5/24 DALE FLEMING, THE HEALTHIEST CITIES & COUNTIES CHALLENGE, ENTERTAINING EXPERT MELANIE MANNARINO, ROBERT SINCLAIR, SARAH ROBINSON, AAA SUMMER ROAD TRIP GUIDE

DALE FLEMING - STRATEGY DIRECTOR FOR THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO'S HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY - SAN DIEGO RECOGNIZED AS AN INNOVATOR CITY IN THE HEALTHIEST CITIES & COUNTIES CHALLENGE

What do Tulsa, Cleveland, Kansas City, San Diego, Durham, and New Haven have in common? They’ve signed on to the Healthiest Cities & Counties Challenge, a new initiative to provide recognition and awards totaling $1.5 million to communities showing measurable changes in health and wellness. The Challenge, a partnership between the Aetna Foundation, the American Public Health Association, and the National Association of Counties will award innovation in just 50 small to mid-size cities, counties and federally recognized tribes making significant positive health impact.

San Diego County seeks to build upon the Live Well San Diego vision of healthy, safe and thriving communities by focusing on job creation, crime and safety, improving access to healthy foods through urban agriculture, strengthening families, improving community aesthetics through artwork, and increasing community capacity for leadership and civic engagement.

Live Well San Diego is a comprehensive, long-term initiative on health that aims to take action through local partnerships so the next generation of San Diegans can live longer and healthier lives. For the Healthiest Cities & Counties Challenge, LiveWell is collaborating with Project New Village and the Urban Collaborative.

MORE ABOUT DALE FLEMING:
Ms. Dale Fleming is the Strategy Director for the County of San Diego’s Health and Human Services Agency. In this role, she coordinates and supports the implementation of Live Well San Diego, a collective impact effort to realize healthy safe and thriving communities and residents throughout the county. In addition, she is the Executive Director of the County’s Community Action Partnership, which provides services to strengthen economically disadvantaged communities and the citizens who reside there. With nearly 30 years’ experience in administering health and social services programs, Ms. Fleming has led various strategic planning, policy development, community indicators and performance measurement initiatives. In addition, she provided executive leadership over the County’s public assistance and health coverage eligibility programs and policies for six years.

WWW.HEALTHIESTCITIES.ORG


ENTERTAINING EXPERT MELANIE MANNARINO - SIZZLING PARTY IDEAS FOR YOUR SUMMER SOIREE

SIZZLING PARTY IDEAS FOR YOUR SUMMER SOIREE

Our Entertaining Expert will Dish the Hottest Tips and Tricks to Make Your Summer Entertaining a Breeze!

Ready to impress your guests this summer? Freshen up your next party or get-together with a few simple tips from entertaining expert Melanie Mannarino. She'll show us everything from how to prepare better-for-you snacks with a zesty kick, to how to keep your guests protected from those bothersome bugs.

Find out how to transform your backyard or home into a fun and festive environment! Whether you're grilling on the porch or serving up inside, Melanie has delicious ideas that will make entertaining at home easy, fun and effortless, leaving your guests hungry for more!

ABOUT MELANIE MANNARINO
Melanie Mannarino has spent the last 20 years as editor and writer for media brands includingShape, Better Homes & Gardens, Redbook, Cosmopolitan, Seventeen and HGTV Magazine. She is a regular contributor to Weight Watchers magazine. Previously, Melanie was digital director of Shape.com, where she doubled the frequency of fitness, food & nutrition, and healthy living content. Prior to that, she was Director of Content at Weight Watchers, where she oversaw food & recipes, fitness and lifestyle content across the US and Canada web sites and created and starred in numerous video series, include Curious Foodie. As Deputy Executive Editor of Redbook magazine, Melanie wrote the food and entertaining blog Serving Dish, and appeared as a judge on Iron Chef America.


ROBERT SINCLAIR (AAA SPOKESPERSON & TRAVEL EXPERT) AND SARAH ROBINSON (TIRE AND DRIVING SAFETY EXPERT) - AAA SUMMER ROAD TRIP GUIDE

FIND OUT WHAT AAA IS EXPECTING THIS MEMORIAL DAY & TRAVEL SEASON FOR ROADWAY WARRIORS! 

WHAT EVERYONE “AUTO” KNOW ABOUT CAR CARE! SUMMER ROAD TRIP GUIDE!

Learn How to Beat the Rush & be prepared for the Busiest Roadway Weekend of the Year!

Experts are calling this the year of the road trip! With gas prices at an all-time low AAA estimates that over half of American’s are planning to hit the open road this summer. Weather an overnight trip or a cross-country adventure it is important to make sure your cars maintenance is up-to-date. Find out why doing routine inspections and simply checking tires before a road trip is essential for summer road trip fun!

Robert Sinclair of AAA and Tire and Driving Safety Expert Sarah Robinson from Michelin, will give some simple fixes and go over do’s and don’ts that will save drives money and time. AAA expects to rescue nearly 350,000 motorists at the roadside over Memorial Day weekend! Your viewers will learn important tips to help keep them safe and having fun on their roadway vacations.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
• PACKING WITH PURPOSE- Not overloading your car for trips
• HIGH MAINTENANCE -Spend time enjoying your vacation, not fixing your car
• TIRE CHECK-How to choose the right tires for your needs
• THRIFTY INSPECTION-Super savings from simple automotive checks

WWW.MICHELINMAN.COM
WWW.AAA.COM/AUTO

05/23 JULIA COLLIN DAVISON, AMERICA’S TEST KITCHEN , STEFANIE MICHAELS, THE ‘ADVENTURE GIRL’, IAN BLACKBURN, WINE LA

JULIA COLLIN DAVISON – NEW CO-HOST AND THE EXECUTIVE FOOD EDITOR FOR THE BOOK DIVISION, AMERICA’S TEST KITCHEN - CHATS SUMMER GRILLING 

ABOUT JULIA COLLIN DAVISON
Julia Collin Davison is the executive food editor for the book division of America’s Test Kitchen and is an on-screen test cook for America’s Test Kitchen and Cook’s Country from America’s Test Kitchen. She began working as a test cook for Cook’s Illustrated in 1999 and is responsible for the food and recipe development for all America’s Test Kitchen cookbooks. She holds an A.O.S. degree from the Culinary Institute of America and a B.A. in psychology and philosophy from SUNY Albany. Before coming to America’s Test Kitchen, she worked in Albany, the Berkshires, San Francisco, and the Napa Valley at several restaurants, catering companies, schools, and wineries. Julia resides in Natick, Massachusetts, where she enjoys cooking with her husband, Ian, and her daughter, Marta.

ABOUT AMERICA’S TEST KITCHEN 
America’s Test Kitchen is the most-watched cooking show on public television—over 2 million viewers tune in each week—and in January 2016, America’s Test Kitchen will launch its 16th season. In addition to the popular segments that viewers have come to love and trust, like equipment reviews, taste tests, and foolproof recipes, the 16th season will feature even more content and numerous visits with well-loved chefs!

The test kitchen chefs cook America’s favorite recipes with host Christopher Kimball and deconstruct each recipe to reveal the test kitchen’s secrets to foolproof cooking at home. This season includes 57 all-new recipes, including Raspberry Charlotte, Black Bean Burgers, Foolproof New York Cheesecake, Crispy Salt and Pepper Shrimp, Duck Fat–Roasted Potatoes, Cuban Braised Shredded Beef, Chicken Mole Poblano, Ultimate Charcoal-Grilled Steaks, Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie, and more.
America’s Test Kitchen is shot just outside Boston. The test cooks are dedicated to finding the best methods for preparing foolproof home-cooked meals. The 2,500-square-foot test kitchen in which America’s Test Kitchen is shot is the same kitchen where three dozen full-time test cooks work, testing and retesting recipes 20, 30, and sometimes 50 times, until they find the recipe that they are confident will work every time.

