Archive for October, 2007

Mendocino Mushroom Madness is upon us!
Monday, October 29th, 2007 by dff

Nancy, Gilmour, and Peet on a walkNovember is just about here, and the Mendocino Mushroom Madness events are about to start. More importantly, the mushrooms themselves are off to a great start — check out the latest forecast from local mushroom expert Eric Schramm). We took Peet and Gilmour out for a walk on Sunday in the Jackson Forest, and saw mushrooms everywhere. I don’t know how to identify them, so I just take pictures and move on. There are some mushroom identification walks at the Botanical Gardens in December and January if you want to know more. Pretty much anyplace you take a walk or hike now, you will see mushrooms. Now we’re also starting to see vehicles parked along the roads where people go out to gather mushrooms. It’s time!

#1 Mushroom with fringe#2 Yellow and Lavender (!) fungus#3 Peeking out from the leaves#4 Fluted mushrooms#5 Mushroom#6 Baby chanterelle?


Mendocino Outdoors is the premier guide to outdoor activities on the Mendocino CoastMendocino Outdoors, the premier guidebook for outdoor fun and adventure on the Mendocino Coast, has been updated in 2017 as an ebook for the 5th Edition. You can buy a copy at Smashwords.com, the Apple iBooks Bookstore, Amazon’s Kindle Books, and Barnes & Noble's online store.

Local Music at Cotton Auditorium on Sat night, Oct 27
Friday, October 26th, 2007 by dff

The Arts for All Concert is a fundraiser for Arts for All, a non-profit association supporting visual and performing arts. The benefit happens on Saturday night, Oct 27 at Cotton Auditorium in Fort Bragg. You’ll be amazed at the variety of acts! Performers include:

  • Robert Goleman, accompanied by Barbara Faulkner: Robert has a most amazing and beautiful tenor voice. I sang in the chorus last year in a Gilbert & Sullivan musical, and Robert blew everyone away as the male lead! Barbara is an excellent pianist, and she also sings with the AcaBellas.
  • Brass Ensemble, led by Ken Cave
  • The AcaFellas, a male vocal group — I sing with them. We’ll also be joined by a group of ladies, the AcaBellas.
  • Gloriana Musical Theatre: the Gloriana folks will be performing recent and classic show tunes.
  • Fort Bragg High School Jazz Band

Other acts include tribal belly dancing, juggling, magic, traditional West African dances, fire dancers, and others. Tickets are $15 for adults, and less for seniors and children. Come support the local arts!


Mendocino Outdoors is the premier guide to outdoor activities on the Mendocino CoastMendocino Outdoors, the premier guidebook for outdoor fun and adventure on the Mendocino Coast, has been updated in 2017 as an ebook for the 5th Edition. You can buy a copy at Smashwords.com, the Apple iBooks Bookstore, Amazon’s Kindle Books, and Barnes & Noble's online store.

Halloween Fun for Everyone
Thursday, October 25th, 2007 by nancy

Living in a small town in wonderful, but it always hits home for me around holidays – any holiday. Around here, we celebrate them all. Just around the corner is Halloween, and if asked, I say that it’s really a holiday for the kids. But in all honesty, I’ve still have fun with the pumpkin carving, haunted houses, and creepy costumes. There’s nothing like a neighborhood event to bring you back to your youth!

Gallery Bookshop has a jump on the festivities with their book signing on Sunday, October 28, with Alethea Easton, “Hungry.” 3:00 p.m. 707-937-2665.

The Emerald Dolphin Mini Golf is hosting haunted house tours on Friday, October 26 through Sunday, October 28. Cost is $3 or free with golf. Call for times: 707-964-6699

The Westport Volunteer Fire Department is hosting an Oktobeer Fest – starts at noon on Saturday on the Westport Headlands. Food, fun and, of course, beer!

You can finish up the holiday weekend with The Day of the Dead at Little River Inn. Events begin November 1.

We don’t get to relive our childhood often, so don’t miss out on the fun!


Mendocino Outdoors is the premier guide to outdoor activities on the Mendocino CoastMendocino Outdoors, the premier guidebook for outdoor fun and adventure on the Mendocino Coast, has been updated in 2017 as an ebook for the 5th Edition. You can buy a copy at Smashwords.com, the Apple iBooks Bookstore, Amazon’s Kindle Books, and Barnes & Noble's online store.

Marriage of Figaro by Opera Fresca on Oct 20-21
Friday, October 19th, 2007 by dff

The Marriage of Figaro vy Opera FrescaGuest Posting and Photo by Larry Wagner

Clare Barca asked me to photograph the dress rehearsal of Marriage of Figaro this evening. I did and what a glorious evening, having nine of the best voices I have ever heard serenading me and a handful of other people.

