The Sattui Wine Family Celebrates 125 years in America

March 25,2010

By John M. Olney

(photo’s by John Olney except where acknowledged)

Web site: http://www.jolney.blogspot.com/
E-mail: jjolneytwcc1@aol.com  

Copyright, all rights reserved by

Wine Country Marketing and Promotions,

1370 Trancas St., #409, Napa, CA 94558
Phone: 707-299-9548

Web site: http://www.twccwcmp.blogspot.com/ /
E-mail: winecountrypromo@aol.com

Dario Sattui sits to on the left hand seat of the Napa Valley wine industry seesaw while Robert Mondavi held the right hand seat with Napa Valley at the fulcrum.  Both men shared one major theme in their approach to wine, food and life and that is that they are passionate in their beliefs and never ceasing goal to offer that pleasure to their followers - their consumers. The fundamental difference between the two men is their perspective as to who the wine consumer is.

If you had been fortunate enough to be included in the V. Sattui media and industry related groups to celebrate the 125th year of the Sattui Family, you would have witnessed a man speaking with immense enthusiasm, joy and passion about producing wine. But that is not the only passion he expresses. He spoke in terms of food and the simple enjoyment of company with whom to share these pleasures. In his exuberant presentation of his philosophy, he made a very simple comparison between the right hand seesaw rider and his left hand approach and I quote, "While they post signs 'Keep off the Grass,’ we at Sattui encourage all to sit, stand, sprawl, and picnic on the lawn!’ Dario went on to say, “We are certainly interested in making money but that is not our only objective. We want our consumers to enjoy both our facilities and themselves.”

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let me back up and report on the media/trade event 125 years since they first started wine production in San Francisco (1885) and then followed that with a resurrection of wine production in Napa Valley, California (1976).

The North Beach Restaurant (Click here for full details: http://www.northbeachrestaurant.com/ ), located near the corner intersection of Columbus, Green and Stockton, was only a couple blocks away from Dario’s Great Grandfather’s original winery site back in 1885, which was our meeting place at high noon. Here is what “Open Table” has to say:

“Since 1970, the North Beach Restaurant has been renowned as San Francisco's #1 Italian Restaurant for its Tuscan culinary excellence, relaxed ambiance, warm hospitality, and great service by Bay area families, tourists, romantics, conventioneers, business managers, politicians, sports celebrities, and movie stars!”

We were seated in the downstairs banquet room; about 60 of us representing just about every form of media outlet to the consuming public; magazine and newspaper columnists, TV/radio, bloggers, twitters and all the rest of the social media communications links as well as in-the-trade representatives.

I arrived a few minutes after noon and was among the first about 20 guests milling around after Pat Krueger, Sattui’s VP of Sales & Public Affairs, escorted me to my seat located among Veronica Stone (District Director, State Assembly Member Noreen Evan’s office ) on my right, and Tom Luther, (former owner of Food and Beverage Magazine) on my left. Across the table from me were Robert O’Malley (Vice President at V. Sattui) and Eric Christoffersen (Executive Director of “The Mint Project.” Click here for details: http://www.themintproject.org/)

I started looking at the extensive media package when I noticed that there were pictures hanging in front of the wine racks behind the seats and tables and my curiosity required me to go look at then. Click here to view the picture: http://jolney.blogspot.com/2010/03/sattui-family-wine-in-san-francisco.html . They were all of the San Francisco winery operations and are presented herein courtesy of V. Sattui Winery and family.

Dario called the group to order and then provided an outline of the speakers who would fill us in on the celebration of 125 years and their knowledge of Dario in relation to the wine industry. He then introduced his President of V. Sattui operations, Tom C. Davies.

Following his opening remarks, Tom introduced Francis Tsang, community liaison for Mayor Gavin Newsom, who read and presented Dario with a proclamation dedicating March 25, 2010 as “V. Sattui Day.”

This was followed by the introduction of Professor Victor W. Geraci, Ph. D. Author, Food and Wine Historian, from the Bancroft Library of the University of California, Berkeley (Click here for background: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/ROHO/projects/food_wine/bio.html ) , who provided us all with a presentation that featured the importance of the Italians who had migrated to America, specifically California, and their impact on the wine industry.

While he spoke, we were treated to a magnificent lunch accompanied by five fabulous V. Sattui wines as described here:  http://jolney.blogspot.com/2010/03/v-sattui-125-year-aniversary-luncheon.html  

The beginning portion of Dr. Geraci’s presentation was most interesting but this speaker was difficult to hear for many attendees seated towards the back of the long tables stretching the length of the room. Consequently many of those distant from the speaker broke off in side conversations. I however, was close enough to be able to pay attention to his excellent historical and statistical review of the Italians and their contributions. This was easier for me than most because I am a student of the history of wine in America, particularly California and especially Napa Valley. But, it may have been a little too technical for many others in attendance. From my standpoint, I hope to contact the Professor and try to obtain a copy of his verbal and slide presentation for future reference purposes.

The Professor was followed by another Proclamation presentation and this time it came from the office of the State Assembly and was presented by Laurie Puzo, (Field Representative/Principal Consultant, Select Committee on Wine) representing Assembly Member, Noreen Evans (7th District - encompassing Napa Valley)

Speaking next was the genius behind the creation of the modern day Sattui wine production empire, Dario Sattui. In only a style that fits Dario very well, he carefully laid out the chronological history of the Sattui Family’s arrival in American 125 years ago and their start up in the wine industry. (Click here: http://vsattui125th.wordpress.com/ ). His great grandfather used grapes from the St. Helena area in the production of his wines.

St. Helena Wine Cellars at 722 Montgomery (now Columbus Avenue),
North Beach, S.F., 1899 (Photo courtesy of V. Sattui)

What I particularly appreciated about Dario’s team preparation for our time with him, was the inclusion of a detailed paper document (12 pages) in the media package. It essentially provided the story in the same detail as he verbalized, but for obvious reasons wasn’t nearly as interesting as to hear his enthusiasm and passion through his voice inflection and intensity as he described his drive to build his dream winery. Click here for the web site: http://www.vsattui.com/

Dario was not afraid to talk about how he recognized that his peers doubted his potential for success. Nor did he shy aware from describing how he made huge personal sacrifices to accomplish his dream, including the toll it took on his family life. In those early years he was a man driven with a goal and the issue of money was just not going to stop him. I could go on and on about this drive but suffice it to say, Dario’s dedication, enthusiasm and sincere effort to please his visitors is obviously carried over to his staff as can been seen when one tours the V. Sattui winery, deli and picnic site. It is no wonder the winery is so popular. As just one example, click here to follow a tour I recently gave on the property: http://jolney.blogspot.com/2010/03/v-sattui-touring-with-john-olney.html

As if the building and nurturing of the V. Sattui Winery complex wasn’t enough to ware down most individuals, he then undertook one heck of an ambitious project: The creation of Castello di Amorosa or as tourists and local alike simply call it, “THE Castle,” and all know exactly what they are talking about. Click here:  http://www.castellodiamorosa.com/index.cfm?method=homepage.showpage

The property that Dario purchased on which to locate his castle has a rich historical background.   It was originally owned by William H. Nash,   His property was commonly known as "Walnut Grove," named for the imported British walnut trees he grew.  Nash constructed the first schoolhouse in Napa County and it was only the second in the entire state in 1847.  He became a substantial member of the community with one of the larger estates of the times with the mansion (Now the Dario and Yana Albert-Sattui home) containing 10.000 sqft, with a wrap-around veranda of 1,800 sqft.

