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.
Redding's Cooking at the Cascade series
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.
Redding's Cooking at the Cascade series
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.
Redding's Cooking at the Cascade series
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.
Lassen Park near Redding CA
Lassen Park near Redding CA
Lassen Park near Redding CA
Lassen Park near Redding CA

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:
LiveMusic
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.
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At first only the youngest kids are dancing, since they are more in touch with the muse.
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But soon, the group of dancers grows larger, as the bigger kids join in.
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Like a chain reaction, the group of dancers builds.
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This band is hotter than than an Anderson July.
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Soon the whole crowd is one single pulsating organism, throbbing to the rhythym.
Tempest
Yes, you have them in the palm of your hand. Nice work.
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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!

Happy Birthday Art Hop images

The Art Hop Birthday Bash was a huge success, from all we saw. There were lots of people out and about, and so much to see and do. We went for quality over quantity, spending time at Kimberly Nicole, and also catching a set of Just Married at the Discovery Shop. The Redding scene continues to evolve…
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Redding's Art Hop imagesArtHopKimberlyNicole2
ArtHopJewlery

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You know it’s a mild July day in Redding when Hula dancers can perform barefoot on asphalt while the sun’s still up in the sky.
ArtHopHula
And of course every performer’s dream gig is a corner in a secondhand store, but sometimes certain things just fit comfortably in Redding, and you are compelled to go with the flow.
JustMarried
Yes, they are Still Married, and they offer their authentic CD’s for a mere $5. How can you go wrong on that? A perfect Art Hop birthday present.
JustMarriedCD
Thanks Art Hoppers and shoppers!

4th of July 2009 Mt Shasta style

We went up to the city of Mt Shasta for 4th of July. While this is not ‘Really Redding,’ it is typically cooler up here and filled with Reddingites anyway, since it’s just an hour north. They have a terrific 5 mile run, and 2 mile Fun Walk. We chose the fun. So did many others…
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There’s all kinds of entertainment and food along the way.
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And since it’s always good to name-drop on my blog, here’s KRCR Accuweather-Ace Mike Krueger, along with the youngest Krueger.
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A good time was had by all. Have a happy and safe Independence Day wherever you are!

Doe and fawn

Yesterday, I happened upon a doe feeding her fawn.
Fawn

Fawna
Click. Here you see, she noticed me.

She thinks it’s better safe than sorry. Time to move along.
Fawn1b

Fawn1a
Are you coming?
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Fawn2
Photos by Skip. All deer reserved.
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Sundial bridge time is correct once a year

Yesterday a group of folks gathered at the north end of Redding’s Sundial Bridge to observe the Solstice, and perhaps to verify that their cell phones report the same time as the planet. Noon. Yep.
Solstice

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There was a band, and some booths. At one of the booths you could look at the sun, but there were no sunspots or flares, so it pretty much looked like just a bright disk.
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Redding lays claim to the tallest known sundial on the planet at 217 ft. We humans have a history of building large and relatively permanent structures to observe the planetary movements.
Stonehenge

Hopeful message spotted on Redding sign

Methodist

Happy Father’s Day to me, and to you and/or your father. I spotted this sign a few days ago and it made me smile. This is the Methodist Church on the corner of East and South Street in Redding. The church is a handsome and utilitarian building in a classic Redding style, and the thoughtful sign is appropriate today. I went looking for them on the web, and they are a very interesting church. Check it out HERE.
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