In the world both on the screen and off, there are clear line between what is fearful and what is brave.  The nation elected Barack Obama to the highest office in our country - the first black President of the United States.  Brave.  Proposition 8, which would take away civil rights from gays, was passed during the November 4^th election.  After watching Keith Olbermann’s commentary on the Proposition and what the big fuss is over people wanting to commit their love to each other, I have to call the Proposition passing as an act of fear.  Comedian Wanda Sykes of “The New Adventures of Old Christine” came out of the closet last weekend at the Las Vegas protest against the passing of Proposition 8 not because it had been an issue but because she wanted her voice heard.  Brave. 

In the same time frame as these events, ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” squashed a storyline about two women, neither initially identifying themselves as lesbian, unexpectedly being attracted to each other in every sense of the word.  The show fired one of the actresses and did not even give her character a proper send off.  She appeared in the Nov 6^th episode and that was the last episode actress Brooke Smith (pictured below) shot.  Brave or fearful?

“Brooke Smith was obviously not fired for playing a lesbian. Clearly it’s not an issue as we have a lesbian character on the show - Calliope Torres. Sara Ramirez is an incredible comedic and dramatic actress and we wanted to be able to play up her magic. Unfortunately, we did not find that the magic and chemistry with Brooke’s character would sustain in the long run. The impact of the Callie/Erica relationship will be felt and played out in a story for Callie.” 

This is the carefully worded statement that creator Shonda Rhimes released when the news broke.  Truthfully, I wouldn’t say that the Hahn/Torres pairing displayed the best chemistry I’ve ever seen but what attracted me to the story was that two people were navigating their way through a new situation and the show was taking it’s time playing it out.  Neither woman had ever been involved with a woman before and the story, which began last season, was taking the usual twists and turns that “Grey’s” is so adept at playing.   This seemed like a brave story choice.  Sadly, it would be short-lived when a series of events must have freaked ABC out.  Hahn and Callie finally did sleep together, Callie spoke frankly with himbo Mark Sloane (Eric Dane) about how she had no idea how to orally pleasure a woman, Sloane bit the bullet (so to speak) and agreed to show her, and Hahn admitted that the flood gates had opened and she knew she was truly gay.  Boom.  This interesting story that was more grounded in reality than just about anything else on the series, was quickly extinguished.  So, on November 6^th, two days after the election that would make sure gays had no civil rights in California, Hahn (unexpectedly to the audience and, for that matter, Brooke Smith) made her last appearance.

Why quickly extinguish the story instead of at least giving her character (and viewers) the respect of ending what they started?  And why did Smith have to be fired from the show?  We had never met Hahn’s family, friends, learned much of her back story and the woman was one of the stonger actors on the show.  There was plenty to do with Hahn that Rhimes (and ABC) obviously didn’t care to explore.  To fill the void, Rhimes has been busy recycling tired and overused plots like Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) obsessed with her deceased mother’s recently found diaries.  Meredith’s Mommy issues have been around since series began and I got tired of them around Season 2.  Also, was I the only one who groaned when Denny (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) made his first reappearance?  Izzy (Katharine Heigl) has started seeing visions of her deceased love (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and now they’re dragging the story out episode after episode.  In this last week’s episode, when Denny kept saying to Izzy that he had come for her, I was really hoping it was to come for her and drag her out a window.   I don’t think I’m the only one who would not miss Heigl at all. 

“Grey’s Anatomy” used to be a show that took chances, brought us storylines and dialogue was unique, sometimes risky and always entertaining.  But, hearing that new cast member Melissa George now won’t be the bi-sexual she was originally going to be.  She’s now been ‘toned down’ and, unfortunately, it seems the showrunner of this show is a big bad monster called fear.   

Ironically, the whole situation mirrors another gay-related incident on the show from a few years back when Isaiah Washington was fired for on-set behavior involving a gay-slur and co-star T.R. Knight.  Washington was at least allowed to finish out his storyline which was not as much as a service to him as it was a service to viewers.  The show has gone on without him and there was never a question that it would be fine.  The Hahn/Torres issue, however, is going to be harder to recover from.  Smith said in an interview that she felt from her conversation with Rhimes about her ouster that this was coming from the network.  Rhimes may have had her hands tied but with everything going on in this country, the already diminshing audience for this show is probably only going to continue to head in a downward spiral.

Sorry, “Grey’s Anatomy.”  You just lost a viewer and I’m guessing not the only one.

