The Western Front: Get Your Screen Printed White T Here

The Western Front – Bay Area T-Shirts

By Aaris A. Schroeder
Editor-In-Chief

Looking to show off your style, whether you are going dum at a function or getting hyphy at a party? Want to represent your area? Thizzin’? The right T-shirt company for you to check out for your Bay Area scene shirts is The Western Front.

Some of the designs that are available are “Grind Mode” and “Turf Mode,” City Limit [sign] shirts for some major cities, “Made in the Bay” with area codes reppin’, thizzin’ shirts, bay-rating slogans, shirts that are a parody of recognizable logos, ‘I Rep’ logos, stickers and Mac Dre bobble heads.

Check out http://www.cafepress.com/westernfront.54902877 for more information or check out http://www.myspace.com/twfclothing to learn more about these exciting shirts that come in many different styles.

Jones Energy Boosters: More than Soda Pop

Product Review
Jones Soda, Co.

By Aaris A. Schroeder
Editor-In-Chief
Dec. 12, 2006

Jones Energy: Activated Energy Boosters, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Big Sky Brands, Inc. is known for their unique beverage; Jones Soda, now distributed by Nor-Cal Beverages in CA.

Always innovative, Jones Soda Co. now has a new product on the market that you can purchase at places as diverse as Hot Topic, Target, Kroger, 7-Eleven, Starbucks, Barnes & Noble, Speedway Superstore America, Zumiez, Spencers as well as tens of thousands less than well known locations.

This lively sugar-free ‘mint’ offers high-volume octane levels of Taurine [1000 mg] and caffeine [80 mg]. In fact, just one tin of these little goodies are equal to one can of Jones Energy drink and the energy boosters taste quite similar as well.

Don’t be fooled, after just three you will begin to feel the affects of Jones Energy. Don’t be surprised if you begin to get more homework completed or your car finally gets that cleaning that you have been thinking about the last few months.

“These petite babies have all the attitude and the punch that consumers have come to expect from Jones,” says Luke vanVliet, Marketing manager at Big Sky Brands.

Jones Soda has a cult-like following; they say and will continue to offer products that their specific consumers enjoy.

Contact jones@bigskybrands.com and visit http://www.jonescandy.com or http://www.bigskybrands.com to learn more about how you can get your hands on these hot little energized tid-bits.

Palm Tree Eye Wear: Official Stunna Shades

Palmtree Lifestyles, LLC: Palmtree Eyewear
Created By Bay Area Hip-Hop Icon, Shake Da Mayor

By Aaris A. Schroeder
Dec. 12, 2006

‘Stunna Shades,’ as Bay Area hip-hop cats call them can be found just about everywhere from convenience stores to hip-hop boutiques and apparel stores. Don’t say we didn’t tell you however Bay Area hip-hop artist and icon, Shake Da Mayor is the official “Stunna King,” as he calls himself.

Why? Because this Fresno, CA based hip-hop artist; who has released his album, “The Fruit of His Own Thinking,” on Clear Records/Palm Tree Entertainment is creating and distributing his ‘stunna shades’ to the biggest heads in the Bay Area Hyphy Movement collective.

Now, the official stunna shades, Palmtree Eyewear can be seen photographed in such publications such as VIBE Magazine, reviewed at e-zines like West Coast Rydaz http://www.westcoastrydaz.com and TV interviews with B.E.T. for Rap City as one of the most innovative hip-hop artists in the Bay Area Hyphy Scene.

Music videos featuring the official ‘stunna shades’ include E-40’s, “You and Dat;” Dilated People’s, “Back again” and a Fresno-based uncensored DVD.

According to Shake’s bio, he recognizes that Mac Dre and others in the Hyphy Movement have popularized the Stunna Shade craze, Shake just wants to offer a line of official glasses to the hip-hop community and beyond.

“”Man, we don’t live like that. It’s a struggle to bubble and stay humble,” says Shake about how everything comes full circle.

Shake has plans to launch Gamay Rouge Wine through his Palmtree Beverages line with Andrew Lane Wines, a Bath and Body line is almost ready to launch within Palmtree Bath and Body, the line sticks to organic ingredients and natural island/familiar scents such as coconut and citrus, and a new shoe line developed by Kashi Kicks Designs under the umbrella company Palmtree Lifestyles, LLC; think “diamonds on the soles of your shoes,” viewable at http://www.myspace.com/kashikicks.

Check our http://www.palmtreeeyewear.com, http://www.myspace.com/shakedamayor and http://www.myspace.com/palmtreeeyewear for information about stunna shades and to be a friend.

