#100 Pythian Road

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St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, CA (No. 4)

St. Francis is a Certified Sustainable, family-owned Winery, and we have worked throughout our history to preserve Sonoma County’s natural resources. The state-of-the art Winery we built in 1999 includes a 457-kilowatt solar energy system, and we have been recognized for our work to conserve nearby creeks and waterways. Preserving Sonoma County for future generations is very much a part of who we are, what we do, and how we run our business.

Our Winery and stunning mission-style Tasting Room is in the heart of Sonoma Valley surrounded by estate vineyards. The bell tower houses a 1,000-pound bronze bell cast by the Marinelli Foundry in Italy. It chimes every hour and can be heard throughout the valley.

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[pursuitoftrivialities]

Card #5: Can I Take the Highway to Adano to Meet Fabian?

Geography

Q: What international border does Route 9, better known as the Top of the World Highway, cross?

A: The U.S.-Canada border

True

When I initially read this answer, I assumed it meant the contiguous U.S.-Canada border, but I guess it makes more sense that it's not.

The highway crosses the border between Alaska and Canada, running nearly 80 miles between Jack Wade, Alaska, and West Dawson, Yukon. It is only open during the summer months, because most of the road (as the name implies) takes you high into the mountains, which are covered in snow for much of the year.

Most of the Canadian portion is unpaved, while the US portion has been almost entirely paved as of 2016. A partially-unpaved road through the mountains? I'll pass.

Source: Wikipedia

Entertainment

Q: What singer-actor's last name is Forte?

A: Fabian

True

Fabiano Anthony Forte, in fact. For those of us who aren't aware, Fabian was a teen heartthrob of the American Bandstand era, and is still alive today.

The most interesting fact I found is that Fabian was discovered by a record producer in 1957, while his father was being taken away in an ambulance after having a heart attack at their home.

Fabian later recalled, "He kept staring at me and looking at me. I had a crew cut, but this was the day of Rick Nelson and Elvis. He comes up and says to me, 'So if you're ever interested in the rock and roll business...' and hands me his card. I looked at the guy like he was out of his mind. I told him, 'Leave me alone. I'm worried about my dad.'"

Later on, his family convinced him to respond to the guy, and it turned out well. He ended up with 11 songs in the Billboard Hot 100 between 1958 and 1960.

The music industry was a different thing altogether back then.

Source: Wikipedia

History

Q: What fraternal order is the "K of P"?

A: The Knights of Pythias

True

The Knights of Pythias is a fraternal organization and secret society founded in Washington, D.C., on 19 February 1864. The Knights of Pythias is the first fraternal organization to receive a charter under an act of the United States Congress. It was founded by Justus H. Rathbone, who had been inspired by a play by the Irish poet John Banim about the legend of Damon and Pythias. This legend illustrates the ideals of loyalty, honor, and friendship that are the center of the order. The order has over 2,000 lodges in the United States and around the world, with a total membership of over 50,000 in 2003. The order is headquartered in Stoughton, Massachusetts. Some lodges meet in structures referred to as Pythian Castles.

I was particularly surprised to see that the current application for membership includes the following oath:

I declare upon honor that I believe in a Supreme Being, that I am not a professional gambler, or unlawfully engaged in the wholesale or retail sale of intoxicating liquors or narcotics; and that I believe in the government in which I live. Moreover, I declare upon honor that I am not a Communist or Fascist; that I do not advocate nor am I a member of any organization that advocates the overthrow of the Government of the Country in which this Order has a legal existence, by force or violence or other unlawful means; and that I do not seek by force or violence to deny other persons their rights under the laws of such country.

Their website was pretty explicit about not wanting their logo used for stuff, so here's a different thing I found.

Sources: Wikipedia Indiana Pythias

Arts & Literature

Q: Where's fictional Adano, the setting for John Hersey's Pulitzer-winning A Bell for Adano?

A: Italy

True

Another one I hadn't heard of, which is pretty much par for the course on Arts & Lit questions in this game.

A Bell for Adano is a 1944 novel by John Hershey, the winner of the 1945 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. It tells the story of an Italian-American officer in Sicily during World War II who wins the respect and admiration of the people of the town of Adano by helping them find a replacement for the town bell that the Fascists had melted down for rifle barrels.

A Time Magazine review of the book in 1944:

The mood of A Bell for Adano is bitter. Its humor is raucous and wild. At its worst, it descends to college humorous magazine slapstick. At its best it is a superb piece of reporting. Read unimaginatively, it is a deadly account of U.S. official incompetence. Stripped of its humor, it is the story of a battle for democracy, no less real for being fought without arms, more important than the military engagement that preceded it.

