The beautiful mountain – Feb 26th.

These photos, taken the morning of February 26th, celebrate the glorious days between the winter storms.

The mountain from town

Heading up Everitt Memorial Highway to stop at the trailhead for Red Fir Flat

Skiers heading out from Bunny Flat

Mt. Shasta musician performs at Academy Awards!

Masato Baba, who grew up in Mt. Shasta playing taiko with his parents, performed with his group TaikoProject at the 81st Annual Academy Awards February 22nd in Hollywood.  At the Academy Awards the TaikiProject performed a medley of nominated songs from Slumdog Millionaire and Wall-e.

Masato returns to Mt. Shasta in the summer to perform with Shasta Taiko, the organization founded by his parents, Russel Baba and Jeanne Mercer. As the musical director of TaikoProject, Baba has traveled around the world playing taiko. For a number of years that has meant returning to Mt. Shasta with his colleagues and students to take part in the ShastaYama Taiko Festival, set for Aug 1st, 2009.

ShastaYama brings the grace and power of taiko, Japanese drumming, to the alpine beauty of Mount Shasta, where this cultural phenomenon has taken hold. Shasta Taiko founders, Russel and Jeanne, brought taiko to Mt. Shasta 24 years ago, and their taiko program has had a direct impact on the development of American Taiko. That impact has grown beyond them through Masato’s work with the TaikoProject. Founded in 2000, the TaikoProject describes its self as “an ensemble of America’s premiere, emerging taiko drummers, dedicated to preserving and disseminating American taiko drumming through educational activities and public performances.”

If you’re considering a summer trip to the Mt. Shasta area, don’t miss the ShastaYama Taiko Festival, held at the base of majestic Mt. Shasta in Shastice Park. You’ll enjoy an evening of specatal, costume, story telling, powerful music and the opportunity to join the crowd in a celebratory dance. Visit their website to learn more about Shasta Taiko. If you are planning a trip www.visitsiskiyou.org and www.mtshastachamber.com will help you with details.

Winter eagles in Klamath Basin highlighted in SF Chronicle

The San Francisco Chronicle highlighted a winter tradition in its Monday issue with the story “Birders head to Siskiyou wetlands to see eagles”. Writer Carolyn Jones explored the Klamath Basin, which lies north of Mt. Shasta on Highway 97, where eagles are so common during the winter (sometimes up to 1000 eagles) that their presence has led to an annual event, the Winter Wings Festival. The event has passed, but the eagles remain. Take a drive out to the Tulelake area and stop in at the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center on Hill Road where you can learn more about the eagles and a huge number of other bird populations that pass through the Klamath Basin during annual migration patterns.

To learn more about the K Basin refuges, check out this US Fish & Wildlife service video and read the Chronicle’s story linked above. Then head to the Visit Siskiyou website for help planning your visit to this beautiful, remote area (read: come with supplies).

Weed Chinese Auction & dinner set for Feb 21st.

The Weed Chamber’s 25th Annual Chinese Auction & Dinner is set for Feb 21st at Sons of Italy Hall in Weed, with a catered dinner, a fun “oxtion” and dancing till midnight. Participants can purchase a $25 dinner ticket and bring coins to bid on various packages with a range of 25 cents to $5. To really get involved in the fun, diners should buy a $60 “ox box” that includes dinner, 10 drinks tickets and the opportunity to bid on all available packages, like this year’s grand prize of a week stay at a condo in Hawaii. Other tempting items include ski park passes and day spa delights.

Doors open at 5pm Hors d’oeuvres and a no host bar with a fully catered tri tip dinner by The Garden Party to start at 6pm. After the auction, DJ Mark Hofer will play dance tunes til midnight. Get out there and support the chamber, then dance your socks off!

To learn more about the event, call Sheryl Wilson at 530.859.0360. The Sons of Italy Hall is located at 155 Clay Street in Weed.

good times at the Ski Park!

New snow – yeah! My husband and I went up to the Mt. Shasta Ski Park today and made some turns! With the storms earlier this week the Park is getting better coverage – enough that they reopened the Coyote chairlift. There were folks in the Revolution terrain park hitting the 9 features that are open. The park has 15 groomed runs open, and there is good riding on the shoulders of the runs where you can get a powder teaser.

