Brickman Blog

Men in Kilts! The Scottish Festival is coming!

 It's only a few short weeks away and we're all getting excited around here! Bagpipes! Men in Kilts! Sheepdogs! It's a feast for the senses. So many great PR hooks because there's something for everyone at this amazingly enjoyable festival. Mark your calendars if you're in the area!

42ND ANNUAL MONTEREY SCOTTISH GAMES & CELTIC FESTIVAL TO BE HELD AUGUST 1 AND 2, 2009

June,  2009. Monterey, CA  The award-winning Scottish Society of the Monterey Peninsula and the Salinas Jaycees will hold the 42nd Annual Monterey Scottish Games and Celtic Festival on Saturday and Sunday, August 1 and 2, 2009 at beautiful Monterey County Toro Park, located between Monterey and Salinas on Highway 68.

This very popular Celtic celebration brings the music, dance and athletic events of the mystical lands of Scotland and Ireland to Monterey County. Why fly to Scotland and Ireland when you can enjoy the cultural bounty of the region right here!  Featuring fun activities for the whole family, the 42nd Annual Scottish Games & Celtic Festival will offer a variety of live Celtic entertainment with massed pipe bands on parade, including California pipe bands and Highland and Irish dancers.  The very special entertainment at the 2009 Festival will include Irish entertainer, Ken O’Malley and the Twilight Lords Band, Molly’s Revenge,  and fiddler John Taylor performing with special guest singer and guitarist, Ed Miller.

The Festival will feature exciting Scottish heavy athletic competition events, including the famous Caber Toss. Great entertainment will be provided by professional Celtic Bands. Exciting colorful activities will include pipe band competitions, Drum Major competitions, Highland Dancing, Irish Step Dancing, Sheepdog herding, Clan and Celtic Association Tents. Stroll through the Avenue of Clans, visit one of the Clan tents and trace your ancestry.  There will be lots of fun special events planned for the wee ones at the Children's Games, too. Over 50 vendors offering tasty British and Scottish food and drink and unique Scottish and Irish crafts, jewelry, clothing, and music will be enjoyed by all. Sunday's Games will also include a special Pipe Band Concert. Festival proceeds will benefit several local non-profit organizations.

For more details,  check out the website: http://www.montereyscotgames.com or call 831-333-9423.

Beach Blanket...Babylon!

 I'm not sure why it took us 35 years to go see this very special show, Beach Blanket Babylon...but it was amazing! A fun escape into great hats and glittery costumes. A very special musical. Sold out shows, too, so obviously a crowd pleaser! Congrats to Beach Blanket Babylon for a very long success!

Steve Silver's Beach Blanket Babylon, the longest running musical revue in theatre history, is a zany musical spoof of pop culture with extravagant costumes and outrageously huge hats. Now in its 34th year of sold-out performances, Beach Blanket Babylon is an internationally acclaimed San Francisco institution. With more than 12,000 performances in San Francisco, the show has performed for standing room only during its London and Las Vegas engagements. Beach Blanket Babylon continually evolves in its hilarious parodies of current events and popular icons as todays headlines unfold.

JW Winslow's Jasmine Dogs Event at Wave Street Studios!

Looking forward to the 2nd booksigning on the Publicity Tour for Jasmine Dogs: Mystic Adventures in Big Sur by J.W. Winslow. This time, we'll be at a videorecording event at Wave Street Studios just off historic Cannery Row in Monterey, not surprisingly located on Wave Street!

Jasmine Dogs is a fabulous summer read! A great book that's totally green...and beautifully printed by Cypress Press! And, with a gorgeous cover painted by the talented Big Sur artist, Erin Lee Gafill. With specially composed theme music by the irrepressible Tom Ayres, an amazing guitarist I also admire in the band, Mike Beck & The Bohemian Saints and Persephone's Bees!

Don't despair! If you can't make this event, it will soon be archived on the Wave Street website: www.livenetworks.tv Check it out in a week or two...and definitely check out the book, Jasmine Dogs, at Amazon and many other major book retailers!

