Seeing Sacramento & Beyond
Exploring a City with a Small-Town Feel and World of PotentialI do. They Did. Would you?
Ye Olde Sugar Mill is a sublime wine tasting spot with several tasting rooms in one historic building. But I’m not here to talk about the wine (this time). It’s the getting hitched in a fabulous location that’s permeating my personal airwaves.
Our very own ‘Nick on the Town’ recently tied the knot at the Old Sugar Mill just outside of Clarksburg and only 15 minutes from Downtown Sac. And even though it was cold and drizzly outside, inside was all about romance, with soft lighting and magical ambiance ~ worth reciting some vows for.
Planning on only doing it once in a lifetime? No problem. There’s always the wine tasting!
Happy Nuptuals, Nick & Amber~
www.OldSugarMill.com
Ode to the Tube
Oh, the many things that come in tubes!
When a box arrived at my door last night with both ends beaten open, it was nearly a miracle that none of the contents were lost. Although obviously imperfect, boxes are generally considered a handy way of transporting things.
The tube, however… The tube, is a special invention not always utilized or praised as such.
Think about the tube that protects the $10 poster or priceless fine art: It’s sturdy, easy to carry and makes for a great faux weapon or voice-projecting device afterward. When you ship a tube, you don’t worry that the contents inside are going to be damaged, because the cardboard is a special bionic ultra-condensed material and those plastic end inserts fit so snugly in place that the tape around the outside is just an amusing aside.
When I receive a tube in the mail, in fact, I often feel quite guilty that it is serving such a temporary purpose. I feel I need to re-use the tube in a manner fitting its special heartiness… perhaps as the body of a lamp, a table leg or decorative column outside the home.
I think the tube just has that special something we all search for…. A smooth, hug-able core, no sharp ends, and a surprise tucked safely inside. Things that come in tube-shaped containers tend to be good things overall. Take, for instance, pixy stix.
So, just remember when packing, shipping and receiving all those glorious items in bulky boxes this holiday season… Sure, boxes can be great. But tubes… they never let you down.
Preston Castle: Selective Self-Destruction?
Preston Castle, Ione CA
You can see it suddenly appear from behind the hills and trees as you near… It can be a little unsettling.
Preston Castle, which is located outside the small Gold Country town of Ione in the foothills just above Sacramento, was built in 1894 and was once the Preston School of Industry for troubled boys. But time has a way of scarring the space that surrounds us….
In 2009 the television show ‘Ghost Adventures’ spent a night in the castle…. Only to find some troubling memories, and perhaps spirits, still lingering within the decaying walls ~ possibly seeking escape, justice or redemption?
Just a 40 minute drive from the heart of Sacramento, the castle is worth a look (and second glance over your shoulder). With roofs, walls and floors caving in on some accounts, the castle still stands like a determined soldier protecting its inhabitants. Only, no one human has resided in the castle since 1994. (Although it appears to have been dilapidating since the day it was built).
The exterior of the structure is misleading, as some rooms within are actually “rooms” no more. While others, curiously, seem somehow preserved. And although the school sought to help troubled youths by teaching them skills and giving them structure and purpose, there were those somehow beyond reach. Just ask the ghosts of murdered workers who are believed to still be lingering.
The Preston Castle Foundation holds fundraisers, wine tasting events and craft fairs, as well as offers special photographer tours and overnight stays. General public tours are availalable spring through fall, and proceeds go toward preserving the outwardly majestic castle… perhaps as a way to honor those who’ve come (and died) before us.
www.PrestonCastle.com
Sacramento Icons
Tower Bridge connecting Old Sacramento with West Sacramento
Q. Tower Records, Tower Theatre, Tower Cafe, Tower Bridge… What do they all have in common?
(Aside from their namesake)
A. Sacramento!
Q. Why is the Tower Bridge gold?
A. Because Sacramento is the gateway to the Gold Country?? That might have factored into the decision, but the real answer is simply: Because Sacramento’s citizens voted for it!
An Acquired Taste
Noises Off
It was a mild early Autumn day ~ The leaves were beginning to turn various colors and the sun was still high and bright in the sky. We walked toward the entrance of the theatre’s courtyard to meet my stepdad, stepsister and brother-in-law for a matinee showing of ‘Noises Off’… but what stood before me – outside the theatre – was almost like a dream…
There were rows and rows of vintage costumes reminding me of both richer and simpler times ~ frocks of sheer cotton, velvet robes with ruffled trims, patchwork pastel aprons, long luscious coats, sailor dresses, shortsuits, scarves and more. All were for sale, all those dreamy textures and classy shapes… And from so many different eras ~ Oh, the stories these garments could tell!
Come to find out it was Sacramento Theatre Company’s 1st Annual costume sale. All this before the show even began!
Sitting in the intimate theatre where nearly every seat appears to be a good one, I thought about the various performances I’d attended (and missed) throughout my lifetime – ballet, opera, orchestra… I thought about all the culture I’d tended to shy away from… And I realized how these cultural gatherings can actually help move and escalate us to new heights of the imagination. After I’ve had a good experience at a particularly inspiring performance, I often walk away a little more expanded in mind and spirit, and I dare to dream just a little bit bigger than I did the day before.
It is only now that I fully realize how invaluable this really is.
