A Beautiful Day For Wine Tasting in Carmel Valley!

It was a beautiful sunny day in Carmel Valley on Saturday as we joined our friends Angel, Laura, and Lola for a bit of wine tasting.




We began at Boete Winery. The Saunders Vineyard is nestled on the eastern edge of Carmel Valley, a boutique winery producing tasty Estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Next, we hit the cluster close to the Village - Heller Estate Organic Vineyards, Talbott Vineyards, and Georis Winery. We truly enjoyed the warm sunny porch at Heller as we sipped some nice Merlots and Pinot Noirs.

The patio at Talbott Winery is always an inviting place to sit and sip stellar wines. Stella and Lola were happy to sit and enjoy the sunshine in the enclosed gates and people watch. The four of us and the two beautiful brindal boxer girls had lunch next door in the Corkscrew Cafe garden as we sipped Georis's five flight Merlots and Cabs.

With time enough for one more tasting stop, we walked over to Joyce Vineyards located in the Lyonshead Art Gallery in Carmel Valley Village. At the Joyce tasting room they offer an estate tasting of a cabernet, merlot and pinot noir; a non-estate tasting that allows you to chose five non-estate wines including chardonnay, syrah, cabernet, merlot and three varietals of pinot noir; and a combination of two estate and five non-estate wines.

Great day! Over too fast! Carmel Valley always leave you wanting more!

Until next time... Cheers!

Cooking with Chef Bruno Amato at Il Fornaio Sacramento

Today we bundled up and headed to Il Fornaio for our cooking class with Chef Bruno Amato. Upon our arrival at Il Fornaio we were all offered a choice of Prosecco or an Italian white while waiting for everyone to arrive. Yum!

Class began at 11:40 with a demonstration on the proper way to prepare a whole salmon - selecting, removing the skin, de-boning, etc. Chef Bruno showed us an easy and tasty way to prepare an elegant salmon dish by stuffing a fillet with shrimp, pesto, peas, thyme, red pepper flakes, and lemon, then rolling it, sauteing it, and then popping it in the oven for a bit. The finished dish is topped with a sunny side up egg and was spectacular!


It was "Hands-On" on the line in the Il Fornaio kitchen as we each made our own Cioppino. One of the differences with this Cioppino is that we did not make a sauce, put in the seafood and cook it. We made our sauce first and layering the seafood according to cook time, then simmering it with wine and plating it.



Legend has it that rounds were made to the boats that came in that day asking for any seafood to "CHIP IN" to the pot, add an Italian twist and hence the name Cioppino!

We finished the class sitting together enjoying our finished dishes and sipping wine. What a great way to spend a late Saturday morning!



Keep your eyes open for the 2010 Il Fornaio Cooking Classes, their Festa Regionale, and Wine Dinners. Log on to www.ilfornaio.com and sign up for their mailing list or find the location near you, go in and enjoy their fabulous "Happy Hour" and inquire about their events. You won't be disappointed!

The Sacramento Holiday Survival Guide - 50 ways to make from now until 2010 stress free

Navigating Sacramento


1. Cell Phone Waiting Lot at Sacramento International Airport
Use the cell-phone waiting lot near to the airport entrance. It‘a a safe place to stop and wait for the call from arrivals to call to be picked up at the curb instead of circling. http://www.sacairports.org/int/parking/images/SMF3-240%20Cell_Phone_Lot_Card.pdf

2. ParkSmart Automated Parking System
Entering and exiting the lots at Sacramento International Airport is rapidly becoming as easy and convenient for credit card customers as paying for gas at the pump. ParkSmart allows customers to gain entry and pay for their parking using only their credit card. Video screens guide all customers through the process and a call button is available to get assistance.
Are cash customers still welcome in the lots and can credit card customers still receive a ticket? Absolutely! Any customer can get a ticket from the machine and present it to the cashier when exiting.

3. Vino Volo
Boutique retail store with a stylish tasting lounge and bar, allowing guests to taste wines in a comfortable setting. Terminal A Upper Level

4. Cool Brew
Sip some of Northern California’s local Brews at Gordon Beirsch to Go / Gordon Beirsch Terminal B Upper Level B2 or Pyramid Ales & Lagers / Pyramid to Go Terminal B Upper Level B1

5. Keep in the loop with the Twitter feed
http://twitter.com/SacIntlAirport and Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sacramento-CA/Sacramento-International-Airport/57968300957
Sacramento International Airport has free wireless Internet (WiFi) service throughout the indoor, public areas of the airport. SMF's Wi-Fi network has 4 T1 connection, which provides users with speeds of up to 1.5 Mbps.

