Adi's 30th Birthday + Homemade Disco = Fun

Our dear tall redhead has finally joined the pack and reached her 30's. July 5th to be exact but as she was living it up in Manhattan on her actual birthday we celebrated throughout the weekend of July 14.
Pete, Rob and I worked hard to make sure it was an event to remember. After all, 30 is a big step from 29. Not 30 yet? You'll see.

Friday, Pete invited everyone Adi knew to the stellar rooftop at the Hotel Andalucia for happy hour at sunset. Her dad Paul flew in from Minnesota, her mom Diane drove up from Thousand Oaks and friends from Santa Barbara all gathered up there and toasted the lovely Adi.


























































Saturday, Pete arranged for a designated driver and one very large van (Zeus Wine Tours) to carry Adi, Pete, Diane, Adi's sister Lauren & her man Bill (from D.C.), Rob, Ginger & Marcia (fresh from L.A.!), Anna & Ethan, Suzanne and I up to San Ynez wine country. The weather was sunny and warm and our group was a witty and appreciative one. We had fun on the way up and the way down with digi-cam and high backed seats...














































Rideau Vineyard was our first stop and we thought we'd entered a stern classroom at first. In our private tasting room our host Kate was insistent on seeing IDs for anybody who looked like they were under 30. Um, I didn't get carded. Adi did, Bill did, Anna did and boy did Lauren ever get carded. I thought Kate was going to make her stand in the corner until she produced her out of state ID that proved she could stick around for the tasting. IDs checked, Kate turned into the most knowledgeable and passionate wine connoisseur I'd ever encountered. She had a lot to say about each wine we tasted and all of it was interesting. She was patient with our questions and hands down, it was the best experience I'd ever had at Rideau, already one of my favorite wineries in the region.

























From Rideau we headed to Sunstone Vineyards. I asked Adi's mom Diane what she thought of the wines comparing them to Rideau's - and I quote "Hmm, flat". I agree. But with our group of eager wine tasters and lunch waiting outside we hurried through our second tasting and enjoyed a snack in the sun.

Later, back at our place Bill fired up Smokey Joe and the promise of tri-tip was mouth watering. Suzanne made homemade ice cream sandwiches and Ninette brought over a mound of amazing pasta salad. The meal in the backyard was so good - thanks everyone for making it happen.

























Little did Adi know that Rob and I had spent the prior week creating a present for the birthday girl. If you know Adi, you know she loves to dance. She likes 80's, 90's and top 40 (no whiners though). It was fun and uncertain to install a disco ball, smoke machine, sound system, disco lights, mirrors and blown up photos of Adi at her best - in our garage. Our what? Our garage. We're on a budget here people.

Once dusk settled, I was instructed to keep Adi busy inside the house. Rob gathered everyone at the party into the garage, turned on the disco tricks and started the dance party off with Prince. By the time Adi and I came out of the house the yard was abandoned and only the sound of 'Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to talk about this thing called life...' and giggles from the crowd inside the garage.
Smoke poured out as the garage door opened and Adi could not stop herself from doubling over in laughter at the sight. We thought it might be ghetto. She thought it was fabulous.


























































It seemed that every girl at the party turned into a 16 year old. Ninette did the best Flashdance routine I've ever seen. Even Adi's dad cut up the dance floor.
It was so great. By midnight we were exhausted and sweaty.
We are so glad you liked it Adi.

Note: for those of you who asked - the disco will not be open year round. It was a one time thing folks. High school can't last forever!

Next entry: San Francisco for Edward Tufte and Beatz in the City

Jazz in Santa Barbara - A Real Treat

When we lived in Seattle we would frequent some excellent live jazz shows. My favorite place was Dimitriou's Jazz Alley on 6th Avenue. I had the good fortune of seeing/hearing Joe Henderson, Abbey Lincoln and Charles Brown (twice!). I even got to meet him when I brought him a glass of water after a set. That was just a few months before he passed away.

