http://www.TheUnion.com Serving Grass Valley, Ca Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:04:31 -0600 en 30 It didn’t take long for people to form a line in front of the booth giving away free salads on opening day of the new growers market held in the county’s government center parking lot. “It’s excellent,” said one customer as she tried a salad of mixed spring greens, sliced radishes, berries, chopped almonds and drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. “We’d like you to try it, then go buy it from the vendors,” said Cindy Fake, Horticulture and Small Farms Advisor for University of California Cooperative Extension serving Placer and Nevada Counties. Fake handed out salads and recipe … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6980787-113/market-nevada-farm-county http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6981593-113/winery-vineyards-wines-2013 The Center for the Arts has announced that it has added Blues Traveler to its 2013 lineup of off-site shows at the Veterans Memorial Building in Grass Valley. Tickets for the Oct. 19 concert are already on sale to the Center’s members and will be available to the general public Monday. A quarter-century ago, the four original members of Blues Traveler, who had known each other since their early teens — John Popper, Chandler Kinchla, the late Bobby Sheehan and Brendan Hill — gathered in the basement of the drummer’s parents’ Princeton, N.J., home. The seeds were sown for a … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6969913-113/blues-traveler-members-center After nearly a five-year hiatus, the Gold Country Piano Institute returns to the Miners Foundry Cultural Center with The Alumni Series, a concert and master class by acclaimed pianist Pauline Yang, that hopes to attract a new audience of classical music lovers. Tonight, Yang will perform the works of such greats as Bach, Chopin, Mendelssohn, Schumann and Rachmaninoff in the Stone Hall at the Foundry. Then Sunday, Yang will offer a Master Class to intermediate and advanced pianists where they will receive detailed, insightful comments that will help them examine their repertoire with a new perspective. Yang began her piano … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6899870-113/foundry-concert-piano-institute The Nevada City Farmers Market opens its 2013 season today. There will be live music, art, coffee, food and loads of local produce from Nevada County farms. The market is open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and is located on Union Street between Broad and Commercial streets. For more about the market, including a list of vendors, visit http://ncfarmersmarket.org/. … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6928481-113/market-nevada-farmers-opens Ten (or was it 12?) baby quail scurried along the edge of my meadow with their parents, arriving just in time for me to enjoy them only a few feet from the French doors in my bedroom. I realized I was holding my breath, so enraptured by this exquisite moment a couple of weeks ago. What a treat! I have often seen the young but never quite so tiny. It is the birdseed falling from the feeder that attracts the quail. The woodpeckers are especially messy in their feeding. Seed goes flying everywhere. But rarely is there any seed sprouting … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6919654-113/garden-quail-lettuce-summer Way back in 2008, the Roamin Angel Corner featured Mike Chatfield’s ’50 Chevy pickup, titling it “Old School.” The reason was that Mike likes to build his street rods himself and drive them. Although his rods have won trophies, they’re just a nice byproduct rather than the reason he builds them. Over the years, he has built a number of them, always Chevys, and driven them for a while before selling them. When he saw a ’54 Chevy 210 body and frame for sale on Craigslist for a good price, he decided to buy it and build it just to … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6919373-113/mike-chevy-blue-car Naggiar Vineyards will continue its WineFest summer events this weekend with live music tonight and a special Father’s Day photography exhibit and book signing by Larry Brenden. Today, the tasting room will be open from noon to 5 p.m., with the musical duo Sorci and Martini playing from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Brenden will be at the tasting room from 1 to 4 p.m. with a display of his landscape photography and copies of his new book “Luscious Landscapes.” Brenden has been a fine art photographer for the past 10 years. He has tamped through forested mountains, spent time … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6919635-113/brenden-naggiar-book-tasting WASHINGTON — The consumption of rubbery hot dogs and cellophane-wrapped sandwiches of indeterminate age is a time-honored rite of passage for generations of families making the trek to national parks around the country. But the National Park Service is determined that the American experience now include the option of free-range chicken breast with sweet potato cake and fennel salad, or cumin-scented rockfish tacos, maybe topped off with a locally grown berry yogurt parfait, all washed down with shade-grown coffee picked