Cocktails at Comstock Saloon

Courtesy of Liquor.com

There are few brands more beloved by bartenders right now than Campari, a sophisticated spirit that’s indispensable for classics like the enduringly popular Negroni and Americano. Both appetite-stimulating tipples are mainstays of the pre-dinner aperitivo hour in Italy.

So join us on Tuesday, August 16, for a Campari cocktail party hosted by expert bartender and Liquor.com advisor Jacques Bezuidenhout, who has worked at some of San Francisco’s best establishments. The two-hour event, held at old-timey mixology hotspot Comstock Saloon (co-owned by Jeff Hollinger and Jonny Raglin from the acclaimed Absinthe Brasserie & Bar), will introduce you to this fine European tradition. Bezuidenhout will also show you how to make a range of delicious classic and modern drinks, so you can host your own aperitivo hour.

You’ll pair the tasty beverages with gourmet hors d’oeuvres, including artisanal cheeses and cured meats.

Time is running out, so buy your ticket now.

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How People Feel About Birthday Wishes on Facebook

Why some people don’t want birthday greetings on Facebook

August 12, 2011|By Meagan Choi, Special to CNN
Some people say Facebook birthday messages are pale substitutes for more meaningful interactions.

For most people, logging into Facebook on your birthday means feeling like the most popular person in the world. Notifications flood your inbox, new wall posts appear with each page refresh and everyone seems to “like” anything you say.

But there’s another group of users who have little use for Facebook birthday celebrations. Some feel overwhelmed by the repetitive flood of “Happy Birthday!” wishes (do I have to answer every one?), while others say the greetings feel perfunctory.

A few, such as H. Chung So, even wish they could avoid Facebook birthdays altogether.

So, 29, switches his birth date on his Facebook profile as often as some people change their relationship status — simply to avoid receiving the inevitable wave of birthday posts.

The Arcadia, California, man’s birthday is July 14, but at the beginning of each year, he moves it to an arbitrary date in October. After his actual birthday rolls around, So moves it back to April. Thus, he always remains out of range of the Facebook birthday notification system.

Back when there were far fewer than 750 million users of Facebook, getting a birthday greeting was more of a novelty. So, who says he’s a private person, has never enjoyed the hoopla surrounding his birthday. And as more and more Facebook notifications crowded his wall each year, it all became too much.

“The quality of birthday well-wishes means way more to me than the quantity of them, which typically happens on Facebook,” he said. “Birthday wishes are very well-meaning. But if you get flooded with them, it just dilutes the impact.”

Luke O’Neil of Waterford, Massachusetts, doesn’t mind being buried with online birthday greetings. But he thinks Facebook, with its popularity-contest dynamics, encourages some people to send birthday wishes for the sake of electronic appearances — not out of sincerity.

“We just want to be seen at these virtual parties,” said O’Neil, 34. “It’s like stopping (at a party) and saying, ‘I just wanted to say, happy birthday,’ but it takes much less effort.”

Though O’Neil says he gets “annoyed” at birthday messages from near-strangers, he admits there’s still a sort of gratification at being recognized. “I couldn’t help but think, ‘The only thing worse than this would be if no one had said anything.’ ”

Spreading birthday wishes on the social-networking site has become an automatic impulse for many users, said Jackie Cohen, editor of AllFacebook.com. Cohen posts at least one birthday message a day, she said.

Stuff and Things

Another Reason To Love Becks

As if you really needed another reason to love him…

Stuff and Things ,

Raiders vs 49ers Tickets!

The 49ers host the Raiders next Saturday, August 20th at Candlestick Park.  Right now you can get upper reserved seats for $39!  Click here to get tickets now!

Social Events

Vodka Cocktail Class

The Event provided courtesy of Liquor.com

San Francisco is surrounded by some of the country’s most fertile farmland, which at this time of year boasts a bonanza of deliciously ripe produce.

To help you make use of this bumper crop, we got the talented David Ruiz, who has worked at some of the Bay Area’s top bars and is Stolichnaya Vodka’s brand diplomat, to teach a truly hands-on cocktail class.

Join us August 20 at the Castro’s elegant new watering hole, Churchill, to learn how to make four different seasonal flavored-vodka cocktails, including a fresh-berry concoction and a basil-lime-and-chipotle refresher. But be ready to roll up your sleeves, since you’ll get your own fully stocked bar station and, with Ruiz’s expert guidance, you’ll soon be shaking, stirring and muddling like a pro.

Buy your tickets now before the harvest is over.

Social Events ,

$25 for 6 Drinks at Double Dutch

For $25, you can get any 3 cocktails of your choice and 3 bartender’s choice shots at Double Dutch in the Mission.  Wait that’s not all!  You also get a private breakdancing lesson anytime at Twinspace Continuum! Click here to get this deal now before it’s sold out!