The National Weather Service is forecasting another storm tonight through Friday morning – 9 to 13 inches in Mt. Shasta and 11 to 17 inches at the Ski Park elevation. The roads should be cleaned up by late Friday, so plan on a weekend trip to the Park (but check the weather forecast before you go) and enjoy that new snow! Shasta Basecamp will be up on Saturday to do a demo, so ride some new skis or a board while you’re there! Good times ont the mountain.

Grab your sweetie for Valentine’s Day festivities

Valentine’s Day is on a Saturday this year – how sweet is that? That means a full day of living it up with good times for couples and going out with friends. Here’s a taste of what’s going on:

Friday, February 13th:
The Poetic Erotic Ball (oh, la la):
The Mount Shasta Writers Series will host the Ball at the Stage Door Caberet in downtown Mt. Shasta, beginning at 7:30pm to midnight. The Ball will feature erotic poetry read by local poets and performers, an erotic art auction, a “come in style” costume party, dancing and prizes. If you want to read your poetry (or someone else’s), sign in at 7:30pm. Tickets are $10 at the door, $7 if you’re wearing a costume. Under 18 not allowed.

Victor & Allison playing at Mike & Tony’s Restaurant:
Local duo Allison Scull and Victor Martin will play music from their new CD and collected works at this old-standing Mt. Shasta Italian restuarant. Victor and Allison will play from 6-8:30pm on Friday, Feb 13th at Mike and Tony’s (501 S. Mt. Shasta Blvd). For dinner reservations call 530.926.4792.

Saturday, February 14th:
Honey Tasting at Sereni-tea:
Share a taste of delicious local honey from Mowat Apiary with your sweetheart at Sereni-tea from 1-4 pm on Saturday. Meet bee keeper Carol Mowat and chat about the mysterious art of beekeeping. Linney Poo’s Love Bites, tasty little muffins, will also be available to go with your honey and the huge array of teas. Functional pottery, including mugs, honey pots, tea pots and other household vessel, by local artist Coreena Affleck will be on display and the artist will be on site to discuss her inspiration and techniques. Stop by Sereni-tea at its new location at 319 N. Mt. Shasta Blvd.

Free Ice Show at the Ice Rink:
Spend the afternoon at the Siskiyou Ice Rink, where you can watch local skaters (ages 4 to 67) perform at 3pm and 7pm, and then take to the ice for a romantic skate with your sweetheart. Public skate sessions are from 12-5pm and 6-9pm and the rink is offering 2 for 1 admission. There will be a sizzling fire and snack bar. The rink is located in Shastice Park at 800 Rockfellow Drive in Mt. Shasta. For more info call 530.926.1715.

Romantic dinner and music at the Dunsmuir Creamery:
A dinner and dance is set for this fairly new restaurant in Dunsmuir. Dinner accompanied by romantic music will begin at 5pm with dance music starting at 8pm. The Dunsmuir Creamery is located at 5740 Dunsmuir Ave. Call 530.235.4585 for reservations.

Live music at Roxy’s Vets Club:
The recently renovated Roxy’s Vets Club at 404 N. Mt. Shasta Blvd will be hosting Sound Advice on Saturda, beginning at 10pm. Cover is $5 at the door; admission is free if you’ve come from dinner at Mike and Tony’s Restuarant.

Evening of Romance:
The Kids Factory in Dunsmuir is hosting an Evening of Romance on Saturday, with the Latin influenced jazz of Victor and Allison. You can sip champagne and sample chocolate at this annual fundraiser that includes live and silent auctions, as well as a dessert silent auction. The Kids’ Factory Ramily Resource Center is located at 4103 Pine Street in Dunsmuir. Tickets ($15) are available at Village Book s in Mt. Shasta, and Brown Trout Gallery and the Kids’ Factory in Dunsmuir.

Live music at Sengthong’s:
The Ron Lovelace Band will perform its blend of blues at Sengthong’s Blue Sky Room Saturday, beginning at 8pm. Come in early for a wonderful Valentine’s Day dinner at this popular Thai restaurant in Dunsmuir then get up and dance to the blues that’s great for dancing. $5 cover for music. Call 530.235.4770 for dinner reservations.

