01/30 LAUREN VERRUSIO, GOOGLE TRENDS, SUPER BOWL XLIX, ANDREAS NIETO, THE WESTIN BONAVENTURE, LOS ANGELES, VALENTINE'S DAY, STEVE EVANS

LAUREN VERRUSIO - GOOGLE SPORTS TRENDS EXPERT SUPER BOWL XLIX

Let Google Be Your Guide Super Bowl XLIX

From Most-Searched Teams and Players to Half-time Show-Stoppers, Find out What Americans are Searching for Ahead of the Most-Watched Event of the Year.

As millions of Americans prepare to tune in for Super Bowl XLIX (49), find out what players, teams and topics are sending people searching ahead of the big event. Whether you’re putting together your predictions for the night’s big winner, or looking up the most recent news about “deflate-gate,” Google Sports Trends Expert, Lauren Verrusio, gives an inside look at what people are searching.


ANDREAS NIETO - DIRECTOR OF FOOD & BEVERAGE, THE WESTIN BONAVENTURE – VALENTINE'S DAY PROMOTIONS

The Most Famous Downtown Los Angeles Hotel - Elegantly presiding over the City of Angels, The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites provides the ultimate urban oasis in the heart of the business district. An international symbol that has come to represent the beauty and sophistication of the city itself, this famous Westin Los Angeles hotel is one of the most photographed destinations in the world. Stroll through our atrium lobby, and you'll immediately see why. Enjoy spectacular skyline views, access to over 40 specialty boutiques and restaurants, and unparalleled meeting facilities. Discover LA's largest convention hotel - widely regarded as a "City-within-a City" - sure to surpass all expectations. A landmark attraction in its own right, this unique name in downtown Los Angeles hotels beckons you with an exceptional setting.

LA PRIME - Savor The Views & Cuisine At Our Downtown Los Angeles Steak Restaurant
Located on the 35th floor of the Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites our award winning restaurant invites you to experience a culinary adventure in a relaxed atmosphere of refined service. LA Prime, known for its innovative and edgy cuisine offers prime beef steaks, both wet and dry aged, beautiful lamb and veal chops, fresh fish and shellfish enhanced with local produce and an award winning wine cellar, provides the ultimate in dining. Executive Chef Andreas Nieto has created a masterful menu utilizing only fresh ingredients in combination with an artist eye to please your palate. As you dine a million lights will stretch out at your feet or wink at you from the sky as you sit back, relax and enjoy all that downtown Los Angeles has to offer.

WWW.THEBONAVENTURE.COM



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.

01/29 JUDY GROVERMAN WALKER, CALIFORNIA'S ARTISAN CHEESE FESTIVAL, ANTHONY GAMES, ROCK & BREWS, YASSMIN SARMADI, CHURCH AND STATE

JUDY GROVERMAN WALKER - FESTIVAL DIRECTOR, 9TH ANNUAL CALIFORNIA'S ARTISAN CHEESE FESTIVAL

9TH ANNUAL CALIFORNIA'S ARTISAN CHEESE FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES EVENT LINEUP FOR MARCH 20-22, 2015

Tickets now on sale for weekend's events, including local farm tours, grand tasting events, beer, cider & wine pairings, and seminars with world-class cheese experts
California’s premier cheese and wine event, California’s Artisan Cheese Festival, is back for its ninth year, March 20-22, 2015, in and around the Sheraton Sonoma County in Petaluma. Celebrating all things cheese, the Festival brings together artisan cheesemakers, cheesemongers, authors, chefs, brewers, winemakers and enthusiastic guests for three days of cheese tasting, education and celebration. Throughout the weekend, guests will have the opportunity to experience new, limited-production and rare artisan cheeses, and learn about the art of making cheese, while supporting California farmers and cheesemakers in their ongoing effort to advance sustainability. The weekend will include seminars, pairings, tastings, farm tours, hands-on cheese-making classes and cheese-focused demonstrations. Tickets are now on sale and available through www.artisancheesefestival.com. Additional details and events will be added in the coming weeks, so check back frequently for updates.

“California’s Artisan Cheese Festival has become a beloved yearly tradition for local foodies and cheese lovers,” said Festival Executive Director Judy Groverman Walker. “Over the course of the last nine years the Festival’s offerings have gotten better and better. From farm tours where guests can interact with the animals and hands-on cheese-making classes, to educational seminars led by world-class cheese experts, there truly is something for everyone.”

New elements this year include a “Cheesemonger’s Duel – The Best Bite” reception on Friday night and an additional off-site seminar at the new Cowgirl Creamery location in Petaluma.


ANTHONY GAMES - BEVERAGE DIRECTOR, ROCK & BREWS 

HAIL TO THE ALE! ROCK & BREWS HOSTS FIRST ANNUAL STRONG ALE & CELLAR RESERVE FEST

In Honor of its 4th Anniversary, Rock & Brews El Segundo to Feature 20 Perfectly Aged Craft Brews Throughout the Month of February

El Segundo, CA (January 16, 2014) – Rock & Brews El Segundo, the rock-inspired restaurant co-founded by KISS front men Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, is celebrating its 4th anniversary by breaking open its cellar doors for its first-ever Strong Ale & Cellar Reserve Fest. For the month of February only, the El Segundo Rock & Brews location will offer guests a selection of perfectly-curated and aged craft brews, many of which have been aging for up to four years.

“We are very proud to celebrate our four years of success in the restaurant and craft beer industries,” said Anthony Games, Rock & Brews El Segundo’s Bar Training & Beverage Director. “We can’t think of a better way to thank our guests for their support than by sharing with them some of the best brews that we’ve been aging in our cellar since Rock & Brews El Segundo first opened.”

For the Strong Ale & Cellar Reserve Fest, guests can order from Rock & Brews’ list of over 20 aged brews, including: The Bruery 2011 Cuir, Lagunitas 2011 Gnarlywine, Napa Smith 2011 Grateful Dog, Stone 2011 Belgo Anise Imperial Russian Stout, Avery 2011 Hog Heaven Barleywine, Lost Abbey 2012 Angel's Share, and more.

For more information about Rock & Brews El Segundo’s Strong Ale & Cellar Reserve Fest, visit www.rockandbrews.com/elsegundo or call 310-615-9890. Rock & Brews El Segundo is located at 143 Main St.

About Rock & Brews 
Rock & Brews is a one-of-a-kind restaurant and entertainment concept designed to engage people of all ages with quality American comfort food and local favorites, a broad selection of international and craft beers, and an energized, family-friendly rock environment. The brand, founded by KISS front men Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, along with restaurateur/hotelier Michael Zislis, and concert industry veterans Dave and Dell Furano, now has several locations in California (4), Kansas (1), New Mexico (1), on Maui (1), in Cabo (2), and Orlando (1). Rock & Brews is poised for thoughtful expansion, with restaurants opening soon in Buena Park, California and Phoenix, Arizona, among others. For more information visit www.rockandbrews.com

WWW.ROCKANDBREWS.COM


YASSMIN SARMADI – GENERAL PARTNER, CHURCH AND STATE

Church & State is a French bistro, located on the ground floor of the original NABISCO bakery and offices, built in 1925, occupying what was once the loading dock of the National Biscuit Company.  When the doors first swung open to welcome diners in September of 2008, it was one of the first restaurants to open in the, now bustling, Arts District of downtown Los Angeles.

The cuisine is traditional French Bistro fare, created using only seasonal produce of the highest quality, and products from 100% humanely raised, treated, and naturally fed animals: 100% grass-fed, pasture raised beef and lamb, cage-free poultry, sustainable seafood.

Classics include Steak Frites, Escargot, Roasted Marrow Bone, House-made Charcutterie, Moules Frites, Steak Tartar, Tarte Flambeé, and a selection of French and artisanal American cheeses.

The restaurant has a full bar, serving seasonal, hand-crafted cocktails, and an all-French wine list, containing many organic, and biodynamic selections.

BIO:
In 2008, Yassmin Sarmadi did something many people would call crazy. In the face of the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, the then 39-year-old restaurateur opened Church & State, a traditional French bistro, on a rundown street in downtown Los Angeles. Housed in the former loading dock of the 1925 National Biscuit Co. building, the revitalized Church & State would instantly become one of the city’s most sought-after dining destinations, inspiring a rare three stars from the Los Angeles Times and establishing Sarmadi as the pioneer of a burgeoning downtown culinary scene.

Sarmadi’s love of restaurants began when she was five years old in her native Iran. While other little girls were playing dolls, Sarmadi would ask her grandfather to take her out to eat. That early passion stayed with her and led her on an epicurean journey across Europe and the United States that helped her develop a clear vision of what a restaurant can be: an anchor of a neighborhood, where communities gather to socialize, restore and cultivate a reverence for finely crafted food.

While refining her concept, Sarmadi set out to master the key elements of a financially profitable establishment. For six years, she worked as a Client Relations Liaison for a private financial lender to the restaurant industry. Her experience analyzing concepts, markets, projections and business models to assess viability and profitability prepared her for the rigors and variances of running her own bistro.