Great Book Launch Events!

JW Winslow has created some wonderful book launch events - there's something convenient for everyone in Monterey, Big Sur, and LA...so far. JW has written a fun to read story about a woman living an interesting life in both Big Sur and LA. Talented Big Sur artist, Erin Gafill, has created a beautiful book cover. And, of course, Tom Ayres' music is divine! Hope to see you at one of these terrific events!

JASMINE DOGS Book Launch Events…
 
SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2009: WAVE STREET STUDIOS
774 WAVE STREET
MONTEREY, CA 93940
831/655-2010
www.livenetworks.tv
1:00 P.M - 4:00 P.M.
LIVE VIDEO TAPING OF INTERVIEW
BY J.W. WINSLOW, ERIN LEE GAFILL
AND DAN CHRISTENSEN
HOSTED BY DEBRA TRENT
ORIGINAL JASMINE DOGS THEME BY TOM AYRES AND
JASMINE DOGS ART BY ERIN LEE GAFILL.
BOOK SIGNING BY J.W. WINSLOW
AND ERIN LEE GAFILL
WINE BY VENTANA VINEYARDS

TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2009: NEPENTHE
PHOENIX SHOP
HIGHWAY 1
BIG SUR, CALIFORNIA
831/667-2345
www.nepenthebigsur.com
12:30 - 3:30
PROGRAM AND BOOK SIGNING
BY J.W. WINSLOW
AND ERIN LEE GAFILL
ORIGINAL JASMINE DOGS THEME MUSIC
BY TOM AYRES
ORIGINAL JASMINE DOGS ART
BY ERIN LEE GAFILL
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PUBLICITY CONTACT: WENDY BRICKMAN
                                        (831) 633-4444  
                                        brickman@brickmanmarketing.com

J.W. WINSLOW’S NEW PREMIERE GREEN NOVEL, “JASMINE DOGS (MYSTIC ADVENTURES IN BIG SUR) VOLUME 1” DEBUTS ON JUNE 1, 2009

May, 2009, Carmel, CA.  In the tradition of Carmel’s legendary Bohemian artists and writers of the early 20th Century, Bohemian Chic Renaissance Woman, J.W. Winslow, a Carmel writer/artist/poet, has penned a suspenseful new premier green novel set in beautiful Big Sur and the Monterey Peninsula, with adventures in the fast-paced Hollywood film world of Los Angeles.

J.W. Winslow’s JASMINE DOGS (Mystic Adventures in Big Sur) Volume 1 (324 pages, $19.95 suggested retail, 8 1/8” x 8 1/8”, published by Fresh Art , ISBN #978-0-578-01536-1, will be available worldwide on June 1, 2009 at Amazon.com, Borders, B. Dalton, Carmel Bay Company, Pilgrims Way, Nepenthe Big Sur Phoenix Shop, and may  be purchased directly from www.jwwinslow.com on the Fresh Art ebay store.

Love, life and death in Big Sur are the themes that inspired writer J.W. Winslow to create Dyanna Falconer and bring her to the pages of this premier green novel published by FRESH ART.  The novel’s cover art was created by Big Sur native artist Erin Lee Gafill, and depicts the beautiful vistas of Big Sur. Legendary rock guitarist Tom Ayres has composed the original theme music for JASMINE DOGS, which will be featured at events to release the book this summer. Winslow and Gafill will team up with programs about Big Sur and book signing parties.

Printed by the renowned Cypress Press, JW Winslow’s green novel is composed entirely from recycled components, including cover and text stock, and vegetable based ink that is 100% VOC free.

About JASMINE DOGS ((Mystic Adventures in Big Sur) Volume 1

SUMMARY:

Dyanna Falconer is on a roll when she sells her book to Hollywood and falls in love with a hot movie star. But she misses her home in Big Sur, and longs to paint and write and live her life on the ocean with the unforgettable characters that inhabit the wild coast. She is warned about the JASMINE DOGS by a rough Esalen Indian mystic, but plunges ahead with a big romance and the consequences of her double life. Escape into the mysteries of JASMINE DOGS, and hold on tight... it’s a wild ride!
 

