Critics will trash this film, audiences will make it a summer hit. What to Expect When You’re Expecting delivers exactly what you expect. Heidi Murkoff wrote the same-titled pregnancy manual 28 years ago. Hollywood has apparently decided the masses are ready to laugh at the terrifying side effects of being preggers. Stuff like uncontrollable flatulence, leaky pee valve, hormonal roller coasters and all the other truths behind the “pregnancy glow” myth. In the standard screenplay story arc, five couple’s lives intersect as they find their way through the fears and joys of new parenthood. This candidate for “straight to video” saves itself from obscurity by rounding up a gang of actors that had openings in their schedule. The box office sure bets include Jennifer Lopez, Elizabeth Banks, Dennis Quaid, and Chris Rock. Our couples are predictably attractive and well off, or attractive, incredibly talented and struggling. Pregnancies are surprisingly planned and unplanned. Some couples are married and there’s even a cross-racial adoption. The only disappointment is they’re all hetero. Ever heard of Modern Family? Middle America is ready.
Chris Rock and his dad dudes roll in the park every Saturday with their manly strollers and Baby Björns. I’m still trying to figure out what’s so funny about the running joke of an unsupervised accident prone toddler in their posse. To be fair, there were lots of foot stomping laughs from the audience until the gasps of horror at the last pratfall.
Luckily for the moms and social services, all confessions of lax parenting are strictly kept in the man code vault. Loved the hapless husband constantly upstaged by his wealthy and competitive dad whose beautiful trophy wife never breaks a sweat in her six-inch heels. She’s a mommy unicorn. Two of our Type A working moms are punished for thinking they can carry on as normal. One woman has to resign herself to bed rest while the other breaks down in the middle of a speech on the joys of motherhood. The speech is a great confessional gob of embarrassing pregnancy goo that your frenemies would never tell you..
As a lifetime card-carrying female I feel obligated to rant a bit about our culture’s love of happy endings. Hollywood reinforces almost every plot with a metaphorical cherry on top. WTEWE= pregnancy sucks, don’t fall for the parenthood trap, oh, and it’s the only thing that makes life worth living. Huh?
One of the hottest new outdoor music venues in wine country, Long Meadow Ranch Winery & Farmstead is pleased to open its summer stage to California country/soul/rock band — and recent YouTube sensation — Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers.
While taking in the first concert in a series to hit Long Meadow Ranch Winery & Farmstead this summer, guests can enjoy farm-to-table wine and food experiences, winemakers menus at the Logan-Ives House, dining at Farmstead, kicking back on the lawn, soaking up some Napa Valley sun and much more! Picnic blankets and gear are encouraged. Day-of concert experiences include entry to the event in addition to a Ranch visit or winemakers menu as specified.
Long Meadow Ranch Winery & Farmstead is a sustainable food, wine and agricultural center located in St. Helena, the heart of the Napa Valley. The three acre, multi-use location is anchored by the historic Logan-Ives House at Long Meadow Ranch Winery, as well as Farmstead restaurant; wine flavor and vegetable gardens; a seasonal farmers market; the Centerpiece floral design shop; and a variety of unique event spaces.
San Francisco singer-songwriter Nicki Bluhm’s sophomore album, Driftwood, shows an impressive progression of Nicki’s natural talent. The songs range from the AM magic of Linda Ronstadt to the charming duets of Johnny Cash and June Carter and hints of stoney Memphis soul. Bluhm and band’s popularity is continuing to grow nationally, especially with the sweeping success of their “Van Sessions.” Videos of the band on YouTube performing covers while on the road have gone viral, with celebrities like Daryl Hall and John Oates (the latest “Van Sessions” covered their “I Can’t Go For That”), Bette Midler, Ryan Adams, Pink Floyd’s Dave Mason and more tweeting and posting on Facebook about the unique video performances. Bluhm’s warm, strong voice and striking presence have undeniable appeal, confirmed by her sensational performances and rousing reception from music lovers at every show.
Saturday, June 9: doors at 3 p.m.; performance at 4:30 p.m.
