SLOW DOWN, BABY…People are too busy. We live in one of the most laid-back areas in this country, yet everybody is running around, cell phone stuck in an ear, rushing from appointment to appointment…in the immortal words of VINCE LOMBARDI: “What the hell is going on here?”

The ones who really have it difficult are modern professional women, trying to have high-powered careers and children, taking care of the house, the family, their personal needs…forget about it. I wouldn’t last a week. Even kids seem to have busy lives. They’re all doing a million different scheduled activities each week, rushing, rushing, rushing. When they reach puberty, peer pressure and rampant neurosis plague these unformed little beings, sending them stumbling around like newly-hatched chicks. I would hate to be a teenager again—that’s it, I’m canceling my plastic surgery appointment.

AGELESS IS THE NEW AGE…One gentleman who has retained his youthful appearance is Roy Yamaguchi, of, you know, Roy’s. He’ll be on hand this Thursday and Friday, Nov. 2 and 3, for Roy’s Fall Festival. He joins Executive Chef Yoichi Saito in creating delicious family-style meals for this celebration of the coming holiday season. Enjoy the “Spirit of Ohana” in a warm and festive atmosphere with a four-course prix fixe meal accompanied by wines for $125 per person, call 647-7500—tell Roy Ray sent you.

One of our local treasures, Sonya Haramis, just released her second book, The Circle of Olympians, a modern myth and spiritual adventure where a modern heroine meets the gods and goddesses of ancient Greek mythology. Of her first book, Gracious Gifts…Expressions of the Divine, DEEPAK CHOPRA said, “[It] offers hope and comfort to those in despair.” James Redfield also loved it: “Sonya Haramis’ profound words look to an age of joy, serenity, prosperity, and justice. A deeply rewarding read.” These are heavyweight people, my friends.

Circle of Olympians will propel Sonya to Olympian heights as the world continues to discover this graceful little titan, whose message is always one of love and peace, and who comports herself with dignity and humility. We are fortunate to have her in our midst—check out her writings at peaceofthedreamer.com; find her books at New Leaf, Amazon, Borders, Barnes & Nobles, etc.

GIVING IS GOOD…A shout-out to Paraiso Vineyards, which raised $27,500 during its second annual fundraiser for CASA of Monterey County. In addition, Bank of America Corporate Granting Program gave CASA $5,000 in support of educational advocacy initiatives and Yellow Brick Road Thrift Shop in Carmel donated $5,000. Get on casamonterey.org and find out how important this wonderful organization is and how they’re helping our community’s children, then reach in the pockets and give to our future.

GIVE AND TAKE…I was down at Fresh Cream talking to idiosyncratic owner STEVE CHESNEY about this and that when he laid his latest innovation on me. Apparently, various liquor and wine distributors have been charging a delivery fee each time the truck makes a stop at an establishment (ostensibly to offset rising fuel costs). Like many operators, Steve wasn’t particularly keen about it: “The food, dairy and beer guys all deliver without an added charge, plus they stock and rotate the inventory…only the liquor and wine companies charge.”

So, rather than fight against it, Chesney instituted a receiving fee for all the wine and liquor companies. He reasoned that since he had to have staff on hand to put the deliveries away, etc., especially with rising fixed costs in restaurants, he would defray some of those increases. So, he bills them a set monthly fee for receiving charges.

At first glance, this seems like a reactionary move, and originally it might have been. But when you think about it, it opens the debate about what costs should be passed along to customers, and more importantly, what methods are used to defray those costs. I’ll keep you posted about this stimulating example of free enterprise setting its boundaries with the help of one man’s original idea.

DINING, WINING AND TEQUILA-ING…If eating and drinking is in your future, join AIWF for a restaurant crawl on Tuesday, Nov. 7. It begins at Galante Tasting Room at 6pm, then moves next door to Cantinetta Luca for a $55 prix fixe. Call SAL GARGONE at 722-6580 or e-mail him at salgargone@aol.com.

Good stuff coming from Downtown Dining (Rio Grill, Montrio, Tarpy’s). At Rio, beginning on Nov. 7, Taco and Tequila Tuesdays, featuring an expanded tequila menu plus great tacos by Rio’s Chef, CY YONTZ, a veteran of Southwestern cuisine, or as GM CHRIS “BOOM BOOM” BAHRAMI likes to explain it: “Agave baby, it’s all about the agave.” Over at Montrio, they’re bringing back the much demanded Dinner & Movie promotion, whereby you come in for dinner at Montrio, choose from a special movie dinner menu, then go across the street to Osio Cinemas for a movie, all for $19.95 (obviously gratuity and alcohol aren’t included, so don’t embarrass your family by expecting that too). Montrio GM KATHY “SILVER SCREEN QUEEN” SOLLEY says, “Now I can get my husband to take me out on a date.” Check it all out at downtowndining.com.

Don’t forget the Kosta Browne Winery dinner coming up at Bouchée on Nov. 15…Sly McFly’s late night dinner menu served on Friday and Saturday nights (when you really need them) until midnight…I have a bunch more bananas to throw out to y’all but space is waning and my butt’s starting to go numb—as is your brain while reading this…try to love everybody always.