Words4Sail

Elizabeth Pitcairn and her famed Red Violin.

2012-01-23T09:56:00.000-08:00

Have violin, will travel could be musician's Elizabeth Pitcairn's motto.

Pitcairn is heading to Lake Tahoe Jan. 19 – 24 for her annual concerts with Toccata. The “Mendelssohn in the Mountains” series is the inauguration of Toccata's seventh season.

Continue reading here.

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

2012-01-23T09:23:00.000-08:00

Gong Xi Fa Cai means Happy New Year in Mandarin. Sacramento’s rich Chinese history allows several ways to celebrate 2012’S Year of the Dragon in the area.

Two small towns along the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, Locke and Isleton, were once filled with Chinese immigrants. Today, their descendants and those sensitive to their towns’ heritages continue customs practiced for centuries.

Continue reading by clicking here.

Horsing around

2012-01-09T13:40:00.000-08:00

Giddy-yap as you learn to ride or take your skills on nature filled trails.
Even enjoy wine tastings with a horse. From first-timers to experts everyone will have fun.

Remember; leave flip-flops, sandals and tennis shoes at home. A pair of boots with at least a one-inch heel is best. Jeans or riding breeches are the best attire for taking a lesson in. Here are some of my favorite spots.

Click here to find where to horse around for fun and frolic.

Sacramento's Ethnic Food Shopping

2012-01-09T13:33:00.000-08:00

Morant Sausage - this place is meat heaven, especially for lovers of hand-crafted German-type meats.

Savory smoked sausages include all-beef Rindswurst, bratwurst and Knackwurst. Chicken sausages, some filled with apples and herbs provide a lighter taste.

Click here to see where good ingredients can be found.

El Dorado County Wines

2012-01-09T12:52:00.000-08:00

Photo: Maggie Bush/Madrona

Gold that began California’s famed Gold Rush was first found where El Dorado County exists today.

This high altitude region still produces gold of a liquid variety in over 40 wineries.

From Apple Hill to Camino and Fair Play and Pleasant Valley the vineyards benefit from the summer’s hot dry days that are cooled by the nighttime breezes sweeping off the Sierra Nevada. Grown in multiple microclimates the appellation is renowned for making wines, particularly of the Rhône varietals.

Three major annual events are January’s “Bring out the Barrel”, “Passport Weekends” in the spring and in June the “Fair Play Festival”.

If you cannot make those – no worries – events occur at almost every winery on a frequent basis.

Click here to continue reading.

Wining through Calaveras County

2012-01-09T12:12:00.000-08:00

Photo: Linda J. Bottjer

Striking it rich was what brought many to this region starting in the mid 19th century.

162 years later seekers of riches now know it is the fermented liquid of crushed grapes that puts Calaveras County on the map of exploration for wine lovers of all levels.

Click here to plan a trip.

Santa Needs Your Help

2011-12-02T12:51:00.000-08:00

Santa needs your help across the North Shore.

Approximately 130 children from Incline Village and Crystal Bay annually receive a single holiday gift through the local Toys for Tots program. Last year saw that need rise dramatically to more than 500 children searching for some seasonal magic, said Incline Village resident Cheryl Delehanty, coordinator of the long-running Lake Tahoe program in Nevada.

Click here for more.

Travel Channel's Adam Richman "Man vs. Food Nation"

2011-10-28T19:26:00.000-07:00

Ah, heartache.

It leads to the writing of sonnets, the composition of songs and countless drowning of sorrows through wine, whiskey and the consumption of copious amounts of food.

It eventually directed the Travel Chan nel's Adam Richman to his gig as the host of the wildly popular television series “Man vs. Food Nation.”

Continue reading by clicking here.

Culinary Adventures Through Cooking Classes

2011-10-28T19:03:00.000-07:00

DeGrande's Restaurant/Lodi CA

Expand your culinary skills, or begin them, at cooking classes in and around Sacramento.

Taught by caterers, restaurateurs and professional chefs some classes are available year-round often in order to take advantage of the seasonal fruits, vegetables and nuts.

Many cover ethnic foods reflective of our community’s many tastes. Children as young three years of age are welcome at some, while others accept tweens and teenagers.

Culinary adventures begin here.

Sacramento Horror Film Festival

2011-10-19T16:58:00.000-07:00

Admit it.
The sinister shadowy staircase scene in the classic movie Nosferatu chills your blood – in a good way. Speaking of blood seeing it sucked by Dracula, drained by killer rats or splattered across the screen qualifies as a good time to you.

Congratulations!

You are a perfect candidate for...

Click here for the rest of the story.

Ski in Beer Foam to Help Others

2011-10-13T09:09:00.000-07:00

Mother Nature has already done her part.

Her recent dusting of snow has made skiers and boarders long for the upcoming season.

Among them are athletes, from elementary students to adults, helped by Disabled Sports USA, the nation’s largest nonprofit, multi-sport and multi-disability organization.

Click here to continue

Sojourner Truth Multicultural Art Center

2011-10-10T09:49:00.000-07:00

There is a small artistic gem tucked into a rather nondescript office complex at the corner of 24th Street and Florian Roads. Like other Sacramento art museums, the Sojourner Truth Multicultural Art Museum’s collection shines brightly.

Unlike her sister art venues, though, the majority of SOJO’s collection is not just hung on the wall – they are part of the wall.