Moving on…

While it may be difficult at times to get truly excited about anything on television these days, the return of “24″ has been widely anticipated and, though new episodes do not begin airing on Fox until January, the powers that be have given us a “24″ movie, titled “Redemption” to whet our appetite. 

New episodes of “24″ haven’t appeared since May 2007.  The strike had curtailed airing the seventh season since producers didn’t want to air the episodes finished filming only to leave viewers hanging since, at that time, there was no clue as to how long the strike would last.  Nevertheless, seeing Jack Bauer appear in the “Redemption” film is like seeing a long-lost friend. 

“24: Redemption” is the perfect bridge between where we left off in season 6 and the beginnings of season 7.  First, the film overall didn’t have me entirely on the edge of my seat BUT it delivered perfectly the promise of what is to come.

In “Redemption,” we find Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland, above) spending time in Africa and ignoring subpoenas for his return to the United States.  He’s been helping a former agent (Robert Carlyle) with a school for boys but a terrorist group is out to take the boys and recruit them for their army.  The boys are all earnest and ever-pleasing and it’s obvious from the start that Jack will be the one to help them get to safety.

Back in the Homeland, the US is experiencing a first - a woman (played by Cherry Jones, above) is about to be inaugurated as President of the United States.  We get to see some of the past administration (Powers Booth, smarmy as ever, and Peter MacNicol) and the seeds of the new Read the rest of this entry »

One of the ugly truths that has occurred politically over the past 20 years is that fear has been used as a political tool both in terms of garnering votes and raising money.  This is not a one party tool either.  Both the right and the left seem incapable of promoting their terms positively.  Rather than saying:  “we are likely to win but won’t if we are complacent so let’s avoid complacency and make sure we win and the only way we can do that is for you to get involved personally and invested financially.”  Instead we get:  “while we can win, we won’t unless you work hard and give us your money and then if we lose our lives and/or values will be demolished.”  As a person of the left and someone who has invested more than a tithe politically over the past 5 years, I have seen more than my fair share of donor requests.  Of these, only those from Obama actually were written in a positive, optimistic fashion.  And, that’s why he got a lot of money (more than anyone ever) and a lot of votes.  I never feared Obama would lose (in the General Election–the Primary was a far less certain event, I thought) but knew he could if I didn’t get my butt in gear and put my money where my mouth is for him.  Like a high school football coach, Obama and his campaign sent the message that we can win, we will win but only if we don’t let down.  All positive.

But that isn’t what I am hearing today (or before) about Proposition 8 and the aftermath of the November 4th vote.  Rather, I am hearing from the gay political community the same message of gloom, doom and fear that I have for the past two decades from them as well as from the mainstream Democratic political community.  What I am hearing today is that we, as gay persons, have suffered a horrible loss.  Our rights are being taken away!  This is unfair and devastating.  What bs!

No one can take anything away from me as an American.  My dignity is what gives me power and not some third party giving me rights!  Proposition 8 is certainly a real dissapointment.  I am disappointed by my fellow Californians willingness to take a right away and add discrimination to the Constitution–in fact I am dumbstruck by the vote.  I thought the one truth about Americans and certainly Californians was that we always voted in a “forward looking” manner.  But, I was wrong and, sure, it hurts to be wrong.  But, I will not agree that my rights are gone nor that I, and my community, have suffered a loss.  That is, because, we will not accept such a loss.  We are positive beings who look forward and not back.  Of course, Proposition 8 will end up in the dust heap of bad ideas and wrong-headedness that often is politics.  It will take some time and, of course, will take a rising up against complacency by the gay community and all supporters of civil rights.  But, it is not gloom and doom time.  Rather, it is get up, stand up and make it right time.  Which is why the protests are so heartening and, I think, will have an important impact historically so long as they don’t become petty and divisive (e.g. gay people versus churches/religious groups–NO MATTER HOW MUCH THEY MAY DESERVE OUR DISRESPECT–we are better angels than to go down a road of petulant divisiveness).  This is a bottom up fight (like Obama’s campaign) now unlike most gay rights fights in the past which were top down and which had our political groups trying to gain money through fear.

