06/30 TECH EXPERT JEANA TAHNK, ADAM LEE, SIDURI WINES

LIFESTYLE & TECH EXPERT JEANA TAHNK - SUMMER GADGETS & TRAVEL ESSENTIALS 

Memorial Day is over; School’s out. Summer is in full swing and you might find yourself wondering how to make the most of the extra hours of summer. From planning trips, to staying busy and having fun, Lifestyle & Tech Expert Jeana Lee Tahnk – of Top Tech Mom – is here with some great summer gadgets and entertaining tips to create the best summertime memories with friends and family.

During the tour, Jeana will look at a few ideas and tips that will help with summer travel and entertaining! Plus Jeana will share her tips for being tech savvy, and her favorite advice on how to make your summer traveling experience a positive one!

About Jeana Lee Tahnk:
Jeana Lee Tahnk is a tech expert and mother who knows about the best gadgets, gear and tips for making life easier, organized and more fun for her and her family. She contributes to Mashable, The Huffington Post, Parenting, Parents and others.

TOPTECHMOM.COM


ADAM LEE OF SIDURI WINES - CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF MAKING OREGON PINOT IN CALIFORNIA

 One of California’s longest running producers of Oregon Pinot Noir, Siduri Winemaker Adam Lee Looks Forward to Expanded Presence in Willamette Valley 

Santa Rosa, Ca – June 4, 2015. Siduri winemaker Adam Lee is celebrating his 20th year making Oregon Pinot Noir in California.  A specialist in single vineyard PInot Noir from top growing regions, Lee is looking forward to producing his 2015 Siduri Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir, and 2015 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir as he has since 1995, at his small urban winery in Santa Rosa Ca.      

“Making Pinot Noir from Oregon’s Willamette Valley,” said Lee “is one of the most challenging, but also most rewarding, experiences of my winemaking career.”

The Journey. Today, Oregon is considered one of the premier growing regions in the world, but 20 years ago, Lee, together with his winemaking partner and wife Dianna Novy Lee, did not know that. So, how does a winemaking team firmly rooted in California’s prized Pinot Noir vineyards turn their attention to Oregon? As Lee explains, it was a happy accident.

The Wines. The Lees have produced wines from the Willamette Valley every year since, making Siduri one of the longest running California producers of Oregon wine. They are second only to their good friend Kathy Joseph, of Fiddlehead Cellars, who has produced Oregon Pinot Noir at her Lompoc winery since 1991.

Each year, Siduri produces two appellation blends, the Willamette Valley Pinot Noir and Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir.  In the best vintages, they also produce single vineyard Pinot Noirs from Arbre Vert, Hawk’s View, Muirfield, and Shaw Mountain Vineyards. Compared to California Pinot Noirs, the Oregon Pinots tend to be lighter in body and lower in alcohol, presenting a more elegant profile.

The Challenge.  As delicate as the wines, is the balancing act required to coax the best from Oregon’s challenging weather. Harvest-time rains can shorten the season and arrest ripening, making for more inconsistent vintages than California. By focusing on single vineyard bottlings, the Lees have been able to mitigate much of that inconsistency.

That said, challenges abound. Lee explains “Oregon is a challenge on a whole different level than California.  For example, we often thin our vines down to one cluster per shoot early in the growing season just to get the remaining fruit ripe.  I think that challenge is part of the reason why only a few California winemakers produce Oregon Pinot Noir.”

The Future: For Lee, however, the rewards far outweigh the challenges. Now part of Jackson Family Wines, he is excited for the future of Siduri’s Oregon program.  Siduri has access to new and exciting vineyards, including the Jackson family’s Zena Crown, an 80 acre vineyard in the Willamette Valley and Gran Moraine Vineyard, a 200-acre vineyard in the Yamahill-Carlton district.

20th Anniversary Oregon Wine Tasting: To mark their 20th year in Oregon, Siduri is hosting a special wine tasting event on Wednesday July 8th at their Santa Rosa winery, featuring a who’s who of Oregon producers and their newest wines. Lee believes this is a first-of-its-kind Oregon tasting to be hosted by a California winery. A private trade tasting will take place from 1-4pm with a public consumer tasting following from 5-7pm. Both tastings will feature Oregon themed artisan nibbles and cheeses. For more on the event please visit, www.siduri.com/events

About Siduri: Founded in 1994 by winemakers Adam and Dianna Novy Lee, Siduri Wines produces single vineyard Pinot Noir from the most acclaimed growers and vineyard sites in California and Oregon. Each barrel of Siduri Pinot Noir is vinified separately by lot, clone, yeast and cooper; blended personally by the Lees; and bottled unfiltered and un-fined to retain the distinct character of each vineyard site. Siduri is unique in the depth and breadth of their single varietal focus. The Lees’ Novy Family Wines label – a collaboration with Dianna’s Texas-based family – focuses primarily on Syrah and other Rhone varietals. Both labels are produced at the Lee’s small warehouse winery in Santa Rosa, which is open to visitors by appointment daily. Learn more online at http://www.siduri.com and http://www.novyfamilywines.com or on Facebook and Twitter.

About Jackson Family Wines: Jackson Family Wines (JFW) is a family-owned and run company that crafts award-winning wines of distinct character and quality. With a focus on sustainable viticulture practices, responsible vineyard and natural resource management and unparalleled winemaking, the family’s collection comprises more than 40 renowned wineries, primarily in California and Oregon. JFW also crafts fine wines from Australia, Chile, France, Italy and South Africa. Founded in 1982 by wine pioneer, entrepreneur and philanthropist Jess Jackson, JFW and its wineries are led by Chairman Barbara Banke and the Jackson family. Learn more online www.jacksonfamilywines.com.

06/29 MARIO ARMSTRONG, FORD, LESLEY TELLEZ, EAT MEXICO

DIGITAL LIFESTYLE EXPERT MARIO ARMSTRONG - THE FUTURE OF TRANSPORTATION & INNOVATION | KEY TRENDS THAT WILL IMPACT THE FUTURE OF MOBILITY, TECHNOLOGY, AND TRANSPORTATION 

Mario Armstrong will take you inside Ford’s Research and Innovation Center in Palo Alto, California during the automaker’s annual futuring and “Further with Ford” trends conference. The Palo Alto lab opened in January and is now the automaker’s hub for excellence in Silicon Valley.

Ford is taking connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, big data and the customer experience to the next level in order to change the way the world moves amidst a dramatic shift in how people live, work, shop, and commute.
Mario Armstrong will discuss some of the innovative mobility experiments Ford is developing at the lab, the future of “self-driving cars” and how they will impact drivers, riders and pedestrians crossing the street, what Ford technologies can help you drive better today, and the differences between how Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z think about vehicles.

Remote Repositioning: The experiment tests the ability of a person to remotely control a vehicle over LTE, moving a golf car via a remote control system which resembles a video game.  The vehicle doesn’t need a driver. The outcome could be a more affordable and effective way to share or park vehicles using a remote “valet.”

Info Cycle: For this experiment Ford added sensors to a bike which collects data and allows engineers to learn about the bike’s environment as it’s moving – such as how bikes and vehicles share the road. The information gathered aims to bridge the gap between cars and bikes and uncover the problems in how they share roads.

Perpendicular & Parallel Park Assist and Park Out Assist: Available in the all-new Ford Edge, two ultrasonic sensors and electric power-assisted steering helps drivers parallel and perpendicular park. The sensors measure the gap between two vehicles to determine if there is enough room for the vehicle while the driver controls the accelerator and brakes.
Pro-Trailer Backup AssistPro-Trailer Backup Assist: A segment-first technology available in the 2016 F-150, this makes the challenge of backing up a trailer easier than ever by letting the customer steer the trailer with a control knob while the truck steers its wheels and limits vehicle speed.

How Gen Z, Millennials & Gen X consider cars:  New research on how Gen Z and Millennials are thinking about driving, buying cars and more.

ABOUT MARIO ARMSTRONG
As an Emmy Award winning host, Mario appears regularly on TV and radio. Mario is the Digital and Technology Commentator for NBC’S Today Show, HLN, Fuse and CNN. In addition, Mario has appeared on the following shows: Dr. Oz, Steve Harvey, Rachael Ray, Nate Berkus, Katie Couric, and Inside Edition. On radio, Mario is a technology contributor for NPR’s Morning Edition and Tell Me More programs.
 Armstrong’s mission in life is to better people’s lives by educating them on how to use technology to enhance their personal and professional lives.

FORD.COM


LESLEY TELLEZ – AUTHOR, EAT MEXICO - SHOWS THE VAST DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE FOODS OF INLAND MEXICO AND  COASTAL AREAS IN HER BOOK EAT MEXICO

Eat Mexico is a culinary love letter to one of the biggest cities in the world—a chaotic, vibrant place where residents eat from sidewalk grills and stands, and markets and casual restaurants serve up fresh, hot food daily. In this book, journalist Lesley Téllez—who also runs her own food tour company in Mexico City—takes you through the city's most classic dishes, offering recipes from her favorite haunts on the streets, in city markets, and in small, homestyle fondas.

