May 2019

Ben Hur: 60th Anniversary

May 7, 2019 by Carolyn Hastings Leave a Comment

Breathtaking, simply breathtaking. Three hours and forty minutes of pure delight! You are probably asking yourself how watching a movie for that long could even be considered a delight. I was wondering the same until it was over and I just sat in my seat wanting it to never end.

I was fortunate enough to have read the Fathom Event offering and immediately purchased a ticket. I was able to watch it on the Big Screen; I’m not talking about the 50 incher at home but the real big screen, reclining seats, bag of popcorn and all!

I was young when Ben Hur came upon the scene. I’ve read that it cost $15,500,000 to produce. That was a huge amount of money in 1959. But the studio’s gamble paid off with a record breaking eleven Academy Awards and a film that has truly stood the test of time.

The story is about Judah Ben Hur, a Nobleman. Judah is a rich Jewish Prince and merchant in Jerusalem in the beginning of the 1^st century. Together with the new governor, his old childhood friend, Messala arrives as commanding officer of the Roman legions.

When Charlton Heston walks on the screen, he is Ben Hur. I mean he truly embodies the character. He is good looking in a very masculine way. He’s muscular, sturdy and simple exudes moral presence. He’s the kind of guy you want on your team. Perfectly cast.

The film is pure visual splendor, thundering action and towering drama. Ben Hur takes us on a heroic odyssey. From a life of privilege, he is enslaved by the Romans, vengeful tormentors. Leaving his mother, sister and future wife in the care of what’s left of his servants, he is dragged away to end up on a slave boat. Through a twist of fate or divine intervention he survives and his life turns back into a life of plenty. He eventually finds his way back to Jerusalem and a whole new journey.

I don’t want to give away the whole plot but I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the furious arena chariot race against his old friend and now nemesis, Mesalla. If you’re like me and never had the privilege of seeing the complete film, you will probably still recall the film clips of this amazing feat of imagery.

To name just a few, Ben Hur won Best Picture, Best Actor (Charlton Heston), Best Supporting Actor (Hugh Griffith), Best Music Score, Best Art Director… Cinematography, Writing, Film Editing, Sound, Special Effects, Costumes and of course, Best Directing by William Wyler. Wyler masterfully grips the reins of an enduring and spellbinding spectacular.

You might ask since it was the 1^st Century where was Jesus Christ. He was there, not center stage, but none the less woven into His time.

Even though others have tried remakes of this enduring film, I’ve decided that I will now spend the money and buy this beautifully remastered version of arguably, one of the best classics of all time. At the moment, it is easily rented or streamed, so turn on the fifty-incher, pop the corn and settle into the lounger for the adventure of a lifetime. Simply stunning! Let me know what you think at Carolyn@carolynhastings.com.

PS: There is a scheduled intermission countdown in the middle, so don’t fret about the time!

Memories of Notre Dame

May 7, 2019 by George Kapus Leave a Comment

I was able to visit the Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral twice in my life. The first time was in 1954, when our family had been required to travel to the United States Embassy in Paris to apply for entry into the United States, in person, as emigrants. My second visit took place fifty four years later, in 2008, when my wife Bonnie and I travelled to Europe to attend my daughter Christina’s nuptials to her new husband Doug, in Praiano, Italy. Bonnie wanted to see Paris as she had never been there before. This second trip was a fun adventure, whereas the 1954 trip had to be undertaken out of necessity.

Although my 1954 visit to Paris had been my first, I and all the other little kids going to school in Algrange (Moselle district of north-eastern France) had seen plenty of photographs and artwork featuring Notre Dame. We had also been required to read the novel by Victor Hugo entitled The Hunchback of Notre Dame which, by the way, in French was simply, Notre Dame de Paris or Our Lady of Paris.

We all knew about the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, because by 1954, we had been treated to the movie The Hunchback of Notre Dame, the American version starring Charles Laughton and Maureen O’Hara, produced in 1939. The film was of course based on the aforementioned Victor Hugo’s 1831 novel. Of course, in Algrange, when we went to see the movie at the Odeon Theater, the title on the marquee was Le Bossu de Notre Dame, which had been a translation of the American title, referencing the Hunchback.

Now unfortunately, in Algrange, in the 1950s, you couldn’t buy popcorn in movie theaters. The French people would tell us “zee corn is for zee peegs!” We could buy cacahouettes (peanuts) and marron rôties (roasted chestnuts) at the theater, along with assorted candies and ice cream; but NO popcorn! Can you imagine that? I know, this was somewhat of a detour, but the whole popcorn issue really bugged me…

The first time that I visited the Notre Dame I was 12. My father had told me that I should be amazed by the grandeur of the massive 750 year-old structure. At 12, I must admit that it looked like a gigantic church, twice or three times bigger than the one I had to attend every Sunday. It was dark and smoky inside, and I couldn’t even see the enormous arches making up the ceiling. The smell of incense was overwhelming and a priest was singing the mass; the same mass I heard every Sunday, unless we attended the Protestant church, where they didn’t sing the service. By 12, I knew practically the whole Catholic mass Dominus vo biscum – et cum spiritu tuo – Oremus. Translated: “The Lord be with you, and your spirit, let us pray.” By the time we sat down, I was totally in sync with the lyrics the priest was singing.

As we finished our prayer, some balding monks in dark brown habits with hoods, straight out of the Middle ages, came by for donations, and back then, these monks didn’t take “NO” for an answer. When the basket at the end of a long pole, came by our way, right under my nose, my father put a pocketful of change into the basket. However, the stone-faced monk didn’t seem to think it was sufficient. So, he kept shaking the basket under my dad’s nose until he plunked in a one hundred Franc note (that was a lot, at the time). As the basket finally moved on to the next isle, my dad’s face was red. “This is outrageous,” he grumbled. “They now charge us for praying to God,” he went on rather loudly to my Mom. He then suddenly got up and told us we were leaving. He wouldn’t even let me finish singing the rest of the mass. I was somewhat disappointed, but he had me by the hand. That was literally the sum total of my visit to the Notre dame de Paris, in 1954, the very first time I saw her.