You know I love to support the artistic community. Well, this group of singers, all young, brought in by Clare’s Mendocino Opera Fresca are just not to be missed. They will be performing at Preston Hall in Mendocino on Saturday evening at 7:30pm and Sunday afternoon at 3:00pm. Tickets are $25, and I assure you it is worth it.

Marriage of Figaro is very listenable. Mozart has a great feel for beautiful music. You will surely recognize many, if not all, the arias. I already said so, but I am willing to bet this is the best ensemble of operatic voices the North Coast has ever heard.

Enough of my gushing. Hope I see you there Saturday evening.

Larry


Mendocino Outdoors is the premier guide to outdoor activities on the Mendocino CoastMendocino Outdoors, the premier guidebook for outdoor fun and adventure on the Mendocino Coast, has been updated in 2017 as an ebook for the 5th Edition. You can buy a copy at Smashwords.com, the Apple iBooks Bookstore, Amazon’s Kindle Books, and Barnes & Noble's online store.

Fall Colors at Goldeneye in the Anderson Valley
Friday, October 19th, 2007 by dff

If you’re driving on Highway 128 through the Anderson Valley on your way to or from Mendocino this weekend, plan on taking some time to stop at some of the many tasting rooms to enjoy the fall foliage in the vineyards. Bob Nye, Operations Manager at Goldeneye Winery, called me the other day to remind me about coming down to see the fall colors on the grapevines, so I made it down on Wednesday. Although the weather guys had predicted showers that day, it turned into a warm day with clouds racing through — perfect for walking through the vineyard. I’ve always admired the colors on the vine-covered hills, but this is the first time I’ve had the chance to walk through the middle of it.

Across Goldeneye Vineyard in the Anderson Valley

As you can see, the colors ranged from green to yellow to orange to deep red from one plant to the next, making for swaths of color below the hill. You can still find the occasional bunch of grapes that was missed in the picking. These were pinot noir grapes, and while the resulting pinot is excellent, they weren’t particularly tasty in the raw. I love the deep almost-indigo blue in contrast to the wild yellows and reds around the grapes.

Pinot noir grapes among the fall colors

The Goldeneye tasting room is a charming building nestled between several restored apple-drying sheds. They host group events on the patio outside, with its barbecue grill and Dutch oven and fabulous view. Out in the middle of the vineyard on a manicured path, they’ve placed a pavilion with picnic tables. What a spectacular place to enjoy a picnic or some cheese with a fine wine!Pavilion and Tasting Room at GoldeneyeWalking the rows of grapevines, in and out of the sun


Mendocino Outdoors is the premier guide to outdoor activities on the Mendocino CoastMendocino Outdoors, the premier guidebook for outdoor fun and adventure on the Mendocino Coast, has been updated in 2017 as an ebook for the 5th Edition. You can buy a copy at Smashwords.com, the Apple iBooks Bookstore, Amazon’s Kindle Books, and Barnes & Noble's online store.

Celebrate Local Bounty
Wednesday, October 17th, 2007 by nancy

For the month of October, Mendocino County businesses are inviting you to particpate in the 100-mile challenge to eat food that is grown and processed locally. It’s easy – here’s how. The Mendocino Farmers Market continues through October – rain or shine! And to make shopping easier, stores have posted decals to identify foods that are locally produced. Or, to learn more about today’s challenges and how you can be a part of the solution, attend the Local Abundance Festival.


Mendocino Outdoors is the premier guide to outdoor activities on the Mendocino CoastMendocino Outdoors, the premier guidebook for outdoor fun and adventure on the Mendocino Coast, has been updated in 2017 as an ebook for the 5th Edition. You can buy a copy at Smashwords.com, the Apple iBooks Bookstore, Amazon’s Kindle Books, and Barnes & Noble's online store.

Dine Out for Charity
Monday, October 15th, 2007 by nancy

If you’re dining out this week, why not pick your restaurant from those participating in Project Sanctuary’s week-long fund-raiser (October 15-21). Among coastal restaurants are V’Canto and Mendo Bistro, but there are selections throughout Mendocino County. Visit Project Sanctuary‘s Web site for other participants. Project Sanctuary’s goal is to end domestic violence and sexual abuse in our community.


Mendocino Outdoors is the premier guide to outdoor activities on the Mendocino CoastMendocino Outdoors, the premier guidebook for outdoor fun and adventure on the Mendocino Coast, has been updated in 2017 as an ebook for the 5th Edition. You can buy a copy at Smashwords.com, the Apple iBooks Bookstore, Amazon’s Kindle Books, and Barnes & Noble's online store.