Social Events

Sade and John Legend Tickets Half Off!

Sade and John Legend are coming to Oakland’s Oracle Arena on Friday, August 26th and there is still time to get tickets!  Right now you can get upper level/upper lever front row tickets for $46 or Main Floor Seats for $84.  Click here to get your tickets before they sell out!

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Travelzoo’s Top 20 Travel Deals

Here are some great travel deals for the week.  Always feel free to email me if you are interested in booking any of these deals at Barbara@wrighttravelagency.com

$1099 -- Tuscany: Luxury Vineyard Estate Vacation w/Car, Air
http://www.travelzoo.com/top20/59681320-1080811/
Source: Sceptre Tours

$349 -- Mediterranean 6-Night Royal Caribbean Cruise
http://www.travelzoo.com/top20/59681320-1080544/
Source: Travelocity Cruises

$99 -- Glamorous New Orleans Escape w/Cocktails (Reg. $254)
http://www.travelzoo.com/top20/59681320-1079744/
Source: International House Hotel

$529 -- Cabo 4-Night All-Inclusive Trip from San Francisco
http://www.travelzoo.com/top20/59681320-1080659/
Source: CheapCaribbean.com

$139 -- California: Monterey Bay 4-Star Hotel w/Breakfast
http://www.travelzoo.com/top20/59681320-1080514/
Source: Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay

$35 -- Winery Experience for 2 at White House Fave, Reg. $80
http://www.travelzoo.com/top20/59681320-1079310/
Source: Iron Horse Vineyards

$109 -- San Francisco to Chicago Nonstop (each way)
http://www.travelzoo.com/top20/59681320-1080776/
Source: Major Airlines on Fly.com

$1699 -- Balcony: Luxury 10-Night Transatlantic Cruise w/Air
http://www.travelzoo.com/top20/59681320-1080642/
Source: CruCon Cruise Outlet

$269 -- Maui Oceanfront 4-Star Resort thru Fall (Reg. $329)
http://www.travelzoo.com/top20/59681320-1078904/
Source: Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas

$89 -- Panama City Beach Condo through October, Save 40%
http://www.travelzoo.com/top20/59681320-1080002/
Source: Shores of Panama by Oaseas Resorts

$22 & up -- Labor Day Weekend Fare Sales (each way)
http://www.travelzoo.com/top20/59681320-1080993/
Source: Major Airlines

$89 -- SoCal Hotel near Disneyland w/Breakfast (Reg. $189)
http://www.travelzoo.com/top20/59681320-1074859/
Source: Crowne Plaza Anaheim Resort

$100 -- Thailand 5-Star Beach Resort w/Massages, Meals for 2
http://www.travelzoo.com/top20/59681320-1081507/
Source: JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa

$189 -- NYC: Weekends at 4-Star Times Square Hotel, 40% Off
http://www.travelzoo.com/top20/59681320-1080561/
Source: Hotel Mela

$1999 -- Prague & Vienna 10-Night Luxe Package incl. Cruise
http://www.travelzoo.com/top20/59681320-1080339/
Source: Gate 1 Travel

$149 -- San Diego 4-Star Hotel incl. Weekends (Reg. $249)
http://www.travelzoo.com/top20/59681320-1079824/
Source: Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa

$799 -- Panama 6-Night Beach & Rainforest Trip w/Meals & Air
http://www.travelzoo.com/top20/59681320-1080785/
Source: TravelbyJen.com

$53 -- Orlando 1-Bedroom Villa near Disney, 75% Off
http://www.travelzoo.com/top20/59681320-1079766/
Source: CondoDirect.com

$749 -- Riviera Maya All-Incl. Weeklong Vacation, Save $875
http://www.travelzoo.com/top20/59681320-1079881/
Source: Apple Vacations

$79 & up -- National Park Hotel Deals in Fall, up to 65% Off
http://www.travelzoo.com/top20/59681320-1079854/
Source: Multiple Travel Companies
Travel

Endless Mimosas or Margaritas!

Get weekend brunch and bottomless mimosas or margaritas at Eastside West in the Marina for $15.  You can use it on a Saturday or Sunday. Brunch items include “Revenge of the Hangover,” a three-egg omelet with cheddar, pulled pork, bacon, and sausage; “The Big Easy Bread Pudding,” french toast in vanilla egg custard baked with maple bacon butter; “The Iron Maiden,” grilled Angus tri-tip over caramelized onions, herbs, tomatoes, and chorizo; and many others!  Get this deal now before it expires!

Food, Social Events ,

Get A Pic With the World Series Trophy!

If you are at Outside Lands this weekend, you can get your picture taken with the World Series trophy!  Just swing by the StubHub tent on Saturday between 3-6pm and Sunday between 12-4pm.  If you haven’t gotten tickets yet, you still can here.

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