PORCSHE N. MORAN
  • PORTFOLIO
  • About & RESUME
  • Recommendations & Endorsements
  • Freelance Services
  • Contact

Porcshe N. Moran

Writer, Editor & Communications Professional Creating Engaging Content for Brands & Media Outlets

Video: Ham & Turkey Festival in California, Missouri

9/29/2013

0 Comments

 
The annual Ozark Ham & Turkey Festival is held the third Saturday of September in California, Mo. It began in 1990 in honor of the small town's two biggest employers, Burger's Smokehouse and Cargill. The festival, sponsored by the California Area Chamber of Commerce, features an early morning parade through downtown, arts and crafts vendors, live music, a 5K walk/run and a classic car and antique tractor show. There is also plenty of food, such as turkey drumsticks, ham sandwiches and the world's largest sub sandwich. My fiance's father works for Cargill, and he drives the turkey float in the parade. I rode in the float this year with my fiance and our miniature pinscher, Maggie, who was a big hit with the crowd. 

Watch my video below to experience The 2013 Ozark Ham & Turkey Festival. 

0 Comments

Boone Dwaddle Weekend 2013

8/25/2013

1 Comment

 
Picture
The outdoor, blufftop movie theater at Boone Dwaddle
In 2011, I started a tradition with two of my best friends from college. Every August, we all get together for the weekend in Columbia, Mo. to attend a wonderful event called Boone Dwaddle. It's a summer extension of the annual True/False Film Festival, another one of our traditions, which takes places in February. The Boone Dwaddle consists of a leisurely 16-mile bike ride on the Katy Trail from Columbia to Les Bourgeois Vineyards & Winery in Rocheport, Mo. Along the way, there are a number of "trailside surprises," such as snacks and performances. Upon arrival to the winery, you are treated to a buffet-style local foods picnic, live music and a documentary film screening. All of this takes place on a gorgeous blufftop overlooking the Missouri River. I must admit that my friends and I have never actually done the bike ride portion of Boone Dwaddle. Each year, we briefly consider it, and then opt out in favor of the shuttle bus. The event organizers hinted that they might add canoeing as a form of transportation next year, in which case, we will definitely participate. 
Boone Dwaddle was on Saturday, but we kicked off the festivities early on Friday evening. I drove to Columbia, and met my friends at our accommodations, The Gathering Place Bed & Breakfast. We stay here for every Boone Dwaddle and most of the time for True/False. Besides the beautiful guest rooms, impeccable customer service and mouthwatering breakfasts, it is also within walking distance of downtown. I would live there full-time if I could! For dinner, we went downtown to Pizza Tree, an eatery that specializes in creative pizza styles made from fresh, local ingredients. We started the meal with an order of fried dough sticks that were served with chile oil for dipping. The appetizer was perfectly crispy and light, and we wasted no time devouring them. Our entree was the Banh Mi pizza, which is inspired by the popular Vietnamese sandwich of the same name. It consists of pizza cheese, sriracha braised pork belly, kimchi, chile aioli and cilantro. This filling combination is delicious and easily the prettiest pizza you have ever seen. We ended the night with frozen cocktails at Tropical Liqueurs before going back to the B&B. 
Picture
The Gathering Place B&B in Columbia, Mo.
Picture
Fried dough at Pizza Tree in Columbia, Mo.
Picture
Banh Mi pizza at Pizza Tree
Saturday morning started with breakfast at the B&B. I had fresh fruit, scrambled eggs with spinach, mushroom and feta cheese, hickory-smoked bacon, roasted red potatoes, and toast with the smoothest, creamiest butter I've ever tasted. In fact, the butter was so good that I asked for more toast just so that I could have more of the butter. After breakfast, we headed downtown. We did some shopping at Maude Vintage and New Beginning Consignment Clothing before having lunch at CJ's, a well-known spot for Buffalo wings. Next, we ventured over to Bleu Restaurant & Wine Bar. The innovative menu, stylish atmosphere and spacious outdoor patio makes Bleu one of our favorite places to dine in Columbia. On this visit, it was all about desserts. I ordered the triple chocolate mousse bomb. The mousse is made from locally produced Patric Chocolate. It is covered in a ganache shell and served on top of a chocolate cookie. It is a decadent treat, but unfortunately, I couldn't finish it because of its richness. You need a serious sweet tooth to conquer the whole thing.  My friend ordered the mango creme brulee, which was divine. I'm a connoisseur of  creme brulee, so I was excited to try it in a different flavor. It comes topped with fresh fruit and lavender short bread cookies on the side.
