Say CHEESE!

Reading has branched out to be a great social activity. Just join a book club.

The Glam Girls Book Club meets monthly to compare reactions and ruminations over the Southern Vampire Mysteries by Charlaine Harris ~ Sookie Stackhouse 8-copy Boxed Set (Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood) .

The latest gathering was hosted at Cheese Louise in Richland. Whatever your reason, Cheese Louise is a warm and open venue for nibbling cheeses and topas style munchies while sipping wine (bring your own for $5 corking fee or select from the house menu), water, or sparkling juice. You can even order goodies for get-togethers at your home or office! The platters are spectacular.

Nibble, bite, suck ... flow with the current in Tri Cities.

Catch the CRUSH!

Catch the Crush. What a wonderful opportunity to share the treats of Tri Cities with family & friends. And to catch up with some new wines.

We visited the Anelare tasting facility in Southridge ... My hubby likes Nona Viola while my fave is the Ciel du Cheval Syrah. Of course, membership has its priveleges ... so we signed up to indulge ourselves. This private, limited edition winery is sure to please; joining the "club" means never missing out on a "tasty" opportunity.

Catch the Crush that is currently running through Tri Cities!

Cañon de Sol Winery Celebrated 10

After ten years in the sunshine of Washington state and the Columbia Valley, Cañon de Sol Winery celebrates with a weekend of events.

Friday, the 28th of August, the winery hosted an Anniversary dinner featuring a multi-course meal especially prepared by Castle Catering to pair with Cañon de Sol wines. Appetizing shrimp were paired with Viognier while guests gathered. The first course was a Beet & Goat Cheese Salad with Fried Green Tomato. Merlot was paired with Salmon Nicoise and Duck Breast with fruit salsa. Meritage accompanied Chorizo with Fig and Chicken Apple Sausage. Finally, Syrah was paired with Shredded Lamb Tamales. The group moved to the barrel room to taste Library Wines and enjoy a variety of desserts.

Victor Cruz was presented with a champagne Saber to commemorate his achievement. As his wife, Kim, cheered him on, Cruz quickly learned the art and demonstrated his new talent - practicing on a bottle of Veuve Cliquot before adeptly opening a bottle of Dom Perignon. The evening was accompanied by the music of Dean Backholm. "It is an honor to be part of the joy and success that Victor is sharing in this celebration," Backholm says. The dinner, limited to 75 guests, sold out early.

In a touching presentation by the Cruz children, Ciara and Nicholas, many an eye teared. The evening blossomed with games and cherished wine giveaways. Trivial Pursuit enveloped Victor's pursuit of Cañon de Sol excellence. His first bottle of Syrah sold for $30 (not $28), and he has zero acres of grapes (for he hand selects his fruit for each vintage).

On Saturday, the 29th of August, the winery hosted a party for 300 guests. Food was catered via the much loved Taqueria Los Toritos taco wagon; and the music of Curtis Nettles stirred the crowd. Many were moved to dancing the night away.

Embracing a tradition passed to America from Mexico, the evening featured a piñata filled with corks. This gave attendees a blow at the ever-popular party game - and when the corks fell, many guests found discounts on Cañon de Sol wines.

"It was a treat to taste the Cañon de Sol library wines!" says Melissa McAloon, Member Services Director for Tri City Regional Chamber of Commerce. A special opportunity to sample limited availability Cañon de Sol library wines was offered to tasters at the event.

To commemorate this milestone, Cañon de Sol Winery offers limited edition etched magnums of Cañon de Sol Syrah and Cañon de Sol Meritage. Only 250 of each were made available, signed and numbered by winemaker Victor Cruz. Magnums are priced at $375 each, and special requests are being accepted for select numbers in the sequence (requests honored as available when received).

Victor Cruz has a passion for making good wine. As he says, "Good wine should be for everybody."

What's next? Cañon de Sol will open a tasting room in Woodinville to better serve a growing clientele. For more information, call the winery at 509.588.6311, eMail wine@canondesol.com, or visit the website http://www.canondesol.com/.

PHOTO: Rich Breshears ~ Breshears Professional Photography

Get Your Bass Out Here ...

