I just read parts of a long thread on EBob about an offline in southern CA that had to be cancelled due to a complaint made to the CA ABC. While there were few details, apparently part of the problem was money was being collected for food. This event differs in some aspects - held at a winery instead of someone's home. It may be worthwhile to check with some of the wineries planning to participate here, as at least some of them were planning to attend the OC event and were notified directly by ABC not to attend, and make sure we won't have the same problem.

Scott

Like these people don't have something better to do?  Jeez!

I'm paying for all of the food.....the rest of you are making donations to my charitable organization......Wino's without wine.  Happy now?

Chris

Chris,

I'll check with Dan directly. If he doesn't see any problems, then I'll be happy ...

Scott

What does the ABC care if we split the cost of dinner? No one is making a profit or selling alcohol without a license....

The law used to say that wineries couldn't pour at the events that they have been doing for years. Everyone broke the law. A group got together to get the law changed and were successful but... any wineries pouring have to have a certain class of license (most already had). It might effect some of the smaller mom & pop wineries though.

I've set up a thread for the Friday night dinner here.

Mike, email sent! That said, we won't need a room at the double tree, we're staying out at the coast not far from Mountainman However, I can't wait for the dogs to meet each other, so we'll still get together FOR SURE!

Eric, where at? BTW, there is a small rental house next to mine at the beach that takes dogs.

Mountainman - it's called Dreamer's View, in Bodega Harbor - 21541 Heron Drive. How far away from you?

OK, I'm happy now. I just heard back from Dan and there is no problem since we're holding this at a licensed facility.

Looking forward to seeing everyone in February !

Scott

Eric, we're at Salmon Creek State Beach ~ 3 miles north. Close enough to car pool though! Or a beach rendevous with our 2 labradors.

Scott, my "happy now?" comment was directed at ABC....not you.  I appreciate you bringing this potential issue to the forefront and clarifying it.

Chris

Chris,

Erica and I will take a room at the Doubletree for Sat night only. (We are having a bus right?)

Thanks,
Tim

Chris, I'm in for a double queen on Sat night. If I time this perfectly, I'll even be able to pick up some wine and save $50 on shipping... yeah, that's the ticket, I'm saving money by flying down to CA and going to a wine dinner :-D  Also in for any bus you guys organize; might be cool to actually drive legally while I'm in the area.

Couldn't help but laughing at -

>>My 185lb. Malamute Bordeaux and 100lb lab Dolce would love to play with (EAT) Hudson.

Can't wait to get a dog. The kids are going to go nuts. I think next Christmas is it!

The caterer got back to me on the salmon issue for the risotto.  Here is what they sent me:

"I wanted to get back to you in regards to the salmon issue. All of our salmon that we serve is either wild (if available) or  a sustainable farmed salmon from a company called Loch Daurt. The Loch Duart ponds are 6% fish and 94% water. Also, the Loch Daurt policy is to keep a pond active for one year and then allow it to remain fallow (unused) for the next year.
 This allows a natural regeneration of the waters. There are no antibiotics used in the feed and no Genetically modified feed used either.

Please let me know if you would like to still change that course and I will speak to Bruce on his recommendations."

Any thoughts?  I can go either way.

Chris

But then you would be letting friends eat farmed salmon!

Actually I'm with you - no farmed salmon.

What's wrong with farmed Salmon?

Zhi: http://www.salmonfarmmonitor.org/problems.shtml

and here:
http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/SeafoodWatch/web/sfw_factsheet.aspx?gid=17

and here:
http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/cr_seafoodwatch/content/media/MBA_SeafoodWatch_SalmonFactCard.pdf

and here:
http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/cr_seafoodwatch/content/media/MBA_SeafoodWatch_FarmedSalmonReport.pdf