Picture
Eggs, roasted potatoes and bacon breakfast at The Gathering Place B&B
Picture
Wings and curly fries at CJ's
Picture
Triple chocolate mousse bomb at Bleu Restaurant & Wine Bar
Picture
Mango creme brulee & lavendar shortbread cookies at Bleu Restaurant & Wine Bar
At 5:30 p.m. we boarded the Boone Dwaddle shuttle bus for the 20 minute trip to Les Bourgeois. Our first stop was the registration table where we were given our passes for dinner and two beverages. Joshua Smith, Les Bourgeois' executive chef, presented a large spread of wholesome cuisine that included items such as Uprise Bakery baguettes topped with shaved Missouri Legacy Beef prime rib, arugula, and Norton vincotto braised onions; vegetarian lasagna with Pierpont Farms swiss chard; chickpeas and smoked paprika besciamella; and house made Chaurice sausage and red bean "chili" over rice. With so much to choose from, even a small sample of each was enough to completely fill my plate. The evening proceeded with a concert by the bluegrass band Yes Ma'am from New Orleans. I became a fan of theirs when they performed at this year's True/False, so I was happy to get another chance to see them live. When the sun went down there was a short, but spectacular, fireworks show, and then a screening of the film Lunarcy!. The director, Simon Ennis, and the main subject of the film, Christopher Carson, were both there to do a Q&A session after the screening. The movie is about a group of people who center their lives around finding a way to live on the moon. I found the film to be heartwarming and encouraging with its message of following your dreams no matter how crazy the world might think they are. 
Picture
Boone Dwaddle picnic: MO Grain Project wheat berry salad w/ Moroccan-spiced Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture summer squashes & Deep Mud Farm carrots
Picture
Boone Dwaddle participants relaxing outside at Les Bourgeois
Picture
A view of the Missouri River from the blufftop at Les Bourgeois
Picture
Yes Ma'am performing at Boone Dwaddle
Sunday began with another fabulous breakfast at the B&B. The main course was Belgian waffles with whipped cream and blueberries. I also had fresh fruit, hickory-smoked bacon and eggs over easy. After breakfast, we checked out of the inn and decided to spend the rest of the morning at the North Village Arts District Farmers & Artisan Market.  There were several vendors selling fresh produce, flowers, jewelry, clothing, artwork and other wares. I wasn't very hungry after our big breakfast, but I couldn't resist trying the truffle pizza at the Playing With Fire Wood Fired Pizza food truck. The yummy pie is made up of mozzarella, Pecorino, garlic, herb and truffle oil. The day was extremely hot, so we cooled down inside at The Root Cellar Grocery, where we picked up some refreshing Fresh Beet Gourmet Ice Pops, and at the Artlandish Gallery catacombs. One of the highlights of the market, was a performance by a very talented singer named Benjamin Joseph who entertained the crowd with his guitar and rock-soul vocals. We delayed heading home because we didn't want to stop listening to him play. He was that great. 
Picture
Belgian waffles with whipped cream and blueberries at The Gathering Place B&B
Picture
Mixed fresh fruit is always served with breakfast at The Gathering Place
Picture
Truffle pizza from Playing With Fire Mobile Wood Fired Pizza
Picture
Tiny peppers for sale at the North Village Arts District Farmers & Artisans Market
Picture
Pretty flowers for sale at the North Village Arts District Farmers & Artisans Market
Picture
Shabby (eco) chic art at the Artlandish Gallery catacombs
From being in the company of friends who I adore, to indulging in two days of food, film, music and art, Boone Dwaddle weekend 2013 couldn't have been better. This is a tradition that I look forward to continuing for many years to come. 