The weather is sunny and fishing is fine. The rivers are full of opportunities. And, if that doesn't bite you, boating is an adventure in itself. From kayaking to motoring - not to mention water skiing, there is plenty to do on the water.

If you want an adventure in fitness, there are many options in this arena of outdoor activities! Consider a hike up & down Badger Mountain. There are a few trails from which to choose so you will never get bored. And, the views are stunning.

Or you can run/bike/skate a trail along the river. Breathtaking in more ways than one.

For the swingers out there, golf provides a long walk and plenty of arms! Ya gotta have balls to play this game. Public and private courses abound.

When the weather is not inviting you to hang with nature, then consider it time to hit the gym. Among the many gyms (Keene Fitness, The Court Club, Columbia Basin Racquet Club) you can find one nearby that offers a delightful array of machinery to kick your behind ... or, for those of the female persuasion, Bethel Church offers FFF ~ a fitness fellowship that works up a sweat Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at 9:15.

Bella ... Bueno

It was a Wine Bar Wednesday evening at Bella an Italian Deli. Wine Bar Wednesday gave us a chance to try various Red Mountain wines by the glass and splurge on tasty appetizers before select dinner choices. We had a lightly chilled Kiona Sangiovese with a spice-steamed artichoke dipped in aioli butter. Salad with warm steak. Chicken ziti. Must return for dessert.

This charming eatery provides the most personal touch to deliver a delightful dining experience. The limited menu enchants with a constant stir of new dishes to savor. Multi-course private party dinners are especially engaging! For lunch, dinner, or on the go, there is always an opportunity to indulge your palate at Bella an Italian Deli - consider Bistro Night on Saturdays, boxed meals or picnic baskets perfectly packed for your wine tasting outing, linger at lunch!

Get on the eMail list for all the possibilities. Valerie Brown & Tracy Tudor host your visit to Bella an Italian deli. Call for information 509-588-3354 or show up for a visit at 502 Ninth St. Benton City, WA 99320

Enjoy the weather & the local events currently coursing through Tri Cities.

Roll with the GGGGGood Times ...

Thanks to the fine planning of girl friends, I enjoyed a celebration of another year gone by (too quickly, I must admit). We started off our gathering in the new tasting room at Goose Ridge Winery. At the bar, we sniffed and sipped through the Merlot, Syrah, Q3 Red Wine, Vireo, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sol Duc! Then we purchased a bottle (just try to guess which one - yes, it was red) to savor while lounging in overstuffed chairs near the fireplace.

Here I was presented gifts from some of the most fun places including a French style bonnet with netting that I immediately placed upon my noggin to help keep my thoughts from flying all over the place!

Having worked up an appetite, we headed for Katya's Bistro and Wine Bar. Saving room for desserts (chocolate decadence and lemon cake), we each ordered a Strawberry & Asparagus Salad, then we shared crab cakes and stuffed mushrooms and Chicken Marsala.

T'was an evening of gulping, gabbing, giggling, and gracious gobbling among great girlfriends. GGGGGood Time had by all.

Currently going with the flow in Tri Cities!

A Divine Date with the Dust Devils

We traveled in light traffic and found a reasonably close-to-the-arena parking spot. Arriving through the not-so-pearly gates at Gesa Stadium, we received a bamboo back scratcher, courtesy of Back to Basics Chiropractic (remind me to get adjusted sometime soon).

The air was alive with the scent of various Lamb Weston French Fries - and, of course, we indulged. Our first batch were Fajita Fries - with a south of the border sass that went well with beer (lite or root). Next, we enjoyed the seasoned Tasty QQQ's spiral fries... after which, we were enticed by the fresh Kettle Corn.

The Dust Devils played a losing game, but still we rocked the stadium in hope and cheer. And, the children were invited to run across the outfield during the 7th inning stretch - something I never experienced at a Dodgers, Twins, A's or Mariners game!

In the end, there was a short fireworks show ... and we were given a game ball and a game bat - a Louisville Slugger, none the less! Went to the game, had a ball, got a bat ...

What's current ... catch it in Tri Cities!

Get Your Game On!

Golfing with God: A Novel of Heaven and Earth by Roland Merullo.