MASTER OF THE GRILL: FOOLPROOF RECIPES, TOP-RATED GADGETS, GEAR & INGREDIENTS PLUS CLEVER TEST KITCHEN TIPS & FASCINATING FOOD SCIENCE
Part field guide to grilling and barbecuing and part cookbook, Master of the Grill features a wide variety of kitchen-tested recipes for meat, poultry, seafood, vegetables, pizza, and more. These are the recipes everyone should know how to make— the juiciest burgers, barbecue chicken that’s moist not tough, tender grill-smoked pork ribs, the greatest steak (and grilled potatoes to serve alongside). Regional specialties are included, too—learn how to make Cowboy Steaks, Alabama BBQ Chicken, and Kansas City Sticky Ribs. Colorful photography captures the beauty of the recipes and step-by-step shots guide you through everything you need to know. A section on grilling essentials covers the pros and cons of gas and charcoal grills and which might be right for you, as well as the tools you’ll use with them— such as grill brushes, tongs, vegetable baskets, and wood chips and chunks.

"A terrifically accessible and useful guide to grilling in all its forms that sets a new bar for its competitors on the bookshelf." –Publishers Weekly

Are precut steak tips worth buying? Why make divots in burgers? What’s the best supermarket barbecue sauce? (And when is it worth splurging for the high-end one?) Are all grill tongs created equal? America’s most trusted test kitchen fires up the grill to answer those questions and many more in the inventive new book Master of the Grill.

With recipes and techniques arranged by skill level—from The Basics to The Easy Upgrades to The Serious Projects—cooks of all stripes can dive in and choose their outdoor cooking adventure. Make classic, contemporary, and regional recipes like Perfect Grilled Hamburgers, Barbecued Pulled Chicken, Grilled Tomato and Cheese Pizzas, and Kansas City Sticky Ribs, as well as Grill-Smoked Salmon, Grill-Roasted Prime Rib, Grilled Lobsters with Herbed Garlic Butter, andGrilled Fruit (with a variety of finishing sauces and glazes). Every recipe includes instructions for both charcoal and gas grills and there are hundreds of full-color recipe and step photos throughout the book.

WWW.AMERICASTESTKITCHEN.COM


STEFANIE MICHAELS, THE ‘ADVENTURE GIRL’ AND TRAVEL EXPERT - SUMMER TRAVEL PLANNING

SUMMER TRAVEL DEALS ARE HEATING UP!  FIND OUT HOW TO PLAN YOUR SUMMER GETAWAY WITH  THE SOCIAL MEDIA GURU OF TRAVEL! 

THE ‘ADVENTURE GIRL’ STEFANIE MICHAELS SHARES HOT TIPS & SUGGESTIONS FOR A MEMORABLE SUMMER TRAVEL SEASON! 

Find Out Stefanie’s Favorite Last Minute Deals for a Great Adventure This Memorial Day!  
Stefanie Michaels has over 1 million twitter followers who look to her for expert travel advice. Known as the Go-to-Girl for “living life’s adventures,” Stefanie has carved a unique niche in the world of sharing tips with national publications such as People magazine, Access Hollywood, and the New York Times. Just in time for Memorial Day Weekend and the start of the summer travel season, this amazing expert is available to share her expertise and some great travel tips with your listeners. Find out how to get some great last minute deals and where to go for a FUN family or adults-only vacation. She will also talk about her go-to Myrtle Beach destination!

THE ADVENTURE GIRL SHARES HER TRAVEL CHECKLIST: 

• FIND OUT WHERE TO GET THE HOTEST DEALS: Summer is synonymous with beach vacation. Find some of the best places to go that will entertain everyone without breaking the bank. 
• FLASH SALES: Find out how to utilize social media to get last-minute deals.  
• FINDING REAL DEALS: Learn how you can take advantage of last-minute bargains, even in peak travel season. 

Stefanie was been dubbed "America's Tweetheart" in a Vanity Fair Magazine feature for having 1 million Twitter followers, she’s been the focus of Time Magazine's feature, "Love me, Love my brand," and sits on Forbes’ list of Top 20 Branded Women.



IAN BLACKBURN – WINE LA – UPCOMING EVENTS (STARS OF CA 5/25)

STARS OF CALIFORNIA
MAY 25, 2015 | PENINSULA BEVERLY HILLS
California is a wine region with much to offer. From the Sonoma Coast to the Napa Valley to Monterey to Paso Robles to Santa Barbara to Temecula and everywhere in between, there is a wine for everyone in California. At our STARS of California event, explore the diversity of Californian wine from delicate Pinot Noir to bold Zinfandel at this showcase of the best of California. Enjoy tray served hors d'oeuvres, an amazingly robust silent auction, and much more. All Silent Auction proceeds benefit the T.J. Martell Foundation.

VIP ADMISSION 6:00 PM
GENERAL ADMISSION 7:00 PM

VIP INCLUDES:
VIP Panel & Tasting
Enhanced VIP Buffet
VIP Gift Bag
Unlimited Wine Tasting
Tray Passed Hors D'oeuvres
Selection of Breads, Cheeses, and Chocolates

GENERAL ADMISSION INCLUDES:
Unlimited Wine Tasting
Tray Passed Hors D'oeuvres
Selection of Breads, Cheeses, and Chocolates

ABOUT WINELA
wineLA is about enhancing the wine culture of Los Angeles. To do so, wine must be in rhythm with fashion, music, food and other beverages.  It must take advantage of the geography, the architecture and the centers of interest. Los Angeles is a giant playground with an amazing array of venues, spaces, wine bars, restaurants, beaches, roof tops, gardens, and magical views. We want to be a part of the LA lifestyle, the wine lifestyle, and celebrate the people, the place and the passion.

wineLA will promote significant events, occasional classes, and tastings of merit. This is phase two of what we started 20 years ago at LearnAboutWine.com - America’s first wine education website and first in wine event creation. LearnAboutWine will now evolve onto a digital platform; the transformation will take some time; so we will slowly rebrand our event efforts onto wineLA, reduce the number of activities we focus on, and elevate our efforts to focus on the next big thing… Doing what is best for the wine industry and the communities we serve.  Edicts:  innovate, evolve and excite.

We thank you for joining our newsletter, we will be sending fewer emails and packing them with amazing content. We want to be your wine content provider and would love to hear about your favorite places, your music, your locations - we want to be under the influence of what ignites your passion for Los Angeles.

IAN BLACKBURN, CSW, JWE ¬‐ LEARNABOUTWINE & WINELA PROFESSIONAL SOMMELIER, CANDIDATE FOR THE MASTER OF WINE 
Ian drinks wine for a living and plans 50-¬‐100 public and private events a year. Ian stays busy buying collectible wines for high profile clients, planning luxury wine  trips  for  his  audience,  hosting  corporate  events,  and  studying  for  his  Master of Wine.

Since  1995,  LearnAboutWine  has  done  the  hard  work  of  building  a  better  culture for fine wine, opening the doors for more quality products to enter the  marketplace  and  has  taught  over  800,000  students.    With  a  reach  of  over 80,000  current  subscribers  and  followers,  LearnAboutWine  now  focuses  on  the  best  quality  events and classes, and wine credential programs which have graduated over 1000 wine students in the last 9 years with a Junior Wine Executive credential (JWE).   See what is happening NOW at our new website winela.com.