1 Comment

True/False Film Fest 2013

3/5/2013

0 Comments

 
Posted by Porcshe N. Moran
Picture
I purchased this T/F Film Fest canvas tote bag to commemorate the event's 10th anniversary.
The 2013 edition of the True/False Film Fest wrapped up Sunday night in Columbia, Mo. after four days packed full of documentary films and live music from around the globe.  This was my fourth year attending the festival and, as always, it was a phenomenal experience. Here's my take on the weekend:

Films & Events

Picture
My Simple Pass and huge programming schedule for T/F 2013.
True/False is considered to be one of the world's premiere film festivals. Sandwiched in between Sundance and SXSW, it has become a coveted destination for directors on the festival circuit. This year, 42 films were screened in eight downtown Columbia venues. One of the highlights of seeing films at T/F is that the directors and often times the subjects of the documentaries are in attendance. You are able to ask them questions at the end of each screening or even bump into them at a coffee shop for a one-on-one chat. It is always a treat to be able to get a behind-the-scenes perspective of how each film was made straight from the people involved. 

I purchased a Simple Pass for the festival which allowed me to reserve up to 10 different films in advance.  The pass also gave me the ability to "Q" (stand in line and try to get into a film that is sold out) throughout the entire festival. I ended up getting tickets to seven films. My plan was to also "Q" for two films.  Due to my personal schedule, I wasn't able to follow my original plan, but here are the five films that I was able to watch: 

  • "Crash Reel":  This documentary by two-time Academy Award nominee Lucy Walker follows the story of U.S. champion snowboarder Kevin Pearce who had an accident while preparing for the 2010 Winter Olympics. The accident resulted in massive head trauma. Luckily, Pearce survived the injury, but his life would never be the same again. I'm not big into sports, and I had never heard of Pearce before seeing the film, but it was easily my favorite screening of the festival. Walker had a great deal of access to Pearce and his inner circle of family and friends which allowed her to use his personal story to give an intimate look at the bigger picture of the dangers and high stakes associated with extreme sports. The film gives you a sense of what it would be like to have your life completely change in a matter of seconds and what it takes to rebuild. It was both a heart-wrenching and heart-warming account. Athletes and non-athletes alike are able to relate to the struggles and victories of Pearce and his family. I highly recommend seeing this documentary if you have the opportunity. 
  • "Cutie and The Boxer": Artists Ushio and Noriko Shinohara are profiled in this charming portrait of a husband and wife who seek success in the same profession. The couple live and work in New York City and personify the cliche of starving artists. At 80 years old, Ushio is surprisingly agile and full of life. He continues to create his famous boxing action paintings as well as sculptures made from cardboard. Noriko is finally focusing on her own art work again after spending years as Ushio's assistant in addition to raising their child while Ushio struggled with alcoholism. She tells the story of their 40-year relationship through a cartoon she has drawn called "Cutie and the Boxer". One of the most touching moments of the film for me was when Noriko reveals that despite the suffering, heartache and disappointment that she has experienced in her marriage to Ushio she still loves him very much and would do it all over again. The love between this couple is strong and enduring, but not sugar-coated. Both the director and the Shinoharas attended the screening. On the final day of the festival, Ushio gave a live demonstration of how he creates his boxing paintings. "Cutie and the Boxer" was one of the most popular films among festival-goers. 
  • The Machine Which Makes Everything Disappear: Filmmaker Tinatin Gurchiani wanted to make a film that explored the lives of youths in her home country of Georgia, and this was the end product. She set up casual casting calls for teens and 20-somethings to come in and reveal their hopes, dreams, struggles, fears etc. to the camera. She then went on to capture some of their stories further by following them into their worlds. I think the editing could have been a little tighter, but overall I loved the raw and honest interviews that the director was able to get with a diverse group of people about their individual lives. Also, the cinematography was stunning. 
  • "No":  This film was nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 2013. I believe it was the only film at the festival that wasn't a documentary, but it still fits under the fest's umbrella of non-fiction filmmaking. It is about the advertising campaigns that were created during the 1988 plebiscite in Chile to decide whether or not to keep dictator Augusto Pinochet in power. The film is shown through the point of view of a fictional advertising professional name Rene played by Gael Garcia Benal. I liked the way that the film tied in real footage from the time throughout the scripted scenes, and the story was intriguing. 
  • "Stories We Tell":  Oscar-nominated writer/director Sarah Polley reveals a personal secret through the recollections of her sisters, brothers, father and family friends in this documentary which premiered at the Venice International Film Festival in 2012. The film takes liberties with the documentary genre by seamlessly blending together fact and fiction. "Stories We Tell" was on the top of my list to see at the festival, but it was a let down for me in some ways. From a style perspective, I thought Polley did a great job of telling the story, and I applaud her vulnerability in revealing such a private part of her life. However, the story itself was underwhelming to me. In my opinion, what was supposed to be the "big, shocking" moment of the film didn't live up to the tremendous build-up that preceded it. My opinion of the film is in the minority though, as it has been applauded by critics and it was liked by many others at the festival. I'd recommend checking it out, but it just wasn't a favorite for me. Side note: A short by Oscar-winner Dan Lindsay called "My Favorite Picture of You" was played before the film. It was an absolutely beautiful collection of old photographs and personal video footage choreographed to audio of an elderly husband having a conversation with his wife about their life together as she is dying of cancer. Lindsay screened his film "Undefeated" at last year's festival just a week after it won the Academy Award for Best Documentary. If you haven't seen it yet, check it out on Netflix.  