This is the "bible" I embrace to guide my steps this summer. And it is quite an interesting read. As I struggle with my golf game, and with the meaning of life, I find lessons that interweave the dirt and divine. Patience, Trust, Humility, Service. Fore!

Took me a while to get along with the golf lingo - much because it is an unfamiliar jargon that I am working to understand (much like God). So, step into the tee box and join me ... "marching straight toward the great battlefield at the outer edges of who I thought I was."

Find your self in the current that runs through Tri Cities.

Pink Current Runs ... or Walks Through

Driving down George Washington Way this morning, I encountered a sea of pink stretching along the sidewalk. Upon closer inspection, I realized that this was a mob of people walking or jogging their way to raise awareness for breast cancer. It was a reminder to grope my chest and to be thankful for no lumps. Just another current event happening in Tri Cities.

Bistro Nights in Benton City

What can I say about a quaint dining room where you can gather with friends for a five course dinner that never ceases to stimulate the imagination and the taste buds. Bring your favorite wines to accompany the artful dishes. Dine in or dine al fresco in the garden ...

Bella, an Italian Deli at 502 Ninth Street in Benton City, provides lunch or dinner most days. Bistro Nights are a special treat. Find out by getting on the email list ... contact Valerie Brown at valerie@belladeli.net or call 509.588.3354.

Let the current carry you around Tri Cities ...

Campy

Lunch today was off the beaten path at a roadside haunt called Sage Port Grille. Truly a haven for H.O.G.s and others with an appetite for breakfast or lunch ... or an occasional dinner while enjoying camp and circumstance.

Memorabilia and memorable statements are sure to amuse when the conversation lulls. A fun place to gather ... right on the river.

While chewing on a Reuben, I contemplated my design for a Mardi Gras mask to be auctioned at a benefit for the Hanford Reach Interpretive Center. I opted to theme it for the regional wine country, utilizing colors inspired by New Orleans (purple, green, gold) and adding a touch of platinum to highlight the piece. Entitled Quin du Vin (Harlequin of Wine), the mask is one of my favorite creations. May it fetch a fine fortune for the cause. May I find more opportunities with the local group 509 Artists. UPDATE: The Mardi Gras event reportedly raised $11,000!

The current runs wide and deep ~ catch it through Tri Cities.

Ahhhhh... a Spa

It was time to gather with girlfriends for a day of "we" time. We met at Nouveau Skin Spa to pamper the flesh and the refresh spirit. It wasn't easy pulling up to the commercial-looking complex and believing that I could be whisked away, but the minute I opened the door to be greeted by deep color and a water fall, the journey was on!

First on my agenda was the Nouveau Facial where my mug was anointed with essential oils and brushed with unguents. I was especially blessed to be treated by the founder, Sunny, herself. Next, I was "rocking on" with a Medistone massage at the caring hands of Stormy. Heated stones pressed upon my skin, relieving every tension. I floated to the makeup vanity to get dusted with mineral powder and ready for the rest of the day.

More relaxing was on the agenda ... The Gathering Place at Bookwalter Winery for a bottle of Protagonist - the feisty red blend with a Merlot star! We enjoyed the wine with a plate of five artisan cheeses (my fave was the Rogue Creamery Smokey Bleu). After joining the Book Club to enjoy the privileges of membership, we selected a case of wines to take home.

Get carried away on the current that runs through Tri Cities.

Hot Italian Nights ~ A Runway Hit

Evenings are great time to venture to the airport ... especially if you are not leaving town! Florentyna's restaurant located in the Pasco airport brings a history of local flavor to treat your palate, thanks to the talent of Cindy Goulet. Always of interest are the themed menus such as the current Hot Italian Nights (which is rumored to be repeated for Valentine's Day). Our selections fascinated us with flavor.

And, the crowd is fascinating too! This evening, winemaking legend Charlie Hoppes, designer of Fidelitas wines, visited tables to chat about wine and share stories of Tri Cities life. We were enchanted with the tale of his m100 wine being named in honor of his grandmother (Mary, who lived to be 100).

Food and wine, family and friends ... all are embraced in this place of coming and going. Let it be wind in your wings. Come catch the current.

