virtualDavis's blog

Imagine yourself in France preparing farm-fresh ingredients in a state- of-the-art, artisan-crafted kitchen. Imagine keeping company with a lively group of English-speaking people who all have in common their love of good food, wonderful wines, and good times. Imagine sitting down in the gorgeous timbered dining room of a 15th century home which looks out on the 12th century cathedral of Notre Dame to savor the dishes you have prepared. Imagine meeting people and going to places you wouldn't find on your own, all revolving around the delicious world of French cuisine. All of this happens at On Rue Tatin, Susan Herrmann Loomis' acclaimed cooking school in the heart of Normandy, just over an hour west of Paris. In her 15th century home Susan, author of eight best-selling books about food and French culture, guides small groups of cooking enthusiasts through six days of cooking, luxurious meals, wine tasting and much more. Classes at On Rue Tatin, which begin Sunday evening with a welcome feast, and end Friday late afternoon after a farewell lunch, are geared to all levels of cooking, so new cooks and those who are more experienced will all learn together. As you cook you will learn techniques, tips, and secrets so that when you return home you can easily recreate the luscious meals you will enjoy at On Rue Tatin. The general cost for a class at On Rue Tatin is E2,000, exclusive of transportation and lodging, inclusive of most meals and all trips. For more information please visit www.onruetatin.com, write directly to On Rue Tatin's U.S. office at cookingclasses@onruetatin.com, or call 415 474-9104. Class dates for 2005 are as follows: May 8-13, 2005 May 15-20, 2005 June 19-24, 2005 July 2-8, 2005 September 11-16, 2005 September 25-30, 2005 *chocolate class (supplement) October 9-14, 2005***seafood class (supplement) October 16-21, 2005****Normandy and Apples (supplement) October 30 through Nov 4, 2005****special class in conjunction with Sur La Table

One of the fascinating aspects of publishing a 'zine is the ability to "monitor the pulse" around the world. Because we track and analyze which stories, categories, pages and advertisements are being accessed at e-Margaux.com and e-Marginalia.com, we can observe the trends and fluctuations in the global travel marketplace. And lately, for around five weeks, there's been a mounting interest in great white sharks. A rapidly growing percentage of our readers are arriving at our site after searching for one of these terms: Great White Great Whites Great White Shark Great White Shark Dive Great White Shark Diving Great White Shark Fact Great White Shark Image Great White Shark Info Great White Shark Information Great White Shark Photo Great White Shark Pic Great White Shark Picture Great White Sharks Largest Great White Shark There are two reasons that it's a little surprising, the first obviously being the wonder why so many people are currently obsessed with the topic. The second reason is why so many readers are finding us. The article they are reading, Patric Douglas' "Isla Guadalupe: Mexico’s Great White Sharks", does have an amazing photo gallery, and the story is informative. But a quick search for great white sharks at Google News reveals plenty of current alternatives. So the mystery remains...

Cortes Island, BC - April 12, 2005 - Hollyhock Retreat Centre, on Cortes Island, is one of British Columbia's best kept secrets according to the Nov/Dec issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine. In an article titled, "Canada Coast to Coast," writer Barbara Peck names Hollyhock one of the "ten new places to love," and the best unheralded place to visit in British Columbia. Hollyhock, Canada's Leading Educational Retreat Centre, offers a vast array of programs, welcomes holiday guests and day visitors, and rents its facilities for conferences and private gatherings. From March until November, this unique ocean-side paradise attracts numerous holiday guests as well as program and conference participants from around the world. Guests come to develop skills, further professional networks, enliven artistic expression, deepen spiritual practice, and relax and recharge in a setting of spectacular natural beauty. Quoting Hollyhock guest Candace Batycki, "You meet people from all walks of life. Everybody's in such a relaxed and open space that it's easy to connect." This is easy to understand considering Hollyhock guests enjoy exquisite vegetarian cuisine, a wide selection of body care and massage, bioluminescent kayak trips, sailing excursions, naturalist-guided outings, morning yoga, and ocean-view hot tubs. Hollyhock "exists to inspire, nourish and support people who are making the world better." It offers something for everyone. For its North Vancouver Island neighbours, it is a fabulous place to visit for the day, to experience sumptuous meals with a breathtaking view, receive relaxing bodywork, linger in the garden, walk along the beach or hike the forest trails, to go for an afternoon kayak or even attend a one-day workshop. So spread the word, as National Geographic Traveler says, even though Hollyhock is hidden away on Cortes Island, it truly is one of the best places to visit in British Columbia.

For more information: Website: www.hollyhock.ca Email: registration@hollyhock.ca Phone: 1.800.933.6339

"The smelt are running!" It is a phrase repeated countless times each spring in Michigan. From Lake Superior to Lake Erie, the tireless pursuit of these elusive little fish is carried out each year with amazing vernal fervor.

Experts say that relatively little skill is required to catch the smelt - cousins of trout and salmon species - and the equipment is very inexpensive. In fact, using a garbage can poked with holes may be the most popular method! The trouble is, only the smelt know exactly when smelt season will begin and end. The runs come virtually without warning, anytime from mid April through early May, and typically last only a few days in a given area.