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May 27, 2006
June 1 marks important wine tasting
These events are always fun. All you have to do is RSVP and you are plugged in to the club.
Italian winemaker Albino Rocca will host the Dilly Deli's upcoming Thursday, June 1, wine tasting. The Dilly Deli, located at The Strand next to Starbucks and Sara Benjamin's, has made a name for themselves as one of the best bars in America and for their regular wine tasting gatherings.
According to the owners, in the northwest of Italy there is a place known as Piedmont which is teeming with great wines and great producers. "Albino Rocca is among the top 1 percent and he is coming here to show us how great his wines are," owner Robbie Warinner said.
Rocca is famous for his Barbaresco wines, because Barbaresco is deemed "important" by the wine press, however this causes the pundits to miss his other wines.
"That is a shame, as he is highly esteemed by his peers and Italian wine aficianados for outstanding wines made from Barbera, Chardonnay, and Cortese, as well as a fabulous Rosso that has no business being as cheap as it is," Warinner said.
The tasting costs $25, and gets you plenty of food, and will run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30p.m. Call 871-4825 or send an e-mail to reserve your spot.
Posted by johnston at 02:38 PM
24 and 48 hours ahead
Just a heads up for this weekend!
The Mariemont 5K Race/Walk will be held Sunday May 28, 2006, starting at 9:00 a.m.
The Mariemont Village Offices will be closed Monday, May 29, 2006, in observation of Memorial Day.
Posted by johnston at 01:52 PM
May 22, 2006
Get tanned, get in shape
Have you been sitting around, ruminating on how your aren’t getting any younger and that your body isn’t getting any fitter? Sure, expensive gyms may not be your milieu, zealous trainers may not be your favorite people, and watching fitness DVDs in front of your TV may not be how your want to utilize your living room.
But it is time to challenge yourself and have fun while doing it and The Travel Authority is offering vacation packages that might be the answer.
The Third annual SHAPE and Men’s Fitness “Mind/Body Cruise” aboard Carnival Glory will be weighting anchor Dec. 2nd to the 9th, 2006.
It is an exclusive cruise to the Western Caribbean. Experts from SHAPE and Men’s Fitness Magazine will be on board to conduct complete mind and body programs.
You can sign up alone, as a couple, or with a group of friends, and while learning how to change your life from being out-of0shape to being in great shape, you will experience everything a fun ship cruise has to offer. You will start from Port Canaveral and head to Key West, Belize City and to Costa Maya, Mexico.
It is a seven day cruise starting at $739.
Make your reservations by stopping in to The Travel Authority, 6800 Wooster Pike, in Mariemont. You can also visit their site at www.TheTravelAuthority.com/destinations
Posted by johnston at 01:04 PM
May 12, 2006
Don't miss this weekend at the Dilly Deli
Memorial Day Weekend Sale
Mark your calendar. Thursday, May 25th through Saturday, May 27th, the Dilly Deli will be offering an array of wines for terrific discount prices and you can take an additional discount at the register when you buy a case or more. The owners have picked out a number of cherries from around the world and worked out a deal with their suppliers that will allow them to offer exclusive low-pricing and a 20 percent discount by the case.
There will also be a wiine tasting this Saturday
The tastings in each of the last two weeks have been quite successful, and this week there are some special wines on hand and people will be able to ask questions of Jeff Hickenlooper of Vanguard Wines. Vanguard is a distributor of premium, hand-crafted wines; Jeff is one step away from earning his certification as a Master Sommelier.
Posted by johnston at 05:39 PM
May 10, 2006
The joy of the haircut
I remember as a child, particularly between the ages of four to approximately 10, how excited I would be when the family would make the two-hour drive to visit the grandparents.
I loved seeing my grandmother and grandfather. I loved the “no limit” rule on how much ice cream could be devoured. Grandma and grandpa’s house was similar to a refuge for the me because the parents were a bit more lax in their disciplinary methods and I could get away with more mischief than would normally be allotted at home.
But there was one drawback, one sacrifice that must be completed before any ice cream, any fun, could be had: upon arrival to grandma’s and grandpa’s house and after all the hugs and kisses were administered, it was a long, grueling walk to grandpa’s car where he would drive me to the barbershop to get my hair cut.
Why was getting my hair cut paramount to my grandfather as soon as I arrived? To this day I am not sure. But for some reason he firmly believed that hair that was longer than your thumb was hair that needed to be clipped. And thus for years a tortuous procedure ensued which branded in my mind like a cattle brand to the forehead the buzzing of shears, the sound of smooth music issuing from some old black radio on the counter, and nervously sitting in a pleather chair waiting for my name to be called by the barber who, simultaneously, shook that ugly green apron that soon would be tied around my neck.
I hated getting my hair cut. But now, I find it a treat.
Ron Salzano, owner of Ron’s Barber Shop in Mariemont, says he still sees the same routine I just explained.
“Yeah, we still get a lot of grandpas bringing in their grandchildren to get their hair cut. That is why we try to be as sympathetic to the kids as we can,” Salzano said. “We know they don’t want to be here.”
So, there must be three truths regarding the barber business: Grandpas love taking their grandkids to get their hair cut, kids really hate getting their hair cut, and as you get older you realize that getting your hair cut is more of a luxury than it is torture.