SYNOPSIS:  

JASMINE DOGS is about the process of life, and all the consequences of our actions. The legends and mysteries that influence each day, every move you make may be a mistake, or in the case of Dyanna Falconer, taking a chance on a dream.

Life is going well for Dyanna, who lives on the fabulous coast of Big Sur and writes for Hollywood films, commuting between the land of LALA and back to the sanity of painting and reveling in the silence and beauty of home.  She is not impressed by the money they throw at her, or the charms of screen god Kevin Stone until he shows up at her door and worms his way into her life. He is inescapably engaging, despite all of his “star” baggage.

It doesn’t hurt that Dyanna is a beautiful and strong woman given to wearing flowers in her hair and exotic costumes, or the fact that she writes great scripts and works hard. But it’s not her talent that attracts Kevin, or the attention of the Esalen Indians who populate Big Sur. Dyanna is a woman of erotic tastes and many lovers who is drawn into the mystery of the JASMINE DOGS and the arms of THE MOVIE MAN.

About  J.W. Winslow/THE WRITER-PUBLISHER

J.W.Winslow is a writer, artist and poet who expands her dreams into books about the places she loves. She is the author of SENSUAL INDIGO: Memoir of a Renaissance Woman, and new WEBSONGS poems released monthly online.

JASMINE DOGS is the first book in a series about Mystic Adventures in Big Sur to be published by FRESH ART, and is the world’s premier green novel. The sequel will be published in 2010.

Raised in a creative family of journalists, publishers, actors, songwriters and architects, J.W. Winslow has been writing all of her life. As Editor of her high school newspaper, she wrote columns on music, art and rebellion, followed by stories, poetry and feature articles.  In 1998, her book SENSUAL INDIGO (Memoir of a Renaissance Woman) was published to rave reviews. Screenplays include PABLO & PARIS (from SENSUAL INDIGO), WILD BIRD – The Margaret Owings Story and PARADISE RISING, the story of saving Southern California’s iconic Crystal Cove.

About J.W. Winslow/THE ARTIST

J.W. Winslow has created a collection called FRESH ART that includes paintings, assemblage, enviro~sculpture, painted glass and special greeting cards. Working outside as the season permits, she uses Carmel's luminous light to fashion the colors of nature into the work. Each piece is unique and one of a kind, often commissioned by a patron or designer for a special place. FRESH ART is featured in collections all over the world, and can be viewed at www.jwwinslow.com .

About J.W. Winslow/ THE WOMAN

J.W. Winslow is a native Californian focused on the creative journey and a drive for excellence. Her vision is to communicate the beauty and drama of life, and inspire others through her work.

To serve the community that nurtures and inspires, she volunteers and donates her services to the Carmel Kiwanis and AT&T Junior Golf. She partnered with Community Partnership for Youth (CPY) to produce fine art posters and greeting cards to benefit children with special needs. Winslow taught the students to write poetry and paint over Summer sessions, and also serves on the CPY Board of Directors.  

About JASMINE DOGS’ Cover Artist, Erin Lee Gafill

Big Sur native, Erin Lee Gafill, created the cover art for JASMINE DOGS. She is an award winning writer, artist and teacher, living and painting in the old log house above the sea where her grandparents settled six decades ago. A fifth generation California artist, Erin's abstracted landscapes are inspired by the majesty and light of the Big Sur coast. In 1998, Erin co-founded the Big Sur Arts Initiative to bring programs to the children and families. She blogs about life on the coast at www.eringafill.com

About JASMINE DOGS’ theme song composer, Tom Ayres

 With a lifetime of skills as a musician and blockbuster TV credits like The Sopranos and Weeds, Tom Ayres brings his fine art and creative musical prowess to the pages of JASMINE DOGS. As a native Monterey County boy, Tom began romancing melodies with the French horn and trumpet in High School, before graduating to the electric guitar and joining his first band called Jasmine T.  Over the years he has perfected a style that led to Persephone’s Bees, an unusual rock band created with wife Angelina, and their first hit CD called Notes from the Underworld.  Always up for an adventurous recording session, he also celebrates his Central Coast roots with Mike Beck’s Bohemian Saints , contributing his famous 12 string Rickenbacker licks to this popular Monterey band.   