Eat Fresh and Local

6. Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates offers an array of chocolate confections and chocolate pastries at her Sacramento chocolaterie. everything from scratch at our chocolaterie. Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates 1801 L Street Suite 60 Sacramento, CA 95811916.706.1738 www.gingerelizabeth.com

7. Taylor’s Market - Sacramento's gourmet grocery retailer since 1961. Specializing in Gourmet, Organic and Specialty Foods, beverages, wines, Meats, Fish, Poultry and wonderful cheeses. 2900 Freeport Blvd Sacramento, CA 95818 (916) 443-6881(877)770-6077 www.taylorsmarket.com

8. Enjoy Rick’s: Potato, Caramelized Onions, Pancetta, Goat Cheese, Olives, Arugula pizza at OneSpeed Pizza is a neighborhood pizza joint in the heart of East Sacramento brought to you by Rick Mahan, Chef and owner of Waterboy Restaurant focus on beautiful local ingredients and simple, time tested cooking. Enjoy artisan pizzas, antipasti, daily changing specials and excellent service in a family friendly atmosphere. www.onespeed.com 4818 Folsom Boulevard Sacramento, CA 95819 In the Heart of East Sacramento (916) 706-1748

9. It’s your Slow Food civic duty to get a rich, full-flavored heritage turkey straight from Corti Brothers. www.slowfoodusa.org www.cortibros.biz 5810 Folsom Blvd Sacramento, CA 95819-4693 (916)736-3800


10. Freeport Bakery’s Pies, Pear Fladen, Holiday cakes, specialty Breads and rolls, Holiday Stollen, coffee rings and quiches are a must for your holiday entertaining!
www.freeportbakery.com Freeport Bakery 2966 Freeport Blvd. Sacramento, CA 95818(916) 442-4256

Toast to rainy nights

11. El Poblano a blend of spicy vodka and North shore Distillery’s Mole Poblano that’s like a cosmopolitan with a lation kick. Zocalo 1801 Capitol Ave Sacramento, CA 95811-4104(916) 441-0303 www.zocalo.com

12. The star ingredient of the Cucumber Martini at Iron is the Hendricks Gin from Scotland. Muddled and shaken with cucumber and simple syrup. This is a tasty one! Iron 2422 13th St.,Sacramento, CA 95818(916) 737-5115 www.ironsteaks.com

13. If the idea of combining tequila, ginger, plum, and topped with sparkling wine stikes your fancy, sample the Plum & Spice. At Lounge on 20, 1050 20th Street, Suite 100 Midtown Sacramento 916.443.6620 www.loungeon20.com

14. Grab two glasses and a bottle of Peter Franus, Napa Valley 06 Zinfandel, and sit out on the patio by a fire pit and heat up with your sweetie. Mason’s The Park Downtown | 1116 15th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 www.theparkdowntown.com

15. Watch the rain fall over the Sacramento river at Scott’s on the river. Saddle up to the bar and have the friendly bartenders set up up with a local brew and fresh oysters on the half shell. Scott’s on the River 4350 Riverside Blvd Sacramento, CA 95822 (916) 379-5959 www.scottsseafood.net

Holiday Shows

16. A Christmas Carol: An IMAX 3D Experience1211 K Street Sacramento, CA 95814
24-Hour Information:(916)443-IMAX(4629)www.imax.com

17. The Nutcracker
Join the Sacramento Ballet as it celebrates the 500th performance of Ron
Cunningham's dazzling production of The Nutcracker! www.sacballet.org

18. California Musical Theatre will present the one-woman interactive
comedy “SISTER’S CHRISTMAS CATECHISM: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold” beginning November 24, 2009 at The Cosmopolitan Cabaret theatre at 1000 K Street.
www.californiamusicaltheater.com

19. Almost Perfect Party. World Premier A Holiday Farce by Buck Busfield
Can a man win back his estranged wife by throwing the perfect Christmas party for their son? Only in the mind of Kipper Tilliker. November 15, 2009 - January 3, 2010 B Street Theatre 2711 B Street, Sacramento, CA 95816 Tickets, subscriptions and general information - 916.443.5300 www.bstreettheatre.org

