Exhale Premium Cigar and Events

Thanksgiving Cigar & Dinner

The quaint boutique restaurant known simply as Meze was the meeting place for the first Exhale Premium Cigar and Events meet up.  Geared towards the cigar aficionado and those who love pairing sophisticated drinks with exotic foods, Exhale Premium Cigar and Events was designed to bring together a few friends, as well as enjoy the company and surroundings of the Gaslamp Quarters.  It accomplished that and more.  With San Diego known for having some of the best cigar lounges in the country, more than a few friends attended the first gathering at Meze.  The guys known as Big Tony, Downtown Bobby and Corey put this event together because of their love for cigars and their long standing affinity of downtown San Diego. Relax folks, they’re just regular guys.  With the few friends they invited to EPCE, the word got out and the crowd came.  Those looking for great aromatic flavored cigars got 2 stix from one of San Diego’s notable cigar lounges.  Those coming for drinks and libations were treated with samples of some great martini’s, well drinks and wine selections.  And the cuisine from the kitchen of Meze Greek Fusion was definitely the pallet pleaser of the night.  The food selections were as authentic Mediterranean as being in city of Santorini.

Monday November 25, the second installment of EPCE “Thanksgiving Cigar & Dinner” will be held again at Meze, hosted by NFL great Vincie Glenn ( San Diego Chargers, Minnesota Vikings) and a few of his friends.  Those that know Vincie know that he is a cigar connoisseur, but getting him to take time from his travels on the golf course is a feat within itself.  Specialty drinks, 2 complimentary cigars from Racine & Laramie, one of San Diego oldest and notable cigar shops located in Old Town is only the topper.  The food pairing presented buffet style, will again blend perfectly into the start of a festive Thanksgiving week.

The night is not just another guys night out, hoping pretty ladies would by chance come and join them. The ladies that came were not there just as eye candy.  They were aficionados of the smooth spirits, foods and stogies, but also assured that that last back glance in the mirror stated “Damn…even I would want to date me”.   San Diego has had many  cigar clubs, dining clubs and wine and spirits clubs, but none have been able to put them all together as did the guys from Exhale Premium Cigars and Events.  The events will be scheduled monthly at various locations throughout San Diego in 2014, but Meze   in the Gaslamp seems to hold its own in hosting the night.  They added their own sensual flair with an exotic belly dance that made the smoke stand still before it evaporated into the air.  The music pairing of Jazz keeps the mood light but at times make you wanna move a thing or two.  With Missy Anderson unique style of Jazzy Blues and Sacha performing the rhymetic beats of Latin Jazz, the live entertainment for a  Monday night will match any Friday or Saturday night club.  This night life event will become one of San Diego’s notable destinations in 2014.

Meze Greek Fusion Restaurant, opened over a year ago by brothers Patrick & Raymond Davoudi, is known for their culinary excellence, enlivening atmosphere, and world-class service. Cuisine for the evening will be provided buffet style with a variety of options. Live entertainment will be provided by Grammy nominated Sacha Boutros, and the renowned vocal artist Missy Andersen. There will be a Cigar Art Auction, featuring two local San Diego Artists. Your reservation includes two Premium Cigars, a drink, and a delicious meal, a great place to net-work, and a memory to last a lifetime.

Priority Reservations are $40.00 per individual.

Reservations are filling up fast! Click below to place your reservation now!

ExhalePremiumCigarsandEvents.com

So ladies, before all the stuffing sets in from the holiday feasting and the battle ground at the malls on Black Friday commence at midnight…guys before you’ve been simplified as just a reindeer leading the the shopping sleigh or just an arm for shopping bags to rest on, take some time to for yourself…who knows when you’ll get a chance to sit back and Exhale.

