Data Loading...
02-01-13 Gold Country Times Flipbook PDF
02-01-13 Gold Country Times
102 Views
64 Downloads
FLIP PDF 1.65MB
Vol 11 No. 139
FEBRUARY 2013
FREE
Historic Jackson Rediscovered The 41st annual Home Tour, sponsored by the American Association of University Women Amador Branch, will take place in the historic Gold Rush town of Jackson, CA. The theme of this year’s home tour is “Jackson Rediscovered.” The tour will be Saturday, April 20th from 11am to 4pm. Featured are four unique or restored historic homes, the newlyrestored National Hotel, and the Kennedy Mine Office. Other diversions include an art show, wine tasting, and an afternoon tea. Docents will guide ticket-holders through several historic sites including California’s longest-running hotel and the restored administrative building of the Kennedy Mine. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore some of California’s historic treasures and enjoy the charming beauty and character of one of California’s original gold rush towns. Jackson, originally called Bottileas, started out as a gold rush camp around a natural spring where the miners would get water. Once known for its bordellos and gambling hangouts, Jackson was a hot-spot that attracted miners, politicians, and outlaws alike. More than that, however, Jackson was an important site for trade and offered all types of goods and services. The Jackson area contains some of the earliest, best-preserved historic homes this side of the Sierras. Proceeds from the tour provide scholarships for local girls and women. Tickets are $22 in advance and $25 on the day of the tour; available starting March 15 at the following Amador County outlets: Ione – Clark’s Corner; Jackson – Main Street Designs; Pine Grove
Snow-Down for Habitat at Bear Valley Cross Country Ski Area Join Habitat for Humanity Calaveras and Bear Valley Cross Country for an invigorating day of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing for all levels of expertise on Sunday, March 17th. Along with the skiing or snowshoeing, we will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. We encourage everyone to wear at least a touch of green. Check-in is from 9 to 10 am. This 2nd annual “Snow-Down for Habitat”, sponsored by Bear Valley Cross Country offers a fun day in the snow to benefit Habitat for Humanity Calaveras. Choose cross-country skis or snowshoes and follow the beautiful trails on a scavenger hunt for Habitat. Marked trails of varying length and difficulty offer challenges for all and will feature special stops for refreshments, information about
– Pine Cone Drug; Plymouth – Amador 360 (formerly Amador Wine Shipping); Sutter Creek – Bubble Gum Book Store. Tickets will be available on tour day at 159 Main Street, Jackson, 10:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Tickets by mail order may be purchased until April 10th: AAUW Home Tour, c/o Sarah Hart, 19974 Jesus Maria Road, Mokelumne Hill, CA 95245. Visit online at www.aauwamador.org or www.touramador.com for more information about the Home Habitat and camaraderie. Paul Peterson of Bear Valley Cross Country will offer mini cross country ski lessons at approximately 10 a.m. Ticket prices are $50 for adults and $40 for children 12 and under. The price includes equipment rental and trail passes for the day and an après-ski lunch at Sky High Pizza and Pub in the Bear Valley Village Center. The lunch provided by Sky High Pizza and Pub will include an all-you-can-eat pizza and salad buffet. Non-alcoholic drinks are free. Drawings for prizes will take place at Sky High Pizza when lunch is served between 1pm and 2:30pm while Nedra Russ and Julio “Inglasses” Guerra perform American blues capturing the spirit of their home in the backwoods of the Sierra Foothills. Snow-Down for Habitat is a fundraiser to provide funds to help build and repair homes for people in need in Calaveras County. Tickets may be purchased at Bear Valley Cross Country; call 209-753-2834 prior to the event and on the day of the event.
Tour, including restaurants in Jackson that will offer lunch specials on tour day. For more information about the Home Tour or AAUW, contact Lani at [email protected] or phone her at (209) 245-6052.
The Calaveras Community Foundation The recent recipient of a generous donation originating from Petroglyphe Gallery, Mokelumne Hill, the donation was nearly $1100. “Petroglyphe Gallery’s one-year anniversary event “Art on the Hill” was the perfect opportunity to highlight and raise funds for the Calaveras Community Foundation’s Career & Technical Training (CT&T) Scholarship. It seemed a natural fit since these scholarships are available to individuals seeking training for career choices including the arts,” stated Gallery co-owner, Denise Ebbett. The Career and Technical Training Scholarship Fund, established by Paul and Darlene DeBaldo in 2010, recognizes and addresses what statistics show to be a serious need in our communities. Annually, very few scholarships are offered for students interested in pursuing career training, by seeking an associate degree and/or certificate of training in a specific industry. Educators share that more than 25% of graduating seniors in Calaveras County are candidates for such career training. The CT&T fund is one of more than 25 funds and scholarship funds administered by CCF. Visit the website www.calaverascommunityfoundation.org
President's Wine Weekend ............................. Story page 9 World Premier, The Great Gatsby ballet ...... Story page 10 Disney on Ice presents Dare To Dream ....... Story page 12 Hansel & Gretel, Witch Hunters ........... ......Story page 15
EDITOR'S DESK MaeBeth Johnson Acting Editor-inChief
Live Life Loud The New Year is a month old! Are you meeting your goals, your dreams, have you started a Vision Chart? It's not too late! Get into the rhythm for 2013. Better Health, Finances and an exciting year is Yours for the taking. Try something new! Instead of keeping your goals in your head or wishing every now and then, write them down! Make it real! Then line up the steps needed to accomplish your goal. Bring those dreams and hopes into the real world and more or less, speak them into existence! Exciting! Healthwise, do something fun that will also increase your vitality, longevity, and spark your heart! Dancing, ping pong, bowling, rowing, fishing, horseback riding, growing your own veggies, date night golfing! Do Something Different! Shake it Up! Live Life Loud! life is precious, don't waste a minute. February is the LOVE month and wow, is gold country going to deliver the magic! Wine, chocolate, music, art, crab feeds, the President's Wine weekend; every town and city will be celebrating this special month. Don't miss it!
Parks. SICC provides monetary and recognition awards to young women and youth, partners with Mark Twain Medical Center to sponsor the blood screening tests held in April and May, provides the Teddy Bear Tea in November and has held the Frog Jump Youth Parade for the past 66 years! We would be amiss also, if we didn’t thank our own groups’ members and volunteers. It seemed that all in attendance had a good time, and we thank every single person who had a hand in allowing the Calaveras County residents to enjoy an evening out while enjoying our very unique Chairs for Charity event for 2013. For more information about either group, please visit the websites: . www.sicalaverascounty.org or visit www.calaverasarts.org
Amador Water Agency News The Amador Water Agency will work with a solar energy engineering firm to explore building a solar power facility on AWA property that could provide revenue, electricity, reduced electricity costs, or a combination of benefits for the Agency. AWA Directors approved an agreement with Ecoplexus and their local partner, Sunny Cal Solar. Research on the feasibility and cost/benefits of a solar photovoltaic system to power AWA infrastructure and offices will begin immediately. The study will be done at no cost to the Agency other than staff time.
Chairs Partners say 2013 Artist Scholarships Thank You Chairs for Charity 2013 was held Saturday, January 26, at the San Andreas Town Hall. Attendees were treated to a delicious buffet dinner served by the Pickle Patch and had the opportunity to purchase artistic creations via Live and Silent Auctions. A no-host bar was available as well as several high-value raffle basket items. Every artist, community group, nonprofit entity and individual who entered his or her “creations” is to be thanked over and over again. Looking at the unique, finished items left little doubt that hours and hours of time and effort and expense went into each and every entry --- We thank you! The students from Oakendell were invaluable to us. Transporting 33 items from the Gallery to the Town Hall was a big job. Then they set up the tables and chairs also. Our distinguished judges had a difficult chore in choosing the ten that would go into the Live Auction – thank you judges. Our media contacts were there for us, as always. In January, there were articles or photos nearly every week. And to those who came, participated and took a chair (or item) home, we thank you too. The hosts, Calaveras County Arts Council (CAC) and Soroptimist International of Calaveras County (SICC), are indebted to the “whiz-bang,” loveable, laughable auctioneering antics and talents of Mindi Bach during the Live Auction. Bringing each creator on stage to explain how their “creation” came to be, added interest, laughter and fun. Bidders from all corners of the room were raising their hands to participate --and ten Live Auction bidders took home that special chair or item to adorn their homes, offices or patios. Bottom line profits are divided between SICC and CAC. Those funds filter right back into the Calaveras County communities from CAC with art/ music related events like Artists in the Schools, Arts Resource Center, Ovations Performing Arts Series and Music in the
PHOTO OF THE MONTH
Applicants for one $750 award and three $500 awards for Artists Scholar-ships sponsored by the Calaveras County Arts Council. Calaveras residents of any age who are pursing higher education in the arts may apply for the $750 scholarship. Whether you’re a visual artist, performing artist, or literary artist, this scholarship may be used for direct costs associated with an educational course study in the arts, such as tuition, equipment, instruments, or supplies. The primary goal of this scholarship is to assist people in cultivating a lifelong involvement in the arts. The applicant could be a senior citizen, a high school senior, a middle-aged person changing careers, to name just a few examples. This award for $750 is funded by the Arts of Bear Valley, in memory of artist Elaine Bryan. Longtime artist and founding member of the Calaveras Arts Council Robert Atkinson created a fund, Robert Atkinson Scholarship, for three $500 scholarships, for 3 graduating senior at Calaveras High, Bret Harte High and Mountain Oaks Schools. Applications, which are due to the Arts Council by April 1, include a completed form, one-page essay, and letters of recommendation. Those selected as semi-finalists will be required to submit samples of work and appear for an interview. Applications are available online at www.calaverasarts.org or at the Arts Council office and gallery located at 22 Main Street, San Andreas. For additional information, call the Arts Council at 754-1774.
Valentine's Day
one of the biggest gift-giving holidays of the year, and although now more conscientious with spending, millions of Americans are still looking forward to celebrating with loved ones including their special pets.
Carpe Duo to Perform The last of the season’s “Free Friday Concerts +2” will be March 1st, featuring Carpe Duo which is the team of Barry Duncan (flute) and Kevin Fritson (guitar). AmadorArts presents this entertaining free concert at 6:00 pm in the Banquet Room of Teresa’s Place, 1235 Jackson Gate Rd., Jackson. Carpe Duo was conceived during an impromptu jam session at a summer barbeque many moons ago. Drawing from their influences of bluegrass, folk, rock, and jazz, and primarily through the use of guitar, vocals, and flute, Barry and Kevin create a blend of folk and Americana music. Many locals know the pair in their professional lives: Duncan, owner of Mother Lode Printing; Fritson, an architect and partner in Weatherby, Reynolds & Fritson. The two-hour event is free; if you’re hungry or thirsty, Teresa’s has an affordable menu developed just for Free Fridays and a handy bar right in the banquet room. It’s where groups of friends meet to kick-off the weekend.There’s plenty of free parking. For more information, visit www.amadorarts.org or call 209-267-9038.
The Gold Country Times The 'Good News' newspaper
Online at www.goldcountrytimes.com Timothy Dunn Victoria Beninga Acting Editor-in-Chief Sales, PR Theater, Reporter Justine TenZeldam Jane Haworth Ken Kiunke Founder Theater, Travel Theater, Events Martin (Red) Johnson James E. Roberts Joan Kruger Legends of the Gold Country Theater, Music Theater, Music Elaine Hunt Patrick Witz Gary & Sue Grant MaeBeth Johnson
Theater, Music
Travel Writer
From the Vine
Jennifer Benton
Tracy Cameron
John Benton
Theater, Music
Travel Writer
Theater, Events
Kevin Reeves Sandy Carriger Suzy McMinn Theater, Travel Theater, Events Travel Writer Anna Lisa Poganski Tom Bianchini Theater, Music Reviews/Events Published in Sutter Creek, The Gold Country Times, serving readers in four counties along with the dynamic internet community, with the ‘Good News’, is a positive example of journalism with an eclectic assortment of articles and reviews ranging from theater and music, health and wellness to the arts. OUR MISSION: We are dedicated to providing the 'Good News' and news of the gold country, and reaching more communities than any other single newspaper. Along the way, should we educate, inform, and entertain, it would be a good thing. ADVERTISING: Competitive rates; discount rates for non-profits. Call Tim at (209) 256-4566 for more information on multiple-month ad discounts. Ask about our advertising bundles--print advertising, online advertising, and custom websites at specially reduced prices. Be Seen 3 Ways! Maximize your advertising dollars at affordable rates. CIRCULATION: 6,000 readers in three counties, published monthly. Subscriptions: $20yr, $16yr for seniors & Vets. Mail your check to: The Gold Country Times, POB 1467, Sutter Creek, CA 95685 CONTACT: Write to us: PO Box 1467, Sutter Creek, CA 95685; call 209-256-4566. You may e-mail [email protected] to submit press releases & event news. DISPLAY ADS: Contact Tim at 209-256-4566. Or send your advertising request to: [email protected] *Ask about our Specials & discounted non-profit rates. We welcome submissions of event news, photographs, articles, press releases, literary pieces, and poems and will consider them for publication. Gold Country Times is not responsible for any action taken by any person as a result of reading any part of this issue. The pieces are written for information, entertainment, and suggestion—not recommendation. Any action reflected by this publication is the sole responsibility of the individual and not of this publication, its staff, owners, or contributors. Opinions expressed in this issue are those of the authors, and do not necessarily represent those of the Gold Country Times. Our editor/writers are freelancers and contributors. The Gold Country Times will not be responsible for any infringement of copy or trademarked material by advertisers and any other publications. Any materials for advertising are supplied by the advertiser. The advertiser will hold the Gold Country Times harmless and without liability to any 3rd party. Rights revert to writers/poets upon publication. The Gold Country Times welcomes Letters to the Editor and retains full discretion as to material published. Display ads/graphics/artwork created for advertising may not be used without the written permission of the Editor. Photos are used 'with permission' in this publication.
FEBRUARY 2013
Page 3
The Gold Country Times
Com m u n i t y N e w s SCSO -COMMITMENT, PASSION & VOLUNTEERISM IN ACTION Please help us give the gift of live music all year long. Take advantage of a year-end tax deduction. SCSO 501 c (3) Tax ID: 94-3259903. SCSO Members and Office Staff volunteered more than 38,000+ hours in 2012. Enriching lives through the Arts, Building Community Through Music, Civic Engagement in the Arts. Make an ONLINE DONATION to the SCSO OR DOWNLOAD the 2012-2013 Annual Fund Pledge form and mail it with your donation to: SCSO 4025A Bridge Street Fair Oaks, CA 95628 OR CALL THE SCSO OFFICE to make your donation by credit card: (916) 536-9065. 2012 SCSO HIGHLIGHTS: Nationally unleashed our KVIE PBS Viewfinder Documentary - Channel 6; Released our fifth CD: Home for the Holidays; Offered discounted and free tickets to Students; Provided ticket & subscription donations to 46 area sister nonprofits; Recruited five new SCSO Board Members. E-mail [email protected] or call the SCSO Office at (916) 536-9065 Join the SCSO at Sound and Spirit, Sunday, March 10, 3 PM Cathedral, Sacramento, CA. Offices: Sacramento Choral Society & Orchestra, 4025A Bridge Street Fair Oaks, CA
W
elcome the arrival of Spring with live musical performances at Petroglyphe Gallery in historic downtown Mokelumne Hill. Petroglyphe Gallery’s Spring Sunday Fine Arts Concert Series will be held March 24, April 21, and May 19 from 3:30 – 6 pm and the public is cordially invited to attend. Tickets for limited seating will be available for $21 in advance and if available, for $23 at the door. These special events will include light appetizers and wine to be served from 3:30 pm until the performance begins at 4 pm. Petroglyphe Gallery’s beautiful Main Street space creates a unique atmosphere that melds the visual and musical arts in a relaxed and intimate setting. Each concert will focus on a different musical style performed by well renowned professional musicians. The March 24th concert will be given by Allen Biggs, principal percussionist for the Santa Rosa Symphony and the percussionist for the Wicked production in San Francisco. The April 21st concert will feature jazz and classical harpist, Motoshi Kosako, principal harpist for the Stockton Symphony Orchestra. The final spring concert on May 19th will highlight the classically trained violinist and violist, Debbie Dare and violin virtuoso, Joseph Gold. With such a variety of musical styles, the Spring Sunday Fine Arts Concert Series at Petroglyphe Gallery promises to awaken your passion and enliven your senses! For more details on this exciting concert series, or to purchase tickets, please visit the gallery’s website at www.gallerypetroglyphe.com or 209-286-1387. Regular hours of Petroglyphe Gallery are Thursdays through Saturdays 11:30 am - 5:30 pm and Sundays 11:30 am - 4:00 pm. Petroglyphe Gallery is located two blocks off of Highway 49, across the street from the historic Hotel Legér in the historic gold rush town of Mokelumne Hill.
