Let Sammy’s Limos Add Some Spark to Your Valentine’s Date

Valentine’s Day is rapidly approaching and there is no better way to add an extra spark of romance than by ferrying your sweetheart around in a chauffeur driven limousine from Sammy’s Limos. Let Sammy’s do all the driving while you and your sweetie safely cuddle in the back and rekindle the flames of romance. Still need some ideas for that big Valentine’s date? Our Santa Barbara limousine service takes your happiness seriously, so we’ve come up with a few ways to impress your Valentine:

• Sammy’s Wine Tour: At Sammy’s Limousines and Tours, we are experts at making your wine tasting experience the best that it can be. Our drivers are knowledgeable wine tour guides and will take you on a private tour to the vineyards of your choice, or let us design a tour for you. Our wine tours are the perfect choice for a great wine tasting day.
• Romantic Dinner: Let Sammy’s chauffer you in style to one of Gayot’s 2014 Top 10 Romantic Restaurants in Santa Barbara. Sometimes we all need a little help when it comes time to impress a date. Certain restaurants may please the tongue and fill the belly but don’t tug on our emotions. The selections gathered by Gayot have that certain something – perhaps a light-speckled patio, or a roving musician, or inspirational garden -that can really impress a date.
• Couple’s Massage: The relaxation begins the moment you sit down inside your Sammy’s Limo. Keep things calm and peaceful with a couple’s massage at Santa Barbara Spa del Mar. For Valentine’s Day, they are offering the ultimate Valentine’s Day experience with a choice of a 60 minute “Cleopatra’s Gold” Massage or 90 minute “Chocolate Paradise” scrub and massage. These special Valentine’s Day spa treatments also include complimentary Champagne that you can enjoy before or after your treatment on their private spa patio.
• Best Date Night Idea:  Comedy Hideaway is putting together a Valentine’s Day date night featuring dinner and an all-star cast of favorite comedians.  Comedy Hideaway will be hosting six Valentine’s Day comedy shows - two shows in Goleta, two shows in Santa Barbara, and two shows in Ventura, each on Friday, February 14 at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Sammy’s Limos has the most luxurious fleet of vehicles in Santa Barbara ready and waiting for your Valentine’s Day of romance, all at very affordable prices. Book your ride now, and let Sammy’s do the driving while you enjoy your Valentine.

About Sammy’s Limos and Tours: Since 1992, Sammy’s Limos has been Santa Barbara’s number one limos and tours company. Sammy’s Limousines offers the finest in luxury with a top notch fleet of limousines that are available for Santa Barbara wine tours, Santa Barbara weddings, Santa Barbara proms, and Santa Barbara sporting events.

Visit the website and Facebook page or call 805-963-8294 to book a holiday reservation or obtain a free quotation.

Meet The Masters At Bacara Resort & Spa

Miró debuts new dining series with Masters of wine and spirits 

Santa Barbara (Feb. 4th, 2014) – Miró, the signature restaurant of Bacara Resort & Spa, is pleased to introduce “Meet the Masters,” an intimate dining experience that offers culinary enthusiasts the rare opportunity to dine with experts from across the globe who share a proven mastery in the art and science of wine and spirit pairing.

“It’s not very often we welcome a master wine or spirit sommelier of this level to Santa Barbara,” said Kathleen Cochran, general manager of Bacara Resort & Spa. “We are honored to share in their impressive talents as we offer our guests a truly exceptional dining experience they could only get at Bacara.”

Guest Masters include:

• February 20: Nicolas Krafft, Sabrage & Champagne Master, President & CEO of Christofle (event will include a sabrage demonstration)
• March 20: Yuji Matsumoto, the United States’ first Master Sake Sommelier & Shochu Specialist
• June 7: Brian McClintic, Central California’s only Master Sommelier
• More events coming soon 

Offered the third Thursday of every month, events include a champagne and hors d’oeuvres reception followed by an exquisite four-course tasting menu by Miró Chef Johan Denizot. Each course is expertly paired with wine and spirit selections by the guest Master. 

Set within the luxurious surroundings of the 12,000-bottle Miró Wine Cellar, imported French stones, original artwork, rustic candelabras and a grand fireplace will create the unmistakable allure of a dining along the Iberian Peninsula. Adding to the ambiance will be stunning floral displays by the resort’s Creative Director Lorrene Balzani.

Meet the Masters is available for $150 per person, per event. Space is very limited and advanced reservations are recommended. For tickets and additional information, please visit www.BacaraResort.com.