WWW.WINELA.COM

05/20 LAURA KATH, SOLVANG CONFERENCE & VISITORS BUREAU, JESSIE ARTIGUE, BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS 8TH ANNUAL BEST NEW PRODUCT AWARDS, STEVE EVANS THE MOVIE GUY

LAURA KATH - MEDIA RELATIONS DIRECTOR,  SOLVANG CONFERENCE & VISITORS BUREAU -SOLVANG NAMED ONE OF THE “BEST HISTORIC SMALL TOWN” WINNERS IN 10BEST.COM CONTEST

SOLVANG NAMED ONE OF THE “BEST HISTORIC SMALL TOWN” WINNERS IN 10BEST.COM CONTEST

Solvang, California, USA— Tracy Farhad, Executive Director of the Solvang Conference & Visitors Bureau (SCVB) is pleased to announce that Solvang was named one of the winners in the Best Historic Small Town category in the 10Best Readers' Choice 2016 travel award contest sponsored by USA TODAY. The list of all ten winners is located at http://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-historic-small-town/.

Farhad remarked, “Solvang is the only community in California to be honored as Best Historic Small Town in this exciting contest. We are so proud that media experts nominated Solvang initially; then people locally and around the world voted for Solvang online. Solvang began the contest ranked #20 and after four weeks of daily voting, we finished as #6 against some very well-known towns. We’re thrilled to have this recognition, especially since we value, celebrate and promote Solvang as a historic community year-round.”

In 2009, Solvang was honored with the prestigious “Preserve America Community” award by the national Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Solvang means “sunny field” in Danish; and was founded in 1911 by three Danish-American educators who discovered a place in the central coast of California where land was plentiful and their culture could prosper. In 2014,  Solvang was named by trivago as one of the best “Hidden European Towns in America” and in 2013 by Huffington Post as " #2 Place to Travel to Europe Without Leaving the USA.” Solvang celebrated its Centennial in 2011 with year-long festivities including a visit from Henrik, His Royal Highness The Prince Consort of Denmark.

This year, Solvang celebrates 105 years of its historic, cultural heritage with museums, attractions and seasonal festivals such as the 1804 National Historic Landmark Old Mission Santa Ines; Elverhoj Museum of History & Art; Hans Christian Andersen Museum (the only one in the USA); Wildling Museum of Art & Nature and the Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum as well as our newest historic displays at The Copenhagen House including the Solvang House of Amber and Great Hall of the Danes. Festivals are traditional parts of Solvang’s historic charm. Danish Days annual festival emerged in 1936 commemorating Solvang’s heritage every September with artisans, folk dancing, three parades, aebleskiver breakfasts and free entertainment for the whole family. Locals and visitors savor the Taste of Solvang every March, Scarecrowfest in autumn and Julefest (Yule-fest) during December. In 2011, Solvang was named by Time Magazine as one of the “Most Christmas-y Towns in the USA.”

Solvang welcomes over 1.5 million visitors each year, offers more than 30 restaurants, 5 authentic Danish bakeries, 20 wine tasting rooms, 150 retail shops and 18 hotels, inns and resorts along with myriad outdoor recreational  opportunities with fun for all ages. Now in its second century, Solvang residents of many cultures still continue to enjoy the same historic traditions as the Danish-American founders envisioned—welcoming friends, family and visitors from around the world to share the joys of “California’s Little Denmark”.

The Solvang Conference & Visitors Bureau is a not-for-profit organization formed in 1986 to promote the City of Solvang, its Northern European culture, cuisine, arts and attractions of the village known as “California’s Little Denmark.”

WWW.SOLVANGUSA.COM


JESSIE ARTIGUE - BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS 8TH ANNUAL BEST NEW PRODUCT AWARDS ANNOUNCES 2016 WINNERS AS VOTED BY MORE THAN 38,000 CONSUMERS

BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS 8TH ANNUAL BEST NEW PRODUCT AWARDS ANNOUNCES 2016 WINNERS AS VOTED BY MORE THAN 38,000 CONSUMERS

Companion BrandSpark/BHG American Shopper Study Reveals 70% of Shoppers Will Pay A Premium For Quality, Innovative Products

Better Homes and Gardens, along with leading market research firm BrandSpark International, have announced the winners of the 2016 Better Homes and Gardens Best New Product Awards (www.BestNewProductAwards.com.) The Best New Product Awards (BNPAs) is the leading consumer-voted CPG awards program in North America, honoring consumer products in the categories of Beauty, Food & Beverage, Health & Personal Care, Household and Kids.
The winning products were determined solely by more than 38,000 consumers who participated in an extensive nationwide survey, conducted by independent marketing research firm BrandSpark International in partnership with Better Homes and Gardens.  The 2016 survey had 243 entries and 74 winning products across a range of categories. Better Homes and Gardens will showcase the winners and select insights within its print, broadcast and digital properties.

ABOUT JESSIE ARTIGUE:
As a successful on-air personality, trends forecaster and fashion/lifestyle writer, Jessie Artigue. Her popular fashion and lifestyle blog, StyleAndPepper.com, features creative advice for a flavorful life with inspirations on beauty and style, healthy eating, entertaining, DIY projects, and more. Jessie has appeared on Good Morning America, HGTV, Access Hollywood and the View – and has acted as an on-air spokesperson for publications including Lucky Magazine, Harper’s BAZAAR, Huffington Post Live and has consulted for brands including Nordstrom, BareMinerals, Lean Cuisine and more.


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.

05/19 JOE MANTEGNA, PBS NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT, KRISTEN HEWITT, WEEKEND GETAWAYS, NINA TYLER, GOOGLE, THE LATEST TRENDS AND TECH DEVICES

ACTOR, PRODUCER, WRITER AND DIRECTOR, JOE MANTEGNA - CO-HOST OF ANNUAL NIGHT OF REMEMBRANCE HONORING OUR AMERICAN HEROES: PBS’ NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT 

JOE MANTEGNA AND GARY SINISE CO-HOST ANNUAL NIGHT OF REMEMBRANCE HONORING OUR AMERICAN HEROES: PBS’ NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT

Live From the U.S. Capitol, All-Star Line-Up Features: General Colin Powell, Renee Fleming, The Beach Boys, Katharine McPhee, Trace Adkins, S. Epatha Merkerson, Esai Morales and Alfie Boe with Special Performance of National Anthem By AMERICAN IDOL Season 15 Winner Trent Harmon –

For over a quarter century, PBS has inspired viewers with the annual broadcast of the multi award-winning NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT (#MemDayPBS), dedicated to our men and women in uniform, their families at home and all those who have given their lives for our country.  Live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, the night of remembrance will honor the over 400,000 valiant men and women who are laid to rest in the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery; and chronicle the experiences of the millions of American veterans who still suffer from the seen and unseen wounds of war.