It is on this veranda where I spent just about two hours back in November 2009   interviewing Dario for my forthcoming book, "The Innovators and Pacestters of the Modern NV Wine Industry." (Click here for an overview:  http://jolney.blogspot.com/2009/08/my-new-book-innovators-of-modern-nv.html)

Nash made a small quantity of wine and it is possible that it was produced and cellared in the small brick building on the property as mentioned by Dario.  But it is more likely that the building was constructed under the Shramp Brothers tenure. I'm still researching this information.  Nash sold the property circa 1870 to the Shramp Brothers who greatly expanded the wine production. and the home was renamed "Maplewood."  The history is scant after this exchange.

When I arrived in Napa in 1985, the estate was named "St. Michael's Villa." 

Enough on that  early history!;  Now back to the Sattui media luncheon presentations.

The final speaker was John A. De Luca, Ph.D. Former President and CEO of The Wine Institute, former San Francisco deputy mayor, and currently he serves as Special Advisor to the Gallo Family as well as chairman of the Board of Directors for the Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center at UC San Francisco. ( click here for his complete background:  http://www.galloresearch.org/index.php/about/boardofdirectors/5-boardofdirectors/9-johndeluca.) These positions are just a couple of his many hats.




Dr. De Luca provided the attendees with a number of interesting highlights of his association to Dario over the years, the impact of the Italians on the California Wine Industry and perspectives of the future of the industry on the whole. A truly remarkable gentleman with an extensive knowledge of the wine industry particularly from the perspecttive of once heading up the largest and strongest wine advocacy trade association in probaly all of America. If there is anybody who should unanimously be installed in the California Vintners Hall of Fame, located and sponored by the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), it is this gentleman.

The final reward of the media briefing was a walk with Dario up the street from the restaurant to visit the location of the original V. Sattui Winery. Dario, in all his tall, lanky figure, with long strides which I could barely keep up with, mesmerized his entourage of about 25 attendees with quips and comments. People along the sidewalk cafes and shops, and business people and local residents who were walking to from work or shopping watched us with question while we attentatively gathered in the comments of the man. We were with the Pied Piper of Wine.

As we were returning to the restaurant. I got a chance to sneak in next to Dario and ask a question; “So, Dario, now that you are obviously successful with both Napa Valley wineries, where are you going to build your next?”

Dario, looking way down at me while placing his hand on my shoulder, responded, “Well, John, I don’t think another winery is in the future. I’m too old now (he is only 68), but another project I might consider.”

I wanted to delve into that comment further but others came up and were quick to ask him their questions.

You know, with all of his talk about and love for Italy, I would not be surprised that we will hear of Dario restoring something in Italy itself.  Perhaps a castle, perhaps something in his father's village, who knows, but for sure, DARIO IS NOT DONE CREATING!

Incidentally, V. Sattui is definitely fully aware of social media propectives. Here are their sites:

Blog/Blogging:
 http://blognapavalley.com/
http://www.vsattui.com/index.cfm?method=pages.showPage&pageid=4a90bc06-9aa2-8af3-30ae-2a25b9e4a0a8

Facebook:
 http://www.facebook.com/pages/V-Sattui-Winery/106717801030 

Twitter:
 http://twitter.com/Vsattui1885

Sattui Family Wine in San Francisco

St. Helena Wine Cellars at 722 Montgomery (now Columbus Avenue), North Beach, S.F., 1899

)



Cellar at Bryant Ave. Winery (left to right: Romeo Sattui, Vittorio, cellar worker & Mario), 1903



Bryant Avenue Winery (later V. Sattui Winery) at 23rd & Bryant in Mission district, S.F., 1904


Mario, Vittorio's son, delivering wine by horsecart, 1908

V. Sattui touring with John Olney

V. Sattui 125 Year Aniversary Luncheon Menu

The lunch absolutely lived up to the quoted praise of this restaurant by "Open Table" listed previously and the V. Sattui wine pairings were superb.

IL MENU

ANTIPASTO MISTO

Burrata con Pomodoro e Basilico
Burrata (Creamy Mozzarella from Puglia) with Tomatoes, Basil and Olive Oil & Vinegar

Calamari Fritti e Prosciutto
Fried Calamari and Prosciutto

These were served with 2008 Vittorio’s Vineyard Napa Valley SAUVIGNON BLANC. It was a light grassy SB, the kind I particularly enjoy. It was a Gold medal - Winemaker’s Challenge (Robert Whitley-San Diego

PRIMO PIATTO

Linguine alle Vongole e Salsa di Vino Bianco
Linguine with Baby Clams in a White Wine Sauce

Served with 2007 Reserve Stock Napa Valley CHARDONNAY. (Blend from Carsi and Henry Ranch, touch of new oak and mild malolactic fermentation)

Spaghetti alla Carbonara con Prosciutto
Una Specialità del Ristorante North Beach
Spaghetti Carbonara with Prosciutto - A North Beach Restaurant Specialty

Served with 2007 Crow Ridge Russian River ZINFANDEL This was particularly wonderful wine on my palate. It was a Platinum Medal winner at Critic’s Challenge and Gold Medal winner at the California State Fair

SECONDO PIATTO

Osso Buco con Riso e Verdure
Baby Veal Shank braised with Tomato Sauce, served with Rice and Vegetables

Served with 2004 “Steve Lee” Reserve Napa Valley CABERNET SAUVIGNON, a blend from Preston and Morisoli Vineyards

DOLCI

Zabaglione con Fragole Fresche
Cold Zabaglione (Custard with V. Sattui Madeira) with Fresh Strawberries

Served with MADEIRA to which Dario pointed out the following about the blend in this Port: “A small amount of this solera-made Port was originally produced byVittorio Sattui prior to 1900.” It was awarded four Gold Medals and  “Best of Class at the Los Angeles County Fair. I do not frequently order such wine but I must admit, this could make me start ordering Madeira on a routine basis following a meal

The CIA funding of Glomar Explorer salvage attempt of a sunken Soviet Submarine, K-129

Well. it is begunnung, The article below is going to be just the first of many. I'm just glad I was able to play a tiny role in the whole operation as we detected the sub just outside Petropavlvsk harbor as she began her mission   Click below:
http://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/cia-releases-details-on-cold-war-mission-called-project-azorian/19357242?icid=mainhtmlws-main-ndl1link1


Originally posted on Saturday, February 13, 2010
SOSUS AND K-129
I just received my copy of the newly released documentatary film about a Soviet Submarine operation in which I was involved in the first detection of the boat after it started its patrol from the Soviet submarine port of Petropavlask, Kamchatca Pennisula, in late February 1968. At the time, I was the Evaluation Cemter Officer at the headquarters of a system known by the acronym "SOSUS." It stands for SOund SUrvellience System, which back then was a super secret land based Anti Submarine Warfare platform providing frontline early warning to Washington D.C. military leaders of Soviet missile launching capable submarine threats on both coasts.

