Friday, October 30, 2015

10/30 RACHEL BURKONS, THE CLEVER ROOT, SUSAN ZIRINSKY, 48 HOURS, STEVE EVENS, THE MOVIE GUY

RACHEL BURKONS – VP / MANAGING EDITOR & MARKETING MANAGER, THE TASTING PANEL MAGAZINE – TALKS ABOUT THE NEW MAGAZINE THE CLEVER ROOT

Rachel Burkons is a native Angeleno whose passion for writing about the hospitality industry has served her well during her eight years on staff at The Tasting Panel Magazine. Today, as VP, Associate Publisher for M Dash Publishing, Rachel is expanding her horizons to include writing about and exploring the emerging cannabis industry, with a particular interest in the potential intersection of food, wine, chefs, cocktails and cannabis. She lives in Toluca Lake, CA, with her partner, their two cats, and mystery doodle, Izzy.

THE CLEVER ROOT
The Clever Root is a new quarterly magazine that will explore the world of everything that grows: farm-fresh produce, heirloom fruits and vegetables, sustainably raised livestock, artisanal wines and spirits, and a smart, educational look at the cannabis industry.

Where the best of tradition meets the contemporary mindset, you'll find The Clever Root.


Each issue of The Clever Root will bring a harvest of gorgeous photography, informative stories, enticing recipes, and cutting-edge culture for the curious mind and palate.

THECLEVERROOT.COM    
WWW.TASTINGPANELMAG.COM

ALYSSA RAPP - VIVINO FEATURED USER AND BOTTLENOTES FOUNDER - THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO PAIRING WINE WITH HALLOWEEN CANDY

Everyone has a favorite Halloween candy, but did you know you can kick your Halloween up a notch this year by pairing your favorite candies with a glass of wine? Vivino has a fun Infograph where you hover over a specific candy to see which wine is the perfect partner.

ABOUT THE VIVINO CANDY/WINE MATCH MAKER

The idea for the match maker actually came about at the Vivino office.  We had a big bag of fun sized candies and we were giving "tasting notes" similar to what people say about wine, like describing chocolate as earthy or a sour candy having a strong bite. Rich candies had a smooth finish. When we stepped back and looked at what we had, we realized we had a fun candy pairing that we knew our users would love.
We shared our thoughts with some of our featured users who are wine pros and sommeliers and they validated and built out the data.
The infographic ended up being shared on Facebook around 50,000 times last year so we brought it back again this year.

ABOUT VIVINO
Vivino is the world's most downloaded wine app that lets wine drinkers learn everything there is to know about a wine simply by taking a photo of the wine label. Vivino collects ratings and tasting notes from nearly 12 million users to create the world's largest wine library, so if you're curious about a wine, chances are a Vivino user has already scanned it and we know exactly what it is.

WWW.VIVINO.COM


SUSAN ZIRINSKY – EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, 48 HOURS

ALL NEW | SATURDAY, OCT. 31 | 10 P.M. ET/PT
THE BUGS BUNNY DEFENSE
DID A CARTOON PLAY A PART IN THE DEATH OF A CALIFORNIA MAN? "48 HOURS" RICHARD SCHLESINGER INVESTIGATES

WWW.CBSNEWS.COM/48-HOURS



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.

Thursday, October 29, 2015

10/29 CHEF JJ JOHNSON, THE CECIL IN NYC, THE NATIONAL PORK BOARD, THE DAILY PORKCAST, ALYSSA RAPP, VIVINO, PAIRING WINE WITH HALLOWEEN CANDY

CHEF JJ JOHNSON FROM THE CECIL IN NYC TELLS US ABOUT THE NATIONAL PORK BOARD’S NEW CAMPAIGN THE DAILY PORKCAST 

The National Pork Board launched the "Daily Porkcast," a simple, weather-inspired menu planning tool on PorkBeinspired.com. Complete with real-time weather updates based on your U.S. location, the Porkcast serves up recipes so that rain or shine, the perfect pork dish is just a click away.

THE DAILY PORKCAST SERVES UP WEATHER-PAIRED RECIPES 

At PorkBeinspired.com/Porkcast, pork lovers will find recipes to fit their forecast, which will be updated daily. The National Pork Board also has teamed up with seven top chefs who have each created a weather zone-inspired recipe for the tool. These "Flavor Forecasters" aim to give fans coast to coast a little taste of the cuisine that suits their local weather:

Northeast: Chef JJ Johnson, Cecil in New York City
Midwest/Great Lakes: Chef Tim Graham, Travelle in Chicago
Southeast: Chef, Cookbook Author and Creator of TheKitchenDoesntBite.com, Doreen Colondres, Miami
North Central: Owner and Chef Hosea Rosenberg, Blackbelly in Boulder
South Central: Owner and Chef Chris Shepherd, Underbelly in Houston
Northwest: Owner and Chef Adam Sappington, The Country Cat in Portland
Southwest: Owner and Chef Casey Lane, The Tasting Kitchen in Los Angeles

ABOUT CHEF JJ JOHNSON
Chef JJ, a champion in the use of high quality and flavorful ingredients, firmly believes that a chef should cook with what is in season. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, he was inspired to pursue his love for food while spending time cooking with his Caribbean grandmother.

Chef JJ’s talents were further honed in the kitchens of New York’s most highly esteemed restaurants such as ‘Centro Vinoteca,’ ’Jane’ and ‘Tribeca Grill’. He has spent time in Ghana studying West African cuisine and showcased his skills at ‘Villa Monticello’, Ghana’s Premier Luxury Boutique Hotel and Spa.  In 2013 Chef JJ helped to open the doors of Richard Parsons’ Afro-Asian-American brasserie ‘The Cecil,’ in Harlem, New York.

Chef JJ is the winner of Rocco DiSpirito’s Dinner Party competition where he wowed the culinary elite with his eclectic twists on straightforward cooking. His specialty is taking the simplest dish and applying bold flavors and unexpected ingredients to create a complex and sophisticated taste.

Chef JJ has been recognized for his talent and unique cuisine with accolades including being named as one of Forbes’ 30 Under 30 in the Food & Wine category (2014), Zagat’s 30 Under 30 (2014) and an Eater Young Gun (2014).

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PORK BOARD 
The National Pork Board has responsibility for Checkoff-funded research, promotion and consumer information projects and for communicating with pork producers and the public. Through a legislative national Pork Checkoff, pork producers invest $0.40 for each $100 value of hogs sold. Importers of pork products contribute a like amount, based on a formula. The Pork Checkoff funds national and state programs in advertising, consumer information, retail and foodservice marketing, export market promotion, production improvement, technology, swine health, pork safety and environmental management. For information on Checkoff-funded programs, pork producers can call the Pork Checkoff Service Center at (800) 456-7675 or check the Internet at www.pork.org.

PORKBEINSPIRED.COM   
WWW.PORK.ORG


ALYSSA RAPP - VIVINO FEATURED USER AND BOTTLENOTES FOUNDER - THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO PAIRING WINE WITH HALLOWEEN CANDY

Everyone has a favorite Halloween candy, but did you know you can kick your Halloween up a notch this year by pairing your favorite candies with a glass of wine? Vivino has a fun Infograph where you hover over a specific candy to see which wine is the perfect partner.

ABOUT THE VIVINO CANDY/WINE MATCH MAKER

The idea for the match maker actually came about at the Vivino office.  We had a big bag of fun sized candies and we were giving "tasting notes" similar to what people say about wine, like describing chocolate as earthy or a sour candy having a strong bite. Rich candies had a smooth finish. When we stepped back and looked at what we had, we realized we had a fun candy pairing that we knew our users would love.
We shared our thoughts with some of our featured users who are wine pros and sommeliers and they validated and built out the data.
The infographic ended up being shared on Facebook around 50,000 times last year so we brought it back again this year.

ABOUT VIVINO
Vivino is the world's most downloaded wine app that lets wine drinkers learn everything there is to know about a wine simply by taking a photo of the wine label. Vivino collects ratings and tasting notes from nearly 12 million users to create the world's largest wine library, so if you're curious about a wine, chances are a Vivino user has already scanned it and we know exactly what it is.

WWW.VIVINO.COM

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

10/28 LARRY LIPSON, KATHLEEN CAMPISANO, BARNES & NOBLE MINI-MAKER FAIRES

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.


