California TravelFlower PowerFood & WineFamily & HealthThe Arts

233 4th Avenue, Yuma, AZ 85364Toll Free: (877) 234-5567

Local: (928) 783-4453

www.CoronadoMotorHotel.com

Historic Coronado Motor HotelYuma's Destination Hotel

Celebrating Over 75 Years of TraditionWhere The Past Makes History

Ideal Location Close to Shopping,Restaurants, Attractions & Activities

Over 120 Clean & Comfortable Guest Rooms

Full Cooked Breakfast at Yuma Landing Bar & GrillFree Hi-Speed Internet & WiFi ~ Work Desk

Flat Screen TV & DVD PlayerFridge ~ Microwave ~ Coffee Maker

Iron & Ironing Board ~ Hair Dryer ~ In-Room SafeTwo Swimming Pools ~ 1 Fitness Center

2 Business Centers ~ Guest Laundry FacilitiesFree Parking for Cars, Boats, Buses, RVs & Trucks

Group Rates & Government Per Diem Rates

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Click to see Video!

Contents… 4. Contents Continued

5. Editors Block

A Toast to the Arts6. Some History on Flowers in Art

8. DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun

9. Book Clubs - How to Start Your Own

10. Historic Yuma Theater

Rants, Raves & Rock ‘n Roll11. Alice Sweet Alice

12. Big Blend Bonanza Giveaway!

Creative Celebrations14. How To Start Your Planning Process For the Wedding

15. Early Wedding Traditions

16. March Holidays

Eat, Drink & Be Merry

18. Peter’s “Veggie” Irish Stew

21. Confit Tomatoes With Fresh Thyme

22. Storing and Pouring Wine

24. Kitchen Utensil Tricks

Garden Gossip26. Organizing Your Kitchen and Garage

28. Open Sesame - the Story of Seeds

29. Roses For Spring

29. Plants Of Horror

30. In An English Country Garden

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Nature Connection32. Wildflower Wonderlands

Quality of Life34. Spring Cleaning a Negative Self-Image

36. The Children of Now… Evolution

38. Herbal Cleansing For Spring

39. Yoga, Ballet & Pilates Works For All Ages

40. Fat to Fearless

Success Express41. Attorney Insider

42. A New Program for Emerging Travel Writers

Vacation Station44. Ventura County West

47. Guanajuato, Mexico

48. Springtime in San Diego’s Backcountry

Way Back When52. Born Under A Sign - March

Travel/Event Planner54. Spring in Yuma in Southwest Arizona

60. Spring in California’s Yosemite Gold Country

62. Spring in California’s Sequoia Country

Upcoming Big Blend Radio Shows65. March. 1: Film, Art, History, Foreign Policy, Travel & Events

March 2: Spring in Yuma, Arizona

66. March. 8: Music, Restaurants & Recipes, Drug Dealing & Hollywood HistoryMarch 9: Tonto National Monument and Globe, ArizonaMarch. 15: Travel, Trails, Herbal Health, Fashion & Cooking

67. March 22: Music, Summer Camps & Travel, Writing & Book MarketingMarch. 29: Travel, Volunteering, Cooking, Employment Law

Contents…

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This magazine is developed by Big Blend Magazine™.copyrighted since 1998. No part of it may be reproducedfor any reason, without written permission from BigBlend Magazine, P.O. Box 87633, Tucson, AZ 85754-7633. Opinions expressed by contributors are notnecessarily that of this publication or any of its staff. Wereserve the right to edit submittals. All subject matter isintended for general information only and not to be takeas personal advice in any matter. Although every effortis made to be accurate, we cannot be held responsiblefor inaccuracies or plagiarized copy submitted to us byadvertisers or contributors.

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Hooray for Spring! This issue kicks of the newseason with a full dose of flower power thatincludes features on desert wildflowers, plantingroses, history of flowers in art, garden destinationsin England, and Hollywood history of plants inhorror films. We also take a look at noteworthy birthdates in the month of March, and share some of thetraditions and legends behind St. Patrick’s Day andthe Ides of March. March is a time to dust off thedrudgery of winter, and we have expert tips, articlesand interviews on how to organize the kitchen andgarage, spring clean a negative self-image as wellas cleanse the body with herbs.

Spring is a lovely time to get out and travel, andwe’ve got destination and event news focusing onCalifornia’s Ventura County West, San Diego’sbackcountry, the Sequoia region, Yosemite’s GoldCountry, plus, art and entertainment news in Yumaand Tucson, Arizona. When it comes to food, wineand cooking, we have recipes for a Veggie ‘Irish’Stew and Tomato Confit, tips on utensils, andadvice on storing and pouring wine.

Listen to radio interviews including: filmmaker M.Sean Kaminsky on his new documentary ‘OpenSesame: The Story of Seeds’, musician ScottMartinez from the band Alice Sweet Alice, authorMeg Blackburn Losey, PhD on her new book‘Children of the Now: Evolution’, yoga and pilatesinstructor Janice Lennard, and weight loss expertAsher Fox. There’s also advice on planning awedding, tips on starting a book club, a newprogram for emerging travel writers, and an insidelook on what it is like to work in employment law.

We hope you enjoy this month’s blend of topics! Besure to subscribe to our Big Blend e-Newsletter toget your free Big Blend Radio & TV Magazine andSpirit of America Magazine in your email, and soyou can enter our Big Blend Bonanza Giveaway.Remember, one winner wins all the prizes we addto the prize pot throughout the year.

Happy Spring!Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. SmithBig Blend’s mother-daughter publishing, radio andtravel team; along with Priscilla - Big Blend’s pinksock monkey travel mascot!

Editors Block…

Front Cover Photos: Apple Blossom by Lisa D. Smith,Wine by Linda Kissam, Three Rivers Bathtub Race byLeah Launey, Painting by Ted DeGrazia / DeGrazia

Some History ofFlowers in ArtBy artist Victoria Chick, artist and early 19th &20th century print collector

Although a painted arrangement of flowers isnot unusual today, flowers as a subject in artbegan as a minor decorative addition to othersubjects.

The earliest flower found in ancient sites is thelotus. It appeared on wall paintings in Egyptiantombs and in low relief sculpture from the earliestdynasties. The lotus blossom was also a motif usedin Egyptian jewelry and was the inspiration for theshape of the capital at the top of Egyptian columns.

In the remains of the buried Roman city of Pompeii,covered with volcanic ash from Mt. Vesuvius in 79A.D, fresco paintings have been found of a gardenwhich included some flowers, shrubs, and trees.

During the Gothic era from about 1200-1400 A.D.,depiction of flowers in paintings became morespecific because they were used as symbols of thepersonality or importance of particular people. Forexample, paintings of the Annunciation to the VirginMary would have a lily representing puritysomewhere in the painting. Roses came tosymbolize the blood of Christian martyrs inmedieval painting. The word carnation comes fromthe Greek incarnacyon meaning “God becomingflesh”, in other words, Christ assuming human form.This carnation variety was pink (flesh) and wasoften included in Nativity pictures.

By the Renaissance, there was a revived interest inAncient mythology and this was sometimes mixedin with Christianity. Botticelli’s 15th century worksare an example where flowers are used to amplifymythological subjects. In none of these examplesthough, were flowers the prime subject and thissecondary role continued until the 17th centurywhen the Dutch began to produce flower paintings.

But even in the Dutch floral paintings there wassymbolism. We see the paintings as beautiful,meticulously rendered, floral arrangementssometimes including tulips, a specialty of Dutchgrowers and hybridizers.  But, to the people of thetime, flowers represented much more than beauty.Some paintings showed flowers in various stagesfrom just budding, to full bloom, to losing petals. Forthe Dutch, this was a metaphor for the stages ofhuman life. On close examination, one can oftensee tiny insects chewing on flowers or leaves.These symbolized decay and death. Butterflies onthe flowers are a metaphor of Christ’s resurrection.

In France, during the 17th into the 18th century, afew artists began doing still life flower paintings. Intheir studios, French artists painted flowers invases with aesthetic ideas in mind. Symbolism didnot concern them as it did the Dutch painters. The19th century French Impressionists, beinginterested in the optical theories of light, spent theirtime painting outdoors recording their impressionsof the effects of light at various times of day andunder varying weather conditions. Gardens, flowerymeadows, and street vendors selling flowers wereimages that were often subjects of Impressionistpainters. Their brushwork was loose and the smallcolor patches interwoven by the brush, rather thanbeing physically mixed, are best understood bystanding far enough away from the painting that theconcept of “Optical Mixing” works.

The Annunciation with St. Margaret and St.Ansanus by Simone Martini

Irises by Van Gogh

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Listen! Listen to Victoria Chick discuss Flowers in Art on Big Blend Radio!

Shapes, and large areas of color used expressivelyrather than naturalistically, preoccupied the PostImpressionists like Van Gogh, Gauguin, andMatisse.  The famous paintings of sunflowers andirises by Van Gogh are admired for their boldnessand simplicity in marked contrast to the detail anddelicacy of the Dutch flower painting 200 yearsearlier.

From the beginning of the 20th century to thepresent, flower paintings have tended to be greatlyinfluenced by the work of earlier artists. Notableexceptions are the close-up, abstract flowers doneby modernist Georgia O’Keefe, the innovative workexplored by many American watercolor artists, andthe color woodcut floral prints of Margaret JordanPatterson.

Victoria Chick is the founder of the Cow TrailArt Studio and received a B.A. in Art from theUniversity of Missouri at Kansas City andawarded an M.F.A. in painting from Kent StateUniversity in Ohio. Visit her website atwww.ArtistVictoriaChick.com.

Roses, Convolvulus, Poppies, and Other Flowers in an Urn on a Stone Ledge by Rachel Ruysch

Narcissus in Opaline Glass Vase by Henri Fantin-LaTour

Detail of Primavera by Sandro Botticelli

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Showcasing the works of infamousArizona artist Ted DeGrazia,DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun is afascinating 10-acre art andarchitectural destination listed on theNational Register of Historic Places,in Tucson, Arizona. Opened in 1965,the gallery is home to over 15,000originals of Ted DeGrazia art pieces

including oil paintings, watercolors, ceramics andsculptures. There are six permanent collections ondisplay and several rotating exhibitions each year.A limited number of DeGrazia originals areavailable for purchase, while the gift shop andonline store offers a wide variety of popularDeGrazia reproductions. DeGrazia Gallery in theSun is also home to the original home of TedDeGrazia and his wife Marion, their burial sites, theadobe Mission in the Sun, the cactus corral, andthe Little Gallery that hosts visiting artists during thewinter months. There is no admission charge tovisit the gallery and the grounds.

On Display at DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun:

"Way of the Cross" - The annual showing of TedDeGrazia's "The Way of the Cross" is on displaythrough Lent with 15 original oil paintings thatdepict the suffering and crucifixion of Christ.Instead of the traditional 14 Stations of the Cross,DeGrazia's collection culminates with theresurrection. "I never thought the cycle would becompleted unless we had the 15th station whereJesus arises in glory," the artist explained on a 15-minute audiotape that accompanies the exhibition.On display until May 27, 2015.

"Enamel on Copper Paintings Of Ted DeGrazia"- Fired enamels are glass-based pigments that meltand fuse to metal when heated to hightemperatures. Between 1972 and 1974,Southwestern artist Ted DeGrazia’s focus on thistechnique led to the creation of hundreds ofenameled copper and silver objects includingjewelry, sculpture, and enamel on copper paintings.The 1975 book DeGrazia Creates Enamelsreproduced selected images from thirteen limitededition enamel on copper painting series. Thisexhibit features full and partial editions of thosepaintings along with a selection of DeGrazia’senameled jewelry, sculpture, and additionalindividual paintings. On display until Aug. 15, 2015.

“The Lord Gave Me Brothers Saint Francis ofAssisi” - DeGrazia created these paintings in 1966for a book on Saint Francis that was nevercompleted. The story for the book has been lost,but the paintings include images of Saint Francisand scenes from the daily life of a Friar called “LittleBrother”. On display until Dec. 1, 2015.

Little Gallery ExhibitionsFeb. 22, 2015 – Mar. 6, 2015, Jeannie Fellow,Lumen ArtMar. 8, 2015 – Mar. 20, 2015, Raven Hatfield, StillLife to LandscapesMar. 22, 2015 – Apr. 3, 2015, Lynn Waltke, WildLife Art

The DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun is open dailyfrom 10 am – 4pm, and is located at 6300 NorthSwan, Tucson, AZ 85718. For up-to-date eventand exhibit information, call (520) 299-9191 or(800) 545-2185, or visit www.DeGrazia.org.

DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun

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Listen to Big BlendRadio’s Interview withLynn Wiese Sneyd!

Listen!

Book clubs continue to be all the rage. If youcan’t find one to join in your area, considerstarting your own. Here are some simpleguidelines to follow.

- Start with a group of two to three people and addfrom there. But don’t make it too big. Setting a maxof eight to ten members will allow for betterdiscussions.

- Agree on the meeting dates, time and hostingschedule.

- Have everyone bring in three possible bookselections, and then choose which books will beread and who lead the discussion for each book.

- Many authors are amenable to Skype sessionswith clubs. Most authors can be reached via theirwebsite or social media platforms.

- As you read, make notes about characters,setting, themes and topical issues.

- The leader should write out seven to tendiscussion questions. Some publishers includethose questions in the back of the book.

Book Clubs -How to Start Your OwnBy Lynn Wiese Sneyd 'The Book Biz Whiz'

- During the discussion, the leader needs to decidewhen it’s time to move on to the next question andalso monitor how far the discussion segues fromthe book.

- At the end of the meeting, make sure everyoneknows the book that will be discussed at the nextmeeting.

For book selection ideas, consult your locallibrarian. If your area hosts a book festival, considerscheduling an outing to the event. Tucson, forinstance, where I reside, is host to the TucsonFestival of Books every March on the University ofArizona campus. For readers and writers, it’s athrilling weekend-long event that includespresentations by over 400 authors and draws over100,000 attendees. Authors from all genres – fromliterary fiction to memoir, science, politics, cooking,YA and more – are represented.

One of my friends has been in a book club foralmost 20 years. Not only does this group ofwomen meet monthly, but they have taken out-of-state trips together and developed some prettyamazing friendships.

Amazing, the power of a good book.

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Constructed in 1912, the Yuma Theatreoriginally functioned as a vaudeville andmovie house. Though it has experienced acouple of fires, the Yuma Theatre has beenin operation almost continuously since 1936.The interior decor has remained virtuallyunchanged, and features two beautiful

Mar. 18: 3 Redneck Tenors: Back by populardemand, these refugees from a Texas Roadhouseare classically trained tenors that put a southern-style spin on the hits of the greatest tenors.

Mar. 20: The Spouse Whisperer: Mark Cordes,The Spouse Whisperer.

Mar. 24: American Made: A Salute to the OakRidge Boys, the Statler Brothers and CountryGospel! Nothing rivals the pure sound of a country-gospel quartet, and we’re bringing you one of thebest!  The Presidio Boys masterfully recreate thehits of Country and Gospel Music’s favorite vocalgroups- including the Oak Ridge Boys, the StatlerBrothers, the Cathedrals and more!

Mar. 25: The Outside Track: Winner of BestGroup in both the Live Ireland awards and TIRawards! This group united by love of traditionalmusic, effortlessly fuse traditional & contemporarystyles as they blend fiddle, accordion, harp, guitar,whistle, step-dance and vocals.

Mar. 28: Good Rockin’ LIVE! A salute to SunRecords and the Birth of Rock and Roll! This liveconcert event pays tribute to the birth of rock androll and the music legends Sun Records helpedpropel to stardom. Good Rockin’ Live tells the taleof how rock was born through the music and storiesof those who lived it.

Listen to Rex Ijams,Historic YumaTheatre& Yuma ArtCenter, on Big BlendRadio!

Listen!

mermaid murals in the audience chamber, and oneof the only functioning carbon arc projectors west ofthe Mississippi. Offering seating for 650, ADAaccessibility, excellent acoustics, state-of-the-artlighting, sound and digital projection capability, theHistoric Yuma Theatre is managed by the City ofYuma with events occurring year-round. It isconnected to the Yuma Art Center which hosts avariety of special events and classes, and housesfour art galleries, a pottery studio, and a gift shop.