Spring Eggstravaganza Saturday & Sunday, March 30 & 31 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. This popular, fun-filled family weekend features egg hunts, prizes, spring-themed hands-on activities and pictures with Peter Cottontail (additional cost). Daily egg hunts are held promptly at 12pm, 1pm and 2pm. Hunt areas are separated by age groups as follows: 0 - 3 years, 4-6 years, and 7-12 years. The Fairytale Town Troupers will also open their sixth annual season with performances of "Beauty and the Beat," a retelling of the classic fairytale with music, magic and mid-century mod (additional cost). Free with paid admission. Weekend admission is $5 for adults and children ages 2 and older. Children ages 1 and under are free. For more information, visit www.fairytaletown.org or call (916) 808-7462.
The April 21st concert will feature jazz and classical harpist, Motoshi Kosako. Courtesy Photo
DIY REPAIRS At 1915 I Street, Sacramento, is a non-profit bike workshop, the Bicycle Kitchen. Entirely run by volunteers, this drop-in repair shop offers basic maintenance classes and biketool tutorials to get you in gear for just a $5 donation. The shop throws in 2nd Saturday parties with live music and kegs of local beer. Check it out soon!
EDUCATIONAL APPS One especially recommended is Evernote, IOS. Take a photo, jot notes, record a lecture, copy a web page. Evernote will store it online to access later. Anything captured from a PC or tablet automatically synces to the smartphone. Forgetting things should be much less of an issue. FREE.
March is Women’s Comprehensive Reiki Hunt at the Farm Railroad Flat Crab History Month Join the Easter Bunny for Training: Levels I & II Cuca Maluca World Feed The American Association an egg hunt at Amador Flower Saturday, Feb 23, 10 am - 4 pm beat Valentine. Saturday, Saturday, March 2, 2013, of University Women (AAUW), Farm! Kids (toddler to 12 yrs) Minimum* requirements: Meets Feb 16th, 12 - 2pm. Back Roads Coffee house, Main Street, Sutter Creek.In benefit for the Twin Rivers Music Foundation. NC
Hunger in Amador County The Amador Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) is proud to present a forum on Hunger in Amador County. The program will be held on Thursday, Feb 28, 2-5pm at the Margaret Dalton Children’s Center, 975 Broadway, Jackson. Open to the public. Speakers include representatives from the Interfaith Food Bank, First 5, WIC, Social Services, ACUSD, UCCE, and Common Ground. Each speaker will provide information on their agency, which population, how many served, how they are funded. Participants will have the opportunity to view the new Children's Center. For more info, call 209-267-5626. Donations of non-perishable food will be collected and given to the Interfaith Food Bank.
Crystal Image Feb 16, The Range, 772-1171. 126 Quail Oaks Rd, Valley Springs, 9 pm
Rail Road Flat Community Hall, 250 Rail Road Flat Road, Rail Road Flat. Tickets: $35 Cash, check or money order, Payable to: RRFCC. Include names of all attendees and a phone number for questions [Sorry unable to accept credit cards]. Doors open at 4:30pm ~ no host bar; Dinner at 5:30pm ~ wine provided with dinner. Proceeds to support the RRF Community Hall. To order tickets contact: Janet Bell 209-754-4882 or email rrfccrrf@gmail.
W
ould you like some help teaching your dog that jumping on you or your friends is rude in the human world and that sitting politely opens the door to all sorts of good things. For the month of February save on a private training lesson in your home for only $59 or $49 if you come to me in Pine Grove. Limited number available - so schedule yours soon! Cherie Maitland, Our Furry Friends - Training with Respect & Understanding. More info: 530-622-PUPS (7877) or 209296-4DOG (4364); 1-888-DOGB-GOOD (1-888-364-2466) or WWW.DOG-B-GOOD.COM
Amador Branch, celebrates on Friday, March 8, from 5:30 – 6:30 pm at the Jackson Junior High School Gym. Students from Ione and Jackson Jr. High Schools have been invited to write a short essay about “A Woman I Admire”. The top essayists from each school will be showcased at the Women's History Month event. The public is welcome, at no cost. Please join in the celebration. Refreshments will be served. Contact Mary at 209-245-3715 or Heidi O’Hare 257-3326 for questions.
Interfaith Food Bank Amador County Save the Date! April 20th Murder Mystery Dinner featuring the Volcano Theater Company benefiting the Interfaith Food Bank. Can't make the dinner? Event Sponsors are welcome. Call 209-267-9006 or email [email protected].
Ridgeroad Garden Center has potatoes! Yukon Gold, Red, White and Yellow Fin. Plant between Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day for a great harvest.18815 Ridge Rd, Pine Grove, CA (209) 296-7210
1pm sharp in the daylily growing grounds. Take your picture with the Easter Bunny and enjoy a picnic. Don't forget your camera and don't be late! This event will take place rain or shine. Free admis-sion, free parking! March 31, Sunday. 22001 Shenandoah School Rd, Plymouth (209) 245-6660.
one Saturday a month for 4 months. Requires practicum and homework. Requires 4-6 month commitment to complete all assignments. Fee is $300 and requires purchase of several texts. Call 209-418-9003 to register or email [email protected]. Register by January 26th.
Page 4
FEBRUARY 2013
The Gold Country Times
Com m u n i t y N e w s
14th Annual West Coast Brew Fest
LEARN FEATHER ART! Don’t miss this opportunity on Saturday, February 23, to take three 90-minute workshops of your choice given by some of our area’s top artists..for only $15 total. The Registration Deadline is February 8th. Registration after this date will go up to $25, and your choice of classes may be limited.This is AmadorArts third annual “mini arts institute” and it’s open to residents in Amador and Calaveras Counties, or beyond, specifically targeting adults and junior and high school students. From a menu of 15 classes, select three courses. So, why not “take a taste” of the arts, either for the first time or for further exploration. The cost has been purposely kept affordable, and supplies are included! “A Taste of the Arts” begins at 8:00 am for sign-in. Classes start at 8:30 and end at 2:00 pm at Amador High School in Sutter Creek. Pre-Registration is required. Reasonable lunches will be catered by Clark’s Corner of Ione, or bring your own. Brochures are available at AmadorArts Office, Sutter Creek; Amador Council of Tourism, Sutter Hill; Clark’s Corner, Ione; Dr. Curry’s Dental Office, Plymouth; Hein & Co., Jackson; and Munnerlyn’s Ice Creamery, Pine Grove. The website www.amadorarts.org has ALL the details about the class descriptions, bios of the artist teachers, and the Registration Form that may be either printed and mailed in or filled in online and completed with a credit card payment through PayPal. A brochure is also available that contains the Registration Form that can be mailed in with payment. Classes will be filled on a first-come, firstserved basis. If you have questions, phone Terra Forgette at AmadorArts (209) 267-9038.
Spring Fling A celebration of the beginning of spring! The Amador Flower Farm & Nursery will be filled with vegetable starter plants- the largest selection in all of Amador County! The festivities include hourly demonstrations by gardening experts, Amador County artists and craftsmen! Food will be available or you can pack your own picnic. Free tram rides all day (weather permitting). This event will take place rain or shine. Free admission, free parking! Sorry, no pets are allowed at the farm. April 6th-7th, Saturday & Sunday. Right now we have fruit bareroot trees, it's the season for the best prices! Plant now. Dahlias, Callas, Begonias, Gladiolas - summer blooming bulbs are here too. Save Saturdays for Shopping Small! 22001 Shenandoah School Rd Plymouth, CA, (209) 245-6660. Winter Hours: 9am-4pm Thursday through Sunday, December through February. Our grounds are available for your pleasure throughout the year. Hours of operation are 9am-4pm DAILY, March through November. We love your pets, too, but unfortunately they are not allowed out of your vehicle at the farm. 209.245.6660
First VIP Ticket Sales for the 14th Annual West Coast Brew Fest coming up May 18, 2013, are going fast, so, if you want all the benefits of VIP Tickets... One Hour Early Entrance (Avoid the long lines) Commemorative (larger) tasting mug, Lunch at any one of our vendors, Commemorative Swag including the Annual VIP T-shirt, Free goodies from sponsors. NEW! - Free entrance for One Designated Driver! All for only $95! --- visit WestCoastBrewFest.com for more information.
Kids At Work The new Sacramento Children's Museum looks like your run of the mill office park. But inside infants to 8yr olds enjoy activities like poking scarves through dozens of pressurized tubes, flating mini boats along artificial currents, and racing rubber balls down chutes to learn about gravity. There are walls to paint, crafts to make and costumes to wear. Conveniently located off Interstate 50. $7.00 sacramentochildrensmuseum.org
Living History Event On Saturday, March 2, 2013 at 10:00am to 12:00 noon, Planes of Fame Air Museum hosts its monthly Living History Event. Open to the public, the Museum doors open at 9:00am. The theme for March 2nd is the “Little Friends/Bomber Escorts”, featuring the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. The featured speaker is Sandy Ross, Lt. Colonel (Ret.), a P-47 pilot during the WW2. Following the presentation, the P-47 will perform a demonstration flight. At 12 noon, following the presentation, there will also be a Membership Sponsored raffle flight. Planes of Fame Air Museum, 7000 Merrill #17, Chino, CA (909) 597-7576. The Museum sponsors regular events in the form of inspirational experiences, educational presentations, flight demonstrations, and air shows in fulfillment of this mission.Visit the Planes of Fame Air Museum website www.planesoffame.org
Paula Poundstone, Crest Theater Sat, February 16, 2013 7:30 PM. (Doors open at: 6:30 PM), 1013 K Street, Sacramento, (916-44-CREST). All Ages. Tickets range from $27, $35, $42 in advance.
Celebrate almond-growing season at the Capay Valley Almond Festival. Almond blossom ice cream, BBQ meats, activities, wine tasting, and live music. Feb 24th, at various locations around the Capay valley; various prices for food and activities. Call at 530-787-3242. More information capayvalleyalmondfestival.com
Amador County February Master Gardener Classes – Free! Unless otherwise noted, all Amador County Master Gardener classes are from 9am – noon at the GSA Building, 12200-B Airport Road, Jackson, CA. February 23: Growing Great Vegetables (Part 1) February 23: Pruning Olive Trees and Grapes, Noon – 3pm Location: Valley Oaks Vineyard, 10730 Valley Drive, Plymouth. UCCE Amador County Master Gardeners can be reached at (209) 223-6838 Tuesday Thursday, 10am to Noon at the GSA Building, 12200-B Airport Road, Jackson. Visit our website h t t p : / / u c a n r. e d u / s i t e s / Amador_County_MGs/ or at http://cecentralsierra.ucanr.edu/ Master_Gardeners/ ?newsitem=45862
AMADOR COUNTY LIBRARY 530 Sutter Street (Hwy 49) Jackson, CA 209-223-6400 Jackson Book Club , every 4th Wednesday, 5:30pm. Just Knits, 2nd Mondays, 10:30 - 12pm. Join others with a passion for knitting. Learn new patterns, stitches, and meet other people interested in knitting. All levels welcome, come and experience the wonderful world of knitting! Books at Home (BAH) is a free outreach service provided by the Amador County Library. Volunteers will deliver library materials to home confined individuals. The service is available to all Amador County Residents who are unable to get to the library due to illness, age, infirmity or disability. For more information, contact 209-223-6400.
Sierra Wildlife’s March classes will include Songbird First Aid, March 12, 7-9 pm and Rehabbing Rabbits, March 16, 1-3 pm, both for prospective rehabbers; a repeat of Introduction to Local Wildlife, March 19, 7-9 pm (general public); Homeopathy for Baby Animals, March 23, 10 am-noon; Living with Wildlife (general public), March 23, 1-3 pm; and Rehabbing Raptors, March 27, 79 pm; and Rehabbing Waterfowl and Game Birds, March 30, 1-3 pm, for prospective rehabbers. See www.sierrawildliferescue.org for other species-specific classes held through April. All classes are held at SWR’s Wildlife Center, 3030 Newtown Rd, Placerville. Parking is limited, so please make reservations at Barbara Barker, 530-621-2650, or at [email protected]. If you register for a class and can’t attend, please let us know as soon as possible since there is always a waiting list. Classes are free to SWR Members; a $5.00 donation is requested from the general public.
T
his past June, all 32 49'er Cheerleaders came to Sutter Creek to shoot their 2013 Calendar! We spent 4 days all over Amador County taking beautiful photos which they used exclusively in their calendar. Photos were taken at Kennedy Mine, Main Street Sutter Creek, Black Chasm Cavern, Schofield's Red Mule Ranch, Sutter Gold Mine, Roaring Camp and lots more. Don't miss this opportunity to own a real collector's item! Available at the Sutter Creek Visitor Center at 71A Main Street, The Music Box Company 64 Main Street, J&D's Steakhouse 36 Main Street and Amador Council of Tourism 115 Valley View Drive. Calendars are $19.99 tax included. We only have 70 copies...so don't wait! Lisa Klosowski, Sutter Creek Director of Tourism (209) 267-1344.
