commentary on contemporary politics, the indignities of travel, the nature of comedy writing, and the utter improbability of being alive at all, BRIEF ENCOUNTERS opens the door on how Cavett’s mind works and what it is like to live in his world. Settle in, and enjoy the conversation!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Dick Cavett was the host of The Dick Cavett Show on ABC and PBS, and he also hosted talk shows on the USA, HBO, and CNBC cable networks. He appears frequently on stage, screen, and new media, and was nominated for his most recent Emmy Award in 2012. He is the author of Talk Show and the coauthor of Cavett and Eye on Cavett, and he writes an online opinion column for The New York Times. He lives in New York City and Montauk, New York.

STEVE EVANS - "THE MOVIE GUY"

GREAT MOVIES OPENING THIS WEEKEND AND BOX OFFICE PREDICTIONS AND HOPES. FIND OUT WHAT MOVIES ARE WORTH YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY. GET SET FOR THE WEEKEND.

12/25 TEVI TROY, CHRISTMAS AT THE WHITE HOUSE, VOJTECH KACEROVSKY, CZECH TOURISM

TEVI TROY - PRESIDENTIAL HISTORIAN - CHRISTMAS STORIES FROM THE WHITE HOUSE

Tevi Troy, Presidential Historian and author of the best-selling “What Jefferson Read, Ike Watched, and Obama Tweeted: 200 Years of Popular Culture in the White House” is a former White House aide  in the George W. Bush administration and the President of the American Health Policy Institute.  He recently compiled a few great Christmas stories from the White House (summary below).  He is available to tell these brief stories and talk more about other historic times in the White House.

Nixon and the Christmas Jacket – Richard Nixon had his very own colorful Christmas smoking jacket, which he wore on Christmas.  He wore the jacket on a Christmas TV special with the Nixon family in 1971.  Typically, he looked stiff even in the jacket and surrounded by his family, as he did in other appearances that were designed to show a looser, more easy-going Nixon to the American people.

Obama Being Stranded on Christmas – In December of 2011, Barack Obama was stuck in the White House, waiting to see if the administration could come to agreement on yet another must pass spending bill.  As the New York Times put it at the time, Air Force One was “sitting on the tarmac while the White House press corps and the staff wondered whether Mr. Obama would end up padding around the residence alone on Christmas morning.”  Obama, for what it’s worth, also reported some Christmas childhood traumas in his memoir, such as the time his father, on a rare visit to Hawaii, made him turn off the Christmas special “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” because he felt that young Barry was watching too much TV. Obama also recalled looking at the Sears, Roebuck catalog as a boy, where he “noticed that there was nobody like me in the Sears, Roebuck Christmas catalog that Toot and Gramps sent us, and that Santa was a white man.”

Elvis Visiting Nixon on Christmas Week - Nixon’s famous meeting and picture with Elvis – the single most requested photo from the National Archives --  took place on Christmas week, 1970, and came about after Elvis’ father chided him for spending too much money on Christmas gifts, including “more than $100,000 for 32 handguns and ten Mercedes-Benzes.”  Elvis fled to Washington, where he set events in motion that led up to the famous visit.

Eisenhower’s Song List -  had a list compiled of his favorite songs, which included 3 Christmas songs -- Silent Night, Adeste Fidelis, and The First Noel.  Ike also saw Christmas as a time to watch movies with family and friends, something he enjoyed during the rest of the year as well.
Kennedy’s Unsent Christmas Card – The Kennedy’s had prepared their family Christmas card for 1963 before Kennedy’s fateful trip to Dallas.  After the tragic assassination, the card was never mailed.

Carter’s Christmas Book – Jimmy Carter loved Christmas as a boy so much that he even wrote a book called Christmas in Plains.  Carter reminisced about how much he loved looking through the Sears, Roebuck catalog for gifts he could request for the holiday.

Ford’s Christmas Reflections – Gerald Ford was constantly mocked as a klutz as president, even though he was one of the best athletes ever to become president.  According to his press secretary Ron Nessen, he never complained about this treatment, with one exception.  On a Christmas break at Vail, Nessen recalled that Ford said “ruefully” that “You know, those reporters get most of their exercise on the bar stool.”

Christmas was not a national holiday until 1870, but there were Christmas stories in the 19th century as well:

Lincoln’s Christmas Gift - In 1864, Abraham Lincoln, who had voted against making Christmas a national holiday, received a last December telegram from General Sherman informing him of the capture of Savannah.  Sherman’s telegram read: "I beg to present you, as a Christmas gift, the city of Savannah, with 150 heavy guns and plenty of ammunition, and also about 25,000 bales of cotton."
Grover Cleveland’s Campaign Song - Once of Grover Cleveland’s campaign songs, Good Democrats, was sung to the tune of "Christmas Tree O' Christmas Tree."

Andrew Jackson’s Christmas Parties - A young Andrew Jackson once hosted a Christmas Party in Salisbury, North Carolina.  Jackson, a rowdy law student at the time, thought it would be a good idea to invite two prostitutes as guests to the party.  It was not, and Jackson was forced to apologize.  As president, Jackson made up for his faux pas by hosting an elaborate White House Christmas “frolic” in 1834, complete with dancing, dinner, and an indoor “snowball fight” with cotton snowballs for the children.