Many of these dishes are items Americans may not recognize: the football-shaped, bean-stuffed corn tlacoyo, topped with cactus and salsa; the tortas bulging with turkey confit and a peppery herb called pápalo; beer-braised rabbit, slow-cooked until tender. The book ends on a personal note, highlighting the creative, Mexican-inspired dishes—like roasted poblano oatmeal—that Lesley cooks at home in New York with ingredients she came to know in Mexico.

With more than 100 recipes, on-location photography and text written in a friendly, personal tone, Eat Mexico is a must for anyone who loves Mexico, its food and unique urban culture.

ABOUT LESLIE
Lesley Téllez is a writer, Mexican-food lover, entrepreneur and mom. Originally from Southern California, she lived in Mexico City from 2009-2013, which launched her deep love for Mexican food and culture. Lesley owns the Mexico City-based street food tourism company Eat Mexico and has a diploma in Mexican gastronomy from the Escuela de Gastronomía Mexicana. When not writing, Lesley loves cooking, reading, traveling and hanging out with her son, Tomás.

WWW.EATMEXICO.COM

06/26 IRON CHEF’S JEHANGIR MEHTA, THE JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION’S BETTER BURGER PROJECT, STEVE EVANS, THE MOVIE GUY

RESTAURATEUR AND IRON CHEF’S JEHANGIR MEHTA – THE JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION’S BETTER BURGER PROJECT

To celebrate America’s favorite food (tasty burgers!), the James Beard Foundation is taking the growing culinary trend of the mushroom blend and kicking-off the  Better Burger Project across the country.

In a nutshell, the Better Burger Project is an in-restaurant menu promotion challenging chefs to create a “better burger” by blending ground meat with finely chopped, fresh cultivated mushrooms, for a more delicious, healthy, and sustainable burger. Chefs can sign up to participate throughout the challenge at BetterBurgerProject.org and America can find participating restaurants to visit and order a Better Burger on the website as well.

ABOUT THE BETTER BURGER PROJECT:
Burgers are one of the most creative culinary platforms; chefs have been innovating and evolving the dish for years. Now, through this special menu promotion, you can create a “Better Burger” by blending ground meat with finely chopped mushrooms. Your burger will be better for your guests—with unmatched flavor and inherent nutrition benefits—and our environment at large.

Blending meat and mushrooms in a burger doesn’t just improve flavor, texture, and juiciness. It also:

• Reduces calories, fat, and sodium while adding important nutrients like vitamin D, potassium, and B vitamins.
• Enhances your menu with sustainable, plant-based menu items.
• Allows your guests to enjoy the taste and flavor of the burgers they love—and feel good about eating a little better.

Better Burger Project participants can add diced mushrooms at any ratio to their blend. Even just a 25- to 50-percent addition has incredible nutritional impact.

ABOUT CHEF MEHTA:
Chef Jehangir Mehta opened Graffiti in the East Village of New York City in 2007 after being highly acclaimed at New York City restaurants including Aix, Compass, and Jean-Georges.

It all started when, much to the amusement of his family’s maids and cooks, Mumbai-born Jehangir took an interest in the goings-on of the kitchen. After he voiced a desire to pursue a career in the culinary arts, Jehangir’s family put their full support behind him and sent him to the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. Jehangir thrived at the CIA with the foundation he acquired at the Institute of Hotel Management, Catering, Technology and Applied Nutrition in Mumbai.

After his first job at L’Absinthe in New York in 1996, he landed a position he truly longed for at Typhoon Brewery, where he worked as the pastry chef to the brilliant James Chew of Vong fame. From there it was a short yet logical jump to Jean-Georges in 1997. The following year, Jean-Georges Vongerichten selected him to open his new restaurant, Mercer Kitchen, quickly to become one of the hottest destinations in New York. Desiring a change of pace from the high volume of Mercer Kitchen, Jehangir accepted a position to work with Rocco di Spirito 1999 at Union Pacific, and in 2001 he joined Jean– Georges colleague Didier Virot who was opening his own restaurant. Following a short-lived but highly acclaimed run at Virot, Jehangir solidified his reputation for creating unorthodox, intellectually driven desserts as pastry chef of Compass. During this time, he extended his partnership with Didier Virot, and in 2002 opened the Upper West Side culinary destination Aix.

In 2003, Jehangir started his event management business through an online site partistry.com. The same year he started Candy Camp to encourage children aged between 4 and 14 to appreciate the complex ingredients in food, by preparing simple savory and sweet dishes. In 2007, Jehangir opened his restaurant Graffiti, quite simply an extension of the man and his mission, and released his first cookbook “Mantra the Rules of Indulgence” (Harper-Collins).

At his restaurant Graffiti, Jehangir gets to present food that is nothing short of inspiring. From his 50 square foot kitchen he produces some of New York’s most exciting dishes, which have been featured in not only traditional food magazines but also Vogue, and the New Yorker. Over the years, Jehangir has been seen on many national television programs including Martha! and on the Food Network.

In August 2009, Jehangir was a contestant on Iron Chef America where he competed against Iron Chef Morimoto in "Battle Coconut,"and beginning October 4th 2009 Jehangir will be a contestant on the Food Network’s The Next Iron Chef.

Jehangir’s cultural heritage fills him with endless inspiration, including Ayurveda, and his favorite ingredients, fruits and spices. Now it is only left to his imagination as to what he will conquer next.

WWW.JEHANGIRMEHTA.COM
WWW.JAMESBEARD.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.

06/25 JAMIE JENSEN, ROAD TRIP USA, MATT DE FINA, DE FINA FAMILY CELLARS, CYSTIC FIBROSIS

AUTHOR AND ROAD TRIP EXPERT JAMIE JENSEN - ALL NEW AND UPDATED EDITION OF HIS BESTSELLING ROAD TRIP USA

It’s time to hit the road this summer and plan the Ultimate Road Trip!

Launch of the new edition of Road Trip USA and the brand new Moon Road Trip series with four new regional titles
The great American road trip is the highlight of many travel bucket lists—and with the release of the newest edition of the best-seller Road Trip USA: Cross-Country Adventures on America’s Two-Lane Highways, travelers can make this the summer they cross that trip off the list.  In addition, Moon Travel Guides is proud to be expanding the Moon Road Trip series with four new regional titles: Moon Florida Road Trip, Moon California Road Trip, Moon Pacific Northwest Road Trip, and Moon Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip—plus five more titles scheduled in the coming year.

About the classic Road Trip USA:  
Now in its seventh edition, Jamie Jensen's best-selling Road Trip USA is better than ever. Inside, you’ll find cross-country routes and road-tested advice for adventurers who want to see the parts of America that the interstates have left behind. Jensen also includes mile-by-mile highlights celebrating major cities, obscure towns, popular attractions, roadside curiosities (if you’re looking for the world’s largest jackalope, you’re in luck), local lore, and oddball trivia. With full coverage of more than 35,000 miles of classic blacktop, Road Trip USA will take you off the beaten path and into the heart of America.

About Jamie:
Jamie Jensen was immersed in road trip culture from an early age. He grew up in Southern California, back when freeways were new, cheeseburgers cost a quarter, and every beach had a beachfront amusement park. After a three-year stint bumming around the country, making hay in Kansas, and ghostwriting a book for the Grateful Dead, Jamie set to work researching and writing Road Trip USA. Since then he’s traveled more than 400,000 miles in search of the perfect stretch of two-lane blacktop. When not crisscrossing the country by car, he rides his bike whenever possible. Jamie lives with his wife, Catherine, and twin boys, Tom and Alex, in New York City, at the east end of the Lincoln Highway. Jamie Jensen lives in New York, NY.


MATT DE FINA - WINEMAKER, DE FINA FAMILY CELLARS

Matt De Fina was born with Cystic Fibrosis- a fatal, genetic disease that predominantly effects the lungs. Cystic Fibrosis causes the body to produce abnormally thick and sticky mucus. This thick, sticky mucus obstructs the airways, causing decreased lung capacity and decreased lung function. The mucus also serves as a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, which lead to life-threatening lung infections, as well. Matt was diagnosed with this disease at 20 days old and his parents were initially told that he wouldn’t live to see his 4th birthday. Despite this grave prognosis, Matt’s parents were determined to see him beat this disease and live a normal, happy life. Thus, they were very disciplined and dedicated in their approach, making sure that Matt never missed a medication or treatment, received proper nutrition, and saw his Pulmonologists at Oakland Children’s Hospital on a regular basis. Despite their efforts, Matt was still hospitalized many times throughout his childhood due to exacerbations of his Cystic Fibrosis. However, Matt and his parents were able to beat that prognosis and by the time he was in Elementary School, his disease began to stabilize and he began to flourish in school, sports, and other activities. Throughout Elementary, Middle, and High School, Matt was very active and played numerous sports, including Baseball, Basketball, Tennis, and Track & Field. His Cystic Fibrosis was under control.

