If French Fries are not French, burgers aren’t either. Proof is: you cannot find any good burgers in the country of “Savoir Vivre” et “l’Amour”.
My First Good Burger — Yumm!
Years ago — like a real long time ago — I was touring in California and took the boat from San Francisco to Sausalito… Ah, that was really nice trip by boat.
Arrived at lunch time, my nose started to thrill as I was walking on Bridgeway. This joint right on the street was grilling juicy, nice, thick – just rigth thick – patties… I ordered a burger and, since this blessed day, I test – and taste – all the possible burgers…
M&O Station Grill: A drooling shock!
After visiting new galleries, my friend Cecil Touchon - no, he’s not French either…- started to look for a place to eat. No, to have an experience rather than just feeling up our stomach. All started with the smell… Mmmmmm…. it was the prelude to wonderful time. While waiting for my order – “The California” (in memoriam) – I started to look around. And, being from France, this place gave me the feeling to be projected into a movie. Just a great Americana Diner kind of place. Event the restooms look cool! Seriously. And the chef takes time to toast your buns… and to REALLY cut potatoes to make you French Fries, or sweet potatoes. You get the point:
- the owners, Dany and Rosa Badillo, aim for quality.
Chef Danny gives every recipe the very best flavor… and looks for quality
Rosa. A Charming Latin Beauty will make your life better
Ready for a yummy California
Toasting Buns
Leonard Museum in the Restaurant
Tools sold at the store… and you still complain about your computer?
1925… a great year!
The Leonard Bros were entrepreneurs…
Dany knows the story so well… I was like a kid
Look at the place! Even in my dreams it couldn’t be that great.
Your will never forget to wash your hands anymore :)
No wonder the place started to be packed as we stepped out to enjoy our burgers on the patio. Because they also have a patio.
Why M&O?
That’s “M” for Marvin and “O” for Obie as in the Leonard brothers, well known for that Fort Worth icon, Leonard’s Department Store. The restaurant adjoins the Leonard’s Department Store Museum. Inside the restaurant a door will take you to Fort Worth History. Dany very kindly took me into the Leonard’s Museum and, like a kid, I listened to him telling the Fort Worth History. It’s from Dany that I learned Fort Worth had a metro before. Pictures are inside the museum… and the tools used at the time. Not just a lunch, but an experience beyond what we where looking for. Before Cecil and I left the place, we get a warm double chocolate brownie… just for the road
Because, I will tell you folks, when it’s good, you do not feel “full” – is that a great feeling by the way? – you are satisfied… happy… a smile on your face. Rosa and Daniel can give you this type of feeling. And, if you go there on my behalf, Rosa will tell you why the French Fries… are not French.
200 Carroll Street #110
Fort Worth – TX
(817) 882-8020
The Round Top Festival Institute is a musical institute established in 1971 by pianist James Dick in Round Top, Texas. James Dick was born on a small farm in Kansas. His father was an auto mechanic. They raised a small wheat crop and grew vegetables.
- “We were dirt poor. We didn’t think so. We didn’t realize that we were just ‘poor’ but we were. Daddy…got paid every two weeks and when I was in high school it was just dollars…twenty, thirty-two- fifty…just dollars…and yet somehow we didn’t consider ourselves poor. We still had enough money to pay $3.50 for my piano lessons. I didn’t get scholarships from my teachers.”
The house where everything started
Where we enjoy staying when I perform at Round Top Institute
While pursuing a distinguished career as a concert pianist, he began the Festival-Institute in 1971 with concerts in the Winedale performance barn. Many of the Festival’s first concerts were in tents on the property of supporters. Slowly, and with remarkable care, he and the brilliant team he has created have produced a remarkable institution with a 200 acre campus of incomparable beauty. The wooded countryside on the edge of Round Top nestles wonder after wonder. Stone bridges lead to beautifully restored Victorian homes surrounded by clever herb gardens amidst crumbling ruins. It’s dreamlike.
