event: a night of music for new orleans concert {jan 30}

i posted last week about upcoming napa valley events + the one i most definitely don't want to miss is a night of music for new orleans, a concert benefiting new orleans hurricane victims on friday, january 30th. this fundraiser will send more than 40 high school students to help complete the rebuilding of a community center owned by the african methodist episcopal church, which was devastated by hurricane katrina. each student going on the trip will pay their own way through fundraising, after school jobs + even christmas money. however, in addition to the cost for flights + transportation, this group needs to raise an additional $30,000 for building materials...

so please join me on friday, january 30th at 7 o'clock at the napa valley opera house to enjoy this special concert showcasing the valley's top classically trained teen musicians as well as hear stories from last year's trip. 

for more information, please visit these links below...

napa valley opera house
napa chamber of commerce
napa valley register 

a night of music for new orleans
friday, january 30 at 7 o'clock
the napa valley opera house
1030 main street * downtown napa
adults $25 + students $10
for tickets call 707.226.7372 or visit nvoh.org

donations are needed + appreciated...
please make your check payable to "first presbyterian church of napa" + write "new orleans" in subject line + mail to:

simon biasell
first presbyterian church of napa
1333 third street
napa, ca 94559

i don't always heart napa

when i originally started this blog i resolved myself to the fact that if i had nothing nice to say i wouldn't say it at all. if i didn't like a restaurant, instead of bashing it, i just wouldn't mention it. in my opinion there are plenty of other blogs that do a great job of entertaining the world with their complaining. however, today i am actually frustrated enough to break my silence. so what could it possibly be?  our movie theater. yes! thats right, i am sorry to say it...the people are nice, the popcorn is fresh, but bottom line its disgusting + falling apart + smells. + if that wasn't reason enough, they NEVER show decent movies. hell, i would forgive the grungy setting if they would show just one. you know, one of those 6 that received rave reviews + has been nominated for a golden globe {+ perhaps even an oscar}. 

so napa cinedome, if you are reading this post, please see my wish list below:

milk

the reader

slumdog millionaire

gran torino

frost/nixon

doubt

napa valley calendar of events: january 2009

hello all! i wanted to include the link to a valued resource of mine...the napa valley events calendar. there is just so much to enjoy, so please take a look! here is what i have marked on my calendar for january 2009.

10th: rose pruning workshop in napa at 10.30 until noon {free too}

11th: les violettes french baroque concert at grgich hills

11-14 + 18-21: truffle camp at la toque restaurant

30th: a night of music for new orleans at the napa valley opera house

31st: mustard magic. the grand event {mustard festival} at cia in st. helena

oh + zap {zinfandel advocates + producers} is from january 28th until the 31st. this event is held at the fort mason center in san francisco. definitely one of my favorites!  zap sells out fast, so get tickets now.

cheers! nm

happy 2009!

happy, happy new year to everyone! 

as 2008 has come to an end i have been thinking quite a bit about what i want to accomplish in 2009 {really? what a surprise!} + as usual i have been coming up with quite the list of resolutions. it was a nice list. however, last night while hanging out with my friend insomnia i finally resolved myself to the fact that the usual grand new years resolutions have done very little for me {yes, i finally figured it out}. to be quite honest i make plans + lists every day. they are easy, like imagining what i would do if i won the lotto.

now don't get me wrong, i should include "lose 10 pounds by march 1st" somewhere on a list {along with a whole slew of other things to resolve/accomplish}. but after reflecting on 2008 + what it meant to me, i think 2009 needs to be less about reading 2 books a week + eating better...+ more about the core of who i am. i believe these things below are more likely to get me through this year than being a size zero...

*be a little more confident, brave, patient + focused.

*be proud, but gracious + humble.

*have faith in the unknown. 

*be comfortable with the idea of failure.

*trust myself + others.

*give more. listen more. talk less.

*embrace change.

+ just for fun...read more, ride more, sleep better + buy the winning lotto ticket.

may your 2009 be filled with peace, happiness, good health, exciting travels, special moments, delicious meals, much love + success.

cheers! nm

side note: pic is of my newest addition santos juan pablo {pabs}, 7 months.