Sunset Koi

Meet Victoria, co owner of Sunset Koi and Pond Supply in Redding.

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Sunset Koi sells Japanese Koi from their ponds just south of the Redding airport. Seen below, Queen Victoria summons her aquatic subjects with just a wave of her hand. This waterfall and pond contains her pets.

Sunset koi3I’ve been pondering Koi recently, since I spent several months feeding fish daily for a client who had moved away and left me to sell her house -along with the fish. Feeding Cheerios to friendly and beautiful Koi while watching them swim about is a very calming activity. The home I had listed for sale on Bear Mountain Road sold a few days ago, and the buyer actually wrote the fish into the purchase agreement!

Koi added value to the home.

Sunset Koi4Click any image to enlarge. Turns out, there is an active group of Koi enthusiasts in the Northstate, although judging from their club website they seem to be between leaders. It happens.

So pretty!
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Koi are domesticated Carp, as are Goldfish. They have been selectively bred over time for color and scale variations.

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Seen here are their fish for sale. Sunset Koi sells fish in a price range from $15 to $400. Victoria knows many of the Koi people in town, and after I told her my Koi home sale story, she told me of a local home that recently sold for close to a million dollars, where the owner would actually fly to Japan to purchase fish. Not sure if the fish went with the house! I have also seen a deep Koi pond at a Redding home, where you could literally swim with the fish. The Koi lifestyle seems a pursuit you could spend as much or as little as you’d like. They are like swimming art objects. It’s quite handy that you can get pond kits that are easy to install from sites like https://lovefishtank.com/best-pond-kits/, as they’re a great way of helping you move into the hobby of caring for Koi on a budget, before you spend the big bucks and have a huge pond installed!

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Sunset Koi also sells fancy goldfish, fish supplies, and waterplants. And a multitude of pond making and sustaining supplies.

So soothing to watch.

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Below, from the Sunset Koi Facebook page. They are hosting a contest (“Pondtest,” actually) that will allow you a day of self guided tours of 9 local ponds:

“For those who haven’t heard of the Pondtest; it’s a fun little event that Sunsetkoi put together back in 2014. People opened their ponds for public viewing for one day over the summer and the public got the chance to view the ponds and vote on which was their favorite. Top tip: oxygenators are useful for your ponds, because it stops the growth of algae. The plants absorb excess nutrients to prevent feeding the algae, and keep the pond cool (algae love warm conditions). Puddle Plants sell plenty of oxygenating plants for your pond if you’re interested.

We are currently putting together the list of ponds and sponsors and are in need of at least two more ponds for the Pondtest which will be held June 18th from 9am to 4pm. If you are interested please message us over facebook or email us at vldolan2006@yahoo.com.

For those who don’t wish to be on the Pondtest but would like to view ponds tickets will be available April 1st at Sunset Koi, and a few select stores that will be announced at a later date. You are more than welcome to call Sunset Koi or check out the website for more info.”

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Swimming art in soothing ponds. That’s Really Redding.

Heavy river flows in Redding

River-in-Redding640After 4 years of drought, it really is somewhat disturbing to watch high water flows in the Sacramento River as it flows past lovely Redding California. Knowing the water won’t be stored downstream for later in our hot Summer. Drawing down Lake Shasta for flood control prudence, but perhaps for nothing. So it’s a pretty view, but also a reminder that we need more water storage like the Sites Reservoir to be built if California is to continue to thrive.
Overabundant water, it’s Really Redding.

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!

Miracle March

After 4 years of drought, seeing the lake fill quickly was miraculous indeed. Should be a great year for lake fans.
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Miracle March2Abundant water. That’s Really Redding.

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.

Armando’s Gallery House in Redding

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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

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.

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.

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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.

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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.