tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37182102428258761052024-03-18T00:59:18.013-07:00Cervins Central CoastA comprehensive look at the stunning California Central Coast, including Ventura, Ojai, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obipso, Morro Bay, Paso Robles, Cambria, Carmel and Monterey. Find out what you didn't know!Michael Cervinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968958743965757040noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718210242825876105.post-44081466072957886462018-10-05T20:57:00.000-07:002018-10-06T07:48:59.055-07:00FYI – WWII POWs in Santa Barbara: A Compelling Read<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--_lWCnh7cho/W7gwcxKthCI/AAAAAAAALdc/eZqbr89CM_E3koNjORpA6c-HaExHddbGACEwYBhgL/s1600/GetFileAttachment-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="981" data-original-width="1289" height="303" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--_lWCnh7cho/W7gwcxKthCI/AAAAAAAALdc/eZqbr89CM_E3koNjORpA6c-HaExHddbGACEwYBhgL/s400/GetFileAttachment-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In
my latest travel book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Santa-Barbara-Know-All-Everything/dp/1681061376" target="_blank">Santa Barbara Know It All,</a> I ask in a quiz at the end of the book if World War II
prisoners held in POW camps here in Santa Barbara were used in harvesting local
grapes, and other crops. It’s not a trick question, because it’s actually true.
Then, I heard about this book <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">German
Prisoners of War at Camp Cooke, California</i> and its very detailed account of
the exact POW camp I referenced - Camp Cooke, located in Lompoc, and now part of
Vandenberg Air Force Base.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">June 16, 1944</b></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
first train load of WWII German prisoners arrived at</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Camp
Cooke in Santa Barbara.</span></b></div>
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</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FNhHAcwG4qI/W7gwpJrOzxI/AAAAAAAALdg/18JkW_H9ZB84BgBFf9ILCIyWD-CScLwBQCEwYBhgL/s1600/camps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1185" height="303" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FNhHAcwG4qI/W7gwpJrOzxI/AAAAAAAALdg/18JkW_H9ZB84BgBFf9ILCIyWD-CScLwBQCEwYBhgL/s400/camps.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The interesting and unexpected approach to this book is that it is written
in firsthand accounts of 14 German soldiers captured at various places and
points during World War II. Author Jeffery Geiger opens up each chapter with
his own writing, then lets the German POWs reflect upon their own experiences. Geiger
is well versed in this material, as he is the retired chief civilian historian
of Vandenberg Air Force Base. Many of the POWs discuss their capture and their
subsequent removal from Europe and transfer to America specifically California,
but to other states as well. As POW Alfred Schmucker writes: "The greatest
day for some of us was when a convoy of American army trucks moved in and
picked up about 80% of the German POWs on July 9, 1944. Contrary to what we
endured while under French jurisdiction… for the first time in 14 months we could
take a shower, receive good food, and were treated like human beings."<br />
<br />
After the men reached various camps across the US they were processed, given
new clothes and then put to work in the fields picking everything from sugar
beets, cotton, to tomatoes, grapes, etc. As POW Adolf Kelmer mentions,
"It was surprising to me that we were paid for our labor. The money had a
significant buying power in the camp at canteen. We bought cigarettes, sweets,
toilet articles and many other things that for a long time had been unavailable
to us in the German army. "<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--gyW6rbtrPg/W7gwihUfJvI/AAAAAAAALdg/yVxAHQpc5lQubI_zNXloDU7tJr3pHHCsQCEwYBhgL/s1600/camp%2Bc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="438" height="255" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--gyW6rbtrPg/W7gwihUfJvI/AAAAAAAALdg/yVxAHQpc5lQubI_zNXloDU7tJr3pHHCsQCEwYBhgL/s400/camp%2Bc.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
What probably most people don't realize was that these POW camps, including
Camp Cooke, were small cities. They had barbers, tailors, even makeshift
orchestras. According to Herbert Schaffrath, "In the camp we had both an
orchestra and an amateur theatrical group. The song '<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Don't Fence Me In' </i>was a popular melody among the POWs in
1945." He goes on to say, “Having a pet dog or cat in our barrack gave
each of us a wonderful feeling of homeliness. When we returned from work in the
evenings the little dog was always waiting at the door to greet us
eagerly." Ultimately though, these were still prisoners. "Despite all
the pleasant activities available to us at Camp Cooke, we all had days when our
only thoughts were to be reunited with our loved ones back home," wrote
one German POW.<br />
<br />
This book chronicles 14 people - not necessarily prisoners, not even Germans -
but human beings like you and me. It follows the ups and downs, the tedium of
prison life, the private dreams and hopes of men living in a confined
environment, and the aftermath of the war that placed them there. Werner Blanck
summed it up best after Camp Cooke closed and he was released. "If I could
have stayed in California when Camp Cooke was closing in 1946 I would have done
so. I liked the country and the people. Looking back on my military
service and my time as a prisoner of war in America, I learned that there could
be no justification to use force against another. I see no reason why
disagreements between nations cannot be settled peacefully."<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A
read of this book will restore your faith in humanity, and given our current
global conflicts, we all need to know that throughout history there are good
people, quietly making the world a little better; be they prisoners, guards, or
simply people caught up in a global conflict not of their own making.</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.sunburypressstore.com/German-Prisoners-of-War-at-Camp-Cooke-California-9781620067505.htm" target="_blank"><br /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.sunburypressstore.com/German-Prisoners-of-War-at-Camp-Cooke-California-9781620067505.htm" target="_blank"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">German Prisoners of War at Camp Cooke, California</span></i></b></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
Jeffrey E. Geiger<br />
272 pages<br />
$19.95<br />
Sunbury Press</span></div>
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Michael Cervinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968958743965757040noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718210242825876105.post-41275262043710957922018-08-15T09:41:00.002-07:002018-08-15T09:46:11.412-07:00The Monarch Has Landed: Montecito’s Newest Eatery<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EoBw04e2OTI/W3RWytK6IYI/AAAAAAAALXQ/53EXY1ldFEk9fonnDZYXuYzADUvtIVnuwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_7253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EoBw04e2OTI/W3RWytK6IYI/AAAAAAAALXQ/53EXY1ldFEk9fonnDZYXuYzADUvtIVnuwCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_7253.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baked Brie</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Montecito doesn’t often open
new restaurants, but the August, 2018 arrival of The Monarch is much
anticipated, and something much needed.</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XlZ769zPIgY/W3RW3yR1_qI/AAAAAAAALXU/Juagn_Da7tcW7ji5qTwL3V951H81PSWtACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_7254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1140" data-original-width="1600" height="283" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XlZ769zPIgY/W3RW3yR1_qI/AAAAAAAALXU/Juagn_Da7tcW7ji5qTwL3V951H81PSWtACEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_7254.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">After the raging Thomas Fire
in December 2017 and the January 2018 mudslides, Montecito suffered greatly, as
did all of Santa Barbara. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">But fast foreword half a year
and new growth has sprung up in the form of The Monarch, perhaps fittingly
called as the butterfly…well, you know. Embracing the local-ness of our
community the overarching point of the Monarch is a hyper local approach to its
food. Local is a culinary buzzword these days, and hyper-local, even more so.
But what is it? As the words imply, locally sourced ingredients within 100
miles of any given establishment. So what The Monarch has done is actually to
list their purveyors right on their menu so you know where your food, even the
hand made custom plates, comes from. The restaurant is the brain child of
husband and wife chef duo, Phillip Frankland Lee and Margarita Kallas-Lee.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6lZY9UYDJ0/W3RWoAppofI/AAAAAAAALXY/GJtg1IUlV-cZT6HCU1SFD8E3Pz4g4EEUQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_7251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="876" data-original-width="1600" height="218" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6lZY9UYDJ0/W3RWoAppofI/AAAAAAAALXY/GJtg1IUlV-cZT6HCU1SFD8E3Pz4g4EEUQCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_7251.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The space focuses on beige and tan colors. The open bar and open kitchen means that
nothing can hide from you. A handful of tables including some tables with
couches make it feel both comfortable and slightly upscale. Copious light pours
up into the restaurant windows facing Coast Village Road keeping the feel very
bright. If you end up waiting for a table they will offer you complementary
sparkling wine. Wines on the list are predominately local, all the wines by the
glass, with the exception of French champagne and a handful of bottles for
purchase. They have a nice selection of spirits including a number of Mezcal's
and a few Japanese whiskeys, and will gladly make you a cocktail.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p0U3Pkcr_nc/W3RWsnvfSaI/AAAAAAAALXY/ZaLlMeOFcVstuw-mDBqyE2h92xCNk3s9gCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_7258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="1600" height="255" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p0U3Pkcr_nc/W3RWsnvfSaI/AAAAAAAALXY/ZaLlMeOFcVstuw-mDBqyE2h92xCNk3s9gCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_7258.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">As a starter I had the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Gabe’s Baked Brie</b> ($15), a triple-cream
cheese from Stepladder Creamery in Cambria rolled in a light puff pastry (photo
above). The triple cream might sound heavy but it is the reverse of that –
light, delicate, creamy. The Brie sits on a bed of greens - a blend of nine
different herbs and wildflowers giving an earthy savory component to it – and
fresh berries. The whole of this is a terrific combination of savory, sweet and
earthy. One of the reasons I chose this, aside from my love affair with cheese,
is that you don’t often see baked Brie on menus much anymore and it’s a
departure from the norm.</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HhtS_K7aifg/W3RWv5fHWII/AAAAAAAALXc/WFTg79lPEjsYixfPmMWYbybUTQDgH5Z4ACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_7259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1600" height="341" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HhtS_K7aifg/W3RWv5fHWII/AAAAAAAALXc/WFTg79lPEjsYixfPmMWYbybUTQDgH5Z4ACEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_7259.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Their
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Duck Breast and Leg</b> ($46) is the
entrée I enjoyed with lightly glazed honey, jasmine and coriander. It’s slow
roasted inside their oven, then finished on the grill. Alongside the moist duck
were lovely grilled carrots, potatoes and corn on the cob, sans cob, which is
topped with herb butter. The kernels are small and slightly crunchy after being
shucked off. I don’t eat much corn, but the texture of this was intriguing. An
accompanying salad of fresh tomatoes, micro greens and fresh beans was simple
yet stunning. This is what happens when you use ultra fresh ingredients<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- you get an explosion of flavor, both subtle
and nuanced as well as obvious and potent. I’m glad The Monarch has landed and
once you visit, you will be too.</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.themonarchmontecito.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">TheMonarch at the Montecito Inn</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1295
Coast Village Rd.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Montecito</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Wednesday
– Sunday 5p.m. to closing</span></div>
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Michael Cervinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968958743965757040noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718210242825876105.post-88114627720197210442018-07-26T15:08:00.000-07:002018-07-26T15:31:53.769-07:00Taste My Town: Sampling Santa Barbara At Premiere Event<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L85X_HGLHUc/W1pFegzjZrI/AAAAAAAALUE/VIPc_AesJmY5yW9y--3-_hBhnxSSUh1_QCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_7245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1223" data-original-width="1567" height="311" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L85X_HGLHUc/W1pFegzjZrI/AAAAAAAALUE/VIPc_AesJmY5yW9y--3-_hBhnxSSUh1_QCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_7245.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me & The Mrs at Taste of the Town</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Food and wine events in Santa
Barbara are a dime-a-baker’s-dozen. But one in particular stands out for me,
and it happens on September 7th – 9<sup>th</sup>, where top chefs, stellar
wines, cool brews and spirits offer their best.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bp2WE4VmPdk/W1pFOkHiZaI/AAAAAAAALUA/nvfX2hYNEjo4vwhpOGss5Knpb4Bf6PDgQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bp2WE4VmPdk/W1pFOkHiZaI/AAAAAAAALUA/nvfX2hYNEjo4vwhpOGss5Knpb4Bf6PDgQCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_0220.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The Taste of the Town, now in
its 38th year, has always supported the programs and services of the Arthritis
Foundation - the only non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives
of 50 million people including nearly 300,000 children with arthritis - through
health education, advocacy, research, and local juvenile arthritis support. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Taste of the Town uses wine,
food, music, beer, a silent auction - all of it local to Santa Barbara - to
make for an enjoyable afternoon (a partial list of who will be there is below).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QaoETOv6rBE/W1pFktn-zkI/AAAAAAAALUU/I-ignQG8DMIg7LbsnuEYyIDGOFcQFE38ACEwYBhgL/s1600/p-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="178" data-original-width="178" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QaoETOv6rBE/W1pFktn-zkI/AAAAAAAALUU/I-ignQG8DMIg7LbsnuEYyIDGOFcQFE38ACEwYBhgL/s200/p-1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">So, as I said, a dime a
dozen. So why this particular event?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">1. Tickets
are limited, so you’re not throwing elbows to find a bite of food or sample a
beer or wine (one local event draws 3,000 people – waaayy too may folks
impeding your progress.) Taste of the Town is easy to navigate.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">2. It’s
one of the coolest venues around. Held at the Rivera Business Park, it was
formerly called The Normal School, then it became the first iteration of UCSB.
