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Now available on Amazon Napa Valley Author Chris Edwards new book is offered unedited pre-release for 1 week only. Grab your copy before release, media buzz and at the discounted pre-release price of $5.99 https://www.amazon.com/dp/109752938X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_S6q1CbDS20T35 Excerpt: “The power of positive affirmations are key to building ones self esteem and self love. Being exposed to individuals…
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How many remember as a child in school dancing around a May Day pole? Happy May Day… May Day is a public holiday usually celebrated on May 1. It is an ancient northern hemisphere spring festival. It is also a traditional spring holiday in many cultures. Dances, singing, and cake are usually part of the…
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Who doesn’t love the idea of turning old jewelry into bejeweled bookmarks? If you’re a romantic and bookworm here is a nifty trick. Old brooches, necklaces or earrings can be turned into stunning bookmarks that are perfect for gifts. Just add the jeweled piece to a strip of ribbon and you have a gorgeous bookmark…
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Aрrіl іѕ thе fourth month оf thе year іn thе Grеgоrіаn саlеndаr and іtѕ рrеdесеѕѕоr, the Julіаn саlеndаr. Itѕ nаmе is derived from thе latin wоrd aperit, which means tо ореn. It іѕ соnѕіdеrеd thаt Aрrіl іѕ thе month оf the growing season and whеn trееѕ аnd flowers bеgіn tо “ореn”. It is аlѕо bеlіеvеd…
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In honor of St Patrick’s Day weekend… a few fun facts… 1. We Should Really Wear Blue Saint Patrick himself would have to deal with pinching on his feast day. His color was “Saint Patrick’s blue,” a light shade. The color green only became associated with the big day after it was linked to the…
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Spring forward tonight! Contrary to popular opinion, Daylight Saving Time is not federally mandated. States have the right to exempt themselves. Hawaii, most of Arizona and some American territories do not change their clocks, according to the Department of Transportation (DOT), which oversees Daylight Saving in the U.S. It’s not the farmers fault. The measure…
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The majority of immigrants were males between the ages of 24 and 45. Many expected to stay in the United States only long enough to earn money to improve their family situation. Most faced discrimination, were spat upon and were perceived as stealing jobs from Americans. Coffin ships carrying the emigrants, crowded and disease-ridden, with…
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Athletes in Temporary Employment as Agricultural Manpower 1960s student instead of migrant program. Lest we forget our history. Local newspapers across the country showcased their local A-TEAM with pride as they left for the summer. The Courier of Waterloo, Iowa, for instance, ran a photo of beaming, bespectacled but scrawny boys boarding a bus for Salinas, where…
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Kaleidoscope in Space & Time at the SF Ballet #SFBalletNiteOut Review Chris Edwards Napa 2-16-19 An amazing evening witnessing an amazing take on modern ballet. This work of art was broken into 3 distinct takes on the classical idiom of three musical masterpieces set to dance. This is a ballet unlike most and for anyone who loves…
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In 1968, several months after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had been assassinated, Mister (Fred) Rogers quietly did something at that time that was quite unthinkable – he not only hired a black man to take on a regular role in his children’s television program, “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” – and asked him to play a…
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DHS data shows more than 52 million foreigners who legally entered the U.S. through air and seaports in 2017. But it marked the second straight year that more than 600,000 visitors stayed past the expiration of their visa, turning them into undocumented immigrants at risk of deportation. Per DHS illegal immigration across the southern border…
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Thanksgiving Eve is the biggest drinking night of the year. Why? Four big reasons: Most people are off from work the next day No one wants to entertain the night before hosting a big Thanksgiving meal Everyone is home and wants to see old friends A big meal the next day is a good hangover…
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“There never will be complete equality until women themselves help to make laws and elect lawmakers.” Susan B. Anthony To my many gentlewomen, matrons, noblewomen, princes and queens that are a part of my network; Tuesday November 6th 2018 could very well be the political “day of the woman.” Remember voting rights history; 1920, 1952,…
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In unsettling times we need a smile. So let’s turn to a lesson on Gay Icon, Judy Garland. From drag, camp, to meaningful song and dance; Judy Garland has brought smiles to generations of LBGTQ individuals but why? Judy Garland remains a gay icon. She rose to iconic status in the 1950s. At that time,…
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Constitution Day and Citizenship Day is an American federal observance that commemorates the adoption of the Constitution of the United States and those who have become United States citizens. This day is observed each year on September 17. On this day members of the U.S. Constitutional Convention signed the Constitution in 1787. History: In 1940,…
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National Spumoni Day is observed annually on August 21. Spumoni is a molded Italian ice cream that is made with layers of different colors and flavors that usually contain candied fruits, such as cherry bit, and nuts. The typical flavors are cherry, pistachio and either chocolate or vanilla. These ice cream layers are often mixed…
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Saturday was National Mail Order Catalog Day. Who can remember while growing up, the general excitement throughout the household when the nearly 700 page Sears, Roebuck & Co. catalog would arrive in the mail? You could have ordered almost anything from that catalog.
