Event

If you’re in LA and you have a yen for chocolate …You’re Welcome America!

November 7, 2014 by daleottley Leave a Comment

I am not considered to be a chocoholic by any means. But when I crave chocolate I must have what I want. I do LIKE chocolate and I have my favorites from drug store purchases [Hershey’s Symphony], to Internet orders [Nicobella], all the way to traveling to NYC [Teusher] to buy a few boxes to take back to California [they make the most delicious champagne truffles in the world] – only to find that there is a Beverly Hills location. Duh! However when I was invited to write about this forthcoming event after looking at the website, I think I just may turn into a chocolate feening person. And I-can’t-wait.

The name of the event is Indulge Los Angeles: Chocolate and Pastry show. What?? Yes, take a peek at what will be happening on December 27-28 2014. Click here to view. 19 celebrity chefs will descend here soon to tempt our palates with their creamy creations. Wine, food and other spirits will be served as well. Come on out to Indulge LA, I’ll meet you there. I’m looking forward to discovering new favorites AND giving recommendations to the less tolerant for organic, fair trade, vegan, gluten free treats.

http:/http://www.barcelona.la/images/main_indulge.jpg

Please view this last link just above I predict that after you do, you all will be saying, “Thank you Dale, for filling our weekend with such delight about the possibilities.” And to that I say, “You’re welcome America!”

Octoberfest/Oktoberfest

November 3, 2014 by daleottley 4 Comments

As a stroke survival magazine publisher I know that I don’t typically get heavy into the technicalities of my medical progress. Nor do I dole out much advice about things I’ve read on the subject, other survivors whom I’ve encountered, or details about my specific recovery. I don’t even share anything from medical journals or from the Stroke Net newsletter to which I am a subscriber. That is because what resonates most with me is moving on.

You see I had a stroke, that is a fact. Because of it I live with an obvious disability so I am rendered “disabled” in the eyes of the Federal government. Part of my moving on with life style of recovery, is to acknowledge what has happened, thank God that I’m still alive and continue living my life. It is not important foe me to not continue to go back to what happened. I survived and I have a pretty great life. I could have folded and disappeared so that all anyone could talk about is remembering me and how I used to be. I’d rather have people talk about how they can’t believe how well I’m thriving based on what I went through. THAT is what interests ME. My assumption is that my life interests you. But I digress with intent…

Over a decade ago, my dear friend Michael lost his brother Matthew due to a freak accident at home. And part of Michael’s grieving process was to take a trip away all my himself from everyone/everything that was familiar. Shortly after Matthews funeral [or before I can’t remember that detail] but my point is that Michael went away. He flew to New Orleans, without telling a soul. I only know about the trip because he told me ALL about it once he returned. He had a ball walking around the French Quarter, eating the fantastic food, talking to strangers. He even sang a set or two with a blues band in front of a crowd of people at a few clubs. Michael will always grieve his brother Matthew but Michael had to move forward with life. He didn’t THINK about going to New Orleans, HE WENT.

I know several people who still only WANT to jump out of an airplane, and do bold and daring things. They have been THINKING about it for years. Thinking? Really? Hum…

It’s strange that attending an Octoberfest event would be on my “bucket list” but it’s true. Many of you know that I am deep into craft beer movement thus I have been attending beer festivals around Los Angeles to support that interest. While my fellow beer enthusiasts get sloshed and flirtatious, I take my stein, sampling glass or whatever and I visit almost every tap in a bar or tasting room to TASTE new and exciting flavors from the craft beer revolution. With TV programs such as Brew Dogs, it is safe to say that the popularity of beer has made a major come back and is here to stay evidenced by all of the local breweries that are popping up all over the country.

