Good Friday in Redding

Took the cousins to the McConnell Arboretum north of the Sundial Bridge in Redding. The lovely Karry captured this cute image on her iPhone.
Cousins At Turtle Bay Arboretum Mosaic2Whimsical and colorful. It looks like the turtle sculpture is turning it’s head to look into the camera. The smartphone cameras take terrific photos these days. And we are truly lucky to have this gorgeous arboretum available to the public here in Really Redding.

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Phantom Falls near Oroville

Curating this here. I ran across this image on Reddit yesterday from user SonOfOnett. I don’t think I’d ever heard of Phantom Falls. Click to enlarge.
Phantom Falls

This year all the local waterfalls are running strong. I was talking to a friend about this photo, so I’m posting it here so I can more easily point it out. The terrain looks so much like that part of the valley about 70 miles south of Redding. All green and covered with flowers this time of year. This would be a great year to go see all our local falls. So beautiful! Thanks for the image, SonOfOnett!

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Miracle March

After 4 years of drought, seeing the lake fill quickly was miraculous indeed. Should be a great year for lake fans.
Miracle March1

Miracle March2Abundant water. That’s Really Redding.

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Driveway Morels

All the rain brought in a fairy ring of Morels popping up right out of the gravel driveway of this house in Shasta Lake City. I think they are edible, but somehow the idea of foraging a driveway for mushrooms just isn’t very appetizing, Interesting, though.Morel1Later, on Facebook, I was informed there is a variation of these called False Morel that can be poisonous. I wasn’t planning on eating these anyway, but good to know.

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Street gangs of Redding

Spotted this gang on the street this morning. Click to slightly enlarge.

Turkey Stroll
Turkey Male

Turkey Male2

#Thuglife Redding style.

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Armando’s Gallery House in Redding

Armando7
A dinner at Armando’s Gallery House is unlike anything you are otherwise liable to experience in Redding.
Armando Mejorado is a Redding artist, who works in a broad range of media. He opened an art gallery in a charming building on the Promenade, and began hosting parties. The parties turned into regular food servings and wine pairing. In addition, you can paint on Thursdays. Have some wine with friends and go to work on canvas. It’s incredibly unique and special.


They offer a prix fixe menu, from which you may order a la carte. You can find out what’s on Armando’s restaurant menu on any given night via Facebook. Armando’s seems only to rely on word of mouth and social media to get the word out. They encourage online sharing and interaction. At FB, you can see images of his past special events. Check out the recent Burlesque event for Valentines Day.

When you step inside and get a table, the attentive staff suggests you get up and walk around for a look. The decor changes continually. Downstairs, Armando has a gallery showing of his work. It reveals depth and authenticity seldom glimpsed.


I published about Armando’s Gallery House Morroccan Dinner a while back, thinking it was a one time event. It seems the events proved popular, and turned into nightly gatherings. It’s fabulous for private parties.

Armando’s doesn’t simply blur the lines between culinary arts and fine art. It acknowledges they are one and the same.

Here’s the thing:

Like any art gallery showing, something this special has a beginning and an end.
Premier and Finale.

I suggest you get down there right away, before the moment is gone forever. Don’t wait and let the opportunity slip away.
1350 Butte St Redding, California (530) 768-1241

Armando’s is Really Redding.


Armandos Gallery

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Everyday Redding gains Kickstarter campaign funding

Everyday Redding is all about promoting our region’s shop-buy-local ethic. Their recent Kickstarter campaign to get start-up funding for a local shopping card reached their goal. You can learn more about Everyday Redding at their website:

Everyday Redding

“We think Redding is great and it’s our mission to showcase it to the world.”

That’s a mission we agree with! Looking forward to see the card in use.
Everyday Redding is Really Redding.

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Woody’s brew pub in Redding

Woody’s broke a dry spell of sorts when they came to town. Redding seemed to be “between” brew pubs. So we were all like thirsty mine workers, waiting for that first beer. Needless to say, the arrival of Woody’s was warmly welcomed.

Woodys3You’ll feel warmly welcomed too, when you walk in to Woody’s. That’s one of the key features of this modern style taproom and the friendly staff. We felt welcomed as though we were regulars.

Woodys2Lets get to the beer, shall we?  Among the choices, Swheat Dreams, Teachers Aide, Nutty Woody, and my fave Hopzerker. I saw some growlers being filled. They had a special brew on tap when we were last there, LAW-XX Dubbel. ABV of 8.0 and IBU 35. I didn’t get a chance to try it, so now I have a reason to go back.

Woodys4

Taco Tuesday means tacos 4 ways. Carnitas, Pico Pollo,  Shredded Beef, and Diablo Cod. Below, burgers clad in delicious pretzel buns can be ordered with ghost pepper jack cheese. There’s fish n’ chips and salads too. See Woodys’ remarkably well rounded menu for a taproom. They do serve wines, and host a banquet room you can reserve for events. They even offer a line of apparel festooned with their classy looking logo.

Woodys5
Woodys1Woody’s is no longer the only game in town for the thirsty. But they do have a lot to offer, and are well worth a visit. They will make you feel as though you are another regular. Thanks, Woody’s. You’re ReallyRedding.

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Comprehensive guide to Redding area waterfalls

We’ve had some good rainfall this season. Here it is early February, and the sun is shining and the air is in the upper 70s. Definitely time to go see the refreshed waterfalls that surround us in the beautiful northstate. Lucky for you, Active Norcal has assembled a waterfall guide they call comprehensive. Alternatively you could look at having a vacation to a foreign country and go sightseeing and see some fabulous waterfalls, like the svartifoss waterfall in Iceland for example.
Activ WaterfallsAll of them should be running strongly about now. Why not go out and see for yourself? Here’s a shot I once took of Burney Falls.
Burney Falls by Skip MurphyAppreciating nature’s astonishing beauty. That’s ReallyRedding.

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Shasta Paddlers group finds liquid fun

Here is a group based around Redding for kayaking and “the paddling lifestyle,”  Shasta Paddlers.

Shasta Paddlers

I see here they have a paddling meet-up posted for February 6 in Redding. They’ll be practicing in heated pool, so that sounds pretty good.KayaksThere’s no shortage of places to paddle in the northstate. It’s Really Redding.

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