As a side note here, so you understand: while I was baptized Calvinist (Hungarian Protestant) we attended most Protestant services as well as Catholic masses, as my mother was Catholic. The agreement between Mom and Pop had been, if I was born a girl, I would be baptized Catholic. As a boy, I got baptized Protestant. While attending school in Algrange, all lower grades were public school and therefore Catholic. We only found out later that there was a small mixed belief school, farther down the road.

Anyway, while I was in the third grade, our catechism teacher, Père François (Father Francis), decided that I should be an altar boy because he noticed how I enjoyed singing the mass along with the priest. Of course, I missed my chance when I got transferred to Ecole Mixte (Mixed School) and they discovered that I was really Protestant. After that, I didn’t see Père François very often. I think I would have made a great altar boy.

I did learn to appreciate the history, beauty, resilience, and significance of Our Lady of Paris, once I grew a little older and we moved away from France to the United States. Over the years, friends from France would occasionally send me postcards with Notre Dame on them. And I learned over the past few years about several attempts to destroy this symbol of Catholicism, well really, Christianity, as well as the pride of the French people. There have been as many as four or five attempts at blowing up Our Lady, by the so-called Islamic State or ISIS. Luckily, these attempts were stopped in their tracks before they could do any damage. But our Lady of Paris actually survived many other ordeals with minor or reparable damage, over the centuries.

Did you know that Nazi General Dietrich Von Choltitz, when appointed as military governor of Paris in 1944, refused to destroy the city and reduce it to ashes, when so ordered by Hitler himself, because the general loved the beauty and architecture of Paris? This of course also saved Notre Dame from destruction. When Choltitz died in 1966, French generals attended his funeral in Baden because they deeply respected the bravery of the man who had defied the Führer, and had saved Paris and Notre Dame from destruction.

There had been several other attempts at destroying France’s religious and architectural symbol, some even by her own people. Around 1793, during the French Revolution, angry, anticatholic mobs and revolutionaries looted the medieval Gothic masterpiece during their bloody attempt to force France to sever ties to the Roman Catholic Church, and more specifically, the influence of Rome. A number of the statues, representing twenty-eight generations of kings of Judah, affixed to the church façade, above the massive doors, were publicly decapitated by the revolutionaries, the same year as Marie Antoinette was marched to the guillotine. This was a very dark period in France’s history, when the working class, calling themselves the Sans-Culotte or “without-breeches,” took to the streets of Paris and tried to make things right; the wrong way.

The Notre Dame de Paris was built on the Île de la Cité (or Island of the city), a rather large island in the middle of the Seine river, which is now connected to the rest of Paris by ten bridges to both banks of the river and to the Île Saint-Louis (or Saint Louis Island). The oldest surviving bridge is the Pont Neuf (New Bridge), which traverses the western pointed tip of the island, connecting both banks. Back in the really old days, before the cathedral was built, the island served as a mostly inaccessible fortress, to fend off Romans, Vikings, Huns and other assorted bands of marauding barbarians.

So, why the history lesson, you may want to ask. I wanted to show you what I had learned over the years about Our Lady of Paris, that I not only didn’t know at age 12, but also didn’t understand nor appreciate: how those builders of yore, from over 750 to 800 years ago, not only envisioned this masterpiece of religious architecture but were then able to turn it into reality with the tools of the time and without electricity at their disposal. I also learned to admire the resilience of Our Lady of Paris, having gone throughall the turmoil and still be standing, even today, although severely injured.

Back in 2008, when my wife and I spent four days in Paris, at the beginning of our European journey, we visited Our Lady of Paris on a beautiful, sunny day. We walked from our charming little hotel in the Latin Quarter and crossed Petit Pont (little Bridge) over the Seine and followed ‘Promenade Maurice Carême’ to Rue D’Arcole and here we were facing the Notre Dame.This was a real treat for Bonnie as she had never been to Paris. What she didn’t realize was that it was also a real treat for me. The day was beautiful and bright as opposed to 1954, on my first visit, when it had been gray and overcast. It was mid-morning and there weren’t a lot of people yet as there would be later on.

When you enter through the massive door, you truly feel as though you are on a pilgrimage and that somehow God may listen to you within this cavernous interior. Bonnie and I slowly toured the interior of the cathedral and I tried to take as many photographs as possible. Unfortunately, no flash photography was allowed, so no matter how steady I was able to hold my little camera, I missed a few good ones. More and more people started pouring in as we kept exploring and several good shots I was trying to take, ended up with a big head right in the middle.

We lit a couple of candles in memory of those who’d gone before us and my memory rewound back to 1954, when we had exited the cathedral in such a hurry and it made me wonder what had happened to the old, bald monks who used pass the collection baskets under the worshippers’ noses. On this occasion, we didn’t see any. Apparently, although services were still held in the cathedral, the monks had either moved out or moved on. I almost missed them, because in retrospect, they had added a certain sense of austere discipline and devotion in maintaining the serenity of the place. Although, remembering my dad, serenity would have been the last thing I would have attributed to him. But that was way back then. Now, in the twenty first century, everyone seemed to be more at ease, as though visiting a museum and not necessarily being in the presence of divinity. In a sense, this was sad. Although filled with statues, frescoes and marvelous stained-glass windows, including the beautiful north side Rose window, I still felt somewhat reverent while observing and touching the walls and some of those ancient relics such as the crown of thorns said to have been worn by Jesus Christ.

As I mentioned earlier, there were a great number of statues, inside and out. There was one special one dedicated to ‘Sainte Jeanne D’Arc’ or Joan of Arc, who was beatified on April 18, 1909. I was very familiar with her tale, as I had to write a report on her in my fifth-grade class at the Algrange ‘Ecole Mixte’. She was born in 1413. She led the armies of Charles VII to several victories gaining the crown of France for him. Unfortunately, she was captured at Compiègne by rebellious French allies of the British, put on trial and sentenced to death by pro-British French cardinal, Pierre Gauchon. When we had read that Gauchon sentenced Joan of Arc to death, the whole class renamed him Gauchon le cochon (the pig), we were so upset. What do you expect from little kids anyway? The brave young warrior was burned at the stake on May 30, 1431.

