Yeah, you may have seen this, but it’s so good, I have to share it anyway.
Photosynth of the Sundial Bridge using an iPhone
A Christmas Party for kids put on by the local REALTORS
Here’s a video I did of this year’s Christmas Party for special needs kids put on by the Shasta Association of Realtors along with the support of the community and local businesses. We hold it at the Elks Club in Redding. 2011 marks the 39th annual party. As usual, a great time was had by all. Watching the video is a nice way to get some holiday cheer today. Our great thanks go out everyone involved. Merry Christmas!
Shasta REALTORS Christmas party for kids 2011 from Skip Murphy on Vimeo.
Gateway Schools staff and students give for the holidays
Here’s a few images of the food and gifts gathered by students and teachers at Shasta Lake School. Needy families are identified, food collected and assembled, and gifts for their kids are fulfilled from a giving tree.
Sometimes it seems the greater community image of our schools is colored by stories in the newspaper about teacher salaries and negotiations, and such. Since most of the local community doesn’t attend school, they may not be aware of all the different good things that go on behind the scenes in our small town, with our small town values.
Thanks, students and staff of Gateway, for the lesson that giving is better than receiving, this season.
My father passed away this morning.
I need to say a big thank you to Dr. John Coe. And also to all the extraordinary professionals of Redding’s Mercy Medical Center. In this world, mercy is often in short supply. But at the hospital, staff seems always able to come up with an extra ounce when it’s needed most. Thanks everyone.
Tough sledding? Who needs snow when you have slush.
The local snow season so far has been disappointing. Check out this really artistic video about an urban skier who doesn’t let less-than-ideal conditions slow him down. And cheer up.
JP Auclair Street Segment (from All.I.Can.) from Sherpas Cinema on Vimeo.
We keep a link to the Webcams at the Mt Shasta Ski Park at the Local News tab at the top. Hang in there, local skiers and boarders. Or do a snow dance.
Discount marijuana sales all over town?
One imagines the scene.
Dark clouds hang over the landlords of the many local marijuana collectives as the City of Redding charges Code Enforcement to shutter their tenant’s doors. Now Redding spends money it doesn’t have, defending enforcement of laws over which it has no control. Confused? Well, there is only one problem to blame.
Prohibition.
We send our Curiosity to Mars
Our Mars mission that took off yesterday is nothing if not ambitious. If you haven’t seen it, check out this inspiring HD video from JPL that describes how Curiosity will land. It will be amazing if it goes as hoped. Best wishes from Redding to the Red Planet!
Our thanks to NASA and JPL for the images. I suppose spacecraft and lasers have make sounds ever since Star Wars. Funny, I expected the video to be more Stanley Kubrick than George Lucas, but there it is.
Lily the dog, and a Mountain Bike -short video
This video made my day. I know we have many mountain bike trail enthusiasts here in the Northstate, and terrific trails. But few humans are as electrified about a single track workout as this little dog Lily. This may not be Redding, but I think locals will really enjoy this short video if you haven’t seen it. Comes to us via Pinkbike.com. Click on the link to see some amazing still photography of bike and rider at their site. Our thanks to them for this uplifting few minutes of Lily and her friend with the bike, and the cameras. Nice work!
Cooking class with Cal DeMercurio -a few photos
Chef Cal DeMercurio of The Old School Restaurant on Pine Street is a local celebrity. On Saturday, he held a cooking class at his restaurant in Redding in preparation for Thanksgiving cooks looking to add a few recipes and skills.
And what an appropriate setting; the Old School Restaurant is located in what used to be the gym for Redding’s Pine Street School. We were able to see the preparation, and taste the results. This sourdough/cheese/balsamic appetizer was sublime. And Cal’s salmon spread, oooh.
Cal Whipped up a winter squash soup, and showed us how to make a ravioli for the centerpiece.
Wine pairings allowed for thoughtful contemplation of an array of flavor notes.
Cal brings the hammer down on a butterflied turkey, and then wraps it around his stuffing mix.
And we eat the results. Yum.
Then it’s time for desert. An eggnog Crème brûlée, a Crème de menthe slice with what seems like Oreo crust. My favorite dish.
We had a great time and met some terrific people in the casual and convivial setting. Cal is a gifted teacher, and we were hungry pupils. Cooking classes like this one are a fantastic opportunity to expand your culinary knowledge. Moreover, thanks to websites like CocuSocial finding cookery classes in your area has never been easier. No matter what you would like to learn about, there is sure to be a cookery class that covers what you need to know. Anyway, I’ve posted about Cal’s cooking skills at this blog before. We heard about this event from Cal and his e-mail newsletter. You should be on his list. Highly recommended. The Old School Restaurant serves up the Culinary Arts. It’s Really Redding.