Contra Dance in Montague:
Caller Annie Kramer along with The Highly Paid Professionals Band will bring contra dancing to Montague Elementary for the Valentine’s Day Community Contra Dance on Saturday from 7-9:30pm. The first half hour of dancing will include lessons for those unfamiliar with Contra dancing, a sort of blend of square, English country and Celtic-style dances. Admission on a sliding scale of $5 to $10; admission is free for kids under 12. This is an alcohol-free, family event. For more info call 530.459.3707.

There you have it – there’s plenty to do, so get out there and enjoy yourselves!

Enjoy Valentine’s Day with Sereni-tea’s honey tasting

Another post from Joanne Steele-

Plan a unique Valentine’s Day celebration in Mt. Shasta Country. The crisp winter weather might call for a day of skiing, but it  could also draw you to a cozy fire and the slower pace of a stroll through the shops and galleries of downtown Mt. Shasta.

When looking for pleasant lodging with the option of a fireplace you can choose the Mt. Shasta Ranch B&B which keeps a roaring, crackling fire in the huge stone fireplace in their cozy living room. The lodge at the Woodsman Hotel also features a large fireplace surrounded by comfortable couches as well as several private rooms with their own fireplaces. The Mount Shasta Resort has fireplaces in their luxurious one and two bedroom chalets.

For a unique way to celebrate the day, attend the honey tasting  at Sereni-tea (319 N. Mt. Shasta Blvd.) in Mt. Shasta. This European style tea shop run by Swiss-born Daniela Bose, features teas from around the world in a serene, contemporary setting. Tea lovers will find over 130 varieties of teas and infusions. The shop includes an inviting sitting room where customers are encouraged to enjoy a cup of the daily featured teas, or to sample a tea of their choice.

On Valentines Day from 1pm to 4pm, Carol Mowatt from Mowatt Apiaries will be featuring a variety of local honey to be tasted, including star thistle, purple vetch, clover and blackberry. Carol and her husband started keeping bees outside of Weed three years ago with three hives. Their operation has grown to over 400 hives producing different honey flavors depending upon the season and type of flowers in bloom. Bring your honey and bee questions. Carol is an expert on both.

In addition, Sereni-tea will be featuring the unique functional pottery of Corena Affleck.  Affleck’s  splendid tea mugs and pots will be on display and for sale through March. These compliment Sereni-tea’s extensive assortment of tea accessories from Europe, Japan, China and the US, chosen to enhance the experience of a great cup of tea.

No Valentine’s Day celebration is complete without a great meal at one of the many fine restaurants in southern Siskiyou. Café Maddalena in Dunsmuir will be featuring a special menu on Valentine’s Day evening chosen for the occasion by chef, Bret LaMott. Vivify in  Mt. Shasta will be offering a complete menu of Japanese favorites including sushi and tempura as well as a selection of western gourmet dishes.

A mid-winter Valentine’s getaway revives the spirit and encourages us to reconnect with the special people in our lives.  For more ideas and information go to www.VisitSiskiyou.org.

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Some beta -

Sereni-tea
319 N. Mt. Shasta Blvd., Mt. Shasta
926-1688
www.sereni-tea.net

Shasta Ranch B&B
1008 W.A. Barr Rd., Mt. Shasta
926-3870
www.stayinshasta.com

The Woodsman Cabins & Lodge
1121 S. Mt. Shasta Blv, Mt. Shasta
530-926-3411

Mt. Shasta Resort
1000 Siskiyou Lake Blvd. Mt. Shasta
926-3030
www.mountshastaresort.com

Vivify
531 Chestnut St., Mt. Shasta
926-1345
www.vivifyshasta.com

Café Maddalena
5801 Sacramento Ave., Dunsmuir
235-2725
www.cafemaddalena.com

Eating locally on the cheap

From our friend and Siskiyou County advocate, Joanne Steele –

So, when this #$%^& recession is over, do you really want to live in a town where only the McDonalds has survived???
That looks like where we’re heading folks. I just heard a report that McDonalds is doing so well, they’re planning on opening 1000 NEW STORES THIS YEAR! But it’s really our choice. We all love to eat out, and the reality is that we’re probably going to do it as long as we possibly can, so my suggestion is vote with your dollars for the restaurants you love and want to see around for a long time.

