Can you believe we're in September already? I just turned the page in my desk calendar to reveal a host of exciting events coming up:
September 3: Gastronomy by the Bay
I'll be attending the third day of this three-day conference celebrating food. It includes a panel discussion of a topic near and dear to my heart, "Food Guides vs. the Internet Gourmet and New Economic Models." It's about how Internet forums and blogs have come on the scene and shaken things up for the Zagats and their ilk, as well as new models emerging in China and India now that the world is flattening faster than a ruined souffle. More info at gastrononmyfestivals.com.
September 4: Biggest Loser is Back
It's been a long summer waiting for my favorite shows to return for their fall seasons. Luckily, I was able to partially fill the void with So You Think You Can Dance and Mad Men. (Editor's Note: Is there another blog out there that cites these two shows in the same breath?) Tuesday's Biggest Loser reunion show (followed a week later by the two-hour season premiere) reunites us with our trainers, who transform lives on-screen and off. I don't know about you, but whenever I'm about to have that second helping of ice cream, Trainer Bob whispers in my ear to step away from the bowl and get on the bike.
September 8-9 Chocolate Fest at Ghirardelli Square
Everything in moderation, right? Tastings from Bay Area restaurants and bakeries plus chef demonstrations will be the main attractions in addition to live music and kids' activities. Admission is free and open to the public; tastings require tickets, which are available for $10 for 6, or $20 for 15. I'll be buying 15 when Trainer Bob isn't looking. After all it's for a good cause -- the event benefits Project Open Hand. More info at ghirardellisq.com.
September 9: NY Jets' Season Opener vs. the New England Patriots
At the risk of alienating all twelve of you who started reading The Fro Fro Blog 'cause you thought it was about food... I'll have you know that I'm a dyed-in-the-green-and-white-wool New York Jets fan. For the past several months, I've made nary a reference to Gang Green and the Penguin. But that's all about to change. Don't worry, you may have to suffer through the highs and lows right along with me for the next 17+ weeks, but I promise we can celebrate and/or console ourselves with the kind of comfort only fine dining can provide.
September 10: Neiman Marcus Cookie Day
Have you heard? Neiman's is turning 100 this year and to celebrate, legendary labels are creating limited edition designs for the store. But the real stuff of legend is the Neiman Marcus chocolate chip cookie. According to the urban myth, the store charged a woman $250 for the recipe, which she proceeded to distribute free across the World Wide Web in revenge. Neiman's refutes the tale and publishes the recipe at www.neimanmarcus.com/cookie. On September 10, the stores will be baking up a few batches so head in and enjoy one while supplies last. Savor it, 'cause it's probably the only free thing you'll ever get there.
September 19: Barneys Opens in San Francisco
Speaking of Neiman's, one of the perks of being their loyal customer is a free subscription to C Magazine. C is all about California, juxtaposing happenings from North and South, proving that for the brief instant that you're stirring, oil and water can be mixed together. The current issue includes an interview with Simon Doonan, Barneys' Creative Director who's equally famous for being the main squeeze of my fave potter and home furnisher, Jonathan Adler. When asked what shoe is ideal for San Francisco, Simon says: "I don't care how steep the hills are...Louboutin!" So, ladies, doff those Nikes and get your red soles down to 48 Stockton Street pronto! Barneys.com.
September 13 - 22: Jewish High Holy Days
Between Rosh Hashanah (New Year's Day) and Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), God inscribes your fate for the coming year in the Book of Life. We celebrate our blessings, atone for our sins, pray, fast and EAT. In fact, I once heard that the entire history of the Jewish people could be summed up in nine words: "They tried to kill us. We survived. Let's eat."
September 29: See Jane Tri and BayKids: Real Kids, Reel Moments
In the morning I'll be swimming, biking and running to raise money for Girls on the Run (more info here on my fundraising page on Firstgiving). In the evening I'll "clean up nice" for the 10th anniversary celebration of BayKids, an organization that provides children in local hospitals a creative outlet through the art of filmmaking. The bash is at the newly-renovated Broadway Studios, and $75 gets you open bar, hors d'oeuvres, wine and champagne tasting, live and silent auctions, and live music by Gravy Boat. Tickets here. Attire is cocktail/black tie optional, and since you've been at Neiman's and Barneys all month long, you're set!
Of course more events are popping up all the time, so keep checking the Google Calendar in the left column for updates. Have a great month!
Comments