In five years, Sarmadi’s restaurant has become an institution in downtown Los Angeles. “Everybody knows Church & State,” wrote Pulitzer Prize-winning food writer Jonathan Gold in 2011. “It rules its street of luxury lofts, and it is nearly as hard as ever to get a table on a Friday night, even when the tables spill over onto the sidewalk.”

Sarmadi is currently working on her next restaurant, which will speak to the growing sophistication of diners with lighter-style French Mediterranean cuisine that relies on fish and seasonal vegetables to highlight the beauty and refinement of what grows out of the ground. Not surprisingly, the eatery will be located on a still under-appreciated corner of downtown in the historical Douglas Building. Once again, Sarmadi is initiating a new wave of culinary and cultural evolution in Los Angeles, albeit one with personal advantages. “There isn’t enough serious food in L.A.,” she says. “I create restaurants where I want to eat.”

CHURCHANDSTATEBISTRO.COM

01/28 LARRY LIPSON, LEIGH ANNE TOUHY, MICHAEL OHER, SUPER BOWL

LARRY LIPSON – AFFORDABLE WINE EXPERT

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.



LEIGH ANNE TUOHY JOINS US WITH SOME SUPER BOWL ENTERTAINING TIPS

Leigh Anne Tuohy is best known for her role as the legal guardian of Michael Oher. Their story was featured in Michael Lewis' 2006 book, The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game, and its 2009 feature film adaptation The Blind Side. In the film, Tuohy was portrayed by actress Sandra Bullock, who won the Academy Award for Best Actress for the performance. She joins the show to share her all-time favorite game day recipe suggestions and entertainment tips.

Just in time for the big game, Leigh Anne has partnered with Hormel Foods to share three game day appetizers and entrees that are convenient, delicious and sure to be a crowd pleaser! From suggestions on how to make preparation more fun for the whole family, to quick tips for hassle-free pulled pork sliders, her experience as a game day hostess will help prepare your fans for their upcoming celebrations.

LEIGHANNETUOHY.COM

01/27 ALEXANDRINE ROY, DOMAINE MARC ROY, WORLD OF PINOT NOIR, BURGUNDY

ALEXANDRINE ROY - DOMAINE MARC ROY – WOPN FEATURED BURGUNDY DINNER ON FRIDAY, MARCH 6TH IN THE BACARA WINE CELLAR

WOPN FEATURED BURGUNDY DINNER - Miró Cellar | Friday, March 6th at 7pm $350 / ticket

Burgundy Dinner with Alexandrine Roy of Domaine Marc Roy

The Bacara Cellar will once again be the setting for an intimate dinner for just three dozen guests with our featured Burgundy producer, Alexandrine Roy. Domaine Marc Roy is one of the smallest domains in Burgundy and Alexandrine has graciously raided her own cellar for this special dinner. She has selected 2012 Marsannay Les Champs Perdix Blanc, 2011 Gevrey-Chambertin "La Justice" and 2006-2009 Gevrey-Chambertin Clos Prieur to pair with the six-course, gourmet meal created by Chef Reardon. In addition to the complementary food, Alexandrines beautiful wines will be expertly served by our sommelier team.

Domaine Marc Roy crafts wines with soul, reflecting unique "Terroirs" in Burgundy, the birthplace of Pinot noir and Chardonnay, by using the philosophy that great wines born in the vineyards.

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/DOMAINEMARCROY
WWW.WORLDOFPINOTNOIR.COM

01/26 ROBERT HOROWITZ, SUPER BOWL’S GREATEST COMMERCIALS 2015, CBS, BRIAN HUNNINGS, SHERATON MAUI RESORT & SPA

ROBERT HOROWITZ - EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, SUPER BOWL’S GREATEST COMMERCIALS 2015 (CBS)

Robert Horowitz, the executive producer of SUPER BOWL’S GREATEST COMMERCIALS 2015, is an expert on all things related to commercials and advertising, especially as it pertains to the biggest football game of the year.  Bob is used regularly this time of year to give his take in the media on which ads will punch through on Super Bowl Sunday and what’s at stake for advertisers.  The special, now in its 15th year, celebrates the best, most creative and popular Super Bowl commercials, and allows for fans to vote on their favorites.

“SUPER BOWL’S GREATEST COMMERCIALS 2015,”  AN INTERACTIVE COUNTDOWN SPECIAL HOSTED BY BOOMER ESIASON  AND KATHARINE McPHEE, STAR OF CBS’s SCORPION,  TO BE BROADCAST MONDAY, JAN. 26

Voting Now Open on CBS.com for the Top 10 Super Bowl Commercials

SUPER BOWL’S GREATEST COMMERCIALS 2015 is an interactive countdown special where viewers will be able to vote LIVE on www.cbs.com/superbowl/commercials for their favorite Super Bowl Commercials. The special, hosted by Boomer Esiason, analyst for CBS Sports’ NFL pre-game show THE NFL TODAY, and Katharine McPhee, star of the CBS drama SCORPION, will be broadcast Monday, Jan. 26 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
Sponsors present their best commercials during the Super Bowl, and the big game wouldn’t be the same without them. For the advertising community, the Super Bowl is their Super Bowl, and often creates commercials specifically for the enormous viewership that the game provides. For many, watching the commercials is the most entertaining part of the Super Bowl. Advertisers try to get their money’s worth by unveiling their most creative and innovative spots. This one-hour special, now in its 15th year, will originate from The University of Phoenix Stadium, home of “Super Bowl XLIX,” and will celebrate the commercials that have become almost as big as the game itself.

Beginning today, viewers can vote for their favorite Super Bowl commercials, pitting “Old School” against “New School.” Esaison selected his favorite “Old School” commercials which include Coke’s “Mean Joe Greene” and Pepsi’s “Cindy Crawford Classic,” and McPhee will cheer on her “New School” picks such as the Doritos “Sling-Shot Baby” and VW’s “The Force.” These commercials go head-to-head on www.cbs.com/superbowl/commercials, where fans are able to vote to determine the top two Super Bowl commercials. One “Old School” and one “New School” commercial will advance to the live vote during the broadcast, when viewers will decide the outcome and the winner will be revealed at the end of the show.

Kevin Frazier, co-host of ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT, will report from various locations in Phoenix on how Arizona is preparing for Super Bowl Sunday. Frazier will also get the scoop on which Super Bowl commercials various celebrities enjoy most.  In addition, James Brown, Bill Cowher, Tony Gonzalez and Bart Scott from CBS’s pregame show THE NFL TODAY will weigh in with their Super Bowl commercial analysis. Also, viewers will be able to catch a sneak peek of this year’s most highly-anticipated commercials before the big game, as well as get a behind-the-scenes look at how their favorite spots are made.

Esiason, who quarterbacked the Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals during a 14-year NFL career, joined CBS Sports in February 2002 as a studio analyst for THE NFL TODAY, the CBS Television Network’s NFL pre-game show. He joins host Brown, Cowher, Gonzalez and Scott in the studio. In addition, Esiason serves as an analyst alongside Phil Simms, Ed Reed, Brandon Marshall and host Greg Gumbel on INSIDE THE NFL on SHOWTIME, as well as a contributor on NFL MONDAY QB on CBS Sports Network.

Upon retiring after the 1997 season, Esiason headed straight for the broadcast booth. He made his debut as a commentator for ABC’s NFL “Monday Night Football,” and called “MNF” games for two years. For the past 13 years, he has called games for Westwood One Radio Sports “Monday Night Football” broadcasts, teaming with Marv Albert for eight of those years. Once again this year he will team with Kevin Harlan on the MNF radio broadcasts. Esiason debuted as host of WFAN’s national weekday morning radio show BOOMER AND CARTON IN THE MORNING on Sept. 4, 2007. The radio show began simulcasting and debuted on Jan. 6, 2014 on the CBS Sports Network. Esiason hosted “The Boomer Esiason Show” on Madison Square Garden Network for eight years. During the 2001 season, he served as an analyst on Fox Sports Net’s “NFL This Morning.”

After an All-America career at the University of Maryland, Esiason was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 1984 NFL Draft, and became one of the most successful quarterbacks in NFL history. In 1986, he earned his first of four Pro Bowl bids while leading the NFL’s most productive offense. In 1988, he led the NFL with a 97.4 passer rating and helped the Bengals win the AFC Championship before their loss to San Francisco in Super Bowl XXIII. That year, Esiason was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player by the Pro Football Writers of America and the Associated Press. He again was the NFL passing leader in 1989 as Cincinnati claimed another division title. In 1993, after being traded to the Jets, Esiason became a Pro Bowler for the second time. In only three seasons with the Jets, he became the team’s fourth-leading all-time passer. After playing a season for the Arizona Cardinals, he returned to Cincinnati, where he ended his career with 2,969 completions in 5,205 pass attempts (57 percent completion percentage) for 247 touchdowns and 37,920 yards.