In addition to Joan of Arc, there are statues of kings and saints and whole gangs of gargoyles, all around the perimeter of the towers and the spire. Originally installed to keep rain water from damaging the structure of the cathedral, gargoyles are now just decorations and protrusions for the birds to perch on. Some look like scary, deranged creatures from Hades, some are long-beaked birds, and some are a cross between a human and the devil. Now, whose idea it was to decorate the top of the towers with these creatures, is beyond me. The way I understood, they weren’t part of the original plan and were actually installed a couple centuries later. Either way, they are fascinating and fun to photograph and draw.

The other day, when I heard on the radio that Notre Dame was burning, I couldn’t believe it. Who would do such a thing, I thought to myself? I was certain that it had to be terrorists. I had been wrong. When I finally got home to my TV, I was shocked to see the images of the clouds of smoke rising from the great cathedral, and to find out that it had been a bad accident, more than likely caused by the workers doing the renovation.

Notre Dame was built over a period of some 200 years. The project was started in 1163, during the reign of King Louis VII of France, and in the presence of Pope Alexander III, the first stone was laid. King Philip VI was the ruler of France when the project was finally finished in 1345. So, 856 years from the beginning of its construction and 674 years from the completion, a nasty fire almost destroyed Our Lady of Paris. Fortunately, enough of the structure is left that Président de la République Emmanuel Macron has vowed to have the cathedral rebuilt. As of the writing of this article, it has been announced in the media that several million Euros have already been raised for the reconstruction.

If I have a chance to visit Paris just one more time, I will want to see a resurrected Notre Dame, with all the art and artifacts returned inside, just the way I remember seeing it was back in 1954 and again in 2008. I believe, it will take a great deal of money, much of which has fortunately already been raised, to accomplish the task of restauration, but I’m willing to bet that the money will keep flowing in from all over the globe, from all the visitors who had seen the beauty of Our lady of Paris. I’ll also be sure to chip in all I can, for all the great memories of my visits there.

The Rain in Spain

May 7, 2019 by Michael Copeland Leave a Comment

An Unofficial and Unauthorized International Writing Assignment

Virtually all, meaning none, of my loyal readers know that my oldest daughter, Hannah, is studying abroad this semester in Barcelona. That’s in Spain. Being the opportunist I am, I approached Eric “Chief” Johnson at ALIVE about the possibility of another all-expenses paid boondoggle to wrap up my travel trilogy chronicling my food and alcohol consumption in another country.

In the summer of 2017, I convinced my naïve editor that we, meaning I, should be tasked to write a European travel log article to follow up my American beer piece. My International Pub Crawl piece, highlighting suds tasting in the countries of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales was critically acclaimed and garnered numerous awards at the RIMAS – Regional Independent Magazine Awards Show. I’m kind of a big deal there.

The pub crawl piece was followed up by my I am the Last Emperor blockbuster article chronicling my tour of China during the spring of 2018. The beer was pretty bad, however, the travels through such a majestic country were life changing. I walked on the Great Wall, I walked the halls of the Imperial Palace and I walked the pits of the terracotta warriors along with the streets of Shanghai and Beijing. Obviously, I did a lot of walking on that trip, but that article walked me right into another big night at the RIMAs. Imagine Michael Jordon in his prime and you start to get the picture.

That leads us to my editorial staff pitch about a little wine tasting adventure in Barcelona. My pitch angle was that while Californian’s have been conditioned to overpay for mediocre red, white and rose wines, just because they’re from Napa, Sonoma or Pasa Robles, a lot of European wines and more specifically, Espana wines, are very affordable and mucho delicioso. That’s Spanish for “really good.” When Chief asked to see my corporate credit card, I was assuming it was just to check the expiration date, instead he cut it in half and said, “Ace, your traveling days on the magazine’s nickel are over.” What a buzzkill! Knowing that I had another RIMA award in me, I decided to renew my passport and fund the trip on my own.

Departing from SFO on American Airlines, I knew that the airline wouldn’t have the best wine selection in the world, but when you’re traveling in the premium economy section, the vino is free flowing. The on-flight sommelier suggested we pair a lovely cab with our tasty bag of pretzels entree. A few more tiny bottles of this demure wine allowed us to drift off to sleep organically on our transatlantic flight. Next stop… Barcelona.

Sunday, our first official day in Hannah’s new country, was a rental car road trip to Cadaques, a delightful seaside town about two hours outside of town. We arrived around noon and immediately sampled a few tapas dishes (tapas is Spanish for a small savory dish). Given that it was a beautiful, sunny day sitting on the beachfront patio of a popular restaurant, we shared a pitcher of sangria while staring at the Mediterranean Sea. I’m not a big sangria fan, but, “when in Rome,” although by Rome I mean Barcelona. That night, back in Barcelona, we had our first paella meal of the trip, along with a half bottle of both red and white wine, at a nice family eatery that was but a mere Metro ride away from our hotel.

Monday was all about the hop on/hop off bus tour of the city. We saw every part of Barcelona including Park Guell and C.C Arenas Barcelona, where the professional soccer team FC Barcelona plays. We saw the Olympic Village, the Palau Nacional, the Torry Agbar, Placa Toros Monumental – where they once held actual bull fights before they outlawed bull fighting and turned it into a shopping mall. Shopping can be a lot like a bull fight if there’s a good sale going. The tour ended as we passed the Christopher Columbus monument near the Waterfront – which included the historic Old Port. We got off the bus at the Plaza Catalunya, which is the prime shopping district. It’s a combination of Union Square (SF) meets Michigan Avenue (Chicago) with a little 5th Avenue (NYC) mixed into Downtown Disney.

That night, after striking out at the first two restaurants we visited, we settled on a Spanish/Greek place and were very pleased with the selection…of wines. Leaning toward a bold red, we ordered the Marques de Cacares and five straws. I’m only kidding, we only had four straws.