This Soviet submarine threat is one of the five Soviet submarine transit operations that I use in my novel, “The SOSUS Man.” You can read my synopsis and first couple chapters of my book by clicking here: http://thesosusman.blogspot.com/

This is a system which, at the real time in 1968, we thought it had detected the explosion or implosion of this submarine in March 1968 but as I learned through the discovery and release of information by Michael’s work, which was previously unknown to me and my command senior officers, indicates we were incorrect in our real time post- analysis re-examination and reporting of a possible detection.

The documentary film is described below:

Produced, written and directed by Michael White Films, Vienna Austria;(please scroll down for purchasing information)

“AZORIAN - The raising of the K-129


A mysterious CIA cold war operation.
A secret journey into the oceans depths
A challenge of ingenuity and imagination
A story of man’s unprecedented resolve"

Michael’s work, through his team of consulting experts, information data collection and verification technical advisor and meticulous computer animation and graphics by his production staff, have woven a factual visual presentation and story about one of the most controversial events undertaken by our CIA.

This is a spectacular documentary film which finally appears to have revealed all of the highly classified sensors, intelligence, detection and tracking, sinking, search & localization and ultimate salvage attempt of a Soviet diesel-electric ballistic missile launching capable submarine during the height of the cold war period of 1968-1973 in the middle of the North Pacific Ocean.

Purchasing information follows: (extracted from Web-site of Michael White Films)

"Please help DVD copyright protection. This DVD can only be purchased new via this website [ http://www.projectjennifer.at/ ]. If you purchase this DVD new elsewhere, you are buying an illegal copy that is not authorised by the Producer of this film. Title: Azorian The Raising of the K-129 (Region 0/PAL - DVD)
Language: English
Run Time: 104 minutes
Sound: Dolby 5.1
Rating: NR
Format: 16:9 PAL
Please note: You are buying a PAL/DVD. Please check your DVD Players compatibility.Price: € 33.00 Applicable taxes included. Without shipping.
To see total price please choose your country, quantity and shipping speed."

I Have to Question What We Are Doing With the Celebration of our Heritage!

By John Olney

Web site: www.jolney.blogspot.com E-mail: jolneytwcc1@aol.com

Copyright February 10, 2010 all rights reserved by

WINE COUNTRY MARKETING AND PROMOTIONS (WCM&P)

1370 Trancas St., #409, Napa, CA 94558 Phone: 707-299-9548

Web site: www.twccwcmp.blogspot.com E-mail: winecountrypromo@aol.com

(This article may be copied, reprinted and forwarded to others as long as no fee is

collected specifically for this article and the name of author and copyright holder are cited.)

February is Black History Month. With only about two weeks of time past in the month, I noticed that there are quite a few references to Black History as spot-like ads on many TV channels and radio stations.

I got to thinking about this in terms of my awareness of other nationality groups getting as much, or creating as much, exposure for their respective sub-nationalities.

I say sub-nationality because first of all, if they were born here, they are therefore Americans by birth and the other heritage is derived by parents or /grandparents born in some other country. If they are nationalized citizens, then their birth place nationality takes a back seat to their new adopted citizenship. Thus, this latter category falls into the same definitions as if they were originally born here.

If you think about it for a minute, we are basically dealing with three primary terms here: racial, ethnical and cultural differences. Collectively I merge these three terms into one which I refer to as “heritage groups.”

But, I’m getting off my primary point, so let me get back to nationality heritage months. My curiosity prevailed so I began googling the Internet to see if any other nationalities had such a special designation.

Wow, I was surprised by what my search results which are shown below:

February - Black History Month
We celebrate Martin Luther King Day in January but we marked February as Black History Month
I’m not sure that we are being fair by allowing two months to be dominated by one sub-heritage group.

Black Heritage Month was instituted in 1926 when it was celebrated as “Negro History Week" during the second week of the month. This period incorporated the birthdays of “two Americans who greatly influenced the lives and social condition of African Americans: former President Abraham Lincoln and abolitionist and former slave Frederick Douglass.”

March - Irish-American Heritage
Sure, we all like to wear a bit of the green and hoot and holler and devour corn beef & cabbage on St. Patty’s Day. But celebrate all month? I certainly can’t recall such dedication to the American-Irish citizens of our towns, states and indeed in the nation lasting all month. Certainly, I cannot recall seeing much Irish history spots on TV or hearing the same on radio.

The American Foundation for Irish Heritage wants to have the same national recognition as other ethnic cultural sub -groups; There are “lobby-type” groups who are trying to conduct a grass route campaign to get all the Governs to sign a proclamation marking March as the Irish heritage month. They claim that there are about 44 million Americans having a bit of the Irish in them.

May - Asian Pacific American (APA) Heritage Month
In June 1977, congressional representatives introduced a House resolution to proclaim the first ten days of May as Asian/Pacific Heritage Week. That initiative was quickly followed by Senate action. Then in 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed a Joint Resolution designating the annual celebration. In 1990, President George H. W. Bush designated the entire month as the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. The selection of May was based on the following rationale (in italics):
- To commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843,
(We probably shouldn’t mention the events of December 7, 1941)

- To mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869  because the majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants.
(We should also thank them for the dyke system in the California Delta, and caves in mineral mining and California
wine country)

It just might also be wise of us to also recognize some other important contributions by the citizens of Japanese ancestry to our nation such as during WWII when the Army’s 442nd Regimental Combat Team composed of American-Japanese soldiers - the most decorated army unit of its size in the history of America - fought so valiantly while their parents, grandparents and siblings languished in internment camps and had their personal and real property carpet-bagged away from them.

We also need to recognize the Koreans, Vietnamese and many others of Asian ancestry in this celebration.

But what about the Phillipinos who have also accomplished so much in support of the US? They are not Asians but are Islander’s in the Pacific.

Where are we going to put the Aleuts and Eskimo’s? They are not Asians. Aleuts are Pacific Islanders though, just locate way up north. The Eskimo is neither Asian nor an Islander. What do we do with them, as both are the original inhabitants of lands now included in the USA? We might have a serious dilemma here.

September - October - Germans, Hispanic and Italians all claim this timeframe
The September - October timeframe is simply a poor marketing strategy by the three groups that are competing for public service allotments in the media.

Middle of Sept to the middle of Oct - German American Heritage Month.
September 15 to October 15 - National Hispanic Heritage Month
October - National Italian American Heritage Month

German Heritage
Well over 60 million claim German ethnicity. We all know how much they have contributed to our nation. We probably shouldn’t mention WWI or WWII even though we offered many in the military sciences following WWII to come to America to build our early missile and space technology programs.


Hispanic Heritage
Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California were once part of Mexico and they sold it to the USA, albeit under duress. Cinch de Mayo celebrations are big particularly in the western states of the USA. Once again, like the Black Heritage Group, we have multiple months of major celebration for one heritage group.

Our current bountiful agriculture production would be stalled without their participation in harvesting and processing our food. The western and southwestern portion of our country represents the largest concentration of Hispanic descendants distributed between actual citizens and those in our county illegally.


