6th ANNUAL BLUEGRASS & BREWS FESTIVAL

SOLD OUT!!!

Sunday, October 21, 2012! 

This festival highlights the hand crafted micro-brewed beers and wine of Nashoba Valley Winery. Relax, sit back, and enjoy some bluegrass music by Southern Rail. Pack a lunch and bring a blanket to sit on. Stroll by the pavilion, hit up the snack shack for a cider donut or a caramel apple, savor the smells of the barbecue, finally, we invite you to take a tour of the winery or simply taste many of their award winning wines. 

 Included in your $45 ticket 
(1) Breakfast Burritos and Coffee
(2) Round trip transportation from Boston to Nashoba and back 
(3) Free admission to Nashoba's Bluegrass and Brews Festival 
(4) Proceeds donated to charity* (Picked By Event Attendees!) 
(5) Live Music 
(6) Fun 
 NEW!!! 
 (7) Free Wine!

DAY TRIP DETAILS
Date: Sunday, October 21 
Time: 10:00am - 6:00 pm 
Meet Up: Near Hynes Green Line T Stop
Trip to: Nashoba Winery 92 Wattaquadock Hill Rd. Bolton, MA 01740 
Partner: Picked by event attendees! 
Cost: $45 

DAY TRIP TIMES
10AM - Breakfast is available from 9:45 to 10:30 am 
10:30AM - Buses will leave from TBD 
11:30AM - Buses arrive at Nashoba Valley Winery 
5 PM - Buses leave Nashoba at 5pm and to return Boston  
6 PM - Buses will arrive near Hynes Green Line T Stop

Check out who's going on facebook. 

Intro to Pasta Making Class this Tuesday

If you’re like me, the closest you’ve come to making fresh pasta is boiling the tortellini you buy at the supermarket. Despite my experience in the kitchen, stuffed pasta has always seemed intimidating and something best left to the professionals, but this doesn’t have to be the case.

If you’re looking for a new culinary adventure or just to hang out with fellow foodies while supporting a good cause, join us this Tuesday, March 24th from 6:30-9:00pm at Dave’s Fresh Pasta in Davis Square for Intro to Pasta Making: A pasta creating class benefiting the Italian Home for Children. The Italian Home for Children is a residential and day treatment facility for emotionally disturbed children of all races, nationalities and religions.

Tickets are $50 and include a pasta making class with Dave himself, after which you can taste your fresh pasta creations paired with samples of Dave’s wines.

So come cook, eat, and drink with us and hurry, there are only two tickets left!

The Rain Did Not Keep Us Down

As I woke up on Saturday morning I heard the rain pouring down outside and was nervous that our Apple Packing & Wine Tasting event would be a wash. Nonetheless I got ready and headed downtown in the rain. It rained on and off while we ate our breakfast, compliments of Starbucks, and then we were off on the bus headed to Nashoba Valley.

Upon arrival at Nashoba we got a tour of the winery there. It was quite informative including why wineries are turning away from the traditional corks. The trees that make up these corks can only be stripped once every nine years which makes it difficult to provide all the corks the wine industry needs. Hence many wineries are changing to either plastic or screw top wine bottles. I think we will be seeing a lot more of this in the next couple of years.

Anyhow afterwards I picked some of the best eveah apples to compliment the wine I just purchased and laid out on the grass to enjoy the scenery and music that was part of the festivities.

It did not rain the entire time at Nashoba Valley either. It allowed all of us there a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and get away from Boston for a little while.

I would also like to thank everyone who showed up on Saturday. I was truly honored to meet people who are willing to attend a fundraiser for a great cause, which involves you to be outside in the rain.

To check out more photos of our adventure, check out Facebook.

Related posts: The Tastemakers; Apple Picking & Wine Tasting, The Best Eveah?, "Staycation" in Boston

The Tastemakers

Despite the ominous weather forecasts on hurricane Hannah, the fearless group of OYFP-ers who showed up last Saturday to the second annual Apples & Wine, Wine & Apples fundraiser for Christopher's Haven were rewarded with a day of sunshine and the run of the orchard at Nashoba Valley Winery.

Huddled under umbrellas and hoodies, everyone nibbled on Starbucks pastries and sipped coffee while getting to know one another. Some people had heard about us through Yelp, others through our friends at SBS, and still others who'd had us on their radar for months.

Between the bus ride there and back, we noshed on pulled pork sandwiches and freshly dipped caramel apples, chatted with the juggler's wife about the lives of entertainers, sunbathed, and overlooked the orchard while sipping wine. Drowsy from the warmth of an Indian Summer day, nearly everyone laid out on the seats to nap on the ride home.

