Divine Daytripper On the Go

Ohlone Indians: California's Lost Treasure

2012-02-13T10:10:00.000-08:00

San Franciso Bay, CA--The Ohlone Way, a book by Malcolm Margolin tells us there were about 10,000California Indians consisting of 40 groups who lived in the coastal area betweenPoint Sur and the San Francisco Bay each controlling enough land to feed itspopulation. The Coast Miwok in MarinCounty; Patwin around Suisun Marsh; and Plains Miwok, Bay Miwok, and Yokuts inthe delta. While each of these groupsvaried from one another in language and customs, today they are collectivelyknown as the Ohlone Indians.

Back then, the ecological diversityof the Bay Area was enormous. Over manycenturies totaling four or five thousand years, the Ohlone Indians around theestuary lived meaningful, complex lives that were self-sustaining. They were not apart from the natural world,and never considered themselves to be the top of the food chain, simply a partof it.

The Ohlones were hunters andgatherers—they fished, painted their bodies and danced. They married, raised children, buried theirdead and prayed to their gods—in short not so different from you and me. They shared joy, laughter, suffering andsorrow.

They did not value freedom orindividualism. This is so vastlydifferent from the pioneer spirit and the California way that existstoday. Every Ohlone from birth to death,was bound to family and clan. To break these bonds and achieve freedom was tobe weakened, damaged, and dangerously vulnerable. Strength, joy, fulfillment, a person’s veryidentity were to be found in belonging.

Golden Gate Bridge: Tourist Rite of Passage

2012-02-11T09:09:00.000-08:00

San Francisco, CA -- Last year, I went on a pilgrimage of California and lived for one month in 12 cities. In each city I took a picture in front of their official city limits sign. In San Francisco, their sign was in the center of the Golden Gate Bridge. I walked the 1.7 miles north toward Marin County across the entire span searching for the San Francisco city limits sign only to discover that it was across the bridge on the bicycles-only side, where no foot-traffic was allowed. I dodged angry spandex-clad bicyclists to arrive at my destination. I had to take the photo myself. The goal was to place the entire sign in the picture frame, with at least some part of me in the photograph. I was a bundle of nerves—my hands were shaking and my fingers were thumbs. It took me 63 times to get it right.

San Francisco Bay Discovery Site: Sweeney Ridge

2012-02-06T07:38:00.000-08:00

Pacifica, CA -- CaptainGaspar de Portolá and his expedition, consisting of 64 people, set out from SanDiego, made their way to Monterey, and then arrived at Sweeney Ridge near theSan Francisco International Airport. Onthat hilltop, they discovered the largest estuary on the Western Coast of theUnited States.

Expedition engineer Miguel Costansó wrote in his journal:

“Fromthe summit of this range we saw the magnificent estuary, which stretched towardthe southeast. The country waspleasant. The hills west of the canyonwere crowned with low live oaks, smaller trees. There was sufficient pasture. Wehalted on the bank of a stream of good water. Some…natives…invite us to go to their villages, and offered us present ofseeds and fruits.”

Palace of Fine Arts: San Francisco Treasure

2012-02-04T08:24:00.000-08:00

San Francisco, CA -- ThePalace of Fine Arts in the Marina District was built for the 1915Panama-Pacific Exposition or what’s known as the World’s Fair. It was part of a massive undertaking to showthe world that after the 1906 earthquake and resulting fire, San Francisco wasback in business.

ArchitectBernard Maybeck designed the Palace of Fine Arts to evoke the same emotionalresponse of sadness and beauty one might feel while looking at a Roman ruin, yetstill in California. The circular paved walkwayoffers views of a pond filled with ducks and geese, surrounded by camellia and rhododendrontrees creating an ethereal landscape. The fact that this haunting structure ofimmense proportion remains standing is a testament to the esteem San Franciscanshold for their beloved landmark. Gavin Newsom, the city's former mayor isquoted as saying “The Palace is part of San Francisco's soul, a beautiful linkto our past and a gateway to the future.”

Intellectual Icon: Berkeley's Campinele

2012-02-02T08:23:00.000-08:00

Berkeley, CA – Every time I look out my living roomwindow I am greeted with a vision of Berkeley's Sather Tower, known as theCampanile. It stands 307 feet tall andis the third tallest bell and clock tower in the world. To me, it represents intellectual stability.Writing the book A Year In California is both exhilarating anddebilitating. Feeling stuck in thewriting process yesterday, I walked the two miles from my Oakland home to theCampinele and placed both hands on the cement structure, hoping to gainstrength to continue on my path. I was notdisappointed. The energy of 22 Nobellaureates passed through me, their undaunted courage inspiring me tocontinue. I stepped back from thisintellectual edifice in time to gain a whiff of some pungent cannabis comingfrom a man in his late 30s. I took himto be a student of life, inhaled deeply, and made my way to the BancroftLibrary.

Bristlecone Pine: World's Oldest Living Tree

2012-01-23T08:59:00.000-08:00

White Mountains, CA -- Ted and I went up to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest in the White Mountains searching in vain for the world’s oldest living tree at 4,600-years-old called Methuselah which we thought was pictured on the guide cover. We eventually gave up and made our way back to the visitor’s center where park ranger Dave Hardin, a man I had met once before at a stargazing party near the miniscule town of Ravana at the end of Round Valley Road, told us that Methuselah was unmarked to protect it from vandalism—it made sense.

At the visitor’s center I was captured by an ethereal nighttime photograph taken of a weathered ancient bristlecone pine tree in the foreground and in the background was the Andromeda Galaxy, the nearest spiral galaxy to the Milky Way. This stunning image was taken with a Nikon D700 camera with a 300mm f/2.8 lens, set at f/4, ISO 5000, for a three-minute exposure. It went on to win photograph of the day at the website astronomy.com. The photographer’s name: Tony Rowell.

Inyo County: Land of Extremes

2012-01-21T07:19:00.000-08:00

Bishop, CA -- It’s mind-boggling to grasp the extremes in this unusual part of California. If there were a contest for bragging rights Inyo County would win in the "wonders of the natural world" department. To start, Inyo is the second largest county in the United States, with 10,142 square miles, yet only two percent of this land is populated by people. It has the tallest mountain in the lower 48 states, Mt. Whitney at 14,497 feet; the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere, Death Valley at 282 feet below sea level; the largest National Park in the continental Unites States, again Death Valley; the oldest living tree on earth, Methuselah at over 4,000 years old; and the southernmost glacier in North America, at Palisade Glacier.