Working with Persephone’s Bees, Tom’s music also has been featured in the film Bewitched and commercials like Hilton Hotels and the French Yellow pages, and he continues to draw rave reviews for his guitar licks from fans around the world. Mac McDonald of the Monterey County Herald described his Guitar God Status as equal to Jimmy Page or Stevie Ray Vaughn.   His JASMINE DOGS theme music will be featured at opening events at WAVE STREET STUDIOS, NEPENTHE and the BEACH HOUSE gala at Pebble Beach. You will find more about Tom Ayres at www.persephonesbees.com.    

About JASMINE DOGS’ green printer, Dan Christensen, owner of Cypress Press

Founded in 1952, Cypress Press has been serving the Monterey Bay area for over 57 years. The second generation family-owned printing business incorporates classic old style application and designs with environmental earth-friendly green materials. Cypress Press specializes in foil embossed designs with vegetable based ink combinations on recycled stocks.

To schedule an interview with J.W. Winslow or to receive a review copy of JASMINE DOGS, contact Wendy Brickman at (831) 633-4444 office/(831) 594-1500 cell or email Brickman@brickmanmarketing.com.

To reach J.W. Winslow, email jw@jwwinslow.com.


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Step back in time at La Merienda!

This is such a great event!!! Colorful, historical and fun! Hope to see you there!

MONTEREY HISTORY AND ART ASSOCIATION TO HOLD 78th ANNUAL
LA MERIENDA CELEBRATION ON SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2009 TO CELEBRATE MONTEREY’S 239th BIRTHDAY

April, 2009, Monterey, CA – The Monterey History and Art Association will hold its 78th Annual La Merienda Celebration on Saturday, June 6, 2009, from 11:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., to celebrate Monterey’s 239th birthday. This popular party will take place in the Memory Gardens, Pacific House, on Custom House Plaza (next to the Maritime Museum and the Portola Hotel in Monterey). A pre-party will be held in the Sensory Garden, behind Pacific House from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. The Merienda Gate opens at 11:15 and starts officially at Noon.

La Merienda (the Spanish term for afternoon picnic or mid-day meal) celebrates the founding of the town of Monterey by Father Junipero Serra and Captain Gaspar de Portola on June 3, 1770. Their meeting also honored the founding of the “Royal Presidio Chapel”, known today as San Carlos Cathedral. After the ceremonies that day, everyone sat down for a picnic under an oak tree near their ship, the San Antonio, in the harbor. The Monterey History and Art Association has celebrated this historic event every year since the Association was established in 1931.

This colorful and fun party within a party typically attracts 600 people, including local and international dignitaries, features a procession, mariachi bands, dancers, and a steak barbecue. It also includes a giant 75-pound beautifully decorated birthday cake that is festooned with fresh roses. The cake is carried in by local youths (cake-bearers), and sliced with the sword of Colonel Roger S. Fitch, the first President of the Monterey History and Art Association. Three young women are chosen each year for ceremonial positions. One young woman is chosen as “La Favorita”, the belle of the day’s festivities. Two other young women are selected to serve as her attendants (“Doncellas”). The women who are chosen for these roles, accompanied by a chaperone (“La Duena”) can trace their ancestry back through Monterey history many generations. These women dress in traditional white Spanish gowns and mantillas (scarfs) and greet guests, cut the birthday cake, and hold court at the celebration.

As people gather in Sensory Gardens prior to the start of La Merienda, they will be entertained by mariachis and the youthful dancing of “Las Semillas de Esperanza” (Seeds of Hope). Following the barbecue and cake-cutting, entertainment will be provided by the always-popular Mike Marotta Jr. Band (with a few special guests). New entertainers this year will include the Aditi Flamenco Dancers, appearing with Guitarist Terrence Ferrell. 