For event information or to book a tour, call928-373-5202 or visit www.YumaAZ.gov

SPRING PERFORMANCES AT THE HISTORICYUMA THEATRE

Mar. 3: The Best of Broadway: Four talentedvocalists present a riveting salute to the music ofthe Great White Way in this concert productionhighlighting Broadway’s greatest hits with a mix ofold and new – from “Oklahoma” and “West SideStory” to modern classics including “Les Miserable”and favorites from Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Mar. 6: ABBA Fab: The Premier ABBAExperience!

Mar. 10: Luck of the Irish: A Salute to Music,Dance and comedy from the Emerald Isle. Thisshow promises plenty of surprises: you might findyourself doing a jig, singing along with an Irishfiddler, playing a penny whistle, reciting a limerickor taking part in an authentic contra-dance!

Mar. 15: Bring Back that Lovin’ Feelin’: A Saluteto the Righteous Brothers and Blue-Eyed Soul.Sensational artists such as The Kingsmen, TheRascals and Dion were the cornerstones of thismovement, and their music has inspired artists eversince.  This concert features classics includingUnchained Melody, Just Once in My Life, LouieLouie and The Wanderer.

Historic Yuma TheatreThe Entertainment Centerpiece of HistoricDowntown Yuma, Arizona

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Fuse fearsome dedication with diversely talented musicians,a mind-boggling work-ethic and a positive mission, andyou’re facing an unstoppable force. Welcome to Alice SweetAlice (ASA), a Kansas City alt rock hybrid, whose tasty tunes,stylistic diversity and passionate live show are payingdividends with a hard-to-ignore street buzz. Fronted byScott Martinez (bass/guitar/vocals) and Ali Kat(vocals/keyboard/piano), Alice Sweet Alice plays genre-bending music that resists description, classification or

Listen to Scott Martinez on Big Blend Radio!

Alice Sweet Alice

Listen!

categorization – yet soundsintimately familiar. There are definiterock overtones sometimes pairedwith electronica, jazz, blues and postpunk that ignites the senses withprogressive composition andmeaningful lyrics.

ASA has shared the stage with suchnotable acts as Collective Soul,Adrenaline Mob, Chuck Mosley(Faith No More), Blameshift,Mushroomhead, Hurt, Taproot,Psychostick, Nothing More,Shaman’s Harvest, Pezband, Primer55, Another Lost Year, and manyothers.Keep up with Alice Sweet Alice atwww.AliceSweetAlice.com.

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ONE WINNER TAKES ALL!Every few weeks we add new prizes to the giveaway. These are announced inour Big Blend e-Newsletter, the monthly Big Blend Radio & TV Magazineand quarterly Spirit of America Magazine.

HOW DO YOU ENTER?Subscribe to the Big Blend e-Newsletter to get the monthly prize update,monthly question, and entry form. Maximize your chances of winning byanswering as many questions as possible.Last entry will be accepted on November 10, 2015. Winner will be announcedin the December 2015 issue of Big Blend Radio & TV Magazine.

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Click Here to Subscribe to Big Blend e-News toEnter the Big Blend Bonanza!

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Big Blend Bonanza Giveaway Prizes Include:PRIZE #1: 2 Night Stay for Two, at Three RiversBed & Breakfast – Located in Three Rivers,California this Riverhouse is only 8 miles from theentrance to Sequoia National Park. Guest roomsfeature a high ceiling, tiled floors, queen-sized bed,TV/VCR, Wi Fi, wood-burning fireplace, A/C andheat, small private verandah, private access toKaweah River, private bathroom, wine andchocolates. Prize added Nov. 25, 2014. See:www.ThreeRiversBedandBreakfast.com

PRIZE #2: $75 Gift Certificate at DeGrazia Galleryin the Sun – Located in Tucson, Arizona, this 10-acre historic landmark is home to over 15,000originals of famous Arizona artist Ted DeGrazia’s artpieces. A limited number of DeGrazia originals areavailable for purchase, while the gift shop offers awide variety of popular DeGrazia reproductions. Thiscertificate is for in-store use only. Prize added Dec.22, 2014. See: www.DeGrazia.org.

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RULES & FINE PRINT:- Big Blend clients, colleagues, friends or family are not allowed to enter.- Must be 18 years or older to enter.- Must live in the USA to enter.- No transportation is provided to travel destinations that offer gift certificates in the giveaway.- Big Blend is not responsible for gift certificates that cannot be utilized due to business closure, change of ownership etc.- Gift certificates in prize package are not redeemable for cash, and cannot be utilized by someone other than the winner.- You must subscribe to the Big Blend Newsletter in order to obtain the the entry forms and answer the questions.

PRIZE #3: 2 Night Stay for Two, at Dream Manor Inn –Located in Globe, Arizona, the gateway community of TontoNational Monument, this Tuscan-style hill-top boutique resortfeatures 20 guest rooms and extended-stay villas, a pool andJacuzzi, walking paths, lush gardens, fountains, waterfall, aputting green, complimentary DVD and book libraries, freeWiFi, and BBQ areas. Gift certificate can be used betweenSunday-Thursday. Prize added January 20, 2015. Seewww.DreamManorInn.com.

PRIZE #4: Coronado Motor Hotel Getaway – Locatedin Yuma, Arizona the historic Coronado Motor Hotelfeatures comfortable Spanish hacienda-style guestrooms with modern amenities, 2 swimming pools, YumaLanding Bar & Grill (the site where the first airplanelanded in Arizona), and the Casa de Coronado Museum.The hotel is in walking distance from the Yuma CrossingNational Heritage Area, the Colorado River, and historicdowntown district. This prize includes a 2 night stay for 2at the Coronado Motor Hotel (includes breakfast), $25gift certificate for Yuma Landing Bar & Grill, plus a tour of

Casa de Coronado Museum. Prize added February 23, 2015. See www.CoronadoMotorHotel.com.

PAGE 13

By Rebecca Williams, Dream Manor Inn inGlobe, Arizona

Most of your vendors need to know how manypeople you are planning for. You also need tofigure out a budget that you want to spend for thewedding.

Start with figuring out an approximate guestlist.By getting your approximate guest list and budget,you will be able to meet with your vendors. Sitdown with your partner and parents to come upwith a guest list.

You may want to prioritize it this way:

- Need to invite, and will probably come. Theseguests should get a “Save the Date” invitation-especially the ones who will be traveling.Depending on how formal you want to be, you cansend an informal Facebook message/event oremail. Most of your guests would like to see anengagement picture which can easily be done viathe internet or local printer. Postcards are a budgetfriendly way of sending.

Just Engaged?

Do not send “Save the Date” invites until you haveput a deposit on your venue.  Venues book quicklyand some that you want to look at might already bebooked for your date.  Sometimes, couples will lookat the venue, fall in love with it and change theirdate. When you find your venue book it and secureit with a deposit.  Find out your venue’s policy onpayment and follow it. A venue may drop you if youare late on a payment.

- Need to invite, but probably won’t come. If youwant to avoid surprises, you may want to sendthem a “Save the Date” invitation-but they may notrespond to you, unless you note on the invitation toRSVP by a certain date.  Or you can wait until yousend your invitations and get your responses.

- Would like to invite, would probably come, butneed to stay within budget. These guests can beinvited once you have a better handle on what youend up spending from your budget and when youknow more of the answers from the above groups.You will know close to what you are spending a fewmonths before your wedding, when you have all ofyour vendors locked in. Continued on next page.

How to Start Your Planning Process for the Wedding

PAGE 14

Finding the Right VendorsFriends, family and co-workers are a great source.Most have married or been to weddings and will letyou know if they have had a great experience withparticular vendors. Your venue will usually havevendors they have worked with before and canrecommend. Check reviews on your vendors to feelcomfortable with them before you talk to them. Feelfree to ask your vendors for references.

Some couples have a vision of what their weddingshould be like. Communicate it to your vendors sothey can help you. Not sure of your vision? That isokay too. Experienced vendors can help guide youthrough the process. Whether you know your visionor not, find things you like on the internet, Pinterestor other sources to share with your vendors so theycan help you come up with your dream wedding.

With good planning and great vendors-you willbe able to relax and enjoy your day with yourguests.

Rebecca & Carl Williams own and operateDream Manor Inn, a boutique resort, weddingand event venue in Globe, Arizona. Visitwww.DreamManorInn.com.

Early Wedding Traditions!By Nancy J. Reid

Mankind’s belief in evil spirits is the basis of alot of our traditions, and weddings have severalcustoms that have morphed over time, but arestill represented at most ceremonies.

Originally, the bridesmaids dressed just like thebride in order to confuse evil spirits, and theyaccompanied the bride and groom on theirhoneymoon.

In medieval times, the bride’s bouquet was made ofstrong herbs and garlic, meant to scare off evilspirits until after the ceremony. Once married thebride was considered to be very lucky and femaleguests attempted to tear bits off of her dress, tokeep for their own good luck. Throwing thebouquet, which now means the girl who catches itwill marry next, used to be a way to distract theguests while the bride and groom made theirgetaway to the wedding chamber. Once safelyinside, the groom would throw the garter out to theguests, signifying the consummation of themarriage was about to take place–with the bestman guarding the door.

Also dating back to medieval times, the weddingcakes were small and made of wheat, symbolizingfertility and prosperity. The guests threw the cakes,not intended for eating, at the bride. Later theRomans began making barley bread cakes to beeaten. The groom would eat part of the cake andbreak the rest of the cake over his bride’s head.The guests would compete for the crumbs, thinkingthey would share in the fortune of the couple.

In some cultures a new bride was considered quitevulnerable to evil spirits, especially through thesoles of her feet. It was also believed unattachedevil spirits lurked at the doorway to the couple’shome. This belief led to the bride being carried overthe threshold of her new home by the groom. Eventhe first wedding “rings” were tied on the bride’sankles and wrists to keep her spirit from beingtaken away.

PAGE 15

March - A Stormy, Divided MonthBy Nancy J. Reid

Lent is the Christian season of penance and prayerbefore Easter starts every year on Ash Wednesdayand ends on Holy Saturday, before Easter Sunday.This year, lent began on February 18th and will endon April 4th. Right in the middle of this period, St.Patrick’s Day arrives with food, dancing, parades,drinking and a lot of green!

St. Patrick’s Day, held in honor of the Patron Saintof Ireland, the missionary who brought Christianityto Ireland in the 400’s AD, is an interesting storythat carries a lot of symbolism.

Patrick apparently was not Irish, but born in Romancontrolled Britain about 390 AD, to a wealthy,aristocratic Christian family. His father, Calpurnius,was both a deacon and a civic official; hisgrandfather, Potitus, was a priest.

Patrick was kidnapped at age 16 by Irish piratesand ended up in Ireland as a slave, tending sheep.He wrote in his book, Confession, "The love of Godand His fear came to me more and more, and myfaith was strengthened." Legend has it that heheard voices urging him to escape, and that a shipwas waiting for him. He did escape, and foundpassage back to Britain on a ship. Once reunitedwith his family, he again heard voices. This timeurging him to return to Ireland to convert the Irish toChristianity.

Patrick became an ordained priest and returned toIreland despite the warning from friends. He diedon March 17, 461.

The word March, from the Roman word ‘Martius’,originally the first month of the Roman calendar,was named after Mars, the god of war. It is knownto be a month divided by fine and not-so-fineweather, as pointed out in the old English proverb,“When March comes in like a lion, it goes out like alamb.”

Another popular March saying, “As mad as a Marchhare” is thought to come from the beginning of thehare mating season, when the male rabbits get abit excited, often boxing with each other. This latergave rise to the slogan, “March Madness”, firstused in 1939 by Henry V. Porter, a high schoolbasketball coach, describing the excitementsurrounding the Illinois state tournament for boysbasketball.

March 15, The Ides of March, according to theRoman calendar, is the first day of spring, the firstday of the new year, and a day of a full moon.While it brings the end of winter, flowers, andsunshine, it also brings the tones of betrayal andmisfortune.

St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th, a day of drinking andparades, falls right in the middle of Lent.

The March equinox, occurring on the 19, 20 or 21st,marks the moment the Sun crosses the celestialequator – the imaginary line in the sky above theEarth’s equator – from south to north. On theequinox, night and day are nearly exactly the samelength – 12 hours.

St. Patrick’s Day

PAGE 16

Legends surround Patrick, one being the use of thethree leaf clover, or shamrock, to explain the HolyTrinity, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, tothe Irish. The shamrock is a wild-growing annualplant that germinates in spring.

The staff St. Patrick carried was said to be Ash andwhen evangelizing he would stick the staff into theground and it would eventually sprout leaves, dueto the length of time it took to get his messageacross to his audience.

Of course the most well known story is the claimthat he banished snakes from Ireland, driving theminto the icy sea. According to Nigel Monaghan,curator of natural history of the National Museum ofIreland, who has sifted through vast collections offossils and records, there has never been anysnakes in Ireland. The many tales of snakes weremost likely spread by monks centuries after StPatrick’s death.

St. Patrick’s Day is one of America’s most popularcelebrations and in many churches, the constraintsof lent are set aside for the day. Saint Patrick's Dayis a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland,Northern Ireland, Newfoundland, Labrador andMontserrat. It is also widely celebrated by Irish andthose of Irish descent around the world; especiallyin Great Britain, Canada, the United States,Argentina, Australia and New Zealand.

An old man sits in the dirt, gazing down at theentrails of a freshly sacrificed sheep…. In a trance,he sees danger and hurries off to warn the mostpowerful man in the land, the man known as the“dictator for life,” of a plot of the dictator’simpending assassination and the betrayal by one ofhis own proteges.

Joining a crowd gathered to “hail Caesar” the seeryells out “Beware of the Ides of March,” as awarning to Julius Caesar, then dictator of theRoman Republic.

A few days later, on March 15, 44 BC, the seer sitson the steps of the Theater of Pompey. Caesarpasses by him and scoffs, "The Ides of March havecome,” sure of himself and that the prophecy ofdoom was wrong.

“Aye, but not gone Caesar,” answered the seer.

Later that day, Caesar is murdered by the samesenators, including his protege Marcus Brutus, thathad made him “dictator in perpetuity”.

Caesar’s death triggered a civil war that resulted inhis adopted heir, Octavian coming into power.Octavian vowed revenge, and on the Ides of Marchin 40 BC, on the fourth anniversary of Caesar’sdeath, his army at his direction, slaughtered 300senators and knights at the siege of Perugia.

Morte di Giulio Cesare ("Death of Julius Caesar").By Vincenzo Camuccini, 1798

Photo: Church of Our Lady, Goleen, County Cork,Ireland by Andreas F. Borchert.

The Ides of March

March Flowers: Narcissusor Daffodils

March Gemstone:Bloodstone or Aquamarine

PAGE 17

Peter'sVeggie "Irish" StewBy Peter Sodhy,Three Rivers Bed & Breakfast Inn

Ingredients:½ large yellow onion2 large toes of garlic2 large (or 6-8 small) dried chilies1 cap of Portobello mushroom1 large potato2 large raw carrots2 cups of broccoli4 celery stalks4 whole leaves of bok choy3 whole zucchini5 cups water3 tablespoons plain soy sauce4 whole cloves1 tablespoon brown sugar2 tablespoons white pepper2 tablespoons black pepper2 tablespoons chili powder1 tablespoon ground ginger

Preparation:It always helps to have everything sliced, chopped,or otherwise, prepared before you start with theactual cooking.

Take the ½ large yellow onion and cut it into twoequal parts. The first part should be sliced thin (notchopped) and put aside. The second part shouldbe chopped into roughly ½” chunks and also putaside.

Next, cut the ends off the zucchini and then skin it.Now slice the zucchini as thinly as you can, at leastless than 1/10” thick and put aside.

Chop one toe of garlic into thin slices and putaside. You don’t need to do anything to the othertoe right now.

Chop the dried chilies into strips no more than ¼”wide. Put this aside along with the seeds.

Chop the celery into ¼” thick chunks.

