foothill flair magazine fall-winter 2011

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Arts Council of Placer County 530.885.5670 • PlacerArts.orgArts for the Schools 530.582.8278 • artsfortheschools.org Auburn Community Concerts Association auburncommunityconcerts.org Auburn Placer Performing Arts Center 530.885.0156 • livefromauburn.com Auburn Symphony 530.823.6683 • auburnsymphony.com Lake Tahoe Music Festival 530.583.3101 • tahoemusic.org Lincoln Arts & Culture Foundation 916.645.9713 • lincolnarts.org

Nicholson Blown Glass 530.823.1631 • nicholsonblownglass.com North Tahoe Arts 530.581.2787 • northtahoearts.com Placer Community Theater 530.852.2708 • placercommunitytheater.orgPlacer Theatre Ballet 916.630.7820 • placertheatreballet.org Rocklin Community Theatre 916.740.6229 • rocklincommunitytheatre.comBlue Line Gallery 916.783.4117 • rosevillearts.org South Placer Heritage Foundation 916.787.0878 • soplacerheritage.org Take Note Troupe takenotetroupe.org Theatre Alive! theatrealive.net

FOOTHILLFLAIR.COM | FALL-WINTER 2011

3

On the coverFashion photoshoot in Nevada City with model Lula May by Turning Leaf Studios.

Features

22 An Affinity for Art, Animals & Africa

28 Romancing the Foothills

34 Fall in Love…

06 the Letter

08 Contributors

LoCaL FLair

09 A Home for the Homeless

CuLture

10 Small Town Theatre

12 Finding One’s Passion

13 Book Review

14 Center for the Arts (and smarts)

16 Public Art

pLay

19 Flying in the Foothills

surroundings

38 Crescendo of Color

savor

40 Dinner at Diego’s

41 Honey Pumpkin Pie

42 Pears on Parade

44 Restaurant Review

WeLLness

45 Smart Exercise

MarketpLaCe

48 Resource Guide

50 Seasonal Finds

28

22

50

contents

FOOTHILL FLAIR MAGAZINE


5

one of the benefits of publishing a regional lifestyle magazine—or so I thought—was

to be about discovering the stories. Stories of interesting people, interesting places,

and interesting things. You see, every person, every place, and every thing has a

story. Some may be more compelling than others but, nevertheless, they all have a story to tell

especially when you are talking about one of the great incubators of the Wild West that is the

California gold country. So when thinking about publishing this magazine, I imagined the thrill

of searching for these stories and of finding them. Learning of the unique people that have and

do call the Northern Sierra Foothills their home. Where they have been, what they have done,

and what they are currently doing. I imagined it would indeed be the highlight of the journey

that each issue would take us on. It would supersede the pleasure of making an ad sale, the

satisfaction of seeing a completed article written and designed, or the excitement of opening

the first box from the printer to see the culmination of weeks of hard work. And if this second

issue is any indication, imagination does at times presage reality.

For the stories uncovered on this journey were nothing short of fascinating. There is the

artistic journey of Douglas Van Howd. A painter, turned sculptor, turned ambassador, turned

philanthropist, and all the while embodying a deep love and appreciation for animals, natural

habitat, and especially the continent of Africa. Known and traveled the world over, but with

Doug and his lovely wife Nancy’s headquarters and amazing gallery right here in Auburn!

Then there are the 34 wineries that call the Northern Sierra Foothills their home. For three

weekends I travelled on back-country roads to visit them and in the process beheld a wonderful

side of our area that, in the rush of daily life, can go totally unnoticed even for a “local.” I was

reminded of how lucky we are to live in a region replete with meandering streams making their

way across rolling hills, against a backdrop of evergreen forests with a scattering of deciduous

trees that had started to take on their fall colors. The countryside seemed to go on forever

as I crossed city and county lines, and this beautiful landscape seemed oblivious to such

designations. Then—out of nowhere, but perfectly located—would come each winery. Some

seem to be placed here right out of a movie scene complete with the Italian villa, picturesque

vineyard, and rock cave wine-tasting room. While others were modestly set in a converted

garage, tastefully and intimately appointed to reflect the years of winemaking passion finally

coming to light in a commercial venture. As dissimilar as some may seem, they all have a

common thread. An owner/winemaker there, in the tasting room, bubbling with enthusiasm

and looking for an opportunity to share the excitement of their latest varietals or blends.

All told, putting this issue together has been everything I imagined and more, and I only

hope that you get as much pleasure from reading these stories as we had in researching and

writing them.

–K Minto

PublisherKevin Minto

GraPhic DesiGn & ProDuctionDeer Creek Creative

contributinG WritersPatti BessMike CarvilleR.E. ChamblissJanis DiceCourtney FergusonBrandon MintoApril ReeseAdrian Schneider

contributinG PhotoGraPhersTony FinnertyBluetent StudiosAdrian SchneiderCarolyn SingerTurning Leaf StudiosNancy Van HowdWendy Van Wagner

contributinG artistsJerianne Van Djik

VoGue eDitorBrianna Silvera

hair stylistDanaeMarie’s Salon

MakeuP artistKendra Evans

[email protected]

DistributionSDS Distribution

Sierra Flair Publishing111B Mill Street • Grass Valley, CA 95945Tel: 530-273-1284 • [email protected]

Foothill Flair Magazine is published by Sierra Flair Publishing and is distributed throughout Northern California. For information on advertising, editorial, or general inquires call: 530-273-1284 or email: [email protected]. All contents of this magazine including and without limitation to the graphic design, advertisements, art, photos, editorial content, as well as the content arrangement thereof is copyright protected. No portion may be reproduced in part or in full, by any means, without written consent of the publisher.

Subscriptions to Foothill Flair Magazine are available for $20 per year. Call or email us for more information.

imagination does at times presage reality.Fall-Winter 2011


6 the Letter

W W W . N E V A D A C O U N T Y G O L D . C O M 81

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Nevada County Visual Arts Center

Gallery - Local ArtistsGifts - Jewelry, Prints PotteryResident Artist StudiosFine Art Instruction

Deborah BridgesJill Mahanna

Eileen Blodgett

Robin Wallace

Heather DeViveirosMiranda Currie

Roseanne BukeClaudia Jeffers

Phil BrownKathryn Wronski Wanda Avery


Mike CarviLLeMike is a NASM/RKC Certified Fitness Trainer and co-owner of South Yuba Club in Nevada City and Monster Gym in Grass Valley. He specializes in programming for new exercisers, weight loss/toning and athletic training. Mike is available for questions & speaking engagements at: [email protected]

CaroLyn singerCarolyn has gardened in the foothills since 1977. She is the author of two books of deer-resistant plants: “Deer in My Garden, Vol. 1: Perennials & Subshrubs” and “ Vol. 2: Groundcovers & Edgers.” Writing & a schedule of gardening classes may be found at www.carolynsinger-gardens.com.

brandon MintoBrandon is a graduate of the University of California, Davis where he studied History. Besides his passion for read-ing, he enjoys the outdoors, politics and Giants baseball; and was a whitewater rafting guide before settling down into a desk job.

Courtney FergusonCourtney is an award-winning writer, she lived in London for 30 years, where she worked for top, international advertising agencies. A published author and keen horsewoman, she now enjoys discovering the many treasures and pleasures that grace Nevada County.

patti bessPatti is a freelance writer and cookbook author who lives in Grass Valley. She has also worked as a recipe developer for Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest Publications, Fit, and Weight Watchers book division.

adrian sChneiderAdrian is a foothill-based photographer, who shoots weddings, events and interest-based editorial. He uses his camera to capture the beauty and diversity this area has to offer. His work can be accessed at his website at www.adrianschneider.com

MiCheLLe CooMLerMichele, owner of Turning Leaf Studios, has earned a sterling reputation in Northern California. Her focus on relationships and her compassionate approach to people has given her a clear vision about the needs of her clients. All this combined has provided her with much success in doing something she loves.

apriL reeseApril resides in Penn Valley. She is a Certified Master Food Preserver through the UC Davis Cooperative Extension. She manages the Garden Center at A to Z Supply and has lived in Nevada County for 37 years.

r.e. ChaMbLissRenée is a writer and voice actress who lives in Auburn with her husband and two children. She hopes to return to the Serengeti some day. Visit REChambliss.com to learn more about her fiction and voice work.

brianna siLveraBrianna is a Registered Dental Hygienist and graduate of Diablo Valley College. She is also pursuing her love of fashion and is currently studying Fashion Design at Sierra College in Rocklin. She lives in Colfax with her husband Mike and their Boston Terrier Bailey.

Wendy van WagnerWendy lives in Nevada City and is the owner of In the Kitchen Community Kitchen which she runs with her husband Joe Meade and their son Felix. She loves to share good food and conversation with friends and family. Check out what’s cookin’ at www.wendyvanwagner.com.

Janis diCeJanis is a freelance writer/editor and is a longtime Foothills resident whose feature articles have appeared in the Auburn Journal, Prosper Magazine, Comstock’s Business, and Perspectives arts magazine.

contributors


8

When first it was announced in late 2007 that the Hospitality House, a homeless shelter in part started by the late Utah Phillips, would be relocating to a building in downtown Grass Valley, I must admit I was counted among those who were not in favor of the new location. My wife had a store downtown and with the economy what it was, the last thing I thought we needed was a homeless shelter that would bring homeless people downtown. I mean, we all want to help the homeless but let’s be honest, they are homeless for a reason—right? Or are they?

Knowing full well that I really didn’t have a clue about homelessness and was merely relying upon biases I had accumulated over a lifetime of never being homeless, I decided to put my time where my mouth was and volunteer to work at the homeless shelter I had rallied against. Because I had contacted the shelter after the season had already begun, my time began with a one-on-one training session with Carol, a lovely lady with a smile that could melt the hardest of hearts, and I was immediately under her spell. Well, Carol showed me the ropes. How to handle and serve the food. How to run the kitchen, and all about the bin room. Named for the dozens of bins that occupy the room, it is where as a guest of the house, everything you have with you is kept. Now keep in mind most guests do not have a storage facility so everything they own fits in a single bin that measures approximately 30 inches long, by 20 inches wide, by 20 inches deep. One in which you or I would have a hard time just fitting the extra clothes in our closet that we never wear.

So with training complete, my first day “on the job” came with a bit of consternation. What would it be like? How would I make conversation? What should I say or not say? Would the guests perceive me as the “have,” and themselves as the “have-nots” and hold that against me? In looking back now, it is amazing to me that we can be so wrong and misinformed about things we know nothing about. What I found that first day and every day thereafter were some of the most gracious and thankful people I have ever met. People that, for the most part, were well-spoken, intelligent, and easy to talk to with myriad stories to tell of life’s up and downs—just like you or me.

There was one day when I was working the kitchen and as often happened, a volunteer walked in and we struck up a conversation. Quite dapper in appearance, well-dressed and well-manicured, he reminded me of an English gentleman much like my grandfather from Wales. We found we were both interested in local history and agreed to attend a workshop together in Nevada City the following day being given by the California Preservation Foundation that was in town for their annual conference. He left with my phone number saying he would call to arrange to meet me and once gone, my co-worker that day came over and told me that it was house policy to not give out our personal information to the guests. “Guest?” I replied, “You must be mistaken! Certainly he’s not homeless …is he?”

I have since realized that, especially in this economy, without an extended family so many of us take for granted, many of us are one or two calamities in our lives away from being homeless. And that facilities like the Hospitality House and the extraordinary people who work there are an essential resource for people who are down on their luck.

i am happy to report that the new hospitality house at 1262 sutton Way in grass valley, aptly named for utah phillips, has closed escrow and is now in the construction phase to prepare for its new mission. an open house for public viewing of the new facility will be on november 19 from 3-7pm. please consider your financial support of this worthy cause by going to www.utahsplace.org.

A Home for the Homeless

ff

by kevin Minto


9LoCaL FLair

TTheatre groups and buildings began to

sprout up in the mid 1850s as Gold

Rush cities pressed for greater social

sophistication. But this was still the Wild

West and the best of plans often went up

in smoke. In 1863, after a fire laid waste to

much of Nevada City, the Nevada Theatre

Association was formed to provide the city

a theatre building that would not succumb

to fire and, two years later at the corner of

Broad and Bridge streets, the brick Nevada

Theatre opened with a two-act comedy titled

“The Dutch Governor.” This would be the first

of thousands of performances that would

see the likes of Mark Twain and Emma

Nevada just to name a few. It would also lay

the groundwork for what would become a

renaissance of the visual and performing arts

in the Northern Sierra Foothills in the early

1960s. For in 1962, the Community Players

Theater Company would be established

and in 1963, the Nevada County Liberal

Arts Commission would be formed, and like

its predecessor provide Nevada City with a

newly renovated Nevada Theatre, which had

closed in 1958 after being converted to a

movie house in 1909.

Today, the performing arts play an

important role in our foothills communities

and theatre is a popular pastime for

audiences and actors alike. I had the pleasure

of meeting local actor Rene Sprattling and

a local actor/producer Lois Ewing at the

Broad Street Bistro in Nevada City and was

fascinated by our conversation. There are

certainly different roads that lead to acting

and Lois and Rene illustrate this perfectly.

