The Redding Dragstrip is hosting a race for very powerful drag cars with skinnier-than-average tires, which makes for interesting and challenging racing. Also racing will be the street legal cars. Allowing street racers to run their cars at the strip helps keep them from racing the streets, and that’s a good thing. This kind of racing is really fun to watch. First one across the line is the winner. Plus, they’ve added a grudge match between two 7 second dragsters that should be breathtaking. Gates open at 4:30 and racing starts at 6 pm. Spectators pay only $5 each, and that’s an entertainment bargain, by any measure. If you’re a fan, you’ll be there, and if you haven’t been out to the track before, this is an opportunity for an experience you just won’t get anywhere else. The people running the track have made big improvements to the facility over the last couple years. Redding’s car culture has always found it’s full realization at this track since the 60’s. It is the longest continuously operating NHRA dragstrip in the US, and maybe the world. Come check it out. Be there!
Last week of freedom for kids, back to school next week
Some teachers are going back to school this week, and the kids start next week. Summer went by fast. It always does….
There’s lots for kids to do all summer here. The Aquatic Center is a great place to spend a day. We’re lucky to have it. Redding is such an idyllic place to live if you are a kid, or just a kid at heart. Sorry about that approaching school thing, kids! (and teachers!)
A short trip to Hell can be heavenly
Bumpass Hell in nearby Lassen Park is just a short hike off the main highway. Fleeing the hot summer days in the valley below can lead to a different kind of heat. Geothermal.
The trail leads to a magical part of the Caldera of long vanished Mt Tehama. Walking in, we met people from Belgium, Germany, Australia, and Japan. We are reminded this is a world class hike, so near to home. Bumpass Hell is named after a man who was burned walking where he shouldn’t. Hell, indeed, Mr. Bumpass.
Fumarole vents and boiling water are evidence that you are near the powerful forces deep in the earth. Sulfurous gases vent with a roar.
It’s beautiful and sort of terrifying all at once.
This bird didn’t seem to mind any of it. Did life itself spring from primeval cauldrons like these?
A trip to the Farmer's Market leaves Karry speechless.
Today’s sojourn to Redding’s Certified Organic Farmers Market next to our City Hall was fruitful in several ways. Here is some of our haul. I love those Thai Peppers, but a few go a long way. These few yellow onions represent the last of the Walla Walla onion season, we’re told.
We needed some Olive Oil, so we stopped at the Olinda Ridge guy’s booth. He insisted we try several varieties from tiny cups on bits of bread. To tell the truth, a lot of the subtlety was lost on me. Grassy, buttery, whatever. Its all good. We liked the idea of the Pomegranate Vinegar. A couple of funny parts: One variety of oil he said was Doni Greenberg’s favorite, and he asked if I’d heard of her. In fact I have. Who knew she was endorsing olive oil?
At one point, he turned to Karry and asked, “ So what do you think of that variety?” A bit of silence ensued. I looked at her face and realized she had swallowed it wrong or something, and temporarily couldn’t speak. That’s when 30+ years of marriage kicked in.
“That works great. I’ll take a half gallon of whatever she had.” 😉
Summer's late bloomers
Cooking at the Cascade serves up satisfying results
We attended the final show of the Cooking at the Cascade series last night and had a blast.
Prior to the movie we watched demonstrations onstage on how to make some nifty mixed drinks. Photo appropriately fuzzy. Yea Mojitos! I’d never had one until last night. More than one, for that matter. I felt like Hemingway in Havana. Here’s a link to the recipes.
The Spanglish movie was not your typical Adam Sandler movie, for sure. I hadn’t seen it. I thought Tea Leoni playing Adam Sandler’s wife nailed the stereotype, and that part was pretty hilarious.
Afterwards, we were served demo-food, including the yummy pork shoulder they were roasting all day in a Big Green Egg barbeque/oven. Which was later given away in a drawing that night. Nice prize. A great time was had by all. As we stepped out into the warm Redding night, there was much activity and a lot of people downtown. The whole place was hoppin’.
When the going gets hot, the hot go to Lassen.
We are so blessed here in Redding. When it gets a bit too hot in the valley, we can head for the hills. It’s not far at all to Lassen Park, maybe an hour or so drive. Once there, you will find tourists from all over the world enjoying the scenery and volcanic splendor. We took these shots on Friday.
Live Music by DJ at the Red Lion
Talk about unclear on the concept. I had just been reading Jim Dyar’s recent article about the Hot Start to the Cascade’s season and thinking that Redding’s really developing quite a live music scene. Then this sign on Hilltop Drive took it all back. Via cell-phone camera:
I like DJ’s as much as the next person, but if the only instrument you play is an MP3 file, you might not qualify as live music. Note to tourists driving by on Hilltop: This was probably a joke, see. We’re not like that, really. No, really.
If it isn’t live music, it’s dead music.
Tempest blows Anderson away
The Progressive Celtic band Tempest made a repeat appearance at the Mosquito Serenade, and put on a fine show indeed.
At first only the youngest kids are dancing, since they are more in touch with the muse.
But soon, the group of dancers grows larger, as the bigger kids join in.
Like a chain reaction, the group of dancers builds.
This band is hotter than than an Anderson July.
Soon the whole crowd is one single pulsating organism, throbbing to the rhythym.
Yes, you have them in the palm of your hand. Nice work.
What a terrific venue. This is a longtime Anderson tradition, but since Ken Hartman has been running the show and improving the facility, it’s really become special. Thanks to all who contribute. And Tempest, well, you blew us away!
