PS I Love You “Dark & Delicious”
As a wine blogger, I’m more likely to attend industry wine events than consumer ones, but last weekend I really enjoyed Ventura’s Valentine n’Wine event and I’m excited about heading north to San Francisco for “Dark & Delicious” which is organized by the Petit Sirah advocacy group, PS I Love You.
If you want to know more about Petit Sirah and tonight’s event, read on! But if you’d like to attend, you’ll have to wait until next year: it’s completely sold out. (PS I’ll post a full report!)
via Wine Predator
See the Jade Buddha in Ventura, Join a Drum Circle, Light a Candle for World Peace
On Saturday February 12, the Jade Buddha visiting Ventura at the An Lac Buddhist Mission on Saticoy Avenue was unveiled.Monks and nuns came from around the world to Ventura to pray and chant, and representatives from many religions led prayers for peace and dancers, singers, and musicians from different cultures performed.
Following the Drum Circle, at 7pm, there will be a candle lighting ceremony for world peace. Before the drum circle, at 5:30PM is Tai Chi with Patrick Hackney. Tomorrow from 8:15-9:30 is yoga in the santuary with the fabulous Sally McNally.
All are Welcome to the An Lac Mission, 901 S.Saticoy Ave. Ventura,CA 93004.
Wine Blogging Wednesday #70: ESPANA! Sherry, Garnacha, Cava!
You may have noticed by now that The Art Predator is also a Wine Predator who participates in the monthly event, Wine Blogging Wednesdays!
The February 2011 installment features Spanish wines–and in my case, I talk a little about sherry, garnacha and even a cava! Today is also International Syrah Day; unfortunately I was so busy with other wine blog posts and perparing then speaking at the Ventura Parks and Recreation Commission about the Master Bike Plan, that I didn’t get a chance to play…
via Wine Predator
Poetry for Valentine’s Day: kisses
Happy Valentine’s Day!
May you enjoy plenty of kisses!
with love, Art Predator
PS This broadside was originally published in ArtLife Limited Editions Magazine.
You can read the poem more clearly by double clicking on the image.
Email if you’d like a copy of your own!
For more poetry, catch the Monday Poetry Train …!
10 Ways to Green Your Valentine’s Day: Part 2
Are you busy this weekend getting ready to celebrate Valentine’s Day which this year is Monday, February 14?
Want to save some “green” and go more green? Here are 5 more ways to “green” your Valentine’s Day!
via art predator
How To Green Your Valentine’s Day 10 Ways: Part 1
These two blog posts suggest 5 creative ways to green your “red” holiday:
Part 1: cards, candles, wine and dessert ideas! Part 2: great green gifts!
via art predator
This morning, after yoga with the wonderful Sally McNally at the An Lac Buddhist Mission in Ventura, Kari Jensen and I went out into the garden to see the preparations for the sharing of the Jade Buddha and the Holy Relics Exhibition tomorrow, Saturday February 12, 2011 at the AN LAC MISSION- GARDEN, 901 S.Saticoy Ave., Ventura,CA 93004. Kari took photos with her nice camera, but for now you’ll have to make do with photos from my iPhone!
Several monks in orange garb and nuns in grey scurried around giving directions to the many Vietnamese people there getting everything ready. Flowers are everywhere, some already in arrangements, others waiting to be placed.
The garden at the Buddhist Temple is one of my favorite places in Ventura. While the Jade Buddha and tens are temporary, the are several monumental statues. While Guanyin has been in the garden for a while, these other Buddhas pictured are new.
If you would like to attend tomorrow, please arrive to be seated by 12:45 for the 1pm Opening Ceremony and a Parade of Buddhists from different countries with monks and nuns. I understand there will be at least 50 in attendance.
There will be Buddhist and other faith prayers for Universal Peace. Buddhist, Native American, Jewish, Christian, and clergy from other religions will present a short prayer for world peace.
At 3pm, a Cultural Show will feature music and dance including Japanese Taiko Drums from Togen Daiko, Oxnard Buddhist Temple, Oxnard, Sacred Songs by Chumash Native Americans, Thai Dance by Wat Thai of Los Angeles, Vietnamese dances by An Lac Mission members, Sri Lankan Dances by An Lac Mission and Los Angeles Buddhist Vihara members, Cambodian and Laotian Dances by Cambodian Cultural Group, Bangladesh Dance by California Bodhi Vihara and Chinese Songs by Alex Tin Guo Aaron Tin Guo.
Following the entertainment, traditional foods will be available for a donation. Everything smelled so good today! I can’t wait to sample various vegetarian foods tomorrow!
This will be an amazing afternoon and evening and I hope to see you there!
If drumming is more your style (instead of chanting!), to further celebrate the presence of the Jade Buddha at the Ventura Buddhist Study Center, join a Drum Circle for Peace to the festivities Thursday evening, Feb. 17, at 6:30pm.
3 Reviews of Academy Award Nominated Films
My friend Ron Wells periodically sends me reviews of books, music, and films. In the past few months, he sent reviews for three films which have been nominated for Best Picture at Academy Awards (Black Swan, The Fighter, Inception, The Kids Are All Right, The King’s Speech, 127 Hours, The Social Network, Toy Story 3, True Grit, Winter’s Bone.)
Here are links to Ron’s take on The King’s Speech, 127 Hours, and The Social Network.
Because of strong stories and excellent acting, I strongly recommend you go see: The Kids Are All Right, 127 Hours, The Social Network, and True Grit.
And no, I’m not having an Academy Award Party. This is probably as close as I will get to one!
Need some ideas for Valentine’s Day? Check out my guest blog for the Secret Sherry Society where I go on a quest for sherry and it’s no secret anymore that Belgian chocolate and sherry are a great pair!
Going wine tasting also pairs well with Valentine’s Day–and in Ventura County this weekend, you and your Valentine can go on the prowl with a passport that will let you taste to your heart’s content! Or close to it, anyway…Check out these wineries that are members of the Ventura Winery Association!
Bella Victorian Vineyard and Winery
Camarillo Custom Crush
Cantara Cellars
Casa Baranca Winery
Four Brix Winery
Herzog Wine Cellars
Malibu Family Wines
Magnavino Cellars
Old Creek Ranch Winery (and one of my favorites, Vino V!)
Rancho Ventavo Cellars
Rosenthal Estate Wines
San Vicente Cellars
Squashed Grapes
via Wine Predator
On many Fridays from 8:15-930am, I attend Sally McNally’s Iyengar style yoga class at the Buddhist Temple in Ventura, the An Lac Mission located over on Saticoy Avenue at Darling Road across from Huntsinger Park. 
For a $5 donation to the Temple, you’ll find a great teacher, a wonderful space, and some props available. Sally is so sweet and joyous and really knowledgeable about yoga and how the body works: her training is in nursing and her specialty is in childbirth.
Not only do I adore Sally and her classes, but I love doing yoga in the sanctuary of the church. I think it was formerly a Catholic church and as we do our yoga, we face the stained glass windows that glow with the morning eastern light. I love going just to hear the 3 oms that close class and how it reverberates deep within!
I’ve also enjoyed many talks on Buddhism and life while getting to know Sutadara Tapovanaye, one of the main monks.
Last Friday in class, we enjoyed the flowers and altars set up to celebrate the Vietnamese New Year. The Mission is also getting ready for the arrival of the Jade Buddha. Learn more about both:
via art predator
art predator 