Lois Ewing and her husband Scott own

Ewing Ventures, a small theatrical production

company located in Nevada City. They

met while studying theatre at Pepperdine

University and the two have been a force

in theatre ever since. Scott graduated with

a triple emphasis degree in acting, directing

and technical theatre and has created,

produced, directed and emceed countless

events over the years. Lois graduated with

a Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre with an

emphasis in acting and worked as an actor

in film, television and theatre in Los Angeles

before moving to Nevada City.

Rene Sprattling and her husband Drue,

on the other hand, were not involved in

theatre and had never aspired to be actors.

Drue, who lived in Sacramento and worked

for the railroad, had a co-worker who was

also a playwright who had written a play

that included a character based on Drue.

He asked Drue to audition for the part

and, although he had no experience, Drue

decided to give it a go—and got the part.

Fast forward and Rene, single at the time,

happened to be invited by some friends to

a play at the Bacchus Theatre in Old Town

Sacramento that Drue was performing in.

During a conversation later that night at the

cast party, Drue mentioned an upcoming

audition and convinced Rene to attend. She

ended up getting the part and they have

been in love with the theatre (and each

other) ever since.

But how could small towns like Nevada

City, Grass Valley or Auburn compete with

the likes of Los Angeles or Sacramento, two

major cities with everything an actor could

ask for? Well both couples saw something

special happening in the performing arts

while visiting here and for Rene and Drue,

it would happen overnight. Invited by close

friends to stay at the Parsonage Bed &

Breakfast and attend the play “Noises Off”

at the Nevada Theatre, they “fell in love” (as

Rene put it) with the area and the theatre

here and promptly went back to Sacramento,

put their house up for sale and moved

to Nevada City. Although the Northern

Sierra Foothills consists of small mountain

communities, there is an incredible vitality

…life is an improv and, just as in real-life conversation and interaction, acting is all about listening.

Small Town Theatre, Big Time Productionsby kevin Minto


Built in 1870, Broad Street Inn is a small, family-owned “green” business that prides itself on providing clean, comfortable accommodations at affordable rates. Located in the heart of historic downtown Nevada City, our six room inn offers a comfortable and peaceful garden setting that is perfect for a relaxing getaway.

517 West Broad Street, Nevada City, CA 95959Phone: 530.265.2239www.broadstreetinn.com

fascinating in and of itself. “Like a new pair of shoes” she says, “they

look great when new but feel comfortable when worn a bit.” And who

wouldn’t want to see a great play twice!

So whether you want to attend a play and try on those new shoes,

or audition for a play and the chance of feeling empowered, the

Northern Sierra Foothills has much to offer. Production companies are

always looking for that “diamond in the rough” and the play’s third

participant still has seats to fill.

when it comes to theatre as well as the assets to back it up—like much

larger cities have. It has the oldest original-use theatre building in

the state as well as multiple dedicated theatre facilities. It has myriad

theatre companies and a talented pool of actors, artists and technicians.

All this in one of the most naturally beautiful areas in the state.

But beyond the area and the facilities, what compels a person to

get into live acting and what motivates them to continue to act given

the hard work and little or no pay? Lois had realized at an early age

that she loved acting and it was what she wanted to do so it came

naturally. Rene, although terrified by her first audition, felt empowered

afterwards—and to this day. Both point out that life is an improv and,

just as in real-life conversation and interaction, acting is all about

listening. If you don’t hear someone, if you aren’t a good listener, you

cannot respond accordingly. And as you hear the other actor on stage

and are caught up in the moment, it will dictate your response. Even

though the script or scene may be identical to the previous night, the

scene may not be—just as in real life. Plays also evolve depending on

audience response. When practicing the scenes, audience responses

are anticipated, but in a live performance the audience is the third

participant, and just as listening to the other actor on stage will in

part determine the response, listening to the audience does the

same thing. Rene recommends attending a play at least twice: on

opening night, then either midway through its run, or at the end of

its run, which allows the attendee to see the play’s growth, which is

ff

For more information on theatre in the northern Sierra foothills, you can go to the following websites:

~auburn placer performing arts Center: www.LiveFromauburn.com~Community asian theatre of the sierra: www.CatsWeb.org~ewing ventures: www.ewingventuresnC.com~Legacy productions: www.Legacypresents.com~nevada County arts: www.nevadaCountyarts.org~nevada theatre: www.nevadatheatre.com~off broadstreet: www.offbroadstreet.com~paul emery productions: www.paulemeryMusic.com~placer arts 360: www.placerarts.org~placer Community theatre: www.placerCommunitytheater.org~placer theatre ballet: www.placertheatreballet.org~sierra stages Community theatre: www.sierrastages.org~synthetic unlimited: www.syntheticunlimited.org~take note troupe: www.takenotetroupe.org~theatre alive: www.theatrealive.net~the Center for the arts: www.theCenterForthearts.org


11CuLture

Pictured above is an Ostrich egg on stand with a beautiful and

ornately decorated Santa scene and intricately cut

shell pattern.

Pictured below is a finch egg pendant on a gold chain

bejeweled with beautiful faux gold & Swarovski

Virginia

“Virgi”

Bondi is

one of those feisty

people who can never

do enough.

It wasn’t enough

that she taught English

to Japanese students

while living in Japan for four

years, became an accountant in

California’s Silicon Valley, served

eight years in the U.S. Navy’s

military police, guarded

prisoners in Iraq, mastered

handling a Harley-Davidson

motorcycle, earned a degree

in Criminal Justice and

raised two children. She

also became an artist who

turns delicate eggshells

into jewelry, holiday

ornaments, keepsakes and

decorations. “You have

to follow your passion,”

she advises. “My father

taught me you have only

one life—one chance—so

you have to do it all.”

Bondi opened the Eggstra

Special Eggshell Art Gallery

in Old Town Auburn in July to

expand her overgrown home-

based business. Doubling as her

studio and workshop, the store holds

thousands of colorful eggshells that are

bejeweled, painted, polished, caulked, carved

or clad in paper. Some are adorned with NFL

logos, breeds of dogs, vintage Disney characters,

period trinkets or antique jewels. Suspended on

display hangers or dangling from necklace chains, each is designed

by Bondi and produced at the gallery.

Purchased from farms and ranches around the world, the cleaned,

hollow eggs sit in stacked crates waiting for Bondi’s rapid-fire

imagination to bolt into action. She utilizes any type of infertile

egg suppliers offer, using mostly chicken, rhea, emu, ostrich,

quail, parakeet, pigeon, goose, finch, pheasant, tinnamou, peafowl,

cassowary and swan shells.

Window-shoppers who wander into the gallery are often amazed

at the variety of eggs in stock and their artistic treatment. “I love

the jaw-dropping ‘Wow!’ effect when people first come in,” she

says, laughing.

After learning the Japanese art of creating Washi eggs (applying

paper artistically to eggshells) Bondi explored other styles of

decoration, including ornate embellishment made famous by Peter

Carl Faberge. She fashioned eggshells at home then took them and

her children on the road to fairs and art shows each weekend. She

went into shell crafting full time when she realized she was earning

more at her hobby than as an accountant.

Now Bondi limits her excursions to nine events per year,

spending all other days at the shop creating fresh egg designs on

paper, then crafting them in a one-woman production line. She also

teaches workshops on eggshell art at the gallery and is working on

establishing an eBay Store.

Bondi’s next art project will be fabricating an eggshell carousel

with horses that move up and down. Her next personal project is

travel. “I want to see the world and take that international flair and

bring it back to my work.”

Chances are, even circumnavigating the globe will not be enough

to satisfy a feisty Jill-of-all-trades like Virgi Bondi. ff

You can see Virgi’s work at her store in beautiful

historic Old Town Auburn at 1558 Lincoln Way. You

can also visit her online at www.EggstraSpecial.com. To

contact Virgi call her at: 530-888-8000 or email her at:

[email protected]

Finding one’s passion in eggshell artBY JANIS DICE PHOTOGRAPHY BY BLUETENT STUDIOS


12 CuLture

In his book, 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus, Charles C. Mann presents the latest in scientific, archeological and anthropological discoveries related to the Americas and analyzes their significance in the greater context of world history.

Growing up, I was taught in school that Native Americans lived in small, nomadic bands that were sparsely populated throughout the Americas leaving vast a wilderness ripe for exploitation by European explorers. However, as Mann shows in 1491, the myriad discoveries scientists, archeologists and anthropologists have made over the last 30 years contradict many of these long-held assumptions. In fact, as these new revelations show, we have vastly underestimated the number, scope and sophistication of Native Americans. It now appears clear that they were actually quite advanced; with dynamic societies, expansive agriculture and innovative approaches. Mann asserts that North and South America were as populated as Europe and Asia when Europeans discovered the new world and Native Americans were masters of their environment, capable of transforming the world around them to fit their needs.

For example, he argues that better understanding of genetics and agricultural science has demonstrated the ingenuity of Native American agriculture—which was quite possibly the most advanced ever seen on Earth. We all know that corn was a staple crop of the Native Americans. But, did you know that corn as we know it is not natural in our world? The closest ancestor to corn is teosinte, which is much more similar to the baby corn you sometimes see on salads than the corn on the cob we are accustomed to. Native Americas were possibly the world’s first geneticists as they took teosinte, and painstakingly transformed it into the large corn on the cob we know today. Moreover, unlike their European counterparts, Native

Americans did not need to employ crop rotation to keep their fields fertile. They discovered that by growing corn, beans and squash together, they could keep the soil nutrient-rich and use the same fields yearly.

Mann asserts that these populations and cultures were largely destroyed by the diseases Europeans brought with them, disrupting Native Americans’ ability to control their environment and leaving what seemed like a pristine wilderness for explorers to find.

Mann argues that genetically, Native Americans had half as much of an innate defense against disease as Europeans and were therefore much more susceptible to the many diseases Europeans brought with them. This is based upon the presence of Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLAs), which are essentially encyclopedias for one’s white blood cells that allow them to proactively identify foreign pathogens

and eliminate them before they can infect you. Geneticists have recently determined that Native Americans average about 17 HLAs, and Europeans 35, a statistic Mann uses to reassess upward the destruction disease caused upon the Native Americans, and rationalize the largely untouched landscape many Europeans described in the New World.

Ultimately, Mann concludes that Native Americans exemplify the ideal balance of development and human management of natural lands. By effectively managing their environment they were able to thrive without destroying the environment around them—an idea, Mann suggests our society should be more attuned to. Regardless of however you may feel about that, Mann has chronicled an important change in our view of American history. A change that has the potential to greatly affect how we teach our children about Native Americans, and one that makes 1491 a very interesting read.

1491:New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus

ff

book review

BY BRANDON MINTO


From marking time to a “paradigm shift” …

Many would attribute the Center’s

noteworthy success to Executive Director

Julie Baker. Although not an artist herself,

she applies her skills to the business side of

art – for which she has plenty of experience

through involvement in her family’s advertis-

ing agency. Having grown up in New York

City, Julie went to college at UC Santa Cruz

before returning home to work for an art

gallery and then Christie’s Auction House. In

1992, she took over her parents’ advertising

& design firm before eventually moving to

Grass Valley in 1998.

When Julie took the helm in June of

2009, the Center was struggling. With top

ticket prices set at $20, its potential had

distinct limitations in terms of performers’

notoriety and public draw. The Center was

stuck in neutral, and in danger of becoming

yet another economic-crisis statistic. Enter

Julie Baker who injected the right blend of

creativity, vision and keen business skills.

Personable and passionate, she recalls,

“To make the vital paradigm shift, we had

to make the Center more than a venue.

We needed to think bigger and bolder. We

needed to collaborate with other performing

arts groups in the community, and get on

the radar. I’m a businesswoman, and even

though the Center is a non-profit organiza-

tion, it needs to be run like a business. For

me, there are only two columns to consider:

income and expense.”

By the end of 2010, sales were up by

50 percent. Higher ticket prices attracted

bigger-name performers. VIP seating was

introduced. Building donors doubled from

500 to 1,000. The staff has increased,

and training is now provided. The Center’s

marketing has expanded dramatically as well,

spreading the word to Sacramento, Chico,

Tahoe, Reno and the Bay Area.

In the days when Frank Sinatra was singing with Tommy Dorsey, 314 West Main St. was a

small-town Chevrolet dealership. Today it’s the home of Grass Valley’s thriving Center for

the Arts – where tickets sell fast, and standing ovations are followed by rave reviews.

Within the last year we’ve enjoyed the talents of Kris Kristofferson, Nancy Griffith, the

Smothers Brothers and Rickie Lee Jones. More recently, David Crosby & Graham Nash, Aaron

Neville, Buffy Sainte-Marie, and Aimee Mann have appeared. With scheduled appearances by

Judy Collins, Robert Cray and Ira Glass, the Center’s line-up is fresh, diverse, and perfect for

the Northern Sierra Foothills’ demographics.

