Concert Series starts Friday in Yreka

The 2009 Scott Valley Bank Concerts in the Parks Series:

FRIDAY, JUNE 12 • 6:30 p.m. • Miner Street Park, Yreka
The Housecats  Rock n Roll
Lalo’s Mexican Restaurant • Law Office of Darrin W. Mercier • Medical Center Pharmacy & Compounding/MC Medical Equipment
 
Friday, June 19 • 6:30 p.m. • Miner Street Park, Yreka
The Cheeseburgers  Shrimpboat Rock
McDonald’s of Yreka & Weed • Black’s Home Furnishings • Simas’ Green Thumb Landscapes/Ernie Rizzardo Landscaping

Friday, June 26 • 6:30 p.m. • Miner Street Park, Yreka
Tempest  Celtic Rock
Etna Brewing Company • Edward Jones • West Coast Paving and Chip Sealing

Friday, July 3 • 6:30 p.m. • Miner Street Park, Yreka
5 a.m.  Original Rock
Shasta Forest Products, Inc. • Sears, Yreka • Hanon’s Floors

Friday, July 10 • 6:30 p.m. • Miner Street Park, Yreka
The Essentials  Funk, R&B
Weed Building Supply, Inc. • Bruce Riger, MD • ABY Petro, Inc./Yreka Valero

Friday, July 24 • 6:30 P.M.• Miner Street Park, Yreka
One Horse Shy  Americana/Country Rock
Les Schwab Tire • Alpine Business Equipment • Gold Nugget Printing

Friday, July 31 • 6:30 p.m. • Miner Street Park, Yreka
Gimme Shelter Classic Rock
SPECIAL for Children - this concert only – all aboard the Siskiyou Arts Council Mobile Art Studio
John Durney, DDS, Inc.- A Family Dentist • Girdner Funeral Chapel • Yreka Paint & Decorating

Saturday, Aug.1 • Ft. Jones Ball Park • 7:30 to 9:30 PM
Boyz Nite Out Contemporary A Capella
Siskiyou Telephone • Scott Valley Auto Parts • Fort Jones Lumber Yard

Sunday, Sept. 6 • Mt. Shasta City Park• Noon til 6 pm
Blackberry Music Festival
Live Music, Fun, Food & Games • An Annual Project of Mt. Shasta Rotary Club

Veterans Appreciation Day in Yreka on May 16th, Memorial Service on 24th

The traditional event to honor veterans in Siskiyou County is the Memorial Day service at the Hot LZ Wall at the Living Memorial Sculpture Gardens, outside of Weed. But this year a new event, the Siskiyou County Veterans Appreciation Day, held on Armed Forces Day (May 16th), will be held to help living veterans to understand their benefits and available services. The event will also include a bit of show: the American Legion Post #260 of Etna will do colors, and the Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors will be at the opening ceremony. The Young Marines of Northern Calif. and Southern Oregon will do the Pledge of Allegiance and a drill team presentation, to be followed by a seven-man rifle volley and the echo playing of Taps. There may even be a fly-over as Taps is playing. Barbara Ward, Deputy Director of the Women’s Veteran’s Affairs of California, will be the keynote speaker and Marge Wheeler of Mount Shasta, a Vietnam veteran and nurse, will provide musical entertainment along with the local band Rockit, who will also be performing at lunch and to end the day’s events.
The City of Yreka, Human Services, UC Davis, VA Northern California Health Care, Siskiyou Ministerial Association, Siskiyou VFW Posts and Madrone Hospice are participating in the event, and there will be informational booths from various veteran and service organizations that offer things like healthcare options and help with heating costs. One booth, called Horses for Heroes, offering horse therapy for vets, will include someone in the booth to explain their program. The Redding Outpatient Clinic/VA Clinic of Northern California will have a doctor on hand to talk to vets about a new clinic that will be opening in Yreka in the near future, and the VA in White City, Ore., will also have a booth to answer eligibility and other questions for local vets.
The Armed Forces Day event will be held at the Siskiyou Golden Fairgrounds in Yreka. A breakfast, free to vets and $3 otherwise, is from 8-10am. The music and resource fair is from 9am to noon with the appreciation ceremony at noon. Lunch is from 1-2pm with the closing at 2pm.