Chop the carrots into chunks. Increase thethickness from ¼” at the fat end, to almost 1” at thethin end.

Cut the bok choy in half lengthwise down the spinethen chop it into inch wide pieces and put aside.

Skin the potato and cut it into chunks approximatelyan inch square and put aside.

Wash the Portobello mushroom thoroughly inwater, especially underneath the cap. If there is astem, remove it and retain the uppermost 1”. Chopthat and the cap into 1” squares and put aside.

Remove the remaining leaves from the broccolithen chop the broccoli into 1” chunks and put aside.

Cooking:Surprisingly, all this will fit into a regular Dutchoven. I’ll assume a scale of 0-10 for the heat (0being off, 10 is max).

Pour in the soy sauce and the brown sugar. Set theheat to 7 and stir until the sugar melts. The liquidshould also appear to be slightly bubbling at thispoint. Add all the thinly-sliced onion and the thinly-sliced garlic. Also add 1 tablespoon of chili powder.Stir to mix evenly and allow the mixture to startsizzling.

Now throw in the mushrooms and stir slowly untilthe mushrooms begin to darken. If necessary, youcan add a little water to prevent the mixture fromdrying. This should take no more than 5 minutes.

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Remove from heat.  Now quickly remove as muchof the mushroom as possible and put aside. You’llbe adding them back later but you don’t want themto break up from stewing too long. Now put theremaining mixture back on the burner and lower theheat to 5.

Add 1 cup of water and stir until the water justbegins to boil and then add in about 1/3 of thezucchini and stir until it just begins to boil. Add 1more cup of water and stir until it just begins to boil,then add in another 1/3 of the zucchini.

Add 1 more cup of water (this makes 3 total), stiruntil it just begins to boil, then add in the remainingzucchini. Stir until it just begins to boil and then turnthe heat down to 3.

Add the ground ginger, all the cloves, 1 tablespoonof white pepper, 1 tablespoon of black pepper, stirto mix evenly and then cover. Check back every 10minutes or so to stir the mixture making sure to notlet anything stick to the bottom and burn.  If itappears that the liquid is boiling vigorously enoughto boil over, turn the heat down a little.  You mightalso want to make sure that the cover doesn’t sealtoo well.

After about an hour, you will have to add in 1 morecup of water.  Stir well to mix and then cover again.Keep checking back every 10 minutes to stir.  Bythis point you should see that the zucchini isnaturally breaking up.

After about 90 minutes or so, most of the zucchinishould be dissolved and the mixture is a brownishcolor.  Add in one last cup of water and stir to mixevenly. Turn the heat down to 2.

Take the 2nd toe of garlic and cut into 2 equalparts. Crush both with the flat of a knife and add tothe mixture.  Put in the rest of the white and blackpepper and the chili powder and stir well.  Add thecarrots. Cover and let simmer for another 10minutes.

Now add the potatoes and onion chunks and stireverything. Cover and let simmer for at least 10 -20 minutes until the potatoes just begin to cook onthe outside. Add in the celery, cover and let simmerfor 10 minutes.

Now add the mushrooms back in, add the broccoli,stir and simmer covered for 10 minutes. Finally,add the bok choy. You may have to stuff it in. Makesure you stir the bok choy into the liquid. Cookuncovered for no more than 5 minutes until the bokchoy softens slightly and then remove the Dutchoven from the heat. Let it cool for about 5 minutesand you are done. Serve with homemade bread.

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Peter Sodhy and his wifeLeah Launey own and runThree Rivers Bed & Breakfastin California’s SequoiaCountry. Click to see Video!

PAGE 20

Confit Tomatoes withFresh ThymeBy Chef Ivan Flowers, Five Star Executive Chefof Top of the Market in San Diego, California.

Makes 32 Pieces.

8 Ripe Roma Tomatoes1 Gallon Boiling Water¼ Cup Canola Oil10 Sprigs Fresh Thyme1 Teaspoon Granulated GarlicIce Bath (bowl of cold water and ice)SaltPepper

Preheat oven to 200 degrees.Cut out core from top of tomatoes and place inlarge colander or steaming basket.Place basket with tomatoes into the boiling waterfor 45 seconds.Remove and immediately plunge into the ice bath.Let sit in ice bath for two minutes.Remove and peel skin off tomatoes. Cut peeledtomatoes into quarters and place on a bakingsheet.Drizzle with the canola oil, sprinkle with the garlicand salt and pepper to taste.Finally lay the sprigs of thyme over the tomatoes.Cook in the 200 degree oven for two hours.Remove thyme sprigs before serving.

Listen toChef Ivan Flowers on Big Blend Radio!

Listen!

The Good LuckTomato

According to Victorianfolklore, when a familymoved into a newhome, a fresh tomatowas placed on themantle to ward off evilspirits and bringprosperity to the newhomeowners. Iftomatoes were not inseason a good-luck

tomato was made from fabric and stuffed withsawdust. Since pins were valuable in that era, ifone was found it was stuck into the good lucksymbol.

PAGE 21

By Howard Milstein

As we enjoy all of the tempting wine purchaseswe have made, a rather obvious question wouldbe "How should I store these gems?"(Assuming, of course that we will not bedrinking everything the day that we buy them!)This may seem like a wine connoisseur'sproblem, when in fact it is really an every man'senjoyable and well needed project to ponderupon.

If you are not in the position to have a wine cellar inyour home, the best way to store your wine is topurchase a wine refrigerator or cooler as we like tocall them.

These come in various makes and brands andeither have a dual climate system installed for whiteand red wine, or just one central climate control forhandling both. The latter is a little bit less expensivebut by all means no sacrifice in terms of quality ofstorage. The ideal storing temperature (particularlyfor aging red wine) is about 56◦­57◦ F. (13◦­14◦ c.respectively). This is what we call "cellartemperature" because theoretically, a good winecellar in your home should be this temperature orslightly cooler if controlled electrically.

As such, red wine when served in its bottle willhave a somewhat cool touch to it. As for whitewine, while a single zone climate refrigerator oryour cellar may store it a bit warmer than what youmay prefer drinking it at, the temperature is fine andaccurate for storage and aging and it can alwaysbe slightly chilled a bit longer in your regularrefrigerator before drinking if you prefer.

Great wine cellars are usually situated in thebasement of a home as the temperature shouldalways be somewhat cooler down there. Don'tworry if the temperature goes down even to 50◦ ora bit lower; we are more interested in keeping thewine cool rather than letting it get too warm.Speaking of which, many people are not aware ofthe 'proper' temperatures for drinking wine. Yourred wine should ideally be consumed at no morethan 63◦ F, which after letting the wine breathe for agood while should bring it up considerably from itsstorage temperature of 57◦ F.

White wine is ideally drunk and tasted at "room"temperature (like red wine) to appreciate its tasteand flavors to the utmost. However, many like it abit colder which is one of the benefits of a dualclimate wine refrigerator.

As for those of you with home cellars, I say drink itat the cellar temperature and try to enjoy it at thattemperature. I try advising people that drinkingwhite wine too cold will mask its inherent qualities;it's like drinking soda or water.

I am always fascinated and a bit concerned whenordering bottles of wine at a restaurant that doesnot have a temperature controlled cellar. Hence,you receive a bottle of wine that is at least 64­65◦or higher when it arrives at your table. Not only isthis obviously too warm for white wine, it can bedisastrous with regard to reds; they lose theirbalance and textural attributes. NEVER be afraid ofred wine being drunk with a slight chill; for lighterwines they can be a blessing in disguise. For allothers have no fear: within a half hour or more ofbreathing time, red wine will come up to its correctdrinking temperature. Though all of this may seema bit confusing or a 'pain' for people to enjoy goodwine, the more time you work towards these idealsthe more fun it actually becomes!

Storing &Pouring Wine

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Below I have listed some of the better WINEREFRIGERATORS currently available forpurchase. Besides build quality, price will oftendepend to an extent on how many bottles ofwine the unit will hold.

1. Newair 21 Bottle Thermoelectric Wine Refrigerator2. Whynter Wine Refrigerator3. Kalorik Wine Refrigerator4. Danby Wine Refrigerators5. Wine Enthusiast silent refrigerator

Throwing a Wine Tasting Party at Home?For us wine aficionados, it's always fun to have aparty with your favorite friends and favorite wines.Here is a tip that will bring out the greatestenjoyment at your next wine tasting party at home.

First off, pick 2 or 3 reds and white’s and even letyour friends bring their special bottles that theylove. In the case of the host, try to get somethingthat many people may never have tasted or evenknow of. On the other hand, it's fun to interspersesome known standards with the "rarer" winesthereby getting your knowledgeable allies all themore excited (or perturbed) when they discoversomething they thought they knew and were eitherpleasantly surprised or even dumbfounded whenthey find out what the wine is!

And how is this fun all accomplished? ByBAGGING the wines fully as in a blind tasting athome with the friends and connoisseurs. That'show we buy many new wines for my business andnot only is it a great learning experience but boy willyou have fun at your next upcoming home wineparty! So much so that you won't be able to wait forthe next gathering (probably and hopefully with afriend who might blind taste you on a 1982 ChateauHaut-Brion)!

Enjoy, drink and be merry!

Howard and Ruth Milsteinare a husband-wife foodand wine expert team.Howard his the wine expertand his wife Ruth Milsteinis the author of recipe book'Cooking with Love:Ventures into the NewIsraeli Cuisine.’ Visitwww.RuthMilstein.com.

Listen! Listen to Howard & Ruth Milstein talk about Wine on Big Blend Radio!

PAGE 23

By Chef Jeremy Manley ‘San Diego’sSustainable Chef’

Have you ever made pancakes without eggs?Have you started cooking your meal only torealize you don’t have the proper cookware tocomplete your breakfast? Have you only hadenough cream for one of the two coffees youmake every morning? Man’s recorded episodesof trials and errors when put in these situationshave been documented over the years.

Becoming a successful home cook or a chefrequires adaptation. We receive a basket ofingredients with only a few tools and want tomake the best out of what we have to work with.

SPOONSAn oversized tablespoon or basting spoon is mysecond best friend in the kitchen, besides thedishwasher. When cooking a steak or chickenbreast in a sauté pan, there are juices that dispersefrom the protein while cooking, and waste away inthe bottom of your sauté pan. Use a tablespoon toscoop up the juice and place on top of the chickenwhile you are still cooking. This technique is calledbasting. It reinforces the flavor, and pushes thejuice back into the meat you are sautéing, resultingin a juicier protein for you and your loved ones toeat.

Other simple spooning tricks:Once cut open, you can seed many vegetables,like squash or cucumber, with a spoon. You canclean scales off fish by running your spoon in theopposite direction that the scales naturally lay, andthen rinse the fish off under running water. You canheat a spoon under warm water and use it to makea roll of ice cream from an ice cream bucket for anifty looking quinal. Keep extra spoons in a cup byyour stove top to use for tasting. Sample all youcook and taste from beginning to end. See if youcan taste the flavors developing and play aroundwith new herbs and seasoning while monitoringtheir progression.

KNIVESOne glorious chef knife is all you need. OneSantoku knife or one large German forged chefknife will not only protect you from burglars andhome invasions, but also prevent you from cuttingyourself. A dull knife is a dangerous knife. Mostpeople cut themselves while cutting an onionbecause of force. With your properly sharpenedknife, a bend of the wrist and pulling movement inyour arm will give you the look of a chef andconfidence to try your own techniques.Amazon.com is a great place to look for chefknives, and because I prefer Santoku Japaneseknives for their thin blades and multi-functionaldesign, I recommend Shun and Global.

Kitchen Utensil TricksTablespoons, Chef Knives and Peelers - Oh My!

PAGE 24

Other simple Y-shaped peeler tricks:Peel Yukon Gold potatoes for smooth mashedpotatoes. Shave a carrot for a ribbon-like saladgarnish to dress up your salad for a more festivelook. When peeling a cucumber, shave a strip offand rotate to make a zebra stripe and uniquepresentation.

Chef Jeremy Manley is the executive chef andowner of Jeremy’s on the Hill California StyleBistro, located in Julian, up in San DiegoCalifornia’s mountains. He is known for servingfresh, seasonal, organic, healthy, local andoutstanding cuisine. Visitwww.JeremysontheHill.com.

Other simple chef knife tricks:Peel ginger with the back side of your knife. Crusha clove of garlic by pressing down with the side ofyour knife, and use the crushed garlic for stock,flavoring soup, tea or risotto. Crack lobster clawswith the back side of the knife. When cleaning acutting board do not use the blade of your knife toscrape as this will dull your knife faster. Never soakyour knifes in water, run them through thedishwasher or leave them dirty for long periods oftime as this will dull the blades quickly and showsigns of a beginner chef.

PEELERSA Y-shaped peeler is one of my top 10 kitchen toolsbecause of mobility, how simple its sole purpose inlife is, and it cleans in a jiffy. It is designed foroptimum control and mobility with very little work. Itcan peel a soft kiwi without damaging the juicy fleshof the delightful green and black seeded gem, aswell as a celery root with bumps and thick hard skinthat grows in the ground. For less than $4 a popthis is a must in every kitchen across the world.

Listen to Chef Jeremy Manley on Big Blend Radio!

Listen!

PAGE 25

Click to seeVideo!

Knives & KnifeSafety

Click to seeVideo!

It’s About theGarlic!

Organizing YourKitchen and GarageTools Come in All Shapes &Sizes!By Regina Leeds ‘The Zen Organizer’

Traditional Kitchen ZonesWe all engage in the same activities in our kitchensin order to reap the reward of enjoying somethingdelicious. We prep food; cook it; store leftovers;wash the tools that made it all possible; and, ifwe’re so inclined, some of us bake as well. Each ofthese activities comes with tools that make thatactivity easier. Why wouldn’t we have all the itemswe need for prep together and separate frombaking? Or keep clean-up items away from potsand pans? Usually the most common reason tracesback to moving day. Are you surprised?

Let’s face it: moving day tends to be chaotic. One ofyour helpers is going to be thinking how nice itwould be for you to make a meal in your new homeASAP. Boxes are opened and items get tossed intocupboards pretty much without rhyme or reason.Unless you have an extremely organized person incharge, the goal will be to put things away and getboxes out of the house as quickly as possible. Youcan ‘get organized later.’ Unfortunately later nevercomes. Everyday needs take over. Gettingorganized is pushed into the shadows. And then itgets more complicated when you start entertaining!A small bevy of helpful souls will descend on yourkitchen after dinner to wash everything and put itaway. Rarely does anyone ask: “Where does thisgo?” Once again the goal is to slam items into thedark recesses of cupboards and drawers with theidea ‘you will get organized later.’ What’s a personto do! I’m so glad you asked.

The Magic Formula to the Rescue!Organizing a kitchen is a big job. Depending on thesize it can take 2 to 3 hours or more likely most ofthe day. It’s a great winter weekend project. Besure your family either has plans for the day outsidethe home so you can spread your work out and nothave to stop and make a meal or prepare a snack.

Here in a nutshell is what you need to do:

- Eliminate what you no longer need, want or use.Donate suitable items to a charity or a women’sshelter. Feel free to toss the expired food goods orthat rusty old potato peeler that grandma left you inher will.

Categorize items as you go along so you knowexactly what you have in the way of prep, cook,store or bake. Use your label maker with abandonon shelves and in drawers. Organize yourcategories so that each occupies the most logicalplace in the kitchen.

Traditionally pots and pans go as close to the ovenas possible; dishes are on one side of the sinkwhile glasses are on the other. In a drawer close tothe dishes you always find the silverware.Potholders are traditionally found in a drawer nearthe stove.

Continue this standard blueprint going by keepingall related items together in cupboards. Storerelated tools near the designated cupboard. Whyhave your rolling pin in the same drawer as yourgarlic press? If you are blessed with extra spacelike a garage, a basement or attic, consider keepingonce a year use items like the turkey roaster thereif the kitchen is filled to the rafters. Do you have anextra set of dishes in the kitchen that are only usedon special occasions? See if your dining roomhutch or closet can take the set. And keep it all intidy padded storage holders available at theContainer Store. You’ll find detailed help in thepages of One Year to an Organized Life.