Held under the shaded canopy of arched column walkways, a mirror pool lies dead
center – and it almost looks like the Getty Villa In Malibu.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">3. This
is where my wife and I shot some of our wedding photos. So right there, I have
sanctioned the place. I’ve attended the event and can sanction that too. For
other cool events in Santa Barbara check out my March 2018 new comedy Travel
Book:<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Santa-Barbara-Know-All-Everything/dp/1681061376" target="_blank">Santa Barbara Know It All: A Guide To Everything That Matters</a></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Individual
regular admission tickets for the Sunday afternoon Taste of the Town on 9/9/18
are $125 per person in advance, $140 at the door and yes it’s worth it. There’s
also a more exclusive event on 9/7.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9hJbSWIZ7bA/W1pFLeXxMwI/AAAAAAAALT8/cSoG7px00RkZJgEGc77DazpDSAUW8Jz7wCEwYBhgL/s1600/TasteofTheTown%2B9-10-17-LK-IMG_1390%2B%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9hJbSWIZ7bA/W1pFLeXxMwI/AAAAAAAALT8/cSoG7px00RkZJgEGc77DazpDSAUW8Jz7wCEwYBhgL/s400/TasteofTheTown%2B9-10-17-LK-IMG_1390%2B%25289%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Tickets are available at <a href="http://www.arthritis.org/tasteofthetownsb"><u>www.arthritis.org/tasteofthetownsb</u></a>
or by calling the Arthritis Foundation Central Coast at 805-563-4685. Hope to
see you there!</span>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Confirmed Food Purveyors</span></u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">: Ca'Dario, Finch & Fork, High on the Hog
Catering, Lilac Patisserie, Michael's Catering, Opal Restaurant & Bar,
Santa Barbara Yacht Club, The Little Door, The Palace Grill, and Via Maestra
42. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Confirmed Wines, Spirits
and Beers:</span></u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> Alexander & Wayne,
Alma Rosa, Au Bon Climat, Brander, Brewer-Clifton, Cutler's Artisan Spirits,
Demetria Estates, Grassini, Islands Brewing Company, Jaffurs, Ken Brown Wines,
Kessler- Haak, Melville, Presqu'ile, Qupe.</span></div>
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NpyB9rLg0hA/W1pFSQ0OrtI/AAAAAAAALT4/WyrUnQQ6NYwK6-ovg1zoo_dlpPkXqdo1QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NpyB9rLg0hA/W1pFSQ0OrtI/AAAAAAAALT4/WyrUnQQ6NYwK6-ovg1zoo_dlpPkXqdo1QCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0222.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
Michael Cervinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968958743965757040noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718210242825876105.post-23434880465657668202018-05-02T06:38:00.002-07:002018-05-02T06:38:38.693-07:00Top 5 Reasons You Should NOT Buy My New Santa Barbara Comedy Travel Book<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e90fBkUHswg/Wum97cxihkI/AAAAAAAALIc/nazH8rbyQS4yWQx1wCk5TTsbwG_NcZj3QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_6951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1425" data-original-width="1276" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e90fBkUHswg/Wum97cxihkI/AAAAAAAALIc/nazH8rbyQS4yWQx1wCk5TTsbwG_NcZj3QCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_6951.JPG" width="286" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">#5: You Loathe Santa Barbara</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Believe it or not, there are
actually people out there who passionately hate Santa Barbara. The beach, the
mountains, the natural beauty, the laid back vibe, near perfect weather and
friendly people disgust them. I’ve never met them, but I’m sure there are a
handful out there. I’ve heard rumors. Anyhow, if you hate it here, please do
not buy my book.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">#4: You Can’t Stand Learning New Things</span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">There is a segment of the
population who can’t stand to find a new restaurant to try, art galley to
visit, hike to take, winery or brewery to sample. Only the standard tried and
true will do. Besides, you never know what you’ll get with new experiences.
Probably lice! Right? If you prefer the same tedious experiences you’ve had for
years, do not buy my book.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">#3:You Hate Small Towns</span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Small is just hugely wrong.
Santa Barbara is a small town with small people, small portions, small mindsets
and big taxes. Only a big city can offer variety, diversity, choice, and, you
know, other stuff. Small towns like Santa Barbara and its even smaller towns
like Lompoc, Los Alamos, Summerland, Montecito, Goleta and Carpinteria are like
sets from a movie - there’s nothing behind the façade. And don’t get me started
on the “Danish” themed Solvang! This book sounds idiotic.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">#2: Traveling to You is Like Having the Plague</span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Let’s be honest – ‘travel’ is
a ‘hassle.’ Heck, they’re practically even spelled the same! Crowds, noise,
renting a car, sitting on a plane, yes even walking is laborious and hard. Who
wants a bad nights sleep in some crappy hotel? Why get up to fresh air and hang
out at a Santa Barbara beach – we all know the ocean isn’t even blue, it
reflects the color of the sky. Plus there are kids, dogs, musicians, artists, anyone
on a Segway…yeah, no thanks. When you stay at home no one bothers you (except
for that weird neighbor). Don’t travel and don’t waste your money on my book.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">#1: You Don’t Have a Funny Bone in Your Body.</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I don’t mean literally your
“funny bone” (that’s actually when your ulner nerve bumps against your humorous
bone and you get that icky sensation like your arm is drunk) because then your arm
wouldn’t work. You haven’t laughed in decades. I mean, why bother? The world
isn’t funny, this blog post is stupid, and to smile wastes valuable calories.
So please, I beg of you, don’t buy my book.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Thank you.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Sincerely,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The dumb author who Wrote
Santa Barbara Know It All: A Guide To Everything That Matters.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">P.S. – Just so you know,
don’t even bother buying a copy of this book at <a href="http://www.tecolotebookshop.com/" target="_blank"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tecelote Bookstore</b></a> in Montecito, <a href="http://www.chaucersbooks.com/" target="_blank"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Chaucer’s</b></a> or the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Visitor’s
Center</b> in Santa Barbara, <a href="http://www.bookloftsolvang.com/" target="_blank"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The BookLoft</b></a> in Solvang, or the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Costco</b>
in Goleta. And for Pete’s sakes don’t purchase it on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Santa-Barbara-Know-All-Everything/dp/1681061376/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1525268283&sr=8-1&keywords=michael+cervin" target="_blank">Amazon!</a></span></div>
</div>
Michael Cervinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968958743965757040noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718210242825876105.post-65673036598985061442018-01-28T17:21:00.002-08:002018-01-28T17:21:26.579-08:00Sipping in Solvang: 6 Years of Southern Exposure (of Wine and Danish)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P9I_yEvwKZg/Wm52gymkZII/AAAAAAAAK6M/1rdPRpaw4w8E7_SCwCr_bFUBry1rYv9hwCEwYBhgL/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="360" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P9I_yEvwKZg/Wm52gymkZII/AAAAAAAAK6M/1rdPRpaw4w8E7_SCwCr_bFUBry1rYv9hwCEwYBhgL/s400/1.jpg" width="342" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Discovery. Finding wines are
that are new, under the radar, barely available and hard to find. Yep, that’s
fun. The Garagiste Festival 6th Annual Southern Exposure kicks off on
Friday night, February 9<sup>th</sup> in Solvang. Yeah, Solvang, that
cool little Danish town in Santa Barbara Wine Country.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Having attended these events
in Paso Robles and Solvang before has been a great opportunity, not only for me
as a wine writer, but also a wine buyer and I brought a few of these wines into
my wine department. (See that article <a href="https://boozehoundz.blogspot.com/search?q=cloak+%26+dagger" target="_blank">HERE</a>).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">So, should you attend? Well, if you dislike the idea of
uncovering hard to find wines, if you prefer to drink only what you know, they
by all means stay home. Otherwise, here’s what’s in store:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Zapf Dingbats"; font-size: 14.0pt;">★</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">10 wineries brand new to Garagiste that you haven't
tasted anywhere else.<br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Zapf Dingbats"; font-size: 14.0pt;">★</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">6 wineries pouring their very 1st vintage. <br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Zapf Dingbats"; font-size: 14.0pt;">★</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Over 50% of the wineries participating have never
poured in Solvang before. So even for those who have attended before, they will
find plenty of new wines to experience.<br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Zapf Dingbats"; font-size: 14.0pt;">★</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Only 11 wineries even have tasting rooms with regular
hours - just 26% of participants - so now is the chance to explore.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Zapf Dingbats"; font-size: 14.0pt;">★</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">No waiting in line- they keep their
winemaker-to-attendee ratio deliberately low to ensure a personal tasting
experience. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ixlnq44jk9A/Wm52iZvsaWI/AAAAAAAAK6Q/dlAyaUsCWN43hSCXfPm3RFphygc_OHkzACEwYBhgL/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="985" data-original-width="1600" height="246" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ixlnq44jk9A/Wm52iZvsaWI/AAAAAAAAK6Q/dlAyaUsCWN43hSCXfPm3RFphygc_OHkzACEwYBhgL/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">There will other events along
as well, so check the website for those details, but if nothing else, come
Saturday for the main tasting and be prepared to be wowed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.californiagaragistes.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">WWW.CALIFORNIAGARAGISTES.COM </span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">But also check out
Solvang, which has its roots from 1911 when it was founded. If you get a chance
visit <a href="https://ingeborgs.com/" target="_blank"><b>Ingeborg’s Danish Chocolates</b></a> – all Danish chocolates made right here in
Solvang, at 1679 Copenhagen Dr. Also known for pastries, Solvang offers several
places in town to check out for butter cookies, as well as art galleries, Danish
clothing and gifts, not to mention <a href="http://www.solvangschristmashouse.com/" target="_blank"><b>Jule Hus</b></a> – all Christmas all the time at 1580
Mission Dr.</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Winemakers scheduled to
pour include</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Ascension Cellars, Caliza
Winery, Camlow Cellars, Cloak & Dagger Wines, D. Volk Wines, Diablo Paso,
Dunites Wine Co., El Lugar Wines, Golden Triangle, Hoi Polloi Wines, Kimsey
Vineyards, Luna Hart Wines, Marin’s Vineyard, MCV Wines, Metrick Wines, Mollie
Wines, Montemar Winery, Sycamore Ranch Winery, TLO Wines, Torch Cellars, TW
Fermentation Co., Velvet Bee Wine, Vino Vargas, Volatus Wines, and Weatherborne
Wine Co.</span></div>
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Michael Cervinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968958743965757040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718210242825876105.post-27261435224379915902017-07-14T14:17:00.002-07:002017-07-14T15:22:03.274-07:00A Purrfect Pet Project – Cat Therapy Santa Barbara<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catalina and Snow</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I'm not being catty but <a href="https://www.cattherapysb.com/" target="_blank"><b>Cat Therapy </b></a>is the <i>only </i>cat café between Los Angeles and
San Francisco. Owner Catalina Esteves (yes that's her real name, yes I
understand the irony) is originally from Argentina but moved to Santa Barbara
with a crazy idea, to help adult cats get adopted. You book a reservation to
hang out with the cats, make friends, play, let them sit on you, read, you can
even have a party and book out the room. You can order food or drinks from a
restaurant across the street (<a href="http://www.brasilartscafe.com/" target="_blank"><b>Brasil Arts Café,</b></a> and the food will be brought to
you) and de-stress…however no one will pet you – all combing is for kitties. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wNmZG_ovXA8/WWkyzeSSc6I/AAAAAAAAKkc/gUdYQUQN_0QIvU0--AsKtgNivsOVcCwxgCEwYBhgL/s1600/maggie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1475" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wNmZG_ovXA8/WWkyzeSSc6I/AAAAAAAAKkc/gUdYQUQN_0QIvU0--AsKtgNivsOVcCwxgCEwYBhgL/s400/maggie.JPG" width="367" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maggie...with an attitude</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Opened
in May 2017 this former yoga studio now houses typically around 14 cats, oh and
they do offer a cat yoga class. Catalina had this crazy idea and spoke to the
mayor, from there on the City was really helpful, probably because nothing like
this had been done before.</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> It’s
the perfect way to spend some time in Santa Barbara. Cat Therapy partners with
the <a href="http://www.asapcats.org/" target="_blank"><b>Animal Shelter Assistance Program</b></a>, the <a href="http://www.vcas.us/" target="_blank"><b>Ventura County Animal ServicesShelter,</b></a> and <a href="http://www.resqcats.org/" target="_blank"><b>ResQCats</b></a>.</span>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
“We help adult cats get adopted,” Catalina tells me and they've had 16
adoptions since they opened less than two months ago. One cat recently adopted
had a bunch of cat-ostrophic strikes against it; it was a senior cat, it was
black, it was half deaf and had no tail. How difficult would it be for this cat
to find a new home if it sat in a shelter? Here the cats roam freely, some more
social than others, but the freedom to move unfettered allows them to be more
who they are, and as you interact with them, you might be drawn to a specific
feline.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gYXGg9ulX5k/WWky2ccLMfI/AAAAAAAAKkg/yWPg3HTFhm8ptosQtcyKb6XXbxw8pkgkwCEwYBhgL/s1600/TJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1261" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gYXGg9ulX5k/WWky2ccLMfI/AAAAAAAAKkg/yWPg3HTFhm8ptosQtcyKb6XXbxw8pkgkwCEwYBhgL/s400/TJ.jpg" width="315" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My boys, Toby and Jasper</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So,
why exactly do people come here, I ask? “There are three reasons. One, is
people who are actively looking to adopt a cat. The second is for people who
can't have a cat perhaps because of where they live (rental restrictions, other
animals) or allergy considerations of a loved one.” And third she says, well
some people just love to hang out with animals. As the proud owner of two cats
(Jasper and Toby) and an animal lover, I get this. But I also wonder about the
stereotype, you know, the crazy cat lady syndrome. But Catalina tells me a
group of guys recently stopped in and were somewhat mesmerized. In fact a
couple that was there when I visited owned four cats but made a point of coming
here, and visiting animal shelters to give love and attention to other cats. <br />
<br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2p4f2J7jp2g/WWkyxClPVsI/AAAAAAAAKkY/VEy7-o5irkgrBX9TR4t7vXgzqUh0kZyPgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_5614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="996" data-original-width="1600" height="248" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2p4f2J7jp2g/WWkyxClPVsI/AAAAAAAAKkY/VEy7-o5irkgrBX9TR4t7vXgzqUh0kZyPgCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_5614.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">To be clear they are not sales people, so if you happen by and they ask if
you’d like to come in you will not be given a cat and told to pay up. Besides, there’s
no handle on the front door, so you can’t gain access unless they let you in. All
cats have current shots and are up to date health-wise, and ready to head home
with you. If not, the place is sterilized after each group visits and though
there are rugs, the floors are concrete so there’s less dander build up if
you’re sensitive. Yes, Cat Therapy makes me happy – anytime humans come into
contact with animals and have a positive e experience it makes us humans
better. After all, human or animal, we all live to the level that we are loved.
“When you witness an adoption it's a very emotional thing, we are a place for
all animal lovers,” Catalina says.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oPePlzhnTVA/WWkyut3criI/AAAAAAAAKkU/77Nze7dSpO8iIDpGJYHrGjPO--OesiHBACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_5599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1315" height="327" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oPePlzhnTVA/WWkyut3criI/AAAAAAAAKkU/77Nze7dSpO8iIDpGJYHrGjPO--OesiHBACEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_5599.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Michael Cervinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968958743965757040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718210242825876105.post-60304901424762299842017-01-21T06:58:00.001-08:002017-02-03T13:33:13.244-08:00Sealed With a Pen - What Blubber, the Hearst Castle & Wine Have in Common<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NwyrL97R8sg/WIN1-AiAA5I/AAAAAAAAKLQ/fgVQyiCHfVsHBo-Lx-PeXsBcL25VXYbugCEw/s1600/pup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NwyrL97R8sg/WIN1-AiAA5I/AAAAAAAAKLQ/fgVQyiCHfVsHBo-Lx-PeXsBcL25VXYbugCEw/s400/pup.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I see you! (Photo: Visit San Simeon)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Just
days before President Obama left office he invoked the Antiquities Act of 1906,
and no, it has nothing to do with antiques. What President Obama did was to
expand the California Coastal National Monument, a move that provides added
protections for the elephant seal colony at Piedras Blancas located just north
of San Simeon and the Hearst Castle. The California Coastal National Monument,
originally established by President Clinton in 2000, protects and preserves “objects
or sites of historic or scientific interest” along California’s Central Coast.
