Last fall, Axis offered its walls to showcase local art via art@axis. This year, Axis is providing prime space to house an actual art gallery, located on-site in a street-level live/work unit.

The Axis Art Gallery is San Joses newest contemporary fine art gallery. Curated by local photographer Deborah Mills Thackrey, the Axis Art Gallery (http://www.AxisArtGallery.com ) features emerging and mid-career contemporary fine art in all media including digital installations, all for sale in a pop-up store location at Axis, 38 N. Almaden Blvd., #101 (next to Hotel De Anza) in downtown San Jose.

This gallery concept was sparked by the spectacular response from the public we received for art@axis, said Thackrey, who was the curator for the art@axis collection of works by local artists that has adorned walls at Axis since Sept. 2009. Axis was generous enough to lend space for local artists to display and sell their fine work.

The gallery will cater to Axis homeowners, neighborhood residents, downtown shoppers, and art collectors, as well as those who are new to art collecting and are curious about the products of the local art scene, she added.

Aside from supporting the arts, Axis is using the gallery as a chance to show off its award-winning luxury high-rise condominiums and, specifically, its collection of live/work units.

Axis has eight live/work units, each with two entrances and private street-level access. They are priced from the mid-$ 300,000s for up to 1,845 sq. ft. They are called live/work units because city codes allow for residents to live there, while also conducting business out of the same location.

The situation is ideal for many types of small businesses that benefit from a street entrance for clients, vendors and customers. The kitchen and restroom is also handy for both the at-home professional and for visitors.

Live/work units are an ideal situation for a solo practitioner or small business owner, said Sandra Eaton, Axis community sales manager. Axis offers great selections for the buyer which sees the value and convenience in mixing home and office.

A live/work set up works for a wide-array of professionals, such as a graphic designer, public relations practitioner, insurance agent, therapist, yoga teacher, aesthetician, attorney, and many more. While The Axis Art Gallery is only a temporary installation or pop-up store, it does demonstrate the flexibility of the space for live/work users, such as an artist who needs a combination home, studio and storefront. While art will still adorn the Axis lobby and model homes, beginning Jan. 29, Thackrey will have REGULAR business hours — noon – 6 pm., Wednesday-Saturday, and by appointment by calling (408) 623-9888) — in the on-site gallery to show and sell work for local artists.

The Axis Art Gallery will debut during a gala opening 5-9 p.m., Thurs., Jan. 28, at Axis. The preview reception will feature food, drink and music, as well as tours of model homes decorated with contemporary fine art. Tours of Axis and several well-appointed model homes will be available 5-7:30 p.m. The debut event is free and open to the public: RSVP to info(at)art-at-axis(dot)com.

Silicon Valleys emphasis on high tech tends to overwhelm and ignore the creative arts, as does having to live in the shadow of San Franciscos notoriety as an arts mecca, said Thackrey. While the reputation of the local arts scene has suffered, the quantity and quality of artists is very good and thats what this gallery will offer.

We are thrilled to be able to showcase the areas outstanding artists to a greater audience amidst such a beautiful venue, she added. And if visitors like what they see, they can buy the individual works of art — a great way to decorate their new condo at Axis.

The association between art and Axis was formed when the condominiums marketing team reached out to local artists to lend space in their beautiful new building as a showplace for original artwork. Thackrey answered the call for artists offering her company, Willow Glen Productions, to help curate the space in order to provide exposure for the many talented local artists she knows. Thus, art@axis was born last fall featuring 80 works by more than a dozen Bay Area artists filling the Axis lobby, 12th floor and penthouses from Sept. through early December 2009. A totally new collection of art for public viewing debuted a month ago. The art featured includes sculpture, paintings, photography, ceramics, and textile arts (both digital and traditional). The public is invited for viewing daily from noon to 5 p.m. and admission is free.

For more information about the Jan. 28 event, The Axis Art Gallery and the collection of art displayed at Axis, visit: http://www.axisartgallery.com .