There was a Broadway play quickly produced, and in 1945, a movie was made based on the book, A Bell for Adano starring John Hodiak and Gene Tierney, and several other adaptations. If that sounds up your alley, maybe check it out.

Sources: Wikipedia Time Magazine

Science & Nature

Q: How many 10ths of a calorie are there in the gum on the back of a typical postage stamp?

A: One

Inconclusive

There are no good sources on this that I can find, period, and I'm not going to link a bunch of non-cited trivia websites and Quora posts.

Some have claimed 1/10th of a calorie, as the answer states. Some say 5.9 calories (for standard-size British stamps). Many figures are not clear on whether they refer to the total caloric content, or what would be gained from typical consumption (a single lick).

Most stamps are self-adhesive in this day and age, in any case.

Bonus fun fact: the study of postage stamps is called philately (fih-LAT-ə-lee), a term coined in 1864 as a replacement for "timbromania" (stamp quest) which was disliked.

Source: Wikipedia

Sports & Leisure

Q: What dandy quarterback is Seth Maxwell based on, in the book North Dallas Forty?

A: Don Meredith

The book focuses on the rowdy sex and drugs culture of fictional North Dallas Bulls football team, and was made into a movie starring Nick Nolte.

Based on the semiautobiographical novel by Peter Gent, a Cowboys wide receiver in the late 1960s, the film's characters closely resemble team members of that era, with Seth Maxwell often compared to quarterback Don Meredith, B.A. Strother to Tom Landry, and Elliott to Gent. Of the story, Meredith said, "If I'd known Gent was as good as he says he was, I would have thrown to him more."

The movie takes somewhat of a lighter tone than the novel, unsurprisingly.

Throughout the novel there is more graphic sex and violence, as well as drug and alcohol abuse without the comic overtones of the film; for instance, the harassment of an unwilling girl at a party that is played for laughs in the movie is a brutal near-rape at an orgy in the novel. At the end of the novel, there is a shocking twist ending in which Phil returns to Charlotte [his girlfriend] to tell her he has left football and to presumably continue his relationship with her on her ranch, but finds that she and a black friend (David Clarke, who is not in the movie) have been regular lovers, unknown to Phil, and that they have been violently murdered. The murderer is Charlotte's ex-boyfriend and football groupie Bob Boudreau (who is also not in the movie); Boudreau has been stalking her throughout the novel. 

Yikes. I'm torn about this, because I hate football but I love drama.

Source: Wikipedia

This time we ended up with a couple of movies you can watch if you want, or books you can read if that's more your thing.

Next time we'll carefully address a question about the Soviet Union, the abortion heard 'round the world, everyone's favorite jellybean-eating President, a famous mother-lover, some astronomy words I don't know, and the tricky world of playing cards.

[cheapibizaholiday1]

Groups & Organizations Calendar: Feb. 6-10

Altrusa of Cowlitz County “Breakfast Bunch”: 7 a.m., The Corner Cafe, 796 Commerce Ave., Longview (located at the far end of the Fibre Federal Credit Union administration building); Debbie, 360-749-3786.

Cowlitz VFW Post No. 1045: 6 p.m. bingo, public welcome; kitchen opens at 5 p.m.; 4311 Ocean Beach Highway, Longview; under new management.

Early Words Toastmasters: 6:05 a.m., Canterbury Park, second floor community room; 1335 Third Ave., Longview; Robert Chace, 360-270-3681 or chace749@comcast.net.

Lewis and Clark Bowmen: 6 p.m., Longview Public Library, 1600 Louisiana St., Longview; Mike Vanderhorst, 360-723-3131.

Longview American Legion Post 155: 6 p.m., Texas Hold ‘Em; 1250 12th Ave., Longview; 360-425-3670.

Longview Early Edition Rotary: 7 a.m., the Carriage Restaurant, 1334 12th Ave., Longview; club secretary, 360-636-8267.

Longview, Kelso and Rainier Model Railroad Club: 7 p.m., Three Rivers Mall, southwest entrance, close to former Macy’s, first space on left, Kelso; call 360-425-0058 or email robert@whiffen.org; hours to see trains: Tuesdays, 4 p.m.-closing; Wednesdays and Thursdays, noon-closing; Fridays noon-6 p.m.; Saturdays, 1-5 p.m.; Sundays, noon-5 p.m.

