GRANDMA'S CHICKEN

 Leaving L.A. to enjoy L.A.

My Prius car was packed!

• Dog crate... check 
• Suitcase... check  
• Sunglasses, cell phone, purse... check 

Who hasn't needed a weekend away?!  

Haven't we all wanted to run from the bills, work, chores, children???

Even an L.A. newscaster has to get away from L.A. news from time to time. 

SOMETIMES THE BEST WAY TO ENJOY LA...

 IS TO GET AWAY FROM L.A.!!!

Ice cream w/my niece

I made the trek to San Diego. While just a short two-hour drive my family was convinced I'd arrive late.  Never to disappoint, I was indeed.

San Diego is always a welcome respite.  The stress rolls off me like melted butter as I make the drive south.  I edge into Long Beach, wind my way through the O.C., continue on to Carlsbad.   By the time I  exit the 5 Freeway I have entered a world of bliss.

I am officially on a mini-vacation!  For two days: no chores, no errands, no events, no DVR recordings to watch, no make-up.  Early to bed, early to rise, long walks, home cooked meals, restaurant outings, lots of naps and definitely, NO NEWS.  

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

Grandpa's painting

Back home, is now San Diego where my mom has recently relocated from Arizona, from which she'd relocated decades ago from Buffalo, New York.  On the wall were reminders of that up-state NY back home.  An old sepia picture of grandma.  An oil painting by grandpa.  Both have passed.  The home long gone.

Which brings me to the present.  Grandma's Chicken.  

GRANDMA'S ceramic CHICKEN

Call it a family heirloom.  It means nothing to anyone else.  It is a life-size black and white ceramic chicken painted by grandma.  It adorned their country-style picture-perfect creek-side country home quite perfectly.  What it represented was worth millions.  It represented my early childhood.

Grandma, Dolores Seufert     d. 2008

Mom tried to pawn it off on me.  "Do you want Grandma's Chicken" she asked?  I turned up my nose knowing I already had a pack-rat problem.

Three days later I returned to L.A. rested(and chicken-less) to once again face the big city.

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES

As I reflect now on my weekend away I can't stop thinking about Grandma's Chicken.  

While I grew up in Arizona, I was born into a family of farmers in upstate New York.  We picked fresh raspberries, got our milk from the dairy down the street.  Grew our own lettuce, tomatoes, peas, radishes.  Canned our own jam.  Hatched our own chickens. Grandma turned to crafts as she aged. The ceramic chicken was one of her many projects.  

Mom on Peace Corps  magazine
cover. She instilled in me a
passion for service & community

Mom had fled the farm and joined the Peace Corps.  Her life in Brazil led to me.  Our life in Arizona is what I know best.  Visits to grandma and grandpa's were my paradise.

LOVING L.A.

Mom making health smoothy.
Nothing goes to waste.  Has
avocado AND the pit!

That weekend away reminded me of what gives this country kid (turned Arizona gal, turned Cali gal) the 

strength to survive the big city. 

 Grandma's ceramic chicken and all it represents are what make me ME.   It represents the foundation, rules, roots and reasons.

That weekend away was what I needed to remember and re-charge. It was just what the doctor ordered to live, work, like, and love L.A. once again!

   

DEVINE DOINGS-Christine Cam: Foodies Unite

DEVINE DOINGS-Christine Cam: Foodies Unite: "Chocolate-covered BaconA Habanero PepperPopcornThese are PEOPLE I've met. The Balinese Sea Salt, the Samosa with Goji Sauce, the Rhub..."

Foodies Unite

Chocolate-covered Bacon

A Habanero Pepper

Popcorn

These are PEOPLE I've met.   The Balinese Sea Salt, the Samosa with Goji Sauce, the Rhubarb Pie too!   At least that's how these PEOPLE described themselves when asked: "If I were a FOOD what would I be?"

It's a culinary question that might require deep thought.  Do you go salty, sweet, tasty or tart?  Sour, spicy, bitter, or bland?  While we all know "we are what we eat" a few select were forced to find a food deep within their psyche. They'd make their personal  proclamation before an audience in a sweet and simple show  called:
 "Meanwhile, Back at Cafe' Du Monde."   