More than 17,000 elephant seals migrate thousands of miles to come to this
secluded sandy beach twice per year, and now they are fully protected. Bless
their fat little hearts.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boys being boys.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Located four miles north of
the Hearst Castle, 12 miles north of Cambria the elephant seal rookery is
visible by “Elephant Seal Viewing Area” signs. If that doesn’t work you’ll see
a lot of people looking over a low wood fence pointing indiscriminately. No one
is certain why the seals keep showing up here, but they do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the winter months the seals come here to
breed, in the summer months, they molt. Winter is the best time to view the
males, females and newborn pups. They might seem lazy at first, strewn across
the sand like so much chubby road kill. But they can be forgiven. They can dive
up to 3,000 feet and swim at three miles an hour and, let’s not forget, they
carry all that blubber with them. They started appearing in these low sand
protected beaches in the early 1990s and haven’t left yet. The males will spar
for territorial rights, the females who appear to just want to be left alone.
And they are loud, making a horrible sound like a bad Chewbacca impression. The
seals are around all year, though not in the quantities like summer and winter.
The docents are there all year too, people in blue coats emblazoned with
“Friends of the Elephant Seal” on their jackets. Ask them anything. The
information is free, the show is free and you might spend more time here than
you ever expected.</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ECQI8uyMufI/WIN2D7hZlxI/AAAAAAAAKLc/3YWpf0kpHWEKA4m3cvs3UbHXhqMALTjVQCEw/s1600/IMG_3456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ECQI8uyMufI/WIN2D7hZlxI/AAAAAAAAKLc/3YWpf0kpHWEKA4m3cvs3UbHXhqMALTjVQCEw/s400/IMG_3456.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Big Sur Coastline</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“We’re
very grateful to President Obama to include one of San Simeon’s most precious
resources as part of the California Coastal National Monument,” said Michael
Hanchett, president of the San Simeon Chamber of Commerce. “This elephant seal
rookery has become a globally loved place. Three-quarters of a million visitors
come to see them each year, which helps support and preserve local businesses
and jobs.” Obviously Hearst Castle is nearby, the charming town of Cambria, the
Piedras Blancas Light Station, whose tower and support building are listed on
the National Register of Historic Places. Just north you begin the staggeringly
beautiful Big Sur Coastline. There are wineries dotted south in Cambria,
Cayucos, Morro Bay, and a plethora of them on Highway 46 West, which, runs from
Cambria to Paso Robles. Time to hit the road, my friends!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u3YaByKoajI/WIN2BP0m1jI/AAAAAAAAKLc/RDO2WOJgjFMlc5owAiU8vPbXE-tbw_gygCEw/s1600/seals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u3YaByKoajI/WIN2BP0m1jI/AAAAAAAAKLc/RDO2WOJgjFMlc5owAiU8vPbXE-tbw_gygCEw/s400/seals.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chillin' (Photo: Solterra Strategies)<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EjxtDyLSDG8/WJT3COv_4gI/AAAAAAAAKM8/AyC4k6K_HIgcjl3R0oPo0QMZcDoqm42GgCLcB/s1600/IMG_3919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EjxtDyLSDG8/WJT3COv_4gI/AAAAAAAAKM8/AyC4k6K_HIgcjl3R0oPo0QMZcDoqm42GgCLcB/s640/IMG_3919.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.elephantseal.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">FRIENDSOF THE ELEPHANT SEAL</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://sansimeonchamber.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">VISITSAN SIMEON</span></a></div>
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Michael Cervinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968958743965757040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718210242825876105.post-53714891898261907832016-11-28T08:25:00.000-08:002016-11-28T08:44:16.618-08:00Dying To Get In - The Santa Barbara Cemetary<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Santa
Barbara Cemetery (901 Channel Dr., 805/969-3231) is one cool spot. Sure, the
resting place of the dead isn’t on your typical itinerary when you visit
someplace (though admittedly I routinely visit cemeteries all over the world),
but it’s definitely worth stopping by when you’re in town. The cemetery is
unmistakably quiet and holds the best piece of land, high on a bluff
overlooking the Pacific Ocean with pristine views to the mountains and Channel
Islands as the Pacific fans out before you. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IbQHg0R6rFM/WDxZw-XbARI/AAAAAAAAKEY/f8zHvmU5dQMkbAEAB62xojn5VE41PncWwCEw/s1600/Advert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IbQHg0R6rFM/WDxZw-XbARI/AAAAAAAAKEY/f8zHvmU5dQMkbAEAB62xojn5VE41PncWwCEw/s400/Advert.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Advertising in the local paper from the 1940s</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14.0pt;">As
cemeteries go this is flat out beautiful and though the dead may not be
impressed with the views, all of us living folks certainly will be. Many
notables from Santa Barbara history are buried here (JP Sterns of Sterns Wharf;
Lewis Burton-the 1<sup>st</sup> mayor of Santa Barbara in 1850; and Pearl Chase
who basically single-handedly made Santa Barbara the tourist paradise it is
today,) as are actors Ronald Coleman (films: The Lost Horizon, The Prisoner of
Zenda, and he once owned the San Ysidro Ranch), and Fess Parker (TV’s Daniel
Boone and local vintner), and even a few tragic souls from the legendary
Jonestown massacre in Guyana from 1978; otherwise you’ve probably never heard
of most of these folks. </span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JkPZaOtzNpk/WDxZy3saFxI/AAAAAAAAKEc/QmfV2t4SovkK6ZeiaeegU9B8gRtD2G8nQCEw/s1600/GetFileAttachment-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JkPZaOtzNpk/WDxZy3saFxI/AAAAAAAAKEc/QmfV2t4SovkK6ZeiaeegU9B8gRtD2G8nQCEw/s400/GetFileAttachment-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 14.0pt;">In fact
author David Petry writes, “One couple, Alice and Charles Sedgewick Minot of
Boston, is buried in the cemetery although neither of them ever visited Santa
Barbara while alive. Alice Minot requested in her will that she be buried on a
beautiful site overlooking an ocean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her
husband, after sending his attorneys on an extensive search, selected the Santa
Barbara Cemetery.” The land goes back to 1867 as a burial place and was
originally a 5-acre parcel on what was then the outskirts of town. Today it
sits between the Four Seasons Biltmore and the Santa Barbara Zoo. There’s even
a 200-page book on the complete history of the cemetery, “The Best Last Place,”
written by the aforementioned David Petry, and quote from his book. Such is the
dedication of Santa Barbara natives and their love of local history…and
burials, I guess. A short walk across the thin grass amid palm tress, sunshine,
ocean breezes and headstones will give you a new perspective on life – if not,
go wine tasting.</span></div>
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Michael Cervinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968958743965757040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718210242825876105.post-12511795946921535892016-10-26T08:10:00.000-07:002016-10-26T08:10:19.172-07:00The Hot Chick – California Condor Makes Flight in Monterey<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tMW73p9Pxu4/WBDGikpfITI/AAAAAAAAJ_0/LTBQqo79mbcoU5qcgQj-2D0yEUrKFYsZwCEw/s1600/condor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="514" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tMW73p9Pxu4/WBDGikpfITI/AAAAAAAAJ_0/LTBQqo79mbcoU5qcgQj-2D0yEUrKFYsZwCEw/s640/condor.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <style><!--
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Betty the Condor, 2 months
old-NPS Photo by G. Emmons</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">An endangered female
California condor chick took flight from a nest in early October 2016 in
Pinnacles National Park in Monterey County, for the first time in more than 100
years. Earth-shattering news? Not to most people. Important beyond our scope of
understanding? Oh hell yes. The “historic flight,” as the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/pinn/index.htm" target="_blank"><b>Pinnacles NationalPark</b></a> people put it, was under the supervision of her parents, both of whom were
released into the wild through a partnership between the National Park Service
and <b><a href="http://www.ventanaws.org/" target="_blank">Ventana Wildlife Society</a>.</b> The chick, a hot little number in that
prehistoric beauty vibe, is unceremoniously known merely as Condor #828. Let’s
call her Betty.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DHqGYVR8QOI/WBDGeWS9teI/AAAAAAAAJ_w/-zK6WEa7yDkmxyG83iJgPBYkb59K6qxNwCEw/s1600/IMG_3786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DHqGYVR8QOI/WBDGeWS9teI/AAAAAAAAJ_w/-zK6WEa7yDkmxyG83iJgPBYkb59K6qxNwCEw/s640/IMG_3786.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pinnacles</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Volunteers and staff have
been observing the nest, found in a remote location in the park, since Betty’s
parents started incubating the egg in February. The five-and-a-half month old
chick piqued the attention of park biologists when she left the nest one month
earlier than expected. “Condors nesting in the wild and surviving on their own
is what it’s all about and this is yet another milestone towards that goal,”
says Kelly Sorenson, executive director of the Ventana Wildlife Society, which
first initiated condor releases in central California back in 1997. The federal
government and conservation groups have dedicated considerable resources to the
restoration of the condor population that was brought to the brink of
extinction in the 1980’s.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Condor #340 (dad) in the nest
with Betty-NPS Photo by G. Emmons</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“The young condor’s flight
from the nest gives us a strong sense of hope,” said Karen Beppler-Dorn,
superintendent of Pinnacles National Park. “However, our hope is tempered by
the challenges that still exist for her and all wild condors.” What
“challenges” might there be? Lead poisoning continues to hinder recovery of
these magnificent birds and they can become ill and die when they inadvertently
ingest fragments of lead ammunition in carcasses they feed upon that are left
over from hunting or ranching operations. “Condors and other scavenging
wildlife, such as eagles, benefit from carcass remains left behind, if non-lead
ammunition is used. Hunters and ranchers have a long-standing tradition of
wildlife conservation,” said Beppler-Dorn. “Shooters who have switched to
non-lead ammunition have made an invaluable contribution to the health of all
scavenging wildlife.” Of course loss of habitat due to human expansion is
always an issue as is pollution, be that water, air and even noise pollution.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">With continuing threats to
condor’s survival and recovery, volunteers contribute immeasurably towards the
protection of wildlife in the park, particularly the condors. Female condor
#236 (Betty’s mom) was first released from Big Sur and male condor #340 (Betty’s
dad) was released from Pinnacles. Now that Betty, has left the nest, she will
remain close to her parents as she learns where to go to forage for food and
how to interact with over 85 other condors in central California. These may
seem like small victories, but every instance where we as humans give respect
to the natural world only makes our physical world, and yes our spiritual
world, that much better.</span></div>
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Michael Cervinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968958743965757040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718210242825876105.post-81510199655940603542016-07-11T16:22:00.000-07:002016-07-12T06:18:54.072-07:00Helena Avenue Bakery – Good Bread in the Best Place<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“How can a nation be great if its bread tastes like
Kleenex?" - </span></i></b><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Julia Child</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></i></b></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j4rRyT2DX-4/V4QpcqosE6I/AAAAAAAAJ1U/hYQlVAIDklIHHJOtss8sYVoh62NzC59BQCKgB/s1600/IMG_3547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j4rRyT2DX-4/V4QpcqosE6I/AAAAAAAAJ1U/hYQlVAIDklIHHJOtss8sYVoh62NzC59BQCKgB/s400/IMG_3547.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Bread
is important. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Pastry
is supremely important.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">And
a good bakery is the cornerstone of civilization.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">At
least to me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">So
when I heard a new bakery was opening in Santa Barbara, I was delighted. For a
city the size of mine, we are woefully short of enough bakeries. Yes, we have a
few very good ones, but more is always better, and location is everything.<br />
<br />
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Oh0xBnTWdfc/V4Qpfib4lLI/AAAAAAAAJ1Y/Clbkpz0e8cMKACYlvboIu0gAcl3ivdnggCKgB/s1600/IMG_3542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Oh0xBnTWdfc/V4Qpfib4lLI/AAAAAAAAJ1Y/Clbkpz0e8cMKACYlvboIu0gAcl3ivdnggCKgB/s400/IMG_3542.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Housed in an industrial warehouse building and retrofitted to be hip and trendy
the <a href="http://www.acmehospitality.com/" target="_blank"><b>Helena Avenue Bakery</b></a> is the latest addition to an ongoing stunning change to
the <a href="https://funkzone.net/" target="_blank"><b>Funk Zone</b></a>, a former unsightly industrial area two blocks from the beach.
There are multiple tasting rooms, <a href="http://www.figmtnbrew.com/" target="_blank"><b>Figueroa Mountain Brewery</b></a>, a distillery, art galleries
and multiple places for food, like Mexican street food at Money’s, to food
trucks to <a href="http://www.sevensb.com/" target="_blank"><b>Seven Bar & Kitchen,</b></a> Lucky Penny and <b><a href="http://www.thelarksb.com/" target="_blank">The Lark</a></b> - these last two
owned and operated by Sherry Villanueva, who started the bakery. “Having a
bakery was a logical progression for us,” Sherry Villanueva told me when I
stopped in. “It’s exciting to see the growth in high quality businesses opening
up in the Funk Zone. The need for a wholesome bakery that appeals to
people of all ages became quite clear to us as the neighborhood continues to
unfold.”</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YjG2nl3esPE/V4QpiDqBvzI/AAAAAAAAJ1c/bsVTIwdWfzU94k3rKNoWb2GSozu7HfIBgCKgB/s1600/IMG_3532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YjG2nl3esPE/V4QpiDqBvzI/AAAAAAAAJ1c/bsVTIwdWfzU94k3rKNoWb2GSozu7HfIBgCKgB/s400/IMG_3532.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">And
the Funk Zone is unfolding rapidly and smartly. “We are trying to build a sense
of neighborhood,” Sherry says. “It's not about making a quick buck, It's about
building the long-term relationships.” Helena Avenue Bakery serves as a
wholesale bakery providing custom-baked goods for Lucky Penny, The Lark, Les
Marchands and other coffee shops and restaurants throughout Santa Barbara. What’s
cool is that now it’s open for retail, via a shared door of the Santa Barbara Wine
Collective. And Helena Avenue Bakery has a two pronged approach: bakery and picnic
lunches. The bakery offers various quiche selections with a deftly crispy
crust; baguettes; walnut batards; ciabatta bread not to mention egg croissants
with arugula pesto and prosciutto; apricot-thyme croissants; and cookies
including their rich peanut butter.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RmRF5MnYwGs/V4Qpm3F03lI/AAAAAAAAJ1k/EAQXMknqPOAllXkKlRs-74ihsmxMTaNpACKgB/s1600/IMG_3537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RmRF5MnYwGs/V4Qpm3F03lI/AAAAAAAAJ1k/EAQXMknqPOAllXkKlRs-74ihsmxMTaNpACKgB/s400/IMG_3537.jpg" width="378" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">But
there is also The Picnic Counter offering prepared foods for
take-away like house pickled veggies; couscous salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumber
and feta cheese; Brussels sprouts Caesar salad; focaccia with roasted corn, pasilla
peppers, queso fresco and cilantro; and fried chicken sandwich on ciabatta. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">These
foods are ideal for dining on-site, or heading the scant two blocks to the
beach or picnics around the Santa Barbara area. Open 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily,
bread is now king in the Funk Zone! So check it out, eat up and enjoy some of
the best of Santa Barbara.</span><br />
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</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YITm6_T0VuQ/V4QpkTcZhTI/AAAAAAAAJ1g/srf8pb7JuRMT6PITOp82uzu-ljEAoCvDQCLcB/s1600/IMG_3534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YITm6_T0VuQ/V4QpkTcZhTI/AAAAAAAAJ1g/srf8pb7JuRMT6PITOp82uzu-ljEAoCvDQCLcB/s640/IMG_3534.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Michael Cervinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968958743965757040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718210242825876105.post-43675068864851836782016-05-13T10:17:00.000-07:002016-05-13T10:17:39.133-07:00Baby You Can Drive My Car: West Coast Kustoms<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I’m not really a car guy.