California: Voice of An Angel

2012-01-21T07:10:00.000-08:00

Watch this live performance of Joni Mitchell's hit, California taken on October 9, 1970.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-q4foLKDlcE

French Laundry: Holy Experience

2012-01-17T19:27:00.000-08:00

Yountville, CA -- Dining at the Laundry was like being in the center of the most exquisite stained glass chapel in the world, Sainte-Chapelle in Paris, all refracted light—a holy experience. The angels were singing songs of exhalation transporting me to a higher realm of existence. I wanted to stay there forever.

Maître d'Hôtel Larry Nadeau came by to say hello. He was suave, sophisticated and charming. “You look wonderful tonight,” he said in a semi-whisper. Swoon. He then asked if there was anything more he could do for us. I couldn’t resist. I asked him if they had any ketchup in the back. His eyes grew big, and then they crinkled at the creases, revealing a soft spot in a reserved exterior. “I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that,” he said.

V. Sattui Winery: Napa Valley Treasure

2012-01-05T07:44:00.000-08:00

St. Helena, CA -- Dario Sattui is the great-grandson of Vittorio who single-handedly took up the torch in 1975 and revived V. Sattui Winery in St. Helena along Highway 29. His rag to riches story is one of youthful drive and unwavering dedication to a vision. For six or seven years, he worked long hours, seven days a week. To save money he slept in a sleeping bag on the tasting room floor, taking cold showers from the winery hose, rolling up the bag in the daytime, hiding it behind the wine barrels and telling no one about his dire straits. His goal was to craft fine wines to make his great-grandfather Vittorio proud. The result of Dario’s effort is a winery that’s able to sell 70,000 cases per year of wine direct to the consumer, a successful, against-the-grain business model that eliminates distribution through stores or restaurants

I was introduced to Dario who at six foot four is a commanding presence. He is in his 70s—tall, rugged, handsome and still virile. We were at V. Sattui’s annual Crush Party, an event that allowed the public to step behind the scenes of a working winery to watch grapes being crushed; meet the winemakers; measure acid, sugar, pH and sulfurs; see the bottle line in operation; dip Madeira bottles in hot sealing wax; and of course eat and drink to our heart’s delight.

“This is Ingrid, she’s writing a book on California,” said Claudette Shatto, the public relations woman for the winery. I brought along my 19-year-old son Jordan, who attends nearby U.C. Davis, world-renown for its viticulture school that has produced some of the best vintners in the Napa Valley.

“You don’t look old enough to have a son this age,” he said with a twinkle in his eye—a charmer. “I have a little place up the road called Castilo di Amaraso, if you want to tour it, let me know.” He reached into his wallet and pulled out an odd-sized business card and handed it to me. “Have a great time at the Crush party.”

Later I would learn that Dario’s “little place up the road” was a recreation of a medieval castle with 200 acres of prime real estate in St. Helena that Dario completed in 2007 after fourteen years of laborious construction.

Goddess Clothing: Serrahna in Oakland

2011-12-19T21:27:00.000-08:00

Looking for Goddess clothing? Try Serrahna in Oakland. I bought a handloomed poncho in gold and black to add a little bling to my wardrobe. Owner Andrea Serrahn designs the clothing herself and travels to India twice a year to seek out the finest textiles, artisans and tailors in her quest to offer a wide array of fair-trade fashions for women of all ages and sizes. This boutique shop is loaded with one-of-a-kind items. Andrea will personally assist you in selecting an outft to brighten your wardrobe. Go there soon and try one of her mom's homemade carmels at the front desk. Candy and artisan clothing? Divine.

Syd's Bagelry: Tahoe City Wi-Fi Hotspot

2011-12-18T08:02:00.000-08:00

Love the toasted bagel with cream cheese and strawberry jam. Simple, yet decadent. Try the hot chocolate, not as rich as Angelina’s in Paris, but oh-so-good on a chilly Tahoe day.

Guest Chef: Cooking From The Heart

2011-11-24T10:09:00.001-08:00

Guest Chef Vera R. Ciammetti

Oakland, CA – Here’s a novel idea for all you foodies out there: a restaurant that features a new chef every two weeks. The folks at Guest Chef on College Avenue in Oakland are on to something. Last night I had a simple, yet flavorful meal cooked by Chef Vera R. Ciammeti: salad greens with butternut squash; hot spaghetti aglio e olio con pepperoncini; and a glass of red wine. The dining room is intimate with seats for only 16 – 20 guests, creating an inviting family-style experience. Chef Vera came by with samples of lasagna and to check on our dining experience. Heck, even Pablo Voitzuk, who pimps Pacific Sun Olive Oil, the extra virgin olive oil that Chef Vera uses exclusively, came by to say hi. At about $9 per plate, this is the best deal in town. Don’t wait too long—Chef Vera’s run at Guest Chef finishes on December 4.

Architecture In Tahoe: Squaw Valley Chapel

2011-11-21T10:35:00.001-08:00

Lake Tahoe, CA --The Squaw Valley Chapel is a stylized little Alpine church set among the majestic mountains of the Olympic Valley at an altitude of over 6,000 feet. It was the Poulsen family, the original landowners of nearby Squaw Valley Ski Resort who donated the land where the chapel now stands prior to the 1960 Winter Olympics. At that time the family stipulated that a Protestant Church was to be built on that land for the Olympians, their families and all those attending the Olympics.

Discovering Lake Tahoe: Trailblazer John Fremont

2011-11-14T16:05:00.001-08:00

Lake Tahoe, CA -- The first recorded discovery of Lake Tahoe by white explorers was on Feb. 14, 1844 when John Frémont and Charles Preuss climbed the dividing ridge of the Sierra crest to spot the second deepest lake in the United States. It’s uncertain if they were impressed by the lake’s clarity and luminous blue color—their documented impression was rather nondescript: “beautiful view of a mountain lake…” Frémont, along with his 23 men including explorer Kit Carson, simply wanted to get off the Sierra Nevada and make their way down to the fertile Sacramento Valley below. They’d been exploring unchartered territory since the spring of 1843 and their quest for food always kept them edgy. The previous night Frémont wrote: “We had tonight an extraordinary dinner—pea soup, mule, and dog.” Thank you trailblazers!