WWW.TEVITROY.ORG

VOJTECH KACEROVSKY  - DIRECTOR CZECHTOURISM LOS ANGELES – CHRISTMAS IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

The Czech Republic is a modern and dynamic destination with a rich history and unique natural beauty.  The CzechTourism agency, along with its offices abroad ,ensures its successful presentation on the domestic and foreign markets. The Czech Tourism Authority - CzechTourism is a contributory organization of the Ministry for Regional Development and was established in 1993. Its significant partner agencies include domestic tourist regions, cities, municipalities and businesses.

WWW.CZECHTOURISM.COM

12/24 LARRY LIPSON, TEVI TROY, CHRISTMAS STORIES FROM THE WHITE HOUSE. STEVE EVANS

LARRY LIPSON – AFFORDABLE WINE REPORT

For fifty years Larry Lipson was the food critic for the Los Angeles Daily News and now reports from Florida weekly with his thoughts and favorite picks for Food & Wine.  His lovely Wife Lillian is also on hand at the Lipson Institute for advanced wine studies.



TEVI TROY - PRESIDENTIAL HISTORIAN - CHRISTMAS STORIES FROM THE WHITE HOUSE

Tevi Troy, Presidential Historian and author of the best-selling “What Jefferson Read, Ike Watched, and Obama Tweeted: 200 Years of Popular Culture in the White House” is a former White House aide  in the George W. Bush administration and the President of the American Health Policy Institute.  He recently compiled a few great Christmas stories from the White House (summary below).  He is available to tell these brief stories and talk more about other historic times in the White House.

Nixon and the Christmas Jacket – Richard Nixon had his very own colorful Christmas smoking jacket, which he wore on Christmas.  He wore the jacket on a Christmas TV special with the Nixon family in 1971.  Typically, he looked stiff even in the jacket and surrounded by his family, as he did in other appearances that were designed to show a looser, more easy-going Nixon to the American people.

Obama Being Stranded on Christmas – In December of 2011, Barack Obama was stuck in the White House, waiting to see if the administration could come to agreement on yet another must pass spending bill.  As the New York Times put it at the time, Air Force One was “sitting on the tarmac while the White House press corps and the staff wondered whether Mr. Obama would end up padding around the residence alone on Christmas morning.”  Obama, for what it’s worth, also reported some Christmas childhood traumas in his memoir, such as the time his father, on a rare visit to Hawaii, made him turn off the Christmas special “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” because he felt that young Barry was watching too much TV. Obama also recalled looking at the Sears, Roebuck catalog as a boy, where he “noticed that there was nobody like me in the Sears, Roebuck Christmas catalog that Toot and Gramps sent us, and that Santa was a white man.”

Elvis Visiting Nixon on Christmas Week - Nixon’s famous meeting and picture with Elvis – the single most requested photo from the National Archives --  took place on Christmas week, 1970, and came about after Elvis’ father chided him for spending too much money on Christmas gifts, including “more than $100,000 for 32 handguns and ten Mercedes-Benzes.”  Elvis fled to Washington, where he set events in motion that led up to the famous visit.

Eisenhower’s Song List -  had a list compiled of his favorite songs, which included 3 Christmas songs -- Silent Night, Adeste Fidelis, and The First Noel.  Ike also saw Christmas as a time to watch movies with family and friends, something he enjoyed during the rest of the year as well.
Kennedy’s Unsent Christmas Card – The Kennedy’s had prepared their family Christmas card for 1963 before Kennedy’s fateful trip to Dallas.  After the tragic assassination, the card was never mailed.

Carter’s Christmas Book – Jimmy Carter loved Christmas as a boy so much that he even wrote a book called Christmas in Plains.  Carter reminisced about how much he loved looking through the Sears, Roebuck catalog for gifts he could request for the holiday.

Ford’s Christmas Reflections – Gerald Ford was constantly mocked as a klutz as president, even though he was one of the best athletes ever to become president.  According to his press secretary Ron Nessen, he never complained about this treatment, with one exception.  On a Christmas break at Vail, Nessen recalled that Ford said “ruefully” that “You know, those reporters get most of their exercise on the bar stool.”

Christmas was not a national holiday until 1870, but there were Christmas stories in the 19th century as well:

Lincoln’s Christmas Gift - In 1864, Abraham Lincoln, who had voted against making Christmas a national holiday, received a last December telegram from General Sherman informing him of the capture of Savannah.  Sherman’s telegram read: "I beg to present you, as a Christmas gift, the city of Savannah, with 150 heavy guns and plenty of ammunition, and also about 25,000 bales of cotton."
Grover Cleveland’s Campaign Song - Once of Grover Cleveland’s campaign songs, Good Democrats, was sung to the tune of "Christmas Tree O' Christmas Tree."

Andrew Jackson’s Christmas Parties - A young Andrew Jackson once hosted a Christmas Party in Salisbury, North Carolina.  Jackson, a rowdy law student at the time, thought it would be a good idea to invite two prostitutes as guests to the party.  It was not, and Jackson was forced to apologize.  As president, Jackson made up for his faux pas by hosting an elaborate White House Christmas “frolic” in 1834, complete with dancing, dinner, and an indoor “snowball fight” with cotton snowballs for the children.

WWW.TEVITROY.ORG

STEVE EVANS - "THE MOVIE GUY"

GREAT MOVIES OPENING THIS WEEKEND AND BOX OFFICE PREDICTIONS AND HOPES. FIND OUT WHAT MOVIES ARE WORTH YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY. GET SET FOR THE WEEKEND.