by workers whose rights have been protected under fair-trade agreements. The park service last week introduced new food standards that … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6888417-113/park-national-service-standards As we approach the summer solstice, one of life’s important questions is how to spend those hours between the end of the work day and full dark. Television is out of the question. Indoors is not an option on a balmy summer evening. This past Tuesday, a couple of local anglers, Tom Page and Conner McLendon, came up with a brilliant answer: spend the last few hours of their day fishing the Lower Yuba River. The timeline started with the gear loaded in the boat and hooked to the truck prior to the 5 p.m. quitting time. Maybe “quitting time” … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6914502-113/evening-fishing-fish-river http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6918644-113/deer-lice-hair-gerstenberg http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6900358-113/art-colfax-festival-fire http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6900064-113/jazz-sierra-society-concert http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6899837-113/art-auburn-walk-artists On Wednesday, the Nevada County Poetry Series jumps – full force into the wildness of who we are. June brings two of Northern California’s most notorious and beloved writers to our stage — frank andrick (all lowercase) and Josh Fernandez. “I know these guys personally — combining their creative forces on the same stage at the same time is to push the known literary limits to a new edge. Their works find otherworldly possibilities, of which all are challenged to be part in. Welcome to summer,” said Bill Gainer, of the Nevada County Poetry Series. Josh Fernandez writes for Spin … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6887684-113/poetry-arts-fernandez-sacramento An exhibition of portrait works by Sierra College Art 52 students will be at the Center for the Arts in Grass Valley from June 10 until July 1. The artists reception will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday (June 13). Visitors to the Thursday night Farmers Market are encouraged to stop by this free event and enjoy the art and refreshments. The portraits featured were done in a variety of mediums, including charcoal, pencil, pastel, graphite crayon, acrylic, oils and mixed media. Students in Art 52 learn a variety of techniques, explore different mediums and styles and develop skills … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6887603-113/art-portrait-arts-center Sandra Rockman presents an evening of theatrical gems Thursday (June 13) at the Miners Foundry Cultural Center in Nevada City. The show begins at 7 p.m. and is a mix of short scenes and monologues by actors in Rockman’s “Truth in Acting” workshop series. “Variety is the key word here,” said Rockman. “We have been exploring comedic and dramatic roles from mostly contemporary plays over this past year. And these pieces will be the cream of the crop - the polished offerings of those passionate actors who have continued to study with me workshop after workshop.” Witnessing the versatility of … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6902967-113/actors-rockman-sandra-short Saturday Nevada County Arts and the Magic Lantern Film Society present their second installment of the “Pages to Reel” series with a special screening of the Academy Award-winning film “A River Runs Through It” at The Magic Theatre in Nevada City. Pages to Reel is a unique experience that combines the appeal of a book club with the opportunity to be a film critic. In April, the two organizations kicked off the series with a sold-out screening of “On the Road,” directed by Walter Salles and based on Jack Kerouac’s seminal 1957 novel of the same name. “A River Runs … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6900601-113/film-magic-river-runs On Wednesday, for one night only, Sierra Stages and Miners Foundry Cultural Center will present the comedy “Lettice and Lovage,” as the third in it series of informal play readings titled “Theater by the Book.” The reading takes place at 7:30 p.m. at the Miners Foundry in Nevada City. Admission is free with a suggested donation of $10 to cover costs. There are no advance tickets. The doors open at 7 p.m. Refreshments will be available for purchase. “Lettice and Lovage” is a comedy by Peter Shaffer, author of Amadeus and Equus. The story centers around a tour guide (named … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6900587-113/lettice-book-series-theater http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6900320-113/auburn-cash-records-swing Music and Drinks with Friends had added a June performance from 7 to 10 p.m. Wednesday at 151 Union Square in downtown Grass Valley featuring the music of Peter Wilson and Juliet Gobert. For more information, contact Shari Phillips 277-5756 or shari.phillips62@yahoo.com. … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6899850-113/gobert-music-phillips-shari West African singer/songwriter Fatoumata Diawara will bring her spell-weaving voice, poignant songs of liberation and her will to dance to the Center for the