Big Blend Radio

Rick San Nicolas - Master of Hawaiian Featherwork of Old Hawai‘i

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Toast to The Arts & Parks" Show features Rick Makanaaloha Kia'imeaokekanaka San Nicolas (Kanaka Maoli) who returned for the fifth time as the National Parks Arts Foundation artist-in-residence at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. 
Recognized as Ke Kumu Hulu Nui, meaning "Master of Hawaiian Featherwork of Old Hawai‘i," San Nicolas is dedicated to preserving and perpetuating this art form. Through his expertise and passion, he ensures that the traditions of feather lei making continue for generations to come. San Nicolas draws inspiration directly from the landscape of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, feeling a deep connection to the environment and its historical significance. He finds inspiration in the ancient Hawaiian featherwork tradition, particularly in the regalia worn by Hawaiian Royalty and warriors.
This year Rick travels to Washington D.C. to present his featherwork for inclusion in the collection of the Museum of the Department of Interior as well as having it on display in the office of Secretary Deborah Haaland (Laguna Pueblo). He is also a consulting advisor in historical featherwork on the upcoming TV Series "Chief of War," starring Jason Momoa. More at: https://www.hawaiianfeathers.com/  
Learn more about the National Parks Arts Foundation's unique artist residency programs in parks across the country at https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/ 

Wonderful Ways to Experience and Explore California's Sequoia Country

From hiking and cycling to kayaking and downtown public art and history walks, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "California Sequoia Country" Podcast focuses on the various ways to explore and experience Tulare County. 
Located in Central California, Tulare County is home to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Giant Sequoia National Monument and Sequoia National Forest, and charming art and agricultural communities including Visalia, Tulare, Exeter, Dinuba, Porterville, Three Rivers, Lindsay, and Woodlake.  
Featured guests from the Sequoia Tourism Council include Sintia Kawasaki-Yee - Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, Suzanne Bianco - Visit Visalia,  Cassidy Collins - Tulare Chamber of Commerce, and Kristy Martin - Porterville Chamber of Commerce
 Plan your visit with these websites mentioned in the podcast:- Sequoia Tourism Council: https://www.discoverthesequoias.com/ - Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks: https://www.nps.gov/seki/index.htm - Visit Visalia - https://www.visitvisalia.com/ - Tulare Chamber of Commerce - http://www.tularechamber.org/ - Porterville Chamber of Commerce - https://www.portervillechamber.org/ 

Peggy Fiandaca - A Taste of May

From Mother's Day (May 12) and National Wine Day (May 25) to Memorial Day Weekend (May 25-27) and National Asparagus Month, Get a Taste of May on this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Wine Time with Peggy" podcast. Hear about spring growth in the LVD Winery vineyard, Peggy's wine term of the month, and special events and new wine releases in the tasting room. 
Of course, we always chat about seasonal food and wine pairings, and Peggy's latest recipe. This month it's how to make Fresh Asparagus with Blender Hollandaise. Recipe: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/fresh-asparagus-with-blender-hollandaise/ 
Featuring Peggy Fiandaca, who along with her winemaker husband Curt Lawrence Dunham owns and operates LDV Winery in Arizona, "Wine Time with Peggy" airs every 1st Wednesday at 4pm PT / 7pm ET. Follow the podcast here: http://tinyurl.com/42j5zucj 
Learn more about LDV Winery at https://ldvwinery.com/ 

Faye Brenner - Collywobbles: Tales of Travel, Life, and Anxiety

An irresistible compulsion to travel and a nervous affliction: put these together and you get the collywobbles, that jittery feeling one gets from anxiety. 
This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Vacation Station" Travel Show features author and world traveler Faye Brenner who chats about some of her travel experiences and her book "Collywobbles: Tales of Travel, Life, and Anxiety." 
Part memoir and part travelogue, "Collywobbles" takes readers on amusing journeys from climbing up to the gargoyles atop Notre Dame to crawling through the Cu Chi tunnels in Vietnam, all the while wrought with multiple anxieties - from the fear of heights to the fear of getting lost. As she seeks ways to overcome her angst, Faye continues to pursue worldly pleasures in the arts, food, phalluses, and, oddly enough, toilets. More at https://www.fayebrenner.com/

Guitarist Michael Kessler - “Gravel Road” Album

Guitarist Michael Kessler joins Big Blend Radio for a fun conversation about his music and new album "Gravel Road," the Wisconsin music scene, plus, being a Horologist (a person that makes or repairs watches or clocks).
Kessler worked with Milwaukee producer/musician/engineer Gary Tanin at Daystorm Music to take on the full-length album "Gravel Road." Primarily a solo affair with guest musicians, Kessler recruited Georgia Rae to add fiddle while Tanin enlisted Chicken Wire Empire’s Ernest Brusubardis IV (fiddle) and Joe Vent on Bass.
On "Gravel Road," Kessler draws influence from Bluegrass, Country, Rock, Funk, and Blues resulting in an acoustic melting pot. The album is out now in all digital outlets.

Poet Lauren Martin - Night of the Hawk

This episode of Big Blend Radio celebrates Earth Month and National Poetry Month with Lauren Martin who discusses her book, "Night of the Hawk: Poems" which will be out on May 14, 2024 through She Writes Press. 
A powerful and wise poetry collection on shamanism, feminism, and disability, "Night of the Hawk" tells untold stories of the marginalized. Inspired by the Lauren's own experiences as an aging woman living with chronic illness, the poems in this collection will inspire readers to seek compassion and kindness in an often inhospitable world. 
LAUREN MARTIN is a psychotherapist, poet, and a devoted Ìyânífá. She lives in Oakland, California. Lauren studied poetry at Sarah Lawrence College. She spent years writing without submitting her work due to a long shamanic journey, which led her to both Ifá, and to the writing of this collection of poems. More at: https://www.laurenmartin.net/ 

Joey Stuckey - Guitars, Jazz and Poetry

This episode of Big Blend Radio's BIG DAILY BLEND Celebrates April being International Guitar Month, Jazz Apprecation Month, and National Poetry Month.
Special guest is Joey Stuckey, Music Ambassador of Macon, Georgia "The Southern Rock Capital of the World. Joey, who co-hosts the Big Daily Blend podcast every 4th Sunday, is an award-winning blind guitarist, songwriter, singer, composer, producer, and sound engineer. More: https://www.joeystuckey.com/ 
BIG BLEND RADIO EXTRAS: * International Guitar & Jazz Music Playlist on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/2wd3886f * Poet Seaborn Jones on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/2cre7den 

Glynn Burrows - Exploring Historic Edinburgh, Scotland

On this episode of Big Blend Radio's "English Connection" show with Glynn Burrows, he shares some of the historic highlights not to be missed in Edinburgh, Scotland including Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Yacht Britannia, and Mary King's Close. Read Glynn's article about his visit to Edinburgh here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/over-the-border-to-historic-edinburgh-scotland/ 
Glynn Burrows is the owner of Norfolk Tours in England. He appears on Big Blend Radio every fourth Saturday covering England as a travel destination as well as family history research. Follow his podcasts here: https://tinyurl.com/4bjzn3um
Learn more about Norfolk Tours at https://norfolk-tours.co.uk/