Favorite Picnic Spots: Gualala Point Regional Park – Riverview
Sunday, October 14th, 2007 by dff

Gualala River overlook

One look at this photo says it all about Gualala Point Regional Park as a great picnic spot. Visible is the Gualala River with the town showing on the right.

While a coastal community, Gualala is part of a “banana belt” that seems to exempt the area from the fog which often shrouds towns north from Elk to Wesport in late spring and summer.

About the Name
From Gualala.com: “some people call it gwa-LA-la, but the natives call it wa-LA-la, from the Kashaya Pomo Indian phrase, “ah kha wa la lee” which means, “Where the water flows down”, which makes sense–for the river goes out to the ocean right across from the center of town, right by that big sand bar where the whales stop for lunch every year.”

Oh So Cool …

The downside is the wind. Cooling ocean breezes are present alot as you might expect on a hill high above the Pacific. Still, it also can be t-shirt weather. In any case, come prepared for any weather, but also be prepared for a wonderful picnic. And forget to check out the park museum.

There are trails that take you along cliffs or down to the beach. Of coure, photo opportunities are limitless.
Bruce’s Best Best: take the Sea Ranch coastal access trail south for more sweeping ocean views, coves with spectacular crashing waves. You’ll cross streams along the way. A you can following trails along one stream that takes you to a small waterfall. Or bring a kayak or canoe and ply the Gualala River. While the ocean is always in the low 5o’s, requiring a wetsuit, the river in summer is warm enough for please swimming.

Supplies: two supermarkets in the four block long town have everything you need. But fish restaurants an outdoor barbecue on Main Street (Highway 1) offer tempting take-away.


Mendocino Outdoors is the premier guide to outdoor activities on the Mendocino CoastMendocino Outdoors, the premier guidebook for outdoor fun and adventure on the Mendocino Coast, has been updated in 2017 as an ebook for the 5th Edition. You can buy a copy at Smashwords.com, the Apple iBooks Bookstore, Amazon’s Kindle Books, and Barnes & Noble's online store.

Let the Bidding Begin
Wednesday, October 10th, 2007 by nancy

This weekend’s “don’t miss” is the Kelley House Museum 28th Annual Auction. With hundreds of items, there’s something for everyone – fine wines, gift certificates, antiques, new and used merchandise, collectibles, dolls, pottery, plants – the list goes on and on. There’s a “cash & carry” section where you can pick up useful household items, or participate in the silent auction where there are hidden treasures down every row. The kick-off is Friday’s Preview Party from 6-8 p.m. with appetizers by local restaurants, wine and music by Camenae for a $10 admission. Bidding continues on Saturday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. All events are at Crown Hall in Mendocion. See you there!


Mendocino Outdoors is the premier guide to outdoor activities on the Mendocino CoastMendocino Outdoors, the premier guidebook for outdoor fun and adventure on the Mendocino Coast, has been updated in 2017 as an ebook for the 5th Edition. You can buy a copy at Smashwords.com, the Apple iBooks Bookstore, Amazon’s Kindle Books, and Barnes & Noble's online store.

Favorite Picnic Spots: Big River and The World of Suzi Long
Sunday, October 7th, 2007 by dff

susielong-mf.jpgPicnics can be group affairs or romantic getaways. At Big River Beach in Mendocino, on the east side of Highway 1, you can have both. You can plop down on the warm sandy beach with a blanket for two or have a group picnic with a fire. Part of the experience is wondering at the River’s edge or walking under the Highway 1 bridge and dipping your toes into the chilly water (52-54 degrees) where the river meets the sea. With binoculars you can view nesting birds in the pines and redwoods on the opposite shore or watch as canoers and kayakers make their way up the river. This day, I came up on a different kind of entertainment: a group of art students from the Mendocino Art Center painting painting the landscape with pastels.

“I was teaching a class on what to do with all those wild pastel colors in your box,” explained local artist and gallery owner Suzi Long, owner of “The World of Suzi Long” on Ford Street near Kasten in Mendocino Village.

Driftwood fires and barbecues are allowed on Big River Beach, a part of Mendocino Headlands State Park. Is there any wonder why this is one of our picnic favorites?

Location: drive on Highway 1 a couple of hundred yards south of Mendocino Village and make a left at the north end of the Big River bridge. The road takes you to a parking area along the beach and river.

Supplies: Harvest Market on Lansing or Corners of the Mouth market, Mendocino Deli and Lu’s Kitchen on Ukiah.


Mendocino Outdoors is the premier guide to outdoor activities on the Mendocino CoastMendocino Outdoors, the premier guidebook for outdoor fun and adventure on the Mendocino Coast, has been updated in 2017 as an ebook for the 5th Edition. You can buy a copy at Smashwords.com, the Apple iBooks Bookstore, Amazon’s Kindle Books, and Barnes & Noble's online store.

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