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CAFE STELLA . . SUPERB.


Enjoying my Old Fashioned from a comfy sofa... view of the bar.
 Cafe Stella.

Established 1998.
I went the week it opened.  Last week when I was in LA I took a friend who was visiting from New York for dinner.  Cafe Stella was an amazing restaurant when it opened and hasn't lost its touch.  

They have French Cuisine...Steak Frites, a superb choice of fromage and savory charcuterie. They have the classic cocktails...Old Fashioned, Martinis, Manhattans... They have beautiful and super friendly people who run the place. They have it right.  If you're in LA, dine at Cafe Stella. Make a reservation.    Attractive and gratifying food... a keen scene too...

DRESDEN... WHAT MORE CAN I SAY.




Once, years back, when I went out back to retrieve my car at the Dresden there was a tall guy standing next to me doing the same.  I looked more closely and yes, it was Vince Vaughn.   We exchanged a few kind words and when my car came the super friendly valet attendant held my door open I said goodbye to Mr. Vaughn and off I went.   That's a great memory for me. For one, I love Vince Vaughn as an actor and two, the Dresden is one of my favorite spots in LA.  Go there... discover it for yourself.  Get a nice meal and a stiff drink (catch a great lounge act.)  The Dresden - A Hollywood Landmark for over 60 years. 
Bona Fide........

AH HA... THE ANDAZ. WEST HOLLYWOOD.


My wife and I lived in the Andaz Hotel Residences in NYC at 75 Wall Street for two years. We loved our building. Cool perks were being able to use the hotel amenities. Now when we travel if there is an Andaz Hotel in the area, we book it. The residences were awesome and the hotels even more so.
Andaz Hotels do a smashing job at making their guests feel like they're at home. When you return to the hotel after a long day out you can hit the fridge in the lobby or in your room. All drinks (except for booze) and snacks like pop chips, nuts, granola bars are complimentary. yep. No more paying $5 for a bottle of water from the mini bar or the same for a snack. 

Formerly called the Riot Hyatt from its hey day of being the hotel of choice for rock stars during the late 60's and 70's, this Sunset strip hotel is superb. The balconies overlooking the strip were notorious for some awesome rock and roll goings on back in the day... if you know what I mean. The rooftop pool and sun deck are sweet and perfect for sun worshipers and those of you who like to do laps in the pool. We've stayed at the Andaz West Hollywood several times now and the hotel hosts are super friendly and they remember you. The lounge areas are ultra-chic and comfortable. They have plenty of Rock and Roll nostalgia books lying around to read and at 5pm when they start offering complimentary wine I always enjoy grabbing a glass and kicking back on the Mezzanine level and diving into rock nostalgia. The restaurant/bar so named RH (for Riot Hyatt) offers a farm to table menu packed with ultra-modern, yet hearty cuisine and unique mixology type cocktails




Andaz is in a great location in LA...close to West Hollywood, Beverly Hills and just about a twenty minute drive, depending on traffic, to Silver Lake and Los Feliz. The Comedy Store is right next door which is always our last destination each night before we head to the room.  The Comedy Store has its own unique history and who knows you may see the next Chris Rock performing in the Belly Room upstairs.  RESERVE YOUR ROOM NOW

Baron Wolman collage in lobby

ATOP RUNYON CANYON. GOOD HIKE.



When I visit Los Angeles I always hike Runyon Canyon.  
I use the Fuller Avenue entrance.  Runyon offers much... 
Yoga under the beautiful sunshine, steep trails to work your 
legs and beautiful vistas of Hollywood when you reach the top. 
A great way to get a workout in when in LA...
GET DIRECTIONS AND MORE DETAILS HERE:   RUNYON CANYON PARK

SUMMER FUN WITH RUM




My events company is working with Bacardi USA and Young's Market Company to promote Bacardi's newest flav, Pineapple Fusion, in Northern California's LGBT community.  We are happy to announce that people find the liquid perfect for their summer soirĂ©es.  Upon opening the bottle you can for sure smell the pineapple and when you taste the booze the creamy coconut flavor settles on your palate just right.  So good and one of a kind... After 151 years in the biz, Bacardi really does know what they're doing.