Tony Award-winner Joe Mantegna (CRIMINAL MINDS) and Emmy Award-winner Gary Sinise (CRIMINAL MINDS: WITHOUT BORDERS) are set to co-host this poignant and heart-warming event for the 11th year.  The acclaimed actors, whose dedication to the show is evident, are also longtime supporters of veterans’ causes and our troops in active service.   The all-star line-up includes: distinguished American leader General Colin L. Powell USA (Ret.); world-renowned four-time Grammy Award-winning classical superstar Renee Fleming; iconic music legends The Beach Boys; gifted actress and singer Katharine McPhee (SCORPION); country music star and Grammy-nominated member of the Grand Ole Opry Trace Adkins; Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG Award-winning actress S. Epatha Merkerson (CHICAGO MED, LAW & ORDER); Award-winning actor Esai Morales (MOZART IN THE JUNGLE); plus Tony Award-winning international sensation Alfie Boe, who has just joined the Broadway cast of the smash hit FINDING NEVERLAND; in performance with the National Symphony Orchestraunder the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly.  And marking the end of an era, Trent Harmon, the final winner of AMERICAN IDOL, will open the show with a special performance of the “National Anthem.”

The 27th annual broadcast of the NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT airs live on PBSSunday, May 29, 2016, from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m., 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.


KRISTEN HEWITT - HOW TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THREE-DAY WEEKENDS, MEMORIAL DAY & FOURTH OF JULY…OR JUST PLAN A SPECIAL FAMILY VACATION ADVENTURE

TALK TO KRISTEN HEWITT, TWO-TIME EMMY-WINNING REPORTER & FOUNDER OF ‘MOMMY IN SPORTS’

SUPER MOM EXPLAINS THE IMPORTANCE OF WEEKEND GETAWAYS

Emmy Award winning reporter, columnist, blogger and mother of two Kristen Hewitt is teaming up with Hampton by Hilton to inspire more people to become Seekenders. You may ask, “What is a Seekender?”  Well, Seekenders are travel savvy-individuals who take advantage of the weekend to explore and pursue their passions.   Whether you have planned time off or not, there is Memorial Day, Fourth of July and an entire summer of weekends ahead to plan your ultimate Seekender adventure, and Kristen is here to help. Your audience will learn why the perfect time to take advantage of three-day weekends is NOW and how to travel around your passions whether that’s sports, food, music or the great outdoors. Whether you still love the classic, two-person American road trip, or prefer to travel with family to share lifetime memories, find out why there’s a little bit of Seekender in all of us.

HOW SAVVY TRAVELERS CAN EXPLORE THEIR GLOBAL NEIGHBORHOOD:

• CREATE —How to Create a “non-agenda” agenda & get the most for your money  
• SELECT —Choose the ideal hotel with amenities like hot breakfast & free WiFi 
• FORGET—Savor the local cuisine and forget the diet  
• HIT IT—Find the city hotspots and create an ultimate Seekender visit

Hewitt is a two-time Emmy Award winning television reporter and producer for Sun Sports. She worked in the sports broadcasting arena for over a decade, both behind the scenes and in front of the camera. She was a Host for the Miami Dolphins, Florida Panthers, Fox Sports Florida and a Feature Producer for the Orlando Magic. Hewitt is well-known for her popular parenting blog “MOMMY in SPORTS” and you can also find her articles in the Huffington Post, She Knows, parenting websites such as Bundoo, Scary Mommy and TODAY Parents.


NINA TYLER, GOOGLE TECHNOLOGIST -THE LATEST TRENDS AND TECH DEVICES

GOOGLE SET TO UNVEIL LATEST MOBILE & COMPUTING TECHNOLOGIES AT ANNUAL DEVELOPER CONFERENCE

This month, Google will unveil the world's latest technology and mobile innovations at its annual developer-focused conference: Google I/O.

More than 7,000 creative coders will descend upon Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, CA, for three days of sessions, hands-on demonstrations and insight into Google's latest products and developer tools. Together, they'll explore the latest in mobile applications and beyond.

Previous Google I/O conferences have featured the live broadcast skydive onto the Moscone Convention Center using Google Glass and Google+, as well as the launch of software/hardware, Android TV, Android Wear, Google Photos and Cardboard. Attendees have also learned how Google services can help take their web and mobile apps to the next level.

NINA TYLER, GOOGLE TECHNOLOGIST GIVES A ROUND-UP OF ALL THE MAJOR GOOGLE I/O ANNOUNCEMENTS:
• Major Technology Announcements: Breakthrough moments at Google I/O
• Consumer Round-up: What hot new apps, features and gadgets will be available for consumers

05/18 RAINA SEITEL, DR. BOB WIRTZ AND DR. TOM NELSON, LEO PEARLSEIN, ADVENTURES IN PR

RAINA SEITEL - SUMMERTIME CHECKLIST: THE ULTIMATE TO-DO TO GET YOU FEELING YOUR BEST FOR SUMMER

SUMMERTIME CHECKLIST - THE ULTIMATE TO-DO TO GET YOU FEELING YOUR BEST FOR SUMMER!

Summertime and the living is easy…well almost! We all want to look and feel our best when the Summer comes but that pesky Winter season has kept us cooped indoors and we may be feeling, well… just blah!  Now is the time to shake off those Winter woes and get into gear for Summer fun! Here to help is reconnect, renew and regroup for the Summer is Lifestyle Expert and Mom, Raina Seitel.

Lifestyle Expert Raina Seitel is a journalist, host and mother currently starring in Style Network’s City Girl Diaries. Raina Seitel is a correspondent for WNBC and a variety of media outlets. Raina Seitel is a lifestyle expert with a concentration on entertainment, fashion, beauty, dining, fitness, motherhood and travel. Raina is often found on a red carpet interviewing the hottest celebrities on the East Coast and West Coast. Raina Seitel has interviewed Madonna, Meryl Streep, Bill Clinton, Denzel Washington, Christie Brinkley, Dolly Parton, Tommy Hilfiger, Vera Wang, Hugh Jackman, Clive Davis, Michael Jordan, Brad Pitt and Rudy Giuliani. Raina Seitel is an Emmy Award winner.

AMONG THE TOPICS RAINA WILL DISCUSS ARE: 
• The best ways to re-connect with old friends
• Easy ways to look and feel your best
• Summer trends and must-haves
• And more!

WWW.CLASSMATES.COM
WWW.BTLAESTHETICS.US
OLDORCHARD.COM


DR. BOB WIRTZ, PHD. AND DR. TOM NELSON, DMV - ZIKA PREVENTION & PROTECTING OUR PETS

DID YOU KNOW MOSQUITOES CARRYING THE ZIKA VIRUS ALSO MAY CARRY HEARTWORMS? 

Important Information from a World-Renowned Entomologist, Recently Retired from the CDC, & Past President of American Heartworm Society

Mosquitoes can transmit many serious diseases including Zika. There has been a tremendous amount of media coverage recently about the Zika virus, how it causes birth deformities and other serious neurological problems. What few people realize, however, is that the same mosquitoes carrying the Zika virus may also carry heartworms that can be deadly for pets.

Now, just in time for mosquito season, we have two of the nation’s top experts to discuss the Zika virus and a groundbreaking NEW study that highlights a change in the approach in fighting the rising incidence of heartworm infection in dogs. Discover how Ceva Animal Health’s support of research and the Double Defense Campaign continues to spread the word: Fight the vector – the mosquito - and the heartworm.

You will speak with two of the top experts in the nation on this topic. Robert A. Wirtz, PhD., is the retired Chief of Entomology at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and one of the world’s leading experts on insect-transmitted diseases, especially mosquitoes. Dr. Charles (Tom) Nelson, DVM, is the Past President of the American Heartworm Society and an expert on the serious problems resulting from heartworms.

WWW.FIGHTHEARTWORMNOW.COM  
WWW.AMERICANHEARTWORMSOCIETY.ORG 


PUBLICITY PIONEER, LEO PEARLSTEIN – AUTHOR, ADVENTURES IN PR

Public Relations Guru Shares Inside Stories of Unique Promotions, Plus Nostalgic Photos of Hollywood Royalty.