Its 21,000-square-foot facility houses a 300-seat main theater with two visual-art galleries

as well as classroom space, and a smaller 90-seat theater. There are more than 150

performances a year, attracting audiences from age 2 through 90 and beyond. It’s the cultural

nucleus of Nevada County – and beyond.

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Center for the Arts (and smarts)where big-name performers play to sold-out audiences


by Courtney Ferguson

www.thecenterforthearts.org For tickets and information call or stop in at the Center for the Arts

314 West Main Street, Grass Valley, CA 95945 • telephone: 530.274.8384

Friday, December 2 DANCE CONCERT!

Elvin Bishop Saturday, December 3

at Veterans Memorial Auditorium Reinventing Radio - An Evening with

Ira Glass

Saturday, November 5 DANCE CONCERT!

Roy Rogers and the Delta Rhythm Kings

Friday, November 18 at Veterans Memorial Auditorium

DANCE CONCERT!

The Robert Cray Band Wednesday, November 30

at Veterans Memorial Auditorium Clint Black

IN THE GALLERY The Center’s Granucci Room and Main Gallery feature an ongoing calendar of art exhibitions.

OFF CENTER STAGE The Center’s 90-seat black-box theater

offers audience and performers a professional setting for an intimate theater experience.

Visit www.thecenterforthearts.org for a complete schedule.

“Fifty percent of our audiences are not

from this area,” Julie adds. “Many come from

Sacramento, and spend the weekend. When

we sell tickets, our local businesses prosper,

especially restaurants, shops, and hotels.

We have even created a package deal with

the Gold Miners Inn Holiday Inn Express, so

visitors can come early, stay later, and enjoy

the community as well as the Center.”

Left brain, right gainMany might have accepted the cliché that

art has to struggle. Julie disagrees. “The arts

make, build and keep a community con-

nected and alive,” she says with heartfelt con-

viction. “Our VIP seating, for example, helps

raise money for the Hospital Foundation.

The popular Nancy Griffith concert enabled

us to donate $2,500 to Sierra Nevada

Memorial Hospital.” (How many non-profits

contribute to other non-profits, I wonder?)

Another important community connection is

with Hospitality House, for which the Center

often provides work opportunities. Five or

six homeless people are involved at any

given time. Their work on the facility includes

on-the-job training – with a letter of recom-

mendation for their efforts and contribution.

“It’s a good starting point,” Baker confirms,

and a positive way for us to express our

appreciation and support.”

Besides the Center’s 300-seat theater,

the Grass Valley Veterans Hall is also used.

Its 950-seat capacity is ideal for big crowds

and headlining acts. Then there’s the 90-seat

Off Center Stage, adjacent to the West Main

Street venue. Often rented for use by local

theater groups, its recent productions have

included “The Belle of Amherst” and ”Last

Lists of My Mad Mother,”

From a question of survival to a celebrated revival…

In this economy, when many businesses

settle for survival as victory, it’s refreshing to

see a non-profit celebrate a revival instead.

But not willing to rest on their laurels or

leave anything to chance, one of the secrets

to continuing this renaissance is they not

only provide a venue, but a complete,

multi-media marketing package to insure

the event’s success as well. The Center for

the Arts’ success is as impressive as the

performers who attract robust audiences. (By

the way, Julie also books entertainers and

negotiates contracts.)

With the help of an incredible staff,

tireless volunteers, local support from area

businesses and private individuals, and the

backing of a supportive Board of Directors,

Julie Baker with her New York blend of

artistic passion and savvy business skills

has masterminded a success story that’s

an inspiration to us all. The Center for

the Arts now has a solid foundation and

going forward will provide our region with

exceptional entertainment and will be an

asset we all can be proud of. ff

To find out which regional, national and

international performers will be appearing

at the Center, call (530) 274-8384 or visit

www.thecenterforthearts.org


15CuLture

The “Mine Shaft” Mural by John Pugh on the Del Oro Theatre in Downtown Grass Valley

Public art, i.e., any artistic creation that has been planned and executed for the viewing pleasure of the general public, has over the years taken on many forms in California.

For the thousands of years preceding 1848, public artistic

endeavors were the creations of the indigenous Native Americans

living here at the time. There are cave paintings in the Mojave

Desert that have been determined to be 9,300 years old based on

radiocarbon-dating and in our area, the native Americans living here

were the Nisenan dating back over 2,000 years and their public art

creations can still be seen today in the form of petroglyphs.

But with the discovery of gold in California, the artistic dynamics

here would dramatically change. Already decimated by the spread

of malaria brought by trappers in 1832 that by best estimates killed

between 50 and 75 percent of the Native American population, the

influx of over 300,000 gold-seekers would see their numbers further

plummet from the already low 155,000, to fewer than 16,000 by the

year 1900. Needless to say the Gold Rush would strike a crippling

blow to Native American art in California.

But since art is endemic to humanity, and like what’s happened

time and time again throughout the course of history, as a dominant

people invade, conquer, or simply overtake an area, so with them

comes their culture including their art. And so it was in California

with the great Gold Rush of 1848. They came for the gold, and

they came in droves. Thousands upon thousands, from all parts of

the civilized world they came, and among them were all manner

of occupations. There were carpenters, machinists, merchants,

gunsmiths, shoemakers, writers, and yes, there were artists. Some

came with little or no training and only their innate artistic talent.

But others, like Charles and Arthur Nahl, were trained at some of

the best art schools in Europe. Half-brothers born in Germany, they

both studied at the art academy in Kessel and were descended from a

long line of German artists and sculptors dating to the 17th century.

Although it was the allure of gold that brought them to California,

it would be the stark reality of daily living and the lack of easily

accessible gold that would drive them back to the skills they came

with, and for artists that meant creating art. For the Nahl brothers,

this would mean giving up their mine—purchased in 1851 on

Deer Creek near the town of Rough and Ready—and moving to

Sacramento to find work as artists. But painters and illustrators

were in great demand for the world was eager to see the images of

this amazing historical event. People and places would be painted,

sketched and reproduced in newspapers and magazines that would

circulate around the world.

Public ArtNourishing the Roots of Our Cultureby kevin Minto photography by bLuetent studios


The Roundabout Sculpture by Kurt Steger at the intersection of East Main St. and Idaho-Maryland Rd. in Grass Valley

And in spite of the hardships, many gold-

seekers stayed, and for artists it was easy to

see why. California held unparalleled natural

beauty and with the newfound prosperity of

its cosmopolitan population, the market for

fine art was sure to grow. Both Charles and

Arthur would become iconic painters of this

era and would play an important part in the

newly created California arts community of

the 1870s.

Artists still gravitate to the Northern

Sierra Foothills for many of the same

reasons and modern public art has for

many become an important aspect of

daily living here. It reminds us of those

who came before us, and celebrates their

accomplishments and contributions. It

also draws attention to and magnifies our

area’s natural attributes. In addition, it serves

to revitalize our cities and imbue a sense

of community spirit and pride. Two great

examples of this type of community public

art are the Del Oro Theatre mural and the

Idaho-Maryland Road roundabout, both

located in Grass Valley.

The Del Oro Theatre mural titled “Mine

Shaft,” was designed and painted by local

artist John Pugh employing the trompe

l’oeil (French for deceive the eye) method

of painting that creates a three-dimensional

effect that appears to be real. This mural

celebrates Grass Valley’s hard-rock mining

history, depicting miners descending into a

mine shaft on an elevator cart surrounded by

John F. Kennedy

“If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him.”


17CuLture


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“Miners in the Sierras” by Charles Nahl at the Smithsonian American Art Museum

heavy timbers, but also celebrates

the area’s natural beauty by showing

a cascading Yuba River. This

public art project was painted on a

privately owned, but highly visible,

newly remodeled art deco theatre

building and paid for through

private donations.

The Idaho-Maryland Road

roundabout was designed and

created by local sculptor Kurt Steger

and is located at a busy intersection

in the heart of town. Using concrete,

wood and steel, three of the main

components used in the mining

days, Kurt endeavored to create a

sculpture that would reflect Grass Valley’s industry and people. He

worked with a local historic preservation group that donated old

mining artifacts like cast iron wheels and gears that he embedded

into the concrete. Large timbers rise out of the concrete in the shape

of mineshaft supports from which hang large sheets of rusted steel

laser-cut with symbols representing the Native American Maidu, and

Cornish and Chinese miners. Unlike the Del Oro Theatre mural, this

sculpture was erected on public land

and was paid for with public money.

Great civilizations have always

embodied great art and in societies

where the people have a voice, no

matter what the public art project is

about or how it turns out, there are

always those who are not happy with

the outcome. These two projects

were no different. Whether it is

a disagreement in how to spend

taxpayer dollars, or a dislike of the

final art, or a combination of the two,

naysayers will always be heard. It is

actually not so different than politics.

We elect public officials to create

public policy and sometimes we like what they do, and other times

we don’t. But public art in its pure form is truly an expression of our

freedom as a people. The fact that we can express ourselves through

public art projects speaks volumes about the country in which we

live. As John F. Kennedy aptly stated, “If art is to nourish the roots

of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision

wherever it takes him.” ff


18 CuLture

Flying in the Foothillsby adrian sChneider photography by adrian sChneider


Preceding Page: Old Town Auburn, Above: Foresthill Bridge and American River Confluence.

corridors (think trees, hills, and no suitable

place to land should an engine quit). Radio

communication is sparse as compared to a

large metropolitan

air space.

The primary

difference between

controlled (tower

operated) and

uncontrolled

airports (those

without control

towers) is one of

communication

requirements. In

large urban areas,

controlled airports

require the pilot

to communicate

with the tower

controller in order

to be slotted into

a landing pattern, along with the rest of the

air traffic. One is typically told what to do,

stretch my wings and explored the wonder-

ful views and many small, quaint airports

dotting the landscape.

Flying in

these local Sierra

foothill areas was

different than

my Southern

California

experience.

The airports

are smaller and

uncontrolled

(non-tower oper-

ated). They are

typically either

situated on top of

a hill or within a

valley. Flying skill

requires more

vigilance against

crosswinds, tight

flying areas, shorter runways, and dangerous

areas associated with approach and takeoff

I began my flying addiction in Southern

California. There, it was near-constant

contact with air-traffic control or

airport towers. One had to be vigilant flying

next to incoming 737s on approach, or fly-

ing near an F-16 fighter screaming by your

wingtip, or having a passenger jet coming

into your flight path at meteor-like speed as

it gained altitude from takeoff... and then

there were the other beginner pilots as well.

Lots of radio communication was necessary,

and as a beginning pilot it was extremely

intimidating. There are some 20 separate

airports in a 40-mile radius; lots of places

to land. It was a good learning experience

flying in that type of congested airspace.

After a time, my wife and I had our fill

of living in the big city, packed up our

belongings, and moved up to the foothills

to be closer to our family, and the great

rural nature we longed for. I continued my

passion (addiction) for the air and began

flying out of the small airports in Auburn

and Grass Valley. Up here, I began to

20 pLay

Most of these you can either walk into town,

borrow the local airport bicycles, or even get

a ride into town from a willing local fellow

pilot. A stop by the cafe in town is just the

thing to catch the local gossip, and get the

feel of the land and the locals. A short trip

back and you’re in the plane, flying back

home; what a treat!

A few local airports also hold yearly air

shows and events. Here is where one can see

“old birds” from World War II, experimental

planes (different FAA category), and fly-bys

and pattern flying. For the Nevada County

and Auburn airports, these are usually held

in July. These airports also serve the general

public and include flight instruction, scenic

flights, aircraft rental and charter services.

The Nevada County airport also is the base

for CALFire, the State organization that is

in charge of fighting California’s wildfires.

CALFire’s operations are held every

summer season, with a number of aerial

reconnaissance planes and aerial tankers

operating from the airport. These planes

can often be spotted flying over the foothills

either scouting fires, or flying sorties with

aerial drops of fire-retardant.

Flying in the Northern Sierra Foothills

is just plain fun. More down-to-earth

and seat-of-the-pants, and the trips more

endearing. One also enjoys unencumbered

views of the Sierra, and the beautiful local

foothills, without bumping into a bevy of

air traffic. I encourage those who want a

thrill to take a flight from one of the small

airports in the foothills and experience

this joy.

and when to do it, in relation to other air

traffic. The pilot must contact the tower

controller to request permission to enter the

airport controlled area. For uncontrolled

airports without control towers, pilots enter

the airport area, land and take off without

the assistance of an air traffic controller. In

these airports, the pilots self-announce their

activities. Using a common radio frequency

specific for that airport, they call in who

they are, where they are, and what their

intentions are.

Upon moving up here, my first “cross-

country” flight was from Auburn to Tahoe.

We had just moved, and thought it grand

to go for breakfast at the south shore. The

trip is approximately 40 minutes, and takes

one directly across the Sierra. Lake Tahoe

airport used to have an operating control

tower, and would shuttle airplanes in and

out; the skiing crowd and jet-setters flying

into one of the most beautiful areas in

California. However, due to government

cutbacks, and the slowing economy, the

control tower was no longer serviced. When

we arrived, we hopped out, into a absolutely

gorgeous summer morning in south Lake

Tahoe. What did we do? Of course, we

called our friends down in Southern

California and told them that we flew into

Tahoe for breakfast. We watched as a Lear

Jet from Mexico rolled up to the tie-down

area as we ate our Sunday brunch at the

restaurant overlooking the airfield. Well

worth the $200 breakfast to brag about our

rich-and-shameless lifestyle.