Since moving to Santa Barbara, jazz pickings have been slim and we miss it.
Last Thursday we got a treat at Casa De La Guerra; Nate Birkey back from New York City for a visit. David and Christi are hosting a summer music series on the first Thursday of the month at the Casa. Good music, good company and a good reason to make a night of it. Food and wine at Intermezzo first then a stroll over to the courtyard.
I requested the opening song. Autumn Leaves. Rob introduced me to it when we first met and I've loved it ever since.






















Despite heels + gravel + tip toes we danced and danced and danced. It was sweet.













And eventually Anna + Ethan showed up too










Christi due in just six weeks is one of the strongest women I know. She seems to have endless energy for events. Can't wait to meet her little girl in August.

Wine & Weiners 2007

A few weeks ago I believe we witnessed how traditions are created.
It all started with a little advertisement in The Independent, our local free weekly newspaper (thanks Rob!):
























Did you catch that? ...there will not be a single clown in attendance...

This is the wine maker Christian:

This is our crew that showed up at his event:










A special nod to Anna who not only dressed up as a clown (red glittery cape and all) but played the part the entire day. She scared me a little. See the crazy lady on the right up there?
Two Elements screeched to a halt in front of the event and 12 clowns disembarked to a captive audience. We got a few laughs, a few kids cried and we were eager to meet our gracious host. You're a good sport buddy. We'll be back next year. Bwa ha ha ha (honk honk).






























































































Brave kids, not afraid of scary clowns...













Later in the afternoon at 85 degrees and with bellies full of corn dogs and white wine, we all headed back to our grotto for some shade. Thanks for being the life of the party you guys (the band gave us a shout out twice)!

Summer in Santa Barbara - Not For the Weak

Why so long since my last blog entry you ask? One word: summer.
This town is built for fun between May and September. Every day there seems to be a sponsored event, a parade, a party in the park, a barbecue, a birthday, an outdoor concert and the list goes on. It takes stamina and a digi-cam and a place like this to explain...

June
Lots of time with friends. This is Ethan. He's new to our group. Anna met him at the Frameworks Fund raiser at Casa De La Guerra in May. He's clever. We like him very much. He writes for the local paper and gets nostalgic for the east coast in the summertime.










Pete & Adi put us up for a weekend in Westlake and we really filled up the two days. They fed us well with grilled migs (filet mignon). I taught everyone how to play Poker Bowl (thanks Uncle Tom!) in Ventura. Lunch at an English pub because we love English pub food. Hot tub, pool. Breakfast out, shopping (thanks for the necklace babe), a spin around Westlake on the boat. Pete let me drive.




















































Solstice weekend brought a dear friend from Seattle back to Santa Barbara. Andrea and I used to be mistaken for sisters when we worked together in the Northwest. I hadn't seen her in three years. It was like no time at all had passed. She's a strong and positive person I greatly admire.













She'd been to Santa Barbara twice before but always for Fiesta. Rob and I felt like bad friends realizing she'd never seen more than the mobs downtown and the inside of the non-profit cantina. Don't get me wrong - Fiesta is a great party that takes over the city for a week but really we are usually better hosts. This time we took Andrea to many of our favorite places: Brewhouse, Ruby's Diner for chorizo & eggs, Butterfly Beach, The Biltmore (Four Seasons), Los Arroyos in Montecito. I even introduced her to her first professional pedicure - a must in California where open toe shoe season lasts up to 8 months!

























We missed the Solstice parade, caught up in the sun and warmth of the grotto in our backyard. Seattle's is better anyways so I knew Andrea wouldn't be missing out.
All of us (including surprise guests Pete & Adi) squeezed through the parade party at Alameda park. Rob took over on the camera at this point.































Rob bought me new wings. I lost my pink ones from my first Fiesta 6 years ago, in the fire. It was really thoughtful and sweet of him.
So from here, Solstice turned into a long celebration of summer in our backyard. A lot of people came over.




























I look bored right? I learned this funny tactic from Matt. I don't know Matt but I read his blog. He and his girlfriend are experts at looking bored in the most exotic locations. Click here to see the masters at work.

OK that's June. Out.