SacCycleChic - You go, girl!

As a writer, you often run into other writers. I don’t why that is. Somehow we attract each other and end up bonding over the woes of our craft. Maybe it’s because it’s an isolated art form, but just knowing there is someone else out there following their passion and struggling like you is what you need to stay focused.

One of my fellow bloggers and girlfriend did that just recently. Lorena is SacCycleChic and she blogs about cycling and fashion – together. It’s a niche market and she doesn’t just write about it. She lives it.

I met Lorena last year and she amazed me. She told me that when she started her blog, she gave up her car and now bikes everywhere. She writes about her passion and takes photos of others biking around in the city. She is an advocate for everything bike related, but also creates awareness of the fashionable bike trend with events such as her Velo & Vintage Fashion show that she had on May 7 and CycleChic Sundays where she takes fellow cyclists on free rides around the city.

Over the year, she's gone from someone I interviewed for a News10 story to friends who talk about everything ranging from writing to relationships. I’ve gotten to know her as an incredible, independent creative woman who puts a smile on my face whenever I see her biking around town.

But this January she got the writer blues.

If you’re an artist, you know what these are. It’s those moments when you start to doubt your passion. It’s the times when you think it would be easier to give up on your dream and take the easy route by getting a job that pays well (rather than one you love). It’s those moments of weakness when you wish you could go with the flow instead of feeling like a salmon whose swimming against the current.

Lorena had the blues and she had them bad.  She was thinking about giving up her freelancing life and settle down. Artist and design jobs were in short supply in Sacramento and she was worried her blog wasn’t going to be able support her. She had worked so hard to get where she was and yet, it wasn’t quite enough. She was even considering a job in San Francisco which would mean she would have to get (gasp) a car.

You can’t imagine how sad this made me. Here was my fashion-forward writing friend forced to alter her beliefs because of the economic situation of the area. I didn’t want her to give up on her dream – not only because I knew she would be unhappy, but because then maybe I would have to re-evaluate my own dream. I mean, if someone I watched work so hard with such dedication couldn’t make it, what made me think I could do it?

Thankfully, Lorena fought the writer blues and I’m so proud of her.

She's back to her fiesty SacCycleChic self and swimming against the current with even more determination. Her Velo and Vintage Fashion Show was just the beginning of the things she's going to do this year. She's got big plans and she's not giving up.  She may be barely over 5-feet tall, but she's got the drive of a giant and is an inspiration for all artists out there.

Watch out world…SacCycleChic is about to take you on and she’s going to look good doing it!

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Twitter for the Grim Reaper

Don’t think I’m morbid, but lately I’m finding myself reading the obituaries and being completely intrigued. I can’t help it. I love looking at the photos families have chosen of their loved ones, reading what these people did and wondering about their lives.

That’s because their orbits aren’t about their death, but telling the story of their life – in 200 words or less. It’s kind of like twitter for the Grim Reaper.

Sometimes the people I see become inspiration for characters in my stories and other times I just like to wonder about what they did during their lifetime.

Today I saw a woman who was born in 1919. She lived through women’s rights, a couple World Wars, the invention of TV and much more. I can’t help but wonder what other things she lived through. How many did people she love in her lifetime? Did she ever have her heart broken? What day was her “best” day? People never seem to mention these things in their obituaries.  Instead, it's always about numbers -- how many kids she had, how many years she lived and how many people will remember her.

Then there’s Lucy. It was her photo and her smile that drew me to her.

Lucy wasn’t in the orbits. Her photo was in the memorandums. All it said was she left them unexpectedly 35 years ago and they remember her laughing, having fun and going to wrestling. I look at her photo and I wonder was Lucy the wrestler or was it her husband, brother or child? And why was wrestling the thing mentioned in this message?

And most of all...I'm wondering why she died unexpectedly.  Was it a car crash? Cancer? Maybe she's not dead at all and just "left" them.

The orbits, like life, are a puzzle. You never know what they will reveal.

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Has the Nook killed the public library?