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The Russian River near Guernville California. The river takes its current name from Russian Ivan Kuskov of the Russian-American Company, who explored the river in the early 19th century and established the Fort Ross colony 10 mi (16 km) northwest of its mouth. The Russians called it the Slavyanka River (Славянка), meaning “Slav River”. They…
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Franconia (Franken) is one of the 13 wine regions in Germany. Franconia is known for white wines, and around 80 percent of the vineyards are planted to white grape varieties. Würzburg is the main city in Franconian wine country, although Nuremberg is an hour or so drive away. Grapevines cover the steep (and sometimes sunny)…
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NATIONAL FRENCH FRY (Belgian Fry) Day Each year on July 13, many people will participate in National French Fry Day by enjoying one of the many varieties of the classic food. A wide selection of condiments such as ketchup, ranch dressing, vinegar, mayonnaise, honey mustard, cheese and many more compliment French fries. Sweet potatoes make…
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John H. Scruggs (May 1855 – 5 March 1941),known as Uncle John Scruggs, was an African American banjo player who attracted attention for his singing and playing during the 1920s and ’30s and inspired such County/Bluegrass greats as Bill Monroe and Earl Scruggs. Scruggs was born to slave parents Henry and Betsey Scruggs in 1855,…
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Little know fact our original flag was commissioned by a Native American tribe. Happy Flag day. Flag Day is celebrated on June 14 in the United States and what follows is history verses myth… According to The Stars and the Stripes: The American Flag as Art and as History from the Birth of the Republic…
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There is a map going around titled Red wave that shows voting by land mass. Map 1 below distorts the state’s physical geography by sizing the geographic groupings according to their relative share of the state’s population. This creates a more accurate view of Democratic voting in the state of California and shows the reality…
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Olive Day and some fun facts on olives… National Olive Day is observed annually on June 1. The olive, one of the world’s oldest fruits, is part of a traditional meze/tapas culinary experience that brings families and friends around the table to share. California produces 95% of all olives in the United States.There are two…
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Cave-N-Rock Illinois pirates, moonshine, Mark Twain, Helen Hayes and beyond… The small, 55-foot wide cave was once a prime stop for travelers in the late 1800s, as it provided easy shelter from the heat and an obvious stopping point for riverboats. Before that time, Cave-In-Rock was home to thieves and murderers who’d lure travelers into…
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The purpose of art is to make one look and think and wonder. An amazing project using the likeness of our world leaders in images of poor and refugees has been crafted by Abdalla Al Omari Titled the “The Vulnerability Series” It was presented May 22 thru July 5 2017 in Dubai but is getting…
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Everyday there is a reason to celebrate the life we live. Celebrating the life of a Queen is always fitting. Today I tip my hat to my friends north or our border in Canada celebrating Victoria Day… Victoria Day (French: Fête de la Reine, or “Celebration of the Queen”) is a federal Canadian public holiday…
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Hug a Redwood or Sequoia, plant an Elm, swing with a Weeping Willow in celebrating National Love a Tree Day. On this day, trees are celebrated and recognized for the wonderful gift that they are to us. National Love a Tree Day is in the middle of Garden for Wildlife Month. Most species of trees…
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How many remember as a child in school dancing around a May Day pole? Happy May Day… May Day is a public holiday usually celebrated on May 1. It is an ancient northern hemisphere spring festival. It is also a traditional spring holiday in many cultures. Dances, singing, and cake are usually part of the…
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Amazon unveils Alexa for kids are we ready for this? On May 9, Amazon will release the Echo Dot Kids Edition — which is, as it sounds, a child-friendly version of its popular voice assistant, Alexa. The hardware itself looks almost identical, save for a protective case and beefed-up warranty. But, the software comes with…
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Little know facts on John Audubon for National Audubon Day, today; April 26th. His first book The Birds of America is highly collectible and only 120 surviving copies are known to exist. April 26th is designated as National Audubon Day. This day is set aside to honor the birth of John James Audubon (April 26,…
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A great night of comedy with Chris Carnes, Comedian Bruce Gerald Vilanch, Chris Edwards Napa, Gretchen Fleischmann. A fun evening and cool stories. San Francisco Donna Sachet’s 2018 Songs for No Reason A Night of Comedy & Music.