Is there a car in your garage?I’m willing to bet cold, hard cash the response is aresounding: ’NO!’ It seems that the vast majority offamilies use the garage for storage rather than forthe car. If you live in a temperate climate, it’s not aproblem but if you’re in a cold, snowy state, the carreally does need a home. What’s in the averagegarage? It’s usually a repository for all the items wejust don’t wish to make a decision about because insome way we have an emotional tie. The answer isto set aside a day or preferably a weekend andenlist some help. Follow the Magic Formula tosuccess. The tools in this room need to becategorized just like the ones in the kitchen!

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Listen!Here are a few tips to help you reach your goal:- If you have a lot of items to toss, rent a dumpster.

- If you can’t afford built-ins from your local closetcompany, buy a few bakers racks from a store likeBed Bath & Beyond (and use a discount coupon).You can also go to your local home store and getinexpensive shelving designed specifically for thegarage. These units keep categories together, offthe floor and easy to access.

- Replace cardboard boxes with sturdier containers.Critters love paper products.

- If you have electronic items to toss, find out howyour community handles such disposal. Don’t tossthem into the dumpster.

- Tell your neighbors what you intend to do. Youmight inspire them to join you. A spring or summergroup yard sale might be in your future.

- If you’re handy put in a loft for storage. Or flysome items with a pulley system you can check outat your local home store.

- Do you have bikes and brooms? There arespecial ways to store them that will keep them fromfalling onto the floor in a messy heap. Check outThe Container Store for ideas.

Plan a reward!Both of these projects require time and energy butthat is exactly what they are going to save you inthe long run. If you are a couple, maybe one of youcould work on the kitchen while the other tacklesthe garage? With the current craze for discountedservices from coupon websites, I bet you can find areward tailored to both of you. My suggestion wouldbe to find a masseuse who will come to your homeand tend to your tired muscles.

Regina Leeds ‘The Zen Organizer’ has beenorganizing clients for over 20 years. Named'Best Organizer in L.A.' by Los AngelesMagazine. She is the author of 9 books on thesubject including New York Times best seller‘One Year to an Organized Life’. Visitwww.ReginaLeeds.com.

Regina Leeds talks Organizing on Big Blend Radio!

Check out our new Vimeo Channels. As we cross the country on our Big Blend Spirit of AmericaTour of all 400+ National Parks, we film and produce videos of all kinds. Here are just some ofour Channels - enjoy! Click on the banners below!

PAGE 27

OPEN SESAMEThe Story of SeedsOne of the world's most precious resources isat risk. OPEN SESAME: THE STORY OF SEEDS,from award-winning filmmaker M. SeanKaminsky, is a timely and compelling filmilluminating what's at stake and what can bedone to protect the source of nearly all ourfood.

Seeds provide the basis of everything from fabricsand food to fuels; in fact, they're as essential to lifeas the air we breathe or water we drink...but givenfar less attention.  According to the FAO (Food andAgriculture Organization of the UN), approximately90 percent of the fruit and vegetable varieties thatexisted one hundred years ago, no longer existtoday.  Heritage grain is near extinction.  And seedsthat were lovingly nurtured over decades -- or evenhundreds of years ago -- have been lost forever.More troubling, seeds have also shifted from beingcommon heritage to sovereign property;corporations are co-opting seed genetics andhiding behind patent law in the process.  Today,corporate-owned seed accounts for 82% of theworld-wide market, allowing transgenic seeds (orGMOs) to spread exponentially.

OPEN SESAME looks at the extraordinarychallenges that seeds face today, placing our foodsupply at risk and threatening our farms.  Tellingthe story of seeds by following the challenges andtriumphs of some of the most dedicated stewardsand advocates, OPEN SESAME introduces viewersto a diverse range of individuals whose lives centeraround seeds: farmers, renegade gardeners,

Listen!

Listen to M. Shaw Kaminsky on Big Blend Radio!

passionate seed savers, artistsand activists, who are all workingtirelessly, planting the seeds ofinformation and inspiration to tell thestory of one of our most preciousresources.

It's not too late...yet.

Learn more atwww.OpenSesameMovie.com.

PAGE 28

Click to seeVideo!

Roses for Spring!Our rosarian friends Chris VanCleave ‘RedneckRosarian’ and Teresa Byington, hosts of the popularRose Chat Podcast, joined us on Big Blend Radio todiscuss planting and caring for roses in spring, andtheir obsession with David Austin roses. Listen to theirinterview with us, and read Teresa’s rose planting tipsbelow. You can keep up with their podcast atwww.RoseChatPodcast.com.

Teresa’s Tips on Planting Roses for SpringFor late March or early April planting, I buy bare root rosesfrom online vendors. When they arrive they are “bare roots”wrapped in wet newspaper and plastic. I immediatelyunpack them and soak them in a bucket of Moo Poo tea for24 hours before planting.

Grafted Roses: Most hybrid teas, floribunda andgrandifloras are grafted roses. That means that a rose iscreated by being grafted onto strong, hardy root stockcreating a “bud union.” Plant the bud union (knobby part justabove the roots) 2-3” below the soil line.

Listen! Listen to Chris VanCleave& Teresa Byington on Big Blend Radio!

Plants of Horror!

Listen!

Listen to Steve Schneickert’s BigBlend Radio segment as herecalls the Hollywood History ofPlants in Horror Films including:Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, TheDay of the Triffids, The Shining,Little Shop of Horrors (aspictured), Invasion of the BodySnatchers, and more!

Own Root Roses: Roses that have not been grafted but started from cuttings, so there is no bud unionto protect. Plant as you would any other shrub.

Soil: We ask roses to bloom for us all summer, year after year, so it is best to give them a good start byplanting them in good soil. Dig a hole deeper and wider than your roots. To the soil you remove, addcompost and a quality grade of top soil. Your roses will appreciate more nutrients and better drainage!My soil is mostly clay so we dig very deep and very wide! (I usually go about 18″ X 18″). It is always agood idea to have your soil tested. See your county extension office for a soil kit test or they can bepurchased at most any garden center.

In the Little Shop of Horrors, Audrey Jr. Is a man eating plant that is a cross between a Venus Flytrap and a Butterwort. Photo of a Venus Flytrap by: Noah Elhardt

PAGE 29

By Glynn G. Burrows, Norfolk Tours

“In an English Country Garden” is a lovelysong, and one which always conjures up apicture in my head of the cottage gardenswhich I knew when I was a child. In those days,everyone grew their own vegetables andflowers and neatly trimmed box hedges linedthe cinder paths.

Chickens were always hidden around the back ofthe cottages and sometimes, if there was agreenhouse tucked up against the side wall, therecould even be cucumbers and tomatoes in thegreenhouses! I loved the smells! Nothing beats thesmell and taste of fresh fruit and vegetables and forme, fresh tomato sandwiches always transport meback to the days of summer harvest fields, withstubble pricking my bare legs (us boys always woreshorts) and the smell of the dust and straw. Duringthe harvest, we seldom saw our Dad at home as hewas working from dawn till dusk so we always tookhim his tea into the fields and we had ours with himtoo! Even today, if I am eating a tomato sandwichand ask my wife Diane, “Where am I?” she laughsand says “In the harvest field!”

We are so lucky that we have so many ancientgardens in England. Many of the gardensassociated with our Country Houses, date fromTudor times and some which are attached toCastles, Monasteries or other Churches andancient buildings, date back over 1,000 years.Farming and horticulture are very important parts ofour heritage and we have so many fantastic placesto visit for those interested in plants, both cultivatedand wild. When we are walking along the footpaths,lanes and roadways in our villages, it is often thecase that we are walking beside hedge-rows andboundaries which date to Roman times and earlier.

Listen to Glynn Burrows on Big Blend Radio!

Listen!

In An English Country GardenGarden Destinations in Norfolk, England

PAGE 30

Housed in an old Watermill, this garden is calledNorfolk Lavender and this is home to the NationalCollection of Lavenders and there are over 100different specimens. The gardens not only haveLavenders but they also contain many of the oldherbs which used to be used in medicines as wellas cooking. Talking of medicines, many of themedieval monasteries had their own herb gardensas this was where many of the early hospitals wereand remember, village folk used herbal remedies formost ailments up to very recent times.

The cafe and gift-shop is quite amazing as it isunbelievable to see just how many different thingsyou can buy which contain Lavender. I thought itwas just for perfumed drawer liners but apart fromthe perfumes, oils, hand-creams and soaps, youcan also buy cakes, chocolate, scones and manyother foods which contain Lavender. Although Idon’t eat sweet items, I have been told that thechocolate, and other food items are actuallysurprisingly very tasty!

Glynn Burrows is the owner of Norfolk Tours inEngland. If you would like advice about tracingyour family history, need someone in Englandto do some look-ups or take some photographsfor you, or are thinking about taking a vacationto England, contact Glynn and visitwww.norfolk-tours.co.uk

I will just tell you about a couple of such placesin my area and hope to whet your appetite tocome over and take a look at some real EnglishCountry Gardens.

I have often spoken about the private home of HerMajesty The Queen at Sandringham, but I haven’treally told you about the magnificent grounds whichsurround the house. The Park covers some 243hectares and most of that area is open to the publicat all reasonable times, but the grounds of theHouse itself covers around 24 hectares and is onlyopen at certain times.

The gardens contain many trees which wereplanted by important guests and family membersduring visits and for special occasions and theselection of plants is something to see. To say thatthese gardens are fit for a King and Queen is aslight understatement as most of the CrownedHeads of Europe and many of the World’s mostfamous and important people have walked aroundthe paths admiring the beautiful grounds.

The beautiful lakes, flowerbeds and lawns arewonderful to stroll around any time of the year. TheWalled Garden covers nearly seven hectares andused to grow fruit and vegetables for the house. Itstill grows fruit, vegetables and flowers used on theestate but it also produces many plants which areon sale in the estate shop. If you want to stay onthe estate, you can stay in the Gardener's Cottagewhich is in the walled garden. The accommodationis self-catering but it is a beautiful setting!

If you love your gardening, the Sandringhamgardens are definitely the place to visit to get somegreat ideas.

The other garden which I will tell you about is atnearby Heacham, where Pocahontas was Lady ofthe Manor.

PAGE 31

Shape, Size, Color & LeafNature has a reason for everything, it is a greatpuzzle, but all the pieces fit. Flowers attractforms of life by their shape, color, size andaccessibility. We are mesmerized by the beautyof the blooms, often forgetting that most of ourmedicines come from plant life.

Shape & Size: Yes, size matters, a lot–but so doesshape. Diversity in the shape and size is anotherway nature ensures a variety of animals, birds andinsects will find shelter and food from the flowers,and that no one species of flower will be overused–however, the flowers gain from those who usethem. The birds, insects and animals pay theflowers back for their bounty, by spreading thepollen of the flowers from one flower to another.

Beetles are not the most agile fliers, so they needflowers that provide an easy landing pad, flowersthat are open and flat or bowl shaped, They needflowers where the nectar is easy to access, but theyalso eat the petals and leaves. Although theydamage the flowers, they are the biggest group ofpollinators.

Masses of Blooms Make-Over the Deserts By Nancy J. ReidWaiting for just the right amount of moisture,warmish days and cool nights, thousands ofseeds lay lightly covered with sand, waiting toburst through their outer layer and dazzle thedeserts with even more color than the sunrisesand sunsets.

No year is ever the same. Sometimes the bloomscover massive areas, and sometimes you have todiscover their hiding places. The weather controlsthe display-too much rain will wash the seedsaway, too little will inhibit germination. Rain tooearly or too late just doesn’t count. Temperaturestoo high will scorch seedlings, too much wind willdry them out, cold weather or a freeze can ruin newblossoms, but just a bit of cool in the evenings willkeep aggressive grasses and mustard seedlingsfrom taking over.

Depending on the location and elevation of thedesert, late February through March is usually thebest time to enjoy the desert wildflowers. But thereare lots of cactus that bloom a bit later andblooming times differ in the high desert areas.Blooming at different times is nature’s way ofmaking sure that those who feed from thewildflowers have food throughout the year.

Hawkmoths are superior pollinators that lookvery much like hummingbirds. Watch for themat dusk. Photo: IronChris

You can use Wildflower Hotlines to help you planyour excursion for the optimum viewing time, butsometimes going earlier or later than others is evenmore enjoyable if you like more solitude as youwalk through the blossoms.

Roadsides lined with colorful blossoms will enticeyou to investigate, and National and State parks,public lands and wildlife refuges are the best placesto view the flowers.

Besides being beautiful, the wildflowers play animportant role in the desert landscape. Even thoughthey look fragile, they hold soil in place with theirroot systems, provide food and shelter for animals,birds and insects. For that reason, it is great tocarry a camera to photograph rather than pick theflowers.

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Butterflies and more adept at flying, and they havea long proboscis so they can get to nectar hiddendeeper in flowers, but they still appreciate a flat,more open flower. Hummingbirds and hawkmothscan hover and with their long narrow bills or longproboscis, they can access nectar in tubularflowers. The moths tend to come out at dusk andare mostly nocturnal, so they search for flowers thatdo not close up when the sun begins to fade. Batsare strictly night-feeders searching for nightblooming and none-closing flowers.

Color: Birds, bees and butterflies are moreattracted to brightly colored flowers, whereas bats,beetles, flies and moths like the duller, pale colors.Don’t be fooled here, there is a bright white and adull white, just like in your laundry.

Some insects and birds see colors in the ultravioletend of the spectrum that are invisible to humans.Wildflowers have honey or nectar guides and theydirect pollinators to the parts of the flower wherenectar and pollen are available. The pollinators eatthe nectar and carry the pollen to the next flower.

Leaf: Leaves come in all shapes, textures anddesigns. They can be smooth, shiny, hairy ordowny. Their edges can be smooth or toothed andthey have distinct vein patterns in the center ofeach leaf. Some come in pairs or leaflets, runningup along the stems of the flowers, while others hugthe base of the plant, leaving the stem bare. Lookat how the leaves are arranged if they travel up thestem, are they arranged opposite to each other?Or, do they alternate from side to side. Someleaves climb up the stem in a circular fashion.

Identifying wildflowers is easier than ever. Theinternet has databases with photos, there areplenty of field guides on the market, and there areeven apps you can download on your phone. If youtake note of the shape, size, color and leaf pattern,you will be able to identify the wildflowers withinminutes.

While enjoying the beauty of the desert wildflowers,watch for the pollinators that partner with the plants.Neither can exist without the other. Wildflowerssupport entire eco-systems, with birds, bees, batsbutterflies, beetles and even small mammalsdepending on their nectar, seeds and pollen fortheir food. In fact, we ourselves cannot exist withoutthe very same pollinators, so we have a directconnection to the wildflowers and their partners.Their fate, is the same as ours. We need thosepollinators to help our food crops. According to theUnited States Department of Agriculture:

“Of the 1,400 crop plants grown around theworld, i.e., those that produce all of our foodand plant-based industrial products, almost80% require pollination by animals. Visits frombees and other pollinators also result in larger,more flavorful fruits and higher crop yields. Inthe United States alone, pollination ofagricultural crops is valued at 10 billion dollarsannually. Globally, pollination services arelikely worth more than 3 trillion dollars.”For more information visit: http:/fs.fed.us/wildflowers/

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Click to see Video!

WildflowerWonderland!

Spring Cleaning aNegative Self-ImageBy Bobbi DePorter

Spring is just around the corner, which means it’sspring cleaning time. Parents, it’s also a perfecttime to help your son or daughter do a little springcleaning on any self-image issues they may becarrying around.

It’s a fact that most young people have a delicatepsyche. Kids, from tweens through teens, areextremely conscious of their self-image and howother people view them. Comments made to them,whether harsh, sarcastic or completelyunintentional, can have negative and lastingeffects.

"In seventh grade, Maddie's English teacher toldher she was stupid. Instead of trying to understandMaddie's dyslexia, the teacher would commentabout her horrible spelling in front of the class.Even though Maddie qualified for a gifted-levelEnglish class, the teacher kept insinuating that shedidn't belong. At the end of the semester, theteacher gave her a D, the lowest grade she'd evergotten. The blow to Maddie's self-esteem wasdevastating. Her grades in other classes began toslip. Her social world began to shrink. She lost herenthusiasm for school, friends, and activities."