12/23 CHEF MIKEC, 2015 A TASTE OF HALL, VOJTECH KACEROVSKY, CZECH REPUBLIC

CHEF MIKEC. - THE 2015 A TASTE OF HALL 

HALL Wines, a premier portfolio of luxury wineries and tasting rooms located in Napa Valley, has announced plans to kick off a unique culinary offering at its St. Helena winery featuring celebrity chef MikeC. The program, A Taste of HALL, will include an interactive and seasonal monthly course designed to engage and inspire both local and visiting foodies alike.

Additionally, the experience will feature newly released HALL wines paired with seasonal match-ups at each unique workshop kicking off in January 2015.

Chef MikeC is an acclaimed culinary talent specializing in both professional and consumer food and wine education spanning almost four decades. Hailing from New York State's wine country from a family of educators, scientists and engineers with a passion for organic gardening, winemaking and cooking, MikeC.'s lifelong exploration to understand the inner workings of all things culinary has positioned him as a popular and enthusiastic celebrity chef across the U.S. Chef MikeC. has owned cooking schools, was the chef/host of the final season of the long running PBS cooking show series "Organic Living with the Hippy Gourmet", and is the executive chef of the wine bar, La Botella Republic.

Each guest will take-away A Taste of HALL food and wine pairing Recipe Card featuring the courses and wine pairings served, and will have a chance to purchase a signed copy of Chef MikeC's book, "Kitchen on Fire: Mastering the Art of Cooking in 12 Weeks (or less)". All workshops take place during the lunch hour and guests will leave after a three course meal paired with three HALL and WALT wines.

The 2015 A Taste of HALL featuring Chef Mike C. schedule of events are listed on the website.

In addition to Chef MikeC. leading the culinary element of the program, lead HALL Wines educator and Alaska native Trisha Mueller will be part of the program introducing pairing techniques with recently released HALL vintages.
Mueller's enthusiasm and expert knowledge of wine is unmatched and will allow for guests to ask questions ranging from the novice wine drinker to experts.

HALL Wines owns over 410 planted acres in Napa County, Sonoma County and Mendocino County that includes four California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) Estate vineyards in Napa and Sonoma Counties.

About HALL Wines
HALL Wines represents critically acclaimed artisan Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from two tasting room and winery locations in St. Helena and Rutherford. Owned by Craig and Kathryn Hall, its vineyard collection features four Certified Organic estates producing classic Bordeaux varietals. Each vintage, Winemaker Steve Leveque crafts 16 distinct Cabernet Sauvignon wines which demonstrate the unique characteristics and diversity of Napa Valley. HALL's highly rated wines include the Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon selected as Wine Spectator's #18 of the 2010 'Top 100', the 2008 "Kathryn Hall" Cabernet Sauvignon that earned #2 of the "Top 100" Wines also in Wine Spectator, and its 2010 'Exzellenz' earned 100 points by Robert Parker, Wine Advocate. Since the first vintage in 2002, over 75 HALL Wines have been rated 94 points and above. HALL Wines employs high-density plantings and small vine viticulture combined with two cutting-edge, gravity-flow wineries to produce the highest quality wines. In addition, the HALL St. Helena winery was the first LEEDR Gold Certified Winery in the State of California in 2009 and earned another LEEDR Gold certification for its high tech production facility and modern tasting room in 2014, making HALL Wines pioneers in the use of green buildings for the wine industry.

WWW.HALLWINES.COM
WWW.WINECOUNTRY CULINARYADVENTURES.COM


VOJTECH KACEROVSKY  - DIRECTOR CZECHTOURISM LOS ANGELES – CHRISTMAS IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

The Czech Republic is a modern and dynamic destination with a rich history and unique natural beauty.  The CzechTourism agency, along with its offices abroad ,ensures its successful presentation on the domestic and foreign markets. The Czech Tourism Authority - CzechTourism is a contributory organization of the Ministry for Regional Development and was established in 1993. Its significant partner agencies include domestic tourist regions, cities, municipalities and businesses.

WWW.CZECHTOURISM.COM

12/22 PHIL LEMPERT, THE SUPERMARKET GURU, CONAGRA FOODS, KYLE BRANCHE, LIFE BEHIND BARS: STORIES AND ENCOUNTERS: VIGNETTES OVER COCKTAILS

PHIL LEMPERT, THE SUPERMARKET GURU - TOP FOOD TRENDS FOR 2015

ABOUT PHIL LEMPERT
Known as The Supermarket Guru®, Phil Lempert is a distinguished author and speaker who alerts customers and business leaders to impending corporate and consumer trends and empowers them to make educated purchasing and marketing decisions. He is one of America's leading consumer trend-watchers and analysts, serving as a spokesperson for ConAgra Foods and making regular appearances on NBC News' Today show and ABC's The View. Lempert offers thorough food ratings, analyzes trends in food marketing and retail and features health advice, unique recipes, nutrition analysis, allergy alerts and many other resources for consumers. Learn more about Phil Lempert at supermarketguru.com.