Unfortunately, someone hasn’t quite clued in some of our gay political groups which are now sending across another set of gloom and doom, depressive, fear-mongering messages so as to gain our money.  Money invested, and I have donated much and will continue to donate more to improve civil equality under the law, need be focused on grass-roots politics and not top-down positioning at the table.  No more will I donate to any organization which tells me “my rights are gone” or “they are taking away my rights” or “we have lost anything.”  I will donate to those which tell me specifically the path towards winning which is a positive point and not to those who tell me that if I don’t participate we will lose.  What high school football coach (or any sport) would motivate her/his team by saying–we will lose unless you give it your all?  No, they would say–we will win if you give it your all.  Minor point–I don’t think so.  I fear that the complacency feared by our political groups is not that people won’t rise up and, from the bottom up, move America and California forward.  Rather, I think that the complacency feared by our political groups is that without fear we won’t give them money and without money they won’t get to sit at the adult table of political power.

And this goes to the full political arena.  I will no longer donate to anyone who talks about what “they” will do if “they” gain power.  I will only donate to those who tell me what we will do when we gain power.  And then live up to it.  No more “us versus them.”

Them didn’t vote for Proposition 8.  Instead, some of us (well meaning Americans) voted for this pernicious Proposition and some of us (sadly less) did not.  But, now that it has passed, WE all need to view this as the mistake it was.  And we (those that voted in favor of the Proposition but who might with more information and who view civil rights and equal protection under the law as critical–now need to rethink that vote) need to make a strong, principled argument why the vote was in error.  Not because it did “bad” to the gay community but because the Yes on 8 vote is a perversion of American Patriotism which is rooted in the fairness of our Constitution and that of the California Constitution.  If we can’t explain this positive point, we can’t win this battle (in the short term) because it may not jump to the minds of some that they need to “protect the rights of gay people” but it sure should jump to their minds if the message is protecting all of our rights and the American Way and Dream.  Equality for All.

I think the campaign “No on 8″ was well run.  But, I think, looking retrospectively, we have much to learn.  First, the campaign needed a bit more of the fairness and equality for all focus and it needed a little less of demonizing the proponents.  The proponents need to have been shown to have an erroneous understanding of American law and tradition (even though their leadership lied through their teeth and put their values over American Values) and a No on 8 vote should have been understood to have been the Pro-America, Pro-American Tradition vote.  I think that is what is happening now with the protests and rallies and arguments of fairness.  But, some groups are trying to take advantage again of our fear (loss of rights etc.).  We must steer away from those that make that argument.

Ultimately, Proposition 8 will go on the dust heap because generationally it makes no sense to those under 40.  It was a generational vote which caused it to pass (not racial or ethnic and dividing our rainbow is never a positive thing to do–which is why the right wing is trying to do just that).  So, we have two options.  First, do nothing and ultimately this will be righted by time and Americanism that won’t put up with legal discrimination.  Second, do everything we can to right this now by pointing out the anti-American precepts of the Proposition in court, in the legislature, in the media and, most breathtakingly, on the streets.  Keep it positive and we will fix this soon.  I am positive of it and that is what I plan to invest my money and time on.  Proposition 8 is un-American, un-Californian, un-positive, un-forward-thinking, un-21st Century.  We as a community of Americans and Californians can’t afford to have this continue to divide our polity.  It is an error that need be fixed and the tear of the communal web requires us to fix it in the short term.  So, get out the message and join with non-gay persons to right this error–and focus on righting it rather than anger at those who made the mistake or even those who lied to make it occur–though I have no issue in our deciding not to benefit the liar’s businesses.  As long as that decision is to promote the future correction of this as opposed to penalizing and focusing on the past.

The focus must not be on marriage but rather fairness and equality under the law.  Dignity, not fear, controlling the result and the means of getting there.

Last night was OUT Magazine’s annual OUT 100 PARTY -salute to 100 of the most celebrated Gay people in the past year who are generating a buzz, making a difference or just being fabulous! The event was held in New York City at Gotham Hall. The awards ceremony was more of a party sponsored by Absolut Vodka but, featured awards handed out to actor  Cheyenne Jackson, designers Dan and Dean Caten of DSquared and writer, Dustin Lance Black and producer of the new “Milk” film accepting the award for Gus Van Sant. Bishop Gene Robinson received the award for “Newsmaker of the Year”. Bishop Robinson is the first out, non-celibate priest to be ordained a bishop in a major Christian denomination. He reminded the audience to not let the media create separatist feelings between certain ethnic groups and Gay people regarding Proposition 8.  The event was hosted by Chelsea Handler (pictured above with Out Editor in Chief, Aaron Hicklin) who talked about her support of Gay rights. Presenters included newcomer/singer Adele (check out her video for, “Cold Shoulder” below) who received a cheerful welcome, the always beautiful and sexy,  Padma Lakshmi of Top Chef, Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child and John Cameron Mitchell.

