PBS’ A CAPITOL FOURTH WELCOMES JOHN STAMOS TO HOSTAMERICA’S NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION LIVE FROM THE U.S. CAPITOL!
Emmy Award-nominated actor and producer John Stamos (FULLER HOUSE, SCREAM QUEENS) is set to host the 37th annual edition of PBS’ A CAPITOL FOURTH, broadcast live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol.
The all-star musical and fireworks extravaganza will kick off the country’s 241st birthday with performances by: soul men Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi of The Blues Brothers; iconic multi-platinum selling music legends The Beach Boys, with special guests John Stamos (drums) and Sugar Ray’s Mark McGrath (vocals); legendary Motown stars The Four Tops; THE VOICE Season 12 winner Chris Blue; the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly (additional performers to be announced). Multi-talented actress and singer Sofia Carson (DESCENDENTS 2) will open the show with a special performance of the “National Anthem.” The concert will also feature a tribute to our men and women in uniform by country music star and Grammy-nominated member of the Grand Ole Opry Trace Adkins who will perform his new single “Still A Soldier.” The inspiring moment will be dedicated to our troops and veterans, and all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice fighting for our freedom. A CAPITOL FOURTH airs on PBS Tuesday, July 4, 2017 from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. ET before a concert audience of hundreds of thousands, millions more at home, as well as to our troops serving around the world on the American Forces Network.
The program can also be heard live in stereo over NPR member stations nationwide. The concert will also be live-streamed online on Facebook Live and http://www.pbs.org/a-capitol-fourth and available as Video on Demand for a limited time only, July 4 to July 18, 2017.
LAURA KATH - MEDIA RELATIONS DIRECTOR, SOLVANG VISITORS BUREAU - SUMMER HAPPENINGS
Solvang, CaliforniaThe sight of so much beauty in one town is enough inspiration for vacations in Solvang. Solvang, California is a historic town – really a Danish village filled with a little something for everyone. Spend some time here, check out our Solvang hotel deals.
Explore Wine Country
Are you a wine lover? We are home to some of the finest wine tasting rooms. We feature wine tours, a Solvang wine trail and beautiful vineyards. Why not have a destination wedding in one of our beautiful vineyards or many other beautiful locations? If you love to travel and do any central coast travel do not miss the Santa Ynez Valley with the quaint towns of Los Olivos, Ballard, Buellton and Santa Ynez. We are in the middle of Santa Barbara wine country, home of the Santa Barbara Vintners. Take an afternoon and visit the Santa Barbara wineries. We are home to art, antiques and our Solvang restaurants offer a cuisine for every diner. Why not plan your next group meeting in this charming town.
If you do any leisure travel along the central coast do not miss Solvang, California – the Danish village with so much to offer.
SUMMER HAPPENING:
JULY 4TH USA INDEPENDENCE DAY
Enjoy the food, wine, beer and fun at the July 4th parade, festival, BBQ and spectacular fireworks! The parade strolls down Alisal Road, Mission Drive, and Copenhagen Drive. The BBQ is in Solvang Park with fun and games. The festival is at the Olde Mission Santa Inés beginning at 1:30 PM and the fireworks start at around 9 PM.WINE TASTING SUMMER PASS
The Summer Pass gives you 14 tastings, to be used any time this summer!
Take a self-guided tour of the Santa Ynez Valley's boutique winery tasting rooms. Wine Tasting All Summer Long with The Summer Pass Now through August 31, 2017 One Pass--One Price--14 Wineries! Summertime means sun, fun, and wine tasting with the Summer Pass. The pass allows tasters to visit the premier boutique wineries of the Santa Ynez Valley, any time during the summer for one low price. For just $45, you'll receive one wine tasting at each of the Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country Association tasting rooms (over $150 value). You choose the dates you'd like to taste, between May 1 and August 31. Reservations are not required, and there are no blackout dates.