Arts stage Sunday. Diawara was raised in a small village in Mali and now lives in Paris. She has received rave reviews since the release of her new album, “Fatou,” featuring Toumani Diabate on kora — a West African 21-stringed instrument — and Tony Allen on drums. The album was No. 1 on the European world music chart for six months. Damon Albarn and Herbie Hancock are paying attention to Diawara’s music. She has performed with … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6900418-113/diawara-center-arts-african INpulse Productions, a Nevada County production company focused on community building and expansion through health and the arts, will host its latest show, INpulse UNplugged, Saturday at St. Joseph’s Cultural Center in Grass Valley. Organizers say it will offer an enchanting night of acoustic music, spoken word, and live art. Featuring Tarney Haussler, Tyler Cook, Bennett Tyler, Camille Frick, Orion Schwalm, Aaron Penn and Friends, Obo Martin, and Atlas and Arrows. Patrons are encouraged to bring a drum for an intermittent drum circle and refresh themselves at the complimentary tea lounge. This event will also feature the art of Rosie … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6899949-113/inpulse-art-event-saturday “I make up most of the melodies for my dad’s songs,” said D’Jango Ruckrich with all the aplomb of a veteran writer-performer, which he is. The youngest performer ever — at age 5 and again at 6 — D’Jango auditioned and played at the prestigious MerleFest in Wilkesboro, N.C. That’s where he met Doc Watson and Peter Rowan. David Grisman was so impressed he gave D’Jango some of his personal mandolin picks. Now “almost 9,” D’Jango and his little sister, Jasmine, 5, will be playing the main stage this weekend at the 38th annual Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival in Grass … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6902572-113/bluegrass-adult-festival-jango ASiF Gallery @ Grass Valley Wine Company presents a solo exhibition of the works of Nevada City oil painter Betsy Lombard. This exhibit of mostly landscapes depicts an artist’s lyric vision of the natural world. Lombard’s exhibition will be on display at the tasting room gallery now through July 7, and will be celebrated with an opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday. Lombard’s great sensitivity to color and light, combined with bold and decisive brush strokes, speak of the raw pleasures of being there... the sensations of warmth and cool, the relaxation that comes over us with the … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6900566-113/lombard-gallery-wine-betsy National Theatre Live returns to movie screens this week, as Helen Mirren reprises her Academy Award-winning role as Queen Elizabeth II in the highly anticipated West End production of “The Audience,” broadcast around the world and in Grass Valley. “The Audience” will show at Sierra Cinemas at 7:15 p.m. Thursday (June 13) and again at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. For 60 years, Elizabeth II has met each of her 12 Prime Ministers in a weekly audience at Buckingham Palace — a meeting like no other in British public life — it is private. Both parties have an unspoken agreement never to … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6900549-113/audience-com-cinemas-sierra The Lonely Kings will bring their alternative style of music to Coopers Ale Works in Nevada City Saturday for the annual Bike Race weekend. Lonely Kings have a new album set to be released Aug. 20 on Epochal Artists/Capitol Records. This is the band’s fifth full-length album and the 10th anniversary of them playing in Nevada City on the Classic Bike Race weekend. Supporting the show are the heavy rockers Horseneck from Sacramento, and opening the show is the alt/punk band Black Delany from Oregon by way of Grass Valley, who are fronted by the raw talented lead guitar player … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6900445-113/nevada-coopers-facebook-kings When famed New York art critic Jerry Saltz invited Sheila Cameron to join him in hell, she not only accepted but created an entire social media forum to invite others along on the journey. The local artist, writer and person (as described on Cameron’s blog http://sheilacameron.com) posted a few responses to an active Facebook conversation Saltz initiated on the 1913 Armory Show in New York. More than 1,200 comments have been posted from people discussing their feelings of marginalization regarding the art market today. Then one day, Cameron received an email from Facebook that Saltz had tagged her in one … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6903324-113/cameron-art-hell-saltz At the recently completed Amador County Wine Competition held in Plymouth, Nevada City Winery entered six wines and came home with six medals. Their 2010 Cabernet Franc earned a Gold Medal while the 2010 Sangiovese earned a Gold Medal and Best of Class honors. The Vigonier, Sauvignon Blanc and Petite Sirah were all awarded Silver Medals while the Barbara garnered Bronze. “The Amador Competition is relatively small but that is because they restrict the entries to only wineries who produce wines from grapes grown in the Sierra