Throughout his career, Esiason, along with his wife, Cheryl, has been a committed and very active participant in many charitable causes, including the Boomer Esiason Foundation, established in 1993 to fight cystic fibrosis after his son, Gunnar, was diagnosed with the disease. To date, the foundation has raised over $100 million.

Prior to her role on SCORPION, McPhee, an accomplished actress and singer, first burst onto the scene in 2005 on Season 5 of “American Idol.” Also, she starred opposite Debra Messing in the musical drama “Smash,” executive produced by Steven Spielberg. McPhee’s additional television credits include the film “In My Dreams,” as well as guest-starring in the series “CSI: NY,” on the Network, “Community” and “Family Guy.” She was featured in two PBS specials, “Foster and Friends” and “Chris Botti in Boston,” alongside Sting, Andrea Bocelli and John Mayer.
McPhee’s feature film credits include “Shark Night 3D” and “The House Bunny.”

McPhee’s self-titled debut album landed at #2 on the Billboard 200 chart in 2007. It was the best chart debut for a female artist in two years. Her first single, “Over the Rainbow/My Destiny,” debuted at #2 on Billboard’s Hot Singles Sales chart. The album went gold in 2008, and in 2009, she garnered a Young Hollywood Award for Best Female Vocalist.

McPhee spent 2010 touring the country with her album Unbroken, which included the hit single “Had It All.” She released her first Christmas album in 2010, which covered the yuletide classics and featured an original Christmas song, “It’s Not Christmas Without You.” Another song from that album, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” climbed the charts as a top-five holiday hit. She can be followed on Twitter at @katharinemcphee.

SUPER BOWL’S GREATEST COMMERCIALS 2015 is being produced by IMG Productions, JUMA Entertainment and Robert Dalrymple Productions. Robert Horowitz and Steve Mayer are the executive producers, and Robert Dalrymple and Tony Lanni are the producers. Mark Ritchie will direct.

BRIAN HUNNINGS - EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT MANAGER, SHERATON MAUI RESORT & SPA - CELEBRATE VALENTINE'S DAY WITH "I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU NOT" WEEKEND 

CELEBRATE VALENTINE’S DAY WITH “I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU NOT” WEEKEND AT SHERATON MAUI RESORT & SPA

Ka’anapali, Maui –This Valentine’s Day the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa has something to excite the senses of both romantic couples and singles alike with the “I Love You, I Love You Not” Weekend.  Couples may celebrate each other with a dinner pairing to top them all: a romantic dinner under the stars plus a concert by two of Hawaiian music’s greatest collaborators, the dynamic performing duo Amy Hānaiali‘i and Willie K on Saturday, February 14th.  For those looking to break tradition on Valentine’s Day, the highly acclaimed Na Kane, Men of Paradise make a special concert appearance at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa on Friday, February 13th and Saturday, February 14th.
Picnic under the Stars with Amy Hānaiali‘i and Willie K | Saturday, Feb. 14th 6pm – 10pm
Amy Hānaiali‘i’s falsetto vocals combined with Willie K’s eclectic guitar create an exceptionally romantic evening under the stars at the Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa for couples to remember always. Hānaiali‘i is Hawaii’s top selling female vocalist of all time with five “Grammy” nominations and twenty-one “Nā Hōku Hanohano” awards.

Couples will have the choice of enjoying a decadent five course prix fixe dinner served at Black Rock Kitchen or a romantic picnic for two on Anuenue Lawn.  The five course romantic VIP dinner and concert is priced at $150 ++ per person.  Couples may also choose to enjoy an intimate picnic basket dinner priced at $85++ per person.  General admission tickets to the concert only are available at $40 each presale or $50 at the door.

For reservations for Black Rock Kitchen Valentine’s prix fixe dinner or picnic for two, please call 808-921-4600.  Concert tickets are available for sale at www.sheraton-maui.com/events.

Na Kane, The Men of Paradise | Friday, Feb. 13th and Saturday, Feb. 14th 8:30pm – 10pm
The Men of Paradise presents a choreographed Las Vegas-style show that features hip-hop, country, and Polynesian dance performances. While hoots and hollers mingle with hip-hop, country, and traditional island music, the Men of Paradise perform sexy routines in getups that range from halter-top tuxedos to grass skirts and headdresses. It all adds up to an explosive evening of bachelorette-friendly fun and fantasy delivered by seven chiseled men and a 42-pack of abs. Tickets $25 presale or $30 at the door.  Limited VIP sections available. Tickets are available for sale at www.sheraton-maui.com/events.

Join us following the show for Afterparty in Black Rock Lounge 11:30pm – 2am.  Saturday, February 14th stay late for Ladies Night at Black Rock Lounge 10pm – 2am. Meet the men of Na Kane up close and personal. $10 cover or free entry with Na Kane ticket stub.

On Friday, February 13th, arrive early to watch the Amateur Men of Maui “GoGo” Competition at 7:30 pm.  Competition benefits National Breast Cancer Foundation by raising awareness and funds for breast cancer research. 100% of $5 cover to the event is donated to the foundation, as are a portion of sales from glasses of Moet Chandon Sparkling Wine throughout the month.

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 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii
With 11 properties across the diverse Hawaiian Islands of Oahu, Maui, Kauai and Hawaii, the Big Island, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii offers the best hotel destinations to celebrate romance, reconnect with family, focus on business or launch an adventure. Located on or just footsteps away from the Islands’ best beaches, Starwood Hotels & Resorts in Hawaii is a collection of iconic and historic hotels and resorts – properties with expansive and breathtaking backdrops, innovative guest programming and luxurious amenities representing internationally renowned hotel brands from Sheraton, Westin, Luxury Collection and St. Regis. For more information about Starwood Hotels & Resorts in Hawaii, please call (866) 716-8140 or visit http://www.starwoodhotelshawaii.com.

01/23 SUSAN ZIRINSKY, 48 HOURS, TODD SIMON, OMAHA STEAK, STEVE EVANS

SUSAN ZIRINSKY – EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, 48 HOURS EPISODE IS SURE TO BREAK NEWS THIS WEEK!

ALL NEW | SATURDAY, JAN. 24 | 10 P.M. ET/PT
Kiss of Death and the Google Exec

Sneak peek: "48 Hours"' Maureen Maher investigates the mysterious death of a Google executive and his last night with an exotic beauty captured on video!


TODD SIMON - OMAHA STEAK – NEW MENU ITEMS & VALENTINES DAY PROMOTIONS

About Todd Simon:
• Fifth-generation family owner and Senior Vice President of Omaha Steaks
• Nationally Known Entrepreneur
• Expert in Consumer Sales and Marketing
• Works with the Jewish Federation, and is active in the Direct Marketing Association, the National Retail Federation and the Young Presidents’ Organization
• Philanthropist who sits on the boards of numerous civic, humanitarian and cultural arts organizations nationwide, including US Artists, the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, Jewish Family Services, Big Brothers Big Sisters and many more.

About Omaha Steaks:
Founded in 1917, Omaha Steaks is a fifth-generation, family-owned company known nationwide for the finest in USDA-approved, grain fed beef and gourmet foods. Today, Omaha Steaks is recognized as the nation’s largest direct response marketer of beef and gourmet foods available through multiple marketing channels including by phone at 1-800-228-9055, online at www.OmahaSteaks.com or at retail stores nationwide.

WWW.OMAHASTEAKS.COM



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.

01/22 ROBERT POWELLS, ROCKET FIZZ SODA POP AND CANDY SHOPS, UNDERCOVER BOSS, RICK STEVES

ROBERT POWELLS - THE PRESIDENT OF THE ROCKET FIZZ SODA POP AND CANDY SHOPS GETS A GOOD TASTE OF WHAT MAKES HIS STORES SWEET, ON “UNDERCOVER BOSS” FRIDAY, JAN. 23

“Rocket Fizz” – Robert Powells, President and Co-Founder of The Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shops, the largest candy and soda shop franchise in America, embarks on an emotional journey to discover what keeps his candy shops sweet, on UNDERCOVER BOSS, Friday, Jan. 23 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.  The boss discovers that the inventory system is as old-fashioned as his stores’ classic candies, and he fizzles out while working the assembly line at his bottling plant.

Robert Powells , Co-Founder/President Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shop, will appear on UNDERCOVER BOSS on Friday, Jan. 23.

Rocket Fizz, headquartered in Camarillo, CA, is the largest candy and soda shop franchise in America , where Robert’s co-founder, Ryan Morgan is based.  Robert runs the company from his home office in northern Nevada (Robert lives in Lake Tahoe) – and their CEO is based out of Palo Alto.

They have 54 stores in 18 states and over 1,000 employees.  Their annual revenue is over $35 million.

This company sells thousands of candy varieties -- and about 500  soda pop flavors, of which 105 are Rocket Fizz flavors. They have soda flavors like Bacon, S’mores, Key Lime Pie.  They have some celebrity flavors too – like (Former Pro Wrestler) Rowdy Roddy Piper Bubble Gum soda.  (Roddy makes a cameo in this episode at Robert’s home.)  Rocket Fizz specializes in old-fashioned candy, which is nostalgic for a lot of their adult customers.