ABOUT CONAGRA FOODS
ConAgra Foods, Inc., (NYSE: CAG) is one of North America's largest packaged food companies with branded and private branded food found in 99 percent of America's households, as well as a strong commercial foods business serving restaurants and foodservice operations globally. Consumers can find recognized brands such as Banquet®, Chef Boyardee®, Egg Beaters®, Healthy Choice®, Hebrew National®, Hunt's®, Marie Callender's®, Orville Redenbacher's®, PAM®, Peter Pan®, Reddi-wip®, Slim Jim®, Snack Pack® and many other ConAgra Foods brands, along with food sold by ConAgra Foods under private brand labels, in grocery, convenience, mass merchandise, club and drug stores. Additionally, ConAgra Foods supplies frozen potato and sweet potato products as well as other vegetable, spice, bakery and grain products to commercial and foodservice customers. ConAgra Foods operates ReadySetEat.com, an interactive recipe website that provides consumers with easy dinner recipes and more.

WWW.CONAGRAFOODS.COM
WWW.FORKFUL.COM


KYLE BRANCHE - COCKTAILS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

BOOK - "Life Behind Bars: Stories and Encounters: Vignettes over Cocktails" Short Stories/Vignettes of Intel based on my experiences as a professional and private bartender in Los Angeles, California. Book One in the series.

Kyle Branche is a 30-year veteran professional and private bartender in Los Angeles. His wide variety of bar experiences in the City of Angels is second to none, having worked in many bars, nightclubs, private clubs, restaurants, hotels, concert venues, and is currently more off the grid today working a busy, yet more flexible schedule as a private on-call bartender with a variety of services, caterers, event planners, brand-sponsored events and private clientele working the party circuit throughout the spread out metropolis. while still holding position in the bar at The Gardenia Room in Hollywood for 23 years.

Kyle was a contributing writer and columnist in the leading beverage magazines from 2002-2012, with 75 published pieces, including the monthly cocktail column "Liquid Kitchen" with Patterson’s Beverage Journal (now The Tasting Panel), feature cover stories, contributing articles, and one online multimedia super feature story on Cognac with Sante Magazine, titled "The Sleeping Spirit". Aside form creating 60+ signature cocktails, his bar line Cocktail Art Productions has produced 18 titles including seven books, two DVD’s, an audio CD Book, cocktail recipe cards, calendars, and postcards.

As a culinary artist, he started his cocktail photography series in 2007. His custom Zazzle store (zazzle.com/KBranche) uses 70 drink images from this series on a variety of everyday products and specialty items, including USPS-approved Cocktail Postage Stamps, Coffee Mugs, Greeting Cards, Men’s and Women’s T-Shirts and Hoodies, iPod Cases, iPad Cases, iPhone cases, Mousepads, Postcards, Hats, Aprons, Necklaces, Prints and Posters, all just for a fun and creative artistic outlet. Kyle also created and designed a board game called “Cocktail Hotel.”

He’s also co-produced and co-hosted the cocktail shows “Liquid Kitchen” and “Beverage Road,” has written a treatment for a one-hour dramatic television series titled “Life Behind Bars,” played the character of “Clive, the Bartender from the Dead” in the short film "The Hounds of Bakersfield," and the part of "Lyle the Bartender" in the upcoming feature film "Frozen Tundra." Other on-camera work includes his two Cocktail Art DVD’s of “live and close-up” specialty and classic drink preparations.

WWW.BARPROFESSIONAL.COM

12/19 PHIL LEMPERT, SUPERMARKET GURU, BEN LYONS, STEVE EVANS

PHIL LEMPERT, THE SUPERMARKET GURU - TOP FOOD TRENDS FOR 2015

ABOUT PHIL LEMPERT
Known as The Supermarket Guru®, Phil Lempert is a distinguished author and speaker who alerts customers and business leaders to impending corporate and consumer trends and empowers them to make educated purchasing and marketing decisions. He is one of America's leading consumer trend-watchers and analysts, serving as a spokesperson for ConAgra Foods and making regular appearances on NBC News' Today show and ABC's The View. Lempert offers thorough food ratings, analyzes trends in food marketing and retail and features health advice, unique recipes, nutrition analysis, allergy alerts and many other resources for consumers. Learn more about Phil Lempert at supermarketguru.com.

ABOUT CONAGRA FOODS
ConAgra Foods, Inc., (NYSE: CAG) is one of North America's largest packaged food companies with branded and private branded food found in 99 percent of America's households, as well as a strong commercial foods business serving restaurants and foodservice operations globally. Consumers can find recognized brands such as Banquet®, Chef Boyardee®, Egg Beaters®, Healthy Choice®, Hebrew National®, Hunt's®, Marie Callender's®, Orville Redenbacher's®, PAM®, Peter Pan®, Reddi-wip®, Slim Jim®, Snack Pack® and many other ConAgra Foods brands, along with food sold by ConAgra Foods under private brand labels, in grocery, convenience, mass merchandise, club and drug stores. Additionally, ConAgra Foods supplies frozen potato and sweet potato products as well as other vegetable, spice, bakery and grain products to commercial and foodservice customers. ConAgra Foods operates ReadySetEat.com, an interactive recipe website that provides consumers with easy dinner recipes and more.

WWW.CONAGRAFOODS.COM
WWW.FORKFUL.COM


MOVIE & ENTERTAINMENT EXPERT BEN LYONS OFFERS GIFT ADVICE FOR THE MOVIE LOVERS ON YOUR HOLIDAY LIST 

Highlighting Latest Movie and Television Releases on Blu-ray/Digital HD and the devices that play them.