Other local airports I’ve explored, within

an hour’s flight time, include Lake Almanor,

Quincy, Groveland, Sierraville and others.

ff

Flying in the Northern Sierra Foothills is just plain fun. More down-to-earth and seat-of-the-pants, and the

trips more endearing. One also enjoys unencumbered views of the Sierra, and the beautiful local foothills,

without bumping into a bevy of air traffic.


An Affinity for Art, Animals & Africathe artistic journey of douglas van howdby kevin Minto



23Feature

Top: Governor Ronald Reagan signing an elephant casting with sculptor Douglas Van Howd looking on.

Middle: Douglas Van Howd sketching the Samburu Chief’s wife while daughter Holly and others look on.

Bottom: Nancy Van Howd sitting with women from the Samburu tribe in northern Kenya.

LLike many professions where specialty rules the day, in

the broad category of visual artistic expression, Douglas

Van Howd had chosen painting animals as his craft. It

had come naturally all right, his love of the outdoors, his

ability to see the painting in his mind, to sketch it and

then bring it to life with the masterful use of color and

shading. Doug’s grandmother was an accomplished artist

– it was in his blood and a career path had been chosen

and confirmation had come, or so it seemed, in the form

of commercial success. It was 1972, Doug’s paintings

were selling, and as an artist he was in demand, gaining

in popularity with each passing day.

But someone had another idea, a different direction,

a new beginning. One that would take him to heights

that at the time were unimaginable and, for Douglas Van

Howd, confirmation for this would come in the most

curious of ways. An acquaintance at his local church – a

lady with deep religious conviction who prayed and

fasted for Doug for a week – would have a vision of

Doug effortlessly creating small statues that would, in her

words, “go before kings, queens, and presidents.”

When this vision was told to Doug’s wife Nancy,

Doug was away showing his paintings at the Game

Conservation International’s biennial event in Texas. She

excitedly tried to share it with him when he came home

but the timing just wasn’t right. Several weeks passed

and when she finally did share it, Doug was intrigued

but neither realized the full significance until the very

next day when the newly elected president of the Mzuri

Wildlife Foundation called to inform Doug that the board

had decided to give the outgoing foundation president

and four special guests a bronze lion and had chosen

him to create it. When told he had never sculpted

anything before, the response was “we don’t have time

to call another board meeting and we have faith that

you can do it.” So began a new chapter and with that

commission, Doug would realize an old talent newly

discovered. A gift imparted to great sculptors throughout

the ages. That is, the ability to free the form trapped

inside the block, as Michelangelo once put it.

With his trademark attention to detail that had gained

him renown with his paintings, Doug set about to impart

the same with his newly commissioned lion sculpture,

and the results were nothing short of miraculous. So

much so that the foundry used by Doug at the time was

sure the casting had been created by a seasoned master

and when learning it was Doug’s first, commented they

were sure it would not be his last. For little did Doug

know that the Mzuri Wildlife Foundation was rife with


“Hatari,” meaning “Danger” in Swahili, is the perfect name for this creation, the endangered Black Rhino.The maquette for this massive bronze rhino monument was originally created to support the Rhino Rescue Movement based in Europe.

celebrity members and when he got the list

of five names to be engraved on the lion

sculptures, among them were Bing Crosby

and the Eighth Duke of Wellington. And upon

hearing of Doug by way of his introduction

at the black tie event, many of the 1,000 in

attendance that evening clamored to see

more of his work and, thinking quickly, he

hatched a plan for his second piece, a pride

of lions that would sell out in short order.

For a time, this would become a yearly

event with presentations to other celebrities

including the likes of then California

Governor Ronald Reagan. This would

eventually translate into his commission as

the official White House artist and would lead

to Doug’s work being presented to myriad

heads of state around the world – including

kings, queens and presidents!

Having grown up in northern Nevada

with parents who loved everything about

the outdoors (hiking, fishing, hunting and

horseback riding), it is no wonder that

Douglas Van Howd would follow suit. He

loved the outdoors and would jump at every

chance to enjoy it. In fact he would think

nothing of spending five weeks alone on

horseback in the Bob Marshall Wilderness

area of Montana, doing exactly what he

loved. He had developed a keen eye for

detail and would spend hours watching the

various wild animals that would cross his

path, sometimes to his possible detriment

with close calls on several occasions. But it

wasn’t until a documentary film assignment

for an archery hunt in Mozambique, that the

passion really took hold – and this time it

was for the greatest collection of animals on

earth: Africa.

The trip didn’t actually go that well from a

film production standpoint. With the group

sitting in an idling Jeep, one of the hunters

shot a Cape Buffalo at 50 yards and only

managed to pierce its ear which served to

agitate the buffalo who, for short periods, can

run up to 35 miles per hour. And run it did!

When it reached the Jeep that had started

moving again it hit the spare tire mounted

on the back with three bolts, shearing them

all and sending the tire flying 15 feet into the

air. With repeated effort the animal was finally

You see for some who visit Africa for the first time, the experience

permeates the soul and leaves an indelible mark that never

goes away. Doug was one such person and his first trip to

Mozambique in 1968 was all he needed.


25Feature

Life-size bronze Bull Moose at a private estate in Jackson, Wyoming

subdued but dusk had arrived and the final

filming would have to wait until the morning.

The only problem was the African plain never

sleeps and hungry hyenas would soon find a

meal ready and waiting.

But even with the trip’s less than stellar

outcome, the love affair had begun and

Doug, Nancy, and at times their two kids

would, over the years, visit Africa more than

40 times. Each time being unique with

its own stories, its own memories, and its

own paintings and sculptures. You see, for

some who visit Africa for the first time, the

experience permeates the soul and leaves an

indelible mark that never goes away. Doug

was one such person and his first trip to

Mozambique in 1968 was all he needed. He

would go back time and time again and stay

weeks at a time. He would study the animals,

observe their day-to-day living. How they

ate, how they slept, how they interacted with

each other and their environment. He would

photograph them, sketch them, paint them,

and just plain admire them. He would come

to know them down to the minute detail and

his sculptures and paintings would reflect that.

But it wasn’t just the animals of Africa

that Doug and Nancy fell in love with, it

was the people as well. Their simple way of

life, their trusting nature and enduring spirit

would before too long become the formula

for lasting friendships. Once, upon visiting

a Samburo village in Kenya and discovering

a man whose lower extremities had been

mauled to the bone by a lion with no

doctor around for hundreds of miles, Doug

stepped in and administered first aid from a

kit that for basic survival had become fairly

sophisticated over the years. The wounds

were cleansed, disinfected and stitched and

the tribespeople were so impressed they

formed a line with all sorts of maladies that

kept Doug busy for hours. Upon returning

the next year this time with family in tow,

Doug had them all wait in the Jeep for fear

some who he had treated a year earlier may

not have made it and he would be to blame.

But everyone was fine, including the man

mauled by a lion, and they subsequently

made him an honorary chief and acting

village doctor, a title he carried for the next

ten years in both spirit and in practice.

Doug has always believed that God has

touched his life and his work, and cites many

examples to affirm this. Not the least of which

is his miraculous recovery from bone cancer

as an eight-year-old when doctors only gave

him another four years to live. Then there

was the time he was at a loss as to what the

sculpted scene of Ahmed, the famous African

elephant he had tracked and sketched for

Doug has always believed that God has touched his life and his

work, and cites many examples to affirm this. Not the least of

which is his miraculous recovery from bone cancer as an eight year

old when doctors only gave him another 4 years to live.


26 Feature

weeks, should be. Shortly thereafter Doug

awoke to a vision of a finished sculpture of

Ahmed walking in water, raking it up with

his tusks complete with the patina of water

marks on the tusks and legs. He immediately

sketched it and the next morning, a package

arrived from a man he had only met once

while in Africa that contained a picture the

man had taken of Ahmed walking in the

shallow water of Lake Paradise. Although

Doug had camped beside the lake, he had

never seen Ahmed even close to the water.

Convinced this was a sign, Doug created the

sculpture with this scene and subsequently

won first place at an international show that

garnered him worldwide acclaim. There was

also the time he had a vision of his artistic

signature followed by the ancient Greek

ichthys symbol used by the early Christians of

the time – a practice he subsequently applied

to his own work.

According to Doug, these are but a small

sampling of circumstances that have defined

his life and his work and he readily gives

the credit for his success to his Creator. At

76 years young, Doug continues to amaze

with his incredible sculptures and paintings,

and he and Nancy continue their trips to

Africa with two scheduled for 2012. Doug

has also throughout the years created many

sculptures of North American animals and

people as well and is currently working on

a life-size sculpture of a Nisenan Indian

dancer that was commissioned by the United

Auburn Indian Community (UAIC) and will

grace the Central Square of downtown

Auburn. Not only can you see Doug’s work

around the country and the world, but if you

live or are traveling in the Northern Sierra

Foothills you can also see his amazing work

at the Van Howd Studios located at 13333

New Airport Road, Auburn, California. ff

PHO

TO B

Y N

ANC

Y VA

N H

OW

D

Doug & Nancy’s March 2010 Tanzania trip was a celebration of Doug’s 75th birthday and during the traditional party at the Crater Sopa Lodge, Renée, a trip participant, surprised everyone by reading a special writing of her first impressions of Africa - her birthday gift to Doug. Following is an excerpt from that writing.

serengeti gift By R.E. Chambliss

You won’t understand until you get here. You can be told about the wonder of this place, that it will completely overwhelm you: The warm, clean smell swirling around you and the soft touch of the breeze. The constant undercurrent of sound - insects strumming on a hundred guitars, birds shouting to each other, “This tree is mine!” or serenading a potential lover - full of longing and hope. Wildebeest mooing. Zebras screeching. Is that a pride rumbling in the night?

Then there is the look of this place. How can you know until you see it? A plush carpet of grass - green and gold, rippling, ruffling, and stretching all the way to an enormous sky. The trees with their small feathery leaves and long stabbing thorns, each an intricate sculpture created by a master - some classically open and table-flat, others bushy, round, homey and protective, and some dead and leafless, but still able to delight your eyes with their twisting, spiky limbs.

And of course there are the animals. Their presence will bombard your senses. You will thrill at the sight of them, which is amazingly both familiar and unfamiliar. For who hasn’t seen an elephant, a giraffe, a lion, a zebra? You see them all the time in cartoons, picture books, and during occasional trips to the zoo where they probably seem bored and sad. Who hasn’t heard about the eternal quality of a leopard’s spots? Or felt as hungry as a hippo? Or longed to run like a gazelle?

You know these animals. Of course you do. Except you don’t. You won’t until you get here and find creatures everywhere that you thought you knew so well, then realize you’d never really seen them before. Not really. You can’t know ahead of time the stately glide of the giraffe. It will blink at you from behind its long lashes before casually tearing free another mouthful of leaves.

Then there are your fellow travelers. Is it that only the strong and interesting choose to come here or is it that being here opens people up and enables them to share that fascinating, engaging side of themselves that is normally covered up by work and mundane responsibility? You won’t really understand what kind of people you’ll be with until you are here with them - standing together in an open-topped Land Rover - marveling together about all you’re seeing.

You who are here for the first time know more than you did before, and are beginning to understand what draws people to the incredible swath of life and beauty that we call the Serengeti and all the stories of Africa now ring true for you in a way they wouldn’t have before.

Gallery hours are Monday – Friday 10 a.m.

to 4 p.m., phone: 530-887-1581. You can

also see Doug’s work online at:

www.DouglasVanHowd.com


27Feature

TThe Northern Sierra Foothills has long held a

romantic allure for many things including its spectacular

fall colors, its amazing abundance of outdoor activities, its incredible

cultural offerings of all spectrums, and of course the oft-storied Gold

Rush era that played such an important part in California’s history and

continues to attract visitors worldwide.

But there is another, lesser-known activity taking place in this region

that, although not yet afforded the limelight of the other things, has

every bit the romantic allure and more.

The activity is winemaking and, with the harvest complete, the

Northern Sierra Foothills has once again given up its bounty and the

process has begun to create the stuff romantic tales are made of.

With roots that go back to the early Gold Rush days, winemaking

here has, like the Gold Rush, followed a boom and bust cycle with the

last vineyards all but disappearing during the Second World War. But

since the1970s, the tide has slowly changed and with

the turn of the century, a boom-time has once again

begun for the winemaking industry here that now

boasts 34 wineries and counting.

As a wine region, the Northern Sierra Foothills

Wine Country (NSFWC) consists primarily of two

counties, Nevada and Placer and, despite county

lines, this is a contiguous wine region with some

wineries in both counties just minutes away from

one another. When most people think of the

Sierra foothills wine regions, they think of El

Dorado or Amador County but there is now a

new contender and there seems to be no end

in sight as to how successful it can be.