Toast Wine Lounge: Ambiance to Spare

2011-11-11T17:28:00.001-08:00

Oakland, CA – Dining outdoors on a crisp November evening under a heat lamp at a bistro table while drinking a glass of wine is my idea of California dreamin’. Toast Wine Lounge on College Avenue offers hand-selected wines, small plates and ambiance to spare. I recommend the Seam Wines 2008 Barbera from Calaveras County: a bold berry with a strong finish. Cheers to Toast.

Wolfdale's: Tahoe City Restaurant

2011-11-07T10:01:00.000-08:00

Tahoe City, CA -- Chef Douglas Wolfdale has been at work in his vibrant, progressive Tahoe City restaurant for 30 years. Try the sashimi of Ahi Tuna and Hamachi with ginger, arame and wasabi—divine.
Wolfdale’s

A Year In California -- So Far...

2011-11-02T09:57:00.000-07:00

Photo taken in the extreme
northeastern part of California near Cedarville.

Oakland, CA -- The book proposal is written and sent out. The Twitter site is up-and-running. The blog is resurrected. After a full year on the road in search for the meaning of my life, the infrastructure, for all intent and purpose for the book is in place. What's left? To write the freakin' book.

My mentor is Elizabeth Gilbert who wrote (in her words--not mine) the "freakishly" successful book: Eat, Pray, Love. Elizabeth or "Liz" shares the radical idea that, instead of the rare person "being" a genius, all of us "have" a genius. Listen to her TED speech on nurturing creativity at: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html

The quote d'jour follows: "The art of writing is the art of applying the seat of the pants to the seat of the chair." --Mary Heaton.

Duly noted. California, here I come.

Brain Booster: Creating Fresh Ideas

2010-05-28T09:19:00.000-07:00

Rancho Cordova, CA – If you ever find yourself in a rut, I encourage you to attend a Techcoire event to rev up your creative engine. Last night’s event “Driving Product Innovation Through Open Platforms & Social Media” was a bit heady for this technological neophyte, but nonetheless opened up some long-buried neurological pathway to creativity. The night’s premise of “fresh ideas come from people with fresh eyes” captivated me.

Leading this brain brigade is idea guru Anand Chhatpar, CEO, Brain Reaction. His company focuses on structured brainstorming sessions resulting in fresh ways to initiate new ideas. Part snake oil meets bottled tap water mentality, he teaches companies to create innovative ideas based on existing concepts. Genius. His cadre of 35 certified barnstormers at various times are called upon to generate between 100 to 300 ideas for companies based on new kinds of value.

I attended this event in hopes of learning more about social media and found myself a kindergartner among college students. Web 2.0 is so yesterday. Still, I learned about the synthesis of pattern recognition; that mess and creativity creates tension; and more importantly that leap frogging is the name of the game. What does this all add up to? We exist to create. Open up the dialogue and then bring those little piggies to market. It’s a whole new world out there. Allow your ideas to catch fire. I know I will.

Michelangelo's: Good Food, Right Price

2010-04-23T08:08:00.000-07:00

San Francisco, CA – It’s hard to select an Italian restaurant in the heart of North Beach when there are so many bright jewels on Columbus Avenue. My childhood friend Shirley and I were searching for just the right spot to celebrate my 49th birthday. We chose Michelangelo, not so much because of the menu, but because of the charming invitation of the owner—tall, gallant and uber-handsome Michelangelo Marcantonio.

Michelangelo’s promise of free wine and a Bruscetta appetizer helped seal the deal. It was Shirley’s birthday treat to me under the guise of "I just got paid." Our table gave us a view of Coit Tower and the gothic cathedral Sts. Peter and Paul Church. Before our dinner, we snacked on marinated Italian olives while drinking red wine. We split an order of Chicken Milanese, which is a delicate wafer thin breaded breast of chicken in white wine lemon sauce, served with broccoli and home-style potatoes and their house Lasagna. The combination of these entrees together was complimentary. Alone, the simplicity of each dish may not have wielded the rich texture I was seeking for maximum birthday taste bud explosion.

The homemade Tiramisu was the evening’s Coupe de Gras. The house lights were lowered and the wait staff brought me the liquor soaked concoction with a birthday candle on top. Singing Happy Birthday to me in Italian felt original, until we heard it two more times that evening. Michelangelo told me his birthday count was seven that night—he doesn’t require birth date identification to provide this gratis gift. If you’re looking for an authentic Italian meal with a warm, charming staff to serve you, I recommend Michelangelo’s. The price is right; the food is good, and the positive energy, priceless. Bon Appetit.

Finding California Gold: Antelope Valley Poppy Preserve

2010-04-22T17:12:00.000-07:00

Lancaster, CA -- At a party in Venice Beach, the owner of Flake, a Venice restaurant dedicated to the pursuit of cereal and yummy cuisine showed me pictures on her cell phone of brilliant orange poppies. "If you ever get a chance to see these poppies in bloom, do yourself a favor and go, you'll never regret it." Now I've lived long enough to know that when someone makes a recommendation of this caliber and intensity, it's wise to heed the call, if possible. The Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve conveniently enough, was on my way out of the L.A. basin, north along Highway 5, 15 miles west of Lancaster, California. Divine timing.

Listening to the Grateful Dead station on my XM satellite radio driving by fields of brilliant orange poppies put me in that groovy head space of wonder and awe. Is it possible that so much beauty can exist on this Earth and not have it be overrun with people? Indeed. The intense blooming season for the California poppy falls usually within late winter to early spring, during the months of mid-February through mid-May. Go there now, for the maximum bloom. Within the reserve, there are seven miles of trails, including a paved section for wheelchair access, which traverse through the poppy fields.

Watching the undulating breeze quake a sea of golden poppies at the 1800 acre State Reserve was like finding California gold incarnate. As far as my eyes could see, there were poppies. Liquid gold. The energetic vibration of all these flowers was difficult to hold. I couldn't sit still for long—the energy too intense. When I viewed the experience through a micro lense and examined each individual poppy, the metaphor was revealed to me. Each flower in various stages of growth represented the natural cycle of our lives: some were buds, others unfolding, still others in full bloom, while many had gone to seed and were dormant.

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day—which by the way is my 49th birthday, do yourself a favor and go visit the poppy reserve. Tell them the Divine Daytripper and Paige sent you. Happy Earth Day!