KATHLEEN CAMPISANO - MINI-MAKER FAIRES WILL BE GOING ON ALL OVER THE NATION AT BARNES AND NOBLE STORES 

MINI MAKER FAIRES TO PROMOTE CREATIVITY AND TECH LITERACY
PROVIDING HANDS-ON LEARNING EXPERIENCES FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY AT THE FIRST-EVER RETAIL 

A Maker Faire is a community-based learning event that invites everyone to connect with people and projects in their local community. Part science fair, part county fair and part something completely new, these events are fun for the entire family, and provide opportunities to engage with hobbyists, crafters, educators, engineers, science clubs, artists, authors and entrepreneurs. On October 28, find out about the first-ever national Mini Maker Faire that is coming nationwide the weekend of Nov. 6-8, kicking off the holiday shopping season.  

WHAT YOU WILL EXPERIENCE AT THE MINI MAKER FAIRE NOV. 6-8:

  • The Make Workspace–where attendees will experience the latest technologies in 3D printing, robotics, coding and programming
  • Meet the Makers–where leaders and top brands will discuss the latest trends in designing, building, creating and making
  • Make & Collaborate–where attendees can immerse themselves in the process of ideation, rapid prototyping, circuitry and more
WWW.BN.COM/MAKERFAIRE

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

10/27 LARRY SCHAFFER, TERCERO WINES, THE RHONE RANGERS 2015 LOS ANGELES, BEN LYONS

LARRY SCHAFFER FROM TERCERO WINES - THE RHONE RANGERS 2015 LOS ANGELES TASTING EVENTS NOV6-7 

*** FOR $10 OFF VIP TICKETS TO THE RHONE RANGERS 2015 LOS ANGELES GRAND TASTING ON 11/7/15 USE DISCOUNT CODE:VIP-CRNRADIO (THE TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED ONLINE BEFORE NOVEMBER 7)  GO TO RHONERANGERS.ORG FOR MORE INFO***

The Rhone Rangers ride into Los Angeles on November 6-7, 2015 with 50 wineries pouring their American-grown Rhone wines. The events include a series of in-store tastings and winemaker dinners on Friday evening, as well as a seminar and a walk-around tasting reception on Saturday. Ticket purchases can be a la carte for individual events or buy the Saturday Pass (includes the morning seminar and early admission to the Walk-Around Tasting from 2-6 PM).

RETAIL IN-STORE TASTINGS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6

  • Whole Foods, 225 Lincoln Boulevard, Venice CA, 5-8 PM. Join us for a tasting of Rhone-varietal wines with Bonny Doon Vineyard and Michael-David Winery. For more information contact the Wine Department at Whole Foods, (310) 566-9480.
  • K&L, 1400 Vine Street, Hollywood CA, 5:30 - 7 PM. Join us for a tasting of Rhone-varietal wines with Quivira, Qupe and Vina Robles. For more information contact the store at (323) 464-9463.

WINEMAKER DINNER: PARKWAY GRILL, PASADENA 
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 6:30 PM
Featuring the wines of kukula, Pomar Junction and Ridge Vineyards.
This will be an intimate dinner hosted by Sommelier Emmanuel Gonzalez, and Winemaker Kevin Jussila from kukkula, David Gates, VP of Vineyard Operations at Ridge Vineyards, and Mark Stern (CSW, CS), Director of Hospitality and Sales at Pomar Junction.  You'll enjoy a 3-course seated dinner at Parkway's private dining room; to make a reservation call the restaurant at (626) 795-1001 and ask to reserve a seat at the Rhone Ranger Dinner on November 6th.  This will sell out, only 24 seats available, don't delay!

WINEMAKER DINNER: Redbird, downtown LA. 
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 7 PM
Featuring the wines of Eberle, Kita and Tablas Creek.
Chef Neal Fraser, Bravo TV Top Chef, has designed a 3-course seated dinner for you at The Nest, Redbird's private dining space and outdoor deck overlooking the LA skyline at Vibiana.  Sommelier Ben Teig will be featuring the wines of Eberle, Kita and Tablas Creek for you to enjoy with Chef Neal's special pairing menu. This is an intimate dinner for just 30 guests, along with representatives from each of the wineries.  Reservations may be made by calling the restaurant at 213-788-1191, and asking to reserve a seat at the Rhone Ranger Dinner November 6th. This will sell out, do not delay!

SEMINAR: "GRENACHE ON THE RISE."  
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 10:30AM
This seminar will focus on Grenache Blanc, Grenache Noir and Grenache-dominant blends. Our moderator will be Patrick Comiskey.  Winery participants include Andrew Murray, Bernat, Kenneth Volk Vineyards, Lightning Wines, Mounts Family Winery, Petrichor, Tablas Creek Vineyard, Tercero Wines, Terre Rouge and Vines on the Marycrest.

GRAND TASTING 
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2-6 PM 
This event takes place at The Reef, 1933 S Broadway in downtown Los Angeles.Taste from over 200 wines poured by more than 50 wineries. Bid on wine and wine-related items at the silent auction; a portion of the proceeds from the auction will benefit the Rhone Rangers Scholarship Fund.

RHONERANGERS.ORG

ABOUT TERCERO:
The idea for tercero wines surfaced a number of years back. Larry Schaffer had been in the educational and trade publishing industry for a number of years and had achieved all he had set out to do. It was time for a change . . . . but to what? Larry’s dreams of becoming a professional volleyball player were never going to happen, so he looked towards something he had always been interested in but never understood completely – winemaking. One thing that really interested him was the ‘why’ involved – how in the heck do you start with a grape and end up with this wine? Or that one? He needed to know more – and he needed to challenge his brain.

Fast forward four years . . . and Larry begins his new career in earnest as the Enologist for Fess Parker Winery, a well-respected winery in the Santa Ynez Valley. Why Santa Barbara County? The winemaking community is willing and wanting to help each other, but more importantly, it is simply an incredible place to raise children!

Fast forward another year, and Larry is ready to ‘take the plunge’ and start buying grapes to make his own wines! It’s scary and challenging at the same time – no matter how much you read about it or do it for others, it’s quite different when it’s ‘your own baby’ . . . But it’s also a way for Larry to ‘marry’ his past with his present – to use his sales/marketing skills along with his technical winemaking skills to see what he can produce . . .

WWW.TERCEROWINES.COM


MOVIE & HOME ENTERTAINMENT EXPERT BEN LYONS HIGHLIGHTS HALLOWEEN, HORROR AND SCARY TITLES ON BLU-RAY AND DIGITAL 

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, October 27th,  and he will highlight some great Halloween, horror and scary movies and television titles avaiable on Blu-ray and Digital.  Ben will also discuss other recent Blu-ray Digital HD releases and the best ways to watch them, whether you are watching from the comfort of your own home with the latest 4K or Smart TV's or on the go with a tablet or smartphone.    

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.

Monday, October 26, 2015

10/26 CHEF WILLIAM BLOXSOM-CARTER, THE CANYON VILLA BED AND BREAKFAST, NINA FERRER, DR. MEG MEEKER

CHEF WILLIAM BLOXSOM-CARTER –OWNER, THE CANYON VILLA BED 

Chef William S. Bloxsom-Carter previously worked as the Executive Chef, and Food and Beverage Director for the Playboy Mansion West for over two and half decades. A frequent wine judge he constantly looks for wines to pair with his foods for the multitude of foods he presents. Chef Carter has prepared winery dinners in Sonoma County, Napa Valley, Paso Robles and the Santa Ynez Valley as well as special events for high-profile clients throughout the United States, focusing on the importance of food and wine pairings and extraordinary hospitality service. Additionally, Chef Carter is a recurring featured guest on numerous radio shows syndicated nationwide describing and promoting California wines and foods.

ABOUT THE CANYON VILLA:
The Canyon Villa, where weary wine lovers revive

Like an Italian villa perched on a Tuscan hillside, the Canyon Villa bed and breakfast pampers wine lovers touring Paso Robles wineries or couples seeking a charming retreat. The Canyon Villa offers an intimate setting, lavish amenities, fine food and an ideal location.

At the Canyon Villa, we offer only four guest rooms, each uniquely decorated and each appointed with luxurious extras such as spa tubs and lush towels. You can enjoy your gourmet breakfast in the courtyard or our dining room.

We also offer a cozy great room for relaxing with other guests, and a wine tasting with hors d'oeuvres every afternoon between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. In the summer, enjoy your wine and appetizers in our lovely shaded courtyard, with its trickling fountain and evening breezes.