20. The Adventures of Pinocchio by David Pierini
An adaptation of Carlo Collodi's famous Italian folktale about the wood carver Geppetto who makes a puppet out of a block of pine to hilarious results. The puppet, Pinocchio, wreaks havoc throughout the countryside of Italy all in his attempt to become a real boy. November 21, 2009 - January 3, 2010 2711 B Street, Sacramento, CA 95816 Tickets, subscriptions and general information - 916.443.5300 www.bstreettheatre.org

See the Lights

21. Old Sacramento
One of the best places to view the lights in Sacramento is in Old Sacramento itself. The streets will be lined with Christmas trees, and buildings will be outlined in white lights. On Saturday, December 1st, don't miss the 15th Annual Lighted Boat Parade. This free event starts at 6pm and will pass by Old Sacramento at approximately 6:30pm. See spectacular boats decked out for the holidays!

22. Old Sacramento Tree Lighting November 25, 2009
The Annual Tree Lighting will take place in conjunction with the debut of the first annual Theatre of Lights event. Two 10-minute light shows will run throughout the holiday season Thursdays through Sundays at 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm.

23. East Sacramento's Fab 40's. Turn on your holiday music and tour the beautifully lit homes from 40th to 47th.

24. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and First Lady Maria Shriver kicked-off the holiday season with the 78th annual State Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the West Steps of the State Capitol. www.ca.gov/

25. More than a century after the Grand Electric Carnival lit up the streets of downtown Sacramento, a new event called the Carnival of Lights will set downtown shimmering again for the 2009 holiday season. The carnival will run daily through Jan. 3.

Get a tree and trim it

26. Davis Ranch 13501 Jackson Rd. Sloughhouse, CA 95683 (916) 682-2658
www.sloughhousesweetcorn.com / or www.davisranchproduce.com
Douglas Fir, Monterey Pine, Incense Cedar, Sierra Redwood

27. Billy’s Farm Fresh Christmas Trees - Choose and cut Christmas trees, wreathes and garlands, flocking, wagon rides, gift shop, apple cider. 8430 Dillard Road. Wilton, CA 95693. Phone: (916) 687-8354.

28. Pre-lit Artificial Trees
World's Finest Christmas Trees with Lifelike Branches - from $399
www.Frontgate.com


29. Want the “Get the Tree Quick” experience… Home Depot Inc., the nation's largest retailer of fresh-cut trees

30. There are thousands upon thousands of Christmas trees purchased in the Sacramento Metro regional area during the holidays. Too keep them out of landfills, residents can recycle their trees

Kiefer Landfill
Address: 12701 Kiefer Blvd., Elk Grove
Dates and hours: Dec. 27 and Jan. 3, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

North Area Recovery Station
Address: 4450 Roseville Road, North Highlands
Dates and hours: Dec. 27 and Jan. 3, 8 a.m. to 4

Shop in one stop

31. Sacramento Harvest Festival
Get a jump on your holiday shopping as the Sacramento Harvest Festival returns to Sacramento! The Harvest Festivals are the largest indoor arts and crafts shows on the West Coast, boasting over 24,000 American handmade items. Guests can peruse jewelry, original art, clothing, toys, pottery, specialty foods, home decor and more www.harvestfestival.com


32. Crocker Art Museum 2009 Holiday Art & Craft Festival More than 100 regional artists and craftspeople will offer their unique gift items during the 2009 Holiday Art & Craft Festival. Support the Crocker and local artists while you shop...

Nov 27, 2009 (Friday) to
Nov 29, 2009 (Sunday)
Scottish Rite Masonic Temple
6151 H Street
Sacramento, CA 95819

33. Celebrate the holidays and get all your holiday shopping accomplished in Midtown
www.downtowngrid.com

34. Westfield Galleria at Roseville Shopping Mall
www.westfield.com/galleriaatroseville/
Over 190 stores, including:
Nordstrom
Macy's
Pottery Barn
Crate & Barrel
Restoration Hardware
H&M

35. The Fountains at Roseville www.thefountainsroseville.com

Get everyone out of the house

36. Midtown Ice Skating Rink NOV 20 - JAN 18
For the first time, Midtown will host an ice skating rink during the 2009-2010 winter season! The confirmed location for the Midtown ice rink is 20th Street between K Street and J Street. www.mbasac.com/midtownbusinessassociation/

