google-maps-whatscookintoday

Stephanie Oswald - Editor-In-Chief of Travelgirl Magazine

International Travel Expert Stephanie Oswald Provides Insider Tips  on Where to Go, What to Pack, and Getting the Most for Your Travel Dollar…

 As the Editor-in-Chief of travelgirl magazine, a Web Correspondent for The Weather Channel, and seasoned travel correspondent for CNN, she has reported on everything from stress-relieving spa treatments and unique escapes around the world to the human side of a hurricane. She is the co-founder of travelgirl -- the first national travel magazine to launch after the events of 9/11. The travel and lifestyle publication was chosen by industry leader Mr. Magazine as one of the "most notable" launches of 2003. Oswald is a native New Yorker who spent 13 years globetrotting as CNN's travel correspondent and host of the weekend program, CNN Travel Now. In 2003, she also launched a groundbreaking series called The Weather Channel Road Crew that showcased the "fun" side of weather. In 2004, she filed written and audio reports during Hurricanes Ivan and Jeanne as the very first Web Correspondent for Weather.com.  As anchor and correspondent for CNN Travel Now, a weekly program on worldwide destinations, travel trends and cuisine, Oswald specialized in adventure travel, filing reports from Europe, South America, Asia and the Caribbean. One series took her into the depths of Papua New Guinea for a rare and eye-opening look at the Huli Wigmen. Her reports also appeared on CNN Headline News, CNN in-flight programming for Delta Air Lines, CNN International and the CNN Airport Network. Immediately after 9/11, she filed human interest stories on the crisis for CNN, and covered the impact on the travel industry during live studio reports on CNN Headline News.


Rebecca Griffin - Sciandri Family Vineyards 

Sciandri Family Vineyards is a small family owned and operated winery in the heart of Coombsville in the Napa Valley. Drawing from it's roots in a small village in Italy, Quercia, the Sciandri Family is excited to begin a new venture into the world of wine.

We welcomed 175 members of the wine trade and media to come explore the wonderful wines of Coombsville. A big Thank You to all those who were able to make it out, and if you missed it we hope to see you next year. Special thanks to Porter Family Vineyards for hosting the event in their amazing caves. Marks the Spot and Oxbow Cheese Merchant for supplying the wonderful bites to eat, and CVG board members Curtis Strohl with Ancien, Rebecca Griffin with Sciandri Vineyards and Tim Porter with Porter Family Vineyards for chairing the event. Coombsville Vintners and Growers are proud to have participated in Premiere Napa Valley 2013, donating 900 bottles of wine with 10 lots and raising over $127K as a group.


Willie Degel - Restaurant Stakeout

RESTAURANT GURU WILLIE DEGEL CONTINUES TO SAVE RESTAURANTS ONE EMPLOYEE AT A TIME IN RESTAURANT STAKEOUT! Season Three Premieres Wednesday, March 13th at 10pm ET/PT. New York restaurateur Willie Degel is back for the third season of the hidden camera series Restaurant Stakeout, premiering Wednesday, March 13th at 10pm ET/PT on Food Network. Using his infamous and covert surveillance tactics, Willie shows struggling restaurant owners what really happens when their employees think no one is watching. Willie has built his success on his "customer is king" philosophy, which remains the key to saving restaurants around the country from closing their doors. From lazy, neglectful managers to feisty, rude waitstaff Willie needs to whip these employees into shape before their appalling customer service drives business away for good. 

FOOD NETWORK is a unique lifestyle network, website and magazine that connects viewers to the power and joy of food. The network strives to be viewers' best friend in food and is committed to leading by teaching, inspiring and empowering through its talent and expertise. Food Network is distributed to more than 100 million U.S. households and averages more than 9.9 million unique web users monthly. Since launching in 2009, Food Network Magazine has tripled its rate base and delivers a circulation of 1.5 million. Headquartered in New York, Food Network has a growing international presence with programming in more than 150 countries, including 24 hour networks in Great Britain, India, Asia and Africa. 