Sure, old cars are cool and I’ve detoured to see the Bonnie and Clyde death car
and visited auto museums in Vegas, Los Angeles and Texas just because you have
to appreciate the workmanship and often sheer beauty that the American
automobile represents, let alone the rest of the world’s great automakers. But
when I heard the original Batmobile will be at the 35th West <a href="http://www.westcoastkustoms.com/" target="_blank">Coast KustomsCrusin’ Nationals</a> in Santa Maria (May 27-29) well, you need to know about this.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">800 auto entries are expected
with cars from as far away as New Jersey and Texas as well as an entry owned by
James Hetfield of the band Metallica. The event is open to American-made autos
that were manufactured prior to 1961 so you get classic, historic and downright
American originals. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f_AzHuz_dWk/VzYLbF6U8kI/AAAAAAAAJsw/99guHx3KQ4Agv7JASVC83kV8d8lM7KJWACKgB/s1600/1900x900_batmobile_53dad228cfc437.39159705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f_AzHuz_dWk/VzYLbF6U8kI/AAAAAAAAJsw/99guHx3KQ4Agv7JASVC83kV8d8lM7KJWACKgB/s400/1900x900_batmobile_53dad228cfc437.39159705.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">As a tribute to George
Barris, who died in November of 2015 and the creator of the original Batmobile,
the actual Batmobile will be brought to the event by his family. Designed
exclusively for the 1966 "Batman" TV show starring Adam West and Burt
Ward, this sleek was styled and engineered with many different special effects
innovations by Barris Kustom Industries. Originally it started off as a
$250,000 1955 Ford Lincoln Futura concept car originally built in Italy. Barris
bought the car directly from Ford for a buck, and started working on it. With a
deadline of three weeks before the cameras were ready to roll, this Lincoln was
transformed into one of the world’s most famous cars and it had its TV debut on
January 12th 1966. Sure I watched the show as a kid but in 2015 when in
Hollywood I went to original Bat Cave where the car was filmed zooming in and
out of the cave, located on the path up to the Hollywood sign.</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nnsZfIuZaRE/VzYLdq8qQrI/AAAAAAAAJs0/whWAFCLamOcYtjZrd6L2N-BZ89c5qL43ACKgB/s1600/image1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nnsZfIuZaRE/VzYLdq8qQrI/AAAAAAAAJs0/whWAFCLamOcYtjZrd6L2N-BZ89c5qL43ACKgB/s400/image1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the real Bat Cave in Hollywood</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Besides the Batmobile and
other cool customized cars there are live bands, food booths, a ton of vendors
and presentations of auto-customizing. All in all, I’d say it will be a smooth
ride. </span></div>
</div>
Michael Cervinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968958743965757040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718210242825876105.post-78287936058735366732015-11-06T10:05:00.002-08:002015-11-06T10:06:05.091-08:00Raptors Poetic – Of Ojai, Eagles and Owls<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F8VwTDAIb44/VjzrCg4FSZI/AAAAAAAAJOs/93Nyf7shY-8/s1600/orc2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F8VwTDAIb44/VjzrCg4FSZI/AAAAAAAAJOs/93Nyf7shY-8/s640/orc2.JPG" width="484" /></a></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Birds of Prey.</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;"> Sounds pretty cool. But
what does it actually mean?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“Raptors”
is a word given wider accessibility because of Jurassic Park when the clever
thinking raptor dinosaurs decided to attack the humans killing that Australian
dude. That notwithstanding, raptors are actually birds of prey, meaning they
eat meat.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Yes, some birds are vegetarians,
but for raptors, meat is what’s for dinner. The official definition: A raptor
is a bird of prey that uses its sharp talons to catch and kill live animals. The
word raptor comes from the Latin word <i>rapere</i> which means “to snatch or
grab.” According to the <a href="http://www.ojairaptorcenter.org/" target="_blank"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ojai Raptor Center</b></a>
people often group Vultures into this category but they are not genetically
related (the birds, not the people), and do not hunt live prey. </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OpjTs0-xiG4/Vjzq-ns4BfI/AAAAAAAAJOk/osallisrn5I/s1600/orc1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OpjTs0-xiG4/Vjzq-ns4BfI/AAAAAAAAJOk/osallisrn5I/s400/orc1.JPG" width="358" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;">The
Ojai Raptor Center (ORC) opens their doors to the public twice yearly and it is
a fantastic chance to see these rehabilitated birds up close, within a few feet
actually, and marvel at the stunning grace, agility, beauty and all around
wonder of these birds. I recently visited, and the next time they open up, you
should too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;">The
fee is a mere $5 per person, about the cost of a lame Starbucks coffee drink –
and you get <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">way </i></b>more. The ORC is housed in what used to be an honor farm –
a place for juvenile delinquents - and now is home to multiple non-profits, of which
ORC holds a great place with open aviaries, a small theatre, a Kids Corner and
a stage. There are bird pelts (which you can touch), live birds, and eggs on
display and this is meant to be a place of wonder, a place to connect with the
best of nature and remind ourselves that we as humans, though probably smarter
and more able to use logic, pale in comparison to the sheer beauty and jaw
dropping efficient design of these birds who actually have to hunt for their
food, not sit at a drive-thru. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ELPtEbc_Wis/VjzrKKcxewI/AAAAAAAAJO8/WAdkuU6JxwM/s1600/orc4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ELPtEbc_Wis/VjzrKKcxewI/AAAAAAAAJO8/WAdkuU6JxwM/s400/orc4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;">All of the birds at ORC are birds that have
suffered some injury and are being rehabilitated in Ojai, given new life and a
reimagined purpose. What’s great is that each bird has a name and the caretaker
for that bird, perched on their gloved hand, knows virtually everything about
their bird. No, you can’t pet them (again, the birds, not the people), but you
can get closer than you ever could in the wild. </span></div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5n8Khvv46tM/VjzrGBcKqEI/AAAAAAAAJO0/AWj5ozmmERc/s1600/orc3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5n8Khvv46tM/VjzrGBcKqEI/AAAAAAAAJO0/AWj5ozmmERc/s400/orc3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;">You’ll
see owls, falcons, eagles, vultures and other very cool birds. It’s a great
place for kids though many of the adults were as transfixed as the kids were.
So remind yourself that we share this planet with other species and that we
have an obligation, since we sit atop the food chain, to protect, safeguard and
treat well all other species. In doing so we become better animals ourselves. A
visit is not an all day occurrence, and it’s a 10-minute drive to Ojai, and
you’re right near Casitas Lake for fishing or boating, so fly up to Ojai and
prepare to be amazed. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jsso8y3Mbd0/VjzrM2KgMzI/AAAAAAAAJPA/9VbrycYau-M/s1600/IMG_2756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jsso8y3Mbd0/VjzrM2KgMzI/AAAAAAAAJPA/9VbrycYau-M/s640/IMG_2756.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wingspans on some birds is bigger than me!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
Michael Cervinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968958743965757040noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718210242825876105.post-32364374821587937382015-11-03T09:58:00.000-08:002015-11-03T10:01:07.001-08:00Found It. Discovering Eureka!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X70253txxiM/Vjj05U1fbYI/AAAAAAAAJN0/TlPT5va8XXs/s1600/IMG_2788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X70253txxiM/Vjj05U1fbYI/AAAAAAAAJN0/TlPT5va8XXs/s400/IMG_2788.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I’m typically not a fan of
chain restaurants because as food writer for the last decade (Santa Barbara
News Press, Gayot.com) there are plenty of individual restaurants that are
worthy of your dollars. Also typically, chain restaurants are either so homogenized,
bland and tedious or, like the Planet Hollywood concept, it’s all about a
barrage of stimulation, a perfect place to eat if you have ADHD. But Eureka!
elevates food and drink creating a more local experience while still crafting
creative, consistent food. The <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Santa
Barbara</b> location uses reclaimed wood walls to encompass the interior, and
the indoor and outdoor seating and open windows expand the look and casual
vibe. One of Eureka’s selling points is that they feature American made craft
beers and whiskies, not mainstream ones like Jack Daniels or Sam Adams, but
small batch stuff. In fact they carry 58 whiskies at their brown spirits bar and
30 craft beers, which are constantly rotating. And each restaurant utilizes
local ingredients and, if possible as is the case here in Santa Barbara, offers
local brews and whiskies – we have <a href="http://www.ascendantspirits.com/" target="_blank"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">AscendantSpirits</b></a> in Buellton and Eureka carries some of their very good spirits.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CTNCcmzXWO0/Vjj1BS-1lQI/AAAAAAAAJOE/kZdqIOefP28/s1600/IMG_2786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="373" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CTNCcmzXWO0/Vjj1BS-1lQI/AAAAAAAAJOE/kZdqIOefP28/s400/IMG_2786.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fried Chicken Sliders and Scarves and Yoga Pants</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I stopped in recently (I’ve
been several times) to sample a new seasonal dish - <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Fried Chicken Sliders</b> ($11.50), and cocktail - <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Scarves and Yoga Pants</b> ($12, see recipe below). The two sliders
served with hand cut fries is crispy pieces of chicken, herb mashed potatoes,
what they call confetti slaw and their spicy reaper chili sauce with plenty of
heat and spice. The lightly toasted but is a counterpoint to the crisp chicken
and crunchy slaw and the reaper, while not deadly, is a spicy-hot concoction. The cocktail (you need not
wear <a href="http://www.lululemon.com/stores/us/santa-barbara/santabarbara" target="_blank"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">lululemon</b></a> to drink this) uses rye
whiskey, a pumpkin spiced simple syrup and cream among other ingredients to
make a near milk shake-like drink which is mild on the rye, offering that
coveted pumpkin note with a creamy viscosity –perfect to warm you up and the
fall temperatures drop.</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span>
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7uIyXwrS2o/Vjj0-dcISRI/AAAAAAAAJN8/ccZviq38syw/s1600/IMG_2787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7uIyXwrS2o/Vjj0-dcISRI/AAAAAAAAJN8/ccZviq38syw/s400/IMG_2787.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pearl Street Blues Burger</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Of course Eureka! has a
terrific menu including a Jalapeño Egg Burger ($12) that uses a fried egg atop
a burger with cheddar cheese, bacon, and a spicy chipotle sauce. Rich and moist,
sloppy and spicy this meets every expectation. The egg gives a creamy gooiness
to the burger and the spiciness from the jalapeno is potent but not
overwhelming. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">There are small plates, and
appetizers like the Lollipop Corn Dogs ($7.50) which are five small round
Polish sausages breaded in sweet corn batter, deep fried and served with three
dipping sauces including a porter mustard sauce, a house made ketchup, and a
cheddar cheese IPA dip which, for my tastes is delightfully rich and savory and
the better sauce. The Bruschetta ($7) is five toasted baguette slices topped
with ripe diced tomato, basil goat cheese, lemon zest and balsamic vinaigrette.
This is fairly typical of bruschetta however the spreadable goat cheese adds a
savory element and creamy texture. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The Cobb Salad ($12) is a mix
of grilled chicken, crumbled blue cheese, hardboiled egg, avocado, bacon, onion
and a spicy ranch dressing. There is spicy heat on the dressing and the ingredients
are fresh and clean with definable flavors. It's the totality of the various
components which make this work. The dressing too, minimally applied, provides an
extra dimension of flavor. If you haven’t tried Eureka! Yet, now is the time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">601 Paseo Nuevo, Santa
Barbara</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">(805) 618-3388,
<a href="http://eurekarestaurantgroup.com/">eurekarestaurantgroup.com</a></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Scarves and Yoga Pants</span></u></b></div>
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<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 221.4pt;" valign="top" width="221"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">1 1/2 oz Rittenhouse Rye
Whiskey</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">1 oz Pumpkin Spiced Simple
Syrup</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">1/2 oz Orange Juice</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">1/2 oz Lemon Juice</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">1/4 oz Heavy Cream</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">3/4 oz Egg Whites</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">2 dash Herbal Bitters</span></div>
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Michael Cervinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968958743965757040noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718210242825876105.post-68291765590838905222015-10-18T06:17:00.001-07:002015-10-18T06:17:55.642-07:00Santa Barbara’s Best Sandwich Shop<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The sandwich is the workhorse
of lunch no matter where you go: quick, portable and inexpensive, estimates say
that Americans eat 300 million each day. The sandwich as we know it was
popularized in England in 1762 by John Montagu, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the 4th Earl of Sandwich</b>; yes as goofy as it sounds it’s true.
Sure, meat between bread was around long before the 1700s no doubt, but
regardless of the historical particulars, we all want meat between bread. So
here in Santa Barbara, and since 1991, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">South
Coast Deli</b> still reigns as the best sandwich shop in town. There are
multiple South Coast Delis scattered around Santa Barbara and Goleta and inside
any SCD at lunchtime it’s a bustling place; lots of hungry people and
infectious music regulating the environment. There is a semi-industrial feel to
the interiors, practical really, and there is free wireless to keep you
occupied. You might consider calling in your lunch order ahead of time as waits
can be about 20 minutes if you order at the counter. What has always impressed
me at the various locations I’ve been to over the years is the consistent level
of service and quality. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-io5_T6fFkg0/ViObS-KjQCI/AAAAAAAAJMA/w5z_fiT0rxE/s1600/photo-196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-io5_T6fFkg0/ViObS-KjQCI/AAAAAAAAJMA/w5z_fiT0rxE/s400/photo-196.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the Phatty!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Sandwiches, both hot and cold
varieties are the focus here and bread choices include sourdough, rye, wheat,
Italian roll, wheat roll, and croissant. I’m very partial to the Phatty - chicken
salad with bacon, avocado and a basil-mayo and the Toasted Sweet and Savory
Pork - roasted pork loin, mayo, red onions, arugula, and red pepper-horseradish
jelly on a lightly toasted Italian roll. There are 3 dozen sandwiches to choose
from. But there are also <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">salads </b>like
the Asian Greens with Chicken which is a huge salad including Napa cabbage, regular
cabbage, bok choy, carrots, green onions, cilantro, a smattering of black
sesame seeds, and crispy won ton strips, with a sweet and spicy sesame
dressing. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_2e2QTSd4IY/ViObWR8ji7I/AAAAAAAAJMI/VNliauUG8pw/s1600/photo-194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_2e2QTSd4IY/ViObWR8ji7I/AAAAAAAAJMI/VNliauUG8pw/s320/photo-194.jpg" width="155" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">There are a handful of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">vegetarian options</b> and you might
consider the Caprese, which is a grilled and pressed sandwich with mayo, lots
of tomato, pesto and mozzarella cheese on sourdough bread. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Breakfasts</b> include the spicy Max’s Breakfast Sammie, which is
scrambled eggs, bacon, tomato, pepper jack cheese with a garlic-Tabasco
mayonnaise on grilled sourdough bread. For a spicy morning wake up this
sandwich will fit that bill. The success of South Coast Deli is that they are
not afraid of bold flavors and in this world of benign foods, flavor is king.
