Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, December 10, 2022

Mountain View News Saturday, September 10, 20228 Mountain View News Saturday, September 10, 20228 
Peter Dills Knows 
Happy Holidays and Merry ChristmasPeter “St. Nick” Dills 

Originally dubbed “the devils wine” because the bubbles tended to 
explode in the thin bottles, champagne has long been the choice 
(well, my choice) to celebrate special occasions for as long as I can 
remember. January 1st is National Champagne Day, and for good 
reason -more bubbles will be served from December 24th to January 
1st than any other time of the year. Remembering that only 
grapes from the region of Champagne, France can be so-titled, 
our last review for the year celebrates bubbles from Champagne: 
Mumm Cordon Rouge Brut. This is a non-vintage winner - just 
like many blends I have written about from California, some of the 
best champagnes I’ve had are non-vintage. The wine maker has access 
to over 500 acres of grapes, and the Reims area of Champagne 
produces great juice year after year. The Mumm name is rivaled 
only by the House of Moet for champagne dominance. Though 
you might see me at the local market picking up a bottle of Veuve 
Cliquot, for $10 less I can hardly notice the difference. 


Of course, this is not a beverage I would recommend drinking on a regular basis, but for a very 
lasting memory of a great occasion, this champagne will surely create it! Many of you expressed the 
need for me to keep the prices down in this article - trust me I hear you loud and clear - but for a celebration 
I do like this champagne. The Cordon Rouge has a wonderful depth of flavor, though some 
say a little too sweet (I disagree). If stored properly and chilled to the right temperature you will 
enjoy this immensely. Save the strawberries and cherries for the prosecco, this is real champagne. 
Champagne goes also very well with fried food (the bubbles cut through the oils of the food) and 
will also compliment a nice bowl of salty popcorn. Yes, I said popcorn. One last tip for the holidays, 
your sparkling wine or champagne will not keep overnight, so once it’s opened at the restaurant or 
your home plan on sharing with a friend to finish it.
Closure: Corked 

Dills Score 
Each week I will give you my Dills Score. Starting with a base of 50 points, I have added 8 points for 
color, 7 points for aroma or “nose”, 9 points for taste, 8 points for finish, and 9 points for my overall 
impression, which includes my value rating. 

Total Score 91, retail ¬¬¬$44 on Sale, around $34 at most area Vons 

Tune into Dining w/Dills Sunday 5PM KLAA AM 830 RadioFind my food blog www.peterdills.com 

GIVE BLOOD OR PLATELETS WITH RED CROSS 
AHEAD OF HECTIC HOLIDAY WEEKS 

$10 Amazon.com Gift Card or T-

shirt for donors this month 

[Los Angeles, Dec. 7, 2022] — As more people 
make travel plans to celebrate with family and 
friends this year, the American Red Cross asks 
donors to set aside a time to give blood or platelets 
for patients waiting for care over the holidays. 

Throughout the season, several factors can disrupt 
the ability of the Red Cross to collect enough 
blood for patients across the country. 

• Travel: According to a recent study, nearly 
half of Americans plan to travel over the holidays 
this year, which may negatively impact the blood 
supply if fewer people come out to donate. 
• Seasonal illness: The U.S. is seeing a rise 
in respiratory illnesses like the flu and RSV, which 
can decrease the availability of healthy donors. 
• Weather: Parts of the country have already 
seen storms bring several feet of snow this 
year. Winter weather often leads to hazardous 
road conditions, canceling blood drives and making 
it dangerous for donors to venture out to give. 
It’s important for donors − especially type O 
blood donors and platelet donors − to give now 
to ensure hospitals have the blood they need 
through the end of the year. Schedule an appointment 
by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, 
visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED 
CROSS (1-800-733-2767). 
As a thank-you, all who come to give blood 
through Dec. 15 will receive a $10 Amazon.com 
Gift Card by email, thanks to Amazon.* Those 
who come to give Dec. 16-Jan. 2 will get a long-
sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last. 