Parents are alarmed when their teenagerswithdraw into a shell. Some parents recall theirsons or daughters being enthusiastic and outgoinguntil a particular incident triggered a shutdown.Others, with sons or daughters who have alwaysbeen a little on the shy side, worry that theirshyness is keeping them from growing andexperiencing life.

Image Isn’t EverythingThere are also those kids who are not so muchwithdrawn as they are caught up in maintaining animage. They spend a lot of time and energy beingthe tough guy, the glamour girl, or the mostoutrageous, and not much time being themselves.

Some young people with low self-esteem are easilycoerced by peer pressure into doing things againsttheir will: drugs, bullying, and playing hooky. Andthere are those who pour a lot of energy intoavoiding peer pressure. They conform to what theythink is normal and avoid doing anything that mightmake them stick out.

The common thread among them is avoidance.Whether they withdraw, conform, or hide behind animage, they're trying to duck from somebody theydon't want to deal with: themselves.

At the heart of this issue is negative self-image. Fora kaleidoscope of reasons, teens can end upfeeling bad about themselves – or about aparticular aspect of themselves. They may becomeafraid to show their true selves - sometimes even totheir parents.

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Everybody goes through this kind of thing at somelevel. Most of the time, it's an event or a phase.Other times, it's a downward spiral. That's when itbecomes potentially damaging to teens – andterrifying to parents.

Not Perfect Equals No GoodSometimes, when young people are exploring theiridentities and the way they present themselves tothe world, they realize that they've gotten lockedinto the belief that they need to be perfect. Theydiscover that they've been thinking in black andwhite. If they're not pretty enough, they're ugly. Ifthey're too fat, too thin, or don't have the rightclothes, they're worthless. They have to look goodall the time or they'll be called out as losers.

When they explore what's motivating this obsessionwith being perfect, they often discover that it's fear.They're afraid their peers will judge them by theirflaws - and often they're right.

What's perfection costing them? People who getonto the "perfect" track avoid situations that couldexpose them when they're looking less thanperfect. They forget that when people are doingsomething for the first time, they're probably notgoing to do it perfectly - and they're going to look alittle awkward while they're learning to do it. Butsince many are afraid of looking uncool, they shyaway from trying anything new.

The bottom line is when teens obsess aboutperfection, they're focusing on things that havenothing to do with who they really are. When theyrealize that the unique, complex, terrific personinside them isn't getting a chance to be known,appreciated, or developed, they begin to look attheir fear of social situations,

Positivity to the RescueYoung people with negative self-images reallyblossom when they and their parents keep arelentless focus on the positive - when theyacknowledge every effort and celebrate everyachievement. It's not just about praising them forwhat they've done, but also for who they are.

Positivity snowballs over time: success builds onsuccess. After a while, it reaches a tipping point.Negative self-image falls away and the unstoppabledynamo within the individual surges ahead. Oncekids acquire a taste for success, once they see howmuch they're really capable of doing, there's nostopping them.

Maddie, whose teacher told her she was dumb,decided she wanted to be the kind of person whowas inspired to do great things. Her little bit ofshyness and reservation disappeared. It wasreplaced by self-confidence and self-assuredness.The girl who was once told she was too stupid to bein the gifted English class went on to ace APEnglish along with AP Calculus and Physics - andalso won four consecutive awards for communityservice.

Duncan was a boy who was ostracized because hemarched to a different drummer and was alwaysinventing things and asking questions. With a greatdeal of positive support from his parents, hedecided to embrace the things that made himdifferent, such as his natural curiosity and inquiringmind. He convinced himself that he wouldn’t letsocial conventions hold him back from having agreat life. He embarked on pathways few havetraveled, including graduating with a triple majorfrom Tufts University.

No one can teach confidence to a youngperson. Confidence is theirs to discover. Butparents can make sure that the evidence oftheir sons' and daughters' greatness is allaround them - that it's recognized andacknowledged. In time, everyone will start tosee and realize their own potential.

Bobbi DePorter is thePresident of SuperCampand Quantum LearningNetwork, a U.S.-basededucational firmproducing programs forstudents, teachers,schools, andorganizations across theUnited States andworldwide. SuperCampis the leading academicsummer camp in the world. Visitwww.SuperCamp.com.

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How We Can Support the Fast-Forward Evolution of Our Childrenand All of Humanity

For the past few years, a new kind of highlyintelligent, sensory-expanded children havebeen joining our population. They are a clearbreak from the continuity of pastgenerations...and many times their minds areleaps ahead of ours! However, they perceive theworld differently than we do, they often see andhear what we do not, and they react in whatwould be to us "unfathomable" ways.

And while the minds ofthis future generation ofhumanity is changing inspectacular and positiveways, these youngstersare finding it challengingto live and be accepted intoday's world. Not only arethey not encouraged, butsometimes they aremisdiagnosed asoveractive, depressed,autistic, ADD, ADHD,bipolar and havingAsperger's Syndrome.

Parents, schools and society are failing tounderstand, nurture and support these childrenbecause they are so different from previousexperience.

Listen to Dr. Meg Losey’s Big Blend Radio interview!

Listen!

THE CHILDREN OFNOW...EVOLUTION

These Children of Now need a whole newapproach to find their rightful place in our worldtoday. They also need help in adjusting and thrivingin the world as it exists--a world which they arehelping to change...And now help is on the waywith Meg Blackburn Losey's remarkable new bookThe Children of Now Evolution, a follow-up to herbestselling book The Children of Now.

Losey revisits these spectacular children anddiscusses who they are becoming and how theirgrowing influence is changing society for the better.

Losey offers concrete information for parents,schools, and others to understand what these kidsneed and how to help them function and flourish.She also addresses the alternate realities thatthese children (and others) perceive. There maynot be monsters in the closet or under the bed, butthese highly-evolved children may actually be"seeing" things that their parents or caregiverscannot.

Finally, she paints a picture of what our world willlook like when the "Children of Now" take over.

Meg Blackburn Losey, PhD, is the author of theinternational bestseller The Children of Now alongwith several other books including Conversationswith the Children of Now, The Art of Living OutLoud, and The Secret History of Consciousness.

Dr. Meg is an international keynote speaker andlectures worldwide and has served as a consultantto Good Morning America and 20/20. Visit heronline at www.spiritlite.com.

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Spring has sprung and the dust cloths are out.As tulips and crocuses bloom, I am filled with adesire to organize, to clean closets, washcurtains, and dust all the hidden corners. Aswell as my house, I also feel a need to “springclean” my body. I know that in my garden thereis a bounty of wonderful medicinal herbs thatwill help in this endeavor. As I look out of mywindow into my beautiful herb garden I seechickweed, dandelions, plantain, burdock,violets and comfrey beginning to pop upeverywhere. Everything I need for myrejuvenating beauty cleanse.

Our skin is the largest organ of our bodies and asignificant indicator of our total health. When ourskin glows, our eyes are clear, our tone vibrant - weknow that we are in good health. I definitelyrecommend using creams to nourish our skin onthe outside but this exterior “food for the skin” isonly part of what is necessary to have a gorgeousglow, radiant skin, shiny hair and strong nails.When we look pale, have dark circles and puffyeyes, these are indicators of toxicity.

Just like the house, our bodies collect residue fromthe foods and beverages we consume. An herbalspring tonic tea can be very effective in clearingmany of the toxins. When we provide herbalsupport in the form of teas, juice and food, we canget the jump-start we need to clear up our skin,cleanse the blood, and nourish our organs andglands. You can achieve this cleansing effect bymodifying your diet to consist mainly of raw foodsand add lots of fresh juice, tea and wild greens in asalad. Dandelions are the most common greens wecan all find in our yards or gardens. If you don’tspray or use chemical fertilizers you can simplypick some and add to a spring salad mix. Theyoung greens are delicious!! The blossoms addcolor and have a slight radish taste.

A wonderful cleansing tea might consist ofdandelion greens, chickweed, burdock root, andcomfrey. As I walk about my garden I can pickthese plants fresh, and then chop them up to makeinto a tea. Place them in a half gallon mason jar,cover with nearly boiling water. Allow this to setovernight. In the morning drain the liquid from theherbs into another jar.

Listen!

This process creates what is called a "medicinetea." Chickweed is a rich source of minerals…essential in any cleanse. As we clean the body wealso want to nourish it. The burdock is a powerfulblood cleanser. Cleansing the blood often clears upthe skin. Dandelions assist in removing toxicity fromthe kidneys and liver, as well as being diuretic, anda potent source of potassium. Dandelion root isoften roasted and used as a coffee substitute oftenwith burdock root added. Comfrey, also calledknitbone, is used for internal as well as externalhurts. It promotes the growth of tissue and is usefulon cuts as well as inflamed skin.

With this wonderful herbal tonic…skin, hair, nails,and eyes will have a glow you’ve not experiencedin a long while.

Cynthia Johnston is an herbalist and founder ofMoonMaid Botanicals, a small herb companythat is dedicated to providing high qualityherbal products that are free of chemicalpreservatives, propylparabens or synthetics ofany kind. Products include remedies formenopause, PMS, yeast infections, commonwomen’s health issues, and herbal products forthe family. Learn more or shop online atwww.MoonMaidBotanicals.com.

Listen to Cynthia Johnston’s Big Blend Radio Interview!

Herbal Cleansing forSpringBy Cynthia Johnston

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Can we have the same flexibility, muscle tone,balance, and weight at 72 that we have in our 20sor 30s? Janice Lennard proves we can. For Janice,age truly is only a number! She walks the talk, ormore accurately, she dances, poses, pulses andstretches the talk every day, and she can tell ushow we can, too!

Her three DVDs, just released, Yoga with JaniceLennard, Ballet Barre with Janice Lennard and MatPilates are all available, and so is Janice for aninterview on how to get and stay fit, avoid injuries,feel vital and at peace in our bodies and our minds,into our 70’s and beyond.

Born in l942 in New Orleans, Janice has beeninvolved with ballet, yoga, and pilates throughstudy, practice, and instruction for over 65 years.She has retained the vigor and stamina of heryouth – both in body and mind -- through hervarious practices and she wants to spread the wordabout the amazing benefits she has personallyexperienced and has helped her thousands ofclients achieve. She is living proof that certainexercises -- practiced regularly and accurately– nomatter at what age we begin -- will pay off as weget older.

From World Gym in Palm Desert to nursing homesin La Quinta, Southern California – 20 something’sto 90 something’s, Janice travels from gyms toprivate clubs to nursing homes, helping people ofall ages and stages get into shape, stay in shape,recover form debilitating illness, and regain ormaintain their flexibility.

In addition to her weekly classes, Janice works withthe National Multiple Sclerosis Society to instructMS students on the benefits of yoga. As avolunteer, she also teaches a unique class shecalls, “Music & Motion,” which she has designed forthose who wish to learn yoga, but have limitedmobility and must exercise while seated in anordinary chair or in a wheel chair.

Learn more at www.JaniceLennard.com.

Yoga, Ballet and PilatesWorks for All Ages40, 50 or 60 is not what it usedto be. Neither is 72!

Listen! Listen to Big BlendRadio’s Interview withJanice Lennard!

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Asher Fox thought that becoming a personal fitnesstrainer would give him the tools, motivation andactivity to conquer his yo-yo weight gain. And at 22,starting with only $300 left over from student loans,he built one of the largest personal trainingbusinesses in the state of Florida with multiplelocations and a host of trainers working for him. Butit's hard to maintain your credibility with clients,when you reach 300 pounds-just as Asher did athis peak.

Working in the business could not inoculate himfrom his own lack of self-esteem and the things thatwere literally eating at him. And so he began hisquest to find a permanent solution for himself andothers. It led him to ultimately create the mostcomprehensive arsenal of psychological toolsassembled to date, to overcome, convert and enrollthe subconscious mind in the healing process. Fatto Fearless: Enjoy Permanent Weight Loss andEnd Emotional Eating...For Good! is what everyonewho struggles with emotional eating has beenwaiting for. Why Fearless? “Because,” Fox says, “itis fear that lies at the heart of every emotionalovereater… an often - unconscious fear thatreinforces the desire to eat to avoid some aspect ofpain. That's why reaching and changing thesubconscious - which is exponentially morepowerful than the conscious mind - is so critical.”

Initially using himself as a test subject, Foxexplored clinical hypnotherapy, Neuro-LinguisticProgramming (NLP), cognitive behavioraltechniques, EFT and more - disciplines in which henow holds a variety of advanced certifications. Hehas since become a member of the faculty of twoinstitutions teaching the next generation oftherapists and coaches.

Thus, the book that contains his Fat to Fearless®system is far from a quick fix-change-your-diet,journal-what-you-eat, get-some-more-exercise, orfad weight-loss book. This 400-page manual andguide book is a full-on assault on the subconsciousthat requires from 8 to 12 weeks to do, if followedas directed. Every chapter is filled with illuminatinginformation about how our subconscious minds cansabotage us and the very specific methods totransform it as an ally.

Listen!

Fat to FearlessEnjoy Permanent Weight Lossand End Emotional Eating…For Good!’

Listen to Big BlendRadio’s Interview withAsher Fox, C.Ht,.Sc.B.

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Have you ever wondered what it is like to be an attorney? Whatkind of decisions they have to make every day? What kind ofchallenges do they have to overcome? We asked these questionsand more of S. Ward Heinrichs, Esq., who is a shareholder andnamed partner of the San Diego based employment law firm,Backstrom & Heinrichs, Attorneys at Law, APC.  The firmrepresents both employers and employees in almost all areas oflabor law.

1. Why did you choose to become an attorney, and morespecifically practice employment law? After four years in the MarineCorps as an artillery officer, I was looking for a different challenge. Iwanted to try the world of business and law and went into law schoolwith an open mind about how I would use my law degree.

2. What attributes do you have that make you agood fit for your profession? My first job was asa criminal defense attorney. At first I draftedappeals but eventually represented clients in court.I still help employers who face white collar criminalcharges from time to time. About fifteen years ago,I teamed up with a lawyer who practicedemployment law. That’s what I’ve done ever since.Employment law is a large practice area, and itconstantly changes. It’s very interesting, and I getgreat satisfaction from helping my clients with theiroften confusing employment law issues.

3. Who or what inspires you? My mother inspiresme. My parents got a divorce when I was a boy.She already had a Registered Nursing degree andworked days as an ER nurse, going to school atnight. After finishing her Bachelor of Arts degreeshe got her Nurse Practitioner degree. She workedas a Nurse Practitioner until I went to college. WhileI was in college, she completed her Masters inOccupational Health, then worked for several bigcompanies like Exxon and Quaker Oats. She spentthe last 10 years of her career with Marriott Hotelsuntil her retirement and now and lives verycomfortably in Florida.

4. Describe your perfect client. All my clients areperfect in their own unique way. Each has a legalproblem that is important to them. In SouthernCalifornia, they can choose many differentemployment lawyers, and I feel honored that apotential client would choose me to represent them.

5. What is your pet peeve in regards to yourbusiness? Dealing with administrative issues. I liketo practice law, not deal with day to day issues thatdivert my focus from what I do best.

6. What personal changes have you had tomake in order to grow your company? I havechanged my approach to marketing many timesover the years. Obviously social media is part of the“new age” marketing strategy. Because of itsimportance, I have had to open up my onlinepersonality.

7. What do you consider your biggestchallenge? Creating a competitive online presenceand working hard to keep it competitive.

8. If you could have a dinner party with threepeople (alive or passed), who would they be?Socrates, George Washington, Mom. Ancient manversus modern woman.

9. If you could switch careers for a day, whatwould you choose? Women’s Softball HeadCoach at UCLA. I have two daughters who play ahigh caliber of softball at the pre-high school level,and I’ve managed several of their teams over theyears. It would be fun to step it up and motivateplayers at a higher level.

10. What is the most important tip you wouldpass on to another person just getting startedin the same career? Learn how to marketeffectively. In Southern California, business doesn’tjust come to you.

Attorney Insider

S. Ward Heinrichs, Esq.

To learn more about Backstrom & Heinrichs, Attorneys at Law, APC, visitwww.BestEmploymentAttorneySanDiego.com.