Tuesday we visited the prime landmark in Barcelona, the fabulous Basilica of the Sagrada Familia designed by Antoni Gaudi. This rather large Catholic basilica, because Barcelona already had a cathedral, began construction in 1882 and is expected to be completed by 2026. Like most construction projects, they are slightly behind schedule. After taking a couple photos—a couple hundred, to be precise—we grabbed some lunch before venturing over to our daughter’s apartment in the El Camp de L’Alpa del Clot district. Clot is a quieter part of the city, but it’s a short walk to the Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona where my little girl is attending classes. Imagine if Hogwarts were a commuter school and you’ll get a fitting visual. Luckily I was able to find a school t-shirt in a nearby store, which is a “must have” for any collegiate visit.

Being a beautiful evening, we took a friend’s suggestion and dined outside at a wonderful restaurant that served, of all things, wine. We stuck with an assortment of tapas dishes and a bottle of Bodegas Vega Sicilia Unico Tinto 2007. I’m only kidding; that wine is $350 a bottle. We stuck with a few pitchers of inexpensive Sangria.

Wednesday was a beach day as we walked the Passeig Maritim de la Barceloneta. Talk about a collection of luxury yachts in the harbor. My yacht would seem compact by comparison. From there, we made our way over to the Gothic district (my favorite part of the city). We started at the Cathedral de Barcelona and then strolled the Passeig de Lluis Companys making our way to the Arc de Triomf. My travel party did their share of shopping in and around the Del Mercat de Santa Caterina which is an intriguing mosaic-tiled, wavy rooftop marketplace that does not sale meerkats. Too bad, those little critters crack me up. Mercat translated is market.

For dinner, we chose a cool split-level restaurant, somewhere near our hotel. We entertained one of Hannah’s friends from school by sharing a crisp bottle of white—Martin Codax Arbarino, and a spicy bottle of red—Oro Bailen Reserva. Dinner was muchas tapas and paella, and dessert was gelato. I was very full walking back to the hotel. Thankfully I brought along my after-dinner lounging pants with an elastic waistband.

Thursday started with a short Metro ride and about an hour train ride to get us to Parc Natural de la Muntana and the Santa Maria de Montserra Abby and Basilica de Montserrat. This is a monastery and basilica built high, high, high up in the mountain with a hairy gondola ride to get to our destination. Luckily the monks served a Marques de Caceres Rioja to calm the nerves of all gondola riders. The grounds are truly amazing, especially given what it must have taken to build a town in the side of a rock mountain. Sadly, I’m guessing that many donkeys lost their lives hauling building materials 4,055 feet above the valley floor. Apparently, donkeys don’t like to ride in gondolas.

That night, for a change of pace, we ate at a lively Mexican restaurant that was filled with college students from all over the United States. I can’t say for sure that their margaritas were made of Spanish wine, but after the 5th or 6th it really didn’t matter. The meal was delicious, and it was enjoyable watching all the kids having so much fun. That place will be crazy on Cinco de Mayo.

Friday started with a visit to the public market called Mercat St. Josep La Boqueria. We followed our un-Safeway like grocery shopping expedition with a cooking class led by the renowned chef, Carlos Aviles. The culinary excursion was enchanting, however the Paella de Marisco (sea food paella) was a little too fishy for my In-N-Out burger-munching pallet. As instructed, because we were in a classroom setting, we washed down our comida (food) creations with a few glasses of Gran Feudo, a tangy white wine. We finished the day with a ramble down Las Ramblas, the popular retail promenade. Needless to say, after a decadent afternoon of eating and drinking our self-created Michelin star meal, we opted for a simple dinner of flat bread pizza and a splash of Campo Viejo Tempranillo.

It was wonderful seeing our daughter in her 3rd home surroundings and Barcelona is a truly amazing city worthy of a visit. While we were expecting rain during our visit, because, well you know…. the rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain, we were treated with beautiful weather throughout our weeklong visit.

I’m wrapping this piece up as I peruse the isles of BevMo looking for a couple of Spanish wines to add to our tapas-size wine collection. While I won’t be craving paella for a while, I will enjoy a sassy glass of La Riojo Alta Grand Reserva as I download my photos from a wonderful trip to Barca. That’s how the locals refer to the town and Hannah is a local now.

History of California Wine

May 7, 2019 by Elizabeth Kate Leave a Comment

Everyone knows the United States is a driving force in the wine industry. Many assume that early wine production in California began in the famous Napa Valley but that’s simply not the case. Early wine production actually started in Southern California, in what is now “The City of Angels,” or Los Angeles.

“California Wine” in the nineteenth century meant Los Angeles’ wine. In the mid-1800s, before the existence of the massive city we know, and before California was even a state in the union, most of the greater Los Angeles area was under vine. Grapevines covered the land from what is now the Downtown to Boyle Heights to Glendale, Pasadena, and beyond. At the time, the majority of the population lived in what was known as the “pueblo” or “city,” near downtown Los Angeles’ Olvera Street. But the history goes back even further than that.

Spanish missionaries, including Father Junipero Serra, arrived in California in1769, bringing with them vine cuttings of a Spanish grape, which today has come to be known as the “Mission” grape. In addition to establishing Christianity and the Catholic Church in the New World, the missionaries were farmers who skillfully cultivated the vines in order to produce a sweet, sacramental red wine.

In 1778, the first grapevines were planted in San Juan Capistrano. The Mission grape made its way across California via the missionaries and eventually wound up at the Mission San Gabriel. A tangible link to the Mission Era of our state’s glorious history, the Mission grapevine is older than the state of California itself.

The original vine cuttings led to widespread planting of grapevines all across Southern California. With its warm climate and ample sunshine, Southern California was the perfect environment for viticulture. When California became a state in 1850, Los Angeles already had more than 100 working vineyards. Eventually sweet wine production was abandoned in favor of dry wine. By 1860, the Los Angeles area was producing nearly 170,000 gallons of wine per year.

Downtown Los Angeles was the hub of wine production in the mid-century. French wine producer, Jean-Louis Vignes (ironically, “vignes” is the French word for “vines”), owned “El Aliso,” a large-scale commercial winery on the site of what is now Los Angeles’ beloved Union Station. Famous Olvera Street restaurants, La Golondrina and El Paseo, were originally wineries. Olvera Street itself was initially called “Calle de los Vignes,” or “Vine Street,” and renamed in 1877. Historic old grapevines still grow on Olvera Street, dating back more than 150 years.

