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Tequila LaPinataMOVE OVER, JOSE [UERVOThe competition for Jose [uervojust got steeper in the East Bay.That's because the Francisco Javier

Guzman family, the founders of the localLa Pinata Mexican-food empire, recentlyintroduced its own tequila, Tequila La Pinata,winner of a bronze award at the 2009 SanFrancisco World Spirits competition.The line includes a blanco, reposado,

aiiieo and platino. The blanco winds up inLP house margs, and the reposado is thebase for some top-shelf LP faves, so chancesare many LP fans have tried it already.The spirit is distilled in Jalisco, Mexico, inpartnership with a small distillery, HaciendaDe Oro, owned by brothers Ramon, Santiagoand Juan Gonzalez, says LP marketingdirector Silvano Hernandez.

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The tequila introduction, the Guzmanfamily says, comes on the heels of threeyears of research and crafting. Afteroffering the tequila at its restaurants, LPrecently entered select retail markets.Connoisseurs who'd rather sip or shootTLP at home can find the 100 percent blueagave product at these stores:ALAMEDABetter Buy Liquor Store, 1801 Webster St.Alameda Cellars, 2425 Encinal Ave.

OAKLANDLos Mexicanos Market, 1244 High St.

SAN LEANDROMarina Wine and Spirits, 13892 Doolittle DriveBara's Grocery and Deli,14799 Washington Ave., Suite A

Marina Liquors, 2260 Marina Blvd.

Mark Wagner, an Alameda dad,artist, teacher and organizerof the Alameda Point Guinnessrecord-setting world's largestchalk drawing, has self-publisheda book about the tugs and pullsof being a father. Wagner includesdrawings, photographs, scrawledobservations and typed reflections on parenting, kids,career and family in his visual exploration of whatbeing a dad is all about The book, a collaboration ofWagner and his two daughters, also includes advice,such as a "Toolbox" with "130 Tips, Tools & Tricks ofthe Trade" that range from "Don't Take It Personally" to"Jump Right In.'' Ten percent of book sales go Wagner'snonprofit, Re-enchanting the World Through Art (www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org), to promote creativearts education in schools. His second Blurb.com book,Small Town-Big Vision, Kids' Chalk Art Project-WorldRecord, should be out soon. -JG

Terrence Brewer, Groovin' Wes(www.terrencebrewer.com.Strong Brew Music)

In appraising Terrence Brewer'snewest CD, Groovin' Wes, italso is necessary to appraiseWes Montgomery, the legendaryjazz guitarist to whom Brewerpays homage. "Lots ofguitarists can imitate WesMontgomery," says the Alamedajazz artist "I wanted to pay tributll to him with myown voice." Many jazz aficionados and artists' considerMontgomery the greatest influence among modern jazzguitarists (Pat Metheny, Joe Pass, George Benson andKeQny Burrell, among others). The subtitle,A Musical Expression of Admiration for Wes Montgomery,reflects Brewer's assertion that the eight tracks aren'tjust imitations. Brewer puts together a trio consisting ofHammond B3 organist Wi! Blades along with drummerMicha McClain. With Brewer soloing in precise, yetethereal riffs, Blades holds down the bass line, deliveringa few solos of his own along the way. Says EdwardBlanco on JazzNews.com, "If you lay back, close youreyes and just listen, you could swear you're hearingWes Montgomery play his signature tune 'Bumpin' butyou're not It's Brewer on one sensational performance."Montgomery is considered a founder of the so-called"smooth jazz" school, and "Bumpin" represents a modelfrom which many modern recordings are derived. Youcan add Brewer-emphatically-to that list

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-GS

ALAMEDAPUBLISHINGGROUP

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