Orfila Vineyards & Winery, an award-winning boutique winery nestled in the pristine San Pasqual Valley agricultural preserve approximately 30 minutes north of San Diego announced today that Justin Mund has joined the Orfila team as the new winemaker. Mr. Mund will continue to develop and enhance the high-quality standards the winery has put into practice since 1994. He succeeds interim winemaker Don Reha, who has returned full time to Thornton Winery in Temecula.
 
Under Mund's leadership, Orfila will continue to produce Rhône and Italian-style wines as well as introduce some new wines.  According to Winemaker Mund, " My challenge is to continually improve the wines while keeping the consistency, focus and style on track and make sure that we aggressively pursue a local presence."  

Justin sees himself as a hands-on winemaker.  Having  started out as a viticulturist he believes, "Great wine begins in the vineyards and pushes through to the bottle."  "My wines are fruit driven and clean.  I know I am doing the job when the public likes my wines. I am here to build a sustainable brand that says this is serious wine."

"We are excited to welcome Mr. Mund to the Orfila family" said Linda Kissam, media relations director for Orfila Winery. "We look forward to working with him as he furthers  Mr. Orfila's commitment to produce premium wines emphasizing the expression of the vineyard." Kissam adds, " We will look to Justin to put his unique handprint into new wines , enhance our estate wines, as well as develop unique new varietal programs from both inside and outside of our vineyards."  

c.2009, Skyhorse Publishing                      $24.95 / $33.95 Canada             397 pages

Ah. Another day, another dollar minus taxes, dues, and insurance.Lately, you feel like you’re getting an allowance instead of a paycheck. You find yourself diving for two quarters that fell in your underwear drawer last week, just to have enough for a cappuccino. You’re daydreaming about moonlighting, thinking it’s time for a new job – or another job - and asking yourself the same question you’d ask a 4-year-old: What do you want to be someday?  Maybe now’s the time to be a little frivolous. Maybe now’s the time to try on another job by reading “Risky Living” by Tom Jones.  But beware – and be careful what you wish for.

As a former suit-wearing 9-to-5er, Tom Jones says that he never knew one of his acquaintances was a U.S. federal marshal who once guarded Saddam Hussein. When he learned the (not-so) secret, it got Jones to thinking: how do some people end up in dangerous, possibly-lethal occupations? He went in search of men and women who got their paychecks in edgy ways.

Say, for instance, that you’ve planned a three-day trip to Yosemite National Park. For many adventure-seekers, rock climbing (hang-gliding, extreme skiing, BASE jumping) is a great way to spend a weekend. But when disaster strikes, it’s the (dangerous) job of the Search & Rescue Team to get people out, safely and alive. Snapping a picture seems like good work for someone who is creative, but for wildlife photographers, it’s not what you snap but whose jaws snap back. One always needs to remember, too, that bushes make a great bathroom as long as a hungry lioness doesn’t have the same idea.

As if it’s not dangerous enough on Earth, coal miners take their work beneath it. You don’t know dark until you’ve been underground, where oxygen can be in short supply, combustibles literally surround you, and a collapse could bury you alive. Seem tame? Then try being an alligator hunter or a knife-thrower’s assistant. Try guarding prisoners or, yes, try journalism.  Looking for a little change of pace? You might find it here - but then again, many of the careers in “Risky Living” aren’t going to be easy to achieve, most needing extensive training. 

But that’s not all I noticed…Author Tom Jones is faithful to each of his interviewees but some of the stories, in an effort to describe scenarios, got boggy and confusing. An edited version would have gone a long way. Would that have lessened the excitement of the narrative?  Maybe, unfortunately. I also thought it strange to put, say, a delivery guy in the same “dangerous jobs” book as a soldier home from Iraq. Not to negate the fine work done in getting pizza to my house, but do they really compare?  Still, “Risky Living” is a fun book to read; a nice diversion and a peek into the lives of men and women with exciting, often-perilous jobs. If you’re curious about how other people earn their paychecks, use a part of yours to get this book.