Robert wasn’t a good student in high school, but after working for seven years he enrolled in U.C. Berkeley, where he ended up earning a degree.

In 2007 Robert Powells and Ryan Morgan went on a road trip and came up with the idea for Rocket Fizz.  They  were rejected by 13 banks when they wanted to start this business, so they flew to Asia where they found and purchased 10,000 packages of fake dog poop.  They sold all the dog poop within six months – so, per Robert, Rocket Fizz was partially funded by fake dog poop.


TRAVEL EXPERT RICK STEVES - HE HAS COLLECTED A LIFETIME OF TRAVEL LESSONS INTO THE NEWLY UPDATED EDITION OF HIS BOOK, EUROPE THROUGH THE BACK DOOR 2015: THE TRAVEL SKILLS HANDBOOK

Rick Steves has collected a lifetime of travel lessons into the newly updated edition of his book, Europe Through the Back Door 2015: The Travel Skills Handbook.

American vacations are becoming shorter and shorter while travelers look for ways to save time and money in every aspect of their lives. In order to encourage Americans to travel internationally and create life-changing memories, travel expert Rick Steves’ is offering his top 15 travel tips for 2015.

Talk to travel expert Rick Steves about:
• How To Travel: what to know before you go
• Sage Advice: Top 15 Travel Tips for 2015
• Timely Topics:  finding cheap airfares online, using your smartphone in Europe, top mobile travel apps, digital maps and navigation, using social media, and calling over the internet.
• All the Essentials:  step-by-step advice on packing, itinerary planning, budgeting your time and money, ATMs, credit cards, phones, internet, languages, eating, sleeping, sightseeing, safety, staying healthy, traveling with kids, and getting around Europe by car, train and air.

Travel Expert Rick Steves Offers His Top 15 Travel Tips for 2015

Summary: American vacations are becoming shorter and shorter while travelers look for ways to save time and money in every aspect of their lives. In order to encourage Americans to travel internationally and create life-changing memories, travel expert Rick Steves’ is offering his top 15 travel tips for 2015.

For most Americans, time and money are precious resources. The average American worker is entitled to sixteen days of paid leave, but her average vacation lasts just over four days! International travel advocate Rick Steves is staging an intervention. In the new edition of Rick Steves Europe Through the Back Door 2015: The Travel Skills Handbook, Steves urges Americans to venture afar in the new year. To help travelers engage with other cultures in meaningful ways while saving time and money, he is equipping readers with expert advice gleaned from his thirty years of experience exploring Europe and the wider world. Here are Rick’s top travel tips for 2015.

01/21 LARRY LIPSON, AFFORDABLE WINE, DR. CHARLES GERBA, CHRIS CORRENTI, FLU SEASON IS IN FULL SWING

LARRY LIPSON - AFFORDABLE WINE EXPERT

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.



DR. CHARLES GERBA AND CHRIS CORRENTI - FLU SEASON IS IN FULL SWING - DO YOU HAVE THE TOOLS YOU NEED TO KEEP YOUR WORKPLACE HEALTHY?

FLU SEASON IS IN FULL SWING DO YOU HAVE THE TOOLS YOU NEED TO KEEP YOUR WORKPLACE HEALTHY?

Learn How you can prevent the spread of Germs in Your Workplace to Combat the Flu this Seaso!

The CDC cites that the flu costs the U.S. more than $87 billion annually and is responsible for the loss of nearly 17 million workdays each flu season. The flu is going to severely impact businesses this season – will your workspace be one of them?

According to the fifth annual Flu Season Survey from Staples, 60 percent of employees said they go to work with flu. Additional findings include:

• Many employees still feel they can’t take a sick day: despite 88 percent of managers encouraging the sick to stay at home, 40 percent feel there is too much going on at work to stay away 
• Employees are taking charge of their own health and wellness: 70 percent of respondents have some involvement in cleaning their work spaces. 
• Recent virus outbreaks are affecting behavior: 53 percent of employees said they will take extra precautions to protect themselves against the flu and other illness this winter.

MORE ABOUT DR. CHARLES GERBA: Chuck Gerba is a professor in the Departments of Soil, Water and Environmental Science (College of Agriculture), and Epidemiology and Biostatistics (College of Public Health) at the University of Arizona. His recent research encompasses the transmission of pathogens by water, food and domestic environments; development of new disinfectants; domestic microbiology and quantitative microbial risk assessment. He has been an author on more than 500 articles including several books in environmental microbiology. He is an elected member of the American Academy of Microbiology and an elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.  He received the 1999 Award of Excellence in Environmental Health from National Association of County and City Health Officials for his work on norovirus outbreaks on the Colorado River. He has been a consultant to the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and numerous state and local agencies He has appeared on numerous TV shows including Good Morning America, Today Show, 20/20, CNN News, 48 Hours, ABC News, The View etc.. His work has been quoted in Readers Digest, Prevention Magazine, Good Housekeeping, Women’s Health, Men’s Health and Entrepreneur, among other notable publications.

MORE ABOUT CHRIS CORRENTI: Chris Correnti is the Vice President and General Manager for Staples Facility Solutions responsible for all the products that businesses need to help keep their facility clean. He has more than 20 years of experience ranging in the consumer packaged goods/distribution industry. He has managed programs and teams that service multiple channels, including Business-to-Business and Business-to-Consumer, and verticals like education, government and retail.  Chris has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Massachusetts-Lowell and a Masters in Business Administration from Bentley College.

01/20 JIM ED BROWN

JIM ED BROWN - SET TO RELEASE FIRST SOLO ALBUM, IN STYLE AGAIN, IN 30 YEARS

JIM ED BROWN SET TO RELEASE FIRST SOLO ALBUM, IN STYLE AGAIN, IN 30 YEARS

In Style Again features duets with Vince Gill, The Whites, and reunites The Browns
Country Music fans have a good reason to look forward to 2015. Longtime fan favorite Jim Ed Brown will be returning with his first solo recording in three decades with the January release of In Style Again, his debut project for Plowboy Records. “I love new music.” said Brown about his new disc. “I guess the whole world does. It’s always good to hear a new song. I love what I do. People have always been great to me. They have accepted me into their homes and lives. It’s unreal what radio and television has done for me. I am a very blessed man.”

One of the most timeless voices in Country history, Brown has the distinction of having hits on the chart as a member of a trio (His recording partnership with sisters Maxine and Bonnie as The Browns earned them hits with “I Heard The Bluebirds Sing,” “Scarlet Ribbons,” and the 1959 million-selling “The Three Bells”), a solo artist (with hits like the iconic “Pop A Top,” “Southern Loving,” and “Morning”), and as part of a CMA Award winning partnership with Helen Cornelius (The two recorded many classics from 1976-1981, including “I Don’t Want To Have To Marry You,” and “Lying In Love With You” - which was one of the first major hits penned by Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Dean Dillon.)

In Style Again neatly brings together all phases of Brown’s historic career. “When The Sun Says Hello To The Morning” features the distinctve harmonies of his sisters. Brown says reuniting with his sisters is a dream come true. “I’ve had a song in mind for all those years. In fact, I had a copy of it that I picked up when I was in Europe that I have kept for so many years. I thought ‘Why don’t I see if I can’t get them to record one more time with me?”

The album also features twelve solo performances from the singer. But, when an artist as important as Jim Ed Brown steps into the recording studio, other artists naturally want to follow. He is joined on “Tried and True “ and “You Again“ by fellow Grand Ole Opry members Vince Gill and The Whites, respectively. He also reunites with Cornelius on the Carl and Pearl Butler chestnut “Don’t Let Me Cross Over.”

All but one of the cuts on In Style Again were produced by veteran journalist Don Cusic, while the title cut was produced by longtime Brown friend Bobby Bare. “Last year, we were talking, and I said ‘Bobby, I want you to produce a record for me.’ He had been doing some things with his son and some other people. He said ‘Give me a call,’ so I found this song, and I called him. He did a great job on it.”

In Style Again teams Brown up with Shannon Pollard and Plowboy Records. The partnership makes musical sense as the label takes its’ name from Pollard’s grandfather, “The Tennessee Plowboy,” Eddy Arnold. Brown’s warm and tender style has often been compared to that of Arnold, whom he has shared many a stage with.

Brown is also familiar to audiences through his extensive work in television, with his Country Place syndicated series in the early 1970s, Nashville On The Road from 1975-1981, and You Can Be A Star and Going My Way from the 1980s. Brown was also the commerical spokesperson for Dollar General Stores for well over a decade. Since 1963, Brown has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry. His weekly radio show,Country Music Greats Radio Show, is heard on over 200 radio stations per week. The first single from In Style Again will be released soon.