There are always rumors that no one is going to libraries any more -- especially when you see more and more people downloading their reading to electronic devices like the iPad and the Nook. But has technology made checking out books obsolete?

As a writer and someone who still likes to read a novel the old fashion way -- by turning the pages, I was happy to learn this is not the case. In fact, there are a lot more people visiting libraries on a daily basis than I thought there were. Whoo hoo!!
I wasn't the only one wondering because this past October, the Yolo County Library joined libraries across the state n the California Library Association’s first “Snapshot: One Day in the Life of California Libraries” to highlight the importance of libraries to California. All participating libraries collected usage data, photos and patron testimonials on a given day to help the association capture data to create a compelling picture of library services in California.

“The results of this event provided valuable statistics for furthering library services in California,” said Yolo County Board of Supervisors Chair Matt Rexroad.

As participants in the Snapshot Day program, all seven Yolo County branch libraries collected and compiled customer comments, photographs and other data to chronicle a typical library day. Here are their results:

• 4,555 people visiting the library
•  The library’s website (www.yolocountylibrary.org) was accessed 796 times
• 6,353 items were checkout or renewed
• 359 reference questions were answered
• 509 people used a library computer
• 244 people attended 13 public programs
• 47 people received tutoring and training

Amazing...I thought they would get a couple hundred visitors, but never imagined 4,500.

I guess I'm not the only one who likes to "hold" a good book.

Happiness is fitting into last year’s shorts

The birds are singing, the air conditioning is on and the allergies I only have when I'm in Sacramento are in full force. There is only one thing left to do – get out the summer wear.

 I don’t know about you, but for some reason my winter clothes are all bulky and comfortable (and mostly black) while my summer clothes seem very small in comparison. Not that they are too short or revealing, although they do seem like that today as my legs are glow in the dark white and haven’t had UV rays on them for months. But no, I know my shorts and skirts are the correct length, it’s just that when I hold them up, they look like they may be a size too small.

After eating comfort food all winter long and hiding it under sweaters and long skirts, it’s time for Mother Nature’s own fitness test. Can I still fit in to last year’s shorts?

Sucking in my gut and trying them on before breakfast (yes, I cheated), I’m happy to say that they do fit. Yay!! They may not be as loose as they were last year, but I can sit down and still breathe.

Whew!!


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Half price frappacinos and a new yummy flavor

I know I'm not the only Starbucks addict out there watching my pennies these days, so when I heard Starbucks was offering half price frappacinos from May 6 to 15, I had to spread the good news.


Here's how it works: Show up at your local Starbucks between 3 and 5 p.m. during those dates and order any one of their yummy frapacinos ranging from mocha and coffee to sweet treats like caramel and java chip.

Of course, all their Frappuccino blended beverages are completely customizable – you call all the shots, so you can create the perfect drink for your perfect summer day-- and if you want, you can even order them without the whip and with low fat milk to reduce the calories.

I have a weakness for their strawberries and creme (without the whip) made with soy milk. This is mainly because I like to pretend the soy milk makes it a protein drink and therefore, it's healthy for me.  I really know it's not, but when it comes to Starbucks, I put on a thick pair of rose colored glasses.

But I think there may be a new temptation this summer. I just learned Starbucks is releasing a Mocha Coconut and a Coconut Creme Frappuccino. I may have to try one of them (or both) -- when they are half price naturally!

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Who is Ginger Elizabeth?

If you don’t know Ginger Elizabeth, you’re about to get an introduction. She is the Sacramento chocolate goddess. This is because everything she touches is delightfully yummy (just look at that stuff in the window - I could eat one of each!!).

I first came across her chocolate masterpieces at the Ritz Carlton at Half Moon Bay a couple of years ago – which some of you know is my escape place where I go on my hermit weekends. While there, I drink wine, write, stare at the waves…and eat chocolate. Ginger Elizabeth chocolate.

