Here are a bunch of upcoming events/things you should checkout.

The month I have some pro-active fun. Here are a bunch of upcoming events/things you should checkout.

The 15th Annual Carmel TomatoFest, if you like Heirloom tomatoes, this is the place for you. You will certainly get your fill of Brandywines, Zebras, Krims, and about 150 other kinds of tomatoes. They also have great food and wine. The date is Sunday, September 10th, at the Quail Lodge Resort in Carmel. Get your tickets early, they sellout every year.

PinotFest, a public tasting of sexy wine. Saturday, November 18th at the Farallon in San Francisco. I have never been to this event but plan on going this year. Hope to see you there.

Silver Oak Summer Release Day 2006 Saturday July 29th. Twenty dollars for all the high end cabernet you drink. This is the day you can find out why "Life is a Cabernet". Make sure you have designated driver.

Pink Floyd, The Pulse DVD twelve years after the concert was filmed, it has finally been released. For those that don't know, Pink Floyd set the standard for special effects in rock concerts. The music isn't bad either (Dark Side of the Moon was on the Billboard Hot 100 for nearly 20 years). It is not as good as standing under the lasers at a live show, but it does bring back some memories.

And last but not least, the boys from Jackass are back, yes that's right Jackass Two will be in theaters this fall. I was surprised to learn that some people don't know about Johnny, Steve-O, Bam, Weeman, and the rest of the Jackass gang. Here are a couple of quotes about the first movie, "a sad commentary on our degenerating culture", "a new low". With segments like, "Blindfolded Bull Fighting" and "Rocket Bike" how can you not see it.

Sweet BBQ Tater Fries

The original recipe says either sweet potatoes or yams. I have done it both ways and the consensus is that yams are better. The sweet potatoes get a little too mushy. You can also add a pinch or two of cayenne pepper if you want to put a hot sweet twist on this one.

2 pounds yams, peeled, cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch-thick slices, each slice cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch-wide strips
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon (packed) golden brown sugar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Additional olive oil

Prepare barbecue (medium heat). Place potatoes in 13x9x2-inch baking dish. Add 1/4 cup oil, brown sugar, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper(optional) to potatoes. Sprinkle potatoes with salt and pepper; toss to coat. Brush grill lightly with oil. Place potatoes on grill, spacing about 1 inch apart. Grill until potatoes are tender and slightly charred, turning occasionally, about 10 minutes total. Transfer potatoes to bowl, season to taste with salt and pepper, and serve.

BBQ Onion Steaks with Honey-Mustard Sauce

Everything this month is inspired from Bon Appetite, but as always, I have to add a few tweaks.

The original recipe calls for fresh savory, and does not have the marinating step. Anyway this is the formula everyone agrees is the best.

1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter, melted
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1/4 cup honey
1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 large sweet onions (such as Walla Walla, Vidalia, or Maui), peeled, cut horizontally into 1/2-inch-thick slices.

Run 2 soaked bamboo skewers parallel through each onion slice, placing skewers about 1 1/2 inches apart to keep slice intact. Trim ends of bamboo skewers.
Please onions in a large zip-lock bag and add about a 1/4 cup of olive oil, put in the fridge for about 4 hours, turning to coat every hour.
Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Whisk oil and butter in small bowl. Whisk mustard and next 2 ingredients in another small bowl.Brush both sides of onion slices with oil mixture. Place onions on grill and cook until beginning to char, turning and brushing often with oil mixture, about 11 minutes. Brush top side of onions with mustard mixture and cook until mixture begins to bubble, about 2 minutes. Turn onions; brush with mustard mixture and grill until beginning to caramelize, about 1 minute longer. Transfer onions to plate. Brush with mustard mixture.

Kunde Estate, 2003 Chardonnay C.S Ridge Vineyard (Junk)

This wine is drinkable, but at $25 dollars a bottle there are many wines that are much, much better at that price.

Kunde Estate, 2005 Estate Chardonnay (Junk)

This not drinkable, I am not sure how they are able to sell any of it. It is very much like drinking grapefruit juice.

DuMol, Chardonnay Russian River 2004

DuMol is another of the many boutique wineries, popping up everywhere these days. When I think great wine making, I don't think of Orinda California as a hot spot, but that is where they are located. They also don't pay much attention to the content on their web site (www.dumol.com) , it is at least six months out of date. However the wine is great, and that is the important part. The 2004 Chardonnay Russian River, a blend of grapes from the Heintz, Ritchie, and Hyde vineyards. The flavors are intense, honey, white peaches, and vanilla. This a very full bodied wine with a good solid mineral finish.

Landmark, Overlook Chardonnay 2004

This wine is a blend 22 from vineyards, which seems a bit over the top to me but the wine is great. The wine is aged nine months in French Oak barrels, then blended. The result is a slightly caramel and vanilla flavored wine with a crisp mineral finish. The acidity is right on the mark, it is there but not overpowering.