Don Whittemore - Dandy Don's Homemade Ice Cream


In 1981 Don and his lovely wife Linda (pregnant with their second child) bought an ice cream shop in Tarzana, California called The Creamery. They thought it would be a gold mine. They were wrong. So they worked their keesters off, got into the wholesale business, and began a catering division. These are photos of Don (photo on the left, 3rd from the left) and Linda (photo on the right) at one of their first hot fudge sundae bar catering gigs at the Directors’ Guild of America. This is how the catering division of their company—now with over 1,000 customers—got its start.  He loves talking to his clients, making ice cream with them, and helping them promote their businesses. He loves selling his ice cream to new clients, finding out what they want, tempting them with great service. He just loves people. And he loves making people happy. Good thing he makes great ice cream

48 HOURS – CORRESPONDENT ERIN MORIARTY

On August 19th 2011, Jack McCullough was charged with the abduction and murder of seven-year-old, Maria Ridulph. The crime occurred in 1957, reportedly making Maria’s murder the oldest American cold-case ever prosecuted.

December 3rd, 1957: Sycamore Illinois. Maria and eight-year-old Kathy Sigman were out playing after dinner. A young man approached them, introduced himself as Johnny, and asked if they wanted piggyback rides. A while later Kathy went home to get her mittens; when she returned Maria and “Johnny” had disappeared.

For five months the FBI investigated the kidnapping. Their only eyewitness, an eight-year-old, was shown lineup after lineup. Five months later, Maria’s partially clothed body was found in a wooded area about 90 miles from Sycamore. The FBI turned the case over to the Illinois state police and, two years after Maria was kidnapped, the case went cold.

Decades later, a longtime resident of Sycamore made a stunning accusation on her deathbed. It was her son, she claimed, who had snatched and killed Maria Ridulph. It took ten more years but Jack McCullough’s sister, Jan eventually convinced the Illinois State Police to investigate her brother’s involvement in Maria’s murder. But it was when they showed eyewitness Kathy Sigman a new photo lineup that investigators became convinced they had Maria’s killer. Kathy looked at a photo of McCullough when he was18-years-old, and identified him as the Johnny who took little Maria, 54 years ago. After a six-hour police interrogation with McCullough, in Seattle where he was living, Illinois State’s Attorney Clay Campbell charged the now 72-year-old man with the kidnapping and murder of Maria. McCullough was brought to Illinois to stand trial.

The case against McCullough is highly circumstantial. It consists of a daughter’s testimony of her dying mother’s confession—an eyewitness identification of the suspect more than a half-century after the crime—and three jailhouse informants. There is no physical evidence, and the small amount of evidence that existed in 1957 is now missing. In addition to that, McCullough has an alibi. Back in 1957 the 18-year-old was questioned by the FBI. According to their case file, McCullough had several witnesses who placed him 40 miles away at the time of the kidnapping, registering to join the Air Force.

In an exclusive interview with 48 Hours Correspondent Erin Moriarty, McCullough speaks for the first time, and denies any involvement in the crime. 48 Hours also had complete access to all the other players involved in this case, and the report includes interviews with eyewitness Kathy Sigman, Maria Ridulph’s brother, Jack McCullough’s family, the investigators who helped crack the case and the prosecutor who took it to court.


ANA KELLER - KELLER ESTATE WINES

The development of our Family’s Estate has been a 30 year love affair with our 650 acre ranch. Chosen for its beauty, wonderful surroundings, amazing history, but most importantly for its potential as a site for a world class vineyard. Our approach is to develop our estate in a harmonious manner with our surrounding ecosystem and community.

30 years ago, Arturo Keller and his wife Deborah were driving the meandering Sonoma roads in a vintage car when they fell in love with the site. In 1989, the first Chardonnay vineyard was planted and La Cruz vineyard was born. Our first vintage was sold to Rombauer, who rapidly became excited with the potential of the site. By 1999, a few acres of Pinot Noir had been planted, and we knew we had the potential to make some very interesting wines.

