Christina Waters

At the Nick now. Go see it, if only to feast on the brooding presence of Irish actor Ciarin Hinds.

For more, read my review in the current issue of Santa Cruz Weekly.

It wasn’t enough that Sam Worthington stunk up Avatar. He’s gone and done it again, this time wearing Greek armor along with his burr cut and clenched jaw.

Against all odds, and certainly against good judgment, Worthington somehow landed the hero’s role of Perseus, in this needless remake of the 1981 Clash of the Titans. You know the story. Zeus, Hades and Poseidon are steamed up over humans’ disrespect for the gods. So they crank up their ultimate monster from hell, the Kracken, for a big dose of destructive pay-back.

Fine. So Perseus, the love child of a human mother and Zeus, the big kahuna of Olympus (long story), leads a pack of studly (more…)

My longtime friend Donna Blakemore and I sit at the wine bar in La Posta, sipping Italian white wine turning gold in the lowering sunlight. The occasion is simply to catch up with someone I see only once a year. The wine reinforces the pleasure of our reunion.

Made by Angiolino Maule from garganega and trebbiano grapes, organically-grown and aged in steel, the La Biancara “i Masieri” is crisp, dry, laden with citrus and perfume of nectarines. Splendid stuff.

Paintings by Frank Galuszka, Ray Ginghofer, Peter Loftus and Erika Perloff, among others, will be showcased at the Wind & Weather show at Davenport Gallery, through the end of the month.

The exhibition features leading specialists of plein air landscape paintings. (Shown here, Galuszka’s Cove, Davenport, 24 x 36 inches, oil on canvas.)

Don’t miss the Artist’s Reception, this Saturday, April 17 from 5-8pm.

Davenport Gallery is located at 450 Hwy 1, next door to the Davenport Roadhouse.

Every Saturday from now until the end of summer, from noon to 4pm, the beautiful hilltop Corralitos vineyards and tasting room of Jim and Judy Schultze is open for visits.

Enjoy current release estate pinot noirs,  newly released 2008 ‘One-Acre’ estate Chardonnay, and bring a picnic to enjoy at the tables and chairs under the enormous oaks, overlooking the Monterey Bay.

Also - news flash - make plans to stop by The Fish Lady Market, 2510 Main Street in Soquel, tomorrow FRIDAY April 9 from 6-8pm - and meet the Windy Oaks winemaker, taste two pinots and the coveted estate Chardonnay (three tastes for $10, or a glass for $5). Your basic fun, casual setting, complete with live music, AND the outstanding wines of Windy Oaks Estate.

Or at least a colorful table display. This is how adults in deep denial as to their actual emotional maturity adorn their dining room table during official holidays. Not all of them. But this one. Who can resist ranunculi in loud colors that exactly match the Peeps du jour? We can’t.

We didn’t.

A splendid dinner was enjoyed by us spiceheads last week at the newly re-opened Ambrosia India Bistro. Better than ever is what I thought of our multi-course dinner, which included a sumptuous Lamb Tikka Masala and an order of strange and addictive Dum Aloo – potato curry with dried apricots and mint in a cinnamon-laden sauce. Jack and I also ordered our favorite cauliflower and potato curry, Aloo Gobi, with the heat stepped up to 6/7 on a 10-pt scale. I love Ambrosia’s willingness to work with the patrons in adjusting the spiciness of dishes.

Along with our dinner partners, mathematics guru Ralph Abraham and painter Ray Gwyn Smith, we inhaled countless crispy lentil papadums and a ton of luscious garlic naan, plus excellent David Bruce Petite Sirah.

This place has fantastic, authentic Indian cuisine—go sample food that gives new meaning to the term “complex.”

Ambrosia India Bistro, 207 Searidge Rd., Aptos, 685-0610.

Rachel and Ryan Beauregard have good reason to smile. They’re in love, starting a family, get to hang out in vineyards any time they want to — and sample an endless supply of Beauregard Vineyards wines (made by Ryan).

Here they pose at the top of the 40-acres Bald Mountain vineyard managed by Ryan’s dad, Jim Beauregard.

Big Basin Vineyards Open House, Saturday, April 10, noon til 5pm

Make plans to visit one of the truly hidden gems of Santa Cruz Mountain wine country this coming Saturday, April 10, at 830 Memory Lane, Boulder Creek, from noon til 5pm.

The extended Big Basin Vineyards April Open House will feature tastings of all the currently released wines, as well as some barrel samples of upcoming vintages.

Dan Robbins will be playing music and Desiree will prepare Syrah and  Pinot-friendly foods, including bison meatballs, herb encrusted baby red and fingerling potatoes, and assorted cheeses.

Taste this amazing lineup!

2009 Aura Rosé of Syrah
2007 Bald Mountain Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains
2007 Alfaro Family Vineyard Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains
2006 Rattlesnake Rock Syrah, Santa Cruz Mountains
2007 Fairview Road Ranch Syrah, Santa Lucia Highlands
2007 Mandala Syrah, Santa Cruz Mountains
2007 Odeon Syrah/Cabernet Sauvignon
2009 Lester Family Pinot Noir (Barrel Sample)
2005 Rattlesnake Rock Syrah, Santa Cruz Mountains

and lots more! Weather permitting, enjoy a stroll in the verdant spring vineyards.

For directions, please go to: www.bigbasinvineyards.com