OUT  presented the partnership of Levi’s Brand, Hetrick-Martin Board of Directors and Regent Media to launch the “Liquidity Reserve Fund”. The Hetrick-Martin Institute is the oldest and largest organization to fostering the healthy developement of at risk young people. Especially lesbian, gay, transexual, and questioning (LGBTQ) youths aged 12-21. HMI offers a wide range of supportive programs and services, and has become a globally recognized safe haven where young people can be who they are without fear of being ridiculed or treated differently. The Reserve Fund allows the Hetrick-Martin Institute to continue to provide outstanding programs for extraordinary LGBTQ youth. Check out their website to find out how to donate and get involved.

Nikka Costa (Pictured above and right) gave a funky, soulful, powerful and exhilarating performance which reminded me of the soul superstars of the 70’s.  She definitely had the crowd dancing and feeling no pain! Similary was newcomer, Sam Sparro (Pictured below left) who also brought his young soulful self to the stage. Sparro danced, gyrated and sang like a pro! Standout songs included, “21st Century Life” and the hit, “Black and Gold”. The final performance brought the 30 year reunion of Labelle (Nona Hendryk, Patti Labelle and Sarah Dash) performing new song, “Rollout” as well the classic, “Lady Marmalade”. Patti had everyone basking in last week’s Obama victory getting the audience to cheer, “Yes We Can”. The most amazing moment of the night was when Patti  brought 3 gentleman onto the stage to help her sing the classic song. One of the guys, actor Wilson Cruz (pictured at the top left) stepped up to the plate and began to belt out the song causing the audience to go crazy! Wilson began dancing with Nona Hendryk and finally, Patti had to get involved. Together Cruz and Labelle gave a diva finale to “Lady Marmalade” which will go down as a classic New York moment! Congrats to Will Gasperoni and everyone at OUT for producing an amazing night!

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Late summer into early fall is my favorite time of year as the end of August and early September signifies the beginning - the beginning of new endeavors, explorations, and planning for the rest of the year. There are the colors of Indian Summer that cast healthy glows over people walking in the street whose wardrobes begin to take shape with colors of burnt orange, plum, olive green and chocolate brown.

In Napa, California, this time of year is one of the most important times of year called CRUSH or HARVEST where the grapes from late August into October are picked from the vines and prepared for the specific vintners wine making process.

A group of friends and I were lucky enough to see the final days of CRUSH in Napa this year and benefited from a friend’s generosity by having us all board a private jet in Van Nuys, CA and head to the Napa airport. I think we were all a little giddy about the whole anticipated experience that we forgo the coffee and unleashed a bottle of rose champagne to inaugurate our upcoming experience! The preceding weekend would entail visiting several private wineries and tastings along with dining at some of Napa’s finest. As we would learn having a car service to navigate the Napa terrain into some of the most interesting wineries was a wise decision. Our new friend George Stone is the original Napa Valley private tour and car service and created an informative, fun and personal experience. Our trip included a stay at the quaint, quiet yet luxury La Residence that is owned by Craig and Kathryn Hall who also have the HALL winery and vineyard, which we visited (see below). Below is our wine and food experience:

Friday October 24th: After literally jetting into the Napa Valley airport we were pleasantly picked up by Paul, who happens to be a Fireman but, who fills in when George is booked. No complaints on our part as our group felt like we were in great hands with Fireman Paul! Our first stop was lunch at the famous Mustard’s Grill in St. Helena. This quintessential Napa Valley restaurant embodies the term ‘rustic chic’. It’s a perfect lunch spot offering savory dishes from the wood burning grill and oven. I had the Chicken Breast, feta, and watercress, guajillo Chile relish and avocado sandwich that was delicious! Service is warm, friendly and down to earth and the atmosphere is true comfort on an autumn day.