Try this cocktail for your rad summer party...

BACARDI FRESH FUSION
  • 1 ounce Bacardi Pineapple Fusion
  • 3 ounces coconut water
  • Splash of pineapple juice (fresh if you can).  Do you have a juicer? They're the best.  I like this one Breville Juice Fountain.  Great price and gives good juice. You can pick one up at BBB (use a 20% off coupon!)
Pour over ice in a tall glass. Splash in the pineapple juice. Garnish with a pineapple wedge.
I'm excited for you to try!

GWEN RODGERS PHOTOGRAPHY. . . WHAT AN EYE. . .


Visit Gwen's Site

I LOVE GWEN'S WORK... 
VISIT HER SITE TO VIEW MORE STUNNING 
WORKS OF ART
When I look at her photos I have a wish to want to jump into the photo and be there; Be there right next to the object or person or landscape... Because I know if I was there it would be undoubtedly marvelous to see how Gwen creates her masterpieces.

GRADUATION TIME!

I'll admit when Pomp and Circumstance started playing and the graduates began their slow march into the venue, I got a few tears in my eyes. Right away I could spot my niece and nephew looking so sweet in their crisp caps and gowns. I'm just the auntie and I was so happy and emotional for them. After all, I do remember the day they were born and I did change a diaper or two.... I looked over at their parents and I could see the proud look in their eyes. I thought back to my graduation umpteen years ago and I do remember the excitement you feel as a graduate. This was a nice ceremony, eloquent (and short) speeches by the Class President and Principal and the graduates were all in tune, clapping for one another and of course tossed around was the inflatable beach ball nixed quickly by a faculty member. I am so excited for my niece and nephew as they start a new time in their lives. These kids are awesome. If you have a graduation to attend this year, make it special, soak it all in. Take lots of pictures!  For sure it's a time of celebration for the graduate.  I'm a sentimental type of person...This IS truly what life is about seeing those that you love pass another milestone in life and carry out something great!

YES, YOU WILL WANT ANOTHER. . .



My wife and I made Peanut Butter Cups! Oye!  You clearly see the big bite I took from this one. These Peanut Butter Cups are choice.

GO FOR IT
You'll need: cupcake pans
Cupcake paper liners
2 cups creamy peanut butter, divided
8 teaspoons butter, softened
1.5 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 cups semisweet chocolate chips
12 ounces milk chocolate chips

Combine 1 cup peanut butter, butter, confectioners' sugar & salt until smooth...set aside.
Melt chocolate in a double boiler, add remaining peanut butter, stir up good & smooth

Drop a large spoonful of chocolate into cupcake liner.  Drop in a large spoonful of the peanut butter mixture, then top off with another spoonful of chocolate!  It's really up to you how much chocolate you want on the bottom, how much peanut butter you want and how much you want to top it off with.... In some strange way, I think it's innate in all of us as to how to make these delicious things... it's like we've all got peanut butter cups running through our veins.... Refrigerate until set.  Store in airtight container.  I'm not really sure how many it makes because sometimes we make extra big overflowing ones & so we always come out with a different amount.  Just be sure to gauge your peanut butter mixture and chocolate so you don't run out of one and not the other.... Be happy with your peanut butter and chocolate extravaganza...

COULDN'T RESIST POSTING THIS PIC OF DULCE. . .

A UNIQUE WAY TO CELEBRATE PRIDE


 
June 26 and June 27 all day...

My events company is working with Bacardi USA and Young's Market Company to put on the Third Annual Bacardi Pride Crawl.  PRIDE CRAWL is a unique way to spend time with friends, celebrate PRIDE and to collect limited edition PRIDE San Francisco collector's items. 

A bit of history about the PRIDE FLAG... The original gay-pride flag flew in the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade on June 25, 1978.  The flag was designed by Gilbert Baker.  Some have said Baker was inspired by Judy Garland's 'Over the Rainbow.'
The original flag consisted of eight colors: Hot Pink=Sexuality   Red=Life   Orange=Healing  Yellow=Sunlight  Green=Nature   Turquoise=Magic/Art    Indigo/Blue=Serenity/Harmony  Violet=Spirit  . . . . . .  In 1978 Hot Pink was removed due to availability of fabric color.  Turquoise followed shortly after. The current flag with six stripes flew for the first time in 1979.  The color Indigo was changed to Royal Blue.