At the Ritz, you get Ginger’s chocolate (yes, she is a real person) at the end of your meal or if you order the chocolate wine pairing. And these chocolates are incredible. After you eat these, you’ll not only wonder why restaurants would bother giving out mints at the end of their meal and not chocolate, but you’ll also want to know where you can get more of these bite-sized goodies.

I know, I did. But in my crazy mind, I had assumed these special chocolates were only available at the Ritz—or some far away place like France or Switzerland. Little did I know I could get them in Sacramento. Who would have thought there would be incredible chocolate just blocks from my house? Amazing!!

I swear I did a little happy hop (and maybe let out a little squeal) when I walked past the Ginger Elizabeth store a couple of weeks ago on L Street -- and it was even better than I thought.

In addition to the chocolates I still dream of from the Ritz, she also has hot chocolate, cookies, cakes and other things that make a chocolate-lovers heart go pitter patter.

I haven’t actually met the chocolate goddess myself yet, but until I do, I will continue to worship her handmade treats.

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Caught up in the Royal Wedding Frenzy

Okay. I admit it. I’m totally caught up in the Royal Wedding frenzy.

After months of trying to avoid watching "Entertainment Tonight" to follow the William and Kate wedding gossip (even though I secretly wanted to), I admit defeat. I’m hooked…and yes, I want to see what her dress looks like…her shoes…her flowers…the whole deal. In fact, if someone gave me ticket to London, I would be standing outside Westminster with the masses.

I’m not sure if I would go so far as to buy a tea towel or coffee mug with Will and Kate’s smiling face on them, but who knows. I could get caught up in the moment and lose all sense of style.

This has nothing to do with the media, the Queen or even the fact that I have British citizenship. It’s all about Princess Di…and nostalgia.

In 1981, I watched her wedding on TV with my mom. I was a little girl back then, but my mom and I stayed up all night drinking tea and eating homemade scones while watching the Royal Wedding. I have three younger brothers – so mom/daughter girl time was rare.

Now it’s royal wedding time again, and as the excitement builds, it feels like it's 1981 again and another modern day fairy tale is about to happen. Just like it was 30 years ago, the future is bright that not even the British tabloids can find a scandal. It’s young love. That’s why so many of us can’t help but watch. With so much death and destruction going on, finally something positive is consuming the news world. It brings out the optimistic side in us – even when we jest and say it won’t last.

However, this time I won’t be watching the wedding with my mom in my jammies, but will be at the news station. Yes, I’ll be working…but when it’s news like this, it’s going to be worth coming into the station at 1 a.m. to be part of the action as it unfolds.

Plus, you have to remember, I’m totally into this.

I’ve bought special English Breakfast loose leaf tea to drink during my shift and I have scones planned for my snack. I’ve even researched local royal wedding watch parties and am planning to crash the one at the Fox and Goose, one of Sacramento’s British pubs, to see what other wedding fans think and take a bunch of photos and video– on behalf of the news station, of course.

The Fox and Goose won’t be serving scones and my super tasty tea, but they will have non-alcoholic champagne and crumpets to toast the royal couple in style. I do like crumpets with butter. Yum!!

So bring on the Royals! I’m ready for some good news!!

What happened to coffee with the girls?

It’s Week 2 of my IFPP training and so far I’ve learned that I don’t mind the weight training and the cardio. But I really don’t like plymetrics.

It turns out I have no coordination. None. However, I am suffering through them.

But the hardest part of the training is how it’s affecting my social life.

For the last two weeks, my girlfriends have called and wanted to catch up over drinks. When I suggest we meet for coffee instead as I shouldn’t be having alcohol until my June show, here’s their answer:

“Oh yeah. Call me in June and let me know how it went.”

Huh????????

What kind of answer is that? Whatever happened to hanging out and having coffee with the girls? Have we become so influenced by “Sex and the City” and “Gossip Girls” that girlfriends can’t connect over java anymore? I swear, I’ve had three girlfriends give me the same brush in the last two weeks and I’m stunned.

Sure, I love wine and a really good martini, but hanging with the girls shouldn’t be about the beverage, but about connecting with each other.