Events
  • The Creative Treatment of Reality: This was a panel discussion on reality television with Jonathan Murray, creator of The Real World, and SallyAnn Salsano, creator of The Jersey Shore.  I haven't watched the Real World in years, and I've never watched Jersey Shore, but I'm fascinated by the phenomenon of reality TV and how it relates to documentary film. Plus, both Murray and Salsano are graduates of my alma mater, the University of Missouri. The discussion was led by a moderator and then opened up for audience questions. It was enlightening and gave me a  fresh perspective on reality TV. 
  • Third Coast International Audio Festival listening room: This free event, hosted by Chicago-based audio curators Third Coast, wasn't officially part of this year's festival, but it was one of the best things that I did all weekend. Third Coast artistic director Julie Shapiro played excerpts of the best radio documentaries from their extensive library and moderated discussion about them. It was a thought-provoking session. If it happens again next year, I'll definitely go back. 
  • The @ction Party: On Friday night, my friends and I attended the big T/F dance party at a downtown nightclub. The celebration featured DJ MNDR and Washington, D.C.'s DJ Rat and the Underdog. It was a blast. Aside from the dancing, it was a chance to socialize with filmmakers and fellow fest attendees. 

The Music

Picture
Yes Ma'am! from New Orleans, my favorite of the bands I heard at the festival.
Beyond the films, T/F also puts a premium on showcasing music from various acts from across the country and around the world. Before each film, audience members are treated to a performance from one of nearly 40 solo and group buskers who are part of the festival. Throughout the weekend, musicians can be found playing on street corners and at parties and events. My favorite act at the festival was a string folk band from New Orleans called Yes Ma'am!. I heard them for the first time before the screening of Crash Reel and then later that night at the Toast/False Saturday Busker Showcase. Side Note: While they weren't officially tied to the festival, Columbia, Mo.-based band Jenny Teator and The Fevers played a show on the first night of True/False at a downtown venue. Their set was amazing, and I really hope that they can be incorporated into T/F next year. 