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Dec. 
7-31 
ARCADIA 

12/12/2022: 1 p.m. -7 p.m., American Red Cross 
Arcadia Chapter, 376 W Huntington Dr. 
12/13/2022: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Arcadia Woman's 
Club, 324 S 1st Ave. 
12/19/2022: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., The Shops at 
Santa Anita, 400 S Baldwin Ave. 
12/20/2022: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., USC Arcadia Hospital, 
300 West Huntington Dr. 

DUARTE 

12/9/2022: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Royal Oaks STEAM 
Academy, 2499 Royal Oaks Dr. 

MONROVIA 

12/14/2022: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Living Spaces, 407 W 
Huntington Dr. 

PASADENA 

12/7/2022: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Pasadena Blood 
Donation Center, 2471 E. Walnut St, Suite 103 
12/8/2022: 10:45 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., Pasadena Blood 
Donation Center, 2471 E. Walnut St, Suite 103 
12/9/2022: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Pasadena Blood 
Donation Center, 2471 E. Walnut St, Suite 103 
12/10/2022: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Pasadena Blood 
Donation Center, 2471 E. Walnut St, Suite 103 
12/11/2022: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Pasadena Blood 
Donation Center, 2471 E. Walnut St, Suite 103 
12/12/2022: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Pasadena Blood 
Donation Center, 2471 E. Walnut St, Suite 103 
12/13/2022: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., All Saints Episcopal 
Church, 132 N Euclid Ave 
12/13/2022: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Pasadena Blood 
Donation Center, 2471 E. Walnut St, Suite 103 
12/14/2022: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., First United Methodist 
Church, 500 E Colorado blvd 
12/14/2022: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Pasadena Blood 
Donation Center, 2471 E. Walnut St, Suite 103 
12/15/2022: 10:45 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., Pasadena Blood 
Donation Center, 2471 E. Walnut St, Suite 103 
12/16/2022: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Pasadena Blood 
Donation Center, 2471 E. Walnut St, Suite 103 
12/17/2022: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Pasadena Blood 
Donation Center, 2471 E. Walnut St, Suite 103 
12/18/2022: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Pasadena Blood 
Donation Center, 2471 E. Walnut St, Suite 103 

12/19/2022: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Pasadena Blood 
Donation Center, 2471 E. Walnut St, Suite 103 
12/20/2022: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Pasadena Blood 
Donation Center, 2471 E. Walnut St, Suite 103 
12/21/2022: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Pasadena Blood 
Donation Center, 2471 E. Walnut St, Suite 103 
12/22/2022: 10:45 a.m. -5:45 p.m., Pasadena Blood 
Donation Center, 2471 E. Walnut St, Suite 103 
12/23/2022: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Pasadena Blood 
Donation Center, 2471 E. Walnut St, Suite 103 
12/24/2022: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Pasadena Blood 
Donation Center, 2471 E. Walnut St, Suite 103 
12/26/2022: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Pasadena Blood 
Donation Center, 2471 E. Walnut St, Suite 103 
12/27/2022: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Pasadena Blood 
Donation Center, 2471 E. Walnut St, Suite 103 
12/28/2022: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Pasadena Blood 
Donation Center, 2471 E. Walnut St, Suite 103 
12/29/2022: 10:45 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., Pasadena Blood 
Donation Center, 2471 E. Walnut St, Suite 103 
12/30/2022: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Pasadena Blood 
Donation Center, 2471 E. Walnut St, Suite 103 
12/31/2022: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Pasadena Blood 
Donation Center, 2471 E. Walnut St, Suite 103 

SIERRA MADRE 

12/21/2022: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., The Episcopal 
Church of the Ascension, 25 E Laurel Ave. 

SOUTH PASADENA 

12/7/2022: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., South Pasadena Public 
Library, 1115 El Centro St. 
12/21/2022: 12 p.m. -6 p.m., South Pasadena Public 
Library, 1115 El Centro St/ 

HOW TO DONATE BLOOD 

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood 
Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800RED 
CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood 
Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an 
appointment or for more information. All blood 
types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for 
patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or 
two other forms of identification are required at 
check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in 
most states (16 with parental consent where allowed 
by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and 
are in generally good health may be eligible to 
donate blood. High school students and other donors 
18 years of age and younger also have to meet 
certain height and weight requirements. 
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their 
next donation by using RapidPass® to complete 
their pre-donation reading and health history 
questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, 
before arriving at the blood drive. To get 
started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.
org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App. 