37. Old Sacramento Heritage Holidays
On weekends in late November and early December Old Sacramento charms visitors with holiday themed history displays. Shops are decorated with 19th century decorations. Carolers perform dressed in period costume. Horse-drawn carriage rides are offered. A new event is being added in the evening to commemorate the first reading of the poem, "The Night Before Christmas." The Theatre of Lights promises to be a fantastic display of lights combined with the storytelling of Mark Twain. www.oldsacramento.com/events-and-activities-detail.php?id=109

38. The 53rd Annual Singing Christmas Tree.
Truly a Sacramento holiday event seen by over 30,000 people annually, The Singing Christmas Tree has become a treasured holiday tradition for many families in the Capital City area and throughout Northern California. This year’s presentation is entitled “A Merry Olde Christmas!”
Capital Christian Center - Main Auditorium
9470 Micron Avenue
Sacramento, CA www.sct.cc

39. Bundle up the family and come enjoy the holiday season at the Zoo with treats to the animals and free admission thanks to Target! Zoofari Market will be open early from 9 am to 10 am for Sacramento Zoo Member shopping. Members recieve a 25% discount with their Membership card. Toys for Tots: Bring one new, unwrapped toy and receive a free child's admission ticket to use at your convenience. The U.S. Marine Corps will be taking your toy donations. Animal Feedings: Animals will get special treats delivered to them and staff will be on hand to share facts, secrets and answer your questions. 3930 West Land Park Drive, Sacramento, CA 95822

40. Sacramento Rivertrain Christmas Train
Approximately 20 miles west of the city of Sacramento in Woodland, California you can take an excursion on the Sacramento Rivertrain. The train takes a 32-mile, 3-hour trek along the Sacramento River. On selected days in late November and throughout December, the regular locomotive trip is transformed into a Christmas train ride complete with hot cocoa, stories, cookies, and music. Santa and his elves are also aboard the train to visit each of the passengers. Children are even encouraged to wear pajamas. This is also a great activity to do after reading the "The Polar Express. www.sacramentorivertrain.com/choose-a-trip-oct-dec.html


Holiday Road Trips

41. Shopping in San Francisco
Nothing could be more festive during the holidays than to wander down a city street aglow with decorations and lights and bustling with crowds of shoppers. And, on the West Coast, there's no better place to do this than Union Square, the epicenter of San Francisco's premier shopping district. From the lighted 80-foot tree that graces the square to the old-time carolers strolling through Neiman Marcus, Union Square is truly the picture of cosmopolitan holiday time.

42. Victorian Christmas, 2009 in Historic Nevada City Victorian Christmas, the old-fashioned celebration held each year in this colorful California Gold Rush town, evokes holiday memories of an earlier era. During the event, Nevada City's landmark historic district is closed to motorized traffic and transformed back in time. Christmas melodies and costumed characters remind visitors of another time and place.
Victorian Christmas 2009 is featured Wednesday nights, Dec. 2, 9 and 16, from 6-9 p.m., and on two Sunday afternoons, Dec. 13 and Dec. 20, from 1:30-6 p.m. There is no admission charge. www.nevadacitychamber.com/index.cfm

43. YOUNTVILLE’S 21ST ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS:
Yountville invites visitors to experience a holiday wonderland amongst the vineyards as the town transforms itself during its annual Festival of Lights. This country-style celebration features world-class food, wine and cultural activities and begins the weekend of November 27 and 28 as the town lights up with thousands of twinkling lights. Kickoff holiday festivities include streets lined with more than 20 top wineries and restaurants, nightly opportunities to meet Santa Claus at his West Pole post, late shopping and dining at local galleries, boutiques and restaurants, along with carolers, elves, horse-drawn carriage rides and ice carving. While the event is free for all, tickets for food and wine are one dollar each. What’s more, at day’s end, two couples will win a luxury weekend getaway in Yountville, including accommodations, spa treatments, balloon rides, bike tours, dining, wine tasting and more. For more information visit www.Yountville.com

44. Full Moon Guided Ski/Snowshoe Tours Beginning in December and extending through March, on Saturdays closest to a full moon, enjoy the magic as the Kirkwood Cross Country staff conducts ski and snowshoe tours of the area by moonlight. Call (209) 258-7248 for more information.