ADULT LIFE
After high school, Matt attended college at California State University, Fresno, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree, was inducted into the Order of Omega National Honor Society, and was the President of his fraternity: Sigma Phi Epsilon. A few years later, Matt also earned an MBA degree from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. While at Fresno State, Matt met the woman of his dreams- Denise. They began dating and were married in 2003. For much of his adult life, Matt’s health remained stable and he was able to work full-time in the medical industry. In his career, he worked as an EMT, a Pharmaceutical Sales Rep, and a Medical Device Sales Rep. He and Denise also enjoyed traveling and eventually discovered Napa Valley. Matt and Denise fell in love with Napa Valley from the moment they first visited. They became fascinated with wine and dreamed of one day owning their own wine brand. For many years, Napa Valley was just an annual or bi-annual vacation, but in 2010, a new job for Matt allowed them to relocate to the San Francisco Bay Area. They chose to settle in none other than Napa County. However, it was around this time that Matt’s health began to decline quickly. Matt began seeing the CF medical specialists at Stanford University Hospital for his care. Despite doing everything that he was supposed to –  taking his medications, doing his treatments, exercising, taking in proper nutrition – his Cystic Fibrosis was worsening. By April of 2012, Matt’s lungs had deteriorated to the point that he was on oxygen full-time, his lung function had declined to 22%, and he was forced to go on disability from work. His doctors at Stanford told him that he only had 2 years left to live unless he received a double-lung transplant.

TRANSPLANT AND LIFE AFTER
In April of 2012, Matt was added to the transplant list to await a double-lung transplant at Stanford. On May 15 of 2012, Matt received that miraculous phone call- that there was a donor for him. A new pair of lungs had become available and were a perfect match for Matt. He was rushed to Stanford and received his double-lung transplant. His surgery lasted roughly 6 hours and went incredibly well. He remained in the ICU for only 1 ½ days before being transferred to a step-down unit. The nurses and doctors at Stanford were amazing and did a wonderful job taking care of Matt from start to finish! Matt was discharged just 9 days after his surgery and began the long road of recovery. Since that miraculous event, Matt’s life has done a complete 180. From being barely able to breathe and relying on oxygen therapy 24/7 to now having 100% O2 saturation on room air and being able to breathe deeply with his new lungs, Matt knows better than anyone just how precious it is to be able to simply BREATHE. Receiving a new pair of lungs has enabled Matt to do things that were previously very difficult, if not impossible. Simple things- such as taking a shower, getting dressed, tying his shoes, and simply walking- had become next-to-impossible. Matt couldn’t even pick up and hold his own daughter, Gracie, without getting incredibly short-of-breath. However, with his new lungs Matt could suddenly do all of these things and more!

THE WINE BUSINESS
Once Matt received a new lease on life, he and Denise promptly began living with the philosophy that life is too short, and thus, we shouldn’t take any breath for granted. Therefore, we should enjoy every moment and live life to the fullest with every breath we take.  With renewed health and vitality, Matt and Denise De Fina figured now was the best time to realize their dream of launching their own wine brand. With all of the ‘breathing’ issues that Matt has faced in his lifetime, the De Fina’s wanted to use this as an opportunity to not only make delicious wine, but to spread awareness of Cystic Fibrosis, Organ Donation, and Transplantation. Without Matt’s double-lung transplant, he wouldn’t be here today. De Fina Family Cellars would not exist. Thus, you wouldn’t be able to enjoy our fabulous wine and everyone would lose out! So…if you aren’t already a registered organ donor, please become one today! Who knows—your organs could lead to more fabulous wine someday!

DEFINAFAMILYCELLARS.COM

06/24 LARRY LIPSON, CHEF BILLY PARISI, GRILLING TIPS FOR 4TH OF JULY

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.


CHEF BILLY PARISI - SUMMER ENTERTAINING AND GRILLING TIPS FOR 4TH OF JULY

At 31 years of age, Billy Parisi has the education and experience of a seasoned chef. By the time he enrolled at the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2002, Parisi had already graduated from Arizona’s Scottsdale Culinary Institute—and logged several years as line cook, sous chef, and executive in some of the Midwest’s finest restaurants.

Throughout his four years at Mizzou, Parisi continued to nurture his passion for food, bartending at local Columbia establishments and cooking alongside Executive Chef Daniel Pliska at the prestigious University Alumni Club. He and Pliska competed to win the title of “Iron Chef of Missouri” in 2004. A Bachelors of Science in Communications / Video Production set the stage for Parisi’s roles as the faces of fixmyrecipe.com, Lowes Foods, Heinen’s Grocery Stores and Sears Holdings Corporations. Parisi has been featured on several national TV, radio and print mediums, including the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun-Times, DIY network and Comcast On-Demand.

WWW.BILLYPARISI.COM
WWW.EASYHOMEMEALS.COM

06/23 MORGEN MCLAUGHLIN, SANTA BARBARA VINTNERS, AMY RIOLO, THE ULTIMATE MEDITERRANEAN DIET COOKBOOK

MORGEN MCLAUGHLIN - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SANTA BARBARA VINTNERS - UPCOMING EVENTS AND SUMMER HAPPENINGS IN SB

Morgen McLaughlin is the Executive Director of the Santa Barbara County Vintners’ Association a nonprofit membership organization representing over one hundred wineries in Santa Barbara County, California.  Previously she was the president and CEO of Finger Lakes Wine Country Tourism Marketing Association, a regional tourism marketing association in the Finger Lakes region of New York State and owned and managed a small vineyard and winery in Connecticut.  Morgen has undergraduate degrees in English and Secondary Education from Boston College and is completing her Wine Business Management Certificate from Sonoma State University.  In her free time Morgen enjoys hiking, cooking, traveling, wine and spending time with her husband and three sons.

ABOUT SANTA BARBARA VINTNERS
The Santa Barbara Vintners (Santa Barbara County Vintners' Association) is a non-profit 501 (c) 6 organization founded in 1983 to support and promote Santa Barbara County as a world-class, authentic wine producing and wine grape growing region. The Association includes winery members whose annual production is at least 75% Santa Barbara County (or sub-AVA) labeled,  winery
associate, vineyards, vineyard management companies, hospitality, and industry associate members.

The association produces festivals, educational seminars and tastings, and provides information to consumers, trade, and media.

• Vintners Spring Weekend and Festival in April to herald the upcoming vintage
• Celebration of Harvest Weekend and Festival in October during the excitement
• of the grape harvest
• Key to Wine Country Weeekend
• Santa Barbara Wine Country Touring Guide
• AVA maps
• Website, social media pages, mobile app, blog and e-newsletters

The organization's mission is to promote the wine and grape industry of Santa Barbara County and, in doing so, bring favorable media coverage to the area and help support the tourism industry which is vital to the region.

Individual wineries make many contributions to the local community, through donations of product, personnel and monetary support. In addition, the Santa Barbara Vintners' Foundation hosts special events where the proceeds of which go in part to local nonprofit organizations and the Santa Barbara Wine Auction benefiting Direct Relief.

WWW.SBCOUNTYWINES.COM



AMY RIOLO - AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR, CHEF, TELEVISION PERSONALITY, CUISINE AND CULTURE EXPERT - THE ULTIMATE MEDITERRANEAN DIET COOKBOOK

More than a mix of rich history, gorgeous beaches, and warm blue waters, the countries along the Mediterranean Sea and their people have a history of living longer and healthier lives and you can too! By simply following a Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil, nuts, beans, fish, fruits and vegetables, even drinking wine with meals, you can prevent diseases and prolong your life.

The Ultimate Mediterranean Diet Cookbook is the only book needed to unleash the power of one of the world's healthiest diets. It integrates the latest research and clinical findings with 100 delicious, authentic, easy recipes and Mediterranean lifestyle tips while dispelling any myths and misinformation.

Using the Mediterranean Pyramid as a guide, cuisine expert Amy Riolo gets to the core of the Mediterranean lifestyle, and explains what is eaten, when to eat it, and why. Each recipe in The Ultimate Mediterranean Diet Cookbook contains a cultural tip from the Mediterranean region. Fun historical facts, legend, and lore, as well as nutritional information accompany each recipe.

The Ultimate Mediterranean Diet Cookbook features recipes from all countries in the region to include perennial favorites, little known treasures, and recent discoveries.

Get ready to enjoy a healthy lifestyle that includes enticing, satisfying, recipes- great for family dinners and entertaining, for any and all occasions, to be appreciated by any palate.

BIOGRAPHY:
As an award - winning author, chef, television personality, cuisine and culture expert, and educator, Amy Riolo is known for sharing history, culture, and nutrition through global cuisine. She makes frequent appearances on numerous television and radio programs both in the United States and abroad, including Fox TV, CBS, Montgomery and Fairfax County TV, Nile TV, The Travel Channel, Martha Stewart Living Radio, WHYY, and Abu Dhabi Television.  Amy also created and appeared weekly in ninety second cooking videos entitled “Culture of Cuisine” which air on nationally syndicated news shows on 28 different channels across the United States, totaling a reach of over 300 million  people.  One of her videos recently reached a record of four million hits.

