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

LARRY LIPSON – AFFORDABLE WINE REPORT

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



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

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

DANDYDONS.COM
WWW.LAARTSHOW.COM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

RAOSRESTAURANTS.COM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


BRIAN TALLEY – OWNER / WINEGROWER, TALLEY VINEYARDS 

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

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

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

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

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

NEW RELEASE - 2013 ESTATE PINOT NOIR

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

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

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

WWW.TALLEYVINEYARDS.COM

01/09 ADAM KAUFMAN, STATE OF AFFAIRS, LARRY MANETTI, STEVE EVANS

ADAM KAUFMAN – ACTOR, "LUCAS NEWSOME" IN NBC'S "STATE OF AFFAIRS"

“State of Affairs”
Adam Kaufman plays Lucas Newsome in the NBC drama series “State of Affairs.” Adam Kaufman is an American actor, who is best known for his roles as Charlie Keys in the Steven Spielberg produced mini-series Taken, Parker Abrams on Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Ethan on Dawson’s Creek.  Kaufman’s other television credits include recurring and guest roles on Without a Trace, NCIS, Melrose Place, Veronica Mars, Mad Men and The Client List. Kaufman has also starred in a number of TV movies, including Hallmark Hall Of Fame's Loving Leah, Lying to Be Perfect, Perfectly Prudence, Brookfield, Metropolis, The Only Living Boy in New York, Beck and Call and the upcoming The Thanksgiving House opposite Emily Rose. In 2006 Adam starred in Rogue Pictures feature film, Altered, written and directed by Eduardo Sánchez. His other feature credits include Come Away with Me and Final Sale. Kaufman currently resides in Los Angeles with his son.

“STATE OF AFFAIRS”  - 10 p.m. Mondays (premiere Nov. 17)
Each day the president is faced with dozens of life-and-death decisions, and to prioritize the biggest international crises facing the country, one top CIA analyst — Charleston Tucker (Katherine Heigl, “Grey’s Anatomy”) — assembles the President’s Daily Briefing (PDB). This list of the most vital security issues facing the nation brings with it moral and political judgment calls for Charleston and her trusted group of brilliant analysts at the agency. Aside from the political minefields she has to walk, Charlie has a close personal relationship with President Constance Payton (Alfre Woodard, “Desperate Housewives”) because she was once engaged to her son before a tragic terrorist attack took his life. Charlie survived that attack and is now determined to bring the perpetrators to justice. Navigating a complex personal life and a pressure-cooker profession is, of course, a challenge, and Charlie sometimes engages in boundary-pushing behavior to avoid facing her grief. But when the clock strikes 2 a.m., she is all about her job — protecting her nation, serving her president and still trying to get to the bottom of her fiancé’s murder that will reveal itself as a shocking mystery.

The cast also includes Adam Kaufman, Sheila Vand, Cliff Chamberlain, Tommy Savas and David Harbour.

Writer-director Joe Carnahan (“The Blacklist”) serves as executive producer with Dario Scardapane, Katherine Heigl, Nancy Heigl, Robert Simonds, Sophie Watts, Henry Crumpton, Rodney Faraon and Julia Franz. “State of Affairs is a production of Universal Television, Bob Simonds Company and Abishag Productions.

Please visit the official show site at: http://www.nbc.com/State-of-affairs
For the latest “State of Affairs” news, videos, and photos, please like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