Andrew Lane Wines: Urban Wine Experience

Andrew Lane Wines
By Aaris A. Schroeder
Editor-In-Chief
Dec. 12, 2006

Andrew Lane Wines, where the vineyards are located in the heart of Napa Valley, CA and pressed in Emeryville, CA just outside of Berkeley, CA prove to be tasteful, rich and full of flavor while offering a unique and different approach to wine tasting. UBO Magazine calls this wine the black sheep in a family of high-class wines however keeping wine etiquette to a ‘tee.’

“Over three decades ago, our family created the this wine [Frogs Leap] for six years in for use in the underground wine scene, gold medals and critical acclaim but lost the label in a lawsuit because basically we were relatively poor and didn’t have enough money to properly defend against the interlopers,” says Andrew Dickson, who took the winery commercial and makes the wine at the Emeryville facility. “In retrospect it was just shrewd business- water under the bridge.”

Beginning early ’07, the use of the name Gamay Beaujolais will not be accepted on wine labels of American origina proper term anywhere except for Beaujolais, France; similar to the use of the term Champaigne. But the history remains firm that Gamay was banished from all the lands of Burgundy, France by the ruling class and is thus considered the working mans wine- to some the most dangerous grape. It was also once the most abundant grape grown in Napa Valley.

In anticipation of this new law, the Dickson family calls their tasteful wine, Gamay Noir because the grape is related to Pinot Noir.. The wine still represents the working class but in Napa it has more weight and easily stands up to most $20+ bottles of Pinot Noir.

“Napa Gamay is true pinot envy. The vines are work horses, you could feed armies!” says Drew.


Interestingly, Andrew Lane serves this red wine chilled in the summer as apposed to 55 degrees which is how most all red wines are served.

Only (20) cases of Gamay remain from a (485) case annual production.

“The third commercial vintage from the Dickson brothers was a lip- smacking triumph!” Says Gary Fishman.

This 50-plus year old vineyard serves up a high-pitch flavor of bright red fruits such as bring cherries, raspberries strawberries and spice rolling across your tongue.

Growing up around these issues with the law and the family business (and a lot of rich kids) caused Drew to gravitate towards hip-hop music as an outlet and baseball and football. As he harvested, pitched, crushed and pressed grapes, Drew was getting down to artists such as Eazsy E.

Being reviewed by as Gourmet Magazine,t The Oakland Tribune, he San Francisco Chronicle and many more, Andrew Lane Wines has come to be known as the Bay Area’s official, ‘Urban Wine Experience.’

“Our seductive wines have flair, style and personality!” says Drew.


There are four other wines that Andrew Lane has created and is working on right now.

Nouveau wine by Andrew lane is the celebration of the grape harvest. The festivities occur annually on the third Thursday of November..

“This wine is high-pitch and all about fresh and green- a celebration of agriculture,” says Drew.

This Gamay nouveau is served from a barrel on a bar top with a gravity flow. Out of all the Andrew Lane wines, Nouveau has the freshest, most crisp taste because it can be served just days after it’s crushed and barreled down. days after being barreled.

The Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon offers a low-pitch flow as you take in the fragrance of cedar, fresh tobacco, oak, plum and black cherrychocolate and leather. An almost ‘chewy’ thought crosses your mind as blackberries and milk chocolate and linger, taking a sip of this tasty beverage.

Andrew Lane has been producing wine for over 30 consecutive years in an underground Napa Valley Winery.

Andrew Lane’s Zinfandel is sold out, not necessarily their first pick for deep, rich tastes but definitely has the quality and class and has gained popularity. When available, the Zinfandel is found in restaurants such as the Ritz-Carlton Hotel and Half Moon Bay; a medium to low pitch wine- blueberries and black currents excite the tongue.

“[Zinfandel often has] high alcohol content, so ‘drink that one close to where you sleep,’” says Drew with a smile and a sample of ‘Zin’ in hand.

The newest wine that Andrew Lane is taking on Gamay Rouge. This project began with the meeting of Bay Area hip-hop artist Shake Da Mayor whose entrepreneur-like attitude landed him in the Emeryville-based wine cellar with Drew discussing a new urban wine while familiarizing his taste buds with the current wines the company is currently working on.

According to both Drew and Shake, this wine will offer high-class attitude with a familiar street-like sensibility. Think premium wines sold in singles and offered at places of convenience.

For more information about when Gamay Rouge will be expected to be released or to purchase crates of wine for your restaurant, bar or personal party visit http://www.andrewlanewines.com. You can purchase available wines in nicely packaged crates in groups of two, six or 12 bottles. Perfect for gift-giving on Mother’s day and Valentine’s Day.