S: Is for speaking aloud

Every now and then we allow people to infiltrate our lives and the impact carries such a weight that we become immobilized. When that happens we need to heal and then take our power back. Sometimes it takes longer than one thinks because judgements have been passed onto us and our voice though truthful is silenced by preconceived or manipulated roadblocks. Just when you put the idea of speaking aloud and righting the wrongs away, karma or a divine intervention makes itself present. I will never be one to walk peacefully into a concentration camp, avoid standing up for my rights or those being stifled by somebody else or becoming a sheep because it is the easiest way out. Something inside me will never allow it. There have been many times when I have been silenced for causes I believe in only to find out if you are silenced or if your light goes out something is horribly wrong. I have paid the price for those times. Freedom of speech is a 1st amendment right. We all should be given the opportunity to question, research and learn and we all should take advantage of it. I may not always agree with the norm or they with me. We do have something to learn from every experience and every moment of our journey here on earth. I encourage those of you who read me to speak up. I promise I will never censer your right to opinion unless it is done out of malice and that is a F.A.C.T.

T: Is for one of Tom's favorite things.... wine

Every now and then I do a column for Tom. Tom is the reason this column exists in more than one way. I was suppose to go taste wine with Tom today but life happened and he went tasting for me. So this information is for all you wine lovers out there, about one of the largest growing places where truly wonderful wine is coming from. During the grape growing cycle in Portugal this year, the weather was cooler than usual. There was more rain which lead to the appearance of diseases like mildew, which affected more the quantity produced rather than the quality of the grapes. Winemakers indicate a vintage with an excellent fresh and balanced quality. In 2007 there will be an estimated decrease of 15% versus 2006. Although forecast data is not available from all wine regions, the decrease in production is more noticeable in the northern regions.

Vinho Verde

Manuel Soares – Aveleda

“In comparison wit previous years, the harvest is delayed. If the weather stays as it has been, the wines will be pretty fresh, fruity and very balanced. This year seems to be especially good for grape varieties such as Trajadura, Loureiro and Alvarinho”

Bairrada

Luís Pato – Luís Pato Wines

“It is still difficult to evaluate this harvest as it depends on weather conditions in September and, this year, also during the first week of October. There was loss of quantity due to rainfalls throughout the year and mildew attacks, but I foresee exceptional quality for sparkling and for whites in Bairrada.”

Douro

Sandra Tavares da Silva – Pintas / Quinta do Vale D. Maria

“There is an evident decrease of production. The grapes maturation is delayed and we need that the climate stays stable and warm for the next 2 weeks in order to have a good phenolic maturation. For the producers which did the correct treatments for mildew, the grapes show a very good sanitary condition. Regarding the quality of this vintage, it seems that it will be very good to excellent, with balanced productions.”


Dão

Carlos Lucas – Dão Sul

“2007 is a year of great oenological potential, as the vines are in excellent conditions with a good quantity of fruit per vine and good balance of sugar and acidity. This year has potential to produce elegant Dão wines, as the balance of sugar and acidity is not being put at risk by too high temperatures”

Estremadura

José Luis Oliveira da Silva – Casa Santos Lima

Production is be reduced by 15 – 20% vs. last 3 years, due to the storms and hail in May, followed by a grape sunburn by end of June. The sanitary conditions of the vines are excellent and the moderately warm days and cool nights are contributing for a balanced grape maturation, which allows us to foresee a very good harvest”



Ribatejo

Nuno Cancella d’Abreu – Alorna

These grapes are more balanced and with very good acidity and with a phenomenal aromatic potential which I haven’t experienced for several years.”



Península de Setúbal

Jaime Quendera – Adega Cooperativa de Pegões / Casa Ermelinda Freitas

“The white wines have normal maturation's with lots of aromatic freshness and good acidity due to a mild summer, the quality expected is high. For reds the maturation is delayed in one week but it is balanced. These wines are likely to have good concentration and aromas.”


Alentejo

Luís Duarte – Herdade dos Grous

“There will be a slight reduction on production of around 15% due to rainfalls in June, which lead to occurrence of mildew. With regular treatment the vines are healthy and the “green harvest” caused my mildew actually helped to improve the overall quality of the grape bunches which remained in the vines. The weather conditions now are exceptional and we expect to have wines of excellent quality”.

Well know you know the F.A.C.T.S thanks to Rui Abecassis. Time to try some Portuguese vino. Cheers!