www.facebook.com/NBCStateofAffairs
twitter.com/NBCStateAffairs #StateofAffairs


ACTOR LARRY MANETTI JOINS IN WITH A SPECIAL RECIPE 

BIO:
Larry Manetti started acting in his hometown of Chicago. After studying acting with the Ted List Theater Players, Larry drove to Los Angeles in 1972. Larry landed an agent and was sent to Universal Studios to audition for an opening as a contract player.  Luck was on his side. Jack Webb was casting a new series for NBC called The Chase. Larry played a young detective.  After attending acting school at Sal Dano's at night and doing bit parts by day, he scored. Baa Baa Black Sheep was being produced and cast at Universal, and the now famous writer Stephen J. Cannell was the executive producer and the role was a natural for Larry. He was cast as a cocky, hot shot pilot named Bobby Boyle. The show was a big hit for NBC but was cancelled within two years. Because the network was so impressed with Larry's on-screen presence, they cast him in a new series called The Duke. Bad luck! The Duke was cancelled in one year. Larry was back to playing whatever Universal told him to. Hoping to catch lighting in a jar, along came Magnum, P.I. and the role of Rick. This was his elevator...the show became a mega-hit for 8 years. Since Magnum, P.I., Larry has done co-starring roles in 25 feature films and guest starred on many hot TV shows. Larry is the author of a book titled Aloha Magnum. As for the future ... just follow his jet stream!

Be sure to tune into Larry's radio show every Tuesday at 4pm PT on CRN!

WWW.LARRYMANETTI.COM


STEVE EVANS - "THE MOVIE GUY"

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

01/08 LARRY VAN AALST, THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE WINE COMPETITION, CHEF EMERIL LAGASSI, NATIONAL SOUP MONTH

LARRY VAN AALST IS LIVE FROM THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE WINE COMPETITION – HOST OF THE SONOMA WINE REPORT

LARRY HOSTS A WEEKLY PROGRAM ON CRN AND ALSO IS AN EXPERT ON WINE WHO IS SOUGHT AFTER FOR EVENTS, TASTES AND MAJOR SOMMELIER EVENTS IN THE SAN FRANCISCO AREA. HE COMMENTS ON THE INDUSTRY AND HIS THOUGHTS ABOUT WINE.

 For the past 15 years, the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition has been the barometer of how consumers select and measure wine. The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition (SFCWC) is the largest competition of American wines in the World and broke records again last year with an astonishing 5,800 entries. Submissions came pouring in from boutique wineries and large scale producers spanning 25 different states.

Year after year, wineries return with more entries because they see the intrinsic value that a "San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Award Winner" title can bring, including increased sales and brand recognition.


CHEF EMERIL LAGASSI HEATS UP THE KITCHEN DURING NATIONAL SOUP MONTH

Chef Emeril Lagasse Heats Up the Kitchen During National Soup Month
With the colder winter days, Americans will be spending more time indoors. It’s the perfect time to enjoy comfort foods that satisfy the soul like a hot bowl of soup.
A big batch of soup can be enjoyed for lunch and dinner throughout the week. However, most people do not feel comfortable transporting or storing soup, without worrying about it leaking all over the fridge, your car, or workbag.

Learn more about the Snapware Winter Warm-Up via their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Snapware.

Emeril Lagasse is a world famous chef, restaurant owner, author, and television star. Considered one of the most recognizable names in the history of the culinary industry, he dazzles audiences with his delicious dishes and has made famous the catchphrases “bam!” and “kick it up a notch!” He opened his first restaurant in 1990 in New Orleans and to date owns 14 restaurants around the country. Earlier this year Lagasse released his 18th cookbook. He hosts various shows and specials on Food Network and The Cooking Channel, and is the menu master on the TNT reality competition program On The Menu. Emeril lives in New York with his wife Alden, and two children, Emeril, Jr. and Meril.

01/07 LARRY LIPSON, JAMIE SORCHER, THE CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW

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.



JAMIE SORCHER - LIVE FROM THE CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW

Jamie joins us live, on site at the 2015 Consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas! She will takes us on a virtual “tour” of what’s new and noteworthy in the world of tech and gadgets in the New Year.

Jamie Sorcher, a multimedia journalist with more than 15 years experience in broadcast, online, and print, is a word nerd, tech enthusiast, and gadget geek who answers to many handles including Gadget Girl, Gizmo Girl, GG, and Super G.

From upgrades and updates to new innovations, Jamie will unveil and discuss the coolest news of 2015. She will specifically reveal what’s new and wow-worthy in several categories including:
      
• TVs, Audio & Home Entertainment
• Mobile Devices
• Tablets and Digital Technology
• … and more!