Spring Skiing: Bluebird Days

2010-04-11T12:11:00.000-07:00

Sierra Nevada, CA -- Oh the bluebird days of spring skiing has me hummin' a tune: Zippidee Doo Da, Zippidee Ay, my oh my what a wonderful day, plenty of sunshing, heading my way...

Sugar Bowl Ski Resort is still alive with grateful skiers enjoying the last days of winter. While most people are now thinking of gardening, golfing or tennis, our tribe of ten, including the Bowl's 2009 ski patrolman of the year Paul Licata were enjoying the slopes mostly to ourselves. The snow was soft and forgiving, the temperature in the mid-50's and plenty of sunshine. Better wax and edge those skis because Sugar Bowl will remain open until April 25. My favorite run: top of Lincoln down to Disney.

Ace Hotel: Back to the Future

2010-02-16T17:33:00.000-08:00

Palm Springs, CA – It’s always a good luck sign for me when a Neil Young song plays in an unexpected place—kind of like finding a penny heads up on the ground. Alabama, the song Neil wrote that Lynyrd Skynard retaliated with the hugely popular Sweet Home Alabama, is apropos for the hip and edgy Ace Hotel community pool where I’m lounging in the 80-degree afternoon sun. I’m in Palm Springs to experience Modernism Week, a nine-day celebration of mid-century modern design, architecture and culture.

The 180-room Ace Hotel & Swim Club is on the grounds of a former Ho-Jo’s, part of the architectural trend that renovates mid-century modern motels and turns them into eclectic, one-of-a-kind retreats. “We wanted to create a community place where people could come together,” said front desk agent Joe Faron. Communal activities like Game night, mix cocktails and bingo—Craft night, held once a month, brings guests together by making paper plate face masks and friendship bracelets.

Rooms are shabby chic, invoking a cross between a college dorm room and a beach house complete with magazine clipping style art, a steamer trunk for storage, sheep skin rugs and the requisite full bar. The eight fireplaces sprinkled throughout the property bring the indoor/outdoor Palm Springs lifestyle alive, giving my neighbors a warm place to convene until the 2 a.m. curfew. Oh well, this not your grandpa’s Howard Johnson’s—more like your lively uncle who took you for your first drink at 21. Fun. Retro. Trendy. Welcome to the new Palm Springs.

California State Capitol: Gallantry Lives On

2010-01-14T20:14:00.000-08:00

Sacramento, CA -- The camellias are budding, the oranges are ready for picking and Arnold is finally taking down his Christmas tree—just another day in the Golden State’s capitol building. While the mild 60 degree climate is inviting, the draw for me is inside the dome. After passing through the metal detector I am now standing in what could be the most romantic notion in government. It is the marble statue of Queen Isabella and Christopher Columbus—a testament to her belief in his mission.

He is kneeling by her side and she is draped in a form fitting gown, a crown atop her head. Etched in marble are these words, “I will assume the undertaking,” she said, “for my own crown of Castile, and am ready to pawn my jewels to defray the expenses of it, if the funds in the treasury shall be found inadequate.”

Is there a cause in your life that you believe in with all your heart, that you would pawn your jewels?

Ride, Wine & Dine: Biking Napa’s Wine Country

2010-01-03T07:52:00.000-08:00

Yountville, CA – In my mind, bike riding and wine tasting don’t really mix. Kind of like peanut butter and banana sandwiches, it’s an odd pairing. However, I’m always willing to try anything once. So here I am on a winter’s day, sitting on a touring bike with a wide, comfortable seat, riding past boutique vineyards in Napa Valley’s wine country. It’s a cool 45 degrees, my nose is running, my ears are freezing, and I am bitter with envy as my friend Koleen rides in comfort with her wool gloves and thermal head band. I mock her preparation skills—Ms. iPod, she’s probably wearing thermal underwear, too. Still, I get over myself long enough to marvel at the stark beauty of the dormant winter vines. I promise myself to come back here in early spring when the mustard blooms and the temperature is mild. Or maybe during fall harvest, when I can pluck a juicy grape off the vine as I whiz by on my bike, wearing nothing more than a flowing skirt, a skimpy t-shirt, and, of course, my trusty helmet.

Leading us on this survival challenge is Nick Wierzba of Napa Valley Bike Tours. Nick tells me his love of wine and passion for biking is a good fit. “The people I guide on bikes are on vacation, they are already happy, and it’s fun to show my backyard to everyone.” Nick’s “backyard” includes hidden wineries that a visitor might not otherwise discover. “Biking is a good way to see the Napa Valley,” says Nick. “If you’re in a limo or car, the vineyards look like corn rows.” I ask Nick what the policy is on drinking and biking. “We cycle an average of four miles between each wine tasting. It gives people time to burn off alcohol—we’ve had zero accidents related to people being drunk.”

I actually like the thought of being drunk on my bike—might take the edge off of our chilly winter’s afternoon cycling adventure, which thankfully is only two hours long. We stopped and imbibed at the hip and tony Cliff Lede (pronounced Cliff Lady), a 60-acre winery set in the Stags’ Leap District. This quintessential Napa Valley winery’s got it all: indoor art gallery, outdoor sculptures, state of the art gravity-flow conical tanks, and acres of hidden caves filled with single-layer barrel storage. Owner Cliff Lede, who acquired the property in 2002, put some serious coin into this bucolic slice of heaven. Repeat after me: swank-tastic. I recommend their 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon (15.2 percent alcohol content—yum!), which conjures exotic spices, old leather, and new money—a winning Napa Valley combination.

Alas, it is time to get back in the saddle, and continue this unique two-wheeled adventure. By the time we get back to our hotel, I discover that bike riding and wine tasting do mix after all. My suggestion is to wait until warmer weather prevails when it's enjoyable rather than just endurable. Next time I’ll tear a page out of Koleen’s Girl Scout book and be prepared—Sunscreen and Chardonnay anyone?

Bistro Jeanty: Enchanting French Cuisine

2010-01-02T11:10:00.000-08:00

Yountville, CA – There is every reason to visit France, but if your cash-flow limits your real-world travel, treat yourself instead to a bona fide French meal at Napa Valley’s Bistro Jeanty. You’ll be enchanted by the authentic, old-world feel—you might even visualize yourself sporting a beret, black turtleneck, and colorful scarf; researching a recipe for cassoulet; and greeting visitors with the charming word for “pleased to meet you,” Enchanté.