Monticello Camera Club: 7 p.m., Somerset Retirement Apartments, 2025 Tibbetts Drive, Longview; Lisa Nathan, 360-747-7119.

Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts Guild: 10 a.m., Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts lobby, 1231 Vandercook Way, Longview; 360-423-1011.

Genealogical Research Assistance: 1-3 p.m., Longview Public Library, 1600 Louisiana St.; offered by the Lower Columbia Genealogical Society.

Kalama Garden Club: 11 a.m., various locations; contact Patti Sherwood at Pattisherwood@scattercreek.com or call 360-673-2809 for details; visitors welcome.

Kelso Eagles Bingo: 4:30 p.m., speed rounds; 6:30 p.m., regular games; payouts include one blackout with a value of $1,199 and other payouts of $25, $75 and $100; 609 S. Pacific Ave., Kelso; 360-425-8330; open to the public.

Longview American Legion Post 155: 5-7 p.m., Bingo and King of Clubs; 1250 12th Ave., Longview; 360-425-3670.

Longview/Kelso Earlybird Lions: 6 p.m., the Carriage Restaurant, 1334 12th Ave., Longview; visitors welcome; 360-430-1214.

Longview Eagles Aerie/Auxiliary: 7 p.m., 1526 12th Ave., Longview; Aerie president Mark Parcel and Auxiliary president Sandy Lynch, 360-425-1444.

National Active and Retired Federal Employees: 11:30 a.m. no-host lunch, Teri’s restaurant, 3225 Ocean Beach Highway, Longview; Marne, 360-430-4710; Tena, 360-425-4833.

Rotary Club of Longview: noon, Cowlitz Regional Conference Center, 1900 Seventh Ave., Longview; lunch is available; program or speaker each meeting; www.clubrunner.ca/longview-wa/.

Sons of Norway: 6-8 p.m., free Norwegian language class for beginners and more experienced speakers; snacks are welcome for the halftime break; 224 Catlin St. W., Kelso.

Altrusa International of Longview-Kelso: noon, CAP Building’s second floor Altrusa Room, 1526 Commerce Ave., Longview.

Encouraging Words Toastmasters No. 4777: 7-8:30 p.m., Canterbury Park, 1335 Third Ave., Longview; http://encouragingwordsclub.toastmastersclubs.org/.

Kelso-Longview Elks No. 1482: 5:30-6:30 p.m., lodge dinner; 7:30 p.m., lodge meeting; 900 Ash St., Kelso.

Kelso Rotary Club: noon, Kelso-Longview Elks Club, 900 Ash St., Kelso; Janet Cole, 360-423-6988.

Kiwanis Club of Kelso Longview: 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m., Kelso Senior Center, 106 N.W. Eighth Ave., Kelso; Liz Norgaard, 360-703-4633.

Longview Eagles: 7:15 p.m., Texas Hold ‘Em; 8 p.m.-midnight, karaoke, 1526 12th Ave., Longview; 360-425-1444; members and guests welcome.

Lower Columbia Genealogical Society: 7 p.m., "Preservation of Documents" by Tracy Rebstock; Somerset Retirement Apartments, 2025 Tibbetts Drive, Longview; www.rootsweb.com/~walcolgs; locoges472@gmail.com.

Pythian Sisters: 1-3 p.m., Woman’s Club, 206 Cowlitz Ave. S, Castle Rock; Judy Colt, 360-577-0547; new members welcome.

Kelso Eagles Bingo: 4:30 p.m., speed rounds; 6:30 p.m., regular games; payouts include one blackout with a value of $1,199 and other payouts of $25, $75 and $100; 609 S. Pacific Ave., Kelso; 360-425-8330; open to the public.

Longview American Legion Post 155: 11 a.m.-2 p.m., lunch; 5 p.m., military races and dinner; 7:30 p.m., live music; 1250 12th Ave., Longview; 360-425-3670.

Lower Columbia Branch 363 Fleet Reserve Association: 6:30 p.m. potluck, 7:30 p.m. meeting; VFW Post No. 1045, 4311 Ocean Beach Highway, Longview; Ray Hegr, 360-425-6981.

People First of Cowlitz County: 12:30-2 p.m., Zojo’s, 931 Ocean Beach Highway, Longview; Dawn Hutton, 360-261-1053; Michael Rossman, 360-298-5296.

R Square D Square Dance Club: 7 p.m., Plus; 8-10 p.m., Mainstream with rounds; Craig Abercrombie calling, Lonnie Sycks cueing; Kelso Senior Center, 106 N.W. Eighth Ave., Kelso; 360-425-0583; www.r-square-d.info.