01/06 ANTHONY DIAS BLUE, BLUE LIFESTYLE, TASTING PANEL MAGAZINE, DAVE KING, THE CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW

ANTHONY DIAS BLUE – BLUE LIFESTYLE / TASTING PANEL MAG

Anthony Dias Blue is recognized worldwide as a leading food, wine, spirits and travel expert. Along with being a published author, columnist, TV and radio personality, Mr. Blue also heads of a food & wine events company and hosts food & wine competitions worldwide. His award-winning work spans all forms of media and is circulated to more than 30,000,000 consumers each month.

Radio
Blue has a long-running feature spot on WCBS radio in New York City featuring restaurant reviews and lifestyle subjects, mostly associated with food and wine. Now called The Blue Lifestyle Minute, the feature has been on every day for more than 30 years (except for the two weeks following 9/11). Blue received a James Beard Award for the Minute in 2001.

A separate, localized version of The Blue Lifestyle Minute began airing in 1999 on KFWB in Los Angeles. In 2009, this feature moved to KABC along with the addition of a new weekend show called The Taste Buds co-hosted with Meridith May and Merrill Schindler. In 2014 Blue left KABC and moved The Blue Lifestyle Minute to KNX (AM) 1070. This brings Blue's listenership to over 200,000.

Publications
In 1978, Blue became West Coast Editor of Food & Wine magazine and then later in 1980 he became Wine and Spirits Editor of Bon AppétitMagazine, a position he held for 26 years. Anthony also wrote a weekly syndicated wine column that appeared in the Bay Area, first in the San Francisco Chronicle and then in the San Jose Mercury News. For 10 years, Blue wrote and edited the Zagat Guide for northern California for his friend Tim Zagat, with whom he attended Riverdale.

After leaving Bon Appétit in 2007, Blue purchased in partnership with Publisher Meridith May Patterson's Beverage Journal, a 65-year-old beverage trade publication that was renamed The Tasting Panel. It has become the highest circulated beverage industry publication. In December 2013, The Tasting Panel magazine acquired The Sommelier Journal with Blue as the new Editor-in-Chief along with a team of top wine and hospitality industry writers.

Competitions
Blue runs the San Francisco International Wine Competition, the largest international wine competition in the US. In 2000 Blue launched the San Francisco World Spirits Competition which has become the largest spirits competition in the United States and second largest spirits competition in the world.

WWW.BLUELIFESTYLE.COM


DAVE KING - LIVE FROM THE CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW  

Dr. Cool Tech – Dave King - For the past 20 years, Dave has captivated audiences in virtually every performance medium available – especially television. In 2009, responding to hosting requests from consumer electronics companies, Dave relocated from Philadelphia to Los Angeles and created the Dr Cool Tech™ brand. As Dr Cool Tech, Dave funnels his passion for all things electronic into a showcase for products that, to some, may seem complicated, complex or dull. Dave makes them simple, easy to understand, and lots of fun!

Dave joins us live from the 2015 Consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas! He'll take us on a virtual “tour” of what’s new and noteworthy in the world of tech and gadgets in the New Year.

From upgrades and updates to new innovations, Dave will unveil/show/tell/demo and discuss the coolest news of 2015.    

01/05 JIM STIEGEL, RED MARE WINES, CORBIN BERNSEN, CHRISTIAN MINGLE: THE MOVIE

JIM STRIEGEL - RED MARE WINES

After working for four years as assistant winemaker at Paradigm for Heidi Barrett, one of the world’s renowned winemakers, Anne Vawter opened her winemaking consultancy with support and encouragement from Heidi, whose referrals now make up Anne’s client list. Shortly after, Anne began her own venture with Partner Jim Striegel - Red Mare Wines.

An avid horse woman, Anne named her wine label in honor of her red mare, Paradigm, who was a bonus given to her during her time at Paradigm Winery. The inaugural release of Red Mare Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2007 vintage, sold out in just two months. In addition to her Cabernet Sauvignon, Anne also produces a Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc and will add a Sonoma Chardonnay in the 2011 vintage.

Red Mare Wines sources fruit meticulously from very small, well-respected vineyards throughout the Napa Valley, from a cool enclave of the Carneros to a hill top in Coombsville, and northward on the Valley floor in Oakville, Rutherford and St. Helena.  Our 2011 Chardonnay hails from a choice location in the famed Russian River Valley of Sonoma.  We look for vineyards with unique qualities and distinctive character that will come together in the blending process to produce layered and beautifully balanced wines.