Sac has more theatres and stages than I can keep track of, but www.Sacramento365.com is a great resource. For the record, ‘Noises Off’ is showing at the Wells Fargo Pavillion through November 1. www.sactheatre.org/
[photo courtesy www.BroadwayWorld.com]
Blue October Sky
Capitol Area Buildings, Autumn
The distance between this feeling, or memory, and me may seem far ~ because it is difficult to quantify ~ and yet the familiarity brings it closer to home, and touches my heart the same way the wispy clouds are caressing the blue October sky above.
Hello, Enchanting Happy Hour!
Delta King Lounge
The historic Delta King Riverboat is pretty special in its own right, alright. It has a lot of, well, history. (It even has some ghosts, some say…). You can eat there. You can even sleep there. And now… you can experience one of the best Happy Hours around upon it.
The Delta King sits atop the Sacramento River off the Old Sacramento riverfront. Venture aboard and look around. The Lounge is on the far right side, upper floor, providing a very nice view of the river and West Sacramento. If the weather’s nice, grab a table outside – the fresh air just adds to the experience. But even if it’s raining, it’s going to be warm and cozy inside, and you’ve always got those views of the river.
The Happy Hour is from 4-7 (if memory serves. Could be 5-7). The service is friendly. And the options are splendid. I got a truly scrumptuous glass of Wente Chardonnary for $4. (Ok, I had two). Tom got a Guinness for $3, and there were several other drink specials. The appetizers are half-priced, although full satisfaction! Shrimp cocktail, crabcakes, sirloin sandwich, fresh ahi…. come on…. this is the life! And for less, no less!
They also have some pretty great room rates right about now, so its high time to take full adventage of this one-of-a-kind experience!
www.DeltaKing.com
Spirit of the Season
Old Sacramento's Garden of Enchantment
When October arrives, all I can think of are leaves changing color, crisp air, harvest moons and of course, Halloween. One of the best places to be enchanted this month is Evangeline’s Haunted Mansion in Old Sacramento. Even if you’re not looking for a costume or accessories for the alter ego, it’s almost like a Halloween theme park. Set within 3 stories of a Gold Rush-era building, this place will force your imagination to run wild.
Just across the street toward 2nd, further magic can be found at the Garden of Enchantment. Filled to the brim with crystals, jewelry, wind chimes, music, gifts, paper goods and seemingly unlimited items of charm, this shop will likely both delight and draw out your sensual side.
www.OldSacramento.com
Just a Few Minutes from Downtown… A Gem Awaits!
Enotria's Intimate Dining Room
Enotria.
When I think of Enotria, wine is the first thing that comes to mind. Fine wine and lots of it. Ambiance is the second. Indoor and outdoor ambiance that makes the sipping of the fine wine all the more enjoyable. But hey, they serve other spirits as well, and have great service and pleasant live music (on Fridays). There’s also ‘Free Wine Wednesdays’, ‘30% off Thursdays’ and ‘Wine Flight Fridays’.
My significant other and I found an affordable wine that we loved and were even able to take home retail. A real bonus for wine lovers who know that finding their favorite wines can take a lot of time, travel and effort. Not that we don’t love the experiences, but we can’t always get out and about to make the necessary wine tasting jaunts here and there. At Enotria, it was a head-spinning one-stop shop wine tasting experience. And it wasn’t even so much the amount consumed, but the amount of choices! Amen.
Wine flights – affordable, yummy and oh-so practical. Out of 3 champagnes, I found 2 new one’s to love. That’s pretty rare for me. One was even within my budget. (The other? I’ll just keep in mind for when I feel a special splurge coming on).
Turns out, “Enotria” means ‘Land of untrained vines, land of wine’. Must be I somehow knew that… Ok, it was more likely the 900-label winelist that put the sumptuous vine so steadfast on my mind.
The food was fresh and unique too. And one of my favorite parts: We weren’t in any rush and nor were we herded (or kicked) out at any point. Now that’s what I call a mighty fine, fine wine and fine dining experience! Maybe we’ll see you there next time~
www.enotria.com
Goodbye to Summer?
Summer Fades Slowly in Sacramento
Not yet. Not entirely. Not in Sacramento!
With our mild autumn weather, late Indian Summer and days still lingering longer than nights, those of us who don’t get summer breaks can immerse in summertime activities up until (and sometimes even through) the solstice at October’s end. Here are just a few things to look forward to this month while paying homage to clear skies, warm breezes and a softer sun spilling all around ~
Oktoberfest 2009 at Brew It Up – Thursday, Sept. 17
CA Brewer’s Festival – Saturday, Sept. 19
Eat Your Art Out Edible Walking Tour – September 26
Sacramento World Music & Dance Festival – Sept. 26/27
And don’t even get me started on the sweet blending of summer and fall in October and November! Well, not just yet anyway.
For more information on these happenings and more, visit Sacramento365.com and discovergold.org ~
There is something special about Sacramento; the rich land upon which she was built, the rivers that flow through her, the bounty around her and the people who make it their home.
Life is good in California’s Capital City for many reasons, including climate and geography, community and amenities, nature and wildlife, and more. It’s hard to imagine a warmer feeling than a sunshine-drenched morning here, an easier feeling than a refreshing spring day, or a more engaging experience than a night on the town after a cleansing rain.
There’s truly something for everyone and every mood, for Sacramento is a shifting entity itself, with four distinct but relatively mild seasons, diverse neighborhoods and people, a ripening food and restaurant scene, year-round events and outdoor fun, and daytime and nighttime adventures. Its magic is a blend of history and tradition, vision and reinvention. And there’s so much pleasure to be had here – with family and friends, food and wine, adventures and experiences – that they’re likely to create the kind of fond memories that might seem so familiar… but aren’t quite like any other.
