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Jan 30, 2010 at 11:02 AM
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Our First Organic "Autism Wine" from Spain - Now Available
Our first Organic "Autism Wine" from Spain - Now Available
From its great success at the Meet & Greet Event of the National Autism Conference in Fort Lauderdale for two years in a row you have asked us to make it available for purchase.
We are delighted to feature our first "Autism Organic Spanish Wine" Old Hands 2007 Organic Monastrell at a price that is a no-brainer for the quality - $11.99
Here is our brag about our Old Hands ...
AWARDS
· Bronze Medal - 2nd Annual Green Wine Competition
· 88 Points - Silver Medal "Highly Recommended" - 2009 World Wine Championships Beverage Testing Institute
· 88 Points "Best Buy" - Wine & Spirits June 2009
· 87 Points "Best Wines of Spain" Jul/Aug 2009 International Wine Cellar - Stephen Tanzer
And now that we have your attention here is a little more about it...
Old Hands 2007 Organic Monastrell comes from Bodegas la Purisima (referring to the Holy Virgin) in Yecla, Spain from a vineyard that uses no pesticides, herbicides and is farmed organically.
Our winemaker, Pedro Azorin, showcased the Monastrell grape (also called Mourvedre) without using any oak barrels but he softened its bold tannins with a malolactic fermentation.
The result – A rich an opulent wine with a deep black cherry color with notes of blackcurrant, blackberry and plum with scents of aromatic herbs that grow in the hills of Yecla like thyme, rosemary and fennel.
It goes great with grilled meats, pasta or flavorful cheeses.
My favorite part besides drinking the wine... The winery uses pheromone traps and actively releases ladybugs in its organic vineyards to control insects. They even hid a small ladybug on its organic label. Can you see it?
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If not... We will forgive you by giving it a try.
Cheers!
Our latest Autism Wine addition will not break the bank!
Our Latest Autism Wine addition will not break the Bank!
Our 2008 Vides del Este, Reserve Malbec, Argentina (90 Points) shows a gorgeous deep red color with violet tones. It opens with aromas of raisins, plums and raspberries with a hint of black pepper. On the palate it repeats with layers of black currant and cherries supported by mocha and mineral notes. Balanced and well structured with a supple and long finish.
This wine is perfect to offer with meals like pasta, red meats and soft cheeses. Italian immigration is second only to Spanish in Argentine culture, and the flavors of Italy show up strongly in the nation’s wine, food and cultural tradition. Therefore, pair this wine with a lightly breaded eggplant or veal parmesan.
Argentina has been making wine since the 1500s, tracing its wine heritage back to Spain, France and, perhaps surprisingly, Italy. Italian immigration is second only to Spanish in Argentine culture, and the flavors of Italy show up strongly in the nation’s wine, food and cultural tradition. Historically, Argentina has kept much of its wine consumption at home, drinking most of the wine it makes. But we are now seeing more very serious Argentine wines north of the border, and Malbec is leading the movement.
Vides Del Este has been a family enterprise since 1900. Its original founder Don Arista Taberna, actually worked in the winery until he was able to purchase it in 1910. From the beginning the Taberna Family has been faithful to the traditional way of making wine, but over the years have taken advantage of technological advances and techniques. In this way, they believe to have established the perfect blend of the old and the new. Today, patient work of the harvesters and the knowledge of the owner, Juan Taberna, ensure optimum results while maintaining its traditions.
Since 2000 Octavio Crespo has been our enologist, constantly exploring the possibilities that grape varieties in Argentina can bring. His constant search for innovation has allowed us to successfully introduce to the market wines produced with grapes traditionally found in Mendoza, specially from the Maipu region.
$11.99/Bottle and Ground Shipping is the same for one or six bottles.
Happy Shopping while supporting our Autism Non-Profit Organization Partners.
Wines for Autism, Inc. will give one third of its gross profits from all the sales made through this website to the featured autism non-profit organization.
Cheers!
Autism Sails with Captain George at Heart of Sailing
Autism Sails with Captain George at Heart of Sailing
I am delighted to introduce you to George Saidah and to his non-profit organization, Heart of Sailing.
I first met George four years ago at the Autism One Conference in Chicago. He was standing alone behind a table with a few flyers and a poster... Nothing showy or flashy. The name of his organization intrigued me so I started asking him questions about it. After a few seconds I asked him if he was French. You can never get rid off the accent no matter how hard you try... He said yes so I immediately switched to French and I became more impressed with his foundation and work.
First of all Heart of Sailing is free. Second, Heart of Sailing is unique.
