Flashpoint!
And another thing......I'm not the only Santa Cruz resident who has to think twice about going to dinner or movies downtown. Problem is — the two hour parking meters, each one of which is attached to a predatory meter "person" with a stop watch. How the hell are we...
Volcanic Red
Here's my new favorite wine — from Sicily, home of volcanic soils, radiant climate and sensuous foods. This lusty cabernet sauvignon is Timpaia 2004, from Feudi di San Giuliano ($17.99 at Shoppers). At 13.5% alcohol it's big enough to have a mind of its own, but not...
Max Walden: R.I.P.
Goodbye to the man whose playful vision, and entrepreneurial savvy once defined — the Cooper House — the atmosphere of downtown Santa Cruz. Many will miss him, just as they miss those wild days when Cher used to hold down a bar stool at the original...
Zeffirino – a Genovese Landmark
A few weeks ago I joined two vivacious residents of Rome (one from the US, the other originally from Canada) for a meal of stellar regional cuisine and old-fashioned, unapologetically attentive service at Zeffirino, a celebrated Genoa dining room since 1939. Utterly...
Just Say “No!” to Long-Distance Produce
Since we all have access to any number of fabulous farmers markets, is there really any excuse for us to even consider buying produce that has been shipped across the country? No, of course not. Okay. Now my question is to our local grocery stores. Why would YOU even...
Inside the Flame
A book of sensory adventure: The rituals, passions and discoveries of an engaged life.