Los Angeles event speaker

Emcee-Christine Devine
Fox 11 News

As emcee, I was told to intro it as a sort of "Vagina Monologues" meets food.  Please keep your mind out-of-the-gutter! Groans and moans to yourself!  Although, we know food can be orgasmic!  I'm talking Crustacean's Mama An's Garlic Noodles kinda orgasmic! Sprinkles Red Velvet Chocolate cupcake kinda orgasmic!








"Meanwhile Back..." is an unscripted episode.  A bit theatre, a lot reality.  A monologue of your choice.  A memory of that unforgettable night... I mean meal.  

When asked to emcee, the question came to mind.  Where the heck is "Cafe' Du Monde?"  And how was the title so inspired?  Is this cafe so good that one would go back... in order to have "Meanwhile, Back...?"  Living in Los Angeles I had to learn it was also in L.A.  Louisiana L.A. 

House of Blues

So, there we were at OUR "Meanwhile, Back..." etc. etc.   It was a night of food, fun, and friends held not at the celebrated Du Monde in New Orleans but at the iconic House of Blues on Sunset Strip.  Ten people were asked to do an on-stage monologue.  Call it food philosophy.

Speaker Diana Zollicoffer
Actress

Some were chefs, others were actors, one was a photographer, several owned their own restaurants.  All had a tasty tale to tell. One comedic young man took us home to hilarious happenings at southern family supper.  Another was Michael Jackson's personal chef.  One gal's moving monologue was about giving her Grandma a loving last bite of perfect Pumpkin Pie. And our famous foodie gabbed about her blog that got her a show on the Food Network.    

Peggy Sweeney-McDonald-Creator

The recipe for "Meanwhile, Back..." came from Godiva Chocolate.  We also know her as Peggy Sweeney-McDonald.  She's the full-of-fun event Creator and Producer.  Sweeney-McDonald is a   southern belle turned Los Angeles transplant, a party/event planner by trade(Superstar Events-L.A.)  

Cafe' Au Lait & Beignets

We all know a Cafe' Du Monde.  For Peggy it's that spot SHE'D always end up at in the French Quarter.  She loved its cafe' au laits and powdery donut beignets.  It's that 24-hour open place you'd pop into after a night out-on-the-town.   That place where you go to meet a girlfriend. That ol' favorite for cozy conversation.  It's that place that lends itself to saying "meanwhile back..."( in "our" L.A. think Jerry's Famous Deli at 2 a.m or Kate Mantilini after The Ahmanson)   

Sweeney-McDonald

Peggy once said "If I ever had a show it would be called "Meanwhile Back at Cafe' Du Monde."  She now has a stage "show" and has held it four cities, each city inviting their own to give the monologues.  L.A.'s...Los Angeles L.A.... premiered Sunday, August 22nd.
 www.meanwhilebackatcafedumonde.com/ 

Speaker Lance Spellerberger
Actor

Sweeney McDonald's goal is to take "Meanwhile Back..." to cities all across America.  With the popularity of the food channels and our favorite celebrity chefs why wouldn't it work? Don't we all have a magical meal memory, a favorite food, a quirky cuisine experience? The challenge for those on stage is to season their unscripted sound just right, to not cook their story too long, to leave the audience feeling full yet not stuffed.  Some stories will sound home-made, others like a five-star restaurant.

House of Blues buffet  

Good times!

With the event still in its infancy, there were about 100 guests.  All enjoyed a House of Blues Southern buffet beforehand.  

New Friends

Overall, it was a pleasant night away from the worries of the world.  I found "Meanwhile, Back at Cafe' Du Monde" to be a tasty treat probably best enjoyed when you know one of the speakers.  Still, I savored the flavor of new friendships for days to come.                                                                                                          

Now back to that original question.  If I were a food what would "I" be?  

A Tart Apple...the kind that fell from my grandfather's tree in upstate New York.  I can be sweet, yet crisp, at times tart.  There's a reason Adam was warned away from Eve's apple!

YOUR turn!   If YOU were a food what would YOU be?

Flip Video recap of the night:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-gc4Qdfl4E

DEVINE DOINGS: Jazzed!

The sweet sound of jazz filled the car... just as it did when I was a teenager.   And it brought back a beautiful memory.  My dad was a high school principal, MY principal.   The good side of that weird deal was that I always had a ride to school.  And on that ride dad played jazz.  Or rather the radio did.  Or was it a cassette?(yes, back in the day we played cassettes.  Young folk... Google it!)  