The murals – vibrant and compelling – catch the visitors’ eyes and bring high up where walls meet the ceiling or meandering down hallways past offices and public spaces.

They celebrate the rich diversity of our community’s ethnic populations in ways that are educational and uplifting to everyone whatever their color or their age.

Continue reading by clicking here.

Doing Dublin

2011-10-09T22:46:00.000-07:00

For a capitol city with a turbulent past Dublin is one of the more laid-back places to visit.

The city’s architecture, especially the Georgian style, captivates both first and veteran visitors. Flat-fronted townhouses built of brick are best seen in along cobblestoned Henrietta Street.

Leinster House, the mid 18^th century Palladian design of architect Richard Cassels, became an inspiration for the White House decades later.

Continue the journey by clicking here.

Mention Zinfandel and think Lodi

2011-09-26T19:00:00.000-07:00

Both wine connoisseurs and budding enthusiasts appreciate how Lodi’s Zins are full of robust berry
and black cherry tastes accented by high notes like vanilla.

Zins are well paired with grilled meats to seasoned pasta dishes and dark chocolate.

Many wineries offer Old Vine Zinfandel. These grapes are harvested from vines planted at least 50 years ago. Attending the annual Zin Fest in May is a must as is following well-placed signs to individual winery tasting rooms.

Here is a top list of where to enjoy Lodi’s Zins.

Click here to continue Zin'ing

Where Forgiveness Offers Peace

2011-09-15T10:39:00.000-07:00

Forgiveness is one of those words many banter about.

Putting the word into action is not as frequent.

Forced by circumstances to practice forgiveness on a large scale, Immaculée Ilibagiza will deliver her message of faith, hope and redemption on Saturday, Sept. 17 at the Truckee Community Center.

Presented by For Goodness Sake in support of International Day of Peace, Ilibagiza is a best-selling author.

Her 2006 book, “Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust,” tells a harrowing tale of being forced into a small bathroom with seven other women by loving parents to escape the insanity

Continue reading here

Captain Sully Sullenberger drops in on Lake Tahoe

2011-09-01T07:02:00.000-07:00

The image of a downed airliner with passengers standing on her wings January 2009 in the middle of the Hudson River left an indelible mark on the world.

Yet those who claimed the sole hero was the US Airways' pilot in command, who successfully ditched Flight 1549, missed the full measure of the man.

Continue reading here.

Budapest's Bounties

2011-08-22T21:18:00.000-07:00

http://www.gotohungary.com/

Tinged with the zestiness of paprika and steeped in a history of being ruled by Romans, Magyar kings, Turks, Nazis, Communists and blessed with a will to be free, Budapest is a city that lingers long in her visitors’ memories.

If you are traveling in the middle of Central Europe, adding the city to an itinerary is a must.

Goulash awaits by clicking here

Thrill your palate with Placer County wines

2011-08-20T22:35:00.000-07:00

Frenchman Claude Chana was a lucky 49’er who actually mined a fortune. Then he focused on fruit. Peaches, apples and plums were among the harvests, but it was his 200 grape vines that first gave Placer County its rich heritage in winemaking.

Close to 20 boutique wineries currently exist where hot summer days followed by nights cooled with mountain air allow for grapes reminiscent of the Mediterranean and France’s Rhone Valley to be grown.

Here there is a wine for every taste and budget. Making wine tastings extra special is the fact the winemaker is often the person pouring the wine. Listen as they share their passion and become an enthused fan of Placer County wines.

Click here to find out where.

Salad Days

2011-08-18T17:39:00.000-07:00

Knock, knock.
Who's there?

Lettuce.

Lettuce who?

Lettuce us begin the salad demonstration.

Dress up the salad by clicking here.

Chautauqua Comes to Tahoe

2011-08-12T15:10:00.000-07:00

Photo courtesy of Doug Mischler

Hungry for culture and entertainment people across late 19th and early 20th centuries, America gladly welcomed the Chautauqua's entertainers, writers, musicians and speakers on a variety of subjects.

They traveled the circuits from city to town and village squares to frontier outposts.

As an institution, Chautauqua had such overwhelming national appeal that President Theodore Roosevelt once called it “the most American thing in America.”

Entertain yourself by clicking here.

Its the Bees Knees in Tahoe

2011-08-12T13:44:00.000-07:00

Get a wiggle on, all you gold diggers and high hats, skirts, swells and Joe Palookas.

The Jazz Age returns to Lake Tahoe Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 13-14, for the Tahoe Heritage Foundation's Great Gatsby Festival.

Now in its 26th year, the free event celebrates the free-wheeling days of the 1920s when families like the Baldwins, Popes and the Hellers spent their summers vacations at elegant and rustic lakeside resorts.

Click here to continue reading.

Heritage Wine Making in Amador County

2011-08-09T18:14:00.000-07:00

Photo credit: Larry Angier

The Sobon family is a busy bunch.

From their former family home in Plymouth they run two wineries with two generations of family. One is Shenandoah Vineyards and the other is Sobon Estate. In addition they also pay homage to the more than a century and a half of Amador County winemaking heritage.

Drink in the rest of the story by clicking here.

Lighthouses of the Outer Banks

2011-08-08T10:38:00.000-07:00

Bodie Island Lighthouse

OBX means one thing to beach lovers – the Outer Banks.