Thanks again to everyone who joined us--hope to see you around soon and take a look at more event photos on our Facebook group!

Related Posts: The Rain Did Not Keep Us Down; Apple Picking & Wine Tasting; The Best Eveah; OYFP turns three, Globe celebrates
Photos courtesy of Liz.

The Best Eveah?

I’ve been reading all over (AP, Boston Globe, Boston Metro, Boston-WBZ) that this seasons apple harvest could be one of the best in recent years for our area. Apparently, the alternating, hot, cool and wet August weather produced ripe conditions down on the farms.

Look for bigger, brighter and juicer apples this year at OYFP’s second annual Apples & Wine, Wine & Apples event! We will once again be visiting the Nashoba Valley Winery in Bolton, MA on September 6th from 10AM-3PM.

Come on down!

Picture from: www.liketocook.com

Apple Picking & Wine Tasting

Well, we've all made it through the hell known as September 1st in Boston. Even if you yourself weren't moving, chances are you know someone who was, helped someone move, or were a victim of the Boston newbies on Storrow Drive. My friend almost had a head-on collision with a BU driver going the wrong way down Storrow! Not to mention those too-tall trucks always getting stuck under one of the bridges (here's a hint - all moving trucks are too tall).

What better way to get some stress relief than by leaving the city for a day with On Your Feet Project? We've got just the bit of therapy you need - a fresh 'n' crunchy apple or three, a glass of local wine, and a quaint "Harvest Festival."

That's right, it's time for our second annual Apples & Wine, Wine & Apples event! We're taking a bus load of you kids out to the Nashoba Valley Winery in Bolton, MA on September 6th for a real good time.

All you have to do is buy your ticket online for $30 (by Sept 3) or at the door for $35, and show up on the Boston Common by 10 AM to take our bus out to the country. There, you'll be able to go on a tour of the winery, sample some of the goods, partake in the Harvest Festival BBQ, and of course, pick some apples and a few late summer peaches.

If there's anything we New Englanders know, it's how quickly winter (eek!) will be upon us. Take advantage of the lovely fall season (and avoid high gas prices!) by joining us on our bus to the country.

Oh yes, and if you think 10 AM is a wee bit early for a Saturday morning, never fear! Our trusty sponsors Starbucks is here. They're donating breakfast pastries and coffee for those of us who are faint of heart in the morning.

See you there!

PS. In case you need yet another reason to join, all proceeds are going to help kids with cancer. Seriously. You can do good and have fun at the same time.

The wheels on the bus go 'round and 'round, 'round and 'round, 'round and out you'll go if you sing this song on our trip.

Related Posts: Find local food locally; CSAs Rock; Harvest Calendar for MA; Staycation in Boston; Fruit in the City; Jamming the Local Way
Photos courtesy of On Your Feet Project.

All were Uncorked! last night...

It’s hard to believe people could say no to a ticket advertising wine, food, music, and art for a measly $20. It’s a steal! But when you add torrential downpour, an event planner begins to worry that people may decide lounging on their couch sounds more appealing then fighting a battle against the weather—you just can’t outsmart good ol’ mother nature.

Nevertheless, I felt relief as courageous souls came up the ramp of Gallery XIV, umbrella in hand, cold and wet, yet surprisingly eager to participate in On Your Feet Project's 2^nd Annual wine-tasting event, Uncorked!

Erin O’Shea rocked the wine tasting. I mean, it’s hard not to be loved when you are offering samples of beautiful Italian wines, but Erin added so much flavor to the already delicious wines we were tasting. She was a treat, and entertained us all with her wit and charm--not to mention the wine she endlessly poured for us.

William Kerr, the director of Gallery XIV, must be thanked. The exhibit on display at his gallery, “a politic,” created an ideal setting for the event, with pieces like “Abraham Obama”—a fusion of the portrait of Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama—raising eyebrows and making it easy to start conversations with strangers …always a plus!

Nicole Zuraitis’s soothing, flavorful jazz set the tone for evening, creating a wonderful atmosphere to drink, eat, and mingle. Her recently released CD, Spread the Word, was on sale for the event—a beautiful compilation of her jazz vocalist pieces.

But most importantly, must I say it, was the food--the glue that holds people together—and makes them feel like they have something to do when they feel nervous and don’t know a soul to talk to! Brie, grapes, and other assorted cheeses and crackers proved to be a hit. Sponsors like Johnnie's Market and Japonais Bakery and Cafe in Brookline contributed food for the evening. Also of note were the fabulous Italian Cookies baked by Katelyn Nadeau's mother. They were had by all, and in vast quantities. Patrons left full and satisfied.