So if you’re visiting Santa Barbara, or you live here but haven’t tried <a href="http://southcoastdeli.com/" target="_blank">SOUTHCOAST DELI,</a> do check it out. </span></div>
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Michael Cervinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968958743965757040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718210242825876105.post-88049426033103722462015-08-09T08:52:00.000-07:002015-08-09T08:53:31.232-07:00For Whom the Bell Tolls: California’s El Camino Real <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">As you drive Highway 101 from
Ventura up through Paso Robles and beyond you will notice a re-occurring sign
on the side of the road. It looks like a shepherd’s crook with a bell on it and
a brown sign that only says El Camino Real, “The Kings Highway.” They are
peppered along a nearly 600-mile route in California. Why? </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">At the same time that our
early forefathers, the American colonists, were rebelling against England on
the East Coast, here on the West Coast a handful of Spaniards and Mexicans
established a series of churches (missions) and forts (presidios) up the
California coast which was at that time part of Spain. The first was in 1769 at
San Diego where they established a fort and the very first California mission –
though there were many others already in New Mexico and Texas. A footpath,
called the El Camino Real was created to connect each of the subsequent
missions as they were constructed. Each mission was situated in areas where
large populations of native Indians lived and where the soil was fertile enough
to sustain crops, typically near water sources. As time progressed and more
missions were built the footpath became a roadway wide enough to accommodate
horses and wagons. It was not, however, until the last mission in Sonoma was
completed in 1823, that this little pathway became a real route. Each mission
was designed to be a day’s travel from the next, well at least in theory, all
linked by El Camino Real. Ultimately El Camino Real linked all of California’s
21 missions, pueblos and four presidios from San Diego to Sonoma. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Installing one of the early bells</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">So when California was just
52 years old (it became a state in 1850) a plan to mark the original route was
developed in 1902 by the General Federation of Women’s Clubs in Los Angeles – I
guess they had some free time. The design, chosen by Mrs. A.S.C. Forbes, used a
mission bell supported by a staff in the shape of a Franciscan walking stick. In
1904 the El Camino Real Association was formed in order to preserve and maintain
California’s historic road. The first bell was placed in 1906 in front of the
Old Plaza Church in downtown Los Angeles and it was made of cast iron, weighed
100 pounds and stood 11 feet off the ground by iron tubing. Eventually, there
were approximately 158 bells installed along the Camino Real by 1915. As I
mentioned, the bells were made of cast iron but all that did was encourage
theft and the number of original bells plummeted to about 75, therefore new
bells of concrete were made and installed and frankly who wants to steal a hunk
of concrete? </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mrs. Forbes</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">At any rate, Highway 101 loosely follows this original footpath so
as you make your way to Santa Barbara, Ventura, Monterey or any place else
along the Central Coast, you’re driving a piece of history. You may not
remember the King of Spain for whom the road was named, or Mrs. Forbes who
designed the bells, and certainly you have no idea of the names of all the
volunteers who cast, created and installed the bells, but you are nonetheless a
continuum of the historical chronicle of people using the King’s Highway. For
more stuff on California and the Central Coast check out either of my travel
books, Moon California Wine Country, and California Road Trip.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CDqdc05BEjs/Vcd1mtDWESI/AAAAAAAAI_U/JDBpYuEMyj8/s1600/CWC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CDqdc05BEjs/Vcd1mtDWESI/AAAAAAAAI_U/JDBpYuEMyj8/s1600/CWC.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Moon-California-Wine-Country-Handbooks/dp/1598805959" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KZI6cD8o9uk/Vcd1lV6qH_I/AAAAAAAAI_M/VkB8s79fLxk/s1600/CRT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KZI6cD8o9uk/Vcd1lV6qH_I/AAAAAAAAI_M/VkB8s79fLxk/s1600/CRT.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Moon-California-Road-Trip-Francisco/dp/1612381448" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a></td></tr>
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Michael Cervinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968958743965757040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718210242825876105.post-35017642948929285572015-07-09T10:08:00.000-07:002015-07-09T10:10:24.448-07:00Reaching for the Peak- Figueroa Mountain Brewery Continues to Climb<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">If
you're ever in the Santa Ynez Valley the dominating feature against the lithe
blue skyline is always Figueroa Mountain, peaking at 4,500 feet. It was under
the shadow of this geographical landmark that the father and son team of Jim
and Jamie Dietenhofer decided it would be a good idea to start a brewery and in
2010 the <a href="http://www.figmtnbrew.com/" target="_blank"><b>Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co.</b></a> (or just Fig Mountain as we locals call
it) was born. For years of the dominant brewery on the Central Coast has been the
powerhouse Firestone-Walker. Sure there have been smaller microbrews popping up
here and there including Telegraph Brewing, Island Brewing, and a handful of
others but really that was like comparing apple to oranges, or hops to grapes.
You had the really big guy, and the many smaller guys. And you now have Fig
Mountain.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">What’s
impressive about Figueroa Mountain Brewery is not only their selection of
beers, obviously, but also that they have doubled in size every year since
their inception and kept the quality level high. Craft beer is nothing new, but
what Fig Mountain has done is to create a huge step up from mass marketed beer (like
Bud and Coors) and found a sweet spot for true local craft beer lovers on the
Central Coast. They have multiple taprooms in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo
Counties and I recently visited the newest taproom with an attached restaurant
in Arroyo Grande (locals call it “AG”), just south of San Luis Obispo. They
have a solid selection of their core beers including personal favorites of mine
the Danish Red Lager, and Lizards Mouth IPA - so named for a great hiking place
on the San Marcos Pass. In fact all of their core of beers have names and
hand-drawn labels that are reflective of Santa Barbara. What's great about
their core, seasonal and specialty beers is not only the clean fresh crisp
nature of them, but they are wonderfully balanced and work ideally with food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Fish Tacos!</td></tr>
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The AG taproom food is a mix of full entrées and more traditional bar pub food
like salads, soup and burgers. I was partial on my visit to the fish tacos with
crispy cod, cabbage and a cilantro cream, the surprisingly crispy baked beer
pretzel, and the earthy and spicy carnitas nachos. The food side of this
particular partnership in Arroyo Grande is with a family who started in the restaurant
business in 1954 and wisely the Dietenhofer’s turned that portion over to
people who know what they're doing so they could focus on what they are doing.
Smart move. The AG spot also has live music, both indoor and outdoor seating and
is ideal for families even though it will run loud inside. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z1TufoukF9o/VZ6pNwoZvuI/AAAAAAAAI3s/jeuYQjb0a9o/s1600/IMG_1579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z1TufoukF9o/VZ6pNwoZvuI/AAAAAAAAI3s/jeuYQjb0a9o/s400/IMG_1579.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">And for those who want to explore more beers, from micro-micobreweries to Fig
Mountain and Firestone Walker there’s a service called <a href="https://www.hoponbeertours.com/" target="_blank"><b>Hop On Beer Tours</b></a>, which
hits up breweries from Paso Robles to Buellton. Owner Brant Myers is, shall we
say, obsessed with beer always on the lookout for seasonal, short-term and
specialty offerings, whatever may be of interest and unique. “I go geocaching
for beers,” he tells me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So if you're a visitor to the Central Coast, or if you're local, and you
haven't tried Figueroa Mountain Brewery you need to do yourself a favor and
check out one of their locations in Santa Barbera (the Funk Zone), Buellton,
Santa Maria, the newest addition in Arroyo Grande and coming soon will be
Westlake Village and San Luis Obispo. The Central Coast has a long history with
wine, but the beers are coming on strong. And check out my Moon Travel Book
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Moon-California-Road-Trip-Francisco/dp/1612381448" target="_blank"><b>California Road Trip</b></a> for all sorts of wines and beer up and down the state.</span></div>
Michael Cervinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968958743965757040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718210242825876105.post-22948474949795749252015-06-28T15:19:00.001-07:002015-06-28T15:19:11.229-07:00The Bliss of De-Stressing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">It’s no surprise that people are feel stressed. Life is a
series of ups and downs. Stocks sink, retirements plans plummet, even interest
bearing savings accounts cam take a swan dive into a shallow pool. Friends and
family get sick, we have grievances with neighbors, our health or the health of
loved ones declines. Money, or lack of it, is one of the biggest stressors in our
lives. While the economy is something we can’t do much about, our spiritual
health is. In Santa Barbara, there are spiritual retreats, which will help you
detox, refocus and energize. Even a walk at Leadbetter Beach is better than
bemoaning our fate (at least as we perceive it) and spiraling into a
depression. Sometime we need a day or two to unplug, to have time to reconnect
with yourself, free from the constraints of day-to-day routines. Taking care of
the spirit, mind and body are essential to weathering the uncertainty we all
face. These Santa Barbara area retreats offer a wide range of options, pricing
and locations to enable anyone to face their stress without getting buried by
it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">La Casa de Maria</b>
in Montecito has been hosting retreats for 55 years. The drive into the hills
above Montecito will begin to relax you even before you leave your car. The old
oaks, some more than 300 years old, have withstood every economic downturn. The
Immaculate Heart retreat house and neighboring Hermitage are the ideal choices
for individuals, couples, even a small family seeking time away. The original
manor house, built in the 1920s feels more like a B& B than a Spartan
monastic experience. The Hermitage house is more sedate with fewer amenities. Either
way, as Juliet Spohn Twomey, associate director who oversees the ecumenical
approach to the center says, “People come here to discern their next step.” The
current economic crisis however is not current at all. “The economy wasn’t
working long before this crisis, it was driving mother earth into the ground,”
she says. They offer vegetarian and vegan meals, as well as meat and fish for
the spiritual carnivore. Three acres of orchards and organic gardens allow for
the physical to be nourished in concert with the spiritual. A large formal
dining room utilizes some foods grown in the garden. Like every retreat center,
the goal is, “restoration through silence,” and there is a 10 p.m. noise curfew
throughout the entire 26 acres. There is also a pool, volleyball court, even
massage services, and lodging for larger groups. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.immaculateheartcenter.org/" target="_blank"> www.immaculateheartcenter.org</a></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Views from White Lotus</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The White Lotus
Foundation</b>, formed in 1983, has been dedicated to the principles of yoga
ever since. Founder Ganga White has been involved with yoga for 40 years and
sees the current situation in America as a blessing in disguise. “Everything’s
in flux right now and we have an opportunity to change our lives,” he says. “What’s
needed is a transformation in consciousness.” The Personal Retreat Program
allows you to stay in a yurt surrounded by bay laurels and oak trees where you
can meditate and do yoga, all with views to the islands. Meals are not
included, but with the proximity to upper State Street you have an abundance of
choices, or you can bring your own food. Natural swimming holes, a 30-foot
waterfall and two miles of hiking trails are located less than eight miles up
Highway 154. “We have everything we need on this planet to feed everybody, to
take care of everybody,” White says. “We have to shift our perspective. There’s
definitely a light at the end of the tunnel,” he believes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.whitelotus.org/">www.whitelotus.org</a></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunburst</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Sunburst Sanctuary</b>
sits on a stunning 2,000 acres of ranch land studded with oak trees off Highway
1. They offer private retreats, a Hopi labyrinth, meditation facilities and
organic food. Eight private cedar wood cabins are available for individuals or
couples who desire a mini retreat, though alcohol, smoking and dogs are not
permitted. Maximum stay is one week. Sunburst offers Sunday mediation beginning
at 10:30 a.m. which is followed by a vegetarian brunch. “If guests just want to
shut the door and be by themselves, that’s okay,” founder Patricia Paulsen
advises. “I’ve been doing this for 39 years and I’ve learned to take care of
your own garden, let people do what’s best for their station in life,” she
says. Sunburst is a residential community of about 25 people who work the land
and raise cattle. Patricia is keenly aware of the need most people feel these
days to reconnect with something meaningful. “Right now people are reawakening,
working with energy, being more conscious.” The suggested donation for a cabin
is $65 per night. There is also the option of driving to Lompoc or Buellton for
food, which is a 30-minute drive from the secluded ranch, but given the
serenity of the environment, consider bringing your own food and cook on site. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.sunburstonline.org/">www.sunburstonline.org</a></span><br />
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Michael Cervinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968958743965757040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718210242825876105.post-51599444803388873112014-12-01T09:50:00.000-08:002014-12-01T09:51:21.879-08:00Butterflies ARE Free: Monarch’s of the Central Coast<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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</style><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Butterflies:
the wallflower of the insect world - I mean, who really notices these little floating soundless works of art? But these beautiful little creatures
undergo one of the most amazing transformations from caterpillar to butterfly,
something that I witness every year with the butterflies in my back yard. The
Central Coast is home to three <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Monarch Butterfly
Preserves</b> where you can get up close, and somewhat personal with these
beauties. And if you know little about them, I use this case study from my own
yard in Santa Barbara, where my wife and I have specifically cultivated butterflies
by planting milkweed. Eggs hatch on the milkweed plants, and the caterpillars
consume, actually nearly decimate, the milkweed plant for food, all leaves and
even stems. When ready the caterpillars find a place to spin their cocoon, and
then form into butterflies, then return to lay eggs on the milkweed plant. It’s
a cool cycle you can make happen in your yard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GYG07l-ltGE/VHypRRq_vzI/AAAAAAAAIMs/uT161abgj9Y/s1600/IMG_7227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GYG07l-ltGE/VHypRRq_vzI/AAAAAAAAIMs/uT161abgj9Y/s1600/IMG_7227.JPG" height="336" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">In
2014 I noticed that after monitoring the caterpillars, one had decided to spin
its cocoon on the doorjamb of the doorway into my garage. What astounded me was
the trek this little guy made. From the milkweed plant it is 18-feet and 4-inches
across my erratic, pot-holed lawn. From there he needed to climb up a 5-inch
concrete rise to get to the top of the flagstone deck. Crossing the flagstone
is another 9-feet and 3-inches to get to the garage door. Then he climbs straight
up the door 8-feet, moves over 1-foot to settle comfortable (we hope) in the
dead center of the top of the doorjamb. If you tally that up, it’s a total of
37 feet - a hell of a journey. What possess them I have no idea. Certainly some
make their cocoon closer than this, but this is a reminder that nature offers a
spectacular lesson if we choose to notice the small things. With a typical
lifespan of a paltry 2 to 6 weeks (some live 6 months) when you see them,
remind yourself of the singular beauty of life, the intense but short life
stages they go through, and that the will to survive is strong. So wing on over
to one of these Central Coast spots to take a closer look and be astonished by
the world around you.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-59Bc4Anx-0I/VHypJIBLkdI/AAAAAAAAIMU/KUQ4qyhUly0/s1600/IMG_8551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-59Bc4Anx-0I/VHypJIBLkdI/AAAAAAAAIMU/KUQ4qyhUly0/s1600/IMG_8551.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">There he is! Smack dab in the middle of the garage door!</span></td></tr>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">San Luis Obispo:</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
largest butterfly preserve on the Central Coast is the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Pismo Beach Butterfly Grove</b> (Highway 1 just south of North Pismo
State Beach Campground, 805/473-7220), which sees the return of butterflies
each November through February when tens of thousands of Monarch’s migrate to
this small grove of eucalyptus trees near the beach to mate. On average there
are about 30,000 of these silent winged creatures and the trees are often
transformed into brilliant shades of orange after their 2,000 mile journey to
get here. Docents staff the area and give brief but fascinating talks about the
butterflies and their very unique but short lives. It’s free to walk into the
grove, free to hear the docents and there’s a short boardwalk that leads to the
beach near a large picnic area where you hit the low sand dunes and cypress
trees near the waters edge. Parking is along the side of the road so use
caution when crossing as this is a busy street.<a href="http://www.monarchbutterfly.org/" target="_blank"> Monarchbutterfly.org</a></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8jEFMEMxlzY/VHypMjrT7fI/AAAAAAAAIMc/YvcsRzT6ixs/s1600/IMG_8685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8jEFMEMxlzY/VHypMjrT7fI/AAAAAAAAIMc/YvcsRzT6ixs/s1600/IMG_8685.JPG" height="297" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This beauty just came out in my backyard</td></tr>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Santa Barbara:</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Monarchs are
usually found in Goleta from mid-November through mid-February and
docents are available on weekends from 11a.m. to 2 p.m. during these months.
