Winter: An ideal time to sign up for a cooking class

Posted by jeffpelline on January 21, 2016 · Leave a Comment

“No one is born a great cook. One learns by doing.” — Julia Child WINTER IS AN IDEAL TIME TO SIGN UP for a cooking class in the foothills or Truckee. We’re indoors more, thanks to the wintry weather, and a cooking class helps you master new recipes, perhaps with the kitchenware you received for […]

Filed under Food, FWA blog · Tagged with Alan Tangren, BriarPatch Co-op cooking school, Chelsea Federwitz, cooking class, Grass Valley, Jes Taber, John Lee SImpson, John Weatherson, Nevada City, New Moon Cafe, Newcastle, Newcastle Produce, Nyna Weatherson, Polly's Paladar, Restaurant Trokay, Tess Kitchen Store, Three Forks Bakery & Brewing Co., Tom Bevitori, Truckee, winter

Adventure Towns: The new tech hubs

Posted by jeffpelline on January 17, 2016 · Leave a Comment

“MOUNTAIN BURGS AND CITIES WITH the perfect work-life balance aren’t just good for skiing, biking and hiking,” writes Outside magazine. “For years, these areas have reinvented themselves as outdoor-friendly tech alternatives to Silicon Valley.” Outdoor-friendly tech towns with the lure of a work-life balance, along with a growing culinary and arts scene, offer the special […]

Filed under Art, FWA blog · Tagged with adventure, Auburn Symphony, Bright Fiber, Community Asian Theatre of the Sierra, craft cocktails, foodie, Golden Era lounge, Goldtown Hideaway, Grass Valley, InConcert Sierra, millennials, Model X, Mollie Poe, Nevada City, Nevada County Economic Resource Council, Northstar California Resort, outdoor-friendly lifestyle, Sierra Digital Media Campus, Sierra Stages, skiing, snowboard, Squaw Valley | Alpine Meadows, STEM, Tesla, The Center for the Arts, Three Forks Bakery & Brewing Co., Truckee, visit Nevada City

Fresh, local feasts

Posted by jeffpelline on January 15, 2016 · Leave a Comment

“COOKING IS AN ART. CAREFUL SHOPPING, fresh ingredients and an unhurried approach are nearly all you need,” summed up the late British celebrity cook Keith Floyd. “There is one more thing — love. Love for food and love for those you invite to your table. With a combination of these things, you can be an […]

Filed under Food · Tagged with artisan food makers, Auburn, BriarPatch Co-op Market, Cello Chocolate, Christmas, Cowgirl Creamery, Dart Beverages, Dedrick's Cheese, Emily's Catering and Cakes, farmers markets, feasts, Foothill Farmers Market, Francis Thompson, fresh, Gaia's Basket, Grass Valley, Hanukkah, Jan Thompson, Jim Gates, Keith Floyd, King's Beach, local, Mary Dedrick, Nevada City, Nevada City Farmers Market, Nevada County Certified Growers Market, Nevada County Free Range Beef, New Moon Natural Foods, New Year's, Newcastle Produce, North Lake Tahoe, Obexer's Market, Placerville, SPD, Summer Thyme's Bakery and Deli, Tahoe, Tahoe Central Market, Tess Kitchen Store, Thanksgiving, The Pour House Wine Shop, Three Forks Bakery and Brewing Co., Truckee, Wheyward Girl Creamery

Old Italian food is “new again”

Posted by jeffpelline on January 15, 2016 · Leave a Comment

“ALL THOSE old Italian chestnuts, from meatballs to eggplant parm, are getting new focus,” observes Baum & Whiteman in Brooklyn N.Y., the preeminent food and restaurant consultant. “Fancy sandwich shops are nostalgically meaning them as hero sandwiches with social aspirations. Also growing: Consumer recognition of ancient and regional Italian grapes: bonarda, aglianico and negroarmaro.” We […]

Filed under Food · Tagged with Baum & Whiteman, Burger Me, Campo, Frank Molin, Grass Valley, Italian food, Kane's Restaurant, La Gastronomia, Mark Estes, Montoliva Vineyard and Winery, Moody's Bistro, Reno, Rita Molin, Three Forks Bakery & Brewing Co., Tofanelli's Gold Country Bistro, Trattoria Milano, Truckee

Truckee wins “Ski Town of the Year” honor

Posted by jeffpelline on January 5, 2016 · Leave a Comment

“The battle for the Curbed Cup Ski Town of the Year was fierce, but in the end Truckee beat out Sun Valley by a margin of 369 votes,” Curbed Ski is reporting. “Everyone had a lot to say about the final match up, with one commenter arguing, ‘Sun Valley is amazing. As much as I’d […]

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Holiday Fairs & Festivals in the Sierra Foothills

Posted by jeffpelline on October 25, 2015 · Leave a Comment

VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS IN NEVADA CITY Sundays, Dec. 6, 13, 20 1:30-6 p.m. Wednesdays, Dec. 16, 23, 5-9 p.m. Welcome the holiday season in style in historic Nevada City, where each year the town’s picturesque downtown transforms into a Christmas card come to life. The annual, family tradition features holiday activities for all ages: carriage rides, […]

Filed under Art · Tagged with Auburn, Autumn Shindig Harvest Festival, Beerman Plaza, Bridgeport Fall Festival, Christmas, Cornish Christmas, Country Christmas, Country Christmas Faire, fairs, Festival of Lights Parade, festivals, Grass Valley, Hanukkah, Haunted Historic Tour, holiday, latkes, Lincoln, Mountain Mandarin Festival, Nevada City, Nevada County Fairgrounds, Open House, parade, Penn Valley, Railroad Museum Christmas Party, tree lighting, Trick or Treat, Truckee, Victorian Christmas, Winter Craft Fair

Morgans Lobster Shack in Truckee: wicked fresh fish

Posted by jeffpelline on October 24, 2015 · Leave a Comment

Known for its “wicked fresh fish,” Morgan’s Lobster Shack (MorgansLobsterShack.com) in Truckee is the place to go for fish and chips, an authentic New England lobster roll or an oyster po’ boy. The restaurant and fish market offers fresh fish for the grill, including Alaskan halibut, swordfish, salmon, wild shrimp, scallops and live Maine lobster. […]

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Water-wise landscaping in the Sierra Foothills

Posted by jeffpelline on July 30, 2015 · Leave a Comment

AN ABUNDANCE OF LAKES, RIVERS, streams and ponds have defined our region’s geography and culture for generations. This also is reflected in the landscaping and design around our homes and businesses: lush lawns, water features, water-loving trees and shrubs. But a prolonged drought is forcing us to rethink our commercial and residential landscapes, often the […]

Filed under Art, FWA blog · Tagged with Adam Weiss, Auburn, Bob Zucca, Brian Coalson, drought, drought resistant landscaping, drought-resistant, garden, Grass Valley, landscaping, Lincoln, Nevada City, Nevada County, Nevada County Fair, Nevada Irrigation District, plants, Rocklin, Roseville, Tahoe, Truckee, water, water wise landscaping, Weiss Landscaping

Drought encourages Tahoe to focus on year-round activities

Posted by jeffpelline on July 28, 2015 · Leave a Comment

WE LOVE CELEBRATING OUR REGION’S year-round lifestyle centered around farm-fresh food, fine dining, local wine and beer, art and music and outdoor recreation — and it’s becoming a bigger draw for vacations, staycations and relocations. Tahoe and Truckee have deep roots in winter sports, going back to Sugar Bowl in the ’30s and the 1960 […]

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Placer and Nevada County CA ranked tops in nation for recreation