Ana Keller, a biochemist by training  joined the family affair with the goal of producing the most exquisite wines their vineyards could produce. With Arturo's constant vision and encouragement,  Ana's passion has established Keller Estate as a benchmark for producing some of the best wines in the Sonoma Coast and putting the Petaluma Gap firmly on the map as the most promising region within this appellation. Constant hard work and education are part of the way at the Keller family and through many years of dedication, the wines of Keller Estate represent the family's values and passion.

The Keller Estate label became a reality in 2000. Soon after, the family in collaboration with the prestigious firm of Legorreta+Legorreta, designed and built our stunning, functional and gravity flow winery, that have served as inspiration to many  wineries.

The terroir at Keller Estate is defined by an area known as the Petaluma Gap, which is subject to two major maritime influences. The San Pablo Bay lies immediately to the south, while to the northwest is an opening in the coastal hills which allows masses of fog from the coast to flow freely towards the Petaluma Valley. This geographical signature is unique and creates a cool and long growing season for our vineyards.


BOBBY & JAMIE DEAN - Cooking Channel’s “Not My Mama’s Meals"

In 2012, Paula Deen announced she has type 2 diabetes and that she and her sons, Bobby and Jamie Deen, have teamed up with Novo Nordisk on Diabetes in a New Light®, a national initiative that aims to help adults tackle common challenges associated with type 2 diabetes management. The website www.DiabetesinaNewLight.com features the Deens’ diabetes-friendly recipes and cooking tips, along with other resources for diabetes management.

Bobby is the host of the Cooking Channel’s “Not My Mama’s Meals.”  While Bobby loves traditional Southern food, he is committed to living a well-balanced healthy lifestyle. Jamie is the host of the Food Network’s “Home For Dinner.” Jamie makes an effort to create healthy recipes for families, including his young children. Through their partnership with Novo Nordisk and Diabetes in a New Light® they are creating delicious diabetes-friendly dishes to help people living with type 2 diabetes, like their mama, stay on track with diabetes management without feeling like they are sacrificing taste for healthier food. Bobby and Jamie have been visiting diabetes expos and events across the country, spreading the word about Diabetes in a New Light® and bringing inspiration to those affected by diabetes.


STEVE EVANS - "THE MOVIE GUY"

GREAT MOVIES OPENING THIS WEEKEND AND BOX OFFICE PREDICTIONS AND HOPES. FIND OUT WHAT MOVIES ARE WORTH YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY. GET SET FOR THE WEEKEND.

Mayim Hoya Bialik – CBS - THE BIG BANG THEORY

Mayim Hoya Bialik is known for her lead role in the 1990s NBC sitcom Blossom, as well as for her portrayal of the young Bette Midler in "Beaches." She has also appeared in Woody Allen's "Don't Drink the Water" and HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm.  Bialik was born to first-generation American teachers and documentary filmmakers and was raised in Los Angeles, attending both public and religious school. Bialik has guest starred on some of the most beloved TV shows of the 1980s and 1990s including MacGyver, The Facts of Life, and Webster. She has appeared numerous times on The Tonight Show, the Arsenio Hall Show, and on Conan O'Brien and Jon Stewart's early forays into late-night.

Bialik gave birth to a son in 2005, and a second son (born at home, largely unassisted) in 2008. She is a Certified Lactation Educator Counselor and is devoted to a lifestyle of attachment parenting, homeschooling, natural family living, and vegan cooking. Bialik is the co-founder and chair of the youth branch of the Jewish Free Loan Association (Genesis) and enjoys speaking on a variety of topics, including her journey to embracing traditional Jewish values. 

Recent appearances include recurring roles on "Secret Life of the American Teenager" and FOX's "Til Death." She portrayed 1960's activist Nancy Kurshan in "Chicago 8," and she appears regularly on CBS's "The Big Bang Theory" as Sheldon's friend who is not his girlfriend, Amy Farrah Fowler. Bialik is currently writing a book on holistic parenting, to be released by Simon & Schuster in early 2012.

