Get to know me by my favorite sites:

www.teamrasta.com

This is the site of my ice hockey team. Meet the colorful cast of characters I skate with. Check it weekly for update's on the team's progress including box scores and game recaps. Also visit the stellar Links page.

www.dennisvalinski.com

Dennis Valinski, my uncle, was a prolific and successful sculptor who shifted the role of sculpture both in the art world and in society at large. As an ecological artist, he tied his works closely with the elements of nature, using organic matter and incorporating his sculptures into the environment.
Standing tall, with shaggy dark hair and a long beard falling down his lanky frame, Dennis was a kind and gentle soul who took great interest in his family and friends. He laughed heartily and beamed with happiness, lighting up the entire room when he entered. My family and I loved him dearly and miss him tremendously, even after all these years. We are so proud of his original, unique work.
I have always felt blessed to have had the chance to know him intimately, to have learned from Dennis and to have been influenced by him, yet at the same time so cheated to have had him taken away so abruptly, so early on in life. I often wonder what amazing things Dennis could have done with his life had he been fortunate enough to live longer, and on a personal level, how my life would have been enriched by his presence as I grew into a man.

www.tlig.org

God speaks to us every day. More people should listen.

www.yogananda-srf.org

The story and teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda, widely revered as one of the preeminent spiritual figures of our time, has had a great impact on me and influenced my writing of The Cosmic Burrito. His Autobiography of a Yogi has introduced truth-seekers all over the world to India's age-old philosophy of Yoga and its time-honored tradition of meditation. The universal teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda offer a science of spiritual exploration — one that enables us to create for ourselves spiritually harmonious lives, and to contribute to a more compassionate and peaceful world.

www.afr.org

More people in this country need to be deprogrammed, educated & enlightened. I am an individual, a free-thinker and a truth-seeker, a creator who aspires to better the world by first improving myself. I aim to become more aware and conscientious. Americans for a Free Republic is an educational organization devoted to furthering the principles of individual liberty, free enterprise, sound money, and Constitutional government.

www.reggaeambassadors.org

Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide is an international network of committed reggae enthusiasts who have joined forces to spread the positive vibe and message of reggae music. Those who love reggae music know that it's truly the heartbeat of the universe. As Bob Marley once sang, "Who feels it knows it."

www.nationalgeographic.com

If you want to travel around the globe but can't afford to, the next best thing would be a subscription to National Geographic. Natty Geo's interesting and informative articles and incredible photography will help you become more aware of the ever-evolving world around us, and their website compliments their journals with highly entertaining multimedia offerings. With this new, profound information, you can really spice up your cocktail chatter, or at the very least, look cool by dropping random, totally rad factoids gleaned from this indispensable missive.

Music:

www.ptosh.com

If you've read The Cosmic Burrito, you know how highly (pun intended) I think of Peter Tosh. Ptosh.com is the official site of the Peter Tosh Foundation, formed to carry on the vision and honor the memory of Peter Tosh. To that end, the PTF is committed to improving the life of the people of Jamaica by implementing several programs aimed at stimulating the economy as well as providing needed services. The Cosmic Burrito is a proud sponsor of the PTF's Peter Tosh Tribute Album project.

www.bobmarley.com    and     www.tuffgong.com

Bob Marley is divine. 'Nuff said.

www.dead.net

The music and culture of the Grateful Dead "greatly" inspired the writing of The Cosmic Burrito. The Dead had a huge impact on my life and are part of the person I am today.

www.burningspear.net

Burning Spear is a musical legend, playing his own distinct style of roots reggae music for over three decades. Carrying the torch for the gospel of Marcus Garvey, Burning Spear is one of the single greatest proponents of self-determination and self-reliance for all African descendants; but his message is not exclusively based on the teachings of Garvey. Through his music, Burning Spear has consistently been able to educate, inform, and uplift people the world over with his positive message based on honesty, peace, and love.

www.israelvibration.net

Mention the name Israel Vibration in reggae circles and watch the warmth of recognition and appreciation of anyone who has seen or heard this very special group of singers. Weaving traditional roots reggae with a mesmerizing sound and deeply spiritual message, I-Vibes' positive vibrations have been spellbinding audiences, critics and DJs for over two decades.

www.tootsandthemaytals.com

Toots Hibbert has been playing heartical reggae and funk for 40 years and in fact is credited with giving reggae music its name. With his new V2 Records release where he collaborates with a variety of mainstream artists from Willie Nelson to No Doubt, he has a spiffy new website.
I had the good fortune of skanking with Toots while enjoying a Burning Spear show at Irving Plaza in New York City a few years ago. He was just chillin' in the audience, dancing away, when I recognized him standing next to me. Jah guide!