Long Meadow Ranch Winery & Farmstead
738 Main Street
St. Helena, CA 94574
(707) 963-4555
Additional options for ranch tours, tastings, lunch and dinner are available; no outside beverages allowed. For more information, go to: www.longmeadowranch.com/visit
Does the thought of spending the evening undercover with Michael Bauer, The San Francisco Chronicle’s esteemed restaurant critic, where you’ll learn what goes into critiquing a dining experience and writing an award winning restaurant review, get your culinary juices flowing?
And bet you can’t say no to the chance of winning a dinner package for two (with sommelier wine pairings) at SIX award-winning Bay Area restaurants — Gary Danko, Aziza, Chez TJ, Spruce, Fifth Floor, and Benu.
Would the Chef’s Holiday culinary adventure at the aclaimed Ahwahnee in Yosemite (which includes two nights lodging, an intimate Meet the Chefs reception with wine and hors d’oeuvres, cooking demonstrations followed by tastings, behind-the-scenes kitchen tours and a five-course Chefs’ Holidays Gala Dinner paired with wines) make the perfect present you and your sig-foodie other?
These are just a few of the awesome auction items that you can bid on during the eighth annual Summertini event. And the very best part is that while you’re busy enjoying an evening of live music, signature martinis, great wines, and delicious hors d’oeuvres from two dozen of San Francisco’s top chefs, you’re also doing your part to help end homelessness.
Summertini helps ensure that CHEFS, the unique culinary training program that intensively trains and finds employment in the food industry for homeless adults, and the Skills Center (both programs of Episcopal Community Services of San Francisco) remain strong and continue to provide education and support to homeless adults in San Francisco.
All the details:
WHEN: SummerTini 2012 will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, June 8
WHERE: The Galleria at The San Francisco Design Center
101 Henry Adams Street, San Francisco
WHAT: The event features signature martinis and specialty hors d’oeuvres from AQ, 4505 Meats, E & O Trading Company, Millennium, Hayes Street Grill, Plant Café Organic, Thirsty Bear, Home of Chicken and Waffles, McQuade’s Celtic Chutneys, Slanted Door, Zare at Fly Trap, and other restaurants in the city. There will be music by San Francisco’s premiere jazz band, 8 Legged Monster.
WHO: Join this year’s special Master of Ceremonies: Chef Martin Yan
DON’T STOP BELIEVING
This was a rough year for the San Francisco Film Society. Besides the usual stress of putting together the 55th annual film festival program, the staff was in deep mourning after the loss of their beloved executive director. Graham Leggat resigned his post last year and passed away soon afterwards of cancer.
Leggat’s replacement, Bingham Ray, died less than six months later while attending the Sundance Film Festival.
If this was a screenplay nobody would believe it.
Farewell, My Queen
It’s been said that Leggat loved a good party, and he would have loved the Opening Night dedicated to his memory. At the Castro Theater no less. The plot depicts the relationship between Marie Antoinette and one of her readers during the final days of the French Revolution. I can still smell the velvet.
Your Sister’s Sister
We’re not in Hollywood blockbuster big-budget-explosion-land anymore. Apparently there are other ways to wash away the dull moments without explosions and gigantic budgets. The plot begins as a simple weekend in the country. The dialog is mostly unscripted. Shooting without a big Hollywood budget and a crazy tight schedule, Your Sister’s Sister holds our interest with the relationships of the characters. Take two sisters and one love interest and you’ve got the classic play of betrayal and forgiveness, the rivalry that’s only paired with siblings, love that’s not returned, and all sorts of human relatable fears. This is the kind of film that stays in your head long after the credit roll.
Palaces of Pity
Are we noticing any visual similarities here? Women side by side, looking at each other, relating to each other, different but the same inside. We’ve got an old Portuguese woman with an ipad, her pierced face granddaughters, and goats. Gabriel Abrantes and Daniel Schmidt’s film is an elusory blend of classic and ultramodern, compassion and irony, all in the spirit of Jose Saramago. No Mercedes problems here. Grandma teaches the girls about life by having them tend goats.
