WHERE HAS WINTER FOX BEEN LATELY ??

Prowling with Da'PACK at The Liquid Kitty
Climbing the Great Wall in CHINA
Dropping the BOMB on Las Vegas
Hiking the Pacific Palisades
Kayaking in Little NAPLES
Dining With The Fox is   NIRVANA!!
                                            El Toritos!!
                                            La Cabana !!
                                            ALA Louisianne!!
                                            Quite Primitivo!!
                             and we've missed you!

Do ya get the feeling we've been busy about town "Dining With The Fox".

This bi-monthly event offers an opportunity for neophyte and veteran members to discover the delectable decadent gastronomic experiences of the Los Angeles area with other intelligent, adventurous fun people.

At Nirvana, we can only guess that MONEY TALKED.    It seems at the last minute a private party at Nirvana caused our reservation to be lost. Always being the versatile Vixens our organizers moved the party immediately across the street to Chakra's contemporary Indian cuisine in a vibrant setting and a wonderful evening was had by all.

La Cabana Restaurant in Venice, The margaritas were good, but I wouldn't agree with the sign out front that says they're "The Best.",,, this will take more research (so far El Patron Silver is the only way to go). If La Cabana was going for an ancient-ruins-turned-cantina-bar, they got it. The inside is dark and cavernous with brick and stone archways. We love this as a great, funky/chic (meaning, cloth tablecloths) Mexican restaurant with the kind of margaritas that sneak up on you, then club you over the head mid-conversation - that is, suddenly you find yourself really happy and talking A LOT. One of the Best things about this place is it's still open at 3AM daily, for those very late Foxy nights when you've absolutely, positively gotta get you grub on.

La Louisianne Restaurant: Some people come here for the food and others come just for the jazz, but most come for their jambalaya. It's super-spicy and loaded with sausage, chicken and shrimp. It's known for its cajun & creole offerings.

Primitivo Wine Bistro is an eclectic restaurant in Venice specializing in wines and Hot and Cold Tapas from varied regions of the world and offered exquisite dishes with perfectly paired dessert wines. The Tokaji Aszu (Hungary) did something to our tongues that we will never forget.

At El Torito in Marina Del Rey, Pour out a few VERY Large Margaritas, add some FoxTastic Friends, mix well with any Friday afternoon and you're going to have an inFoxicating good time. If you've been to one El Torito, you've been to them all-EXCEPT this one in Marina Del Rey. Great location right on the water in the Marina. If you're looking for a fun and semi-cheap happy hour this is a great spot in the Marina with authentic Mexican dishes attempting the ultimate in flavor.

Liquid Kitty is a total lounge scene with it's cocktails as the main attraction. This cushy little lounge in West L.A. is home to a very sophisticated eponymous martini, in which the vodka (yes, vodka) and vermouth are expertly mixed, the olive is ripe, and it's all served up in a huge frosted martini glass. If martinis aren't your thing, however, there's still hope: They also mix a mean cosmopolitan that's bright pink but not too sweet. On a selective review of the bar menu we say "BEWARE the OMEN" this is no tame kitty but rather a demon of an alley cat, finding yourself flat on your back with your eyes scratched out is a serious possibility... you've been warned!

THE FOXES CONQUER THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA - Mar 2007,
A group of adventurous Winter Fox members traveled to the far East in early March 2007 on a "Mission to China." In partnership with Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, the Foxes were a small contingent of travelers, since the Chamber took over 500 participants on this memorable excursion. Winter Fox members on the tour included, Michael Whitted, Reena Johnson, Charles and Karen Berry, Bridgette Berry, Alan Wilkins, Robert Allen, Georgia Odom, Carole Watts, Teddi Thompson, James and Denise Lofton, Pat Travis, Karen Mewborn, "A.J.," B.J. McCurdy and Ida Cochrane and family - including brother Mark Cochrane and nephews, Dominic and Zachary, as well as a few other friends of the "Foxes" and family members. The experience began with a red-eye flight from LAX that arrived in Beijing, the Capital of China in the early morning hours. While the group expected the temperature to be a bit chilly, thermals, hats and fleece gloves were greatly appreciated, as we found the temperature to be quite chilly.

Beijing was the central departure point for tours to Tien An Men Square and the Temple of Heaven, which was built in 1420 A.D. and where the emperors prayed to heaven (tien) for a good harvest. We also visited the Palace Museum, known as the Forbidden City and home of 24 emperors with a total of 9,999 rooms within the space occupied by the city. The next destination was the Summer Palace, known for the Long Corridor with a painted gallery, then on to Kunming Lake for a view of Longevity Hill and the Seventeen- Arch Bridge. Day four found the tour bus cruising past Disneyland – China – which was started but abandoned in mid construction when golf became more popular than Mickey and friends. Mickey’s vacant outpost was just one of the many local sights on the way to the Great Wall, the 4,000-mile long, 2,000 years old construction said to be the only man-made structure visible to the naked eye from the moon. Various Foxes climbed some, while others conquered all 3,000 steps, passing several life-size statues of warriors on the way to the top of one of the Wall’s watchtowers. The group also visited Beijing Tong Ren Tang, the royal pharmacy of the Qing Dynasty, to hear about the herbs and medical products prescribed to maintain the heath of the emperors and even some modern day tourist, and explored the Ming Tomb before departing from Beijing and traveling to Shanghai. The city of Suzhou was next on the tour and a visit to the centuries old Lingering Garden, Tiger Hill, Hanshan Temple, and the National Embroidery Institute and silk factory. Suzhou was followed by a trip to Hangzhou for a look at the centuries old Lingyin Temple where the main attraction is a 64.3 ft. camphorwood carved Buddha, then on to a tea plantation for a lesson in "tea etiquette," or the proper way to prepare and drink tea, which includes eating the leaves for health. The group also enjoyed a boat cruise on West Lake around jewel-like pagodas and tea houses. Then it was back to Shanghai for more sightseeing in the Yu Garden, a maze of marvelous pavilions, ponds, rocky works, and over-arching trees, a walking tour to the Bund, a famous waterfront park and a shopping trip to "China Town." By this time some of the Foxes chose to deviate from the planned tour schedule and found a Spyder outlet with some great deals on ski wear. One last trip was aboard China’s bullet train for a ride of 5 to 400 mph in about 20 minutes.