After lunch we had an appointment at Hall Rutherford, the same family who owns La Residence. Nestled at the top of Rutherford hills overlooking Napa, Hall Wines produces small-lot red wine, which we tasted in the beautiful private tasting room. Reservations are a must but, definitely worth the intimate tour of the caves and tasting of their best wines. The trip alone is worth the site of the spectacular chandelier, which represents a grapevine root system and includes 1500 Swarovski crystals (pictured above right).  I took home a bottle of their 2005 “Jack’s Masterpiece” which includes the label art from the son of Hall President and former Hall winemaker Mike Reynolds. Our tour guide was very passionate about wine, down to earth and made our experience a wonderful first tasting.After Hall, we set out to Dean and Deluca to pick up provisions to enjoy at the hotel because of course we anticipated not having enough to eat on this trip… We picked up some of our favorite cheeses from Cowgirl Creamery as well as Humboldt Fog. Cupcakes, chocolate and of course more wine were to be consumed!

After checking into our respective rooms, resting and enjoying our provisions on the outdoor lounge seating, we were picked up by George and taken to our first dinner in Napa at chef Ken Frank’s, La Toque (pictured left) which recently moved from Yountville into it’s new home at the new Westin Verasa Napa in downtown Napa Valley. I think the most interesting detail to note about La Toque is its attention to small details. Upon entering the very open amber lit dining room one immediately hears a quiet roar of pleasant dinner chatter and is greeted by almost everyone on staff including in our case, Chef Frank. Granted the restaurant had only been open a couple of weeks but, if this initial treatment remains I think they’re on to something at La Toque. My favorite thing about this dining experience is that as a diner you have the ability to create your own tasting menu. The tasting menu is divided into four sections so you can create your own meal, as the kitchen will adjust your portions based on the number of items you choose. Additionally, our group opted for the wine pairing option which specific wines have been selected that pair well with the dishes on the menu. The tasting pours are perfect to try a variety of wines with Chef Frank’s exquisite food. I tried a 3-course menu that started with Alaskan Black Cod with Matsutake Mushroom and Kaffir Lime Broth (2007 DeLille Cellars Chaleur Estate, Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc, Washington), Ravioli with Sautéed Porcini and Fava Beans in a Parmesan Wild Mushroom Broth (2005 Nuits St Georges “Les Charmois” Domaine Jean Grivot), and finally the Grilled Hawaiian Swordfish as a “Pepper Steak” with a Baby Baked Potato and Jack Daniels Cracked Black Pepper Sauce (2005 Luna Sangiovese, Reserve, Napa Valley). It was a perfect first evening with our group in Napa sitting around the half circle banquette enjoying stimulating conversation. My only complaint would have to be the sommelier that was very informative about the wine but, spoke incredibly fast for us to digest the information completely. Additionally, he would leave the entire bottle on the table after pouring which was interesting but, after 10 minutes he would snatch it off the table as if he anticipated we were going to sneak a second helping….very odd.

We started Saturday off around 11 AM at Darioush winery, which is known for its Bordeaux style wines and was founded by Darioush Khaledi. His Persian culture and hospitality can be enjoyed the moment you enter the winery, which evokes Persepolis, the capital of ancient Persia. By Invitation Only is Darioush’s private tour and tasting where one can sample wines of the Darioush private cellar. Food pairings accompany the wine tasting all enjoyed in a beautiful table setting with your very own place card. If you think you pay for the extra treatment, you’re right! At $150 per person, By Invitation Only should read By Invitation and Credit Check Only… That being said and thanks to the generosity of our wonderful host, the entire experience was wonderful and if you don’t want to drop that kind of money you can always visit the beautiful grounds of Darioush, sample their wines, and purchase selections at their general store.

For lunch we couldn’t resist leaving the spectacular Darioush grounds and decided to have a picnic on the grounds. On the menu -  burritos from the famous La Luna Market. The burritos from La Luna are delicious and it was nice to enjoy the beauty of our surroundings with a casual lunch.

Switching gears we headed to Erna Schein located high on top of Spring Mountain in Napa Valley. Owned by Les Behrens and Lisa Drinkward, Erna Schein doesn’t grow grapes but collect their grapes from selected small and low yielding vineyard sites. This wining combination has produced “hand-crafted” unfined and unfiltered wine since 1993. Upon driving into the entrance of Erna Schein, which is a far cry difference from Darioush, one is immediately relaxed by the rustic surroundings and amazing views of the Napa Valley. Robin Cooper, our tour guide, greeted us along with Lucy (picutred left), the owner’s dog with a warm and friendly greeting. She encouraged us to have a seat at their new gazebo-like tasting table that they had recently built to welcome guests. It was a hot day and Robin immediately pulled out a large cooler filled with about a dozen wines for us to try. She immediately began pouring wine and talking about the Erna Schein passion for making great wine and infusing each bottle with personal meaningful art label from their personal collection. I picked up a bottle of their 2005 “Ode to Picasso” which I’m waiting to share with someone special…