Ok, back to Mercedes problems. At the film’s opening scene we realize we’ve got a completely clueless young man who is trying to woo a young lady with a bunch of flowers stolen from a roadside shrine. Too bad he didn’t trash the “In Memorium” card. Cut to our guy in a bar. Advice from his pal is to marry the next girl he sees as it makes no difference. Now he’s in an airport. Guy number two sits next to him and blandly states that he walked into his bedroom to find another guy with his wife. Our Mr bored white guy picks up the lovely Lila in a bar, showering her with rote compliments. Equally blase, Lila agrees to a hasty marriage. So what does the best man’s speech inspire us with? “They all look good in the beginning”. The newly weds cheat on each other and still can’t manage to get an emotional rise out of themselves. There’s new relationships and more sleep walking through life. You can cut the ennui with a knife.
Don’t Stop Believin’: Everyman’s Journey
Whew, just in time. If you’re a hard core Gleek you already know how awesome the band Journey is. When the band needed to find a new lead singer to replace Steve Perry, little did they know they would become international icons of world peace and all things warm and fuzzy. Thus begins a real life fairy tale. Our story begins with Arnel, living an impoverished life in Manila. This is serious unrelenting poverty. When his mother died the family spun out of control. They had to sell their television, fridge, and furniture in exchange for her medical care. When the money ran out they were kicked out of their home. Dad took the two younger kids and at age thirteen Arnel was on his own. He would sing at funerals for biscuits, sleeping in the park with the other homeless kids. Eventually Arnel got a gig singing with a Journey tribute band. On the other side of the globe, dinking around YouTube, Journey’s lead guitarist Neil discovers our young signer, pops him an email and poof, off Arnel goes on a plane to LA. He gets the job. Fast forward to his first gig in 2008 in front of 18,000 people plus 25 million South Americans grooving to the live simulcast. We shadow Arnel as he works through his total fear, not that you would know watching him. He never ran out of air while singing, jumping and running for joy around the stage. Arnel can now buy his family a nice home in the Philippines, bringing them all together again. We see that his values are solid. It’s all about family, no room for the excesses that take down so many American stars. Arnel speaks to the camera, telling us that life is full of mystery, he lives in a castle now, all is well, problems will come and go. You gain, you lose, that’s how life is. This guy is for real. This story is real. What a high to know that Arnel is out there somewhere in the world, still touring and putting smiles on thousands of faces. I don’t think there’s a word for ennui in the Filipino language.
The lyrics from songstress Annie Lennox’s global hit ring true in the case of this amazingly delicious story.
Sweet Dreams are made of this… Who am I to disagree?
I traveled the world and the seven seas…Everybody’s looking for something.
The divine Gail Ambrosius found and followed her dream with just a few detours along the way.
As we all soon discover, life long passions will blossom much like flowers if planted and nurtured in an enriching foundation. In this case, Gail’s success has humble beginnings. It is a dairy farm in rural Wisconsin where the seed takes root. A fond memory of mom in the kitchen whipping up creamy chocolate pudding from scratch was the catalyst that set Gail on a remarkable journey.
Her love of cooking and adventure intersected on a street corner in Paris.
A school trip to France and a patisserie encounter extraordinaire changed her destiny forever.
Despite some challenging times, Gail never lost sight of her dream and her core values. She wanted to create chocolates crafted with love and the purest ingredients.
Today, her mission is an ongoing reality. She travels the world to seek and secure the finest cacao – fair trade product supporting the locals and farmed free of chemicals.
“Most Chocolatiers blend their chocolates to achieve a certain flavor. Gail Ambrosius takes a different approach. She starts with the finest single-origin chocolate, bursting with the unique characteristics of each region, and infuses natural, fresh flavors that add depth, complexity and sumptuous layers to the taste experience.”
Today, “the proof is in the pudding”…really!
Each chocolate is a decadently delicious delight!
Gail challenges the palate and the imagination with flavorful unique combinations – bold blends of chocolate, fruits, nuts and spices.
But it is her mouth-watering classic gems – Lucille Vanilla Truffles, named in honor of her devoted mom and celebrating the rich creamy experience of mom’s notorious chocolate pudding that keep customers from all over the country coming back for more.
Discerning Divas know that chocolate is the X-factor for all things good.
Loaded with antioxidants and a natural mood enhancer what is there not to like or enjoy!
35 Years Strong
This years design challenge transformed the multi-story Pacific Heights mansion at 2020 Jackson Street in San Francisco. For the 35th year decorators vied for a chance to show off their design cred, all to the benefit of The University School. Hallways, balconies, elevators and rooms were a mash-up of interior design. Wash room concepts included everything from a phone-it-in wall treatment to a thought provoking Duchamp tribute.
