The writer does a nice job of describing the uniqueness of El Dorado's wineries. Every one is different, yet all are welcoming. I've enjoyed unhurried, uncrowded tours to several wineries talking with winemakers and picnicking along the way. It's so great to have the wine country so close and accessible.

Awesome wines, good education and great people. And that includes the winemakers as well as the folks I met along the way in the cellars.

I had breakfast at Zachary Jacques this morning: Cinnamon Brioche French Toast. It was divine! I think it would hold me through a little wine tasting. :-)

Yes - this IS what wine tasting is all about! Folks like these are making some great wines, and they love to share it. Just an hour from Sac, you can be talking with them and enjoying gold medal winners. Bring out the Barrel is such a fun way to explore their cellars.

All of the "Crashers" are fun programs. How cool that they come from the Idea Factory, a company of really talented, nice people right here in good ol' Sac.

Great concert, fantastic fundraiser for kids' charities. Thanks to all the people and business in our communities who have such a good 'heart" for kids in need!

Great music, good causes, nice weather. It's going to be a fun concert!

My friends and I love El Dorado! Bring out the Barrel is such a fun way to get to talk with the winemakers in their cellars. They're all so friendly. I've learned a lot about wine by barrel tasting. You can compare what's in the barrel with bottle samples of the same wines from different vintages.

Long live jazz, swing, zydeco, blues, and dixieland! Bring 'em all on at the festival.

Journey still rocks -- first time I saw them was in '77 at Memorial Auditorium -- and they really energized this multi-generational crowd. These guys embraced the Walk 'n Rock fundraiser, saying, "This crowd says something about the spirit of Sacramento." So true. The day's 5 K walk, concert and the support of the local community funneled $750,000 to local kids' charities. Kudos to everyone at Hope Productions Foundation for making it all happen.

Thanks, David, for honoring the many former Bee staffers here and on your Midtown Grid blog. Their talents and insights will be missed by this community.