The Emmy-Award Nominated Actress Wants To Motivate Young Women To Think Like Innovators And Pursue Their Education and Career Dreams in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). Fans of actress Mayim Bialik may not realize she holds a Ph.D. in neuroscience from UCLA in real life. Mayim has said she fell in love with science during her role on the TV show Blossom. During this time, one of her tutors showed her creative ways to learn about science and gave her the confidence to pursue an education in the field.

Mayim is passionate about motivating young women to think like innovators and become inspired by their own potential education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). In a recent interview Mayim said she sees the importance of STEM education for all students, but especially for young women who may think such “boy” subjects are not for them.


JIM GULLETT - FAMILY WINEMAKERS OF CA 

Jim’s family came to the San Francisco Bay Area when he was seven from Bethesda, Maryland. They remained in Burlingame when his dad retired from the Navy three years later. He received his BA in Mathematics from Pomona College and an MS in Computer Science from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In graduate school he tutored basketball players in mathematics.
Jim discovered wine as a teenager through forays with friends and relatives into Napa and Sonoma and then as a summer exchange student in Germany. While in the systems department at Bank of America, Jim took numerous UC Extension wine classes just several blocks away. From wine country trips to Caymus, Phelps, Flora Springs, Navarro, JW Morris, and others, he became familiar with numerous styles and varieties and developed a particular liking for fruit-driven, high acid wines. Soon, his apartment had both esoteric and typical wines from the then known wine producing regions. Interesting, carefully chosen wines became a big part of dinners out or in.

While exploring various wine regions, Jim would always be on the lookout for grape-growing property where he could eventually retire and grow a few acres of grapes. It was on a vacation in the fall of 1984 when he found the perfect property in the heart of California’s Shenadoah Valley – a property big enough to grow enough grapes to start a commercial venture. While Jim’s parents had escaped rural, agricultural roots in he South and mid-West, Jim was driven to escape back.

After fourteen years with BofA and a third child on the way, Jim joined a Berkeley banking software firm as an executive. He retired from that just five years ago, completing a 34 year career in banking computer systems. He has led the grape growing and winemaking operations and has driven Vino Noceto’s strategic direction. He defined Noceto’s Chianti direction with a California style from a 1985 harvest trip to Tuscany with help from many others, especially Darrell Corti.

Jim just completed a three year stint as chair of Family Winemakers of California, the leading trade association for smaller California wineries. He is currently treasurer of the Amador County Winegrape Growers Association and active in the Wine Institute and the California Association of Winegrape Growers.

Jim and Suzy have been married for 34 years. He is very excited that his Vienna, Virginia daughter-in-law has her masters degree and that Lindy, his and Suzy’s youngest, is pursuing her Ph.D. at NYU. Elder son, Randy, works as a software project manager and consultant in Washington, DC. Middle child, Bobby, can frequently be seen in the Tasting Room.

Jim and his wife founded a small winery with the first vintage of 1990.  They are the last standing of the serious Sangiovese pioneers in California.  They now produce almost 10,000 cases annually, except for 500 cases of old vine zin, all Cal-Ital wines.  6,000+ cases are Sangiovese based, 2,000 are a Moscato d’ Asti style wine.


CHARLIE PALMER - PIGS & PINOT

"I called it Progressive American cuisine because every time I stepped into the kitchen, I felt things moving forward." 

Since the beginning of his celebrated career, master Chef and hospitality entrepreneur Charlie Palmer has received critical acclaim for his signature Progressive American Cuisine, a style built on rambunctious flavors and unexpected combinations with a deep and lasting infusion of classical French technique. Influenced by his childhood experiences working in his family's vegetable garden, Palmer was an early advocate of farm over factory food. In 1988, he made a landmark commitment to creating dishes featuring regional American ingredients at his sublime three-star Aureole, once situated in a historic town house off Manhattan's Madison Avenue. Today Palmer's flagship Aureole is strategically located within New York City mid-town's dramatically modern Bank of America Tower at One Bryant Park.

