Archive for the ‘Photography’ Category

summer series // seattle, washington

Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Debbi DiMaggio

Travel Log: Summer Series 2012
Seattle, Washington

When I travel to a new place, I bring my sense of wonder with me. I look for things to discover and wait to be inspired. I prefer to get to know a city in just four days and three nights.

If you are considering heading north to SEATTLE, here are a few of my highlights.

STAY
Fairmont Olympic Hotel
The Fairmont is a Traditional hotel with stunning Georgian architecture. My favorite feature is the indoor heated pool and spa. (I always try to stay at a hotel with a pool.)

W Hotel – Hip and Swanky
A favorite spot for locals and tourists after work or at play.

Four Seasons Hotel
Perched above the Puget Sound in a beautiful modern high rise. Four Seasons service has never been anything less than superior; consistent, tried and true.

PLAY
By Air, Land or Sea

Ferry

A great way to see the city surrounded by water:  All Sight Seeing Tours

Seaplane
Seattle Seaplanes offers charter flights and tours to Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, the San Juan Islands and other locations throughout the Pacific Northwest.  Seattle Seaplanes

Walking Tour
The World’s Greatest Walking Tour – The Seattle Walking Tour

MUST

Stroll Pike Place Market


The Market is filled with beautiful flowers and fresh vegetables. Watch the butchers playing catch with large, slippery salmon as they throw the fish over the heads of wide-eyed tourists. Indulge in a sampling of fresh, brightly colored fruit or something sweet from one of the many bakeries.  And don’t forget to stop by the original Starbucks. It is certainly true, there is a Starbucks on every corner.  PIKE PLACE MARKET

EAT
Try any one of the Tom Douglas restaurants for lunch or dinner. Etta’s, Lola’s and Dahlia Lounge to name a few… each with their own style and cultural flair.

Queen City Grill
A local favorite in Belltown – Old school, comfortable and friendly. Sit and chat with the locals at the bar or enjoy a private booth.

El Gaucho

Every time I visit El Gaucho  I see Jim Carey and Cameron Diaz spinning around the dance floor right out of a scene from the movie, “Mask.” Dimly lit, piano being played in the background while chefs and waiters prepare various dishes table side from Caesar salad to flaming kabobs or bananas foster. It’s an interactive dining experience.

SIP
You’ll notice that many restaurants, whether serving breakfast, lunch or dinner each have a bar and serve both wine and spirits. My first guess was because of the colder temperatures. But, during the summer, days go on and on… and it does actually warm up. I could not believe how light it was at 9:00 at night! Bars and restaurants are plentiful. Sip your favorite beverage while overlooking the Puget Sound or at one of the many restaurants located on one of the quintessential alleyways above Pike Place Market.

INSPIRE

Charities define a city’s heart. You can’t walk around Seattle without seeing the “working man” sculpture. The Seattle Art Museum, known to locals as SAM, has an extensive collection of art and rotating traveling shows. A quick peak, for an hour or so, allows me just enough time to see things with a new perspective.

Isn’t that what makes traveling worth the effort?

My last piece of advice… Don’t forget your passport.

Canada is just a few hour drive, away.

There is always so much to discover!

XOXO!!  Debbi

 Alaska Air: A quick flight from Oakland to Seattle

           Video Training w/Natalie Rees & Sid Lee                                                        Jenn and Debbi               

Next Weekend

Summer Series // Beverly Hills

 LAX Tournament in LA // Tinsel Town Throwdown!

emily’s army // fever charm // rocked it at the uptown in oakland

Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Debbi DiMaggio

Fever Charm & Emily’s Army Rocked It Last Friday Night @ the Uptown Night Club in Oakland

You can see the passion in their eyes and just feel it in your heart.  The way both bands connect with their audience is pure magic.

Together, Fever Charm and Emily’s Army shared the billing at Friday nights concert.

Emily’s Army & Fever Charm, local Piedmont kids, now young adults, making their mark.

Talented, passionate and truly good kids.

When I arrived at the Uptown Night Club in Oakland last Friday night with my son, Chase, and a car load of his freshman friends, it was apparent to me that this was going to be an evening to remember. It reminded me of my high school years, even more so as the evening progressed.

Fever Charm kicked off their set with multiple drummers to bring the audience into the fold. The kids in the audience started jumping up and down and from side to side. Very different than how we used to dance. I’ve learned it’s called a “Mosh Pit.” I find it a bit difficult to dance while being hit from the left and the right. (Hold on tight to your drink!) Many of the younger Emily’s Army fans hadn’t heard Fever Charm play before. By the look of the dance floor, everyone enjoyed what they were hearing. I’ve been playing the CD non-stop in my car since last Friday night!  I even woke Chase up on Saturday morning, at 8 AM, for football practice with Fever Charm’s “YOUTH” bellowing throughout the house.