They also serve great food… but no French Fries that, by the way, are not French! Do you know why?
That was at the International Institute in Round Top.
This song, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana, will be on the next DVD – “Tricks and Tips on Acoustic Guitar” and the CD “Americana”.
Enjoy!
Saturday June 27th At 7:00PM Amherst County Museum and Historical Society
154 South Main Street, Amherst
The concert, like I said before took place at the Amherst County Museum. The cool thing is, every year the same people come and bring friends and family. Well, the late ones could not find a seat!
With my gorgeous friend Ruth
So it is not that bad…
People everywhere :D
Like every year Marvin was there!!!
Late people!
Guess who is coming tonite?
Folks from Ontario
Dad & son
Coming every year to the show
All smiling for the picture!
A part of the audience
A beautiful smile
My beautiful friend Ruth Andrew Ellenson came from New York to relax after the presentation of her new book “The Modern Jewish Girl’s Guide to Guilt” (http://www.guiltguide.com/editor.html). After a fun concert we left for a dinner at the Glebe and share our last travels and adventures.
Ruth Andrew Ellenson was born in Jerusalem and raised in New York and Los Angeles. She received her MFA from Columbia University and her writing has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, People, Forward, and Heeb.
Now in New York to film the next DVD and catching up with my late blogging, it is like bed time… tomorrow I will share with you the French Fries story!
This beautiful house was the property of an English Church. The bricks used to build it were first, piled up to ballast boats arriving from England and transporting English settlers. Let me tell you it took a while build this wonderful house. The glebe would be worked by peasants on a regular basis, each one most likely working the glebe instead of the demesne once or twice a month.
It’s now owned by two charismatic New Yorkers, Ned -a lawyer, and Lynn, event producers who tours around the world. They now organize concerts and are involved in the Amherst cultural life.
Ned
Lynn
Living Room
Fire Place
Glebe photo2
Front
Dinning Room
Back Porch
Calm and offering a gorgeous scenery, the Glebe is also a “Bed and Breakfast”. You will visit the African goats and a nice, lush garden. Every year I use to play there but, because of water damages, the recital has been moved to the Museum…
Friday June 26th at 7:00PM St Peter’s Episcopal Church
1010 Broad St
Altavista, VA 24517
(434) 369-5291
Dear All:
It’s the third year in a row I play in Altavista, VA. As Barb & Len moved there a lot of their friends became my buddies too and we stayed in touch since my first visit.
Altavista is a nice small community in the Lynchburg area. The houses are beautiful and I enjoy taking evening walks all around. A lot of people stop and talk, very curious about who I am, my life and after a few days I met the whole neighborhood!
I’ve just gotten back from the concert, and it couldn’t have been any better! The house was packed for the concert, but that was before an influx of late folks showed up and had to stand up the whole concert as they couldn’t find a seat. We were “filled to capacity”, standing room only.
Many of the people who had attended the “Master Classes” in Lynchburg came, as well.
We had a nice buffet and “Merlot” at the intermission, and there were ample and delicious treats for everyone.
It was my friend Jewel’s birthday and instead of playing an “encore” I knocked off followed by the whole crowd “Happy Birthday to You”. She was blushing and moved to the tears as the whole audience was singing for her.
Tyson and his son Rowen
St. Peters Church – Altavista, VA
Smile! I’m shootin’ ya ~
Say Hello to the camera :)
Neil brought her delicious brownies
From Czech Republic
Linda Ellis Williams
Late people won’t find a chair!
Karen Was There!
Jessica and Lisha
Gilles from Belgium
Eric and other kiddos
Emma and her friend
Adam Future Rockstar
A Part of the Crowd and my bud Tyson
Her family was there to be part of it!
Thank you to Linda Ellis Williams, who came to thank everyone for their support. She was well received, and, per usual, represented the “Y” graciously and well. Of course my Sweet Linda was close by and we had a great, great time!
Thank you guys, for a wonderful time; and, thank you to all who helped to make this the success it has been for the third time!