Over the years, Palmer combined his creative cooking spirit and flair for business to open thirteen notable restaurants across the country, a growing collection of food-forward wine shops and award-winning boutique hotels. But even today, the chef still steps in the kitchen with reinvention on his mind. "Without a doubt, people eat with their eye long before they put fork to food, so I continue to look for a playful yet respectful way to create excitement on the plate." 

A frequent guest on NBC's Today Show, Charlie Palmer is also the author of four cookbooks, Great American Food (Random House/1996), Charlie Palmer's Casual Cooking (Harper Collins/2001), The Art of Aureole, (Ten Speed Press/2002), and Charlie Palmer's Practical Guide to the New American Kitchen (Melcher Media/2006).

Visit Charlie's outdoor cooking blog www.theoutdoorchronicles.com for recipes, tips, methods of cooking in the outdoors.

LARRY LIPSON - COSTA RICA

THE FORMER FOOD EDITOR FOR THE LA DAILY NEWS (50 YEARS) REPORTS WEEKLY ON FOOD & WINE FROM HIS RETIREMENT HOME IN COSTA RICA.  HE AND HIS WIFE LILLIAN, OPERATE THE LIPSON INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED WINE STUDIES AND OFFER OPINIONS ON FINE DINING AND WINE RECOMMENDATIONS.


Diego Ortoli - Owner and Executive Chef of Portofino Cucina Italiana

“I was born and raised in Naples, Italy, a city of fresh ingredients, hidden restaurants and delicious dishes.  While the food culture of Naples is in my blood, I discovered my true passion for Italian cuisine when I started working in restaurants in America.   For several years I shared my passion by running a small Italian restaurant in West LA, but the real showcase for my expertise and simple but elegant vision of Italian wines and food came when I opened Portofino Cucina Italiana in Downtown LA.” Portofino Cucina Italiana, features real Italian cuisine – with ingredients flown in straight from Italy, and rare Italians wines not found in the U.S. Portofino blends tradition and simplicity to make you feel at home the second you walk through our door. The restaurant also includes vegetarian options as well as a gluten-free menu.

On Wednesday, March 13th, Ortoli presents a 4-course Italian gourmet dinner with wine pairings, starting with a reception at 6:30 PM. A vegetarian menu will also be available that evening. www.portofinodtla.com

 We’re doing a fabulous wine dinner at Portofino Cucina Italiana and Joel and I would love to get Diego on your show prior to the 13th to talk about his restaurant and our upcoming event. We have ingredients that are being flown in from Italy to make our wine dinner even more special!  Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Puglia, buffalo mozzarella from Napoli, and Sea Bass from Orbetello – just a few of the ingredients flown in from Italy for Portofino Cucina Italiana! This intimate family-owned eatery in downtown LA, started two years ago by Naples-born Executive Chef Diego Ortoli, features rare Italian wines, a gluten-free menu, and authentic Italian recipes.   On Wednesday, March 13th, Ortoli presents a 4-course Italian gourmet dinner with wine pairings, starting with a reception at 6:30 PM. A vegetarian menu will also be available that evening.www.portofinodtla.com

Sloane Stephens - American Tennis Star

You have all seen the recent video of Serena Williams slamming her racquet after she lost to teen tennis sensation Sloane Stephens in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open.  Since then, Stephens has been recognized as the rising super star of pro tennis, and we are proud to make her available for interviews.   This is especially timely for the eight markets that have USTA events coming to their area this summer, but there are plenty of fans in every market who will find Ms. Stephens a fascinating personalty.  Find out the amazing family story behind this phenom, and also about some exciting news from the US Open!  Teen tennis phenom Sloane Stephens, the American tennis  player whose star continues to rise after her upset of Serena Williams and semifinal appearance in the Australian Open, is trying to maintain a level of normalcy in her life. Stephens has risen to #17 in the world rankings, and her inspired tennis and enthusiasm has fans clamoring to know more about the 19-year-old.   Following an appearance on "Ellen" and other national shows, the twitter following for Sloane increased to more than 61,000 followers.

Stephen's mother, Sybil Smith, was a swimmer for Boston University who in 1988 was the first African-American female to be named First Team All-American in Division I history.   Her father, John Stephens, played in the NFL. He was killed in an automobile accident in 2009, just before the US Open.