JIM STRIEGEL:
Jim Striegel began his love of wine at an early age while making wine with his father.  They shipped a variety of grapes from Napa Valley, California to their hometown of Carbondale, Illinois and enjoyed red table wine with family and friends.

Jim enjoyed summers in the Napa Valley areaa with childhood friends when there were only ten wineries in the area, including Stag's Leap.  They would hang out in the vineyards and the cellars, experiencing the rich traditions that come along with it, including the annual "blessing of the grapes".

With over forty years of experience in sales and marketing, Jim has built many successful businesses in the apparel, automobile and real estate industries.  He worked for Izod Lacoste in Paris in the eighties and was able to further his wine education in both the Burgundy and Bordeaux regions of France.

When he was ready to begin his own brand, he called renowned winemaker Heidi Barrett.  In addition to being a huge, longtime fan of Heidi's winemaking, he worked with her on a wine dinner in the Dallas area and trusted her advice and guidance.  It was through Heidi that he met winemaker and partner Anne Vawter and the rest is history.

WWW.REDMAREWINES.COM


CORBIN BERNSEN – ACTOR, DIRECTOR & WRITER - CHRISTIAN MINGLE: THE MOVIE

Corbin Dean Bernsen (born September 7, 1954) is an American actor and director, known for his work on television. He is known for his roles as divorce attorney Arnold Becker on the NBC drama series L.A. Law, as Dr. Alan Feinstone in The Dentist, as retired police detective Henry Spencer on the USA Network comedy-drama series Psych, and as Roger Dorn in the films Major League, Major League II, and Major League: Back to the Minors. He has also appeared regularly on other shows, including General Hospital and Cuts.

All-Star Cast Makes Christian Mingle: The Movie a Must-See Romantic Comedy - Film Written and Directed by Corbin Bernsen Comes to DVD Jan. 13

Portraying the online dating scene that more than 40 million Americans have tried, Christian Mingle: The Movie, written and directed by Corbin Bernsen (L.A. Law, Psych), takes viewers on a laughter-filled adventure to discover love and happiness.

Releasing on DVD January 2015, Christian Mingle: The Movie stars Lacey Chabert (Mean Girls, Party of Five) as Gwyneth Hayden, a 30-something marketing executive with a top-notch career, killer wardrobe, dream apartment and great friends – she thinks the only thing missing is a man. In a moment of inspired desperation, she fills out a profile on the dating website ChristianMingle.com hoping to find Mr. Right, "God's match" for her. However, Gwyneth's attempts at impressing her dream guy end in disaster when he calls her out on her "faux faith." In an honest realization, she sees her superficial life for what it really is, which leads Gwyneth down a path toward fulfilling the true desires of her heart with "life-changing" love.  

The filmboasts an all-star cast including Stephen Tobolowsky (Ground Hog Day, Thelma and Louise), John O'Hurley (Seinfeld, All My Children), David Keith (Officer and a Gentleman, U571), Morgan Fairchild (Chuck, Friends), and Jonathan Patrick Moore (The L.A. Complex, The Mistletones).  The film also features music from chart-topping Christian music artists including Toby Mac, Mandisa, Shawn McDonald and City Harbor.

01/02 AVERYL DUNN, WASHINGTON STATE WINES, JIM AND ELIZABETH CARROLL, WE TV MARRIAGE BOOT CAMP, STEVE EVANS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WWW.WETV.COM

STEVE EVANS - "THE MOVIE GUY"

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

01/01 PHIL LEMPERT, 2015 FOOD TRENDS, CHEF GREG GASPAR, HANK'S HAUTE DOGS, SHERATON MAUI RESORT AND SPA, SUSAN ZIRINSKY, 48 HOURS

PHIL LEMPERT – 2015 FOOD TRENDS 

LEMPERT’S TOP FOOD TRENDS FOR 2015 INCLUDE:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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SUSAN ZIRINSKY – EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, 48 HOURS (CBS) 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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