Author: Skip@RR

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Riverfront Playhouse gets everything about Christmas (and then some)

Every Christmas Story Ever ToldWe went for Realtor night to the final performance of Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some), Directed by Russell Piette at Redding’s Riverfront Playhouse.
The cast consisted of Chris Gomez, Tyler Penn, Ian Dalziel, Amy Cicerello, Ben VanSickle and Jorin Antero-Towle. In their central role, Chris, Tyler, and Ian filled the frenetic 2 hours with rapid fire dialog and endless references to Christmas classics. It had everyone smiling and laughing the whole evening.
Every Christmas Story Ever told in Redding CAEvery Christmas Story Ever told in Redding CA shasta countyEvery Christmas Story Ever told in Redding CAFrankly, it looked truly exhausting for the players. Their timing and delivery was spot on, as one might expect for a 21st and final performance. I am always amazed at the high level of productions our local troupe achieves in their soon-to-be-former storefront theater. They are so creative and energetic. You can see about their next productions at the Riverfront Playhouse website. Here is the upcoming 2013 season:

January 26 to February 16: LEADING LADIES directed by Jennifer Levens

March 16 to April 6: PARADISE LOST & FOUND directed by Leon Compton

May 4 to May 25: CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF directed by Samantha Clark (Fork)

June 22 to July 20: BELLES ON THEIR TOES directed by TBA

August 17 to August 31: WOMEN OF LOCKERBIE directed by Elizabeth Johnson

September 28 to October 26: A LITTLE MURDER NEVER HURT ANYONE directed by Maria Drake

November 16 to December 14: A CHRISTMAS STORY directed by Jonessa Brittan

Local theater, it’s Really Redding.

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Owl! A real “Angry Bird.”

I met this owl while blowing leaves off my mom’s back patio. Talk about Angry Birds.
Owl in ReddingOwl in Shasta CountyOwl in Redding CaKarry thinks this is a baby Great Horned Owl. Famous for eating skunks. We’ll just leave you be, then. Anger management.

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Unsettled weather

That’s what they call it on TV. I like to think of it as good cloud days. Here’s a couple of images I took yesterday while out in nearby Shasta Lake City.Unsettled weather in Shasta Lake CityUnsettled weather in Shasta County

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Art in Tapas

I took these shots inside Tapas the other day. That restaurant has a very engaging vibe. And such interesting culinary selections too!
Art in Tapas restaurantArt at Tapas in Redding CaliforniaTapas restaurant Redding CaliforniaEnjoy the food, and the art; it’s Really Redding.

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Astonishing lenticular cloud sunset over Mt Shasta

This was taken yesterday. So achingly beautiful, it brought a tear to my eyes. We live with these natural miracles every day, but it never gets old. Two glowing pink structures in snow and mist above the lake. This photo is my new screen background at 1920 X 1200 pixels, and if you click on it you can get it full size.

Shasta Lenticular Sunset 1920x1200 by Skip Murphy 2012.jpgSuch extraordinary beauty. Well ordinary, actually. It’s Really Redding.

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Bright lights, big city – Redding from Space at night

NASA recently published hi-def imagery of Earth at night. Redding is pointed out below. I was surprised at the brightness of our urban light, from miles above.
Redding at nightGrants Pass, Medford, Klamath Falls. Familiar places, from top to bottom, with Interstate 5 visibly leading down to Sacramento and the Bay Area. Like neurons and ganglia connecting a living planetary nerve system.
Often enough, the space scientists of NASA discover more truth and beauty of our Earth than of the sky. Click on the image below for a full sized view.Earth at night courtesy of NASAVisible patterns of our civilization (colonization?). So very interesting to see, and to ponder. The planet lit like an orbiting Christmas Tree. All these human made photons, flowing out into Space.
Click for video
Presented here with immense gratitude to NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.

Yeah, it is rocket science. It’s Really Redding.

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A sneak preview of A Cascade Christmas 2012

The always generous Redding Rancheria invited us to join their preview party of the annual production of A Cascade Christmas for 2012 at the Cascade Theatre. We started with a party at the Atrium, and then moved over to the big show. And what a great show it was. Here’s a teaser video I put together quicky. You should really make a point of going this year. I know you’ll enjoy it. Thanks to all the event performers, production staff, and sponsors. And thank you Redding Rancheria.

Performances this weekend and next. Check the Cascade calendar of events for showtimes. Don’t miss it! It’s Really Redding.

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200 miles of Off Road trails on 52,000 acres to ride.

Until I saw this map, I didn’t realize just how large and extensive a trail system awaits off road riders and mountain bikers in the mountains just northwest of Redding:

Chappie off road and mountain bike park northwest Redding
Click to view the full map

Area Description:

Just 10 miles northwest of Redding, the Chappie-Shasta Off-Highway Vehicle area offers over 200 miles of roads and trails on approximately 52,000 acres for off-road enthusiasts. Elevation within this area ranges from 600 to 5000 feet with a wide variety of topography, soil, and vegetation types. The southeastern portions offer rocky and challenging terrain, while the more remote northwestern portions offer scenic views of Mt. Shasta, Lake Shasta, and the Trinity Alps. Camping is available adjacent to the staging area below Shasta Dam for a minimal fee. The OHV Area contains many private land parcels and several roads and trails cross these parcels. Please stay on existing trails.

Directions: This includes descriptions of the Chappie-Shasta OHV staging area, Shasta Campground, the Copley Mountain OHV staging area, and the Big Gulch Area.

Looks like you could spend a lot of quality time just checking out all the trails here. Outdoor quality time, that’s Really Redding.

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Wine tasting at Cedar Crest in Manton

Shop Local Saturday sent us into the local hills looking for gifts. We found this great vineyard and winery in Manton, Cedar Crest.
Cedar crest winery in Manton California
Kim offered us tastes of their fine local wines. Everything we tasted was excellent, but Al’s Field Blend, a big red, really stood out.

There were other gourmet samples, and other local gifts to choose from, like this Lucero Olive oil. Love the Lemon. And the Garlic.
Lucero Olive Oil tastings in Manton California
Despite well publicized recent forest fires nearby, Manton is still alive and kicking. There is a Tehama winery trail for you to follow. The fall colors were really spectacular last weekend.
Cedar Crest grounds in Manton California
Images from the Cedar Crest grounds. A lovely setting in the Fall. Below, Al’s field vines, enjoying the cool nights and volcanic soil.
Vineyards in Manton CaliforniaJust head up the hill to Shingletown, and turn south on Wilson Hill road. Like any small local business, they could always use a few more friends, so link here to the Cedar Crest Facebook page and give it a Like. Wine country, Manton style.

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Last call for B ‘n E’s.

I was surprised to learn the longtime eastside bar Bert & Ernie’s concluded its 20 year run last Saturday.

Bert & ErniesIt always seemed to me to be “in Redding, but not of Redding.” Like a tourist bar. Reviews at Yelp are mixed, but Yelp is always questionable anyway. And some videos on YouTube were pretty damn embarrassing for a bar with a Sesame Street name. No, not linking here.
Still, it had a good run. Bars come and go in Redding, and B’n E’s proved not immune to changing tastes. Our town can be a harsh environment for any small business. The owner says he’ll move into another venue, and we wish him and his staff the best.