Global Gals

Wowee, we will have a busy 2012 if we are able to accommodate everyone’s topic ideas.  Thanks for the detailed, creative input.  Upcoming gatherings may include topics such as self defense, Planned Parenthood, hypnotism, favorite things, social media, and election review.  Many gals are reaching out to business women and friends as possible guest speakers.  Please email me with contact names and numbers so that I can confirm schedules.

During our gathering, part of the discussion revolved around my vision of Global Gals so I want to review my mission.  On the blog’s “About Us” page, I give a brief overview of why I started the group and what we have covered.  I say “Within a safe, friendly, supportive environment we have been able to educate ourselves about politics, financial security, public education, health issues and many other topics.  For three years, we have participated in an adopt-a-family program over the holiday season.  We take walks on the beach, we host jewelry parties, and try to have a little bit of fun.”  The vision states: “A gathering of girlfriends to discuss women’s and girls’ issues and to make changes locally with the global environment in mind.”

With that in mind, please come to the gatherings with an open mind and with listening ears.  We don’t pay our guest speakers, so remember that their time is valuable and be respectful of the presentation and discussion. After the main topic is covered, people are welcome to stay to chat and catch up with each other.  You still may want to attend a gathering even if the topic doesn’t sound interesting because you may pick up just one tidbit that makes it worth your while.

Anyone is welcome to email the group members regarding upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, or fundraisers. I would like to give everyone the opportunity to ask for support from the members of Global Gals.  You are welcome to host a happy hour, potluck dinner, or other social event at any time.  Our 2nd Thursday gatherings generally revolve around a main topic, but we also have social gatherings such as a walk on the beach.

Thanks for being part of Global Gals!  I appreciate everyone’s support and I hope you get as much out of Global Gals as I do.  I look forward to my Thursday nights and am thrilled to be going on year #5!

- Jules

Thanks to all the Gals that met at the Offshore Bar and Grill in Bay Park to help me celebrate one year in my new real estate career.  I enjoyed talking to everyone and eating greasy bar food while sitting in a noisy, busy place.  I didn’t realize it would be so crowded on a Thursday night!

See you in May!

Thanks to Catherine and Alexis for a lively, informative, social wine tasting event!  Thanks to everyone for sharing such delicious food, too.  Post your recipes as a “comment” on this blog; especially, you Traci since all the Gals want to make that delicious vegetarian dish!

In preparing for last Saturday’s event, Catherine so kindly put together thorough notes on the South American wine regions and types that we tasted.  I cut and paste her notes directly into the blog along with the wine labels that we drank. 

Similarities and difference between both Wine Regions.

• Argentina, like Chile, is unique in the wine world for the absence of the phylloxera threat that has devastated vineyards across the globe. Because of this most of the vineyards in Argentina are planted on ungrafted rootstock, Chile vineyards have no grafted root stock. 
  
• The Andes is a key factor in the climate of both regions with regards to viticulture.
• Argentina consumes approximately 80% of their wine; Chile exports approximately 80% of their wine.
• Both Chile and Argentina were introduced to wine making by the Spanish during the Spanish colonization of the Americas in the early 1500’s.
• In the late 1500’s cuttings from the Chilean Central Valley were brought to what is now the San Juan and Mendoza wine region which firmly established viticulture in Argentina.
• Carmenere was thought to be extinct, but discovered growing in Chile in the early 1900’s. This “lost Bordeaux varietal” was originally thought to be Merlot, and is no longer grown in its homeland.
• Due to the high altitude and low humidity of the main wine producing regions, both countries vineyards rarely face the problems of insects, fungi, molds and other grape diseases that affect vineyards in other countries. This allows cultivating with little or no pesticides, enabling even organic wines to be easily produced.

 1. Sauvignon Blanc -  Alabamar (2010) (William Cole) The varietal identity of Sauvignon Blanc is typically similar to grass, bell-pepper, or grapefruit in nature.  It is usually quite distinctive and one of the easier varietal wines to recognize by its often sharp, aggressive smell.  Sauvignon Blanc is probably the best dry white wine to accompany the greatest variety of foods.  It can handle components such as tomatoes, bell peppers, cilantro, raw garlic, smoked cheeses or other pungent flavors.

