September, 2016 | ReallyRedding

September 29, 2016September 29, 2016

Anthony’s Mediterranean Food in Redding

Located in a former Quiznos on busy Eureka Way (aka Highway 299w) in Redding, Anthony’s Mediterranean Food is not your typical northstate road food.

Featuring a menu packed with mainly Greek delights, Anthony caters to those looking for authentic cuisine. The menu boasts such items as Zaatar Manakeesh, Tabouli Salad, Babaganouj & pita, Beef or Vegetarian Dolma, and of course, Baklava.

But for me, the main thing to enjoy from Anthony’s is the Lamb Gyros, like the one below. I fell in love with tasty Gyros years ago during an extended stay in a Greek neighborhood in Chicago. Since then I’ve had more than my share of California Gyros that didn’t even come close. I was thrilled to see a real vertical broiler in use at Anthony’s, since that’s a requirement for the real thing that you don’t always see. The super fresh Hummus and salad with Kalmata olives and Feta cheese rounds out the plate.

The lovely Karry picked Chicken and Kefta (beef) Kabobs served on rice.

Anthony’s is a family run business, and the owner also runs the Greek Shack across town on Hartnell, and Xanders on Churn Creek. You have to admire their entrepreneurial spirit and optimism. But its not just their enthusiasm, they are relying on seriously good and fresh food to perform the magic.

For a state that often declares it has a Mediterranean Climate, California sure doesn’t seem to have enough Mediterranean food. The benefits of a Mediterranean diet are well known. Get some here. I didn’t find a website for them, but there is an Anthony’s Facebook page you can like.

Thanks Anthony’s, you’re Really Redding.

September 26, 2016September 27, 2016

Fantasy Fountain at Kid’s Kingdom in Redding

Took grandson out to the Fantasy Fountain at Kid’s Kingdom located in Enterprise Park of Redding California. This was the last day of the 2016 season as they shut it down for the winter and maintenance. It was a beautiful day, and we pretty much had the run of the place.

Thank you City of Redding Parks and Recreation! We had a blast.

You should know that the Kid’s Kingdom park is currently raising funds for a much needed rebuild/makeover. Anything helps. Click on this link to go to the Redding Parks and Recreation website to learn how you can help.

September 18, 2016September 20, 2016

Slide the City comes to Redding

The hill on Placer Street yesterday became a giant urban waterslide for a day.

Portions of the money raised here will go toward rebuilding the facilities at Kid’s Kingdom, a park in east Redding we’re very fond of. Judging by turnout, the event was big success. I’m told there were over 4000 participants.

Active Norcal presents a bunch of images of Slide the City Redding collected from social media at the link.

Close off a major street for a giant urban waterslide, that’s Really Redding.

September 16, 2016November 6, 2019

My new car sent me an email

We recently traded our fully electric Nissan Leaf for a plug-in hybrid Chevy Volt. Unexpectedly, the Volt sent me an email yesterday.

Our 2017 Volt with our 2013 Nissan Leaf in the background.

It let me know how well I was doing at driving it around (and compared me to others), how much air was in the tires, and some other interesting (to me) facts. I have never received an email message from my car before. We purchased a 2017 Chevy Volt about a month ago to replace the Leaf, which we had driven all electric for the last 3 years. The Volt has been shockingly good, a big leap ahead as a plug in hybrid. It is also a 4GLTE wi-fi hotspot, so it can communicate with the internet of things (IoT). So it makes sense that it would send me notes.

If you are a nerd like me, driving modes in the Volt gives you some mad-scientist tools to use to achieve maximum driving efficiency. In addition to the different driving modes meant to optimize distance and terrain, there is a paddle switch on the steering wheel that lets you apply regenerative braking. That uses the inertia of the car being slowed to slightly recharge the battery. Much more efficient than friction braking, and if done well allows you to almost drive with only the accelerator pedal alone.

Point being, I’m sure I can improve on the 159 miles per gallon we’ve gotten since we bought it with better technique. I’m not the only driver though, and my wife tends to drive it like any ordinary car, ignoring any efficiency options. Which you can certainly do. But where’s the fun in that? True fact, we have driven more than 1000 miles in this vehicle, and have not put a single drop of gas in it. We are still driving on what gasoline the dealer left us in the 9 gallon tank.
Cars have really changed over my lifetime, and now the changes promise to be rapid and breathtaking. Could this be the last car I’ll ever buy? I like cars, but I don’t see the idea of ordering up a self-driving ride on my phone as a bad thing. In fact, self driving car technology is coming up pretty fast into the mechanical world and it seems like they may become the new norm if all testing and maintenance come out perfectly and safely for all to drive.

September 7, 2016September 9, 2016

Have Kayak, will shoot

Shoot photos, that is. Redding photographer Jim Duckworth jumps in his kayak to get up close and personal with the beautiful scenery and wildlife to be found in the Northstate. Here are some samples of his work.

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We are blessed in Redding in that we are located so near to so much natural beauty and wildlife. Several of these shots seen here were taken at Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park, which is located about 80 miles east of Redding. Ahjumawi is not well known across the state, so you can find yourself some real solitude and glimpses of the natural world without much civilization.

Getting good results in wild places is truly challenging. It’s one thing to make the commitment to going where the subjects can be found, and bringing your equipment. Quite another thing to capture the moment with clarity and intention. Here, we see the high quality results speak for themselves. You can see more of Jim Duckworth’s fine photography at his Facebook page.

Thanks for letting me share these images here, Jim. It’s Really Redding.

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