The Mission grape itself evolved into a hybrid of the original European grape and a native California grape. Jean Louis Vignes of El Aliso was not impressed by the quality of the wine crafted from the Mission grape and eventually began cultivation of French Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc.

As Los Angeles wine was palatable, cheap, and plentiful, it grew quite popular with the wine-drinking immigrants flowing across the border. There was an eager market at hand. Los Angeles wine production was booming and would likely still be a dominant force in wine production today, if not for the arrival of Pierce’s Disease (first called “Anaheim Disease”), and the Gold Rush.

Pierce’s Disease, an insect-borne bacterial infection which still exists today, drove many wine producers to financial ruin, as hundreds of vineyards in Los Angeles were destroyed seemingly overnight. The vineyard land was replanted with the signature citrus trees with which most Angelenos are familiar.

The few wineries that continued in Los Angeles were effectively put out of business with the advent of Prohibition. Only the San Antonio Winery (founded by an Italian immigrant) survived, due to a lucrative contract forged with the powerful Catholic Church, allowing the winery to produce sacramental wine. Ironically, the San Antonio Winery’s production actually increased during the ill-fated Temperance Movement.

The Gold Rush forced wine production north, up to regions of Northern California, as the demand for wine from the immigrant gold miners and their families surged. Los Angeles wine was replaced by wine from the Sierra Foothills, Napa, and Sonoma.

Today world-class wine is produced all over the state of California, from Napa and Sonoma to the Sierra Foothills and Mendocino, the foggy hills of Monterey to Santa Barbara, Malibu, Temecula, and beyond. While there is still some wine production existing in Los Angeles, it is merely a drop in the bucket of what once was the original hub of the state of California’s production.

The fine wines of California can be found at your favorite restaurants, bars, and wine shops. Ask for them by name. Try a wine from a region new to you! There is a rainbow of choices available. Find out first-hand why California continues to excel in quality wine production.

Cheers!

Spring & Summer Classic

May 7, 2019 by Macca Edwards Leave a Comment

A white dress is one very important piece of clothing I make sure to have for spring and summer. It’s super versatile and a beautiful classic to have in your closet. My white dress is from three summers ago. It’s still going strong! Once you find one you love, it can be worn time and time again. Or each year when spring/summer come around replace it with a new one. Either way, it’s a staple for your closet.

I’m sure I’ve said this before, but versatility is one way I like to make sure a piece of clothing is a good purchase. With that said, let’s style a white dress three ways. I went browsing on my favorite retailers’ website, Nordstrom, and found a simple white dress; one that isn’t too fancy or too casual. It’s right in that perfect middle ground, making it super wearable!

Everyday wear.

Where to wear: Running errands, a lunch date, or weekend barbeque.

Keep it simple with a pair of sneakers and a cropped military jacket. Go for a shorter jacket. The placement of a more cropped jacket lays nicely against a midi-length dress. If the jacket is too long, it takes away from the silhouette of the dress. Accessorize with a fun straw bag and wood earrings. A pair of statement earrings dresses up the look, however a pair of studs is great for keeping it on the more casual end of the spectrum. A crossbody bag is a great choice for day wear. It’s easy to throw on and won’t get in the way.

Dress it up a bit!

Where to wear: Weekend brunch, graduation party, church.

Switch out the sneakers for a pair of wedges. I am always drawn to cognac leather shoes. They’re the best neutral. However, a pair of colored wedges are great too. If you opt for a colored wedge, go for a more neutral earring.

Aside from a white dress being an essential, a denim jacket is also a must have for spring/summer. It’s a great overlay. Add in the denim jacket for awesome structure and the perfect amount of warmth for sunny days. The denim jacket can also be worn for everyday wear with the sneakers and the military jacket can be worn with the wedges. Talk about versatility! As for the accessories, add in some pizazz with a colored statement earring and give the trendy bamboo cage handbag a try. These accessories are the perfect finishing touch that take the look to that next level.

Go all out!

Where to wear: Dinner date, college graduation, date night.

We’re sticking with the same dress. This time add in a pair of strappy heels. The shoes are a true game changer. Switching out your shoes is the best way to take a dress from one occasion to the next. Since, we’re getting all gussied up, opt for a wrap instead of a jacket. Choose a gauze-like wrap for an updated take on wraps. Add to the look with a straw clutch. Are you sensing a theme? Straw is so popular this season. It’s a great finishing touch to any of these looks. Either bag from the first two looks could be worn with this outfit as well. No need to have all three. Rather, the different bags offer ideas for the one you might like best in your closet. Lastly, the earrings—tassels are great for visual interest. These add a little color and dimension to the look.

There you have it: Three ways to rock a white dress. Are you sold? Stop by maccarose.com to let me know which look is your favorite, and to shop these looks.

Thanks for reading, dear ones.

Singin’ the Blues

May 7, 2019 by Peggy Fallon Leave a Comment

Months of rainy weekends have given way to the sunny days we all crave. Spring is definitely here—especially at the farmers’ market. And what a sweet season it is! As May progresses, weather permitting you’ll find tender cantaloupe, velvety apricots, fat little cherries, and other early stone fruits like nectarines, peaches, and plums; as well as real strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries. Be still, my heart!

It’s time to say goodbye to the sour, mushy, or mealy blueberries that travel here from countries like Chile and New Zealand. Locally-grown berries have arrived. After you’ve popped a few dozen directly into your mouth to celebrate, it’s time to explore new ways to enjoy them.

Nothing says ‘good morning’ like a basket of warm blueberry muffins…on Mother’s Day or any other day of the year. I think we’ve all choked down some pretty dreary muffins in our lives, but I discovered this recipe over 30 years ago and it is always my first choice. How can you deny an easily-made muffin with a tender crumb, a hint of spice, and little bursts of fruit in every bite?

Cut the recipe in half, if you like, but it pays to make the full batch so there will be extra muffins to freeze. A muffin a day keeps the blues away!