About Bacara Resort & Spa: Nestled on the bluff and beaches of the Gaviota coast between the Pacific Ocean and Santa Ynez Mountains, Bacara offers relaxed luxury and incomparable natural beauty. The resort features 360 lavish guestrooms and suites, each with a private balcony overlooking breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean or flower-filled gardens. Additional features include a four-story spa, a state-of-the-art wellness center, three zero-edge saline swimming pools, four restaurants and lounges, a 12,000-bottle Wine Cellar & Tasting Room and direct access to Santa Barbara’s beautiful wine country. For reservations or more information contact: Anne Stephany Bacara Resort & Spa 805-571-3186.

- See more at: http://www.gogoleta.com/luxury-goleta-hotel-events/

World of Pinot Noir Event At Goleta Luxury Hotel

Santa Barbara, Ca. - Ten years ago, a movie created a shot heard round the world with Pinot Noir. Based in

Santa Barbara wine country, Sideways elevated Pinot Noir to a pedestal, significantly increased sales globally

and invited oenophiles and newbies alike to partake of this thin-skinned grape. For many, Pinot Noir has been

the “it” wine way before Miles, and the annual World of Pinot Noir has been celebrating this enchanting varietal

since the dawn of the new millennium. This year, WOPN (“whoppin” as it is affectionately known) continues

the celebration at the world-class Bacara Resort & Spa in Santa Barbara.

“It’s hard to believe it has been a decade since Sideways came out”, muses Norm Yost of Flying Goat Cellars

and this year’s World of Pinot Noir President. “I remember the film crews being here and hanging out with us,

but I don’t think anyone thought the movie would have such an impact on both Pinot Noir and Santa Barbara

County. Having the event at Bacara Resort and recognizing the effect of the movie is exciting! We look

forward to welcoming those who join us each year, as well as newcomers to our 14th celebration of Pinot Noir.”

World of Pinot Noir Ticket packages will go on-sale Monday, July 1st, 2013 at www.wopn.com. Individual

event tickets will be made available in early Fall.

The fourteenth annual World of Pinot Noir, taking place February 28th and March 1st, 2014 will feature

educational, culinary and tasting events. Friday will feature a pair of seminars, a tasting from producers small

and large and wine regions near and far, and a pair of winemaker dinners created by Executive Chef David

Reardon. Saturday’s schedule includes the popular Burgundy seminar/tasting, the World of Pinot Grand Tasting

of over 100 wineries, the Gala Dinner and a featured winery dinner in the Miro Restaurant Wine Cellar.

Visitors are encouraged to extend their “wine-cation”, visiting the wine regions of the beautiful Central Coast.

Additional tours, seminars and packages (even Merlot tastings!) are being offered by local associations.

The World of Pinot Noir event brings Pinot Noir producers from the most exceptional and unique regions in the

world together with Pinot Noir enthusiasts for a weekend of celebration and education at the edge of

California’s beautiful Central Coast. More than 2,000 guests attend the weekend events that feature Pinot Noir

from 180 wineries ranging from California, Oregon, Burgundy, New Zealand, Australia, Chile, Austria,

Bacara Resort & Spa, nestled on the bluff and beaches of the Santa Barbara coast between the Pacific Ocean

and Santa Ynez Mountains, is located at the base of one of California’s most exciting wine regions, just 40 miles

south of Santa Rita Hills, Happy Canyon, Solvang and Los Olivos. Recognized as one of the finest hotels in the

world, Bacara’s signature terra-cotta tile roofs, covered archways and wooden trellises lend the understated,

relaxed appeal of a true California wine resort destination.

- See more at: http://www.gogoleta.com/goleta-luxury-hotel-world-of-pinot-noir

Sammy’s Limos Celebrates 21 Years In Business

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 12th, 2014, Santa Barbara CA: Sammy’s Limos and Tours is pleased to announce that it has completed 21 years of providing limousine and tour service for clients in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Ventura, San Luis Obispo and beyond. The Santa Barbara limousine company credits its long success to a combination of offering the finest in luxury with its top notch fleet of vehicles, and providing clients with drivers that are professional and knowledgeable.

Sammy’s Limos provides a variety of services to meet any transportation need in the Santa Barbara area. The company’s airport transfer service provides door to door service to all area airports including baggage assistance. Thecorporate transportation services help business executives get where they need to be on time and in style.

Clients have also found a wide variety of personal reasons to utilize the services of the limousine company. Sammy’s Limos can provide transportation to sporting events in and around the Los Angeles area, ensure luxury transportation for bachelor/bachelorette parties and weddings, chauffeur guests around town for a special birthday celebration, or transport students safely to and from school proms.

Some of the ways visitors from out-of-town have come to enjoy the company’s services are for a night out on the town in Santa Barbara or one of Sammy’s wine tours. Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez are home to some of the best wineries in California, and Sammy’s professional drivers are knowledgeable tour guides. Since there are many wonderful sights to see in Santa Barbara and the surrounding counties, Sammy’s also provides tours to the most desirable destinations from Historical Landmarks, Art Galleries and Museums to the scenic sites of Solvang and other cities.

