ReallyRedding

Tickets on sale for Dancing With The Stars Shasta County Style

Skip@RR — Mon, 14 May 2012 17:14:56 +0000

They are going fast. Buy them before they are all sold out…
Edit: Actually, I’m now told you can’t buy them online yet, so today’s post was premature. Sorry for any inconvenience. Stay tuned.
Edit-Edit Okay, Now I am being assured you can order seats here:
https://tickets.cascadetheatre.org/ticketing/selectseats_ichart.php?chart_id=573&s_id=506&p_id=4682975

Practice continues for Erin Murphy for Dancing with the Stars Shasta County fundraiser.

Skip@RR — Fri, 11 May 2012 16:11:06 +0000

Here’s a quick look at Erin’s dance partner Max Friedman, and the choreography help being given by his brother Joe.

This is a fundraiser for a great cause, The Shasta Women’s Refuge and The Family Justice Center. Both are organizations we strongly support. This event is one their largest fundraisers, and deserves your support as well. Thanks for watching! Stay tuned here for more video glimpses behind the scenes as the dance takes shape!

A lovely barn in Bella Vista

Skip@RR — Wed, 09 May 2012 18:12:44 +0000

This beautiful scene graces the eye for drivers on Highway 299 just east of Bella Vista.

Passersby look upon this bucolic landscape, possibly appearing much the same as it may have looked a hundred years ago.

Images by Skip Murphy May 2012. May it always be so pretty here.

Bob Moore and his mill provide bountiful whole grain goodness

Skip@RR — Fri, 04 May 2012 13:45:31 +0000

Redding wouldn’t be complete without our grain mill. All great civilizations throughout history have relied on gristmills to provide the staff of life, going back to the Old Testament. Our terrific local mill is Moores Mill, founded by miller Bob Moore.I recall when they originally opened shop, in a quonset style building on Highway 273. Acceptance of the new venture was not guaranteed. Some local opinions I recall were that white, so called “enriched” flour was the modern wonder food. Whole grains, coarsely ground, seemed an anachronistic, outdated idea to many.

Not for me. I’ve been a regular customer and raving fan since their inception. For me, Redding’s (and my) quality of life would be diminished greatly without Moores Mill.

They have subsequently expanded into other related human-friendly foods. Spices. Teas. Specialty beans. Creative pasta I have not seen anywhere else. And amazing bread mixes for bread machines. The Cranberry Walnut bread is sublime. Recipes, and books. Juices and local honey. I could go on and on.

We actually buy Grains and Nut Granola there in 25 lb bags(!), and eat it for breakfast. Mixed with plain yougurt, it’s the true breakfast of champions. Throw in some sunflower seeds, and chop some fresh almonds in.
Is it health food or desert? No need to choose. It’s both.
There has probably never been a single day that something from Moores was not in my kitchen, since 1975. The staff of life. Mills have always played an important role in Shasta County (see Millville). Thanks Bob.
Moores Mill proves the wisdom: 23 Jeremiah 1–19 As Ye Sow, So Shall Ye Reap.
A harvest of goodness.

Lovely backyard flower photo “The Embrace.”

Skip@RR — Thu, 03 May 2012 17:00:00 +0000

Took this image yesterday of a French Iris being being curled on by the tendrils of a viny plant of some sort. Looks like a tender embrace.
I flipped it around and saved it at 1920 X 1200 to fit as my screensaver. If you’d like to use it, you can click on it here:
It’s a striking and somewhat poetic image for my screen background. I have some other Redding images I’ve taken that rotate across my desktop over time. I’ll be linking to them as time goes by. If you’d like to use one as a screensaver, but perhaps need a different size/ratio, let me know.

SJ Denham body shop utilizes the net to deliver service

Skip@RR — Tue, 01 May 2012 13:53:56 +0000

A recent fender bender type accident on Lake Boulevard left my little Miata somewhat worse for wear. I took it to fellow Chamber of Commerce member and longtime Redding automobile dealer SJ Denham on North Market Street for repair. I discovered that they have a website that lets you follow along with images as their shop performs the repairs. Neat stuff!
I knew my little car would be in good hands at the Denham’s place. But I thought it extraordinary that you can see exactly what’s happening from your desk. A welcome innovation from the forward thinking Denhams.
My fuel sipping Miata is 21 years old now. Of legal age to drink alcohol, instead of gasoline. Maybe it’s cheaper! Thanks SJ Denham, for keeping the economical Mazda on the road and looking sharp.

EDC networks at local Game Changers event

Skip@RR — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:29:38 +0000

Last Friday afternoon, we attended the Game Changers presentation put on by the Shasta County Economic Development Center, at the Redding Convention Center.
The event was well attended. Erin and I met lots of local people interested and excited about Redding’s future. I also learned about several local resources and start-up companies I’d not otherwise have known about, like Technisoil.