And making it a luxury is what Ron, who’s business possesses the most longevity of any of the business owners around the village square (he’s been located in Mariemont for 31 years), wants to accomplish.
He runs a full-service barbershop, not only offering hair cuts but also shaves, facials, good conversation, sports TV for the fan and cartoons for the child.
"The main thing in getting a shave, facial and scalp massage is that it's relaxing. It's a good way to spoil yourself.
"I have one customer who comes in for a shave because he wants to sit down and zone out," Salzano said. "He sits down, lays back and he is in another world."
The art behind a good shave is knowing how to work the angles.
A man's numerous facial contours means being able to apply the straight-edge razor at various degrees.
Everything is an angle, according to Salzano, so he must hold the razor differently according to the location on the face.
"And, everyone's beard is different, so you must have fine-tuned skills," Salzano said.
Men can receive the Business Man's Special, which is the shave, facial and scalp massage for $16. Customers may also buy gift certificates for friends.
"This is a good idea if you want to get a present for someone ... or even if you want to treat yourself," he said, adding the a shave and facial generally take between 45 minutes and one-hour to complete.
Besides being seen cutting hair in his barbershop, Salzano can also be seen in many a family’s photo album and home movies.
“Yeah, I have been in a lot of photographs, a lot of movies. Parents like to shoot photos or film their child getting their first haircut.
“We like to do first-time haircuts for people’s children,” he says, “and we are pretty good.
“We have a way of making fans out of the kids. We kind of become like their grandpa or uncle,” he laughs.
Alongside Salzano is Brian Peters, who has worked at the shop for eight years.
The most bizarre haircut Salzano has given was to a young woman who had long blond hair. She requested he shave half her head, leaving the hair on the other half of her head at length.
“The youngest person I have ever given a haircut was three-week old baby” he says.
Haircuts and shaves cost $13.50 each. There is the “businessman’s special”, which includes a wash, haircut and scalp massage for $16. The cleansing facial package is also $13.50.
To make an appointment, call 271-7676.
Posted by johnston at 02:41 PM
May 05, 2006
Specials for May 5 to May7
Be sure to check out what’s special this weekend, May 5 to May 7.
At the National Exemplar:
Alaskan Halibut poached with saffron blood orange aioli. Served with rice medley and fresh green beans and mushrooms $20.95
Artichoke Chicken – boneless Amish breast encrusted with artichoke hearts and Parmesan cheese. Served with rice medley and grilled asparagus $17.95
Pasta – fettuccine tossed with chicken, mushrooms, Roma tomatoes, garlic, basil and brie cheese $18.95
There are some new wines to be tasted at the Dilly Deli, including:
Colonia las Liebres 2005 Bonarda Mendoza
Argentina is hot real estate for wines these days, and California native Paul Hobbs has crafted a delicious, sappy red from Bonarda, a grape that is of unknown provenance. However, when a grape produces a fleshy, refreshing wine such as this, its pedigree doesn't matter. Especially because it's $8.99.
De Meye 2004 Little River Stellenbosch
This Cabernet Sauvignon-Shiraz blend from South Africa has bright red fruit flavors and regal, velvety texture. It provides such pleasure because it only costs $15.
Colonial Estate 2004 Shiraz "Explorateur” and Colonial Estate 2004 GSM "Envoy"
Aussie winery Colonial Estate is a Barossa Valley producer. The Barossa produces a glut of wines already. If you haven't tried a top-class OZ wine before, now you can do it without breaking the bank, for the wine is on sale for $35 a piece. For those interested in great white wine, there is also the Colonial Estate Semillon "Expatrie” – an excellent rendition of this classic white Bordeaux grape.
Here’s a heads-up! From 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 11, there will be a Fife Winery Tasting with Rick Dearworth for $30 per person. You can make reservations by e-mail or by calling 561-5233. Fife Winery is a Mendocino County producer specializing in rich and complex red wines from zin and syrah as well as bordeaux varietals. Joining us will be prodigal/native son Rick Dearworth, Midwest Manager for Fife, returning home from his current digs in Chicago. Chef Eric Vice is working on a BBQ themed hors d'oeuvres menu which will pair up nicely with the big flavors of the Fife wines.
Posted by johnston at 12:58 PM
May 02, 2006
New tanktop dons important message
Some people may wear their heart on their sleeve, but there are many people who prefer to propagate their feelings on their chest.
For this weekend only – Saturday, May 6, and Sunday, May 7 – Sara Benjamin’s will be participating in a national campaign organized by Liveawear, a non-profit group dedicated to preventing partner abuse.
Sara Benjamin’s is a clothing store located at 6810 Wooster Pike and owner Lori Tanzer said she will be selling tank-tops that say, “Not a wifebeater.” A percentage of the proceeds will go to the national effort to prevent abuse.
“Liveawear ... is dedicated to inspiring activism and building awareness to prevent partner abuse. Liveawear was created to transform attitudes, increase public awareness, and inspire positive messages. Have the courage to speak up and inspire change,” the organization’s Web site, www.liveawear.org, states. Liveawear's initiatives will bring into sharp focus societal attitudes that promote violence and encourage changes in the way we view domestic violence, with the goal of working toward eliminating it.”
Tanzer also said 20 percent of the store’s overall sales on May 6 and May 7 will go to a local organization to assist victims of spouse abuse.
For more information, call the store at 272-2280.
Posted by johnston at 01:14 PM