“I attribute our record of success to having the best limos in Santa Barbara ready and waiting for our guests,” said owner Sammy. “Most people realize that it is not only efficient and fun to utilize our limousine services, it’s also safer, especially if your party is planning on doing any drinking. We are pleased to do the driving while our guests experience the charms of Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo, and look forward to providing many more years of service.”

Since its inception the company’s limousine fleet has grown to include a 4 Passenger Executive Sedan, 6 Passenger Limousine, 6 Passenger Cadillac Escalade SUV, 8 Passenger Limousine, 10 Passenger Limousine, and 9 Passenger Limo Van. The company offers many birthday and affordable limo specials, or quotes may also be obtained through the online website.

About Sammy’s Limos and Tours: Since 1992, Sammy’s Limos has been Santa Barbara’s number one limos and tours company. Sammy’s Limousines offers the finest in luxury with a top notch fleet of limousines that are available for Santa Barbara wine tours, Santa Barbara weddings, Santa Barbara proms, and Santa Barbara sporting events. Visit the website and Facebook page or call 805-963-8294 to book a reservation or obtain a free quotation.

7 reasons package tours aren't lame

(CNN) -- Gear-grinding buses jamming up parking lots.

Gawping packs of wide-eyed clods in sandals and floppy hats.

Fanny packs.

Amateur travelers hopping in and out of said buses, snapping photos while a peppy guide gushes over some run-of-the-mill attraction.

"This is the Fabric Museum. You have an hour here. Then lunch!"

Anyone who's traveled past their front door has seen the benighted tour group and recoiled in revulsion.

Is this any way to see the world?

Who travels this way?

There's a tendency for many to disparage group tours, snicker over the doltish stereotypes and, in the process, feel like superior world citizens.

But tours come in all shapes and sizes and, regardless of what you might consider "real travel," they play an important role in the travel world.

They're not all big bus tours filled with flag-waving tour guides.

Many consist of small groups who stay longer than an hour in each place.

It was a package tour through Costa Rica that gave me my love of travel and made me comfortable traveling alone.

It helped make me what I am now -- a travel writer and occasional tour group leader.

This year I began running small-group tours for readers of mybudget travel blog in order to do for them what that tour to Costa Rica did for me.

There are a number of reasons even seasoned travelers shouldn't be afraid of tours.

1. Instant friends

For people not comfortable meeting strangers on their own, tours provide an easy environment in which to make friends right away.

Although most of us want to meet people on the road, many find it hard to strike up conversations.

Tours help you make that leap.

And even if you don't, guides want everyone to have a great time -- they make sure travelers don't sit around staring at each other like kids at a junior high school dance.

2. Tour guides create a more meaningful experience

I've had some amazing guides in my time.

On a tour in Australia, our Aboriginal guide/driver suddenly braked, ran out of the car and called us over to look at a trail of ants that locals use for cold medicine.

The ensuing conversation led to some ant eating -- I'd have never done that on my own -- and a greater understanding of the local culture.

3. Tours teach you how to travel

Tour guides are old hands at travel.

They can teach you to spot scams, illustrate the best ways to find food on the road and much more.

The skills they impart will likely inform a traveler's future trips.

On a tour I led in Paris, I had to save one of my tour members from falling for a common local scam.

We were outside the Louvre when he was asked to provide a signature and donate to "charity," an old ruse run by Paris con artists.

He had his hand in his pocket just as I came up to him.

I'm sure he hasn't made that mistake again.

Guides make new travelers better travelers.

4. Tours ease fears

Traveling alone can be a scary proposition, particularly when you haven't done it before or don't speak a local language.

A tour provides a support system that allows travelers -- even experienced ones -- to feel more comfortable taking a chance on new experiences.

Tours are floaties for world travelers -- they allow you to dip your toes in the pool without the fear of getting in over your head.

5. Tours get you places you can't get yourself

While independent travel is great, many places in the world can't be accessed by solo travelers due to license and government restrictions.

Many big destinations -- the Galapagos, Antarctica, African safaris -- need to be explored as part of organized trips.

There are many exciting, once in a lifetime activities you won't be able to experience if you don't take part in a licensed tour with a guide.

6. Package tours can be cheaper

While this may seem counter-intuitive since traveling alone allows you more flexibility, many tour companies are able to secure bulk rates and other deals.

Small group operators can be cheaper for mid-range travel than if you were to price out the same trip for yourself.

One diehard independent traveler I know wanted to visit the wild but scattered Solomon Islands.

Lack of infrastructure and traditional tourist services meant going to all the obscure places he wanted to see -- including some historic World War II battlefields -- would have cost upward of $10,000 for charters and services.