The Food & Drink

Picture
House salad and Focaccia bread at Uprise Bakery.
I consider myself to be a bit of a foodie, so what I eat during T/F weekend is as important to me as the films. Beforehand, I prepared a list of Columbia dining establishments that I wanted to try for the first time or revisit during the festival, and I was able to get to most of them. Several restaurants catered to movie-goers by providing discounts for pass holders and a selection of dishes that could be ordered quickly between screenings.  These are the restaurants that I visited during the festival:
  • Bleu Restaurant & Wine Bar:  I've been a fan of Bleu since they opened, and they didn't disappoint at T/F. They offered a modified "Sip and Nosh" menu for the festival, but I ordered off the regular menu since I wasn't in a hurry to get to a film. I had their signature Bleu Burger, which had confit mushrooms, arugula, sun-dried tomatoes, caramelized onions and Swiss cheese, with a side of garlic and rosemary fries.
  • Uncle Tusk's BBQ: This wasn't on my original food list, but I'm glad I stumbled upon it. Uncle Tusk's BBQ was serving outside of The Bridge concert venue as part of a non-festival show that a friend and I attended on Thursday night. We sampled the maple and brown sugar barbecued wings, and they were incredible. The sauce was perfect and the meat fell off the bones. 
  • Uprise Bakery: This eatery is located inside of the Ragtag Cinema which houses two of the festival's venues making it extremely crowded and chaotic. Surprisingly, the service was pretty fast, and I didn't have to rush to finish my house salad and slice of Focaccia bread pizza before my next film. I didn't try it, but I heard raves from people who ordered their Bahn Mi sandwich which consists of pulled pork, kimchi, sriracha aioli, cilantro, mint and cucumbers served on a baguette.
  • U Kneed Sweets:  This small bakery was a delight.  The proprietor offers a mix of Asian, American, Italian and French pastries and desserts. I sampled one of their hazelnut macaroons, and it was perfection. 
  • Broadway Brewery & Restaurant: To end the festival, my friends and I decided to have Sunday brunch at this downtown brewpub that specializes in creative beers and meals made with fresh, local produce.  I ordered the French toast, house bacon, cheesy grits and a mimosa. I really enjoyed the cheesy grits, and the fresh-squeezed orange juice was the best I've ever tasted. Unfortunately,  their delicious pear ale, which I fell in love with during a previous festival, wasn't on tap. 
  • Pizza Tree: I'd been hearing rave review about this new artisan pizza place for awhile, and I was anxious to try it out. They had a discount on their Detroit-style slices for pass holders, and I wasn't super hungry, so I went for a slice of pepperoni. It was good, but what really intrigues me is their "Pizza Art" like The Fortnight which includes Ezzo pepperoni, bacon, ground sirloin, Italian sausage, red onion, kalamata olive, mushrooms and fried green peppers. Another example is the truffled crimini with tomato and Gouda cheese. I look forward to going back and trying these. At next year's fest, Pizza Tree will likely have a food truck roaming the streets. 
  • Yogoluv: There was no line here when I stopped in after a film to get my froyo fix despite it being right next to one of the festival's biggest venues.  They change the flavors regularly and have a large selection of toppings to choose from. The price is determined by the weight of your concoction. I tried a satisfying blend of the cinnamon bun and dulce de leche yogurts topped with fresh fruit and almonds. 
  • Kaldi's Coffee: I don't drink coffee, but Kaldi's is regularly named as the best place for a cup of Joe in Columbia. I opted for their Italian salami sandwich, chips and a slice of gooey butter cake. It is always crowded during the festival, but service is fairly fast, and the food is good. 
  • Lakota Coffee Company & Roasters: I really like the rustic decor of this coffee shop, and it wasn't as crowded as Kaldi's. I had one of their refreshing mango and banana smoothies while I worked on some writing between films. 
  • CJ's: My vote for the best buffalo wings in Columbia goes to CJ's hands down. We ordered ahead and our wings were ready for us when we arrived,  which gave us plenty of time to enjoy our meal before our next film. 
  • Tropical Liquers:  Trops, as it is known to Columbia's residents, is a beloved establishment that serves up a variety of frozen specialty cocktails. The weather was chilly during the festival and there was snow on the ground, but this place was still packed. 
  • Top Ten Wines: This upscale wine shop has a small bar, a couple of ping pong tables and window seating that provides a great view for people watching. We stopped in for a glass of sangria after a day of films. They also sell cheese plates for a light snack. I'd recommend this for anyone looking for a relaxed yet sophisticated environment. 
  • El Rancho: There are better Mexican restaurants in the city, but this one benefits from being in the heart of downtown and staying open into the early morning hours. When the bars close, it is not surprising to find a line here that goes out the door. I had the ground beef nachos, which weren't anything special, but took care of my hunger at 3 a.m. when not much else was open. 
To see more of my photos from the T/F Film Fest follow PNM Media on Instagram (@PNMMedia). For more information about the T/F Film Festival go to www.truefalse.org
0 Comments