For not only does it now have the

diversity to attract visitors looking for the

ultimate winery experience, but this

area is also home to three of the most

popular historic Gold Rush towns in

the Sierra foothills. Between Auburn,

Grass Valley and Nevada City, there is

a larger concentration of restaurants,

hotels, bed and breakfast inns and

cultural activities than any other

Sierra foothill wine region. Grass

Valley for instance has 11 wineries

represented in six wine-tasting

rooms—all within two blocks—as

well as the Center for the

Arts, which attracts world-class

entertainers such as the recently appearing

Aaron Neville and Stephen Stills & Graham Nash. Nevada City

has four wine tasting rooms and all three cities have a number of

excellent restaurants, lodging facilities, art galleries, theatres and retail

stores—perfect for that weekend getaway or extended-stay vacation.

And those heading from the Bay Area to the Truckee-Lake Tahoe area

for the weekend can now do the wine country and the High Sierra in

the same trip! The idea is leaving busy Interstate 80 for a wonderful

wine-tasting diversion up Hwy 49 or Hwy 174, which eventually turn

into Hwy 20—part of the Yuba-Donner Scenic Byway as designated by

the U.S. Forest Service. An extra added bonus!

So beyond the sheer number of venues and wonderful surrounding

area, stands the ultimate reason for this wine region’s newfound

success, which are the wineries themselves. They range from the

boutique winery with modest facilities producing 300 cases annu-

ally to those producing up to 45,000 with facilities right out of a

Hollywood movie. Many have won prestigious awards at national and

international competitions that have solidified this area’s reputation as

a top wine-producing region.

Romancing the Foothillsby kevin Minto photography by turning LeaF studios


As varied as the wineries are from one another, so are the

winemakers. For instance there is Mark Henry who, with his wife

Julianne, owns Montoliva Winery. He left his job as a successful

boutique beer business consultant in the Pacific Northwest to find that

perfect plot of land to produce the lesser-known wines of Montalcino,

Tuscany. Wines that include Teroldego, Primitivo and 2011 bottlings

of Dolcetto and Negroamaro. They found that perfect parcel in

the Chicago Park area of Nevada County and during the summer,

wine club members are treated to old movies on a large screen set

smack dab in the middle of their vineyard. Then there are Scott &

Judy Brown, who own Bent Metal Winery in Grass Valley—named

after their other business as automotive damage appraisers. In his

late thirties, Scott bought a book on winemaking along with a cheap

winemaking kit, and he and Judy never looked back. There is also Zoe,

the Labradoodle who is the official greeter at Lone Buffalo Vineyards

owed by Phil & Jill Maddux who, after over 30 years of award-winning

home winemaking by Phil, decided it was time to share his gift with

the general public. Another great story is Jim & Lynda Taylor and their

son Ryan, who own and operate Mt. Vernon Winery in Auburn, one of

the largest and most award-winning in the region. They have partnered

with Dr. Ernie Bodai, founder of the breast cancer research stamp, to

fight breast cancer and have exclusive world-wide rights to place the

breast cancer stamp on their bottle with 12.5 percent of every sale

going towards finding a cure for breast cancer.

These are but a few of the personalities you’ll find when visiting

Northern Sierra Foothills Wineries and find them you will! For unlike

many of the larger wineries in other areas, the owners/winemakers

here actually help to staff their wine tasting rooms and love nothing

better than to tell their tales and talk about their latest and greatest

offerings. Most have wine clubs memberships that not only afford a

discount on their latest wines but keep you in the loop on things like

upcoming events, especially during the spring and summer.

So the next time you are looking for your next great getaway, the

Northern Sierra Foothills Wine Country beckons. It lays out a table of

opportunity not easily found, especially this close to home—and who

knows? You too could soon be “Romancing the Foothills.” ff

ready for your foothills wine tasting adventure? Check out the new interactive website: www.northernsierraWine.com

So the next time you’re looking for your next great getaway, the Northern Sierra Foothills Wine Country beckons. It lays out a table of opportunity not easily

found, especially this close to home - and who knows? You too could soon be “Romancing the Foothills.”


29Feature

Wat

erco

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ap b

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riann

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Feature

Wineries

avanguardia Wines Nevada City • 530-274-9482 Avanguardiawines.com

bent Metal Winery Grass Valley • 530-559-9533 BentMetalWinery.com

bonitata boutique Wine Auburn • 530-305-0449 BonitataBoutiqueWine.com

bruno Cellars Loomis • 916-223-1766 BrunoCellars.com

Casque Wines Loomis • 916-660-9671 CasqueWines.com

Ciotti Cellars Rocklin • 916-534-8780 CiottiCellars.com

Clavey vineyards & Winery Chicago Park • 530-906-1364 ClaveyWine.com

Coufos Cellars Rough & Ready • 530-274-2923 CoufosCellars.com

Cristaldi vineyards Loomis • 916-759-1291 CristaldiVineyards.com

dono dal Cielo Newcastle • 530-888-0101 DonoDalCielo.com

double oak vineyards & Winery Nevada City • 530-292-3235 DoubleOakWinery.com

Fawnridge Winery Auburn • 530-887-9522 FawnridgeWine.com

Fortezza Winery Auburn • 916-502-5412 FortezzaWinery.com

green Family Winery Auburn • 530-888-8866 GreenFamilyWinery.com

indian springs vineyards Nevada City • 530-478-1068 IndianSpringsWines.com

Lone buffalo vineyards Auburn • 916-663-4486 LoneBuffaloVineyards.com

Lucchesi vineyards Grass Valley • 530-274-2164 LucchesiVineyards.com

Montoliva vineyard & Winery Chicago park • 530-346-6577 Montoliva.com

Mt vernon Winery Auburn • 530-823-1111 MtVernonWinery.com

naggiar vineyards Grass Valley • 268-9059 NaggiarVineyards.com

nevada City Winery Nevada City • 530-265-9463 NCWinery.com

paZa vineyard & Winery Auburn • 916-834-0565 PaZaVinesandWines.com

pescatore vineyard & Winery Newcastle • 916-663-1422 PescatoreWines.com

pilot peak vineyard & Winery Penn Valley • 530-432-3321 PilotPeak.com


32

INDIAN SPRINGSW I N E S

“Where it’s a matter of Taste!

GIFT SHOPPREMIUM WINESTasting DailySUN.-THURS. 11:30-5FRI-SAT 11:30-6 Friendly Staff

303 Broad StreetNevada City

530.478.1068 800-375-9311

IndianSpringsWines.com

Feature

popie Wines Loomis • 916-768-7643 PopieWines.com

rancho roble vineyards Lincoln • 916-645-2075 RanchoRoble.com

secret ravine vineyard & Winery Loomis • 916-652-6015 SecretRavine.com

sierra knolls vineyard & Winery Auburn • 530-269-2327 SierraKnollsWinery.com

sierra starr vineyard Grass Valley • 530-477-8282 SierraStarrWine.com

smith vineyard Grass Valley • 530-273-7032 SmithVineyard.com

solune Wine growers Grass Valley • 530-271-0990 SoluneWinery.com

szabo vineyards Nevada City • 530-265-8792 SzaboVineyards.com

vina Castellano Auburn • 530-889-2855 VinaCastellano.com

Wise villa Winery Lincoln • 916-543-0323 WiseVillaWinery.com

Wine tasting rooMs - nevada City

Clavey vineyards & Winery 232 Commercial Street, Nevada City ClaveyWine.com • 530-906-1364

indian springs vineyards 303 Broad Street, Nevada City IndianSpringsWines.com • 530-265-9463

nevada City Winery 321 Spring Street, Nevada City NCWinery.com • 530-265-9463

szabo vineyards 316 Broad Street, Nevada City SzaboVineyards.com

Wine tasting rooMs - grass vaLLey

151 union square Wines: Montoliva, Naggiar, Double Oak & Coufos 151 Mill Street, Grass Valley 151UnionSquare.com

avanguardia Wines 209 W. Main Street, Grass Valley Avanguardiawines.com

grass valley Wine Company Wines: Bent Metal, Pilot Peak & Solune 128 Mill Street, Grass Valley GVWineCo.com • 530-615-4222

Lucchesi vineyards 167 Mill Street, Grass Valley LucchesiVineyards.com • 530-274-2164

sierra starr vineyards 124 W. Main Street, Grass Valley SierraStarrWine.com • 530-477-8282

smith vineyard 142 Mill Street, Grass Valley SmithVineyard.com • 530-273-7032

Wine tasting rooMs - LooMis

3 vigne Wines: Ciotti, Cristaldi & Popie 3750 Taylor Road, High-Hand Shed, Loomis 3Vigne.com


33

for the season that you won’t be able to resist.

Fall has officially arrived and is revealing trends you’re sure to love! Fashionable jeans, shoes, accessories and more! We take a look at some of the styles and how you can mix and match.

feminine chicembrace your feminine side (and your

curves) in a pair of skinny jeans, pumps

and a macrame top. Accessorize with eco-

friendly beaded jewelry and add a little edge

with a studded faux fur purse. This season is

all about the fur details!

sweater- $28.99, Camisole- $7.99, Jeans- $36.99, and purse- $56.99 at Gray Street Clothing, grass valley 530-477-2310. bracelet- $24.00, and necklace- $42.00, 31 Bits. www.31bits.com.

Fall in love… stylish looks

by brianna siLvera photography by turning LeaF studios


right: Turn Up the Heat - A simple cocktail dress turns fiery with a structured belt and geometric print heels dress- $47.00 at Sugar Shack Boutique, sacramento. 916-447-4435, www.sugarshackboutique.com.

LeFt: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun - Playful polka dots, cowboy boots and a frilly top make for a flirtatious combo. top- $24.99 at Gray Street Clothing, grass valley. 530-477-2310. skirt- $19.99 at Runway, grass valley. 530-274-8785

kick up your party heels”W ith the holiday season on the

horizon, there’s sure to be some social

gatherings to attend. Wether you’re headed

to the neighbor’s house for dinner or to a

more formal fete, these functions are a great

excuse to unleash your inner style hound.

Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening. –Coco Chanel


35Feature

Seventies Sophisticationbell bottom jeans show their sophisticated side when worn with a

sheer top, wedge platform shoes and a wide brimmed floppy hat.

dress your feelingsshow your relaxed side by

pairing flared jeans with

a flowing cardigan layered

over a camisole. (You can

get prolonged wear out of

your favorite summer tops by

layering other tops over them).

This past

Summer,

the seventies made a strong comeback and inspired a

bohemian trend that was perfect for the warm weather.

This season we are still seeing certain elements of the

seventies, but with a touch of sophistication for Fall.

Towards the top of the list for seventies inspired looks

this season are flared and bell bottom jeans. With skinny

jeans being a common find in one’s wardrobe these days,

the flared and bell bottom jeans are a great alternative and

make a statement in the sea of skinnies.top- $52.00, and necklace- $34.00 at Sugar Shack Boutique, sacramento. 916-447-4435, www.sugarshackboutique.com. Jeans- $47.00, and belt- $8.99, Gray Street Clothing, grass valley. 530-477-2310. hat- $42.00 at The Hat Store, nevada City. 530-265-4070.

Camisole- $32.00, Cardigan- $39.00, and Jeans- $101.00 at Sugar Shack Boutique, sacramento. 916-447-4435, www. sugarshackboutique.com.

Fall Flare


fearless fashionColorful aztec inspired print pants take center

stage when paired with a simple top. Layer bold

accessories like a metal cuff and wrap bracelet and

add a pair of ankle strap pumps with snakeskin detail

for a fearlessly fashionable look.

top- $70.00, pants- $36.00, Cuff bracelet- $22.00, and earrings- $24.00 at Sugar Shack Boutique, sacramento. 916-447-4435, www.sugarshackboutique.com. Wrap bracelet- $24.00 at 31 Bits, www.31bits.com. shoes- $70.00 at Runway, grass valley. 530-274-8785.

Fashion for your iphone

Rediscover the clothes that you own and save money on some new ones with these oh so trendy iphone apps:

Stylebook - you’ll never be left wondering “what to wear” again with this app at your fingertips. it’s like having a closet organizer and personal stylist all in one. organize your clothes, create outfits, shop for items that you want and see how they look with what you have, track your fashion “inspirations” and more! www.stylebookapp.com

ebay Fashion - We’re all suckers for a deal and now you can stay on top of the hottest fashions at killer prices! browse various categories from women, men, children, vintage, wedding apparel and more. bid on your favorite items for the best price pos-sible, or immediately buy the ones you can’t live without. you can even track the items you’re watching, buying and selling. score! www.mobile.ebay.com/iphone/fashion


37Feature

Red maple (Acer rubrum)

eastern dogwood (Cornus florida)

redbud (Cercis occidentalis)

gardeners and landscapers

breathe deeply. Planting season

has arrived in the Foothills. While

the season slows plant growth,

it opens an ideal window for planting, the

busiest time for anyone who is serious about

planting the smallest perennial groundcover

to the largest specimen tree. No other season

offers the perfect soil temperature, weather,

and growth conditions.

