This episode of Big Blend Radio’s Eat, Drink and Be Merry show focuses on the quality estate wines produced at Kenefick Ranch in Napa Valley, California. Featured guests include founder Dr Tom Kenefick and writer Linda Kissam “Food, Wine & Shopping Diva.”

In 1981, Dr. Tom Kenefick acquired a 205 acre parcel at the foothills of the Palisades Mountains in Calistoga. In 1982 he acquired an additional 35 acres.  An additional 10 acres (Dr. K’s current residence) was acquired in 1989. His goal with every vintage is, “To create from each vineyard block a finely balanced wine – one with all of its structural elements united in seamless harmony.”  Full-bodied, smooth and tannic, these wines are right up a wine lover’s alley. Read Linda’s article on BlendRadioandTV.com.

Featured music is “California Days” by Josh Pfeiffer.

This episode of Big Blend Radio features litigator Marty Glick, co-author of “The Soledad Children: The Fight to End Discriminatory IQ Tests.”

During the 1960s, California public schools used English-language, culturally biased IQ tests to determine placements for students. This resulted in over 100,000 non-native English speakers and other minority students being routed into special education tracks. “The Soledad Children” is a new book written by attorneys Marty Glick and Maurice Jourdane who fought against IQ test injustice, and it recounts the story of how they achieved a landmark win for farmworker children.  

Featured music is “Universal Love” By Kwame Binea Shakedown.

On this episode of Big Blend Radio, award-winning author Marc Graham discusses his writing career and two latest releases, “Son of the Sea, Daughter of the Sun,” and “Runes for Writers: Boost Your Creativity & Destroy Writers Block.”

Utilizing his in-depth research, Graham takes readers back to the Mediterranean in 610 CE in “Son of the Sea, Daughter of the Sun,” mixing elements of romance, myth, and expert storytelling. In “Runes for Writers,” Graham shares his groundbreaking system to help storytellers more easily access the realm of ideas. This rediscovered ancient system helps storytellers more easily access the realm of ideas, the world of the Muses, the Source of Story.

Featured music is “Write a Freakin’ Book” by the Tall Men Group.

This episode of Big Blend Radio features Donna George, owner of The Peanut Patch in Yuma, Arizona. Hear about peanut and medjool date farming history in Yuma, the various gourmet gifts available at The Peanut Patch as well as their popular tours. On this episode Donna also sends hosts Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith on a special Farm Stories Across America map story project to document and share farm related stories that range from farm-to-table restaurants to historic farm equipment displays, farmers markets, and agricultural events.

This episode of Big Blend Radio features San Diego employment attorney Ward Heinrichs. As part of their Love Your Parks Tour, Ward sends Big Blend Radio hosts Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith on a special Law & Order Across America map story project to document and share legal stories that range from historic jails and territorial prisons to graveyards, courthouses, and criminal cases. Hear about stories they have already covered like Pearl Hart “The Bandit Queen,” outlaw Warren Earp, Boothill Graveyard in Tombstone, Historic Vernon Parish Courthouse, and the Gothic Hanging Jail in DeRidder, Louisiana.

Featured music is “Highway” by The Cravens.

This episode of Big Blend Radio features leading trust expert and Big Blend contributor Lea Brovedani, who as part of their Love Your Parks Tour, sends hosts Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith on a special Trust Stories Across America map story project to document and share trust stories that range from expedition leaders to community founders.

Known as “The Trust Architect,” Lea has been named Top Thought Leaders on Trust for 2017, 2018 and 2019 by the organization Trust Across America. She is also the author of “TRUST Me – Restore Belief & Confidence in an Uncertain World” and “TRUSTED – Secret Lessons from an Inspired Leader,” is a contributing author in four other books and various business magazines around the world. 

Featured music is “Stepping Stones” by Kimia Penton.

This episode of Big Blend Radio features E. Andrew Martonyi, author of the children’s geography books, “The Little Man In the Map: With Clues to Remember All 50 States,” and “The Little Man In the Map Teaches the State Capitals!”

Hear about his Little Man in the Map books, visits to various capital cities, and as part of their Love Your Parks Tour, his assignment for Big Blend Radio hosts Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith to get started on a Capital Cities Across America map story project to document and showcase the various cities they visit on their travels.  So far they have visited Little Rock, Arkansas and Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Featured music is “Texas Blue Moon” by Shelley King of Austin, Texas.

This episode of Big Blend Radio features Jodi Canter, founder of Wanderlust, an online store carrying t-shirts and accessories just for National Park Junkies like her! From Yosemite to Cuyahoga Valley, hear about her park adventures and her company Wanderlust that also helps to support the organizations that preserve and protect our parks for future generations. As part of their Love Your Parks Tour, Jodi has assigned Big Blend Radio hosts Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith on a special National Parks Across America map story project to document and showcase the various national parks they visit on their travels.

Featured music is “Colors of the USA” by Doreen Taylor.

This episode of Big Blend Radio features world champion horse trainer and judge Christy Wood, who owns and runs Wood N Horse Training Stables and Trail Rides in Three Rivers, California, which is just outside Sequoia National Park.  Christy is an avid trail rider, and is currently on her second Chief Joseph Trail Ride, a 13-year progressive ride with the Appaloosa Horse Club.  She is also the author of “Your Best Horse Show: A Guide for Managers and Exhibitors”, and the children’s book, “Ranger: The Little Horse with a Big Heart.”

As part of their Love Your Parks Tour, Christy has sent Big Blend Radio hosts Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith on a special Horses Across America map story project to document and share horse stories that range from statues and public art to equestrian trails, destinations, and exhibits, and even the wild horses that roam our public lands.

Featured music is “Soaring” from the “Images of Winter” album by Evren Ozan.

On this episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Eat, Drink & Be Merry” show, Ruth Milstein shares how to make her Lasagna Style Meat Pie recipe. Serving 8 and pairing well with Chardonnay, Red Burgundy or Pinot Noir, and even beer, this recipe is perfect for families and dinner parties. It can also be prepared ahead of time.

Ruth is the author of the Gourmand award-winning book “Cooking with Love: Ventures Into the New Israeli Cuisine,” which is now in its second printing.

Featured music is “Lights Out” from the album “After Hours” by James Byfield.