All of us have at least one movie lover on our holiday list this year. The question is how do you pick out the perfect gift for the cinema buff? Pop culture expert Ben Lyons is here to take the guesswork out of that decision. On Tuesday, December 16th, Lyons will be available via satellite to offer up great movie gifts and discuss the hottest Blu-ray Disc Combo Packs available this Holiday season. With Blu-ray Combo Packs, you get a Blu-ray of the movie for your HDTV, a DVD for any other room in the house, and a DIGITAL HD version for your laptop, tablet or even to watch on your phone, no matter where you are. There are thousands of titles available, something for everyone on your gift list, and Ben will help you wade through the many options from classics to hot new releases, and the latest in technology to watch them on.

The interview will kick off a regular monthly “DEN” (Digital Entertainment News) segment featuring Ben Lyons highlighting the latest Blu-ray and Digital releases and the technology to watch them on.

Ben Lyons is a Television, Radio, and Online host and producer who covers pop culture like nobody else. Ben is a special correspondent on EXTRA and regular contributor for ESPN LA radio. He is also the host of The Sidebar on Yahoo, an in-depth interview series featuring the biggest names in Movies, TV, Music, and Fashion. Ben is the lead host on Yahoo's LIVE movie premiere and awards show coverage. He reviews movies on Mario Lopez’s national radio show  and has recently, been on The View, Wendy Williams, ESPN's SportsNation, On Air with Ryan Seacrest, Good Morning America, and The Artie Lange Show. Previously he appeared on the E! Network and E! News as their lead film correspondent and movie critic. Born and raised in New York City, Ben is the grandson of legendary New York Post columnist Leonard Lyons, and is the son of film and theater critic Jeffrey Lyons. The Lyons family has been covering pop culture in American media for more than 80 years.

STEVE EVANS - "THE MOVIE GUY"

GREAT MOVIES OPENING THIS WEEKEND AND BOX OFFICE PREDICTIONS AND HOPES. FIND OUT WHAT MOVIES ARE WORTH YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY. GET SET FOR THE WEEKEND.

12/18 REDDI WIP, JIM CASEY, LIVE IT UP PRODUCTIONS, ROCKIN' THE HOLIDAYS

REDDI-WIP – GREAT FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

About Reddi-Wip 

• Reddi-wip is just 15 calories per serving
• Reddi-wip is made using real cream (The Real Cream difference)
• Reddi-wip enhances the taste of foods with its light and fluffy texture
• Reddi-wip is a fun, fancy and interactive way to decorate a number of foods including holiday pie, hot cocoa, coffee and other holiday treats

When hosting a party, how do you know if you have enough for the dessert table?

• For pies, get 1 – 2 pies for each eight guests
• Be prepared with unique dessert ideas for non-pie lovers like puddings, monkey bread or napoleons 
• For Reddi-wip, keep 1 – 2 cans on hand for each entertaining occasion 

Fun ideas of what to do with Reddi-wip: 

Winter Pie-Scape: Top your pie with whipped topping  and coconut flakes to create a snowy pie wonderland. If you want, add in a few small cake decorating elements, like candy canes and miniature sleds for a fun winter spread.

Frozen Reddi-wip Topping: freeze dollops of Reddi-wip on a cookie sheet and place on top of your pie for hand-laid whipped topping

Not Just for Pies: 74% percent of pies go untopped which is a real shame. For those that do top their pies with whipped topping, don’t let pies have all the fun. Make holiday treats more joyful by topping eggnog, spiked hot cocoa and holiday breakfast sweets with Reddi-wip.


JIM CASEY - EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, LIVE IT UP PRODUCTIONS – ROCKIN’ THE HOLIDAYS 

ROCKIN’ THE HOLIDAYS AT THE JW MARRIOTT DESERT SPRINGS, PALM DESERT!

It’s all of your favorite holiday classics- with a ROCKIN twist! We celebrate the magic of the season “ROCK & ROLL” style, in this fun, whimsical production! Highlights include Cee-Lo Green’s That’s What Christmas Means To Me, Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas, and Miley Cyrus Rockin Around The Christmas Tree. But don’t you fret! We have all your classic, traditional favorites as well! From "I'll be Home For Christmas" and "Winter Wonderland" to a stirring performance of "O Holy Night". This show definitely appeals to audiences of all ages, and comes complete with our incredible live 5 piece band, and maybe even a few fun holiday surprises! Like our resident Santa Babies, or maybe even a Hunky Santa or two! Of course, no Holiday Spectacular is complete without an all audience sing-a-long of some of our childhood favorites like “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Frosty The Snowman! And eyes will delight in wonder as the magic of the season literally falls from the sky in a finale that will have you coming back again and again!

LIUPRODUCTIONS.COM

12/17 LARRY LIPSON, TOM MASS, RUMCHATA, DR. LEIGH VINOCUR

LARRY LIPSON – AFFORDABLE WINE REPORT

For fifty years Larry Lipson was the food critic for the Los Angeles Daily News and now reports from Florida weekly with his thoughts and favorite picks for Food & Wine.  His lovely Wife Lillian is also on hand at the Lipson Institute for advanced wine studies.



TOM MAAS – FOUNDER & MASTER BLENDER, RUMCHATA

A DRINK WORTHY OF ROYALTY
Horchata was originally concocted by the ancient Egyptians for the Pharaohs, a feat easily as impressive as the Pyramids. The pioneering Egyptian chufa style horchata, which is made with chufa—also known as the tigernut—was so revered that it soon found its way to Spain during the time of the Moorish kings.