Italian Heritage
This heritage group celebration coincides with festivities associated to Columbus Day. Over 5.4 million Italians immigrated to the United States between 1820 and 1992. Today there are over 26 million Americans of Italian descent in the United States, making them the fifth largest ethnic group.

Do  you recall from your history classes that the USA is named after an Italian? It comes from an explorer and geographer named Amerigo Vespucci.

November - National American Indian Heritage Month,
Started in 1915 with one day in May and finally in 1990 President George W. Bush signed the proclamation marking November as National American Indian Heritage month. About 400 years after the foreigners first arrived, we finally recognized the original inhabitants of the land finally gained through the great Manifest Destiny.

Who’s Missing?
Three groups we have not yet discussed for inclusion in Heritage Months are briefly mentioned below:

The British - They started the original 13 colonies and this whole thing about America rolling!
The French - They sold us the Louisiana Territory and gave us our great symbol of freedom -                        the Statue of Liberty.
The Russians - They sold us Alaska

What About Celebrating Being An American?

We have to put all this heritage thing in proper perspective. Please realize I have no objections what so ever to celebrating any heritage group. But number 1, all that are born on USA soil whether within the lands of the USA and it Territories, or sovereign USA government property within foreign countries, ARE FIRST AND FOREMOST USA CITIZENS until they decide to disclaim such. Number 2, almost none are exclusively of one sub-heritage group so how do they decide to align themselves?

I propose that all government literature, including school history books teaching our USA citizen and legally in-country foreign children about the USA, MUST USE any “HERITAGE “ designation starting with the key word “AMERICAN” to which would be added the sub-heritage category the author and/or individual wishes to discuss, or be known as.

It will takes some years, possibly a generation or two, to get used to saying the word “AMERICAN” first but it will finally happen and when it does, shouting out loud the slogan, “I am proud to be an American,” will truly carry the weight it deserves.

July - American Heritage Month

To further enhance, encourage and enforce the use of the “AMERICAN” designation first in naming heritage groups, I suggest a month long celebration under the umbrella of the theme, “I am proud to be an American,” using the 4th of July, our INDEPENDENCE DAY, as the kick off for celebration.

All month long, we should encourage our schools, and local leaders of our towns and cities to return to community action to celebrate being an American by developing interactive projects focusing on what it is to be an American! Bring back the school play, the local pancake breakfast, park softball, sack race, carnival, picnic day, the local parade, and all the other homey things we have let go by the way in our rush to payday gold only!

“Yes sir, yes, ma’am,

 I am proud to be an American!”

(Oh yeah, I’m about 50% Portuguese, 40% Welch and 10% French)

Martinez, Ca, - Louie Bertola’s Restaurant and the Beaver Dam

       On a very rainy day, in January 2010 I had to go to the Probate department of Superior Court in search of a definition of a probate code. After going to the wrong building first and after removing all my metal items, I discovered I was at the wrong building and was instructed to go next door for the office I wanted. I bundled back up and ventured out into the rain once again. I dashed to the court house building only find I had to take off the jewelry and belt, empty my pockets and get scanned again. I passed the scan and found the elevator to the 2nd floor. As I approached the office door, I saw a big sign indicating that it was not open until 1:30pm daily during the work week. Looking at my watch I found it was only noon. But more importantly, if I left the building I would have to go through a third metal scan. I didn’t have a choice so I left to find a place to have some lunch.

Beaver Dam
     As I walked down Main Street going west, I recognized the creek area when the now famous Beavers built their nest and family. If you haven’t heard of the famous little critters, here are some of their press they’ve gotten since their arrival.

http://articles.sfgate.com/2007-05-21/bay-area/17245241_1_beavers-dam-martinez

http://www.martinezbeavers.org/
Oops, I overlooked this one but after a well desserved slap on the hands here it is.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martinez,_California
Just scroll down in the article and you’ll find these creatures highlighted

http://www.ktvu.com/news/14881366/detail.html

The Restaurant  
      I called my good friend Michel Campbell to find the name of a restaurant he liked in the area near the little creek. He told me it was in an old house and it’s called “Louie Bertola’s.” I finally reached it - located at 611 Escobar Street - and climbed the stairs up to the main floor. Now, this is truly a family-style restaurant. All the non-load bearing walls were gone. To my left (west) was the main dining area which stretched from a bay window facing Escobar Street (south), all the way back to the stair well ( and restroom area) at the north end. These stair led to the third floor which was the banquet room that can accommodate parties up to 50 guests. Hardwood floors everywhere.
     Immediately to the right of the entry door was the stairs down to the kitchen area located on the first floor. Running north of those stairs is your basic plywood rustic bar sanded and stained to be dark. The area between the dining tables and this bar was open and could easily be used for some good dancing room. It was a very large empty area.
     Michael told me to look for one of the two owners and introduce myself as his friend. Well, sometimes that can really be good but sometimes it can backfire if who you are about to meet doesn’t like your friend anymore. Mike (last name “Abel“) was working as bartender, waiter and whatever else needed to be done. Apparently Michael was not in trouble with him as he was most polite to me. Mike Abel has partner named Dan Murphy.
     I don’t know what it was about the place but I felt very comfortable sitting by myself at the bar. I ordered a glass of cheap (oops, I mean inexpensive) red wine and kicked back to kill another hour before I could back to Probate. Mike doesn’t talk to much so I just sat and watched some sports on the only TV at the bar. I looked around and saw that the very northern portion of the floor I was on had a deck area outside, I asked Mike about it and he said is was only used by his real die hard smoking friends.

Lunch     
      I was starting to get a little hungry so I got the lunch menu from the waitress, Pat, working theis main dining and bar floor .   I almost fell of my bar stool! Prime Rib, Steak, or Calamari sandwiches were only $9.45. Their special cheesebuger was $6.45 or you could have Pot Roast for $9 dollars. They came with either salad or pasta. Wow! Did I just step back in time?
     Complete lunches included choice of soup or salad, some pasta, fresh veggies and hot bread. Besides the Prime rib, beef or calamari steak plates for $9.45 Louie’s offered a pot roast for $9 even. One could have chicken or ground beef or grilled egg plant for only $8.45, and they offer fresh fish (when available).
      But if you were a light eater, Louie’s let you have minestrone soup or Italian salad - all you can eat - with tons of bread and butter for only $5.45. Finally, one could just enjoy pasta with plenty of bread and butter. I opted here and it was only $5.45. There was so much I took half home. The food was perfectly fine and filled my needs. Was it gourmet? Heck no! But I didn’t go there for that anyway. I just wanted a glass of red wine and some good home-cooking and that was exactly what I got.
      I asked Mike about the famous Beavers who were his neighbors. He said that they were definitely a boon to his business but the recent heavy rains broke up their Beaver dam home. He thinks they are re-establishing a new dam just down stream from his restaurant going north towards the river.

Dinner Menu
       Well, it was nearing time to go back to the court house to get my information. I asked Mike for a copy of their dinner menu. It is shown below.

As you can see, great prices.

        The style is home-cooking and genuinely good tasting food, very fairly priced, in a comfortable setting. You can go there with friends and just plain enjoy each other in a relaxed atmosphere. I will definitely be going back and taking friends with me.