FEBRUARY 2013
Page 5
The Gold Country Times
F A I T H Amador
Amador Christian Center, 16829 Latrobe Road, Plymouth, Office phone: (209) 245-3371. Calvary Chapel www.calvaryamador.org Sunday Worship 8:30am in the chapel; childcare 10:30am in the sanctuary with a full Children's Sunday School, 18400 Ridge Rd, Pine Grove UFC (Uniting the Family for Christ) Wed night program, 5:30-7:45pm adults, children through relationships with mentors, small group interaction, scripture memorization and practical life application from the Word of God. $2 dinner followed by family worship, and study for children and adults. Call 209-296-5961. Calvary Ione Fellowship www.ccione.org Sunday Service: 10 a.m. 10501 State Hwy 88, Jackson. Wed evening Prayer: 6pm dinner and 7pm prayer. Call 209-274-3030 Church at the Cross www.pioneerchurch.net Worship Service, 9:30 am - 10:45 am. Nursery provided for 3 years and under. Sunday School Classes (preschool through Adult) 11:00 am - noon. 21895 Homestead Road, Pine Grove. 209-296-5075. Church of The Nazarene, 14050 Ridge Road, Sutter Creek, Sunday Worship Times 8:30 & 11:00 am; Sunday School 9:45-10:45 am. For all ages. Infant and toddler care provided. Wednesday Night "Refill" Dinner at 5:30 p.m.; 6:30-8:00 p.m. Worship and Ministries for all Ages. Mark Lehman, Pastor. (209) 267-1307. Cornerstone Church of Ione www.cornerstoneione.org Sunday School, 9am, Worship, 10am, 6pm. Church & Market Streets, Ione. 274-4131. Faith Lutheran Church, ELCA, faithlutheranpioneer.org Guitar service at 8 am; traditional worship at 10:30 am; Bible study 9am, Sun, and 6:30pm, Thurs. 22601 Highway 88, Red Corral, Pioneer. 209-295-4545. Pastor David Solevad. Foothill Jewish Community Sabbath service and social hour, third Saturday of every month at 10 am, Amador Senior Center, 229 New York Ranch Road. Call Sharyn 209-267-5254 or Lucille at 295-4215. Immanuel Lutheran Church (Jackson Lutheran Mission); 42 Summit Street. Worship: 9AM; Sunday School (Adult) at 10:30 AM; (children during worship service); Wednesday Small Groups; Men's Prayer Fellowship every 1st Saturday, 8AM, at the Waffle Shop in Jackson, CA. Lutheran Women's Missionary League every 3rd Wed. Pastor Gene Davidenas, 209-257-1656. Ione Community United Methodist Church Traditional worship services will be held on the first, third and fourth Sundays with a contemporary service being offered on the second Sunday. Worship begins 10:30 am, Sunday School
during worship service. Food and fellowship in the Social Hall. Senior Meals, Thursdays at 11:30. 150 W. Marlette; 209-274-2852. King's View Assembly of God, 432 West Marlette St., Ione, CA (209) 274-2785. Sunday Morning Worship 10:30am, Kids Club, Wednesday night 6-7:30pm, Youth Night - Thursday night 79pm. Pastor Daniel Epperson. Mt. Zion Assembly of God, Pine Grove www.mtzionassembly.org, Sunday School, 9am. Service, 10:15am. Wed, 7pm, Missionettes, Royal Rangers, Bible Study. Kids Connection, Revolution. 13891 Cedar Pine Ln, Pine Grove, CA. 209296-5673. New Life Christian Center Breakthrough, young adults, Sunday 6pm. Uturn, youth 12-18, Fridays 7-10pm, food, games, positive message. 87 West Ridge Rd., Sutter Creek. 209-267-1263. Our Lady of the Pines Catholic Church, Sunday, 9:30 am, Tues and Fri, 9:30 am, Confessions by appointment, 26750 Tiger Creek Rd., Buckhorn, CA. Plymouth Pentecostal Church of God, 18519 Poplar St., Plymouth, CA. Church services start at 10:30 am, 209-245-3140. Sierra Baptist Church www.sierrabaptistpioneer.org. Sunday Worship: Sunday School9:45am; Morning Worship11am; evening Worship, 6pm. Wed Prayer, 630pm. At 26355 Buckhorn Ridge Rd., Pioneer. Pastor Overstreet, 295-5395. St. Bernard Catholic Church Saturday, 4:30 pm, Confessions by appointment, Plug at Immigrant St., Volcano, CA. St. Patrick Catholic Church www.stpatparish.org Sat, 6pm; Sunday Mass, 8am & 11am; 12:30pm in Spanish. Daily Mass, 8am (except Saturday). Confessions: Sat, 3:00-3:30pm, 115 Court St., Jackson. 223-1068. St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church www.saintsavajackson.org, 724 North Main Street, Jackson, CA. The clergy and parishioners of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church welcome all to our historic little church. Vespers Saturdays, 6 pm; Divine Liturgy 10am on Sundays. Weekday festal liturgies, 9am. Fr. Stephen Tumbas at 245-3142. Sutter Creek United Methodist Church [email protected] Sunday services 9am, at 14 Main St.; Pastor Alex Cambe, call 209267-0226. The United Methodist Church welcomes all with open hearts, open minds, and open doors. Nursery care for young children is provided. Food and fellowship in the Social Hall following. Men of the congregation and their friends and coworkers are invited to attend the men’s breakfast, held in private homes at 9:30am, the second Saturday of each month. Sutter Hill Seventh Day Adventist Church www.sutterhillsda.org Sat, 9:30 am, Bible study; Worship Service, 11am. Mon even-
ings, 4pm, free supper/food distribution. Wed evenings, 6pm, prayer and praise service. K – 8 grades, Mon–Thurs, 830am to 330pm; Fri 830am – 1230pm. Pastor Myron Tait, 267-1456; 12900 Ridge Rd, Sutter Creek . The Healing Word, a Foursquare Gospel Church [email protected], Sunday Service 10:30 AM; Wednesdays: 1pm Women's Bible Study; 5 pm Prayer Ministry; 6:30pm Evening Bible Study. Food Bank, 2nd & 4th Thursday each month, 12 Noon to 3pm plus free clothing. Every Thurs 1 to 3pm, community lunch open to all. Men's Bible study Mon, 6:30pm; Group Study meets Wed 6:30pm. Sunday service 10:30am; familystyle lunch. At 26675 Tiger Creek Road, Hwy 88/Pioneer. 209-295-8699. Trinity Episcopal Church www.trinitysuttercreek.org At 430 Hwy 49, Sutter Creek. Sunday services 8:30am & 10:30am, potluck following 10:30 service on 4th Sundays. Child care, Sunday school, 10:30am service. Centering Prayer, Wednesdays, 9:30am. Free English as a Second Language (E.S.L.) classes, Thurs, 7-8pm, [email protected] Sutter Hill, 209-267-0255.
Calaveras Church of the Living Word, West Point, 23717 Hwy 26, West Point, CA. Sunday- 9am, Children's Sunday School & Adult Bible Study, 10am. Church Service. First Sundays "Prayer Time" @ 5pm. Mon/ Tues,7pm, 12 Step Recovery Group. Pastor Rod Landreth, 209-293-4366. First Baptist Church of West Point, Sunday School, 9:30am, worship at 10:45am; evening worship at 6pm; Wednesday, Children’s program, 6pm, Thurs, Bible Study and prayer at 6pm. Dr. Kenneth R. Terry, Pastor. 209-293-7207. Foothill Evangelical Lutheran Church, 225 East Highway 12, Valley Springs, 209-772-0940. Worship 11AM. Sunday School (Adult/Children) 10AM.Tues, 9AM. Lutheran Women's Mission Society every third Tues, 10:30 AM. Pastor Davidenas, [email protected] Our Lady of Guadalupe, WP Bible Study, Thurs from 4:30 to 6PM. Saturdays, Mass 4-5 PM. West Point Community Covenant Church www.westpointcovenant.com Sunday school 9:45am, Church Service 11am. Monday, Youth group, 7pm; 22264 Hwy 26, West Point, CA (209) 293-4226.
&
S P I R I T
Christian Life Center of Pollock Pines w w w. c l c p o l l o c k p i n e s . c o m . Sunday Services, 1030am-12pm Pollock Pines. El Dorado Community Church - 4701 Church Street. Sunday Service: 11am; Pastor Claude Dunn, contact email: [email protected]. Faith Episcopal Church www.faithec.org. Sunday services, 7:30am Eucharist, full services at 9am & 11am. First Baptist Church of Pollock Pines w w w. f b c o f p p . c o m . S u n d a y Services, 830am and 11:10am. First Church of Christ Church and Sunday School 11am, 2950 Bedford Ave., Placerville, one block North of Hwy 50 - Call for info (530) 622-3290. Reading Room hours are posted at www.csplacerville.com Rolling Hills Church http://www.rollhillchurch.com 800 White Rock Road, El Dorado Hills. Sundays: 9:30am & 11am; childcare - children's church. The message of Jesus Christ within the 21st century culture; a bible-teaching community committed to relevant worship through live music and lifestyle. 916.939.3527. More info at: [email protected]
A Faith rekindled….
Pastor/columnist Ronnie McBrayer returning to Walton County When Ronnie McBrayer wrote his first column, “Keeping the Faith,” for the Walton Sun in the summer of 2006, little did he know his words would be read by millions in the years to come. His column now appears in more than 100 outlets, newspapers and online, across the country with a circulation of more than six million readers; he has written multiple books and is a sought-after speaker. About two years ago, McBrayer left Walton County to tend to family matters in Georgia, but now is returning to pastor A Simple Faith Church in Santa Rosa Beach. “I’m returning to actively lead ASF once again,” he said. “I’m back as pastor but my role has never been a traditional one, no more than ASF is a traditional congregation. I’ll be away from ASF on a regular basis because of my increased writing and speaking demands, but ASF is home for me and my family.” A Simple Faith Church began around a kitchen table in the summer of 2007 in the home of Michael and Cheryl Belk. “Most of us had been together at the El Dorado Seaside Chapel, and we all Bayside of Placerville shared a similar ambition: Simpliwww.baysideplacerville.com 9-10:15am, 10:45-12pm; 530- city,” said McBrayer. “Following 626-7288. Senior Pastor Brian Christ together — ‘doing Lopez, 4602 Missouri Flat Rd., church’ — ought to be a little less complicated.” Placerville, CA. The founders wanted the Camino Foursquare Church church to be easily accessed by w w w. c a m i n o c h u rc h . c o m . those who have never really Sunday 10am. Life Groups. given faith a try, and those who
swore they would never go to church again. From those guidelines, A Simple Faith emerged. “Though none of us knew where it was going. I even warned the people in the room, ‘If we do this, it won’t become what you think it will become — so much so, that half of you won’t be here three years from now,’ ” McBrayer said. “And that statistic proved true. When something begins freshly and organically it goes and grows in directions that those who first planted the seeds, never imagined.” Looking back over his notes from that first meeting, McBrayer found that six years ago he said, “The last thing South Walton needs is another church, but it needs a place of simplicity and substance where people can learn what it means to follow Christ, worship God, love their neighbor, and serve the world. That’s the kind of place I want to be a part of — it’s the kind of ministry I hope we can put together.” A simple three-fold statement became the beliefs of A Simple Faith — a group of people who worship God, follow Christ, and serve the world. “It’s that simple,” McBrayer said. “We hope you will journey with us.” ‘I don’t think my heart ever left’ McBrayer announced in late 2012 that he would return to A Simple Faith and the area in the new year. “I had a bit of an epiphany that led to this decision,” he said. “It would take way too much copy space to explain it, but I felt like I should return. It was as if God and universe left me no other option, and I say that with a chuckle.” About two years ago, the family moved back to Georgia because of growing family needs. “Our parents have not improved, but they have stabilized,” McBrayer said. “Other family transitions have made it possible to return. I don’t think my heart ever left.” McBrayer says that juggling demands on time between writing, speaking, preaching and family has taught him that if you don’t make time, there will never be enough for those who need it. But how does he make time with his family? “Like porcupines making love — very carefully,” he said. “This is one thing I am much more deliberate about than ever. I carve out intentional time for my family and they are my highest priority. I also wave off most other invitations to do other things — chamber of commerce, sitting on boards, etc. I have only so much of me, and I want to be where I am most effective. My family, speaking, and writing take precedence.” McBrayer, who lived his first 34 years in Georgia and moved to the Panhandle in the winter of 2004-2005, has been
Continued on page 16
Page 6
The Gold Country Times
O U T & A B O U T
CVI: Michael Martin Murphey Returns For Two Valentine's Shows
Martha Wallace featured artist at Hovey Tasting Room The watercolors of Martha Wallace will be featured for the month of February at the Hovey Winery Tasting Room, 350 A Main St., Murphys, CA. An artist’s reception in her honor will be held Saturday, February 16 from 5:30 to 7 pm, complete with wine and appetizers. A well-known and respected local artist for more than 30 years, Wallace has been teaching watercolor since 1985. She currently teaches children and adults at her studio, 772 Murphys Creek Road, Murphys, and travels to public schools to teach in the Arts in Education program. Wallace’s work can be found at Art on Main in Murphys and at Gallerie Copper in Copperopolis Town Square. “My journey with watercolors is an ongoing adventure and I still get excited whenever I start a new painting,” Wallace remarked. “The possibilities of this medium are endless as long as you are willing to experiment, which means failure along with success. I tell my students, ‘It’s not the destination – it’s the journey.’” “We are so excited to have Martha show in our tasting room,” said Jan Hovey, co-owner with husband and winemaker, Chuck. “I’ve been taking classes with her for almost two years and her work is inspirational. We plan to feature a different local artist each month to help support the arts, and the tasting room is a natural as a gallery.” Hovey Tasting Room is open daily noon to 5:30pm. For more information, call 209-728-9700. To reach Wallace, 728-8859.
Michael Martin Murphey presents A Valentine's Cowboy Sweetheart Serenade on Thurs and Fri, February 14th and 15th in the Valley Ballroom at the Carson Valley Inn. Tickets are $29 and are available at the Carson Valley Inn's Hotel Desk or by calling 775-783-6606. Murphey last appeared at the CVI when he played to a sold-out crowd in April of 2012. Acclaimed as America's #1 Cowboy Singer & Songwriter, Michael Martin Murphey has made over 35 albums and BMI has confirmed that his song Wildfire is one of the most played songs in the history of radio. Some of Michael's other songs include What’s Forever For, A Long Line of Love, Carolina In The Pines, Still Taking Chances, From the Word Go, Cowboy Logic, Geronimo’s Cadillac and I’m Gonna Miss You Girl. On these two nights at the Carson Valley Inn, Michael will feature his many ballads and love songs plus all of his popular hits! Michael has performed with over 50 symphony orchestras, including the National Symphony Orchestra, and has won numerous awards and honors from such organizations as the National Cowboy Hall of Fame, the Academy of Country Music, "The King of the Cowboys" Award for Western Entertainment and more. Michael is also a movie actor, script writer and has performed music in films like Lonesome Dove and Hard Country. His songs have been recorded by Lyle Lovett, Kenny Rogers, John Denver, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Jerry Jeff Walker, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, and other recording artists. "Michael Martin Murphey is one the main influences on my career. He is among America’s best songwriters." -Lyle Lovett In addition to the Michael Martin Murphey concert on February 14 & 15, the Carson Valley Inn winter-spring concert lineup also includes The Four Preps on Friday and Saturday, March 29 and 30th. These artists normally appear at large concert halls and arenas – but you'll see them up-close during their special appearances in the Carson Valley Inn Valley Ballroom. More information about these and other Carson Valley Inn's events is available at http:/ /www.carsonvalleyinn.com/ specialevents.php
Print completion, El Dorado Camera Club, Thur, Feb 21, 7pm. Open to members/nonmembers for a small fee. Multiple categories-color/bw prints. Cameron Park Com Center; 2502 Country Club Dr. www.eldordadocameraclub.com
FEBRUARY 2013
New Team to Manage Venue California Musical Theatre (CMT) will no longer produce shows in the 200-seat Cosmopolitan Cabaret, according to CMT Executive Producer Richard Lewis. I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, which ran from Sept 28 through Nov 18, 2012, was the final show produced by CMT at the venue, located at 10th and K Street in downtown Sacramento. Paragary Restaurant Group, which recently opened Café Bernardo and K Bar in the space adjoining Cosmopolitan Cabaret, took over management of the venue on Dec 5, 2012, according to David Taylor, Managing Partner of building owner David S.Taylor Interests, Inc. The new venue will feature cutting-edge comedy and eclectic styles of music, from progressive rock to jazz, according to Randy Paragary, Owner/Partner of Paragary Restaurant Group. “The Cabaret is a wonderfully intimate entertainment space with perfect acoustics and not a bad seat in the house,” Lewis said. “So we’re very excited that Paragary Restaurant Group will be taking the venue in a new direction. Both David Taylor and Randy Paragary have been wonderful partners since 2008, when we began programming the Cabaret, and we look forward to helping with the transition in every way possible.” In recent weeks Taylor, Lewis and Paragary have had conversations about a new direction for the venue, and they believe that providing live entertainment directed at a broader audience will be a better fit with the other area businesses, including Paragary Restaurant Group’s adjoining Café Bernardo and K Bar. “Richard was a pioneer in bringing live entertainment to K Street,” Paragary said. “He deserves total credit for creating a wonderful space. As we move in new directions, we will be building on the venue and atmosphere he created.” Since it opened four years ago, the Cosmopolitan Cabaret has had a string of critically acclaimed productions. “We’re very proud of the wonderful shows we’ve produced at the Cabaret,” Lewis said. “And we’re very appreciative of the fantastic audiences that have come to see those shows.” Lewis said CMT will continue to focus its efforts on producing world class Broadway musicals for the summer Music Circus series at Wells Fargo Pavilion and presenting top touring Broadway shows for the Broadway Sacramento series at Community Center Theater. The 2012-13 Broadway Sacramento series continues with Disney's Beauty and The Beast, The Smash Hit Broadway Musical, from March 6-17, 2013. http://www.californiamusicaltheatre.com
SCRIPTED OR NOT: WRITING FOR NONFICTION, FILM, AND TV David Vassar and Sally Kaplan will teach a workshop on the basics of writing for non-fiction television and film. The workshop will be held on Saturday, March 9 from 10am to 2:30pm at the Murphys Hotel and Restaurant in downtown Murphys. Come and learn about writing techniques for nonfiction, film and TV. David Vassar and Sally Kaplan of Backcountry Pictures are seasoned documentarians (recognized as leaders in the field of natural history programming) and have relocated from Los Angeles to Arnold – with offices in downtown Murphys. Their most recent work, CALIFORNIA FOREVER is a twopart television special about California’s State Parks, which began airing on PBS in the fall, 2012 and continues to air across the nation to high ratings. Oscar-Nominated and Emmy Award-winning David Vassar has written various scripted shows for nonfiction television i.e. History Channel, Discovery Channel and their own documentaries. http://cal4ever.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/DAVID-VASSARBIO.pdf In turn, Sally Kaplan has written numerous shows that are not scripted to start for example, for the Food Network, HDTV, Outdoor Life, etc, as well as an original award-winning short film. After viewing the material, she then wrote the script or paper-cut for editors to work on. http://cal4ever.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/SALLY-KAPLANBIO.pdf Workshop description: Two very different needs and approaches will be presented in the workshop. Discussion and samples will include: - transcription to paper cut - the art of the interview - keeping it dramatic/humorous/moving forward Written materials as well as DVD samples will be presented, and an in-workshop assignment will take place, followed by review and a Q&A with the filmmakers. Workshop fee is $45.00 and includes lunch and materials. All levels welcome. Call or email Monika to reserve your space: [email protected] (209) 754-0577. Mail check reservation made to Manzanita Writers Press, PO Box 632, San Andreas, CA 95249.
