This is Robert Scobles idea. I was at is house last night and I told him and Francine Hardaway about how I started taking personal shots of destinations between my legs. He said I should post them because they were cool and it would get a ton of new eyeballs on TangoDiva.com. Francine totally agreed. Oh, what I’ll do for traffic!
Let me know where I am and the first very smart, well-traveled jet setter who gets them all correct will get a signed copy of my book. Or Robert will take you to lunch, one of the two.
I’ve been invited to be a guest at the ABC “The View From the Bay” booth on Saturday, September 27th from 1-4 pm. It is the official grand opening of the Academy of Science Museum (which is amazing!).
Come down and see me, and enter to win a 2-day retreat to CordeValle, in San Martin California.
CordeValle is a hidden gem, an incredible destination unto itself. The boutique luxury resort is nestled against the eastern foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. You get there and you‚re so immersed in luxury and relaxation that you feel you‚re a world away from the frantic pace of urban life. CordeValle has spacious bungalows and villas, an extraordinary natural landscape, a full service spa, world-class golf, tennis, swimming, excellent dining, plus an on-property vineyard and winery (Clos LaChance) for private tastings, tours, etc.
And, the prize is AMAZING: This gift certificate is redeemable for a Two Night Stay in a Bungalow for Two People, Welcome Amenity, Breakfast for two Daily, Choice of Activity: either One Round of Golf for Two including Cart (forecaddie not included but required), OR $325 Spa Credit, and Wine Tasting for Two People at Clos LaChance Winery (on property). Now, if you win, you can invite me!
New York City’s Buckingham Hotel offers VIP Entry at the Museum of Modern Art
Enjoy the upcoming exhibit Van Gogh and the Colors of the Night at the Museum of Modern Art as a Buckingham Hotel VIP with the MoMa Package.
Good through the end of November, rates start at $419 + tax per night with a minimum stay of two nights, which includes two VIP tickets a spacious, deluxe suite.
The Museum of Modern Art is a mere seven-minute walk from the midtown hotel in Manhattan. VIP all the way.
Organized in collaboration with The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Van Gogh and the Colors of the Night amasses more than two dozen of Van Gogh’s nocturnal and twilight paintings and drawings, never previously seen together, to give insight into the artist’s innovative way of representing night through light. The exhibit opens September 21st.
To book this package, visit the Specials & Packages page at BuckinghamHotel.com or call toll-free at (888) 511-1900
Wait, I know…by making a weekend of it and staying overnight for some Good Music. (I know this is late notice but I just heard it through the grapevine.) But if you hurry, there are still a few tickets available for both the B.R. Cohn Friday’s night Charities Auction Dinner and also for Saturday’s Music Festival. (Sorry, Sunday’s all sold-out)
The 22nd annual B.R. Cohn Charities Auction Dinner, held under the 140 year old picholine olive trees at the B.R. Cohn Winery, will kick off your weekend in grand style. Tickets for this lively evening of unique auction lots, fabulous food and special B.R. Cohn wines can be purchased by calling the Tasting Room at 707-938-4064, ext. 124 or 800-330-4064, ext. 124.
Just check out what’s on the scrumptious sounding menu provided by Alex’s Catering:
Appetizers:
IMPORTED & LOCAL ARTISAN CHEESES and ANTIPASTO PLATTERS
Dinner Buffet:
SALAD OF ORGANIC BABY GREENS
ASSORTED VINE RIPE ORGANIC TOMATOES
COLORFUL DISPLAY OF GRILLED SEASONAL VEGETABLES,
CARAMELIZED ONION AND RED CHARD RAVIOLI IN FRESH RED PEPPER PASTA
FILET OF FRESH PACIFIC SALMON and CERTIFIED ANGUS BEEF TRI TIP grilled on site.
Dessert Buffet
Auction Highlights
A Gourmet Extravaganza by renowned Chef Carlo Cavallo of Meritage, some fantastic B.R. Cohn wines, Weekend getaways and tons more.
Then Saturdayafternoon join the rest of the aging groupies as you groove to the sounds of the DOOBIE BROTHERS, KRIS KRISTOFFERSON, TODD RUNDGREN, THE TURTLES AND MICHAEL FINNEY at the B.R. Cohn’s FALL MUSIC FESTIVAL.
Fifteen tourists were kidnapped during a guided tour near Aswan, in southern Egypt Sunday. The prisoners include Germans, five Italians and Egyptians. Carefully consider your travel options.
Just 8 days and counting till the big, green behemoth that is San Francisco’s most new and improved science museum opens in Golden Gate Park. The California Academy of Sciences’ utterly anticipated opening marks TEN YEARS and tens of thousands of man and woman-hours with wild engineering marvels and the move of about 38,000 critters from their temporary Howard Street home to their final resting spot back in the park.