The Monterey History and Art Association, which operates the Monterey Maritime and History Museum, Mayo Hayes O’Donnell Library, Casa Serrano, the Perry-Downer Carriage House, and Doud House, is the oldest cultural institution on the Monterey Peninsula. It began its work 78 years ago, and is still going strong today as a leader in the preservation of Monterey’s artifacts, historic properties, and local art. It is dedicated to sharing the histories and the diverse legacies of people, stories, and places that continue to shape Monterey.

Tickets are $45 for Monterey History and Art Association members and $55 for non-members. Money must be received by Tuesday, May 26, 2009.  If there are still tickets available after that date, the price will be $55. For more information about joining the Monterey History and Art Association or obtaining tickets to La Merienda, call (831) 372-2608, Ext. *813.

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The Benihana Brand!

Benihana Restaurant is a crowd-pleaser and one of our favorite restaurants on the planet. In our minds, it is expertly branded and marketed very well! It is truly always a fun, interactive experience, as well as a restaurant that features delicious, freshly prepared, healthy cuisine. 

It was fabulous to learn that it had recently reopened in Monterey near the Fisherman's Wharf. The owners, Mitsufumi and Rumi Okabe, have enhanced the decor so the restaurant is now beautiful, comfortable and the perfect setting to an evening of fun and delicious cuisine.

We had a few minutes to chat with Mitsufumi and Rumi and found that they were friendly and gracious. They also  have a very interesting background in the Japanese Tour business in the Bay Area, as well as the music industry.

Miguel, the restaurant's host, was friendly and helpful as he guided us to our table. The at-table chef, Timoteo, who worked at Benihana for 7 years, was skilled with both the food and the always fun to enjoy juggling of the utensils and more! The server, Maako, was lovely, and Abraham, also made sure we we had what we needed at all times. Watching the faces of some of the diners at other tables was entertaining too as they enjoyed the "show" put on by each of the talented chefs! One group had scheduled their birthday at the restaurant and received a great  birthday song performance (with a drum!) table-side.

So, here's a little bit more about Benihana to refresh your memory or in case you've never had the opportunity to enjoy it...

Japanese cuisine and live chef entertainmnt with traditional atmosphere and restaurant experiences such as Sushi, Teppanyaki, Hibachi and Grill.

Benihana Inc., operator of the nation's largest chain of Japanese theme and sushi restaurants, announced the opening of its newest franchise location in Monterey, California.

-- Chain Leader, 4/30/2009 10:31:00 AM

PRESS RELEASE: MONTEREY, Calif. (April 30, 2009) - Benihana Inc. (NASDAQ: BNHNA; BNHN), operator of the nation's largest chain of Japanese theme and sushi restaurants, today announced the opening of its newest franchise location in Monterey, California. 
 
The Monterey franchise restaurant, owned by Rumi & Mitsufumi Okabe, is the 16th Benihana restaurant in California.  The restaurant offers a menu of tender steaks, juicy chicken and succulent shrimp prepared and served by entertaining chefs before guests seated at teppanyaki tables.  Benihana Monterey also features a sushi menu with delicious innovations and a sake menu with selections typically found only in Japan. 
 
The Monterey restaurant boasts a sushi bar, lounge seating, a full-service bar serving delicious specialty drinks and 14 teppanyaki tables.  The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.  It is located at 136 Olivier St., near Fisherman's Wharf.
 
For more information about Benihana, please visit www.benihana.com.
 
About Benihana

Benihana Inc. (NASDAQ GS: BNHN and BNHNA) operates 64 Benihana teppanyaki restaurants, nine Haru restaurants, and 22 RA Sushi restaurants.  Under development at present are nine restaurants:  four Benihana teppanyaki restaurants and five RA Sushi restaurants.  In addition, 22 franchised Benihana teppanyaki restaurants are operating in the U.S., Latin America and the Caribbean.

At Benihana

Welcome!

To a unique and exceptional experience that's fresh and new every time you visit.

What goes on at Benihana?