The Best Blueberry Muffins

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups sugar

4 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

2 cups farm-fresh blueberries, picked over to remove any stems

1 1/4 cups milk

2 large eggs, at room temperature

2 sticks (1/2 pound) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line two standard 12-cup muffin tins with paper liners.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Whisk gently to blend. In a medium bowl, toss about 2 tablespoons of this mixture with the blueberries to coat. (This will prevent them from sinking when added to the batter.)

In another medium bowl, whisk together the milk and eggs to blend well; mix in the melted butter.

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients; pour in the butter mixture. As quickly and as lightly as possible, stir the dry ingredients into the wet. (Easy does it. This is simply to moisten the flour. Do not try for a uniform batter. There will be lumps! And that’s a good thing.) Gently fold in the blueberries. Use an ice cream scoop or spoon to fill the muffin papers about 2/3 full. Bake until the muffins are golden on top and a toothpick inserted into the center shows no evidence of uncooked batter, 20 to 25 minutes. When cool enough to handle, arrange the muffins on a wire rack to cool. Serve warm or at room temperature. Makes 20 to 24 muffins.

Adapted from The Loaves & Fishes Cookbook by Devon Fredericks & Susan Costner (1980)

Making the Most of the Blues

Unlike most other ripe fruits, the “sniff test” is pointless for blueberries. Instead, use your eyes. Blueberries should be unblemished and have a silvery-white bloom on their deep blue skin. Avoid any berries that are shriveled or green.

The plump blueberries grown here in California are the high-bush variety. Tiny “wild” blueberries are a low-bush variety, grown mostly in Canada and the northeastern United States. These are usually available here only frozen.

Blueberries, often deemed a superfood, are low in calories and high in nutrients and antioxidants. A 1-cup serving of blueberries weighs in at a mere 84 calories and 21 grams of carbohydrate. It also contains 4 grams of fiber; 24% of the RDI (Recommended Daily Intake) of Vitamin C; 36% of the RDI of Vitamin K; 25% of the RDI for manganese; plus small amounts of various other nutrients.

When you get those beautiful berries home: Sort to discard any stems or dried or smashed berries, which could go moldy. Line a baking sheet or other shallow container with paper towels to absorb excess moisture. Lay the berries in a single layer, cover, and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Store them on a shelf in the coldest part of your refrigerator, as produce drawers are often too humid. Just before using, rinse the berries in a colander under cold running water and pat dry.

To freeze farm-fresh blueberries, lay rinsed & dried berries in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet to flash-freeze. Once frozen, transfer the berries to plastic containers or bags for longer storage. (Cook’s Tip: Do not thaw berries before adding to recipes.)

Blueberries are equally delicious raw or cooked. Enjoy a bowl of fresh berries “naked” or dusted with a bit of confectioners’ sugar and/or a drizzle of cream; or as a no-fuss topping for ice cream. (Try them over lemon or mango sorbet, too.)

Blueberries are rich in pectin, making them an excellent choice for jams, compotes, and fruit chutney.

Blueberries and breakfast are best friends—and a healthy way to kick-start the day. Stir fresh berries into hot or cold cereal, yogurt, or cottage cheese. Or add a handful to smoothies, muffins, quick breads, scones, French toast, or pancake or waffle batter.

Later in the day, enjoy blueberries in pies and tarts, pound cakes, shortcakes, cheesecake, cobblers, and crisps. The possibilities are endless.

Blueberries lend polka-dot appeal to fruit salads; and because they are not overly sweet, make a flavorsome surprise in green salads.

The Danville Certified Farmers’ Market, located at Railroad & Prospect, is open every Saturday, rain or shine, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. For specific crop information call the Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association at 1-800-949-FARM, or visit their web site at www.pcfma.org. This market is made possible through the generous support of the Town of Danville. Please show your appreciation by patronizing the many fine shops and restaurants located in downtown Danville. Buy fresh. Buy local. Live well!

Leave No Trace

May 7, 2019 by Eric Johnson Leave a Comment

Some of my fondest memories are of my years spent as a volunteer Scout leader. For over a dozen years, I had the privilege of serving in various positions in a Cub Scout Pack and a Boy Scout Troop. Perhaps unbeknownst to many never involved in Scouting, since the inception of the Boy Scouts of America in 1910, caring for the outdoors—our natural environment—has been part of the program.

Beginning as “Tiger Cubs” during their first-grade years, and throughout a Scout’s journey up to the rank of Eagle Scout and beyond into adulthood, the Scouting program teaches young men, through hands-on experience, how to care for the environment, largely through a principle known as “Leave No Trace.”

Whenever Scouts participate in outdoor activities, they are taught the importance of protecting and preserving nature. One of the final activities of any outing, for example, is a simple, practical yet ceremonial activity called a “sweep,” where Scouts carefully inspect every square foot of a campsite to be sure it is left in pristine condition—leaving no trash, no “trace.”

As the BSA website describes the concept:

Leave No Trace is an awareness and an attitude rather than a set of rules. It applies in your backyard or local park as much as in the backcountry. We should all practice Leave No Trace in our thinking and actions–wherever we go… Help protect the backcountry by remembering that while you are there, you are a visitor… Leave everything just as you found it. Hiking and camping without a trace are signs of an expert outdoorsman, and of a Scout or Scouter who cares for the environment. Travel lightly on the land.

To my way of thinking, this is was and is a practical, pragmatic way to deal with environmental concerns. No politics—just a love for nature, and simple, sensible ways to live in harmony with it.

And so, it is in this spirit that I am excited to share with you some changes in ALIVE Magazine. While we have always been careful about using responsible, “eco-friendly” materials and methods, such as using Soy inks and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) paper, we recently discovered another great program known as “Print Releaf.”

Simply put, this program calculates the amount of paper used to produce each issue of ALIVE, then trees are planted somewhere in the world where they are most needed. As explained on their website:

PrintReleaf warrants that the paper measured is reforested back into the natural environment. PrintReleaf guarantees an eventual 1:1 replacement of paper:biomass. Net impact is, at minimum, neutral – and often positive.