The Memorial Day service at the Hot LZ Wall at the Living Memorial Sculpture Garden is set for 2pm on May 24th and will include the reading of names of new veterans to be added to the Wall, a color guard, Taps and a gun salatue (bring a chair if you need to be seated). The Hot LZ Wall is part of the sculpture garden, which features poingnant sculptures created by a Vietnam vet, and can be toured on foot or by car (don’t miss this!). The Living Memorial Sculpture Garden is located just off Highway 97 13 miles north of Weed.

Mother’s Day destinations and activities

It looks like the weather is going to be nice for Mother’s Day here in Siskiyou County. You’ve got plenty of brunch spots to choose from for a family outing, as well as spring flowers to admire while you’re out on a post-brunch stroll. Enjoy the company of your loved ones and the beautiful blue skies.

In Dunsmuir –

The Brown Trout Cafe is offering Mother’s Day brunch Sunday from 10am-2pm, with discounts in the Brown Trout Gallery. A Wild Thyme Cafe and Cornerstone Cafe are wonderful choices for brunch, and the Cornerstone always offers delicious specials. If you’re gathering later in the day, consider an early dinner at Cafe Maddelena, where the cuisine is always top notch. After you’ve eaten you can ease off your meal by walking around downtown Dunsmuir (keeping an eye out for the dogwoods mentioned in Joanne’s recent post). Or you can head to the river: both the Dunsmuir Botanical Gardens and Taulindauli Park have trails that take you close to the water. They also have spring flowers in bloom, which makes a Mother’s Day stroll especially nice.

In Mt. Shasta –

The Mount Shasta Resort and Wayside Inn are offering Mother’s Day brunches, and there are a number of restaurants in town to choose from. Not far from the Mount Shasta Resort, the Lake Siskiyou trail provides a beautiful site for a walk. The North Shore trail is quite sunny with a good view of the lake, and the trail across from the Castle Lake road it full of blooming dogwoods right now. If you’re in town, cut up Castle Street to the Sisson Meadow boardwalk for fabulous views and benches where you can chat and enjoy the spring weather. If you’ve got little ones with you, go to the Mt. Shasta Fish Hatchery (on the west side of I-5) where the kids can feed the fish and a short connector trail will take you to the Elsa Rupp Nature Trail across Old Stage Road.

In Yreka –

For Mother’s Day, Yreka’s got two great events: the Red Scaft Society’s “Music in the Air” performance and the 16th Annual Wildflower Show at the Siskiyou Golden Fairgrounds. In conjunction with the Wildflower show, there is a tour of the Shasta Valley Wildlife Area (outside of Montague) on May 9th. “Music in the Air” begins at 3pm at the Yreka Community Theater, and the Wildflower Show is from 1oam-4pm at the Fairgrounds. If you’re in Yreka and looking to get outside for a post-brunch walk, head to Greenhorn Park, where a trail will take you around the pond to explore the Upper and Lower Parks. Be sure to bring some bread crumbs with you, as the geese and ducks at the pond expect more goodies on Mother’s Day (they’re moms too, don’t ya know). For a Mother’s Day meal, check out Nature’s Kitchen, Grandma’s House or get festival at Casa Ramos or Lalo’s.

In Montague –

Ms. Lynn’s Tea has two events planned for the weekend: “Wonder fo the Mother”, Saturday at 1pm accompanied by a dessert tea, and all day Sunday you can stop in for a Queen’s Tea with musical accompaniment. Ms. Lynn’s is lots of fun – you can dress up for tea with props provided at the tea house, or come in your own fine garb.

Klamath River & Yreka listed in SF Mag’s Es(CA)pes!

Yreka, Happy Camp and the Klamath River got recognition recently in San Francisco Magazine’s “Es(CA)pes – 20 bright new destianation that have it all” piece in May. The area got the nod in the Wet and Wild section for family fun trips on the Klamath River, specifically for multi-day trips departing from Happy Camp. The story featured the more mellow summer trips out of Happy Camp, rather than the truly wet and WILD spring rafting that is happening right now.

The Upper Sacramento River, Scott and Cal Salmon are all flowing big right now (early May) and that makes for blood-pumping class III (the Sac) and class IV & V (the Scott and Salmon) rafting for thrill junkies. Plus you get to enjoy spring flowers blooming and tiny waterfalls tinkling down the sides of the river canyons (beautiful, let me tell ya). Rafting companies will start doing family trips on the Klamath in May too, although the weather and the water aren’t as warm as they will be come June and July. To learn more about your rafting options here in Siskiyou County and to get a list of guide services, see our rafting page.