45. Great Dickens Christmas Fair
Cow Palace Exhibition Hall, 2600 Geneva Ave at Santos St., San Francisco CA; Tel. 415.392.4400. Sat and Sun, Nov 29-Dec 30, 11am-8pm, Admission $16-$6
Visitors are encouraged to dress as literary characters from Charles Dickens' novels. Visitors can sample an assortment of Christmas delicacies, holiday spirits and drink. Entertainers will also be on hand costumed as characters from the pages of A Christmas Carol and A Tale of Two Cities. If you have Great Expectations, you won't be disappointed as you weave your way through this Dickens Christmas Fair while celebrating the late author. www.sanfrancisco.com/festivals/


Burn off the Turkey and Mash

46. Old Salmon Falls Loop Pretty hike along South Fork American River; visit old town site Near Folsom, CA www.localhikes.com/Hikes/OldSalmonFalls_6922.asp

47. The American River Parkway is a 32-mile trail that goes up the river and through the city. You may not be up for hiking the entire route but you’ll enjoy whichever section you choose. You’ll hike over footbridges and along the scenic American River where you’ll see everything from rapids to smooth ponds and sandbars. This trail is shared by mountain bikers and equestrians and dogs are welcome. You’ll see wildlife and both shore birds and song birds in some of the more remote locations. This gorgeous parkway stretches from Folsom Lake to Old Sacramento www.dreamsacramento.com/sacramento-hiking-biking.html

48. The Fourth Annual Free, Fleet Feet Holiday Classic 3-mile run/walk is a way for Fleet Feet Sports Sacramento to say "Thank You Sacramento" for another great year and for area runners/walkers to give something back to those less fortunate.
Sunday, December 20, 2009 Start: 9:00 a.m. www.fleetfeetsacramento.com/fleet-feet-free-holiday-classic

49. Sacramento Bike Trail
From Discovery Park (downtown) out to Folsom Lake. Makes a great 60+ mile round trip ride without ever riding with cars. www.mapmyride.com/ride/unitedstates/ca/sacramento/638783107

50. Downtown Walking Tours
These unique tours through downtown Sacramento introduce visitors to the people, places and events that shaped California history. From John Sutter to Cesar Chavez, these tours cover more than 150 years of state and local history.
www.downtownsac.org/DSPAPP/V/life-and-culture/Book-a-Tour.html

Fête du Beaujolais Nouveau

For a taste of France without leaving Sacramento take a trip to Sierra 2 Center in Curtis Park on Friday November 20th for the 2009 Beaujolais Nouveau Celebration. This particular party begins on the third Thursday in November every year around the world. At the stroke of midnight the cork is popped and the 2009 Beaujolais Nouveau takes center stage. Merveilleux!

Not only celebrated in France, in the USA festivities are planned to celebrate the annual release of this red wine made from Gamay grapes that is produced only in the Beaujolais region of France.




Beaujolais Nouveau is a young, fun and not-too-complex wine. It is ready to open just 6-8 weeks after production and is best enjoyed within the first year.. In the early 1960’s the Vintner Georges Deboeuf saw its potential as a profitable and promotional enterprise and thus began the race to Paris carrying the first bottles of the newly released vintage.

Proceeds benefit the “Maison de la France” building fund & the Alliance Française de Sacramento.

Fête du Beaujolais Nouveau
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 6-9:30 PM
SIERRA 2 CENTER FOR THE ARTS
2791 24th St.
(ample parking on 4th Ave.)
$25 Alliance Members
$30 Non-Members
$35 at door
(cash or check preferred)

Vos amis sont les bienvenus . . . bring your friends!


With more than 600 members, the Alliance Française of Sacramento is a non-profit cultural and educational association, headed by a Franco-American Board of Directors. They offer a wide variety of activities including:
French courses
French immersion days
Cultural and social events including: lectures, concerts, films, wine and cheese parties and discussion groups. Their schedule of activities is published in their newsletter and by email. af@afdesacramento.org

The Alliance Française was created in 1883 in Paris to encourage the propagation of the French language and culture and to foster friendly relations between France and the rest of the world. It is a non-governmental, non-profit organization with the largest network of French language and cultural centers in the world. There are 1,200Alliance chapters in 112 countries, including 140 chapters in the United States, serving over 400,000 students. The French language is spoken on five continents and by more than 180 million people. Here in America, the mission of the Alliance Française is to promote understanding, exchange, and friendship between France and other French-speaking countries, and the USA.