www.johnbrownsbody.com

Visit the website of one of the most innovative, sweetest- sounding, reggae bands playing today. Originating in Ithaca, New York, JBB plays pure roots and deep dub with a funky flair. Check their tour dates and go see 'em when they come near your hometown. You won't be disappointed with passion of singers Kevin Kinsella and Elliot Martin, the kickin' beats, the wicked percussion and the sizzling brass of a truly awesome band.

www.itownrecords.com

In addition to JBB, check out some of the other stellar bands on I-Town Records. Founded in 1996, I-Town is a collective, managed by the people who make the music. Working outside the rules of the record industry, they've created an evolving model of cooperation and community, where musicians work together to promote the music of the entire collective. From I-Town's site: "We believe that unity is strength, that cooperation builds progress...I-Town is a circle, a stream, a conversation...We believe in strengthening our connections with one another. We believe in celebrating the richness of our community and in promoting the diversity of its music, from ambient to dub to acoustic to jazz to reggae to rock to twang to zydeco."

www.skunk.com

Based in Long Beach, CA, the Skunk record label was created by the late Bradley Nowell, lead singer of the semenal ska-punk-reggae band Sublime. Skunk features many awesome bands from SoCal that play a blend of reggae, ska, hip-hop and punk, such as Slighlty Stoopid, Bargain Music and Pepper, to name a few of my faves.

www.slightlystoopid.com          www.wickedrebel.com           www.eselocos.com

Slightly Stoopid are so cool that they have three web sites. Stoopid are incredibly talented musical revolutionaries who bring the flavor of Jamaica to their blend of reggae, dub, acoustic rock and punk. Discovered by Brad Nowell who signed them to his Skunk Records label, they pick up where Brad and his Sublime mates left off when Brad left this earth too soon.

www.liveanimalsoc.com

Live Animals are a ska-punk band from Orange County, CA that I had the pleasure of meeting in a falafel joint in Greenwich Village after a Bob Marley birthday celebration. They relocated to New Jersey in order for one of the twins to chase after the love of his life. (From O.C. to N.J, now that's love.) Friends with the Skunk bands, their drummer has been touring with Stoopid. No good Southern California ska-punk band goes without a canine mascot, and just like Sublime had Louie the Dalmation, they have a feisty adopted pooch named Buster.

www.gomez.co.uk

Gomez has a totally unique sound. It's nearly impossible to compare them to anyone else except for the fact that like most great bands, their concerts take their music to a higher level. Got a haircut, got a silver tooth, gonna get myself arrested...

www.bigupradio.com

If you are searching for some new reggae music, you must visit Big Up Radio, one of the leading reggae sites on the web. You can listen to a wide variety of reggae streams 24/7, read about reggae artists and buy reggae cds. Yes !!

www.versionist.com

Versionist.com is a unique site dedicated to the development of progressive reggae music where reggae fans can listen to streams of innovative roots, dub and dancehall music or download mp3s. What truly makes this site different is that most (if not all) of the many contributing artists are amateurs. Reggae musicians can upload tracks while listeners can give feedback directly to the artist through ratings and comments. Nice up!

www.psmrecordings.com

Positive Sound Massive is the Bay Area record label that puts out the records of one my favorite reggae singers, Rocker T. From their site: "Positive Sound Massive is more than just an independent record label. It is a sound system in the true Jamaican tradition, a band, and for its creators, a way of life."

www.dancehallstyle.net

This is the site of my favorite French reggae dj, Prince Thierry.

www.hasidicreggae.com

Check this bredren, Matisyahu. Him sing authentic reggae riddims and beats with heart and passion. From his site, "It is his dedication to his belief and openness to others that compels one to respect his artistry and message. It's in that fleeting moment when our skepticism melts and our souls open up, that Matisyahu enters with his booming sound of faith." Ras-pect!

Lifestyle:

www.freedom-force.org

Freedom Force International is a network of men and women from all parts of the world who are concerned over loss of personal liberty and expansion of government power. Their mission is to take back control of the power centers of society, one-by-one, just the way they were captured in the first place, and put them into the hands of people who have no personal agendas except to defend freedom. This will unleash the vast human potential for prosperity and happiness that can be realized only in the absence of government oppression. Freedom Force aims to shape public policy within their respective countries in favor of personal and global freedom. The method is threefold: (1) dissemination of ideological and issue-related information, (2) instruction in how to become influential within community and national organizations, and (3) instruction in how to convert that influence into public policy. Members seek to become change agents so they truly can make a difference in the world.

www.reggaeontheriver.com

Reggae on the River is one of the best venues to see live reggae music in the world. The festival is held at the junction of two lazy rivers in Northern California's Humboldt County. Majestic redwood trees, refreshing water, clean air, bright stars and good vibes make ROTR an unforgettable experience. I was so moved by my memorable visits to ROTR that I had to write about it in The Cosmic Burrito.