Where Native Americans, English settlers and notorious pirates once trod, beachcombers’ flip-flops now walk.

Light your way to a fun vacation by clicking here.

American Whitewater Rafting

2011-08-06T08:10:00.000-07:00

It’s not too late to escape the mundane or scorching summer heat by whitewater rafting down the American River.

Historic due to the fact John Marshall first discovered gold in the waters of the river’s South Fork, the American begins high in the Sierra Nevada of Placer and El Dorado counties.

Grab your paddle and continue reading here.

Shakespeare for the Young

2011-08-04T20:27:00.000-07:00

Join the celebration.

A “gift of the gods,” a “feast of language” mixed with “fair play” and “dancing days” and all with “a touch of nature” is what the D.G. Menchetti Young Shakespeare Program has for a decade offered Lake Tahoe's young people.

To readeth ye further, clicketh it here.

Illuminating Nara Japan

2011-08-02T22:05:00.000-07:00

Photo credit: LJ Bottjer

Steeped in centuries of Japanese history, the city of Nara can make a profound impression on her visitors with a trip that lasts several days or just a few hours.

Continue the journey by clicking here

Kayaking under the Milky Way

2011-08-01T16:36:00.000-07:00

Push off in a kayak and there is that moment where balance floats between the human body and the body of water.

When that body of water is Lake Tahoe, the kayaker often requires several moments to gain their equilibrium as they face the sheer expanse of sky reflected in crystal clear water surrounded by majestic peaks.

Paddle on by clicking here.

Cooperstown: America's Village

2011-07-30T09:07:00.000-07:00

Cooperstown oozes Americana.

Nestled in the rolling hills of upstate New York, it resembles a Norman Rockwell painting with cute kids and eager adults walking along a quaint Main Street where flags often fly high.

Keep the game alive by clicking here.

Eating with Sacramento's Farmers Markets

2011-07-30T05:33:00.000-07:00

Celebrate Sacramento’s famed ethnic diversity, in a delicious way, by shopping at a California Grown
Certified Farmers’ Markets.

A multitude of languages mingle with a variety of wondrous smells like fresh basil, sweet lavender and pungent mushrooms.

Munch on by clicking here

Kids Screaming? Wallet Screaming? Here's Relief

2011-07-29T22:23:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit: Kathy Keatley Garvey, UC Davis Department of Entomology

Your children might be years away from their college days, however the University of California at Davis offers venues guaranteed to simultaneously engage and educate (ok, you don’t have to emphasis the latter).
All have free admissions.

Click here for money saving ideas

Washoe return to “Da ow aga.”

2011-07-23T20:46:00.000-07:00

Miwok Dancers of the Central Valley

It is summertime around Lake Tahoe, and as they have for thousands of years, the Washoe American Indians have returned to the sacred land they call “Da ow aga.”

Their ancestors came from lower elevations of the Sierra Nevada's mountains and Great Basin valleys to hunt deer, bighorn sheep and gather medicinal herbs. Before the big snows arrived, they would harvest acorns and pine nuts.

Continue reading here.

Royal London

2011-07-18T13:44:00.000-07:00

London is myriad of tradition and cutting-edge contemporary.

The latter changes constantly, which keeps the city fresh as the former draws many tourists to centuries-old sites.

Among the most popular are those connected with the British Monarchy.

Continue reading here

North Iceland's Maritime Riches

2011-07-14T21:01:00.000-07:00

The sea defines Iceland.

Since Vikings first arrived in 874 AD, the waters surrounding this North Atlantic island have provided food, work, and now, fun activities for summertime tourists.

Join them by heading to North Iceland where whales, seals and herring flourish.

Continue the adventure by clicking here

New York City Sights for Under $15.00

2011-07-09T20:28:00.000-07:00

How do you enjoy New York City on a budget?

First, pack smart.

Save big by clicking here.

Insider Tips to Tahoe

2011-07-06T19:50:00.000-07:00

Lake view from Pine Lodge.
Photo: LJ Bottjer

Summer is here and the sirens of Lake Tahoe are calling.

Their chorus of activities can be almost overwhelming. From kayaking to biking, hiking, horseback riding and stand-up paddling, days in Tahoe are spent outdoors. Add in the nightlife from gambling at casinos, to going to outdoor events, to sipping wine with locals and fellow tourists, and it appears that a ton of luggage is going to be required to fit in all the different outfits needed.

Click here to continue

Tahoe Maritime Museum Annex

2011-06-30T14:19:00.000-07:00

Hidden Tahoe treasures will be revealed Saturday, July 2, without a single utterance of the words “open sesame.”

Find out what is inside by clicking here

A Puerto Rican Pied Piper

2011-06-30T12:41:00.000-07:00

Trust Toccata to add sparkle to this star spangled weekend from Incline Village to South Shore.

First, the audience helps kick off the sixth annual 21-concert 2011 Big Blue Summer MusicFest by singing the National Anthem along with members of Toccata's orchestra and chorale under the direction of Maestro James Rawie.

Second, a Puerto Rican Pied Piper returns to the Lake Tahoe Basin to gather music lovers for the Baroque to Broadway concert series, beginning Saturday, July 2.

Continue reading by clicking here.