“If you read old French books and see classic French recipes, they’re all on our menu,” says Chef de Cuisine, Joel Ehrlich. “People come here because, in my humble opinion, our restaurant is the most classic French bistro in America.” D’accord. Agreed. This classic French bistro decorated with vintage 19th century Parisian posters, hanging fryer copper pans, and a roaring hearth is more than just atmosphere—the food is first-rate.

I sample appetizers of escargot with garlic butter, foie gras pâté served with a port-poached pear, and Miyagi oysters—which, coming from nearby Pt. Reyes, don’t really seem like classic bistro fare until I dab a French-style mignonette potion of vinegar, chili, parsley, and onion on the freshly shucked oysters and voilá—another French star is born, California-style.

At the helm of Bistro Jeanty is owner and chef Phillipe Jeanty, who grew up in the Champagne region of France and opened his 100-seat restaurant in Yountville nearly 12 years ago, adding another coveted Michelin star to the epicurean capital of California—Yountville. “I wanted to recreate all my favorite childhood dishes and opening up a bistro was one way to do it,” says Jeanty. Bravo, Phillipe—bien fait; well done.

Domaine Chandon: Sparkling Wine Comes Alive

2009-12-28T08:58:00.000-08:00

Yountville, CA – The French describe champagne like the laugh of a pretty girl. At 48-years-old, I’m past the pretty girl phase, but boy do I love me some champagne! Or should I correctly say sparkling wine—the elixir of life. At Napa Valley’s Domaine Chandon’s tasting salon, it’s always New Year’s Eve as bottles of their signature war horse Brut Classic are uncorked and poured to a thirsty, wine tasting crowd—me at the front of the line. Let the celebration begin.

Kristin Brott, our purveyor of the liquid nectar, has been with Chandon as a wine educator for three years. She moved to this fertile valley from Southern California on a whim. I ask her what it’s like working there, and she quickly tells me it’s the best job in the world. “Everyone’s in a good mood. I love to talk about food and wine.” This reminds me of the 30’s Gershwin song "…nice work if you can get it…"

My favorite tasting is the more exclusive 90 point etoile—French for star, Brut. It’s a lighter, more delicate sparkling wine with a bouquet of Fuji apple, Meyers lemon, and toasted almonds. The tiny bubbles give me an instant lift—as if I need it; I’m already filled to the brim with mirth and merry-making. Being at this first French-owned sparkling wine venture in the United States, established in 1973, makes me feel giddy—so much bouncy history. Plus, I’m right next to an advertisement that makes me giggle. It’s for Saavy Sippers, a gadget you place inside a champagne bottle that allows you to “drink out of the bottle in a classy way.” Kristin, our hookup, tells me “You never know when you need an emergency bit of bubbly, like at the movies.” I believe she’s on to something, so I buy one.

The coup de grâce of the tasting is a sensual cocktail called the Hibiscus Royale—a combination of Blanc de Noir sparkling wine, wild hibiscus flower in syrup, and rose water. The flower sits in the bottom of the champagne flute and slowly opens up over three to four minutes, creating a piece of art I can both admire and drink. Along for this adventure is my pleasure-seeking friend Charlene, a connoisseur of all things hedonistic, who just got back from her honeymoon in Bermuda and indulged in this almost immoral love potion and claimed it as “an aphrodisiac; you eat the flower and it’s got lots of Vitamin C.” Indeed. Decadent, divine and oh-so-Napa classy, just like our Domaine Chandon experience. Cheers!

Sierra Nevada Adventure: Miracle on the Mountain

2009-12-07T17:27:00.000-08:00

Truckee, CA – Executing a 360-degree spinout in a snowstorm while entering Highway 80 seemed effortless with Rachel behind the wheel—like a trained ballerina twirling a pirouette—only we were doing it in four-wheel drive with snow chains on the front tires. My heart went into my throat. Rachel—fresh from celebrating her 40th birthday—quickly got us back on the road. “Okay, that was the first time I ever did a complete spinout,” she said. “Glad that’s over.” She pointed the white Acura SUV due west toward Sacramento. Like the Donner Party who made this crossing in the winter of 1846-47, on this same exact pass in the Sierra Nevada mountains, we were trying to make our way home. Pioneers! O Pioneers!

This was our second attempt at getting off the Sierra. The snowstorm came in earlier than expected the day before and Caltrans closed the highway, ending any wide-eyed hopes of watching 60 Minutes from the comfort of our own homes. The dream of a St. Bernard dog with a barrel of brandy around his neck coming to our Alpine rescue was just that—a fantasy, much like watching Carrie Bradshaw trying to marry Mr. Big in a lavish wedding in Sex and the City on the tiny television in Rachel’s car. Beth, the doe-eyed beauty of the group called a friend of a friend, of a friend, who owned a second home in Truckee and our base camp for the night was secured—we were ready to hunker down for the evening.

There are times in life when the kindness of newfound friends is so profound that the opportunity for repayment is not possible, and so it was with our hosts: Tanya and her mother and father in-law, Nonni and Nonna, affectionately known as the Italians. Their generosity embodied the biblical “water into wine, two fish into a feast” story. We drank ample bottles of Nonni’s homemade red wine. We watched in amazement as Nonna’s pasta dish grew from an original serving of five, to fill the bellies of ten. It was a glorious rigatoni concoction of spicy tomato sauce, diced chicken, and mozzarella cheese. A spinach and romaine lettuce salad with olive oil and vinegar dressing filled in the gaps along with two pizzas: one cheese, the other a meat and veggie combo. Where this freshly delivered pizza came from remained a mystery. File it under the “Marriage of Cana” miracle. For desert, we dined on Nonna’s pie made with homegrown apples from their Napa Valley trees.

Nonni told us stories of his hometown near Naples, Italy; and learned about the family restaurant that they owned for 40 years in Napa; and watched as their three grandchildren, all under the age of seven, showered them with affection by tearing up pieces of tissue paper and sprinkling their heads with it. Let it snow. Let it snow. Let it snow.

In the morning, two feet of snow covered our cars and the driveway. The world looked like a freshly shaken snow globe. Highway 80, the main artery to our deliverance from this snow covered paradise was finally open and we were ready for adventure. Our hands and feet were frozen from shoveling snow and putting on tire chains, but our hearts were warm from the memory of our unexpected evening of international camaraderie including a rousing game of Scrabble, tossing the grandkids on the coach and the gift of newfound friendships.