Today, you'll continue to find horchata made with this same original recipe in most areas of Spain, where it remains a very popular summertime beverage—we're talking Antonio Banderas popular. Chufa plantations aren't exactly a booming business on this side of the pond, so when horchata was finally introduced to the Americas the recipe had to be changed. Rice based horchata is now served extensively throughout Mexico and Central America, where the recipe is often passed down generation to generation. These authentic recipes include varied mixtures of rice, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and either water or dairy.

For our money, the only thing we can think of that is more delicious than horchata is horchata with rum in it, which is why we created RumChata. We hope you'll get your next party started with a bottle of your own and love it as much as we do, if that's even possible (we like it a whole lot).

THE RUMCHATA STORY
Of late, we've been bombarded with questions about the origins of RumChata, and the truth is, the answer is not a simple one. RumChata's ingredients are hand selected from all around the world. It's not easy crafting the best tasting cream liqueur in the Universe, but it's a challenge we've taken head on. Every delicious batch of RumChata is mixed up from scratch and contains our own unique blend of premium Caribbean rum, which is selected for its light and smooth character. We then take that rum and homogenize it with the finest dairy cream from Wisconsin.

The final step of our process is blending in our own unique flavors, which come from six different countries and as far away as Madagascar. With the completion of each batch, we taste test it, hand bottle it, carefully pack it up, and then it is finally ready for delivery to our dedicated fans far and wide. There's nothing we love more than providing our customers with the best tasting cream liqueur ever—except maybe drinking the best tasting cream liqueur ever. And lazy rivers. And drinking RumChata in a lazy river, but we digress—that is why we use only the highest quality ingredients available on the market.

RUMCHATA.COM


DR. LEIGH VINOCUR - CERTIFIED EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN -VACATION JUSTIFICATION: WHY TAKING MORE DAYS OFF IS JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED THIS NEW YEAR!

Last year, Americans left million days of paid vacation on the table. We are not taking time out for ourselves and there are real health consequences to being  vacation-starved and over-stressed.
Vacations are inextricably tied to our happiness and health; yet more than 40% of Americans on average are leaving 7 days of paid vacation on the table every year.  The result?  A workforce that is less productive, less satisfied in their jobs, less connected to family and friends, and prone to stress-related illnesses.

Dr. Leigh Vinocur is here to share findings on why your most important (and most fun!)New Year’s resolution this year is taking regularly scheduled vacations.

Dr. Leigh Vinocur is a board certified emergency physician and national spokesperson for the American College of Emergency Physicians. Dr Vinocur strives to proactively help people manage their health and wellness before an emergency occurs. She is a health contributor and columnist for the Huffington Post and appears regularly on the Dr. Oz show. Dr. Vinocur can also be seen on numerous other national media outlets as a medical expert, such as CNN’s House Calls and the Nancy Grace Show, The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch, Inside Edition, the Fox Business Network as well as ABC News and the CBS Early Show.

12/16 GADGET GIRL JAMIE SORCHER, DR. ALLAN PETERKIN, DOVE MEN+CARE

GADGET GIRL JAMIE SORCHER TALKS “LAST MINUTE MUST HAVES” FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON

The holidays are just about here – with just a couple of short weeks left of preparation. Many of your viewers will be scrambling for last minute gifts… This year more than ever, consumers will be shopping for the most awesome, innovative and just plain cool technology “toys.”  

Technology expert and self-proclaimed “gadget geek,” Jamie Sorcher, is available on Friday, Dec. 12 to show, tell and demo top tech tips & trends for the season, as well as provide the all-important shopping advice.

Sorcher, a multimedia journalist with more than 15 years experience in broadcast, online, and print, is a word nerd, tech enthusiast, and gadget geek who answers to many handles including Gadget Girl, Gizmo Girl, GG, and Super G.  In broadcast, Sorcher has earned recognition as a go-to techie during more than 1,500 TV and radio interviews. She has appeared on varied news programs and networks including WABC-TV, Ahead of the Curve on ABC News, The Early Show on CBS, NBC Nightly News, Good Day New York on Fox, Fox News, and Radio Disney.

Sorcher logged over 100 live segments as the Gizmo Girl, a role she originated, on ESPN’s morning show Cold Pizza. In print, Sorcher served as a  senior editor at Hachette Filipacchi writing for Premiere, Home, Ty Pennington at Home, Sound & Vision, Stereo Review, and Car Stereo Review, and has been a regular contributor to ShopSmart, a sister publication of Consumer Reports, and to All You, as well as to leading technology industry publication, TWICE (This Week in Consumer Electronics).

A graduate of Lehigh University with a bachelor of arts in Journalism, Sorcher has studied at the London School of Economics and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.


DR. ALLAN PETERKIN - FACIAL HAIR EXPERT AND POGNOLOGIST HELPS ALL THE MEN OUT THERE MAINTAIN A GROOMING ROUTINE FOR WINTER SKIN AND FACIAL HAIR UPKEEP

Product Information:

• Dove Men+Care Face Range include products across four grooming categories: cleansing, shave, post-shave and face lotion.
• Built on the Dove brand’s heritage in cleansing, moisturizing and care
• Dove Men+Care Face Range offers a variety of solutions for men’s different skin types

About Dr. Allan Peterkin:
Facial hair expert and pognologist (beard scholar), Allan Peterkin, is known for his three bestselling books on facial hair, One Thousand Beards: A Cultural History of Facial Hair, The Bearded Gentleman: The Style Guide To Shaving Face, and One Thousand Mustaches: A Cultural History of The Mo. Dr. Peterkin is an academic and cultural historian who has tracked the history of facial hair on men over time (from pre historic, to Victorian to modern times) and so his books have become the authoritative references for factual information on the history of men's grooming, shaving and facial hair styles and trends.