C: Is for the care of children

Orphans International was created in response to the crisis facing children around the globe today. With the AIDS epidemic, natural disasters, low world health standards, and immense poverty, Orphans International operates with a mission to confront the incredible demand for improved opportunities to benefit the world's disadvantaged. Their goal of "Raising Global Citizens" takes a sustainable approach to addressing the immediate needs of these orphaned children. Helping orphaned or abandoned children grow into solid citizens of the world through a sound structure leads to many paths up the mountain, because there is but one race - the human race. Attempting to instill an appreciation in children of both modern technology and traditional arts and crafts they are dedicated to the development of intellectual curiosity and artistic achievement. Associated with the Department of Public Information of the United Nations they are headquartered in New York City. Peter Yarrow will be hosting a benefit to be held in his home Tuesday, October 30. Only 90 tickets exist, 20 of them already sold. Peter Yarrow is best known for his part in Peter, Paul & Mary, however it is his global tolerance-training project for children in conflict, Operation Respect, that makes him the perfect match for Orphans International. To be invited to this special event write info@oiww.org for an electronic invitation.

Though I believe we abandon the children of America the sad F.A.C.T is their are children from other countries that need help. This organization cares and that is a refreshing F.A.C.T.

A: Is for the attack of the "Care Bears"

Were you ever this cool at twelve? On Fri, Sept 28th – 8:00PM Care Bears on Fire
CD RELEASE PARTY “I Stole Your Animal” will be held at Southpaw 125 5th Ave in Brooklyn, NY. These pre-tweens from Brooklyn write punk tunes about creepy dudes on MySpace with a gleeful sneer that's more convincing than most people twice their age. Scarey to believe but the members of Care Bears on Fire aren't even old enough to get a learner's permit, but inside each of them beats the heart of a punk rocker. According to New York Magazine “...They rock with impressive skill." Sophie, Izzy and Lucio met in kindergarten where they mostly ignored each other. Then in the beginning of 4th grade the three of them and a friend of theirs began playing music together after school in Lucio's basement. Usually like 75% of practice was stealing and hiding each other's shoes, eating sugar and complaining about school. Then in 5th grade after a freak accident caused by a green gummie bear melting onto a live wire of a Fender amp--they were visited by the specter of a giant care bear who spoke in a voice like Thurston Moore and told them to go forth and rock as Care Bears On Fire! They still practice in Lucio's basement but only during the week so the neighbors aren't freaked out by the AWESOME NOISE! Now only about 50% of practice time is spent throwing stuff and eating sugar. These little kids are great. Log onto myspace.com/carebearsonfire to hear them. Talent isn't an age it's a force and that is a F.A.C.T.

F: Is for finally back and fraud

Well as of this morning we are back, thanks to Tom and all his hard work. Our address has changed to www.xplorefacts.blogspot.com because blogger will not except our server where our domain name lives. Please read down because I did write even though we could not be found and they're were some terrific finds. If you'll notice on last Thursday's column I thought we were back, but alas no. Tom's roof fell in and while he was waiting for the contractors, viola he found a way. Look shortly though for a formulated website. I have to think of how I want it to look and then look for exciting sponsors, great give aways and who knows where my brain will go.

Since I have decided I am happier writing and I really now like TV and Film as long as I don't have to watch myself, I decided to sell off my play collection which is intense. I went to craigslist since I have always had the best of luck with them and placed an add. Simple enough, right? Wrong! The person who answered me was a scam artist. At first I didn't catch on as I wanted the plays to go to an artist or a lover of literature. Then he used two e-mails, wanted me to ship them and play the shipper which he would reimburse me and he would pay me in a cashiers check. Warning bells went off as last year I did a student film for "The University of Berkley" so I thought. I'm from California and sang with San Francisco's Opera company and did shows at ACT not a problem. It took three months to get my check. Finally it arrived and I made sure it was good then deposited it in my bank. What ensued next was a nightmare. I am on a first named bases with an FBI agent since the check was counterfeit. My bank life went through hell and back and I have still yet to have recovered. Now I am fighting back. Mark Hill/Copper Wood you been outed. Reported to three agencies. What gives you the right to mess with a persons head, their life and their soul. I'm mad as hell and I'm not taking it any more. Got that!

By the way if you think this has gotten me down it hasn't. Life is a series of trials and tribulations. We go through things to move forward in our journey. Normally I have to learn lesson more than most but I'm begining to think it's so I'll speak out for those who can't. Mark or whoever you are, not cool! Speaking out and righting a wrong, way cool and that is a F.A.C.T.