Claude, the famous albino alligator, had no comment at this time.
Where Life Comes to Life as their slogan and mantra, the museum yesterday revealed to members of the press their two main themes–evolution and sustainability. Basically, how did we get here and how can we stay here? This question is answered through educational and interactive exhibits, planetarium programming, experiences with wildlife, and especially leading by example. The super green building boasts a living roof covered with native plant species that keeps temps inside 10-degrees cooler, solar panels (60,000 cells offset about 10% of their energy needs), water reclamation, radiant subfloor heating and more!
These ground-breaking (literally and figuratively!) engineers and architects passionately believe that museums “should not be castles of darkness.” Rather, famed Italian architect Renzo Piano wanted to “pick up the landscape, slide a museum inside, and put the landscape back down.”
The Rainforest: An open, three-tiered and 3-D look at rainforest life complete with birds and butterflies in the canopies and ants tidying the leaves at your feet. A balmy 75-degrees with 75% humidity, be prepared for some extra curl in your hair! The realistic exhibit is designed so that guests can ‘migrate’ up a winding walkway from the forest floor to canopy making discoveries along the way, like tiny vibrant froggies in the leaves. Lead scientist Dr. Chris Andrews promises that within 3-5 years these young trees will have all grown up, covering the living rainforest in dense vegetation. The way to look at rainforests? It’s as “if nature threw a party and everybody came!” I love it.
Philippine Coral Reef: The world’s most diverse coral reefs are found in the Philippines, a choice model for the living coral reef inside the aquarium. Though all this coral was grown in captivity, it nonetheless will evolve dynamically before our eyes!
This is the world’s largest indoor coral reef.
*A quick note on the large California octopus. She’s lovely in lavender and a total escape artist. Dr. Meg Burke, head of that part of the aquarium dedicated to local sea life, told us that this lady octopus has the only astroturf-covered habitat because she can squeeze herself through holes barely bigger than your fist! She enjoyed baffling unsuspecting biologists who would get to work each morning to find the crab population diminished overnight in the tank next to hers. She does not like the feeling of fake grass on her tentacles so, thus far, has caused little mischief!
African Hall: Yes, one night at the museum may very well prove that the taxaderma-palooza of animals come to life after hours! But even if they don’t, these oldies but goodies—original hunted specimens from the 1930’s—were given new life when they were refurbished. Dr. Terry Goslinger insists that this is a classic diorama hall with all scenes representing real places in Africa. Look closely to see digital tricks in the background like images of elephants moving through the grass.
*Pam Schaller, Mama to Penguins! Twice a day, the live South African penguin population perks up in preparation for Pam. The star attractions in the African Hall, the cute and cuddly penguins follow Pam around as she pets them or plays with them, tossing them into the frigid water or rubbing their necks like a friendly hello.
Food: With uber famous chefs-in-residence Charles Phan (Slanted Door) and Loretta Keller (Bizou and COCO500), the sustainable, local and organic food is outta this world at the Cafe and restaurant!
You may think that the pricey admissions ($24.99 adults, $14.95 kids, $19.95 seniors) need to evolve, but you have to remember that this is the only institution of its kind in the world that houses three major attractions under one roof: an aquarium, a planetarium and a natural history museum. Seahorses, stuffed lions and stars, man! Plan for Wachovia Wednesdays, when admission is free the third Wednesday of every month. Bike or take public transportation to the museum for an extra $3 off ticket prices.
Your ticket includes free entry to regularly scheduled events each day:
* Planetarium Shows
* California Coast Dive (live diver inside the tank will feed sharks and answer questions)
* Penguin Feeding (that’s Pam, man!)
* Coral Reef Dive (live diver in the tank hand-feeding the funny fishes)
Why is this institution ultimately so important? Dr. Carol Tang believes that “as Californians we are leaders. People look to us, and what we do impacts the world.” Perhaps we can change the world one building at a time!
OPENING WEEKEND CELEBRATION!
September 27, 28
Free Admission All Day Saturday: 9:30 AM - 9 PM; Opening Ceremony 8:30 AM Saturday
Sunday Paid Admission: 9:30 AM - 5 PM
Performers, Activities and Food! See website for complete line-up. Events take place both in the Academy and outside in the Park.
Opening Night Party: Big Bang Opening Gala
It’s ‘green’ tie!
Thursday, September 25
For all you mad scientists with mad money. Ticket prices start at $350 for a night of music, dancing and dessert. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime grand opening party! Check website for more information.