Come Exhale With Us

Sponsors:

Meze – Racine & Laramie Limited – Famous Vodka –  Pura Vida Tequila – Magnifico Gironata  Evol – koo koo Liqueur – Boondock Brothers – City Cruiser San Diego

HAFU: The Mixed-Race Experience in Japan
By: Jacqueline Penhos

Mixed, Bi-racial, multicultural, mixed breed, mulatto, mestizo/a, HAFU: These are just a few of the terms most people who are more than one race have been called or must hear on a daily basis. If I have to answer the question, “what are you mixed with? One more time I’m going to scream from the top of my lungs. The interracial experience has been an adventure the past 20 years of my life. Watching HAFU hit home with me, the journey was deliciously enlightening and heart rending at the same time. A must watch for any one who is blended or wishes to understand the mixed-race experience. Definitely worth taking a mental and visual journey at the next showing. Its not everyday a film touches your core in a therapeutic and holistic way. Growing up mixed, being pressured to choose one nationality, culture, and race has been second nature to my daily repertoire.

These are some of the similarities many of the HAFU’s experienced in the film. HAFU, a film about being/having mixed roots in Japan. Being bi-racial, Multi-racial, or multicultural can be stressful in any country or society. HAFU presents the mixed factor in an a organically genius documentary, sharing the stories of 5 HAFU’s living in Japan. Do we need to be categorized? HAFU seeks to answer this question, and many important ones similar to it, as it proudly displays the new wave of multicultural families in Japan. As, I mentioned the term “hafu” literally means “half”- this term has both negative and positive connotations in Japan. Similar to the word mulatto or mixed breed in the United States. The film shows how mixed race people living in Japan not only long to be acknowledged, but accepted and understood. “Directors Megumi Nishikura and Lara Perez Tagaki, HAFU’s themselves, present five intimate stories featuring people whose ethnicity and nationality are called into question every day of their lives.”

The film was presented at the Asian Film Festival 2013, in San Diego, Ca. There’s David a 28-year-old who’s lived in Japan nearly his entire life and is now looking to give back to his mothers village in Ghana (David’s father is Japanese). Or 9-year-old Alex, who leaves Japan to live with his mothers family in Mexico after traumatically being bullied for being different (Mexican and Japanese). Then there’s Sophia who lived in Australia her entire life, but comes to Japan to learn about the language and culture she barely knows. HAFU opens a dialogue about what it means to live in an increasingly global world and accepting our differences. It is my hope that times are changing and that people see, that, Diversity rocks!

Welcome to Deebone Productions

Deebone founded Deebone Productions in October 2003. The intent was to produce affordable and entertaining productions including plays, spoken word, comedy, talent and variety shows. The first show, a spoken-word concert called “Spoken Expressions”, produced in January 2004 was a sell-out. Because of the success, “Spoken Expression II” and “Spoken Expressions – The Show” were produced the following February and March. In April 2004, Deebone produced “My Father, My Father,” a play written by her client. The play received overwhelming positive comments from nine Community Actor Judges. The Judges described “My Father, My Father” as excellent, captivating, magnificent, profound, moving, awesome, professional, outstanding, superb, superior, extremely emotional incredible and done-perfectly. It were these comments which led Deebone Productions to receive the Aubrey Judge’s Award on behalf of actors and director. Other shows produced include a fashion dinner auction show, musical revenue, jazz concert, variety show, talent show, numerous comedy shows and Deebone’s first written stage play “Memories of Best Friends”. Following the stage play, was her first original written musical revue vignette “Vanilla, Chocolate and Caramel Too!” in 2007. Her second original musical revue vignette, “Choo, Choo”, was staged in 2010. “Harlem Today” is also an original musical revue vignette being staged in June 2013.

Meet the Producer

Dee (Deebone) Brooks is the sole owner of Deebone Productions and a graduate from the University of Phoenix with a Business Marketing Degree. Born and raised in San Diego, she is the youngest of five children. Her father was born in Terrell, Texas; her mother in Kaufman, Texas. Known for being well-organized and a stickler for time, you can expect her productions to begin timely. Quite frequently, you can expect to be treated with something free at her productions. With the exception of the “Choo, Choo” flyer, Deebone has designed all of her flyers and programs. In addition to owning a production company, she is employed as a Business Systems Analyst.

