Napa Valley

SAN LUIS OBISPO - The Orange Coast College women's basketball team posted its seventh straight victory with an 85-44 win over Napa Valley in the first round of the Cuesta Tournament Thursday. Freshman Jesiree Dizon nailed three three-pointers and led the Pirates with 13 points, while sophomore Kyra Melville scored 12. Freshmen Erin John and Lindsey Galasso, who also sank three three-pointers, added 10 points each. OCC (7-1) plays Chaffey today at 6 p.m. in a semifinal of the six-team tourney.

Three players scored in double-figures for Orange Coast in its 58-43 victory Friday night over Bakersfield in the 19th Annual Cuesta Phillips 66 Invitational held at Cuesta College. Alisa Carrillo led the Bucs (7-3) with 17 points while Nancy Hatsushi and Liz Mendoza each knocked in 11 points for the victors. Lauren Murray added nine points for Coast. The win puts Coast in the championship game today at 4 p.m. against either Napa Valley or Cuesta.

Gulfstream restaurant brags that it has California's first community hand-washing sink -- a large stainless steel basin you can find just past the dining area. But this really is the least exciting feature about the popular dining spot in Corona del Mar Plaza. I can think of even better attributes: Gulfstream's romantic patio with fire pits that keep you toasty on the chilliest nights; the unusual no-corkage fee on favorite wines you bring with you; the grilled seafood that's simple (mesquite-grilled with salt and pepper)

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the latest entry in Grant Dunning's training diary as he prepares to run in his first marathon -- the Orange County Marathon on Jan. 6 in Newport Beach. Training for the Orange County Marathon has many challenges and hurdles. Sticking with the increasingly difficult training schedule is hard enough without any outside factors. One of the challenges I have encountered is sticking with the training schedule while traveling away from home. During the past two weeks, I have spent time in Denver, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and the Napa Valley.

Patterson-Feller Carrie Patterson of Santa Rosa and Eric Feller of Newport Beach exchanged vows at Alexander Valley Community Church in Healdsburg on Oct. 27. The bride is the daughter of Whit and Linda Patterson of Santa Rosa. She wore a white silk gown with beading, multiple bustles and a chapel-length train. The bridesmaids were Ginelle and Suzannah Patterson and Kate Gillespie. The bridegroom is the son of Frank and Shirley Feller of Newport Beach.

Last year, the wine industry in the country contributed over $160 billion to the economy, according to a study by MKF Research LLC in Napa Valley. The enormous popularity of wine could be from its recently celebrated health benefits, local wine aficionados said. But how does one become a wine expert, or just more savvy? It's all about tasting. "I think for beginners, it's really important to go wine tasting, whether it's at Wine Styles or any other place with a wine bar," Costa Mesa's Wine Styles manager Jennifer Keefe said.

story by Young Chang; photo by Greg Fry HE IS A wine connoisseur SIP, SWISH, SPIT One of the most difficult parts of Gerhard Ziemer's job is holding back. He sips wine, swishes it around in his mouth and spits it out. As someone who buys and sells wine at Rolf's Wine and Spirits of Newport, he has to be sure of two things: that he can drive back to his Costa Mesa home sober, and that he is alert enough to judge the value of wine. "It takes a lot of willpower sometimes to not drink some of these delicious wines," said Ziemer, 36. "If you're going to be professional and objective, you need to be very strict."

COSTA MESA — Marilyn Monroe said diamonds are a girl's best friend. Wine, though, promises to be a close second Friday at a Hi-Time Wine Cellars event inspired by the iconic Hollywood bombshell. The event from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Costa Mesa store's wine bar is hosted by Thirsty Girl and Napa Valley-based Marilyn Wines, which will be celebrating its 25th anniversary and the release of its 2009 Marilyn Merlot. The wine retails for about $29 and features a label with a silk-screened image of the starlet.

When Pelican Hill Golf Club closed a couple of years ago for renovations I was depressed, but I think it was the restaurant closing that saddened me more than the golf course. There was nothing better than finishing a round of golf and then heading up the stairs to enter the restaurant and eat dinner while the sun was setting over the Pacific Ocean. When I found out the Irvine Co. wasn’t opening the restaurant back up in its previous location, I was disappointed. The new location was going to be lower down the street where the practice facility is located.

Last year, the wine industry in the country contributed over $160 billion to the economy, according to a study by MKF Research LLC in Napa Valley. The enormous popularity of wine could be from its recently celebrated health benefits, local wine aficionados said. But how does one become a wine expert, or just more savvy? It's all about tasting. "I think for beginners, it's really important to go wine tasting, whether it's at Wine Styles or any other place with a wine bar," Costa Mesa's Wine Styles manager Jennifer Keefe said.

Gulfstream restaurant brags that it has California's first community hand-washing sink -- a large stainless steel basin you can find just past the dining area. But this really is the least exciting feature about the popular dining spot in Corona del Mar Plaza. I can think of even better attributes: Gulfstream's romantic patio with fire pits that keep you toasty on the chilliest nights; the unusual no-corkage fee on favorite wines you bring with you; the grilled seafood that's simple (mesquite-grilled with salt and pepper)

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the latest entry in Grant Dunning's training diary as he prepares to run in his first marathon -- the Orange County Marathon on Jan. 6 in Newport Beach. Training for the Orange County Marathon has many challenges and hurdles. Sticking with the increasingly difficult training schedule is hard enough without any outside factors. One of the challenges I have encountered is sticking with the training schedule while traveling away from home. During the past two weeks, I have spent time in Denver, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and the Napa Valley.

Patterson-Feller Carrie Patterson of Santa Rosa and Eric Feller of Newport Beach exchanged vows at Alexander Valley Community Church in Healdsburg on Oct. 27. The bride is the daughter of Whit and Linda Patterson of Santa Rosa. She wore a white silk gown with beading, multiple bustles and a chapel-length train. The bridesmaids were Ginelle and Suzannah Patterson and Kate Gillespie. The bridegroom is the son of Frank and Shirley Feller of Newport Beach.

Three players scored in double-figures for Orange Coast in its 58-43 victory Friday night over Bakersfield in the 19th Annual Cuesta Phillips 66 Invitational held at Cuesta College. Alisa Carrillo led the Bucs (7-3) with 17 points while Nancy Hatsushi and Liz Mendoza each knocked in 11 points for the victors. Lauren Murray added nine points for Coast. The win puts Coast in the championship game today at 4 p.m. against either Napa Valley or Cuesta.