www.dreadheadhq.com

This is an interesting and useful site if you have dreadlocks or are considering growing them. It offers a wealth of information on how to grow and maintain dreads, including step-by-step instructions, a load of pictures and frequently asked questions. Dreadhead HQ also sells a line of dreadlock-related products and responds to questions or comments in a timely manner.

www.traderootsreggae.com

If you need reggae merchandise, look no further than this San Diego culture shop. Trade Roots Reggae sells t-shirts and other clothing, hats, jewelry, stickers and other paraphernalia. Most of the wicked reggae stickers that cover my hockey helmet came from these bredren.

www.gardenofeatin.com

These guys make the best tortilla chips around. Using red, white, yellow and blue corn, Garden of Eatin adds grains such as soybeans, sunflower and sesame seeds and flavors like chili & lime and pico de gallo to make their chips unique, zesty and delicious. Chow down!

www.burningman.com

Imagine Woodstock as a rave with a lot more art and organization. One week out of the year, 25,000 free-spirited people make a journey to the Black Rock Desert to be part of an experimental community dedicated to radical self-reliance and uninhibited self-expression. The event takes place on an ancient lakebed where, starting with nothing other than the bare, dry earth, creative ideas and a passion for the event, participants build an entire temporary city to help them survive/enjoy their stay in the harsh desert climate. By the time the event is completed and the volunteers leave, sometimes nearly a month after the event has ended, there will be no trace of the city that was, for a short time, the most populous town in the entire county.
While at the event, there are no rules about how one must behave or express one's self, save the rules that serve to protect the health, safety, and experience of the community at large. Rather, it is up to each participant to decide how they'll contribute to this community within the context of the theme of each year, a theme that the founder of Burning Man provides to help tie everyone's input together in a meaningful way. Participants are encouraged to find a way to help make the theme come alive, whether it is through a large-scale art installations, gifts brought to be given to other individuals, costumes, or any other medium that one comes up with.
I have not been to Burning Man yet, but after seeing the pics and hearing all about it from a good friend who has, I am determined to take part in this surely life-changing event.

www.relix.com

In its earliest 1974 incarnation, this hand-stapled, homegrown newsletter was an outlet for Grateful Dead tape traders that focused on taping tips and Grateful Dead news and provided a forum for tape traders and music fanatics to communicate with each other. Nowadays, its expanded scope covers genres as divergent as blues, reggae, bluegrass and jazz, and it has become the main source for information for the jam band community. Relix.com offers a festival calendar, jam band news, merchandise and most valuable, free personals and classifieds. "Looking for a ride to Bonnaroo from Akron for my dog and I..."

www.jambands.com

A source of information for all types of "heads," including cd and show reviews.

www.omhpet.com

A little advice for dog or cat owners -- veterinarians recommend that you avoid feeding your pet(s) commercial brand food from the supermarket because it's not healthy for them. Old Mother Hubbard's Wellness holistic pet food will keep your little buddy happy and well nourished. My cats go apesh*t for it. It's unbelievable.

www.simplefoodsusa.com

If you have a sweet tooth but try to eat healthy, check these guys out. Simple Foods makes some tasty treats including cashew-coconut carob squares and carob almond butter rice cakes. Deeee-lish! (And not as sinful as they seem.)

www.originaljuan.com

This is the home of the Pain is Good hot sauce line, as well as other brands of salsas, sauces, dips and condiments. These dudes make some of the best hot sauces I've ever tasted, including my favorite, Batch #114 Jamaican Hot Sauce.

From the label on the bottle:

"In the Jungles of Jamaica, far from the soft, white beaches and luxury resorts, there's a small shack with a small garden. In the garden, Scotch Bonnet and Hobanero peppers are grown. In the shack, Jerk Sauce is made with them. In the mouths of those who eat it, a strange voodoo begins to take hold, consuming the body, mind and soul in a fiery, hypnotic euphoria. In this bottle is that hot sauce. In this world, there is no sensation quite like it."

How can you resist a description like that?