In these breweries I chat it up with up and coming home brewers. Home brewers are folks who churn up beer in their kitchens or garages. I become instant friends with these people for the day as we go down the lists sampling everything that sounds good to us. The beer that gets my attention has some exotic name that is way too cool to pass up. Some of the exclusive tap craft beer flavors are: Wheat Chai, Apple/Pomegranate, Jalapeño, Strawberry Sour Sherry. My current favorite tap exclusive is Mango Shandy. Yes it is a sweet and yummy as it sounds. The clever guys at Dale Bros. Brewery in Upland California created the concoction and thanks to my new beer friend who shared her tasting pint with me, I found Nirvana in a glass at their annual Oktober [not a typo] Fiesta.

I had a similar experience several weeks ago at the October fest at the Beverly Hills Country Club. The featured frozen beer Apple/Pomegranate was extremely cold and extremely delicious. I could not get enough of this “girly” beer, no wheat or hoppy taste whatsoever. Just a liter of frozen slurpee like yum sensation. I could not get buzzed if I tried, due to the amount of ice and sweetness. The point of frozen beer is to stay hydrated and cool on a blistering day. THAT’S WONDERFUL NEWS FOR LIGHTWEIGHTS LIKE ME. They also sampled a darker more savory frozen beer with flavors of a typical porter [chocolate and coffee]. I was monumentally happy that the frozen beer made the sweltering heat more bearable that particular day which topped 100 degrees.

Evidently theses types of beer events have ~~silly~~ fun activities and ~~silly~~ festive outfits in order to get into the spirit of the event. Events like beer stein arm lifts and dressing up in German regalia. But regardless of how one is adorned, everyone is extra happy and only there to have a good time.

It is now early November and believe it or not the October fest activities have not yet stopped. I will be attending the largest craft beer event in Los Angeles next weekend on a Cruise ship in one of the ports of Los Angeles. I will bee geeking out with other craft beer enthusiasts looking forward to sampling beer called: Black Tuesday, Funk Metal, Buddaha’s Brew and La Vie en Rose. Some of the names of the breweries represented are: Hops & Pie, Hair of the Dog, Weird Beard, Tree House and Side Project.

Oooh I’m so excited…

Regional event – No on Proposition 23

October 7, 2010 by daleottley 2 Comments

Here is an event in which I was involved where no photos prove my involvement at all. Sometimes it’s important to be seen as a part of an event and sometimes not so much. Anyway, I was asked to secure sustainable beverages at this event where Governor Schwarzenegger was supposed to physically attend but due to his busy schedule actually called in to show his support on this clean energy initiative. Unless you are a California resident this particular initiative will not mean much to you but I’m certain that your state has unique proposals to fight for clean energy. Without using this post as a political platform, here is information about Prop 23 if you are interested. Enjoy!

Proposition 23, which would Suspend AB 32, the Global Warming Act of 2006, is on the November 2, 2010 ballot in California as aninitiated state statute.^[1]

AB 32 is known as the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. The act, passed by the California State Legislature and signed by Arnold Schwarzenegger, is California’s landmark clean air legislation. ^[2] ^[3] Proposition 23, if enacted by voters, will freeze the provisions of AB 32until California’s unemployment rate drops to 5.5% or below for four consecutive quarters. California’s unemployment rate, which currently hovers around 12%, has been at 5.5% or below for four consecutive quarters just three times since 1980.^[4]

AB 32 requires that greenhouse gas emission levels in the state be cut to 1990 levels by 2020. The process of cutting greenhouse gas emissions in the state is slated under AB 32 to begin in 2012.^[5]

In their campaigns for and against Proposition 23, supporters and opponents have each adopted nicknames for the measure that clarify what they think of it. Supporters call Proposition 23 the California Jobs Initiative and opponents call it the Dirty Energy Proposition.^[6]

Louise Bedsworth, a research fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California, predicted in April that total campaign spending on Proposition 23 could top the $154 million record set in 2006 by Proposition 87.^[7] Through the end of September, campaign contributions to both sides totalled around $20 million, with the “No on 23” organizations ahead in the money race by about $2 million. ^[8]

So there you have it. Please do your part to educate yourself about the importance of having certain clean energy initiatives passed in your local regional and national legs of government. A quick sponsor plug – Icebox water is one of the best green water companies in the US due to their non toxic packaging, their philanthropic efforts, zero waste philosophy. Read here all about Icebox Glacia water.