FEBRUARY 2013
The Gold Country Times
Page 7
O U T & A B O U T Electra Road to Perform at AmadorArts’ Free Friday Concert These “Free Friday Concert s +2” are happening every other week, so if you haven’t caught one yet, be sure to try for this one. AmadorArts is proud to present Electra Road on Friday, February 15 starting at 6pm in the Banquet Room of Teresa’s Place in Jackson, 1235 Jackson Gate Rd. Electra Road is a local favorite for over 20 years, a top-notch danceable Rock and Roll band whose members all sing and play are three seasoned pros in the rock scene. Guy Loiler on guitar began playing at age 9 and has with bands from L.A. to Redding, including from the area, Sneaky Pete and the MOTSS Brothers. Frank Savage on bass grew up in the Bay Area music scene and performed with Bay Rum. He was a singer and bassist for Sneaky Pete, which brought him and Loiler together. Rounding out the group is drummer Derek Blackwood who provides the energetic rhythms that drive people to the dance floor. Electra Road is a cover band that specializes in 1970s and 1980s rock and any other upbeat, feel-good tunes. There’s nothing like hearing their versions of ZZTop and a crowd-favorite, Wild Cherry’s "Play that Funky Music White Boy." Remember, the two-hour event is free admission, and if you’re hungry or thirsty, Teresa’s will take care of that, with an affordable menu developed just for Free Fridays and a handy bar right in the banquet room. It’s where groups of friends meet to kick-off the weekend. There’s plenty of free parking. The next – and last – Free Friday concert presented this winter by AmadorArts will be March 1st featuring Carpe Duo at Teresa’s featured on page 2 of this issue. For info, visit www.amadorarts.org or call 209-267-9038.
Fairytale Town Celebrates Dr. Seuss' Birthday "Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you." And there was no one quite like Dr. Seuss. At Dr. Seuss' Birthday Celebration on Saturday, March 2nd from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Fairytale Town will mark the beloved author and illustrator's birthday with a read-aloud and Seuss-themed handson activities. "Green Eggs and Ham," "Fox in Sox," "Hop on Pop" and more of Dr. Seuss' celebrated books will be read-aloud from the Mother Goose Stage throughout the program. Featured readers include Sacramento's vice mayor Angelique Ashby; Sacramento city council members Darrell Fong, Kevin McCarty and Jay Schenirer; Mix 96's Jennifer Wood; and News 10's Mellisa Paul. There will also be a variety of Seuss-inspired hands-on activities for children to create and take home as souvenirs. Activities include making "Cat in the Hat" hats, creating rhyming flip charts and planting "truffula" trees. Dr. Seuss was born Theodor Seuss Geisel on March 2, 1904 in Springfield, Massachusetts. He is the author and illustrator of 44 books for children, including "The Cat in the Hat," "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and "Oh, The Places You'll Go!" His birthday is also celebrated as Read Across America Day, organized by the National Education Association to promote reading. Dr. Seuss' Birthday Celebration is free with paid park admission. Weekend admission is $5 for adults and children ages 2 and older and free for children ages 1 and under. Activities take place from 11am to 3pm, and Fairytale Town is open from 9am to 4pm, weather permitting. Fairytale Town, 3901 Land Park Drive, Sacramento. The celebration is sponsored in part by Scholar-Share College Savings Plan. For more information, visit www.fairytaletown.org or call (916) 808-7462. Fairytale Town is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit children's park and educational center in Land Park whose mission is to promote the imagination, creativity and education of children. Established in 1959, Fairytale Town is home to 25 three-dimensional play sets based on favorite fairytales and nursery rhymes, a family of 22 rare and miniature breed animals, three interactive learning gardens and two performing arts stages. From March through October, the park is open daily from 9am to 4pm. From November through February, the park is open Thursday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm, weather permitting.
Gem Faire will be in Pleasanton on March 8-10, at Alameda County Fairgrounds. Friday 12pm-6pm, Sat 10am-6pm, and Sun 10am-5pm. General admission is $7, valid for the entire weekend. www.gemfaire.com or contact Gem Faire, Inc. at 503-252-8300 or [email protected]. Over 60 world renowned importers/ exporters and manufacturers will be on site with the largest selection of fine jewelry, gems, beads, crystals, minerals, findings and much more at incredibly low prices.Finished and unfinished jewelry, rare gemstones, jewelry making tools, supplies & boxes will be available all under one roof. Have your jewelry repaired and cleaned while you shop. Plus, enter for a chance to win cool prizes every hour throughout the weekend.
Hit Show 'Rock of Ages' is Headbanging, Facemelting Fun! A Review by Joan E. Kruger Staff Writer In the vast canon of American Musical Theatre, you could call smash hit, Rock of Ages, a case of “everything old is new again”. Take, for example, the 1930s depression-era setting of theatre mainstay 42nd Street— the beautiful ingénue steps off the bus in the big city, with a suitcase and a dream—then a romantic love interest, some hijinks and drama, a happy ending where the boy gets the girl, and a lot of tap dancing ensues. In Rock of Ages, a beautiful ingénue steps off the bus in the big city—in this case, she happens in to Dupree’s Vermin Room, on the Sunset Strip in LA, home of heavy metal hair bands of the 1980s. She has a suitcase and a dream—then a love interest, some hijinks and drama, a happy ending, and a lot head-banging and writhing and grinding ensues. And it’s magical! Everything about this show, including the classic rock, is classic, and the opening night audience at the Community Center loved it! Drawing on the music of Journey, Styx, Poison, Twisted Sister, Whitesnake, and more, these 80s hits, edgy in their day, now feel almost nostalgic in their now-mainstream familiarity—but they still have the power to get the audience roaring with appreciation. Rock of Ages is, quite simply, great, great fun! Campy in its approach, the show opens with David Coverdale of Whitesnake, on the big screen that serves as both backdrop and often part of the action on stage, in a brief and very funny monolog warning the audience to get ready for the “face-melting sound” to come—and he isn’t wrong! The band launches into Quiet Riot’s “Cum on Feel the Noize”, and we’re off and running in this ultra high energy show. Directed by Kristin Hanggi, Rock of Ages has a lot of moving parts; there’s a lot going on, both on stage and on the screen. It is a very physical show for the large ensemble cast, and also features a great set, designed by Beowulf Borritt. One nicely innovative touch is the use of the big screen, showing images that sometimes enhance the action (i.e. black and white images of wrecking balls and protests behind the on-stage action of the rockers protesting the urban developers to the tune of Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It”), and other times it is a part of the action, splitscreen style, as when promoter Dennis is talking on the phone to Stacey Jaxx, who appears on the screen as on a candid camera
Lead guitarist, CHRIS CICCHINO in ROCK OF AGES at Broadway Sacramento. Photo by Scott Suchman in his room with his groupies, partying as only rock stars can. The lighting and sound design were both very good, the music suitably loud without being overpowering, as sometimes happens. By the way, the Rock of Ages band deserves a nod, too—they include: Richard Maheux, Tristan Avakian, Maddox, Bones Elias, Tim Kelleher. They are on set, driving the show from start to finish. Kudos too to David Gibbs, for his original arrangements, as many of these songs were “mash-ups”, a form now very familiar to fans of television hit, Glee. The story begins with Lonny (brilliantly played by Justin Colombo), who serves as the show’s Narrator, and is the real breakout performer, here. Then, we’re quickly introduced to Drew (Danny McHugh), the club’s mild-mannered bar back (alter-ego, “Wolfgang”), who aspires to rock stardom, and of course the ingénue, would-be actress Sherrie (Shannon Mullen). The love triangle is completed by the sleazy rocker Stacee Jaxx (Universo Pereira), who temporarily distracts Sherrie from Drew (who’s mad about her), and provides the necessary hijinks and drama in the middle. The plot further revolves loosely around the conflict of corporate urban developers planning to come in and tear down the Vermin Room in favor of a Footlocker store, thereby displacing the entrenched rock culture of the ’hood, to the moral outrage of said rockers and their groupies. At this point, coming in like a heavenly choir defending the righteous side of this conflict, Continued on page 10
Page 8
The Gold Country Times
H e a l t h & W e l l n e s s
FEBRUARY 2013
8 Key Strategies Focused on Saving Your Memory
Losing Even a Little Belly Fat Can Make You Feel, Look Sexier By Mehmet C. Oz, MD, and Michael F. Roizen, MD If you’ve lost that lovin' feeling -- low sex drive, no libido -- it may be because you or your significant other is weighed down with passion-dulling pounds. It's not necessarily that the weight's a turn-off. It's that extra belly fat can lower feelings of desire and the energy to get-up-and-go. Even high sex drive can turn low, and the reason is physical. Excess belly fat triggers inflammation in your arteries, which makes them unable to secrete nitric oxide (trust us, that's critical) and less able to enlarge. The result is reduced blood flow not just to your heart, but also to other critical organs, including your genitals. You’ve got no sexual go without enough blood flow there. This is especially true for men (hello, Viagra, which increases nitric oxide’s effects) but it affects women, too. Think it's more than weight? Emotionally, excess weight can crush satisfaction and selfesteem. Libido shrinks with them. Extremely overweight women report less satisfaction with their sex life, and two-thirds of heavy women say they cringe when a lover sees them undressed. When you start to reclaim your health by losing weight and exercising, the pot boils, the steam rises, the room spins . . . you get the idea. And it doesn’t take a lot to flame the fires. Losing just 13 percent of body weight can change women's and men's self-image from unattractive to woohoo! After shedding only a few pounds, half of women who are ashamed to bare all become happier with the naked truth. You've got nothing to lose by getting healthier and enjoying more romance -- except about 85 calories for every 30-minute roll in the hay! Maintaining a healthy weight and body mass index can increase your life span by as much as 3 years.
Health TIPS Use extra virgin coconut oil instead of butter, boosts metabolism, helps to lose weight. Eliminate added sugars, detox; drink Licorce tea, a healing herb and sweeter than sugar with zero calories. Supports the liver, the detoxifying organ of the body. Liven salads, mix in dandelions, watercress, arugala; helps release digestive enzymes that remove waste from the body. Sipping a cup of green tea with a meal that contains black pepper may help you to lose weight. The spice improves the absorption of EGCG, a calorie burning antioxidant in the tea by as much as 130 percent.
The Sunshine Vitamin Without D3, you're vulnerable to aging because the sunshine vitamin not only protects your bones but also defends you against cancer, keeps your heart young, and improves more processes than a high-priced business consultant, tuning up your immune system, insulin secretion, blood pressure, balance and muscle strength, and brain development. In fact, 36 different organ tissues contain cells that respond to vitamin D3. 1,000 units a day. And take it with a little healthy fat -- D3 isn't well absorbed without it.
If someone told you there were eight straightforward steps you could take to dramatically enhance your quality of life and reduce or delay your chances for memory deterioration, what would you do? Many experts believe that once you understand your various risk factors for cognitive decline... take control of them... and follow through with the evidence-based strategies detailed in How To Protect Your Memory and Brain Health, you'll be in a better position to keep your memory strong well into later life. For example, do you know... what's the best way to guard your memory and prevent dementia? If you answered, stay heart healthy, you'd be right. Controlling high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease are absolutely critical to cognitive function. What are the effects of too little sleep on keeping your memory sharp? Many of us have trouble sleeping at night. No big deal -right? Now new studies show that getting adequate sleep plays an essential role in learning new information, relating to names, dates, faces, facts, specific events - in short forming memory. What's so special about the Mediterranean diet? For years the marketing and promotion of dietary supplements that claim to enhance memory have left many people confused and wary. Now recent evidence-based research reported in the Annals of Neurology suggests that people who closely follow the Mediterranean diet have a 40 percent lower risk of Alzheimer's disease. The take-away: The food you eat, not the pills, can prevent or slow the rate of cognitive decline.How does regular physical activity protect memory and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's? Studies investigating the exercise/memory/dementia link have shown positive outcomes in recent years. Dr. Rabins provides an in-depth look at a number of key studies to show you the benefits of regular exercise... and how to incorporate exercise into your schedule. How does stress affect memory? We all know that living a stress-filled life is unhealthy. Turns out stress is worse for us than we thought. Johns Hopkins researchers have linked high levels of the stress hormone cortisol with poor cognitive performance in older adults. And another study, reported in the journal Neurology, found that depressed and anxious people are 40 percent more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment. Every day, scientists are proving that diminished memory and mental capacity are NOT inevitable - and can be slowed, halted or even reversed through good nutrition, lifestyle habits and more. Even Alzheimer's disease is not something that suddenly occurs in old age. Rather, it's a continuum of illnesses that gets its start decades earlier without any symptoms. So it makes sense that if we could find a way to keep our brains healthier and better able to counter the damage that occurs with age, we could better the odds of preserving memory and preventing or forestalling Alzheimer's and other dementias. A recent report from the National Institutes of Health supports this view. It provides evidence that vascular disease risk factors - including mid-life hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes - can all predispose someone to developing memory problems-even Alzheimer's. While this may not sound like good news - it is. Because it points the way to the importance of effective prevention strategies - strategies you can begin TODAY to keep your brain healthier, longer. www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/
O
ven 425 degrees; on a rimmed baking sheet, drizzle 1/2 head cauliflower florets with 1 tbsp olive oil, and coarse salt. Roast, turn often, til golden brown and just tender, 20 minutes. Sprinkle with red chili flakes if desired.
This New Year, Resolve to Get Off Your Butt By Dick Resch (www.ki.com) How can you successfully make a healthy lifestyle change in 2013? The answer might surprise you. And it's to start with a micro-adjustment in your existing routine -- one that's guaranteed to improve your health and costs nothing. And one you can be doing right now. It's called standing. That's right -- standing. And it's something we should all do more of this year. Believe it or not, sitting is hazardous to our health. Yet many Americans sit for the bulk of the day -- whether at work, in a car or on the couch watching a movie or a ballgame. Not only does sitting slow our metabolism, it's been linked to a higher incidence of everything from heart attacks and diabetes to kidney disease and cancer. Over time, just two hours of sitting per day can drop good cholesterol by 20 percent and reduce blood flow. There's a direct link between the rise of sedentary jobs -- up 83 percent since 1950 -and the increase in obesity in America. The risk of heart attack for people who sit most of the day is the same as for smokers. Look for opportunities to stand during the day; while enjoying morning coffee, reading the newspaper, or talking on the phone. In the office, be sure to stand up and walk around at regular intervals or use standing workstations. The CDC found that such workers experienced dramatic decreases in neck and back pain and an improved mood. Standing up is a simple way to live healthier in 2013. All we need to do is get off our butts!