About Axis

Axis is downtown San Joses award-winning luxury high-rise condominium development, which welcomed its first residents in fall 2008 and now has more than 100 residents. Neighbor to historic Hotel De Anza at the apex of majestic Almaden Boulevard, Axis commands downtown San Joses premier location, offering all the advantages of urban living, including access to sunny streetside cafes and popular nightspots at nearby San Pedro Square. The dramatic 22-story, 228-ft. tall glass and granite high-rise designed by noted architects Ankrom Moisan features 329 spacious homes with luxury services and amenities, including floor-to-ceiling windows that provide breathtaking views of Silicon Valley. Axis was named Residential Development of the Year for Structures 2007 by the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal. For more information about Axis, marketed exclusively by Pacific Marketing Associates, visit the sales center, open daily 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at 38 N. Almaden Blvd. in San Jose; call (408) 297-9888; or, visit online at http://www.axissanjose.com .

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An Alternative Therapist, Lana Rolfe, founder of the alternative health website http://www.sublimeself.com has rediscovered that Acupressure is not an exclusive treatment to be used by Acupuncturists only.

Fingertip medicine (Acupressure) can be used by anyone to treat the most common ailments in their own home. A natural and effective cure for headaches, menstrual cramps, toothaches, nosebleeds, nausea, coughs, fevers, allergies and more.

It is possible to heal ourselves naturally and effectively when we are shown how, said Lana Rolfe. She mentions there are, …specific points on the body which when stimulated properly can relieve many of todays most common ailments.

While it may appear to be difficult, Lana reveals that with the right technique and knowledge even a young child can stop a headache, nosebleed or toothache in its tracks.

It is important for people to learn how to heal themselves naturally in case a pharmacy or doctor cannot be found in time. Fingertip medicine is the perfect alternative.

Lana Rolfe is a Life therapist and qualified in various alternative therapies. She runs a successful private practice where she assists people in becoming their SublimeSelf?. Her goal is to raise awareness of the bodys own ability to heal itself and to share proven methods with millions around the world. To learn more, visit the http://www.sublimeself.com web site today.

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Because women are four times more likely than men to get osteoporosis, its often considered a womans disease, but men can get osteoporosis. Two million American men have osteoporosis with another 12 million at risk. Despite the large numbers of affected men, osteoporosis remains under-diagnosed and under-reported. Known as the silent disease, osteoporosis is generally painless, but it causes bones to become fragile and more likely to break. Crush fractures of the vertebrae in the back can lead to chronic pain. If not prevented or treated, osteoporosis generally progresses, says Elizabeth Streeten, MD, director of the Metabolic Bone Clinic at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Maryland Health Care System and associate professor of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

When bone density is lower than normal its considered low bone mass (osteopenia), diagnosed by DXA (dual xray absorptiometry), a painless 15-minute test to assess bone strength. Not every person diagnosed with low bone mass (osteopenia) will progress to osteoporosis, but risk factors may increase the development of osteoporosis. Fractures are a major concern for older adults with low bone mass, said Streeten. For older adults who test with low bone mass (osteopenia), who have not had a fracture, providers use an online resource named Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (or FRAX) to assist determine who needs a prescription medication to assist forestall fractures.

What can you do on your own to prevent osteoporosis and fracture?

Keep body weight in the normal range (low body weight and obesity both increase the risk of fracture). Avoid smoking and drinking too much alcohol (more than two drinks per day). Do regular burdening bearing exercises. Add calcium (by taking in dairy products or taking a supplement) and take a vitamin D supplement (1,000 units daily is enough for most adults). Avoid falls by removing loose carpets in your home and practicing good safety protocols. Speak with a health care provider about osteoporosis. This is important, particularly if taking medicines or managing a chronic disease such as celiac disease, which increases the risk for developing osteoporosis. Ask your provider if you need a Bone Mineral Density Test (DXA), the most effective way to diagnose osteoporosis in people who have not had a fracture. This is a simple 15-minute painless test that calculates the strength of the spine and hip (or forearm if the spine or hip cannot be imaged).

Risk Factors

Research indicates that genes (family history) are an important risk factor for osteoporosis. Other risk factors for osteoporosis and fracture include advanced age, low body weight, low testosterone in men and menopause in women, vitamin D deficiency, smoking, three or more servings of alcohol per day, some medications such as Prednisone and some medical problems. Aging is the most important risk factor for osteoporosis because we all lose bone strength with age.