WWW.JIMEDBROWN.COM

01/19 ARLAN ETTINGER, GUERNSEY'S, LES PAUL, BLACK BEAUTY

ARLAN ETTINGER - PRESIDENT OF GUERNSEY’S - THE ‘HOLY GRAIL’ OF ELECTRIC GUITARS UP FOR AUCTION — GUERNSEY’S TO SELL LES PAUL “BLACK BEAUTY” GUITAR ON FEBRUARY 19

The ‘Holy Grail’ of Electric Guitars up for Auction — Guernsey’s to Sell Les Paul “Black Beauty” Guitar on February 19—

On February 19, New York City-based auction house Guernsey’s will proudly present the very instrument that many credit for making rock and roll possible. Known as “Black Beauty,” this landmark guitar was designed by and belonged to guitarist-inventor Les Paul decades ago — it is the instrument from which Gibson’s enormously popular Les Paul models evolved. Museums, collectors, musicians, and fans alike will have the opportunity to own this pivotal piece of history when it is put up for auction at the Arader Galleries on Madison Avenue in New York City.

A pioneering musician as well as an avid inventor, Les was always looking to improve upon the guitars he was playing. Approached in the early 1950s by Gibson with the hopes of building a true electric model suited to his needs, the first two guitars constructed (known as “Gold Tops” because of their golden color) had multiple design flaws. In response, Les demanded that a much better instrument be made if it were to bear his name. Though initially referred to as the Les Paul Black Custom, this marvel eventually became known as “Black Beauty.”

The guitar’s storied history began when it left the Gibson factory in December of 1953 and was delivered to Les in early 1954.  Modifications and experiments were constantly made on this instrument from its first use in 1954 until its last use in 1976 – all in pursuit of the ideal sound Les craved. He played this guitar for years on the Les Paul and Mary Ford Show (famously sponsored by Listerine), as well as during countless stage performances, and professional recordings. This forward-thinking instrument featured superior refinements: a new tune-o-matic bridge and stoptail piece system, finer inlays, and a fancy-looking binding around the entire guitar -- all in black with gold hardware -- reminiscent of a formal black tuxedo.

Many of today’s most accomplished musicians keep multiple Les Paul models in their arsenal and play them extensively, including Jimmy Page, Slash, Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Bob Marley, Jeff Beck, Neil Young, Dave Grohl, Peter Frampton, Billy Gibbons, Joe Bonamassa, and many, many more. Some of the most famous names in modern rock and blues history proudly played on their own Les Pauls, such as Gary Moore and the legendary Peter Green just to name a few. Indeed, hundreds of thousands of these fine instruments are used around the globe as the guitar of choice for serious players and performers. So important to the history of the electric guitar, Black Beauty appears as the cover story of the February 2015 issue of Guitar Player Magazine where it is described simply as “The Grail!”

After more than 20 years of performing with and innovating on this guitar, Les gifted this iconic instrument in 1976 to his personal luthier, technician, and close friend, Tom Doyle, where it has remained in Tom’s private collection to this day. Both Les and Tom knew that this instrument would be considered a bellwether, one of the most iconic pieces of Les Paul’s career, and a very important and historically significant piece. Some 60 years after it was made for Les Paul, this guitar transcends its inherent importance as a collectable item, a historical musical instrument, and as an amazing piece of memorabilia for fans of the man who made rock and roll a reality.

In addition to this landmark instrument Guernsey’s is proud to offer other select items from the collection of Tom Doyle, most notably Chet Atkins’ legendary prototype Gretsch guitar known as “Dark Eyes.” This one-off Black 6120 model was one of two prototypes Gretsch made for Atkins. (The other was the traditional orange). Chet used the instrument as his benchmark for the many experiments and innovations that would eventually develop the 6120 Model for the mass market; he can also be seen playing this guitar during numerous appearances from the late 1950s. It is by no means a coincidence that both of these black guitars have joined forces once again via this auction, for they each spawned the modern electric offerings of the Gibson and Gretsch guitar companies. Guitar Player Magazine called these instruments “Two of the most important guitars in music history,” and their importance does not solely lie in the hands that played them, but because of what they represent within the confines of the luthiery arts and advancements in sound technology.
Other important pieces in this collection include Les Paul’s Stage Stool from Fat Tuesday’s in New York City, Original Ampex Recording Machine from Les Paul’s Home Studio, Handwritten set lists, Live Les Paul Show Recordings (1984-1990), Mary Ford’s Music Stand and more.
An auction catalogue will be available in January 2015. To order a catalogue, visit www.guernseys.com.

All lots scheduled for this auction will be available for preview at the Arader Galleries located at 1016 Madison Avenue on February 18, 2015 from 1 to 9. Interested bidders may also preview the items on the day of the auction until 7pm when the bidding will promptly begin.

About Guernsey’s
Approaching its 40th anniversary, Guernsey's has built a reputation as an auction house known for the presentation of the most extraordinary properties. From the largest auction in history (the contents of the ocean liner S.S. United States) to vintage racing cars on to artwork from the Soviet Union, pre-Castro Cuban cigars and the $3 million McGwire baseball, the firm has few rivals when it comes to the presentation of wildly diverse art and artifacts. Guernsey's also has brought some of the most famous and intriguing personalities of the 20th Century to auction in events that captivated the world. The official Elvis Presley Auction featuring items from the Graceland Archives on to treasured items relating to the lives and careers of John F. Kennedy, Princess Diana, Jerry Garcia, John Coltrane, Dick Clark, Mickey Mantle and the Beatles were all Guernsey's events.  High-quality, high-visibility projects continue to be Guernsey's forte. The Auction house is in the midst of its series of events devoted to the legendary, Holocaust-related poster collection of Dr. Hans Sachs and is currently offering one of America's finest, most historic carousels for sale. Record-setting events of exceptional collections have very much become a Guernsey's trademark.

01/16 DOUG STEPHAN, MIKAEL SIGOUIN, KA'ENA WINE, STEVE EVANS

DOUG STEPHAN TALKS ABOUT HIS CAREER AND FARMING 

Doug is passionate about radio. Ever since he was a freshman at Heidelberg College in Ohio, he has made it his life's work to create quality programming that entertains, engages and enriche s radio listeners. In the process, Doug has created one of the largest and most successful independent radio organizations in the country.

But the road to success in radio is rarely easy. After graduation, Doug didn't work full-time in radio. Instead, his early career paths exposed him to a wide variety of experiences - from teaching middle school English to running a number of family businesses - although he was never far from his true passion.

He worked on-air wherever and whenever he could - sometimes on 3 stations at the same time - weekends, evenings, whenever he got the chance -all the way from Boston to Providence, Rhode Island. In the early 1980s, while looking for his big break, he was Operations Director at WEEI-AM, a Boston news station,.

Finally, in 1988, he got the chance to do the radio show he dreamed about when he was chosen by American Radio Network to host a new program, GOOD DAY USA. Once again, the road wasn't smooth. With ARN being battered by a series of ownership changes, Doug decided to risk everything to do the show he believed in - and took control of the program.

He changed the name to DOUG STEPHAN'S GOOD DAY, purchased his own satellite time, set up a studio in his home and then found radio stations to run the program. In the beginning, he even sold his own advertising. To support GOOD DAY, he worked on-air at national powerhouses such as KABC, Los Angeles and KMOX, St. Louis.

All of the hard work, vision and ingenuity paid off as DOUG STEPHAN'S GOOD DAY is currently heard on over 350 radio stations by over 3 and a half million listeners every week. Doug is now among the top national talk radio personalities according to TALKERS magazine.

His company, Stephan Multimedia, is the largest independent producer of talk radio programming in the country, with offices in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington DC, and his reach has extended to Podcasting and the Internet.

But the statistics and growth are only a small part of Doug's success story. The real story is the relationship that he has cultivated with his listeners.

As Doug says, 'I love helping people start every day as a good day, which can include an offbeat slightly crazy story, a shot of humor, or the top news you need to know. Sometimes I like to describe the show as the fun, foibles and frustrations of day-to-day life - filtered through the psyches of both myself and the listener.

The listeners are so important because I am motivated to help people grow - and that includes me. I like to engage, provoke, entertain and inform - to stimulate, sometimes in unexpected ways. Some people even call me a contrarian. I like to think of myself as an entertainer with a mission'.
Doug Stephan is on the Board of Trustees at Heidelberg College and the 4H Foundation Board. He has received numerous industry awards and provided community service for Big Brothers. His children live and work in Los Angeles.


MIKAEL SIGOUIN (MICHAEL SEEGWIN) – WINEMAKER,  KA’ENA WINE

ABOUT US
Kaena was launched in 2001 to showcase Mikael’s deep passion for Grenache. Kaena is a boutique winery that sources from Tierra Alta Vineyard and Larner Vineyard in the Ballard Canyon AVA , primarily.  Mikael who is part Hawaiian and raised on the Oahu shores, uses a shortened version of his given name for the brand – Kaena – which means “potential for greatness”.

That “greatness” is evident in the wines – in 2006 Wine Spectator named Mikael one of the top 10 new Rhone  producers.  Known affectionately by his peers and fans as The Grenache King – Kaena produces 2000 cases of Rhone & other varietals with an emphasis on Grenache.