FEBRUARY 2013
Page 9
The Gold Country Times
F o o d, W i n e & S p i r i t s
By Gary and Sue Grant Frog’s Tooth Vineyards What’s in a name? A rose by any other name…Have you ever wondered if all that “stuff” on a wine label means anything and should I care about it? If you don’t care what you drink, white or red, vintage unspecified, then the label probably doesn’t matter. You may pick a wine based on the bottle’s label design (favorite celebrity, floral design, animal, or country road) and may think a wine is a wine and, like this year’s NHL season, just doesn’t matter. Although I could care less about the hockey season, I do care a lot about what wine I’m drinking. (Go for it, Gary! Take a stand!) Labels are important. So exactly what do wine labels say about the wine? Wine labels give information to consumers and help them decide on a wine before they swipe the ATM card. The required information on the label varies from country to country, and sometimes state to state. In the United States, label content is regulated by the TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Bureau). For the sake of brevity, let’s look at label content for the US. A wine label must contain the brand name, whether it is the producer, winery or trademark name. The name and address of where the wine was made must be on the label. It may say “produced and bottled by” if the wine was made and bottled by the same entity or it may say “bottled by” if the wine was made by one entity and bottled by another. However, the bottler’s name must always be on the label (And probably should not say Joe’s Country Kitchen!). The label must also designate the type of wine in the bottle. This may be the varietal, in which case at least 75% of the wine must be that varietal. It may be a “fanciful” name such as our Frog’s Tooth Vineyards Dulcinea, but then there must be a designation as to whether this is a white or red wine, sparkling, dessert, etc. It is not necessary to explain the percentages of each varietal used in a particular wine although many wineries’ back labels do include that information. The appellation is also required. Some states require that a minimum of 75% or more (Oh no, more percentages- almost as bad as fractions.Be brave, folks.) of the grapes must come from the appellation specified. Some county designations may require up to 85% of the grapes
coming from that county. For example, a wine designated as “Sierra Foothills” must contain at least 75% Sierra Foothill grown grapes. A wine designated as “Calaveras County” must contain at least 85% Calaveras County grown grapes. (Please, lose the math!) If a more succinct appellation is not used, a wine may just be designated as “California” or “Oregon”, etc. The percent alcohol and how much wine is in the bottle (375ml, 750ml, 1.5l, etc.) are also required. The vintage year is not required; however, it helps the consumer. If used, the wine must be made from 95% or more of grapes grown in that vintage year. The TTB also requires health warnings and disclaimers on the labels as well as the fact that sulfides may be present in the wine (Careful, here: Dr. Oz alert). The backside (finally, something sexy) of labels is generally reserved for the “story” or selling points the winery wants to tell and required disclaimers. There are a few terms you might see on a wine label like “Estate”, “Cru”, “Cuvee” or “Reserve” that help to further define the wine. (I’m waiting for the term “Sip”.) “Estate” means the grapes and wine were grown, made and bottled on site. “Cru” is a French term that is used to designate a vineyard known for its favorable grape growing reputation. Not a guarantee the wine is phenomenal but it is meant to indicate that the potential is there. “Cuvee” is also a French term and is more or less based on the concept of a tank of wine put to some purpose. On the label it is intended to denote wine made from the best of a specific batch or blend. Since Cuvee is unregulated there is no guarantee that the wine is of superior quality. “Reserve” indicates a wine similar to Cuvee, wine typically made from selected barrels in a batch that are of exceptional quality. Again, there is no guarantee that the wine is superior. So, now you know. Go out there, read some labels and drink some wine. Until next time, Gary and Sue Drop us a line and let us know what’s on your mind… [email protected] or to PO Box 1467, Sutter Creek, CA 95685. "Wine makes every meal an occasion, every table more elegant, every day more civilized." Andre Simon, Commonsense of Wine When pairing wines with chocolate, match lighter, more elegant flavored chocolates with lighter-bodied wines; likewise, the stronger the chocolate, the more fullbodied the wine should be. If you will be experimenting with several varities of chocolates, work from light to dark.
Gianelli garners two top awards at San Francisco wine competition Ron and Lorie Gianelli, owners of Gianelli Vineyards in Jamestown, were honored with five medals by the prestigious 2013 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, including Best of Class for both the 2010 Aglianico and the 2009 Dolcetto. Gianelli’s 2009 Grenache garnered a silver medal, and the 2009 NINO and 2010 Monte-pulciano were awarded bronze medals. “Last year we won three gold medals and were so excited about it, never thinking we would win Best of Class this year, not only for one wine, but for two,” exclaimed Lorie Gianelli. “Our wines are good and made by one of the greatest winemakers in the Sierra Foothills, Chuck Hovey. We entered seven varietals and won five awards this year.” “We will be pouring our award-winning wines during the Feb. 16 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Tasting in Fort Mason,” she added. “It’s a great event and we always have such a good time.” Located in Jamestown at 12581 Algerine Road, there are 14 different Italian varietals grown on 28 acres at Gianelli Vineyards. From Vermentino to Fiano, Primitivo to Agliancio, the vineyard is home to varietals that are not only uncommon in the United States, but some have never been produced before outside of Italy. The 53-acre ranch has been in the Gianelli family since the late 1800s when Giovani Rocca purchased the land after marrying into the Gianelli family. Once a ... Continued on page 11
Presidents Wine Weekend - Fine food, wine, music & more CALAVERAS COUNTY - The Calaveras Winegrape Alliance presents the 17th annual Presidents’ Wine Weekend Feb 16 and 17, at all 24 CWA wineries from 11 am to 5pm. Weekend festivities include All-American fare, new releases,barrel tastings, food and wine pairings, and live music, as well as a number of special discounts on wines and gifts. The Presidents’ Wine Weekend is a great opportunity to sample signature family dishes with fine wines, celebrate with friends old and new, and take advantage of special discounts. With the purchase of a $15 commemorative wine glass, all offerings are open to the glass holder for the entire weekend. Wine glasses will be available on Main Street on Saturday in front of the Native Sons Hall, or all weekend at The Calaveras Visitor's Bureau, Chatom Vineyards, Frog’s Tooth Vineyards, Hatcher Winery, La Folia Winery, Ironstone Vineyards, and Val du Vino Winery. No reservations are required. For more information, 209-728-9467 or visit calaveraswines.org A sampling of offerings include: Stevenot Winery is featuring local grilled sausages on sourdough french bread as well as wine club member discounts. Allegorie Winery offers newly released wines paired along side delicious chocolates. Get into the groove with live music by Williams and Moore dynamic music duo as you peruse though the gallery and explore the creations of locally produced artworks. Visit Val du Vino for an extraordinary food and wine experience. We will be offering a warming, smoked turkey gumbo with blackened corn bread, and as always a chocolate delight to finish with! Of course if for nothing else, stop by the winery for our fabulous wine deals! Join Chatom Vineyards for All-American Fun Foods, Chatom Wine Pairings, Exclusive Wine Specials for this weekend only, A raffle for goodies from the Chatom Tasting Room, Presidential ...
Continued on page 11
Page 10
The Gold Country Times
T h e a t e r, A r t & M u s i c
Ron Cunningham's The Great Gatsby, Photo by Keith Sutter
World Premier of Roaring Twenties Ballet, The Great Gatsby, A Roaring Success! A Review by Joan Kruger Staff Writer You read it in high school, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s jazz age classic, The Great Gatsby. And now the roaring twenties masterpiece has been turned into a ballet, with Sacramento Ballet’s artistic director Ron Cunningham’s much-anticipated version enjoying its world premier this weekend at the Community Center Theater. Opening night played to a packed house of wildly enthusiastic fans, from the first tender scene, a pas de deux with Gatsby (Stefan Calka) and Daisy (Alexandra Cunningham), to the long, long standing ovation at the end. To everyone’s delight, the fun began even before the show started, with the wonderful surprise of McClatchy High School’s jazz band playing twenties-era jazz in the lobby as the patrons filled the theater, setting the tone for the rest of the evening. The bill began with the short program, George Balanchine’s “Who Cares?” an upbeat review of dance to the music of George Gershwin, featuring such favorites as “Fascinatin’ Rhythm”, “Embraceable You”, “I Got Rhythm” and other tunes from the 1920s and 30s. While the Balanchine show was pleasant and certainly warmed the audience up for the main event, Gatsby is what they’d come for, and this new ballet did not disappoint. The Great Gatsby as a ballet has been done before, by the Atlanta Ballet, the Washington Ballet, and the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre (who also supplied some of the extravagant sets and costumes), but this version, by Ron Cunningham, was new, and everyone, including this reviewer, wondered how the beloved classic could be transformed into dance—the answer is, it worked surprisingly well. Breaking the novel down to 14 scenes, the dancers tell the story with elegance and style. Upping the entertainment ante, Cunningham’s Gatsby is a big, big production, with live music provided by internationally acclaimed Billy Novick’s Blues Syncopators. Novick was also commissioned by the D.C. Company to compose original music for the Gatsby ballet, but the production also features dozens of favorites from Irving Berlin, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Tommy Dorsey, W.C. Handy, and more. Add vocals by award-winning Chicago native E. Faye Butler, with her red-hotmama style—her “Need a Little Sugar in My Bowl” brought the
house down! And rounding out the music, we have wonderful vocals by Connor Mickiewicz (who is the founding artistic director of New Helvetia Theatre), who also serves as the narrator, Nick Carraway; let’s start there. For those not familiar with the novel, it is narrated by Nick (a cousin of Daisy Buchanan, who befriends Gatsby), and kudos go to Connor Mickiewicz for keeping the action moving along in his role as Nick-as-narrator. (The character Nick, however, was danced by Oliver Paul Adams, just a bit disconcerting, despite similar costumes, as Adams is a completely different body type from Mickiewicz.) Leads include Stefan Calka in the title role as Jay Gatsby opposite Alexandra Cunningham as Daisy Buchanan. The rest of the main cast includes Christopher Nachtrab as Tom, Isha Lloyd and their friend Jordan, Amanda Peet as Tom’s mistress, Myrtle, and Michael Separovich as her husband George. Both Daisy and Jordon were perfectly cast, Cunningham (as Daisy) exuding the light flirtatious spirit of the character (and always dressed in white), and Lloyd (in blue) as golf pro Jordan, cool and lovely, just as in the novel. Calka, meanwhile, looked right for the role of Gatsby, but came across as somewhat remote, only seeming to warm up to the role to fully inhabit his character late in the program. However, Nachtrab as Tom was a strong dancer who could also act, consistent and powerful in his role throughout. The real standout was Amanda Peet as Myrtle, who admittedly got (along with Nachtrab, in their scenes together) the hottest choreography that was super sexy and simply riveting. She also had the meatiest role (and choreography) in her scenes with George, as the tension rises between them. Daisy is a lovely lead, but Myrtle is the one to watch! Other highlights included the New York City street scene with all the company and then some filling the stage, and the huge party scenes at Gatsby’s mansion with the ultra-high energy Charlston numbers. And again, the superb vocals and the great jazz band really added a whole new dimension to what we usually expect in ballet. But most notable were the scene where Myrtle is hit by Gatsby’s car and the terrific final scene when George shoots Gatsby. Cunningham provided absolutely terrific staging for these two very powerful and essential parts of the Gatsby story—the car (which we’ve seen earlier drive across the stage) suddenly appears, two blinding headlights out of the darkness, just as Myrtle runs ... Continued on page 16
FEBRUARY 2013
Freebie Las Vegas By Patrick Witz Staff Writer The absolute best way to budget and save money when visiting Las Vegas is... to drive into the city on the Las Vegas Blvd Strip in the early evening just after sundown when traffic is at a snail’s crawl (disregard any honking, as everyone driving, especially the cabs, are always honking in the slow traffic). This slow drive will allow you time to enjoy the vast array of fabulously brilliant blinking lights the city is well known for, and view the crazy masses of colorfully unique people of all cultures roaming the warm streets in amazement, frustration, despair, and exhilaration. With luck and favorable timing, you can as well catch momentary opportunities to view the spectacular dancing fountains, smoking volcanos, and swash-buckling pirate ship shows, and/or the occasional bazar street performer. And then continue to drive… right out the other side of the city pleasantly knowing you have just saved hundreds if not thousands of dollars and stayed well below your vacation budget. In the event of missing some of these low cost opportunities, switch drivers and repeat going the opposite direction. Video camera documenting the trip by the non-driving is optional. Now… if one would like to get a longer visit in the city that never sleeps, plan to spend substantially more. However, there are many freebies and low-cost opportunities throughout Las Vegas for those on a tight budget and not overly interested big dollar gambling or watching the newest mega productions. If you plan on staying in Las Vegas for a few days, look into sitting through one of those vacation or time-share seminars in most cities nationwide… they are always giving away vacation stays somewhere… and Las Vegas seems to be the only place with available occupancy, as Hawaii, Florida, Arizona, California, and even Tennessee are always sold out. The place we were given was a FABULOUS suite… king bed, living room, full kitchen, whirl-pool tub, two big flat-screen TV’s…and it only cost us two hours of our time saying “no” to the sales guy. Before heading off to Las Vegas, do a web search for “Las Vegas Free Things To Do”. Dozens of websites will pop-up listing various attractions, shows, entertainment, tours, and exhibits in and around Las Vegas to do. Bring your checked list to Vegas and get a free downtown map from any hotel lobby where there will be numerous free brochures to find dates and times of activities. Continued on page 14
Rock of Ages Continued from page 7 ...are strains of Starship’s classic “We Built This City”, to the audience’s delight and cheers. We are clearly on the side of “sex, drugs, and rock and roll” in opposition to Corporate America’s push for “clean, pure, efficient living.” Rock wins out, of course, as does the determination to follow your dream, as expressed in Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing”, which has almost become an anthem for the American Dream. That song closes the show with a bang, with the whole ensemble rocking out in a take-no-prisoners style that had the audience on its feet, joining the party. Show highlights include breakout moment for Franz (wonderful comic relief by Stephen Michael Kane) to the tune of Pat Benetar’s “Hit Me With Your Best Shot”, and the hilarious Justin Colombo (as Lonnie, cradling the fog machine in his arms) singing REO Speedwagon’s “Can’t Fight this Feeling” to Dennis (Jacob L. Smith), which absolutely brought the house down. Also, Danny McHugh (as Drew), who has a great voice and can really hit those high notes, singing Twisted Sister’s “I Wanna Rock” and then taking it down a notch with the poignant “I Want To Know What Love Is” by Foreigner, and the beautiful ballad, “Here I Go Again” (Whitesnake). Rock of Ages is upbeat, very funny, and in the end, gives us what we long for—a suitcase full of dreams and the sure knowledge that we won’t stop believing in the power of rock. The 2012-13 Broadway Sacramento Season continues with Disney's Beauty and the Beast, March 6-17; Billy Elliot The Musical, April 9-14; and Les Misérables, May 29-June 9, 2013. Tickets for all performances are on sale now. Sacramento Community Center, 1301 L Street, Sacramento, CA. For more information and/or to purchase tickets for the performance, please visit www.californiamusicaltheatre.com or call (916) 557-1999. Established in 1989 by the non-profit California Musical Theatre, who also produce Music Circus and The Cosmopolitan Cabaret, Broadway Sacramento is the region’s largest live performing arts event with over 200,000 tickets sold annually. Presenting national Broadway tours at the Sacramento Community Center Theater, Broadway Sacramento draws theatre-lovers from as far as the Oregon border to western Nevada and the Central Valley. www.californiamusicaltheatre.com or call (916) 557-1999.