Our Keynote guest: “From “Textile to Technology” A Community’s Transformation. The Story of Greenville, South Carolina. A native South Carolinian, Nancy (Whitworth) has been in Greenville for 30 years and has played an integral role in Greenville’s transformation from a dying textile town with serious economic problems to being an innovative community with an entrepreneurial spirit that is willing to take risks.” She did an excellent job demonstrating how Greeenvile found success after the devastation of their major local industry.
There were other presentations from some local companies that are very promising. To the left, John Weise of software startup, Zenius Solutions.

I was struck by a few things from the keynote. First, Greenville really took chances on making their downtown likable and livable, and it worked out well. But they endured years of risk with private/public partnerships and (gulp) eminent domain to reclaim their best parts. I’m sure it wasn’t easy, but the successful results speak for themselves. Nancy had toured Redding prior, and was really impressed with our river, our artful bridge, and the Cascade Theater. It seems Greenville had so much less than Redding to start with, but did so much more to leverage what they had.

Erin, Skip, and Realtor Jean Hall. Image courtesy of Mary Lehmberg Lascelles

Another interesting thing was the repeated mention of Bethel Church, and the students it has attracted. Redding is in a public/private partnership with Bethel for the very building in which the event took place. People I spoke with mentioned the influx of young people with new ideas as a very positive aspect of life in Redding. Erin and I agree. Meeting Bethel students with their varied backgrounds and cultures has expanded Redding’s culture. The subject came up remarkably often, and seemed yet another very positive factor to the companies located here.

Interesting watercraft on display with other local Redding products

It was a terrific and eye opening event. There’s more info about the Game Changer event at redding.com. Also, you can review related Tweets at #edcgc. Thanks EDC, sponsors, speakers, and all who attended.

Visit the Redding Dragstrip after Kool April Nights

Skip@RR — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:41:25 +0000

We don’t seem to hear much about the non-profit Redding Dragstrip during Kool April Nights. But for me, seeing powerful and expensive showcars actually perform at speed has always been an integral part of this week’s festivities. This year, the event promises to be bigger and badder than ever.
The longest continuously operating NHRA facility in the known universe, a Redding tradition since the 1960′s. This is always their biggest weekend for attendance and money. With weather looking terrific, this year looks good. Come experience the heat and power. Click below for a printable flyer.
KAD 2012 Flyer 200dpiBW
I think for a number of core enthusiasts, Kool April Nights would be just another carshow without the Redding Dragstrip. We are fortunate to have both events.

All photos by Skip Murphy @ Kool April Drags 2011

Kool April Nights flash mob planned

Skip@RR — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 13:45:42 +0000

Mercury on Pine Street 2012 by Skip Murphy

More than just a weekend car show. Events around this classic fundraiser go on all week. Here’s an example.
Ever wanted to participate in a flash mob like this one…

Now’s your chance!

A group from the Catalyst Redding Young Professionals, in association with Kool April Nites, and the California Dance Company, are daring you to come join the flash mob this April 21st at the Redding Convention Center during Kool April Nites.

On April 21st at 2pm sharp the sound system at the Redding Convention Center will play three songs.

1. Grease Lighting

2. Low-Rider

3. Surfing USA.

At the start of Grease Lighting, a man dressed in tight jeans, a leather jacket and slicked back hair will start dancing like this…… Dance instructions:

After he starts to dance, feel free to join in whenever you want. You can come to dance with the choreographed moves. After he starts to dance, feel free to join in whenever you want. You can come to dance with the choreographed moves (see video above), or you can come to dance with your own moves, or you can just come to watch and enjoy our local Kool April Nites event.

The entire community is invited and all ages are welcome. Please forward this information to anyone you know who might be interested in participating.

More about this fun Redding style dance event at the link. Just 4 days away!
Spontaneous dance, it’s Really Redding.

A dinner proposal

Skip@RR — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 15:24:25 +0000

Friday’s dinner was supposed to be special. But we didn’t know just how special it would be. Earlier, we learned French Chef Reynald Tel was no longer cooking at the By The Way, or Bourbon and Bull bar. Too bad. But we also learned he was trying to expand his catering business. So naturally we invited him over to cook. Just a little French Style tasting. Which turned into 8 courses with appropriate French wine pairings. Oh my. Words fail.
So, watch this in HD for full effect. Originally edited to Edith Piaf “La Vie En Rose,” from 1946, which you would think would be Public Domain or at least fair Use for Non Commercial. But YouTube won’t let you see that version, so here’s an alternate. If you start the video with sound off, then click on link (above) for Edith Piaf, you can almost hear it as intended. It won’t sync up, but you’ll get the gist of it.

As spectacular as dinner was, it was only the prelude the to main event. Unknown to anyone but himself, Aaron Rader planned to propose to Erin Murphy at this dinner. He asked to play a DVD he’d brought with him. And this is what we saw.

She said yes.

It was a fantastic night. Here is the tasting menu, which is a fun read.
TheMenu
And De Reynald Catering can be reached at (530) 710 4098, for events and cooking lessons. Highly recommended, shall we say!