Save with homemade ricotta
Before I formally begin this edition of The Flavor Chronicle, I would like to share with you that Sunday is the 53rd annual Morgan Hill Haru Matsuri (spring festival), which starts at 11 a.m. This is one of my favorite local festivals where you are surrounded by an abundance and variety of wonderful Japanese foods. Some of the food items include udon, sushi, manju and, of course, the much sought after and well-known chicken teriyaki boxes. If you don't already have plans for this Sunday, consider a visit and bring your appetite.
Churches provide meals to the community
According to census data, Morgan Hill is a prosperous community. Even the casual observer will notice the million dollar homes lining many streets and expensive luxury cars choking parking lots.
Learning the ins and outs of a vineyard
Last month I got as close to heaven as any oenophile has ever been. I’m not much of a camper, but when Matt Levy, public relations and marketing manager, invited me to attend Camp Schramsberg, a three-day sparkling wine seminar at Schramsberg Vineyards in Calistoga, I jumped at the chance. Schramsberg Vineyards has been producing sparkling wine since 1965 when they became the first U.S. producer to use Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes in the méthode champenoise (where a secondary fermentation occurs while the wine is in the bottle - thus producing bubbles). These sparkling wines are so good that in 1972, the Blanc de Blancs was served at the historic “Toast to Peace” in Beijing, between President Richard Nixon and Premier Zhou Enlai. To this day, Schramsberg’s wines are still being served in the White House.
Training videos derail when IRS goes Hollywood
It was bad enough that, to avoid the looming April 15 tax filing deadline, I was forced to gather up receipts for my annual sacrificial offering to the tax gods by pawing through my well-designed, er … highly functional … ummm … OK, dubious “filing system.” (Hey – I’m running out of shoeboxes over here!)
Extra teeth could lead to serious problems
Q: Michael, our 1-year-old pomeranian mutt, has a few extra teeth. The vet tells us that he never lost some of his baby teeth. Now they want to pull out all of those extra teeth, and I wonder if this is really all that necessary. Should we go along with the vet’s plan? Or can Michael live with a few extra enamels in his mouth?
Boxing Notes: Mayweather calls Guerrero ‘tough fighter’
Robert Guerrero and Floyd Mayweather Jr. shared a heated exchange of words during a Showtime event in March.
For good reason, ‘Ghost’ won’t be singing ‘I love New York’ anytime soon
After sifting through all the info, think our champion boxer and good guy, Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero got New Yorked big time. Unless there’s a change in facts, there’s something terribly wrong with what went down in John F. Kennedy Airport. Recap: On his east coast media swing, Guerrero brings a gun in a locked case and magazine clips – no ammunition – that he plans to use at a gun range in Las Vegas, where he’s directly headed to after the east coast swing. He presents the gun in a locked case at the airport and gets arrested. Somebody leaks the story that a celebrity got popped with a gun at the airport to the NY TV stations and the media mob grabs ahold. That’s how it works folks, and the first reports are, “Guerrero arrested with unlicensed handgun at JFK.” Not good, but by-golly-gee the initial press release from Queens County District Attorney Richard A. Brown conveniently ignores the fact that Guerrero registered the gun in California and buries the fact that he voluntarily declared the gun at the ticket counter following what he believed was the law. Instead there’s this “rich” quote from the grandstanding New York DA: “I hope that Mr. Guerrero fights better than he thinks. For anyone who hasn’t gotten the message, let me be crystal clear. You cannot bring an unlicensed weapon – loaded or unloaded – into this county or this city. And if you do you will be arrested and face felony charges.” Should Guerrero have known better? Sure, it wasn’t the brightest move. Should he be convicted of a felony and spend time in prison? Without further damning evidence, absolutely, positively NO! Guerrero made a few mistakes, perhaps the biggest is not talking to the local newspaper. We’ve followed him since he was fighting in Lemoore, CA and not to speak directly to the people in Gilroy who have so long supported him is a judgment error, no matter what “the handlers” are telling you. Next time have Federal Express deliver the gun to Vegas (if that’s legal) and stay clear of New York, it’s full of trouble and big mouths.
NHL: Dallas rallies to defeat Sharks 5-4 in shootout
SAN JOSE – Dallas overcame two-goal deficits twice Sunday afternoon on the way to a 5-4 shootout victory over the San Jose Sharks at sold-out HP Pavilion.
Is disrespect a common thread among teens?
Our local movie theaters – Gilroy Platinum Theater and Morgan Hill CineLux - are a couple of my favorite places to spend my extra time (and money). There’s just something about sitting in a darkened theater with a group of friends - and strangers - eyes glued to the big screen, laughing or crying or jumping out of our seats.
‘I do art because I have to’
Gilroy High School’s recent production of the beloved musical “Annie” deserves accolades. Director Ethan Stocks created a tight, fresh production enhanced with choreography by Hilary Little, an outstanding orchestra prepared by Greg Grant, and a cast of talented actors.





