Beyond the elegant setting of our inn, take a leisurely stroll through our eleven acres while admiring the views. Visit the local wineries, and then enjoy an evening meal at one of Paso Robles' fine restaurants. The Canyon Villa is also the ideal bed and breakfast for day trips to other locales, such as Hearst Castle or Cambria's art galleries.

Indulge your love of wine or your love of each other. Plan a romantic getaway to charming Paso Robles, and plan to indulge in the intimacy and luxury of the Canyon Villa.

The Canyon Villa Bed & Breakfast
1455 Kiler Canyon Road
Paso Robles, CA 93446
805-238-3362

WWW.THECANYONVILLA.COM


ARCHITECT AND DESIGN EXPERT NINA FERRER - HOW TO BE THE ENERGY EFFICIENT HOMEOWNER 

Whether you’re buying a new home or remodeling an older one you need to know the costs before you sign that deed. There is upkeep, repairs and general items every homeowner needs to know especially when it comes to making your home energy efficient.

A smart homeowner thinks ahead; but a clever homeowner knows how to be ahead of the curve; knowing what energy smart appliances to buy, creating clever ways to cuts costs with your heating and cooling bills and taking the right steps in reducing your energy consumption-Architect and Design  Expert Nina Ferrer is here to share her best tips on how to be an energy efficient homeowner!

Nina Ferrer is a sucessful designer and home improvement expert. Her background is in architecture and design from Pratt Institute. She is a TV Host and Designer on Clean House NY, a HGTV Design Star 5 competitor and all around authority on all things DIY. She has designed residential homes for high profile clients and celebrities as well as appeared on numerous national morning talk shows.


TV’S RENOWNED PEDIATRICIAN, MOTHER AND BEST-SELLING AUTHOR DR. MEG MEEKER GIVES TIPS FOR TRANSITIONING BACK TO WORK AFTER MATERNITY LEAVE 

RECENT NETFLIX PLAN TO OFFER ONE-YEAR OF MATERNITY  LEAVE SPARKS A NATIONAL CONVERSATION REVEALING NEW ‘MODERN PARENTHOOD’ SURVEY ON INFANT NUTRITION RELEASED

Dr. Meg Meeker—Pediatrician & Renowned Author of 6 Books— Explains what Parents Need to Know When Headed Back to Work after Having a Baby

In August, when Netflix announced that the company will provide up to one year of paid parental leave for its employees, the amazing offer inspired a nationwide conversation about what is appropriate for maternity and paternity leave. However, not everyone is talking about the transition back to work after baby, according to Dr. Meg Meeker, author, and pediatric expert for The Infant Nutrition Council of America.

Dr. Meg is the best-selling author of six books and the country’s leading authority on parenting, teens and children’s health. The mother of four has spent the last 30 years practicing pediatric and adolescent medicine. She is the author of 6 best-selling books, and has appeared on numerous national TV and radio programs including The Today Show, Today with Kathie-Lee and Hoda, Dateline with Katie Couric, The O’Reilly Factor, Fox and Friends, NPR and Oprah Radio. Dr. Meg serves as the co-host for Dr. James Dobson’s Family Talk radio show.

WWW.INFANTNUTRITION.ORG

Friday, October 23, 2015

10/23 VERA PEPRNICKOVA, KVETNA GLASSWORKS FACTORY, JAN KULICH, DRESSMAKERS SHOPE IN BLATNICKA, PETR & MARKETTA JELÉNEK, SLIVOTIVTS, HERITAGE HOUSES, CITY HLUK

MIKE AND JEN BROADCAST 
LIVE FROM THE CZECH REPUBLIC! 



VERA PEPRNICKOVA – KVETNA GLASSWORKS FACTORY 


JAN KULICH – DRESSMAKERS SHOPE IN BLATNICKA 



PETER & MARKETTA JELÉNEK – SLIVOTIVTS,  HERITAGE HOUSES, SPEAKER OF THE BOARD OF CITY HLUK 



FOR MORE ABOUT THE CZECH REPUBLIC GO TO:
CZECHTOURISM.COM
WWW.MORAVIAN-HERITAGE.COM


Thursday, October 22, 2015

10/22 JAN KULICH, KVETNA FLOWER GARDEN IN KROMERIZ, LEA SLOVACKOVA, SLOVACKO, MAYOR JOSEF BAZALA, STARE MESTO

MIKE AND JEN BROADCAST 
LIVE FROM THE CZECH REPUBLIC! 



JAN KULICH - KVETNA FLOWER GARDEN IN  KROMERIZ

LEA SLOVACKOVA - CULTURE OF THE REGION OF SLOVACKO


JOSEF BAZALA – MAYOR OF STARE MESTO 



FOR MORE ABOUT THE CZECH REPUBLIC GO TO:
CZECHTOURISM.COM
WWW.MORAVIAN-HERITAGE.COM


Wednesday, October 21, 2015

10/21 BARBORA HAMMOND, MIKULOV, MARTINA BARTOŠOVÁ, THE WINE ACADEMY, PAVEL TROJAN, MAJOR OF VALTICE

MIKE AND JEN ARE BROADCASTING 
LIVE FROM THE CZECH REPUBLIC! 


PRIVATE TOUR GUIDE BARBORA HAMMOND JOINS IN ON THE CONVERSATION 
www.mikulov.cz

MARTINA BARTOŠOVÁ FROM THE WINE ACADEMY
WWW.VINARSKA-AKADEMIC.CZ

PAVEL TROJAN - THE MAJOR OF VALTICE


FOR MORE ABOUT THE CZECH REPUBLIC GO TO: CZECHTOURISM.COM


Tuesday, October 20, 2015

10/20 OLGA KUČEROVÁ, MUSEUM OF SOUTHEAST MORAVIA, ZLÍN, DALIBOR CHRASTINA, SPA LUHAČOVICE

MIKE AND JEN ARE BROADCASTING 
LIVE FROM THE CZECH REPUBLIC! 



OLGA KUČEROVÁ - MUSEUM OF SOUTHEAST MORAVIA IN THE TOWN ZLÍN    
  
The regional capital Zlín is situated in the east part of Moravia, on the border between the Hostýn and Vizovice highlands. It extends into three ethnographic regions –  Moravian Wallachia, Haná and Moravian Slovakia. It is closest to Moravian Wallachia with its character. Zlín stands in the valley of the Dřevnice Stream, which runs along the entire length of the town. The surrounding landscape is hilly.


DALIBOR CHRASTINA - MANAGER, SPA LUHAČOVICE    
The largest Moravian spa lies in the southeastern part of the Czech Republic, approximately 20 kilometres from the town of Zlín. Surrounded by the densely wooded slopes of the White Carpathian Mountains, it is situated in the valley of the small and quiet Šťávnice river. As to the first historical reference to its mineral springs, it was made by the physicist and physician Jan Ferdinand Hertod of Todtenfeld who published a written report evaluating the chemical composition of the Luhačovice water as well as the drinking cure and its successful results in 1669.

Due to the Luhačovice Spa curative springs combined with the latest treatment and rehabilitation methods it is possible to treat successfully the disorders of locomotive organs, diseases of respiratory tract, diabetes, diseases of digestive tract as well as blood circulation diseases.

The healing mineral springs of the Luhačovice Spa rank among the Europe’s most effective ones. Medical treatments follow an individually compiled treatment schedule, consisting of a drinking cure, balneotherapy and physiotherapy, the movement therapy and an individual dietary programme.




FOR MORE ABOUT THE CZECH REPUBLIC GO TO:


Monday, October 19, 2015

10/19 MOROSLAV MOTYCKA, R. JELÍNEK, CZECH DISTILLERIES

MIKE AND JEN ARE BROADCASTING 
LIVE FROM THE CZECH REPUBLIC! 



MOROSLAV MOTYCKA – DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING, R. JELÍNEK ORIGINAL CZECH DISTILLERIES

Throughout Central Europe, brandy produced from plums (slivovitz) has been popular for centuries and R. Jelinek has always been at the center. While traveling in Bohemia and if you were to inquire about R. Jelinek, the response would generally be ah, you mean the plum people. The point being that plums and Jelinek are one and the same. For generations we have been refining the formula of the process which produces this delicious product. Start with plums grown in our region, together with our triple distillation process and the patient aging process which takes a minimum of five years and the result is a plum brandy (slivovitz) of exceptional flavor and smooth taste.