Truly Remarkable Women - The 2009 Women's Conference

"SOLD OUT IN TWO HOURS! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?" This was me in the early morning hours the day the Women's Conference tickets sold out and I was left empty handed. Disappointed that I would not be attending, I learned of the Women's Conference in streaming video. I marked it in my calendar and awaited an empowering experience.

On October 27th I expected to be working at my desk and listening in to the Women's Conference. Boy was I wrong... about working I mean. Once I started watching I was hooked. What truly remarkable women!

Here were my favorite speaking segments:

DAVID GREGORY INTRODUCES A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME CONVERSATION:
HOW A WOMAN'S NATION CHANGES EVERYTHING
Madeleine K. Albright, Chair, Albright Stonebridge Group; Amy Holmes, Political Analyst; Former Speechwriter for Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist Valerie B. Jarrett; Senior Advisor to the President, Assistant to the President for the Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs, Chair, White House Council on Women and Girls Claire Shipman; Senior National Correspondent, ABC News’ Good Morning America Moderated by David Gregory, Moderator, Meet the Press

"The first step to success for women and girls is to learn how to interrupt. In the classroom or workplace, a woman who is afraid to interrupt may never be heard, and only by being heard can we make a difference."
-Madeleine K. Albright

"Be spontaneous. Be courageous. Be yourself."
-Laysha Ward
President of Community Relations and Target Foundation

FIRST LADY MARIA SHRIVER INTRODUCES A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME CONVERSATION:
GRIEF, HEALING AND RESILIENCE
Elizabeth Edwards, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress
Susan Saint James, Actress and Entrepreneur
Moderated by First Lady Maria Shriver

ANNIE LEIBOVITZ
Photographer


The California Governor and First Lady's Conference on Women, now known simply as The Women's Conference, is the nation's premier forum for women.

• The goal of The Women's Conference is to transform women inside and out – and then empower them to help transform our world as Architects of Change.
• For two full days, more than 100 newsmakers and world opinion leaders gather with more than 25,000 women from all walks of life to be educated, inspired and empowered to be Architects of Change in their own lives, within their communities and around the world.
• The Women's Conference is the destination for the world's greatest voices, hearts and minds. Speakers have included former Prime Minister Tony Blair, Cherie Blair, Bono, Warren Buffet, Deepak Chopra, Thomas Friedman, Diane Von Furstenberg, Heidi Klum, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Jennifer Lopez, Her Majesty Queen Noor, Indra Nooyi, Michelle Obama, Sandra Day O'Connor, Her Majesty Queen Rania, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Tim Russert, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, First Lady
Maria Shriver, Martha Stewart, Oprah Winfrey, Barbara Walters and Muhammad Yunus.
• The Women's Conference has become a “must attend” event. Each year, full day passes sell out in recordbreaking time. Tickets this year sold out in less than two hours, beating last year's record of three hours.
• In response to this surging demand, The Women's Conference expanded the event to two full days with the addition of A Day of Transformation and Night at The Village. These first-day events increased attendee capacity by 11,000, bringing the total attendance to 25,000. Tens of thousands of women also watch the conference's main event live on its Web site at WomensConference.org
• The first event of the conference, beginning the morning of October 26, is called A Day of Transformation. This event features the nation's top experts and speakers leading professional, educational and personal sessions offering practical tips and tools for how to transform their lives and become Architects of Change.
• The first day of the conference is capped off with a Night at The Village. More more than 10,000 women “meet, mix and mingle” with the nation's best-selling authors, most inspirational speakers, top chefs, socially responsible companies and Architects of Change like themselves, all in a dynamic 160,000 square foot
women's village. The Village stays open for shopping, networking and book-signing throughout the conference and it is a popular gathering spot for speakers, authors and attendees to connect with each other and build a community.
• The Women's Conference 2009 main event on October 27 features its signature news-making moments and “once-in-a-lifetime conversations” that combine the world’s most authentic and influential voices with engaging discussions about the issues that matter most to women's lives. The forum's main stage conversations and twelve breakout conversations address topics such as Making Tough Decisions in Tough
Times, Grieving, Healing & Resilience, Overcoming the Unimaginable, Using Your Voice to Change the World, Changing the World Through the Web, Starting Your Own Business, Beating the Odds, Managing Health & Stress, Raising Strong & Confident Children, Managing Money, and many others.
• This year's lineup of speakers and participants includes former Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright, FDIC Chairwoman Sheila Bair, Martha Beck, Sir Richard Branson, Katie Couric, Stephen M. R. Covey, Geena Davis, Paula Deen, Elizabeth Edwards, Linda Ellerbee, Dr. Jane Goodall, David Gregory, Senior Advisor to the President Valerie B. Jarrett, Caroline Kennedy, Alicia Keys, Ashton Kutcher,
Annie Leibovitz, Lisa Ling, Cindy Hensley McCain, Somaly Mam, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Danica Patrick, Robin Roberts, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Claire Shipman, First Lady Maria Shriver, U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis and Paula Zahn.