As you’re doing your research, have a look at surrounding towns. As the Es(CA)pes article pointed out, Yreka is a great stop once you’ve finished a trip on the Klamath. You can stop for a meal and explore the Gold Rush history of the town at the Siskiyou County Museum, Greenhorn Park and at the County Courthouse $1million gold dispaly. When you’re paddling the Upper Sac, Dunsmuir is the place to go for a post-paddling meal. From the Scott or Cal Salmon (two truly remote rivers – make sure you’ve got snacks in the car) you’ll have a bit of a drive back to the towns of Etna or Fort Jones, where you’ll find a handful of dining options.

So get to planning. Spring rafting is a blast, and summer floating is a super, mellow way to enjoy time on the water together.

Yreka graces the pages of Via Magazine’s May issue

Yreka is featured in the May ‘09 issue of Via Magazine. According to the Siskiyou Daily News, “The two-page piece, by Peter Jaret, begins, “About the odd name. Some sources say it means ‘white mountain’ in the language of the Shasta Indians. Others think it arose from a misspelling of eureka. And then there’s the tale of a traveler passing through the booming California Gold Rush town who saw a canvas sign for a new bakery being hung and, reading if from behind and backward, mistook it for the name of the town. Yreka!”
The article gives a brief history of Yreka and features two photographs of West Miner Street and inside the Siskiyou County Museum. It also provides information on Yreka Gold Rush Day, set for June 20 this year, and in a section titled “If you’re going … ,” notes a number of area basics, attractions, shops, restaurants, hotels and coming events.”

H2O Manifesto on the stage in Yreka on May 8th

H20 Manifesto takes to the stage for another season, with a show at the Yreka Community Theater set for May 8th. Director, choreographer and dancer, Krista Miller brings the story of water issues of the West to the theater, telling the story of a family faced with the option of selling the family farm’s water rights to a water bottling plant. The production incorporates dance, music, art and theater, and always includes a discussion period after the performance. The play is co-written by Jason Gigliotti, and is said to be based on the story of a local, Shasta Valley family. It includes a musical score by GRAMMY nominee Gentle Thunder with additional composition by David Schanaker.

The show starts a 7:30pm at the Yreka Community Theater, located at 810 N. Oregon Street (near the high school). Tickets are $15 for adults, and can be purchased by calling 530.859.1309 or visiting Nature’s Kitchen, the Yreka Chamber of Commerce or at Village Books in Mt. Shasta.

Sportsmen’s Expo in Yreka March 14th

Stop in at the Siskiyou County Fairgrounds for the 2009 Siskiyou Sportsmen’s Expo. There will be a trout fishing pond for the kids, a display of record-size antlers, and a rock climbing wall, along with demonstrations, local and regional vendors and an antler competition you can enter. Give yourself time, as there is a lot going on. The Top Camp Cook competition offers a new barbeque as the top prize, and there is free measuring for the head and horn display ( you can bring in your rack). If you’re looking to learn more about certain outdoor pursuits, there are fly tying demonstrations, taxidermy information, packing demonstrations and the kids can learn something new at the archery range. It’a a fun time to learn more about some of the outdoor recreation that happens here in Siskiyou County.

This year’s vendors include:  Back Country Horsemen Club/Top of the State Unit,  Cold Steel Safe Company, Inc, the Iron Gate Hatchery, Julie’s Pantry & Delux Confectionery, folks from the Klamath National Forest, North Country Lures & Flies, Pen-Tac Lures, Siskiyou Bowmen and Field Archers, the Siskiyou Fly Fishing Association, Siskiyou Houndsmen & Sportsmen, wildlife artist Steel Robert Ross, Yreka Ducks Unlimited and others.

The event is March 14th, from 10am to 4pm at the Siskiyou Golden Fairgrounds in Yreka. Admission is $3 for adults and free for kids 12 and under. For more information call 530.842.2767.

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

Romanza tenors come to Yreka Jan 29th

The Red Scarf Society for the Performing Arts of Yreka is bringing Romanza to the stage on January 29th. This is an exciting opportunity for some “cultcha” in our northern city, so get your tickets to support the work of the Red Scarf folks.

Here is more from their website on the performers:

Comprised of three classically trained young tenors from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada – Romanza bridges the gap between opera and pop with operatic favorites, much-loved ballads and popular folksongs in a performance that is accessible to music lovers of all kinds.

The three: Philip Grant, Todd Jang and Frederik Robert, infuse their performances with camaraderie, intimacy and humor while blending their incredible voices in an enchanting harmony of original arrangements for the contemporary audience.