Suddenly I'm missing the old days when a group of us would get together at the nearest coffee bar and chat for hours over tea and brownies. In fact, I checked with a few of my gal-pals who I’ve known since high school and discovered they still do that.

Last week, they met at a coffee shop in a bookstore for girl-talk and spent the afternoon catching up on life. Sure, it’s not as fancy as getting dressed up and hanging out a wine bar, but it is quality time and that’s all that matters.

While I won’t be hanging with my drinking friends until the end of June, I am going to take advantage of my new wine-free situation by taking myself on little java/tea adventure tour -- because I'm working my butt off with this workout and need a little calorie free treat every once and a while.

So...over the next 8 weeks, I’m on a quest to check out the best coffee shops in the area.

So far I’ve been to:

• Temple – Relaxing if you can get a seat and they are open until 11 p.m. so a great place to hang.

• Peets - Best tea so far. I’m a big fan of the Black Current and the Scottish Breakfast tea.

• Organic Co-op, -- They have this green chai latte that is incredible. However, it’s totally not relaxing there. Too loud inside and homeless people bug you for money if you sit on their patio.

• Tupelo - Tea was a little lacking and no real good pastries (I only looked for when I could eat them).  But they did have a really good looking hot chocolate.

Outside the comfort zone challenge for 2011

Each year I like to do at least one thing completely out of my comfort zone -- but it can’t something someone else made me do. It’s got to be something that I’ve always wanted to do.

Last year I did my first triathlon and went to Guatemala as a trip historian. Both of them pushed me in different ways. The triathlon challenged me physically and spending a week working out of a tiny clinic in the middle of nowhere in a third world country challenged me mentally and emotionally. Both of these adventures were life changing and incredible.

IFBB Pro Vanessa Campbell

So what’s my challenge for this year? Well, I have a couple, but one that I started working on this week is going to push me to workout harder, eat smarter and be dedicated. I’m talking about Team Bombshell.

In March, I attended a Bombshell Bootcamp in Daytona. It cost me $249 for the weekend, and it was three intense days of weight training, cardio and squats. I’m mentioning the squats as they were killer. In fact, I had trouble walking the next day and had to use the handicap-assist bars to lower myself to the toilet. Stop laughing. I swear I hurt like I had never hurt before—and it was fabulous.

My trainers were fitness expert Shannon Dey, who writes for various fitness magazines, and IFBB Pro Vanessa Campbell – who totally whipped my butt into shape.

So after spending the entire weekend realizing that I’m not in as good shape as I thought, I decided that this is going to be my challenge this year.

And it will be a challenge, because you know, I’m not exactly a spring chicken…and I really love chocolate and wine - both of which are not on their meal plans:-(

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Spencer On the Go coming to Sacramento

Spencer on the Go will be at the 2011 Sacramento Mobile Food Festival on April 30 2011. Now this is exciting news for all foodies living in the area. If you don't know why I'm excited then you haven't checked out the yummy gourmet food they have in their truck.

Usually, the only place I get to have Spencer's food is when I'm hanging at Terroir Natural Wine Merchant and Bar in San Francisco (love it!). Spencer On the Go's converted taco truck is usually parked across the street and serves really great French Take-Out. I'm not talking fries and onion soup. I'm talking good stuff like fois gras and bread, escargot lollipops, goat cheese salad, lamb burgers and this cheesy potato casserole that is to die for.

I've been known to go back for seconds and don't like to share when it comes to fois gras, so if you want some of the good stuff, you better show up early on April 30. The trucks will be parked at Fremont Park.

Sactomofo starts at Noon and goes until 6 p.m. In addition to Spencer's truck, there will be about 12 other different vendors.

Taste Restaurant: The perfect way to end a day of wine tasting

Grilled tuna

Fine dining in Amador County’s Plymouth? I would have never considered driving 45 minutes to Plymouth for dinner, but that was before I ventured into Taste Restaurant. Now I'm telling all my friends about it because this place is too good to miss.