Amy’s most recent book, The Ultimate Mediterranean Diet Cookbook was released in April 2015 and has already earned 5 star reviews on Amazon as well as many positive reviews. Her seventh book, The Italian Diabetes Cookbook will be released in January 2016. Her third book, The Mediterranean Diabetes Cookbook, (American Diabetes Association) was released in March 2010, received a starred PW review, won the 2011 Nautilus Book Award and was named “Best. Diabetes. Cookbook. Ever. “ by DiabetesMine.com. Her second book Nile Style; Egyptian Cuisine and Culture (Hippocrene Books) won the World Gourmand Award for "Best Arab Cuisine Book" in the United States and was just released in a second edition. Her first book, Arabian Delights; Recipes & Princely Entertaining Ideas from the Arabian Peninsula was chosen as one of the “16 Volumes Worth Staining” by the Washington Post (Capital Books, 2007). Amy also contributed to The Food Cultures of the World Encyclopedia and co-wrote The Al Tiramisu Restaurant Cookbook: An Elevated Approach to Authentic Italian Cuisine with award-winning chef/restaurateur Luigi Diotaiuti.

Amy, and American of Calabrian descent, was recently awarded the Wise Women 2015 award from The National Organization of Italian American Women. She is a Culinary Advisor for The Mediterranean Food Alliance. Her work has appeared in numerous print media including USA Today, Cooking Light magazine, The Washington Post, CNN.com, The Wall Street Journal, Gulf News, Popular Anthropology Magazine, The UAE National, and international newspapers and hundreds of blogs. She is also the author of a noted culinary/cultural blog called Amyriolo.blogspot.com.

Amy is frequently asked to lecture and give demonstrations on diabetes-friendly eating, and cuisine and culture at medical conferences, book fairs, universities, culinary symposiums, museums, embassies, fundraisers, libraries, and farmer’s markets on over three different continents, and five states in the USA. Last year her live audiences alone totaled 18,350 people. With the addition of podcasts, her popularity and viewership has grown immensely.

As a successful restaurant consultant and graduate of Cornell University, Amy enjoys developing concepts, action plans, recipes, training seminars and guides, and themes for corporations, restaurants, and hotels. Amy has created menus for many world leaders, earning her the title “Cook to the Kings” from a Cairo newspaper in 2008. She has consulted international business owners on bakeries, cafes, restaurants, and culinary stores where she taught vocational baking classes for thousands of pastry chefs. Amy has taught recreational classes at Living Social, Sur la Table, and Open Kitchen in Washington, DC.

Internationally, Amy had led professional and recreational cooking classes in Italy, Egypt, and the  UAE, and leads culinary tours.

Amy also uses her culinary expertise to write scripts for culinary movies and television programs. She just completed filming a demo for the Two to Travel television series with Chef Luigi Diotaiuti.  The duo also created a video documentary entitled The Beauty of Basilicata at the James beard Foundation. They also led a culinary cruise from Istanbul to Athens on Oceania Cruises in October 2014. She is a member of The International Association of Culinary Professionals, Cornell Club DC, Les Dames d’Escoffier (Global Culinary Initiative Chair), Slow Food DC, The James Beard Foundation, The National Organization of Italian American Women, and the Culinary Historians of Washington.

In addition to her professional work, Amy spends a great deal of her time supporting philanthropic efforts.  Amy can often be found mentoring culinary students, teaching children’s cooking classes, and participating on panels for charity events. One of the highlights of her volunteering career was chairing the Baltimore Luxor Alexandria Sister City Committee which enabled her to obtain a grant to provide clean drinking water for a village outside of Luxor, Egypt. Amy is based in the Washington, DC area and travels extensively through the Mediterranean region.

WWW.AMYRIOLO.COM

06/21 DR. JANET ANGEL, Nature’s Sources. LLC., EMILY KAUFMANN, CALIFORNIA WINE FESTIVAL: SANTA BARBARA

DR. JANET ANGEL - SIMPLE RULES TO DITCH YOUR "GULP-AND-GO" LIFESTYLE

For many of us, life has become so hectic that we scarcely have time to think about what we’re stuffing into our mouth each day. But our “gulp-and-go” lifestyle is taking a toll on our health. “Americans no longer ‘eat to thrive’; we now ‘eat to survive’, says nutritional biochemist and wellness expert Dr. Janet Angel. Dr. Angel says now is the time for us to get a quick crash course in “Eating 101”, where she’ll review Seven Simple Rules for Healthy Eating,which she says will make us feel great while significantly decreasing our chances of falling victim to aches, pains, and degenerative diseases both now and as we advance in years.

SEVEN SIMPLE RULES FOR HEALTHY EATING:
• Eat only when you’re hungry.
• Don’t mix food types / Eat foods in the proper order
• Don’t Eat When You’re Feeling Stressed, ill, or injured
• Chew 22 times – including protein drinks
• Don’t eat overly-cooked & overly- processed foods
• Give your food a background check.
• Use spices and natural digestive aids to help break down what you eat.

ABOUT DR. JANET ANGEL, PhD.
Janet Angel, PhD, is a nutritional biochemist and wellness expert with more than twenty years of professional experience in the natural health care industry. A popular lecturer and frequently invited guest on radio and TV programs around the country, Dr. Janet currently serves as product formulator, executive Vice Present, and media spokesperson for dietary supplement maker Nature’s Sources. LLC.

WWW.NATURESSOURCES.COM 

EMILY KAUFMANN - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CALIFORNIA WINE FESTIVAL: SANTA BARBARA JULY 16-18 

Don’t miss our 12th Annual California Wine Festival, in beautiful Santa Barbara, CA one of the largest outdoor wine festivals in the state! This beautiful city is the original home of the CWF, a spectacular gathering of wine, food, music and fun at the beach! A true world-class resort city, Santa Barbara attracts sophisticated visitors from around the world many of whom spend a few days by the beach tasting great California wines. A hip crowd of thousands of wine lovers flock to our three-day Festival, making this one of the most desirable consumer wine events of the year!

EVENT SCHEDULE
Old Spanish Nights Tasting – $49 advance price
Thursday, July 16, 2015 6:30-9pm
15 E De La Guerra St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Sunset Reserve & Rare Wine Tasting – $110 advance price
Friday, July 17, 2015 6:30-9pm

Chase Palm Park Plaza at the Carousel
223 E. Cabrillo Blvd. Santa Barbara, CA

Beachside Wine Festival – $69 advance price
Saturday, July 18, 2015 – 1-4pm (VIPs 12pm)
236 E. Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Event Overview
The California Wine Festival is a showcase of California’s premier wine and culinary professionals.  At each location, the Festival showcases nearly 250 wines from over 70 wineries, 30 of the areas fine dining restaurants, gourmet food companies, and lifestyle exhibitors.

Mission Statement
The mission of the California Wine Festivals is to promote and celebrate fine wine, foods and lifestyle of California. The California Wine Festival focuses national attention on California’s premier wine producers and culinary professionals.

Vision or Purpose Statement
Charity: to raise funds for the Surfrider Foundation – South Orange County Chapter, Foodbank of Santa Barbara County and 1% for the Planet

Education: for the general consumer, to promote California wine and culinary education through direct one-on-one access to world class culinary professionals and wine experts

Recognition: to bring national and regional attention to the wine and culinary offerings of California
2015 Top Culinary Festivals and Wine Events around the US and the World – Gayot
Top Food & Wine Festivals for 2014 – Trip Advisor




WWW.CALIFORNIAWINEFESTIVAL.COM

06/19 JOY CUSHING, CHURCH AND STATE, EMMA SWAIN, ST. SUPERY VINEYARDS & WINERY, FATHER’S DAY GRAPES & GRILLS TASTING, STEVE EVANS

JOY CUSHING – WINE DIRECTOR, 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.

CHURCHANDSTATEBISTRO.COM


EMMA SWAIN – CEO, ST. SUPERY VINEYARDS & WINERY – FATHER’S DAY GRAPES & GRILLS TASTING THIS SUNDAY

Father s Day Grapes & Grills Tasting

Sunday June 21, 2015 at 10:00AM - 3:00PM

Join us on the patio as we fire up the grill to celebrate Dad! Especially for Father's Day we've come up with a tasting that includes three grilled bites, one from the garden and our take on a beef and a lamb slider, perfectly paired with our latest releases of 2013 Dollarhide Estate Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, 2010 Dollarhide Estate Vineyard Petit Verdot and 2012 Dollarhide Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.

$40.00 per guest, $20.00 for Wine Club Members.

Reservations are required. Book online or call our Reservations Concierge, 707.963.4507.

Online reservations

ABOUT EMMA:
Emma Swain is the CEO of St Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery. She received her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Managerial Economics from the University of California, Davis and is a Certified Public Accountant. Emma has worked in the wine industry for more than 20 years. She began her career with Niebaum-Coppola Winery and served as the Chief Operating Officer at Sebastiani Vineyards prior to joining St. Supéry Estate. Emma currently serves as a board member for the Napa Valley Vintners, as well as serving on multiple sub-committees. Emma also volunteers locally with a number of environmental, educational and health-based charities. She is an avid runner and has several half marathons under her belt of accomplishments.