With all of the great art, food, music and wine, Uncorked! was simply divine. We were able to raise approximately $1300 for the Italian Home for Children, and bring people together for a memorable evening. I'm looking forward to next year's wine tasting event—hopefully the weather will be more forgiving.

If you missed the event, check out the Uncorked! photos and stay tuned for an archived version of the gallery's live video feed from the evening. You never know who you'll catch doing what on there...

Myself (Lauren Head) and Krystle Petrie enjoying ourselves

Related Posts: Wine Tasting this Thursday; Cheaper wine can taste better; Sports Wine; Cocktails for a Cause; Help the Burmese by Eating

I came Uncorked, and I liked it

Come Uncorked with On Your Feet Project, the Italian Home for Children, and Gallery XIV tonight, July 24 from 6 PM to 9:30 PM. We've blogged pretty extensively about this, and posted on Facebook, and Yelp, and we were in the Globe and the Metro... so you should all be intimately familiar with what's going down.

But. If not, here it goes:

1. Event is at Gallery XIV, which has a cool Abraham Obama exhibit going on.

2. Italian wine tasting is from 6 to 7 PM. Afterwards we'll have more wine, but it will be different than the wine we were tasting.

3. Everything will be streamed online real time (this is 2008, people), so if you're laid up with a very broken wrist like my boyfriend, you can still watch.

4. Music will be on tap from the lovely jazz vocalist Nicole Zuraitis.

5. OYFPers are fun. No, really. We are.

Make sure to get your tickets online ahead of time by 4 PM to save $5. Chances are we'll have some at the door for you if you don't want to commit yet... and you don't have to feel bad about spending the extra $5 since it all goes to the kids of the Italian Home.

Email boston at oyfp dot org with any questions.

Ciao!

Related Posts: Wine Tasting this Thursday; Cheaper wine can taste better; Sports Wine; Cocktails for a Cause; Help the Burmese by Eating

"Staycation" in Boston

The economic downturn and increasing gas prices has people re-thinking their vacation plans. Some friends of mine have cancelled European trips because of the unfavorable currency exchange. Others haven't even planned vacations because of the high price of airline tickets and the threat of sky high heating bills this winter.

However. It is still summer, and summer still is all about vacation. What's a fun-loving guy or gal to do? Try a Staycation.

"Staycation," you say. "What's that? Sounds like something an infomercial would be selling."

Rest assured, no one's trying to sell you anything. A staycation is when you take time off from work, but stay near home for the fun. Staycations can have all the fun and novelty of a typical vacation, but without the added costs (and greenhouse gases) of a typical vacation.

If I were going to take a four day staycation in the Boston area, my itinerary would be as follows:

Thursday, July 24 - Water and Wine

Enjoy breakfast at home. Pack a picnic lunch with goodies from Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, including a large thermos of ice water. Pick up the ZipCar or rental car if you don't have one of your own, and take off for a day at Houghton's Pond in Milton, MA. The pond is part of the Blue Hills reservation, and offers swimming, hiking, and biking just 25 minutes from Boston. Cost? Free! Aside from the supplies and gas, of course.

Return home by 4 PM. Shower and dress for dinner, and take the train into town for our Uncorked! Italian wine tasting benefiting the Italian Home, starting at 6 PM. It's $20 if you get your ticket ahead of time. After the wine tasting and appetizers, head over to Emilio's for an affordable South end meal. Now, go home and sleep.

Friday, July 25 - Berry Delicious

Ok, this is another activity requiring a car. But you can carpool with your staycation buddies, right? Alternatively you could take the commuter rail and your bike for today's trip.

If you're feeling luxurious, try breakfast out at one of these fine establishments. Grab an empty cooler, hop in the car, and journey out to Doe Orchards in Harvard, MA, just down Rte 2. It's berry picking time (Tuesday through Saturday, 9 AM to 1 PM). You can pick blueberries and raspberries yourself, and buy a few delicious peaches.

Stick the fruit in your cooler for later, and drive down the road to Concord, MA, the picture of New England charm. Wander about the gorgeous common and shops, check out the North Bridge (famous for "the shot heard 'round the world") and lunch the French way at the La Provence Cafe.

Head home. Stop by your favorite grocery for some wine, cheese, and bread. Pack up your picnic basket along with a blanket and the berries, 'cause you're off to a little culture! 'Tis the season for free Shakespeare, this year playing "As You Like It" on the Boston Common through August 3. Make sure to get there early to snag a good seat.