Friends:

www.fauxreal.org

I am proud to say I am a member of this group of dedicated, ultra-talented, creative, daring performers. Creating accessible (sometimes free and outdoors), radically unconventional theater for New Yorkers from all walks of life, The Faux-Real Theatre Company rides the line between event and play, spectacle and drama, Coney Island and Shakespeare. Our classic meets pop aesthetic informs our creative and production processes. We inject classic and contemporary texts with the energy, style, and moxie to excite a populist audience. We bring large-scale events into existence with the professionalism of an established not-for-profit and the fun factor of a monster movie set. Our company is an artistic home nurturing experienced and emerging actors, playwrights and directors.

www.skithewest.com

This is the website of Rocky Mountain Tours, a company where I used to work selling ski/snowboard trips. If you're looking for a good deal on a package to Jackson Hole, Big Sky, Telluride or any other western mountain resort where the powder is fresh and deep, visit this site for a free quote. Or, even better, call Kristine or Kathleen at 800-525-SKIS and they'll hook you up, no doubt. (Especially if you read The Cosmic Burrito!)

www.organanddrums.com

This is the website for the Benevento/Russo Duo, one of the most original and well-respected up-and-coming bands. The Duo mesmerizes audiences like Medeski, Martin and Wood with a third less manpower, but no less talent. Joe Russo, their highly accredited drummer, is the little brother of a buddy of mine, although he probably wouldn't remember me from a beer he drank last month.

www.larevancha.com

I met Leo Ruiz back in 1998 and we instantly became compadres. I cannot speak highly enough of Leo; he's mi hermano. Whether it's for badminton, tequila, his music or his relationships, Leo brims with passion. Surf on over to the site of his current band, La Revancha.

www.intrepidtheatreco.org

These are my friends from Philly-town who like to perform edgy works by the likes of Neil Labute and John Patrick Shanley. Basing their company on the pillars of "pure truth on stage" and the power of ensemble acting, ITC is one of the most intense and exciting theater groups to hit Philadelphia, a group of performers who aim to present honest work that pushes perceived boundaries and reminds us of our humanity. As their site says, "We hope to challenge the mind, touch the heart, and invigorate the soul." Amen, brothers and sisters.

www.thepoop.com

The Cosmic Burrito features four dogs and two cats because of my huge appreciation for people's best companions. My friend Joanne founded ThePoop.com as a place to get the "scoop" on everything doggie and kitty. The site "where every dog can have its day" has evolved into the largest pet community on the web.

www.waggytailrescue.com

Searching for that special Pomeranian? My friend Jenni founded Waggy Tail Rescue, a not-for-profit, Manhattan-based rescue, rehabilitation and adoption organization that specializes in petite pooches.

www.chefpistola.com

Luis Zuniga, one of my neighbors and best compadres, will come to your house and cook one of the best meals that you'll ever taste. Aka "Chef Pistola," he fuses traditional Mexican ingredients and recipes with his own modern creative flair, dubbing it "Mexican Heritage Cooking." This ain't no Tex-Mex, gringo.

www.strawberrydesignLLC.com

Meet my ultra-talented and beautiful friend, Sylvia. Photography, art, web design, this girl can do it all. Infinite thanks to Syl for building my new website.

www.violante.com

Through Leo Ruiz I met Luis Violante, another loco brother of mine from the awesome land of Mexico. A former housemate of three years and a permanent drinking buddy and computer guru, LV creates websites, paints, makes films and rides a long board through the streets of Manhattan despite numerous injuries suffered from maniac cab drivers.

www.swandivefilms.com

My compadres Luis and Marta have a production company in lower Manahattan. Check out some of the cool projects they've done!

www.fatoldsun.com

This is the site of my friend Dan Kornak, who does music for film and television.

www.franklinlakesanimalhospital.com

My sister is a veterinarian at this top-notch animal hospital. If you are a pet owner in the North Jersey area, check them out! They are professional, passionate and dedicated.

Random:

www.iamtrouble.com

Strap on your seatbelts because this is the site of hottie extraordinaire, Masuimi Max. In addition to being extremely gorgeous, Masuimi has a great approach to life. And maximum props to whoever design's MM's site, because it rocks.

www.oddtodd.com

Go get yourself a hot cup of coff-ay and watch all of Odd Todd's cartoons, especially the "Laid Off" series. I pretty much guarantee you'll laugh your ass off. Odd Todd is quite possibly the funniest animator to ever walk the planet. Plus, you can do your Christmas shopping on his site. "Mep!"

www.baconwhores.com

Did I ever mention how much I loved bacon? Please e-mail me if you're interested in working for my new company, Burritowhores...

www.theypouredfire.com

This is the website for the novel. They Poured Fire on Us from the Sky. It's the true story of 3 young boys from Sudan whose village was raided. Left alone in the bush with was raging all around them, those boys trekked hundreds of miles with absolutely nothing, not even clothes upon their backs. The book chronicles their struggle for survival in their own words, detailing their desperate search for the rest of the family, a peaceful place to call home and, in the mist of genocide and widespread starvation and disease, and education.

This book is riveting, gut-wrenching and inspiring. Maybe is some of the pampered, complacent, video game-addicted youth today wold read this book, it would open their eyes to the world around them.

I urge you to buy this book - buy it before you buy The Cosmic Burrito even!