Brothers of the Third Wheel Triker Motorcycle Chapter: 10 a.m., Hometown Buffet, 7809-B N.E. Vancouver Plaza Drive, Vancouver; https://btw-trikers.org/.

Cowlitz Gun Club: 10 a.m., 869 S. Military Road, Winlock; games and practice traps; Joe Morgan, 360-748-8098; open to the public.

Cowlitz VFW Post No. 1045 Ladies Auxiliary: 9-11 a.m. breakfast for veterans, their families and guests; eggs, sausage links, French toast, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, optional toast, coffee and orange juice; 4311 Ocean Beach Highway, Longview; Kathe Schaffran, 360-577-2592 or 360-200-3806; Sandy, 360-578-2979.

Mary Richardson Walker Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution: 11 a.m., Canterbury Park, second floor, 1335 Third Ave., Longview.

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Wine Country

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National Meatball Day

Juicy round balls of succulent meat, usually served with pasta, mashed potatoes or on their own — perfect for a cozy dinner at home!

Just the word meatball is enough to bring to mind great family meals for most people. These little balls of various meats can be found throughout the world in almost every culture.

Most people may associate them with Italian cuisine, though spaghetti and meatballs is actually an American dish. No matter your background, you can jump in and enjoy National Meatball Day!

How to Celebrate National Meatball Day

National Meatball Day, like other culinary holidays, should be enjoyed with your loved ones gathered around.

The most difficult part of preparing for National Meatball Day is going to be picking what nation’s recipe you will use. Luckily for you, this is a yearly occurrence, so you can pick a new nation to try each year if you like. Or you could be truly adventurous and try more than one at a time!

What is your favorite way to enjoy meatballs? There are so many ways to make them. Have you added them to your pizza or on a sandwich? Do you prefer to stick to the traditions of your family or to try and create something new? This is the time to shine – an entire day devoted to meatball goodness!

And even if you’re not a meat-eater, there are plenty of veggie and vegan alternatives available, for example, chickpea koftas and tempeh, quinoa or black bean meatballs.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a chef or a first-time cook. Making a meal with meatballs is easy but has the wonderful side effect of making you look like the star of your kitchen.

Just do a search with your favorite search engine for meatball recipes and pick the one that sounds yummy (that might be all of them!). And if you’d really like to learn from the best, then why not sign up for a cooking class as well?

Meatballs can be an appetizer, a side dish or the star of the meal. To celebrate, you and your friends who like to cook can have a playful evening by getting each person to bring their own and then selecting a favorite – think of it as a cook-off! With a little craftiness, a prize could even be offered to grace the winner’s mantle.

If you’d rather not cook, then head over to a nearby restaurant that serves meatballs – here you can really put your feet up and enjoy delicacies from the experts! And they may well have special offers and discounts available to celebrate the day.

Once you’ve had your fill, cozy up on the couch and crash out with a meatball-related movie such as Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (a film about an inventor who accidentally causes giant food, including meatballs, to rain from the sky!) or Lady and the Tramp (featuring the famous spaghetti eating scene in which Tramp lovingly gives Lady the last meatball).

However you indulge on National Meatball Day, don’t forget to record your adventure by taking a few pictures and sharing them on social media!

History of National Meatball Day

Meatballs are made by taking ground or minced meat such as beef, pork or lamb, mixing it with spices, breadcrumbs, eggs or other ingredients and then rolling it into a ball to be cooked. Cooking methods vary and include frying, braising or baking.

This delicious invention has been documented in culinary records many times throughout history. There’s a record of a Chinese recipe that may date back to 221 BC, and Ancient Rome can also make a claim on meatballs thanks to a surviving cookbook that holds a variety of recipes with balls of meat!

Meatballs have also long been a staple of Persian cuisine, from which the technique of ‘gilding’ (coating or glazing the meatballs) originated.

Known as kofta, they are consumed across the Middle East and Asia, with vegetarian versions particularly common in India. There is also a very popular version in Turkey called köfte, which has many different variations.

Although meatballs originated in the East and in Europe, they eventually made their way over to the US and are now well-loved there. The Americans also found new and inventive ways to consume their meatballs, including on pizza and in long sandwiches (known as subs).

Nowadays the dish is also commonly associated with Sweden thanks to the popularity of Swedish furniture chain IKEA’s meatballs. In fact, IKEA sells a whopping billion meatballs every year – nothing like tucking into this tasty meal after a hard day’s shopping!