For the past six decades, publicity pioneer, Leo Pearlstein, has found a way to publicize every type of food imaginable with the help of a movie, TV, music, sports or political celebrity. How he ingeniously concocted his campaigns is revealed in his recently released book, titled "Adventures In PR," published by Create Space. This entertaining and educational book also includes over 50 nostalgic and rare photos of many of Hollywood's top stars, as well as famous politicians and sports figures. Pearlstein's candid tell-all of his adventures offers tips, tales and insight gained from publicizing a large variety of clients. From eggs and prunes, to turkeys, potatoes, chives, chickens and chips, the 95-year-old PR guru recalls the many trials and tribulations of getting hard-to-obtain media attention for his clients' products. Pearlstein's publicity campaigns not only helped sell food, but also the TV and movie projects of the celebrities with whom he worked. The book not only describes many successful PR campaigns, but also how Pearlstein and his staff were able to turn some crazy mishaps into successes. Readers can apply these valuable lessons to their own personal and business activities. Pearlstein always came up with creative ways to reach the media: whether he was frying 1,000 eggs in a 10-foot frying pan with Abbott & Costello; photographing sexy movie star, Jayne Mansfield, barbequing a turkey; having JFK pose with a live turkey prior to Thanksgiving; having Snoopy run for President to promote bread or working some food products into the "Rocky" movie.
'Adventures In PR,' Pearlstein's fourth book, is available online for $14.95 by visiting www.createspace.com/6029543, as well as www.amazon.com. For more information about 'Adventures In PR,' visit www.adventuresinpr.com.

ABOUT LEO:
When Leo Pearlstein founded Lee & Associates back in 1950, he had no idea he would one day be referred to as a "Legend of Food PR," as part of a feature in the Public Relations News publication, or be named a "PR superstar" in the Public Relations Quarterly magazine. TV Guide has even featured Leo and cited his ability and professionalism in getting his clients' products placed on television shows and in movies. Over the years, Leo, who personally supervised all phases of the agency's operations and members of his highly respected firm, have won numerous awards for outstanding accomplishments in food industry public relations, marketing and merchandising from many organizations. Pharmaceutical manufacturers, food conglomerates and major corporations have called on Leo's expertise in corporate communications. He pioneered in California agricultural commodity and generic promotions and has created and supervised successful programs for over 40 different food advisory boards, trade associations and co-ops, as well as state and federally-funded marketing groups. This includes industries such as almonds, apples, artichokes, asparagus, boysenberries, chives, corn, eggs, figs, grapefruit, papayas, peaches, pineapples, plums, prunes, seafood, tomatoes and turkeys. Some of the commodity groups he has handled range from the Danish Dairy Board and the English Cheese Association to the Mexican shrimp industry. Beverage clients he has worked with range from Pepsico and the milk industry to Suntory International (a billion-dollar conglomerate which produces over a hundred whiskey, wine and soft drink products). And because of his great knowledge of food, Leo was invited to participate in the first President's Council on Nutrition at the White House. In this book, Leo shares some of his favorite adventures in Public Relations.

ADVENTURESINPR.COM

05/17 ‘MARRIED AT FIRST SIGHT’ HOST PEPPER SCHWARTZ, ERIC GROSSMAN, CRAFT SPIRITS, DAVID KIRSCH

ERIC GROSSMAN - AUTHOR, CRAFT SPIRITS

CRAFT SPIRITS
know the makers
infuse your own
create new cocktails

The first book to combine reference and practical how-to information from the most pioneering distillers around the world, and the first global catalog with photographs of every important craft spirit.

Small-batch artisan spirits have arrived in a big way, with micro-distillery start-ups hitting record levels around the world and hand-crafted spirits crowding the top shelf.

From vodka to rum to moonshine and more, Craft Spirits is your guide to which spirits to try and which pioneering distillers to watch.

Craft Spirits will bring out your inner mixologist with cocktail recipes for each spirit it features, and will inspire you to shake or stir your own unique signature cocktail. Tasting notes, step-by-step advice, and profiles of the key micro-distilleries in every category make this book a must-have for enthusiasts.
Highlighting more than 250 of the most important craft spirits, Craft Spirits is the first book of its kind, and author Eric Grossman, a key influencer within the industry, brings his knowledge of craft spirits and international cocktail trends to its pages.


CELEBRITY FITNESS AND WELLNESS EXPERT DAVID KIRSCH OFFERS FOOD AND FITNESS TIPS TO GIVE THE WHOLE FAMILY A SPRING TRAINING BOOST

Celebrity Fitness and Wellness Expert David Kirsch Offers Food and Fitness Tips to Give the Whole Family a Spring Training Boost

Spring is here and summer is just around the corner, presenting the perfect opportunity to kick off a healthy routine for the whole family. But with families constantly on the move and juggling busy routines, it's not always easy for everyone to stay fit, eat well, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Eating well and getting the right amount of exercise isn’t just important for adults, it’s equally important for kids as well.

Celebrity fitness and wellness expert, David Kirsch, is available to show, tell and demo food and exercise tips and tricks to give the whole family a healthy boost that will lead to lasting improvements to their overall health and well-being. David has tips to help the whole family maintain physical fitness, improve nutrition and live healthier including:

• Mind Over Matter –Changing your mind-set can actually change your body. David will provide tips direct from his new book “Ultimate Family Wellness,” a simple, step-by-step plan to keep even the busiest families healthy and fit.
• Navigating Nutrition – From world class athletes to busy families, high protein foods made with only natural, non-GMO ingredients should be on your shopping list. David will showcase some of his favorite, delicious tasting Chobani Greek Yogurt products, including three new Rio-inspired limited edition flavors to celebrate the approaching Summer Games, and Chobani Kids® Pouches and Tubes – a perfect portable snack for the little ones.  
• Scrap the “Cookie Cutter” – Different workouts work for different people. David will demonstrate and discuss how to customize activities and workouts for different ages and body types to see lasting results.

ABOUT DAVID KIRSCH
A single dad of young twins, David realizes how important it is to establish healthy lifestyle habits early and demonstrates how a few simple changes can make a lifetime of difference. His latest book, “Ultimate Family Wellness,” a simple, step-by-step plan to keep even the busiest families healthy and fit, has already garnered acclaim from several of his celebrity clients including Kate Upton, Liv Tyler and Jennifer Lopez, who actually penned to forward.

With over two decades of experience uncovering and harnessing the powerful connection between mind, body and spirit, David Kirsch has become a leading authority on achieving optimal health and wellbeing at any age or fitness level. An early proponent of tapping the power of the mind to sculpt the body, David is a true visionary in the field of wellness. Throughout his years as a sought-after trainer, David has transformed the bodies—and lives—of countless devotees through his signature combination of mind-body conditioning, multi-tasking workouts and smart nutrition. From founding New York’s award-winning Madison Square Club to developing unprecedented supplements, classes and techniques designed to maximize workouts, David has been a pioneer in the wellness field throughout his long career.

In addition to authoring five books, and five fitness DVDs, including the bestseller The Ultimate New York Body Plan and the best-selling accompanying DVD, David has appeared on numerous television shows to share his fitness and wellness expertise, including The Today Show, E! and CNN World News, Dr. Oz, Live with Regis and Kelly and The View. Through his books, fitness DVDs, recipes, supplements and more, David Kirsch offers every man and woman access to the wellness regimen he has developed for some of the world’s most discerning clients. Additionally, as a single father of four year old twin girls, he has expanded his wellness empire to include areas such as family and child fitness, nutrition and wellness. His website, DavidKirschWellness.com, represents a passport to the complete David Kirsch lifestyle, with expert tips, supplements, workout gear and more.