The latter was designed by Michael Polenske and Carissa Duncan. Washing up in this room would be a bit tricky dodging scissors hanging eye level from an open umbrella and various sharp objects standing in for water in the claw foot tub. I assumed some eBamay store got lucky, but turns out the artist Michele Pred created this post 9-11 statement using items confiscated by Homeland Security.
The boy cave had vintage goth appeal with lots of re-purposed, recycled, green buzz words flying about the antique looking thingies under domed glass and well, it was really dark.
Right next door, Emily Mughannam’s light filled “Teen Only Hang Out Room” oozed happy heart shaped stencils on the ceiling and heart shaped photo collage on the wall. A glowing neon sign reminded our occupants that “you only live once”. Dangerous words for a hormonal teen me thinks. I’m starting to notice a steam punk theme running throughout the house in lighting fixtures and do dads. In the upholstery world zebra lives side by side with velvet and unnatural fibers.
Good Lordy, the balcony could have had an upside down wine barrel table and nobody would notice, the view was that spectacular. Luckily the designer’s vision matched the splendor of the scenery with a tented seating area and electric candelabra. Feeling rich just standing there.
The Transamerica Pyramid could be seen in the distance through the back stairway window.
The conceptional award goes to The man cave by Geoffrey De Sousa and Robin Sussillo. The team show cased a mirrored table reflecting the geometric patterned rug. They should have handed out special Dali-vision glasses to view the table which appeared to be melting into the floor.
Around every corner would be an arty surprise, like the tie, bow tie and cuff link set made of twisted wire. There were lots of creative light fixtures. The teen room had a mid-century-ish combo of plumbing rods and retro bulbs. The room adjacent to the balcony had a light shaped like an upside down flower bouquet, face to face with a giant display of colorful real live flowers.
Catherine Kwong re-purposed a sitting room and closet the size of my living room into a fashion bloggers office. You wish. All the rows of shoes would have disappeared into the ladies satchels if it weren’t for the small sizes and liberal use of velcro. Don’t ask me how I know this.
Trend 2012 belongs to the buzz words “green”, “reclaimed”, “up cycled”, “vintage”, or at least stuff that looks like it is. Think live plants on brick walls or hanging terrariums. Talk about trends, yesterday I walked into CB2 in Union Square and they were having a make your own terrarium party.
Special props to Living Green for the lush entry garden and portico. Extra points to Davis Dalbok, the wall’s designer, who was sporting a Betabrand smoking jacket.
I declare, 2020 Jackson is lookie-loo heaven.
THE DETAILS:
April 28 – May 28, 2012
2020 Jackson St
(between Laguna St & Octavia St)
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 447-5830
Please join us at a no host cocktail hour with Dr. Melina Jampolis, Tuesday, May 1st. She is going to be giving Tango Divas a sneak peak of her latest book, The Calendar Diet, as well as gift bags.
Dr. Melina is a highly sought after public speaker and lectures throughout the country on nutrition for weight loss and optimal health. She has been interviewed by USA Today, USA Weekend, New York Post, Family Circle, Better Homes & Gardens, Ladies Home Journal, Women’s World, Women’s Health, San Francisco Magazine, and more on nutrition and weight loss related topics. She has appeared numerous times on Live with Regis and Kelly as well as Dr. Oz. show, CNN, FOX News channel, FOX Business Network, and numerous local television and radio stations including ABC , NBC, FOX, KGO radio and KRON-4 news.
WHAT: Intimate gathering of Tango Diva members with Dr. Melina WHERE: Slanted Door, Ferry Building, San Francisco WHEN: Tuesday, May 1st @ 5 pm – 6 pm, booking signing at Book Passage to follow
May brings spring flowers, Mother’s Day, and a cluster of great wine events around the Bay Area. Many of these sell out in advance, and you’re going to be real sad if everyone else is heading out for a fun day of food and red, white and pink wine tasting and you’re shut out. So better get your tickets soon.