Custom jewelry is a uniquely designed piece of art work to express one’s love and personal creativity, our goal is to tailor the jewelry to your satisfaction. All jewelry is unique and hand crafted, which makes it a great gift to show “Your Signature of Fine Art & Love.” When it comes to making a custom piece, in most cases we set aside a scheduled private appointment to maximize the communication for the complex details it take to create a custom piece from concept to finish.

True custom jewelry starts with your ideas that stem into a sketch or a CAD rendering. After we seek your approval we then carve the wax by hand or have our CAM machine carve it out. Then we welcome you back to view the wax prototype for a second approval. The next step consists of the wax prototype design being weighed for the correct amount of material: Platinum, white gold, yellow gold, rose gold; 18kt or 14kt. Next comes spruing and investing. Spruing consists of the wax prototype being attached to the rubber button. The button is then attached to a cylindrical tube called a flask for the next stage, which is investing. During the investing stage an impression of the wax model is created and left to sit overnight. After that, the investment has hardened it is entered into an oven for the wax burnout. Based on piece size and materials chosen, the time for this step will vary. On average, 2 to 3 hours will suffice for effective burnout process. Upon completion of burnout, the flask is removed with tongs and inserted into a centrifugal forced tube. The proper metal is applied for smelting, cleaning and casting. The tube uses centrifugal casting force to impress the liquid metals on the burnt out wax prototype. When the centrifugal spin is complete, rather than quenching and immersing immediately into the water, which hardens or shuns metals, we use a cooling time of one hour. Then, the precious metal pieces are dug out of the flask with water to dissolve the investment. The piece is then clipped off the spru and dropped into acid to remove the fire scale from casting. Finally, we start cleaning, polishing, and setting. Time will vary depending on complexity and detail of the client's project.

Customizing is our specialty at Jeweler By Design Custom. All work is done on the premises and same-day repair is available every day for our client’s  convenience. Master Jeweler, Goldsmith and Designers are always on studio premises during business hours, therefore our clients will never have to deal with any sales personnel. All of our clients have the opportunity to deal only with the jewelers and designers to maximize communication and end result.

The Temecula Valley International Jazz Festival will be taking place on July 9-11 in the City of Temecula home of the Chuck Niles Memorial Jazz Library and the Temecula Valley Cultural Arts & Music Center located at 27455 Tierra Alta Way. Thousands will converge to celebrate the "First Lady of Song," Ella Fitzgerald.  The Tribute to Ella features performances by international singing star Trini Lopez, Herb Jeffries, Freda Payne, Arthur Rand & the Ink Spots, Ray Brown Jr., Dick Berk, Keith Droste, and Rene’ Worst.

Headlining the 2010 Festival is GRAMMY Award winner Poncho Sanchez for an exclusive Summer 2010 Southwest concert. Back by popular demand, the storyteller Sanchez is sure to dazzle the crowds with his gift for creating the soulful and colorful sounds of jazz, Latin jazz, or even elements of soul and blues.   As the leader of the most popular Latin jazz group in the world today, it's his congas and seasoned ensemble that do the talking. Other performances during the festival include Brian Auger’s Oblivion Express, 3-time GRAMMY nominee for best album of the year David Arkenstone, Coryell Auger Sample Trio, Patricia Talem from Brazil with even more to be announced.

Voted one of the Best City events in a recent Temecula Chamber of Commerce Poll, this year's Temecula’s International Jazz Festival promises to bring this annual event to a whole new level by celebrating the life and influence of Jazz Great Ella Fitzgerald. International Jazz artists and visitors from all over the globe will again flock to Temecula Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday, joining thousands of other Jazz enthusiasts to enjoy a weekend filled with World renowned entertainment.

Friday, July 9th, the Festival kicks off with a spectacular Opening Night Dinner & Concert. Tickets are $100. Saturday, July 10^th, is the main event.  General Admission is $35 and includes entrance to the Chuck Niles Main Stage performances, entertainment in the Wine & Beer Garden and special events throughout the festival grounds. Box Seats for $65 also include dinner and drink tickets. Platinum VIP/ BackStage Pass tickets at $120 which include special backstage access along with a table, drinks and dinner during the Saturday night concert.   July 11^th, which is Sunday's Youth Jazz Festival is free admission. Based on pre-sales tickets are already selling fast and this event is expected to sell out early.