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The requirements for joining IFWTWA includepublishing for at least two years with at least fourarticles published in the food, wine or travel topicareas during the past year. Those applicants withblogs must have been publishing for at least oneyear in these topic areas. Of course, all IFWTWAmembers must adhere to good grammar, spellingand clarity standards.

All applicants to IFWTWA are vetted by our Chair ofMembership and must be approved by the Board ofDirectors. Becoming a member of IFWTWA is avery desired goal for many writers because of theassociation’s numerous member benefits, includingthe opportunity to apply for exciting press trips andto post a professional profile on the organization’swebsite.

A New Program forEmerging Travel Writers

IFWTWA Helps Launch Travel Writersby Susan Montgomery

The International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA), aworldwide organization of experienced writers who publish regularly in bothprint and digital publications, has recently launched the Emerging WritersProgram to guide new food, wine and travel writers through the process ofwriting and publishing in these topic areas. After working with a mentor topublish four articles, the participants then become eligible to apply for aregular membership in IFWTWA.

As an accepted participant in the EmergingWriters Program, you will have the followingbenefits:

• You will be assigned a mentor who will work withyou in the areas of writing, publishing, social media,and possibly photography and/or videos for thetravel, food or wine markets.

• You will be given access to an online guideline,written by IFWTWA members, on how to become atravel, food, or wine writer.

• You may attend IFWTWA’s Annual ProfessionalDevelopment Conference, which this year will be acruise from Boston to Montreal at the end ofAugust.

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• You will have the opportunity to submit articles toIFWTWA’s online Magazine, Global Writes.

• You will have online access to Press Pass,IFWTWA’s Members’ Only online newsletter.

• You can apply for regional luncheon activities.

• You can join IFWTWA’s groups for members onLinkedIn, Facebook, Tripatini and Twitter.

We are very excited about the Emerging WritersProgram since we feel the world is wide open fornew writers in these topic areas. With our world’simmersion in social media and the extensiveavailability of online outlets, the opportunities forpublication are countless. The market is alsogrowing as more people focus their leisure time ontravel, food, and good drinks. In today’s world,when one article is published online it can beshared to huge audiences through Facebook,Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest and other social mediaoutlets. There has never been a time in historywhen one writer has the potential for reaching somany people.

Listen to Susan Montgomeryon Big Blend Radio!

Listen!

Yet we also need to focus on maintaining highstandards for the accuracy and quality of ourpublishing efforts. And by learning directly from anexperienced professional, Emerging Writers canmake sure their articles meet high standards.

Cost for participating in the EW program is $150.You can apply by going to www.IFWTWA.org foran application.

Susan Montgomery is a board member ofIFWTWA. She writes about food, drink, travel,and the arts on www.Life-Uncorked.com, aswell as San Diego Food, Restaurant Examiner,Food & Wine Examiner, Examiner.com

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Tourism dollars make a big difference incommunities – especially small towns. Just like thecommercial products Pepsi or Godiva Chocolate,each travel destination needs an identity thatevokes emotion, imagery and reactions that inspiretravelers to visit. You know what I am talking about.Think “I [Heart] New York®,” “Virginia is forLovers®,” and “What happens in Vegas, stays inVegas®. Each of these cities have developed aunique, exciting and valuable brand that drawmillions of visitors to their respective regions. ForVentura West, it’s, “Inspiring Choices.”Consider this. Brands are business assets requiringskillful marketing and extensive promotion to stayrecognized and relevant. Leading companies investbillions of dollars each year on advertisingcampaigns, marketing materials, social mediaoutreach and other creative brand-building tools inan effort to appeal to customers, increase marketshare and grow revenue. Small towns have tocompete using this mindset.

Ventura County WestBeyond Expectations in CoastalCaliforniaBy Linda Kissam ‘Food, Wine & Shopping Diva’

We all love California – especially Southern California.  The sun, the sea, the wine, the ahhhh ofit all. You may be someone who thinks they’ve been there, done that.  Have you experiencedVentura County West?  This coastal town between LA and San Francisco is trending big,offering unique activities, great wines and some tasty restaurants. If you’re looking for an‘indulge yourself’ kind of vacation, this would be it.

The tourism folks for a specific section of Venturagot smart and figured out that marketing threedifferent cities – Camarillo, Oxnard and Ventura-stretching 22 miles under the moniker “VenturaCounty West” as its own destination would makesense. The dynamic trio offers everything fromvintage shopping, beach time, wine time, whalewatching, to exploring the Channel Islands NationalPark and championship golf (as well as foot golf).Add in the Camarillo Premium Outlets, a greatyear-round climate, a burgeoning culinary sceneplus a very busy regional airport … and spending anight or two in the Ventura County West areaseems to be the smart traveler’s choice.

I spent a couple of days there. All you need to do isexit California Highway 101 in Ventura CountyWest to enjoy places you’ve never seen, beachesyou’ve never walked, wines you’ve never sipped,farm-to-table food you’ve never tasted and trailsyou’ve never walked.

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Here are some of my favorite things about this area.

Lodging:  All memorable vacations begin andend with great accommodations.  My advice isto stay somewhere that has many of thecomforts of home, is centrally located, and hassomething to do on property.  With that inmind, I recommend the extended-stay hotelResidence Inn Oxnard River Ridge.  You’llenjoy spacious guest rooms with a nice kitchenarea and  state-of-the-art 32-inch LG TVs. Juststeps away you can hit the links at the adjacentPGA-rated River Ridge Golf Course, or play amatch on one of their five lighted tennis courts.They are also offering “Foot Golf.”  Played onthe golf course this is fun for ANY age group.Restaurant on property.

Art & Wine:  The Painted Cabernet at The Collection Riverpark is perfect forboth the artistic and the not so artistic (definitely my category). The instructorguides you step by step to recreate the daily featured painting while you sip aglass or two of wine, soda or juice.  Good for all ages and genders. Greatbonding activity.  I actually enjoyed the heck out of this activity. Like drinkingwine, your art is good if you like it.

Nature Walk:  Something exciting is happening –especially for nature lovers.You can now hike the hill behind city hall and be part of a new development. Aneasy three mile walk (assuming you have the proper shoes, hat and attitude),have fun walking  a winding path up a canyon that is part of the VenturaBotanical Gardens (dogs on leashes welcome).  The long-range plan is to turn this somewhat bushy andscruffy open land into a botanical garden, with a visitors and nature education center at the top, all with aview of the ocean and the Channel Islands eight miles offshore.  Experiencing it now is like watching arock star being born.

Wine Time: Yup, there are wineries inVentura County West offering an interestingselection of varietals, blends and dessertwines. Most are boutique wineriesproducing between 1,500 and 2,000 casesannually, but some go as high as 200,000.Many tasting rooms include on-siteproduction facilities and vineyard sourcesrange from off-site vineyards in VenturaCounty to top wine-growing Californiaregions.A special shout out goes to Herzog WineCellars. In 1985, the Herzog family decidedto expand their winemaking operations toCalifornia from New York. They make wineunder two separate labels: Baron Herzogand Herzog Wine Cellars. After twentyyears of renting space in various wineries,the family finally built its own state-of-the-art winery in Oxnard in an industrial complex.  Under thesupervision of head winemaker Joe Hurliman, Herzog Wine Cellars has created a center for high-endcontemporary winemaking in a tradition that dates back nearly six centuries. Beautiful tasting room,amazing upscale restaurant.  Do both or miss something very special.

Continued on Next Page…

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Footgolf: Footgolf is a newer sport where playerskick a soccer ball into a cup in as few shots aspossible, using an existing golf course. This has aquick learning curve and is appropriate for all agelevels. The best part is you get to ride around in agolf cart. Rules are golf-like, but you can modify tofit your group. It felt more like kickball to me thangolf… and yes I missed a ball or two and landed onmy bum, but I loved every minute out there. Bestplayed with six or less people and a big ‘ol beer,cocktail or bottled water in hand. Take your time –be one with the surroundings and fun of it all. Youcan play it right next to your lodging at River RidgeGolf Course. VERY affordable. Play 9-18 holes.About a two hour time investment.

Great Dinner Choice: Treatyourself to an unforgettableseafood dinner at BrophyBrothers at Ventura HarborVillage.  This is a value-driven menu meaning it’saffordable and delicious.The menu is large, butfocused. The harbor views are breathtaking.Expect crowds. Nice bar featuring one of the bestBloody Mary’s in Southern California.  If you likeclams, you’re going to be in clam nirvana. Casualatmosphere on some high end real estate.Professionally trained servers and fanatic ownersguarantee this is money well spent.

Night Time Fun: Located in the beautiful VenturaHarbor complex, the Ventura Comedy Clubfeatures some of the best comedy shows touringthe country. If you haven’t been to a comedy club ina while, you’re missing a fun night out. Every seatis good.  Prices are affordable, even with a twodrink minimum.  Appropriate for adults, lots ofparking, and the guys who run this club are seriousabout quality comedy.

Breakfast Done Right: I judge a city by itsbreakfast offerings. If you can’t come up with agood breakfast joint – you’re not on my radar.Speaking of radar, a group that really knows how toeat well are the pilots and locals who have foundtheir way to Waypoint Café at the Camarillo Airport.Built for casual weekend travelers (pilots), it’s alsoa great place for the rest of us. Sit inside or out onthe patio, the Waypoint gives diners a front-rowseat to view planes and helicopters coming andgoing, but it’s the food that is going to WOW you.Great service, affordable prices, funky digs, andgenerally a waiting line for breakfast or lunch.  Bepatient, it’s worth it.  Bonus: The premium outletsare two minutes away.  Just sayin’.

Listen to LindaKissam’s Interviewon Big Blend Radio!

Listen!

Vintage Aircraft:The SouthernCalifornia Wing,one of the largestunits in the CAF inmembership,aircraft andcapabilities, was formed in 1981 and can be foundnext door to the Wayside Café (see above). Thereare about 11 aircraft on display at any one time,most of them still participate in air showsthroughout the Western states.

Aircraft are based in two large hangars and thereare tons of other artifacts and displays to engagewith.  The wing’s Aviation Museum is unique withhundreds of artifacts of aviation history. Do yourselfa favor, call ahead and ask for a docent-led tour.The docents are well trained, articulate, andpassionate.  This place is ever expanding, so you’llnever be bored, always moved.  Small donationrequested.

So there we have it – the new and yet ever evolvingVentura County West. A booming area that attractssurfers, bohemians, tourists and anyone else whoseeks an easy breezy vacation with access to purewholesome fresh air, unspoiled ocean beaches,hiking trails, a near year-round perfect climate, anda decidedly free spirit  atmosphere. Charmingcommunities can be found along California'scoastline, but few reflect California's distinctivelydiverse, relaxed and friendly personality likeVentura County West.

Linda Kissam 'Food, Wine & Shopping Diva' is aprofessional travel, food, and wine writer basedout of Southern California. Through herpersona as The Wine Chix ofwww.WineChixs.com she specializes in easy,breezy destination stories sharing her favoritethings about the places she visits. Linda is alsothe President of the International Food, Wineand Travel Writers Association. See more ather website www.AllInGoodTaste.info

PAGE 46

Leave the beaches of Quintana Roo, skip therain forests of Chiapas, and vacate the hecticstreets of D.F. (Mexico City) to becomecaptivated by the cultural city of Guanajuato,Mexico, nestled comfortably in the Sierra ofGuanajuato Mountains. Each October the citywelcomes Festival International Cervantino,where people from all over the world come toperform ballets and plays. Tunnelsthroughout the former mining city make iteasily accessible to visit, but the mostwelcoming aspect of the area are the peoplewho embrace the traveler. Relish this hiddengem of a city amidst the culture, the cuisine,the tunnels, the mountains, and most of allthe locals.

Henry Biernacki ‘The GlobalHenry’ is an airline captain,line check airman, worldtraveler to over 130countries, and the author ofthe novel ‘No More Heroes’.Visit

www.TheGlobalHenry.com.

Listen! Listen to Big BlendRadio’s Interview with

Henry Biernacki‘The Global Henry’

Guanajuato, Mexico

PAGE 47

Spring in San Diego’s mountain andbackcountry region is spectacular. Unless youexperience one of those unusual March or Aprilsnowfalls, the days are cheerful withwildflowers and sunshine, and the evenings arecrisp and romantic under a velvet star-studdedsky. Because it is on the Pacific Flyway, SanDiego County has a large number of visitingbird species, and spring is one of the best timesto view them in the mountain and countryside.

Just under an hour from downtown San Diegoand less than a three hour drive from allSouthern California cities and the Arizona stateborder, here are three weekend escapes thatwill reconnect you with nature, replenish yourspirit, and put a spring back in your step.

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Flowers, Wine and Mountain Magic in JulianBoasting four gentle seasons, Julian is a charming,historic gold mining town up in San Diego’smountains. Spring is a colorful experience withrolling hillsides speckled with wildflowers, androadsides lined with blossoming apple orchards,poppies, lupine, daffodils and fragrant lilacs.Whether you’re looking for a girl’s weekend away, afamily getaway or romantic retreat, Julian has thelodgings to suit your budget and needs, theactivities to keep you entertained and engaged,and the tranquility to help you relax and rejuvenate.

Julian is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. LakeCuyamaca and Rancho Cuyamaca State Parkmake for a splendid day of hiking, boating, fishingand picnicking. Explore the backcountry trails inVolcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve, SantaYsabel Open Space Preserve, and William HeiseCounty Park, and you are sure to see a varietybirds and wildflowers, forests of oak and pine, andwide open views that stretch to the coast anddesert. It’s not uncommon to see wild turkeys anddeer. A day trip down to the vast Anza-BorregoDesert State Park offers even more wildflower andbird sightings, hiking trails, and phenomenal desertscenery. A unique Julian experience is a visit to theCalifornia Wolf Center. Tours are by reservationonly, and include an educational presentation andguided observation of resident wolves.

Springtime in San Diego’sBackcountry

Forests, Farms, Birds, Blossoms and WineBy Lisa D. Smith

Julian’s charming historic downtown features anassortment of eclectic and boutique shops, artgalleries, and restaurants.  You can take a historicwalking tour, visit the Julian Pioneer Museum andwander through the Pioneer Cemetery whichprovides some of the best views of the downtowndistrict. If you want to learn about the area’s goldrush history, Eagle Mining Company, offers guidedtours of the Eagle and High Peak Mines that wereestablished in the 1870s. Fun for families, theJulian Doves & Desperados perform historiccomedy skits on Sundays (weather permitting) inthe downtown.

When the gold panned out, Julianturned to agriculture. Apple,peach and pear orchards wereplanted and Julian became knownfor its apple production anddelicious apple pies. In the fall,visitors clamor to the mountainhamlet to go apple picking and toget a taste of Julian’s famous pie,

which in that season is made from locally grownapples. Apple pies are served year-round atbakeries such as Apple Alley, Mom’s Pies andJulian Pie Company. Home to producing winerieslike Menghini Winery, and wine tasting rooms suchas Witch Creek Winery and Orfila Winery, Julianhas now become a wine tasting destination.Jeremy’s on the Hill California Style Bistro is apopular restaurant known for serving delectableseasonal cuisine made from local ingredients, andfor pouring locally produced wines, hard cider andcraft brews. The restaurant often hosts winedinners and special culinary events, and also haslive entertainment on weekends.

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When it comes to lodging choices, the area has anumber of Bed & Breakfast Inns, hotels, as well asvacation cabins and cottages. Nestled into thehillside on the edge of the downtown district,Orchard Hill provides luxurious accommodationsin a beautiful garden setting. Located in the heart ofthe downtown district, Julian Lodge featurescharming rooms and offers a deluxe continentalbreakfast. And if you travel with your canine family,Pinehaven Cabin is a lovely mountain home forcouples and their dogs.

To plan your Julian Escape, contact the JulianChamber of Commerce at (760) 765-1857, or visitthem in the historic Julian Town Hall. Their websitewww.JulianCa.com has up-to-date eventinformation, and lists local attractions and activities,shops, lodging choices, restaurants and more.