FEBRUARY 2013
The Gold Country Times
Page 11
G o l d C o u n t r y L i v i n g Wildflower Tours Scheduled at North Family Support Table Mountain Ecological Reserve Volunteer Join experienced California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) naturalists for a tour of North Table Mountain Ecological Training Reserve near Oroville. Tour leaders and local field experts will discuss the area's spectacular and unique wildflower blooms, beautiful vistas, volcanic geology, rare vernal pools and wildlife. Wildflower season begins in late February through March, with peak blooms in April. Intensity of blooms can vary from year to year. The reserve’s waterfalls are generally best viewed in March. Two tours are offered every Saturday in March, April, and early May, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Each tour is limited to 25 participants. Registration is required in advance on the CDFW website at www.dfg.ca.gov/lands/er/region2/northtable.html. These tours are popular so early registration is recommended. For important hiking requirements, additional information, and photos, please visit our website. Dogs are not allowed on these tours, and must be leashed on self-guided visits. Biking is not allowed. There are no trails on the reserve’s open grasslands which are dissected by steep ravines and canyons. New field guides on the reserve are available at the Avid Reader bookstores in Sacramento and Davis. Tours are free, although registrants may make a donation online to the California Wildlife Foundation to support this program. If you are unable to register online or need more information, call (916) 358-2869 or email [email protected]
Offered by Hospice of Amador & Calaveras, 28 Hour Training 4 days, March 18-21, at Calaveras Senior Center, San Andreas, CA. Volunteers Relieve caregivers so they can do errands, keep appointments or just rest. Provide companionship, socialization, or supportive listening, help with light chores. Usual time commitment: up to four hours per week. Contact Ann Metherd 223-5500; e-mail [email protected] http://hospiceofamador.org
Presidents Wine Weekend
...gold mining camp, working cattle ranch and a major stagecoach stop for supplies coming into Jamestown, the property is now home to Gianelli Vineyards Winery and well tended rows of grapevines. With strong ties to their family’s homeland of Liguira, Italy, the Gianellis traveled back and forth to find inspiration and advisement on how to farm their property. “Everything about the Sierra Foothill appellation seemed to mimic that of Italy,” said Lorie. “We even had a sample of our Jamestown soil sent off to a laboratory in Italy, which was returned with the simple note: ‘mirrors of Italy.’” The first vineyards were planted in 2003, and the winery plans to expand to 7,000 cases annually by 2015. “We invite you to enjoy our wines in our tasting room on the historic Main Street of Jamestown or served at many fine restaurants in northern California,” added Lorie. The tasting room, located at 18263 Main Street, is open 1pm to 5pm, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Mondays, and noon - 5 pm Saturdays and Sundays. For additional information, call 209-984-1500 or visit http://gianellivineyards.com
Continued from page 9 ...Photo-Ops, Free games of Cornhole and Jesse Johnston & The Poetic Motion Machine Jugglers. In celebration of President’s Day Black Sheep Winery will be featuring our Classic All American Meatballs in a savory special sauce paired with our award winning wines. Stop by for a taste! Join Milliaire Winery in celebrating President’s Day with a Red, White and Blue Wine Sale! It’s always a party in the tasting room come in and enjoy festive Patriotic appetizers and award winning Zinfandels! At Broll Mountain Vineyards you can taste our hand-crafted wines while listening to soft music by a local musician. Broll Mountain Vineyards will offer a 10% discount on alll wine, olive oil and other food and wine related items at our Tasting Room. Also a 20% discount will be allowed on any 12-bottle case purchase of wine and/or olive oil, mixed or same. Hovey Winery Tasting Room is offering free wine tasting, festive appetizers and for every three bottles of wine purchased, a complimentary Hovey wine glass will be included. Purchase a case and receive four glasses! In addition, noted local watercolor artists and instructor, Martha Wallace, will be showing her work for the month of February, and there will be an artist’s reception from 5:30 - 7 pm Saturday, February 16th with wine and appetizers. Ironstone offers: a Wine Glass purchase destination, Live music by Richard Bolman, Release of the new Red Obsession as the wine of the month, an extra 5% off if you are wearing red, Chicken Mole Poblano food pairing with Red Obsession, and local Food product sampling Special case discounts/winespecials. Enter to win event tickets to an exclusive Spring Obsession reception. At Frog's Tooth, on both Saturday & Sunday, we will have the Owners of "The Chocolate Lady" - Angels Camp - on hand pairing their Chocolate 'shooters' with our Tawny Toad port. The shooters are edible chocolate cups! How sweet it is! In addition, we will be pouring our newly released 2010 Barbera and our SF Chronicle Award Winning Wines! Our musicians will be Norm and Pam Ivey of Sequoia Productions, and we will offer case and multi-case discounts! For more information, 728-9467 or visit calaveraswines.org
Get the Best Possible Prices Springpad (springpad.com) via either the app or the website itself, you can drag items into however many virtual gift lists you decide to create. It sends you alerts to tell you when and exactly where prices for your selected items have been lowered, or if coupons or other special offers have become available.Imagine listing the Crayola Color Wonder Sound Studio ($35) and receiving an alert a day later that you could grab it for $17.38 through the end of the month!
LES BAUX
Bakery, Bistro - Where Wine flows, Minds mingle, and Time flies - A friendly neighborhood bakery/bistro serving breakfast,lunch and dinner. Hot and cold sandwiches, unique salads and housemade soups. Fragrant coffee, each cup individually hand-brewed, features ten varieties of beans from different regions of the world, weekly. Enjoy the best French toast, savory tarts with wonderfully flaky, tender crusts; a $10-and-under dinner menu that's eclectic and delicious. At 5090 Folsom Blvd., in East Sac; (916) 739-1348 www.lesbauxbakery.com Owned by Trong Nguyen and wife; Trong also founded La Bou Bakery & Cafe.
Gianelli Top Awards Continued from page 9
Hot Dog Joints WIENERY, 715 56th Street, Sac www.thewienerysacramento.com Wiener Works, 5207 Madison Ave, Sacramento 916-334-8711, www.weinerworksmadison.com Parker's, 1605 Douglas Blvd., Roseville, call 916-786-2202, or www.parkershotdogs.com Ruffhaus, 4355 Town Center Blvd., El Dorado Hills, info at www.ruffhaushotdogco.com Steamers, 101 K Street, Old Sac, www.steamersoldsac.com
Jambox, impressive sound in a sleek, substantial piece fit for display. The hidden mike lets it double as a speakerphone. Cordless, and six inches long. Buy for $200 at bestbuy.com
EDMT OPENS THE BROADWAY MUSICAL Legally Blonde El Dorado Hills, CA -- El Dorado Musical Theatre (EDMT) recently cast 44 local performers aged 12 – 21 in its upcoming production, Legally Blonde. The show features Heather Clark as “Elle Woods,” Jonny Cranmer as “Emmett Forrest,” Andrew Wilson as “Warner Huntington III,” and Jillian Curry as “Paulette.,” and a deep and talented supporting cast. Two local rescue dogs were cast as “Bruiser” and “Rufus.” This is an Encore production – cast by audition only. Shows are Friday, February 15 - Sun, March 3. Legally Blonde follows sorority star Elle Woods, who doesn’t take “no” for an answer. So when her boyfriend dumps her for someone “serious,” Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and sets out to go where no Delta Nu has gone before: Harvard Law. Along the way Elle proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style. On Broadway, Legally Blonde received seven Tony Award nominations and ten Drama Desk Award nominations. The London West End production received five Laurence Olivier Award nominations and won three, including “Best New Musical.” Legally Blonde is based on the movie by the same name starring Reese Witherspoon. Debbie Wilson, El Dorado Musical Theatre’s co-founder, directs and choreographs this high-energy production. Tickets for Legally Blonde are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.threestages.net or by calling the Three Stages Box Office at (916) 608-6888. Ticket prices are $18 - $36. Group discounts are available by calling EDMT at (916) 941-SING. El Dorado Musical Theatre is an award-winning regional theater company based in El Dorado Hills, California featuring performers aged 6 – 22. EDMT was founded in 2001 and produces four major productions each year. Performances take place at Three Stages at Folsom Lake College. EDMT also produces an annual training show for performers aged 5-9, no experience is required. El Dorado Musical Theatre applauds the following businesses for their commitment to our community and for their continued support: US Bank and Parker Development Company. Photo: Legally Blonde cast, courtesy to Gold Country Times.
Page 12
The Gold Country Times
T h e a t e r, A r t & M u s i c Run for Your Wife Come and see Imagination Theater's current production of the hilarious comedy running from February 15 to March 3. Written by Ray Cooney, this play is a superb example of British farce and will having you laughing all the way home. The play is about a taxi driver who gets away with having two wives in different areas of London because of his irregular work schedule. Complication is piled upon complication as the cabby tries to keep his double life from exploding. Some of your favorite veteran Imagination Theater actors are in this play; Richard Gaylord as Bobby Franklin, the over friendly upstairs neighbor, Grant Stellflug as John Smith the cab driver with two wives, Kathleen Mini as Barbara Smith and Jody Wills as Mary Smith. Don't miss this very clever and funny play. Thurs, Fri, and Sat evening shows at 7pm and Sunday matinees at 2pm. 18+ Opening night and Thur shows, Disney princess fairytales joins the audience in a regal festivity seats are $12; remaining shows as Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream, February 13-18, 2013 $15. imagination-theater.org or at Sleep Train Arena. The show is filled with surprises, grand set (530) 642-0404. pieces and royal attendance by current princesses from Tangled, ooking for something a The Princess and the Frog, as well as a beloved classic beauty, little more special for Cinderella. This contemporary skating production, put on by a cast Valentine's Day? Try sparof world-class skaters, illustrates stories about adventure, romance kling wine or champagne with and humor, bringing unforgettable moments to life. According to Costume Designer Ivan Ingermann, “We start fresh strawberries or raspberries; off in New Orleans during the Jazz Age, where you have flappers, one in the bottom of the glass, banjo players and all kinds of street folk, so it really sets the tone add a little sparkler and voila, a for the rest of the show. It’s a big, wild, outrageous street party. refreshing and sexy drink. PassThen, we get into Rapunzel’s world, which is more of a fairytale ionate about chocolate? Tawny magic land. There, you get rich textures and romantic silhouettes port with dark bitter-sweet chobecause it’s a fantasy.” From beginning to end it is a show not to be colate? “Chocolate port brownies”? Mix a package of brownie missed. Disney’s Princess Tiana, Prince Naveen and the Frog share mix with your favorite port intheir tale with romance and humor while Rapunzel, her companions stead of water and bake, yum! Flynn and Maximus the horse, embark on an epic adventure. Finally, Sweets for the Sweet – late harthe story of Cinderella comes alive again as she meets her Prince vest and dessert wines are the Charming with a glass slipper fit for a fantasy come true. “This choice for wine lovers who preshow is different from anything we’ve ever done, and we’re excited fer the sweeter side of the grape. Look for some wine selecabout all the exhilarating aspects we’ve included in our newest production,” says Producer Juliette Feld. “This is the first show to tions like the gold medal winners tell the full story of The Princess and the Frog and it also marks the at the SF Chronicle wine comfirst time Rapunzel is featured on the ice with her tremendous petition: http://winejudging.com amount of hair.” Especially suited for kids and adults of all ages, Disney On Ice ring your Valentine and presents Dare to Dream musical journey transforms into a world sample wines while where anything is possible. Wed, February 13 – 15, 7:00pm; Sat, enjoying the jazz sounds Feb 16 – 11:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. Sun, Feb 17 – 11:00 of the Harley White Jr. Orchestra a.m., 3:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.; Mon, Feb 18 – 12:00 p.m. & 4:00 Feb 14, 630-930pm, 2114 P p.m. Sleep Train Arena – One Sports Parkway, Sacramento, CA. Street, Sac. $40, $75 reserved Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com, (800)-745-3000 or at the sponsor seating. 916-716-4801. arena Box Office. Additional information: DisneyOnIce.com
Disney On Ice Production Features Current And Classic Princesses
L
B
FEBRUARY 2013
In the Eldorado Showroom Menopause the Musical April 19 – July 14, 2013 Returning to the Eldorado Showroom is a musical production which includes 25 re-lyricized tunes from the ‘60s and ‘70s and culminates with a salute to women who are experiencing “The Change.” Set in a department store, where four women with seemingly nothing in common but a black lace bra meet by chance, “Menopause the Musical” pokes fun at things such as hot flashes, memory loss, mood swings, wrinkles, night sweats and eating binges. See what millions of women worldwide have been laughing about for over 10 years! It's the Hilarious Celebration of Women and The Change!®. Tickets start at just $24.95 with dinner and show packages available from $34.95. Performances nightly except Monday. For more information on show times and tickets call 1800-648-5966 or visit www.eldoradoreno.com
Grease July 23 – November 10, 2013 It’s the one everyone wants! “Grease,” the fifth longest running musical in Broadway history, revved up and ready to rock ‘n’ roll. Your favorite songs from the hit motion picture are live on stage in this live production. Audiences are dancing in the aisles to chartbusters like, “You’re the one that I want,” “Hopelessly devoted to you,” “Summer Lovin’,” “Born to Hand Jive” and “Greased Lightnin’”. This production proves that baby boomers, their kids and even their grandkids just can’t get enough of Danny Zuko, Sandy Dumbrowski and those tough-talkin’ Pink Ladies. You’ll have a blast with “Grease” – It’s still the word! Tickets start at just $24.95 with dinner and show packages available from $34.95. Performances nightly except Monday. For more information on show times and tickets, call 1-800-648-5966 or visit online at www.eldoradoreno.com
The Great Eldorado BBQ, Brews & Blues Fest June 21 – 22, 2013 – Downtown Reno The unofficial kick off to summer, the 18th Annual Great Eldorado BBQ, Brews and Blues festival is set for Friday, June 21 and Saturday, June 22. The event is equal parts barbeque block party, micro-brew tasting event and music festival with two stages featuring non-stop rock and blues. Past headliners have included Elvin Bishop, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Canned Heat, The Tommy Castro Band, Coco Montoya plus favorites like the Shane Dwight Band, the Jason King Band and the Blues Monsters. Book your tickets at www.eldoradoreno.com or by calling 800-648-5966 or 775-786-5700 today.
Ben Bullington releases “Lazy Moon” CD Livingston, MT) Montana songwriter Ben Bullington has released “Lazy Moon,” his fourth CD of original songs. Bullington, until recently a family doctor in Big Timber, Montana, is known for his thoughtful songs and intricate stories. He dedicated the project - “To the hardy and hard working people of Montana and the Rocky Mountain West.” The eleven-song CD was recorded at Fred Baker’s Electric Peak Recording near Gardiner, MT. “Fred is an excellent and knowledgeable engineer who really understands how to dial in a rich natural sound,” Bullington said. “We collected some great musicians for the project including Andy Bullington, Tom Murphy, John Lowell, Russell Smith, Buff Brown, Joanne Gardner, Tracy Nelson - more guest musicians than I’ve ever had. The majority of the record was a core group, then ‘Livingston’ features our pack of Livingston misfits and adds Bill Payne and Kris Clone for a stomper final track.” The CD cover is an original painting by Livingston’s Edd Enders. The package was designed by Stephanie Sandston of Shack Up Design in Bozeman, with photography by Bullington’s longtime friend William Campbell. Bullington says of the cover painting, “Edd is Livingston’s Van Gogh. His take on Montana is not what other people do – he sees the foreground of this place, as only a real Montana artist would.“ This year found his original tunes reaching a larger audience with performances at the Red Ants Pants Music Festival and tours in the Northwest, Colorado, Upper Midwest and Chicago. The new year finds him in California and then stopping at the prestigious 30A Songwriter Festival in late January with scheduled shows soon after in Pennsylvania and his home state of Virginia as well as a return to Nashville. The CD’s are available at www.cdbaby.com as well as Amazon, ITunes, and at Sax and Fryer and Conley’s in Livingston, Cactus Records in Bozeman, and Edwards Grocery and Red Ants Pants in White Sulphur Springs.