A Golden Bough with Celtic Connections

2011-06-22T20:06:00.000-07:00

A close Celtic connection of the musical kind can be found at the Valhalla Summer Music Festival this Friday night, June 24.

“Being closer to the audience gives an intimate feeling,” said Paul Espinoza of the musical group the Golden Bough who has played the Valhalla Boathouse for more than two decades.

To continue reading, click here.

Islay – Queen of the Hebrides

2011-06-17T08:46:00.000-07:00

Port Askaig
Copyright LJ Bottjer

Looking for a true Celtic connection?

Let the wonders of Islay wash over, and through, you.

Pronounced EYE-la, the island sits almost midway between Ireland and Scotland.

Continue the trip by clicking here.

Interview with Diana Krall

2011-06-16T23:01:00.000-07:00

Courtesy of http://www.dianakrall.com/

The honeyed heat of Diana Krall's voice adds to the intimacy of romance, fuses generations of jazz lovers and Saturday, June 18, will melt the lingering snowpack.

Read the rest of the story by clicking here.

Sacrifical Lambs

2011-06-11T09:00:00.000-07:00

Trio Brio Photo

Spring, are you out there?

In this year when winter seems to be never-ending, Toccata's musical director James Rawie has a solution: “We are offering David Brock, Pat Crane and Darrell Moore as sacrificial lambs to the snow gods.”

Collectively known as Trio Brio, the vibrancy of their “Chamber Music Charmers” is sure to shake loose the long overdue springtime heat

Continue reading by clicking here.

Vacationing with Dead People

2011-06-06T15:14:00.000-07:00

Preston Castle Kitchen
Photo: LJ Bottjer

What is in your luggage?

Shirts? Check.

Jeans? Check, check.

Ghost repellent?

If you are among those who enjoy vacations with a bit of paranormal activity, there are plenty of American places you can enjoy a spirited good time.

To continue the spook tour click here.

Not All Boobs and Beer

2011-06-02T16:30:00.000-07:00

Listen.

Under the deep canopy of trees of Camp Richardson's woods, the bubbling of excitement is audible.

Continue reading here

Westward Ho!

2011-06-02T09:20:00.000-07:00

Rick Newborn (l) and George Alger (r)
Photo copyright: LJ Bottjer

History moves slowly with the Highway 50 Wagon Train Association.

Annually, with a mission to recreate the trek taken by thousands of treasure seekers to the gold fields of California, it lumbers out from Lake Tahoe.

Come along for the ride by clicking here.

Splendors of Vienna

2011-06-01T17:16:00.000-07:00

Vienna, or “Wien” as the natives call it, is the perfect place give into your indulgences.

Foodies, music and history lovers or anyone looking for a good time will find nirvana in this city seemingly designed for hedonists.

To read more about Vienna click here

Weird doings in West Texas

2011-06-01T07:50:00.000-07:00

Imagine Robert Ellison’s thoughts.

Pushing cows through the Paisano Pass he was dusty and tired. Near Marfa the lowing cattle settled down for the night upon the Chihuahuan Desert floor as darkness fell.

In 1883, West Texas nights were inky black, punctured occasionally by starry skies and slivers of moon rays.

Suddenly, off in the distance Ellison saw.....

To find out what was seen click here.

Coastal Good Times

2011-05-24T10:09:00.000-07:00

When good weather and your urge to pack your bags arrive – give in to your wanderlust and go.

Bed and breakfasts provide a quaint base for vacationing whether for an overnight or a long weekend stay.

Although separated by a continent, and two degrees of latitude, Wilmington, North Carolina and Monterey, California each present B&B devotees perfect, and often similar, getaways.

Pack your luggage and keep reading here.

Mark Twain's Sagas on Frank, Marilyn and others

2011-05-19T11:41:00.000-07:00

Since the age of Vikings, sagas have always told a story. Often they were robust accountings of great battles, brave action or outrageous behavior.

Having performed as the spirited Ghost of Mark Twain for a quarter-century, McAvoy Layne knows how to spin a good story, especially shocking ones about Nevada. It was during the height of state's Comstoke Lode bonanza that a young writer, one Samuel Clemens, first used his pen name, Mark Twain.

Click here to continue reading.

Pedaling for Understanding

2011-05-13T10:14:00.000-07:00

Kyrgyz man by Rick Gunn

Riding a bike brings transformation.

Muscles develop, confidence grows and for South Lake Tahoe's Rick Gunn a new path into his life's purpose was gained.

To continue the journey, click here.

"Ouch" and Biking - Not a Good Combo

2011-05-05T07:28:00.000-07:00

Now that spring has sprung, people around the Lake Tahoe Basin are hopping on bicycles.

Unfortunately, a few miles or even a few yards into the ride and many experience a twinge, a pang or even downright pain.

Some might discount the discomfort as being inevitable after months of winter inactivity. However, according to Judd Van Sickle Jr. that attitude is wrong and dangerous.

“It should not hurt to ride a bike,” he said.

To read and ride pain free click here.

Musical Royalty - the Next Generation

2011-04-28T16:30:00.000-07:00

Photo courtesy of Matthew Axton

When it comes to musical legacies, Matthew Axton's is pedigreed.

Many know his mother, Donna Axton, from her phenomenal classical abilities with Sierra Nevada College, a soloist with Toccata and as the year-round accompaniments to Tahoan events.