“Good Times, Come and Go but I’m Alive, I’m Still Here…”  (Lyrics from Youth)

Meet the Band

Fever Charm: Ari Berl – Vocals and Guitar

Theo Quayle, Lead Guitar

Yianni Anastos-Prastacos, Bass

Kendrick Brown, Drums

Support Fever Charm by following them on Facebook, Twitter and on Tour.

www.facebook.com/fevercharmband.com

www.fevercharm.com

www.twitter.com/fevercharm

            Fever Charm Pictured Above

 

It was a big night for Emily’s Army, as one of their band member’s, Max Becker, a recent Piedmont High School Graduate who will be heading off to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo this Fall.

Friday marked the kick-off for their hectic summer tour. Local fans, long-time friends and family, young and old, all took to the dance floor to rock, roll and mosh. I just loved witnessing both the kids and adults in action. As a newcomer to the scene it was easy to see that Emily’s Army certainly has quite a following.

Images Below from Left to Right – Front to Back

Emily’s Army:  Travis, Cole, Max and Drummer, Joey

Excited Fans Pictured Below

Emily’s Army:

Max Becker, Vocals and Guitar

Cole Becker, Vocals and Guitar

Travis Neumann, Guitar

Joey Armstrong, Drums

 

Emily’s Army departs on their journey, June 23rd  —  I wish them all the best!

Perhaps a summer field trip is in order!

Tour Dates l Locations:  Go to www.emilysarmyband.com/tour

Follow them on Facebook and Twitter: www.twitter.com/emilysarmy

 

History Continues to Repeat Itself

At the end of the evening Chase made his way back to me where I was catching up with old friends. I started to introduce him to my high school friend, Bert Inch, but he said, “mom, I know him.” The two had been dancing in the Mosh Pit. You can see from the photo, the two really were enjoying the music and danced up a storm!

Pictured: Piedmont Locals – Bert Inch and Chase Betta

 

I must sound like a broken record to my children and their friends as I chant the same words… “I can’t believe how big you are, how you’ve grown up.” .… “You were just in pre-school and now you are up on stage!”  “You’re just so grown up!!”  “How did that happen?”  “Where did the time go?”

It’s incredible, really quite incomprehensible to me.

Emily’s Army band members, Cole and Max Becker, attended Piedmont Play School with my children. I can still see the kids riding around the playground on those shiny steel tricycles, Cole and Chase being silly and Max and my daughter, Bianca, enjoying circle time with Miss Marilyn and Miss Marcia.

You know what I am going to say….

It seems like just yesterday.

Cole Becker and Chase Betta, Piedmont PlaySchool

Darth Vader and Batman, Pictured Above

Pictured Below:

Bianca Betta and Max Becker

(Classmate & Friend, Georgie Fullerton seen in the Red T-Shirt on the Left)

 Bianca Betta, Miss Marcia and Max Becker

 

Just as my children ‘hang out’ with their friends, as I used to in the 80’s with high school friends Bert & Jane Inch (though not married at the time), my children are listening, dancing and hanging out with their high school friends, too. Certain things do repeat!  Friday night reminded me so much of one of my high school nights, it took me back.

Who knows what will repeat next…   There is always so much to discover!

 

 

Away they Go! Congratulations!

Max Becker: Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo

Georgie Fullerton: Stanford University

Bianca Betta: CU Boulder, Sophomore

Chase Betta: PHS Sophomore

Cole Becker: PHS Junior

PPS (Piedmont PlaySchool) Grads!

 

Where will they go next?  XOXO!

a walk down memory lane // children’s fairyland // magic*

Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Debbi DiMaggio

Children’s Fairyland Since 1950! create, imagine, play and learn

yesterday i took a trip down memory lane. thoughts and images i did not even realize still existed in my memory bank took me by surprise as the incredible executive director of Fairyland, C.J. Hirschfield, took me on a tour of the completely renovated storybook park. words just fell naturally from my lips as we passed each icon.  the stories i found myself sharing with C.J. were just as vivid as the day they had occurred, nearly 40 years ago. i recalled birthday parties and feeding the sea lions ( who no longer reside in the park ), the jolly trolley and noah’s arc. i envisioned my brother michael and i running around; up the dragon tail, around the pirate ship and down the blue slipper all the while, he trying to keep up with me. ( most have learned now, it’s best just to sit and wait for me and i’ll eventually slow down and return. )  i recall the only shaded area with colorful little circle shades above, where finally he could catch up with me as i sat for a short moment to catch my breathe.  i remembered how i was dressed: mom always dressed me as neat as a pin, with my hair pulled way back in a tie and topped with a bow.  no doubt i was wearing white bobby socks, sparkling clean shoes and a cute dress with bloomers.

i hope you will allow yourself to take a moment to remember your childhood just as i had the opportunity yesterday to remember mine,

and are inspired to

“journey through the magical shoe, as you visit the dream of every child come true”.