The real treasure of our cellars is the ten year old Gold slivovitz. This product has been produced from only the best assortment of hand selected late-harvested plums and then using the same traditional production methods that have been used in Bohemia for over a hundred years. The plum flavored vodka was a product destined to be born. Our tasting team selected the final product from over two hundred sample specimens. The bottle design was a great deal of fun to create; mixing the new together with the traditional.

WWW.RJELINEK.US



FOR MORE ABOUT THE CZECH REPUBLIC GO TO:


Friday, October 16, 2015

10/16 DR. TYLER JUNG, HEALTHCARE PARTNERS, STEPHANIE HONIG, HONIG VINEYARD AND WINERY, NINA TYLER, GOOGLE SEARCH TRENDS EXPERT, STEVE EVANS

DR. TYLER JUNG, CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER, HEALTHCARE PARTNERS - MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD BEGINS OCTOBER 15; ARE YOU GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR COVERAGE? 

Tyler Jung talks about the importance of Medicare Open Enrollment, offers information for seniors regarding important changes and reforms to Medicare coverage.

According to the Pew Research Center, approximately 10,000 baby boomers will turn 65 every single day for the next 15 years. It has never been a more important time for seniors to know and understand their healthcare benefits.  The Medicare Open Enrollment period runs from October 15th through December 7th, when seniors will have the opportunity to review and make important changes to their Medicare plans. Seniors should be encouraged to review their existing policies for any modifications in costs, coverage and benefits during Open Enrollment. They should also be aware of improved health care opportunities under new Medicare reforms, including a new focus on providing coordinated care, an outcome-based form of health care in which a team of providers, including nurse practitioners, physician assistants and specialists work alongside primary care providers to promote preventative, high-quality care.

MORE ABOUT DR. JUNG:
Tyler Jung, MD, was named chief medical officer of HealthCare Partners, LLC in June 2014. In this role, he has national oversight for all clinicians, guiding national medical policies, practices and clinical programs, and ensuring clinical excellence in care delivery to all HealthCare Partners patients. With more than 18 years of HealthCare Partners’ experience, Dr. Jung most recently served as corporate medical director for inpatient services across the country. Prior to that, he held the position of corporate medical director for HealthCare Partners Medical Group (California). Dr. Jung is board certified in internal medicine, critical care, and pulmonary medicine. He earned his bachelor’s degree in microbiology from the University of California, Los Angeles and his medical degree from Tulane Medical School. He completed his residency and fellowship at Harbor UCLA Medical Center.


STEPHANIE HONIG – HONIG VINEYARD AND WINERY - HONIG WINERY DONATES TASTING FEES TO SUPPORT STAFF CHARITIES

HONIG WINERY DONATES TASTING FEES TO SUPPORT STAFF CHARITIES

Family-owned Honig Vineyard & Winery announced today that they will be donating tasting fees from the month of October to several different charities selected by their tasting room employees. “With twelve members of our tasting room team, that means that twelve different organizations will receive funds,” said Stephanie Honig.  “It has always been our mission to help our community in any way we can, and this is just one more creative way to share our success. Our team members are very excited to be able to support their favorite charity.”

The Honig’s have been donating their tasting fees for some time now. Some of the organizations benefiting from their generosity include: Redwood Middle School (Honig’s Adopt-A-School through the Napa Valley Vintners); diabetes research; St. Helena Hospital; and the Red Cross (natural disaster relief for events such as hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, the Japanese Tsunami), and more.

Honig is encouraging other wineries to participate in this new staff partnership. “Giving our tasting fees to the community not only helps organizations in need, but makes our customers feel good about paying for their tasting experience at Honig,” Stephanie says. “Since October is one of our busiest months for visitors, it made sense to start this new program with the tasting room crew. However, we will offer the same opportunity to other departments throughout the year.” As a sustainable business, the family knows the importance of supporting their employees. “One of the key elements of sustainability is equity, and that means ensuring that our employees are given the tools for success. We already provide comprehensive benefits, PTO, 401K, and profit sharing. Giving the staff the opportunity to donate annually to the charity of their choice is just one more benefit. It really reinforces that they are a part of the team.”

WWW.HONIGWINE.COM


NINA TYLER - GOOGLE SEARCH TRENDS EXPERT - WEEKLY TOP SEARCH TRENDS

Google’s Top Search Trends program provides a revealing — and sometimes surprising — look at the people, places and topics that send the country searching for answers each week.

Topics That Fascinated the U.S. Selected from Millions of INTERNET Searches!

Hear the hottest content on the web each week directly from the source! Become part of Google’s weekly Top Search Trends program to find out what news makers and trends are capturing the imagination of the country each week. Encompassing searches from across pop culture, sports, music, politics, news, and more a Roya will discuss five of the hottest trending queries on the web.



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.

Thursday, October 15, 2015

10/15 OLWEN WOODIER, THE APPLE COOKBOOK, 3RD EDITION: 125 FRESHLY PICKED RECIPES, ABBY HUNT, GRUBHUB, PATTY FARMER, PLAYBOY SWINGS!

OLWEN WOODIER - VETERAN FOOD WRITER, COOKBOOK AUTHOR AND APPLE EXPERT - THE APPLE COOKBOOK, 3RD EDITION: 125 FRESHLY PICKED RECIPES 

Join veteran food writer, cookbook author and apple expert Olwen Woodier to discuss her book, The Apple Cookbook, 3rd Edition: 125 Freshly Picked Recipes as well as the “Buy An Apple, Help a Student” where people buying apples can help fund schools.

THE APPLE COOKBOOK: 125 Freshly Picked Recipes
Fall means two things to most people. Back to School, and apples! There is nothing better on a cool fall day than a trip to the local orchard to pick fresh apples. Fans of the fruit know that this is the best time to find many heirloom varieties that are a delicious addition to any lunchbox. And starting now, supporting your local school causes just got as easy as taking a bite of one of your favorite apples with “Buy an Apple, Help a Student”, a fundraising program featuring the U.S. apple industry and your favorite brands working together to provide financial support to student projects nationwide every time a person shares a photo of an apple.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:                                                                                                            A food writer for 35 years, Olwen Woodier is the author of six cookbooks, including Peaches and Other Juicy Fruits. Her articles have appeared in the New York Times Living section, Gourmet, Woman’s Day, and Family Circle. Woodier offers cooking classes at her farm in Leesburg, Virginia.


ABBY HUNT, GRUBHUB TRENDS EXPERT - NEW REPORT SHOWS POSITIVE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF ONLINE ORDERING FOR LOCAL RESTAURANTS - GRUBHUB REVEALS ONLINE ORDERING TRENDS

Now that fall is here, we know folks stay in more often and that they want and need convenience in all areas of their life, especially when it comes to food.

Wondering who has those online food delivery options in your city, how online ordering is helping your local restaurant community thrive, and what the ordering habits of the people in your area look like? GrubHub - the nation's leading takeout marketplace - has the answers. From the time of day and day of the week when restaurants see the most orders, to the most popular foods in your city, GrubHub can share fun stats and trends to help consumers in search of new options or inspiration.

Additionally, GrubHub can talk to the results of a new report that shows the increased revenue, order volume and greater internal efficiency that restaurants in your area and beyond see when they use GrubHub.

WWW.GRUBHUB.COM


PATTY FARMER - AUTHOR OF PLAYBOY SWINGS! - HOW HUGH HEFNER AND PLAYBOY HAVE INFLUENCED JAZZ AND MUSIC OVER THE YEARS

PLAYBOY SWINGS: How Hugh Hefner and Playboy Changed the Face of Music

A comprehensive and wildly entertaining new book from the author of The Persian Room Presents offers a fresh perspective on the Playboy empire and its influence on popular music—with contributions from over 100 entertainers and professionals who worked there.

Since the launch of Playboy magazine in 1953, two elements have been remarkably consistent: the first is the celebration of the world’s most beautiful & desirable women and the second is its involvement with music.  The Playboy experience was never just about sex but about lifestyle, and music—particularly the finest jazz, a personal passion of Hefner’s—has always been an essential component of that lifestyle.

While many books have been written about the Playboy organization and the ultimate playboy himself, Hugh Hefner, no book—until this one—has focused specifically on Playboy and the music scene, its impact on popular entertainment (and vice versa), and the fabulous cadre of performers who took to the stages of the mythic Playboy Clubs and Jazz Festivals.  Patty Farmer’s Playboy Swings is a groundbreaking look at Playboy through a new lens: music.