It’s easy to see that people have been enjoying meatballs for a very long time and all around the world.

Top Tips for Cooking Mouth-watering Meatballs

Although there’s a whole range of ways to make this food, it’s worth having a few key tricks up your sleeve.

First off – the ingredients. Meatballs should be well seasoned with salt and other spices, and it’s also a good idea to add in some fresh herbs such as parsley or basil to get some greens in there!

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even stuff your meatballs with additions such as cheese or form them around other foods, for example, eggs.

Next – constructing the perfect meatball. Meatballs can be whatever size you like, and there are also several flattened versions, so you don’t even need to achieve the classic ball shape!

Whatever you go for, it’s always worth wetting or lightly oiling your hands, as this prevents the ingredients from sticking to you. Also, make sure to give your meatballs a good squeeze to help them bind together.

Finally – cooking. If you’re frying them, then make sure they’ve seared well on one side before turning them as this will prevent them from falling apart. It’s also great to let your meatballs stew as part of the cooking process, allowing them to soak up more delicious flavor.

There are a whole host of possible accompaniments for your meatballs – sauces, gravies, curries, and soups depending on which part of the world your recipe is taken from. Other common meatball pairings include potatoes, pasta, rice and jam.

However you make your meatballs, remember to make a large enough batch so that all your friends and family will get to try them!

National Meatball Day FAQs

Did meatballs really originate in Italy?

Meatballs have a diverse history. Ancient Persian cuisine featured “koofteh,” minced meat mixed with rice and spices.

Later, the dish evolved as it spread to Europe and Asia. Italian “polpette” are a celebrated variety, but their origins lie in a global exchange of culinary ideas.

Are there vegetarian or vegan versions of traditional meatballs?

Yes! Many cultures use lentils, beans, or mushrooms for meatless versions.

Indian cuisine offers “malai kofta,” which uses paneer or mashed vegetables. Swedish cuisine now features plant-based köttbullar.

What’s the most unusual meatball variation in the world?

Icelandic “bollur” incorporate fish and local herbs. In the Philippines, “bola-bola” meatballs are often stuffed with quail eggs. These unique takes reflect regional tastes and ingredients.

Why are Swedish meatballs linked to IKEA?

Swedish meatballs became famous globally thanks to IKEA’s affordable in-store meals. It’s a nod to Sweden’s food heritage, boosting international curiosity about the dish.

What are some myths about meatballs?

One myth is that Italian-Americans created spaghetti and meatballs. However, the dish developed in the U.S., blending Italian and American flavors.

What’s the largest meatball ever made?

The largest meatball, weighing over 1,100 pounds, was made in South Carolina in 2017. It set a Guinness World Record!

How do other countries celebrate National Meatball Day?

In Sweden, people serve köttbullar with lingonberry sauce. In Turkey, “kofte” gatherings are popular. It’s less official but equally delicious worldwide!

Are meatballs always round?

Not always. Some cultures, like in the Middle East, make meatballs more cylindrical or patty-shaped. This shape helps with grilling.

What role do spices play in meatball traditions?

Spices define the meatball’s character. Italian versions use parsley and garlic, while Middle Eastern varieties rely on cinnamon and cumin.

What’s a fun meatball-related competition?

Meatball eating contests are popular. One record-holder ate over 29 meatballs in under a minute! Some include spicy meatball challenges too.

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Summer Afternoon

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St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, CA (No. 6)

Our commitment to showcase the best of Sonoma extends to our Tasting Room, which pairs our award-winning wines with the most breathtaking view in Sonoma Valley, and to our ZAGAT-recommended Wine & Food Pairing, which has earned worldwide praise from legions of fans and was voted “#1 in America” in 2013 and 2015 by Open Table diners. Our Wine & Food Pairing was also a top finalist in the 2024 SFGATE Best of the Bay Area Awards, alongside other notable restaurants. We source the freshest seasonal produce, succulent local meats, and sustainably harvested seafood from local purveyors, ensuring an unforgettable farm-to-table Wine & Food Pairing experience. Additionally, our on-site herb garden provides our culinary team with fresh herbs used to elevate each dish, offering guests a true taste of Sonoma Valley’s rich agricultural traditions.

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Benches/Chairs (No. 4)

Santa Rosa, CA (seven pics)

Skagway, AK

Omak, WA (two pics)

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In the Vineyards

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Ready to Relax

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Take a Stroll

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Playfulness

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Ripening

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Ready to Relax

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Summer Day

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Sonoma Valley

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