Now is the time to plant cover crops on

bare soil where you expect to have a future

garden or landscape. Building soil with a

fall-into-winter cover crop protects the Foothill

clay from compact-

ing rain, and adds

humus with the

root growth. This

single soil amend-

ment is the most

cost-effective way

to improve the clay

soil so prevalent in

the Foothills.

If compost, rock

phosphate, and

oyster shell are added before seeding, the

cover crop will grow even more vigorously.

My favorite seed blend is the “winter soil

builder” available at Peaceful Valley Farm

& Garden Supply in Grass Valley. I always

inoculate the seed to maximize the nitrogen-

fixing benefits of the legumes in the mix.

Also, because my vegetable gardening site is

so cold, I cover the seeded beds with a row

cover to protect the bell beans all winter.

In October, garlic needs to be planted in

rich soil, high in phosphorus. Plant the large

cloves for your main crop to be harvested

next June. The smaller cloves are perfect for

a crop of green gar-

lic, and may be left

in the ground as a

perennial. Harvest

green shoots in

late winter, and

in spring the

garlic scapes as

the plants begin

bloom. Each year

the clumps will get

bigger if you leave

some in the fertile soil. And deer do not eat

this crop, so plant outside the garden fence.

Onion seedlings will also go into the

vegetable garden, along with starts of kale,

broccoli, and oakleaf lettuce, which seems to

be the most tolerant of winter’s chill.

In the native landscape, a drive into back

roads will brighten your fall with the gold

of the bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum),

and the soft red of the western redbud

(Cercis occidentalis). Other changes may be

more subtle. The white of the snowberries

(Symphoricarpos), and occasionally the

graceful bloom of the native basket grass

(Muhlenbergia rigens) add to the natural fall

beauty of our Sierra Foothills.

As fall brings chillier temperatures, there

is a subtle, then spectacular change in local

landscapes. Spread out over several weeks,

leaves on many shrubs and trees change

to red, gold, and orange. The timing and

intensity each year differ, affected as much

as fruit set in the spring by the varying

temperatures. In spring we wish for warmer

days and nights to ensure the fruit crop and

to warm the cold clay soil for planting. In fall

Fall arrives gently in the Sierra Foothills. Softened light. An Indian summer heat wave for just a few hours in the afternoon, then cooling as the autumn sun slips into the western horizon. Leaves begin to change color, each plant on its own wondrous pattern in response to the changes in light and temperature. A few chilly nights give just a hint of impending dormancy.

Hints of autumn build to a crescendo of colorBY CAROLYN SINGER PHOTOGRAPHY BY CAROLYN SINGER


38 seCtionsurroundings

tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica)

flowering cherry (Prunus)

paperbark maple (Acer griseum)

we long for the chill to begin the beautiful

autumn colors.

The red maple (Acer rubrum) and the

burning bush (Euonymus alata) are the first

to signal this dramatic transition. It is the

maple in particular that brings visitors to the

Foothills to enjoy the change. But the show

is just beginning as the maple leaves fall to

the ground. The list of good fall color plants

is lengthy. With planning, dramatic color and

subtle color can be the heart of your fall

landscape for weeks, well into December.

Soon after the red maple loses its leaves,

eastern dogwoods (Cornus florida) take

center stage. The leaves have such wonderful

color that I float them in water as an arrange-

ment, adding a few of the late-blooming

perennials. In November, the most spectacu-

lar tree is the tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) with

very orange foliage. Most years the leaves

stay on the tree for several days after the

color transition, glowing in the autumnal light.

At about the same time, the Chinese pistache

(Pistacia chinensis) demands attention with

its delicate dark-red foliage.

Suddenly the flowering plums and cherries

(Prunus) steal the show with gold leaves

covering the entire tree, then the ground

where they fall, enriching the soil and

protecting it from winter storms.

Japanese maples (Acer palmatum) have

been coloring for a few weeks when one of

my favorite trees, a paperbark maple (Acer

griseum) becomes the focal point near

my entry. Each leaf is a painting in itself, a

magical combination of soft red, orange-

brown, and gold. Viewed closely, the tree is

the essence of fall. Leaves color slowly and

stay on the tree for many fall days, fading to

golden-brown, and extending this breathtak-

ing season into December. ff


39seCtionsurroundings

If we eat with our eyes, then the unique environment at

Diego’s restaurant in Grass Valley foreshadows a great meal

to come. From the antique teapots, to the spoons embedded

in the concrete entrance, and the old lace curtains fluttering in the

breeze of their patio dining area — this restaurant is one of the more

creative to come along in a while.

June Henriquez opened

Diego’s almost nine years ago

after returning from Chile where

she spent two years as a profes-

sional snowboarder. She met

her husband Antonio Henriquez

there; and the restaurant is

named for their son, Diego. Her

partner in this venture is her

mom, Diane Robison.

Everything in the restaurant is

designed with recycled materials.

Many of the thrift stores in

town know Diane personally

and save her items they think

she would appreciate. Both June

and her mother, Diane, were

born and raised in Grass Valley.

The building they occupy on

Colfax Avenue was originally a

TV repair shop owned by her

grandfather.

“I started this restaurant

because I wanted to share a

little of my life experiences with

Grass Valley,” June commented.

The cuisine of Chile is similar to

California with its emphasis on

fresh ingredients but with more

sauces. She is self-taught —

learning to cook as she went. The

novel “Like Water for Chocolate”

was a definite inspiration. “I am

convinced that putting love into

your food makes a big difference,” she commented. June and Diane

know how to convey a homey feeling as if “mom” were catering to

you alone.

Everything at Diego’s is made from scratch including the

tortillas. Meals begin with a plate of freshly made rolls and a

cilantro salsa. From the Crab Relleno, Pescado la Plancha to the

Stuffed Portobello — all are served with black beans, rice and

delectable sauces.

Emily Moore is the head chef at Diego’s. She is also self-taught

and was the dessert and salad chef at Friar Tuck’s for many years.

She and June strive to order a large portion of the foodstuffs locally.

Their meat comes from Nevada County Free Range Beef and

produce from a variety of local farmers.

An evening or lunch at Diego’s is not just good food. It’s a delight

for all the senses.

diego’s is located at: 217 Colfax avenue, grass valley530-477-1460 • www.DiegosRestaurant.comopen Mon - Fri 11am - 9pm, sat 12pm - 9pm

ff

Signature Dish: Panqueque Especial is prepared with a mildly spicy ground chorizo, pineapple, & rice. Wrapped in a savory crepe and baked with a green tomatillo sauce and a blend of feta and mozzarella cheeses. A side of seasoned grilled veggies is topped with guacamole.

Wine Pairing: June recommends a delicious Chilean wine

called Carmen Reserve — a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon,

Carmenere, and a Valle del Maipo.

Seasonal Specialty: Grilled Salmon and Israeli Couscous with Lemon Scented Olive Oil served with roasted veg-etable blend of the day and topped with guacamole sauce.

Wine Pairing: June recommended the Bent Metal 2009 Chardonnay which features a well-rounded mouthfeel, good balance, while light on the oak with a hint of vanilla.

dinner at Diego’sBY PATTI BESS PHOTOGRAPHY BY BLUETENT STUDIOS


40 savor

ff

805 Lincoln Way, Auburn • 530-888-8492www.MonkeyCat.com

FINE DINING IN DOWNTOWN AUBURN

LUNCH M-F 11:30am-2pm DINNER 7 Days/Wk @ 5pm

PATIO DINING (Dog Friendly)

“Meet me at –The Monkey Cat.”

Voted Best Restaurant in Auburn!

SteaksSeafoodChopsPastas!FabulousDesserts!

Full Bar • Specialty Drinks 30 Wines (by the glass)

Private Dining Room: Book your holiday party NOW! Customize your menu. Seats up to 28 guests.

Reader’s Survey, Auburn Journal

When it comes to pumpkins, we all think

of our front porch with them carved and

decorated for Halloween, but I also think of

pumpkin pie. Eighteen years ago, I learned

what a real pumpkin pie is supposed to taste

like. My husband’s grandparents had us over

and showed me what they had been doing

for years, and it all starts with a regular jack

o’lantern pumpkin.

That first adventure was on the tail end

of their fall baking; Grandma had already

made 75 pies—that is what I counted on

her calendar—and I wanted to learn. I was

amazed and, when I got my first bite, there

was never any going back to store-bought

pies after that.

You can either cut the pumpkin up, seed

it, and boil on the back of the stove; or cut it

up and put it in the crock pot and let it cook

all day; or bake it at 350 degrees. Grandma

pressure-cooked it, which is the quickest way,

and 40 minutes is all it takes.

So this year I will make a bulk pie mixture

and bake all day, but I will also try a few with

honey from our hives. Here is the recipe that

I made our honey pumpkin pies with!

4 eggs, lightly beaten

3 cups of pumpkin puree

1½ cup of evaporated milk

1½ cup of whole milk

1½ cup of honey

2 teaspoons of cinnamon

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground ginger

½ teaspoon ground cloves

2 – 9-inch pie crusts

This mixture will make two nine-inch pies

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees when it is time to make the pies. I usually make my pie

crust the night before and chill it for the next day. Mix ingredients in the order they are listed.

Fill your pie shells with pumpkin pie filling. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes, reduce

temperature to 350 degrees and bake for additional 45 minutes or until knife inserted into

middle comes out clean. Completely cool or eat slightly warm with ice cream or homemade

whipped cream.

You can also cool the pies and freeze them in freezer bags. I wrap them in clear wrap

with a layer of foil, write the flavor and date it. Finally place the pie in a freezer storage bag.

When we want pie, I turn the oven to 350 degrees and bake the pie for one hour. It is still as

yummy as when I first baked them.

I find this to be a great memory maker for my kids and me, even though I do most of the

work and they get the rewards. But it is something that they will always remember when they

get older. Grandma and Grandpa brag to this day that I am the only one who still makes pies

like Grandma, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Honey Pumpkin PieBY APRIL REESE PHOTOGRAPHY BY APRIL REESE


102 N E V A D A C O U N T Y G O L D

Wedding Plans

A Wedding Affair for All SeasonsMiners Foundry Cultural CenterJanuary 29, 201211:00 am to 4:00 pm325 Spring Street, Nevada CityInfo: www.JoyOfLifeEvents.com(530) 432-4030

Planning A Wedding?

WEDDINGS

WINE TASTING, GOLF, music andtheatre, Nevada County has it allfor couples wanting the perfect

destination location for a weekend wedding.With family and friends often traveling hun-

dreds of miles to celebrate with you, week-end weddings are quickly gaining populari-ty with couples who want to indulge in anextended wedding celebration.

Local entertainment possibilities are end-less offering day and nighttime activities forguests of all ages. Reserve one of our localtheatres for a private viewing or to host yourwedding. Arrange a day of wine touring foryour guests or plan a private wine tasting ina local wine cellar.Or you can plan a hike or bike ride

through our majestic Tahoe National Forest,arrange a horseback or llama trek throughour rolling hills. Plan a gathering at the YubaRiver, local lakes, or a tour and picnic atour historic Empire Mine. You can also

arrange a day or weekend on the lake byrenting a houseboat or fishing boat atEnglebright Lake, Scott’s Flat Lake orRollins Lake.After dark guests can enjoy live music at

numerous local taverns and wine bars, playtheir hand at the blackjack lounge or take aseat in one of several historic theatres for amovie, play or a variety of live music andentertainment.Nevada County Gold’s Calendar of Events

is the perfect place to start when planningyour wedding weekend of events.

MAKE IT AWEEKEND CELEBRATIONBy Donna HoekstraJoy of Life Events

KEVIN

FLORESPHOTOGRAPHY

735 Zion Street,Nevada City, CA

265-4596

129 West McKnight Way,Grass Valley, CA

272-5000

Serving Nevada County Since 1959

102_Weddings_2011.qxd:102_Weddings_2011 5/13/11 8:49 AM Page 102

these days I savor every sunny afternoon like the last

spoonful of honey in the bottom of a jar. The scent

of autumn has been in the air since mid-August,

way before I’d had enough of berries and sweet

local melons. Thank goodness, golden-green

pears appeared in markets—the melt in your

mouth comfort food of fall.

For more than 60 years pears were a

major commercial product of Nevada and

Placer counties. Julie Boorinakis Harper

still harvests some of the original pears

from her grandfather’s orchard in Auburn,

purchased in 1918. The pear blight of

the 1960s literally wiped out California’s

commercial pear industry and many of the small

farmers with it.

In the category of crisp but sweet falls the popular yellow or more

stunningly red Bartlett pear. It is the first of the season. Delicious raw;

its smooth, firm flesh also holds its shape well when cooked.

For that melt-in-the-mouth sensation, the juicy plump Comice is

usually the pear of choice. It’s not particularly good for cooking but is

a favorite gift pear during the holiday season.

Named for the historic region in northwestern France known for its

pears, the juicy Anjou is a large, rounded fruit with green skin. If you

plan to cook with them, choose firm and slightly under-

ripe fruit in order to maintain their shape.