Mikael credits his success, growth and nickname to his passion for making truly handcrafted wines.  He also credits his wife, Sally, for her design and management of the Kaena Tasting Room located in Los Olivos, California.

WINEMAKING
Winemaking is deeply personal to me.  It is my artistry, my meditation, my profession, my life. It has been 15 years now and when I look back at my first harvest at Beckmen Vineyards in 1999, the slope of my learning curve was exponentially vertical.  I absorbed everything I could.  After a few years, I moved to Fess Parker Winery, and in 2006 I returned to Beckman as head winemaker, where I continue to work today while making Kaena Wines.  Along the way I have had incredible opportunities to work amongst some of the best winemakers in the Santa Ynez Valley. They helped guide me toward my winemaking goals of establishing my own brand and taught me great lessons: Work as hard as you possibly can.  Ask questions. Be aware. Most importantly, be humble. My first vintage of syrah I had to press by hand through cheesecloth. That was 2001. We all have to start somewhere.

Through the years, I have also been fortunate to work with a tremendous variety of fruit from incredible vineyards here in Santa Barbara County.  This exploration has led me   to my primary focus: Grenache.  It is a varietal that is  intensely aromatic, sexy, feminine, bold and always full of surprise. In my obsession with this varietal, my goal is to create the most diverse Grenache portfolio in the Santa Ynez Valley by working with the best fruit available.  I am pretty close to accomplishing this goal.

While wine was not an integral part of my childhood in Hawaii, the paradise of flavors, colors and aromas that I was surrounded by prepared my palate to understand the delicate nuances in fragrance and taste. This overwhelming sensory experience was enhanced by my great-grandmother, Tutu, who raised me.  I’d spend hours by her side watching her patiently layer ingredients in every meal, gently coaxing the best flavors to shine through. Through her work, she taught me to nurture and respect the tremendous gifts we are given.  Never at a loss for words, she called me “Ka’ena’ai” – meaning “potential for greatness.”

My island experiences are embedded in my DNA.  They are the reason I strive to make unique wines expressing the spectrum of their place. With Kaena Wines now in its second decade, I honor the responsibility my great-grandmother gave me.

WWW.KAENAWINE.COM


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.

01/15 DAVID SEELINGER, EMPIRECLS WORLDWIDE, JONATHAN GEBSER, SLOW WINE GUIDE, SLOW WINE MAGAZINE, JAY JOHNSTONE

DAVID SEELINGER -  CHAIRMAN & CEO OF EMPIRECLS WORLDWIDE CHAUFFEURED SERVICES GETS BEHIND THE WHEEL TO SEE WHAT KEEPS  HIS COMPANY’S ENGINE RUNNING

With over 30 years of experience in the chauffeured transportation industry, David is the driving force behind EmpireCLS’ success as the leading provider of global, luxury, chauffeured transportation service. He is widely regarded for his entrepreneurial leadership and passionate hospitality.  In 1983, David began working as a chauffeur for Empire Transport Service, holding various jobs within the company until becoming a partner and owner in 1985. To propel his vision of providing the industry’s highest quality service and safety standards, David developed the company’s proprietary reservation software and Global Affiliate Network, implemented rigorous hospitality and safety training for chauffeurs, created strategic partnerships with elite brands within the hospitality and aviation industry, and rebranded the company as Empire International.

In 2005, David orchestrated the company’s merger with CLS Transportation to form EmpireCLS, the largest merger of its kind within the chauffeured transportation industry. The company has grown to become the largest luxury, chauffeured transportation provider for many Fortune 1000 companies, five-star hotel brands, ultra-high net worth individuals, dignitaries, and the entertainment and music industry. David is involved with a variety of charitable organizations, working with groups like the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, Project Ladybug, the PitCCh In Foundation and Adopt-A-Soldier Platoon. He also increased EmpireCLS’ corporate social responsibility by partnering with ECPAT-USA, the first of its kind by a chauffeured transportation provider to help end commercial exploitation of children. Recognized for his unique and affirming public speaking style, David serves as keynote speaker at many transportation conventions and at motivational speaking engagements around the country.  David serves on the board of directors for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Youth Foundation and for many limousine organizations throughout the U.S. He attributes much of his success to the strength and support of his family and his team of dedicated employees.

THE CEO OF EMPIRE CLS WORLDWIDE CHAUFFEURED SERVICES  GETS BEHIND THE WHEEL TO SEE WHAT KEEPS  HIS COMPANY’S ENGINE RUNNING, ON “UNDERCOVER BOSS,” FRIDAY, JAN. 16

“EmpireCLS” – David Seelinger, Chairman and CEO of EmpireCLS Worldwide Chauffeured Services, a luxury chauffeured transportation leader that provides services in more than 700 cities worldwide, goes undercover to see if his company is running smoothly, on UNDERCOVER BOSS, Friday, Jan. 16 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Following a 25-year break from chauffeuring, Seelinger finds it’s not as easy as he remembered, and he almost blows a gasket while working beside a dispatcher who doesn’t follow the motto, “the customer is always right.”

David Seelinger is Chairman and CEO, EmpireCLS.   EmpireCLS Worldwide Chauffeured Services, a global transportation leader with high-end clientele, is based in Secaucus, NJ and is a $150 million a year company.

Their clients include some of the most recognized people in the entertainment industry and service more than 700 cities worldwide, including London, Paris, Milan.  They transport almost 500,000 people a year to destinations ranging from awards shows to Fortune 500 companies to your own home. He is originally from Erie, Pennsylvania and was bullied a lot as a kid for being overweight – and he developed an addiction to alcohol and drugs.  He dropped out of high school in the 9th grade and he attempted suicide.  He was hospitalized, went to a psychiatric center and then to rehab and he’s been sober for almost 30 years.  He feels that he was given a second chance and is grateful for it.


JONATHAN GEBSER - EDITOR OF THE SLOW WINE GUIDE AND SLOW WINE MAGAZINE -  2015 SLOW WINE US TOUR 

THE 2015 TOUR WILL STOP IN LOS ANGELES, SAN FRANCISCO AND CULMINATE IN NEW YORK CITY WITH SLOW WINE’S PARTICIPATION  IN THE ITALIAN TRADE COMMISSION’S VINO 2015

New York, December 19, 2014 – Slow Food will debut the new and updated edition of the Slow Wine guide during the 2015 Slow Wine US Tour. With its English-language debut in 2011, Slow Wine, a guide to over 400 of Italy’s best wineries, critiques wine through the perspective of the Slow Food philosophy, believing that wine, just as with food, must be good, clean and fair – not just good. The Slow Wine guide and a selection of its wineries will be holding tasting events for trade and consumers during their annual three city tour, visiting Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York City in 2015.

 “We think it’s important to highlight how different types of wine exist. Wine is not just a product of a winery, but fruit of a certain soil, a specific climate, and a farming philosophy. With Slow Wine we have changed the way of reviewing wine,” said Giancarlo Gariglio, editor of Slow Wine. Three symbols are used in the guide to evaluate each winery:

• The Snail, the Slow Food symbol, signals a cellar that has distinguished itself through its interpretation of sensorial, territorial, environmental and personal values in harmony with the Slow Food philosophy.
• The Bottle, allocated to cellars that show a consistently high quality throughout their range of wines.
• The Coin, an indicator of great value.

Slow Wine is no longer just a wine guide. In April 2014, Slow Food also launched Slow Wine Magazine, a digital magazine published in English, German and Italian. With six issues a year, the magazine recounts the world of Italian wine with an outlook of the Slow Food philosophy.
The 2015 Slow Wine tour begins in Los Angeles on January 27th, featuring wines from 50+ winemakers from over 15 regions, at Taglyan Complex at 1201 Vine Street. The tour continues in San Francisco on January 29th, where the event will be held at Terra Gallery at 511 Harrison Street. The Slow Wine tour will then conclude in New York City with a two-day showcase on February 2nd and 3rd at the Italian Trade Commission’s new edition of Vino 2015, the leading Italian wine event to be held at New York City’s historic Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. Over 65 Slow Wine producers representing 15 regions of Italy will be present among the 200+ vintners, importers and producers’ delegations participating in Vino 2015, Italian Wine Week.

About Slow Wine
The Slow Wine Guide, published by Slow Food Editore (the publishing arm of Slow Food Italy**) adopts a new approach to wine criticism and looks at a variety of factors to evaluate wineries in their entirety, taking into consideration the wine quality, typicity and adherence to terroir, value for money, environmental sensitivity and ecologically sustainable viticultural practices. Slow Wine was conceived to give a realistic snapshot of the current Italian wine landscape. The guide features reviews of 400 different wineries, each one visited by Slow Food experts. It is available for purchase on Amazon.com as well as in select bookstores.