As always, there is so much more to discover!

XOXO! Debbi

www.fairyland.org

Join Us on June 7th for the

Children’s Fairyland Annual Gala – it’s not too late to purchase your tickets.

 

who could forget? old mother hubbard in her shoe, puff the magic dragon and noah’s arc? meet fairyland’s newest friends…soon to be named. stay tuned!

mirrors of infinity // contained beauty

Sunday, March 25, 2012
Debbi DiMaggio

Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club –  Santa Barbara, CA 

The Carneros Inn, Napa Valley at Sunrise

Montecito, CA – A Private Residence

I am searching the world for stunning images of swimming pools for a 10 x 12, four color coffee table book titled CONTAINED BEAUTY.

If you are a photographer, landscape architect or property owner who might be inspired to be a part of this project, please reach out to us:

Author / Art Director / Visionary:   Debbi DiMaggio   debbidimaggio@gmail.com

  Editor:   Jennifer Fox   jenn@jenn-fox.com 

Marketing & Media Director:   Toula Victor   victor.toula@gmail.com

Publisher:   Robert Bond – Half Full Press

Graphics:  Angie Hinh

Printer:   Four Colour Print Group

Charity:   George Mark House   www.georgemark.org

Contained Beauty Contributers & Partners:  

X2Media – Corina Botofan and Rasheed Alli

Sherry Paterra – Debbi’s Mentor

We have ONE month to meet our publisher’s deadline!

With appreciation and gratitude,

 Debbi DiMaggio

Writer,  Community Ambassador, Philanthropist, Realtor

XOXO! 

 

Images by Jenn Fox

 

Making Dreams Come True! XOXO!

holiday traditions // latin american style

Friday, December 23, 2011
Debbi DiMaggio

Discoveries by Debbi DiMaggio

This year the holiday season began for me at a Williams-Sonoma Cooking Class just a few weeks before Christmas.

Our view from the top floor of Williams-Sonoma on Union Square at Christmas

Learning about other cultures fascinates me. I am naturally drawn to Caribbean and Mediterranean cultures… the passion, food and music. So, when the co-owner of Pica Pica Maize Kitchen invited me to experience Venezuelan Christmas traditions, I said, “of course!”

 

First, I went to a Hallaca cooking class at Williams-Sonoma, Union Square. From my perspective, the Hallaca is a lot like the Spanish tamale. I can see why families would take days to make them… very involved. Adriana Lopez, chef and co-owner, and her crew from Pica Pica made it easy. We rolled the maize, stacked the mixture, and wrapped and tied them in the leaves.

A little lesson: In Venezuelan cuisine, a Hallaca (“hayaca”) typically involves a mixture of meat (we had chicken) capers, sweet raisins and zesty olives wrapped in maize (cornmeal dough), bound with string within plantain leaves, and boiled afterwards, very tasty.

You can order them NOW online at www.picapicakitchen.com

 

Then I was invited to the Oxbow Public Market in Napa for “Parranda 2011.”  (photo above).  I experienced more great food from Pica Pica, and tasted unique wines from South America by Taste Vino ( www.taste-vino.com ), but the best part was what followed… line dancing with our new friends from Pica Pica. Everyone dancing knew the words and dance steps, song after song. A little secret about myself…many do not know, but I listen to Latin and Hispanic music when driving in my car. No, I don’t understand the lyrics, but I love the beat. I enjoy it so much it seems that I must understand the words, it fills my soul and makes me smile.

Another lesson: Parranda is a musical form from the coastal area of Venezuela where the tambora (drum) becomes the main accompanying instrument. Parrandas are musical festivities during the Christmas season holiday.

I have to admit that after trying the various items on the menu, one of my TOPS is the Yucca fries (you can order them plain or with garlic). They alone are worth making the drive; whether to Pica Pica Maize Kitchen in San Francisco on Valencia Street or at Oxbow Napa.

Next on my list, Flamenco dance lessons with Adriana… There is always more to discover!

 Feliz Navidad     Merry Christmas     Happy 2012!

XOXO!

Debbi

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