On his paternal side, the 28 year-old Tahoe City resident's roots belong to his father, the legendary singer-songwriter Hoyt Axton and his grandmother Mae Boren Axton. Their musical wordsmithing skills gave the world classics such as “Joy to the World” and “Heartbreak Hotel.”

Continue reading by clicking here

Mother Nature, Earth Day and Lake Tahoe.

2011-04-22T19:44:00.000-07:00

Photo courtesy of South Yuba River Citizens League Wild & Scenic Film Festival

Living, visiting or working in Lake Tahoe's splendor makes the observance of Earth Day almost an obvious activity.

For more than a decade of Earth Day's 41-year history the Tahoe-Truckee Earth Day Foundation has combined spring's renewal with recycling and repurposing education and added a massive amount of merriment to create the region's largest eco-event. More than 6,000 attended the 2010 event geared for the entire family.

“It pulls together the community on how to tune in with our town as we celebrate that we live in this incredible place,” said the event's chairwoman, Emily Williams.

To read more click here

Fair Play Wineries

2011-04-19T09:24:00.000-07:00

Zinman courtesy of http://www.perrycreek.com/

Finding Fair Play wineries, on the southern edge of El Dorado County, is reminiscent of what adventurous miners of old experienced in locating traces of gold.

Roads are often narrow and curve menacingly in places. They twist and rise then plunge under tree canopied hills and dales, over boulder strewn creeks or alongside acres of vineyards.

To continue reading click here to page 19 and then here for page 30.

St Matthew and his Baroque Passion

2011-04-14T15:36:00.000-07:00

Photo courtesy of Joy Stolz

When Johann Sebastian Bach composed “St. Matthew Passion,” he created a musical tapestry.

Threads of betrayal and compassion are woven with sorrow, acceptance and everlasting love. The Baroque masterpiece of the early 18th century heralded in the beginning of the Easter weekend when it debuted in Leipzig, Germany.

To continue reading click here.

Peekskill Artist of the Month - Thomas M. Leigh, AIA

2011-04-08T08:44:00.000-07:00

Thomas Leigh’s multi-faceted architectural career began young: he loved to doodle, draw and build things as a child.

To continue reading click here.

Twain's hatred of Tahoe

2011-04-01T13:54:00.000-07:00

http://www.cafepress.com/

Mark Twain hated Lake Tahoe.

Not the physical body of water or its surroundings which he wrote could “restore an Egyptian mummy to his pristine vigor.”

It was, instead, the word “Tahoe” that stuck in the craw of the humorist whose legendary writing career found firm roots in Nevada and California.

To find out why click here

The Female Side of Mark Twain

2011-03-25T17:55:00.000-07:00

Becky Thatcher and Tom Sawyer

“There is nothing comparable to the endurance of a woman. In military life she would tire out an army of men, either in camp or on the march.”

— Mark Twain in his autobiography

To celebrate the American master writer's great appreciation of, and inspiration by, the female sex, Mark Twain impersonator McAvoy Layne offers “The Women in Mark Twain's Life” at Incline Village on Friday, March 25. The event will be held at the Mark Twain Cultural Center.

Continue reading here.

Sip in Sacramento's Spring Season

2011-03-17T23:02:00.000-07:00

Photo courtesy of El Dorado Winery Association

Ah spring!

Some herald its arrival with the spotting of a red breasted robin or the crack of a baseball bat hitting a ball

In the Sacramento area a home run is delivered through a variety of springtime wine tasting events.

Continue reading by clicking here.

Tahoe Tutus and More

2011-03-17T10:45:00.000-07:00

Michelle Cahill by Quentin Barter

Tutus and pointe shoes are not the sole costume for ballet.

The Tahoe Youth Ballet's graceful moves are made, in part, by dancers clad in sweaters and Converse sneakers.

Continue reading by clicking here

Salty Songs with the "Miner's Farewell".

2011-03-10T15:02:00.000-08:00

Had it not been for miners, Lake Tahoe could easily have stayed solely the summer home of Washoe Native Americans.

Instead, the intrepid thousands risking life for riches and often paying with death without gaining an ounce of treasure brought the world's attention to the region.

Chris Bayer celebrates the lives of the largely unknown dreamers in an evening of old time music at the Mark Twain Cultural Center in Incline Village on Friday, March 11. Bayer is more than just a talented guy with a banjo.

To continue click here

Becoming Mark Twain in the Sierra Nevada

2011-03-07T12:49:00.000-08:00

There is something to be said for a writer whose work continues to entertain 101 years after his death.

Sheer brilliance proclaims most, however Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, offered a more self-effacing opinion.

“All you need is ignorance and confidence,” he wrote, “then success is sure.”

Continue reading here

Stuffed Up Wine Tasting

2011-03-02T18:00:00.000-08:00

As Dickens once wrote it was the best of times and the worst of them too.

A crisp day resplendent with bright autumnal colors drew me up to Nevada City where the acclaimed winery of the same name and its winemaker, Mark Foster awaited. Friends, strangers and even a former boss of Foster had all hailed his alchemistic skills in transforming grape juice into potions capable of making Bacchus weep with joy.

However, the gods had deemed I be blessed with a head cold. The type of ailment that made everything I ate taste like boiled cardboard and every beverage be as bland as the water it was boiled in.