Saturday, July 26 - Easy Street

You could head up to the beach, but you know it's going to be crowded. Try staying in town (it is a staycation after all). Take a morning jog, walk, or rollerblade around the Chesnut Hill Reservoir. Read a book and relax in the shade for a bit. On your way home, pick up supplies for a simple cookout dinner, including a pre-made pie crust for the rest of those berries you picked. Invite over a few friends, and enjoy!

Sunday, July 27 - Up at Bat

Sleep in. You've earned it. Enjoy a leisurely brunch - leftover homemade pie, anyone? Head downtown for the South End Open Market, and then over to the city center for the Boston Underfoot Walking Tour! Alternatively, volunteer at the Kidney Bean walk in Cambridge for the morning.

Afterwards, book it to Kenmore Square 'cause tonight's the big Sox-Yankees game. My personal favorite is the Audobon Circle bar where you can grab a bite to eat before heading over to one of the more traditional game day pubs for a brew or two.

See, you can have fun without leaving home! What would your staycation look like?

Related Posts: Wine Tasting July 24; Jamming the Local Way; Kidney Bean Walk; Fruit in the City; July 4th in Boston

Philanthropizza… update…

Philanthropizza, held at California Pizza Kitchen, on July 16 was a great success!

Last week, a bunch of OYFP executive board members, new OYFP members, community partners and regular Bostonians all gathered to eat, drink and be merry at this benefit event for Christopher’s Haven.

Vivian of Newton and Chia Chi of Cambridge both decided to come out to CPK to show their support after reading the event blog post. They came across our blog after searching for a combination of the words: Boston, Volunteering and Charities. Vivian and Chia Chi are both relatively active in Boston’s volunteer community. They have participated in things like the Life Is Good Festival, the Walk for Hunger, and they both have served food to the homeless at the Kingston House.

Vivian and Chia Chi, if you’re reading this, I hope to see you again. Maybe at our next event this Thursday, July 24^th at Gallery XIV called Uncorked! Check out the event listing on Boston.Com!

Thank you to everyone who came out to CPK on July 16^th. None of this would be possible without your support. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to learn more about our projects, our programs or our events.

Wine Tasting this Thursday, July 24

Today's post is from two new OYFPers, Katelyn and Lauren, and we're all excited about what they have planned for us this Thursday, July 24.

On Your Feet Project is hosting its 2nd Annual wine tasting extravaganza, Uncorked!, on Thursday, July 24th in the South End at Gallery XIV. Director William Kerr has generously donated his beautiful gallery for the benefit, located at 37 Thayer Avenue in the South End.

Gallery XIV’s current exhibit, “a politic,” features 40 American artists expressing notions of politics, which is particularily appropriate considering the upcoming elections. The gallery provides the perfect space for a night of wine tasting and jazz music sure to please all.

The event features Erin O’Shea, sommelier at Eastern Standard Kitchen and Drinks in Kenmore Square. Erin plans to showcase some special Italian wines, so all patrons should come ready to drink and learn about these fun finds. The wine tasting shall begin right at 6:00, so be sure to get there on time to experience these extraordinary selections.

After the wine tasting, jazz vocalist Nicole Zuraitis will take the stage to perform some selections from her new CD, “Spread the Word,” a compilation of her original works, newly released July 15th. And of course, there shall be more wine, food, and cookies—sure to please all as the fun continues through the rest of the night until 9:30 PM.

And in case you needed another reason to attend a wine tasting besides just the wine, music, and art, all proceeds from the event will support the Italian Home for Children in Jamaica Plain. The Italian Home provides resources and tools to help emotionally and financially at-risk children and families get back on their feet after being in times of crisis. This worthy organization shall be receiving all of the proceeds raised from OYFP’s 2nd Annual Uncorked! Benefit, so even if you can't attend consider making a donation.

Tickets are just $20 online, and $25 at the door (a steal!). Buy them quickly before they sell out! Don’t miss out on this fantastic line-up of art, music, and wine.

We’re looking forward to seeing you all there!!!

Lauren Head and Katelyn Nadeau, Event Organizers

Uncorked! Event Details

Date: Thursday, July 24

Wine Tasting: 6 to 7 PM

Art and Music, Wine, and Food: 7 to 9:30 pm

Location: Gallery XIV at 37 Thayer St

Closest T Stop: Broadway on the Redline

Tickets: $20 ahead of time, $25 at the door

A vineyard in Italy, from where our wines have traveled to grace your palettes

Related Posts: Cheaper wine can taste better; Sports Wine; Cocktails for a Cause; Help the Burmese by Eating
Photo of woman sipping wine is from OYFP's 2007 wine tasting. Photo of grape field courtesy of Giampalo Macorig.