This is the smallest of the three groves and is available for
viewing every day during daylight hours and it’s free. The <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Goleta Butterfly Grove</b> (Ellwood Main)
is in the Sperling Preserve on the Ellwood Mesa in Goleta, just north of
downtown Santa Barbara. Free parking is available. <a href="http://www.goletabutterflygrove.com/" target="_blank">Goleta Butterfly</a></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AdFjGQrFXwQ/VHypOzjKErI/AAAAAAAAIMk/M9z56RVKr8Q/s1600/butterflies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AdFjGQrFXwQ/VHypOzjKErI/AAAAAAAAIMk/M9z56RVKr8Q/s1600/butterflies.JPG" height="333" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The grove in Pacific Grove, near Monterey</td></tr>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Monterey</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Pacific Grove Monarch Preserve</b> (1073
Ridge Rd., Pacific Grove) is located behind a salmon-colored butterfly-themed
motel. There are, on average, about 10,000 butterflies that come here yearly,
and why not, Pacific Grove is stunningly beautiful! The best time to view
these silent creatures is October through March. There’s usually a docent on
hand to answer questions and explain about the short life of these amazing
creatures. There is a free street parking nearby and the grove is free to enter. <a href="http://www.pacificgrove.org/" target="_blank">Pacific Grove Butterfly</a></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YmPwIWaTwI8/VHypWvmKtbI/AAAAAAAAIM8/f4yyYqXG3P4/s1600/IMG_7219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YmPwIWaTwI8/VHypWvmKtbI/AAAAAAAAIM8/f4yyYqXG3P4/s1600/IMG_7219.JPG" height="562" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also from my backyard. Absolutely stunning!</td></tr>
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</div>
Michael Cervinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968958743965757040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718210242825876105.post-68896508327702869772014-09-19T10:00:00.000-07:002014-11-16T11:39:30.761-08:00Food 4 Thought: Restaurant Review - Four Seasons Afternoon Tea<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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</style><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Four
Seasons Biltmore</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">1260
Channel Dr., Montecito</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">565-8237 </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Hours:
Friday and Saturday, 2 to 4 p.m.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Afternoon
Tea has a tradition dating back to the 1840s in England - though the origins of
tea drinking stem from China. Allegedly Anna, 7<sup>th</sup> Duchess of
Bedford, was feeling a bit peckish in between the usual two mealtimes in
England, breakfast and dinner, so the Duchess decided a pot of tea and a light
snack would suffice. One thing lead to another and everyone copied her –
meaning that afternoon tea became a socially accepted practice, thus resulting
in tea parties. Ah, England. Though we hearty Americans won the war of Independence,
the civility and properness of British afternoon tea can still be experienced
at the most non-British of places, the <a href="http://www.fourseasons.com/santabarbara/" target="_blank">Four Seasons Biltmore</a> here in Santa
Barbara, which has been offering tea since 1987. Is it a more formal experience?
Yes. Should you go? Yes, at least once if you’ve never experienced it, and you
needn’t wear wacky hats, but I do suggest it.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wacky British Tea Hats!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
Full Afternoon Tea ($33) includes two courses; a first course of finger
sandwiches and a second course of pastries, scones and other hedonistic snacks.
There are a dozen teas to choose from: standard offerings like Earl Grey
(rather proper, eh Giles?) to peppermint herbal, and Japanese sencha. You can
upgrade to the Montecito Tea ($36), which adds a glass of Sherry, or the Royal
Tea ($39), which adds a glass of Champagne or Kir Royale.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
finger sandwiches arrive first and these will change seasonally. My visit
included a cranberry-turkey salad sandwich with spinach on sourdough with
delightful savory note; a smoked salmon with watercress greens on pumpernickel
topped with beets which is piquant but slightly overpowered by the bread;
and a cucumber, Point Reyes blue cheese, arugula, mix on raisin walnut bread
topped with sliced poached pears. The poaching of the pears however removes the
citric notes, which would actually enhance the flavors.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The smoked salmon, watercress and pumpernickel</td></tr>
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The desserts on the second course will rotate every week or so therefore some
of these items will change. The three-tiered tray is loaded with strawberries
dipped in chocolate all juicy and ripe with a thin, not a clunky thick, coating
of chocolate on them. The coconut cookie is a tad dry but definitely has a
preponderance of coconut. The small current scone is served warm and is best
topped with the lemon curd.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q8oAlqKEVu8/VBtdsZD8JPI/AAAAAAAAH7U/I5vzWgO9-bk/s1600/IMG_3326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q8oAlqKEVu8/VBtdsZD8JPI/AAAAAAAAH7U/I5vzWgO9-bk/s1600/IMG_3326.JPG" height="400" width="288" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I’ve never understood crumpets, a loose battered griddlecake, but they are
terribly British. Even with a topping on them these traditional discus dough
cakes do nothing for me. The coffee macaroon was soft and mild almost like a
mini coffee break. The bite of cheesecake is supremely decadent and frankly way
too small for something this good. It’s smooth as silk with a mild graham
cracker crust and the strawberry topping makes this a perfect bite of
food. The tartlet is made with blueberry, raspberry, strawberry and
blackberry in a small square filled with custard. There’s a pleasing burst of
fresh berry fruit balanced against the creamy custard and crisp pastry shell.
Save the chocolate tart for last. This has a crisp cookie crust topped with a
small gold decorative leaf and a stunning creamy dark chocolate-caramel center,
all ideally balanced and the exclamation point of a great time. Of course there
is the addition of small dishes of lemon curd a citric tart smooth wonderful
curd; strawberry jam which is viscous and sweet; and Devonshire clotted cream
which is surprisingly buttery yet mild for you to slather on whatever (or
whomever) you want. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Food:
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Zapf Dingbats"; font-size: 14.0pt;">★★★★</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Service:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Zapf Dingbats"; font-size: 14.0pt;">★★★★</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Ambience:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Zapf Dingbats"; font-size: 14.0pt;">★★★★</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Afternoon Tea - British style</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>NOTE</u>: Ratings are ranked 1-5. Each
restaurant is visited multiple times in accordance with guidelines of the
Association of Food Journalists. Michael Cervin is the Santa Barbara region
restaurant reviewer for Gayot.com, and was the restaurant critic for the Santa Barbara
News Press for eight years. He judges at professional and charity food
and wine events.</i>)</span></div>
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Michael Cervinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968958743965757040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718210242825876105.post-6386695905672611862014-09-12T11:14:00.000-07:002014-09-12T11:14:19.420-07:00Food For Thought: Restaurant Review of Paloma<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Flying
High: Paloma Restaurant & Tequila Bar </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">5764
Calle Real, Goleta</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">805/681-0766, <a href="http://www.palomagoleta.com/" target="_blank">PALOMA</a></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZBIyT43B5KU/VA58KBl1JxI/AAAAAAAAH4o/O1JMIRaTk-Y/s1600/photo-150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZBIyT43B5KU/VA58KBl1JxI/AAAAAAAAH4o/O1JMIRaTk-Y/s1600/photo-150.JPG" height="143" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Open
Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Saturday
and Sunday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qh4PToYsTT8/VA57-mX6FiI/AAAAAAAAH4Q/KkCraoKHcwQ/s1600/photo-147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qh4PToYsTT8/VA57-mX6FiI/AAAAAAAAH4Q/KkCraoKHcwQ/s1600/photo-147.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">There
is no shortage of Mexican restaurants in Santa Barbara; there are some terrific
street-food places with traditional dishes, but what Santa Barbara is lacking
is a more creative approach to the incredible variety of Mexican food covering
not just the border states but recipes and spices from Mexico to Central
America. Paloma (meaning “dove”) has brought creative, flavorful food and an upscale
but casual ambiance. Owned by the Rudy's folks this is not a rehashing of their
popular Mexican restaurants around town, this is something totally different. Booths,
tables and a small bar fill the space with burnt orange walls and a family
festive vibe. They run specials, sometimes even up to twice a week so that will
always be new coming out of Paloma in addition to their comprehensive menu. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">There
are six salsas at their salsa bar including the mildly spicy roasted tomatillo
mixed with pepper and diced onions. Their regular salsa is a tomato based mild
version, all the better to go with their chips (served warm!) and their
Guacamole ($7) which is a smooth creamy version topped with cilantro and diced
tomato. There's a little bit of pepper and a comprehensive lime note making
this very addictive. Of course you need a margarita to go with that and their
regular Margarita ($8) is a smooth sweet concoction nicely balanced with plenty
of lime without being overpowering. It’s simple, tasty and hits the mark. The
Paloma Margarita ($9) uses grapefruit juice, blood orange, and tequila
resulting in a more tart version of this classic. They also have more than 100
tequilas to choose from.</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1pLMN9FAgwQ/VA58CN1kfpI/AAAAAAAAH4Y/_ptajU_CG2k/s1600/photo-148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1pLMN9FAgwQ/VA58CN1kfpI/AAAAAAAAH4Y/_ptajU_CG2k/s1600/photo-148.JPG" height="288" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Chile en Nogada</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
A few dishes to consider: The Empanadas de Camaron ($9) is two small shrimp-filled
turnovers topped with a mango habanero sauce. The pastry is soft and light, the
shrimp moist and the habanero sauce has a slow burning heat to it and it’s wonderfully
flavorful. The Ceviche ($10) is citrus-marinated diced halibut, mixed with a
small amount of pineapple and served with thin, crisp fried plantains. The fish
retains a nice tropical flavor to it, but nothing overly sweet nor
one-dimensional. The Chile en Nogada ($16) is a Pasilla chile stuffed with a mix of walnuts,
pine nuts, ground beef, peaches, spices and topped with a creamy and slightly
sweet sauce and dotted with pomegranate seeds. Typically a seasonal dish from
Puebla Mexico, Paloma brought this gem to Goleta and I highly recommend it. This
offers a great balance of heat mainly from the chile and texture from the nuts,
and this unusual dish is spot on being distinctive, flavorful and satisfying. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WRF5GFBij8k/VA58FsFASRI/AAAAAAAAH4g/ykg4TcsADlA/s1600/photo-149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WRF5GFBij8k/VA58FsFASRI/AAAAAAAAH4g/ykg4TcsADlA/s1600/photo-149.JPG" height="333" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Tacos del Mar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">The Enchiladas Paloma ($15) is shrimp and cheese
enchiladas topped with a creamy chipotle sauce, served with salad and side of
rice. They consider this their "go-to dish," and there’s good reason
why. The velvety chipotle sauce has a roasted smoky quality the way chipotle is
supposed to be. The large shrimp are moist and tasty all by themselves giving
texture and flavor. Dessert-wise the Bandalone ($6.95) is their signature dish.