 
Executive Research Chef for Frito-Lay, Stephen Kalil

To celebrate National Potato Chip Day on March 14, why not chat with a potato chip expert about what unique potato chip flavors you may be able taste around the world? You can even get an inside look at how new flavors are created and end up on grocery store shelves.

Eddie Osterland, America's 1st Master Sommelier, has helped hundreds of executives and CEOs become successful power entertainers, and he speaks to more than 30 organizations per year, including companies such as Accenture, General Mills, Citigroup, IBM, Merrill Lynch, GE, Ford, UBS, Discover Card, Sprint, Procter & Gamble, Oracle and American Express.  Eddie has been featured as a wine expert by Esquire Magazine, Jet Set Magazine, and was the Director of Trade Education for the International Wine Center in New York City. He served as the wine editor for Restaurant Business Magazine for nearly a decade, and has regularly contributed his expertise to the National Restaurant Association.

Eddie Osterland is an internationally acclaimed expert in the culinary arena of food and wine. For more than 25-years he has delivered workshops and given highly entertaining dinner talks to corporate audiences on power entertaining with wine and food. Eddie has the distinction of being America’s very first Master Sommelier, the highest international distinction that a professional can attain in fine wine and beverage service. He holds the prestigious degree of Diplôme Universitaire d'Aptitude à la Dégustation (DUAD) from the Université de Bordeaux, in Bordeaux, France. Upon completing his studies there, he went on to pass the grueling Master Sommelier Diploma in London in 1973, on his very first attempt! From there, he become head sommelier at the Hôtel de la Poste in Beaune, Burgundy, France—an American running a French wine cellar! In 2008, he was the only Master Sommelier invited to entertain corporate clients at the China Olympics. Eddie is the Business and Entertaining Coach for Vistage International, the world’s leading CEO organization with more than 14.000 members worldwide. http://www.eddieosterland.com/


Tom DeMichael - "James Bond FAQ"

Over the last 50 years, moviegoers around the world have spent more than five billion dollars to escape into a world where they can pretend they drive a Bentley, Rolls-Royce, or Aston Martin; a world where they get the chance to save millions of lives; a world where they can make love to the most beautiful women imaginable; a world where martinis are shaken, not stirred. Women want to be with him. Men want to be him. The name is Bond…James Bond. James Bond FAQ by Tom DeMichael (Applause Books, $22.99, February 2012) covers the gadgets, girls, guns, gangsters, and goings-on of everyone’s favorite secret agent. Completely up-to-date as to include Skyfall (2012), the book focuses primarily on the Bond films, but also includes Ian Fleming’s books, composers of Bond music, and unofficial Bond projects, such as TV versions and other films.

Leaving no stone unturned, James Bond FAQ discusses both the characters and the portrayals of Bond’s villains, friends, and beauties. Also included are cast lists, movie posters, photos and illustrations seldom seen in print, profiles of producers and directors, synopses, and production stories. DeMichael also ranks the actors who have played James Bond from worst to first and gives his reasons why, guaranteed to cause discussion and debate among the most passionate of Bond fans. Tom DeMichael (Chicago) holds a degree in U.S. History and has published numerous books and magazine articles in subjects as diverse as the U.S. Civil War, American film, collectible toys, American firefighting, and television's greatest game shows. A devout and longtime student of cinema, he has followed the screen exploits of James Bond since the age of ten. By his own estimate, he has watched Goldfinger more than fifty times.

MAUREEN MAHER - CBS NEWS - "48 HOURS"
 
48 HOURS "The Usual Suspect" airs on Saturday, March 2, 2013 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT)  An executive with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. and president of the Corvette Memphis Club (CMC), Tina Caronna was a vibrant member of her community.  Her disappearance in suburban Memphis on October 25, 2008 was a shock to all who knew her.  After two days of searching, the missing-person case changed to a homicide when the 44-year-old’s body was found in the passenger side of her car. Her partially nude body was covered with beach towels, and duct tape was over her mouth.