Although there are no published and peer-reviewed scientific studies on the benefits of sailing for autism, George, an accomplished and passionate sailor, had observed that once kids and adults on the autism spectrum were taken on a sailboat they immediately calmed down and started smiling much to their parents’ dismay. George would tell me that they would relax unlike their parents and would start taking risks and becoming more independent and mainly would be proud of themselves. I had observed the same beneficial effects on my son. 
I told him last week “If I had waited for those published and peer-reviewed scientific studies on every single diet or intervention I did for my son he would not be where he is today. My motto is “If it works you stick to it and if it does not work you move on”. Start with the simple, inexpensive and safe.
It does take a lot of guts and a lot of self-control to take those kids out sailing.
Sailing is neither simple nor inexpensive unless you sail with Captain George. His dream is to take all of our children sailing around the world. He is already doing it in Canada and in France. For France he switched “Heart of Sailing” to “Au Coeur des Voiles”.
Please join George's Cause in Facebook to keep his dream alive or consider sponsoring and/or volunteering your time at Heart of Sailing.
2010 Heart of Sailing Schedule
Love Potion Pinot Noir...
Valentine is around the corner...
Time to surprise your sweetheart with a club membership and serve him/her a luscious Pinot Noir, the truly romantic and luxurious wine coveted by wine enthusiasts throughout the world. No matter what your style, we have that special Pinot Noir selection to make your evening memorable.
Time to celebrate with our wonderful partners who truly make a difference in the autism community.
Serving up a seductive melange of cherries, plums, raspberries, and strawberries, Pinot Noir lives up to its reputation as "red crushed velvet in the glass". Its lush red color and decadent mouth feel are suggestive of satin sheets making it, hands down, a sure bet for a winning wine on Valentine's Day. And, its earthiness and versatility qualify it as the "ultimate food wine". Best of all, this flight of Pinot Noirs is equally enticing to your palate and your wallet!
Shop now
Cheers!
Chase the Hope for Autism
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FOR EVERY 100 FRIENDS YOU BRING TO US
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CHEERS!
Vinothon for BRESMA orphanage in Haiti
Vinothon for BRESMA orphanage in Haiti
An Autism Mom recently shared with me some sad news about her friend who has been waiting for years for all the red tape to be cut for her to adopt a child from Bresma orphanage in Haiti.
"The epicenter was 15 miles from the orphanage. They had an awful night waiting for word, but the building withstood the quake and the child is safe... for now."
So I told the Autism Mom... Let's do a VINOTHON.
Autism stinks but an earthquake in the poorest country in the world where there is little societal structure stinks even more...
A little bit about BRESMA orphanage (Courtesy of Jonathan Wander from Pittsburgh Magazine)...
"When Lawrenceville photographer Laura Petrilla visited her friends Jamie and Ali McMutrie at the Brebis de Saint-Michel de L'Attalaye (BRESMA) orphanage in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, last May, the owner and director of the orphanage, Margarette Saint Fleur, asked her if she had ever been to her homeland before. "No, this is my first time," Petrilla said. "Welcome to Hell" was Saint Fleur's starkly casual response..."
Rest of the article
Four days ago...
"The earthquake on January 12th, 2010 that had ravaged the island at 7.0 on the richter scale has left the two sleeping outside on the front lawn of their devastated building with 30 children."
Both Jamie and Ali have sacrificed to stay with all the children so they might live.
FOR THE NEXT THREE WEEKENDS WINES FOR AUTISM, INC. WILL RUN A VINOTHON
A THIRD 100% OF WINES FOR AUTISM GROSS PROFITS FROM ALL SALES WILL GO TO BRESMA.
John Lesieur aka the James Bond of software for the special needs population
John Lesieur aka the James Bond of software for the special needs population
I am delighted to introduce you to John Lesieur and his accomplishements for the special needs population and in particular the autism community if you do not know him yet.
The best way to describe John is a philantropist.
He is also a workaholic. He even works during weekends and he always answers all of his Facebook friends very kindly. How does he do it? I don’t know... It must be his young age although he is a grandfather or maybe it is just his passion to make a difference in our world. Follow John in Facebook.
Okay, you can see that I am a big fan of John not to mention that he speaks French too.
I do not know how he pulls it off but ALL of his software are free and they are amazing tools for our community.
His latest creation is Pal Browser.
“Brought to you by People CD, the creators of Zac Browser - the first web browser for children with autism.”
“We see a need and feel compelled to help,” says John LeSieur of People CD. “Zac Browser’s appeal, embraced by 1 million users in the first year, gave us hope that if we could develop software for Autism, we could do the same for those with physical challenges.”
“Providing online solutions is a way for me to help: enabling people to navigate the web, and connect with other lives, in a way that provides ease and enjoyment to those who are elderly, suffering from disease, or disabled.”
PAL Browser has been created for three important reasons:
- To aid People with Physical Disabilities, PAL Browser allows anyone to surf the internet without needing to ever touch a mouse or keyboard.