NEW RESEARCH ON MODERN LOVE WITH THE HOST OF THE HIT SHOW ‘MARRIED AT FIRST SIGHT’, PEPPER SCHWARTZ, PHD 

One of the Nation’s Top Relationship Experts Shares an Study that Explains How Americans Feel about Marriage, Divorce & Relationships



Pepper Schwartz, PhD., is one of the top experts in the nation. She’s best known as the Co-Host of the unique and top-rated show MARRIED AT FIRST SIGHT, but is also the author of 25 books on relationships. She is truly recognized as one of the premiere experts on dating in today’s society. In our contemporary world, relationships are constantly changing with internet dating sites, marriage and divorce. Dr. Schwartz discussed with us the fascinating findings in a new AVVO Relationship Study that provided some interesting and surprising information about the way people feel about relationships.

To see the full study visit, www.avvo.com or join the conversation at @Avvo or use the hashtag #AvvoStudy

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STUDY

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON THE STUDY

ABOUT DR. SCHWARTZ: 

She is Professor of Sociology at the University of Washington and earned her Ph.D. from Yale University. She is the author of 25 books, including two New York Times Best Sellers. Dr. Schwartz is presently the Love, Sex, and Relationship Ambassador for AARP and writes a column for them. Married at First Sight is in its third season on the A&E Network. The show is a daring social experiment in which six singles will marry a complete stranger.

05/16 ANDY SPARHAWK, THE BREWERS ASSOCIATION, AMERICAN CRAFT BEER WEEK, JOSHUA TAYLOR, PBS’ “GENEALOGY ROADSHOW”

ANDY SPARHAWK - THE BREWERS ASSOCIATION’S CRAFT BEER PROGRAM COORDINATOR - AMERICAN CRAFT BEER WEEK

Beer lovers everywhere will toast the country’s small and independent craft beer renaissance during American Craft Beer Week from May 16-22. Once again, ACBW events and celebrations will be held across all 50 states.

• Get in on the Action: ACBW activities include exclusive brewery tours, multi-course food and pairing dinners, collaboration beers, retail promotions and much more. Find out what your state is doing and how to get involved.
• Summer Seasonals: Need to cool down this summer? Discover the top craft beers on tap, which will be sold at baseball stadiums, and other specials this season. Plus, an extra special beer is being brewed just for ACBW…
• Bigger Story on Small Beer: The number of breweries in this country is at a record high. With over 4,000 breweries there’s more styles to choose from than ever before. Discuss the overall phenomena, including the impact this has on our economy and helpful tips for the average listener to navigate the beer aisle and select the perfect brew.

ABOUT ANDY SPARHAWK
Andy Sparhawk, the Brewers Association's craft beer program coordinator, is a Certified Cicerone® and BJCP Beer Judge. He lives in Arvada, Colorado where he is a homebrewer and avid craft beer enthusiast. On occasion, Andy is inspired to write on his experiences with craft beer, and if they are not too ridiculous, you might see the results here on CraftBeer.com.

CRAFTBEER.COM


GENEALOGIST, JOSHUA TAYLOR - PBS’ “GENEALOGY ROADSHOW” SEASON THREE UNCOVERS FAMILY SECRETS ACROSS THE U.S. 

PBS’ “GENEALOGY ROADSHOW” SEASON THREE UNCOVERS FAMILY SECRETS ACROSS THE U.S.

Six New Cities Featured as Local Citizens’ Lineage is Traced to the Past

Part detective story, part emotional journey, Genealogy Roadshow combines history and science to uncover fascinating stories of diverse Americans this season in and around Albuquerque, Miami, Houston, Boston, Providence and Los Angeles. Each story links to the larger regional and often, national history, to become part of America’s rich cultural tapestry.

Genealogy Roadshow brings together genealogists Kenyatta Berry, Joshua Taylor and Mary Tedesco with everyday people whose unique family claims form the basis for significant ROADSHOW stories. Among this season’s mysteries: A man seeks to find out if he is descended from Boston’s key founders; a woman explores connections to an ancestor’s participation in the Manhattan Project; a couple hopes to recover the true story of their family pharmacy during Hollywood’s Golden Age; and a woman learns of her family’s involvement in the Trail of Tears.

The genealogists used resources in history and DNA as well as family heirlooms, letters, pictures, historical documents and other clues to hunt down the truth behind the familial myths. In each episode, Genealogy Roadshow reaches out to help Americans who are interested in their family heritage and their community history. It proves that no matter one’s culture and background, everyone is part of the American story.

WWW.PBS.ORG/GENEALOGYROADSHOW

05/13 CATHERINE BELL, GOOD WITCH, LISA ATWOOD, THE TOTAL GRILLING MANUAL, STEVE EVANS

CATHERINE BELL STARS AS EVERYBODY’S FAVORITE ENCHANTRESS IN HALLMARK CHANNEL’S TOP-RATED ORIGINAL SERIES “GOOD WITCH,” AIRING SUNDAYS AT 9 PM ET/PT, 8 C

SEASON TWO PREMIERED SUNDAY, APRIL 17 ON HALLMARK CHANNEL
After spellbinding audiences with seven installments of one of the network’s most successful movie franchise of all-time featuring Cassie Nightingale, the beloved raven-haired enchantress brought to life by Catherine Bell (“Army Wives,” “JAG”, “Bruce Almighty”), “Good Witch” debuted as an original series last year on Hallmark Channel.  In its first season “Good Witch” became the network’s strongest series, averaging an impressive 2.6 L+3 HH rating, making Hallmark Channel the #2 rated cable network in the time period and reached 11.7 million unduplicated viewers.
In season two, Cassie (Bell) and Sam (Golden Globe® winner James Denton, “Desperate Housewives”) put romance on the back burner as Sam resolves his family situation and Cassie decides if she’s ready to take things to the next level.  A complication arises with the arrival in Middleton of John (Dan Payne), an old archaeologist friend of Cassie’s, who is clearly interested in more than just friendship.  Meanwhile, Grace (Bailee Madison, “Northpole: Open for Christmas,” “The Fosters,” “Just Go with It”) wants nothing to do with her magic as she struggles with feeling different from her peers.  Cassie guides her daughter through this rough time and encourages Grace to embrace her gifts.  When Sam’s not busy navigating the convoluted family life created by his pushy ex-wife, the swoon-inducing doctor has his hands full with his burgeoning medical practice and over-sharing front office assistant Eve.  Meanwhile, Middleton’s indefatigable mayor Martha (Catherine Disher) is still working hard to keep the town humming in true Martha style.  But as always, Cassie is at the heart of everything and manages to weave her magic in her own special way, leaving a lasting effect on those around her.

ABOUT CATHERINE:
Catherine Bell is best known for her work as the headstrong Marine Corps attorney Lt. Sarah ‘Mac’ MacKenzie on the action drama series “JAG” and in the ensemble drama series “Army Wives,” as Denise Sherwood, a devoted wife who has returned to work as a nurse while her husband is a major in Iraq and whose son was killed in combat in Afghanistan.

Bell was born in London and moved to Los Angeles with her family at the young age of three.  While studying biomedical engineering at UCLA, Bell ventured into modeling, which soon led to immediate recognition in both the United States and overseas.  Building on her success as a model, she decided to pursue an acting career, which was launched soon thereafter.