In addition to its renowned coverage of music in the magazine, Playboy began to sponsor  a series of historic jazz festivals, starting with the groundbreaking 1959 Playboy Jazz Festival in Chicago celebrating the magazine’s 5th Anniversary.  Twenty years later in 1979, Hef enlisted George Wein, the world’s most famous jazz impresario, to help him revive the Playboy Jazz Festival at perhaps the most famous music venue in the world: The Hollywood Bowl.  This annual event continues to this day, attracting tens of thousands of ticket-buyers and employing the talents of thousands of musicians.

It was the success of that inaugural jazz festival that gave birth to the idea of the Playboy Club which opened its first doors in Chicago on February 29, 1960.  And once the clubs took hold, it was only natural that they would offer live performances featuring the sort of music the magazine endorsed.  As much as anything—including the clubs’ iconic Bunnies—the music presented at the clubs set the tone of the organization and kept patrons coming back for more.

From the first issue of the magazine, music enjoyed pride of place, and by 1957, Playboy had launched its "All Star Poll," in which readers were invited to vote for their favorite musicians and acts. This led to what was, at the time, a rather bold step for the young company: Playboy began to produce records. Now, Playboy was doing more than discussing or reviewing music; it was actually presenting it.  

Two months after that first Jazz Festival in October 1959, Hefner launched his first TV project, Playboy's Penthouse, and all the top-notch musicians dropped by. Comics made the scene as well, including the legendary Lenny Bruce on the very first show.  A later foray into television, Playboy After Dark (1968), was no less welcoming to the artists of the day. This time, traditional pop singers such as Vic Damone and Johnny Mathis shared the bill with the likes of Ike and Tina Turner and Sonny & Cher.

In addition, the famous Playboy Interview started in 1962 with Miles Davis being the first one and since then, there has been no shortage of prominent musical figures interviewed by the magazine, Frank Sinatra, Quincy Jones, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, as well as John Lennon and Paul McCartney individually.

The Playboy Clubs reached their apogee in the mid-to-late 1960s, and nothing like the wide-ranging Playboy “circuit” for entertainers had been seen since the Golden Age of Vaudeville.  At its peak, Playboy was the largest employer of talent in the country. By the time the clubs began losing momentum in the late ‘70s, Playboy had spent several decades shaping American musical taste and cultural values.  And now in the 21st century, the clubs are starting to come back to life; there's a new second-generation London Club, which opened in 2011, that is packing them in nightly.      

While music may not be the first thing you think of when you hear the word Playboy, it should certainly be in the top two—and Playboy Swings is meant insure that. Compiled with the cooperation of hundreds of people who were on the scene throughout Playboy’s rise, fall, and renaissance, Playboy Swings carries readers on a seductive journey through the history of the empire—all the while focusing on the entertainment that made it unique.

Featuring candid, in-depth interviews with a multitude of musicians and singers, as well as those involved behind the scenes, the book moves from the inception of the Playboy Empire through the 1959 jazz festival, to the opening of club after club. Throughout the book, it is the artists who do most of the talking—and they have a lot to say about the golden era of Playboy entertainment. The result is a fresh take on one of the great social and cultural institutions of our time, as well as a unique first-person history of American popular performance in the second half of the 20th century.

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

10/14 ELLEN GORDON, TOOTSIE ROLL INDUSTRIES, TAILGATING TIPS WITH RYAN ALESSIO, LARRY LIPSON

ELLEN GORDON – CEO OF TOOTSIE ROLL INDUSTRIES JOINS THE SHOW IN CELEBRATION OF THE HALLOWEEN SEASON 

Mrs. Gordon tells us all about the history of Tootsie Roll Industries and share stories about the beloved candy that has been a major part of Halloween celebrations for more than 100 years.

Tootsie Roll Industries produces many of America’s favorite candies, including: Tootsie Rolls, Tootsie Roll Pops, Caramel Apple Pops, Child’s Play, Charms, Blow Pops, Blue Razz, Cella’s Chocolate Covered Cherries, Tootsie Dots, Tootsie Crows, Junior Mints, Charleston Chew, Sugar Daddy, Sugar Babies, Andes, Fluffy Stuff Cotton Candy, Dubble Bubble, Razzles, Cry Baby, Nik-L-Nip and El Bubble.

WWW.TOOTSIE.COM


TAILGATING TIPS TO HELP YOU SCORE A TOUCHDOWN AT YOUR NEXT PARKING LOT PARTY!  GET THE INSIDE LOOK AT THE PRO’S ULTIMATE TAILGATING PLAYBOOK WITH RYAN ALESSIO

Football season is in full swing, which means it’s time to suit up and get ready to make some game changing plays for your tailgate! According to a recent survey by Tailgating Institute, 51 percent of tailgaters arrive at the stadium 3-4 hours before the game, and 95 percent cook all of the food in the parking lot. Don’t sweat it just yet, because Tailgating Expert Ryan Alessio will be able to give your viewers the tips they need to score some points on the tailgating field.

With a Major in Cleveland Tailgating and a Minor in Pittsburgh Tailgating, Ryan Alessio host of Inside Tailgating and ESPN radio host, covers all the elements of the tailgating lifestyle – from Grills & Gear, and Food & Drink, to Fans & Thrills. His legendary tailgates start at 7:00 AM for a 1:00 PM game. Visit www.insidetailgating.com for all kinds of tailgating related news, product reviews, recipes and superfans.

INSIDETAILGATING.COM



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.

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

10/13 ROBIN SHEA, 80/20, TRAVEL EXPERT ALAN TAYLOR, GARY CANTER, CANTER’S DELI

STAR OF PBS AND THE PAULA DEEN NETWORK’S 80/20 ROBIN SHEA HELPS US WINTERIZE OUR WORKOUT

Fall is in full swing and winter is around the corner. The winter months often create a tendency to be dormant and stay indoors, but your workout routine is not doomed. It’s simply time to transition into something different.
Robin Shea, creator of the 80/20 lifestyle is here to help. Her message of healthy lifestyle reinvention can be seen on her program, Cooking 80/20 with Robin Shea (which airs on the Paula Deen Network), experienced at one of her INSPIRED CHANGE workshops, or read in her new e-Book, Reinvent Your Life: 4 Steps to Change.

The 80/20 lifestyle is not a diet, it’s a lifestyle that allows rather than denies. It is about the process of enjoying healthy lifestyle reinvention. Change your workouts seasonally. It’s a great way to stay interested, avoid injury and expand your knowledge. And don’t even think about working out on a crummy diet-- you can’t get fit on workouts alone!

Robin Shea has been entertaining & inspiring audiences with her passion and zest for life for the past seven years through her television show speaking engagements, magazine articles & lifestyle classes. She brings creative solutions to a variety of life’s challenges such as raising positive children, creating a personal vision, the importance of the family dinner hour, the 80/20 Lifestyle solution to weight management, conquering your fears, & more. Through her creative vision & dedication to helping individuals find their personal purpose in life, Robin empowers her audience with the courage to not only face… but embrace, the unknown.


LIVE FROM THE CALIFORNIA RV SHOW IN POMONA, CA AUTO TRAVEL EXPERT ALAN TAYLOR  HELPS US SAVE MONEY ON OUR VACATION THIS SEASON

If Hotels and Plane Rides are Not in Your Budget, Consider Getting More Bang for You Hard-Earned Buck with a Different Kind of Lifestyle – RVing is Easy, Flexible and You Can Do It Anytime of the Year.

Catch Up with Alan Taylor, world-renowned expert in all-things auto travel. He will walk you through the top types of RVs for families, couples, or generations traveling together and ways families can save money on their vacation this season. Taylor will be…

LIVE FROM THE CALIFORNIA RV SHOW IN POMONA, CA  with tips for how to prepare for your first RV adventure. Plus, he can tell you what the biggest trends are in RVing.

Alan Taylor, founder of Entertainment Right Now (ERN) and contributor to Popular Science, Men’s Health, Inc. Magazine and United's Hemispheres magazine, is a world-renowned expert in all-things-travel. He is also an avid RV-er, owning three of his own. As a regular contributor to LIVE! with Kelly and Michael, Fox & Friends and many other broadcast outlets, Alan has interviewed numerous celebrities on their favorite ‘rides.’ You can catch Alan's automotive radio program, THE DRIVE, on nearly 100 stations nationwide or on-demand 24/7 via iTunes, iHeartRADIO, Stitcher, TuneIn, and ERNLive.com.

