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FOOD - DRINK - FUN

Mountain View News Saturday, May 3, 2025


THE TASTING ROOM


CHARDONNAY. CLEAN. BRIGHT. 
ORGANIC.

I’m Gustavo Lira, Tasting Room Manager and Wine 
Buyer at The Bottle Shop in Sierra Madre with another 
wine and spirits selection. 

This week’s wine is a fantastic Chardonnay from the 
Santa Cruz Mountains that’s expressive, clean, bright, 
balanced, and just what Chardonnay should be. If you’re 
tired of the over buttery, over-oaked Chardonnay that is 
prevalent in grocery stores, then this is the Chardonnay 
for you.

Alfaro Family Vineyards & Winery was 
founded in 1997 by Richard Alfaro and his 
wife Mary Kay. They produce premium 
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Syrah, and 
Gruner Veltliner. The 2021 Alfaro Family 
Chardonnay, Trout Gulch Vineyard is 
exquisite. It comes from the Trout Gulch 
Vineyard that is Organic and dry farmed. 
The vineyard is near the town of Aptos and is 
less than 4 miles from the ocean. The cooling 
influence from Monterey Bay is crucial to 
producing this outstanding Chardonnay.

This wine delivers lively citrus notes, wild 
herbs, river rock, and balanced acidity. It is an 
elegant wine with a very long finish exhibiting 
minerality and earthiness. This Chardonnay 
is not oaky and it’s not buttery. It’s what Chardonnay should be. Refreshing, yet rich. Balanced, 
clean, and bright. It’s a wine you want to share with friends, but deep down inside, you want it all 
to yourself!

The 2021 Alfaro Family Chardonnay, Trout Gulch Vineyard 
is available at The Bottle Shop for $29.99. Say you saw it in 
the Mountain Views News and get the MVN special price of 
$27.00. The special price is good through May 9th. 

Please keep in mind all those who have suffered and are trying 
to rebuild from the Eaton Fire. Visit DenaMadreStrong.com 
to learn how you can continue to help those impacted by the 
Eaton Fire. 

Until next time – Salud!

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NO LAKERS? NOW WHAT?

The Lakers are out. Just like that. A first-round exit and the city exhales — or groans, 
depending on which side of the 110 you live on.

And now a question hangs in the air thicker than stadium nacho cheese:

What do the sports bars do when there's no big game to watch?

My friend and Sierra Madre resident Manny Almeida put it plainly: "So... what does The 
Boat do now?" Good question.

The Boat, tucked in San Gabriel, has long been one of my favorite places to catch a game. 
It’s not just TVs and beer — it's where you lean in, argue about fouls, and split a plate of 
wings with a guy you just met. But with the Lakers done early, the parking lot isn't as full, 
the volume not as loud.

Over in South Pasadena, The Canoe House isn’t quite a sports bar — more of a neighborhood 
escape. David, the owner and my longtime friend, tells me people still come for the 
Mai Tais and tacos, but he notices the energy shift. "We pivot," he says. "More focus on 
the bar, maybe extnd happy hour nights, maybe the Dodgers.”

Then there's Rocco’s Tavern on Green Street. A true sports bar. Big screens, louder regulars, 
and some of the best pizza in Pasadena. Rocco’s knows what to do when a local team 
goes down: serve better food, pour colder drinks, and talk up the next thing — right 
now, that’s just the Clippers, the Kings are done too, so it's the Clippers keeping hope 
flickering.

The truth is, these bars don’t close up when the buzzer sounds. They adapt. They get creative. 
They remind us that sometimes the game is just an excuse — the real draw is the 
company and what’s on the plate.

I’m reminded of something my dad used to say — and he knew a little about restaurants:

"If you're only good when there's a crowd, you're not that good."

So yes, the Lakers are out. But in L.A., the game is never really over.

Not when the pizza’s hot, the Clippers are still alive, and there’s always someone at the 
bar wondering, "What are we watching tonight?" Well There is always the Peter Dills 
podcast !!


Sierra Madre Playhouse Presents

SAXOPHONIST ALEX JOHNSON IN A SIZZLING

TRIBUTE TO ART BLAKEY + THE JAZZ MESSENGERS

 

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2025, 8:00 PM, AT SIERRA MADRE PLAYHOUSE

 

Saxophonist Alex Johnson and his all-star sextet deliver a fiery tribute to jazz and hard bop icon 
Art Blakey and his famed Jazz Messengers on Friday, May 16, 2025, 8:00 pm, at Sierra Madre 
Playhouse. In addition to Johnson, this program of soulful, high-intensity jazz features Nolan 
Shaheed, trumpet; Lemar Guillary, trombone; Otmaro Ruiz, piano; Jeff Littleton, bass; and Marvin 
“Smitty” Smith, drums.

 

Blakey is considered one of jazz’s most groundbreaking innovators. His drumming was the 
heartbeat of jazz, propelling generations of musicians to new creative heights. His influence lives 
on in this stellar lineup, featuring some of today’s most exceptional jazz artists. From blistering 
horn lines to deep, groove-driven rhythms, Johnson and his group channel the passion, improvisation, 
and swing that made Blakey a legend.

 

For tickets ($12-$35) and information, please call 626.355.4318 or visit www.sierramadreplayhouse.
org. Sierra Madre Playhouse is located at 87 West Sierra Madre Boulevard, Sierra Madre, 
CA 91024.

ALL THINGS 

By Jeff Brown 


THERE IS A RIVER: 

 THE STORY OF EDGAR CAYCE 

by Thomas Sugrue

This is a worldwide bestseller on the life of the famed 
medical clairvoyant and founding father of the New 
Age: Edgar Cayce.

Edgar Cayce (1877-1945) is known to millions today as 
the grandfather of the New Age. A medical clairvoyant, 
psychic, and Christian mystic, Cayce provided medical, 
psychological, and spiritual advice to thousands of people 
who swore by the effectiveness of his trance-based 
readings.

But Cayce was not always a household name. When a 
young, skeptical journalist named Thomas Sugrue first met Cayce in 1927 the world had 
not yet heard of the "sleeping prophet.” During years of unique access, Sugrue completed his 
landmark biography, which on its publication in 1942 brought national attention to Cayce 
and stands as the sole record written during the seer’s lifetime.

Reviewers have described it as "a moving story of faith, courage, and genuine care for humanity" 
and "an irreplaceable record of Cayce’s development as a spiritual messenger.

Key aspects of Edgar Cayce's influence:

Holistic Health: 

Cayce's readings emphasized the interconnectedness of the mind, body, and spirit, advocating 
for natural remedies and holistic healing approaches. He is considered a pioneer in the field 
of holistic medicine. 

Alternative Spirituality: 

Cayce's work introduced concepts like reincarnation, karma, and the Akashic records to 
Western audiences, which became central to the New Age movement. 

New Age Movement: 

His teachings on universal consciousness, the Christ consciousness, and ancient civilizations 
like Atlantis aligned with the New Age's syncretic approach to spirituality. 

Prophecy and Ancient Mysteries: 

Cayce's readings delved into topics like ancient civilizations, prophecy, and psychic development, 
further influencing the New Age movement. 

Impact on individuals: 

Cayce's readings offered practical help and advice to people across various walks of life, providing 
guidance on health, life purpose, and spiritual growth. 

Legacy: 

His teachings continue to inspire individuals and organizations, promoting spiritual awareness 
and a broader perspective on life.


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com