WWW.STSUPERY.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.

06/18 PATRICK HICKEY, RAO'S HOLLYWOOD, SUMMER CONCERT SERIES, GIO BALISTRERI, RUSSIAN RIVER VINEYARDS, PASSPORT TO PINOT

PATRICK HICKEY - GENERAL MANAGER, RAO'S HOLLYWOOD – SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

OUR STORY
TRADITION AND RITUAL ARE THE HEART AND SOUL OF ITALIAN CUISINE. SINCE 1896 THE RAO'S FAMILY HAS BELIEVED IN SHARING THOSE TRADITIONS. WE INVITE YOU TO TAKE PART IN SHARING- WITH US AND WITH EACH OTHER—THE RAO'S FAMILY WAY OF FEASTING. IF YOU FOLLOW ALONG WITH OUR MENU, YOU WILL EXPERIENCE RITUALS VINCENT RAO AND ANNE PELLEGRINO HAVE PASSED TO OUR GENERATION. WITH THE HELP OF YOUR SERVER, ENJOY THE MOST IMPORTANT INGREDIENTS IN YOUR DINING EXPERIENCE: FOOD, FRIENDS, AND FAMILY. WE PROMISE THAT YOU WILL NOT ONLY LEAVE FULL BUT FULFILLED.

THE HISTORY
RAO'S NEW YORK IS A CULINARY NATIONAL TREASURE. WIDELY ACCLAIMED FOR ITS AUTHENTIC, SOUTHERN NEAPOLITAN ITALIAN COOKING AND ITS HOME-STYLE FAMILY AMBIANCE, RAO'S WAS HONORED WITH A PINNACLE THREE STARS FROM NEW YORK TIMES RESTAURANT CRITIC MIMI SHERATON DESCRIBING THE CUISINE AS "EXQUISITELY SIMPLE ITALIAN COOKING."

OPENED IN 1896, THE RESTAURANT IS CELEBRATED AS ONE OF THE COUNTRIES' OLDEST FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED RESTAURANTS RUNNING IN ITS ORIGINAL LOCATION. HANDING DOWN CHERISHED PELLEGRINO AND RAO TRADITIONS AS ITS MAIN INGREDIENTS, THE RAO'S MENU PAIRS GENERATIONS OF AUTHENTICITY AND LOVE WITH FRESHNESS AND FLAVOR.

ALL LOCATIONS, NEW YORK, LAS VEGAS AND LOS ANGELES, SERVE AND SATIATE SOME OF THE MOST POWERFUL APPETITES IN THE WORLD. AT THE NEW YORK LOCATION, THE LIST OF REGULARS READS LIKE THE "WHO'S WHO" OF NEW YORK COGNOSCENTI, INCLUDING WOODY ALLEN, BILLY CRYSTAL, ROB REINER, NICHOLAS PILEGGI AND DANNY AIELLO. LEGIONS OF POLITICIANS, SPORTS FIGURES AND MATINEE IDOLS HAVE JOCKEYED FOR A RESERVATION. THERE, DINING AT RAO'S IS A LEGENDARY EXPERIENCE SO BELOVED THAT GETTING A SEAT IS ONLY POSSIBLE IF YOU ARE A REGULAR AND HAVE, "TABLE RIGHTS," OR IF YOU'RE LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE INVITED AS A GUEST BY SOMEONE WHO DOES. IN LAS VEGAS, YOU ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE OUR GUEST. FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS, WE INVITE YOU TO SIT BACK AND RELAX WHILE FILLING YOURSELF WITH MORE THAN FOOD. CHEERS!

RAOSRESTAURANTS.COM


GIO BALISTRERI - GENERAL MANAGER / WINEMAKER – RUSSIAN RIVER VINEYARDS - TALKING ABOUT THE UPCOMING PASSPORT TO PINOT

RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY PASSPORT – JUNE 27-28, 2015

From 11 am -4 pm, Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28, visit more than 30 acclaimed wineries and enjoy world-class wines, including limited and early releases, barrel samples, special offers and unmatched hospitality. This tasting experience will have you discovering the rugged beauty of our valley and our region’s most celebrated wineries, unique artists and hidden gems.  The Russian River Valley Passport weekend offers ticket holders exclusive experiences throughout the weekend at participating wineries, many that aren’t open to the public. A Saturday night VIP barbecue at Gail Ann’s Vineyard in the heart of Russian River Valley will allow a limited number of ticket holders to mingle with the winemakers and growers over smoky summer fare. Catering provided by Suchernova Farm, Cork’s Restaurant, Twist Eatery and Kozlowski Farms.

FOR $10 OFF WEEKEND PASSPORT TICKETS OR VIP BBQ TICKETS (INCLUDES PASSPORT) USE PROMO CODE CRNRADIO - OFFER EXPIRES 6/24

BIO:
Giovanni Balistreri is a lifelong Sonoma County resident, growing up in Sebastopol, where farming was in his blood. After graduating from high school in 1999 he planted first vineyard of Pinot Noir in Freestone on the land in which he grew up on.  His first experience working in the wine industry was at Louis M Martini tasting room in Saint Helena in 2001 working in the tasting room. After graduating from Fresno State University 2004 with a BS degree in Agricultural Business, Gio & his father began to build a winery at their Freestone Vineyard location. In the fall of 2008, Gio partnered with Chris O'Neil and Anthony Austin and took over the property formally known as Topolos. They reopened Russian River

Vineyards and Corks restaurant was born. Executive chef Paul Scandura joined the team 2015 and they began producing world class wines and food for all of Sonoma County to enjoy. Since 2008 Russian River Vineyards has produced more than 100 medals, 30 of these medals are gold.  January of 2012 Gio became Head Winemaker for Russian River Vineyards, with Anthony as consulting Winemaker.  In 2014 Gio and Anthony were awarded:  “Best Winemaker Award” from the North of the Gate Wine Competition. Currently Gio serves as immediate past President of the Sebastopol Chamber of Commerce, Serves on the Board of Directors for the Russian River Valley Growers as the Second VP, Chairs the Apple Blossom Festival Steering Committee where he has brought record growth and success as well as volunteers for many other community organizations.  Gio still finds time to manage his family's vineyard, the wineries Estate Vineyards, and a good game of golf.

WWW.RUSSIANRIVERVINEYARDS.COM
RRVW.ORG

06/17 MARIO ARMSTRONG, TECH IDEAS, LARRY LIPSON, AFFORDABLE WINE REPORT

DIGITAL LIFESTYLE EXPERT  MARIO ARMSTRONG - 5 SMART TECH IDEAS THAT WILL HELP US CONNECT WITH OUR HOME

Our home is becoming more connected than ever before with smart devices that are changing the way people experience information, safety, entertainment and everyday life. We can now gain even more control of our home with new technology that will help simplify everyday tasks. Award-winning Tech Expert Mario Armstrong takes a look at some of the smart technology making its way into our homes in 2015!

ABOUT MARIO ARMSTRONG:
As an Emmy Award winning host, Mario appears regularly on TV and radio. Mario is the Digital and Technology Commentator for NBC’S Today Show, HLN, Fuse and CNN. In addition, Mario has appeared on the following shows: Dr. Oz, Steve Harvey, Rachael Ray, Nate Berkus, Katie Couric, and Inside Edition. On radio, Mario is a technology contributor for NPR’s Morning Edition and Tell Me More programs.

Armstrong’s mission in life is to better people’s lives by educating them on how to use technology to enhance their personal and professional lives.


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.

06/16 CHRIS STONE, WASHINGTON STATE WINES, U.S. OPEN, SALLY JAMES, SLO LIVING RADIO

CHRIS STONE - VP OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS, WASHINGTON STATE WINE - WASHINGTON STATE’S WORLD-CLASS WINES TO BE SHOWCASED AT U.S. OPEN

Washington State’s World-class Wines to be Showcased at U.S. Open
Hospitality tent near 18th tee will feature 120 wines throughout tournament

Washington State Wine will bring a wine-themed hospitality experience to the U.S. Open Golf Championship at the Chambers Bay Golf Course in University Place, Wash., on June 15-21. The organization, which represents all wineries and grape growers in Washington, will sponsor a corporate tent near the 18th tee throughout the tournament as a way to showcase the state’s world-class wines. More than 350 wine buyers, sommeliers and key media are expected to be hosted in the tent.

This is the first time in history that the U.S. Open will be held in the Pacific Northwest.

A team of Seattle’s top sommeliers selected 120 Washington State wines to be shown at the U.S. Open. Approximately 20 wines will be poured in the tent each day, including during practice rounds.

In addition, Washington State Wine will host a book signing of “America’s St. Andrews” in the hospitality tent on Wednesday, June 17. Author Blaine Newnham and golf course architect Robert Trent Jones, Jr., who designed Chambers Bay, will be present.

The tent is co-sponsored by Visit Seattle and Delta Air Lines. To learn more about the U.S. Open, visit www.chambersbaygolf.com/us-open/.

