She Sells Sanctuary

Running with the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain is so on my Bucket List. But much like commercial air travel, I’m sure it sounds more exotic than it really is. I chose the fish over beef and jetted off to Martha’s Vineyard, an island in Massachusetts for a little summer sanctuary. Searching for a little piece of PEACE.

Well, jetted might be overstating it a bit….I’ll just say, I made it by air, land & sea (a plane, bus & ferry.) Don’t ask! OK, I’ll tell you. Air travel & I don’t seem to get along. Inevitably something always happens…long story short, Cape Air owes me a round trip ticket.

Shake it off! I finally made it to the vineyard. The 95 degree Georgia temps now just a bad memory and the 66 degree vineyard embraces me like a mama embraces a child upon returning from summer camp!

The movie “JAWS” was filmed in Martha’s Vineyard back in 1975. It’s also the place where I first met my wife back in 1985. It’s also the locale where JFK, Jr’s plane crashed in 1999, 10 years ago this week. It’s also a great place to eat LOBSTER!

I was there over the 4th and let me tell you…they do it old school! The Independence Day Parade down Main Street is SO Mayberry … in the best sense of the word. Small town charm with a lot of Big City guests. My son’s sailing class was in the parade this year and their float won some award. As day turned to night, we headed out to Chappaquiddick for lobster and fireworks. It was spectacular! As I’m watching these fireworks, it’s hard to believe that we are in a recession. You’d never know it!

Speaking of recession, I was encouraged to have my tea leaves read … to answer a few questions I have about the state of my affairs. Sounds weird, right? Well, I’m all about it. Bring on the funk! Fly that freak flag and I’ll be there to salute. I went to this very fancy tea house, The English Butler, and made an appointment with the very British owner, Alison David, to have my leaves read. After I drank the tea, Alison performed a little Psychic Surgery on me (her words, not mine.). Fascinating is all I can say…made all the more enjoyable by her lovely British accent!

We celebrated my sister-in-law Ellen Bender’s birthday @ Atria. Called “Sexy & Sophisticated” by Travel + Leisure Magazine, our table lived up to its moniker. We had the only outdoor table in the garden under a large tree – a chandelier hanging from a branch. Regrettably I didn’t have a camera to capture the very TOWN & COUNTY moment. This joint has ambiance by the boatful. The Lobster Mac n’ Cheese and swordfish entrée were delish. FYI: there is no better swordfish than the freshly harpooned vineyard variety.

Before I divert from the culinary tales, there is a MUST if visiting the vineyard. And that is the foie gras @ L’Etoile. It is totally to-die-for! Chef Michael Brisson’s Sauteed, Spice Crusted Duck Foie Gras is simply the best bite on earth.

I have an addiction: Sunglasses. The dealer: Summer Shades in Edgartown. The Drug: Oliver Peoples sunglasses. My latest fix: the “Robert Evans.” Ahhh…..with the eyes rolling in the back of my head.

Tip: If your cell phone or iPod gets wet, put it in a brisker for a few hours. It’ll dry it right out.

Fun Beach Read: “When You Are Engulfed In Flames” by David Sedaris. Warning: your laughter will annoy those around you.

Can you Moonwalk? Post your video on the Eternal Moonwalk site.

FUTURE LOVE PARADISE

Mose Davis “SUNSHINE” CD Release Party. July 26th. 6-9p. The SoChi Gallery. This on the heels of his opening for Babyface at Chastain on July 24th.

BRAGG JAM, July 25th! Macon’s ultimate summer music festival = over 40 bands take on multiple stages.

Party @ the Parthenon, a Greek-themed costume party. July 31st @ The SoChi Gallery.

DOCS WHO ROCK! Macon Arts’ Taste of Music. August 15th @ The Blacksmith Shop. 7p-10p. If you are a doctor who’d like to be a celeb chef at this year’s event, contact Macon Arts @ 478-743-6940.

Hector Santiago of PURA VIDA in Atlanta is going to be on TOP CHEF Season 6. Premieres Aug. 26th on BRAVO. Hector (PURA VIDA) catered my wife’s 40th Birthday Party…and he’s amazing!

Weaver’s Weekend, August 29th. The Armory Ballroom. 8p-Midnight. $35 er person, open bar, meal included and music by John Dunn and the Jazzmen. All of the proceeds go to support Vine Ingle and the Mike Weaver Scholarship fund.

Check out my new column about mixing & mingling: “The SoChi Life” in the June/July issue of Macon Magazine.

I WANT TO ROCK-N-ROLL ALL NIGHT!

Jonas Brothers, Aug. 22nd @ Phillips Arena
Depeche Mode, Sept. 1st @ Lakewood Amphitheatre
Pet Shop Boys, Sept. 12th @ Chastain Park
Psychedelic Furs, Oct. 2nd @ The Masquerade
Kings of Leon, Oct. 9th @ Phillips Arena

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 14th, 2009 and is filed under Atlanta, Lifestyle, Macon, Martha's Vineyard, Publicity, Restaurants, SoChi, Television, Terrell Sandefur, The Arts, Travel, Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or Trackback from your own site.