Dee produces and funds all productions with original content and music. Her productions have grown in size and visibility within the play circuit. She is currently casting for her next production…

I have openings for actors and actresses 17 years of age and older.  Someone suggested I checked with your group.  The name of the show I’ve written is called “Whatcha’ Gonna Get’. It is a multiple skit vignette. Skit selection isn’t made until the cast is intact so I do not have any specific information to provide. There will be 9 – 11 skits. All skits have acting, some have dancing and some have singing. This production will provide a couple of actors the opportunity of Directing or co-Directing a skit to add to their resume. There are choreography opportunities as well. Compensation is a targeted stipend + $5 per ticket sale. Rehearsals are 2 days a week + Saturday.  Rehearsals will increase to 3 days + Saturday  closer to the show date. Ideally, I would like to secure 2 more actors and 1 more actress of any ethnicity.   The first cast meeting is this week so I’m finishing up auditions within the next few days. If you know anyone interested, please have them email me whatchagonnaget@deeboneproductions.com

2000 Diana

Harlem Today

 

The production will be held at a beautiful location in National City.

Show dates below…
Tech night 2/17
Tech night 2/18
Tech night 2/19
Show 2/20 : opening night
Show 2/22 : evening
Show 2/23 : matinee show
Show 2/27 : evening
Show 3/1: evening

Being an entrepreneur is very challenging…being a young entrepreneur can be both challenging and a hard road to navigate.  Regardless of the industry mental toughness, patients and virtue are just a few traits one must have in order to stay the course and succeed.  There are going to be many challenges, but at the same time there will be great personal rewards. When you have established a firm foundation and a solid base for your venture that’s just the beginning.  Tatiana Daniel has begun to explore her travels with “Brooke Journey Inc”. When starting a new business there will be many first.  Recently she produced her first fashion show “The Black & White Affair”.  The show was well attended and had various local designers from the San Diego area.  From the onset we could see she was very driven to put present a great product as well as a great event.  For those of us who have produced or been involved in the back room workings of a fashion show, or any other major event you know the trials and tribulations that go along with organizing such an event.  The various personalities, the egos and the attitudes all are just standard ingredients.  Tatiana seemed to take all that in stride during the night of the show and showed the balance between greeting her guest and keeping the show in order.  But we all know, there was probably a lot of drama taking place back stage.

She now takes her first step in taking her show on the road.  She will be appearing the much acclaimed Facet Fashion Show; Fall Edition, in Los Angeles Ca.  The fashion industry  can be a rough road to navigate if you do not know the ins and outs.  The New York fashion industry is known worldwide as one of the hubs for fashion.  There seems to be a more common unity to move the industry forward, with collaboration and think tanks.  Los Angeles on the other hand can be very competitive and sometimes cut throat.  With the entertainment and movie industry as an outlet for designers, making sure your looks get seen first can be the key to making your mark in the industry.  Tatiana takes Brooke Journey Inc. into the fashion web of HOLLYWOOD.  It is the old David and Goliath story of the fashion world.  Without much backing and support outside of San Diego, she’s taking her leap of faith and the first big step.

“Life has been one big roller coaster.  This all started with losing my father but that loss turned into a grief pushing myself hard to achieve a goal.  Building a company from the ground up is hard work but has an amazing feeling of appreciation.  I thank God for every opportunity he has given me.  I thank all my true friends and the people who have supported me personally.  Debuting in my first big show in Hollywood…I’m nervous and excited.  I’m up to burning the midnight oil sewing”.

The styles of Brooke Journey Inc., varies in looks, but all do one thing… accentuates the form, shape and curves of a women.  With most designers, they tailor their looks for the size 0 – 2 when designing and cutting the garments.  Sometimes that look does not translate to the size 6 – 10, which there are plenty of.   Brooke Journey Inc. begins by designing to make sure that all the beautiful curves that make a woman, gets their just due, just plain ole Sexy.

The show will be held Saturday November 9th at Mack Sennett Studios, 1215 Bates Ave in Los Angeles CA.  Doors open at 6:00PM.  Come out and see a great show and Brooke Journey Inc. on the runway.

The Image of Magazine is looking forward to producing the feature for Brook Journey Inc. for the print edition in the Spring of 2104