Innovator

The Essence of the Modern Napa Valley Wine Industry
Book II -  Pacesetter and Innovators - 1970s to 2000

THE INTERVIEW STATUS
(September 12, 2010)

* indicates inducted into Calif. Vintners Hall Of Fame

Primarily Growers/Vineyard management and development
*Andy Beckstoffer -- Interview completed - - - http://www.beckstoffervineyards.com/
Very large vineyard owner in North Bay counties

Volker Eisele -- Interview completed - http://www.volkereiselefamilyestate.com/
Vineyard/winery owner. Activist for greenbelt, AG preserve, hillside ordnances, etc.

Ken Laird - waiting for reply- - - - - - http://www.lairdfamilyestate.com/
Very large vineyard owner in Napa county.

Salvador “Sal” Renteria -- Interview completed www.renteriawines.com/
One of first large managers vineyards and pickers

William “Bill” Hill -- Interview completed, - -- http://www.bighorncellars.com/
Created the establishment of what would become the Hess Collection, William Hill on Atlas Peak Road now owned by Piero Antinori of Italy, and now co-owner in Big Horn. is on my 1989 SERIES “B” Wine Label Poster-map

Primarily Winemakers
Mitch Cosentino -- Interview completed - http://www.cosentinowinery.com/
Created Cosentino winery in Napa and Crystal Valley Cellars in Lodi and contributed to establishing Merlot as great wine by itself. Cosentino is on my 1989 SERIES “B” Wine Label Poster-map

Randy Dunn - -Interview completed - - http://www.dunnvineyards.com/about.htm
Often considered a “cult” winemaker/winery who re-established Howell Mtn name.

Ric Forman -- Interview completed.- - http://www.formanvineyard.net/
Started as partner in Sterling then moved on to Madrone and now has own winery and consults many. is on my 1989 SERIES “B” Wine Label Poster-map

Tony Soter -- Interview accepted, DTBD, Spring 2010. http://www.sotervineyards.com/ .
Soter was a consulting winemaker in the Napa Valley where he guided such wineries as Araujo, Niebaum-Coppola (Now Rubicon), Shafer, Spottswoode, Viader and Dalle Valle. He now owns and operates Soter Vineyards in Williamette Valley, Oregon.

Primarily Small/Mid sized and/or Family owned wineries
Jack Cakebread -- Interview completed - http://www.cakebread.com/
Creator of Cakebread winery, wine photographer, land preservation, tourism guidance and many more wine business related organizations. is on my 1987 SERIES “A” Wine Label Poster-map

Dan Duckhorn -- Interview completed.- http://www.duckhorn.com/
Created Duckhorn and contributed to establishing Merlot as great wine by itself.

Agustin Huneeus -- Interview completed.- http://www.quintessa.com/
Partner and acting President of Franciscan Estates in 1985. Under his leadership, the ailing company was transformed into a successful group of premium wine estates. In 1999, Agustin sold his interest in Franciscan Estates. Today, he devotes his time to Quintessa. He also maintains vineyard holdings in Chile, Alexander Valley and Napa Valley. Franciscan is on my 1987 SERIES “A” Wine Label Poster-map.

Francis Mahoney -- Interview completed  www.mahoneyvineyards.com/
Creator of Carneros Creek winery. A major player in establishing Carneros as a great Pinot Noir district. Is on my 1987 SERIES “A” Wine Label Poster-map

Mary Novak -- Iinterview completed www.spottswoode.com/
Before there were “cult” wineries, she was one by starting Spottswoode

*Warren Winiarski -- Interview completed  No current web site
Founder :Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. http://www.cask23.com/   Beside the winner of the 1976 taste-off with French, strong advocate of AG Preserve. . Is on my 1989 SERIES “B” Wine Label Poster-map

Primarily Executives in Larger Corporate type winery operations
Michael Mondavi -- Interview completed - - - http://www.foliowine.com/
Heir of a great wine and Napa Valley ambassador. Was once Robert Mondavi winery CEO. Now owns Folio Wine Partners. R. Mondavi is on my 1987 SERIES “A” Wine Label Poster-map.

Michael Moone -- interview accepted DTBD in spring 2010     www.lunavineyards.com/
Top notch large corporate executive who, through Silverado Partners headed a machine that took Beringer Brothers to a major player in the wine industry. As Beringer, is on my 1987 SERIES “A” and LUNA is on my 1989 SERIES “B” Wine Label Poster-map when it was originally St. Andrews

Dr. Richard Peterson -Interview completed - - - http://www.richardgrantwine.com/
Winemaker and business leader at large, medium and small wineries in a multiple number of counties.

Dario (Daryl) Sattui -- Interview completed - http://www.vsattui.com/  and  http://www.castellodiamorosa.com/ Created the highly successful V. Sattui winery, deli and picnic grounds. Most recently completed the Castle de Amorosa, a 15 year building construction project, which is already a major destination for tourists. V. Sattui is on my 1989 SERIES “B” Wine Label Poster-map

Louis “Bob” Trinchero -- interview completed - - - http://www.trincherowinery.com/
Creator of “White Zin and much more.

Ancillary Business (Insurance) development for the Industry
Ed Brovelli -- Interview accepted, DTBD- - No web site .
Developed first models to enable the insuring of winery operations.

Marketing/Advertising/Public Relations/Trade Advocacy
Gary Ramona -- -Interview completed --  no web site
Headed teams at R. Mondavi and most recently at Fred Franzia’s Bronco - creator of “$2 Buck Chuck,” and now consulting with Antigal Winery and Estates of Argentina.

John DeLuca -- Interview accepted DTBD.  Headed up The Wine Institute 1970-2003

Writer/History
Charles L. Sullivan -- Interview completed- - - - - No web site.
Well noted historian, published writer and University Professor

Government Policymaking
Jim Hickey -- Interview accepted DTBD  No web site
Planning Dept. leader of the determination of the definition of what constitues a winery

Harold Moskowite -- Interview accepter DTBD  no web site
Family owned ranch in upper valley area of Lake Berryessa where they were farmers.  Harold first became County Supervivior just as county struggled with land preservation codes, then built a winery and returned to be re-elected supervisor as the American Canyon area underwent huge growth.

Comments about my book concepts

Volker Eisele -  grower/winemaker, land preservation

Date: Sep 6, 2009 phone message

This is Volker Eisele with a message for John Olney. John, I got your thing on Napa interviews you want to do. I think this is very exciting so I shall cooperate with you … I’m looking at questions and it should be an interesting interview and congratulations on good idea.

____________________________________________

Ric Forman - Primarily a winemaker
Sep 12, 2009
John, good morning to you. It’s Ric Forman calling in rwsponse to your offer to interview me….. Sounds very fascinating and I’d be glad to be included.......  Great! I’ll make the time for you. I think it’s a great idea and I’m looking forward to it.