Here are just a few of my fave’s to get you started:
California Cabernet Society ~ Passport to Cabernet May 7, 2012
3:30 – 5:30 PM
ONCE-A-YEAR opportunity to taste wines from the California Cabernet Society member wineries. This event is an even rarer opportunity for CONSUMERS to have a first glimpse of the character of the 2011 Cabernet harvest. Furthermore, you may also taste over 100 of the newest releases from our exclusive member wineries, while speaking directly with the actual winemakers and winery principals.
Each spring the California Cabernet Society holds this major Barrel tasting, Passport to Cabernet, showcasing barrel samples from the most recent vintage…the 2011 harvest. This is a tremendous and rare opportunity for consumers to taste and evaluate the promise and excitement of the newest harvest from our 65 member wineries and their potential to develop into outstanding finished wines…and don’t forget the 100 latest release wines from our Napa/Sonoma member wineries. Gourmet appetizers will be served as well. We look forward to seeing you there. Cheers!
Rosé Avengers & Producers and Chef Lam of Butterfly restaurant host the 8th Annual PINK OUT! SF on Tuesday, May 8th 2012. TasteLive — the world’s premier online tasting community — will host a live streaming broadcast from Butterfly with wine bloggers tasting remotely from around the U.S. The virtual tasting is sponsored by CellarPass, Mutineer magazine, and featured a special selection of fine rosés. The consumer tasting happens from 6:30pm to 9:00pm with tickets on sale now.
The Pink Out! SF celebration at Butterfly restaurant will feature an extensive walk-around tasting of 40-plus classic still and sparkling rosés from throughout the world, accompanied by delicious appetizers and chill DJ grooves by Durojaiye Versatile. Chef Lam will once again dished up rosé-inspired Pan-Pacific appetizers from sustainably and organically sourced ingredients. Guests are encouraged to sport their most fun and entertaining pink attire.
Online Advance Tickets: online $35 per person $45 at door if available (this event has sold out every year, there are no cash refunds)
Where: Butterfly Restaurant, Pier 33, San Francisco CA 94111
Taste Alexander Valley 2012! May 19-20, 2012
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
An hour north of the Golden Gate Bridge lies the Alexander Valley, the perfect blend of charm, sophistication, and the easy confidence of people (and grapes) comfortable in their own skin. If Mother Nature were a winemaker, this is where she would live. Located at the northern end of Sonoma County, the Alexander Valley is 22 miles long and varies in width from two to seven miles.
The valley is best known for the world-famous Cabernet Sauvignon grapes that thrive from the valley floor all the way up the rolling hillsides and mountain ridges. The gravelly loam soils straddling the river also encourage Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot to flourish. Alexander Valley is also home to Zinfandel and Rhone varieties, including Syrah and Viognier.
The 15th annual Taste Alexander Valley is the major event produced each year by the Alexander Valley Winegrowers Association. We invite you to join us!
On Saturday and Sunday, May 19-20 over 30 wineries will host their own special wine and food parties offering wine and food pairings, live entertainment and special weekend wine discounts. One ticket gets you access to all the parties! Come and experience the best of the casually elegant wine country lifestyle that makes the Alexander Valley a premier international tourist destination!
Weekend Pass – $65 per person in advance, $75 at the door
Weekend Pass (designated driver) – $20 per person in advance, $30 at the door
Sunday Only $45 per person in advance, $55 at the door
Sunday Only (designated driver) $15 advance, $25 at the door
7th Annual Ghirardelli Square Uncorked! Wine Festival May 19, 2012
1-6:00 PM
Ghirardelli Square is pleased to present the Seventh Annual Uncorked! Wine Festival on May 19, 2012. Food and wine lovers will gather at the historic Ghirardelli Square to enjoy wines from more than 40 top-tier wineries, live entertainment, cooking demonstrations by top San Francisco chefs, and wine education seminars. Uncorked! has once again partnered with local non-profit organization, Save The Bay, and will donate a portion of proceeds raised from ticket sales to support the organization’s efforts to protect, restore and celebrate the San Francisco Bay.