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


SALLY JAMES - AUTHOR, FOOD & WINE CONSULTANT, AUSTRALIAN FOOD & WINE AMBASSADOR & CO-HOST OF OUR VERY OWN SLO LIVING RADIO TELLS US ALL ABOUT HER RECENT TRIP TO AUSTRALIA 

Sally James is an award-winning Australian author, educator, chef, television presenter and radio host whose books and recipes have won international acclaim for food & wine pairing, health and creativity. Sally is the author of eighteen cookbooks and publications, including her best-selling Simply Healthy—winner of the prestigious World Cookbook Awards, Versailles, France, 1999 for Best Health Cookbook; Fresh and Healthy–Winner of the 2001 IACP International Cookbook Award in the Health category; Simply Sensational, a finalist for the IACP Award in 2003; Escape to Yountville – Recipes for Health and Relaxation from the Napa Valley, and the Australian Heart Foundation Cookbook.

Since relocating to the U.S. in 2001, James has been a guest presenter on the Food Network and UPN Networks, a recurring guest on ABC TV’s View from the Bay, and has been featured in magazines including Cooking Light, Wine Spectator, Fitness, Family Circle, New York Times' Savor Wine Country, Plate, In the Mix and Healthy Cooking.

She has been a guest chef and lecturer for the American Heart Association, the Culinary Institute of America, Disney’s Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, COPIA, Aspen Food and Wine Classic, the National Restaurant Association Show, Draegar's and Publix Markets, the American Institute of Food & Wine, and Johnson & Wales Universities across the United States.

SHE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT 2 REGIONS OF AUSTRAILIA:
Noosa, a town on the coast in Queensland with a wonderful beach, world class restaurants, wine bars, boutiques and hotels, and shortly inland, charming country towns and lush rainforest.  She stayed at SeaHaven Noosa and Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat.

Canberra, the Capitol. Few people realize the capitol of  Aussieland is not Sydney, but it is Canberra, 3 hours South west.  An amazing city to visit, with modernist architecture, incredible museums, its own wine region, truffle farms and restaurants to rival both Sydney and Melbourne.

WWW.SLOWLIVINGRADIO.COM

06/15 VOJTECH KACEROVSKY, CZECHTOURISM LOS ANGELES, AILEEN EVERY, FATHER'S DAY GIFT GIVING

VOJTECH KACEROVSKY – DIRECTOR, CZECHTOURISM LOS ANGELES

ABOUT CZECH TOURISM:
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.

Dance Prague 2015 - May 25, 2015Jun 25, 2015 - Dance is the hidden language of the soul – enjoy the performances of domestic and foreign dance artists!

Starobrno – Ignis Brunensis Brno - May 22, 2015Jun 21, 2015 - A fireworks show will light up the night over Brno!

Bohemia Jazz Fest - Jul 8, 2015Jul 18, 2015 - Summertime in the Czech Republic reverberates with one of the biggest jazz festivals in Europe!

WWW.CZECHTOURISM.COM


AILEEN AVERY - TV PERSONALITY & AUTHOR OF AN AMAZING BOOK THAT CELEBRATES THE HISTORY & ART OF GIFT GIVING - FATHER’S DAY GIFT INSPIRATION

WHAT DOES DAD REALLY WANT? - FATHER’S DAY GIFT INSPIRATION

This year, dad’s big day is coincides with the first day of summer, so there’s double the reason to make this Father’s Day a special celebration!  What activities and gifts would make Dad most happy?  TV personality and author Aileen Avery is excited to bring audiences around the country some fun, sporty, leisurely ideas and even historic ideas.  This holiday historian will share the history of Father’s Day, as well as some timely ways to make this holiday special!

FEATURED FUN FOR FATHER’S DAY:
• GOURMET FROZEN FOODS – Ship the highest quality steaks, seafood, appetizers and desserts straight to your door…even wine, chocolate and gift baskets!
• SUMMER STYLE –Update Dad’s summer wardrobe with bright colors and big style
• PERSONALIZATION PARADISE – Timely quality gifts you can personalize with a name, date, initials, or simply “DAD”
• COUPON CRAZINESS –How you can access 500,000+ Coupons for 50,000 Stores
Aileen is a lifestyle and gift expert, experienced TV host, and mother of two boys.  She has been a guest on  numerous  shows  on  HGTV, Discovery Channel,  Animal Planet,  and The Travel
Channel, Aileen Aileen is also the author of Gift Rap: The History and Art of Gift Giving.
 
ABOUT AILEEN AVERY
Aileen Avery is a lifestyle and gift expert, tv host, and mom of two boys.  She's hosted several national television shows on Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, The Travel Channel, and HGTV's "I Want That!".  She's also the author of "Gift Rap: The History and Art of Gift Giving."  Aileen enjoys finding the truly fun and unique experiences in life and sharing them with friends and family.

ABOUT GIFT RAP
Why do we give gifts at Christmas? Or for birthdays and weddings? The answer has more to do with history and ritual than mere thoughtful and romantic ideas. Explore the traditions behind gift giving holidays in "Gift Rap: The History and Art of Gift Giving." Think outside the box and take the stress out of finding the perfect present!

FATHER’S DAY HISTORY
There are two separate accounts of how Father's Day came to be. The first one occurred on July 5, 1908 in a church in West Virginia. Grace Golden Clayton suggested a memorial be held for all of the 361 men who died in an explosion the previous year, many of them fathers.

The second account was inspired by Mother's Day. Sonora Smart Dodd wanted a similar holiday to honor fathers. Her own father, William Jackson Smart, raised their family as a single parent after the death of their mother. Because William's birthday was in June, Sonora thought it fitting to have the holiday during that month.

So the first Father's Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910. President Calvin Coolidge recommended that Father's Day become a national holiday in 1924, but it wasn't until 1972 that President Richard Nixon made it official.

*Little known fact: Roses are the official flower of Father's Day. Red roses for those who are alive and white roses for those dads who've passed away.

WWW.TIPSONTV.COM
WWW.GIFTEXPERT.COM

06/12 STEVEN FRYE, CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN, ARI STIDHAM, CBS, SCORPION, PATSY MCGAUGHY, NAPA VALLEY VINTNERS, AUCTION NAPA VALLEY, STEVE EVANS

STEVEN FRYE - MARKETING MANAGER, CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN - ALL NEW GLUTEN FREE AND HAND-TOSSED STYLE PRODUCTS

California Pizza Kitchen® Takes a Step Above the Ordinary with New Oven-Ready Pizzas
New Gluten-Free and Hand-Tossed Style Products Bring a Little Something Unexpected in the Frozen Pizza Aisle

California Pizza Kitchen® – known for creating innovative pizzas and delivering them to consumers in its restaurants and grocery stores – is introducing two new crusts in five new oven-ready varieties. Currently available in grocers nationwide, these new pizzas deliver unexpectedly delicious flavor using thoughtfully selected premium ingredients.

“At California Pizza Kitchen, we put a great deal of thought  into how we craft our pizzas to make sure each one is special – from the type of tomatoes we use to where and how the basil is grown – so that we can deliver on delicious in unexpected ways,” said Steven Frye, brand manager for Nestle Pizza. “Our newest oven-ready pizzas bring restaurant-inspired recipes and flavorful combinations of ingredients – like vine-ripened tomatoes and smooth mozzarella with a balsamic-infused sauce – straight to your kitchen.”

Newly Launched Varieties
Rooted in the success of the Crispy Thin Crust pizzas, two new product lines – Gluten-Free and Hand-Tossed Style – are available in stores now!

Gluten-Free Crispy Thin Crust Style pizzas supply the same unforgettable flavor without the gluten. They’re carefully crafted with no artificial flavors and a preservative-free crust, and are available in the following varieties:

• Gluten-Free Crispy Thin Crust Margherita: Made with vine-ripened tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, sweet basil and mozzarella, this recipe features a tomato sauce infused with balsamic vinegar on a crispy thin gluten-free crust.
• Gluten-Free Crispy Thin Crust BBQ Recipe Chicken: Grilled white meat chicken is combined with red onions, cilantro, smoked Gouda and mozzarella cheeses, and a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce to satisfy that same unforgettable flavor of consumers’ favorite California Pizza Kitchen pizza.
• Offering a pizza crust sensation that’s artisan-style in every way, new Hand-Tossed Style pizzas are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Inspired by the restaurant’s most popular crust, it is available with three mouthwatering and uniquely California Pizza Kitchen topping combinations:
• Hand-Tossed Style The Works: This version of a Supreme pizza combines pepperoni, Italian pork sausage, green bell peppers, caramelized onions, white button mushrooms, black olives and mozzarella, Parmesan, Asiago and Romano cheeses, topped with an herbed tomato sauce.
• Hand-Tossed Style California Style White: Sweet tomatoes balance a kick of garlic in this pizza recipe, complemented by chopped spinach, premium ricotta and mozzarella, and fine Parmesan, Asiago and Romano cheeses, finished with a creamy garlic sauce.
• Hand-Tossed Style BBQ Recipe Chicken with Bacon: Applewood smoked bacon, BBQ-seasoned white meat chicken, sliced red onions, premium smoked Gouda and mozzarella come together to create a tasty twist on an original favorite. It’s topped with chopped cilantro and a tangy BBQ sauce. 

