“Bachelor” Ben Flajnik has left Envolve Winery. He posted on Facebook Tuesday evening that, “It saddens me to say today that I am officially no longer a part of Envolve Winery. After many years of hard work, I say goodbye to the people who have made it great, you drinkers. Onward and upward to Gratci and Fernet Francisco,” another wine group he has helped form in San Francisco.
According to some reports, Flajnik, a former “Bachelor” television star, believed in promoting wines through reality television shows, whereas co-founders Danny Fay and Mike Benziger favor developing their wines for the wine’s sake, stressing organic and biodynamic growing and processing, and promoting the wines rather than personalities.
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Famed world cookbook author and Sonoma resident Paula Wolfert fell in a Chicago street Monday and broke her left wrist and lower arm. Ever the trooper, she is back in Sonoma, sending emails from her iPad, and says she will show up for our regular Tuesday lunch next week and be back in perfect form in six weeks.
Wolfert was in Chicago for a meeting of the Alzheimer’s Association, with 11 other well-known people who have been diagnosed with early cognitive impairment and who have been asked by the Alzheimer’s Association to appear around the country to spread the word on early diagnosis and what can be done. Fortunately Wolfert’s son, Nick, was with her on the trip.
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For some old-fashioned laugh-out-loud fun, don’t miss tonight’s zucchini races at Sebastiani Winery’s Arbor Park. These are Sonoma’s original zucchini races, founded by Hilda Schwartz when she ran both the Tuesday night and Friday morning farmers markets.
Rachel Ray even mentioned and recommended these zucchini races in her magazine, Every Day with Rachel Ray.
Bring friends, a picnic, and even a zucchini car to race or just to look beautiful. Pornographic designs usually don’t win. This is a family affair.4-H members and siblings Hanna, Sam and William Breall will eye the bottom of the racetrack for winners, and Eric and Sandy from Ortiz Family Farm will help with everything else. Scott Sherman and William Spencer will serve as judges.
Entries can be no wider than 10 inches. Wheels cannot be skateboards, skateboard wheels, roller skates or doll buggies. “Cars” will be categorized as small, medium and large and judged on speed or just plain creativity. Wine available for purchase at Sebastiani Winery. Sponsored by the Friday morning Sonoma Valley Certified Farmers’ Market. Free. Entries accepted 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Races begin at 6:30 p.m. Fourth Street East at Lovall Valley Road. For more info call Ann Hollister at 933-9101 or aholly@vom.com.
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McDonald’s in China refused to cut ties with their Chinese beef and chicken supplier, OSI, which is accused of selling them out-of-date and contaminated beef and chicken for Chicken McNuggets that were processed by workers with their bare hands, according to ABC News. Burger King no longer buys from OSI, which had also been accused of selling out-of-date meat.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Russia’s consumer protection agency, Rospotrebnadzor, suddenly is trying to ban certain McDonald’s foods on a health basis. The San Francisco Chronicle suggested that a Russian government suit against McDonald’s might be the result of tensions between Russia and the United States over Ukraine and the downed Malaysian Airlines passenger plane.
The Russian agency is reportedly taking McDonald’s to court for “selling foods that contain more fats and carbohydrates than are allowed by national regulations,” which would include their cheeseburger, Royal Cheeseburgers (like quarter pounders), fish sandwiches and milkshakes. They might have a point, but our daughter sure had to eat a lot of potatoes over there. Interesting that apparently fries are not mentioned.
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Shiso Modern Asian Kitchen (new name) is again serving lunch Tuesday through Friday.
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Something is going on in the last former site of Sonoma Meritâge, but the exterminator would only tell me “I’m just the bug guy. I don’t know anything.” But that tells us something. More to come.
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Margie Brooke will serve an apricot ginger teriyaki chicken dinner Saturday, Aug. 2, at her Community Cafe, accompanied by Asian slaw and coconut rice, all for $10 with a drink purchase. Music will bring the Bee Rays on Friday and Sue Albano & Tsunami Saturday. 21 and over only. Starts at 6 p.m. Bottomless mimosas $14 every day. 875 W. Napa St., Sonoma. 938-7779.
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The American Cheese Society has been meeting and judging best cheeses in Sacramento this week. Jill Giacomini Basch of Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co., is co-chair of the ACS conference, which promotes “understanding, appreciation and promotion of artisan, farmstead and specialty cheeses produced in the Americas.” On Monday, Aug. 4, Sheana Davis and Waldemar Albrecht will host a tasting of “American Cheese Society Blue Ribbon Beauties” at her Epicurean Connection, followed by Ewetopia and Fiscalini Cheese Co. on Monday, Aug. 11, and Laura Chenel Cheese Co. on Tuesday, Aug. 19. Tastings free. Full menu available. 6 to 8 p.m. 122 W. Napa St., Sonoma. 935-7060.
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