My favorite of all are the Bosc pears

originally from Belgium. They are slim

with brownish-gold skin almost the

color of Russet potatoes. It is one of

the best cooking pears. Sliced raw and

served with an assertive blue cheese or a

yummy warm brie and perhaps some walnuts,

they are a perfect partnership.

Unlike stone fruits, pears ripen off the tree. Choose firm pears with a

little give at the stem end. They should be stored at room temperature

Pears on ParadeBY PATTI BESS


42 savor


INDIAN SPRINGSV I N E YA R D S

Harboring a host of

PREMIUM WINES & GIFTS

Visit our

TASTING ROOM“Where it’s a matter of Taste!”

COMPLIMENTARY TASTING DAILYFRIENDLY STAFF

SUN.-THURS. 11:30-5, FRI-SAT 11:30-6

303 Broad Street, Nevada City, CA

530.478.1068 • 800-375-9311


“YOU ONLY HAVE SO MANYBOTTLES IN LIFE,

NEVER DRINK A BAD ONE”Award winning fine wines from a thoughtfullycontemporary style. A laid back wine tasting

experience comfortable for everyone.And, we’re close - just 3 easy miles from

historic downtown Grass Valley.CLINK!

Open Sat. and Sun. 12-5 and by appt.14364 McCourtney Road, 530-559-9533

bentmetalwinery.comor vist us at Grass Valley Wine Co. 128 Mill street

Tasting Room HoursFriday – Sunday OPENWeekdays by appointment530-268-9059

18125 Rosemary LaneGrass Valley, CA 95949between Auburn & Grass Valleyoff Hwy 49

Complimentary Tasting15 varietal wines and blendsAll wines estate grownLive music on many weekendsSmall plates available on many weekendsOpen to sundown on some weekendsStunning vineyard views

Delicious Premium Blendswith a European Flair

Tasting Room209 W. Main St., Grass Valley, CA

530-274-9911Open daily, 12-5

Winery13028 Jones Bar Rd., Nevada City, CA

530-274-9482Open Sat. & Sun. 12-5Complimentary Tasting

www.avanguardiawines.com

Wine Tastingwww.sierrastarr.com

Downtown Grass Valley124 W. Main St.

530.477.8282

V I N E YA R D

118-121_Wineries_2011.qxd:118-121_NCG_2011 5/15/11 2:49 PM Page 121

and will not ripen in a refrigerator. Available

almost all winter, but our locally grown pears

appear in markets August through November.

Pears are not just for dessert. I appreciate

their versatility and the simple ways they can

be used in both sweet and savory dishes.

They are a great accompaniment to meats

and a perfect texture and sweetness to bal-

ance a salad of bitter greens and a dynamic

cheese. Pears and Roquefort on little toasts

or with slightly melted brie are culinary soul

mates. And subtle flavor of the Sweet Potato

Pear Soup that follows makes a wonderful

first course for any festive occasion.

pear upside-down Cake with Molasses Cream

• 3 Bartlett or other pears

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

• ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed

the Cake

• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room

temperature

• ¼ cup dark brown sugar, packed

• 1/3 cup molasses

• 1-3 tablespoons espresso or strong coffee

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 heaping tablespoon finely grated ginger

• 1 large egg, room temperature

• ½ cup buttermilk

• 1½ cup whole wheat pastry flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1½ teaspoons ground ginger

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• ½ teaspoon cardamom

• ½ teaspoon dry mustard

the Cream

• 1 cup cold whipping cream

• 1 tablespoon molasses

• 2 tablespoons espresso or strong coffee

Peel the pears, quarter them and remove

the cores. Cut each quarter lengthwise in half.

Melt the butter in a 10-inch cast iron skillet,

then add the sugar. Stir until dissolved; turn

off the heat and arrange pears evenly.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Cream

the 5 tablespoons butter with the sugar,

then add the molasses and cooled coffee,

vanilla, and ginger. Add the egg and beat until

smooth, then stir in the buttermilk.

Mix the dry ingredients, and add them to

the butter mixture, beating on low, just until

combined but well mixed. Spread the batter

evenly over the pears and bake until the cake

has risen, browned, and begun to pull away

from the sides of the pan, about 35 minutes.

Remove, and let cool for a few minutes.

Place a serving plate over the pan, grasp the

pan and plate firmly, and reverse.

Whip the cream until soft and billowy; then

stir in the molasses and coffee. Serve the

cake topped with a dollop of this cream.

sweet potato pear soup• 2 small yams or sweet potatoes, about 2

lbs. total

• 4 cups water

• 1 3-inch cinnamon stick

• 1½ teaspoons salt

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 3 large ripe pears (any kind except Bosc)

• 1/3 cup dry white wine

• 1/3 cup milk

• ¼ to ½ teaspoon white pepper

Peel the yams and cut into small pieces.

Bring to a boil in a medium-sized stockpot

with the water, cinnamon stick and salt. Cover

and simmer 15 minutes or until potatoes are

soft. Remove and discard the cinnamon stick;

set aside.

Peel, core, and slice pears. Sauté in butter

for about three minutes over medium heat.

Add the wine, cover and simmer a few

more minutes. Add pears to the yams. Using

a food processor or blender, blend until

smooth. Add the milk and white pepper.

Simmer just before serving to heat through.

Garnish with a dollop or yogurt or sour

cream and a pinch of cinnamon. Serves 4 to

6 as a first course.


INDIAN SPRINGSV I N E YA R D S

Harboring a host of

PREMIUM WINES & GIFTS

Visit our

TASTING ROOM“Where it’s a matter of Taste!”

COMPLIMENTARY TASTING DAILYFRIENDLY STAFF

SUN.-THURS. 11:30-5, FRI-SAT 11:30-6

303 Broad Street, Nevada City, CA

530.478.1068 • 800-375-9311


“YOU ONLY HAVE SO MANYBOTTLES IN LIFE,

NEVER DRINK A BAD ONE”Award winning fine wines from a thoughtfullycontemporary style. A laid back wine tasting

experience comfortable for everyone.And, we’re close - just 3 easy miles from

historic downtown Grass Valley.CLINK!

Open Sat. and Sun. 12-5 and by appt.14364 McCourtney Road, 530-559-9533

bentmetalwinery.comor vist us at Grass Valley Wine Co. 128 Mill street

Tasting Room HoursFriday – Sunday OPENWeekdays by appointment530-268-9059

18125 Rosemary LaneGrass Valley, CA 95949between Auburn & Grass Valleyoff Hwy 49

Complimentary Tasting15 varietal wines and blendsAll wines estate grownLive music on many weekendsSmall plates available on many weekendsOpen to sundown on some weekendsStunning vineyard views

Delicious Premium Blendswith a European Flair

Tasting Room209 W. Main St., Grass Valley, CA

530-274-9911Open daily, 12-5

Winery13028 Jones Bar Rd., Nevada City, CA

530-274-9482Open Sat. & Sun. 12-5Complimentary Tasting

www.avanguardiawines.com

Wine Tastingwww.sierrastarr.com

Downtown Grass Valley124 W. Main St.

530.477.8282

V I N E YA R D

118-121_Wineries_2011.qxd:118-121_NCG_2011 5/15/11 2:49 PM Page 121

ff


43savor

Iand some mango on the side to remind you what flavors you were experiencing.

Maria chose one of the specials: a hot crab cake on a bed of organic green lettuces topped with a pomegranate aioli. Beautiful presentation with a generous dollop of the aioli, which was whipped so thoroughly that it looked like yogurt!

We ended our meal by splitting a dessert. New Moon desserts are not to be missed. I know this from previous meals here! They always have something new on the menu, featuring fruit that’s fresh and in season. One of my favorite items on the menu is the creme brulee, but the waitress’s eloquent description of the lemon custard tartlet with strawberries really drew me in. The custard had the perfect bite of sweet and sour and paired beautifully with the flakey tart. I ended the meal in a happy trance!

Peter Selaya and Buzz Crouch are the owners of the New Moon Cafe. It is their dedication to the highest quality ingredients, wines and service that have made them a

mainstay and highlight in fine dinning in our region, not to be missed. They have been open for 13 years and 170 new moons. In their own words, “ A love for food and community led to an infusion of our resources and talents to create New Moon Cafe. We are fortunate to still be serving food in an ever-expanding community. Creating a place that honors interna-tional culinary influence

yet relates to our mountain town remains our greatest desire. Big city dining with a small town atmosphere and lots of love. Sophisticated, comfortable and thoughtful.”

I enjoyed an outdoor lunch today with a dear friend at New Moon Cafe, a meal and dining experience that left me feeling like a special guest at a friend’s country home! New Moon is located in downtown Nevada City, yet the ambiance was such that I felt instantly transported to some-place private and unique, a place that deeply honors the dining experience.

One of the things that made our lunch special was the exquisite service. The staff is beautifully attentive and skilled without ever seeming overbearing. Filling water glasses often, checking in to see how your meal is, telling what the specials and desserts are in person are things I noticed and appreciated. But I have to say, one of the biggest things that sets New Moon staff apart from almost anywhere I have ever dined is the feeling that they love their work. A feeling of pride in service that is unmatched.

On to the food, though! Today was very warm, even at 11:30 a.m. when we sat down for an early lunch. After looking over the well-curated wine list — which included many options (without being overwhelming) for wines by the glass, half bottle and full bottle — my friend Maria and I decided on a glass of Chardonnay from Trefethen Family Vineyards in Napa for me and a glass of Rose Pinot for her. Both complex and refreshing and California-grown! Bread and butter came to our table with the wine and I appreciated that the bread was not a huge basket (which I would have eaten because it is so good!), but just enough to whet the appetite!

We looked over the menu, which changes seasonally. New Moon is known for cooking with organic, natural and local produce and meats, which is a big plus if you are into sustainable practices and flavorful, fresh food. The lunch menu offered a soup of the day which today was Chicken Leek soup, a

selection of robust salads that are really a meal unto themselves, as well as sandwiches featuring James Ranch organic lamb, Niman Ranch pork loin and organic turkey. There were also vegetarian options as well as some seafood specials.

New Moon always has a ravioli to choose if you wish; today’s special ravioli was Chevre, dry jack cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and olives in a beurre blanc sauce. You can order ravioli by the piece, or a plate. I ordered one to start off with and I am so glad I

did! It came to me in a small perfect shallow bowl with plenty of the sauce topped with fresh parsley and cracked pepper. I can imagine how a whole plate of these little pasta pillows would be enough to put you into a carb coma because one of them alone was amazing! Beautiful handmade pasta, silky fluffy cheese and just the right amount of tomato and olive!

For my entree I chose the Bay Shrimp Ceviche with fresh organic greens, tossed with a mango and roasted poblano vinaigrette and topped with bay shrimp, mango and avocado. Arriving to our table with abundance, the bay shrimp were perfectly cooked and wonderfully spicy with minced jalapenos and red onion, which gave it quite a kick! One of my pet peeves is poorly dressed salad; it is easy to make it too goopy or too dry but this salad was expertly dressed and tossed so that every bite was complex and tasty. The garnishing was also thoughtful and elegant, with half an avocado

ff

203 York Street Nevada City530-265-6399 • TheNewMoonCafe.com

Lunch Tue-Fri 11:30am - 2pmDinner Tue-Sun 5pm - 8:30pm

New Moon Caferestaurant review

BY WENDY VAN WAGNER PHOTOGRAPHY BY WENDY VAN WAGNER


44 savor

New Varian IX Linear Accelerator for Cancer Treatment

Comfort Cuisine ProgramTreatment and care for cancer patients just got better in Grass Valley.

Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital offers a Comfort Cuisine Program to bridge the gap between cancer treatments and nutritious meals.

Each month, Comfort Cuisine volunteers come together to prepare delicious, healthy freezer meals for a donation of $3 per meal or complimentary for those unable to afford the donation.

To learn more about the SNMH Comfort Cuisine program, call (530) 274-6600 or visit us online at snmh.org

Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital (SNMH) is proud to announce the addition of its new Varian IX Linear Accelerator to treat patients with cancer who need radiation therapy. This state-of- the-art linear accelerator precisely directs radiation to the patient’s tumor to kill cancer cells. Its advanced, in-creased accuracy decreases damage to non-cancerous tissue while treating many prevalent forms of cancer, such as: breast, prostate, and lung cancer. Its unique Smart Arc technology reduces treatment times due to its ability to more rapidly process complex treatment data. The Varian IX Linear Accelerator offers impressive online CT imaging which permits more accurate delivery of radiation. It tracks and adjusts for the motion as the patient breaths and moves; thus, allowing for greater preci-sion and speed for more efficient treat-ment with more difficult cancers.

For the first time, the Varian IX allows for Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy

(SBRT) treatment. The procedure delivers of a few high doses of radiation to a tumor that was previously unattainable by stan-dard radiation therapy. SBRT doses are given in a short period of time – usually over a 1 week period. SBRT is not for everyone. Our expert Radiation Oncolo-gists use sound judgment, due to its high dose of radiation, which candidates are suitable for SBRT. To date, the procedure is most successful in treating certain lung, liver, spinal, and brain tumors.

