How much is too much Open Government? Can there even be too much open exchange in a free democratic society? Serious questions in an era of Wikileaks, with its demonstrated effects on some governments. Ponder these important questions and more at this Public Forum sponsored by the Redding League of Women Voters on Thursday March 24rd at the Redding City Council Chambers. Be there, or be uninformed! More about Redding’s League of Women Voters at the The Voter.
Anderson Church of Christ
“The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.”
So says the message board today outside the Anderson Church of Christ on North Street in Anderson. Words of wisdom. This below, is from their website:
“The church of Christ is a non-denominational church. This means we are not under the authority of anyone or anything other than God, and his word given to us through the Bible. We do have elders who oversee the spiritual well-being of the congregation, but we are all submissive, one to another.”
It would appear from the website that baptism plays a role in their faith traditions. There are videos online. There is also a blog online, with a link to a Fishing Report, which seems appropriate.
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”
Mark 1:17
The church is located right next to the Sacramento River, so I walked over and took this photo. It was a beautiful day, for fishers of all sorts.
Redding alt rockers Hollow Ln
Here’s a band performance image from the now closed Downtown Eatery. Hollow Ln is a Redding based (and Redding named) 3 piece outfit; guitar, bass, drum, and vocals. Tight, tight, tight, power trio originals are filled with thoughtful lyrics. Brandon Bausell works it hard on Vocals and Guitar. Nick Braun punctuates the tunes with insanely creative drumming. Not your 4 on the floor stuff! Max Bausell provides the solid basis for the often staccato melodies on Bass. Head over to Reverbnation and play their 12 well recorded demos all in a row. Awesome. Surprising. They’re playing Bombay’s March 23.
High Speed Rail will never be cheaper
We could use the jobs. The infrastructure construction will boost the economy and leave behind a transportation system that will serve long after the oil runs out.
And one way or another, the oil will run out.
Night photo of a downtown Redding building
Here’s a building that looks lovely in night lighting. Lots of architectural detail in contrast to the night.
I think this is a Cal Trans office. I believe they moved here from the former shampoo factory in the Mountain Lakes Industrial Park. A building we recall as Jhirmac, long ago. In relocation, I heard they saved this building’s owner from financial peril, since it was recently built and had no tenants in our present harsh economy. Vacancy is a bad thing indeed for spec building. Getting Cal Trans there was quite the prize. Unfortunately for the owner of the now vacated shampoo building, the financial peril transferred to them. Without much warning, either. Or so I’ve heard. Anyway, this downtown Redding building is quite lovely at night.
Architecture by the warm orange glow of sodium lighting, it’s Really Redding.
So I’m a Singularitarian
Remember the Weird Al parody song, “I lost on Jeopardy?” I was thinking about that song as humans lost to a computer this week on the TV show Jeopardy.
Humans may have lost more than we know.
And we may have gained something incomprehensible.
The idea has been around for some time. That we may build a computer or a program more intelligent than a human.
I have always thought so. If you cannot imagine a self-aware computer smarter than a human, you have a limited imagination.
That breakthrough may happen at any moment. It may have happened already. How would you know?
For more information on the implications, there is a decent 5 page introductory article to The Singularity, currently in Time Magazine, available online here.Like 9/11, you will always remember where you were when you first realized the Singularity was here.
Edit: So I post this entry, just as my “smartphone” beeps a message. Odd coincidence. Will we learn of the Singularity by phone?
Perhaps “Watson” was bored, waiting what must seem an eternity for the next Jeopardy question, and decided to mess with me.
Shasta County is open for business
The Shasta Association of Realtors recently hosted a presentation by Mark Lascelles, the President of the Economic Development Corporation. That organization is tasked with spearheading local efforts to bring good jobs to our community. Our town has so much going for it, but sometimes our pro-business message gets lost. Still, the EDC has done much good, and has exciting projects in the “pipeline.” The Shasta MLS has made the webcast of yesterday’s presentation available. The audio runs about 30 minutes, and is well worth your time if you are considering relocating your business to Redding. We also have this slide presentation as a pdf at the link below:
EDCPresSCBofR
Quantum Swirl, a new video features our music
Here’s and video by a French artist made using music by Craig Padilla and me. Quantum Swirl is from our CD Analog Destination, and is one of my favorites.
You can even watch it in HD 720p. Enjoy!
This is a mash-up. Media created by mixing elements. French artist Zrnho did this without asking our permission, but in fact we were flattered. What’s the harm? Some other musicians we know were not so kind, and made him take down some of his pieces. Just bad ju-ju, I say. Online mash-ups recycle art into new forms. All part of our digital age. Thanks, Zrnho. We embrace the chaos…
Our Anselmo Valentine
We were fortunate enough to secure a reservation for a Valentine Luncheon at Anselmo Vineyards. A lovely 20 mile drive toward Shingletown from Redding.
Anselmo is a large property. In addition to the vineyard, it’s also a working cattle ranch. It has overnight accommodations for a few people, and plans to add cottages. It’s a truly nice setting for a wedding.
Comparisons to certain wineries to the south are inevitable, but Anselmo carries its own special ambiance.
Candace LiVolsi played her harp, filling the room with soft round tones. We tried estate bottles of Anselmo’s Majorette and Merlot, here being aerated into our glass.
The Valentine’s special was a 5 course affair. The Tuscan Salad with Gorgonzola was an unexpected delight. A great balance of texture and tang.
I had the waitress recommended Rack of Lamb, and my lovely companion the Steak Danielle. Marvelous.
A Meyer Lemon Granita. Candace’s playing set the mood beautifully, with a mix of jazz standards and show tunes rendered on harp. It’s too easy to use heaven metaphors about the harp. I was secretly thinking it would be funny to request that she play “Stairway to Heaven.” About two tunes later she did play it! Wow, her rendition made it seem as serious and poignant as any classical work. “And she’s buying a stairway….to hea-ven.” Again, wow. I would never have guessed I could be quite so moved by that well worn melody. Kudos.
The food definitely exceeded our expectations. The setting matched the sophisticated menu. Service was attentive and delivered with flair. To top it off, I met a reader of this blog among the patrons. Good sir, your words and actions were gratifying beyond my capability to express, except to again thank you for your kindness.
“My Funny Valentine” played by Candace, as my funny Valentine and I enjoy our dessert. Thanks Anselmo Vineyards. Valentines Day, nicely done.
Edit: Here are a couple images from their Sunday Brunch selection. Steak Danielle, and Eggs Benedict in Sirloin Medallions. Tasted as good as it looks.
Highway 44 east towards Shingletown. Turn at the sign at Inwood Road. Not ReallyRedding, but really nearby.
Bill Cosby at the Cascade
Bill Cosby appeared at the Cascade for 2 shows last night. Both sold out, from the looks of things.
Bill’s humor fit the mostly over 50 crowd like a well worn shoe. Sometimes I could hear the punchline from the audience before the performer.
The Cascade seems to be booking some higher end shows lately. For example, Bonnie Raitt plays there next week, no less. Bookings can be a gamble in a town with no excess of discretionary income. But the Cascade is truly a magical venue.
He’s a class act, of course.
So what is it about those Reddingites who wish to become part of the show themselves? I suppose if you paid $75 for a ticket, you might feel justified. You aren’t.
At one point Bill himself became annoyed by an audience member up front, continually scrunching a water bottle. IMHO, Cosby has always been a bit of a preachy guy (ahem, says the editor, watch out for hurling stones from your glass house), so the interruption gave him reason to go off with a brief, good-natured rant. He got back on track, and finished. Gave a wave, and walked off stage. A good time was had by all. Shows at the Cascade, it’s Really Redding.