SAD BUT TRUE… As I gain a truer understanding of what my real feelings are, I realize that what I feel about many things is actually deep sadness. I guess, like most men in our world, I learned a long time ago that sadness, or pain, is not a socially acceptable response, yet anger most definitely is, so when I’m feeling angry, many times, if not most of the time, it is just my sadness expressing itself improperly.

I want to convey a deep sadness caused by one of the many consequences man’s actions have engendered upon a basically innocent bystanding group of folks just trying to get along. I’m talking about the horrific land mine situation that exists around this world. There are literally millions of land mines in the ground left over from whatever conflicts the psychotics deemed important. Those mines are now threatening countless innocent people in over 60 countries around the world. Along the border regions of Thailand and Cambodia, more than two million abandoned and unmapped landmines lie in wait for unsuspecting folks to stumble across them and blow themselves up.

Now that just ain’t right, my friends. And some greedheads have been reaping profits by making and selling those vile things, and at what cost to humanity? Maybe part of our investment portfolios are funding companies that produce these types of “products,” or supports their support systems. See, now I’m getting pissed off when I should be sitting here crying, as should we all.

Instead, how about taking some of those profits, wherever you may have acquired them, and sending them to FREEDOM FIELDS USA, a great group of people working to remove the mines around the world—an extremely dangerous and expensive task. Check out www.freedomfieldsusa.org to see the great work they’re doing and get a closer look at the whys and the wherefores. At Carmel jeweler PAT AREIAS Sterling Jewelers on Ocean Avenue between Dolores & Lincoln (626-8668), you can buy a beautiful silver medallion to commemorate this cause. All of the profits go to Freedom Fields USA. People, we have to help out. The time for sticking our heads in the sand is way over. We’ve got to clean up our mess…got to.

ARTFUL EVENINGS… It’s not easy to transition out of that type of heavy feel to the light and lively little world of eating out, drinking and having a grand old time. I don’t know what’s going on with me, maybe it was the summer solstice full moon last week that got me a little crazy (all right crazier) but I’m feeling like Alice in Wonderland more and more in this world. That’s why we need art, music, food and wine, poetry and serendipity. Reminds me of a line from a favorite movie, Tune in Tomorrow with Peter Falk, John Larroquette, Barbara Hershey and Keanu Reeves. Peter Falk plays a mad genius writer of radio serials back in the radio days…anyway, here’s the line: “Life is a shit storm, and when it’s raining shit, the only umbrella there is is art.”

Catch some art of the musical kind at the new MONTEREY LIVE venue in downtown Monterey on Alvarado. It’s where Viva Monterey was and you’ll only recognize the front. In the back, they’ve added a really sharp, true music/show style club with comfortable seating, a good stage and sound system—a real nightclub. A real big congrats to that new much-needed addition to the local landscape.

You know, SWEET THING and I once spent a couple of nights at Bodega Bay Inn up in—you guessed it—Bodega Bay (near where the Russian River meets the Pacific). It’s an amazing spot and just happens to be a sister hotel to our own Monterey Plaza Hotel on Cannery Row. Well there’s a Duck Club there and a Duck Club here. We had a wonderful meal up there and last week we had a wonderful meal down here (are you sensing a theme here?). I used to work with the Executive Sous Chef SAUL ROMERO back in the day at the Grill on Ocean Avenue and he’s been after me to come in and check out how nice it is…well, he’s right.

Sometimes we tend to take things like our local established places for granted. Don’t. In the Duck Club, the tables are set apart so that even if the place is full, you never get the feeling that you’re crowded. The wraparound windows let in the beautiful Monterey Harbor views and a gracious and friendly staff perfectly administer the delicious menu of wood-grilled steaks, seafood, of course duck, and other classic American style dishes. We settled in for a two and a half hour dining experience and came away feeling absolutely sated and happy. Give them a look-see at www.montereyplazahotel.com or call 646-1700 or just go on down and have dinner.

ALL RIGHT HERE GOES… COLD STONE CREAMERY opened up at the Del Monte Center. Go in and get some serious ice cream…Aug. 19 at Quail Lodge, THE QUAIL, a great upscale motor sport, wine, food and art event. Help out Friends of CARMEL UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT by buying auction items, etc. Call 877-734-4628 or visit www.quaillodge.com…go see Shelena, Queen of Bartenders at the new Ferrante’s Village Pub, which was the old Village Pub owned by TED LEIDIG and friends for so long. A couple of Bay Area guys bought it and have tweaked it a bit with nice TVs, a sports theme and on Sunday and Monday, SHELENA BERRY—‘nuff said…another high quality stick man (old nickname for bartender) is CHRIS AXTON down at Montrio’s in Monterey. He’s got more moves than Mayflower Van Lines, is on top of everything, creative and quick with a smile…down the street at Stokes there’s MARIO…you know, I realize I just don’t get out drinking enough anymore. I should be tight with at least a dozen or more bartenders around here—must be getting old. Got to get out more…www.tomatofest.com for info about a cool recipe contest, love story contest and chef’s golf tournament for this year’s festival on Sept. 11…running out of room, see you next week.