Crave – food & drink

Noir: Black. Dark. In the case of Pinot Noir from Monterey County, it also means delectable. Pessagno Winery recently earned 94 points from Wine Enthusiast for its 2010 Four Boys Vineyard Pinot Noir. With flavors of ripe black cherry, spice, candied plum and vanilla, it’s a favorite among night-dwellers. For those who prefer white … Read Entire Post

Dusk Patrol – surf news & initiatives

If you missed the 2012 Mavericks Invitational last month, but want to see some big Northern California waves, check out Chasing Mavericks, newly released on DVD. I saw the movie when it was released in theaters last fall. Big waves call for big screens! The biopic tells the story of surfer … Read Entire Post

BeachStyle – décor

There’s nothing like listening to waves crash on the seashore. If you don’t live near the beach but like the sound of moving water, the gentle burbling of a tabletop fountain can enhance the ambiance of any room. To give your fountain more of a coastal feel, remove the river … Read Entire Post

Pulse – events & entertainment

I’m gravely disappointed at the lack of nominations for vampires at this year’s Academy Awards. Take Argo, for example. The movie was suspenseful, gripping and hugely entertaining. Ben Affleck did a masterful job directing, and the writing and acting were top-notch. But now imagine if one of the Americans trapped … Read Entire Post

BeachStyle – fashion

Vampire-themed cosmetics can be fun for a night out on the town. OPI’s new Euro Centrale collection of nail lacquers features two shades inspired by vamps. Vant to Bite My Neck? is a deep eggplant color, perfect for a Saturday night. At the other end of the spectrum is My Vampire Is … Read Entire Post

Crave – food & drink

Okay, I admit the first time I heard a friend order a fish taco in Rosarito Beach, Mexico, I thought, “Ewww, gross!” Then I tasted it. Now it’s one of my all-time favorite beach bites. Rubio’s, which popularized the fish taco in So Cal, makes a killer Baja-style taco. Try … Read Entire Post

Dusk Patrol – surf news & initiatives

One of the many admirable & awesome things the Surfrider Foundation does is Beach Cleanups. This Sunday, Feb. 24, 10 a.m. to 12 noon, the Monterey Chapter will lead a cleanup at Sandholdt Beach in Moss Landing, south side of the harbor. In an email yesterday, Surfrider Monterey reported that volunteers … Read Entire Post

Shark Bites – news & sightings

Wanna get up close & personal with sharks this weekend? The Monterey Bay Aquarium hosts Shark Days Feb. 23 and 24, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m (included with Aquarium admission). During the two-day event, visitors can: Attend sessions on great white sharks, hammerhead and tiger sharks, and whale sharks Hear shark stories from experts … Read Entire Post

Crave – food & drink

Like your coffee California-style? Surf City Coffee Company offers specialty coffees, food & more in the tradition of the California coastal experience. The employee-owned company has 3 locations—Aptos and Scotts Valley (Santa Cruz County), and Moss Landing (Monterey County). I visited the company’s original store at 9105 Soquel Drive in … Read Entire Post

Pulse – events & entertainment

Wanna walk the shady side of D.C.? Check out House of Cards, a new original series streaming on Netflix. Political sharks abound in this deliciously dark show. Kevin Spacey plays Francis Underwood, a ruthless, calculating yet seemingly genteel Congressman. After being passed over for a position in the President’s administration, … Read Entire Post