How is DXA interpreted?

Bone Mineral Density Test results are reported as a “T score (in men over 50 and postmenopausal women), which compares bone density to that of salubrious young adults. The World Health Organization has defined T-scores as this:

Normal bone density: -1. to zero and any positive number Low bone density or osteopenia: between -1. and -2.5 Osteoporosis: -2.5 or higher electronegative number

When DXA is repeated, it is best to use the same testing machine at the same facility. This increases the accuracy of the comparison between the two tests.

What is the FRAX tool?

Developed by the World Health Organization, the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (or FRAX) calculates the risk of fracture in the next 10 years by including most known risk factors for fracture, in addition to the bone density of the hip (femoral neck) from DXA. Using the FRAX tool helps providers to identify those who have a T-score in the low bone mass range but are at high risk for fracture and need treatment, and to avoid treating those who are at low risk of fracture.
Who should have a DXA?

All women over 65 and men over 70. Also, any adult with: A fracture consequent from a mild travelling (eg. from standing height) Chronic treatment with prednisone Men with low testosterone Women being treated for breast cancer with medication to lower estrogen level Men with prostate cancer being treated with medication to lower testosterone levels Spine fracture or thin bones noticed on X-ray How is osteoporosis treated? In addition to calcium, vitamin D and exercise, many medications uncommitted now are effective in treat osteoporosis, which reduce the risk of fracture by 50 percent. Your health pity provider will determine whether you need medication and if so, which medication is best for you.

Importance of Vitamin D:

Vitamin D decreases bone loss and lowers the risk of fracture, especially in older men and women. It may also decrease the risk of other chronic illnesses such as diabetes. Vitamin D is made in the skin after exposure to sunlight, but most people do not make enough vitamin D to meet their needs and should take a supplement. Although there is some controversy about how much vitamin D is ideal, most adults need 1,000 units of vitamin D day-to-day to maintain a normal vitamin D blood level. How long is osteoporosis treated with medication?

Treatment duration needs to be individualized. For some patients who are at moderate risk for fracture and have responded well to treatment, treatment can be stopped after 5 years. For patients who remain at high risk for fracture after 5 years of treatment, treatment should be continued.

If you are a Veteran enrolled in the VA Maryland Health Care System and want to speak to your VA provider about bone health, call the Appointment Call Line at 1-800-463-6295, ext 7333.

The VA Maryland Health Care System (VAMHCS) provides a broad spectrum of medical, surgical, rehabilitative, mental health and outpatient care to veterans at two medical centers, one community living & rehabilitation center and five outpatient clinics located throughout the state. More than 52,000 veterans from various generations receive care from the VAHMCS annually. Nationally recognized for its state-of-the-art technology and quality patient care, the VAMHCS is proud of its reputation as a leader in veterans health care, research and education. It costs nothing for Veterans to enroll for health care with the VA Maryland Health Care System and it could be one of the more important things a Veteran can do. For information about VA health care eligibility and enrollment or how to apply for a VA medical care hardship to avoid future copayments for VA health care, interested Veterans are urged to call the Enrollment Center for the VA Maryland Health Care System, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 1-800-463-6295, ext. 7324 or visit http://www.maryland.va.gov.

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Kenswineguide.com, an independent wine review site, announced today its recommended wines for Valentine’s Day Dinner. If you are popping the question or celebrating with your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day, you want a perfect bottle of wine.

Wine buyers can be inundated with choices dining out at a restaurant or selecting a bottle to enjoy during a romantic dinner at home. Ken’s Valentine’s Day Wine List lets buyers select highly rated wines at different price levels without having to worry about bias from wine sellers. Novices and enthusiasts alike will find excellent wines at value prices with a quick and easy wine shopping list.

“Valentine’s Day is a special day and wine lovers expect to spend a little more on wine than usual to accompany their romantic dinner and to enhance the mood. Valentine’s Day dinner is not only about great food, but also about romance, ambiance, and impressing your sweetheart. Our Valentine’s Day Wine List helps people buy a food friendly bottle of wine, either off the wine list at a restaurant or for a terrific dinner at home,” according to Ken Hoggins, Kenswineguide.com founder.