To read it more click here

Red is the TOCCATA concert color

2011-02-03T13:28:00.000-08:00

Red is the unofficial color of Toccata’s upcoming “Viva Vivaldi” concert series. Due to the Venetian-born Antonio Lucio Vivaldi being nicknamed “the red priest,” the nearness of St. Valentine’s Day and to further the color theme Elizabeth Pitcairn and her red Stradivarius violin are returning to add more passion to the mix.

to read it all click here.

Photo courtesy of www.elizabethpitcairn.com

Bina: Gullah Slave Spy for the Swamp Fox

2010-12-19T21:34:00.000-08:00

There it was... again.

The slow squeak of a wooden door opening little by little. The mysterious noise came from the downstairs in the dark plantation house.

Bina’s sleepy head rose off her straw mat.

On this warm June night in 1780 there was little breeze on the banks of the Santee River in South Carolina’s Low Country. She heard nothing but a chorus of cicadas singing under the azalea bushes.

Closing her brown eyes Bina rolled over onto her stomach. She hoped to find a cool spot somewhere on the wide pine planks of the second story landing where she lay.

Then came the metallic creak of a door handle.

Someone was downstairs and she was fully awake.

To know more about this historical fiction story for children and more - contact me.

Hug a hero in Central Park

2010-12-13T15:01:00.000-08:00

Look around Central Park and small surprises pop up year round.

From a bright yellow pocket of springtime daffodils to an impromptu concert at Strawberry Fields and a bronzed hero, near the Tisch Children's Zoo, who stands ready to accept hugs and offer rides to his admiring fans.

To continue reading click here

Cross Country Skiing in Central Park

2010-11-28T21:25:00.000-08:00

Gliding across snow strewn open spaces it is hard to remember one is in the middle of the world's biggest cities.

Yet every winter when Mother Nature graces Central Park with a mandatory 6” and more of base snow many New Yorkers head out with their cross country skis. Hilly and flat terrains provide fun and some challenges to beginner and expert alike.

To read more click here

Wollman Rink at Central Park

2010-11-22T18:24:00.000-08:00

It is New York magic at its best - to glide gracefully across ice under a star encrusted sky while surrounded by the splendor of Manhattan.

Central Park's Trump Wollman Rink is the perfect place to create such enchantment.

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Really want to pet that bison or cuddle the husky?

2010-10-21T21:27:00.000-07:00

Armed with a camera overeager tourists often test the limits of wildlife.

It seems to purge away common sense and replace it with a false bravado when recording animals in their natural environment.

The sight of a grazing buffalo or a herd of elk ambling leisurely across the road often acts as a magnet to create a scenario of potential disaster.

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Vino in Vallecito

2010-08-21T17:04:00.000-07:00

The search for golden riches brought miners to Calaveras County back in the mid nineteenth century. Some meander around still hoping to strike it big by finding the malleable mineral. Oenophiles know the on-going wealth is now discovered at area wineries.

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Kitchell: Construction Managers and Public Stewards

2010-08-20T21:27:00.000-07:00

Interview with Michael McDonald, Blue-eyed and soulful

2010-08-06T14:36:00.000-07:00

Living a musician’s life is not the first choice most parents wish for their children.

Luckily, the mother and father of five-time Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter Michael McDonald approved of two diverse choices.

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Shakespeare Abridged with Laughter

2010-07-31T09:41:00.000-07:00

Confused by Shakespeare?

Back in high school, understanding the tragic love of Romeo and Juliet was easy amid all the teenage angst.

Even the power-hungry Lady MacBeth and her murderous, hen-pecked husband are familiar, though the three witches and their devious ditty can cause bewilderment.

Even the names can be vexing: Some come from Greek mythology or Roman history, but then you’ve got Limoges (is that not china?) of “King John,” Fang from “Henry IV, Part 2” and Dogberry from “Much Ado About Nothing.”

Add in Bottom, Mustardseed and Puck from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and you might think Shakespeare had a thing for derrières, hockey and condiments.

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Placer County Winery Trail

2010-07-15T11:16:00.000-07:00

Concrete Masonry Units

2010-07-14T16:37:00.001-07:00

Madrona Vineyards (El Dorado Co) Vine Times Article Jun/July

2010-07-14T16:28:00.000-07:00

Lake Tahoe's Concours d' Elegance

2010-06-26T11:03:00.000-07:00

The lake to some was created solely to showcase the Concours d'Elegance.

Waters of iridescent blues provide the perfect backdrop for the reddish and blonde tones of burnished mahogany and other specialty woods found on these prized wooden boats.

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Claes Cem- the modern troubadour

2010-05-29T09:54:00.000-07:00

If you ask Claes Cem what kind of music he plays, he will smile and say “modern folk-pop”. Listening to his guitar-driven songs, it does not take long to realize that his songs have been shaped by a life on the road....click here to follow the story

So You Wanna Be A Cowboy...

2010-05-27T22:34:00.000-07:00

The American cowboy …

That iconic image of the rugged rancher resonates the world over, but you don’t have to go far to make your cowboy fantasy a reality.

This vital culture still thrives throughout the dude ranches and old-time dance halls that... click here for the rest of the article.