WWW.GORVING.COM


GARY CANTER – CANTER’S DELI 

Since 1931, Canter's has been serving up LA's finest deli cuisine. Voted the best pastrami by the LA Times and LA Weekly, Canter's prides itself on delivering the amazing experience that has kept its clientele returning over-and-over again for decades. This culinary landmark is lovingly managed by the third- and fourth-generations of the Canter family, who take a hands-on approach to ensure the highest quality in every aspect of the restaurant. Whether it's the freshly-baked breads, or the famous house-made pickles, Canter's always goes the extra mile to provide the authentic, traditional Jewish deli experience, which helped grow the restaurant from a small storefront to the massive operation that it is today. As inviting as its food, Canter's is also known for its welcoming ambiance, a perfect blend of contemporary comfort with the nostalgic charm of its stylish 1950's decor. Canter's continues to stand out as a unique dining experience that transports patrons back to the golden age of delis.

Canter's Deli is one of California's oldest delis. Located in Los Angeles' Miracle Mile District -the heart and soul of the entertainment industry - Canter's Delicatessen is a third-generation family-run business whose owners have an intense pride in their deli and a hands-on work ethic.

It all began in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1924. After losing a deli in the 1929 stock market crash, Ben Canter and his two brothers moved to California with just $500 in their pockets.Eager to succeed, they opened up a Canter Brother's Delicatessen in 1931 in Boyle Heights, the Jewish center of Los Angeles.

When the character of the neighborhood changed, Ben Canter's daughter, Selmo Udko, and her then husband, Harold Price, partnered with Ben Canter and his wife, Jennie, to purchase a prime location at 439 North Fairfax Avenue. And instead of calling it Canter's Brothers they called it Canter's Fairfax.

In 1953 this new team purchased the old Esquire Theatre at 419 North Fairfax and moved Canter's Deli just up the street to the larger location.

For over seventy-five years now this third-generation family-owned business has served food to locals, tourist, and celebrities alike. With its Art Deco décor and its trademark autumn leaves ceiling, this hangout has hardly changed in its over half century at its current location.

Canter's has also become a favorite whistle stop for hot political contests. Mayor Bradley, Governor Deukmejian, Rudy Giuliani, and Bill Simon have gone from booth to booth introducing themselves to our customers. And with CBS studios just up the block, celebrities frequent Canter's every day. Our catering department caters to many television shows and movies, as well as catering their wrap parties.

Over the years, many celebrities have passed through our doors. In the 50s Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller ate here, as did Jack Benny and Elizabeth Taylor. Other celebrity noshers include Sydney Poitier, Mel Brooks, Wilt Chamberlain, Charlene Tilton, Brooke Shields, Jacqueline Bisset, Catherine Oxenberg, John  Travolta, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Buddy Hackett, Olivia Newton John, Muhammad Ali, Monty Hall, Bill Cosby, David Brenner, Rodney Dangerfield, Dick Van Dyke, Shelly Winters, Elizabeth Montgomery, The Cars, Henry Winkler, and Greg Morris. The producer of Miami Vice, Michael Mann, wrote here for hours at a time when he was writing for Vegas. The Neil Simon movie, "I Ought to be in Pictures", with Walter Matthau was filmed here. Many celebrities who prefer to go "incognito" sneak in around 3:00 am for a late night nosh!

Canter's is also part of the larger Los Angeles community having received numerous awards from such institutions as the City of Hope, appreciation letters for outstanding and dedicated service, and letters from Jerry Lewis and the Muscular Dystrophy Association thanking Canters for donating food.

Canter's Delicatessen continues to be a Los Angeles landmark and late night hot spot, and, with the 2003 addition of Canter's Deli at Treasure Island in Las Vegas, we are committed to bringing the best delicatessen food to our noshers on the famed Las Vegas Strip and to Dodger fans at Dodger Stadium.

WWW.CANTERSDELI.COM

Monday, October 12, 2015

10/12 DUGGAN MCDONNELL, DRINKING THE DEVIL'S ACRE: A LOVE LETTER FROM SAN FRANCISCO AND HER COCKTAILS

DUGGAN MCDONNELL - AUTHOR OF DRINKING THE DEVIL'S ACRE: A LOVE LETTER FROM SAN FRANCISCO AND HER COCKTAILS

During the 1870s and ’80s, the Devil’s Acre was a single, bar-filled block within San Francisco’s infamous Barbary Coast that boasted the wickedest, wildest saloons in America. A few short blocks away, marble-floored drinking palaces poured the high art of the cocktail. From this, San Francisco’s electrifying nightlife was born and a few generations later, the city’s farm to glass cocktails have never tasted better.

Quench your thirst with these tales and recipes from a city devoted to drink. Duggan McDonnell (part culinary anthropologist and part whimsical professor) masterfully weaves essays on prominent spirits, insights into San Francisco’s historic love affair with amaro, and recipes for his Bartender’s Secret Formulas together with 25 iconic cocktail recipes made famous by the City by the Bay, from the legendary Pisco Punch and the ingenious Mai Tai, to the Gold Rush era Sazerac and the more modern day Lemon Drop. An additional 45 recipes show the evolution of these classic elixirs over time, resulting in such liquor-splashed favorites as The Revolver and The Last Word.

Through the lens of the Devil’s Acre, we see that San Francisco is and always will be one long, unending romp of bottles popping—a party to which the whole world is invited.

Duggan McDonnell is a barkeeper, distiller, winemaker, educator and community organizer. A true champion of the cocktail, Duggan teaches regularly at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans, the California Historical Society, for the U.S. Bartenders Guild, and many more. He is the co-founder and C.E.O. of Campo de Encanto Pisco, and lives in San Francisco, California.

Luke Abiol is a photographer and creative consultant based in San Francisco. He has collaborated with the likes of Nike, Wallpaper, Monocle, Stone Island, BMW, and Freunde von Freunden. When he’s not photographing or consulting on creative projects, Luke spends his time making books and cooking big meals for his beautiful wife and four children.


Friday, October 9, 2015

10/09 SUSAN ZIRINSKY, 48 HOURS, AMERICAN CHEF & FOOD WRITER RUTH REICHL, MY KITCHEN YEAR, STEVE EVANS THE MOVIE GUY

SUSAN ZIRINSKY – EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, 48 HOURS

“48 HOURS” INVESTIGATES IN “SHADOW OF DEATH”

Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015 (10:00 PM, ET/PT)

Troy Roberts and 48 HOURS investigate the case against a young man who police say snuck into his family’s upscale California home and shot dead his parents and paralyzed a younger brother in “Shadow of Death,” to be broadcast Saturday, Oct. 10 (10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Andra and Brad Sachs were gunned down in their San Juan Capistrano home on Feb. 9, 2014.  The intruder also shot their young son, shot at and missed another daughter, and left a third sibling untouched.

Police initially thought the wealthy couple was killed after a business deal went bad. However, a month after the shooting, the couple’s then-19-year-old son, Ashton, was charged with murder. It was a twist that no one saw coming, but it seems there were signs along the way.

What would cause a son to kill? And could this be the same person who delivered a loving eulogy for his parents at their funeral?

“There may be mental illness,” his aunt, Stephanie Garber, tells 48 HOURS.

According to family members, Ashton Sachs was an avid player of violent video games and had been fascinated with the sensational 1989 murders of an entertainment executive and his wife, who were killed by their sons, Lyle and Erik Menendez. Indeed, Sachs wrote a college term paper about the Menendez case.

“He called his parents and told them he got an A on it,” Garber tells 48 HOURS. “He gets A’s all the time. So why that particular paper? He was notifying them that he was particularly interested in the Menendez story.”

Ashton had also admitted to his aunt, Lesley Summers, he had bought a gun. “What do you need a gun for?” Summers recalls asking Ashton. “He goes, ‘For protection.’ And then Audra called me later and I said, ‘Why is Ashton shopping for a gun?’ And she goes, ‘What?’ She goes, ‘Oh, that’s not good.’”

There were signals that something was amiss with Ashton Sachs, suggests Ali Mattu, a highly respected child psychologist at Columbia University Medical Center, who reviewed the Sachs case for 48 HOURS. “I think what we have is an individual where there were a lot of warning signs of something that could happen,” Mattu says.