While working in television, Bell has also generated a loyal fan base with Hallmark Channel’s “The Good Witch” movie franchise, always among the highest-rated Original Movie on the network. Starring as Cassandra “Cassie” Nightingale, Bell completed seven Original Movies in the series, including “The Good Witch,” “The Good Witch’s Garden,” “The Good Witch’s Gift,” “The Good Witch’s Family,” “The Good Witch’s Charm,” “The Good Witch’s Destiny” and “The Good Witch’s Wonder.”  Other TV credits include Lifetime’s “Still Small Voices” and “Last Man Standing,” CBS’ “Company Town” and TNT’s “Good Morning Killer” as well as guest starring roles on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “Friends,” “Dream On” and “King & Maxwell.”

Bell’s feature film credits include Universal’s mega-hit “Bruce Almighty” opposite Jim Carrey and opposite Steve Carrell in the sequel, “Evan Almighty,” as well as “Men of War.”  Bell, along with her two children, resides in Southern California.


FOOD WRITER, COOKING INSTRUCTOR, EDITOR AND PUBLISHER LISA ATWOOD – AUTHOR, THE TOTAL GRILLING MANUAL

While there are loads of grilling books on the market, this is the one that’s pooled all the knowledge you could ever need into one book.  This a-z, all-inclusive guide to grilling has everything for the first time grilling and the seasoned veteran alike. Find top tips, tricks to get the most out of your grill, and delicious recipes that everyone will love in the Total Grilling Manual. With high-quality design, intricate detail, and a durable flexicover—this manual is the perfect gift!

Everything your need to know to have a great grilling experience. The Total Grilling compiles the best 250+ skills from a number of top grilling and outdoor cooking experts, all accompanied by step-by-step guides, recipes and photographs.

Equipment:  From charcoal to wood burning, gas to oven – find the most up-to-date guide to the best grilling equipment, the information you need to properly use each one.

Fuels: Keys to picking the right fuel(s) or charcoals for your grill and more.

Tips and Stories: All the legend and lore from all the grilling pros. From how to make the perfect burger to smoking techniques, find all the expert advice here.

Recipes: From steaks and ribs to shellfish and sides this section has a recipe for everyone.
Whether you’re looking to polish up your grilling skills or are buying your first grill, the Total Grilling Manual, has everything you need to successfully serve up any meal. Pick up this essential guide for the griller in your family, or for yourself!

ABOUT LISA:
Lisa Atwood has worked as a food writer for Sunset Books, an editor and publisher for Williams-Sonoma cookbooks, and a children's cooking instructor, and is the author of Parenting magazine's "Love in Spoonfuls" and Williams-Sonoma" Kids Parties". She lives in the wine country town of Sonoma with her husband and three children.


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.

05/12 CAMERON PARRY, GROTH VINEYARDS, JOHN SCHNEIDER

CAMERON PARRY – WINEMAKER, GROTH VINEYARDS 

Cameron Parry, Winemaker at Groth Vineyards & Winery, was hired in 2014 as only the third winemaker in Groth’s history since the family’s first vintage in 1982.

Cameron’s winemaking philosophy begins in the vineyards.  “The real work is in the vineyard itself, to grow the very best fruit possible, and not screw it up in the winery” says Cameron.  If you need to find Parry it’s best to start searching in Groth’s 121 acre Oakville Estate Vineyard, or their 44 acre Hillview Vineyard in Yountville.  Looking forward Cameron says, “Having an intimate and daily knowledge of what is happening in our vineyards guides all of my decisions in the cellar.  I strive to showcase the unique characteristics of the vineyard and vintage, and feel honored to be making Cabernet at the epicenter of Napa Valley’s most esteemed Cabernet district.”

Before arriving in Oakville, Cameron spent the last ten years as Winemaker at the historic Napa Valley winery Chateau Montelena.  Parry holds an M.S. degree in Food Science with an emphasis in Enology from the University of California, Davis.  He also holds a joint Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology and Biology, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish from New Mexico State University.  Parry is fluent in Spanish and has been a Board member of the Napa Valley Wine Technical Group and serves on the Enology Grants Review Committee for the American Vineyard Foundation.  When not making wine, Parry is an avid outdoorsman who loves rock climbing, canoeing, and backpacking with his family.  “I don’t want my kids to remember a time when they did not go camping, I live outside.”  He also enjoys gardening and is currently experimenting with fifteen different types of tomatoes plants.

OUR VINEYARDS
Groth Vineyards & Winery believes that a significant portion of the magic in the bottle comes from what goes on out in the vineyards. Our Vineyard Manager, Ben Benson, has been farming on this land since he joined Groth as the very first member of the team in 1982. His years of experience with the Groth estate have enabled us to make sure we have the perfect grape planted in the perfect location. We have matched soil types to rootstock, to grape clone, to trellising. Since 1996 Groth has replanted 90% of our vineyards. This major undertaking allows us to take advantage of the strides that have been reached in the viticulture community over the last decade, and combine them with our history with the land, to give us the ultimate combination between the grapes and the wines that we eventually make from them.

SUSTAINABLE FARMING
The vineyard philosophy at Groth isn’t a lofty abstraction; it gets right down into the details.  “Each and every vine is managed for its individual needs.” says vineyard manager Ben Benson.  “We prune, thin shoots, or leaf pull for balance throughout the vineyard so that all the grapes have uniform ripening and optimum maturity.”

More often than not, the same practices that promote grape and wine quality also have an environmental payoff.  When Groth replanted, the orientation of the vine rows was changed from cross valley to follow the natural direction of the Napa Valley.  This allows the breezes that come up the Valley from the San Pablo Bay to flow more easily through the vineyards.  The result is increased air circulation, less mildew and rot on the vines and consequently less need for spraying fungicides—better for the wine, better for the environment.

Preserving natural resources is also a key element of sustainable farming, one step further than organic farming.  Sustainable farming practices take into consideration its effects on the whole environment and upon the health of the entire watershed of the Napa Valley.  Water is precious in the state of California.  Encouraging cover crops not only helps establish a healthy insect population that battles ‘bad bugs’ it also preserves soil moisture.  “By encouraging cover crops we actually use less water, and we keep the tractor passes through the vineyards to a minimum,” say Benson.  We no longer use tractors to disc and hoe every weed in the vineyard.  “If you see weeds in the vineyards, it indicates smart farming and fewer chemicals,” says Dennis Groth.

Proper canopy management that lets more sunshine get to the grapes promotes riper flavors, and also discourages the population of destructive insects, like leafhoppers, reducing the need for pesticides.  Benson focuses on balanced vines—making sure that vines are spaced, pruned, trellised and irrigated in a way that produces just the amount of fruit the plants can ripen, no more, no less.  Besides promoting uniform ripeness, balanced vines ultimately require less work—fewer tractor passes, less fuel burned, less soil compaction.

Preserving the land is not only good for the grapes; it’s good for sustaining the family-owned business at Groth.  Dennis and Judy are proud of what they have accomplished and determined to pass it on.  “I’d like to think my kids could make great wine forever off this property,” says Dennis.

WWW.GROTHWINES.COM


ACTOR, WRITER AND DIRECTOR, JOHN SCHNEIDER IS INVITING FANS AROUND THE COUNTRY TO WATCH HIS FILM SMOTHERED THIS FRIDAY THE 13TH 

On the evening of Friday 13th, actor, writer and director John Schneider is inviting fans around the country to watch his film SMOTHERED, while he does the same. “I want people at home to watch the movie with me, in a virtual sense," Schneider explains. Fans can buy or rent the movie online, and then take part in a collective discussion through social media, as John hosts a LIVE Face Book Q & A, through the John Schneider Studios FB fan page.”