Discover More
When you’re looking for something above the ordinary, there’s an oven-ready pizza from California Pizza Kitchen ready for you. Visit www.CPKFrozen.com for more information about the entire line of oven-ready pizza, recipe ideas and food and beverage pairing tips.

About California Pizza Kitchen
Born in Beverly Hills in 1985, California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) is a leader in authentic California-style cuisine and is widely known for its innovative menu items. California Pizza Kitchen provides a range of California-inspired dishes, from signature hand-tossed and hearth-baked pizzas, to imaginative salads, pastas, entrées, soups, sandwiches and cocktails. A Southern California classic, CPK incites international cravings in more than 11 different countries. For more information on California Pizza Kitchen visit cpk.com or cpkfrozen.com for our oven ready pizzas. Follow them on Twitter @calpizzakitchen, like on Facebook at www.facebook.com/californiapizzakitchen and stay connected through http://instagram.com/californiapizzakitchen #cpknextchapter.

CPKFROZEN.COM        


ARI STIDHAM – ACTOR - CBS SERIES SCORPION  

“Scorpion” Is the #3 New Series of the Season MONDAY’S 9/8C!

2nd Season Premiere - Monday, Sept. 21@ 9:00 PM

Ari Stidham plays ‘Sylvester Dodd’ one of the nerd genius team members on the CBS hit drama SCROPION. Stidham says his character was based on a computer like R2-D2 form STARWARS plus he has every social disorder you can think of like OCD and anxiety. SCORPION is taken from the true story of Walter O’Brien who is the real life genius and computer expert. The SCORPION team is composed of highly intelligent people who are think tank group for hire and help Homeland Security.

Stidham is best known from the  ABC Family drama “Huge” and has had roles on “The Crazy Ones”, “Mike & Molly” and “Glee”. Off camera Stidham composes and scores his own music under the pseudonym “DrTV”.  And he creates original content for his upcoming sketch comedy.

BIO:
Ari Stidham began a love of performing at an early age, naturally influenced by his parents’ love of music.  While they encouraged Stidham to play sports and other non-theatrical extracurricular activities, he was most exhilarated by singing and theater.

Stidham began playing the piano at age 4, which lead to singing and acting in elementary school productions, and later assorted youth productions in Northern Los Angeles County throughout middle school and high school, including the Santa Susana Reparatory productions of “Hamlet,” “Macbeth” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”  He also participated in the prestigious American Conservatory Theater (ACT) program in San Francisco. His additional theater credits include the Off-Broadway production of “Fat Camp.”

Stidham’s big break came when the creator of the television series “Huge” discovered him doing improvisation and cast him in the drama.  This role lead Stidham to a guest spot in the series “The Whole Truth.” Stidham continues to play piano, as well as guitar and trumpet.  He was born and raised in Westlake Village, Calif. and currently resides in Los Angeles.  His birth date is August 22.  He can be followed on Twitter at @AriStidham.


PATSY MCGAUGHY – MARKETING DIRECTOR, NAPA VALLEY VINTNERS - AUCTION NAPA VALLEY RE-CAP

Auction Napa Valley Raises $15.8 Million for Community Health and Children’s Education

New records set for single Live Auction lot and Barrel and E-Auction totals

Four beautiful days in Napa Valley inspired a bountiful $15.8 million in proceeds from Auction Napa Valley, the Napa Valley Vintners’ (NVV) annual charity fundraiser. Auction Napa Valley funding enriches the lives of more than 90,000 clients annually in Napa County in the areas of community health and children’s education.

In the past year alone, the NVV has invested $23 million in the Napa Valley community. Since its inception in 1981, the NVV has given more than $145 million in Auction Napa Valley proceeds to Napa County nonprofits.

Auction Napa Valley 2015
This year’s Auction Napa Valley began with vintner-hosted Welcome Parties on Thursday evening and continued on Friday with the Napa Valley Barrel Auction at HALL St. Helena. Some 2,000 guests sampled 120 coveted Napa Valley wines, nearly 90% from the much-anticipated 2013 vintage, directly from the barrel, while having a chance to spend time with the winemakers and vintners themselves. The Napa Valley Barrel Auction raised a record $1.9 million through the sale of these Napa Valley wine futures. Friday’s guests also strolled the art-filled grounds at HALL, while enjoying sips of 100 current release Napa Valley wines and tasty bites from more than 40 of Napa Valley’s celebrated chefs and food purveyors.

One of Friday’s most crowd-pleasing moments was the first subtle, then enthralling flash mob performance of "Ode to Joy" from Beethoven’s immortal Ninth Symphony, a gift from the owners of HALL St. Helena, Kathryn and Craig Hall, and produced by Festival del Sole. More than 80 instrumentalists and vocalists from throughout the Bay area were conducted by Ming Luke poised atop an uprighted wine barrel.

Saturday’s Live Auction Celebration at Meadowood Napa Valley saw 850 guests enjoying a wine country marketplace lunch, composed by Chef Michael Chiarello, before gathering in the spacious, clear-span white tent for a rousing auction of 51 extraordinary lots of Napa Valley wines and special experiences.

The Chair’s Lot, donated by Honorary Auction Chairs, the Opus One Team, included a 35-year vertical wine collection of Opus One magnums and a two-week tour and visits with celebrated winemaking families in Napa Valley and throughout Europe. The Chair’s lot first doubled and then tripled selling to three different bidders and raising $2.4 million, becoming the charity wine event’s top grossing lot of all time.

In a surprise appearance, singer-songwriter John Legend performed his hit "All of Me" immediately prior to the sale of Live Auction Lot 31, a collaboration between Legend and Raymond Vineyards. The lot, which includes six etched bottles of Napa Valley wine and a dinner party for 30 graced by a private performance by Legend, sold for $850,000.

As a prelude to the last lot of the day, Fund-A-Need, where bidders give differing amounts of money purely to benefit the needs of children in Napa County, the crowd quieted to watch five-year old Mia dance touchingly on stage with her father. Mia, who lives with her family in Napa County, was helped in part by Auction Napa Valley funding to receive treatment for spina bifida when she was just a toddler.

As the Live Auction ended and guests strolled to a twilight dinner by renowned international Chef Pierre Gagnaire, Auction Napa Valley’s online E-Auction, which had opened on May 31, came to a close, netting a new record of $612,500.

The Next Auction Napa Valley takes place June 2-5, 2016. Tickets go on sale in late January 2016.

Top Ten Live Auction Lots:
• Opus One Chair's Lot
• Napa Valley Vintners: Fund-A-Need
• Raymond Vineyards
• Alejandro Bulgheroni Estate
• Vine Trail
• Screaming Eagle
• Chateau Montelena, Joseph Phelps Vineyards and Quintessa
• Staglin Family Vineyard
• Dana Estates
• Colgin Cellars
• Hestan Vineyards

Top Ten Barrel Auction Lots:
• Atelier Melka
• Realm Cellars
• Mayacamas Vineyards
• Shafer Vineyards
• The Mascot
• Continuum Estate
• Arkenstone Vineyards
• Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery
• Larkmead Vineyards
• Cardinale

Top Ten E-Auction Lots:
• Scarecrow Wine
• Grgich Hills Estate
• Kapcsandy Family Winery
• Beaulieu Vineyard, Sterling Vineyards, Provenance Vineyards, Hewitt Vineyard and Acacia
• Sherwin Family Vineyards
• Crocker & Starr Wines, Outpost Wines
• Clif Family Winery
• Gamble Family Vineyards, Gemstone, Saint Helena Winery, Revana Family Vineyard
• Parry CellarsDalla Valle Vineyards

About Auction Napa Valley
Auction Napa Valley is the NVV's annual community fundraiser that for nearly 35 years has utilized the worldwide reputation of Napa Valley wines and the scenic beauty of the region to raise funds to enhance the health and wellbeing of the Napa Valley community. To date, the NVV has invested more than $145 million from Auction Napa Valley proceeds in Napa County nonprofit organizations. Learn more at auctionnapavalley.org

About the Napa Valley Vintners
The Napa Valley Vintners nonprofit trade association has been cultivating excellence since 1944 by inspiring its more than 500 members to consistently produce wines of the highest quality, to provide environmental leadership and to care for the extraordinary place they call home. Learn more at napavintners.com.

WWW.NAPAVINTNERS.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.

06/11 PIERRICK BOUQUET, LA NUIT EN ROSÉ FESTIVAL, SKYBAR AT THE MONDRIAN HOTEL, CHARLES FLEMING, SECRET WALKS: A WALKING GUIDE TO THE HIDDEN TRAILS OF LOS ANGELES

PIERRICK BOUQUET - CO-FOUNDER OF THE LA NUIT EN ROSÉ FESTIVAL - 6/21 AT THE EXCLUSIVE SKYBAR AT THE MONDRIAN HOTEL

La Nuit en Rosé is the world’s first Food & Wine Festival dedicated to Rosé Wine and Rosé Champagne, bringing together the largest gathering of rosé wine producers, rosé wine lovers, chefs and restaurants. Anything but a typical wine tasting, La Nuit En Rosé is a full culinary experience and a lavish lifestyle celebration.