Located on the town’s Main Street, Taste Restaurant is a decadent delight – and the perfect way to end a day of wine tasting in the foothills. From their best-selling mushroom cigars to their main courses, you won’t be disappointed. I got the crab citrus salad, followed by the grilled tuna and practically licked my plate clean. It was soooo good.

Of course, I couldn’t stop with just that. I had to follow up my meal with one of their incredible desserts – and I recommend you do the same because they are one-of-a-kind creations that you won’t find any place else. In fact, I couldn’t decide and ended up ordering two: The carro-miso, which is a beer soaked carrot cake with mascarpone cream, and the chocolate beet cake – which sounded strange, but was the best dessert I had eaten in a while. It’s red beet mousse with chocolate gelato and raspberry coulis.

The beet cake

See? It doesn’t sound good – and it’s very red, but it’s worth every calorie.

And here's a little tip....if you want to try Taste but don’t want to spend a whole lot of money, then I recommend driving up on Monday night. That’s when they have their prix fix menu. You’ll get 3 courses for $30 – not a bad deal for the great taste of Taste!

Holly’s Hill: Sommelier's choice for white wines

The fourth winery I dragged the sommelier to was Holly's Hill Winery, and let me just say that I was getting a little cold at this time. You may think California is warm, but once you hit the foothills, it's freezing. There was even snow on the ground.

I know I've lived here for a year now, but I'm still in denial and don't want to believe it can be cold -- so part of the reason I was freezing was that I was only wearing two light jackets. But the other reason was because power had gone out in the area so the wineries weren't heated. Good thing there was some wine to warm us up!
El Dorado’s wine area is known for having great Zinfandels, Mourvedres and other reds, but at Holly’s Hill Winery there's something there for the white wine lover.

“These are the first legit white wines I’ve run into,” said Sandford Wragg, sommelier and wine buyer for Tuli Bistro in Sacramento. “They are solid. They are dry. They don’t over power things. I can think of food I can eat with them. Their Roussanne had fruit to it, yet it was still dry.”

Wragg enjoyed both the winery's Roussanne and Viognier. He says Holly’s Hill has a different take on things than some of the other wineries, but their philosophy is similar to Sierra Vista Winery. They both grow Rhone grapes, their wines have low alcohol and they make wine for the dinner table.

Making wine at Holly's Hill since 1999, Winemakers Carrie and Josh Bendick have been able to keep the old world influence while being surrounded by new world winemakers. They say they have done this purposefully.

“We travelled to the Rhone and we travelled to Italy and we really liked their wines -especially in Italy. Their wines are so acidic. When you have them with food it’s just magical,” said Carrie, who is the first female winemaker I've met.

But it’s more than growing the Rhone varietals that make them different. Their winemaking process is also a little different.

“We really noticed that with the Rhone varietals that we couldn’t oak them. When you add new oak to them the whole character of the varietal disappears and you just taste oak. It becomes a generic wine that could be made anywhere. That’s why we decided here to only do neutral oak,” Carrie said.

In addition to not finding any new oak wines, you won’t find Zinfandels, which is unusual for the Sierra Foothills area- because there are Zinfandels everywhere. However, if you remember drinking a Holly’s Hill Zinfandel years ago, you’re not going crazy. They did make them when they first started -- and they won awards for them. So not making them now is almost crazy. I mean, why would you stop making your money-maker wine?

Carrie says they had a good reason. First of all, the Rhone wines they make now are their true passion, and secondly, they don't grow Zinfandel fruit on their estate.

“We had all Rhones planted from the beginning and we thought, 'Why? Why are we buying all this fruit to make zinfandel?'” Carrie said. “We decided to focus on what we could do really well and have more control over the growing cycle.”
Now Carrie and her husband are following their passion, and it’s paying off.

“I think the best thing they are making right now is their white wines. If you took a Sierra Foothills white wine line up, she would come out near the top or maybe even the top,” Wragg said. “I’m a fan of the winemaker and the whites and her philosophy. I’m hoping to see it come out in her reds as well.”