Peterkin’s thoughts on the meanings of facial hair and men's contemporary styling choices have appeared in The New York Times, The New Yorker, Sports Illustrated, The Wall Street Journal, Men's Health, GQ and Esquire, as well as in documentaries from National Geographic and Morgan Spurlock ("Mansome" 2012). He also appeared as a judge at the 2014 World Beard and Mustache Championships held in Portland.

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12/15 KRISTINA VANNI, CHRIS BYRNE, TTPM, JUSTINE SANTANIELLO, LAST MINUTE GIFTS

AWARD-WINNING COOK KRISTINA VANNI SHARES HOW TO THROW A STRESS FREE FAMILY HOLIDAY AFFAIR!

FAMILY ENTERTAINING FOR THE HOLIDAYS! AWARD-WINNING COOK KRISTINA VANNI SHARES HOW TO THROW A STRESS FREE FAMILY HOLIDAY AFFAIR!

The holiday season is often full of stress! With financial constraints and time pressures, the last thing you want to do is to add more to your too jam-packed to-do lists!

Afraid to have a house full of dinner guests? Not sure what steps to take to ensure an enjoyable get together? Looking for some new and creative ideas to impress guests on a budget?  Join award-winning cook, Kristina Vanni as she shares tips for making this holiday season elegant, beautiful, and stress-free!    

Kristina Vanni is a food writer and award-winning cook. She has won top culinary honors from Martha Stewart, Betty Crocker, and Kraft, just to name a few.  She was named a “Hot Chef” by the National Restaurant Association. She is the CEO of Cooking Contest Central, the premier website and online community dedicated to cooking and recipe contests. Kristina appears regularly as a culinary expert on local and national morning shows across the country.

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CHRIS BYRNE OF TTPM, (AKA THE TOY GUY®) PROVIDES TIPS ON GETTING GREAT DEALS ON TOYS IN THE LAST CRITICAL WEEKS OF THE SHOPPING SEASON

In both 2012 and 2013, the last weeks before the holidays were critical for retailers—and a bonanza for shoppers. In fact, in 2013, the final weekend before Christmas made the difference between profit and loss for several retailers in the toy space. Expecting great deals, more and more toy shoppers have postponed their toy shopping till these last few days, scoring great deals and taking advantage on shipping, in-store pick up and other consumer-friendly features. Just a few years ago, retailers were saying the toy season was over by mid-December. Not any more! The last ten days before the Christmas holiday are more critical than ever—and more packed with opportunity for consumers.

Chris Byrne (pronounced “burn”), content director of TTPM whose most recent book, Toy Time, was published in 2013, is available to discuss the opportunities and strategies for shoppers to get the most value out of the last critical days of the shopping season—without driving themselves crazy.

As more parents want to make sure they can get the toys they’re looking for and find great deals, TTPM, offers live pricing and in-stock status on the most popular toys of the year. Consumers can take advantage of online shopping tips as well as in-store strategies to find the toys their kids want and get the best deals. TTPM has become an increasingly important resource for them, showcasing toys that have been reviewed and selected by the editorial team. The site has posted more than 5,000 reviews of toys and family friendly products that are new for 2014 as well as shopping tips, information on kids with special needs and much more. TTPM’s video reviews have been seen more than 150 million times in 2014—even before the holiday season has begun.

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JUSTINE SANTANIELLO - LIFESTYLE EXPERT - LAST MINUTE GIFTS"

‘Tis the season to be frantic!  For millions of consumers, last-minute seasonal shopping has become as much of a holiday tradition as trimming the tree and eggnog mustaches.

So what should you do if you’ve waited ‘til the 11th hour to go shopping and the store shelves were bare? We have some good news for all you procrastinators - help has arrived! As we enter the holiday shopping home-stretch, let our Lifestyle Expert Justine Santaniello give you some “just in the nick of time” gift ideas!

Justine Santaniello is a regularly featured expert on The Veria Living Network and has served as a correspondent for Access Hollywood and The Wendy Williams Show. She has appeared as a lifestyle expert for New York Live, BetterTV, and Yahoo!, in addition to guest co-host for Life Love Shopping. Justine has made appearances on FOX Business, the Hallmark Channel, WE, the Discovery Channel, and BRAVO. With extensive media experience, she is also a regular guest on local morning TV shows across the country.

12/12 PHIL LEMPERT, SUPERMARKET GURU, DAWN WELLS, STEVE EVANS

PHIL LEMPERT, THE SUPERMARKET GURU - TOP FOOD TRENDS FOR 2015

ABOUT PHIL LEMPERT
Known as The Supermarket Guru®, Phil Lempert is a distinguished author and speaker who alerts customers and business leaders to impending corporate and consumer trends and empowers them to make educated purchasing and marketing decisions. He is one of America's leading consumer trend-watchers and analysts, serving as a spokesperson for ConAgra Foods and making regular appearances on NBC News' Today show and ABC's The View. Lempert offers thorough food ratings, analyzes trends in food marketing and retail and features health advice, unique recipes, nutrition analysis, allergy alerts and many other resources for consumers. Learn more about Phil Lempert at supermarketguru.com.