Foothills. But that also makes it important because it is truly a competition … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6889143-113/competition-gold-nevada-winery Three weeks ago, Grace Barnes and Joshua Fischer planted rows of eggplant, tomatoes and peppers in a small plot of land on the outskirts of Grass Valley fulfilling a dream of self- sufficiency and community building. Each Saturday, the two friends can be found at the Nevada County Growers Market at the North Star House selling starts, salad mixes and quail eggs from their stand – Food Freedom Farms. “That’s kind of what it’s all about to me – community and local,” said Fischer. Four years ago, Fischer moved onto land with just over five acres. Two years later, his … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6879020-113/fischer-barnes-market-county Hawaiian string wizard and three-time Grammy nominee Led Kaapana and Hawaii’s 12-string guitar master Mike Kaawa return to Grass Valley for a concert at The Center for the Arts tonight. Kaapana’s mastery of stringed instruments, particularly slack key guitar, and his baritone and leo ki`eki`e (falsetto) voice, have made him a musical legend with more than 40 years experience. With easy going style and kolohe (rascal) charm, he has built a loyal corps of Led Heads from Brussels to his birthplace on the Big Island of Hawaii. Recognition by his peers earned Kaapana Grammy Award nominations in 2006, 2007 and … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6834702-113/kaapana-center-kaawa-hawaii There is a natural evolution of our needs and desires for a home. When we are young adults, we can’t always afford the size of home nor the luxuries we desire; we’re just happy to live on our own. Then most people start a family so square footage and bedrooms become critical. For decades, our money, time and energy go toward the development and happiness of our children. When our kids are mature adults, our focus can finally shift. We can turn bedrooms into libraries, hobby rooms, home theaters or gyms. We can expand our master suites to provide the … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6834657-113/suite-valley-erin-miller Put on your sunscreen and hat, grab your dog and a cool costume (or not) and head to Western Gateway Park in Penn Valley today for AnimalSave’s fifth annual Wag n Walk and Costumed Dog Parade. There will be plenty of doggie swimming pools, ice, water, and shade to keep you and your furry friend cool while you watch agility demos by TopDog Obedience and visit with animal wellness practitioners, artists, and vendors . Music and dance instructions will be provided by the wonderful Jamie Hogan and yummy food by Horn of the Bull Taqueria. Registration starts at 9:30 a.m., … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6838061-113/starts-annual-cool-dog http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6835906-113/nevada-cars-car-county http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6741452-113/broadway-habitat-benefit-concert http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6712541-113/benefit-concert-grill-nonprofit Heather Donahue, author of “Growgirl,” will join Sierra Writers at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Madelyn Helling Library in Nevada City. Donahue will lead a lively discussion of memoir writing and her experience with agents, getting published and how revision can take personal writing to the next level. The second part of the program is a hands-on workshop with writing and revising on the spot and putting practical tools into action. Participants should bring paper and pen. Donahue has written for Los Angeles Magazine, The Huffington Post, Bust and others. She is a columnist for Yahoo! Shine and is at … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6810451-113/writers-writing-donahue-nevada http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6810160-113/center-ave-florence-gale http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6809271-113/sierra-starr-tasting-open Music in the Mountains kicks off its SummerFest season with 24 world premiers by the Young Composers Project Tuesday and June 14 at Peace Lutheran Church. Both concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. When a composer works on a piece of music, most likely nowadays it is through the computer. Musical notation software such as Finale allows the composer to compose, arrange and listen to their scores as they are created. But as any composer will tell you, the moment a piece comes to life is when it is played by live musicians. “Hurray for live music!” was a popular refrain … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6797958-113/music-works-composer-mountains http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6780821-113/arts-july-county-june http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6767395-113/music-vocals-building-songs I cannot look at a blank canvas and imagine the possibilities. Frequently, my husband stands in our yard, pointing out the perfect location for a tree or the line a retaining wall should take as it winds around the backyard. When he talks, he sees a lush, mature tree shading our house and a beautiful rock wall with plants behind