My Oscars Viewing Party

2/25/2013

0 Comments

 
PictureOur Oscars snack bar was stocked with candy, popcorn & sodas.
Posted by Porcshe N. Moran

Watching movies is one of my favorite pastimes, and the Oscars are one of the few award shows that  I enjoy watching each year. It is nearly impossible to not get swept up in the glitz, glamour, and pomp and circumstance of Hollywood's biggest night.  This year,  my fiancé and I hosted a small Oscars viewing party at home. While our gathering was not quite as extravagant as the Governor's Ball or Vanity Fair's annual soiree, it was still a lot of fun!

DECORATIONS
Our living room was party central which meant bringing in some tables and adorning  them with red tablecloths, silver tinsel and sparkly balloon weights that served as centerpieces. To keep post-party clean up simple without sacrificing style,  I purchased plastic black plates, black paper napkins and disposable cutlery that had a sterling silver finish. I used Google Drawing to create signage for the "snack bar" and "dinner & cocktails" areas.

FOOD
I had the intention of preparing some homemade gourmet appetizers for the party, but my busy schedule got in the way. I opted instead for catering from a local supermarket which was much easier, and tasted great. The menu consisted of boneless buffalo wings, Italian bruschetta, vegetable pizza and a fresh fruit platter with watermelon, pineapple, cantaloupe, honeydew melon and fruit dip. For drinks, I served Barefoot Bubbly's Moscato Spumante and Stone Hill Winery's Spumante Blush.  We also set up a movie theater inspired snack bar complete with candy (Junior Mints, M&Ms, Sour Patch Kids and Airheads), popcorn and soda. 

GAMES
A party centered around a three hour TV event can get a little dull, so I planned some games to liven up the evening.  During the red carpet coverage and the main show, we played Oscars themed bingo. We also filled out Oscar ballots before the show to track  how many of the winners we guessed correctly. 

PARTY FAVORS
I wanted my guests to feel just as special as the celebrities that are feted on Oscar night, and the best way to do this was with swag bags. My female swag bag was a glittery silver box topped with a bow. I filled it with a bar of lavender soap, a fresh linen scented candle, some white chocolate truffles, and an elegant black and gold magnetic notepad.  The male swag bag was loaded up with goodies such as a mini LED flashlight, a couple of nice pens, a notepad,  an LCD cleaning kit and an 8-in-1 multi-use knife. 

How did you celebrate the 85th annual Academy Awards? For more photos from my Oscars viewing party follow @PNMMedia on Instagram.

0 Comments
    Picture
    Hello! I am Porcshe N. Moran. I have over 10 years of combined experience in journalism, communications and strategic marketing. My specialty is producing travel/lifestyle, business and healthcare content.

    Portfolio Categories

    All
    Animals/Pets
    Arts
    Business Leader Profiles
    Entertainment
    Fashion
    Food & Beverage
    Home & Garden
    PNM Media
    Technology
    Travel
    Travel & Outdoor
    Video
    Weddings

 © PNM Media 2019. All rights reserved.
Photos used under Creative Commons from downing.amanda, erink_photography
  • PORTFOLIO
  • About & RESUME
  • Recommendations & Endorsements
  • Freelance Services
  • Contact