The Napa Valley Wine Auction takes place
this weekend in Napa Valley, California. The event is touted as a "symphony
for the senses," celebrating the "unique harmony between nature
and the vintners' art." Which indeed it is. Set up in tents and in
the open air at the aptly named Meadowood Resort, the auction, wine tasting,
and dinner is a Dionysian scene, filled every year with well-heeled revelers
sipping wine and dancing to after-dinner music under balmy skies. Bidding
paddles were held by some deep pockets this year, as bidders paid upwards
of $20,000 for artwork and for wine lots such as specially signed Magnums,
or private dinners with the valley's finest vintners. Live
coverage of the auction can be followed on the Internet, or you can
look up information about the auction's history and lot prices from last
year's event.
The benefit auction this year neted over $2.2 million as auctioneers and
"spotters" in the crowd kept bidding at a frenzied pace. As it
was an "all you can drink" event, some guests may have gotten
carried away during the bidding, which seems to be as much part of the entertainment
as the food and music. A sight to see, to say the least. California's Napa
Valley, resplendent with the state's famed "golden hills"
of dried grasses, and hot-air baloons drifting lazily through the valley
in the early morning haze, is god's country at this time of year, and some
wineries even feature "breakfast wines" to start you off in the
right spirit.
ZNEWS SCAVENGER HUNT:
Major news media reported in the past weeks that the Churches in Columbia
have been baptising thousands of Columbians every hour since a buzz among
the people that the devil would descend upon them on June 6, 1996. WHAT'S
THE STORY?
Z SCOUPE WEEKEND:
If you're not running around and sweating all day,
today may be the day to write a short
story. Bang it out
on your keyboard--or better yet, take a notebook
outside. It is, after all, Springtime, and you may even WIN $500.00
for your efforts.
A Spring weekend inspires creativity...
Znews weekend feature is "The Art of Design: Images and Words."
Magazines are great for stuffing in your bag, or leaving
in the bathroom, or flipping through on a weekday lunch.
But why waste precious personal time. Plan ahead for the
next big weekend--next time you're online AT YOUR DESK...
And please, don't forget about sustainable living,
inconspicuous consumption, and fresh breath...
And if you're still hungry after Z Daily Scoupe...
Next week Znews will introduce some regular columnists:
The WWWhite Movie Mogul: reviews, et al.
"Elle" on her latest Rants
The Whiz on Stocks (and bonds too?)
D. Big Tree on Environmental issues
and Stew Gott on Sports
and of course,
Znews Daily Scoupe
...which should be checked every day
in case you might miss something.