Give Mom some Thunderbird

2010-05-19T07:23:00.000-07:00

Forget pearls and posies for Mom this Sunday.
Ditto with potholders, pendants and bottles of perfume.
Instead... for the rest of the story click here

Cinco De Mayo in Tahoe

2010-05-18T20:59:00.000-07:00

A small history lesson first.

Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day. That occurs September 16.
Nor is it the day to honor one’s ancestors, which is the Nov. 2 Dia de los Muertos.

Instead the fifth day of May is a mostly regional holiday of Puebla that commemorates a small victory by the outnumbered Mexican army over the French who came in collection of a debt back in the 1860s.

Historians have yet to find recorded evidence that winning Gen. Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín let his troops party down with swinging piñatas while swigging lime-wedged bottles of ice-cold Mexican beers or salt-rimmed glasses filled with margaritas, but it is safe to say — probably not

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Wining at El Dorado's Passport

2010-04-18T22:42:00.000-07:00

Of late my wanderlust addiction has been raging.
Recent economic concerns have curtailed my formerly frequent foreign travels but not squelched a desire for good food, superb wine and most of all fun.
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2010-03-16T13:42:00.001-07:00

For the best in construction management contact Kitchell.

Rustic furniture maker

2010-03-06T13:21:00.000-08:00

When Jacob Morrison’s eyes scan the vistas and horizons of the Lake Tahoe Basin they see a different view than most.
From a fallen pine he envisions a coat rack with twisted limbs or a chair’s cross rails emerging from a pile of reclaimed cedar trees.

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Sisterhood of Skiers

2010-01-15T22:17:00.000-08:00

Asking for directions, dealing with a car mechanic and appreciation of the Three Stooges are just a few documented gender cases where men and women differ.

Also is standing at the base of a towering mountain covered in snow and deciding to attack it on a pair of skis or a snowboard.

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Peggy Fleming has the medal and mettle

2009-11-25T18:23:00.000-08:00

Peggy Fleming skated across the ice in Grenoble, France in 1968 and won not only Olympic gold but also hearts of fans around the world.

Her lithe elegance will be evident from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27, at the fifth annual Magical Memories at the Resorts of Squaw Creek where she will skate with children.

Featured at the free event with young enthusiasts of the ice sport represents the full circle adventure Fleming has had.

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Boney James - fluidness of smooth jazz

2009-11-23T20:53:00.000-08:00

The relaxed poetry coupled with effervescing rhythms that flow from his music also filters through a conversation with saxophonist Boney James.

Due for a repeat area visit at the upcoming Holiday Jazz Fest occurring Nov. 28, James is a content man.

Blessed with the triple gifts of songwriting, producing and the ability to play a number of instruments including the alto, tenor and soprano saxophones, the Grammy-nominated artist has been able to make a living for three decades.

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Lodge-to-Lodge Kayaking at Lake Tahoe

2009-10-08T14:29:00.000-07:00

It has arrived.

The quiet time, between the high summer and winter seasons, when both visitors and locals can enjoy the lake for its natural wonders without the overrun of crowds.

Kayaking is a great choice for the experience.

To glide across the sparkling waters of the lake under a bright blue sky while surrounded by towering peaks is one of those special moments when the phrase “pinch me” is appropriate.

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The passion of Alpin Hong

2009-10-08T14:20:00.000-07:00

This Sunday sheer, impassioned joy will fly from the fingers of pianist Alpin Hong as he performs at the Resort at Squaw Creek.

His music, saturated in multiple tiers of craftsmanship, has the ability to envelop well-established devotees of the classical genre.

However, should the image of a stodgy classical musician emerge — banish the thought.

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Deep Within the Rubber Chicken Forest Lies Twisted Oak Winery

2009-08-28T18:05:00.001-07:00

What has Sherwood Forest produced other than some guy with a hoodie named Robin and his green tight laden band of Merry Men?

Calaveras County's famed Rubber Chicken Forest is renowned for its zig zag roads, an ancient thriving oak tree and the production of a portion of the region's tastiest wine offerings from big flavored Tempranillo and Syrah as well as the Petite Sirah.

It is often said the journey is better than the destination. Both are winners here.The trip to Twisted Oak Winery, off Highway 4, in Vallecito is one of increasing elevations and amusement, in the form of outrageous signs and other visual aids, along the way. Just don't laugh too loud though...pay attention to the road as there are significant holes here.

Snicker with caution at signs proclaiming to watch for rubber chickens, slow down for rubber chickens and observe speed limits or else fall under the law of Ruben the foulest of the fowl this side of the Sierras.

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Meet Willie Nelson's Harp Player - Mickey Raphael

2009-08-20T19:55:00.000-07:00

Love Willie Nelson?

Then you also love Mickey Raphael.

For over thirty years Raphael has been a member of the Nelson family. That is family with a capital F where connections are created through not through marriage or bloodlines but instead musical talent.

It is Raphael’s supreme command of a harmonica that pulsates the flight of desperation in Nelson’s rendition of “Midnight Rider”, drops a touch of bittersweet poetry to “My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys” and wails like a night train cutting through the dark Mississippi Delta in “City of New Orleans”.

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Fixing the World With Peanuts

2009-07-25T12:32:00.000-07:00

Jock Brandis proves a handful of people can

still change the world.

Get involved with the Full Belly Project.