Instead, he spent $3,500 on a package tour, enjoyed every minute of it and remains in touch with several members of the tour, including a still-active World War II vet.

What's more, saving on the cost of excursions means you'll have more money to splurge on a memorable dinner with your new friends or a ridiculous souvenir for your family.

7. Tours provide safety

When you're on your own, you're a more tempting target for thieves, scammers and criminals.

By traveling with a group, you have safety in numbers and don't have to venture into unknown places without a companion.

Additionally, tour guides can advise you on what areas to avoid that you wouldn't otherwise have known about.

Source: www.CNN.com

Screenwriter Eric Edson Speaking At Story Expo on September 6th, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Los Angeles, CA June 12, 2013 – Screenwriter and university professor Eric Edson will offer a completely new approach to writing powerful scripts to attendees ofStory Expo 2013. 

On September 6 – 8, 2013, Story Expo brings together over 60 Speakers, 100+ classes and 30+ exhibitors for what is being called, the ‘screenwriting and scriptwriting event of the year.’ 

Held at the Westin Hotel LAX, Los Angeles, CA, Story Expo is the biggest story conference and exhibition for screenwriters, TV writers, novelists, journalists, graphic novelists, fiction writers, comic book writers and more.  Attendees will benefit by learning how and where a story is best told to achieve its greatest success both creatively and financially. 

Eric Edson will present four seminars on two topics; “Cracking Screen Story Structure” and “14 Character Categories in All Screen Stories.”  Each seminar will last approximately an hour and a half. In these seminars, Eric will cover the 23 interlocking actions used in every successful movie to create dynamic heroes and emotion-filled plots, and 14 character categories that simplify story building forscreenwriters.

Eric Edson has written seventeen feature screenplays on assignment for companies including Sony, Warner Brothers, Disney, CBS, and Showtime, as well as writing for episodic television.  He is author of the book “THE STORY SOLUTION: 23 Actions All Great Heroes Must Take,” and Director of the Graduate Program in Screenwriting at California State University, Northridge.

Confirmed Speakers as of April 2, 2013: Syd Field, John Truby, Dov Simens, Michael Hauge, Eric Edson, Steve Kaplan, Rex Pickett, Christopher Vogler, Ellen Sandler, Arnold Shapiro, Jeremiah Comey, Pilar Alessandra, Father Steve, Jennifer Grisanti, Richard Hatem, Chad Gervich, Leslie Lehr, Lee Jessup, Pamela Jaye Smith, Troy Devolld and many more.

A few classes being offered include,  The Essence Of A Hero, Cracking Screen Story Structure, The Art Of Film Acting, Novel Writing 1 & 2, Budgeting & Scheduling Your Film, The Spec Script, Creating Your Own Reality Show, The Director & The Script, Writing The Query Letter, Building A Screenwriting Career,  Building A Novel Writing Career, Social Media Marketing & Crowd Funding, Entertainment Law Crash Course For Writers, Distributing & Profiting From Your Film, The Hidden Tools Of Comedy, Scifi-supernatural-horror Class, Story For Journalism And Tv News, The Glory Of Story (spiritual), Writing Sideways And Adapting It For The Stage, Organic Storytelling and The Writer’s Room.

Registration for Story Expo is now open and tickets are expected to sell out quickly at $249.  Rooms at the Westin Hotel LAX (our venue) are $109/night. For more information visithttp://www.StoryExpo.com or call 800-814-0544

###

Event Planning by Merryl Brown Events

Merryl Brown Events is an award-winning event design and production company, specializing in elegant corporate events, social events and weddings. We have a broad range of experience designing and producing corporate events, social events, weddings, grand openings, and non-profit events.

Whether you're planning an intimate gathering for 10 or a celebration for 500, Merryl Brown Events will create an unforgettable experience for you and your guests. Personal service, attention to detail and creative design are the trademarks that we bring to every event.

Merryl Brown Events works extensively with nationally recognized experts, ensuring that only the most proven professionals take part in creating your event. We have produced events in a wide variety of venues and are experts at transforming unexpected spaces into masterpieces of design. We have been recognized nationally and internationally for excellence as event planners, wedding planners and corporate event planners, receiving top awards from the esteemed International Special Events Society, the Association for Women in Communications, Event Solutions, BizBash, and the National Association of Women Business Owners, among others. Our experience and professionalism is reflected in our ability to listen to our clients' needs and to translate them into events that are both exquisite and flawlessly produced.

You dream big. We make it happen. We will work with your vision and your budget and provide you with the best of our creativity, professional expertise, outstanding organizational abilities, and deep knowledge of resources and contacts. Understated or over-the-top, formal and extravagant or fun and laid-back—you decide, and we will bring it to life.

When you're ready for exceptional and creative event planning, wedding planning or corporate event planning, contact Merryl Brown Events.