We need help with our growing community of divas! You love all aspects of travel, media, marketing, events, connecting! We are here in the historic waterfront district of SF - easy bus access - terrible parking! Got a few hours a week? Let me know!
Shams Ensemble From Iran on Tour With the First Women to Perform on Stage Since the Revolution
Before the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979, composer Kaykhoro Pournazeri enjoyed a career in traditional Persian music. He boasts a century-long music heritage and was a driving force in shaping the newest talent – both men and women – that came from Persia. His dreams were thwarted during the tough years of the Revolution, but he never gave up hope.
After the revolution, Mr. Pournazeri founded the Shams Ensemble, which is a musical group that performs traditional Persian, mystic Sufi, and Kurdish music with the tanbour, daf (frame drum), and percussion instruments. It was Mr. Pournazeri vision to bring back the lost art of the tanbour by introducing other musical instrument while playing it. Innovation and creation were always paramount for the composer, as was freedom of expression.
Shams Ensemble was among the groups active in working for musical independence and freedom of women’s voices in Iran. It was with the help of Mr. Pournazeri that young artist and women were given the opportunity to perform in Iran. Thirty years later, Mr. Pournazeri and the Shams Ensemble celebrate their ongoing international success with a US tour.
For only four special nights, the Shams Ensemble will perform in San Francisco, New York, Washington DC, and Los Angeles. Their concerts are dedicated to the mystic and meaningful poetry of Rumi with Innovation, Evolution, and Peace being the theme.
The Shams Ensemble has performed at over 300 venues around the world, and they are looking forward to kicking off their first performance in San Francisco on Sunday, October 5th at the Herbst Theater at 7:30 pm. The press is invited to meet and/or interview the ensemble before the concert.
Other concert dates are: NYC, October 11th, Washington D.C. October 12th, and LA October 25th.
For Ticket CLICK HERE
I can’t believe it’s already been 15 years since Oldways, a widely-respected non-profit “food issues think tank” successfully introduced the consumer-friendly health-promoting Mediterranean Diet Pyramid. I remember we all had fantastic time eating, drinking and learning from the pros about incorporating more Mediterranean foods into your diet. (Keep in mind that back then, olive oil was considered a special occasion item and the same bottle usually sat in your pantry for a year, and balsamic vinegars, hummus, oil-cured olives and sun-dried tomatoes were exotic items- and not the Trader Joe staples of today)
If you are interested in finding out how to eat healthier and hear from top nutrition researchers, food historians, and consumer behavior experts who will address topics such as “Why are Carrots Healthier than Beta-carotene, Fish is Better for you than Omega-3 Capsules and Whole Grains Healthier than Fiber, or How Seafood Enhances Brain Development, a Mediterranean Diet Reduces Diabetes, An Update on the French Paradox: Wine Still Plays a Key Role, Losing and Maintaining a Healthy Weight with the Mediterranean Diet , or an Update on the French Paradox: Wine Still Plays a Key Role
(Yippee!!!) then you won’t want to miss this event.
Plus, there will be an abundance of good food and wine being served from the Opening Reception: The Mediterranean’s Rim: Great Foods, Vibrant Wines; Vivid Tastes, Real Flavors
Join our culinary cruise through the timeless tastes and flavors of Italy, Greece, Spain, France, Morocco, Tunisia, Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt, Cyprus and Israel, and revel in their sensory invitations to make the “gold-standard pattern for healthy eating and drinking†part of your daily life, through the final Mediterranean Gala Dinner when Boston’s best-known celebrity chefs pair up to create and prepare magical dishes of Mediterranean classics, touched with a bit of 21st century flair. Dinner will be a prelude to dancing — Mediterranean Meets Motown.
When:
Sunday, November 16, 2008 2:00 PM -
Tuesday, November 18, 2008 4:00 PM
Where:
Hyatt Regency Cambridge
575 Memorial Drive
Cambridge, MA 02139-4896
USA
Shams Ensemble will perform for one night only in San Francisco on Sunday, October 5 at 7:30pm at Herbst Theater. On tour from Iran, this is the first musical performance group to publicly feature female vocalists as well as dancers since the revolution of 1979.
The focus for the evening is Rumi and songs of peace. Imagine, not being allowed to perform on stage because you are a women!! We are soooo lucky to live in a free society.
This is such a treat, and I can’t wait to here Rumi’s words put to song. Here is one of my favorite lines from Rumi:
Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing,
there is a field. I’ll meet you there.
When the soul lies down in that grass,
the world is too full to talk about.
Ideas, lagauge, even the phrase “each other”
doesn’t make any sense.
Check them out on YouTube:
I will be there helping out, so if you want to come, please join me! You can buy tickets HERE.