**Slow Food International is a global grassroots organization that envisions a world in which all people can access and enjoy food that is good for them, good for those who grow it and good for the planet. A non-profit member-supported association, Slow Food was founded in Italy in 1989 to counter the rise of fast food and fast life, the disappearance of local food traditions and to encourage people to be aware about the food they eat, where it comes from, how it tastes and how our food choices affect the rest of the world.

WWW.SLOWWINEMAGAZINE.COM


JAY JOHNSTONE -  37TH ANNUAL JAY JOHNSTONE / LA HABRA ROTARY GOLF TOURNAMENT 

John William Johnstone Jr. (born November 20, 1946) is an American former professional baseball player, active from 1966 to 1985 for the California Angels, Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, andChicago Cubs. Johnstone was known as a versatile outfielder with a good sense of humor, known for keeping clubhouses loose with occasional pranks and gimmicks. He later served as a radio color commentator for the Yankees (1989–1990) and Phillies (1992–1993).

Career highlights include:

• As an Angel, he preserved Clyde Wright's no-hitter against the Athletics in the seventh inning by catching a Reggie Jackson fly ball 400 feet from straightaway center field, just in front of the wall (July 3, 1970).
• As a Phillie, he went 7-for-9 in the 1976 National League Championship Series against theCincinnati Reds. However, the Reds swept the Series.
• As a Dodger, he hit a pinch-two run home run in Game Four of the 1981 World Series against theNew York Yankees, the home run rallying the Dodgers from a 6–3 deficit to win 8–7. The victory also enabled the Dodgers to tie the Series at two games each; they won the next two games to win it all.

Clubhouse prankster
He pulled off a number of infamous pranks during his playing days, including placing a soggy brownie inside Steve Garvey's first base mitt, setting teammate's cleats on fire (known as "hot-footing"), cutting out the crotch area of Rick Sutcliffe's underwear, locking Dodger manager Tommy Lasorda in his office during spring training, once dressing up as a groundskeeper and sweeping the Dodger Stadium infield in between innings and then hitting homers the next, nailing teammate's cleats to the floor, and replacing the celebrity photos in manager Lasorda's office with pictures of himself, Jerry Reuss and Don Stanhouse. One time, during pre-game warm ups, he climbed atop the Dodger dugout and, in full game uniform, walked through the field boxes at Dodger Stadium to the concession stand and got a hot dog. He also once dressed up in Lasorda's uniform (with padding underneath) and ran out to the mound to talk to the pitcher while carrying Lasorda's book and a can of Slim Fast.

As a baseball announcer, he once covered a microphone with a scent of stale eggs then proceeded to interview Dave Stewart, Mickey Hatcherand other players.

Many of the pranks, along with other aspects of his career, are described in the books he co-authored with sports columnist Rick Talley –Temporary Insanity, Over the Edge, and Some of My Best Friends Are Crazy.

Appearances outside of baseball
Johnstone appeared in the movie Naked Gun as a member of the Seattle Mariners in a game against the California Angels. Johnstone, who was a left-handed hitter throughout his career, bats right-handed in the movie.

After the Dodgers' 1981 World Series victory, Johnstone and Dodger teammates Rick Monday (with whom he shares a birthday, service in theMarines, and stints with the A's, Cubs, and Dodgers), Jerry Reuss, and Steve Yeager appeared on Solid Gold and sang their own rendition ofQueen's hit, We Are the Champions.

01/14 LARRY LIPSON, AFFORDABLE WINE, DON WHITTEMORE, DANDY DON'S HOMEMADE ICE CREAM

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.



DON WHITTEMORE – DANDY DON’S HOMEMADE ICE CREAM WILL BE SERVING AT THE LA ART SHOW PREMIERE  PARTY

Don Whittemore is a funny man with a huge personality who loves to make people happy. Good thing he makes ice cream, huh? Once Upon A Time (circa 1962 – 67), Don was a stand-up comedian. He worked under the name Don Harris in Atlanta, Miami Beach & Newport, KY. (Check out his snazzy tux in this ancient head shot.) If you have some free time one day, ask him to tell you some jokes. The next part of this biography starts just after that but still long long ago, in the Time Before CDs. Don was in the record business. He convinced DJs to play records by Frank Sinatra, Elvis, The Beatles, David Bowie, and Cat Stevens (to name a few). Some of those records went gold. Here’s a photo of him with New York disc jockeys Wolfman Jack (on the left) and Murray The K (center). In the late ’70s, Don decided to leave the record business for good. Too much temptation for a family man, he thought. And too few creative DJs. In 1981 Don and his lovely wife Linda (pregnant with their second child) bought an ice cream shop in Tarzana, California called The Creamery. They thought it would be a gold mine. They were wrong. So they worked their keesters off, got into the wholesale business, and began a catering division. These are photos of Don (photo on the left, 3rd from the left) and Linda (photo on the right) at one of their first hot fudge sundae bar catering gigs at the Directors’ Guild of America. This is how the catering division of their company—now with over 1,000 customers—got its start. They no longer have The Creamery, or any retail shop. But they have begun putting their homemade ice cream into pints, so once again regular folks can buy their product retail. Funny how things come full circle, even if they do take 20+ years. Don’s favorite part of doing business is dealing with people. He loves talking to his clients, making ice cream with them, and helping them promote their businesses. He loves selling his ice cream to new clients, finding out what they want, tempting them with great service. He just loves people. And he loves making people happy. Good thing he makes great ice cream.

DANDYDONS.COM
WWW.LAARTSHOW.COM

01/13 GRANT PETERSON, EAT BACON DON'T JOG, FRANK PELLEGRINO SR., ROA'S RESTAURANT, LA ART SHOW

GRANT PETERSEN – AUTHOR, EAT BACON, DON’T JOG 

Walk, lift weights, spend time outside, cut the carbs, eat a lot of healthy fat. Does that sound tough? No—and that's the point. A life well lived need not be as uncomfortable as a poorly fitted bike seat!”
Grant Petersen takes an evolutionary approach to health, fun, and life in his new book with the counterintuitive title – Eat Bacon, Don’t Jog!

In the blur of New Year’s resolution diet stories…Here’s a chance to talk to Grant about his refreshing approach to food and fitness.

EAT BACON, DON’T JOG Get Strong. Get Lean. No BS! The studies are in. Fat isn’t the villain. From “A Call for a Low-Carb Diet That Embraces Fat”  published in the New York Times (9/2/14) to the cover of TIME  boasting “Eat Butter” (6/23/14), the diet Grant Petersen has been following for years has serious science backing it up. But he knew that all along.

EAT BACON, DON’T JOG: Get Strong. Get Lean. No Bullshit. (November) is a frank, no nonsense food and fitness guide that gets to the bottom of why eating fat actually makes us thin, and shorter exercises yield better results than long aerobic slogs. In his trademark rallying voice, Petersen details how to start a high fat / low carb diet and tells us why we should trade long exercises that don’t work for quicker ones that do.

Petersen, the bestselling author of Just Ride (which Dave Eggers called “the bible for bicycle riders”), says at least 75% of daily calories should come from fat. In 100 pithy and humorous essays, he knocks carbohydrates for messing with blood-sugar levels and shows why, if you want to get strong and lean, fat is king.

Petersen distills his physiological research into a fun, breezy, and passionate guide to healthy living—all without joint destroying marathons or force binging kale. At age 60, he is in the best shape of his life with the blood panel to prove it. (His Triglyceride score is an incredible 39.)

Cleverly named recipes—Mockaroons, Japaneasy Soup, Butter Sushi, and Fun with Cream—are included. Readers will also learn the tenets of muscle building, without razzle-dazzle theatrics or tons of expensive, shiny equipment.  Kettlebells, an ab wheel, and one’s own body weight can insure a tough workout with major results.

We’re in the midst of a dietary sea change. The evidence that low-fat diets lead to obesity is overwhelming. With EAT BACON, DON’T JOG, Petersen has made high fat / low carb diets accessible and easy to start.  His three main points should not be forgotten:
1) Lowering your insulin is your salvation.
2) Fat is your friend.
3) Your excess body fat is due to the high-carb food you eat, not the exercise you don’t do.

EAT BACON, DON’T JOG celebrates a new kind of thinking and a new way of life, debunking the most common assumptions about diet and fitness. Not all calories are created equal. Here is a most enjoyable guide to the diet that has everyone’s attention.

About the Author:  Grant Petersen, 60, is the founder and owner of Rivendell Bicycle Works and the author of the bestselling book Just Ride. He has been featured in Outside and Men’s Journal, among other magazines. He lives with his family in Walnut Creek, California, and online at Rivbike.com.


FRANK PELLEGRINO SR. – RAO’S RESTAURANT – RAO’S HOLLYWOOD WILL BE ONE OF THE RESTAURANTS SERVING AT THE LA ART SHOW / OPENING NIGHT PREMIERE-PARTY ON 1/14

The Rao family arrived in New York from the southern Italian town of Pollo, near Naples, in the 1880s and settled amid the scattering of shacks and tenement buildings that were then beginning to sprout up in East Harlem. Charles Rao was a child when his mother and father arrived in New York, which meant he grew up with the distinct advantage of speaking English at the time most of the immigrant Italians were still struggling with the language. A bright and resourceful young man, Charles Rao bought a small saloon from the George Ehret Brewery at the corner of 114th Street and Pleasant Avenue in upper Manhattan. It was 1896. He called the place Rao's.