Ken’s Valentine’s Day wine recommendations include choices to complement many of the most popular Valentine’s Day dinners including, salmon, steak, lamb, oysters, and chocolate desserts. “If you plan to pop the question, consider a ros? sparkling wine to go with the roses you give your sweetheart. The Roederer Estate Non Vintage ‘Brut Ros?’ from Anderson Valley, CA is an excellent choice,” says Ken. To view Ken’s recommended Valentine’s Day wines and champagnes, go to Kenswineguide.com and click on Wines For Valentine’s Day Dinner.

Ken Hoggins began publishing wine recommendations in 1999 and is a trusted resource for consumers and wine connoisseurs. Ken consolidates wine ratings from all the major wine trade magazines, narrowing the list to ensure superb results quickly and easily. Ken and his tasting panel also review wines and add their scores to the overall average rating. Ken is the founder of http://www.KensWineGuide.com. He recently started http://www.BostonWineBuzz.com, Boston’s favorite wine blog. Ken lives in Acton, MA.

For more information or to schedule an interview with Ken Hoggins, please call Ken at 978-263-5123 or email him directly, Ken at KensWineGuide.com .

FACT SHEET:????????????????????????

Contact: Ken Hoggins

978-263-5123

Ken at KensWineGuide.com

Ken’s Wine Guide Recommends Wines For Valentine’s Day Dinner

Oysters – A known aphrodisiac and ideal for setting the mood. Ken recommends a tangy and acidic wine like Kim Crawford’s 2006 Sauvignon Blanc, $ 17.

Halibut or Tilapia – These mild fish call for a light Italian white wine. Ken suggests the 2005 Argiolas “Costamolino,” $ 15. It is a dry Vermentino from Sardinia.

Salmon with Herb Butter – This dish calls for a Pinot Noir or a Chardonnay. Ken recommends the 2003 Robert Stemmler “Carneros Estate” Pinot Noir, $ 36, or the 2004 Kendall Jackson “Camelot Highlands” Chardonnay, $ 28.

Chicken Marsala – Consider a Beaujolais from George Duboeuf. His 2005 Ch?teau de Nervers, $ 13, from Brouilly would be a great match.

Lamb Chops – Ken likes the 2004 Terrazas de los Andes “Reserva” Malbec, $ 16. This wine will go nicely with the mint jelly and the lamb chops.

Pan Seared T-Bone Steak – Grilled steak calls for a Syrah. Ken recommends the 2003 E. Guigal “Crozes-Hermitage,” $ 22.

Chocolate Mousse or Truffles – Try a couple of sweet wines. For a white dessert wine, Ken recommends the 2003 Macari “Block E” from Long Island, $ 36. With chocolate, Ken’s favorite is the 2003 Dry Creek “Late Harvest” Zinfandel, $ 30. If you prefer champagne or sparkling wine with your chocolate, try Charles Heisieck “Brut-Reserve,” $ 38, or Roederer Estate Non Vintage “Brut Ros?”, $ 26.

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We are minutes away from Kenai Peninsula where Kenai River is located. I am proud to say that our area is famous for the outstanding salmon fishing and in here you can see rich waters. The larges King Salmon, Sockeye Salmon and Silver Salmon are available and certainly you will enjoy fishing in saltwater ocean for Barn monster Ling Cod and Halibut that’s door sized. You see? This will not be all about Salmon but also with rainbow trout Trophy. Some competitions would give out prizes for an exclusive fly-out fishing trip which I always am looking forward to.

The luxury of Alaska Salmon Fishing comes with the lodges too. In Riverfront Lodging, there are nine available cabins. The personnel and the management will help you with the details. They would say that your fish wish do come true. That somehow appears with deeper meaning, doesn’t it? Well if you are a real enthusiast, imagine that you experience fishing in the famous river of Kenai even just for one day. That is record setting for you because Salmon is one of the place’s great prides.
Not just with incredible sights, you could also go hunt for Seward for King Salmon. There are just too many majestic catch. The exciting thing also with Alaska Salmon Fishing is you really have partners either someone who assists you from charter boats of a friend of yours who is as much familiar with fishing.