After the overwhelming sold-out success of the inaugural La Nuit en Rosé event held in June 2014 in New York City, the festival expands in 2015 beyond New York to Miami and Los Angeles – spreading the love of all things pink!

With more than 85 rosé wine labels from 60 wineries in 10 countries –– represented at the 2014 event, La Nuit en Rosé was the largest-ever gathering of rosé producers in the world. More than 2,300 people attended the two-day festival where they were treated to four separate experiences each hosted on a luxurious yacht along the Hudson River.

The 2015 season started off in Miami, from January 30 to February 1, 2015 at the recently opened Miami Beach EDITION, one of South Beach’s most affluent hotels. La Nuit En Rosé will then take place in Los Angeles on June 21st and in New York from June 25th to June 27th 2015. Each event will feature up to 150 Rosé wines and Rosé Champagne with representatives pouring and discussing the wines, themed food stations, lounge areas, photo booths, live entertainment, dancing and more.

As a novelty in 2015, each event will start with a VIP Rosé Wine Pairing Dinner, presented by the Wine Enthusiast Magazine, and will be followed by both media/trade and consumer daytime and evening events. The VIP dinners are specifically designed to elevate the experience by showcasing the beauty of the wines alongside an elegant dinner and in the company of some of the people behind the world’s finest rosé wines.

NUITROSE.COM
PIERRICKBOUQUET.COM



CHARLES FLEMING – AUTHOR, SECRET WALKS: A WALKING GUIDE TO THE HIDDEN TRAILS OF LOS ANGELES

Secret Walks: A Walking Guide to the Hidden Trails of Los Angeles is a sequel to the popular Secret Stairs: A Walking Guide to the Historic Staircases of Los Angeles, and features another collection of exciting urban walks through parks, canyons, and neighborhoods unknown and unseen by most Angelinos. Each walk is rated for duration, distance, and difficulty, and is accompanied by a map.

The walks, like those in Secret Stairs, are filled with fascinating factoids about historical landmarks—the original Bat Cave from Batman, the lake where Opie learned to fish on The Andy Griffith Show, or the storage barn for one of L.A. s oldest wineries. The book also highlights the people who made the landmarks famous: the infamous water engineer William Mulholland; the convicted murderer and philanthropist Colonel Griffith J. Griffith; Charles Lummis, who walked from Cincinnati to Los Angeles to take a job on the L.A. Times; and tobacco millionaire Abbot Kinney, who dug canals to drain the marshes south of Santa Monica and create his American “Venice.

Written in the entertainingly informed style that has made Secret Stairs a Los Angeles Times best-seller, Secret Walks is the perfect book for the walker eager to explore but tired of the crowds at Runyon Canyon or Temescal Park.

ABOUT CHARLES FLEMING:
Charles Fleming writes about automobiles, motorcycles and alternative energy sources for the Los Angeles Times’ Business section. He also writes the urban hiking column LA Walks. A former staff writer for Newsweek, Variety and the Los Angeles Herald Examiner, he is the author of the Los Angeles Times bestseller "High Concept: Don Simpson and the Hollywood Culture of Excess," the New York Times bestseller "My Lobotomy," and "Secret Stairs, A Walking Guide to the Historic Staircases of Los Angeles."  

06/10 LARRY LIPSON, MATT LEE, TED LEE, OVATION TV, SOUTHERN UNCOVERED

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.


MATT LEE & TED LEE - OVATION TV TO PREMIERE NEW ORIGINAL SERIES SOUTHERN UNCOVERED WITH THE LEE BROS. THIS SUNDAY

Ovation TV, America’s only arts network, is about to reveal the unexpected side of Southern culture with a brand new original series, Southern Uncovered with the Lee Bros.  Hosted by award-winning Southern food and travel experts Matt Lee and Ted Lee, the series will premiere Sunday, June 14 at 8 pm ET, only on Ovation TV.

In each episode of Southern Uncovered, Matt and Ted explore a different city in the South, seeking to expose the unique and unexpected sides of Southern cuisine and culture. The brothers aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty – or lace up their dancing shoes – as they introduce us to the people, places and amazing plates that define the South, beyond the stereotypes. Over the six-episode series, Matt and Ted will introduce viewers to the food, art, and culture of Charleston, Atlanta, Dallas, New Orleans, Asheville, and Louisville.

Matt and Ted grew up in Charleston, South Carolina and are founders of The Lee Bros. Boiled Peanuts Catalogue. Their three cookbooks, The Lee Bros. Southern Cookbook (2007), The Lee Bros. Simple Fresh Southern (2009), and The Lee Bros. Charleston Kitchen (2013) have, combined, won six James Beard and IACP Awards, and they are widely credited with bringing a richer understanding of southern cooking into the mainstream.

Southern Uncovered with the Lee Bros. is produced for Ovation TV by Trailblazer Studios. The series will have its world premiere Sunday, June 14 at 8 pm ET on Ovation TV.

About Ovation TV
Ovation TV is America’s only arts network, whose mission is to inspire the world through all forms of art and artistic expression. Ovation TV programming is a one-of-a-kind mix of original and selectively curated art-centric series, documentaries, films and specials. Ovation TV’s signature programming includes The Art Of, American Canvas, The Artful Detective and Southern Uncovered with the Lee Bros. Ovation TV reaches a national audience of over 54 million homes and is available on cable, satellite, and telco systems, such as Comcast Cable/Xfinity, DIRECTV, Time Warner Cable, Verizon FiOS, AT&T U-Verse, Charter, Bright House Networks, RCN, and Hawaiian Telcom. Ovation TV is also available on VOD (in both standard and high definition). Ovation TV's diversified viewer experiences extend across its linear network, the popular ovationtv.com, and active social presence on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and more. Ovation TV is a cause based-media company and is deeply engaged with the arts both nationally and locally, providing more than $16 million in contributions and in-kind support to community organizations, cultural institutions, and arts education programs. See the Ovation TV Facebook page for the latest information and conversations happening across the Ovation TV brand and the arts: www.facebook.com/OvationTV.

WWW.OVATIONTV.COM

06/09 HANK CARDELLO, ENTERTAINMENT EXPERT BEN LYONS

HANK CARDELLO - HOW SALES OF LOWER-CALORIE FOODS ARE IMPACTING SUPERMARKET STORES BOTTOM LINE

Report examines business impact of supermarkets increasing sales of lower-calorie choices. On Tuesday, June 9th, the Hudson Institute will release a new report evaluating for the first time how sales of lower-calorie foods and sales are impacting supermarket stores bottom lines. The study examines shifts in supermarket sales based on data from 2009 to 2013 for 202 individual food and beverage categories for the three largest retailers in the U.S, accounting for 45 percent of the U.S. supermarket industry. Researchers categorized a wide range of supermarket items, such as cereal, pasta, fruits, vegetables, packaged meals, milk and snacks.

Funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), the report also looked at the foods and beverages that contribute the most calories to the diets of children and teens and compared the sales of stores in food deserts, areas with traditionally limited access to healthy, affordable foods, with those not in food deserts.

The report will be released at the Food Marketing Institute Connect Conference in Chicago, IL. For more information, visit www.obesity-solutions.org.

About Hudson Institute
Hudson Institute is a nonpartisan policy research organization dedicated to innovative research and analysis. The mission of its Obesity Solutions Initiative (www.obesity-solutions.org) is to bring about practical, market-oriented solutions to the world's overweight and obesity epidemic. Founded in 1961, Hudson has celebrated a half century of forging ideas that promote security, prosperity, and freedom. www.hudson.org

About the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
For more than 40 years the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has worked to improve health and health care. We are striving to build a national Culture of Health that will enable all to live longer, healthier lives now and for generations to come. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org. Follow the Foundation on Twitter at www.rwjf.org/twitter or on Facebook at www.rwjf.org/facebook.


MOVIE & HOME ENTERTAINMENT EXPERT BEN LYONS - FATHER’S DAY MOVIES & TV SHOWS ON BLU-RAY AND DIGITAL HD FOR DADS

FATHER’S DAY MOVIES & TV SHOWS ON BLU-RAY AND DIGITAL HD FOR DADS

Ben Lyons is a Television, Radio, and Online host and producer who covers pop culture like nobody else. Each month with his DEN (Digital Entertainment News) segment, Ben highlights the latest Blu-ray and Digital HD releases and the best ways to watch them.

Ben’s next DEN segment is Tuesday, June 9th,  and he will highlight some great movies for Dad for Father’s Day,  plus other recent Blu-ray Digital HD releases and the best ways for Dads to watch them.    

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. Ben’s latest venture is as chief correspondent and “voice of the fans” at Derek Jeter’s theplayerstribune.com and host of The Players Tribune on SiriusXM radio.  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.