___________________________________

Charles Sullivan - Noted Wine historian, writer and Instructor
Date: 9/15/2009 12:30:32 P.M. PDT
Dear John,
I have your email with all the info on your project. I read it with great interest and will be happy to participate in its development. I have plenty of time open in the coming months, so I don't think we'll have any problem making a date for an interview. I also think I can be of some assistance with the historical aspects of the piece. Feel free to have me take a look at such material as you put it together. I have a lot of experience in such a process, having traded mss regularly with Tom Pinney over the years. Keep in touch and let me know how I can help. Cheers! Chas Sullivan

__________________________________

Bob Trinchero/Sutter Home
Date: 9/11/2009 4:28:39 P.M. PDT
Greetings John,I'm the Public Relations Specialist at Trinchero Family Estates and Barry Wiss forwarded your message on to me that you'd like to interview Bob Trinchero. Barry has spoken with Bob and I believe he has agreed to do theinterview. It sounds like a great book and I think the Trincheros would be a great addition! So, at your convenience, please give me a call and we can get the ball rolling on setting up an interview. Thanks!-Juliana -Juliana French-Arnold Public Relations Specialist, Trinchero Family Estates

------------------------------------------------------

Beckstoffer Vineyard 

Date: 7/27/2009 2:53:43 P.M. PDT
Hi John,
Thanks again for your interview with Andy Beckstoffer - I know he enjoyed it and I hope you did too. Tara - Tara L. Thomas Balzac Communications

-----------------------------------

Mahoney Vineyards
Date7/15/2009 8:49:47 A.M. PDT
John
Thank you so much for inquiry concerning a interview with Francis Mahoney. I would be very happy to help establish a day and time for this to occur. Do you have some dates in mind? Like many of those on your list, has some sales travel planned before we head into harvest. Please provide me with some dates and I will coordinate it with him. Thank you again and we look forward to the book. Sincerely Stacy Manley -

--------------------------------------

Dario Sattui
Date: 7/9/200912:32:29 P.M. PDT
Dear Mr. Olney,
Thank you for reaching out to us. I apologize for the delay in response. I know Dario would be humbled to be considered an “Innovator” of the modern Napa Valley wine industry. I also know he would be interested in participating in your project. He is however out of the country until mid to late August. Do you have any dates available in September we can schedule an interview? Looking forward to working with you.
CHEERS! Claudette Shatto - Vice President of Marketing

Marin Institute, Family Wine Myth and “Big Alcohol.”

By John Olney e-mail jjolneytwcc1@aol.com

December 13, 2009,

Copyright - all rights reserved

Wine Country Marketing & Promotions

1370 Trancas St., #409, Napa, CA 94558   Phone: 707-299-9548

Web site: http://www.twccwcmp.blogspot.com/

E-mail: winecountrypromo@aol.com

When I first read about this organization it was in the piece, “Watchdog group has no cheers for wine industry,” by Andrew S. Ross which was published in Wine Business Daily on Tuesday, December 8, 2009. Then, the next day I accessed the full paper as written by the Marin Institute (MI).   I must say, I was amazed at what I would have to call either the naivety or the outright arrogance of the MI writer(s) who prepared the report they titled, “The Myth of the Family Winery - Global Corporations Behind California Wine.”

The use of the word “Family” in company literature - small or large -is not restricted to the wine industry. It can be found in many business industries as a “friendly, loving nurturing, etc. ” attitude descriptor to the consumer. The term as used in business literature is not necessarily descriptive of the people owning the company but rather the way the company likes to think it operates or at least what it wants its consumer audience to think. MI cites the following:  Trinchero Family Estates and Jackson Family Wines even use the word “family” in their corporate names.” This is not a bad or even a misleading descriptor when you consider who is top management and ownership in these organizations -- because they are family.

The consumer who bought R. Mondavi wines before it went public, then after it became a traded winery stock and still bought it after being gobbled up by Constellation, understood the use of the term “family” throughout all the transitions. The consumer who buys Dunn, Forman, Spottswoode, Caymus, Screaming Eagle, and many more similar small, mid and family owned and produced wines does not necessarily read the ads of Constellation, Foster’s, Gallo, Sutter Home and other such giants. Two entirely different audiences.

Both the Wine Institute and The Family Winemakers of California claim that membership is based on one vote per membership payment and thus their leadership is not based on just the size production of their winery. Like any other organization, this does not preclude the joining together of common interests to vote in a block on matters that pertain to that voting block. This can be seen in our Congress where there are special interest caucuses. It can be seen in the voting stock of all corporations where proxy’s are solicited to be voted for one candidate of the board over another. There has been and always will be such legal solicitations of support for one person or issue over another.

Production, marketing and sales programs for a company with millions of cases of wine to sell are greatly different than what a “cult” winery with under 1,000 cases of wine production has to cope with. And, this is not bad! No large corporation is going to let such a small producer “talk” or negotiate for them because the very little guy does not necessaily really hold a  true understanding of what even a few percent of a  cent tax means on a giant producer with a Board of Directors caring fudiciary duties to its stockholders.

As to lobbyists, I can only say tha MI is either naïve or refuses to consider the truth about what  all trade association advocacy organizations such as the Wine Institute do in Sacramento and Washington D.C. -- THEY LOBBY for the interest of their group members. Does MI think that lobbying against taxing wine is any different than taxing alfalfa? The farmers in the latter group are surely going to protest and fight against being taxed any further than they are already

MI states.” Wine producers’ success in gaining authorization to ship their product directly to consumers sets a precedent for beer and distilled spirits producers to circumvent the three-tier system as well.”  Wow!  Where did this come from? MI offers absolutely no background laying the foundation for making such a scare tactic statement as they have made. MI should do some very important historical background research as to why alcohol after Prohibition, was the only commodity allowed to be controlled independently by each State while all others were allowed free transport across State lines.

MI says that it cannot discover the composition of the membership in the Congressional Wine Caucus. MI says Rep. Radanovich declined to give them a list of the members. Did Senator Thompson also decline? I wonder if MI has tried the Freedom of Information Act to gain access to the list of members?

My Conclusion:

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophism , I quote the following: (bold emphasis by john Olney, or me )

In modern usage, sophism, sophist, and sophistry are derogatory terms, due to the influence of many past philosophers.

A sophism is taken as a specious argument used for deceiving someone.

It might be crafted to seem logical while actually being wrong, or it might use difficult words and complicated sentences to intimidate the audience into agreeing, or it might appeal to the audience's prejudices and emotions rather than logic, i.e. raising doubts towards the one asserting, rather than his assertion.

The goal of a sophism is often to make the audience believe the writer or speaker to be smarter than he or she actually is, e.g., accusing another of sophistry for using persuasion techniques.

California Vintner’s Hall of Fame - Class of 2010

The California Vintner’s Hall of Fame (CVHOF) -- click here for abstracts on the inductees -- http://www.ciaprochef.com/winestudies/vhf.html/  -- sponsored by and located in the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), St. Helena, CA, has announced it’s five inductees for the 4th class -- the Class of 2010.