It seems that some of the best and hidden gems of wine are all located at the tops of Napa’s mountain regions. Our next and final wine stop for the day was no exception, which brought us to Viader located just northeast of St. Helena on Howell Mountain.  Established by Delia Viader in 1986, Viader is known for its Petit Verdot blend and Viader Syrah. Additionally, they produce Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Frac, Tempranillo and Rose all under their DARE line of wines which collects grapes from select vineyard sources across Napa Valley.

For dinner we headed to Martini House, which is brought to Napa Valley by designer Pat Kuleto and Chef Todd Humphries. The duo created a natural setting that reflects the wine country and Native American culture.  Inside the vibe is warm and cozy showcasing 3 fireplaces with the outside reflecting a beautiful garden complete with fountains, trellises and plenty of outdoor seating.  With a name like Martini House, one would assume they serve sumptuous martinis, and they do however the origins of the name have more to do with the original owner of the craftsman style bungalow which used to be owned by Walter Martini back in 1923. That being said, Martini House places cocktail cards in front of each guest, which are different from the list in front of your neighbor. The idea is to pass the cards around to find the right cocktail that speaks to you. That same whimsical nature is apparent on the menu as well. The menu featured a favorite dish of mine, Braised Beef Short Rib and this one included Braised Radicchio, Sweet Potato, Puree in a Beef Glaze - yum! My friend ordered the most original entree, which was entitled, Steak and Eggs - Grilled Prime Tenderloin with a Soft Centered Egg and Spinach Ravioli, Sautéed Button Mushrooms, Pearl Onions and Hobbs Smoked Bacon Lardons Carbernet Glaze. The presentation of this dish was true art and should be inspiration for the next season of Top Chef, which by the way premieres this Wednesday!!

We all returned to La Residence to watch SNL before one by one we all nodded off to get some shuteye before our final leg of this marathon. By the way, La Residence features a full breakfast menu each morning serving the best coffee including to go cups for the addicts out there…. like me!

On Sunday, our final day, we made our way to Round Pond located in Rutherford, which is equally known for its Cabernet Sauvignon wine, as well as producing some of the best olive oil. Once again we were treated to amazing grounds and views while enjoying our wine. Unfortunately, our wine was supposed to be paired with specific food pairings but the food came out so late that we practically finished our wine tasting. We were also running out of time, as we had to make a lunch reservation.

Our final restaurant stop was The Farm located at The Carneros Inn and owned by the Plumpjack group. I think this was my favorite spot of all, although every restaurant we ate at was excellent. I was really intrigued by the grounds of The Carneros Inn, which incorporated luxury chic with rustic charm. There was a fresh glow that encapsulated the high ceilings and decor of The Farm.  We were still able to order off the Brunch menu but, I had heard that the Farm Certified Angus Burger with crispy fries was excellent and to my delight it was! My good friend Michael decided to indulge in the Burger as well as we ended our Napa adventure with a smile. I would definitely come back to The Farm and even consider staying at The Carneros Inn.

After our fabulous lunch we had one final wine stop to Jarvis winery which is located in the Vacas Mountains four miles east of the town of Napa. The winery is built into a man-made cave that houses the entire winemaking process at Jarvis and is an ideal structure for barrel aging the wine they produce. Inside the caves you notice a natural underground water system complete with streams and waterfalls that add to the mystique of the winemaking process. The humidity that the water produces helps in aging the wine while in the barrels. We tried the Jarvis Vintage Tasting Tour which included 6 Jarvis wines with cheese and crackers to accompany the tasting. All of the Jarvis wines are stellar but, my sister and I really enjoyed the 2006 Estate Chardonnay and took home a couple of bottles to enjoy. I’d have to recommend Jarvis wines but, the tour guide who conducted our tour was slightly abrasive - completely efficient but, definitely not warm and inviting the way many of the other wineries seemed to conduct their tours.