FEBRUARY 2013
The Gold Country Times
Page 13
COMMUNITY EVENT CALENDAR AMADOR COUNTY SUNDAYS Worship together at your church/temple of choice. MONDAYS FIT AFTER FIFTY Mondays & Wednesdays from 5:15-6:15PM, Amador Senior Center, 229 New York Ranch Rd., Jackson. 209-223-0442. Monday Night BINGO Thomi’s Banquet Room on Hwy 49, 1st, 3rd, and 5th Mondays; $10 for 10 Games. 6:30pm. 223-6349. Amador Child Abuse Prevention Council meets the 3rd Monday of odd months. Robin, 209-223-5921 [email protected] TUESDAYS Forward Bound, Domestic Violence Protection Women’s Class, Tuesdays, 1:30 - 3:30. Call 209-295-3400 to register. WEDNESDAYS The General Cancer Support Group meets the 4th Wed, 10 am, men and women welcome. Amador STARS 209-223-1246. THURSDAYS The Compassionate Friends of Amador, a support group for bereaved parents whose child (or children) of any age has died. Hospice of Amador & Calaveras, 1500 S. Hwy 49 in Jackson. Second Thursdays, 5:30 pm - 7 pm. 295-4807 Forward Bound, Domestic Violence Protection, Men’s Class, Thursdays, 5pm to 7pm; 7pm to 9 m. 295-3400. FRIDAYS Wine and Dine at Clark's Corner, Ione, 3rd Friday for $15.95. Wine tasting, $2. http://clarkscornerione.com UTURN, New Life Christian Center, 87 W. Ridge Rd, live music, pool, basketball, free food, arcade games, call 209267-1263. SATURDAYS The Rail Road Flat Community Hall bingo monthly, second Saturday of each month. $10 for the first pack of 12 games; $5 for additional packs, 6:30pm. 209-754-4882 for more info. "All Arts Show" at Clark’s Corner - monthly All Arts Show, third Saturday of every month. Paintings, sculptures, jewelry, photography, and more. Want to bring your own art work: 209-274-cafe (2233). $5 to reserve your spot. 2nd SATURDAY (FEB 9) 2nd Annual Mardi Gras Party & Cajun Cook Off 6:30-10:30 at the Sutter Creek Auditorium. Sample Cajun recipes, dance to live music, play some poker or Blackjack. At 18 Main Street, Sutter Creek. $20; adults only/21+. www.suttercreek.org Tickets at The Music Box, 64 Main Street, Visitor Center, 71 A Main Street; Amador Council of Tourism, 115 Valley View Drive., Sutter Creek. 3rd SATURDAY (FEB 16) Cuca Maluca World beat Valentine. 12 - 2pm. Back Roads Coffee house, Main
Street, Sutter Creek. In benefit for the Twin Rivers Music Foundation. NC Ironstone Vineyards - Feb 16th- 17th Presidents Wine Weekend - Live Music by Richard Bolman, 25% off all estate items, Food Product Sampling; New Release of "Red Obsession" with food parings with Ck Mole Poblano; Special case discounts. Wear red: additional 5 % off. At 1894 Six Mile Rd, Murphys, (209) 728-1251. Crystal Image at The Range, 772-1171. 126 Quail Oaks Rd, Valley Springs, 9 pm. AMADOR ONGOING Amador County Master Gardener classes are from 9am – noon at the GSA Building, 12200-B Airport Road, Jackson: Feb 23: Growing Great Vegetables (Part 1); Feb 23: Pruning Olive Trees and Grapes, Noon–3pm, Valley Oaks Vineyard, 10730 Valley Drive, Plymouth. 223-6838. Blues singer and harmonica player Nedra Russ, with guitarist/vocalist Julio Stanford Guerra, known on stage as Julio Inglasses, husband and wife team, play at the Union Inn, Volcano, on Sunday, February 17, at 4PM. They will be performing at Snow-Down for Habitat for Humanity Calaveras Bear Valley on Sunday, March 17 at 10AM. Catch them the next month at Alchemy in Murphys, CA on Tuesday, April 9 at 5:30AM. BINGO - 1st, 3rd, and 5th Mondays of the month, $10 for 10 Games, 6:30pm. Thomi’s, Hwy 49 in South Jackson. (209) 223-6349. Sutter Creek Theatre 44 Main St. Sutter Creek; www.suttercreektheatre.com or Heart & Soul 42 Main St. Sutter Creek, 916.425.0077 or [email protected] Fishtank Ensemble An American Gypsy music band! Saturday, February 16 - 8:00 pm • $18 adv /$20 day of show Lindsay Lou and the Flatbellys Eclectic Bluegrass from the heart of America’s fresh coast. Saturday, February 23 - 8:00 pm • $17 adv /$19 day of show Maria Muldaur and her Red Hot Bluesiana Band Hot smokin’ New Orleans blues! Saturday, March 2 - 8:00 pm • $23 adv /$26 day of show Kim Angelis and Josef Gault An American Gypsy music band! Saturday, March 9 8:00 pm • $16 adv /$18 day of show Crystal Image Band: Feb 16 The Range Restaurant-(209) 772-1171 - 126 Quail Oaks Rd, Valley Springs, 9pm. March 1 - Zinfandel Grille, 7pm Sac 916) 485-7100. March 22 - Stockton singles, Stockton Elks, 7pm. March 29, 30 - Woodbridge Crossing, 209-366-1800.
CALAVERAS COUNTY SATURDAYS Bingo – 2nd Saturday every month – 6:30 p.m. light dinner and snacks. $10 first pack of 12, $5 additional packs. At 250 Rail Road Flat Rd. Call 754-4882. 21+ Cash prizes ONGOING CALAVERAS Shopping - click on the EScrip button on the home page; online shopping you do will benefit the Mentoring Foundation! More information www.calaverasmentoring.org SACRAMENTO 2nd THURSDAY (FEB 14) Harley White Jr. Orchestra Bring your Valentine and sample wines while enjoying the jazz sounds, 630-930pm, 2114 P Street, Sac. $40, $75 reserved sponsor seating. 916716-4801. 3rd FRIDAY (FEB 15) The Ultimate Beatles Tribute The Fab Four, Crest Theater, 1013 K Street, Sacramento, (916-44-CREST) All Ages, 7:30 PM (open at: 6:30 PM) Tickets.com 3rd SATURDAY (FEB 16) Paula Poundstone, Crest Theater, 7:30 PM. (Doors open at: 6:30 PM), 1013 K Street, Sacramento, (916-44CREST). All Ages. Tickets $27, $35, $42 in advance. ONGOING Fairytale Town Thurs - Sun, 10am to 4pm, through Feb 28, weather permitting. Weekdays $4, Weekends $5. 1/ under free. http://fairytaletown.org Call (916) 808-7462. IMAX, Sacramento, A Good Day to Die Hard, February 14, 1211 K Street (adjacent to the Convention Center) 916-4434629 The California Automobile Museum is open seven days a week, 10:00 am until 6:00 pm. http://calautomuseum.org or call (916) 442-6802. At 2200 Front Street, Sacramento, CA OTHER EVENTS Blue Line presents two distinguished artists, Gregory Kondos and Mya Louw in the Coker Family Gallery and "Pop! Goes the Art" in the WestPark Workshop Gallery, featuring multiple artists from the region. Thurs, Feb 21 – Sat, April 13. Tues-Sat: 11am3pm, or by appointment. Reception: March 16, 7pm– 9pm Open to the Public, 67pm Members Only. 405 Vernon Street, Roseville, CA. www.rosevillearts.org Eldorado Hotel, Reno, great concerts and year-round events, the Eldorado Hotel Casino is the place to be. www.eldoradoreno.com or call 775-786-5700. The Carson Valley Inn Free live entertainment in the Cabaret Lounge, no cover charge, no drink minimum. Sun thru Wed, 6 to 10pm, Thur 8pm to 12am, Fri/Sat 8pm - 1am. More info at www.carsonvalleyinn.com MARCH EVENTS Railroad Flat Crab Feed
Saturday, March 2, Rail Road Flat Comm. Hall, at 250 Rail Road Flat Rd. $35 Doors open 4:30pm ~ no host bar; Dinner 5:30pm ~ wine with dinner. Tickets, Janet 209-754-4882 or email rrfccrrf@gmail Gem Faire will be in Pleasanton on March 8-10, at Alameda County Fairgrounds. Friday 12pm-6pm, Sat 10am6pm, and Sun 10am-5pm. $7, for the weekend. www.gemfaire.com or contact Gem Faire, Inc. at 503-2528300 or [email protected]. Over 60 world renowned importers/exporters and manufacturers, rare gemstones, and more will be available all under one roof. IRONSTONE VINEYARDS March 2 & 3rd – Spring Obsession, 10 a.m.- 5p.m. Saturday 10:00-3 p.m. Sunday. 16th annual art show. Two days full of art, food, wine, live music provided by Sequoia and flowers. Live “Art in Action” & Artist Booths located in our Alhambra Music Room & throughout the grounds. *Open to the public. Free admission. Food & wine available for purchase. March 2nd- Gourmet Food & Wine Pairing Artist Reception 4:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m. $25 per person, reservations required Join us for great food, wine, fun, live music by Sequoia, as well as an opportunity to meet some of the areas top Art Collectors and Gallery Owners. Reserve: 728-1251. March 8th- Silent Movie Night 6:00p.m. Doors Open Showing “College” a full length feature with Buster Keaton and Anne Cornwell. $20 includes dinner, movie, and popcorn. Dave Moreno on our Alhambra Theater Pipe Organ. March 16th & 17th – 18th Annual Spring Daffodil Show thousands of daffodils along the roadside as well as daffodil exhibits in horticulture, artistic designs and photography. March 31st – Easter Brunch Join the Easter Bunny for a brunch with two seating’s at 10:30 & 1:00. Adults: $ 34.95 Children 7-12 years $14.95 Children 6 and under $ 7.95 1894 Six Mile Rd, Murphys, (209) 728-1251. 2013 Calaveras Follies Saturday, March 9th, a fundraiser for: The Calaveras Youth Mentoring Program Presented by the Calaveras Mentoring Foundation and the Bret Harte Leadership Class. Bret Harte Theater, Angels Camp, 6:30 pm Doors Open 7:30 pm Showtime! Dessert Bar, entertainment and auction. No-host bar. A Night at the OSCARS will be a Hollywood-themed evening replete with the fanfare of a red carpet, paparazzi, celebrity sightings and a professional musical review. Saturday Premier Event $35 www.calaverasfollies.com (800) 595-4849 (4TIX)
The Mother Lode Bridal Faire Sunday, March 10, interested in becoming a vendor, email the Chamber at [email protected] March 2013 Programs at Fairytale Town Hours Friday, Mar 1 - Thurs, Oct 31, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Weekdays $4 for adults and children ages 2 and older. Weekends $5 for adults and children ages 2 and older. Children 1 and under free. www.fairytaletown.org or call (916) 808-7462. Family Support Volunteer Training Offered by Hospice of Amador & Calaveras, 28 Hour Training - 4 days, March 18-21, at Calaveras Senior Center, San Andreas, 209223-5500; or e-mail Ann at
[email protected]
http://hospiceofamador.org Sierra Wildlife’s March classes: Songbird First Aid, March 12, 7-9 pm and Rehabbing Rabbits, March 16, 1-3 pm, Intro to Local Wildlife, March 19, 7-9 pm; Homeopathy for Baby Animals, March 23, 10 amnoon; Living with Wildlife, March 23, 1-3 pm; and Rehabbing Raptors, March 27, 7-9 pm; and Rehabbing Waterfowl and Game Birds, March 30, 1-3 pm, for prospective rehabbers. See www.sierrawildliferescue.org At 3030 Newtown Rd, Placerville. Parking is limited, reservations-Barbara Barker, 530-621-2650, or at [email protected] Classes free to members; $5 donation from general public. The Mother Lode Jewish Community - annual Passover Dinner and Seder in Murphys, Sat, March 30. $20 adult/$15 children for members and $25 adults/$20 children for non-members; free under 6. More info at [email protected] or call 209-533-1650. Hunt at the Farm Join the Easter Bunny for an egg hunt at Amador Flower Farm, March 31, Sunday. Kids (toddler to 12yrs) have a great time hunting for them in the daylilies. 1pm sharp in the daylily growing grounds. Take your picture with the Easter Bunny and enjoy a picnic. This event will take place rain or shine. Free; & free parking! Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Jr. opens at Imagination Theater April 5 through Sunday, April 28. 7pm on Thursdays, Fridays, and with matinees at 2pm Saturdays and Sundays. http://www.imaginationtheater.org (530) 642-0404. $12. Located on the El Dorado County Fairgrounds. Interfaith Food Bank Amador County April 20th, Murder Mystery Dinner featuring the Volcano Theater Company benefiting the Interfaith Food Bank. Call 209-267-9006 or email [email protected]
Page 14
FEBRUARY 2013
The Gold Country Times
L i t e r a t u r e a n d H i s t o r y Las Vegas Continued from page 10
Mr & Mrs. Vedder's Disputes Turn Violent Chapter 27 Last Month: "All I know is that I see him come and go at your house and this time he brought an attorney. You figure it out," Rice said as he left. Not a person in the saloon could have missed their conversation especially after John had jumped to his feet. Rice had left the saloon when Marshall Plumer entered on his rounds. Greeting people as he went, he noticed a distinct difference in their attitude toward him. Nothing he could put his finger on, just a bit more stand offish. Henry approached the table that John Bedder was dealing at: "You stay away from my wife," John said, looking Henry directly into his eyes without showing one ounce of uneasiness. John's confidence was soaring with his adrenaline. Henry's interpretation was that John meant that he was to not involve himself in their personal conflicts and problems. "I don't have much use for a wife beater," Henry responded with his eyes locked onto the eyes of John Vedder. John Vedder threw back his chair and stood up in a flash. "I don't give a damn what you think. I'll do with my wife as I please. She is my wife not yours. You stay away from her!" John Vedder said loudly and pointing a finger in Marshall Henry Plummer's face. "You beat her and I will put you in jail.