Usually, I and my fishing ally go during its peak season. We start late month of April or sometimes we begin mid-May. We do make sure to mark the dates as when this season closes, another season of fishing begins. If I could possibly recall the instances right, the largest fish we boated was a monster Alaska King Salmon. That was really amazing. We caught it on Susitna River and it weights 41 pounds, 6 ounces. Imagine that! We didn’t really get the chance to have that first cash prize because the one who catches 55 pound got the home prize which was ,000. But never say never as they say. This year you can also have this fun-filled experience of Alaska Salmon Fishing. Just make sure to buy tickets in Wasilla in the Sportsman’s warehouse fly shop.

Still went on dreaming having that magical Alaska Salmon Fishing experience? I tell you not to look further away but here in Kenai Riverbend Resort or anywhere near it. You have comfortable lodge, unbeatable prices, small group experiences, guaranteed relaxation and fantastic food- all of which to offer including private land tours. Have a sweet getaway. The river is truly yours to fish.

From salmon tails from GenSan to roasted duckling at G Hotel
I was lucky to buy two bottles while in Dubai where you can find most anything you want from other places in the world. When it's gone, I'll just have to wait for another chance to buy some. My other surprise was English Sage Derby cheese eaten with …
Read more on Inquirer.net

Back on the throne — the king of Irish fish is coming home
"The anglers buy petrol and diesel, they shop in local shops and they buy their lunch in local pubs and restaurants. They end up spending about €40 at every stop. For centuries, salmon angling has been a sport in Ireland. More than ever, it's something …
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Main Street Marketing Machines offers local businesses alternatives to deeply discounted ?Daily Deals.? Main Street captures customers by increasing search engine rankings through automation. (lead)

Main Street Marketing Machines broke new ground in providing work at home solutions about this time last April with the debut of its local search marketing automation service.

?Since then, tens of thousands of local businesses have seen significant increases in new customers sent to them through Google Places and other online referrals,? says Roland Frasier, CEO of Done For You Marketing, a local search firm in San Diego, California.

Extending that inaugural service, founder Mike Koenigs is launching the newest iteration of what local businesses now refer to affectionately as ?MSMM? in the form of Main Street Marketing Machines 2.

?As local marketing continues to gain traction with Google and Facebook,? Frasier continues, ?newer companies like Groupon, LivingSocial and Main Street Marketing Machines continue to focus on narrower niches in the market offering very specialized services.?

Some services aggregate customers until a minimum number is reached and then make a very attractive offer (such as 50% off) available to the entire group. Others provide local search optimization services to push Google Places listings to the top of search engine results.

Local Deal Offerings Boon To Consumers

?Businesses localize offerings in major cities all over the USA intending to combine consumer buying power into marketable ?chunks? of commerce,? says Dawn Allred, CEO of local search firm All Channels Media.

?These chunks of commerce can be sold to local businesses desperate for any new strategies to survive the current economic crisis,? Allred said.

These chunks are the new currency in the Internet marketing arena, and you can expect to see more and more entrants coming into this extremely lucrative market.

That means only good things for consumers as these companies, many vying to become the next Facebook, will be well-funded and ready for cutthroat pricing.

The clear winners as these companies fight it out to see who will be the consumers whose buying power will increase despite the continuing decline of the dollar.

Local businesses will also win with a viable weapon to wield against their huge ?big box? competitors with seemingly limitless ad budgets.

Coupons 2.0

While coupons with expiration dates have been around as long as print advertising itself, the new trick for this old dog is shrinking the expiration date period to the same day the coupon is made available.

With the ability to instantly distribute Internet coupons, businesses can now do what was before impossible ? they can issue a coupon based on drawing the customers that they need most targeted to purchase the thing the businesses want to sell most.

For example, a restaurant with an overstock of salmon can run a one day ?Salmon Special? coupon to draw patrons in for a half-off salmon dinner, thereby using the salmon before they have to throw it away.

Look for more and more local search deals, online competitors and increasingly niched offerings from local businesses and their online helpers as 2011 continues to unfold.

Mobile Coming On Strong In Local Search

Also, keep an eye out for even more local search developments in the mobile marketing space.

