RC birthday party
The Dr Pepper Museum in Waco, Texas, will celebrate RC Cola’s 100th Anniversary on April 23 with RC & Moon Pie Madness, a family festival that will feature Moon Pie races, a “Texas-sized” Moon Pie, a Moon Pie eating contest, and the crowning of Mr. and Mrs. Moon Pie. Admission to the museum will be free for the day.
Pinot’s ‘Sideways’ boost
The Oscar nominated movie “Sideways” has spawned a new breed of Pinot Noir lovers, according to ACNielsen. Sales of the varietal wine were up 16 percent for the 12 weeks ending Jan. 15 vs. the same period the year before, which happens to coincide with the release of the movie. The protagonist of the sleeper hit film is a fan of the wine and waxes about it and the skills required to grow pinot noir grapes during a tour of central California’s wine country.
Golfing with the Goose
U.S. Open golf champion Retief Goosen has signed on as pitchman for Bacardi’s Grey Goose Vodka. The Goose, as Goosen is known on the golf circuit, is ranked fifth in the world, and is a two-time winner of the U.S. Open. The multi-year promotional agreement includes the use of Goosen’s name and image, and his services as corporate host for Grey Goose Vodka’s PGA Tour hospitality program and guest on the Golf Channel’s “The Grey Goose 19th Hole” program. In goodtaste
He might have earned a reputation for being tasteless on the airwaves, but taste is exactly what syndicated radio personality Tom Leykis is counting on for his most recent gig as host of “The Tasting Room,” a new radio program devoted to wine, beer and spirits. The show is intended to be accessible to a broad audience, not just aficionados. Leykis will interview vintners, distillers and industry experts, discuss trends, travel experiences to alcohol-producing areas of the world, and food and alcohol pairings.
Coffee credits
Coffee has always been a beverage of choice on college campuses for finals week all-nighters, but according to a CCN report, Centre College in Danville, Ky., is actually giving class credits for learning about the brew. “The Cafe and Public Life” is a three-week course that examines coffee and its effects on history and society, particularly the concept of coffeehouses as meeting places and their relationship to democracy and neighborhood development.
The course is one of several at colleges across the country, including Emory University, the University of Washington, and the University of California -Irvine.Bubbling Under
Perrier Natural Sparkling Mineral Water selected filmmaker Nimrod Antal as the winner of the Perrier Bubbling Under Award for his work in “Kontroll.” The award, which was given at the 2005 U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Colo., recognizes an emerging actor, writer or director who has demonstrated outstanding comedic film talent.
“Nimrod Antal gives viewers a glimpse into the exciting future of comedic film with his darkly humorous storylines,” says Mike Hoynes, Perrier senior marketing manager, of Antal’s Tim Burton-like style. “His film exhibits creative insight, clever direction and remarkable character development.”
Hockey sweepstakes
Dejected U.S. hockey fans can try to overcome their disappointment about the NHL lockout and get their hockey fix by entering Czechvar Premium Lager’s sweepstakes to win a trip to Prague and the Czech NHL Playoffs this spring. More than 300 National Hockey League players are playing in Europe during the canceled U.S. season, and the Czech beer, imported by Distinguished Brands International, is offering a trip for two to see the expatriate players via case cards, on-premise entry forms, on the Internet or by mail.