A moist corn cake, a cross between tres leches without the milk and corn
pudding, it’s served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and sliced strawberries
and then drizzled with caramel sauce. This is a dense cake with plenty of corn
flavor balanced by the sweet caramel and ice cream and is a terrific new
version of an old favorite. </span>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
success of Paloma is in striking a flavor balance with their foods and
elevating them beyond traditional Mexican fare. Creating wonderful and
flavorful foods at exactly the right price, Paloma fills a void in Santa
Barbara’s Mexican food offerings. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Food:
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Zapf Dingbats"; font-size: 14.0pt;">★★★★</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Service:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Zapf Dingbats"; font-size: 14.0pt;">★★★★</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Ambiance:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Zapf Dingbats"; font-size: 14.0pt;">★★★</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">NOTE: Food For Thought Friday incorporates restaurant reviews, and Central Coast specialty foods. Ratings are ranked 1-5. Each
restaurant is visited multiple times in accordance with restaurant review
guidelines of the Association of Food Journalists. Michael Cervin was the
restaurant reviewer for the Santa Barbara News Press for more than seven years, and
judges at many food and wine events.</i>)</span></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
Michael Cervinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968958743965757040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718210242825876105.post-62935136239185464892014-08-16T13:44:00.002-07:002014-08-16T13:47:57.908-07:00A Decade of Sideways: Miles of Film & Wine<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">When
“Sideways” was released in 2004, the comedy had no way of knowing it would be
nominated for five Oscar’s (with a win for Adapted Screenplay), rake in $72
million at the box office, supercharge wine and tourism in Santa Barbara, boost
Pinot Noir sales, and famously malign Merlot, all in 126 minutes. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MFHxCFuejDU/U--_S2UtnLI/AAAAAAAAHwA/F2q2pMtFrYk/s1600/IMG_8708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MFHxCFuejDU/U--_S2UtnLI/AAAAAAAAHwA/F2q2pMtFrYk/s1600/IMG_8708.JPG" height="408" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, Paul Giamatti & Alexander Payne at the Sideways 10 Reunion</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">On
the 10th anniversary of the film, director Alexander Payne, star Paul Giamatti
and other cast and crew met at the ranch of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jim Clendenen</b>, winemaker of <a href="http://www.aubonclimat.com/" target="_blank"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Au Bon Climat</b></a> whose Pinot Noir was featured in the film, to partake in a
fundraiser and reunion, and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Cervins
Central Coast</b> was invited. The $1,000 a plate five-course meal – which
included things like BBQ quail, grilled shrimp, and oak grilled filet mignon
served with wines from the film - raised $100,000 for <a href="http://www.directrelief.org/" target="_blank"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Direct Relief International</b></a>, and was held in a tent lined with
stills of the film, with appropriately spectacular views of vineyards. </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OgGQxi1RcAE/U--_PYK7_5I/AAAAAAAAHv4/4vAYmeOaIn0/s1600/IMG_8710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OgGQxi1RcAE/U--_PYK7_5I/AAAAAAAAHv4/4vAYmeOaIn0/s1600/IMG_8710.JPG" height="305" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the dinner these conspicuous dump buckets reminded everyone of the film.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">"Sideways"
created an unexpected economic windfall for Santa Barbara when it originally
hit theatres unlike any other film in recent memory. “I had no idea this would
have happened,” Payne told me. “We were just making a movie. You never think
about things like this nor can you predict it.” Actor Paul Giamatti, who played
the central character Miles, held the same view. “I’ve never been involved with
something like this. It’s gratifying to know that the film has actually had a
measured economic impact on this area.” The film shot for 10 weeks in the
region and three of those days were at<a href="http://www.hitchingpost2.com/" target="_blank"> </a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.hitchingpost2.com/" target="_blank">The Hitching Post</a> </b>restaurant, which saw an increase in business of 30% after
the film was released. “Our wine sales doubled and restaurant revenue quadrupled,
and we were able to get an air conditioner. Thank you Alexander,” said owner
and one of the chefs for the evening, Frank Ostini.</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0ozX16d0xmQ/U--_MO8pteI/AAAAAAAAHvw/rc1KUVvMpww/s1600/santa%2Brita%2Bhills_decanter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0ozX16d0xmQ/U--_MO8pteI/AAAAAAAAHvw/rc1KUVvMpww/s1600/santa%2Brita%2Bhills_decanter.JPG" height="387" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along Santa Rosa Road</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">In
the most quoted scene of the film Miles (Giamatti) vehemently proclaims he “won’t
drink any fucking Merlot.” He also praised the virtues of Pinot Noir. That registered
in the minds of the public, for reasons unknown. Sales of Pinot Noir increased 15%,
while Merlot dropped about two percent in sales. The result of a line in a
movie? Yes and no. Merlot had been over planted to begin with throughout
California (Santa Barbara only produced a small fraction of Merlot at the time
and it wasn’t very good) and there was a surplus of inadequate Merlot flooding
the market, so the impact was actually minimal. These days the region known as <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Happy Canyon</b> is producing very good
quality Merlot and producers like <a href="http://www.grassinifamiilyvineyards.com/" target="_blank"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Grassini Family Vineyards</b></a>, and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Happy Canyon
Vineyards</b> are solid bets.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gfUK0FkfC9c/U--_Im7jx9I/AAAAAAAAHvo/9M8LP48c4OI/s1600/Bottles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gfUK0FkfC9c/U--_Im7jx9I/AAAAAAAAHvo/9M8LP48c4OI/s1600/Bottles.jpg" height="366" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa Barbara wines go anywhere!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Of
course tourism to idyllic Santa Barbara wine country greatly increased
following the film. People wanted to drive bucolic Santa Rosa Road, visit the <a href="http://www.kalyrawinery.com/" target="_blank"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Kalyra Winery</b></a> tasting room, and eat
steak at The Hitching Post. And they came…and they keep coming. The success of
the film also spawned a Japanese language remake, transporting the location to
Napa rather than Santa Barbara. But Santa Barbara wine country is not merely
the residual “Sideways” phenomenon. The County is home to over 250 wineries strewn
all across the area. For those who want classic wine tasting experiences there
are plenty of wineries to visit first hand in the <a href="http://www.santaynezwinecountry.com/" target="_blank"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Santa Ynez</b></a> and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Santa Maria</b>
valley’s set amongst unending rows of vines. In Lompoc the wine ghetto is a collection
of tasting rooms set in an industrial area. The valley hot spot currently, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Los Olivos,</b> has 48 tasting rooms packed
into its four-block radius, and in downtown Santa Barbara, just two blocks from
the beach, the <a href="http://www.funkzone.net/" target="_blank"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Funk Zone</b></a> is popping
with tasting rooms and there is the <a href="http://www.urbanwinetrailsb.com/" target="_blank"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Urban Wine Trail.</b></a> So it doesn’t really matter how or where you want to taste
local wines, there is a spot for everyone – just make your way straight to
Santa Barbara, not sideways.</span></div>
</div>
Michael Cervinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968958743965757040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718210242825876105.post-68031134129369901552014-07-23T09:33:00.000-07:002014-08-17T19:48:56.973-07:00Santa Barbara’s Best (Tucked-Away) Picnic Spots<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">July
may be National Picnic Month but here in paradise, AKA Santa Barbara, it’s
almost always time for a picnic. But finding the best and coolest picnic spots
may be a little harder than you think. Everyone knows the obvious choices: Leadbetter
Beach with its numerous tables, Tucker’s Grove with its family amenities and also
numerous tables, Shoreline Park and such, so I scoured the beach, the mountains,
and parks to find five less known but still classic Santa Barbara picnic places
with diverse views but which are more secluded. So pack your picnic basket and discover
some al fresco undercover gems of Santa Barbara. </span></div>
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<pre><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Andree Clark Bird Refuge</span></u></b></pre>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i3RFgLHA1Vo/U88azzA0hNI/AAAAAAAAHpE/-V0ZypYB2eU/s1600/IMG_7873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i3RFgLHA1Vo/U88azzA0hNI/AAAAAAAAHpE/-V0ZypYB2eU/s1600/IMG_7873.JPG" height="388" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">What
was once considered a viable place to build the harbor in the 1920s has become
something of a rarely visited respite. Set in a riparian woodland there are three
small wood platforms with benches on them jutting out over the water, the last
one being over a small bridge near the Santa Barbara Zoo. These wood platforms
are accessed by a flat path that circumscribes part of the lake. You can sit
directly above the water; the cool breezes from East Beach washing over you and
you can have a modicum of privacy and quietness though these are not shaded. As
the water laps up at your feet you’ll probably see diverse birds here including
white pelicans on occasion. Located close to Coast Village Road in Montecito,
food and restrooms are a short drive away.</span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Elings Park</span></u></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4bf-nS0lbsM/U88bBfhZwII/AAAAAAAAHpc/kFu8Wvgbw2g/s1600/IMG_7891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4bf-nS0lbsM/U88bBfhZwII/AAAAAAAAHpc/kFu8Wvgbw2g/s1600/IMG_7891.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Though
it’s a popular spot for weddings, Cedric Grove atop Elings Park has easy car
access, not to mention serene views back towards the city. There are restrooms
nearby, plenty of picnic tables and a circular lawn surrounded by large mature
oak trees. There is no food available here and they charge for parking on
weekends, though weekday parking is free. Take the road all the way to the top
and turn left on George Bliss Rd. The Wells Fargo Amphitheater offers the best
views of the city not to mention plenty of graded seating. There are benches
that flank both sides of the hill one to the city and other with views towards
the park and out towards the ocean.</span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Lookout Park </span></u></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EASa2p5hR08/U88a4zuU5eI/AAAAAAAAHpM/ztsTRIGskUg/s1600/IMG_7856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EASa2p5hR08/U88a4zuU5eI/AAAAAAAAHpM/ztsTRIGskUg/s1600/IMG_7856.JPG" height="448" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">You probably drive past this spot all the time and may not know it’s here. Located
in Summerland right off Highway 101, Lookout Park is a small grassy bluff above
the beach. There are benches, picnic tables and barbecue stands across the
narrow park with plenty of parking available. The grass however is very uneven
so watch your step. There is also a children's play area with swings and slides,
a volleyball net on a sand base, restrooms, horseshoes and beach access. Dogs
are allowed but must be kept on a leash. This is an ideal spot for a family
picnic or large groups. Lillie Avenue is just two blocks away should you need to
purchase food.</span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sand Spit </span></u></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T571fTZQ_mc/U88atW11ozI/AAAAAAAAHo8/iWr73CHxRJs/s1600/IMG_7867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T571fTZQ_mc/U88atW11ozI/AAAAAAAAHo8/iWr73CHxRJs/s1600/IMG_7867.JPG" height="265" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Located at the termination of the breakwater at the harbor, there are a
few whale tale benches in which to sit and watch Santa Barbara splayed out in
front of you. You can also bring your own chairs and head across a short rock
outcropping directly to the sand itself. To the right is Sterns Wharf, to the
left are the boats moored in the harbor, in front of you is the city, and
behind you is the majestic Pacific; it’s the best of all worlds. Take it all
in, feel the gentle ocean breezes and hear the sea lions on the green buoy
marker, but bring a hat as there is no shade. Restrooms, food and parking are all
at the main buildings at the harbor. </span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Franceschi Park</span></u></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y1OdD5Gkn8k/U8_KfFP_6lI/AAAAAAAAHqU/Pf9JuOgz6sc/s1600/fran1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y1OdD5Gkn8k/U8_KfFP_6lI/AAAAAAAAHqU/Pf9JuOgz6sc/s1600/fran1.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">For
the absolute best views of the city, this under the radar park located on the
Rivera has unsurpassed vistas to downtown, the harbor, the ocean and islands, and
is flanked by large eucalyptus trees. Part botanical garden, part city park, this
is fairly secluded and quiet, set in a residential area and there is no food
available near here. There are a few picnic tables and a few benches facing the
ocean, and you also have the dilapidated but wonderfully odd Franceschi house
nearby with its unusual embellishments, though the house is not open to the
public. The park is open sunrise to sunset; there is limited parking and a
restroom on site. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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Michael Cervinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968958743965757040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718210242825876105.post-21659187637382676422014-07-08T19:39:00.001-07:002014-08-17T19:50:12.935-07:00Only in Ojai: Of Deer, Hikes & Ancient Wisdom<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b><a href="http://www.ojaivisitors.com/" target="_blank">Ojai</a> </b>in Ventura County, just south of <b>Santa Barbara </b>has long been considered a spiritual, grounded place, a Mecca for the artistic
crowd, and those seeking something just left of center. A hub of meditation,
spiritual retreats and teachings and simply an off the beaten path retreat
paradise it was used as the backdrop for the 1937 movie <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“Lost Horizon.”</b> These days the once secluded town is anything but
hard to find. Summers see flocks of tourists shopping and dining along Ojai
Avenue, doing yoga, getting in touch with their inner core or just escaping the
hectic pace of somewhere else. Ojai built its current Spanish Colonial Revival diminutive
downtown appearance because of a fire that decimated much of the town in 1917,
and it’s a metaphor of the rejuvenation people feel when they come here. So
here then are a few detox ideas, even for a place as sedate as Ojai.</span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GK5Wyk92al0/U7yR8IMB7QI/AAAAAAAAHm4/OWIaTwbhEmY/s1600/views.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GK5Wyk92al0/U7yR8IMB7QI/AAAAAAAAHm4/OWIaTwbhEmY/s1600/views.JPG" height="356" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The views from the Valley View Preserve</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">There is more rugged hiking in
the Sespe Wilderness, but right near town the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://ovlc.org/preserves/valley-view-preserve/" target="_blank">Valley View Preserve</a> </b>is a very moderate fire road hike perfect for
an easy run or to take the dogs and burn a few calories. It runs its course
along the north mountains looking out to the Ojai Valley on your right. Splayed
out is the verdant greenery of the trees, orchards and parts of the town with
views across the valley. There is no shade here so make sure you bring water
and a hat. For a more strenuous hike you can pick up the Fox Canyon trail which
will take you up the mountain side right off the main trail. Either way, to get
there head up Signal Ave. towards the mountains and it will terminate at the
trail head. There is minimal parking so early is better. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c-_0zMfw4Mw/U7yRweX7JcI/AAAAAAAAHmg/vpk9qZQn014/s1600/library.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c-_0zMfw4Mw/U7yRweX7JcI/AAAAAAAAHmg/vpk9qZQn014/s1600/library.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The library at Krotona</td></tr>
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Also tucked into Ojai just like the trails, the <a href="http://www.theosophical.org/ts-network/camps-and-schools/krotona-school" target="_blank"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Krotona Theosophical Institute</b></a> is hidden away just off the main
road into town on a 115-acre wooded site. Krotona moved to Ojai in 1926 when it
had to abandon its Los Angeles home because of the construction if the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Hollywood Bowl</b> (back when admission to
the Bowl was just $.50), however the Theosophy movement started in the 1870s on
the east coast. First off, what is theosophy you ask? In their own words they,
“encourage open-minded inquiry into world religions, philosophy, science, and
the arts in order to understand the wisdom of the ages, respect the unity of
all life, and help people explore spiritual self-transformation.” Works for me.
What makes Krotona unique, aside from the fact that hardly anyone knows it’s
there, is the 8,000-volume library relating specifically to theosophy, the
occult, reincarnation, astrology, yoga, metaphysics and all things of
paranormal nature. The library itself is intimate, a slightly Art Deco ambience.