Crab Season: Dining Santa Cruz Style

2009-11-23T17:18:00.000-08:00

Santa Cruz, CA – There are some meals that taste better when eaten at home. Last night I feasted on the first-of the season Dungeness Crab with my good friends Bob and Laurie. Why the home-cooked meal? First of all, you have to consider where my generous friends live, in the mountains of Santa Cruz, in a little berg called Bonny Doon. Picture yourself surrounded by mist hanging on redwood trees, smelling the Earth after a rainstorm, and then reveling in that clean air. Their artisan’s home reflects 20 years of loving care. On their grounds is a hand made yurt that Bob built, a herb garden that Laurie tends, and a Japanese Maple in it’s full autumn glory – red and gold.

Once inside their home, I never wanted to leave. The wood burning stove warmed my bones. Books everywhere I looked. Their furniture is the color of liquid peace and tranquility; a Turkish rug framing the hardwood floors. And then the sweet aroma of Laurie’s Cinderella Pumpkin Soup brought me to the kitchen table. Earthenware style plates fired in a Finnish kiln were waiting to service our meal.

We cracked and ate fresh crab, caught that day off the Santa Cruz coast. Complimenting the star crustacean attraction was an aromatic Arugula green salad picked that evening from the garden, and corn muffins topped with Bob’s homegrown dark honey, thanks to his productive beehive. I shared the story of my first-ever crab-eating epiphany at the virginal age of 22 as a college student at Humboldt State University in Arcata. Laurie talked about her San Francisco roots including her family’s tradition of eating crab, complete with the now non-PC Campbell’s tomato soup with cheese melted at the bottom in a cup. Gentle conversation, warm feelings and a simple, Epicurean meal made this Santa Cruz evening a night to treasure. Thanks Bob and Laurie, for opening up your home and heart to this grateful soul.

Crocker Art Museum: Living in the Gilded Age

2009-11-19T21:48:00.000-08:00

SACRAMENTO, CA – The letter arrived in 2008 and began, “I am the great-granddaughter of Jennie Crocker Fassett…” This is the story of how Margaret Crocker’s diamond and opal brooch made its way back to the Crocker Art Museum after 125 years. The result is a new exhibit: Treasures, Curiosities and Secrets: The Crockers and the Gilded Age on display until May 2010.

Margaret Langford, the great-granddaughter of museum founder Margaret Crocker and her brother inherited three jeweled brooches and donated them to the Crocker Art Museum. The younger Margaret carried the three brooches in her purse from Atlanta--an audacious act, given their value and worth. As they were touring the museum, they were shown a portrait of their great-grandmother circa 1877 when she was 55-years-old. They noticed in the portrait, the matriarch was wearing the actual brooch they were donating. “Margaret’s brooch seemed to encapsulate in one object, the importance and social standing of the Crockers,” said Scott A. Shields, Museum Chief Curator, “plus it’s my favorite piece in this collection.”

“It was a lot of fun to put this exhibit together,” said Shields. “The Crockers are a fascinating family.” Indeed. Case-in-point: daughter Aimee Crocker. She was an international social success, receiving widespread press for her clothing, travels, tattoos and five marriages, each to a man in his 20’s—the original cougar. Her exploits strike a Paris Hilton chord. In her 1936 autobiography I’d Do It Again she writes: “And if I could live it again, this very long life on mine, I would love to do so. And the only difference would be that I would try to crowd in still more…more places, more things, more women, more men, more love, more excitement.”

Look for more than 75 objects on display in this collection including gowns, china, furniture, personal letters, paintings and photographs. A standout is the hat collection which features an actual head of a bird of paradise, not the Hawaiian flower. A curious note is that this late 1800 fashion trend wiped out the entire population of this now-extinct bird. The result of this devastating action gave birth to the environmental group Audubon Society.

Do Something With Your Life: Strategic Planning

2009-11-05T11:54:00.000-08:00

BERKELEY, CA – “If you want change, the first thing you have to change is yourself,” said political strategist and organizer Larry Tramultola. “Don’t be afraid to take an unconventional path—do something with your life.” Larry is a guest speaker at my daughter’s Political Science class at Berkeley’s venerated Wheeler Hall, sharing with 350 eager students his sage wisdom on living a life of joy and purpose.

Larry is the CEO and founder of Oakland firm Tramultola, and has helped clients win over 400 elections including 247 tax elections that have produced more than $25 billion in community improvements. He is also the author of Sidewalk Strategies – Seven Winning Steps for Candidates, Causes and Communities. He worked alongside United Farm Workers' Union icon Cesar Chavez for 11 years as an organizer, a job that began at $5 a month and ended at the same pay scale. “I did it because I was committed to the cause and it gave me joy,” said the ever-youthful, salt-and-pepper-haired Stanford graduate. “There is a safe path to security and an unsafe path to change,” he said. Here are some of his insights:

• Work for what you believe in—find the thing you love. Have passion for what you do.
• Develop the ability to listen—people who are successful listen and observe.
• Look for ways to make others effective—you can’t succeed without others. Find a way to inspire.
• Never give up—most people lose before they win. The most interesting places are off the beaten path. You learn more when you fail.

A Taste of Ireland: In San Francisco

2009-11-04T15:33:00.000-08:00

SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- Mary Gleeson, an Irish proprietor on business in San Francisco, is giddy with excitement. She's waiting for a group of 136 neighbors and friends to fly in from her rural hometown of Roscommon, Ireland (population 5,000) -- 61 one of which are dancers ages 6 - 20, competing in the North American Irish Dancers Championship in downtown San Francisco. Her townhouse and restaurant Gleeson's is a sponsor for
this event. "We are so happy to offer this experience to the youngsters," said the ebullient hostess, "it's an adventure they'll always remember."

Gleeson's is part of a culinary revolution putting Ireland on the foodie map by offering local, seasonal and organic faire. The burgeoning Good Food Ireland campaign promotes artisan food producers. Mary is quick to point out that people associate Ireland with a certain he-who-must-not be-named meal, "we don't eat corned beef at all," she said laughing at the idea. Instead, her specialty is a traditional Irish Lamb Stew. At the Flavor of Ireland event sponsored by Tourism Ireland in San Francisco, I sampled Gleeson’s Irish Whiskey Marmalade with homemade soda bread and white cheddar cheese – authentic and hearty. Here’s to Mary’s group of Irish dancers, Erin Go Bragh!