Alas it was time to say goodbye to our Napa extravaganza. We had all crossed the finish line of this Food and Wine marathon as we all earned a couple of extra pounds that would await us upon our next gym visit but, it was all worth it. Thank you to Frank for organizing this dream getaway and putting together a group that could eat, drink, laugh (sometimes at each other) and enjoy very stimulating conversation as well as frivolous. This was one memorable trip!

Has anyone else noticed the quiet?  The quiet that has come now that all the Presidential campaigns are over?  No more negative commercials running.  No more fear that Sarah Palin could end up running the country.  And while the news community are still talking about the election and what is to come in the next 70-odd days, the noise just isn’t as grating (well, except the guys over at FOX news, but grating is a given), which gives us time to get back to our regularly scheduled programming. 

If you do anything, go to this link to watch what MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann said on his show about the passing of Proprostion 8.  He speaks to everyone who is prejudiced against gay relationships and having our civil rights recognized.  I haven’t heard anyone speak as directly and eloquently as Olbermann so do yourself a favor and watch this.  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/#27652443

First up, the fifth season of Bravo’s “Top Chef” commences tomorrow night at 10/9c.  After venturing to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Miami Beach and Chicago, the series now takes a bite out of the Big Apple and come to New York City.  Returning to the Judge’s table are Head Chef Tom Colicchio, Padma Lakshmi and Food and Wine magazine’s Gail Simmons.  Since Ted Allen is moving on to his own series on The Food Network, author Toby Young is joining as the fourth judge and brings his sardonic wit to the show.  (Young begins appearing in next week’s episode)

Things start off immediately when the new season starts when the seventeen chef contestants are thrown into a Quickfire Challenge, which will send one of the chefs home before the chefs even see the Top Chef kitchen.  And no other show makes a seemingly simple act like peeling and cutting apples as intense and competitive as “Top Chef.” 

Having watched the last two seasons, I always find that it takes a few weeks before you really get to know the contestants and your favorites start to reveal themselves.  This season appears to be no different.  There are a few overtly obnoxious chefs in Fabio and Stefan, who each come off as the most arrogant.  However, give the others some time to show their true colors.  The last two seasons the chefs that I may dislike from the start end up winning me over and go far in the competition so I won’t set any bets yet.

Regardless, the show expertly comes up with compelling challenges and, peppered with Colicchio and Lakshmi, the show is one of the best of the dozens of reality competition shows.

Over at HBO this past weekend, “Summer Heights High” premiered and if you happened to miss it, check your HBO On-Demand to start the eight-episode series NOW.  Already a sensation in Australia, “Summer Heights High” was created and stars Chris Lilley, who is the latest import and ranks right up there with Ricky Gervais in terms of brilliance and comedic mastery.  Lilley plays three roles in the series and his genius shows in the way he creates three different characters - Mr. G, the self-important drama teacher; Ja’mie, (left) the private school female exchange student; and Jonah, the smart-ass delinquent student. 

There aren’t a lot of actors who could take on three roles and make them all engaging, interesting and, in the case of “Summer Heights High,” hilarious.  While HBO has been known mostly for their dramas, this is definitely a step in the right direction for the network to expand their comedies. 

“Summer Heights High” airs a new episode every Sunday with multiple re-airings throughout the week.

Finally, it’s sweeps months so there are big guest stars popping up all over on regular series.  Jason Priestley (here with Jamie Pressley) is popping up on “My Name Is Earl” this week as Earl’s cousin, who happens to be the more successful (he’s a backpack model - seriously) and more handsome of the two.  In an interview with Priestley I did earlier today, he had no problem saying he would only be returning to the new “90210″ as a director for an episode shooting in January and, while his former “Beverly Hills 90210″ co-stars Jennie Garth and Ian Ziering have appeared on “Dancing With The Stars,” that’s another show you won’t be seeing Priestley on anytime soon.  Priestley has been busy lately with various guest spots and a second career as a film and television director.  He said he’s currently directing several episodes of the ABC Family hit, “The Secret Life of a Teenager.”  And, while he said that being a director makes him a better actor and vice versa, he would be hard pressed to pick one over the other. 

No other show knows how to utilize guest stars than NBC’s “30 Rock.”  Jennifer Aniston returns to Thursday nights on NBC when she guests as a kooky stalker obsessed with Alec Baldwin’s Jack Donaghy.  Though the episode was unavailable for preview, I did catch a clip where she sings “Happy Birthday” (the Marilyn Monroe version) at a business function to the appalled Donaghy.  Aniston looks great and Read the rest of this entry »