Tina’s social life had revolved around cars.  She and her husband of 15 years, Joe, travelled often in their three corvettes to various CMC events.  Tina met Joe in 1993.  She was divorced, with a four-year-old son.  Joe, also divorced, was managing a shoe store, where Tina, known for her collection of hundreds of shoes, was a regular.  The couple married several months after they met.  Joe soon became involved in finance as well - running his own company, Caronna Investments.

When Tina’s strangled body was discovered, Joe told friends and police he believed she may have been murdered in a gang-related car-jacking gone bad.  The car-jacking theory, however, would immediately be called into question when it was revealed how, exactly, Tina’s body was found…  thousands of dollars-worth of jewelry left on her body. Although he had always been a suspect in his wife’s murder, there seemed to be no motive for Joe, who was well-known for showering Tina with jewelry, flowers, and other gifts, to kill her.   Searching for answers, eyes turned to a woman the Caronnas knew from church, Becky Black.  Becky met Joe when she was in her mid-thirties, and as she explains to Maureen Maher, feeling unappreciated in a troubled marriage, she and Joe became involved in an extra-marital affair.  And even after police questioned her, Becky continued to see Joe.  But soon, her support turned to suspicion.  Becky told her husband about the affair – and her concerns about Joe, which she now also shared with police.  Seeing an opportunity, investigators convinced Becky to keep the pretense of the relationship going – and to meet Joe, in her car, in a parking lot.. wearing a wire.

Investigators also learned about a home the Caronnas were planning to buy.  One week before the murder, after many delays, Tina believed the closing was finally going to happen.  Prosecutors believe, with good reason, that Joe, did not want Tina, or the bank, looking into his finances—and that the closing was never going to happen.  The reality was Joe did not even have an approved mortgage.  What Tina would have noticed, say prosecutors, was that Joe had built a financial house of cards — instead of investing all of his clients’ money , his company was scamming  people – including Tina, their closest friends --and even his mistress Becky Black.  Over a period of eight years, investigators say Joe Caronna conned his so-called clients out of more than $780,000.  But with no physical evidence placing Joe at the crime scene, would he ever be charged with Tina’s brutal death?  Maureen Maher has the story.


HEIDI BARRETT - LA SIRENA WINES    

Welcome to La Sirena, where our mission is to make wines of high integrity and purity that are simply delicious. I focus on the wines that I personally love best - Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Moscato Azul (our dry Muscat Canelli). Our flagship wine is our Cabernet Sauvignon, which is a beauty indeed. I have become famous for making this variety during a 30 year career making such wines as Screaming Eagle, Dalla Valle, Grace Family, and so many more. My philosophy is to make the best wines possible by blending modern technology with traditional winemaking. These are wines of high pedigree that are ultimately handcrafted - a magical blend of art and science. Simply put - an incredibly delicious bottle of wine. All the wines are finely balanced, flavorful, pure and elegant. At the end of the day, if I don’t love it, I don’t bottle it, and the results are in the glass!
Heidi Peterson Barrett grew up in the Napa Valley in a winemaking family and was destined to become one of the world’s foremost winemakers.  It is said that winemaking is a combination of science and art.  With her father a scientist-winemaker and her mother an artist, it’s no surprise that Heidi’s natural born talents led her to the wine industry.  With great enthusiasm, a love for what she does, and an abundance of experience, Heidi’s instinctive gift of integrating the art and science of winemaking is unparalleled.

During her High School years Heidi’s summers were spent in the vineyards and wineries diligently working every task from sorting vine cuttings to working on the bottling line.  She continued her formal education in fermentation science at UC Davis.  While at Davis she was an assistant to Dr. Ann Noble, developer of the aroma wheel.  It was during a college internship at a large winery in Germany that Heidi learned the art of making balanced wines, no matter what the variety.