S.F. Museum of Modern Art: Avedon Exhibit

2009-10-28T08:21:00.000-07:00

SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- "There is nothing more fascinating on Earth than the face," said photographer Richard Avedon, whose exhibit at the S.F. Museum of Modern Art runs through November 29. Featuring nearly 200 of his black and white photos, this exhibit is a testament of intense communication between artist and subject. Stark. Raw. Emotive.

Look for the Andy Warhol and Factory ensemble portrait taken in 1969. This provocative piece of art stands 12 feet high and 50 feet wide. It delivers the double take that both shocks and delights with wry humor and compelling insight into the human condition --a hallmark of an artist's connection to divine flow.

Noticeably missing at this exhibit is the iconic portrait of German actress Nastassia Kinski posing with a snake gently kissing her ear. This early 80's Vogue magazine image became a sensation. Nearly two million posters were sold, rivaling the vintage Farrah Fawcett red bathing suit poster.

Go to the second floor and watch the 87-minute documentary film featuring Avedon's life, it will offer context into this successful artist's career.

Monterey Bay -- Have Pumpkin, Will Kayak

2009-10-27T16:11:00.000-07:00

MONTEREY BAY, CA – Karen let out a shriek and I quickly turned around to see an elephant seal practically dive-bomb her kayak. A little too close for her comfort, she sighs with relief and then laughs, yet another story to tell about paddling magical Monterey Bay.

I am here with the Crazy Cayak Krew (CCK), a group of 14 raucous, fun-loving kayakers, hell-bent on adventure. We are paddling outside of the Monterey Bay Aquarium among sea otters, pelicans, and a wayward white egret who sits atop the kelp bed staring intently on what could be his breakfast. Bob, our leader, has a pumpkin strapped on the front of his kayak and if you think that’s weird, listen to this, the pumpkin is wearing a child’s life vest and has a name: Mr. Wilson. We hoop and holler on the undulating sea—as the swell surges us into a hypnotic trance, then silence.

We finish our day by paddling through the harbor and marveling at pelicans sunning themselves next to restaurant diners. Life is good on the water.

Duarte's Tavern -- Stepping Back In Time

2009-10-26T19:04:00.000-07:00

PESCADERO – The locals call it “Doo-ertz.” I call it “Doo-ar-taze.” We all call it rockin’ good-cookin’. I am at the historic, one-of-a-kind, 1890’s Duarte’s Tavern with my friend Shirish for lunch. This award-winning James Beard Foundation “American Classic” restaurant is the ideal place to take a break if you are traveling the California coast between Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz. It’s two miles inland through fertile farmlands and unspoiled wetlands.

We sat in the back where the nostalgic original bar from 1894 offers a more authentic old-world experience. We tried the house specialty—artichoke soup, in deference to the thistle-like plant that grows in volume on the coast. I sampled the sautéed halibut—right out of nearby Monterey Bay, served with mushrooms, green and red peppers, and onion. Shirish noshed on the grilled shrimp and cheese sandwich, rich and decadent. The wine d’jour is a School House Cabernet 2006 from the Paso Robles region. If you can, try and make it on a weekday, otherwise expect to wait, this place is hoppin.’

Farm to Fork: Enjoying nature’s bounty

2009-10-06T19:26:00.000-07:00

MADERA, CA -- Fresh. Local. Organic. That’s the motto of T & D Willey Farms. I’m sitting in the passenger’s seat of Tom Willey’s electric cart as we drive the 75 acres of his and wife Denesse’s Madera farm. There are rows of French Breakfast radishes, Rosa Bianca eggplants, Russian kale and more than 50 varieties of crops—all organic, a Garden of Eden. At this farm, there is no mechanized harvest. In fact, the yellow crookneck squash are picked with white cotton gloves to protect their sensitive skins. Talk about a labor of love.

Every part of this productive farm radiates health and vitality. In large part because of the Willey’s commitment to old-fashioned farming, “We do not use any toxic pesticides,” said Tom pointing to a stand of sunflowers—a habitat strip that attracts beneficial insects for pest control, “we focus on plant nutrient and soil quality. That’s the best possible protection.”

The Willey’s send me home with a box of fruits and vegetables similar to what their Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) customers receive. “I can’t just show you this produce, you have to taste it” said Tom, loading the box into my trunk. I pop a firm red grape into my mouth and marvel at the flavor, complex yet simple. Divine. The rest of the grapes sit on my lap for the journey back to Sacramento. Farm to Fork? Uh-ah…these babies are farm to mouth—thanks Tom!

Journalism’s Future: Carrying the Fire

2009-10-03T11:51:00.000-07:00

BERKELEY, CA -- “Real journalism gives you news that you didn’t know that you needed,” said Professor Neil Henry, Dean of UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism. “The challenge in this digital era is how do we monetize it, so our students can get paid for their work?” Henry said that 50 percent of all reporters have lost their jobs in the last ten years. “You can advertise for free on Craig’s List. The revenue stream supporting newspapers is diminishing.”

Henry remains optimistic that the future of journalism will eventually transform into something viable. He uses the movie Quest for Fire as the metaphor, “we’re carrying the fire into the new age—we are carrying the values of balance and fairness.” He cites a collaborative project between public broadcasting station KQED and the Graduate School of Journalism that’s getting a lot of press in the journalism circle. “It’s called the Bay Area News Project and it’s devoted to news delivery for the Bay Area,” said Henry. “Warren Hellman, a descendent of the Wells Fargo family gave us $5 million in seed money to develop this project. He told us ‘this is what my great-great grandfather would have done.’ ”

Farm to Fork: What’s an omnivore to do?

2009-10-02T10:42:00.000-07:00

BERKELEY, CA -- Michael Pollan holds up a box of Fruit Loops, calls it an “edible food-like substance” and asks the audience: “How about a new label that says, ‘better than donuts?’” The crowd breaks out into raucous laughter at the sheer audacity that Fruit Loops has a check mark next to healthy choice—courtesy of the industrial agriculture marketing machinery. “We’re no longer growing food,” said Pollan “we’re growing food for manufacturing.”

I am at UC Berkeley, where wildly successful food-guru author Pollan “Omnivore’s Dilemma” and “In Defense of Food” is a journalism professor. The six-foot Pollan looks Berkeley-cool with his sports coat and wire-frame glasses. The near-capacity crowd of 1800 at Zellerbach Hall is a combination of gray hair seekers and hip, with-it students—all trying to get a grip on the best way to approach the unscientific pleasure of eating. Pollan claims we’ve undergone 150 years of diet change and it has taken a tremendous toll on our health.