Uncorked! Wine Festival at Ghirardelli Square will take place from 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. throughout the courtyards of the historic square and extend onto Beach Street, adjacent to the Square and Aquatic Park. Uncorked! Tasting tickets are $50 each and include unlimited tastings and a souvenir wine glass. VIP tickets are available for $80 per person and include access to a VIP area which will feature exclusive wine education, special sponsored activities, reserve wine tastings, and general admission to the event. All other activities and demonstrations featured at the festival are free of charge. Guests are also encouraged to visit all of the unique retail stores and restaurants on the Square to experience special deals available only during Uncorked!
To celebrate travel and comfort, MBT is giving away the ultimate San Francisco travel package for two! Your trip includes roundtrip airfare to San Francisco and two-night accommodations in a Deluxe King guestroom at the Hotel Drisco.
Hotel Drisco:
Tucked away in Pacific Heights, the Hotel Drisco offers casual sophistication, unparalleled service, and easy access to everything the City has to offer. You will feel so comfortable at the Hotel Drisco that you might actually forget you’re traveling. The warm inviting decor and thoughtful staff will soon have you calling this hotel your San Francisco home away from home.
America’s Cup Sailing Adventure:
You and your guest will enjoy a thrilling 2½ hour sail on San Francisco Bay and feel what it’s like to be a crew member for America’s Cup aboard USA 76!
Two CityPASSes:
CityPass gives you admission to San Francisco’s must-see attractions and unlimited transportation on all Muni Trolleys, busses and historic Cable Cars. Free admission to Aquarium of the Bay, California Academy of Sciences, Blue & Gold Fleet Bay Cruise, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) and Exploratorium or de Young Museum.
Guided Walking Tour:
Soak up the rich culture and history of San Francisco during a guided walking tour of one of the many famous sections of the city. Options include: North Beach, China Town, Pacific Heights Mansions, Fisherman’s Wharf, Golden Gate Park and more!
PIER 39:
PIER 39’s Premier Pass is your VIP ticket to a day of fun and adventure. Enjoy complimentary tickets for a 60-minute Bay Cruise aboard Blue & Gold Fleet, admission to the Aquarium of the Bay, Magowan’s Infinite Mirror Maze, and one free ride on the San Francisco Carousel! After your fun-filled day, kick back and relax with a $50 gift certificate to San Francisco’s only water-front tiki bar at Players Sports Grill’S Luau Lounge.
Dinner with Tango Diva:
For Tango Diva Fans, you have the opportunity to enjoy a dinner with me, founder of Tango Diva.com and author of FLY SOLO. You will also receive a signed copy of my book. Yes, she’s paying for dinner. Or, if you prefer to keep it more private, be treated to a dinner for two.
A Pair of MBTs:
We wouldn’t send you on this action-packed trip without having the benefits and comfort of the original physiological footwear, MBT®. You and a guest will each choose a pair from MBT’s Official Online Shop. MBT® – Made for your body, made for getting away!
Super Diva best describes Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson. An artist, athlete, musician, professional graphic designer and devoted wife and mother, Elizabeth, like her art, is a spirited collage of creative energy. Her life mirrors her celebrated work. She beautifully incorporates the past into the present utilizing simplistic elements.
Meticulously torn bits of paper pulled from treasured mementos – old cards, letters, and even her children’s homework – are delicately put together to form colorful collage paintings.
Nature, dogs, birds and flowers are recurring subjects. Elizabeth likens her creations to music compositions. Rhythmically, she layers textured and patterned papers weaving in colors and creating dimension to achieve her final masterpiece.
Sentimental tidbits and memories magically redefined!
Her art radiates. The vibrant color palette and soft underlying messaging draw you in for a closer look. A sense of nostalgia permeates your thoughts. You are comforted and calmed by the imagery. Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson’s extraordinary talents touch the world every day teaching us to savor each moment.
Count yourself among the lucky to experience her creations first hand.
Her inspiring collection now includes note cards, tote bags and iphone cases. Check out the artist’s official blog to learn more.
FLASHBAGS online, a small innovative company founded by two women, offers the full line of tote bags. Average Retail Cost:$39+
Grand Bohemian Gallery located in Kessler hotel properties around the country is the exclusive gallery partner showcasing a comprehensive selection of her work.
Don’t miss the opening of Elizabeth’s latest exhibition – Noah’s Ark Series – at the Thrasher Horne Center for the Arts in Jacksonville, Florida on Friday, April 27. The solo exhibition runs through June 16.