I am very honored to be a member of the Nominating Committee of eight that prepared the list of candidates for the full CIA Electoral College of wine writers and previous CVHOF inductees to vote upon. The remaining members of the Nominating Committee are:

W. Blake Gray, chaired by noted wine journalist:
http://wblakegray.blogspot.com/

Charles Sullivan, well noted wine historian and published author

Jim Gordon, Wines and Vines Publications:
www.winesandvines.com/

Sara Schneider, Sunset Magazine:
www.sunset.com/food-wine/

Alder Yarrow, well noted wine blogger at http://www.vinography.com/

Darrell Corti, Corti Brothers, Inducted CVHOF in 2008:   www.cortibros.biz/WEBSITE/About%20Us/Aboutus.asp

Carole Meredith, UC Davis Professor Emerita and Lagier-Meredith Winery, Inducted CVHOF in 2009:   www.lagiermeredith.com/scripts/historyPg.cfm.

2010 California Vintners Hall of Fame Inductees include the following:

Special “Pioneer” inductee

Leon Adams (1905-1995)
 Leon Adams was a founder of the Wine Institute, a public policy and advocacy group for California wineries.

Books by Mr. Adams:
The Commonsense Book of Wine (1958)
The Commonsense Book of Wine, 2nd Edition (1964)
The Wines of America (1973)
Leon D. Adams’ Commonsense Book of Wine, 3rd Edition, revised and expanded (1975)
The Wines of America, Second Edition, Revised (1978)
Striped Bass Fishing In California and Oregon
The Commonsense Book of Drinking
The Wine Study Course

The Bancroft Library - Regional Oral History Office - California Wine Industry
http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/ROHO/projects/food_wine/wine.htmlLeon
Leon D. Adams - Revitalizing the California Wine Industry, 1974, 154 pp. Transcription

All Other Inductees
Andy Beckstoffer - www.beckstoffervineyards.com/
Back in 1968, he began his career in the wine industry when he convinced the Chairman of the Board of Heublein, Inc., headquarter in Conneticuttet to enter the wine business by purchasing a majority interest in United Vintner’s which had previously purchased the former Inglenook Winery of Gustav Neibaum/John Daniel (now know as Francis Ford Coppola’s “Rubicon.”). Shortly after this purchase, and now as a Heublein executive heading up the wine oriented division, he negotiated the purchase of the Beaulieu Vineyards which also dated back to the late 1880s. The purchases of these two old family prestigious wineries sent shock waves throughout the wine world. In 1973, Heublein’s Board of Director’s no longer could support the slow growth, low yield business of wine and began it’s withdrawal from the business.

During the 1968-1973 timeframe, Beckstoffer had become quite well informed in vineyard development and management, and the potential of the industry when held in private versus corporate ownership. He was only 33 when he conceived a financing plan that would allow him to purchase much of the Heublein vineyard property. The finance plan included contracts for the purchase of the grapes. He was off and running on his spectacular career in the California wine industry.

Since that time, Beckstoffer Vineyards has become one of three of the largest privately held vineyard ownership and management services companies in the North Bay wine country. He has been instrumental in organizing and developing agricultural, land and river preservation practices and ordinances in Napa County.

Beckstoffer devised a grape value, or suggested price method, that is tied to the value of the finished wine product. His most recent and ambitious project is the mapping of the history of Napa County vineyards.

In September of this year, I had the privilege of interviewing him for my draft book tentatively titled “The Innovators and Pacesetters of the Modern Napa Valley Wine Industry.” Click here for a synopsis
http://jolney.blogspot.com/2009/08/my-new-book-innovators-of-modern-nv.html

The Bancroft Library - Regional Oral History Office - California Wine Industry
http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/ROHO/projects/food_wine/wine.html
Andy Beckstoffer - Premium California Vineyardist, Entrepreneur, 1960s to 2000s, 200 pp.

Al Brounstein - http://www.diamondcreekvineyards.com/
Established Diamond Creek vineyard in 1968, Brounstein's Diamond Creek Vineyards was planted with Cabernet Sauvignon only in the three distinct soil types located on his property. He named each soil type with the names Red Rock Terrace, Gravelly Meadow, and Volcanic Hill. He became one of the first wineries to grow and produce different Cabernet Sauvignons wines designating them as single vineyard products. The 1978 Lake Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon was reportedly the first preimum wine carrying a suggested retail price of $100 a bottle. Before the term “Cult Wine“ became popular, he was already respected as such..

The Bancroft Library - Regional Oral History Office - California Wine Industry
http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/ROHO/projects/food_wine/wine.htm l 
Al Brounstein - Diamond Creek Vineyards: The Significance of Terroior in the Vineyard, 2000, 82 pp.

Randall Grahm - https://www.bonnydoonvineyard.com/
Randall Grahm known for bringing back the good name of Rhone varietials. He, his web site and writings are zany, interesting and outside of the “normal” characterisation of winemakers but wines, and his contributions are very well received.. He is already the recipient of a number of prestigious awards further justifying his nomination and induction into the CVHOF.

Zelma Long - http://www.vilafonte.com/framework/zelmalong.asp?M=ThePartners&CPage=zelmalong
She  studied enology and viticulture at UC Davis in the late 1960s, She became  chief enologist at Robert Mondavi Winery, while establishing Long Vineyards. Following her stint at Mondavi, she went to Simi Winery as winemaker and CEO. She was one of the first modern day women to perform both the winemaking and business management duties of winery. She has been inducted to the James Beard Hall of Fame (1996) and receiving The James Beard Wine and Spirits Professional of the Year(1997). Zelma and her husband, Phillip Freese, are producing wine (Vilafonte label) in South Africa.

The Bancroft Library - Regional Oral History Office - California Wine Industry
http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/ROHO/projects/food_wine/wine.html  
Zelma Long - The Past is the Beginning of the Future: Simi Winery in its Second Century, 1992, 103 pp.

Olney Returns to Swim at UOP Alumni Meet

Wow!

Waiting 45 years to once again compete in a swimming race may just have been a little too long! I attended then College of the Pacific from 1961-1964, now a college of the University of the Pacific, on a full ride for swimming and water polo.

I had not returned to the campus for an alumni event until October 24, 2009. On this date, the UOP swimming program held a three-way swim meet consisting of the current varsity men’s and women’s teams divided into black and orange teams, and UOP graduates being the alumni team. Click here for the Pacific Swim Program write-up of the event: http://pacifictigers.cstv.com/sports/m-swimonly/spec-rel/102709aaa.html


Pictured here are the oldest of the alumni participants . From left to right are )Bob Hayes (class of '73), Joe Dietrich ('74), ), Rick Ingraham ('73) and John "Kip" Olney ('64),

Head swimming coach, Adam Kennedy,, organized and coordinated the fun day event. Earlier in the morning I had a chance to talk to him about his program. He indicated that he has 43 swimmers between the men’s and women’s teams with five full athletic aid rides for men and ten for women. Compare this to the team size in 1964 at 13 men only with something like three full and five half and quarter rides dished out.

I broke out my 1964 Senior yearbook which listed some times that John Ostrom and I established as records. I compared them to the times listed on the UOP web site . John Ostrom, who I learned from my old polo/swim team mate, Clay Clement (dropped by but didn‘t swim), sadly passed away in the early 1980’s,. Back in 1964 he established the NCAA 100 yard butterfly record at 53.3 The record today at UOP is 47..84 set in 2005, while the 2009 NCAA winning time was 44.18.