“He blamed his parents,” Los Angeles Times reporter and 48 HOURS consultant Jack Leonard, says of what Sachs told investigators. “He said he felt his parents didn’t trust him and that he was the least-favorite child out of the family.”

Ashton Sachs is scheduled to go on trial for the murders in March 2016.  For now, Sachs remains in a California jail. His aunts say they’re the only family members who still talk to him.

“I told him to his face, ‘I hate what you did. It was a terrible thing, but we love you, you know? And we always will,’” Summers says.

“We always loved Ashton,” adds Garber. “How could you not have pity for somebody that’s locked up in a cell like that?”

Roberts and 48 HOURS report on the Sachs’ murders through interviews with forensic, medical and psychological experts, and with Leonard, Burghardt, Garber, Summers, attorney Mary Fulginiti, and others. 48 HOURS: “Shadow of Death” is produced by Chuck Stevenson and Judy Rybak. Greg Fisher, Michelle Fannucci and Avi Cohen are the development producers. George Baluzy and Michael Baluzy are the editors. Al Briganti is the executive editor. Susan Zirinsky is the senior executive producer.


AMERICAN CHEF & FOOD WRITER RUTH REICHL TALK ABOUT HER NEW COOKBOOK: MY KITCHEN YEAR

ABOUT THE BOOK: MY KITCHEN YEAR
In the fall of 2009, the food world was rocked when Gourmet magazine was abruptly shuttered by its parent company. No one was more stunned by this unexpected turn of events than its beloved editor in chief, Ruth Reichl, who suddenly faced an uncertain professional future. As she struggled to process what had seemed unthinkable, Reichl turned to the one place that had always provided sanctuary. “I did what I always do when I’m confused, lonely, or frightened,” she writes. “I disappeared into the kitchen.”

ABOUT RUTH REICHL:
She was Editor in Chief of Gourmet Magazine from 1999 to 2009. Before that she was the restaurant critic of both The New York Times (1993-1999) and the Los Angeles Times (1984-1993), where she was also named food editor. As co-owner of The Swallow Restaurant from 1974 to 1977, she played a part in the culinary revolution that took place in Berkeley, California. In the years that followed, she served as restaurant critic for New Westand California magazines.

Ms. Reichl began writing about food in 1972, when she published Mmmmm: A Feastiary. Since then, she has authored the critically acclaimed, best-selling memoirs Tender at the Bone, Comfort Me with Apples, Garlic and Sapphires, and For You Mom, Finally, which have been translated into 18 languages. In 2014 she published her first novel: Delicious!

Ms. Reichl hosted Eating Out Loud, three specials on Food Network, covering New York (2002), San Francisco (2003), and Miami (2003). She is the executive producer of Gourmet’s Diary of a Foodie, public television’s 30-episode series, which debuted in October 2006 and Executive Producer and host of Gourmet’sAdventures with Ruth, a 10-episode public television (2009.) She was also a judge on Top Chef Masters.

Ms. Reichl has been honored with 6 James Beard Awards (one for magazine feature writing and one for multimedia food journalism in 2009; two for restaurant criticism, in 1996 and 1998; one for journalism, in 1994; and Who’s Who of Food and Beverage in America, 1984. In 2007, she was named Adweek’sEditor of the Year. She received the Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service in Journalism, presented by the Missouri School of Journalism, in October 2007. Ms. Reichl received the 2008 Matrix Award for Magazines from New York Women in Communications, Inc., in April 2008. She holds a B.A. and an M.A. in the History of Art from the University of Michigan and lives in Upstate New York with her husband, Michael Singer, a television news producer.

RUTHREICHL.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.

Thursday, October 8, 2015

10/08 MASTER SOMMELIER EVAN GOLDSTEIN, WINES OF SOUTH AMERICA, TRAVEL JUNKIE JULIA DIMON

MASTER SOMMELIER EVAN GOLDSTEIN TALKS ABOUT HIS LATEST BOOK, WINE TIPS AND MORE…

Evan Goldstein, Master Sommelier and author, is one of the nation’s most prolific food and wine industry veterans. With his latest book Wines of South America: The Essential Guide, Goldstein takes us on a wine tasting tour of South America, from the southernmost vineyards in Patagonia to the mountains of Venezuela near the equator. Wines of South America: The Essential Guide, was recently voted Best New World Wine book from the USA in the Gourmand Wine Book Awards for 2015.

With food and wine tourism at an all-time high, South American wines a natural to pair with fall cuisine (especially the reds!), and Goldstein’s engaging, articulate and fun style, who wouldn’t want to learn about South America and it’s wines?

Evan is a seasoned pro on TV, having promoted his other critically acclaimed books, Perfect Pairings: A Master Sommelier’s Practical Advice for Partnering Wine with Food and its sequel, Daring Pairings: A Master Sommelier Matches Distinctive Wines with Recipes from His Favorite Chefs,

Evan Goldstein explores the leading grapes from either side of the Andes
Delicious yet affordable wines that everyone can enjoy
What do South American’s enjoy with their wine – South American food classics
Practical tips on how to best enjoy and visit some of the South America’s best producers

ABOUT EVAN GOLDSTEIN:
His food and wine career started at age 19 in the kitchens of the Restaurant Le Saintongeais and the Hotel Lancaster in Paris, Auberge du Soleil in Napa Valley, and Chez Panisse Cafe in Berkeley, California. In 1987 he became the eighth American and youngest ever at the time to pass the prestigious Master Sommelier examination. He is now the President and Chief Education officer for Full Circle Wine Solutions, Inc., a global wine education and public relations company. Goldstein is a recurring guest wine expert on NBC's syndicated television show "In Wine Country." He also makes regular guest appearances on the top-rated "Ronn Owens' Show" on KGO Radio, and on Saturday morning television's KPIX "Eyewitness News", both in San Francisco, and on Martha Stewart Radio, hosted by Sirius.


TRAVEL JUNKIE JULIA DIMON HOST OF WORD TRAVELS ON NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ADVENTURE - TIPS FOR MAKING SURE AMERICANS TAKE ALL THEIR VACATION

Host of National Geographic’s “Word Travels” Series is LIVE from an Amazing Resort at Oceanside Beach!

Several revealing studies found that Americans are only taking about half of the paid vacation they have coming to them. Even more disturbing is the physical and mental problems that can result from the failure to enjoy vacation time. World renowned “Travel Junkie” Julia Dimon joins us to discuss some affordable ways to inspire people to take advantage of the vacation time they’ve earned.

With fall and holiday travel season just around corner, Julia is joining us LIVE from a unique vacation destination on the Pacific Coast to explain why this is the best time of year for travel deals.
Julia’s show is called Word Travels and appears on National Geographic Adventure, Travel Channel UK, Halogen, Outside TV, City-TV and OLN. She has also hosted a popular online 18-part travel series, Destination Getaway, for MSNBC, and she hosts a series of segments for Outside Television called “Urban Adventures.”

WWW.RCI.COM 
WWW.TRAVELJUNKIEJULIA.COM

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

10/07 IronE SINGLETON, THE WALKING DEAD, BLINDSIDED BY THE WALKING DEAD, TARA GIDUS, CRACKING THE CODE: WHAT FOOD TRENDS REALLY MEAN

IronE SINGLETON – AUTHOR AND ACTOR FROM THE WALKING DEAD AND BLINDSIDE 

ABOUT IRONE SINGLETON
IronE Singleton is best known to audiences as the menacing kingpin Alton in the Academy® Oscar Award-nominated film THE BLIND SIDE; the biggest box office grossing sports movie of all time. He is also known as the compassionate tough guy, T-Dog, in the Emmy, AFI & WGA Award winning, Golden Globe nominated tv show THE WALKING DEAD; one of basic cable's highest rated shows for viewership. IronE's unusual name depicts his life story, his ability to play strong, multidimensional characters and has made him a memorable actor in both film and television.