Charles Rao died in 1909 of a heart attack, and his brother Joseph took over and ran the restaurant until his death in 1930. By then Charlie's sons Louis and Vincent Rao had become the operating owners.

Louis and Vincent kept the bar open during Prohibition. One of the neighborhood families, the Caianos, made their own wine in their cellar next door, and it was pumped into Rao's basement through a hose. Rao's sold the wine for a dollar a bottle.

Louis ran the place until his death in 1958; then his brother Vincent took over. It was Vincent who turned Rao's from a local bar- a place neighborhood people used to call "the Hole" because it was (and is) four steps down from the street- into a restaurant where customers began to return even after they moved out of the neighborhood. Vincent loved food. He loved food. He loved to cook. He especially enjoyed grilling steaks and chops and chicken on a charcoal grill he set up on the street right outside the entry. The first Rao's regulars returned primarily for Vincent's steaks and chops.

By 1974, business had become so brisk that help was required in the form of Vincent's wife, Anna Pellegrino Rao, who arrived from their house next door with her pots and recipes. Anna was an unlikely restaurant chef. She was as elegant as her husband was homespun. Her look included a slim figure, a long gold cigarette holder, tightly upswept white-blond hair, white cashmere slacks and turtlenecks, gold sandals, monogrammed tinted glasses, and a single strand of pearls. When longtime regular Woody Allen made Broadway Danny Rose, he based Mia Farrow's look on Anna Rao's distinctive appearance. Anna's deft touch improved all the traditional Italian dishes, and Rao's became a favorite for a small army of steady customers.

Over the years, Rao's has probably survived because its owners have refused to change. They did not expand by filling the floors above the kitchen with additional tables, as they were advised. In the late sixties and early seventies, when East Harlem neighborhood began its decline, Rao's did not move downtown, as was suggested by many of its customers. As a result, Rao's has become a sort of time-capsule restaurant that allows its customers to dip back into an earlier period and experience a neighborhood restaurant as it was.

LA ART SHOW: THE OPENING NIGHT PERMIERE PARTY
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14
Patron Reception - $250: 7pm - 11pm
Patron VIP Program: 8pm
Vanguard Entrance - $200: 7:00-8:00PM
Opening Night Premiere Party - $125: 8:00-11:00PM
Los Angeles Convention Center / South Hall J & K

RAOSRESTAURANTS.COM

01/12 DAVE ASPREY, THE BULLETPROOF DIET, BRIAN TALLEY, TALLEY VINEYARDS

DAVE ASPREY – AUTHOR, BIOHACKER AND WELLNESS GURU - THE BULLETPROOF DIET

HOLD THE KEY TO RAPID WEIGHT LOSS AND PEAK MENTAL AND PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE

By now you’ve probably heard about Bulletproof Coffee—everyone from start-up execs to Hollywood A-listers like Shailene Woodley, Jeremy Piven, as well as everyday people swear by the butter-infused coffee creation from biohacker and wellness guru Dave Asprey. But Bulletproof Coffee is just the beginning. Now comes Asprey’s highly-anticipated book THE BULLETPROOF DIET: Lose Up to a Pound a Day, Reclaim Energy and Focus, and Upgrade Your Life in which he reveals his life-changing anti-inflammatory program for hunger-free, rapid weight loss and peak performance.

THE BULLETPROOF DIET is the result of over two decades and $300K of Asprey’s own money spent working with top scientists and experts to “hack” his own biology. In his mid-twenties, Asprey was a successful Silicon Valley multimillionaire who weighed 300 pounds, felt crushed by brain fog and food cravings and sapped of energy and willpower. He decided to ditch traditional “diet” thinking and employ the same hacking techniques that had made him a millionaire to hack his own biology. From private brain EEG facilities to remote monasteries in Tibet, through radioactive brain scans, blood chemistry work, nervous system testing and more, he explored traditional and alternative technologies to reach his physical and mental prime. The result was life-changing: he has maintained a 100-pound weight loss, increased his IQ, and reached a level of health that seemed unattainable. Now he’s sharing what he learned in his book, which is grounded in the belief that diet holds the key to not only weight loss, but also peak mental and physical performance.

In his book, Asprey dispels many of the conventional and incorrect nutrition myths such as: A low fat diet is healthy, eating fat will make you fat, cutting calories  is the best way to lose weight, you have to work out a lot to lose weight and moderation is the key to dieting success, among others. THE BULLETPROOF DIET is a revolutionary plan that will challenge the way you think about weight loss and wellness, and in turn allow you to become Bulletproof.

ABOUT DAVE ASPREY: Dave Asprey is a former Silicon Valley entrepreneur and investor, a professional biohacker, and the creator of Bulletproof Coffee. He is the chairman of the Silicon Valley Health Institute and host of Bulletproof Radio, a nationally syndicated show and #1 ranked podcast with 9 million downloads. He has been featured on the Today Show, Nightline and CNN and in Rolling Stone, Men’s Health, Vogue, Forbes and dozens more. He lives in Victoria, British Columbia, and Seattle, WA.


BRIAN TALLEY – OWNER / WINEGROWER, TALLEY VINEYARDS 

HISTORY
For three generations the Talley family has farmed in Coastal San Luis Obispo County. The tradition began in 1948 when Oliver Talley founded Talley Farms and started growing specialty vegetables in the Arroyo Grande Valley. During the 1970s extensive planting of wine grapes began in the neighboring Edna Valley and Santa Barbara County areas.  After observation and extensive analysis, Oliver's son, Don Talley, was convinced of the potential to grow high quality chardonnay and pinot noir on the steep hillsides above Talley Farms.  Don planted a small test plot in 1982 on the west hillside of the Rincon Vineyard that included chardonnay, pinot noir, riesling, sauvignon blanc and cabernet sauvignon. Over time the varietal and clonal selections were refined and planting expanded to a total of 189 acres in the Arroyo Grande and Edna Valleys.

Talley Vineyards produced its first wine in 1986 with the production of 450 cases. The winery's first five vintages were produced in a small winery adjacent to one of Talley Farms’ vegetable coolers. In the fall of 1991, a state-of-the-art winery was completed at the foot of the Rincon Vineyard. A 12,000 square foot barrel and case goods storage building was added in 2000, followed by a new tasting room in 2002. Talley Vineyards currently produces about 36,000 cases annually.  Brian and Johnine Talley own and operate Talley Vineyards, while Brian, Todd, Ryan and Rosemary Talley manage Talley Farms.

BIOGRAPHY
Brian Talley is a third generation farmer born and raised in Arroyo Grande.  While attending UC Berkeley, where he earned degrees in History and Natural Resource Economics, he worked in a wine shop called Curds and Whey where he fell in love with wine.

Brian began his career in the family business at age 12 when he started harvesting vegetables at Talley Farms.  He became General Manager of Talley Vineyards in 1991 and now serves as President of Talley Vineyards and Talley Farms.  Brian is recognized as a leader in the local wine industry and was cofounder of the World of Pinot Noir, has served as President of the San Luis Obispo Wine Country Association and been recognized by both Robert Parker and the local wine industry as a Wine Industry Person of the Year.

Brian loves cooking, wine and travel as well as running, cycling and golf.  He lives at the edge of Talley Farms with his wife Johnine and daughters Elizabeth and Olivia.

NEW RELEASE - 2013 ESTATE PINOT NOIR

The 2013 vintage marked the second abundant harvest in a row at Talley Vineyards and the second year of the California drought. At 6 inches, total rainfall was less than 30% of the average for Southern San Luis Obispo County.  Dry conditions in the spring at bloom time afforded excellent fruit set and these ideal growing conditions continued throughout the summer and fall with no rain during harvest and very little mildew or botrytis pressure. Yields were about 25% above average and the resulting wines are elegant and balanced.

- Produced entirely from estate grown pinot noir grapes from the Arroyo Grande Valley
- 51% Rosemary's Vineyard, 44% Rincon Vineyard, 5% Las Ventanas Vineyard
- The average yield was just over 3 tons per acre
- Hand-harvested August 30 - September 30, 2013
- 3-5 day cold soak, fermented with native yeast in 1.5 ton fermenters
- Aged 13 months in French oak barrels, 30% new
- Bottled in December of 2014 without filtration

Translucent ruby in color, the 2013 Estate Pinot Noir expresses classic characteristics of the Arroyo Grande Valley. The nose offers bright notes of red fruits like strawberry and raspberry, as well as hints of smoke and herbs. On the palate this medium-bodied wine yields notes of cranberry, Rainier cherry and damp soil with distinct mineral notes. With a soft, plush texture, the 2013 Estate Pinot Noir pairs beautifully with spiced duck or mushroom risotto.

WWW.TALLEYVINEYARDS.COM