Breast Cancer Awareness month – part one

October 7, 2010 by daleottley 1 Comment

Since October is breast cancer awareness month I was asked to participate in an annual fundraising event called Cure In the Canyons. Me and a fellow event planner friends checked guests in and secured items for the fantastic gift bags [photos forthcoming].

Each year many vendors are asked to participate to have their wares and services available to participants and a select group of survivors. Enclosed are a few photos of the day that took place on last Sunday October 3rd 2010. This event was packed with people in spite of my event photo taking skills. I made sure that people were behind my back while I concentrated on vendor and venue photos. I think competing with crowds for photo opportunities makes for bad photos. All in all not bad for a Blackberry Curve phone. In these photos it looks like I was the only guest but trust me there were many many more.

The estate entry way was set up with the themed step and repeat.

The OPI vendor pampering booth. With USC’s event coordinator Julie Davis.

The memory wall messages of Hope.

POM juice was a proud sponsor.

The live band played all afternoon.

Yes in Southern California people actually get spray tans.

The caterer who tried hard to keep up with the hungry crowd.

Part of the spread right before replenishing. Event photographers, which I am not, are vital.

Napa Valley Oliver products handed out the most delicious white wine mustard.

POP chips was a supporter as well. Great tasting non greasy non fried chips.

Miller beer had a strong presence.

The Man lounge had many people lined up for pampering. Since this was a women’s event with male supporters we had to have some spoiling for them too.

Jack Black products were out in force.

Kiehl’s had a space in the men’s lounge too.

Luxury vehicles added a fun backdrop at this lovely estate.

My camera died 🙁 as I walked around to capture more vendors and the crowd of guests. Oh well, that’s why event photographers are important. And there was an event photographer. Part deux forthcoming…

Zero Waste – part deux

October 6, 2010 by daleottley 1 Comment

My hiatus from blogging is directly related to my philanthropic activity. Enclosed are photos of my first fundraiser that took place on August 25th 2010. The Zero Waste part one post holds the details about that event. To recap swiftly this event was an adjacent opportunities book launch, a green business networking and a Gulf coast relief effort event that was hosted by the Valley Green builders Task force, Global Green and Ron Schultz. Links enclosed for your reference. Please enjoy.

Large Marge Sustainables one of our two catering sponsors

No host bar sponsored by: Dry Soda, IZZE sparkling juice, O.N.E. coconut water, Aquamantra high vibrational water, Coors beer, and Icebox glacier Water.

Many companies that represented Solar energy, Bio fuels, LEED construction, photographers, painters, and other green non-profit organizations.

Green gift table

Zero waste with a three R concentration: reuse, recycle and reduce.

Guest sign in

Ice cream donation from Ohio: Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream

The fabulous Pink Salt event catering our other fantastic food sponsor

Round table business networking

Our final activity was our raffle prizes

Stay tuned for my forthcoming event posts: Proposition 23 event and Cure for breast cancer.

Cure In The Canyons

September 27, 2010 by daleottley Leave a Comment

With so much happening I’m keeping this post short by simply saying that the next fundraiser on which I am working is called Cure in the Canyons a breast cancer benefit. Here is the link. Cure in the Canyons is an annual benefit always hosted by the owner of a private estate in Beverly Hills. It’s a ticketed affair for a Sunday afternoon of papering, great food and fantastic silent auction items. It’s happening this Sunday and I am looking forward to participating.

If you are reading this post and are a Los Angeles local please click here to purchase tickets. If you are not local and feel compelled to support with a donation anyway, we welcome your donation. Either way I do hope that everyone has a great week!