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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
FOOTHILLFLAIR.COM | FALL-WINTER 2011
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
sales530-273-1284sales@foothillflair.com
DistributionSDS Distribution
Sierra Flair Publishing111B Mill Street • Grass Valley, CA 95945Tel: 530-273-1284 • info@foothillflair.com
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: info@foothillflair.com. 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
FOOTHILL FLAIR MAGAZINE
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
FOOTHILLFLAIR.COM | FALL-WINTER 2011
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: mikec@southyubaclub.com
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
FOOTHILL FLAIR MAGAZINE
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
FOOTHILLFLAIR.COM | FALL-WINTER 2011
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
FOOTHILL FLAIR MAGAZINE
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
FOOTHILLFLAIR.COM | FALL-WINTER 2011
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:
Virgi@EggstraSpecial.com
Finding one’s passion in eggshell artBY JANIS DICE PHOTOGRAPHY BY BLUETENT STUDIOS
FOOTHILL FLAIR MAGAZINE
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
FOOTHILLFLAIR.COM | FALL-WINTER 2011
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.
pho
to b
y to
ny
Fin
ner
ty
Center for the Arts (and smarts)where big-name performers play to sold-out audiences
FOOTHILL FLAIR MAGAZINE
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
FOOTHILLFLAIR.COM | FALL-WINTER 2011
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
FOOTHILL FLAIR MAGAZINE
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.”
FOOTHILLFLAIR.COM | FALL-WINTER 2011
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
FOOTHILL FLAIR MAGAZINE
18 CuLture
Flying in the Foothillsby adrian sChneider photography by adrian sChneider
FOOTHILLFLAIR.COM | FALL-WINTER 2011
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.
FOOTHILLFLAIR.COM | FALL-WINTER 2011
An Affinity for Art, Animals & Africathe artistic journey of douglas van howdby kevin Minto
FOOTHILL FLAIR MAGAZINE
FOOTHILLFLAIR.COM | FALL-WINTER 2011
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
FOOTHILL FLAIR MAGAZINE
“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.
FOOTHILLFLAIR.COM | FALL-WINTER 2011
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.
FOOTHILL FLAIR MAGAZINE
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
FOOTHILLFLAIR.COM | FALL-WINTER 2011
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
FOOTHILL FLAIR MAGAZINE
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.”
FOOTHILLFLAIR.COM | FALL-WINTER 2011
29Feature
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FOOTHILL FLAIR MAGAZINE
FOOTHILLFLAIR.COM | FALL-WINTER 2011
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
FOOTHILL FLAIR MAGAZINE
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
FOOTHILLFLAIR.COM | FALL-WINTER 2011
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
FOOTHILL FLAIR MAGAZINE
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
FOOTHILLFLAIR.COM | FALL-WINTER 2011
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
FOOTHILL FLAIR MAGAZINE
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
FOOTHILLFLAIR.COM | FALL-WINTER 2011
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
FOOTHILL FLAIR MAGAZINE
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
FOOTHILLFLAIR.COM | FALL-WINTER 2011
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
FOOTHILL FLAIR MAGAZINE
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
FOOTHILLFLAIR.COM | FALL-WINTER 2011
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
FOOTHILL FLAIR MAGAZINE
42 savor
W W W . N E V A D A C O U N T Y G O L D . C O M 121
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
IndianSpringsWines.com
“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.
W W W . N E V A D A C O U N T Y G O L D . C O M 121
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
IndianSpringsWines.com
“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
FOOTHILLFLAIR.COM | FALL-WINTER 2011
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
FOOTHILL FLAIR MAGAZINE
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.
FOOTHILLFLAIR.COM | FALL-WINTER 2011
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
FOOTHILL FLAIR MAGAZINE
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.
FOOTHILLFLAIR.COM | FALL-WINTER 2011
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
FOOTHILL FLAIR MAGAZINE
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
FOOTHILLFLAIR.COM | FALL-WINTER 2011
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
FOOTHILL FLAIR MAGAZINE
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.
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