Jammin' at Tea-time

Looking for an enchanting experience? Try High Tea. The Victorian Tea Garden in Richland serves a traditional English Tea almost daily. Enter the cozy parlor and enjoy fine cups and saucers in a variety of styles. Select your tea, hot or iced, and enjoy an array of delicacies ~ crustless finger sandwiches, sausages, scones with jam, tiny cakes and crisp cookies.

Sometimes the currant catches the current in Tri Cities.

All Americans

Winter calls us to the ice for skating and hockey. And, all the excitement of slapping and sticking come together at the Toyota Center when the Tri City Americans meet opponents within the Western Hockey League. It is beautiful to see the deft maneuvers that push the puck past the goalie and into the net. Unfortunately, many a game is interrupted by a barbaric brawl while the crowd cheers it on ... usually things are tempered before a stomach turning bash draws blood.

And after Sunday home games, fans are invited to skate with the Americans. Call ahead to reserve your spot on the ice. A good time is guaranteed, especially after a win.

When the appetite strikes, every sports fan's favorite snack is available to tempt indulgence. Lots of souvenirs let you support your team, and your country. How great is that?!

The current runs through us. Catch it.

Reflections on Reinvention

This one is for reinvention! On so many levels, it feels great to find a new outlook. The highlights: I got mine at Reflections Salon where stylist whiz Melissa Edwards coiffed my locks in the most delightful way! I walked out looking a decade younger! The weave rocks.

However chic, it is not just a chick thing, guys can benefit from a new do too ... Find yourself in the current running through Tri Cities.

Get Your Bass Out Here

Fish on! Okay ... it is nearing the end of the line for many fish in town. Pun intended. From Salmon to Bass to Sturgeon to Trout and many in between, there is a bite just waiting for you. Enjoy the many luring waters of Tri Cities.

And, afterward, get a bite of your own. Bonefish Grill offers a sumptuous menu if you want to linger over your meal and get the "white tablecloth" treatment. Or for a more casual nibble, swing in to Brickhouse Pizza. A pitcher of ale will pleasantly wash down a delightful array of toppings.

Catch something when you catch the current running through Tri Cities!

A Parade

If you are in search of ideas to employ when remodeling, building ,or decorating your home, the Parade of Homes is a great event to visit. But don't limit yourself to the selection of award winning houses. Make it a point to travel to new developments, whether local or out of town, where you can walk through model homes in an effort to get the widest perspective possible (bring a camera). With every new intrigue, there sparks a light that might lead to innovation or even invention. It's also fun to dream outside the box.

After being indoors for the view, take a break to enjoy nature ... hike a trail on Badger Mountain. And notice the call for donations - it is never too late nor too little when you give to preservation of nature. "Gimme my space!"

Be the current that runs through Tri Cities!

Happy Happy Happy

Well it's back to school, back to the grind! And, there are always many reasons to celebrate. Gather at Tagaris and enjoy flatbread pizza while sipping Kokkino. Linger indoors, or hang out on the patio while the weather remains friendly.

There's a new venue in town, Casa Vino. Swing by and swirl some wine in your glass. Breathe!

Catch the current that runs through Tri Cities ... let it carry you away!

Follies & Fashion & Fidelitas

TAN YOUR HIDE, HIDE YOUR TAN ... Artwalk and the Water Follies visited Tri Cities bringing many out to the river's edge. In the warm summer sunshine, many were tanning their hides while showing off various forms of body art ~ tattoos, piercings, cleavage, crevices, and more! Fashion statements abound.

To hide the tan come September, CAbi representatives introduced the Fall Fashion line up. A full house gathered at the Café at Queensgate to enjoy the runway models in CAbi wear. I particularly taken by the flapper style shift dress. It moves in the most delightful way.

While viewing the clothes, we were treated to the most delightful treats ~ my favorite being the vanilla mini cupcakes with pink frosting.

I ended the week with a delish dinner at P.F. Chang's ~ ambiance and all! Usually a take-out diner, we snagged a rare empty table. Thus I sat for a while sipping through a bottle of Fidelitas 2004 Optu with family, reminiscing about hydroplanes and flappers, enjoying our food piping hot!

The current runs deep and wide ... step into it.