'Red' Johnson Assault and battery is the law whether it is your wife or not." Henry went on with his rounds and John Vedder sat down to finish his card game. Rice's words kept being repeated in his head. He could not concentrate on the card game and that was not beneficial to a professional gambler. A novice could beat him. He decided he must find out if it is true that the attorney David Belden had visited his wife, and what was Plumer doing at his house. It was early the next morning that John Vedder looked up David Belden at his office. Esquire Belden was there, and somehow not surprised by John's expected visit. "I want to know why you came to my house yesterday and why Henry Plumer was with you," John demanded. "John, you are a client of mine, and you know I cannot divulge any conversation I have had with any other client. You would not want me to talk about our private conversations, legal or otherwise, to any third party, right?" "You're damn right, you're my attorney, and you were my
attorney before Lucy talked to you. If that damn Plumer is causing me troubles, he will get more trouble than he has even known. I will kill that pimp Marshall! I have a right to know if he brought you into my personal affairs," John snapped back at David. "Calm down, John, you need to reconcile your differences with Lucy. She loves you very much, but you lose your temper too much," David replied. Those words seemed to calm John down. He knew it all landed back on his actions, but did not really want to admit the same. In any event, he did not want Henry Plumer involved with his personal affairs. He was his landlord and that was enough involvement for John. David Belden contacted Marshall Plumer immediately after John Vedder's visit to his office. Henry found John at his trade and they discussed matters on a man to man basis. Things seemed to calm down substantially. John reconciled with Lucy. She moved back into the house which she had temporarily moved out of in fear of her husband. The quiet did not last long. The Vedders could not keep from arguing over the simplest matters.Then neither would give in until violence broke the acrimonious engagement. John Vedder beat his wife and threw her out the front door and onto the small front yard. A witness ran into the back door of the Hotel de Paris across the street from the Vedder's house and reported what he saw to Pat Corbett, a former policeman. Pat Corbett ran out the back door and across the street to discover that John Vedder had left the house. He convinced Lucy to take up a room in the Hotel de Paris again. It would not be safe for her in her house. An hour later, John Vedder arrived at the Hotel de Paris as angry as one could possibly be without actually killing someone. Pat Corbett stood his ground and John he would have to kill him to get to Lucy. John left for Esquire David Belden's office. To Be Continued
Plan your activity route accordingly, and remember that almost all of the large casinos offer free valet service (cost you a tip of a buck or two) so parking shouldn’t be an issue. Remember, these big casino properties are considerably large so don’t think you can just walk more than one or two of them… valet hop. There are plenty of free shows and entertainment at each of the major casinos… circus, pirate, volcano acts/shows, dueling pianos, fashion shows, a number of fountain, light, and sound shows, and of course a huge variety of street entertainers (but don’t take pictures with them, they’ll expect a large tip, and be aware of pick-pockets in the crowds watching). Then there are a huge assortment of free tours available… chocolate factory tour, cigar factory tour, distillery tour, dairy tour, wine tasting tour, and even a Nevada Nuclear Test Site tour. For free visual appeal, there are botanical gardens, aquariums, tropical rainforests, and a few music, movie, motorcycle, memorabilia viewings around town. Besides the several free art, sport cars, custom motorcycle, pinball hall of fame, neon sign, museums and galleries, you can take a short drive out to see Lake Meade, and walk around Hoover Dam and the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge. Remember to take time going through each of the big casinos as they have a lot to offer besides gambling. There are unique, wonderful, little bits of eye candy everywhere… from exquisite flower arrangements in lobbies and huge chocolate fountains, to life-sized chocolate figures and children’s clear tube-slides through live shark tanks. Spend a half-hour with refreshments in one of the many little bar/lounges in the casinos, and be amazed by the free entertainment of comedians, magicians, singers, and small bands. I don’t even pay the drinks… I sit at a slot machine near the tables, 12 put a quarter in every now and again until a server walks by and asks me what I want a drink… after I receive my iced tea, I get up and go watch a great lounge act. Our week-long Las Vegas trip cost us, excluding normal grocery shopping expenses… two hours with a salesmen, gas to, from, and around Las Vegas, and forty or so dollars in tips. I have to admit, we did have one large splurge… my wife insisted that we had to see one big production show. So… I contacted one of a few 50% off same-day show ticket companies in town and bought two $189 per person, front row tickets, for $90 each. However, even in that splurge my wife remained financially frugal. We stood in the refreshment line to get a bottle of water before the show. After fifteen minutes, we finally get to the counter and suddenly my wife storms off in a rage loudly refusing to spend $9.00 for a little bottle of plain water. Still standing there dumbfounded sheepish with cash in hand, all I could muster was, “No thanks, your prices quenched her thirst!” Oh, almost forgot, the show was absolutely fabulous! Hilton Grand Vacations Suites - Las Vegas (Convention Center) at 455 Karen Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 1-702-946-9210
Black Oak Casino Resort has recently donated $3,500 to the Calaveras Community Foundation (CCF). The 2013 contribution is the beginning of a new partnership between Black Oak and the Foundation. The initial contribution will aid a wide range of non-profit organizations and worthy causes in the Calaveras Community, including a $1000 donation to the Grad Night Foun-dation of Calaveras County. Black Oak Casino Resort has always maintained a determined commitment to support the local community in both Tuolumne and Calaveras Counties. “We are extremely grateful to Black Oak Casino Resort for their interest and commitment to help the Calaveras Community Foundation assist those in need in these tough economic times,” said, Linda Kangeter, President of the Foundation. “We are especially grateful to be adding Black Oak Casino Resort as a new sponsor this year. Through their generosity, we will be able to support many worthwhile projects in our County." For more information, call 209-293-7940 www.calaverascommunityfoundation.org
FEBRUARY 2013
Page 15
The Gold Country Times
M o v i e s, B o o k s, S h o w s Sutter Creek Theatre 44 Main St. Sutter Creek; tickets www.suttercreektheatre.com or at Heart & Soul 42 Main St. Sutter Creek CA - 916.425.0077 or [email protected] Fishtank Ensemble An American Gypsy music band! Saturday, February 16 - 8:00 pm • $18 adv /$20 day of show Lindsay Lou and the Flatbellys Eclectic Bluegrass from the heart of America’s fresh coast. Saturday, February 23 - 8:00 pm • $17 adv /$19 day of show Maria Muldaur and her Red Hot Bluesiana Band Hot smokin’ New Orleans blues! Saturday, March 2 - 8:00 pm • $23 adv /$26 day of show Kim Angelis and Josef Gault An American Gypsy music band! Saturday, March 9 - 8:00 pm • $16 adv /$18 day of show
CRYSTAL IMAGE BAND Schedule: February 16 - The Range Restaurant-(209) 772-1171 126 Quail Oaks Rd, Valley Springs, 9pm. March 1 - Zinfandel Grille, 7pm Sacramento 916) 485-7100. March 22 - Stockton singles, Stockton Elks, 7pm. March 29,30 - Woodbridge Crossing, 209-366-1800. April 26 - Asparagus Festival April 11, 12, 13 - Carson Valley Inn, Minden, NV. More info at: www.carsonvalleyinn.com. April 19 - Stockton Singles, Elks 8900 Thornton Rd, 7 pm, 209981-5583. Couples welcome. May 3 and 4 - Woodbridge Crossing, 9pm, 209-366-1800. crystalimageband.weebly.com for continuous updates.
ASTRONOMERS ASK PUBLIC TO HELP NAME PLUTO’S NEW MOONS Mountain View, Calif. (SETI Institute) - The discoverers of Pluto's two tiniest moons are inviting the public to help select names for the new moons. By tradition, the moons of Pluto have names associated with Hades and the underworld. Beginning today, people can vote by visiting: http://plutorocks.seti.org "The Greeks were great storytellers and they have given us a colorful cast of characters to work with," said Mark Showalter, Senior Research Scientist at the Carl Sagan Center of the SETI Institute in Mountain View, California. He and the teams of astronomers who made the discoveries will select two names based on the outcome of the voting. Until now, these small moons have been referred to as, simply, "P4" and "P5". Like Pluto's three other moons, Charon, Nix and Hydra, they need to be assigned names derived from Greek or Roman mythology. Visitors to the web site will also be able to submit write-in suggestions. These will be reviewed by the team and could be added to the ballot. Voting will end Feb 25, 2013. The final names will be announced after their formal approval by the International Astronomical Union. P4 was discovered in 2011 in images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope. P5 was discovered a year later during a more intensive search for previously unseen objects orbiting the distant, dwarf planet. The moons are only 20 to 30 km (15 to 20 miles) across. Currently, Pluto is receiving special scrutiny by astronomers, because NASA's New Horizons spacecraft is slated to arrive there in July 2015. The mission of the SETI Institute is to explore, understand and explain the origin, nature and prevalence of life in the universe. We believe we are conducting the most profound search in human history – to know our beginnings and our place among the stars. The SETI Institute (founded in 1984) is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to scientific research, education and public outreach. The Institute comprises three centers, the Center for SETI Research, the Carl Sagan Center for the Study of Life in the Universe and the Center for Education and Public Outreach. Today the Institute employs over 150 scientists, educators and support staff. For more information, see www.seti.org
B
ud Gardner, co-author of Chicken Soup for the Writers Soul, is offering a workshop, 'Writing for Fun and Profit', March 9th at Sierra College in Rocklin, 9am to 12:30pm. Students will learn to: see writing as a process, make money writing short articles, see poetry to greeting card companies, create humorous fillers that sell, write and sell the 'Chicken Soup for the Soul' story, write an effective query letter, make multiple sales from one idea, self-publish books, use the ten clear writing tips and much more. $59 plus a materials fee $20. Pre-registration is required. Sierra College Community Education office, 916-781-6280 or www.sccommed.org. The class will be held at the Rocklin campus.
A marriage proposal in Space On February 14, 2013, Sebastian, a 35-year-old French man, will be the first man to propose to his girlfriend in Space, at an altitude of 30 kilometers. The scenario « Say I love you in Space » is the 2013 brand new package from the catalog of 30 romantic experiences available on the website www.proposeinparis.com.
Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters A Review by Elaine Hunt Staff Writer Last night, I saw Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters at the beautiful Esquire IMAX Theater in downtown Sacramento. The title perfectly describes this movie. Take the original Brothers Grimm fairy tale of two young siblings narrowly escaping death in a witch’s house of candy, add 20 years of revenge hunting and killing witches, and you have this movie. You know what to expect going into this film. It is rated R for the violent, creative ways to destroy witches. Witches are apparently difficult to kill, after all. The title characters are mercenary witch hunters with cool weapons that are a cross between modern and medieval weaponry. Jeremy Renner plays Hansel. Renner splashed onto the movie scene a few years ago in the Academy Award® winning Hurt Locker, The Avengers, and the latest installment of The Bourne Legacy. As Hansel, Renner is charming and tough. Gemma Arterton plays Gretel. An upand-comer, Arterton’s biggest screen role credit to date is star-
Jeremy Renner as Hansel and Gemma Arterton as Gretel as Witch Hunters. Courtesy photo to the Gold Country Times ring opposite Jake Gyllenhaal in Prince of Persia, Sands of Time. I love a tough female lead who can hold her own and does not cower in a corner, waiting for the hero to save her. Gretel is strong and feisty, but still eminently likable. The credit goes to Arterton. Not many actresses could bite off a man’s nose (yes, that’s pretty gross. I would have preferred if that scene had fallen to the cutting room floor) yet still have the audience rooting for her. Gretel is the heart of the film. Her scenes with the troll Edward, played by Derek Mears, were tender and endearing. And let’s face it: she looks smoking hot in her form-fitting leather
suit. Written and directed by Tommy Wirkola, Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters moved from one exciting fight to the next. Those looking for action certainly will not be disappointed. The movie also offered a couple of humorous moments between bloody witch fights, but not quite enough. This movie plays to those who want wall-to-wall action. Those of us who want a little more plot and character development are a little disappointed. I would have preferred more opportunity to get to know the characters. For example, I left not understanding exactly what powers the witches did and ... Continued on page 16
Page 16
The Gold Country Times
M a k i n g A D i f f e r e n c e
T
he Calaveras connection to such famed figures as Gentleman Bandit Black Bart, singer Jenny Lind, accused ax murderer Lizzie Borden and more are explored in Volume IV of popular magazine series “Something From Nothing: The Early History Of West Calaveras County,” now available for purchase. Among the other fascinating stories in the 48-page publication authored by local
historian Sal Manna concern the last Chinese gold miner, the first woman doctors, the mysterious Lost City, the building of Hogan Dam, our Civil War veterans, the original environmental disaster of the Penn Mine, a sensational murder, and his discovery of the man who was instrumental in establishing our first county seat at Double Springs. The only authoritative color publication ever produced about the area’s history, most of the magazine’s subjects had never been written about before the original columns were published in The Valley Springs News from January 2011 to August 2012. Copies of Vol. IV, as well as the three previous volumes, may be purchased in person from the author for $10 each or by mail for $12.50 each, including postage and handling, via the Society for the Preservation of West Calaveras History (PO Box 714, Burson, CA 95225 or www.westcalaverashistory.org).
A Faith Rekindled Continued from page 5 ...an ordained minister for more than 20 years. Meeting the expectations of others is the hardest part of being a pastor for McBrayer. “What they want you to be; what they think you should look like and sound like; what they think you should believe and how perfect you should be,” he said. “I tell folks not to call me ‘Reverend,’ because in five minutes I can show you how irreverent I can be. Over time, a pastor makes peace with these expectations or he becomes an emotional slave to the whims of people.” The best part of pastoring is easy for McBrayer. “It is the privilege of being a trusted part of people's lives. Weddings, baptisms, births, death, sickness, tragedy and joy. A pastor shares all of these. Who else gets that chance? It is genuinely a holy thing to be a part of.” With the exception of two contracted newspapers, McBrayer offers the column free of charge because he believes good writing and great ideas should not be treated as a commodity. “My words resonate with those who are looking to hold to faith or return to faith after difficult experiences,” McBrayer said. “The phrases ‘Keeping the Faith’ and ‘Simple Faith’ reflect this. My role is to hold the door open for those who thought they couldn’t get in.” McBrayer’s wife of almost 12 years, Cindy, says he has only one sermon: “God loves you no matter who you are, now go follow Jesus.” “She says I say this same thing over and over,” McBrayer said. “Just in different ways.”
FEBRUARY 2013
The Great Gatsby Continued from page 10 ...out, and even though we know the story, it’s startling nevertheless! We’re shocked! Of course George thinks Gatsby is to blame and gets his own justice by shooting him the next morning, just as he’s going for a swim. This is where Calka’s talent really shines. He crumples into the hit, but freezes there, a harsh light upon him, as we take in the final, sad fate of Jay Gatsby. As we hear those final words of Fitzgerald’s lyrical prose, we catch one last shadowy glimpse of Daisy and Tom and that magical green light in the background, while Gatsby very, very, very slowly collapses to the floor. The body control is astonishing and the effect is most certainly astonishing as well. Final curtain, and then the curtain calls, and the audience’s applause was roaring indeed, with a standing ovation that even the most seasoned performers would kill for! The Great Gatsby continues through Sunday, February 10, 2013, at the Community Center Theater. Performances are on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings (February 7th-9th) at 7:30pm, and Sunday, February 10th, at 2:00pm. Tickets range from $17 to $70 and are available from the Community Center Theatre Box Office: (916) 808-5181 (M-Sat, 10am-6pm); or online from Tickets.com (additional convenience fees may apply with online ticket purchase.) The public is advised not to use any other ticket source, as there have recently been ticketing irregularities, including overcharges by 3rd-party sellers. For more info: www.SacBallet.org
Hansel and Gretel Continued from page 15 ...did not have. In one scene a witch was locked in a jail cell, and I wondered what kept her there. We’d seen other witches blast through several doors earlier in the story. Was this a plot flaw, or was there an ostensible reason that she could not escape? I was just wondering. I prefer more light moments to offset the numerous fight scenes. To me, the nonfighting scenes offered some of the best moments in the movie. In fact, some of my favorite scenes involved the character Ben, portrayed by Thomas Mann. He was not better or more compelling than the lead actors, but since Ben did not fight much, I found myself appreciating those moments of relief. In all, Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters is a good popcorn romp for those who enjoy action movies. The top-drawer special effects and the cool medieval weapons will satisfy the action fans. And if you plan to see a bigger than life action movie, IMAX is the best place to see it, on its bigger than life screen. This movie is available in 3-D at the IMAX. The 3-D added to the experience, making us feel like we were inches from the action. I also love the reserved seating that the Esquire IMAX Theater offers. And the Esquire retained the old Hollywood glamour in the décor of the entrance and lobby. Check the Esquire IMAX’s website at www.imax.com for
B
upcoming shows. They are showing Top Gun the first week in February, and the latest in the Die Hard franchise, A Good Day to Die Hard, starts on February 14, 2013. IMAX: Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters has been digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of An IMAX 3D Experience® with IMAX DMR® technology. The crystal-clear images coupled with IMAX’s customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie. The Esquire IMAX theater in downtown Sacramento is a comfortable venue for family theater enjoyment, centrally located at 1211 K Street (adjacent to the Convention Center), Sacramento. For information, go to the Esquire IMAX website: www.imax.com/oo/esquireimax/ or call 916-443-4629. Enjoy the IMAX experience soon. Free parking is at the Capitol Lot on L & 10th Streets, weekdays after 5pm, all weekend with validation sticker. Present your parking ticket at the Box Office. Matinee specials, MonFri before 5pm, Saturday and Sunday before 2pm, all feature film tickets are $13; all traditional IMAX tickets are $8. Also at the IMAX El Dorado Hills location. For birthday parties, field trips, phone: 916-446-2333x200 or email [email protected] For events, fundraisers, IMAX educators and private show screenings, 916-446-2333 x201; www.imax.com
lues singer and harmonica player Nedra Russ, and guitarist/ vocalist Julio Stanford Guerra, known on stage as Julio Inglasses, husband and wife team, play at the Union Inn, Volcano, CA on Sunday, February 17, at 4PM. They will be performing at Snow-Down for Habitat for Humanity Calaveras Bear Valley on Sunday, March 17 at 10AM. Catch them the next month at Alchemy in Murphys, CA on Tuesday, April 9 at 5:30AM.