Wine in Boston - It's all about the sports..?

Sometime towards the end of college as I helped grade Neuroscience exams, I became a fan of cheap Pinot Grigio. You might even say Pinot Grigio was my "gateway wine." Though I'm far from an formal connoisseur now, I certainly enjoy me a glass of wine on the weekends or during receptions at the numerous weddings I'll be attending this summer.

I'm always on the lookout for a new wine to try, and there's certainly no shortage of gimmicks. The latest one, however, will please both your palette and your heart.

You may have seen the wines with famous sports figures on them at your local packie (for our non-New England readers, that's New Englandish for a beer/wine/alcohol purveyor). These wines are more than just distilled spirits, however. A dollar or so of every purchase of the sports-themed wines goes to a charity of the affiliated celebrity.

So. Next time you're not sure what to take to the host of a party, consider one of these charity wines. You'll please sports fans, bleeding hearts, and wine enthusiasts... doing a little good whilst enjoying a fine beverage. And, stay tuned for OYFP's wine tasting on July 24!

Related Posts: Cheap wine can taste better if you don't know the price; Put your money where your mouth is; Help the Burmese by Eating
Photo taken from EventWines.com.

Cocktails for a Cause in Boston June 27

Bostonians never need an excuse to raise a glass, but this one is particularly good: Boston Scholars, a non-profit that provides financial aid, mentoring, and tutoring to at-risk Boston high school students, is celebrating the fact that 100% of their first class of students (who entered the program five years ago) have been accepted to college!

Being accepted to college is something most students, parents, and well wishers would celebrate. In this case, these students have overcome some daunting odds.

So. Prepare to celebrate, have a little fun, and perhaps network this Friday evening at The Place. (Where, you say? THE place. Duh!) Get your ticket online for $20, or at the door for $25.

When: Friday, June 27 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM
Where: The Place
Why: It's college time, baby!
Cost: $20 to $25
Buy your tix online: www.FirstGiving.com/CocktailsForACause
More Info: Boston Scholars' DoGood Webpage or email Frankie Cruz at fcruz@bostonscholars.org.

Sip a little of this delicious beverage or any other cocktail of your choice. Hey, it's a celebration!

Related Posts: Who wants to go to Prom?; Food Tasting: Taste of Allston; Help the Burmese by Eating

Photo of Julia Francesska holding her acceptance to the Boston Scholars program courtesy of BostonScholars.org. Photo of the glass of wine courtesy of TackSoon.

Put your money where your mouth is

Food is good.

Scratch that. Food is delicious.

I spend many an hour thinking about food: What will I eat next? What haven't I tried? Can I cook that? What's that spice? Where are the best sweet potato french fries?

Needless to say, I spend much more time thinking about food than say, AIDs. However, on March 11, I can think about food and support people with AIDs at the Taste of the South End event from 6 PM - 9:00 PM. Over 40 area restaurants will be offering their delectable delights for you to sample, and there will be an extensive wine tasting.

Food and wine? Damn. I am so there! Oh wait - I'll be in NH skiing, but otherwise, I would be there. Sure, VIP tickets are a hefty $250 bucks, but regular admission is just $95.

Ok, not "just" $95 (that makes it sound trivial to both your pocket and the organization). Tickets are in the form of a generous $95 donation. Proceeds from the event go to AIDs Action Committee, whose mission is to "stop the epidemic by preventing new infections and optimizing the health of those already infected."

Put your money where your mouth is - literally - and come to the Taste of the South End.

Bon Appetit!

Dessert: My raison d'etre!
I'm so fancyyyy, espeaking Fran-ce

Photo courtesy of Alison.Jane

Wine: Cheap can taste better?

OYFP frequently hosts wine tasting events. In fact, we have one planned for the springtime, which is yet one more thing to look forward to about the end of winter.

In preparation for more wine and guarding your wallet after exuberant holiday spending, you may want to consider this new research from the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. The work shows that the level of enjoyment people derive from a sample of wine is higher when they believe the wine that they are tasting is more expensive. The key word being "believe," since the researchers arbitrarily gave each wine sample a price.

I pulled a "pour a decent box wine in a decanter" trick at a recent party, and people seemed to enjoy it just fine, not knowing it was from the oft stereotyped (but more environmentally friendly) box wine industry.

The lesson here? Cheap wine can taste just as good as expensive wine, just as long as you don't know it's cheap. Buy a few bottles of varying prices at the package store, scrape off their price tags (or their labels), mix them up, and open at random to enjoy! Don't let the price change your mind.

Anyone have some cheap wine recommendations aside from the "two buck chuck" from Trader Joe's?