Proceeds benefit Musicians Workshop Non-Profit Youth Education programs. Sponsorship opportunities with branding and on-site exposure are available. Tickets are available online at www.TemeculaJazzFest.com or by calling Jon Laskin at (951) 678-2517.

A group of local business professionals and members of the golf industry have recognized the untapped potential in Bear Creek Golf Club. Bear Creek Partners, LLC, recently purchased Bear Creek Golf Club and is dedicated to reinvigorating the club by reestablishing the reputation the course and club deserve.

The new Bear Creek management brings a tremendous amount of industry knowledge, as partners have been and are currently involved in private golf club operations, acquisitions and dispositions across the country. One partner played a significant role in bringing the U.S. Open to Torrey Pines Golf Course in 2008. Additionally, new club General Manager Max Anderson brings a background of over 40 years in the golf industry that includes 30 years as Director of Golf at prestigious Saginaw Country Club in Saginaw, Michigan.

Bear Creek Golf Club features a world-class Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, nestled in the Temecula/ Murrieta Valley. Routed around numerous mature oak trees, Bear Creek was constructed to the strictest standards, under the personal supervision of Jack Nicklaus himself.

“It’s a real honor to be a part of a club and course that have so much history. Bear Creek Golf Club is entering an exciting phase of rebuilding its reputation. The feedback so far from the Bear Creek community and the club’s members has been incredibly supportive and rewarding. Their enthusiasm has been helpful in making the first steps of this new venture a success. Since our closing in mid August we have attracted over 60 new golf members.” said Max Anderson, General Manager of the club and a partner in Bear Creek Partners, LLC.

Bear Creek Partners, LLC has restructured all membership categories, reduced initiation fees and monthly dues; and totally revamped the food and beverage operation. In terms of accountability, membership is up, dining numbers are up, and members old and new seem more than satisfied with the direction Bear Creek Golf Club is headed.

For additional information on Bear Creek Golf Club, contact Tyler Savitch, Sexton Communications at 858.634.5200 or via e-mail at tyler@ sextoncommunications.com.

After 7 years of planning, meeting and fundraising, the Temecula Valley Cultural Arts & Music Center is proud to announce their grand opening at 27455 Tierra Alta Way, Temecula.

Musicians Workshop, founded in 1998 by Jon and Jane Laskin, has evolved from a simple music education center, to a contemporary Performing Arts & Music Education Center for Programs and Events in the Temecula Valley. The Workshop offers several after school and evening performing arts programs from ages 3 years old with scholarship funds offered to deserving and low & moderate income families.

The Temecula Valley Cultural Arts & Music Center offers the community a facility to meet, learn, teach, practice and through recitals showcase Performing Arts & Music. Amenities include 6 private teaching studios, a drum room, dance studio, recording studio, visual arts room, general music room, and will be available to various other local arts & music groups, young and old. It is available at comparatively greatly reduced rates to the many other Non- Profit groups in the area that either can not afford or have no space of their own, as well as to students, teachers, groups and individual musicians, and artists who need space to practice and showcase their crafts. Private teaching rooms are $3.50 an hour and the music room, dance studio and main meeting rooms are available at $25 an hour or $10 to non-profit organizations.

Musicians Workshop is currently registering students of all ages and abilities for a multitude of Performing Arts & Music Fall Semester Education Programs including Youth Orchestra, Youth Chorus, Jazz and Blues bands, Musical Theater, Song writing, Media Arts, Film Making, Studio Recording, All Girl Band, Beginning Strings, Youth Fine Arts Class, and Fine Arts Advanced, Private Voice & Music Lessons on any instrument and more at the newly opened Temecula Valley Cultural Arts & Music Center. Also being offered this year a specifically designed programs for Special Needs and “at risk” youth’s. Now in it’s 11th year of operation, the local 501 -(c)(3) public benefit corporation, Musicians Workshop continues to bring professional Artists in Residence for clinics and workshops, and offers scholarships to needing and deserving local youths. In cases where students cannot afford instruments, Musicians Workshop is able to loan them out at no cost.

For more information on Musicians Workshops programs and events visit www.MusiciansWorkshop.Org, or call Jon or Jane Laskin at (951) 678-2517.