There is also a meditation school, and bookstore for anyone who wishes to visit,
not to mention classes. The mirror pools behind the library are contemplative
in themselves, as are much of the quiet grounds. You needn’t be a theosophist to
visit and everyone is encouraged to stop in: it’s all free. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--dkU2Pn6NIE/U7yRz8OMvnI/AAAAAAAAHmo/V-YaAJXVNv0/s1600/mirror.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--dkU2Pn6NIE/U7yRz8OMvnI/AAAAAAAAHmo/V-YaAJXVNv0/s1600/mirror.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">There
are no shortages of terrific places to eat, most clustered onto the main drag,
but for a unique taste of Ojai (literally) the <a href="http://deerlodgeojai.com/" target="_blank"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Deer Lodge</b></a> is just three miles from downtown and since 1932 this
rustic, log cabin looking wood toned, animal-head-on-the-wall joint has been
making people feel great. There’s live music, lots of beef and games dishes,
cornbread and every Sunday they have a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">roasted
pig</b>. Yeah, a whole pig! But it’s their <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">buffalo
burgers </b>and tri tip on the outdoor wood grill which is their calling card. There
are a lot of bikers who come here on the weekends and it’s easy to be
intimidated by the sheer number of Harleys out front, but don’t let that stop
you. There’s plenty of indoor seating on old wood furniture and a back outdoor
patio.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D5j1cJcETUI/U7yRrmzN-QI/AAAAAAAAHmY/WbUlrPLQZNU/s1600/deer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D5j1cJcETUI/U7yRrmzN-QI/AAAAAAAAHmY/WbUlrPLQZNU/s1600/deer.JPG" height="216" width="400" /></a></div>
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Michael Cervinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968958743965757040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718210242825876105.post-61033653599121647982014-06-14T07:14:00.000-07:002014-06-23T10:18:20.909-07:00Carving Up the Sacred Cow: Jocko's in Nipomo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><i><b>(Editor's Note: Jocko's was contacted on four separate occasions as to correct pricing, seasonings and recipes - they elected to not respond)</b></i> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">To
say that Jocko’s restaurant in Nipomo is iconic is an understatement. The place
has been grilling up meat over oak since the late 1920s and has become
something of a pilgrimage for carnivores. So as a restaurant reviewer for eight
years now it was inevitable I should find out for myself why throngs of people
seem utterly devoted to this out of the way spot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
place is utterly lacking in any kind of décor, but that’s part of its charm,
according to some. Painted cinder block walls hold up a low wood roof over what
amounts to cheap banquet chairs, worn carpet and faded pictures on the walls.
It looks like a dive restaurant, and partly that’s OK, not everything needs to
be spit polished and accented with design tips from Pier One. But don’t put on
your Sunday best to come here.</span>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Dinners
get crowded and as early as 4:30 p.m. lines start forming on weekends and
you’re in for a wait, even if you make reservations. Lunches are less crowded,
but it’s important to know that the oak grill, what the place is actually known
for, is not fired up during the day, just evenings.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VBOZbxsm7ds/U5xYIxo0AiI/AAAAAAAAHg8/W4ANI5HfHzM/s1600/IMG_7776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VBOZbxsm7ds/U5xYIxo0AiI/AAAAAAAAHg8/W4ANI5HfHzM/s1600/IMG_7776.JPG" height="297" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Dinners
are a slow parade of foods beginning with packaged soda crackers and salsa which
is pleasant enough, a bit watery though with a minimal heat. Then there is the
crudités plate with pickles, black olives, and peppers. Next your salad
arrives, nothing more than basic iceberg lettuce with a few carrot shavings and
a sliced beet on top for good measure, or perhaps because they had them sitting
around, it’s hard to tell. All salad dressings are made on site including their
ranch which is average in terms of flavor, as is their blue cheese dressing
which is more thin and watery. The honey mustard dressing has a slight heat to
it but is more sweet than tart. It’s important to understand that dinners will
always take time due in part to the crowds and in part to the grilling. Our meal
took 45 minutes from the time the order was turned in to when it arrived, so be
prepared to wait…and wait. Dinners include baked beans (minimal brown spice and
a slight molasses richness but lean towards soft), tedious garlic bread lacking
much actual garlic, and some form of potato - baked, French Fries, mashed - or
rice. We opted for the baker with butter, sour cream and chives - a standard
baked potato, nothing more -, and the unremarkable white rice. The Small
Spencer Steak ($22) is frankly quite large and is one of their signature cuts. The
Spencer is minimally seasoned and definitely has a rich smokiness from the oak.
The meat is reasonably tender, but that’s as far as it goes, meaning there’s
little that’s memorable about it other than the ubiquitous oak smoke which
covers anything that has touched the grill. The Sweetbreads ($17) are lightly
breaded and tender certainly with the smoke infiltrating the meats, but are more
devoid of any specific flavor. Dinners include dessert, which is no more than a
scoop of ice cream, Rainbow sherbet, spumoni, or vanilla, and a cup of coffee.
With the abundance of food most people walk away with a container of something
and that is the success of Jocko’s – way too much food. We wish it was way too
much terrific food, but that’s not the case. </span>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
Lunches include beans and salad just like dinner, but it’s much less crowded
and in the light of day the place looks older and more tired. The Grilled
Chicken Sandwich ($9) is a large, moist half breast with tomato, sliced red
onion, and iceberg lettuce on grilled sourdough bread and is as fundamental a
sandwich as you can get. The seasoning on the chicken is fine, but since it’s
not oak grilled it lacks the nuances that dinner items possess. There is also
the Ruben ($8.50) made with corned beef, cheese and sauerkraut on grilled
sourdough. The flavors here are muted and unimpressive, the whole being fairly
elementary. Yes the corned beef is appropriately tender and the sauerkraut
slightly crisp and sweet, but that’s all. Overall that seems to be the point at
Jocko’s – average is exactly what they aim for – and they succeed. Yes you’ll
get bang for your buck, yes, you’ll be full. The service is a notch below
average however, friendly but unfocused, scattered, uneven and rushed. Ultimately
the seasonings and flavors of the meats and the entire experience doesn’t live
up to the hype. Along the Central Coast, from Santa Barbara to Monterey there
are a number of very good steak houses, but Jocko’s isn’t one of them. Frankly
most of us can grill a better steak at home and ultimately, that’s where I’d
prefer to be over the tedium of Jocko’s. </span></div>
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Michael Cervinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968958743965757040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718210242825876105.post-5239998194129806222014-05-30T10:33:00.000-07:002014-08-17T19:49:40.014-07:00The Serious Side of Paradise: Santa Barbara’s Missing Kids<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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--></style></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">This blog is about the
happy aspects of traveling to the California Central Coast: Santa Barbara, San
Luis Obispo and Monterey. But that doesn’t negate the seriousness of the
article I wrote originally for a Santa Barbara newspaper for National Missing
Children’s Day. My hope is that any of you who read this, regardless of where
you are in the world, will be more aware and attuned to this global problem –
our kids who go missing. Please share this information – and be mindful of what
is happening in your community. Please.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It’s
a sad commentary that we even have a National Missing Children’s Day - May 25<sup>th</sup>
- but we do. Every day in the U.S. approximately 2,300 children under the age
of 18 go missing, most voluntary, but many not. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It’s
estimated that 200,000 children annually are abducted by family members, and
58,000 are abducted by non-family members. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The recent kidnapping of over 200 Nigerian girls
by Boko Haran has highlighted a staggering problem not only across the globe,
but right here in Santa Barbara. Our kids are at risk: from abduction, online predators,
and physical sexual abuse which often is the root cause for kids to go missing
in the first place.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Tim
Hale is a Santa Barbara based attorney with the firm of Nye, Peabody, Stirling,
Hale & Miller, LLP who </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">represent victims
of childhood sexual abuse in lawsuits against individuals and entities
including the Catholic Church, the Boy Scouts, and public and private schools that
have either failed to report or have actively tried to cover-up sexual abuse
committed by their employees and volunteers. He knows firsthand the devastating
effects our kids suffer. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Every
child reacts differently - some withdraw and shutdown emotionally, some act
with anger, sometimes with inappropriate sexual behavior, sometimes with
self-medication through substance abuse,” he says. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Our lawsuits seek not only a monetary recovery for our
clients’ injuries, but also the public release of a perpetrator’s personnel
file where his employer’s cover-up has allowed him to escape criminal
prosecution, rendering him unidentifiable to the public as a threat to
children,” says Mr. Hale. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The point is not to live in fear,
but to live wisely, to educate our kids and ourselves so we can mitigate those
threats. According to the California Department of Justice, in 2011, (the most
recent statistics available) there were 958 reports of missing children in
Santa Barbara County alone: 908 were reported runaways, 17 were reported
lost, 12 were reported family abductions, five were “suspicious circumstances,”
and 25 were unknown circumstances. In California, more than 90,000
children were reported missing that year. In 2013 there were nearly 495,000
missing persons under the age of 21 throughout America. Actual numbers of missing
children is something of a moving target. Some children go missing due to
natural disasters, some are voluntary runaways (the vast majority), some are endangered
runaways (classified as suicide risk, physical or mental conditions which might
cause them wander off, or circumstances where kids fled to or from some
danger), and some have been abducted by a family member, or a stranger. According
to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), an estimated
115 children annually are the victims of the most serious abductions and are either
murdered, ransomed or taken with the intent to keep. “The first <b><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">three hours</span></b>
are the most critical when trying to locate a missing child. Studies indicated
that 76 percent of abducted children who are killed are dead within three hours
of the abduction,” the NCMEC states. Regardless of the label given to any
missing child the Central Coast sees kids go missing in some cases to escape
sexual abuse at home, or after a prolonged online “friendship” with a predator.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Online Predators</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">According to the FBI one in 25
children ages 10 to 17 have received an online sexual solicitation where the
perpetrator then tried to make offline contact. “Predators seek youths
vulnerable to seduction, including those with histories of sexual or physical
abuse, those who post sexually provocative photos or video, and those who talk
about sex with unknown people online,” the FBI states. And this is clearly the
driving reason parents need to monitor their kid’s social media behavior because
with increased sexting (texting sexually suggestive words and pictures), there
is the increased likelihood a predator sees this as an easy target. “Boys who
are gay or questioning their sexuality are particularly at risk. 25 percent of
victims are boys and almost all of their offenders are male,” the FBI says. It
seems overwhelming, but being aware of, and admitting, these problems is
crucial to the safe-keeping of our kids. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VnzBo_f1x_Q/U4i_-EWvxqI/AAAAAAAAHcU/E81ROIdaE_8/s1600/Child-Abduction-Kidnapping-199x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VnzBo_f1x_Q/U4i_-EWvxqI/AAAAAAAAHcU/E81ROIdaE_8/s1600/Child-Abduction-Kidnapping-199x300.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What Adults Can Do</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Every day we hear stories about
children who escaped a would-be-abductor because someone talked to them about
what they should do in that situation.” says NCMEC’s CEO, John Ryan. “Education
and open communication are key to keeping children safer.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Obviously communication
is crucial, though it can be difficult. “I can’t say there’s a specific right
or wrong way to talk to your kids,” says Mr. Hale. “Every parent-child
relationship is different. What I can say is that you need to talk openly
and regularly, beginning with younger kids, about the fact their bathing suit
areas are theirs and theirs alone, and no one should touch them in those areas
except for mom or dad or select caregivers for younger children who still need
help wiping themselves.” More often than not these are not crimes of
violence, but of emotional manipulation. “It’s important the child understand
that no matter how nice a person is being, no matter what they are offering, no
matter what elevated status the person has in the child’s eyes, no one should
touch the child’s bathing suit areas,” Mr. Hale advises.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With kids who text there is code
that has developed, a shorthand language, many parents are clueless about
designed to keep texts secretive. For example: “wtgp” (want to go private?); “p911”
(parents are coming); “pir” (parent in room); “asl” (age/sex/location) and many
others. This covert language can be a clue to what your child is doing. Photos
on the other hand are less covert and may seem innocent enough. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The website NetSmartz,
an on-line resource from the NCMEC, warns: “Posting your child's pictures
online could put them at risk for victimization. Using privacy settings to
limit access to your children's pictures can help protect them. However, you
need to be sure that only people you know and trust in real life are able to
see your pictures.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">There is no particular way to prevent uploaded
photos from being copied. Frankly the only way to ensure no one uses your
images is to avoid uploading them in the first place. Even if you use coding to
prevent users from right-clicking and saving your pictures, anyone can still
screencapture an image, and remember, once an image is online, there is no
getting it back. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It’s
naive to tell children to think before posting photos when adults don’t
understand the potential issues either. So at the very least discuss parameters
with your kids: “Personal photos should not have revealing information, such as
school names or locations,” NetSmartz advises. “The background of any photo can
give out identifying information without realizing it. The name of a mall, the
license plate of your car, signs, or the name of your sports team on your
clothing all contain information that can give your family's location away.” </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">What Kids Can Do</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Of
course it’s not merely what adults can do, but what kids themselves can do. First
and foremost they should tell their parents about any unwanted attention, sexual
or otherwise, either on-line or from an individual. “Hopefully parents
have created an environment where the child feels comfortable telling them such
things,” says Mr. Hale. “If telling a parent is not an option, they should
tell a trusted adult.” Under California law, most child custodians and
caregivers, such as teachers, youth group leaders, therapists, and doctors are
mandated to report to law enforcement if they have a reasonable suspicion a child
is being sexually abused and a mandatory reporter who fails to take action
is subject to criminal prosecution, Mr. Hale advises. Of course many
adults don’t want to get involved in someone else’s problem, it’s easier to
turn a blind eye, but that only perpetuates the matter. The biggest weakness of
parents? “Failing to recognize that anyone can be a perpetrator, that
perpetrators more often than not are not the scary looking figure in in the
shadows, and openly placing a person on such a high pedestal that a child is
terrified of speaking out about them,” says Mr. Hale. The simplest and most
obvious rule is the best one. “Perpetrators almost always use secrecy as a
weapon, therefore families need a policy of no secrets,” says Mr. Hale. If
nearly 1,000 Santa Barbara kids go missing each year, we need to be more
vigilant. We have the power to help keep our kids safe, and it’s up to us.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CM90e8cgzLE/U4jAA_BliZI/AAAAAAAAHcc/6qcUxSMxVSc/s1600/etan_patz_120524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CM90e8cgzLE/U4jAA_BliZI/AAAAAAAAHcc/6qcUxSMxVSc/s1600/etan_patz_120524.jpg" height="400" width="388" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Missing Children’s Day Timeline</span></u></b></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">May 25<sup>th</sup>, 1979:</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Six year-old Etan Patz goes missing in New York. He has
never been found.</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1979 to 1981</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: 29 children are murdered in Atlanta, all the result of one
man.</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1981</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: Six year-old Adam Walsh is abducted and murdered in
Florida. His father, John Walsh, forms the first center for missing children,
later hosts America’s Most Wanted.</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1982</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: Congress enacts the Missing Children’s Act.</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1983</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: National Missing Children’s Day first observed by proclamation
of President Reagan.</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1984</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: National Center for Missing and Exploited Children is
founded.</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1996</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: Amber Alert begins. As of April 2014, 688 missing children
have been successfully recovered. </span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">2004</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">: Violent Crimes Against
Children Task Force (FBI) is formed making it the largest task force of its
kind in the world incorporating 40 participating countries.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><u><b>Resources </b></u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><u><b><a href="http://www.missingkids.com/" target="_blank">National Center For Missing and Exploited Children</a> </b></u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="http://www.fbi.gov/" target="_blank">FBI</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="http://www.childabductions.org/" target="_blank">California Child Abduction Task Force</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="http://www.netsmartz.org/" target="_blank">NetSmartz</a></span></div>
</div>
Michael Cervinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968958743965757040noreply@blogger.com0