Those value meals are really tempting, but if you’re careful you can do ALMOST as well financially at one of Siskiyou County’s locally owned, charming eateries.

Here’s how:
First of all, if you’re going out to drink, then eat at home and go out for good wine or beer. When you go out to dine, save money by drinking water and enjoy your food.
How about these “watering holes” for great beer and wine…

Stage Door Cabaret, 414 Mt. Shasta Blvd. Mt. Shasta – huge selection of imported and microbrew beers for the cost of two biggie fast food drinks!

Mt. Shasta Brewing Company, 360 College Ave., Weed – Go to their tasting room and get 6 tastes for $5 – much more fun than a value meal and probably more nutritious as well!

diVino Wine Bar, 201 S. Mt. Shasta Blvd, Mt. Shasta – Again, go for fun and still walk out with money in your pocket. A glass may cost you $5.00, or splurge and do a tasting for $9! There’s always good company, so instead of renting a movie on a Fri. or Sat. night, go taste wine and join the party!

Okay, you want to go out for a meal. PLEASE! Even if you want to order at the counter, go to a place where they’ll at least deliver to your table. In most of our restaurants someone nice will come to your table, take your order, tell you a little about their town, and all for just a little added tip (they’re trying hard to make ends meet too.) Here’s a sampling of places in Mt. Shasta Country that can offer you a little break and great food while still maintaining a reduced budget. You’ll be supporting the businesses we all want to see around after this ridiculous recession is resolved.

To save money anywhere, always check out the appetizer, salad and sides sections of the menu.

For dinner, here’s what’s possible, even at some of the most expensive places:
Vivify Japanese Restaurant, 531 Chestnut St., Mt. Shasta, vivify.com
The best miso soup ever – $3 & a choice of 4 gourmet salads for under $6

Sengthongs Blue Sky Room, 5853 Dunsmuir Ave., Dunsmuir, sengthongs.com, order from their appetizer menu for an affordable night out. On some weekend nights a few dollars cover will get you in to listen to live music as well.

Michael’s Restaurant, 313 N. Mt. Shasta Blvd., Michael features a light meal menu which still offers enough food for most people to share. Pay the small extra plate charge and Michael will serve your meal split. You get an excellent Italian dinner, a great night out and your budget is still in great shape.

Lunch, which is always easier to eat well for less:
Ellie’s Espresso & Bakery, 79 S. Weed Blvd., Weed. Nearly everything on Ellie’s menu is  cheaper than a value meal AND the bread is made there AND much is organic and as they like to advertise, “Made with Love”. Also, check out the local art on the walls.
The White Mountain Café in the McCloud Mercantile, downtown McCloud, mccloudmercantile.com. So you like quarter pounders? Check out their version. It’s a little more money, but really wonderful. Unlike certain other quarter pounders around, if you were blindfolded you wouldn’t accidentally eat the wrapper.
Nature’s Kitchen, 412 S. Main St., Yreka. Order a bowl of their homemade soup or chili which comes with bread they bake right there for under $6. Or forget lunch and order dessert – their homemade sticky buns, $2.50, are addictive, or have  a lemon bar with a cup of organic coffee, under $5.
Ms. Lynn’s Tea, 120 eleventh St., Montague, mslynnstea.com. Go here for a tea party. It’s not exactly lunch, but at Ms. Lynn’s, tea for two with scones, Devonshire cream, and lemon curd for $10.95 will feed your soul!

Breakfast
Seven Sons Coffee & Café, 1011 S. Mt. Shasta Blvd., Mt. Shasta – Their breakfast burrito for 6.75 is big enough for two which leaves you money for coffee ($1.50 if you bring your cup).
Cornerstone Café, 5759 Dunsmuir Ave., Dunsmuir – Order from the sides menu for eggs (2) and their  yummy potatoes or polenta for under $6.00.

It’s hard not to feel better after passing up the drive thru, heading to a really good restaurant, having a great experience and doing a little economic stimulus of your own.
Cheers!
Joanne Steele