• At the end of the day, The Women's Conference will continue its tradition of honoring “Remarkable Women, Remarkable Legacies” with the always inspirational and moving presentation of The Minerva Awards. Held during the afternoon main stage session, the special ceremony is hosted by Maria Shriver and features remarks by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nicholas Kristof, Alicia Keys and Caroline
Kennedy. The 2009 Minerva Award honorees are Agnes Stevens, Helen Devore Waukazoo, Dr. Kathy Hull and Dr. Jane Goodall.
• Women leave The Women's Conference transformed, inside and out. The conference encourages women to pass on their stories, wisdom, inspirational life-lessons and practical tools to empower other women to see themselves as capable of making a difference in the world.



1. Find your own unique voice and listen to what it’s saying.
2. Empower a young woman. Become a mentor by connecting with a young woman in your workplace, neighborhood or place of worship. Find small ways to reach out, listen and support her.
3. Act locally to make a difference globally. Make informed choices about what you buy and consume, as well as how you dispose of items. Reduce your carbon footprint, use energy and water responsibly and green your life.
4. Advocate for a cause that you care deeply about. Your time and expertise could help make a difference as a volunteer, counselor or board member.
5. Invest in women entrepreneurs. Join Team Maria in the WE Invest/Kiva partnership to give women the tools to start or expand their own businesses. For as little as $25, you can "Become a lender. Change a life."
6. Speak up & ask for what you need. If you need to take time off of your job to care for a child or parent, ask for it. Families need more flexible work schedules, better child care policies and changes in family and medical leave. We need to use our voices collectively to improve workplace policies.
7. Engage your children in the world. As a mother, get your children involved at a young age in seeing the world through the eyes of others, respecting diversity, developing empathy and understanding the gift of giving back.
8. Donate to nonprofits that help women. Instead of purchasing a birthday, anniversary or holiday gift for family, friends and colleagues, make a donation in someone’s name to a nonprofit that works on improving the lives of women and girls.
9. Be an informed citizen. Educate yourself about the world you live in, share your knowledge, educate others and ignite a conversation.
10. Invite 10 of your friends to join The Women’s Conference online community at WWW.WOMENSCONFERENCE.ORG -- The Home for Architects of Change.

Wine Tasting at Chops to benefit LIVESTRONG

What a fun evening! We had the wonderful opportunity of attending the Sacramento Chapter of LIVESTRONG Wine Tasting event at Chops Steak Seafood & Bar last night.

WOW! Talk about fine wines! Some of our favorites sampled -

Of course I had to start with Perrier Jouet to kick the evening off. We then went on to the whites... Far Niente 06 Chardonnay, and lastly the Chateau Ste Michelle Eroica Riesling which we found to be fabulous! Time for REDS! To start, a nice Villa Antinori, 05 Toscana from Ste Michelle Estate Wines. We spent a lot of time with Hoopes... Liparita Stags Leap District 06 Cabernet, Liparita Oakville 06 Cabernet, and Hoopes Vineyard Oakville Cabernet. The last might just be a new favorite! Of course it would not be complete without a visit at the Silver Oak table. Although great wine, I'm still not sold on it. Perhaps I should buy my favorite and let it lay down for a few years? Silver Oak seems to draw people just because of the name. I say move on! There are tons of great wines out there just waiting to be tasted!

We closed our evening with our Mayor Kevin Johnson speaking and a glass of Far Niente 05 Cabernet and Nickel & Nickel Cabernet, Vogt. Ahhh, a very nice way to end the evening. My buds were dancing for hours!




The LIVESTRONG of Sacramento is a group committed to making cancer a local and national priority. They raise awareness in our local community, work on projects to address cancer specific concerns and raise funds for the local cancer organizations.