Another busy week here at SSC. We are being invited to more events, be they related to the arts, wine or luxury resorts. Suddenly, our calendar has become a challenging, almost Olympic-like, schedule of places to be, people to see. Rushing to Napa Valley the other day, I realized once again Loni had left her car’s gas tank on ‘E’, her favorite position for the gauge. So I sweat it out, heading up 101, hoping that the fumes would get us to the next station. Why, Loni?! I’m too busy she says. Running from meetings and appointments. Oh, life is tough.
‘Toast of the Town’ was a great time on Thursday night up in San Francisco. We tasted many wines, and enjoyed the fine foods being served by over 35 restaurants from the area including Mustards Grill in Napa, one of our favorites. We met the co-founders of Wine Enthusiast, who put on the event, Adam and Sybil Strum. Loni was able to spend some time on camera with Adam talking about the event. Stay tuned for the video, photos and more.
Speaking of wine, Franiscan Estates hosted a superb private tasting for Loni and I and we enjoyed everything from Sauvignon Blancs and Chards to a great Meritage and big, bold Cabs. We have a full tasting report on the way, and a behind-the-scenes look at their large 250,000 case production facility.
‘The Kite Runner’ premiere was a huge success. We were thrilled to be part of opening night at the sold out San Jose Repertory Theater. See if Loni and I agree for once in our he said/she said review.
Yesterday, we judged some playoff rounds at a debate tournament in Saratoga. We should write about that in more detail. I believe debating skills to be a very important skill for kids. It can help them understand how to better articulate an opinion by understanding both sides of a position, and to construct an argument with logic, evidence and structure. At home, I’ve discovered that Loni prefers the loosely defined, ad-hoc argument style. Now I know the difference.
I also managed to re-wire our home theater system this weekend, during a nightmarish 3 hours of pulling cables, untangling stuff, and cursing the tiny connectors and dark crevices I could barely see even with the help of a flashlight. All to accommodate Loni’s cherry, entertainment armoire. We added a remote blaster system as well so components can be controlled while hidden. The end result is great, but my legs and back are still aching. Loni, where’s the sympathy?
All Things Wine
- Taste of Yountville 2009: A sampling of wine, gourmet food and festivities
- Science and wine: New “Delicious” muscadine grape developed in University lab
- ‘Toast of the Town’ wine and food tasting in San Francisco
- Even Godzilla likes good wine in Japanese remake of ‘Sideways’ by Tom Eden
Stark Sips
- 2002 Ridge California Grenache/Syrah – Lytton Estate, Dry Creek Valley ($33, 89 pts)
- 2006 Tenuta Vineyards Chardonnay, Livermore Valley ($18, 88 pts.)
Loreto, Baja California Sur
- Puerto Escondido Marina: Exploring what lies south of Loreto, BCS
- Thursday in Loreto by Al Graichen
- Makia Sushi, Loreto Baja: Imaginative names, little fish to back it up
- Wednesday in Loreto by Al Graichen
- Tuesday in Loreto by Al Graichen
- Monday in Loreto by Al Graichen
- La Mision Hotel, Loreto Baja: More stunning up close than from afar
- Sunday in Loreto by Al Graichen
The Arts
Food and Dining
- Naked Lounge, Sacramento: Coffee, electricity, internet…will work
- Cocola Bakery, Santana Row: Dine elsewhere, get your desserts here
- Village California Bistro & Wine Bar, Santana Row: West Coast good eats and drinks
Gadgets and Tech
- StarkSilverCreek.com meets Adobe.com
- Comparing espresso pod systems from Nespresso and Illy by Mike Carrall
- Yahoo! Briefcase bites the dust, what’s next? by Mike Carrall