?Nearly 1.3 billion mobile users, 30% of the subscriber base are expected to utilize local mobile search services by 2013,? according to a new report from industry analysts, Juniper Research.

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August is traditionally one of the slowest months for selling real estate, so many sellers think the market ends with the summer. San Bruno real estate agent Wayne Gomes says this isn?t the case. Gomes says it?s time to gear up for a ride, because the market is just getting started. He recommends that sellers take the time now to get their properties ready by the middle of September.

?Traditionally, after the sellers go through one of the slowest months, August, they think the market is over, right? Not at all!? exclaims Gomes. ?From my experience, it really kickstarts in the middle of September and could run like the fall salmon run until November.?

Why is September a good month to sell? Families are done with vacations, all the back-to-school details for their kids are complete, and they want to get into a new home before Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year. There has always been some romantic feeling of buyers getting to their new home before the holidays.

?This is a very emotional time of the year, and sellers should be ready to cash in on the opportunity!? Gomes explains.

The season gives sellers three solid months to sell homes or investment properties. With investment properties, buyers like to close the year with a new tax deduction, and they will receive that with a new apartment building or commercial real estate purchase.

Sellers who want to sell a house or investment property (including apartment buildings and commercial real estate), should call their real estate agent for advice, says Gomes. An experienced realtor will give them the right tips to attract more buyers and get a higher selling price.

For precise information regarding end-of-year selling months, or inquiries regarding buying or selling a home, apartment building, or investment property, contact Wayne Gomes, Broker Associate at Coldwell Banker at (650) 288-0061. To learn more about Wayne Gomes and his expertise, visit his website at http://www.waynegomes.com or connect on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/waynegomes2.

About San Bruno Realtor Wayne Gomes

With over thirty years of experience under his belt, Wayne Gomes has learned the ins and outs of real estate after successfully selling homes, condos, apartment buildings and commercial real estate, which include retail and industrial properties, since 1978. Located in the heart of Burlingame, Wayne helps people buy and sell real estate in San Bruno, Burlingame, Millbrae, and all other Peninsula communities ranging from San Francisco to Redwood City.

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We often stopped in Astoria, Oregon, not far from Portland, to buy smoked salmon to take home before leaving the coast. I used to frequent a restaurant that served a lox omelet along with a bagel and cream cheese, very yummy. And, I always love eating a perfectly, grilled salmon steak with a baked potato, or sliced on top of a caesar salad. Even though I now live in New Mexico, I still enjoy cooking with salmon, and I am always finding new ways to cook it.

I did not know until I became more interested in nutrition how many reasons there really are to eat more salmon. First of all, the proteins from salmon are very easy to digest and have no adverse side effects possible with other meats. The Omega-3 Fatty Acids in salmon help reduce cholesterol while they also contribute to the efficiency of the brain resulting in better memory and alertness. Salmon is also an inexpensive choice for meat, and there is a lot of it. In fact, with earlier European settlers it was used so much for meals they got quite tired of it. I wonder if they knew how good it was for their bodies?

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I love to put together new dishes, and that usually happens then I do not have the correct ingredients for something else. Necessity really is the parent of creation, or whatever that saying is. This dish has become a favorite, it is quick, and it can be the whole darn meal.

Easy Salmon,Veggie Bake

Preparation time about 10 minutes. Bakes for 40 minutes.

4  3-4 oz Salmon Filets

About 15 Asparagus Spears

2 medium zucchini – sliced

1 large sweet onion – cut in large pieces

Butter

Ginger

Lemon juice

Garlic

Red wine

A 2-quart casserole dish works best. Slice zucchini and place on the bottom. Rub ginger on the salmon filets and set in next. Season them with garlic, powdered or chopped fresh, and then squeeze fresh lemon and pat on a little butter. Break off the bottom third of washed asparagus stalks and place on top of salmon, and then top off with onion pieces. Add a few more pats of butter, and pour about ½ cup of red wine over the whole combination. Cover with a lid or foil and bake at 350 for 40 minutes. This dish can serve up to four people depending on appetite and what you serve with it. I often add some garlic bread. What I like best is the cost and the completeness of this easy meal.