STICK STUFF… Just when I was lauding the reasonable rainy season, glaringly lacking in mudslides and road closures, wouldn’t you know it kept on raining, mud began sliding and roads were compromised throughout the state…it’s still not nice to taunt Mother Nature, although I was hardly taunting. Then again, it’s highly unlikely that I had anything to do with it, although I will retain just the tiniest of possibilities that I have an effect on all of the natural universe.

Another far-fetched possibility (that I am composing as I go along) is that the big-bang theory occurs inside a golf ball every time it is struck by a driver in the hands of a golfer. If the drive is struck cleanly, on the sweet spot and with love in the golfer’s heart, a beautiful universe of life begins inside that golf ball. Conversely, if the golfer is harboring dark thoughts, or if the ball is struck unpurely (Is that a word Martha?) the little universe inside that ball will be fraught with struggle and strife. Applying that theory to our universe, I’d say our great golfer shanked it.

I’m using all these golf metaphors because the weather has dampened my golf spirit (some puns are just too good to pass up). Well, maybe not my spirit, but certainly my performance. Plus, I’m thinking about the upcoming California Restaurant Association Monterey Chapter Golf Tournament, the yearly spring break for mad restaurateurs, winemakers and hospitality types.

The longtime favorite continues at BAYONET/BLACKHORSE this year on Wednesday, April 26, with registration at 11am and a shotgun start at 1pm.

As always, there will be plenty of food, wine, beer and fun with restaurants like Baja Cantina, Fandango, Rosine’s, El Indio, California Pizza Kitchen and more joining wineries like Bernardus and Wente, as well as Peter B’s brewery and many more (not available at press time). The cost is $185 per golfer or $740 per foursome and the play is to call MICHELLE RITTENBERG at 408-291-2820. The best part is that proceeds go to the CRA scholarship fund to help worthy students pursue careers in hospitality. Don’t forget auction items as well for the after-tourney bidding bonanza. Fore!

SWEET STUFF… Hey, Sunday is Easter, the day when a giant rabbit hopped all over the land and spread his eggs around for little children to find in the hopes of being given delicious chocolate bunnies they could then proceed to gobble with glee until their entire bodies looked like chocolate kiddies…well, you know the tale. Parker-Lusseau Pastries makes an array of hand-crafted chocolates—for the little ones prejudiced against bunnies, there are chocolate turtles, eggs and fish as well. Call 643-0300 or get on an e-mail to parker-lusseau@sbcglobal.net.

STUFF OF LEGEND… Recently, on his trip back to England after visiting with his folks, local restaurateur FIROK SHAIKH of Da Giovanni and Bistro Giovanni, his wife SUE, and ADAM SHIELD, a strapping man of quick humor, rugged good looks and strong sense of joie de vivre, had an interesting adventure. Adam is a practicing paramedic in England, where certification requires a far greater degree of medical training than here in the States, so he’s quite proficient with medical techniques.

Shortly after the plane took off from San Francisco, the captain came around to ask if there was a doctor on board. Apparently, one of the flight attendants had collapsed and was bleeding from the mouth. At first, Adam didn’t respond, figuring he’d defer to any doctors aboard. Again the captain came around so Adam assumed he had to be the man.

Fortunately the plane carried an array of medical equipment and Adam was able to quickly stabilize the person. The pilot told him, “The flight is in your command, tell me where you need us to land—Chicago, New York, it’s your call.” Adam felt that it would be OK to continue on to England (he had plans for dinner—just kidding) so they went on and the flight attendant ended up being fine. If that was me, I’d be flying first class for life now, with an option to sit in the co-pilot’s chair whenever I wanted…maybe that’s why people like Adam are paramedics and not people like me. Nice going Adam, glad you were there.

INDUSTRY MOVES… JULIE VENTANA…I mean JULIE ROSENAU, who has been the sales manager for Ventana Vineyards for the past eight years, has been wooed away by STEVE PESSAGNO. Julie, who helped propel DOUG and LUANN MEADOR’s Ventana and Meador Estate brands to wide appeal, decided that the smaller Pessagno Winery would provide an interesting career challenge while adding more diverse responsibilities, thereby enabling her to expand her professional repertoire. Now that Ventana has moved its distributing chores to Classic Wines, the Meadors should have little trouble getting the brand out in the marketplace. SARAH ROBBINS will move into Julie’s position for Ventana.

Meanwhile, Steve Pessagno, like Doug and LuAnn, another local treasure, now has a stalwart industry veteran upon which to load his wines and get them out in the market. This is bigger than when JIM “I PUT THE WOOD IN LOCKWOOD” FOLGER and “JEKEL” JOE CINGARI moved on a few years ago. Here’s wishing the best of luck to all involved.

SHOTGUN FINISH… RICH PEPE’s traveling Pep Talk will be at The Beach and Tennis Club April 28 with former Olympian runner, current fitness author JEFF GALLOWAY. Check out peppoli.com/newsletter for more…Paraiso Vineyards’ Airshow coming on May 13. This is absolutely grrreat (sorry Tony). Call 678-0300 or paraisovineyards.com…Pavona Wines’ BBQ & Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 15, 646-1506 or richard@pavonawines.com…ran out of room to tell you about my man Mad MIKE’s visit…Adios.