SPRING EVENTS IN JULIANFor up-to-date event information call (760) 765-1857 or visit www.JulianCA.com

March 21-22:  Daffodil ShowApril 8-12: Julian Family Fiddle CampApril 11: A Taste of JulianApril 12: Julian “Flash” JamMay 7-10: Julian Women's Club Wild Flower ShowMay 7-11: Julian Arts Guild Spring Fine Arts Show

HistoricJulian, Ca TV!

Click to seeBig Blend’s

Birds and Blooms at Blue Heron Farm Bed &Breakfast in FallbrookNestled in the hills of Fallbrook between theTemecula wine country and Oceanside coastline,Blue Heron Farm Bed & Breakfast is located on anorganic farm that produces a variety of cropsincluding sugar snap peas, lettuce, strawberries,and heirloom tomatoes. Surrounded by flower-filledgardens that lead into the farmlands, this beautifulhacienda-style B&B features three guest suites,outdoor patios and seating areas, and a lovelyJacaranda-tree shaded lawn. Innkeeper AndreaPeterson is known for her sumptuous breakfaststhat are laden with the fresh fruit and vegetablesfrom the farm, and served out on the deckoverlooking the farm and gardens.

A family-friendly destination, Blue Heron Farm Bed& Breakfast is a casual and relaxing escape fromthe city, and spring is a wonderful time to visit. Thegardens are brimming with blossoms, and livelywith the chirping of local and visiting birds thatinclude hummingbirds, orioles, hawks, thrashers,and roadrunners. Birding locations abound, bothclose to the farm and within easy driving distance.Another reason the farm is a birders paradise, isthat it adjoins Camp Pendleton, the last largeexpanse of chaparral and coastal habitat inSouthern California.

Besides bird watching, you can spend the dayreading a good book on a deck overlooking thegardens, or take a farm walk. Visit quaint downtownFallbrook and see the murals, browse the artgalleries and boutique shops, and grab a bite atone of the local restaurants. The area also haswine tasting opportunities. Just a short drive away,Oceanside features sunny beaches, the pier andharbor village.

Learn more at www.BlueHeronFarmBandB.com.PAGE 50

Forest Delights at Bailey’s Palomar Resort onPeaceful Palomar MountainA mile high up on beautiful Palomar Mountain innorth San Diego, Bailey’s Palomar Resort is ahistoric 60 acre property that was once the originaltownship. Continuously operated by the Baileyfamily since 1888, the resort maintains its historiccharm and features old growth forests, lush greenmeadows, wildflowers, heritage apple orchards,walnut trees, and a fish pond. The resort is a placeof pure tranquility. Here one can relax, rechargeand simply enjoy the clean, fresh mountain air,chirping birds and friendly critters.

Stay in one of theirmountain cottages,the restored turn-of-the-century BaileyHouse once known asBailey’s PalomarHotel, or enjoy a littleglamping retreatunder the trees.

Perfect for families or couples, the mountaincottages are equipped with fresh linens andbedding, have a full kitchen, fireplace, and anoutdoor dining area. Ideal for groups or familygatherings, the Bailey House has seven 1920sstyle guest rooms, covered porches, and a modernkitchen. And, if you want to sleep under the starsand wake up to the birds but don’t want the hassleof setting up a campsite, Bailey’s glamping seasonbegins in mid-May and features luxury campsitesoutfitted with comfortable tented sleeping areas, akitchen and dining area, and bathroom facilities.

There resort features hiking trails and picnic areas,and you can also visit the adjacent Palomar StatePark, and nearby Palomar Observatory, afascinating facility that showcases the famous 200-inch Hale Telescope, known for decades as thelargest effective telescope in operation. To learnmore about Bailey’s Palomar Resort visitwww.BaileysPalomarResort.com.

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People born in March are said to be very lovingcompassionate and will help others, as long as they feel theyare respected and their help is appreciated. They are usuallyhonest and reliable, romantic and sensitive, and somewhatselfless. They are attracted to beauty, they are creative, andthey can be dreamers. Because of this, they tend to letothers dominate them and they adapt to different situationsmore readily than others.

Those born under the Pisces sign, March 1 to March 20th likeaction and winning. They are up for challenges, are veryflexible, and like getting involved in good causes. They canbe impatient if they have to wait around with nothing to do,and admitting failure is not a strong point. They do not takecommands well, but they like a good fight.

Those born under the Aries sign, March 21st to April 20th arefull of energy and love adventure. They are quick witted andlike being the first to do something new. They exudeconfidence and enthusiasm but can be rather impulsive andimpatient. Sometimes they are selfish and quick temperedand their love of adventure can make them foolhardy andrisk takers.

Two of the most interesting people born in March are WyattEarp and Chief Joseph. Wyatt Earp was born on March 19,1848, and Chief Joseph was born on March 3, 1840, so theyare both Pisces. Contrary to the Hollywood version of WyattEarp Americans love, he was an outlaw one minute and alawman the next. Chief Joseph, on the other hand, seems tohave been a real hero to his people. He protected them asbest he could, and valiantly fought to keep his people’s land.Whether Chief Joseph and Wyatt Earp ever met is hard totell, but Hollywood says they did.

In a 1958 television episode of The Life and Legend ofWyatt Earp, (Hugh O'Brian played Marshall Earp) Earp,under orders from General Sherman, tracks down ChiefJoseph (played by Richard Garland) to retrieve a GatlingGun captured by the Nez Perce during the Indian Wars.When Earp catches up to Chief Joseph the Chief is sorry forthe conflict between the militia and his people, and Earp tellshim that justice for the Indians would only occur 50 yearsdown the road. Earp also espouses his Christian belief thatall would be equal in the hereafter.

This western series was part of the DesiLu Productions, atelevision production company co-owned by Lucille Ball andbandleader Desi Arnaz. Desi Arnaz was born March 2, 1917and is also a Pisces.

By Nancy J. Reid

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Another great bandleader and also an astutebusiness man and television producer, LawrenceWelk, was born March 11, 1903, just adding to thenumerous musical Pisces. While Welk hosted hisown show, The Lawrence Welk Show, Arnazplayed himself in I Love Lucy. Desi Arnaz andLucille Ball co-founded DeSilu Productions and arecredited with inventing the rerun concept.

March is a musical month with well-knowncomposers and singers in both the Pisces andAries categories. Pisces composers includeFrederick Chopin, Giochino Rossini, BedrichSmetana, Antonio Lucio Vivaldi, Maurice Ravel,and Rimsky-Korsakov. Aries composers includeModest Mussorgsky, Bela Bartok, JohannSebastian Bach, Joseph Haydn as well asconductor A. Toscanini.

Pisces singers include Justin Beiber, Jon Bon Jovi,Liza Minneli, James Taylor, Herbie Mann and NatKing Cole. Aries singers include Aretha Franklin,Diana Ross, Elton John, Mariah Carey, RebaMcEntire, Eric Clapton and Herb Alpert.

Haydyn was instrumental in developing chambermusic as a style and he is known as the Father ofthe Symphony. He was also Beethoven’s teacher.Aretha Franklin was the first female performer to beinducted into the Rock and Roll hall of Fame.

Herb Alpert and Jon Bon Jovi are majorphilanthropists. Alpert having his own foundationthat supports youth in the arts, addressesenvironmental issues, and he financed the UCLAHerb Alpert School of Music. Bon Jovi has beennamed the first Founding Ambassador for theHabitat for Humanity Ambassador program and ishe heavily involved in the fight against AIDS.

Two very interesting men born in March, both Pisces, are AlbertEinstein (right) and Joseph Pulitzer (left). Einstein is famous as aphysicist that developed the most famous equation in the world,E = mc2, the theory of relativity, plus for his part in WWII and hisletter to President Roosevelt. Pulitzer was a journalist whocrusaded against big business and corruption, and helped keepthe Statue of Liberty in New York. He is best known for thePulitzer Prizes established in 1917 by money he bequeathed toColumbia University to recognize artistic and journalisticachievements.

To see the rest of our famous people born in March, including Artists, Entertainer &Performers, Entrepreneurs and more, please click here.

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Celebrating over one hundred years as the“Gateway to the Great Southwest”, Yuma is just afew hours from San Diego, Tucson, and Phoenix.The city is home to the Yuma Crossing NationalHeritage Area, Yuma Territorial State Historic Park,as well as the beautiful Colorado River. Host to aweekly farmers market, special events andfestivals, Yuma’s historic downtown district bustleswith boutiques and gift shops, the Yuma Art Centerand Historic Yuma Theatre, art galleries,restaurants and saloons, along with wine and beertasting destinations.

Other event venues include the Yuma Civic Center,Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park, and WestWetland Park and Gateway Park on the banks ofthe Colorado River.  From shows, expos, and artand entertainment, to family-friendly festivals thatcelebrate Yuma's rich southwestern history andcultural traditions, there's always somethinghappening in Yuma, the world’s sunniestdestination!  Make your travel plans now aroundone of this southwest city’s favorite annual events!

Please note, events are subject to change. Fortravel information and up-to-date event detailsincluding times, locations, and cost – pleasevisit www.YumaAZ.gov .

ART & MUSIC

Spring in Yuma inSouthwest Arizona

Alive with The Arts, History, Golf, Farm and Culinary Festivities

Listen! Listen to Tanisha Yee,Yuma Civic CenterEvents, on Big BlendRadio!

See our special feature on the spring shows atthe Historic Yuma Theatre on Page 10!

Mar. 6-8: 9th Annual Studio Tour: MountainShadows Artists Association member’s studios.Various locations. Tel: 928-345-9503.

Mar. 13: CASA’s Tribute to Elvis: Scot Bruce isinternationally known as the greatest Elvis sinceElvis. His amazing resemblance to Elvis Presleyand his ability to sing and play like “The King ofRock and Roll” has entertained audiences aroundthe globe. CASA provides toys, clothing andpersonal care items for neglected children.Recreational activities and training are alsoprovided by CASA. Fundraising is vital so Mr.Bruce faithfully makes Yuma a priority in his yearlyschedule. Yuma Civic Center, Tel: 928-373-5040.

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Mar. 21: Yuma Benefit Jazz Concert: The YumaJazz Society presents the 2015 Yuma Benefit JazzConcert, with performances by local and acclaimedartists. Proceeds benefit the Stewart Vincent WolfeCreative Playground Rebuild. 6pm, West WetlandsPark. Tel: (928) 373-5243

Mar. 28: 4th Annual Music on Main: Freeentertainment and lots of vendors, fun, and food inhistoric downtown Yuma. Info: 928-373-5028

Listen!

ART & MUSIC Continued

GOLF & ATHLETICS

Feb. 28-Mar. 1: Yuma Men’s Senior City GolfChampionship: 2-Day Stroke Play Event. DesertHills Golf Course. Tel: (928) 373-5220.

Mar. 7: March On City Finals (5K/10K Run andFun Walk): This is the final event in the YumaParks and Recreation 5K and 10K Run and FunWalk Winter Series. Tel: (928) 373-5243

Continued on next page…

Bruce Brown talks YumaGolf Events on Big BlendRadio!

Big Blend’s

Watch Yuma,Arizona TV!

PAGE 55

GOLF & ATHLETICS

Mar. 15: Family Golf “Play the Par-3 Course”: Inthis clinic you will actually play golf on the course.All Ages: 3 and up. Desert Hills Golf Course.Tel: (928) 373-5220.

March 27 & 28: Desert Hills Men’s ClubAssociation Tournament: 8:00am. Men’s ClubChampionships. Tel: (928) 373-5220

Mar. 7: Desert Hills Men’s Club AssociationTournament: 8:00am at Desert Hills Golf Course.2 Man Add ‘em Up. Tel: (928) 373-5220.

Mar. 7: Family Fitness Fest: Join Parks andRecreation and the Yuma Regional Medical Centeras we exercise our way to a happier, healthierlifestyle. 9am-12pm, West Wetlands Park.Tel: (928) 373-5243

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Quartermaster Depot-Sunrise Farmers Market:Sundays, 9am - 2pm. Tel: (928) 782-0062

Historic Downtown Yuma Farmers Market:Tuesdays, 10am - 3pm through April 1.Tel:  (425) 941-5030

Yuma Palms Regional Center Farmers Market:Saturdays, 10am - 3pm through the last Saturday inMarch. Tel:  (425) 941-5030

Feb. 28-Mar. 1: Yuma Lettuce Days Festival goes“down on the farm” on the UA research farm withlive cooking demonstrations and contests, productsamples, farm and equipment displays, fun for kids,music, entertainment and lots of food and drink.Celebrity Chef is Chef Hosea Rosenberg, season 5winner of Top Chef. For more info, go towww.YumaLettuceDays.com.

Mar. 3: Farmer to Farmer “technical” Ag Tour forthose with a background in farming departs fromthe Quartermaster Depot. Info and tickets call800-293-0071 or 928-783-0071.

Mar. 3 & 11: Savor Yuma Culinary Tours:Progressive dinner with friends. Info and tickets call800-293-0071 or 928-783-0071.

Mar. 4 & 5: Field to Feast Tours: Hands-on agtour departs from Quartermaster Depot. Info andtickets call 800-293-0071 or 928-783-0071.

Mar. 13: Date Night: Gourmet dinner served in adate grove with a menu featuring Medjool dates.Info and tickets call 800-293-0071 or928-783-0071.

Apr. 10: People's Choice Salsa QueenCompetition & Kick-Off Party: Think you haveYuma's best salsa recipe? Enter the Salsa QueenContest on Friday, April 10 and compete for the titleof Yuma's Salsa Queen! Kick-off party for theTunes & Tacos Festival. 6pm, Yuma Civic Center,Tel: 928-373-5040.

Apr. 11: 5th Annual Tunes & Tacos Festival: TheTaco Festival brings people from all over thesouthwest together as they enjoy activities,contests, live entertainment, food andrefreshments. Festival goers are invited to feast ontacos as Yuma’s finest taco vendors compete forthe title of ‘Yuma’s Taco King’. Sample and vote onyour favorite salsa from local competitors vying forthe chance to be ‘Yuma’s Salsa Queen’ winner.The Vendor Village will be filled with business andcraft vendors for those who like to shop. Adults canvisit the Cerveza Garden and Tequila Tent to enjoyBeer, Margaritas and Tequila. Entertainment for thekids will include piñatas, face-painting, jumpers,pony rides, games and more! Communityperformers will entertain and main stage music actswill close out an amazing night of Tunes & Tacos.Yuma Civic Center and Desert Sun Stadium, Tel:928-373-5040.

FARM & FOOD EVENTS

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Feb. 27 & 28: 53rd Annual Marine Corp AirStation Yuma Airshow & Open House. With thetheme of "Yuma Air Circus," this year’s air show willinclude rehearsals, a children’s expo and a twilightpreview on Friday as well as daylong performancesand displays Saturday. MCAS. Info: Greg McShane928-269-3327

Mar. 6-8: 23rd Annual Midnight at the Oasis:This classic car show features more than 1,000classic cars, plus vendors, food, rides for the kids,Friday and Saturday evening concerts and a“cruise-in” to kick things off.  Desert Sun Stadium.Tel: 928-343-1715

Mar. 18: Behind the Big Guns Tour: This insidelook at Yuma Proving Ground departs from YumaQuartermaster Depot. Advance reservationsrequired, for info and tickets call 800-293-0071 or928-783-0071.

Downtown Tours: Tours of downtown and theriverfront with Steve Cook, sponsored by YumaCounty Historical Society. Every Tuesday andThursday plus, the first Saturday of the month. Costis $10, call 928-231-6433.

Mar. 7: Arizona Archaeology Expo: Free,educational event for adults and children alike thatfeatures Native American craft demonstrations,field trips, and information booths on Arizona'sprehistoric and historic heritage. YumaQuartermaster Depot. Tel: 800-293-0071 or928-783-0071.

Free Tours by AppointmentTel: (928) 783-4453

CasaDeCoronadoMuseum.com

Casa de Coronado Museum

Travel & Hospitality MemorabiliaOn site at the Historic

Coronado Motor Hotel, Yuma, AZ

HISTORY EVENTS

CARS, PLANES & MILITARY EVENTS

PAGE 58

Click to see

Yuma Landing Bar & GrillCome Eat, Drink & Be Merry where the First Airplane Landed in Arizona!

