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California Wine Month and Sunset Savor

September 26, 2015

Art Predator is on the PROWL for California Wine Month at Sunset Savor on the central coast!! Will you be there too?

Gwendolyn Alley aka Art Predator's avatarwine predator.............. gwendolyn alley

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What better way to celebrate the final weekend of California Wine Month than to attend Sunset Savor in the heart of California’s central coast wine region to taste local food and wine?

Today I am driving up to Santa Margarita to attend  The Main Event where I will experience an “epicurean and adventure playground”! Sounds perfect for a Wine Predator like me

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Introducing Darlene Love: LA 9/20/15

September 25, 2015
Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015, we headed south to LA to see Darlene Love at the Whiskey A Go Go. She is no longer 20 Feet from Stardom (see review of the documentary here https://artpredator.wordpress.com/2013/06/23/new-music-documentary-20-feet-from-stardom-reviewed-by-ron-wells/)  and last Sunday night I was less than 20 feet from the STAR Darlene Love!  Many celebrities came out for the show, and I even got a photo of me with Blondie drummer Clem Burke. My friend and frequent guest blogger Ron Wells also attended the show and here’s his review:
Phil Spector may be locked up in prison, but Darlene Love has been set free from near anonymity by Steve Van Zandt to sing and glory in all that her God-filled soul can muster.
Sunday night at the world famous Whiskey A Go Go in Hollywood, CA., Ms. Love and Mr. Van Zandt put on a passionate show of new and old songs celebrating the release of her new album, “Introducing Darlene Love,” which was produced by Steve.
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The night got off to a somewhat frustrating start with the doors opening at 8:00 PM, but with the opening act canceling, Darlene and her band did not come on stage until 10:15 PM due to contract obligations. Thus, there was a lot of standing around and waiting.
But then the magic began as Steve, Darlene and the 19 other musicians took to the stage.

Read more…

Fall Harvest: Complain or Rejoice?

September 21, 2015

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We can complain because our rose bushes have thorn, points out Abraham Lincoln, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.

Is the glass half empty or half full? Or as John Halcyon Styn’s Grandpa Caleb says, it’s a beautiful glass?

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As the season changes from summer to fall in the northern hemisphere, as we near a lunar eclipse on Sunday, and as Lord Ganesha roams the earth removing obstacles during his birthday celebrations, it is a good time to reflect on how we are viewing the world, our world. What are we harvesting this autumn? What actions are we taking to make the world a more wonderful place? What are we setting in motion?

This Wednesday, all are welcome to Art City Gardens Read more…

Debate at Reagan Library Activates Locals

September 14, 2015

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One of my Ventura College colleagues, Veronica Valadez who teaches Ethnic and Chicano Studies, writes that “In class we’ve talked about the historical subjugation, marginalization, colonization, and oppression of the Chicana/o people and their ancestors. This struggle still exists today and it’s very real and very ugly. As you know, Donald Trump has made some very racist comments against Mexicans, and due to his racist hate speech, discrimination and violent acts against Mexicans and Chicanos are on the rise. In fact, those who have committed such hateful acts against Mexicans have even quoted Donald Trump to validate their actions. Many of you have asked what you can do, and well, an opportunity has presented itself.” Read more…

53 Interesting Facts about the Number 53: Saros Eclipse Cycle 53 + September Eclipses

September 13, 2015

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Unless you were in South Africa or Antartica or you are particularly psychically sensitive or you follow the wanderings of Lord Ganesha on Earth whether or not you are Hindu, you may not have noticed that

today Sunday September 13 was a partial solar eclipse.

Today in fact there was a partial solar eclipse visible way down under (photo above from Texas in 2012; details below). Below are photos from today’s eclipse:

Also exciting for sky watchers: in two weeks there will be a lunar eclipse visible to much of North America! Yes on Sunday September 27 Read more…

Ventura County Ag Summit Includes Water Solutions, Area Wineries

September 11, 2015

Local wine and food expo yo! Talk with local Ventura County experts and sample food and wine plus music and other vendors! Today Friday and tomorrow Saturday!

Gwendolyn Alley aka Art Predator's avatarwine predator.............. gwendolyn alley

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Cal State University Channel Islands will be home to a two day Ventura County Agricultural Summit featuring panels, speakers, and food on Friday Sept. 11 from 8:30am-6:30pm and food and wine tasting on Saturday Sept. 12 from noon to 4:30pm.

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#CabernetDay at #BurningMan 2015

September 1, 2015

How I will be celebrating Cabernet Day 2015 on Thurs. Sept 3!

Gwendolyn Alley aka Art Predator's avatarwine predator.............. gwendolyn alley

10347080_10152733739078900_783259526048785981_n Burning Man is home to a winery, wine cellars, and plenty of wine!

Is there wine in Black Rock City, home to Burning Man? Or is it only a town of tequila shots and beers in cans and blasters and absinthe and other cocktails?

I’m here to tell you that there is more to drink in Black Rock City than cheap bottom shelf liquor prettied-up with mixers and sweet cheeks served on a mutant vehicle rolling across the desert!

Every year at Burning Man (my first Burn was in 1992 and I’ve been 15x), I have had amazing wine, including my first Barolo in 2009, thanks to Puma who always brings out some pretty special stuff to celebrate the occasion (that’s his dusty pile from 2011 pictured).

IMG_6773 Puma and a pile of vino he brought to Burning Man to share

Many wine makers, from professional to garagiste to home brewer…

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Burning Man’s Temple 2015 + my promise

August 31, 2015
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logo by Monica Wu

Most people who know anything about Burning Man (beyond the stupid trope of drugs, naked people, EDM) know that on Saturday night, a giant human effigy is burned followed by a raging party. Think the biggest New Year’s Eve party you’ve been too and then multiply by google.

Fewer people know about the Temple Burn Read more…

53 Interesting Facts About the Number 53 #33: Sunset’s 53 container gardens

August 23, 2015

School may be back in session for many and summer may be almost over for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, but unless you live in the Arctic circle, now is as good a time as any to plant a container garden. Sunset magazine recently featured not 10, not 25, not 40 or 50 but 53 container gardens! A few of my favorites a pictured above. And since on Sundays I post an interesting fact about the number 53, this Sunday I’m featuring these 53 container gardens. Read more…

Award-Winning Latino Poets In Ojai 8/23

August 22, 2015

11880601_10153519664899268_9202070449701315264_nThree award-winning Latino poets read tomorrow Sunday August 23 at 2pm at the Ojai Art Center 113 So. Montgomery, downtown Ojai. Angel Garcia, Melinda Palacio, and Emma Trelles  will perform poetry and Claudia Simone will sing with classical guitarist Don Cardinali. Food trucks will be on site and while the event is free, donations are appreciated.

The Ojai Art Center has several branches; the literary branch is hosting this event: “The Literary Branch shines a spotlight on writers – especially local talent – to  provide the community events that acclaim all types of literary works.  It invites participants to use their leisure time to venture to the Center to share with others the sensations of good writings.  Lean in. Listen. Learn.”

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