In addition to ALIVE’s other environmentally-responsible certifications, we are now proud to be “Print Releaf Certified,” and with this issue of ALIVE alone, thirty trees will be planted in either Brazil, the Dominican Republic, India, Ireland, Madagascar, or the United States!

As publisher of this magazine, my “Scout DNA” is alive and well, and all of our readers, writers, and advertisers can know that “Leave No Trace” will continue as a guiding principles of ALIVE.

2019 Subaru Ascent

May 7, 2019 by Charles Donaldson Leave a Comment

The Subaru that is all grown up!

Subaru is known for their fleet of vehicles sporting All-Wheel Drive, which the Midwest and northern parts of our country, as well as, Canada truly appreciate. Over the years the size of Subaru models has grown to accommodate the needs of buyers and 2019 introduces Subaru’s largest to-date with the all-new Ascent. Subaru did try to enter the three-row crossover market back in 2005 with the Tribeca, but it was a styling flop. This time Subaru perfected their design with the handsome Ascent. Not only is the Ascent prepared to carry Subaru’s largest cargo capacity at 47.5 cubic feet (compared to the Forester at 33 cubic feet), but it also offers mini-van seating capacity with up to 8 passengers and 3 rows of seats.

Pricing and Trims
The 2019 Subaru Ascent is available in four trim levels: Base AWD ($31,995), Premium AWD ($34,195), Limited AWD ($38,995), and Touring AWD ($44,695).

What’s new for 2019?
Let’s say…Everything! This is the first year for the Ascent, so I will focus on what is new for Subaru consumers. To begin, the 2019 Ascent offers Subaru’s dedicated customer base: a crossover that comfortably carries a family of 6 with cargo, all in one vehicle. Often size does matter, and the Ascent allows families who need more space, an option to stay with Subaru versus having to go and shop other manufacturers.

Interior Highpoints
The interior of my Limited had a soft touch, was stylish, well-appointed and equipped. It was the most comfortable, open, airy Subaru cabin I have ever driven and had super-easy access to the 3^rdrow seats with theater-style seating. Leather lined our seats in my test car. The overall interior features are relatively straightforward with easy button and knob control and an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen (6.5-inch on the base model). The panoramic sunroof provides a sky view to all passengers. The interior storage compartments are adequate extending to all seating compartments including 19-cup holders. The Ascent’s 47.5 cubic feet of cargo space surpasses many of its competitors including the Honda Pilot, Ford Explorer, and Toyota Highlander. What is missing is a rear passenger entertainment system.

Thanks to the Ascent’s 8-passenger seating status (also available in 7-seats), I was able to drive myself and 6 adults comfortably from Dublin to Roseville (roughly 2 hours and 20-minutes each way) for my dad’s 84^th birthday celebration. He and my mom were able to relax and enjoy the ride.

Exterior Highlights
The exterior of the Ascent resembles an inflated Forester with a nice profile and a front end that is all Subaru. Where some vehicles turn heads from great design, the Ascent will rotate necks when people realize this large crossover is a Subaru. The roofrack allows for even more cargo capacity on top.

Performance Specs
The 2019 Subaru Ascent introduces a brand-new 2.4-liter turbocharged flat 4-cylinder engine that generates 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torquecreating all the power needed to confidently propel you on the freeway or off the line. What impressed me most was the 27-mpg highway and 20 miles per gallon city. Not bad for a large vehicle, and that’s with all-wheel drive! The engine is mated to a continuously-variable transmission that allows for cruising at maximum efficiency. The Ascent even offers steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The overall ride was smooth and confident.

Cool Features:

Rear passenger temperature controls
Rear heated seats
Multiple USB outlets
Subaru’s Eye Sight suite of active driving aids

Safety &Integrity
Subaru is known for its safety features and the Ascent is loaded with them, including Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive, EyeSight® driver assist technology, blind-spot detection with lane change assist and rear cross-traffic alert, high beam assist, reverse automatic braking, vehicle dynamics control, 4-wheel ABS, brake assist, brake override system, 180-degree front view camera, rear-vision camera (high-resolution), STARLINK™ safety and security, Subaru advanced frontal airbag system, side curtain airbags, seat-mounted front side airbags, and whiplash-protection front seats with height and tilt-adjustable head restraints.

In Summary –The 2019 Subaru Ascent shares the best of what Subaru is known and respected for, just in much bigger packaging and with decent pricing. The performance feels like a 6-cylinder but with 4-cylinder fuel economy. The interior hits most of the marks for comfort, technology, and easy of use. The exterior design is all Subaru. I never felt fatigued during my long distance (5 hours) of driving to and from Roseville and all passengers had plenty of room. The Harman Kardon sound system delivered great tunes from the Satellite radio. I was impressed with the Ascent and would recommend it for a test drive for those who desire want more room.

Specifications.

2019 Subaru Ascent Limited

Base price: $38,995 as driven: $42,920 (including destination & optional features)

Engine: 2.4-Liter Flat 4-cylinder

Horsepower: 260hp@ 5600 RPM

Torque: 277 lb.-ft.@ 2000-4800 RPM

Transmission: Continuously Variable automatic transmission

Drive: All-Wheel Drive

Seating: 8-passenger

Cargo space: 47.5 cubic feet

Curb weight: 4499 pounds

EPA mileage: City 20/Hwy 26/Comb 22 MPG

Max Towing: 5000 lb.

Fuel Capacity: 19.3 gallons

Wheel Base: 113.8inches

Warranty: 3 years/36,000-miles

Also Consider: Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, Mazda CX-9, and Toyota

Highlander

Decades of Dedication: Ladies of the Livery

May 7, 2019 by Staff Writer Leave a Comment

By a Danville Mom of 35 years

Nearly 70% of the retail businesses at the Danville Livery are woman-owned. Here are a few who have been merchants for many years and continue their traditions to this day:

Moms of teenagers in Danville know that East Bay Flower Company makes the absolute best corsages and flower arrangements. Since 1988, Kris Simpson has broken the proverbial glass ceiling with her flower arrangements for any occasion, including proms, weddings, house warmings and more. It’s remarkable that flowers adorn such a variety of events. Flowers are like champagne: a long-ordained protocol at every celebration. When Danville wants flowers, is there any other place to get them? Sure, Home Depot for the garden, Safeway in a hurry, but when your kid has a prom or gets married (the big stuff) where does one go for flowers? EBFC! One of the few places I know where you can spend $5,000 or $19.99.