The movie was released in March of this year, and has been getting great reviews. The premise of the story revolves around five horror icons that ditch an unprofitable autograph convention on Friday the 13th to earn some extra cash haunting an RV park. Instead they find themselves being haunted.  Schneider got the idea for SMOTHERED after a convention in Dusseldorf, Germany. Once the event was over, he was talking with several of his friends one evening, when inspiration struck. He then went back to his room and immediately started writing, all before a 6 am flight the next morning
SMOTHERED's cast includes real life horror icons: Kane Hodder, R.A. Mihailoff, Bill Mosley, Malcolm Danare, Don Shanks and Michael Berryman.

Fans can purchase or rent SMOTHERED through COMCAST, 
ITunes, 
Warner, DIRECT TV, Amazon, DIRECT TV, Google Play, iTunes, MGO, Sony, Time Warner Cable, MS, Verizon,
The DVD can also be ordered online through:
http://www.indicanpictures.com/indicanpictures/smothered/ 

SMOTHERED will go to Walmart and other retailers by the summer.

ABOUT JOHN:
John Richard Schneider  actor and country music singer. He is best known for his portrayal of Bo Duke in the 1970s–1980s American television series The Dukes of Hazzard,[1] Jonathan Kent in the 2001–11 TV series Smallville (an adaptation of Superman).[1] and of James "Jim" Cryer on the television series The Haves and the Have Nots, created by Tyler Perry. Alongside his acting career, Schneider has been a singer since the early 1980s, releasing nine studio albums and a greatest hits package, as well as eighteen singles. This total includes "I've Been Around Enough to Know", "Country Girls", "What's a Memory Like You", and "You're the Last Thing I Needed Tonight", all of which reached the top of the Billboard country singles charts.

05/11 LINDA PARKER SANPEI, THE CHARDONNAY SYMPOSIUM, CHEF SEAMUS MULLEN, DR. MARK FORSHAG AND DONNA MATLACH, SEVERE ASTHMA

LINDA PARKER SANPEI – FOUNDER, PARKER SANPEI & ASSOCIATES – TALKS ABOUT THE CHARDONNAY SYMPOSIUM MAY 12-14 

THE INTERNATIONAL CHARDONNAY SYMPOSIUM: MAY 12-14, 2016

The International Chardonnay Symposium brings top Chardonnay producers from around the world to the classic Californian beach towns of Pismo Beach and Avila Beach and the Edna Valley wine country for an in-depth exploration of the world’s favorite grape and its impact on viticulture, tastemakers and the market.

Our 2016 event line-up will feature a grand wine tasting, educational seminars & panel sessions, winemaker dinners and plenty of opportunities to talk Chardonnay with industry leaders, tastemakers and fellow enthusiasts. In conjunction with The Symposium, many Central Coast wineries and businesses offer special promotions and events to complete the experience.
Unlike a typical food and wine festival, The Chardonnay Symposium’s primary purpose is to educate and inform top industry professionals, as well as devoted consumers, about current events and trends in Chardonnay production and culture around the world.

But when the discussion ends, there’s plenty of time for exploring nearby wineries as well as the seaside resort towns of Pismo Beach and Avila Beach that offer winetasting rooms, pristine beaches, surfing and kayaking, hiking and biking trails, farm-to-table and seaport-inspired cuisine, boutique shopping, and more.

THECHARDONNAYSYMPOSIUM.COM


CHEF SEAMUS MULLEN – HELPS US MAKE NUTRIENT-RICH PRODUCE THAT’S FAMILY-FRIENDLY WITH PURE FLAVOR FROM SPICES AND HERBS

Grab your grocery totes and head out the door; farmers markets across the country are reopening for the season! There’s a bounty of colorful fresh produce just waiting to be chopped, roasted, tossed or blended into seasonal snacks, sides, sauces and salads. Fresh fruits, vegetables and products that are direct from local farmers offer many benefits; for the health of your family, the community and your weekly menu.

Award-winning Chef Seamus Mullen recently sat down with a group of kids to talk about making fruits and vegetables more “yummy”. Mullen says that when you get kids involved and interactive with food they will try things they never tried before and chances are they will like it.  He found that kids are willing to eat fresh produce when the right flavors were added – beyond butter and salt. He also discovered that most kids are more excited to try new foods when they’re served in familiar way, from asparagus ‘tots’ to cinnamon roasted carrots.

ABOUT CHEF SEAMUS: 
Chef Seamus Mullen is an award-winning New York chef, restaurateur and cookbook author known for his inventive yet approachable Spanish cuisine, and a leading authority on health and wellness. Seamus opened his first solo restaurant Tertulia in Manhattan in 2011, which was a finalist for the James Beard Foundation Award for Best New Restaurant. In 2013, he opened El Colmado, a NY Spanish tapas and wine bar. He has been a semi-finalist for Best Chef NYC by the James Beard Foundation three years in a row. Growing up on an organic farm in Vermont, Seamus learned from a young age the value of eating real, whole foods. Seamus first rose to national prominence in 2006 with Boqueria, one of the first critically acclaimed and highly successful Spanish restaurants in New York. In 2009, he was one of three finalists on the Food Network’s “The Next Iron Chef.” More recently, Seamus has become a leading authority in the conversation on food, health and wellness. An avid cyclist who raced competitively in his twenties, he was diagnosed in 2007 with rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that forced him to rethink his relationship with food. This led to his first cookbook “Hero Food,” published in 2012. Through food, exercise and lifestyle changes, Seamus was able to successfully turn his health around. As a testament to his newly reclaimed health, in November 2014 he raced in “La Ruta de Los Conquistadores,” one of the most challenging mountain bike races in the world and is currently making a documentary about his journey called “Back on the Bike.”


PULMONOLOGIST DR. MARK FORSHAG AND DONNA MATLACH, SEVERE ASTHMA PATIENT TALK ABOUT HOW NOT ALL ASTHMA IS THE SAME

NOT ALL ASTHMA IS THE SAME! WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SEVERE ASTHMA

26 million Americans suffer from asthma, and up to 10% have severe asthma. Emerging science is now helping doctors better understand one of the causes of severe asthma in a specific set of patients. It’s important for people living with asthma to understand what kind of asthma they have in order to manage it.

For those who suffer from asthma, controlling the disease becomes a critical part of its management and, in some cases, everyday life. However, few understand the daily struggle of managing the condition because of the nature of the disease itself – each person may experience different asthma symptoms in both frequency and severity.

Severe asthma differs from moderate and mild asthma, and is not just “really bad asthma attacks.” People living with severe asthma may take multiple medications to avoid asthma symptoms, suffer from symptoms almost daily, and need rescue medications several times a day. Their condition can interfere with daily activities like exercise, sleep, work, social life and overall life enjoyment. Of those with severe asthma, nearly 40% are hospitalized for the treatment of their asthma at least once a year.

Emerging research is helping doctors focus on one of the causes of severe asthma, a type of white blood cell called an eosinophil that is present among as many as 60% of severe asthma patients. It’s important that asthma patients are aware of what type of asthma they have. A simple blood test can determine if a patient’s severe asthma is related to eosinophils. Awareness about asthma severity and an understanding that not all asthma is the same is essential to helping doctors determine appropriate management strategies.