WOW! What a day! We're filming a show featuring the Classic Wine Auction, the largest single day/night fundraiser for Portland at the Convention Center this Saturday. Last year, they raised $3.3 million at the event! So....we're doing a "behind the scenes" of what it takes to put such an event on, and featuring several entities involved in the charitable party. Today, we took a stretch limo, courtesy of Lucky Limousine, to the #1 Pinot Noir winery in Oregon (in the world for that matter), Domaine Serene, located just outside of Dundee. We met the owner, Grace Evenstad, a lovely and very sophisticated lady, and she told us the story of how it all came about and that her passion and focus has always been to make the best Pinot Noir in the world. Mission accomplished, Grace!

We were with one of the Co-executive Chefs for the event, David Machado, owner of two very hip and trendy Portland restaurants -- Lauro Kitchen in SE (2006 Restaurant of the Year) and Vindalho, also in SE Portland (named one of America's Best Restaurants by Gourmet Magazine)>What a fun and cool guy. His buddy Jesus Cibrian is coming up from Phoenix to assist him and I'm 100% certain these two gents will pull this years celebration off without a hitch. I can't say the same for last year's event, which the CWA people recognize, which is the reason they're bringing in the heavy hitters this year. David and my crew and I took the limo from Domaine Serene to a magical chocolate shop just off of NW Burnside and 16th, SAHAGUN, pronounced "sawgoon." The two beautiful ladies running this small business had us guys salivating for their chocolates. They will be doing the dessert portion of the menu Saturday night.

Time to pack for another trip to Hawaii, this time to film on the Big Island or as they prefer it to be called in the show - the Island of Hawaii. I've never had to fill out more liability waivers and contracts, though I'm sure it will be worth it. Our flight leaves at 7am Monday morning and we get into Kona around noon their time, 3pm our time. We start filming right away. In fact (go figure) one of the first things we're filming is the Kona Brewery, which has a tight Oregon connection. They are one of the most successful micro breweries around and Widmer Bros. brews their beer on the mainland, right here in Portland. Nothing better than starting our trip off with a nice, cold beer (much like our day started off today, with a nice Pinot Noir at 10:30am!!). No we don't drink all the time and no we didn't drink all day, so just settle down!

I've been taping LOST and it's time to catch up, just wanted to drop in with a quick blog blast to say all is well in our world. How's it in yours? "How's it" is what they say in Hawaii and I......like......it!

Make good memories, along with us at PDXposed!

Jon