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In 1984, Prince recorded a song called “Nothing Compares 2 U,” which, rather than release it himself, he sent to Paul “St. Paul” Peterson of The Family. The band, which Prince had assembled, recorded the track for Prince’s label, Paisley Park Records, and it appeared on their debut album. But the song remained a largely…
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For my friends in the theater or performing arts today April 16, 1787 marks the debut of the first play written by an American premiering where else but Manhattan – a comedy: The Contrast. The Contrast is the first comedy written by an American citizen that was professionally produced. The play is most remembered for…
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SPRING BEGINS She turned to the sunlight And shook her yellow head, And whispered to her neighbor: “Winter is dead. A.A. Milne, When We Were Very Young (Winnie-the-Pooh, #3) Spring begins as the vernal equinox depending upon our time zones yesterday and today; which is when the amount of sunshine is approximately 12 hours long.…
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Beyond the human damage that an economy of “Buy the latest trend for cheap, then throw away and move on to the next thing” creates, there are also vast ecological ramifications. The fashion industry is actually the second-largest polluter in the world. While we can protest the appalling work conditions of the sweatshop workers and…
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National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day is observed annually on November 15. Check your fridge the Optimum temperature range for perishable food storage is 3 to 5 °C (37 to 41 °F). History: Before the invention of the refrigerator, icehouses were used to provide cool storage for most of the year. Placed near freshwater lakes…
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Happy National Pickle Day – observed annually on November 14. The term pickle comes from the Dutch word pekel, meaning brine. In the United States, the word pickle typically refers to a pickled cucumber. – Each year in the United States, 5,200,000 pounds of pickles are consumed. – Pickles are a great snack, low in…
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Thank the Capuchin Friars for our favorite cappuccino drink and the celebration today of National cappuccino day. The word cappuccino comes from the Capuchin friars and is the diminutive form of cappuccio in Italian, meaning hood or something that covers the head. This popular coffee beverage got its name not from the hood on their…
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Happy National National Nachos Day, observed annually on November 6. It is believed that Ignaci “Nacho” Anaya created the original nachos in the city of Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico, just across the border from Eagle Pass, Texas. The story talks of a group of United States military wives stationed at Fort Duncan in Eagle Pass…
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Today is National Chocolate Cupcake Day -October 18. In the US 770 Million Cupcakes were consumed in 2012. Rich and dripping of frosting, one sweet serving always brings a smile. Cupcakes have also been known by a variety of names… In Britain -Fairy Cakes, Australian – English called Patty Cakes, Elsewhere – Cup Cakes (different…
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Wine County is in recovery but needs to spread the word: we are Open for business. We need to get back to normalcy and get our service workers; the economic engine of wine, food, culture and the arts churning again… Chris Edwards Napa
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Taco Bell Anyone? Today is National Taco Day, observed annually on October 4. The history of tacos predates the arrival of Europeans in Mexico. Anthropological evidence shows the native people living in the lake region of the Valley of Mexico traditionally ate tacos filled with small fish. At the time of the Spanish conquistadors, Bernal…
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For the Plácido Domingo Fans out there. On September 27, 1999, operatic tenor Placido Domingo makes his 18th opening-night appearance at the Metropolitan Opera House, breaking an “unbreakable” record previously held by the great Enrico Caruso. Caruso, was the biggest star the world of opera had ever seen. Following his New York debut with the…
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Billie Jean King great tennis legend is celebrated this day for dispelling perceptions of female I equity… On this day in 1973, in a highly publicized “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match, top women’s player Billie Jean King, 29, beats Bobby Riggs, 55, a former No. 1 ranked men’s player. Riggs (1918-1995), a self-proclaimed male…
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Happy National Cheeseburger Day 9/17/18 A historical look back at America’s Cheeseburger fascination. Adding cheese to hamburgers became popular in the late-1920s to mid-1930s, and there are several competing claims as to who created the first cheeseburger. Lionel Sternberger is reputed to have introduced the cheeseburger in 1926 at the age of 16 when he…
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A beautiful natures view – “Still waters run deep” “A Country-man that was to pass a River, sounded it up and down to try where it was most fordable: and upon Trial he made this Observation on’t: Where the Water ran Smooth, he found it Deepest; and on the contrary, Shallowest where it made most…
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As we march into fall from the summer I looked back and realized, this summer was a summer of music and sunsets. From Street performers to community artist progressing to professionals – Opera, Classical, Pop, Jazz, Blues and Funk; we experienced a taste of it all. Bottle Rock Napa Valley, Street Performers in San Francisco,…
Chris Edwards Author and Journalist 