While the Chinese food in the hotels and restaurants was authentic, a KFC and MC Donald’s in Shanghai was a welcome change of "taste." The Foxes also shopped at Jade and Pearl factories, and found that "knock –off’s" could be easily acquired, such as a Rolex Watch, five for $10, or Coach bags for $5 up.

Rumor has it that the people of China are still talking about the African American group that visited and enhanced the economy during their brief 13-day stay. Fact has it that "A Great Time Was Had By All!"

Look for future opportunities to Travel with the Fox!

See all 466 of the photo at AL WILKINS's CHINA 2007 Album ! To see all 466 of the China-Fox Photos at AL's CHINA 2007 Album ! CLICK Here.


Summer Carnival Recap
Snow Busters held the PJ-Party
Four Seasons Won the Dance Contest
AND WINTER FOX Dropped the BOMB on Las Vegas

Don't make me have to make stuff up!   Submit your evidence before the jury reaches their verdict! Most of us had spent our entire day maxin and relaxing in or around the pools, shopping in the village, chilling on the grass, crawling from condo to condo and just preparing for the night time.

The Tuscany moon had risen fat and full over the canals of Lake Las Vegas and it's mirrored image in those calm waters was the perfect counterpoint the white scented candles lighting the Foxes Den of Decadence.

The invitations for The E-Ticket Ride (offered to a select few of the Summer Carnival attendees) was to be a xTreme sensual epicurean experience.

As thrill rides will be compared in the future, on this night the new standard was permanently laid down by Da'PACK   (kick-ass, hi-class, over-the-top-n-still-climbing, U-don't EVER want to miss one of these, PAARRR-TAAASS !!).

Epicurean experience: Pesto Shrimp, Grilled Chicken Breast, Crudités and Caesar Dip, Crostini, Dark Chocolate Truffles, Dark and White Flowing Chocolate Fondue w/a plethora of fruity offerings, Gelato, A variety of fine Liquors, Champagnes and Dessert Wines.

As the clock tower chimed the final stroke of midnight and we opened our den to the first of our guests ( arriving directly from the White Linen Party Sponsored be the Western Region) the decadence of the evening to come was obvious to all.

Deep Reds and Black were the dominant theme colors, candle light, Bustiers, fishnet stockings, stilettos, silk lounging pants, velvet smoking jackets, silks & linens were the attire.

All hail the minions of Charlene and the kitchen denizen's for their tireless efforts. Major Cudo's to Cheryl for her coordination of logistics for all our den members. Some small thanks be unto Nat of the never ending sweets, champagne & Liquors.

One of the early arrivals was heard to say "Oops, They're not ready yet,, they're still in their underwear"    Little did they know... and these same folks were also among the final guests of the morning who didn't leave until nearly sunrise.

As the moon continued to rise, so did the desert temperature but not as the result of any atmospheric anomaly. There was so much radiant energy, Da'PACK must now be considered a FORCE of NATURE.    Near dawn we had to adjourn to the Jacuzzi (just to cool down).

The tinkle of champagne glasses and the fragrance of flowing chocolate, the music, the heat, the dancing, the body massages, the Heat, the tangled limbs, the tastes & flavors and that's about all we can put in print "Cause WHAT Happens in Vegas...".

And this is how WINTER FOX
brings the HEAT to Las Vegas! Don't you want to   RUN with Da'PACK

For a few of the surviving photo details CLICK Here.


There's a miraculous moment approaching
and when it arrives,, everything will change

Da'PACK would like to share this moment with you We LOVE L.A. and all the opportunities for a night time run, moon watching from the edge of a Jacuzzi and all the other mischief we can cause or be part of.

It's time for another Sunset Bike ride from Marina Del Rey and El Toritos south along the Bike path thru Playa Del Rey, Manhattan and Hermosa Beach communities and back again.  But it won't be right without you. Ya say ya feel like a greyhound on your new 21 speed, then jump out front and we'll be right in front of you (cruising toward you) when you choose to turn around..

Aug 25, Time: 5:30pm – Start & Sunset Finish
                @ El Torito’s in Marina Del Rey

Sep 29, Time: 5:30pm – Start & Sunset Finish
                @ Hennessey's Hermosa Beach Pier

We'll end our rides at the Tables With A View and raise a toast for all who can't be with us at the moment as the sky turns California Gold. Our moment is approaching, pump up your tires, dust off your seat, the moment is closer now and we want you with us.


The NBS June 2007 Newsletter is now available on our Website

Hello Skiers/Riders:

A copy of the NBS June 2007 Newsletter has been posted on the NBS Web Site. You can access the Newsletter by clicking on the link below or visiting the NBS website at: www.nbs.org and click the Newsletter link on our home page. Here's the link to the newsletter (a very large file. Depending on your internet service it will take a few minutes to download.)

You will need a PDF reader to open this document. To download a free PDF reader visit www.adobe.com.

Enjoy!

Janice Brogdon
Director of Communications
National Brotherhood of Skiers