Hangar Sports Bar24 Beers on Tap ~ Daily Drink Specials

Appetizers & EntreesTelevised Sports Events ~ Live Music & Entertainment

Captain’s LoungeTop-shelf Cocktails ~ Fine Wines ~ Specialty Coffees

Yuma Landing RestaurantAmerican & South-of-the-Border Cuisine

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Win! Win! Win!Sign up on YumaLanding.com for our

Captain’s Log e-Newsletter and you will be entered intoour monthly drawing for a $25 Yuma Landing Gift Certificate, plus

you'll get news on other great giveaways, specials,Yuma Landing recipes, events news & more!

Located on the same property as theHistoric Coronado Motor Hotel, the Yuma Landing Bar & Grill

is the site where the first airplane landed in Arizona, and featuresa state monument, historic photos and memorabilia.

Groups of 15 or more diners get a 15% discount on breakfast,lunch and dinner.

All Military Personnel Receive a 20% Discount on Meals!

195 S. 4th Avenue, Yuma, Arizona Tel: (928) 782-7427

www.YumaLanding.com

Casa de Coronado Museum

PAGE 59

Click to see Video!

Host to numerous festivals, special events, art shows, con-certs and performances, Tuolumne County is located in theheart of California’s Yosemite Gold Country, and is comprisedof the historic gold rush and mountain towns of Sonora,Groveland, Twain Harte, Long Barn, Columbia, and Jame-stown. For up-to-date event information contact the TuolumneCounty Visitors Bureau at 800-446-1333 or 209-533-4420, orvisit www.YosemiteGoldCountry.com

Spring in California’s Yosemite Gold CountryArt, Theatre, Celtic Celebrations, Living History & More!

THE ARTSMarch 1- May 3: Sierra Repertory Theatre Presents “MaryPoppins”: Mary Poppins follows the troubled Banks family afterthe delightful nanny arrives on their doorstep. Using a "practicallyperfect" combination of magic and common sense, she takes thechildren on memorable experiences, but even the grown-ups learna lesson or two from the nanny who advises that "anything canhappen if you let it.” Shows run through May 3 at the SierraRepertory Theatre in Sonora, on Wednesdays, Saturdays, andSundays at 2pm and Fridays and Saturdays at 7pm.Info: 209-532-3120.

March 14: 2nd Saturday Art Night: Enjoy art, music and refreshments from 5pm-9pm in historicdowntown Sonora. Free to all.

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March 6-8: 29th Annual Sonora Celtic Faire: Thelargest Celtic Faire returns to Sonora’s MotherLode Fairgrounds, celebrating all Celtic Nations.Five stages of Celtic Music features BarleyJuice,The Black Brothers, BlackEyed Dempseys,Banshee in the Kitchen, Black Irish Band, Cookingwith Turf, Golden Bough, and more. There will bejousting on horseback, a large armor foot combattournament, and a Celtic living history area withperformers acting out 2000 years of Celtic History!Browse through Celtic vendors, artisan andcraftsmen booths. Enjoy Scottish HighlandCompetition Games, Bagpipe Bands, Celtic Clans,Irish step Dancers, Scottish highland dancers,jugglers, magicians, fire-eaters, a fire breathingdragon, traditional foods, whiskies, and ale!Tel: 209-532-8375 or visitwww.SonoraCelticFaire.com.

March 17: St. Patrick’s Annual Shooter ScooterRace - Dress in costume and come and cheer onyour team as they race around downtown TwainHarte on their scooters from bar to bar for somelibation and playing cards for the poker run. Forinformation call Tel (209) 586-4482

CELTIC CELEBRATIONS LIVING HISTORY

March 27: Columbia’s Birthday Celebration -Celebrate the discovery of gold by the Hildrethparty (March 27, 1850). Gather in the middle oftown for a speech, cake, punch, and reenactmentscostumed docents throughout town. Call ColumbiaState Historic Park for more details. (209) 588-9128

April 4-5: Railtown 1897 Opening Weekend:Grand Opening festivities, both days. This weekendonly, Calaveras, Mariposa and Tuolumne Countyresidents ride trains for free (proof of residencyrequired). Arrive at 7am and watch the crewprepare the train for the day in the historicroundhouse. Tel: 209-984-3953

April 5: Victorian Easter Parade & Egg Hunts inColumbia SHP: Parade begins at 12:30 pm,registration at 11 am. Prizes are awarded forfanciest Victorian hat, and best dressed couple,lasses and lads, and groups. Costumed docentsfrom the gold rush era add color to this lively event.Egg hunts for children by age groups, noon to 2pm. Find the golden egg and receive a specialprize! Be on the lookout for Thaddeus E. Hare (akathe Easter Bunny!). Tel: 209-536-1672.

April 10-12: Sierra Smokepolers SpringRendezvous: Sonora Smokepolers present blackpowder shooting; cannons, children's fun; primitivecamps; trader's row; Dutch oven cooking; councilfire. Camp Six Bits, Chinese Camp, CA.Tel: 209-785-2128

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Listen to Big BlendRadio’s interview withSandy Blankenship andStephanie Cortez, aboutSpring events in Exeterand Porterville, CA!

Listen!Art, Music & Theatre, Bathtub Races,Flower Festivals & More!

Tulare County in central California is home toSequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks,Giant Sequoia National Monument and SequoiaNational Forest, agricultural communities, artand historic downtown destinations includingVisalia, Exeter, Porterville, Three Rivers,Dinuba, Lindsay, Springville, and Tulare. Springis vibrant in California’s Sequoia Country withwildflowers in the foothills, parks and forests,specialty shopping in the historic downtowns,wine tasting, art and theatre productions,musical performances and garden events andfestivals. To plan your Spring SequoiaAdventure, visitwww.DiscoverTheSequoias.com.

April 25: 17th Annual Iris Festival: A multitude ofactivities are offered for the entire family from 9a.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown Porterville. Attendeeswill enjoy features such as: over 200 crafter, food,vendor, business and information booths; freeentertainment on two stages; antiques andcollectibles faire; special merchant promotions, aKids Zone, Chili Cook-off and Festival of ColorsRun. Presented by the Porterville Chamber ofCommerce, (559) 784-7502,http://irisfestival.porterville.com/

May 3: 14th Annual Garden Party: Held atdowntown Exeter’s Mixter Park, (corner of Pine & EStreets) at 5:00 pm features dinner, entertainment,a live and silent auction, a fun time for all.Presented by A Festival of Arts, the Garden Party isthe main source of income that supports the muralsof Exeter. For more information call559-592-2919.

May 9: 12th Annual Full Bloom Garden Walk:Presented by Exeter Chamber of Commerce, from9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Visitors are invited to explore fourbeautiful and unique private gardens in and aroundthe Exeter area. Be sure and take time to enjoysome refreshments hosted by Exeter’s 2012Business of the Year, By the Water TowerAntiques, relax in the ambiance of their lovelyVictorian garden, 141 South B Street. Tickets inadvance, will be available at the Exeter Chamber ofCommerce and at By the Water Tower Antiques.Tickets will be available the day of the event, onlyat By the Water Tower Antiques.  For moreinformation call 559-592-2919 orwww.exeterchamber.com

Spring in California’s Sequoia Country

FLOWER POWER

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MUSIC & THE ARTSMarch 6 & April 3: First Friday Porterville ArtWalk: Free, self-guided, public art walk indowntown Porterville. Visit galleries, studios,businesses, restaurants and other venues from5pm-8pm. Tel: (559) 776-7675

March 7: The Tulare County Symphony:Traditional Beethoven Symphony No. 3 along witha modern YouTube Symphony "Eroica" at theVisalia Fox Theatre, 308 W. Main, Visalia.Tel: 559 732-8600.

March 7 & April 4: 1st Saturday Art in ThreeRivers - A day-long festival of food, fun, fabulousart, with specials promoted throughout the town.You can watch artists painting plein air, eat goodfood and listen to local musicians or story-tellers.From 11am to 5pm. Visit www.1stsaturdaytr.com/

March 14: Pianist: David Wheatley: Wheatley is afabulously successful pianist, arranger andcomposer in the Hollywood film scene. Presentedby Three Rivers Performing Arts Institute at theCommunity Presbyterian Church in Three Rivers.Info: ThreeRiversPerformingArts.org.

March 16: Irish Hooley: Slugger O'Toole:Musicians and step dancers with foot-stomping pubsongs, heart-rendering ballads and traditionalinstruments. Visalia Fox Theatre, 308 W. Main,Visalia. Tel: 559 625-1369

March 20-22: South Valley Artists Studio Tour:Wind your way through Tulare County’s countrysideto visit various art studios. Tel: 559-802-3266.

March 27-29, April 3-4, 10-12: Greater Tuna:Hilarious comedy about Texas' third smallest town,where the Lion's Club is too liberal and Patsy Clinenever dies. The Barn Theater. Tel: (559) 310-7046.

April 3, 10, 17 & 24: Music on Main Street: 6-8pm, Centennial Park in downtown Porterville.Tel: (559) 784-7502

April 10-12: 42nd Annual Jazzaffair: 3 daytraditional jazz festival that celebrates “Jazz for allGenerations!” The pre-festival kick-off is on April9th. Info: Rusty Crain at (559) 561-4549

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March 15: 1st Annual Rocky Hill Triathlon: Heldin Exeter, CA. For information on registration visitRockyhilltriathlon.com

March 22: HOPE Relay for Life 2015 GolfTournament: Held at Exeter Golf Course. Check inat noon, $50 per play includes Green Fees and Tri-Tip Dinner.  Prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places,hole sponsorship is $100.  For more information onhow you can participate, call Ted at 559-786-1188,sign up deadline is March 16th.

March 28: Bathtub Race for Charity at LakeKaweah: Part of Hero Appreciation Months inThree Rivers, this Free Family-Friendly annualevent is held at Lake Kaweah's "KaweahRecreation Area". Pack a picnic lunch, gaze atspring wildflowers, and watch teams turn cast-ironbathtubs into floatable steerable boats and raceacross Lake Kaweah for charity. Better still, form ateam and join the race! $200 per team. Free forspectators. Free rides and free water safetylessons for children on Frank Root's big blue raft.Tel: 559-561-4270.

GOLF, ATHLETICS &BATHTUB RACES!

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UPCOMING BIG BLENDRADIO SHOWSJoin co-hosts Nancy J. Reid & Lisa D. Smith, thecrazy mother-daughter travel team and publishers ofBig Blend Radio & TV Magazine and Spirit ofAmerica Magazine, for Big Blend Radio’sChampagne Sundays variety show on March 1, 8,15, 22 and 29; and, special Arizona shows includingYuma on March 2, and Globe on March 9. All showsstream live online at 11am PT / 12pm MT / 1pm CT / 2pm ET. Listen live or to the archive show onBlogTalkRadio.com, or download the podcasts from iTunes.

Mar. 1: Film, Art, History, Foreign Policy, Travel & EventsOn this Episode:- Actors Stan Houston & Clay Chappell who both appeared onscreen with Oprah (photo above), in themovie Selma- Glynn Burrows of Norfolk Tours UK will discuss Historic Women of England- Artist Victoria Chick profiles Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer- William Northrop – Author ‘Spook War: A Memoir from the Trenches’Show Airs Live on March 1, 2015 at 11am PT / 2pm ET –Click Here to Listen Live / Archive.

March 2: Spring in Yuma, ArizonaOn this Episode:- Rex Ijams – Historic Yuma Theatre and Yuma ArtCenter- Bruce Brown – Desert Hills Golf Course- Tanisha Yee - Yuma Civic Center- Yvonne Peach – Coronado Motor Hotel, YumaLanding Bar & Grill and Casa de CoronadoMuseum- Debbie Mansheim  of Basket Creations & Moreand Bard Date Company talks Medjool DateNutrition- Donna George of The Peanut Patch shares FunFacts about PeanutsClick Here to Listen Live / Archive!

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Mar. 8: Music, Restaurants & Recipes, Drug Dealing & HollywoodHistoryOn This Episode:- Texas based singer-songwriter Shelley King will talk about her newalbum and video ‘Building A Fire’- Acclaimed baritone/soprano husband-wife duo Beth Donnelly & DougFeller discuss their latest CD ‘My Heart is For You’- Howard & Ruth Milstein, author of ‘Cooking with Love: Ventures intothe New Israeli Cuisine’ discuss Passover Food & Wine- Chef Eric Sutter - Executive Chef of Flying V Bar & Grill at LoewsVentana Canyon Resort in Tucson, AZ.- Carl Senna – Co-author ‘Never Charged, Never Convicted: My Life inthe Boston Drug Trade’Plus, Hollywood History with Steve Schneickert!Show Airs Live on March 8, 2015 from 11am PT / 2pm ET –Click Here to Listen Live/Archive!

March 9: Tonto National Monument andGlobe, ArizonaOn This Episode- Libby Schaaf - Chief of Interpretation,Tonto National Monument- Ellen Kretsch – Executive Director Globe-Miami Chamber of Commerce- Kip Culver - Historic Globe Main StreetProgram & Cobre Valley Center for the Arts- Leana Asberry - Supervisor, Besh-Ba-Gowah Archaeological Park- Rebecca Williams – Dream Manor Inn- Phil Smith – Copper Country Renezvous- R. Michael Wilson – Author ‘Crime &Punishment in Early Arizona’

Mar. 15: Travel, Trails, Herbal Health, Fashion & CookingFeatured Guests:- Janna Graber – Award-winning travel journalist and editor of ‘Adventuresof a Lifetime: Travel Tales from Around the World’- Travel writer Linda Kissam ‘Food, Wine & Shopping Diva’ discussesTalking Stick Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona- Adam Roberts – CEO of Born Free USA wildlife organization talks aboutSafe Trails and Trapping- Herbalist Cynthia Johnston of MoonMaid Botanicals discusses Herbs forthe Heart- Fashion designer Aggie Garcia of Illusions By Aggie chats about Fashionin Italy- Five Star Chef Ivan Flowers of Top of the Market in San Diego talksSpring CookingShow Airs Live on March 15, 2015 at 11am PT / 2pm ET –Click Here to Listen Live/Archive!

Show Airs Live on March 9, 2015 at 11am PT / 2pm ET – Click Here to Listen Live / Archive.

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March 22: Music, SummerCamps & Travel, Writing &Book MarketingFeatured Guests:- French-Algerian guitarvirtuoso Pierre Bensusan‘Mozart of Guitar’ celebrateshis 40th Anniversary WorldTour- Bass player Mitchell ColemanJr. releases his debut urbanjazz album ‘Soul Searching’

- Bobbi DePorter – Co-Founder of SuperCamp andPresident of Quantum Learning Network- Stephanie Cortez – CEO of Porterville Chamber ofCommerce talks Summer in California’s SequoiaCountry- Phyllis Hinz & Lamont Mackay ‘The CookingLadies’ - Food and travel writers, cookbook authors,and RV vagabonds- Lynn Wiese Sneyd ‘The Book Biz Whiz’ – Author,publicist and owner of LWS Literary ServicesShow Airs Live on March 22, 2015 at 11am PT /2pm ET –Click Here to Listen Live / Archive!

Mar. 29: Travel,Volunteering, Cooking,Employment Law – JoinNancy Reid & Lisa Smith –publishers of Big Blend Radio& TV Magazine, for Big BlendRadio’s Champagne Sundaysvariety show.On This Episode:- Author John Marshalldiscusses his book ‘WIDE-OPEN WORLD: HowVolunteering Around the

Globe Changed One Family’s Lives Forever’- Travel writer Linda Kissam ‘Food, Wine &Shopping Diva’ talks about her visit to San BenitoCounty, California- Chef Jeremy Manley of Jeremy’s on the HillCalifornia Style Bistro in Julian, CA shares a SpringRecipe- S. Ward Heinrichs, Esq. of Backstrom & HeinrichsAttorneys at Law in San Diego talks EmploymentTransportation LawShow Airs Live on March 29, 2015 at 11am PT /2pm ET – Click Here to Listen Live / Archive.

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