2. Torrontes – Serrera (2009) According to local Argentinean legend, Torrontes originated in Galicia, Spain, and was brought by the conquistadors in the 1800s. But in 2002, UC Davis studied the plant’s genetic fingerprint and discovered that the varietal is actually a cross between two grapes: Muscat of Alexandria and Criolla Chica, known in California as the Mission grape.  Aromas reminiscent of Viognier or Muscat, often with characteristics of white peach, citrus and flowers. Partner with smoked meats, mild to medium-strong cheeses, and seafood. Great partner for spicy food and Thai as well

3. Pinot Noir – Bola (2008) Pinot Noir is one of the oldest grape varieties to be cultivated for the purpose of making wine. Ancient Romans knew this grape as Helvenacia Minor and vinified it as early as the first century AD.  Thanks to the movie Sideways, it has become one of the better known reds in the US.  Although Pinot Noir harmonizes well with a wide variety of foods, the best matches to show off the delicacy and texture of Pinot Noir are: grilled salmon, a good cut of plain roast beef, a dish that  features mushrooms as the main flavor element, roasted and braised preparations of lamb, pheasant, and duck, as well as grilled meaty fish, such as salmon, shark, and swordfish. Best are foods that are simple and rich.  

4. Malbec -  Mil Piedras (2008) Malbec has characteristics that fall somewhere between Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. I can be very deep color, have ample tannins, and a particular plum-like flavor component to add complexity to claret blends.

5. Chilean Blend – Maqui Lien (2007) In Chile’s native Mapuche language, lien means “silver metal”—a reference to colonial Spanish coins that were once melted to make fine jewelry, like the lizard on the Maquis label.  This blend consists of 32% Syrah, 25% Carmenere, 20% Cabernet Franc, 15% Petit Verdot, and 8% Malbec.

See everyone on March 10 for a night of pampering hosted by Laurie Parker, Arbonne.

Your Gal,

Jules

I’m finally posting the notes from our Global Gals Gathering on January 13, 2011.  At the meeting, we went around the room introducing ourselves by giving name, bithdate, and anything else we felt relevant.  As always, in this blog I will do my best to report on our lively discussion.

Julie – Nov.21 – Realtor and mother of 2.  Passionate about public schooling.
Suzanne – Sept 19 – artist and mother of 2.  Her website: www.remarkablebird.com Suzanne sells her artwork on her Etsy website at www.etsy.com.
Laurie – Spet 23.  She works at everyone’s favorite shopping center: Costco.  She also sells fancy Arbonne skincare products www.laurieparker.myarbonne.com .
Marlene – Nov 18 – this was Marlene’s first Global Gals Gathering.  She is a mother of two, a property manager, and a jewelry salesperson.  She represents Lia Sophia Jewelry.  It may be time for another jewelry party.
Janice – Nov 21. Mother of 2.  Janice works in the redevelopment office for the City of Chula Vista.
Heather – Mar 8. Mother of 2.  Be sure to come dance with her husband’s band, The Weener Pigs, at a Silvergate Elementary School benefit concert on Jan 29.  Kids are welcome to come.  $10 at the door per adult.  The Weener Pigs play at 5-6:30 at Humpreys Backstage on Shelter Island.
Susan – Oct 5 – Social worker.  Susan is currently partner at Elder Care Guides, company that helps the elderly find appropriate care and housing.  Susan will be a featured guest speaker at a GGG some time this year.
Leigh – July 2.  Finishing her Ph.D. in Political Science.  She wants to be a professor/teacher.
Alexis – Nov 19.  Works at Sharp Health Care as a pathologist.
Carmen – July 26. Carmen joined us for teh first time.  She is from Spain, been married 31 years, and is a law librarian for Luce Forward Hamilton.  She likes to eat, drink, shop, and read.
Bonnie – Nov 18.  Received a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Harvard.  Mother of 2.  Just started playing the cello again, so we hope to be invited to listen at a future concert.

We talked about various topics to be covered this year including sex therapy, elder care, knitting, and skin care. I have determined topics for our next two gatherings, so mark you calendars and join in on the fun.
Feb  10 at Bonnie’s home:  travel book/guide exchange. 
Feb 26 at Alexis’s home:  wine tasting hosted by Catherine Uzeta.
Mar 10 at TBD:  skin care with Laurie from Arbonne.

I’ll be sending the evites soon.

Other upcoming events:
Jan 29:  Silvergate Elementary benefit concert at Humpreys Backstage. 2-8pm.  Kids welcome.  $10 per adult at the door, all proceeds paid to Silvergate.  The Weener Pigs plat at 5-6:30 pm.
Mar 19: Annual Silent Auction benefiting Longfellow Spanish Immersion Magnet School at Brick by Brick (Morena Blvd) at 7 pm.  $15 at the door.  The Weener Pigs will begin playing around 8:30.  This years theme: Life’s a Beach.

Alright, I gotta get to bed.  I could be on this computer 24 hours a day!  Have a great day.

Jules

P.S.  Laurie Parker had wanted me to pass along the woman’s info who knitted her scarf.  In case anyone wants to contact her:  Barbara Abrams, Company is Dream Knits, phone is
858-453-0953