ABOUT THE BOOK: Blindsided by the Walking Dead
There are 34 brief but meaty chapters ... the last six will really sate the hunger of diehard "Walking Dead" fans. ~ Mekeisha Madden Toby, MSN Reviews On the streets of Atlanta, the fight to survive is a daily battle. From the drug-infested corners of one of the city's worst housing projects, to alleyways filled with ravenous zombies-- Blindsided by the Walking Dead examines one man's battle to overcome the violence, drugs, and crime of the 'hood; starting with a young IronE Singleton determined to succeed despite an abusive mother, an absent father, and the temptations of instant gratification inherent with the thug life. Football and Faith in God become IronE's allies in his quest to escape and help him reach for the lights of the University of Georgia's football field and theater stages. After years of struggle--failed businesses, small roles, and an ill-fated trip to Los Angeles--IronE snags his major breakthrough role, playing the kind of drug-dealing, gun-toting thug he would have become on the streets, in The Blind Side. When he is cast as T-Dog on AMC's international mega-hit "The Walking Dead", IronE examines through art what humanity is about and what it means to truly survive against all odds. Alongside cast mates Michael Rooker, Norman Reedus, Jeffrey DeMunn, and Andrew Lincoln, IronE fought, gagged, and sweat his way into the hearts and minds of millions around the world.


RENOWNED NUTRITIONIST TARA GIDUS COLLINGWOOD - CRACKING THE CODE: WHAT FOOD TRENDS REALLY MEAN – SHE TRANSLATES FOOD LABELING AND TRENDY INGREDIENTS

Renowned Nutritionist Helps us Navigate Food Labels to Eat Well and Spend Less! With so many trends in the food space, it’s often difficult to tell which ingredients we should pay attention to, and which we should avoid. Does paying more for food mean it’s safer or better for you? Not necessarily. Labels and ingredients are complex and confusing… and becoming even more of a growing concern for shoppers who want to eat right without breaking the bank.

ABOUT TARA GIDUS COLLINGWOOD, MS, RDN, CSSD, LDN 
Tara is currently the Team Dietitian for the Orlando Magic NBA team and Nutrition Consultant for the University of Central Florida (UCF) Athletics as well as the “official nutritionist” for runDisney endurance events. Tara is the author of Pregnancy Cooking & Nutrition for Dummies (2012) and Flat Belly Cookbook for Dummies (2014). Tara is also a spokesperson and is quoted in a variety of media including television, radio, newspapers, magazines, and websites and is a past National Media Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She helps senior executives from Fortune 500 companies manage their energy in her role as a nutrition and movement coach at the Johnson & Johnson Human Performance Institute. Tara was the co-host of Emotional Mojo, a national television show where she was the resident nutrition and health expert from 2013-2015.

WWW.DIETDIVA.NET

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

10/06 MARK TARBELL, TARBELL’S, LINDY NOVAK, SPOTTSWOODE ESTATE VINEYARD & WINERY

MARK TARBELL - OWNER, TARBELL’S IN PHOENIX, AZ

THE BEST PLACE TO BE A REGULAR…
Tarbell’s is a friendly neighborhood atmosphere that features light woods and white tablecloths, a sweeping birds-eye maple bar, and an exhibition kitchen. We also offer an award-winning wine list and an extensive wine-by-the-glass menu.

ON THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF 32ND STREET & CAMELBACK ROAD
3213 East Camelback Road, Phoenix AZ 85018

OPEN 7 NIGHTS A WEEK | MONDAY – SATURDAY 5-10PM | SUNDAY, 5-9PM
Mark Tarbell (the only winning competitor on the 5th season of "Iron Chef America") opened Tarbell's in 1994. Previously he had studied in Paris at the l'Academie du Vin and earned a Grande Diplôme d'Etude Culinaire from Ecole du Cuisine La Varenne. Mark and his restaurants (he also owns The Tavern and The Wine Store, also in Phoenix) have earned more than 50 city and industry awards, including a "Best Restaurant" from Food and Wine magazine and a nomination as "Best Chef - Southwest" by the James Beard Foundation.

ABOUT MARK TARBELL
Mark studied in Paris, receiving wine training at the l'Acadamie du Vin and earning a Grande Diplome d'Etude Culinaire from La Verenne Ecole du Cuisine. Nominated for "Best Chef - Southwest" by the James Beard Foundation, he has been invited to cook at many special events around the country and for a stellar line-up of political, sports, and entertainment celebrities, including the Dalai Lama, Muhammed Ali and Clint Eastwood. Mark and his restaurants have earned more than 50 awards through the years, he has written the weekly wine column for the Arizona republic since 2004, and has been published in numerous magazines such as Wine Spirits and Food Arts. Mark has appeareed on "Good Morning America" , the "Today Show", and several Food Network programs including the battle in the Iron Chef America Kitchen Stadium.

WWW.TARBELLS.COM


LINDY NOVAK - NATIONAL MARKETING DIRECTOR, SPOTTSWOODE ESTATE VINEYARD & WINERY

Since being founded in 1982, Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery has become one of Napa Valley’s defining wineries, recognized for making exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon in an elegant and age-worthy style. Planted in 1882, and farmed organically for three decades, the legendary Spottswoode Estate Vineyard is recognized as one of Napa Valley’s first-growth-quality winegrowing sites.

In 1982, Mary Novak founded Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery and made her first vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon. In the years since, Spottswoode has become one of   Napa Valley’s defining wineries, recognized for making exceptional wines in an elegant and age-worthy style. Stewarded by Mary and her daughters, Beth and Lindy,

Spottswoode was one of the first wineries to earn organic certification, and played a pivotal role in championing women in the wine industry. One of the few wineries with the terroir, tradition and track record of excellence to merit such a distinction, Spottswoode’s legendary vineyard has earned wide comparisons to the great first-

After a decade of growing winegrapes at her historic St. Helena vineyard, Mary Novak founded Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery, and made her first vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon, in 1982. In the years since, Spottswoode has become one of Napa Valley’s defining wineries. Stewarded by Mary and her daughters, Beth and Lindy, Spottswoode has stayed true to an elegant, balanced and age-worthy style that captures the character of the vintage and the complexity of Spottswoode’s legendary estate vineyard. As one of the first wineries to earn organic certification, Spottswoode also pioneered organic winegrowing in Napa Valley, and championed the role of women in the wine industry.

Today, Spottswoode is guided by two generations of the Novak family, and Winemaker  Aron Weinkauf, who oversees the vineyard and the wines. As one of the few wineries  with the terroir, tradition and track record of excellence to merit such a distinction, Spottswoode has earned wide comparisons to the great first-growths.

ABOUT Lindy Novak
In 1992, Lindy Novak joined her sister, Beth, as part of a dedicated second generation working alongside their mother, Mary, to guide Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery. In the more than 20 years since, Lindy has brought her own unique touch to her role as national director of marketing, by building loyal and lasting relationships with Spottswoode’s distributor, restaurant and retail partners. Known for her warmth, humor and thoughtfulness, Lindy oversees Spottswoode’s sales program in 47 states, and is an eloquent ambassador for Spottswoode and the Novak family at tastings, dinners and other key trade and consumer events throughout the country.

The eldest of the five Novak children, Lindy was 15 when she moved to Napa Valley with her family. A part of the emerging Napa Valley wine community, Lindy’s friends included the children of the Shafers and Chappellets, and she occasionally babysat the Duckhorn children. Summers were spent helping out around the Spottswoode Estate Vineyard with her siblings, playing tennis, and going to concerts at the Mondavi Winery.

After earning a degree in geography from UC Berkeley, Lindy worked extensively in the clothing industry, first as part of the buying program, and later as a manager, at Macy’s. Following Macy’s, Lindy began representing several high-end clothing lines, including Christian Dior, Henry Grethel, John Henry and Gottex swimwear.

In 1992, Lindy began working at Spottswoode part time. She soon discovered that she enjoyed working with her mother and sister, and contributing to the development of Spottswoode. Lindy also found that her honest, engaged approach to sales was the perfect fit for their family-run winery. After a number of years building distributor and retail relationships throughout California, Lindy took on the role of national marketing director. In this capacity, Lindy travels frequently, supporting Spottswoode’s distributor partners in all American markets. “I try to bring the same values to our relationships that we bring to our wines,” says Lindy. “They should be authentic, thoughtful and enduring.”

Lindy’s other interests include reading, writing, gardening, athletics, maintaining friendships, taking care of her menagerie of pets, and volunteer efforts with animal and environmental organizations. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, Jeff.

Upcoming events
Beth Novak will be attending the Yosemite Vintner’s Holiday from November 15 through November 17, where the Spottswoode wines will be featured as part of the five-course gala dinner. For more details about the event, please visit the Yosemite Park website.