Olstrom won just about every event he swam and along with winning the 1964 NCAA 100 yard butterfly while establishing the NCAA record time and taking 3rd in the 200 yard butterfly, I hope the Athletic Department nominates and elects him to the Pacific Athletes Hall of Fame at UOP.
1964 was my senior year and I had met qualifying times to compete at the NCAA’s, but then it was discovered that there was an error in the male student body enrollment count when I swam varsity as a Freshmen which meant I wasn’t red shirted and thus was not eligible to swim in the NCAA’s my Senior year. Oh well, I loved my four years at COP and wouldn’t have changed a thing!
My records, were established between 1961 and 1964 and which still stood when I finished that senior year, were in the 200 yd butterfly (205.9), 500 free (5:24.3), 1650 (19:58.3) and 400 individual medley (5.04.2). That year, I was also President of the Block P Letterman’s Society and was awarded the Kris Kjeldsen Trophy.

Oh by the way, our '64 water polo team finished the year ranked #7 in the nation.

The 2009 NCAA finals listed winning time was 1:40.75 almost 25 seconds better than my time for the butterfly and 4:08.92 for the 500 free, or a minute and 16 seconds better. Darn, these kids have gotten good!
But, for the 1650 free, the 2009 winning time was 14:30.91 or almost 5 and a half minutes better than my time. Heck, everybody could have gotten out of the pool after they finished, had a cup of coffee or soda and then come back to see me finally finish!
My 400 IM was almost a minute and a half slower than the 2009 winning time at the NCAA’s (3:35.98).

At the UOP alumni swim meet I swam only the 50 yard free -- and I wasn’t even sure that I could complete just two laps without getting sick! It did take me a long time 42.13 seconds ! Please notice that all the others are relaxed and rested while I’m dying to get air!

Then those other “old alumni” talked me into being on the relay team swimming the same distance as part of the 200 freestyle relay. My best time was during the first leg of the relay when I hit 38 seconds flat. My best time when I was at Pacific was about 27.5. I was never a sprinter; all long distance.

I have an excuse or two. I am now 67 and 40 plus size pounds heavier!

Now, I'm going back next year tp redeem myself with much better 50 yard times. Who knows, if I get in shape, I might try eight laps---the feared 200 yard freestyle!!!

Thanks Mr. Kennedy and all you young swimmers for letting me have so much fun with you all.

Good luck this coming year.

And thanks for all the encouraging yells-I heard you pushing me on along the sidelines!

SWIM WELL
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The Territory of American Samoa Revisited by Internet

<THIS IS A DRAFT ARTICLE UNDER COMPLETE REVISION BECAUSE OF THE RECENT TSUNAMI AND ITS DESTRUCTIVE WAYS TO MUCH OF WHAT I WAS GOING TO WRITE ABOUT. I SHOULD HAVE THE ARTICLE READY BY ABOUT OCTOBER 20, 2009

I have started to add pix from the late 1970's/early 1980's when we were
contracted to manage the implmentation of the grant. Just scroll on down.

Back in the mid-1970’s, along with two partners, I formed Action Resources, Inc.,(ARI) based in Honolulu, Hawaii . I was President, CEO and Chairman of the Board and my partners were the VP’s.

All three partners had been formerly employed at Pacific Analysis Corporation, also of Honolulu, where I was Executive Vice President and my partners were Senior Analysts conducting operation and systems analysis on Naval contracts. All three of us wanted to expand into private enterprise commercial work and local government consulting while the owners of PAC wished to focus only on military work and thus we pulled away and formed our own entity.

The U.S. Congress enacted the National Energy Conservation Policy Act of 1978, which in part, created grants for each state and all the territorial possessions of the U.S. to form a continuing program to implement conservation techniques through public awareness campaigns. As this was new field, almost none of the state and territorial governments possessed on-board talent to draft the grant application required to be completed in order to receive the grants. At ARI we had sufficient expertise to bid for the grant writing of the State of Hawaii’s application for the funding of Energy Conservation and Public Awareness grant unde the above cited act.. We won request for proposals issued by the state and subsequently were successful in writing the grant which was awarded to Hawaii in the sum of approximately $2 million (1979 dollars). ARI was subsequently contracted to implement the grant while searching for candidates to fill state governmental positions to continue the implementation of the grant.

The Territory of American Samoa also qualified for grant funds under this act if they could produce an acceptable grant application to Washington D.C. They had used two different consulting firms who attempted to draft the grant application but each failed to produce an acceptable product. The deadline to submit a successful grant application was approaching the expiration date when they leaned that we had been successful in drafting Hawaii’s grant and thus they contacted us to see if we could help them. We responded that we thought we could and advised the Governor’s office that we could send our team down for an estimated initial cost of about $6,000 (1979 dollars) to commence the initial draft. They replied saying they did not have that kind of money on hand but they would find it later to reimburse our expenses. We negotiated over a couple of days with the Governor’s office but upfront money for us would not be available. If we wanted to attempt the grant application using our own money they promised to find a way to reimburse us at a later date. My partners and I agreed that we would take the risk of completing the grant application on their terms.

The Rainmaker Hotel is set alongside a small beach overlooking Pago Pago Harbor. The hotel offered standard rooms and bungalows for guests, had a restaurant with full bar, a neat swim pool and deck and fabulous small beach area looking out at the mouth of the bay. It was built in the 1960's; The hotel had a long wing of standard hotel rooms running west from the main lobby area and towards the stairwell across the road that lead up to the Governor’s mansion. It is here in nthis wing of the hotel that we established the first Territory Energy Office (TEO). Pictured below from left to right are AS Gov't rep High Chief Brownie Tuiasosopo,and then ARI exec's Jim Merrill and John Olney.



In the photo's below you will see how thr Rainmaker looked when were routinely visiting and working on the Energy projects in Pago Pago.
















Today, photographs show that the hotel in a complete state of degredation caused by the decision to not repair the facility. Scavangers have had their way with the rooms. There are doors hanging off hinges, broken roof slates sliding off the roof and laying broken on the ground and pool formerly green from algae is cracked and chipped.

Below are the principal facts about the complex which the government hopes to lease to entrepreneurs.

(Extracted from the government’s Web site info is couple years old)

Subject Property: The Rainmaker
Hotel, Utulei Village, Island of Tutuila, U.S. Territory of American Samoa.
Geographic Location: In the South Pacific, 14 deg. South, 170 deg. West approximately 2,300 miles SW of Hawaii and 1,800 miles NE of New Zealand
Land Area: 5.03 acres
Improvements: Rainmaker Hotel including 140 guest
rooms in two attached buildings plus detached fale
(cottages) as well as
related improvements.
Age: Thirty to forty (30-40) years
Condition:
Unfurnished, unoccupied, and in disrepair; requires major renovation or to be
razed and rebuilt
Utilities: All major public utilities serve the property
Fee Owner: American Samoa Government
Leasehold Owner: American Samoa
Development Corporation
Zoning: H, Hotel
Offering Price
The American Samoa Development Corporation (ASDC) wishes to lease the Rainmaker Hotel property at a minimum lease rate of twenty five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) and 2.5% of gross revenues per month up to year 2050 on an “as is” basis. The investors can utilize the property for hotel or any other suitable commercial purpose with prior concurrence from ASDC.