I wrote a couple weeks back about my years teaching, in my 20s. This time of year was always crazy for students and faculty alike. We'd be a full two months or more into the school year by this time - an unbearably long stretch after the long leisure of summer break. The kids would be manic, in fits and furies waiting for their Halloween candy fix. Thanksgiving break was still too far off for comfort, but we all held out hope.

There was often strange seismic shifts in weather this time of year too - even in sunny Pasadena where I taught at a public middle school. I remember one strange year - a second summer of sorts, with record heat into the fall. An apocalyptic Mad Max vibe out on the blacktop one week, the Santa Ana winds ripping through the campus, dry leaves and debris and two-second tornados everywhere. And then the next week a small miracle. A sudden and extreme temperature drop in November, fall falling into place at last. It was lunch time and I was in my classroom, not wanting to be disturbed, when a crescendo of screams rang outside my window. My classroom was at the back of the campus and my rear door exited out onto the blacktop. The screams (long OHS and EEEs) got louder and suddenly several fists were pounding on the back door, frantically. All of them witches I muttered, and went to investigate.

Outside the door, the most unbelievable sight. Total mania. Witches indeed. Their faces feral, mouths open and still screaming. The group outside holding hands and side-skipping in a wild, circular dance. Something in the air. Something in their hair. Something now on my nose. I instinctively looked to the heavens, my mouth now open too. The flakes were tiny, and barely there in the autumn air. But it was snow. It was snowing. In Los Angeles. I held my palms out in disbelief, jolted out of my stupor when they took my hands, and suddenly I was away in the circle, skipping and spinning too out toward the grassy field, now freckled with white dust. It's SNOOOWIIINNGG!!! we all hollered at the top of our lungs, shouting so loud our voices fell silent, laughing so hard we were crying.

We have wine for all and any weather ahead, this week and beyond. Whatever falls, we have you covered. TONIGHT: Thursday Night Flights - Pinot Noir Flights for any of you craving autumnal reds and Portuguese Whites for any still savoring the last wave of summer-like heat here. Red and White Flights, just $12 from 5-9pm, and wines by the glass as always.

SATURDAY: ROSÉ FLIGHTS. It looks to be sunny and warm and we thought we'd take the easy way and give in. Domestic, French and Italian. All dry and delicious and all for you. Flights $15 from 2-6 and wines by the glass until 9pm.

SUNDAY: Wines of JURA. One of our favorite wine regions of France. Beguiling beauties from the east between Burgundy and Switzerland. Unique, expressive and dynamic wines - come explore with us and taste for yourselves. Flights $15 from 2-6 and wines by the glass until 8pm.


See you soon,

Daniel