Thursday June 25th at 2:00 PM The Pink Cadillac Diner
4347 S Lee Hwy
Natural Bridge, VA 24578-3571
(540) 291-2378 www.pinkcadillacdineronline.com
Let me tell you after the walk we needed to eat something consistant. I just asked to Shania ~ who provides information on Natural Bridge trail ~ where to have a good diner close by and she indicated “The Pink Cadillac”. That is a fun place to go!
The restaurant is desing like in diner from the 50th’s and, as I stept in, it was like being in a movie! Old posters and ads cover the walls, but also old gas pump and scopitones!!! Of course I ordered a “Fabulous Elvis’ Burger” and that really rocks!
They will refuel you with great burgers!
The pink cadillac
Rock on!
Elvis, Marilyn, James Dean
A 50th’s diner place
A few pics to give you the ambiance. The French Fries were really tasty… but are still not from France. It’s super late and the day has been busy, tomorrow I got to teach a class and give a performance before leaving for Amherst where two concerts are set up!!!! Bed time… I’ll tell you later why French Fried are not French.
After the radio show, Len & Barbara picked me up and I had the good surprise to see my friend Linda. They took me to visit Natural Bridge.
The Bridge has been included in several “Seven Natural Wonders of the World” lists, mostly in the 19th and early 20th centuries.Natural Bridge and Niagara Falls were the two wonders of the new world that Europeans visited during the 18th & 19th centuries. Of the two sights, Natural Bridge, without clear explanation of its formation, was the more mysterious.
En route to Natural Bridge
Lace waterfalls
With a beautiful Monacan girl
The Lost River
Shania will provide information you need
Linda
Monacan Indian Lady
Day Lilies
Cedar Creek
A 1600 year old tree!
Traditional Monacan House
A very long time ago: Natural Bridge was formed when a cavern collapsed and left the span that stands today. A long time ago: Monacan Indian legend has it that Natural Bridge appeared just as they needed to escape from an advancing enemy. In 1750: Young George Washington surveyed the Natural Bridge site for Lord Fairfax. Landmarks remain of the work and on the wall of the bridge where he carved his initials. In 1754: Just before the American Revolution and writing of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson purchased 157 acres of land including the Natural Bridge from King George III of England for 20 shillings. It has remained privately owned. Late 1700’s: Its development as a retreat began when Jefferson built a two room log cabin – one room was reserved for guests. Early 1800’s: In 1833, Jefferson’s heirs sold the site and the new owner erected the Forest Inn to accommodate the increasing number of people. Late 1800’s: During the 1880’s Natural Bridge attained resort status under the ownership of Colonel Henry Parsons. Early 1900’s to now: Natural Bridge continues to welcome visitors from all over the world.
that has been a great day! First Brian and Mari hosted me on their morning show: The Morningline Here is a nice team of professionals!
Tina’s blue eyes
WLNI Radio office in Lynchburg
Mari
Kristy
Brian
Ready to be on the air
Brian and Mari
I was there to promote the Altavista, VA, concert: Friday June 26th at 7:00PM St Peter’s Episcopal Church
1010 Broad St
Altavista, VA 24517
but also to promote a fundraising for Frannie’s House, a shelter for women victims of domestic violence. The goal is to raise money to remodel a house in town and I am trying to have other associations involved, plus partnerships with companies… hopefully that will work. You can contact me for more info.
You can listen to the show: Click to listen “live” to The Morningline
Link to newspaper article: http://www.newsadvance.com/lna/lifestyles/faith_values/article/religion_notes_french_guitarist_to_play_in_altavista/16804/
Wednesday June 24th at 7:00 PM Lynchburg Music Center 6006 Fort Ave.
Lynchburg, VA 24502
434-237-0073
That is the main music store in town. They offer a huge selection of guitars and all kind of instruments. Those guys even offer music lesson and Tina is in charge of the music school at the store.
All type of strings are on shelves, which is really rare as people usually go for the basics only. They also organize clinics and of course concerts.
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