Lake Tahoe Sizzles with Ricardo Lemvo

2009-07-24T11:30:00.000-07:00

Do not wear high heels, boat shoes, sneakers or even flip-flops to Monday night's Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca concert at Sand Harbor State Park.

Instead dig out your best dancing shoes because it is a guarantee the high-energy Afro Cuban music performed through the Urban Village Music Series will have you up and moving.

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Japan's Magical Matsumoto

2009-07-24T06:54:00.000-07:00

Matsumoto is known for fresh mountain air, a fabulous castle, friendly people, the Japanese Alps, ukiyo-e, soba noodles and some other epicurean delights.

Like the area’s renowned temari (embroidered balls with geometric designs), Matsumoto’s many colors of cultural and historical threads come together creating a place of beauty.

The city is easy to navigate by walking, boarding the “sneaker bus” or even pedaling a bike. If the latter is your choice several sites exist for free bicycle loan outs. One of the best is the Matsumoto Museum/Japanese Folklore Museum.

Before riding off investigate the museum. The exhibits highlight 14 centuries of local history. A diversity of multiple wooden phalluses makes a striking and curious display. Annually featured in a festival they honor roadside guardians. Nearby a large imposing figure, in a black samurai costume, is reminiscent of a Star Wars’ villain.

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Chocolates by the Bay

2009-07-24T06:46:00.000-07:00

Bria Skonberg. Canadian Jazz Baby

2009-07-24T00:48:00.000-07:00

The Zin Man comes to Perry Creek

2009-07-23T23:58:00.000-07:00

Deep down in the twisting roads and hidden dales of Fair Play a legend exists.

The legend of the Zin Man.

Often seen on moonlit nights darting between the lush vineyards of Perry Creek Winery holding aloft a wine glass while dancing under a star filled night his mysterious image has been captured to grace the labels of the winery's abundant product line.

Zin Man's playground is the 42 acres of estate vineyards where butterflies flitter, bees buzz and General Manager Stefan Tscheppe considers this nirvana.

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Wilmington's Chef Keith Rhodes. A Man for All Seasonings

2009-07-23T23:53:00.000-07:00

Dedication to craft is the keystone of Wilmington’s Chef Keith Rhodes. Born and raised in nearby Porter’s Neck, he is as committed to his family as he is to the quality of the food he, and his teams, create at both Deluxe and Catch Restaurants.

Combining fresh and local ingredients from the wealth of North Carolina’s fields and coastlines, Rhodes infuses them with many cultural influences, mainly Asian, and makes them the hallmark of his menus. Close to 75% of the produce and seafood, like seasonal shrimp and redfish, are bought from area purveyors.

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All photos courtesy of http://www.visitnc.com/.

Iceland's Ghostly Residents

2009-07-23T23:41:00.000-07:00

Fear them, sneer them or just drink a beer with them - all is allowed with the ghosts in Stokkseyri, Iceland.

Iceland - the land of fire and ice is also home to ghosts galore.

For centuries, across this wind-swept North Atlantic island, people have told tales of meeting paranormals like the Brennivin Ghost, talking skeletons and wet, sad ethereal beings heralding the drowning of a local mariner.

With such an extensive inventory of encounters, it was a perfect solution to erect a museum highlighting Iceland's still active, though dead, residents.

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Take a Liking to a Tahoe Viking

2009-07-23T23:27:00.000-07:00

It takes a big man to don horned Viking regalia and parade in front of strangers

At 6’5” with flowing long, dark hair, Castle Hayne’s Stan Wood possesses the size, and look, of a legendary Norseman. On a Friday in early May, he proved his warrior spirit was equally matching.

Fueled by the desire to further his career, the 39-year-old actor gambled his wife’s cache of frequent flier mileage points, packed a short-handle ax and took his first ever plane ride across country to California.

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Spooky Times at California's Preston Castle

2009-07-23T22:33:00.000-07:00

High atop a hill lies the former Preston School of Industry - a reform school - known locally as Preston Castle.

It literally looms over the town of Ione, California.

A monstrosity of sandstone Romanesque Revival, built in the late 1890's, is where once thousands of homeless, incorrigible and violent state "wards" learned trades like farming, carpentry and auto repair until the 1960's. Merle Haggard and 50's cowboy star Rory Calhoun once lived here.
Driving up the hill to the Castle I began to experience a sense of the uneasy.

Nothing was visibly amiss. The bright blue skies with puffy clouds under which the lush green hills of Amador County made for the kind of a perfect bucolic photo visitors bureaus place on brochure covers.

Stepping out of the car my eyes scanned across dark elongated windows some boarded others caged above and below towers and turrets. Despite the temperature being in the 90's a chill, and not the refreshing kind, ran across my shoulders.

Under a massive arch my guide, Marie Nutting, smiled and took my initial outburst of "wow, this place is really creepy" in stride. As board president of the Preston Castle Foundation, a band of intrepid volunteers committed to saving the structure, my comment was not new to her.

Entering the facility nothing supernatural hit me. No flying plasma or disembodied voices. The two front rooms were rather bland in fact except for a large steel safe, topped with a man' head and a unique drinking fountain.

Then a second set of doors slowly opened, and the chill returned. Not with icy fingers dancing lightly but handfuls of thrusting fear. Peeling paint, deep shadows and unseen light sources immediately gave me the sense that others, besides Marie and myself, were present.

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