04/03/2012 - Enriching Life - A gourmet walk? Learn an instrument on-line?

Whether it's getting out and embracing life and other people's passions, or acquiring a skill that will enrich our own lives, these activities all help to keep us balanced, aware and appreciative.  Our guests in this episode help to pave the way and simplify those activities by doing the groundwork and saving us valuable time and research.

Gourmet Walks has created a range of walks in San Francisco and Napa that allow you to visit purveyors and experience their art, while getting a good work out. They range from chocolate to city highlights and of course, wine.

ArtistWorks allows us to learn an instrument in the comfort of our home and our own time line through an on-line program, with professional tutors that can provide the same level of eduction as if they were sitting by your side.

But firstly, as Sally is in Australia rediscovering the wonders of Tasmania and sniffing out some truffles in West Australia for the coming season, we have invited our friend Wil Anderson to be a guest host for the night.  Indeed Wil has his own marvellous story to tell and we will welcome him back to tell his full story.

Here's a sneak preview on Wil:

Wil Anderson is a leading consultant in the Body/mind field serving a wide audience across the globe. He has appeared in the Master Level Psychocalisthenics DVD by Oscar Ichazo and has just released a new relaxation CD, Balance Point Relaxation. He has helped individuals and groups needing an accelerated method for total health that creates a change in 15 minutes. For over twenty years he owned and operated the Veranda Club Spa in Yountville. Wil is in collaboration with other leading health specialist integrating movement, body awareness techniques, theories on the nature of the unity, and designing movement/philosophy curriculum for schools. His years spent in the Napa Valley have also included time spent supporting Non-profits reach their stated goals.

Andrea Nadel

Gourmet Walks

Join us on our award-winning food tours in San Francisco and Napa. As seen on CNN, the San Francisco Chronicle and Via Magazine, our tours are fun, delicious and educational. We seek out the finest artisan chocolate, cheese, wines and more for you to sample as we explore the city's best foodie neighborhoods. It's the perfect way to spend an afternoon, whether you're a first time visitor or a seasoned local.

If you're looking for a unique gift, consider a gift certificate for one of our tours. And any Gourmet Walks tour can be turned into a memorable private event, ideal for alumni groups, company teambuilding, and birthday celebrations.

* Gourmet Napa Tour -

There is more to Napa than wine!  Explore wine country flavors from Oxbow Market to Napa's historic Riverfront.  Friday and Sunday mornings.  $68/pp.

 

* San Francisco Gourmet Chocolate Tour -

Taste the best San Francisco chocolate makers on this 3 hour walking tour through the downtown and waterfront.  Monday, Wednesday, Friday mornings and Saturday afternoons.  $52/pp

* San Francisco ULTRA Chocolate Tour - 

We've added wine pairings and a chocolate martini to our popular Chocolate Tour.  Saturday afternoons.  $75/pp

*  Gourmet San Francisco -

Learn what's hot in the
San Francisco food scene as we taste our way through trendy Hayes Valley.  Friday and Sunday afternoons.  $68/pp.

Founder, Andrea Nadel, has been drawn to food from a young age. She grew up in Maine, planning elaborate dinners as her mother followed her around the kitchen doing the dishes. At Williams College she wrote restaurant reviews, taught a cooking class and studied wine tasting. But like many a foodie, it was her time abroad in southern France that opened her eyes to the pleasures of fine food and of course, gourmet chocolate.

After college, Andrea worked for many years in marketing and advertising in New York City. She moved to San Francisco with her husband in 2000, where she pursued a Masters degree at Berkeley while exploring San Francisco's diverse food scene. She always dreamed of running her own business connected to food, and after moving to Mill Valley in 2005, that dream became a reality as Gourmet Walks was born.

Today Andrea is a very busy mother of three young children, but she always has time for chocolate. She regularly serves as a judge or panelist for Taste TV Chocolate events, including the popular San Francisco Chocolate Salon. She writes about chocolate on her blog and has presented on chocolate at Macy's Cellar and various local hotels. Andrea is a licensed tour guide in San Francisco.

Her favorite chocolate is the Ginger Elizabeth Salty Cocoa Nib Brittle Dessert Bar. Her favorite restaurants are Aziza and Saison in SF and Ubuntu in Napa.

AristWorks

http://www.artistworks.com

ArtistWorks provide the solution to one sided learning experiences online. Giving quality feedback and guidance to learners of all levels and experience in the field of music and beyond. All visually taught subjects can be learned using Video Exchange Learning.
ArtistWorks partners with experienced instructors whose goal is to leap beyond the in person lessons they’ve been teaching for years into the most innovative online instruction available today: Video Exchange™ Learning. All teachers make extensive use of this innovation by providing Video Responses to each student’s video submission to them. This requires a depth of knowledge that only comes from being an experienced performer and musician.
We offer lessons in 13 different styles of music including acoustic guitar, jazz improv/gypsy guitar, finger style solo guitar, mandolin, fiddle, dobro, acoustic bass, harmonica, jazz/fusion drums, rock drums, DJ scratching, classical piano and banjo. Each video lesson is offered with multiple angles for optimal online learning. Often, slow motion lessons are also available where appropriate. Study Materials accompany many lessons.

James Taylor, President

After studying Business Administration in the UK, James worked for pioneering technology company Linn Records and music instrument retailer Sound Control before co-founding P3 Music Ltd with entertainment lawyer Alison Burns.

By the time James had reached the age of 21, he had negotiated his first deal with a Japanese multi-national and by the age of 22 had negotiated deals with major corporations including BMG, Sony, BBC, PBS and Yamaha. He then went on to build worldwide marketing campaigns for artists including Deacon Blue, Steve Howe of YES and Justin Currie of Del Amitri. During this time James also personally worked with artists including Jamie Cullum, Bryn Terfel, Tony Christie and Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones. In 2007 James sold a large stake in P3 Music to a private equity company and by this time the business was encompassing record labels, artist management, talent booking and music publishing.

He served as Chairman of the Scottish Music Industry Association and the PRS Scottish Consultative Committee as well as being a specialist advisor to the Scottish Arts Council.
In Dec 2010 James Taylor became Director of Global Business Development for leading education technology company ArtistWorks in California.

 
At the age of 10, James Taylor started playing drums and by the age of 20 he had worked with some of the UK’s leading jazz musicians, recorded with the legendary Stephane Grappelli and joined Martin Taylor’s Spirit of Django, which won Best Group at the 1997 British Jazz Awards.

He has toured in both Europe and the Far East, played on TV and radio shows and performed in some of the great music venues including London’s Royal Albert Hall and Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club. During this time he performed with artists including Ronnie Wood, Mick Hucknall, Paul Carrack, David Grisman, Bill Wyman, Kiki Dee, Guy Barker, Alan Barnes and the Royal Liverpool Philarmonic Orchestra.