Over a quarter of a century ago, I would take my kids to Games Unlimited after school. I took them because, like any good Danville parent, I wanted to please and appease them. I have boxes of Breyer Horses in the garage that are now earmarked for my grandchildren. How can I hand over a decades-old toy to my granddaughter that belonged to my son? Very easily and when I do, I can’t help but remember the old days, scrambling out of our Suburban into Games Unlimited at the Danville Livery.

I believe we parents value the treasures we bought our children if they made an impact on their daily lives. Well, that explains why I saved all those treasures because now I’m giving them all over again. I guess that makes them heirlooms. Anyway, thank you, Sue Banducci and family, for providing such a delightful store and for helping Danville parents build a legacy. Where else can you go and find something unique, make your child bubbly, and get free gift wrapping? Oh wait, there’s Nordstrom… but then you have to park far away, spend a lot more, and they mostly carry clothes. (However, they do have the Danville Livery customer service down pat.)

Another long-time woman-owned business at the Livery is Misto Lino. Since 1994, they have been carrying the most beautiful linens and accessories, specializing in unique, world-class items. Walking in, you immediately understand the hard work and dedication Susan Farrell and staff put toward pleasing the ever-important customer. Not only will you find the highest quality items to fit your home and lifestyle, you may also find that perfect gift.

There are many other woman-owned businesses at the Livery. Come out and meet the hard-working women who bring us such excellence!

Autoharps and Zithers

May 7, 2019 by Charles Donaldson Leave a Comment

What’s an Autoharp and a Zither? Let’s Find Out!

For many years I’ve written about musical instruments from “A” to “Z” for ALIVE Magazine. In this issue the “A” is the Autoharp and the “Z” is the Zither; two instruments that many people have probably never heard about. We’ll start with the Z.

The Zither is among rare and lesser-known instruments used in other times and periods of music history. It comes from a long and storied history dating back to Biblical times.

The ancient ancestors of the zither were a group of instruments called psalteries. Hence, the earliest form of the zither was a psaltery. Historians and musicologists believe the psaltery originated in Persia and Assyria; later it spread to Europe with the Moorish invasion of Spain. The psaltery was a trapezoid or rectangular sound-box with strings that stretched across the box. Sound is produced by plucking the strings.

Today, the zither usually refers to a Bavarian or Austrian instrument like the earlier psaltery. There were many forms and styles of zithers but the one called the board zither is the most highly developed and, at least from a Western viewpoint, is the most important of all the different zithers.

The Bavarian or Austrian zither was primarily used as a folk instrument. It consists of a flat wooden sound-box, usually rectangular, with four to five melody strings (tuned to C, G, D, A). The steel melody strings are played with the right thumb. There are as many as 37 gut accompaniment strings that are stretched over the frets of the finger board. The left hand “stops” the strings that are needed for the chord by pressing them against the frets.

Circa, 1830, two schools where zithers were made, were in Mittenwald, Germany and in the Salzburg area of Austria. The zither was more indigenous to the alpine regions of the two countries until the later part of the 18^th century. During the 19^th century, the zither was made in its standard form. Three sizes of instruments were made for ensemble playing.

The instrument is placed across the knees with the long side next to the player. The zither was known as a folk instrument of central Europe. Generations of people used the zither primarily as an accompaniment instrument.

The Autoharp is a closely related instrument to the zither. It was invented by C. A. Gutter, of Markneukirchen, Germany, in the late 19^th century. The construction of the autoharp is some-what like the zither.

It has a series if strings stretched across a sound board with a series of chord bars marked with the chord name. When depressed the bars dampen (stops) all the strings that are not in the chord. In other words, if one depresses the C major bar, only the strings in the C major chord are sounded – C, E, G – all other strings are silent because they are stopped by the bar. The autoharp is infinitely easier to play than the zither. The zither has no chord bars so the strings must be depressed by the fingers. Like the zither, one of the purposes of the autoharp is to accompany singers.

The principle advantage of the autoharp is that it allows a person with no musical ability, or very little knowledge of music, to play the instrument and accompany melodies.

Playing Position: Place the autoharp on your lap or on a table in front of you. The longest side should be near your body. The player depresses the chord bar with the left hand and strums with the right hand away from the body. The right hand that strums the strings is in a cross-over position.

When purchasing an autoharp, one must decide whether to buy a 12-chord-bar model or a 15-chord-bar model. If cost is not a factor – go for the 15-bar-model. It gives you three extra chord bars and is more versatile in terms of chord selection and number of key signatures it can play. A 12-chord model can play the keys of C, F, and G major; the 15-chord model can play these keys with the addition of keys Bb and D major. Minor keys of A, D, and G can be played on both models.

In modern times the autoharp is played by many more people than the zither. The zither requires the knowledge of chordal structure to depress the correct strings to sound the desired chord. The autoharp can be played by anyone that can read the name of the chord on the chord bar.

The autoharp out-sells the zither many times over. Probably one of the biggest customers for autoharps are schools, particularly elementary schools. Since the instruments can be played by amateurs, they are used in elementary school general music classes. Most classroom teachers are not music majors, so the instrument does not need a trained musician in order to play it. Autoharps make an ideal instrument for classroom use to accompany the children singing.

Also, the students can quickly learn to play the instrument.

Many teachers, not musically trained, think the autoharp is a God-send, as they can use it to enhance their music lessons in the classroom. I have personally observed classroom music lessons being taught by non-musician teachers using the autoharp. It is a wonderful addition that makes music lessons more fun for the students.

Using the autoharp to accompany singing is less stressful for the teacher who does not play piano or guitar. You don’t have to be an expert to play the autoharp – anyone can do it – try it, you’ll like it!

Mark your June calendar for “People, Places & Things” a joint concert with the Danville Community Band and the San Ramon Symphonic Band. Sunday, June 2 at 3:00 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek.

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