Philip Grant’s musical career has taken him to Mexico, the United States, Italy, and across Canada. He has performed more than a dozen lead roles on the operatic stage and is known for his exciting rich tone and excellent musicianship.

Todd Jang’s passion for music encompasses not only opera and classical genres, but spans a broad spectrum of styles, including jazz, rock and hip-hop. He sings a Mozart aria with the same commitment and enthusiasm as he does an Elton John ballad.

Frederik Robert is versatile in opera, oratorio, recital work, musical theater, and pop. At only 26 years of age, he has already sung roles in many companies throughout Canada including: Calgary Opera, Prince George Symphony and Canada’s National Arts Symphony Orchestra.

Each, individually, has delighted audiences across North America and Europe and now together as Romanza, they have been winning people’s hearts everywhere they perform.

The RSSPA is pleased to offer this caliber of entertainment that is Romanza, on Thursday, January 29, 7:30pm at the YCT. Tickets, $20.00 and $5.00 for students, include the reception to meet the artists after the concert at the Community Theater They are available at: the Yreka Chamber of Commerce office, Surroundings, Nature’s Kitchen, Scott Valley Drug and in Mt. Shasta at Village Books or visit www.redscarfsociety.org.

Shopping locally for Christmas gifts

Lately everyone has been talking about shopping locally, and we all know we should. After all, it keeps dollars in our local economy, and that benefits all of us. Now that it’s the official high holiday shopping season, let’s look at what you’ll find in some of our Siskiyou County shops where the inventory was personally chosen by owners and staff to fit the character of their shops. When you look at it that way, browsing these unique stores is just another way to come to know our communities better.

South County –
Heart of the Mountain Rustic Country Gifts is home to Mountain Essentials, a growing line of soaps, lotions, candles, bubble bath, foot cream and face crème. Varieties include Mount Shasta Mint, Alpine Sunflower, Avalanche of Apples, Cranberry Crags and Summit Spice. The shop also carries Ritzy Rag Bag handbags, handmade washcloths and soap bags and Suzi’s Handcrafted Rag Rugs that come in some really vibrant colors that remind you of spring.
Heart of the Mountain – 209 N Mount Shasta Blvd, 926-3905

At the Brown Dog Gallery in McCloud you’ll find all kinds of locally made products, from fine art to functional pieces, like hand-woven rugs by Lana Magnuson of Burney. Jim and Claudia Ellis own and operate the gallery, which features Claudia’s paintings, along with a bunch of other regional artists. They’ve also got a selection of homey gifts, from hand-made birdhouses and garden art to Bonny Doon Lavendar Soaps.
Brown Dog Gallery – 307 Pine Street, McCloud, 964-2662

Ruddle Cottage in Dunsmuir is the outlet for the creative energy of artist Jayne Bruck-Fryer, whose curiosity has led her to many unique projects. Fish sculptures made of drier lint, a whole line of jewelry crafted from Java Jackets and decorative pieces made of recycled glass are just part of her collection, along with her watercolor paintings. Be sure to take a close look at the garden cabin walls, which are covered in her handmade glass, pottery and mirror studded mural.
Ruddle Cottage – 5815 Sacramento Ave, Dunsmuir, 235-2022

North County –
At the Tasty-Q in Yreka’s Chamber of Commerce you’ll find a delightful selection of locally made foods. Wini, of Tradewinds along with Terry of Willow Creek Foods, have created a colorful display of gift boxes filled with goodies like peanut brittle, peppermint bark, chocolate covered bananas, toffee peanuts, Miner’s Munch and peanut butter pretzels. Towards the back of the store you’ll find sauces from the Klamath River Barbeque Company, Jefferson State Foods, Willow Creek Foods jalepeno jams, Biancia’s Spreads, Hot Lips Raspberry Chipotle Sauce, and “strawberry horsebite” – a strawberry horseradish sauce.
The Tasty-Q is on the corner of Broadway and Miner Streets, 842-9729

New Traditions Dulcimers and Wood Works just opened in downtown Yreka, and the display in the window will pull you in. Operated by craftsman and musician Dan Daniels, the shop features a selection of stringed instruments and Dan’s wood products, like turned pens, candle snuffers and boxes, made with local woods. This is a great place to visit to appreciate craftsmanship and slip into the bluegrass, folksy feeling of the shop. If you’re interested in music, but don’t count yourself a musician yet, Dan offers lessons on guitar, banjo and dulcimer.
New Traditions Dulcimers and Wood Works – 327 W. Miner St., Yreka, 842-6140