Your pass will expire when you've tasted at all 14 wineries, or on August 31, 2017—whichever occurs first. Summer Passes are available for $45 each, online at www.santaynezwinecountry.com. You may choose to have your passes mailed to you, or you may will-call them at Imagine Wine in Santa Ynez, Alexander & Wayne in Los Olivos, or Casa Cassara in Solvang. Passes are also available for sale at the above three tasting rooms for $50 each. Participating wineries: Alexander & Wayne, Arthur Earl, Buscador Wine, Ca’ Del Grevino, Carivintâs, Casa Cassara Wines, Dreamcôte Wine Company, Imagine Wine, Kalyra Winery, Lincourt Vineyards, Lucas & Lewellen, Lucky Dogg Winery, Rideau Vineyard, and Toccata Wine. Savor the tastes of Santa Ynez Valley’s Wine Country all summer long with the Summer Pass.
WWW.SOLVANGUSA.COM
MARIANNE GRAVELY - FOOD SAFETY EXPERT, USDA OFFERS TOP TIPS FOR FOOD SAFETY THIS 4TH OF JULY
Cases of Foodborne Illness Surge in the Summer Season
Independence Day is one of the most popular times to break out the grill - retail beef sales jumping 20% the week of the holiday – and because of this it’s critical that consumers take the necessary steps to protect their families from foodborne illness (commonly known as food poisoning). Incidents of food poisoning surge during the summer because harmful bacteria multiply more quickly in the hot and humid climate, and more people are cooking outside at picnics, barbeques, and on camping trips away from the conveniences of the kitchen that help them stay safe.
Research shows millions of Americans are not taking the necessary steps to protect themselves and their families from getting ill. For example, nearly two-thirds of Americans are not using a food thermometer regularly to check the temperature of meat and poultry even though 1 out of every 4 hamburgers turns brown before it has reached a safe internal temperature. Fourteen percent of Americans are also not using different or freshly-cleaned cutting boards for raw meats and ready-to-eat foods, such as fruits and vegetables. The CDC estimates that 48 million Americans (at least 1 in 6) get sick from food poisoning every year, resulting in roughly 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths.
In preparation for July 4th festivities, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service is promoting the Food Safe Families campaign to raise awareness about the risks of food poisoning and motivate consumers, particularly parents, to take specific actions to reduce their risk and keep their families healthy.
The national campaign directs audiences to visit www.FoodSafety.gov, where they can learn about food safety practices and access “Ask Karen,” an online database with over 1,500 answers to specific questions related to preventing foodborne illnesses. Additionally, consumers can call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.
WWW.FOODSAFETY.GOV
GRILLING EXPERTS AND THE MASTER GRILLER JAMIE PURVIANCE - AUTHOR, WEBER’S GREATEST HITS
125 Classic Recipes for Every Grill and Everyone
All Killer, No Filler: The Absolute Best Weber Recipes Ever Published, in One Amazing Collection.
For decades, Weber grills have set the standard for backyard grills, and Weber’s cookbooks have delighted grilling enthusiasts. But out of more than 2,000 total recipes for every kind of dish, which ones are the very best of the best? Written by James Beard Award nominee and New York Times best-selling cookbook author Jamie Purviance, Weber’s Greatest Hits features the very best-of-the-best recipes—as rated and debated by Weber grilling experts and fans—and is destined to be a classic.
Weber’s Greatest Hits includes more than 115 recipes, including popular favorites like Beer-Marinated Chicken Tacos and Best-on-the-Block Baby Back Ribs, plus beloved side dishes like Mexican-Style Corn on the Cob. The book includes all-new photography, and special features such as the Top Ten Grilling Dos and Don’ts and technique-focused Top 5 lists for the foods people like to grill most.
The book is organized by chapters on Starters, Beef & Lamb, Pork, Poultry, Fish & Shellfish, Sides and Desserts. In addition, a collection of fun short stories from Weber’s rich and often hilarious history, including “How Do You Grill Cod Tongue?” and “Building the Grilling Culture Around the World” go above and beyond to entertain and inform readers.
WWW.WEBER.COM