- To provide visual assistance for mature and senior internet users through PAL Browser's helpful magnifying tools and oversized buttons.
- To enhance your touch screen technology. PAL Browser partners with Touchsmart Tablet PC, Smart Board and others.
“Our focus is the end user,” John LeSieur says. “Pal Browser was created to bring the best that technology has to offer - and the best entertainment (watching tv online, changing channels, accessing the news & weather, participating on social networking sites, and more!) – to those who need it, for free.”Pal is Compatible with Windows 7 - Vista - XP - 2000 - ME - 98
For more information contact John LeSieur by phone: 702-968-0357, by email: info(at)Peoplecd.com and visit their website for detailed information: www.palbrowser.com
Confidential Sources by Barbara Fischkin
While my children are playing quietly with their dad I would like to feature Confidential Sources written by an amazing lady, advocate, author, journalist, teacher... and a mom of a young adult with autism – Barbara Fischkin.
I am grateful to Facebook because this is how I met Barbara as well as an equally amazing lady, advocate, author, mom of a young adult with autism and compatriot – Chantal Sicile-Kira.
I already knew Chantal from her monumental writings about autism but I never had an opportunity to exchange thoughts with her about our native country and of course about wine...
Readers of Chantal's newsletter will receive a 30% discount on the book Confidential Sources by Barbara Fischkin plus free shipping and handling when purchasing through the newsletter. All you have to do is sign up for Chantal's free monthly newsletter and she will not rent or sell your e-mail address.
About Barbara Fischkin (Courtesy of Chantal’s newsletter):
"As for autism in my own 
household: As some of you may know, our 22-year-old son Dan Mulvaney, who is nonverbal and afflicted with severe autism, moved into a group home near us on Long Island on August 22. It's a temporary stop for him. A nice place but the other residents are much older than he is. A more permanent and appropriate abode, which he will share with three young men his age, will be ready in January. (Hooray!) I have been chronicling these life changes on my Autism One Radio Program, "Maverick Mama" archived at: here.
Dan is doing well despite this two-step process. He seems happy and, like any typical 22-year-old, appears to view visiting us more as an obligation than something "fun" to do. He did agree to ice skate with us on Sunday and I do think he really liked the idea that his "elderly" parents could still skate. That probably had more to do with my ability to stand up straight on the ice - and yes, indeed, move as well -- since my husband, Jim Mulvaney, regularly coaches Dan's ice hockey team for individuals with disabilities.
I realize that Dan's ability to adjust to his new surroundings is a great thing. And to be perfectly honest, he is taking it a lot better than I am. Remember the separation anxiety that some of our kids had when they were little? Well, now the shoe is on the other foot. I miss him terribly, even though I usually see him at least twice a week when he has speech therapy at (what is now, in his estimation) our home, not his -- and on visits back and forth and occasional sleepovers. Last weekend, when his younger brother who lives and plays hockey in Massachusetts, had a game closer to home I took Dan for a ride to see Jack play.
The rite of passage and the separation have been so hard for me - and yet I know so good for Dan.
I do think there is so much to tell about this process from both parental and offspring perspectives - and so little written. Hence, I am plugging away on a new book of narrative non-fiction, which now has the working title: Dan the Man and His Generation: The Children of the Autism Epidemic Grow Up. Stay tuned. Could take a while - Publishers these days seem only to want autism stories in which the children are completely cured. Dan, like most of our kids, isn't - although he is making great strides with the Defeat Autism Now Bio-Medical interventions as prescribed by Dr. Michael Elice of Woodbury, New York.
Case in point: His behavior in his current group home, temporary though it may be has, they tell me, been exemplary.
Meanwhile if you'd like to read about Dan's life, from diagnosis with
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder at the age of three and a half after prolonged development through to his teenage years- you might like a copy of Confidential Sources. The book, which takes place in Mexico City, Hong Kong, the Philippines and on Long Island, is a novel. It's fiction and it's about the fictional alter egos of the members of our family. But the parts about autism are pretty much true. Hard to make that stuff up.
I would be delighted to send you a copy or copies and as mentioned above it would be my pleasure not only to sign them but to personalize them to a friend or relative, perhaps as a holiday present. It shouldn't take longer than a week from the time I receive your order for delivery. The cost is $8 per brand new book, a 30% discount of the list price now advertised on Amazon. Three personalized books going to the same address can be purchased for $20.
Please send checks or money orders with your address to:
Barbara Fischkin, 85 Dalton Street, Long Beach, New York 11561
Any questions please email me. And to read more about Confidential Sources and my other work please visit my website.
Please feel free to make friends with me and with my son Dan Mulvaney on Facebook.
Barbara Fischkin"
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