AMANDA IS COMING HOME!

News Flash from Perugia, October 3, 2011 1:15 p.m.

THANK GOD AMANDA KNOX AND RAFAELLO ARE FREE AT LAST!

Thank you to the judges and jury members who were willing to see justice done despite pressure to save face for the Italian legal system, and the angry voices of the family of he dead girl and the prosecutor who made up an insane story involving acult behavior to convict them in the first place. I wish the Holy Father would excommunicate this prosecutor; he does not represent any Catholics I know. Perhaps the President of Italy would have him put in a mental hospital to get the help he so obviously needs.

I appreciate all of you who were praying with me. I knew from the beginning that they were innocent and had been framed. God Bless their families who have been through so much, and the Italian lawyers who helped make justice happen in Perugia.

"All a woman needs is young men and chocolate" Georgia O'Keefe, American Artist

Letter from the Publisher
October 2011

Dear Life Bites News Readers,

October brings Octoberfest with all the wonderful food and fun. Check with Airberlin to see what flights they have going to Octoberfest destinations to enjoy authentically great beer, German food and music.The change of weather also brings new recipes to our table, and new travel ideas for family vacations. Check the travel section for a few new ideas for the upcoming holidays. BookBites features the newly released book of Jane Fonda, as well as a collection of other you may want to pick up. The Wolfgang Puck-Barbara Lazaroff team have pulled the plug on the Food & Wine Festival at Universal Studios. The Fund for Santa Barbara "Bread & Roses" dinner and auction was a sell out and a great time was had by all overlooking the ocean at the QAD.

Our Chef/Hotel profile is all about Embassy Suites Mandalay Bay in nearby Oxnard, California and Capistrano's Restaurant; an ideal family destination. Our Spa Baby feature will tempt you to drive up the coast to Santa Barbara for a pampering to remember, and we are rapidly approaching the Santa Barbara International Film Festival where Kirk Douglas will honor his son Michael with his namesake award at the Four Seasons Biltmore Santa Barbara on October 5th. Read the news on TasteTV and  LA Luxury Chocolate Salon winners in Pasadena in Epicurean Events section.

Getting ready for ski adventures is nearly here and Switzerland, Germany, France and Italy are all waiting for you. Special rates are being offered by British Airways, Alitalia, and Swiss Air. The Sking season is also perculating here in the US. I'm certain Colorado, Utah and Calfornia will attract families nearby who are looking for fun within a budget, and many of these resorts have great kid freindly packages. For a taste of Provence without leaving California you will enjoy my visit with Diedier Poirier owner/chef at 71 Palm Restaurant in Ventura, California.

Our wine and cocktail section features a wine tasting trip around the Channel Islands Harbor on the Scarlett Belle with the 3 O's, wineries of Oxnard and La Dolce Vita Restaurante. We have also included some fun Halloween inspirations. The Emmy Awards offered some exciting surprises. How about that "Mildred Pierce" walking with all thos little goldies. 

We hope your October is memorable, filled with the warm colors of fall, and the good things in life. We hope you are continuing to enjoy our monthly offering on travel, food, and lifestyle, and we welcome you to contact us with any advertising or editorial questions

Cordially,

Bonnie Carroll
Publisher/Editor

HALLOWEEN RECIPE FROM CHEF KRISTINA VANNI