ABOUT CONAGRA FOODS
ConAgra Foods, Inc., (NYSE: CAG) is one of North America's largest packaged food companies with branded and private branded food found in 99 percent of America's households, as well as a strong commercial foods business serving restaurants and foodservice operations globally. Consumers can find recognized brands such as Banquet®, Chef Boyardee®, Egg Beaters®, Healthy Choice®, Hebrew National®, Hunt's®, Marie Callender's®, Orville Redenbacher's®, PAM®, Peter Pan®, Reddi-wip®, Slim Jim®, Snack Pack® and many other ConAgra Foods brands, along with food sold by ConAgra Foods under private brand labels, in grocery, convenience, mass merchandise, club and drug stores. Additionally, ConAgra Foods supplies frozen potato and sweet potato products as well as other vegetable, spice, bakery and grain products to commercial and foodservice customers. ConAgra Foods operates ReadySetEat.com, an interactive recipe website that provides consumers with easy dinner recipes and more.

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DAWN WELLS - ACTRESS & AUTHOR - A GUIDE TO LIFE: WHAT WOULD MARY ANN DO?

In connection with the 50th anniversary of the unexpected hit series "Gilligan's Island," Dawn (who portrayed the lovable farm girl next door, Mary Ann Sommers), has released "A Guide To Life: What Would Mary Ann Do?" through Taylor Trade Publishing and Rowman and Littlefield Publishing Group, Inc.

Book Tour Schedule: New York, Denver, Chicago, Reno, Palm Springs, as well as dates in Las Vegas (TBA) and appearances at Vromans (Dec 9th), The Santa Monica Library (Nov 22nd) as well as the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Authors program (Dec 6th) in Los Angeles and more..

Wells, who was a former Miss Nevada, auditioned for the role of Mary Ann Summers opposite such noted competition as Raquel Welch, Patricia Ann Priest and the actress, Nancy McCarthy, who shot the pilot episode under the character name of "Bunny." The role of Mary Ann became a simple farm-girl from Winfield, Kansas and spawned one of the most popular questions of all time "Ginger or Mary Ann?"

Dawn writes about the meaning of the Mary Ann character and observes the cultural shifts that have occurred since she was on the island.  From the get-go, the Mary Ann character was different. She wasn't a Hollywood creation. She was molded by Dawn, from Dawn.  The Character that was originally listed as "And the rest" on the credits became the fan favorite, garnering more fan mail that even the title character.  With over 150,000 fans on her FaceBook page and fan clubs across the U.S., her following has remained faithful.

Dawn says that Mary Ann fits today just as she fit two generations ago, because she is timeless. In a world where the industry and society has been celebrating their "Bad girls," Mary Ann continues to be, for many, the breathe of fresh air as the “Good Girl.” Pop culture is too powerful and too pervasive to be controlled by parents, siblings or colleagues. It can be confused with reality. This leaves young people in a vulnerable position - they have to make decisions that are normally beyond their maturity. Dawn discusses decisions we make in life and even goes straight to the BIG DECISION and delivers her concept of the meaning of sex.  In a world of participation trophies, easy praise, and entitlement attitudes, how do you define achievement? Dawn describes it as a journey of failure and learning and tenacity that requires a constant personal re-examination of what success really means.

A song highlighting Dawn's famous role was performed by a group, named "The Southern Gentlemen," for the TV icon entitled "There will always be a place in my heart for Mary Ann". Miss Wells remarked "I embraced the publics love or Mary Ann years ago.  In fact, she seems to have grown more popular every year."  Why? she explains "I think there are fewer Mary Ann's today than there used to be.  There are many Gingers, both on TV and in real life, but far fewer Mary Ann's ... and I think the public remembers her fondly and misses her terribly."

When asked about the most memorable Mary Ann moment, she responded, "There are too many. However, recently I was brought in to surprise Sandra Bullock with a coconut creme pie as celebrity interviewer, Gino Salomone, was speaking to her about the film "Gravity. We had great fun. I am such a fan!"  The video has been released and can be seen at here!

Since the show ended on September 4, 1967, Wells has continued to work on both screen and stage.  She published Mary Ann's Gilligan's Island Cookbook with co-writers Ken Beck & Jim Clark, which included a foreword by castaway cast mate Bob Denver, and even starred as Lovey Howell in Gilligan's Island: The Musical, a musical stage adaptation of the TV show.  Wells most recently starred along with fan favorites such as Rip Taylor, Lee Merriwether, Bruce Vilanch and others in "Silent, But Deadly" and the stage production of "Lion In Winter" as Queen Eleanor.

Dawn has just completed three stage productions in 2013 including "Love Letters," "Steel Magnolias" and off Broadway in "Love, Loss & What I Wore."  She is currently working on the idea of a new reality show "Hunter History" as well as a new book entitled "A Guide To Life: Why We Love Mary" to be released this year (Sept).

STEVE EVANS - "THE MOVIE GUY"

GREAT MOVIES OPENING THIS WEEKEND AND BOX OFFICE PREDICTIONS AND HOPES. FIND OUT WHAT MOVIES ARE WORTH YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY. GET SET FOR THE WEEKEND.