“How do we escape the western diet without leaving civilization?” He offered a few rules to help guide the omnivore’s dilemma:
--If it has more than five ingredients, don’t eat it.
--Avoid any foods you’ve seen advertised on television.
--Don’t get your fuel at the same place your car does.
--Avoid foods that never rot—like Twinkies.

My personal favorite tip is the seven words on the "In Defense of Food" book cover. Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.

Farm to Fork: Dining at the Ahwahnee

2009-09-27T20:40:00.000-07:00

YOSEMITE, CA -- The first meal I ever ate in Yosemite National Park was lentil soup cooked on a wood burning stove by my college roommate Elida, a seasonal employee in the summer of 1983. The earthy, heart-warming concoction was divine after a full-day’s hike near Yosemite’s iconic Half-Dome. Yet we still dreamed of a time when our cash flow would allow us a full-course meal at the historic Ahwahnee Hotel. Twenty-five years later, we dined on halibut, hand-harvested scallops and organic greens in the jewelry box-like dining room, framed by Yosemite Falls and Glacier Point with head of the restaurant Chef Percy. (l to r: Ingrid, Elida and Chef Percy)

The element of surprise in this long-awaited dining experience is that almost all menu items come from within a 150 mile radius of Yosemite National Park: call it the “farm-to-fork” concept. “Sustainable agriculture is cornerstone to the slow food movement,” said Executive Chef Percy Whatley, a 20-year cooking veteran of Yosemite. “We live near the San Joaquin Valley, California’s breadbasket. We are committed to local resources for organic produce, free-range chickens, and grains. In Yosemite, it’s easier to think about the environment. We are on the cutting edge of this movement.”

Rafting -- South Fork of the American River

2009-08-30T10:06:00.000-07:00

LOTUS, CA -- “This next rapid is called Hospital Bar. You either end up in the hospital or you want to be in a bar, drinking,” said our river guide Peter “Mac” MacLaren from the back of the raft. Before I could even say margarita, we dive headlong into a Class Three rapid – 1,350 cubic feet per second of ice-cold Sierra Nevada snowmelt funneling through a rocky channel of pure exhilaration, soaking us to the bone. Woo-hoo! Now this is what I call living.

I am on the 12-mile “Gorge” stretch on the South Fork of the American River aboard the raft affectionately called “Ship of Fools.” It is near the historic site of Coloma, where gold was first discovered in California. “Eureka, I’ve found it” has given way to “show me some plastic,” as our boatload of six, high-five our paddles together after surviving the likes of Satan’s Cesspool and the Recovery Room.

River Runners, our adventure host, has been running trips on this stretch of the American River for over 25 years. According to Peter Mac, who’s been guiding since 1993, today there are over 100 boats on this river—a traffic jam of thrill seekers, hell bent on adventure. There are college students with water guns and helmet-wearing kayakers zipping through the rapids. Watching on the sidelines from the comfort of their lawn chairs are sunbathers on sandy beaches. A blowtorch wind hurls through the canyon as we make our way down river. I spy a weathered pirate flag with “surrender your booty” written in white. The countryside is divided: pastoral Chaparral, low-land Manzanita shrubs; to the more alpine-looking Ponderosa, Live Oak and Alder. Yonder on the hill is the Lollipop Tree. We all break out into obnoxious songs.

My beloved friends Rose and Shirish are with me on this 100 degree day as we advance through more than ten, Class two and three rapids. Bouncing Rock, Son of Satan, Lost Hat, each offer its own level of excitement. As we advanced through Midgets with Golf Clubs and were tossed from our seats to the raft bottom Shirish yells, “your husband picked a great day to get married.” I smiled to myself, looked at him and said, “former – my former husband.” We all laughed, then hung on for dear life as the next E-ticket Disney ride slammed our boat.

Chappell Vineyard and Winery

2009-08-17T13:02:00.000-07:00

MARIPOSA, CA -- If you are looking for an earthy, premium blend of wines that are homegrown and family owned, look no further than Mariposa's Chappell Vineyard and Winery. Owners Dave and Kathy Chappell, former schoolteachers, maintain all aspects of production ‘cept for prunin’ and pickin.’ I recommend the 2005 Kylie’s Syrah, named after their 22-year-old daughter Kylie. The rich and full berry flavor will have you wishing you were a bon vivant in the Sierra Foothills, soaking up that glorious sunshine and breathing in that wholesome clean air. Charming.

Tenaya Lodge

2009-08-17T10:16:00.000-07:00

YOSEMITE, CA -- Tenaya is a swanktastic rustic lodge that offers a rugged sensuality in which to indulge your inner child in lots of outdoor play. Visit this über-cool lodge and find a perfect place to springboard to Yosemite National Park’s southern entrance—a scant two-miles away. Although once you arrive at this 244-room abode, you may want to stick around, there is so much to do. Summertime offers campfire sing-a-longs, barbecues, train rides and even a chuck wagon. Holidays are big at the Tenaya, with gingerbread house making parties, dinner with Santa, and horse-drawn sleigh rides. There are plenty of great dining options at this lodge. Ask Chef Freddy to cook some of his fabulous pasta for you—creativity at its finest.

Do the crime, spend the time: traffic school

2009-08-13T13:38:00.000-07:00

SACRAMENTO, CA -- I am in the the pokey, or Great Comedians traffic school in a Sacramento strip mall. Our teacher is Bob Webb, a 72-year-old, self-proclaimed farmer from the red-neck town of Harold, California. Helping to teach the 400-minute, 9-5 course is Oscar, Bob’s diminutive Yorkie Terrier. There are 26 traffic violators with me on this Saturday. Half are here for speeding, the other for stop lights, one for crossing a double yellow line and the other for an unsafe lane change. “If we added up all the fines for everyone in this class, we could have one hell of a party,” Bob laughs. He ain’t just whistlin’ Dixie I think to myself. To support the County of Lake Tahoe, I contribute $364 for my speeding ticket; $64 for the promise of attending traffic school; and $38 in cash to Bob for a fun-filled day with 26 of my new criminal friends. At $466 per person, we collectively contribute over $12,000 to our down-trodden economy. Who said crime doesn’t pay?