At the heart of the Benihana experience is the teppanyaki table, around which guests gather and enjoy a meal expertly prepared and cooked to perfection on a steel grill, right before their eyes — by a chef who is as much entertainer as culinary master.

The meal begins with a delicate Japanese onion soup, followed by a salad with ginger dressing. The chef will prepare your chicken, beef or seafood, along with vegetables, hibachi-style on the sizzling grill surface. Be sure to enjoy the show, because Benihana chefs literally play with your food as they cook it.

Your entrée will be served with homemade dipping sauces and steamed rice, or if you prefer, Benihana's mouthwatering Hibachi chicken rice. You may also order tempura, sushi and specialty rolls. See our full menu here.

Who can I bring to Benihana?

Bring a friend, a date, your children, your whole family or your office gang — anyone who enjoys a delicious, freshly cooked meal with a little fun thrown in.

Benihana can accommodate groups of all sizes, and the more the merrier at the teppanyaki tables. Even if you come on your own, you can join others at the table for a fresh cooked meal and a show. Please call your favorite Benihana restaurant to reserve group dining.

Shop for a great cause!!

Another great collaboration for an important cause! These retailers are generous to non-profits all across the country...

WARDROBE PARTY FUNDRAISER AT CHICO’S AND SOMA TO BENEFIT MONTEREY RELAY OF THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY

    On Thursday, April 30th, a “Wardrobe Party” will be held at both Chico’s and SOMA stores at Del Monte Shopping Center to benefit the Monterey Relay for Life of the American Cancer Society (www.tinyurl.com/Mont-relay). Chico’s and SOMA will donate an amount equal to 10% of merchandise purchases for items purchased from Noon to 9:00 PM if the “American Cancer Society Promotion” is mentioned at the time of purchase. This is a perfect opportunity to shop for Mother’s Day which is only a week away! (Note: Gift certificates and sales tax are not included and some restrictions apply.) Chico’s specializes in women’s clothing and provides great apparel for the sophisticated woman featuring a full line of private label apparel, accessories, and jewelry, with a focus on comfort. SOMA specializes in high quality lingerie including luxurious bras, panties, sleepwear, activewear & more. The Monterey Relay for Life will be held on May 2nd at Monterey Peninsula College.

    For more information, contact Ilene Eisen, CPA, at (831) 373-8200.
 

 

Pebble Beach Food & Wine Event!

  Kudos to David Bernahl and Robert Weakley, co-founders of the Pebble Beach Food & Wine event held this past weekend in Pebble Beach, of course. Last year, their first year, they raised over $100,000 for local charities. Ideally, this sold out event in its 2nd year, will do the same. What an amazingly complex event with 60 of the world's best chefs and more than 250 of the finest wineries from around the globe. Great sponsors, too, including Lexus and American Express Publishing!

And, don't think social media networking was overlooked...you could follow the Pebble Beach Food & Wine on both Facebook and Twitter!

Join them next year April 8-11, 2010. Same time! Same place!

Bunnies!

It was also terrific to see all of the families enjoying a beautiful day by the gorgeous fountain at Del Monte Shopping Center in Monterey. Our favorite Easter Bunny was there meeting and greeting and sharing lots of treats for the kids. The Ariel Theatre children did a fabulous parade too! Happy Easter!

2 More Beck & The Bohemian Saints Shows!

For all of you who came out to the Mike Beck & The Bohemian Saints show, it was great to see you here at the Pelican Tavern. Hope you can hear the strong talent in this band. There are some large crowds in attendance in that beautiful tavern that overlooks the Monterey Bay.

I recognized lots of friends in the crowd! Social marketing like Facebook, Typepad and PWN eblasts do have an impact.

Now, this coming weekend, we are in for two more treats - one show down in gorgeous Big Sur at Fernwood (9 PM) on April 17th and one at the cozy East Village Coffee Lounge on Saturdy, April 18th. Hope to see you there.

And, I'm counting the months until we get to see the band on the beautiful Garden Stage on August 12th, opening night at the Monterey County Fair! Anyhow see you all soon!