Thanks to Agave Southwestern Grill in Naples for having us host their first Cinco de Mayo Celebration. It was full of fun and special surprises. Like the debut of the restaurant's exclusive double reposado tequila. I tried some, as soon as I was off the clock of course. Read more here:

http://thebirchbeat.blogspot.com/2012/05/tasting-tequila.html

Kris Allen is headling our Wink Spring Fling on May 19th at Hammond Stadium. He phoned me up today to talk about the concert, his new music and more. Click the link below to hear the full interview:

http://soundcloud.com/gina-birch-live/kris-allen-on-air-050412

96-9 WINK-FM has brought Gavin DeGraw to town a couple of times. He is a great entertainer.  And although you don't get to see it, he is great back-stage also; so generous and gracious to his fans. He put down the mic briefly to learn how to Tango on Dancing With the Stars this season. I got to talk to him about his run on the show and his new music. Click here for the interview and his newest music video:

http://thebirchbeat.blogspot.com/2012/05/singin-and-dancin-with-gavin.html

Just let me say, I LOVE MY JOB!!!!

Case in point, this Saturday I'm doing a live broadcast at The Firepit at Gulf Coast Town Center to help them kick-off a new wine promotion for the month of May. Cupcake Wines served with Cupcakes, live music and more!! I'll be there from 6-8.....check out this blog for even more!

http://thebirchbeat.blogspot.com/2012/04/eating-and-drinking-cup-cakes.html

Looking for some great new music to add to your Ipod? Check out Katrina. She stopped by the station to play a few tunes for us and we were all enamored. Click here for my blog and videos!

http://thebirchbeat.blogspot.com/2012/03/new-music-katrina.html

One of  my favorite perks at the station is having artists randomly stop by the station to play a few songs for us. You really get to hear what they sound like, no big speakers or processing. Jon McLaughlin was AWESOME yesterday. He's got a new single with another WINK fav, Sara Bareilles. Plus he's really cute! Check more out here:

http://thebirchbeat.blogspot.com/2012/02/new-music-jon-mclaughlin.html

Elevation Burger is finally open at Gulf Coast Town Center in Estero. It's next to the Ale House and you've got to check it out for lots of reasons. The ingredients in everything from the burgers to shakes are organic and excellent quality, something you typically don't find in burger chains. The owners recently moved here from the Great White North and have lots of fun and exciting things planned for the restaurant. I got to sample lots of goodies during the opening festivities this week, check it out here:

http://thebirchbeat.blogspot.com/2012/02/ingredients-matter.html

I got to try some new "small plates" now on the menu at Bahama Breeze Island Grille. I'm a big fan of the small plates because I can eat more. You know what I mean, try more things because the quantity is less! Thanks to Mark and the gang for hosting us!

Check out more details here, at my food and wine blog site:   http://thebirchbeat.blogspot.com/2012/02/small-plates-big-flavor.html

One of my favorite events every Christmas is Holiday In The Park, at Riverside Park in Bonita Springs. I've hosted it for years and last night was one of the best! The weather was awesome, the crowd huge and Santa arrived right on time! Here are some photos.

I love passing on great experiences and great deals. I went to Busch Gardens again over the weekend to experience the Serengeti Safari. We stood in an open truck and drove right through the 65-acre Serengeti Plain. The beautiful giraffes came right up to the truck for us to pet and feed. It was amazing to see these creatures so close. It was also cool to see the other African animals free-roaming; no glass or cages to separate us.

Right now Florida residents get this Safari FREE with regular admission. But the offer only lasts through 12/15 so take advantage of it if you can. Busch Gardens also offers a night safari after hours. This sounds awesome because you get to check out the animals thrgh night-vision monoculars. You also get to sit outside around a fire-pit. Food and drink is included before and after the safari too.

Enjoy some… Read More

I did a live broadcast from Busch Gardens in Tampa the day before the new Cheetah Hunt roller coaster and Cheetah Run exhibit opened to the public. The coaster is the only triple-launch in Florida and it is FAST. I have a video from the ride but have had trouble posting it since it is in HD. I'm working on converting it. It will give you a good laugh for sure. In the meantime, here are some photos.

Busch Gardens is a fun park and it is so close. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express which is just a couple of blocks from the entrance. The hotel is… Read More

Thanks for making our Spring concert a HUGE success. Here are a few photos from backstage. Keep checking WINKFM.com for more!

Tuesday is now Crus-day at Cru! On Tuesdays enjoy a new wine and tapas party for only $15. We kicked things off last night with an End of Season Tacky Tourist Party. Yes, I'm wearing white flip flops and black socks. Make sure you come to the next party! We had a great time. The food and sparkling wine was FABULOUS!

The third Tuesday of every month....make a note on your calendar to be at the Morgan House with me. For months, the downtown Fort Myers Restaurant has hosted a wine and tapas tasting on that Tuesday. They are mixing it up a bit now and hosted the first beer tasting last night. What a great time! The chef did an amazing job of preparing appetizers, using the beer we were tasting. We tried Alexander Keith's Nova Scotia Style Lager's and Ale's amoung others. Next month more wine but I hear Bourbon tasting is on the radar also. Be sure to keep listening for more info!

What a great St Patty's Day Party the Morgan House threw this year! The restaurant  in downtown Fort Myer's Patio DeLeon, is the official pre and post party headquarters for the Red Sox Spring Training.

This year the Morgan House also hosted GrillSeekers, a popular TV show in New England. Show host Michael Petit cooked with Chef Chris and captured local Red Sox fans celebrating St Patty's Day, or St Sox Day! He also brought legendary Red Sox pitcher Bill "Spaceman" Lee to the party! I'll be sure to let you know when the Southwest Florida episode airs!

Lady Gaga did it again....another crazy music video. Check out  Born This Way:

http://www.youtube.com/embed/wV1FrqwZyKw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>

The Taste of Love to benefit Special Equestrians was a huge success!! We Sampled food and wine from a dozen local restaurants then retired to the tent to bid on great auction items: artwork, vacation, jewelry, furniture and more. Thanks to everyone who showed up. We raised lots of money and had even more fun. If you are looking for a worthy charity to support, please check out what Special Equestrians does!

Some people have too much time on their hands....haha

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-3gghjszSho

Great fashion show and grand opening for Trini in Private Friday at the Bell Tower Shops in Fort Myers! Congratulations! Check out the new salon and all of their amazing products!

Atlantic recording artist Matt Hires stopped by the studio and played some tunes for us. What a great song writer and he's a Tampa boy. Be sure to check out his music!