After graduating from U.C. Davis in 1980 with a B.S. degree in Fermentation Science, she went to work for Justin Meyer at Franciscan Vineyards and Silver Oak Cellars.  In 1981, after subsequent crush jobs at Lindeman’s Wines in Australia and Rutherford Hill in Napa Valley, Heidi became assistant winemaker to Jerry Luper at Bouchaine Vineyards.  In 1983, at age 25, she became winemaker at Buehler Vineyards.  Wearing the title of winemaker for the first time, Heidi attracted critical acclaim by integrating her unique style of winemaking.  Demand for the wines grew, allowing Buehler to more than triple their production to 20,000 cases. 

This wide range of hands-on experience has given Heidi a distinctive approach to winemaking.  “It is important to have diverse knowledge in all aspects of winemaking.  You can’t just step in and be the winemaker unless you have adequate experience in the cellar and the vineyards.  I wanted to make sure that when I finally had the title of winemaker, I had earned it.”

In 1988, she left Buehler to become an independent winemaker, consulting for a number of small wineries.  Within a week she was hired by Gustav Dalle Valle at Dalle Valle Vineyards where she remained as winemaker until the spring of 1996.  It was there she took her talents to the next level, creating wines of “cult” status.  Her powerful yet elegant Cabernets from Dalle Valle Vineyards  include the famous proprietary blend  “Maya”  which received perfect 100 point scores in two consecutive vintages ( ’92 and ’93) from Robert Parker and record-breaking bids at the Napa Valley Wine Auction.  In 1992 she began making wine for Screaming Eagle, her most celebrated and, undoubtedly, her most successful project to date.  The 1992 and 1997 vintages garnered another set of perfect 100’s from Parker.  A 6-liter bottle of the ’92 Screaming Eagle set a world record for the highest price ever paid for a single bottle of wine at the 2000 Napa Valley Wine Auction selling for $500,000.  A vertical offering sold for $650,000 at the 2001 NVWA. These coveted accolades coupled with her philosophy of winemaking have earned her such great respect from Robert Parker, Jr. that he tipped his hat by proclaiming her the “The First Lady of Wine” and TIME magazine dubbed her “The Wine Diva of Napa Valley”.

Heidi, who loves the ocean and especially SCUBA diving, began making wines under her own label, La Sirena,  in 1994.  “I was looking for a name for my wine which would be fun and magical.  La Sirena, which means “the Mermaid” in Italian and Spanish is a lovely expression of my two great passions!”  Heidi’s winemaking style lends itself so seamlessly to the Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah,  her proprietery Pirate TreasuRed blend, and dry Muscat Canelli (Moscato Azul) she hand-crafts for La Sirena. The La Sirena Cabernet Sauvignon follows the same winemaking style and blend that she made in the past for Screaming Eagle.

Since 1988 she has developed an impressive client list of ultra-premium wineries.  In addition to her very own wines from La Sirena, she is currently the winemaker for Amuse Bouche, Paradigm, Lamborn, Kenzo Estate, Au Sommet, Vin Perdu, and Fantesca.   Past winemaking clients include Screaming Eagle(14 years), Dalla Valle(8 years), Jones Family(12 years), Grace Family(6 years), Vineyard 29(6 years), David Arthur, Barbour Vineyards(15 years), Revana (10 years) and Showket(12 years).

As well as her winemaking talents, Heidi is an accomplished artist and helicopter pilot and lives in Calistoga with her husband, Bo (winemaker at Chateau Montelena) and their two daughters, Remi and Chelsea.


LARRY VAN AALST - SOMMELIER

LARRY HOSTS A WEEKLY PROGRAM ON CRN AND ALSO IS AN EXPERT ON WINE WHO IS SOUGHT AFTER FOR EVENTS, TASTES AND MAJOR SOMMELIER EVENTS IN  THE SAM FRANCISCO AREA. HE COMMENTS ON THE INDUSTRY AND HIS THOUGHTS ABOUT WINE.

 
STEVE EVANS - "THE MOVIE GUY"

GREAT MOVIES OPENING THIS WEEKEND AND BOX OFFICE PREDICTIONS AND HOPES. FIND OUT WHAT MOVIES ARE WORTH YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY. GET SET FOR THE WEEKEND.