AMPLIFY YOUR IMPACT − VOLUNTEER! 

Another way to support the lifesaving mission of 
the Red Cross is to become a volunteer blood donor 
ambassador at Red Cross blood drives. Blood 
donor ambassadors help greet, check-in and 
thank blood donors to ensure they have a positive 
donation experience.
Volunteers can also serve as transportation specialists, 
playing a vital role in ensuring lifesaving 
blood products are delivered to nearby hospitals. 
For more information and to apply for either position 
visit redcross.org/volunteertoday. 

About the American Red Cross: 

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides 
comfort to victims of disasters; supplies 
about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that 
save lives; distributes international humanitarian 
aid; and supports veterans, military members and 
their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization 
that depends on volunteers and the generosity 
of the American public to deliver its mission. 
For more information, please visit redcross. 
org/la or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on 
Twitter at @RedCrossLA 

TRUE HOLIDAY SPIRIT 

By Bryan Golden 

Among other things, the holidays are a time of giving and receiving gifts. The question 
most often asked of people is, "what did you get?" Much less frequently asked is, "what 
did you give?" Invariably, the inquiries concern material gifts. Purchasing a gift can 
certainly be thoughtful and a wonderful gesture, especially when it's backed up by your 
actions. 

However, the most valuable presents are those that aren't sold in stores. When you give 
your love, your time, help someone in need, aid another in solving a problem or overcoming 
an obstacle, you give something priceless. 

The true spirit of the holidays is giving. When you give, you receive. You can get anything 
in life you want by helping enough others get what they want. But only if you give 
without expecting anything in return. The impact of giving isn't limited to just the holiday 
season, it's something that has value all year. 

The power of giving is often underestimated. When you give unconditionally, you don't 
just impact the recipient; you start a chain reaction. By brightening the life of one person 
you also affect all those who they then touch. 

No gesture of giving or kindness is too small. Holding the door open at a store, helping 
someone carry groceries to their car, letting another car in front of you, saying please 
and thank you, and saying hello to a stranger you pass on the sidewalk, are some of the 
many things you can do daily. 

For family and friends, your time is one of the most precious gifts you can offer. Are you 
there for others when they need you? Do you offer a hand without being asked? Do you 
help out when asked? 

Too often, people get caught up in their own desires, thus losing sight of the needs of 
others. A person who tries to get through life by looking out for himself or herself first 
is invariably frustrated. Often this person views life as a competition to determine who 
can accumulate more. 

On the other hand, those who are concerned for the wellbeing of others are happier, 
more content, and more satisfied. By giving without expecting, they in turn receive the 
things they need. 

Giving is a simple concept that works every time it is applied. There will be people who 
don't appreciate what you do, but it doesn't matter. You are giving without anticipating 
anything in return. Besides, there will be many more who are thankful for your efforts. 

If you don't treat others well, buying a gift won't compensate for your behavior. The 
recipient might like what you give them but it won't make up for your actions. You can't 
bribe someone to forgive the way you treat them with a present. 

The best gift you can receive is the joy of making someone else happy. Being unselfish is 
a wonderful way to live. When you give with no ulterior motives, your actions are seen 
as genuine. Should you expect something in return, your behavior is always suspect. We 
all know people who do nice things only when they want something in return. 

Make giving a daily routine. Don't start and end with the holiday season. Every day is 
a good day to do something nice. When people feel good due to your actions, you can't 
help but feel happy yourself. And that is priceless. The most significant action you can 
take is having a positive impact on the lives of others. 

Bryan is the author of "Dare to Live Without Limits." Contact Bryan at Bryan@columnist.
com or visit www.DareToLiveWithoutLimits.com Copyright 2022 Bryan Golden 

Helping negotiate 
peace treaties 
for 93 years. 
612 W Las Tunas Drive, San Gabriel, CA 
(626) 284 -9444 @gh_wilkejewelry 


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