I was reminded of this teen time as I drove home from work last night... and jazz was on the radio.  My father is long gone, died about ten years ago.   But oh, if he could see me now.  As I drove along Sunset Blvd. it wasn't my ol' school hip-hop boomin' from the car... I wasn't singing along to Katie Perry or pop... I wasn't rockin' to my fiance's rock bands... nor was I doing homework (news or talk radio.)  I drove to the soothing sound of jazz.  And I was jazzed!

Seany on BASS

I must admit, my appreciation for jazz got a jump-start just a week ago. Credit the Pasadena Jazz Festival. I got an emergency call to fill-in as emcee.  Their famous comedian host had knee surgery and was out.   Emceeing is what I know... but I knew NOTHING about the musicians.  Immediately I took a crash course.  Wikipedia was my best friend.  I I-tuned every artist.  As insurance, I called on my main man, my musician man.  My fiance' is a bass player(Sean McNabb.)  I insisted Sean emcee with me to avoid looking the fool.  I could provide the facts and figures he'd be color commentary.

Everlast, former lead singer
House of Pain

The line-up at the Pasadena Jazz Fest did not disappoint.  Right before my very eyes stood the legendary Stanley Clarke.  On stage was the ever-enjoyable Booker T.  And tearing-it-up playing, taking it into the crowd, up-and-comer Big Sam of Big Sam's Funky Nation.  

The legendary Stanley Clarke

Big Sam(who wasn't so big after losing about 100 pounds) took his trombone out into the audience, New Orleans style.  Booker T played a fan favorite, "Green Onions."  

Stanley was stunning in every way!  Sean of course was in heaven.   He mingled with the fellow musicians back stage.  Chatted bass guitars with fellow bass players.  Stood front row idolizing Stanley and his every iconic bass move.  There's nothing like live music to move the soul... and we soaked in every live music moment!   

It wasn't until four days later that I started to feel full appreciation.  I  realize now the event brought me back to my roots.  It brought back my dad if even just in my mind.  As I drove, I pondered dad's influence and introduction to jazz.  I remembered those early morning rides to school.  I can still see him groggy, sipping his coffee. I chuckled at wishing he'd change the channel.  "PLEASE play pop music I'd mentally plead."  I smiled at how I've grown.  I enjoyed his contribution.  No doubt he gave me a taste for jazz.  No doubt I'm a part of him as I listen to KKJZ.

How dad would have loved to have gone to the Pasadena Jazz Festival.  All grown up, how I would have loved to have taken him.  How JAZZED we both would have been!   How JAZZED I am, enjoying every musical moment of this memory!

Red White + Bluezz Pasadena Jazz Festival  pasadenajazzfest.com

DEVINE DOINGS: MAKING NEWS!!!

DEVINE DOINGS: MAKING NEWS!!!: "EVERYONE can make news! EVERYONE has a story to tell! And with today's tiny technology everyone is an editor, photographer, reporter. The..."

MAKING NEWS!!!

EVERYONE can make news!  EVERYONE has a story to tell!  And with today's tiny technology everyone is an editor, photographer, reporter.  The playing field has been leveled so have some fun.  Interview those around you, turn the camera on your friends and family, MAKE SOME NEWS!

Here at the Urban Media Center they are seizing today's opportunity.  They're teaching kids to do what I do.  They are teaching kids to be young journalists, photojournalists, videographers.  It's not about creating careers as much as it about giving young people the confidence to know their city and share their stories.   

Ana trains student

The Urban Media Center was founded by the professionals at Our Weekly LA, a publication aimed at the African Community.  Publisher Natalie Cole built a branch to inspire, encourage young people... AND offer an after-school place to call home in South LA.

Publisher Natalie Cole(left) & Urban Media Center team

Student shoots interview  

The Urban Media Center is backed by "The Good News Foundation."  KNBC's Ana Garcia gave some words of wisdom.  A student shoots KTLA's Wendy Burch as she interviews Urban Media Center founder Natalie Cole.   On this job, for this blog, I'm still photographer.  "The Good News Foundation" also includes Good Day LA's Dorothy Lucey and KCBS' Pat Harvey.  We got the cameras donated by Sony and a handful over other necessities for creating a community newscast.  LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!

Thanks to tiny toys and mini cams you too can create content... or just save some favorite family or friend moments!   Go ahead, make news!