Details about the CRAWL...
❤ Six Bars, Each representing a color of the flag

❤ Six Bacardi Cocktails on special for $5 & each representing a color of the flag

❤ Limited Edition Bacardi PRIDE CRAWL Handkerchiefs. The handkerchief will coordinate with the color of the flag each bar represents.  The high-quality handkerchief will be screen printed with the bar's logo too!  Way cool. 

PARTICIPATING BARS: QBar, Midnight Sun, The Edge, Badlands, Mix SF, The CafĂ© 

1) Visit each of the six participating Bacardi PRIDE CRAWL accounts on June 26 & 27. Anytime during the day.
 
2) Purchase a Bacardi specialty cocktail on special at a super awesome price of $5

3) Receive your handkerchief.  You're off to a great start! 

4) You have two days to collect all 6 limited edition Bacardi PRIDE CRAWL Handkerchiefs.
Collect as many as you like.  One, Two... or all 6. 

The handkerchiefs are unique to PRIDE.  When you collect all six, you'll have all colors of the PRIDE flag and a handkerchief for each day of the week (except Sunday LOL).

MEET OUR MAZZY & DULCE. . .

BRAIN SYNC CONSCIOUS EVOLUTION


Cover of my CD and the Brain Sync Logo
Bill Wolford: A very talented: Producer. Director. Sound Designer. Composer.  Bill and I collaborated on our CD: Mantra Chant Sutra Beat.  He's on the beats. I'm on the mic.  I loved working with Bill.  He's in tune....if you know what I mean. . . & his resume of music is deep and accomplished. Get to know Bill's lovely music . .  Vivid Sound

Kelly Howell:  "The world's leading innovator in the practical application of brainwave research. Her visionary healing techniques provide an elegant way to recalibrate brain patterns and reap the benefits of biofeedback training and long-term meditation."  Kelly's podcasts are A M A Z I N G. She is also in tune...(you know what I mean . . .)

Good Stuff:
Kelly was so graciously awesome to use one of our songs, Ganesha, during one of her Theatre of the Mind podcasts: Facebook Mashup where she interviewed guests from her FB page.  You can hear our song in the intro while Kelly is introducing her guests and the show! Thank you Kelly you are an inspiration!  Learn more about Brain Sync

AN EVER CHANGING SHOWCASE OF FOOD. WINE. ART. GARDENS.


How about this?
If there was a place, that had:
1 - Cool shops
2 - Food made from local ingredients.
3 - Delicious boutique wines.
4 - Breathtaking gardens.
5 - Awesome eclectic art

Would you go? I hope so!

Cornerstone Sonoma

My visit to Cornerstone left me in total awe.  I left inspired on so many levels. I love the community they have built there. Forward thinking people built Cornerstone. They came together to promote art, food, wine and beauty.  Nonstop inspiration for me. . . and hopefully for you too. . .

GOOD STUFF I'VE COOKED UP


with organic chicken, peppers & thyme!WildRice Orzo Lentil SaladStuffed organic cabbageStrawberry Cilantro & Poblano SalsaSping Onions & CiantroSnapper with onions and tomatoes - Delish
Scones in PlatterSauteed Brussel Sprouts with Roasted Almonds, Quinoa, Carmalized Red onions, roasted chili and cumin chicken & sauteed kaleRoasted Asparagus -2RadishesQuinoa,Kale,Black Bean SaladPistachio & Orange Basmati Rice Pilaf-2
PeaShootsPeashoot Walnut PestoPeashoot Pesto, Goat's Milk Brie and Arugula PaniniPeanut Butter CupOrzo and Spinach SoupOrganic Chicken Wrap-2
orange zestMint:Orange SlicesLocal Snapper with tomatoes, onions, kalamata olives and spicesLentil SaladLemon Verbena TeaLeek, Kale & Potato Soup
Want recipes? Visit Valley of the Food
I use all local produce & meats from Sonoma Valley...fish from Northern California
and always organic ingredients!
I like what Virgina Woolf said, "One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well."