it and ground cover cascading over it, defining the space. I see dirt and an elevated mound of dirt. It makes for interesting conversations. I have long been envious of those who can create a magical space or work of … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6812418-113/foundry-building-miners-osborn This week, the Artwalk kicks off in Nevada City. The Artwalk is a celebration of Nevada City’s diverse mix of galleries, artisan boutiques, retail shops, wine tasting rooms and restaurants, as well as the artistic and creative communities. Participating downtown businesses will stay open until 9 p.m. the first Friday of every month, and many will host “receptions” with local artists, trunk shows and/or performances. Many shops will also offer snacks and beverages as well as sales and specials only valid for the event. By having downtown businesses support local artists and celebrating our creative community, we hope to also … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6811845-113/downtown-local-nevada-artists There will be an art reception Friday for Artsy Pets, featuring local Grass Valley artist Sandy Lindblad. She is currently displaying her art through the month of June at the Nevada City Winery at 321 Spring St. Nevada City. There will be light refreshments, and wine tasting from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Friday at the art reception. Lindbald, a local artist, features colorful, expressionistic pets using pastels and acrylics. Her newest painting “Smilie too” will be on display for the first time. Lindblad has been creating art most of her life. For information go to http://sandylindblad.com … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6809268-113/art-friday-pets-reception “Achilles Wheel is the best band I’ve heard for years coming out of Nevada County. They have great original songs and singing accompanied by a swinging band with just the right groove that you can hang out with for hours on the dance floor.” — Paul Emery, Paul Emery Music, Nevada City “From the first time I saw them, I felt they had something special … I witnessed their ability to turn heads and convert more music junkies into entranced believers.” — Wesley Robertson, “Rockin’ and Stompin’” KVMR DJ “I’m a fan, a booker and friend. All the best came … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6809185-113/band-achilles-wheel-dead InConcert Sierra’s house concerts series presents cellist Susan Lamb Cook and pianist Natsuki Fukasawa Sunday. “House concerts present great music in an exceptionally intimate venue, usually private homes. This allows the audience and artists a unique opportunity to connect in a whole different way than experienced in a larger concert setting. The music becomes very personal, and because of the limited number of audience members, there is ample time for reflection, discussion or questions for anyone who wishes to participate,” said InConcert Sierra Executive Director Julie Hardin. Admission fee includes an intimate one-hour concert with wine, savories and sweets and … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6781350-113/music-natsuki-concert-sierra San Francisco-based Boca do Rio will bring its world-music beats to Grass Valley for a Center for the Arts dance party Friday. Boca do Rio takes its name from the Portuguese “mouth of the river” — the place where myriad streams and sources converge. Composer, guitarist and vocalist Kevin Welch describes Boca do Rio as “música orgânica.” Welch’s personal and musical history was influenced by the time he lived in the Amazon and became fluent in Portuguese and transformed by samba. In the mid-1990s, he started the group Vivendo de Pão, a mainstay on the San Francisco club and festival … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6781014-113/center-boca-rio-arts Hawaiian string wizard and three time Grammy Nominee Led Kaapana and Hawaii’s 12-string guitar master Mike Kaawa return for a concert at The Center for the Arts Saturday. Led Kaapana’s mastery of stringed instruments, particularly slack key guitar, and his extraordinary baritone and leo ki`eki`e (falsetto) voices, have made him a musical legend. He has been performing for more than 40 years. With easy-going style and kolohe (rascal) charm, he has built a loyal corps of Led Heads from Brussels to his birthplace on the Big Island of Hawaii. Recognition by his peers earned Led Kaapana Grammy Award nominations in … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6780965-113/kaapana-led-hawaii-kaawa Music legend Wayne “The Train” Hancock, a headliner on country stages across the nation, steamrolls Wednesday into the Auburn Alehouse. Hancock has developed a legion of fans thanks to his unique blend of hardcore honky-tonk, rockabilly, Western swing, roadhouse blues and an unwavering devotion to classic country sounds. “The Train” will begin performing at about 8 p.m. on a purpose-built stage on the Alehouse patio. The opening act for the evening is local favorite Cash Prophets and special guest Bob Woods, performing from 5 to 7:30 p.m. “This is going to be one of the top music events at the … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/entertainment/6780946-113/alehouse-auburn-hancock-admission