SNMH is investing in the care of Nevada County’s 100,000 citizens. Today, when hospitals are challenged to obtain funds for new medical equipment, SNMH continues its legacy of excellent radiation therapy with the upgraded Varian IX Linear Accelera-tor and suite. It is the only one of its kind within a 50 mile radius, including Auburn or Yuba City. CEO Katherine Medeiros comments, “For members of our commu-nity who need radiation cancer treatment, it is important that they receive high quality

care, close to home. Traveling outside of the area 3-5 times a week, for several weeks, is a significant hardship and now, for most patients, it is not necessary because of this new linear accelerator technology.”

A generous gift of one million dollars was raised within our community by the SNMH Foundation to purchase the equipment and build the new suite. “The hospital could not have made this happen without the generous financial support of the community,” Medeiros said. The suite is located next to SNMH’s Com-prehensive Cancer Center so there will be no interruption in care. The hospital commends the work performed by the local contractors to build the suite.

Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital is extremely fortunate to have visionary leadership, the ex-pertise and specializations of our clinical team, and the generous dedication of the Nevada County community to make the purchase of the Varian IX Linear Accelerator possible.

L to R: Dr. D. Kraus, Velu Vishwanathan, Chris Cidonio, and Dr. R. Evans.

“For members of our

community who need

radiation cancer treatment,

it is important that they

receive high quality care,

close to home.”

One in three people develop

cancer during their lifetime,

many of whom will require

radiation therapy.


45WeLLness

This is true even if your legs and arms (canon) are relatively

strong. In fact, strong legs and arms may increase the risk of injury

to the low back and shoulders if your core is weak.

By the way, the core is more than the muscles that make up that

elusive “6-pack.” The core includes all the muscles of the torso, from

the hips to the shoulders, which form a muscular pillar that supports

the forces generated by the arms and legs.

To experience your core in action, try holding a weight in your

right hand, with your arm resting at your side. Now lift the weight

until your right arm is perpendicular to your torso. Where do you

feel the strain? Your right shoulder obviously but also the left side of

your torso as your core musculature (transverse abdominis, obliques,

quadratus lumborum, multifidus) works to stabilize your spine.

Your hips, spine and shoulders must be able to safely stabilize

against the load lifted or movement produced. If the core is weak

then those structures become unstable and misaligned, leading to

excessive wear and tear every time you take a step, pick up a child or

hit a golf ball. Over time this misalignment will damage connective

tissue and joints leading to chronic pain, at which point even

recreational activities and exercise can become painful.

With this concept in mind let’s discuss the next “big thing”

in fitness and exercise. The buzz these days in health and fitness

media is “functional training.” Now truth be said, there are more

definitions of “functional training” than there are crash diet plans on

the internet. For our sake, let’s keep the definition plain and simple.

Functional training simply focuses on strengthening the body

from the core out using natural full body movement as opposed to

“muscle isolation” movements. For example, if I sit on bench and

curl dumbbell, I am essentially isolating my bicep muscle in my

upper arm. The movement isn’t very functional unless I am training

to drink lots of beer and my calorie burn rate is low because no

matter how big my bicep is, it’s still just a small percentage of my

overall musculature. If I were to replace the bicep curl with a squat

and curl exercise then I use my whole body which translates well

to any standing/pulling movement I might perform in a real life,

plus I burn 3-5 times as many calories because I am using some

many muscles at once. I also get good improvements in balance,

coordination and some flexibility – all in one full body exercise.

At South Yuba Club in Nevada City and Monster Gym in

Grass Valley, we use specialized fitness equipment and functional

programming in all of our personal training programs. “You won’t

hear us talk about individual muscles like the biceps or pecs,” says

South Yuba Club certified fitness trainer Kevin Bennett, ISSA. “You

don’t swing a golf club or ride a bike with just one muscle and you

shouldn’t train by isolating individual muscles either.”

There’s a saying in the athletic training business, “You can’t fire a canon from a canoe.” Essentially it means that if the small

muscles that stabilize your joints (canoe) are weak,

then you are at increased risk of chronic injury and

decreased performance regardless of how often

you exercise or recreate.

…let’s discuss the next “big thing” in fitness and exercise. The buzz these days in health

and fitness media is “functional training.”

Many people equate strength training with bodybuilding but the research

shows that functional training actually provides more beneficial results with

significant improvements in both everyday activities and sports.

Smart ExerciseBY MIKE CARVILLE


46 WeLLness

0901038

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Bus: 530-273-0521 Toll Free: 888-995-0521

Many people equate strength training with bodybuilding but

the research shows that functional training actually provides

more beneficial results with significant improvements in both

everyday activities and sports. In 2009, the Journal of Strength and

Conditioning Research published research on functional training.

Results of the study showed very substantial gains and benefits

in the functional training group over fixed training equipment.

Functional users had a 58 percent greater increase in strength over

the fixed-form group. Their improvements in balance were 196

percent higher over fixed and they reported an overall decrease in

joint pain by 30 percent.

Functional equipment is unique too. “No big machines with

weight stacks and pins here,” says Kevin, who refers to the variety

of functional equipment as “fun toys” since its use mimics play and

the everyday movements of real life and sport. “We use cool stuff like

battling ropes, Kettlebells, TRX Suspension Trainers, balance disks,

power bands and plyo-boxes, to train in all three planes of human

movement and multiple muscle groups. It’s fun and, most of all, it

really works.” All the functional movement exercises can be scaled to

meet the needs of all fitness levels and no experience is required. ff

If you want to ride farther, hike longer, keep up with the kids

or hit the golf ball pain-free then give us a call at South Yuba

Club (530) 470-9100 or email me at mikec@southyubaclub.

com and train SMART.

Functional users had a 58 percent greater increase

in strength over the fixed-form group.


47WeLLness

resource guide

artist & art organiZationsartist studios in the Foothills • pg 7 Grass Valley • 530-274-7900 www.ASIFstudios.com

douglas van howd - artist • pg 22 Auburn • 530-887-1581 www.DouglasVanHowd.com

eggstra special • pg 17, 50 Auburn • 530-888-8000 www.EggstraSpecial.com

grass valley Center for the arts • pg 15 Grass Valley • 530-274-8384 www.TheCenterfortheArts.org

nevada County arts • pg 3 Nevada City • 530-278-5155 www.NevadaCountyArts.org

placer arts 360 • pg 3 Auburn • 530-885-5670 www.PlacerArts.org

beauty, heaLth & WeLLnessdanaeMarie’s salon • pgs 34-37 Grass Valley • 530-272-3626 www.DanaeMariesSalon.com

sierra nevada Memorial hospital • pg 45 Grass Valley • 530-274-6000 www.SNMH.org

south yuba Club • pgs 46-47 Nevada City • 530-470-9100 www.SouthYubaClub.com

ConstruCtion equipMent/suppLiesgold n green • pg 18 Grass Valley • 530-273-0064 www.Gold-N-Green.com

hansen bros. enterprises • pg 2 Grass Valley • 530-273-3381 www.GoHBE.com

Food & drinkavanguardia Wines • pg 43 Grass Valley • 530-274-9911 www.AvanguardiaWines.com

diego’s • pg 40 Grass Valley • 530-477-1460 www.DiegosRestaurant.com

indian springs vineyards • pg 32 Nevada City • 530-478-1068 www.IndianSpringsWines.com

Lucchesi vineyards • pg 29 Grass Valley • 530-274-2164 www.LucchesiVineyards.com

Marshall’s pasties • pg 43 Grass Valley • 530-272-2844 no website at present

Monkey Cat restaurant • pg 41 Auburn • 530-888-8492 www.MonkeyCat.com

naggiar vineyards • pg 32 Grass Valley • 530-268-9059 www.NaggiarVineyards.com

new Moon Cafe • pg 44 Nevada City • 530-265-6399 www.TheNewMoonCafe.com

northern sierra Wine resource • pg 32 Northern Sierra Foothills Wine Country www.NorthernSierraWine.com

sierra knolls Winery • pg 32 Grass Valley • 530-269-2327 www.SierraKnollsWinery.com

smith vineyard • pg 29 Grass Valley • 530-273-7032 www.SmithVineyard.com

tofanelli’s bistro • pg 42 Grass Valley • 530-272-1468 www.Tofanellis.com

Lodgingannie horan’s b&b • pg 11 Grass Valley • 530-272-1516 www.AnnieHoran.com

broad street inn • pg 11 Nevada City • 530-265-2239 www.BroadStreetInn.com


48 MarketpLaCe

resource guide

serviCesbluetent studios • pgs 12, 16, 17, 44 Grass Valley • 530-687-2000 www.BluetentStudios.com

Len stevens Construction, inc. • pg 5 Grass Valley • 530-432-3643 www.LenStevensConstInc.com

Main street park & sell • pg 49 Grass Valley • 530-265-4747 www.MainStreetParkAndSell.com

Mike bratton - state Farm • pg 47 Grass Valley • 530-273-0521 www.MikeBrattonAgency.com

sierra Flair publishing • pg 48 Grass Valley • 530-273-1284 www.SierraFlair.com

solid rock builders • pg 21 Nevada City • 530-272-1511 www.SRBuilders.com

tripps auto body & paint shop • pg 9 Grass Valley • 530-273-8515 no website at present

turning Leaf studios • pg 5 Grass Valley • 530-274-1557 www.TurningLeafMoments.com

shopping31 bits • pgs 34, 37 Newport Beach www.31Bits.com

ashley Furniture • pg 20 Grass Valley • 530-273-8400 www.AshleyFurnitureHomestore.com

a to Z supply • pg 39 Grass Valley • 530-273-6608 www.AtoZSupply.com

b&C home & garden Center • pg 51 Grass Valley • 530-273-6105 www.BandCGrassValley.com

Country Wood Furniture • pg 9 Grass Valley • 530-273-5375 www.GrassValleyFurniture.com

gray street Clothing • pgs 34, 35, 36 Grass Valley • 530-477-2310 www.GrayStreetClothing.com

premier tile & stone • pg 7 Grass Valley • 530-273-9590 www.PremierFloors-GV.com

ragtime Consignment Clothing • pg 8 Grass Valley • 530-273-5707 no website at present

runway • pgs 35, 37 Grass Valley • 530-274-8785 no website at present

spd Markets • pg 42 Nevada City • 530-265-4596 www.SPDMarket.com

stucki Jewelers • pg 7 Grass Valley • 530-272-1266 www.StuckiJewelers.com

sugar shack boutique • pgs 35, 36 Sacramento • 916-447-4435 www.SugarShackBoutique.com

tess’ kitchen store • pg 13 Grass Valley • 530-273-6997 www.TessKitchenStore.com

the hat store • pg 36 Nevada City • 530-265-4070 no website at present

tuxedo den • pg 28 Roseville • 916-786-9060 www.TuxedoDen.com

utopian stone • pg 52 Nevada City • 530-265-6209 www.UtopianStone.com

Wild plum • pg 50 Grass Valley • 530-273-5007 www.WildPlumOnline.com


49MarketpLaCe

Deep Purple Amethyst Geode with White Calcite Crystals 17”h x 11”w - $427.50

Sulphur Crystals - $39.95

Green Calcite Crystal - $5.99 Tillanzsia on Green

Apophyllite - $32.00

Hand-Carved Gourd by Local Artist Bill Wilson - $75.00

Nature Inspired Floral Design in Glass Bottle - $19.99

Autumn Floral Design on Log - $29.50

Festive Snowman with Cardinal Friends - $23.50

Pinecone Owl - $22.95in Holiday Bird Nest - $14.95

Pinecone Votive - $9.50

Pinecone-Birch Birdhouse Ornament - $6.99

Cardinal Sculpture - $4.95

Hammond Handmade Candy Canes - $2.99

Hand-Crafted Chocolates by Lazy Dog Confections; peanut butter cups, chocolate covered marshmallows, pecan turtles, almond butter toffee - $7 for 1/2 lb.

Hammond Handmade Twist Lollipop - $2.99

111 Mill Street, historic downtown Grass Valley ~ 530.273.5007 ~ www.WildPlumOnline.com

abound at Wild plumSeasonal Finds


50 MarketpLaCe

Nature’s bounty of rocks and minerals are the

perfect decor item to grace any style house with a variety

of colors and textures to suit any taste.

Fall is here and entertaining is right around

the corner. Decorate your house with nature

inspired accents that highlight the beautiful

area we live in.

Nothing speaks of the holidays like your favorite chocolates

and candies. Indulge your senses with the ultimate comfort food.

Christmas is coming and it’s none

too early to add that special something

to brighten the holidays.

301 BROAD STREET DOWNTOWN NEVADA CITY

530.265.6209 • OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

UTOPIANSTONE.COM

the perfect match for your mate.

beautiful. unique. one-of-a-kind.

Ad Design by Kial James

foothill flair magazine fall-winter 2011

Documents

auburn placer

arts center

stories of interesting

arts council of placer

placer community theater

north tahoe arts

rocklin community theatre

auburn symphony